tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1523338297432177532024-03-13T21:42:06.235-07:00ZoodlerifficUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-81927549731262753862013-05-11T23:14:00.003-07:002013-05-11T23:14:59.694-07:00An Open Letter to Danielle T.<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Danielle,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am writing you this letter on behalf of Benson, a wonderful
St. Bernard that you took into your home just 4 months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Benson is my sister’s dog who she had to give
up in January due to circumstances that made it impossible for her to keep him.
Giving him up was one of the most difficult decisions that she has ever had to
make and now you have made it one that she will forever regret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She thought that he was going to a good home –
you have a son who instantly became Benson’s best friend on the trial weekend plus
you are a dog trainer, so certainly you must love dogs enough to know the love,
care and attention they need, right? Jody loved that dog from the day he came
home as a puppy and she will continue to love him, as we all will. Well, all of
us except for you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you know, Benson has some health issues; he did from the
time he came home. In his 3 short years there have been many trips to the vet
and thousands of dollars spent on testing and medication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jody did anything and everything she could to
give Benson a happy and fulfilling life, even when he was struggling with his
health. He has certain diet and exercise regiments that needed to be kept up to
help keep him healthy and happy and all of this was disclosed to you before you
took him. You knew that the potential was there for him to get sick and you
promised that you would care for him. But you didn’t. He got sick and you
literally put him out on the street. You didn’t even have the decency to take
him to the vet, you just put him out on the street and told him to go away. The
worst part is that he is in pain and has difficulty walking so he didn’t even get
very far. He simply couldn’t run away from you, although I’m sure he wanted to.
I would have. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He was picked up on your street. Someone who cared enough to
find his owner took him to the vet clinic on your street and from there Animal
Services came and picked him up. Thanks goodness for that because at least he
was in a safe place being cared for by people who actually want to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But can you imagine how he must have felt? He
had come from a family who loved him so much and then he had to change homes
which must have been confusing for him. He seemed to be doing well though –
sleeping in your son’s bed and having a play buddy every day. And then
something happened and he got sick again. What happened? Less than 3 weeks ago
was the last time Jody checked in with you and you told her that everything was
going great and then this week you there him out like a piece of garbage. He
must have felt so terrible, so unloved and you did that to him. I want you to
know that I am crying terribly at the thought of this, the thought of this
sweet dog who loved you and I, and everyone he met unconditionally, but who was
put out on the street to die when things became less than perfect. I hate the
thought that he may have felt unloved, even for a moment, because he wasn’t,
except by you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once Benson was picked up Animal Services visited my sister’s old house because he was
still registered to her. You are a dog trainer and you didn’t even have the
decency to update his registration information? Well that turned out to be a
good thing. The new owners of the house contacted their real estate agent, who
contacted Jody’s real estate agent who got in touch with her in Oklahoma. Imagine
the surprise of getting that message? By this time Benson had already been at
the animal shelter for 2 days. As soon as she got the news we started piecing
the information together and it became clear that he was not there by accident –
you wanted him to go away and he did. You lied to Animal Services and told them
that you had called Jody and told her that you couldn’t keep him and that she
was looking for a new home for him. Why did you lie? Why didn’t you call Jody
and tell her instead of taking the cowardly way out? We would have come and got
him immediately because unlike you, our family doesn’t turn its back on those
in need, dog, human or otherwise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jody flew back from Oklahoma today and we had Benson there
to meet her at the airport. He has to be put down on Monday because he is too
sick to continue living a fulfilling life but we are giving him the best final
days that we can. He will leave this world surrounded by people who love him
and he will be cremated so that he can always be with Jody and our family, who
love him dearly. In a way it’s good that you have no heart because at least we
get to be with him and love him in his greatest time of need.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Danielle, I have had to put a lot of bad thoughts about you
out of my mind because the bottom line is that if I let myself think or wish
horrible things upon you then I will be no better of a person than you are. I
think what you did is heartless and disgusting and I hope that you never have
to feel unloved for a second like Benson did. I hope that you didn’t lie to
your son about what you did to Benson and I also hope that you never get
another pet of any kind because you don’t have the strength to give them the
love they need.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please don’t think about Benson anymore, he is our dog again
and we so happy to have him back, even if it is only for a couple of more days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Suzanne</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-72766866619695246802012-02-17T13:20:00.000-08:002012-02-17T13:20:15.205-08:00Useless Google SupportAt apple you have to be a Genius, At Google you only have to have a pulse, and that is optional. <br />
<br />
I've been having a problem with Google Adwords these last 3 weeks in that they forced me to do some sort of data migration and now I can't access my Adwords account. The ads are still running, I am still being billed, but I can't get in to edit my ads or look at my billing. I just got off the phone with them for the 8th time in 2 weeks and I'm pretty sure it ended with mutual fuck yous. The first 7 calls I was nice. #8, not so much. <br />
<br />
Look, we all know I have a short temper to begin with and an extremely low tolerance for stupid people, so when you combine that with multiple calls that go nowhere things are bound to end badly. Here's how it went for 45 minutes:<br />
<br />
Me: Hi I'm hoping you can help me. I can't access my ad words account and the number of the department that you told me to call last time requires a pin number for me to get past the first menu, but because I can't access my account I can't get a pin number. <br />
<br />
Google: You'll need the pin number to get through.<br />
<br />
Me: Riiiight. But I don't have access to my account so I can't get the pin number.<br />
<br />
Google: Well you'll have to get it. Go to blah blah blah and retrieve it from there<br />
<br />
I enter all this stuff and guess what, NO ACCESS TO THIS ACCOUNT!<br />
<br />
Google: Well there's nothing else I can do for you.<br />
<br />
Me: Could you put through to a manager please? <br />
<br />
Google: We don't have managers.<br />
<br />
Me: Google doesn't have managers?<br />
<br />
Google: That's right.<br />
<br />
Me: Well you and I both know that's a lie. I watch CNBC and in their Google documentaries they talk to managers of various departments so.... <br />
<br />
Silence from Google.<br />
<br />
Me: Ok, can you send me a copy of my bill for the last 2 months then.<br />
<br />
Google: That information is in your account<br />
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Me: And I thought we had determined that I don't have access to my account<br />
<br />
Google: You'll have to call that phone # you were given.<br />
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Me: The one that requires the pin that I don't have because I can't access my account? You do understand that if I had the pin I would have access to my account and I wouldn't be calling you, right? So what can you help me with if you can't help me get access to my account which I've had problem with for 3 years and you can't help me with my billing?<br />
<br />
Google: There's nothing I can do for you.<br />
<br />
Me: So you just answer the phone but can't actually do anything to help anyone? That doesn't make sense, that would mean you're literally getting paid to do nothing. Ok, so you're still billing me, so can you suspend my account until we get this worked out? <br />
<br />
Google: You can do that within your account.<br />
<br />
Me: You're kidding, right? Have you not heard me say that I don't have access to my account?<br />
<br />
Google: I can't help you.<br />
<br />
Me: So in a multi-billion dollar company like Google who employs the greatest technology people in the world, present company excluded, you're telling me that a tiny 2 person company has stumped the fuck out of you and we're just supposed to keep paying for something that we have no access and no control over? Well I guess I know how you've made your billions, I should set up my business like that. Isn't it illegal for you to be billing me and not provide an invoice?<br />
<br />
Google: I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do. <br />
<br />
Me: So you work at Google, but you can't call any other department at Google, is that what you're telling me?<br />
<br />
Google: That's right. I would call the same number that you would.<br />
<br />
Me: So if you mom worked in another Google department and you needed to get in touch with her, you couldn't just call her?<br />
<br />
Google: Well, um, I...<br />
<br />
Me: So you can call other departments, you just don't want to.<br />
<br />
Google: I can't help you.<br />
<br />
Now by this time I'm wondering wouldn't it just be a whole fuck of a lot easier to just connect me to the fucking department I need to fix my problem? At this point I'm just being an asshole and wasting her time and mine to try and get her to use her brain and break from the script and try to actually help me. This goes on for 40 mins until I decide that I'm hungry enough to tell her to eat a shit sandwich and hang up.<br />
<br />
Now I have to wait 2-5 business days from a senior support person (who is not a manager. By God do NOT call them a manager!) too see if they can use their brain and figure this out. In the meantime, I just hope to hell I don't rack up too much of an invoice because as I mentioned, I don't have access to my account to change it. Oh, and fuck you Google you useless pieces of shit, I hope I ruined your weekend!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-4834766983534464492012-01-12T15:21:00.000-08:002012-01-12T15:21:20.370-08:00A Brief Vacation Recap So As To Not Bore You To DeathWell, it's been about a year or so since I wrote but hey, good things come to those who wait, right? Well if that is true it's your lucky day!<br />
<br />
I just got back from vacation and as usual I'm sick as hell. Oh well, it was totally worth it.<br />
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It's been over 3 years since I have been to Texas and seen my friends there and although I didn't get to see everyone, I did get a good dose of crazy Texans in my 4 day visit (I'm looking at you Fanatics!). We got in 5 hours late but did manage to get out to <span class="st"><em>Freiheit Country Store</em></span> for NYE celebrations with the gang - Carolyn, A.L., Martha, Mikey, Chase, Bruce and Laurie. Jason Allen was playing and yes, there were black eyed peas at midnight so I'm good to go for luck this year (although I did have to steal them from BF's bowl since they were gone by the time my mom and I made it to the food table). It was a short but great night and as you can see my friends took full advantage of the BYOB! (We need this in Alberta. We really need this).<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCLFf2woKzU/Tw9dwCSwTqI/AAAAAAAAApo/ZDh54Y9gX8M/s1600/IMG_4883.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCLFf2woKzU/Tw9dwCSwTqI/AAAAAAAAApo/ZDh54Y9gX8M/s320/IMG_4883.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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The next day we went to Gruene and met up with Gem and my mom deemed that "she is a nice girl" so we were allowed to go to Steamboat with her. I guess I won't tell my mom the SB stories, otherwise I might not be allowed to hang out with sweet little Gem anymore. ha ha!<br />
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While in Texas we also went up to Canyon Lake and BF made we walk across the damn dam. As you know, I don't care for exercise and I even purposely wore non-walking shoes but we finally agreed that we would go half way (which was still a 1 mile round trip) and that I would get ice cream after. And a foot massage. I still pouted the whole time.<br />
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The next day we went into San Antonio - through the ghetto I might add - and went to the Alamo and the Riverwalk. My mom was distraught that we only spent an hour at the Alamo but she has been 10 times before and will be going at least 2 more times this year so I'm sure she'll get over it. This pic is BF and I in front of the Alamo, but we kind of blend in with the doors - that's weird because fat chicks don't usually blend in with anything (obviously this is my new favorite place to take a picture).<br />
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After 5 days in glorious Texas we gathered up our snow suits and headed for Colorado for The Musicfest in Steamboat. We met Gem and Shelly in Denver where we found the most amazingly fancy Target store ever and where we also discovered that buying groceries for 5 people isn't as easy as just making a list. We made it through shopping without killing each other (barely) and then headed up to Steamboat. Now, this is my 3rd trip there but my first time driving and I have to say that it is a beautiful drive even with no snow. Seriously, there was no snow in Steamboat! It was well above freezing and brooks that shouldn't have been babbling were. It did snow one night so BF got to take a ski lesson (I didn't ski. I was going to but being from Alberta I wasn't going to ski on shitty man made snow, I'm better than that!). This pic is BF when he fell on the bunny hill and had to wait for the instructor to come and tell him how to get up all while a group of little twerps went gliding by. I laughed because I am a mean girlfriend. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2uKx0pC_Bc/Tw9izpSL3fI/AAAAAAAAAqA/4TjW8z3HbZc/s1600/IMG_4963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N2uKx0pC_Bc/Tw9izpSL3fI/AAAAAAAAAqA/4TjW8z3HbZc/s320/IMG_4963.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is our condo "family"; Me, BF, Sarah, Shelly and Gem. You're probably thinking "why would BF subject himself to being trapped in a condo in a foreign country with 4 women?" The answer is we roofied him so he wouldn't know what was going on.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxxwakjomGo/Tw9jtPqRbPI/AAAAAAAAAqI/s5BACJWyQCk/s1600/IMG_4940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QxxwakjomGo/Tw9jtPqRbPI/AAAAAAAAAqI/s5BACJWyQCk/s320/IMG_4940.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
These condos are owned by people like you and me (if you and I had money to buy a ski in condo in Colorado, that is) and they had their creepy family pictures on display for all of the visitors through the year to look at. So being the smart asses we are, we decided to add our picture to their collection, Cosby Show style!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BJGiPLG2mvU/Tw9kerFx7oI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/gn6GyFXv3pw/s1600/IMG_5010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BJGiPLG2mvU/Tw9kerFx7oI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/gn6GyFXv3pw/s320/IMG_5010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>The rest of the time in Steamboat was full of beveraging, tromping from one show to another and trying to get extra shampoo from the front desk guy (mission completed).<br />
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I'll recap the actual music part of Musicfest in a separate post because not everyone will care and let's be honest, that may never happen anyway.<br />
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All you really need to know is that BF and I didn't kill each other on our first ever major vacation and that I got to do this whenever I wanted.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq71qUnB_iM/Tw9nBbNumfI/AAAAAAAAAqY/XVhvJw_cY58/s1600/IMG_4936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mq71qUnB_iM/Tw9nBbNumfI/AAAAAAAAAqY/XVhvJw_cY58/s320/IMG_4936.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-14613531104872606582011-08-24T13:46:00.000-07:002011-08-24T13:46:18.728-07:00TV Time - How I Would Fix Big Brother<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--> <m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<div class="MsoNormal">I haven’t blogged in a while because I’m so popular and wanted in so many different places that I’ve just been too busy. Ok, we all know that’s not true – I’ve been sitting my fat ass on the couch and watching what I’d like to vent about today – Big Brother.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve watched Big Brother from day one. There have been people I really liked (Chicken George, Evil Dick, Dr. Will) and some that I literally hate (Brenchel, Jesse, and yes, even Jeff). After 13 seasons though I think the show is worn out and in need of a MAJOR revamp and this is how I think it should be done (CBS, I’m available for hire!):</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Players: No more “veterans” and “newbies”. Do either or but not both. This season has been the biggest snoozefest EVER. Even the newbs are boring – where are the huge blow outs? The all night parties? Would a little creativity kill these people??? Go back to getting clashing personalities and for goodness sake give them more booze! The drunker the better (for viewers anyway).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">HOH – It’s time to make this more interesting. Don’t make it a competition every week, mix it up with that, a luck of the draw and America’s choice. Oh, and don’t tell them until right before what it is gong to be. Can you imagine how much crazier it would be the viewers got to play the game with them? Also, they should have to make decisions that will piss people off every week – like choosing the have-nots and appointing someone to be their personal assistant for the week. Oh yes, make them pick someone to be their cook, do their laundry and clean up anything in the house that needs it. That would definitely start some fights or at the very least get some emotion going.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Nominations – I’m so over the way it is done now. If you follow the live feeds at all you always know who is going up before it happens. And the constant stream of people wanting to cut deals they are never going to live up to is just silly. Again, I would bring in an America’s vote a few times, at other times I would make them name the nominations immediately after winning HOH so there can’t be any discussions and for other weeks the HOH<span> </span>should have to make the nominations in secret in the diary room and they can’t be revealed until it is time to vote. Oh, and if they were revealed, the HOH would automatically go up as well. How crazy would that be???? I know, you are amazed at my brilliance.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Power of Veto – I hate this part of the game. I don’t mind when someone gets back doored, but usually this is just another snoozefest. Again, this needs to be mixed up – some weeks can be competition as usual, some should be comps played by only those who are not HOH or nominated, some should be a blind draw and some weeks should be no veto at all making the nominations stand as is. And once again, no one should know what is going to happen from week to week – keep them guessing until the last minute and really make them play the game!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Evictions – I would bring back the viewer voting. People are so much more invested in a show when they get to make the decisions and it would throw a kink in the game if the houseguests didn’t know from week to week if they or America would be voting.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Have-Nots – I am over the whole “slop” thing, aren’t you? Make this more interesting by knowing what each houseguests favourite foods are and other things that they can’t live without and take those away. Yes, they can have hard beds but they should also have cold showers, eat only bran flakes and they should have to cook every meal for the Havs. Payback here would be a bitch!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Feeds - I would also put the 24/7 feeds back to free, but we all know that will NEVER happen, so I’ll just leave it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There are some other elements that I would add, like the ability for the house guests to request that the truth be told via a replay of a conversation. I would allow each house guest this privilege twice per season and if not such conversation existed, they would be told that too. Catching people in their lies is so much fun, why not create some more drama in the house? Also, I would send everyone who is evicted to another house for the rest of the summer – no one goes home until the end and we can watch them figure out things as another person enters. Fun, right? Now, if they really wanted to get crazy, have 2 houses start out with the same # of people, and then merge them at the halfway point and see what happens – just like survivor only they would never expect it! And how do you get them down to the numbers needed? An eviction a day until they get down to jury #’s. Oh yes, this could work!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh there is one last thing, the host. I don’t know of anyone who actually likes Chenbot, but she has got to go. She has been awful from DAY ONE yet here she is, 13 seasons later still doing an believably bad job. If there was ever a marriage I wanted to break up it is hers so that she would get the boot. If they had someone who was really into the show as the host it would be so much better. They could ask the GOOD questions and maybe even interact with fans. I wouldn’t be opposed to previous house guests doing it, as long as it isn’t some losers like Brenchel. Pick people who can actually string an intelligent sentence together and who other people, viewers included, can stand to watch. </div><div class="MsoNormal">So that’s it, that is how I would fix this show that I used to love but now just annoys me with the repetitive garbage we’re watching this summer. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What do you think?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-447747708566152782011-05-13T11:21:00.000-07:002011-05-13T11:21:39.594-07:00People Really Are This StupidWell that's a piss off, my last blog post isn't here. I wrote it, I posted it and now it isn't here. Sometimes I really hate technology.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I just had to share this whole new level of stupidity I've seen today. As you know, I'm on the condo board for my building and part of my responsibilities are to monitor the website and email for question, concerns, inquiries. 90 percent of the people in my building don't understand the difference between the board and the property manager so we'll get emails about the garage door not working or they need a new fob becuase they lost their.- all service/maintenance things that that the PM takes care of. The board only enforced bylaws and directs the PM where to spend money when necessary.<br />
Needless to say, I get annoyed with dumbos at the best of times, but today someone actually emailed the condo board to tell us the 2nd floor smelled like smoke/fire. Emailed. The Board. Didn't call the fire dept or anything! The best part is we don't check the email all the time, not even every day. I just happened to see it as I was logging in for something else and I actually had to log out and log back in because I couldn't really believe that someone could be this retarded.<br />
So how do you even respond to that kind of email? I want to say "well I guess since the building hasn't burnt down you were wrong this time" or what's more likely is "are you fucking kidding me with this shit? Are you really that moronic that although you were concerned enough to think there might be a fire you only wanted to let the board know a day or two later and not the fire dept now?" This person either needs to have 24/7 special assistance care or needs to be evicted so that I don't have to deal with their stupid ass.<br />
<br />
In other news, the new high school across the street is almost done. This is good news and bad news. The good: fewer big noisy trucks interrupting my lunchtime patio naps; less dirt and dust piling up on my furniture, entertainment in the upcoming school year - you know I'm going to be yelling at kids to GET OFF MY LAWN! And now the bad: bigger line ups at 7-11 (this is really going to piss me off), more garbage everywhere and more complaints from residents in the building about the hooligans smoking on our property. Hey, if all they are doing is smoking cigarettes I will be happy.<br />
I have one more year here, making it 6 years and the longest I have ever stayed in one place. There is a 50/50 chance I will snap and kill a kid before my lease it up and if do end up in jail please bring me some mini eggs.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-45524412027635503932011-05-01T21:57:00.000-07:002011-05-01T21:57:15.356-07:00Bye Bye Bin Laden, But.....This is how it started for me tonight:<br />
<div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="115826029" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/xritaballoux" title="Rita B.">xritaballoux</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Rita B.</span> </span> <div class="tweet-corner"> <div class="tweet-meta"> <span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"> <span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">Ok, is Osama Bin Laden dead or not? I hope he is but I hope they don't break into the Celebrity Apprentice to report it...</div></div><br />
<br />
I too was watching Celebrity Apprentice and hoping that Nene would lay a full out beat down on Star Jones complete with chair breaking over her head. And then Twitter blew up with the news that he was dead and all I could think was that he'll still be dead in 15 minutes, just please don't interrupt my show!<br />
<br />
So after Hope was fired I flipped to CNN and watched Wolf Blitzer talk so much that I was thought he was going to pass out from excitement. I bet he gets boners over this stuff. As we were all waiting for Obama to come out and give the official news, you could see America go from "right on!" to "America, Fuck Yeah! No one beats us!" - of course say this from the outside looking in and that's just how it appears to me. Look, I get that you're happy and you should be, but celebrating this dickheads death in the streets is no different than when there were pictures of people in the middle east celebrating the deaths of those killed on 9/11. It just pisses off those who are against you and could make them more eager to come back and hurt you again. Please be careful America, pride is one thing, don't let it be more. <br />
<br />
I thought Obama's speech was ok, but he was clearly trying to take credit for this to boost his re-election bid next year. Maybe it's because I don't like the guy to begin with, but there was too much "I" when it should have been all about the military men and women who made this happen.<br />
<br />
So anyway, doesn't anyone else think that Bin Laden was already dead or pretty close to anyway? He was on dialysis, of course he wasn't hiding out in caves! I kind of think that he was only the figurehead leader and that someone else has been running the show for awhile now. Why am I being a buzzkill? I'm just not convinced that killing him will bring any sort of peace - there are just so many other nut jobs out there waiting to take his spot and become famous for all of the wrong reasons.<br />
<br />
This tweet says it perfectly:<br />
<br />
<div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="25543832" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/KaraBranton" title="kara">KaraBranton</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">kara</span> </span> <div class="tweet-corner"> <div class="tweet-meta"> <span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"> <span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">Yes, Osama <strong>Bin</strong> <strong>Laden</strong> is dead, but it is the ideology, not the man, that was the problem. An idea is A LOT harder to kill than a person.</div></div><br />
Also, they say that they took a DNA test to be sure that it was him that they killed. They can get the results in a day? And will it be an episode on Maury?<br />
<br />
I'm just so glad this news didn't break during the Royal Wedding, it was bad enough that it nearly ruined the end of the Apprentice. Don't mess with my Sunday night TV dammit!<br />
<br />
And my final thought on this - the news broke on Twitter. Not on TV and not on Facebook, on Twitter. That is why I tweet folks (and obsessively check it) because when shit goes down, it's on Twitter first.<br />
<br />
<br />
Twitter highlights after the announcement that Bin Laden is dead:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="17234118" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/PaulTrigg" title="Paul Triggiani">PaulTrigg</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Paul Triggian:</span> </span> </div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text"><a class=" twitter-hashtag" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23Osama" rel="nofollow" title="#Osama">#Osama</a> bin Laden was killed in a mansion. Now we have to determine who did it, in which room and with what object.</div><div class="tweet-text"> </div><div class="tweet-text"><div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="66685886" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/SchultzWeather" title="Andrew Schultz">SchultzWeather</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Andrew Schultz</span> </span> <div class="tweet-corner"> <div class="tweet-meta"> <span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"> <span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">Holy crap....just turned on the TV....SHOCKED....McDonald's is offering $1 drinks - any drink, any size - all summer long.</div><div class="tweet-text"> </div><div class="tweet-text"><div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="75109774" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/GoodHustle" title="The Jarv">GoodHustle</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">The Jarv</span> </span> </div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">How drunk is George W getting tonight?</div></div></div></div> <div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="31206614" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Jesus_M_Christ" title="Jesus Christ">Jesus_M_Christ</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Jesus Christ</span> </span> <div class="tweet-corner"> <div class="tweet-meta"> <span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"> <span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">The Devil is officially pissed. He had to leave a fiddlin' competition down in Georgia early to file is Osama paperwork.</div><div class="tweet-text"> </div><div class="tweet-text"><div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="291481300" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/GhostOsama" title="Osama Bin Laden">GhostOsama</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Osama Bin Laden</span> </span> </div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">Well this sucks...I accidentally enabled location on my tweets.</div></div> </div><div class="tweet-text"><div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="17545631" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/jperrotto" title="John Perrotto">jperrotto</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">John Perrotto</span> </span> </div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">They should have captured Bin Laden alive and made him continually go through airport security for the rest of his life.</div></div></div><div class="tweet-text"> <div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="16842471" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/sfabobby03" title="sfabobby03">sfabobby03</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">sfabobby03</span> </span> <div class="tweet-corner"> <div class="tweet-meta"> <span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"> <span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">This new found Patriotism people are experiencing should last for a couple weeks. Or until the iPhone 5 comes out, of whichever is first.</div></div></div><div class="tweet-text"> </div><div class="tweet-text"><div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="18464181" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/NZAfro" title="Adam Hendra">NZAfro</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Adam Hendra</span> </span> <div class="tweet-corner"> <div class="tweet-meta"> <span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"> <span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">R.I.P Osama <strong>Bin</strong> <strong>Laden</strong> - World Hide And Go Seek Champion (2001 - 2011)</div><div class="tweet-text"> </div><div class="tweet-text"><div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="5262391" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/ctoverdrive" title="Connor Turner">ctoverdrive</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Connor Turner</span> </span> <div class="tweet-corner"> <div class="tweet-meta"> <span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"> <span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">RT @<a class=" twitter-atreply" data-screen-name="the_drewbo" href="http://twitter.com/the_drewbo" rel="nofollow">the_drewbo</a>: So... no one wants to hear about this awesome salad I just made?</div></div></div></div></div><div class="tweet-text"><br />
</div><div class="tweet-text">“@<a class=" twitter-atreply" data-screen-name="hangarcat" href="http://twitter.com/hangarcat" rel="nofollow">hangarcat</a>: SEE?!?! I told you... RT @<a class=" twitter-atreply" data-screen-name="seanmalarkey" href="http://twitter.com/seanmalarkey" rel="nofollow">seanmalarkey</a>: BREAKING NEWS: Chuck Norris returns from secret trip to Pakistan.”</div><div class="tweet-text"> <div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="9201992" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/ourmaninchicago" title="Scott Smith">ourmaninchicago</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Scott Smith</span> </span> <div class="tweet-corner"> <div class="tweet-meta"> <span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"> <span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">Years from now people will say "Where were you when you heard Twitter knew more about breaking news than <strong>Wolf</strong> <strong>Blitzer</strong>?"</div><div class="tweet-text"> </div><div class="tweet-text"><div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="84758344" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/IUtnL" title="GL">IUtnL</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">GL</span> </span> <div class="tweet-corner"> <div class="tweet-meta"> <span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"> <span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">I will never forget where I was when I heard <strong>Wolf</strong> <strong>Blitzer</strong> tell me I would never forget where I was when I heard that Bin Laden was dead.</div><div class="tweet-text"> </div><div class="tweet-text"><div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="230964577" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Sydney_Barton" title="Sydney Barton">Sydney_Barton</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Sydney Barton</span> </span> <div class="tweet-corner"> <div class="tweet-meta"> <span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"> <span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">Yo, Osama bin Laden: I’m really happy for you, and I’mma let you finish, but <strong>Waldo</strong> played the best game of hide and seek of all time.</div></div> </div></div></div></div></div><div class="tweet-text"> <div class="tweet-row"> <span class="tweet-user-name"> <a class="tweet-screen-name user-profile-link" data-user-id="151193808" href="http://twitter.com/#%21/Brian_GriffinFG" title="Brian Griffin">Brian_GriffinFG</a> <span class="tweet-full-name">Brian Griffin</span> </span> <div class="tweet-corner"> <div class="tweet-meta"> <span class="icons"> <div class="extra-icons"> <span class="inlinemedia-icons"></span> </div></span> </div></div></div><div class="tweet-row"> <div class="tweet-text">BREAKING NEWS: Donald Trump demands Osama <strong>Bin</strong> <strong>Laden</strong>'s death certificate.</div></div></div><div class="tweet-text"> </div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-59074765266567266932011-04-29T19:49:00.000-07:002011-04-29T19:49:35.907-07:00The Royal RecapSo I NyQuiled up at 7pm last night so I could sleep from 8pm-230am and then get up to watch the Royal Wedding. Why? Well I had to get some ideas for my wedding - and FYI I will need a full orchestra and a parade route lined with cheering onlookers.<br />
<br />
So here's my quick recap:<br />
<br />
Guests had to arrive and hour or two before the ceremony and then sit there and wait. And they couldn't even tweet because there was a technology blackout in the church. It's too bad because I would like to know what the other attendees thought of the crazy hats like this (the pinkish one, in case there was any doubt). <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www-hollywoodlife-com.vimg.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/042911_beatrice_113264433110429100502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www-hollywoodlife-com.vimg.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/042911_beatrice_113264433110429100502.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><br />
Weird or chic? And by the way, these two Princesses were put on a strict diet leading up to the wedding to de-plump them a little. Also, did you know that Fergie wasn't invited to the wedding? I know she's a gong show but dang, she should have been there in my opinion.<br />
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Other hats that caught my eye:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.catwalkqueen.tv/113263131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.catwalkqueen.tv/113263131.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I would rock that one</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2011/04/29/img-mg---wedding-hats-17_091757589314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2011/04/29/img-mg---wedding-hats-17_091757589314.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Why is that horse wearing a hat? Oh, wait, that's Camilla. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2011/04/29/img-mg---wedding-hats-5_091442963131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2011/04/29/img-mg---wedding-hats-5_091442963131.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>I like these kinds of hats - they summon UFO's.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2011/04/29/img-mg---wedding-hats-18_09180868057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://www.tdbimg.com/files/2011/04/29/img-mg---wedding-hats-18_09180868057.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And of course the Queen - she looks wonderful!</div><br />
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Kate looked absolutely gorgeous. I'm not a fan of lace wedding dresses but it looks great on her. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pentictontoday.com/pictures/0/royal%20wedding%20gown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://www.pentictontoday.com/pictures/0/royal%20wedding%20gown.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And did you see her evening party dress? Dayum bitch, you know how to work the "look at me I'm a Princess!" angle.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static02.mediaite.com/styleite/uploads/gallery/kate-evening-dress/e3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://static02.mediaite.com/styleite/uploads/gallery/kate-evening-dress/e3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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When I saw Kate's sister Pippa walking behind her carrying the 9 foot train I think that she must be a little pissed, becuase I would be. Not only does she have to walk behind with the dress she also had to keep all the kids in line too - If I didn't know who she was I would assume she was the nanny. Don't get me wrong, Pippa looked great but she better enjoy because she will never have a bigger day in life. Poor thing.<br />
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Now, on to the important ponderings, like how hungover is Harry going to be tomorrow? At lease he was smart enough to plan a bacon sandwich "survivor" party at 6am. Harry and I would get along great - we'd be 3 am bbqing every night if we were neighbors, I gurantee it. By the way, did you know that the Queen has left Buckingham Palace so that the "kids" can party freely? That's an awesome grandma. <br />
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And did the Queen really snub Camilla by not kissing her on the cheek? If so it makes me happy. I will never like that horseface bitch Diana killer. <br />
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I loved the "balcony scene". Two kisses? Crazy kids! My favorite part is how the Queen eventually just goes back in side like it was her nap time and everyone else needed to get the hell out of the way.<br />
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There was only one thing missing from the day and that was Diana. I'm sure looking down with a big smile though. *tear*<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.melcot.com/images/carol_di_page2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.melcot.com/images/carol_di_page2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I saw on one news cast that there was a Canadian in a banana suit on the parade route. I'm betting it was the stupid bitch from Cowboys who ruined Harry's good times. She should have to wear a banana suit for the rest of her life for selling her soul for a few thousand bucks. Of course, if I had giant fake boobs that needed replace every 5 years and a prince had given me his number I would probably call the Enquirer too.<br />
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So anyways, I'm glad I got up to watch the hoopla today. There are lots of people who think the whole pomp and ceremony is ridiculous but these people I don't care. It made me happy and that's all that matters.<br />
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Next up: My princess wedding!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-27619480262312191152011-04-01T13:01:00.000-07:002011-04-01T13:01:41.934-07:00Love and Other Things That You Don't Care About<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ok, I'm finally going to start the<a href="http://mealsandmoves.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/image21.png"> 30 day blog challenge</a>, except as I mentioned before it won't be a blog a day, it will be whenever I get to it. But before I start that, let me tell you about some other things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few weeks ago a group of us went for lunch at the Calgary Tower (the restaurant revolves!). I hadn't eaten up there since my dad took us when we were really little, so I was pretty excited (I know, dorky). We had lunch and revolved 3 times. The food was fantastic not overly expensive like you might think and one of the servers even made some screaming kids go back to their table and be quite becuase the parents were letting them run wild ruining lunch for everyone else. Also, if you make reservations you don't have to pay the elevation fee to get up there. See, I just saved you some $'s and you can book it through OpenTable and collect points to get free gift certificates. Your Welcome! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> After lunch we decided to go to the casino. It was 3pm on a Saturday afternoon, what else were we going to do? BF had to go home so I got a ride with TB, but finding the car proved to be too much for 2 girls with pretty hair and not enough drinks in their system. I know it won't seem as funny to you, but we passed the same gift shop 3 times, got lockied in a stairwell, asked security for help (they directed us to locked doors) and consulted with some random strangers over a half an hour of playing "how the hell do you get to 10th Ave???" We finally made it into the parkade and down a another stinky stairwell and tah dah! There was the car (and without a parking ticket even, yay!). FYI, at the casino, we ended up meeting a guy who just loved my brother (no homo) and he ended up paying for our food and drinks ALL NIGHT! He was hilarious and we all had a great time. Also, I doubled my money in the end but probably lost about $700 through the day. And TB didn't even yell at me for anything. Amazing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We also finished up curling and are proud to officially be the worse curling team in the city. We are the best at getting free drinks though, so who really wins?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BF's parents were in town this week and I just love them to death. They are the nicest people and they treat me so well, I've really lucked out with future in laws. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BFM: "We used to be hippies when we were younger."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">BFD: "We were not, I've always voted conservative!!!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We all went to see Bruce Cockburn on Wed night and he played for over 2 hours - now that's getting your money's worth! Highlights were the obligatory smell of dirty hippies, BF's mom making him drive us to the Jubilee amid much argument from the boys because it is literally a 5 min walk from home (we wanted to drink more wine before the show and didn't want to lose the buzz by walking) and watching all the tree hugging earth loving hypocrites get in their SUV's and drive home. In all seriousness though, the real highlight of the show was the song Each One Lost. It is a song that reflects on a ramp ceremony, which is the honoring that bestowed on our fallen soldiers. If you have any heart at all, it's a difficult song to listen to, but important nonetheless. He mentioned that process from the song will go to <a href="http://www.cfpsa.com/en/corporate/soldieron/index.asp">Soldier On</a> which is a great group who helps injured or sick military personnel. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">****</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now onto the bloggy challenge. Because music is a huge part of my life, I'm going to add a song (or two) at the end of each blog to say the things I can't express. [edit - I can't figure out how to add a song, so we're going with youtube videos instead. Hey, I'm a technotard, so just shut your yap and keep reading/watching].</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Day 1 - Your current relationship - if single, discuss how single life is</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, I think we all know I have a boyfriend, and a wonderful one at that. I know what you're all asking yourselves: "how on earth does he put up with her?". I honestly don't know because I'm a pain in the ass and I know it. This July will be 2 years together, and as BF puts is "it's pretty much been a bed of roses" (he does love his Bon Jovi) and I would have to agree. That's not to say that we don't ever get annoyed with each other or have the odd disagreement, but overall things get better and better every day and I know that I am one lucky girl. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We will be getting married eventually but on our own time, so stop pressuring us people. And yes, it will be an open bar and you're all invited!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/vwvQcjWNiYw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Miranda Lambert - Love Song<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2wrKoxRC63c?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Josh Grider - Crazy Like You<br />
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/l-hb_RIJKm0/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l-hb_RIJKm0&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l-hb_RIJKm0&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>Dierks Bentley - You Hold Me TogetherUnknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-11716923617903627082011-03-03T13:11:00.000-08:002011-03-03T13:11:31.710-08:00Noisy Kids - Should I complain?I live in an apt style condo building. The first 4 years here were relatively quiet, but lucky me I now have 2 families with 20 feet of me that have children who yell and scream all day and night and I have just about had it. <br />
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Look, it's no surprise that I don't like kids to begin with, and this certainly doesn't help, but when do you draw the line of "they are kids, what do you expect" and them interfering on my right to have some peace and quiet? The condo bylaws discuss quiet living and not intruding on your neighbors right to enjoy their space and the city bylaw includes yelling as excessive noise and worthy of complaint, but how do I determine what is acceptable?<br />
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I'm betting that most parents out there will say too bad so sad, they are kids and yelling is what kids do. But what about the argument that I am an adult and I like to drink, and when I drink I like to listen to my music loudly and if this happens on a Saturday afternoon during your kids nap time then it's too bad for you. Fair's Fair, right? And since you like to slam your door shut at 6am (or any other time) then it's fine for me to do it 3am too, right? <br />
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What do you think, is there a double standard? Do you agree with it? Where do you draw the line? Please tell me what you think or I'll have to use my own poor decision making skills on this one and that won't end will for anyone.<br />
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In other news, I'm on Day 19 of my 30 challenge to get moving and I haven't missed a day yet. Amazing! I started a new program yesterday which you may have seen the infomercial for...and no, it's not Deal a Meal, it's KettleWorx. Now, I didn't order it from the infomercial, I'm not that cheesey, but after I saw it and did some investigating and I thought it looked like a good program to try and so far I think I'm right. I'll spare you the details, but if you ever see the infomercial you can now picture my fat ass swinging the kettle bell around my living room.<br />
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I'm on the condo board in my building and we have 2 residents that essential pick fights with the board about the stupidest things. Today, one guy is trying to tell me that the condo budget has to be out 15 days before the next fiscal year begins, so in our case by Jan 15. He says <i><span style="color: black;">"</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt;">The 15 days time limit is a universally recognized accounting practice. Then again, I don’t want to argue about this silly point, but it is law to have budgets out within 15 days (may be extended a few more days if situation warrants it) of start of a fiscal year, no matter where you go in the world, or whatever business".</span></i><i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></i><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;">He says it the law any where in the world. ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!!!! I think the citizens of Libya should double check that their county's budget was on time because this could be the loophole they need to oust that crazy Gaddafi! You're probably wondering what my response to this guy will be because there are so many things wrong with his statement, but sadly, it can't be go back to the nut house you douche-a-loo. Sometimes I hate having to be polite and politically correct when idiots like this are allowed to run around and be so blatantly retarded.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"> The weather. What is there to say that hasn't already been said? Cold enough for ya? We live in the great white north, it gets cold every year, get over it! To solve this cold weather problem I'm moving to Texas as soon as possible. I'll keep you posted on how that progresses.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-39775121921037119982011-02-18T09:40:00.000-08:002011-02-18T09:40:08.816-08:00ChallengesYes, I know it's been a while, but if I don't have anything interesting to say I don't just want to blog about nothing and waste your time. See how considerate I am? Yes, considerate, that's it.<br />
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Just a couple of quick things today:<br />
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In case you didn't know, Mantracker is no more. The button heads at the production company decided it was time for a new tracker and have ousted my beloved cowboy. I won't watch with a replacement, they can go suck an egg. And then swallow it, shit it out whole and then suck on it again. <br />
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My landlord is NOT selling my place so I don't have to move. Most of you already know this but I thought I should update the rest of you. Of course as soon as that happens and I say I'm going to stay another year a really loud, non English speaking family (of at least 18 people, I swear) has moved in across the hall. As if the screaming baby in the other apt wasn't enough now I have these people with their yappy dog who they yell at in some language that I don't understand. Oh, side note on the baby - I was thisclose to calling child protective services because it screamed day and night - and not just crying, SCREAMING, but I've since decided the thing is just retarded and instead I will turn up my music and let it scream. <br />
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I've issued myself a challenge, a 30 day Get Moving challenge. I'm trying to do something exercise like for at least 20 mins a day for 30 days. Today is day 6 and I will be doing the 30 Day Shred for the 4th day in a row this afternoon (this is a miracle because I usually quit after 2 days of pain). I figure if I can get in the habit of doing some sort of exercise I will a) not die of heart disease b) not be a sweaty out of breath fat reject when walking up a flight of stairs and c) maybe lose some of my blubber. I won't lie if I eff up and miss a day, there is no use it that, but I am going to do my best and if I can make it 30 days I will be rewarding myself with a chocolate peanut butter pie or something (the whole pie to myself, obviously!).<br />
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My 30 day challenge to myself and my upcoming blog thingy (details next post) are both inspired by my friend NC. I don't know that she would want me to post her blog link her, but she is doing a 30 post blog challenge that tackles a specific personal topic each day and I think I would like to try this as well. She has also been making incredible strides at living a healthier lifestyle which is what I'm working on. I'm so proud of her and I channel her energy every day to get my ass moving and after reading her blog I have learned a lot about her that I didn't know which has made her an even more amazing person to me. There is only one crappy thing about NC, and that is that we have never met in person yet - she's in Texas and I'm stuck in the frozen tundra. I'm hoping to change that in the next year though with a visit to Texas after Steamboat. I hope she realizes I just invited myself over....<br />
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Well, that's it for now. It's a long weekend - whoo hoo! I'm not going to the Heritage Classic but I am gearing up for the Daytona 500 on Sunday (Git R Done Jr!) and a generally quiet time with BF who has finally recovered from being sick last week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-64647452559940683062011-01-10T11:08:00.000-08:002011-01-10T11:08:01.990-08:00Please Don't Make Me MoveSo how was everyone's Christmas? Did you get the lump of coal you deserved? I did - in the form of diamond earrings :) If you would like to come over and see them I'd be happy to make you a latte in my new Tassimo as well. Oh yeah!<br />
Ok, enough with the bragging. To even out all the good there was a lot of shit show stuff and high stress activities which did end up with me having an anxiety attack one night. I got tested for heart attack and stroke but got the all clear, so don't worry, I'll be around to annoy the world for a while yet.<br />
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I'm sure you're wondering what's irritating me today because I only seem to blog when something pisses me off, right? Well, I can't argue that, but if people would stop doing stupid things I could stop pointing them out! This week's agitation comes courtesy of my landlord - she's selling my place and I may have to move (here comes the anxiety again). Two things - First of all, I don't blame her for this at all. She's a wonderful lady who lost her husband the day I moved in here and has 3 young boys to take care of so she has to do what she needs to do to take care of her family. Secondly, they (the realtor, I guess) is going to try and find someone who wants to buy it as an investment property so that I can stay, but we all know whoever shows up with the money first gets to take my home away from me.<br />
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I hate moving. HATE IT! I would rather stick a hot needle into my eye repeatedly than have to move. For real. And no shit, just the thought of moving gets my heart rate up to a rate my body rarely sees (exercise what?) and I nearly barf and burst into tears 4 or 5 times a day. On a side note, who needs to exercise if you can just purge everything???<br />
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Anyway, here's the listing: <a href="http://www.jimsparrow.com/idx/residential/C3455827/details.html">http://www.jimsparrow.com/idx/residential/C3455827/details.html</a> in case you've ever wondered what my place looks like. 5 years I've been here. 5 years! There used to be nothing but fields for miles out my window and now there is all kinds of construction and destruction. There's also a 7-11, which is probably what I will miss the most. What won't I miss? The constant dusting because of the new buildings going up and the wind which howls and blows dirt directly into my place. But that one annoyance is all part of living where I can see the mountains (not much of them anymore because the mall and college have taken much of it away) and feel like I am not really in the city (although the deliveries to 7-11 and Domino's at midnight make it hard to forget that I am indeed a city dweller).<br />
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So what am I going to do and where am I going to go? Well, I haven't entirely decided that yet. I am hoping that someone will buy and keep it as an investment property so I can stay another year or two - hello rich people of Calgary, can't someone help a poor girl out, buy my place and not make me move? PLEASE!?!?! I could maybe move into another place in my building if one becomes available and of course BF is eagerly awaiting my move in with him, so there is definitely that option which is the front runner. Or I could move to Okotoks with my parents (as if!) or in with J and D, but Brutus (the cat) would likely kill me in my sleep so that's not really a viable option if I want to stay above ground and among the living. Now I know what you're all saying...just move in with BF and be done with it already! Oh sure, but it's not that easy you jerkballs! He still has 18 months of school left and there isn't a lot of space in a one bedroom place for studying. He's said that he'll go to another place in the building to study, which is all fine and dandy except if he's out studying who will be at home paying attention to me??? Yes, I am a demanding princess, I thought you knew that about me?<br />
At any rate, there are a lot of other things to consider as well, so until I know what is happening I'm going to keep praying that no one wants to buy my place (unless I get to stay) and I'll keep throwing up and (hopefully) get skinnier from the stress.<br />
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Side notes:<br />
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RIP Chris Kutney. I only knew him very briefly as the ice technician at the curling club. He helped us out at a practice last month and was super friendly other times we chatted. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. http://www.mhfh.com/kutney-j-chris/<br />
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I had a fight with Sears yesterday and I won. They had a bin full of stuff that was signed $6.00 if you use your Sears card but when I went to pay for it they said it didn't apply to the stuff I picked out. Oh really? Because the bin only had the things I bought so how could that be? The sales associate went and talked to a manager, and when she came back and said no, they couldn't do it I asked her to have the manager come and talk to me. He tried to get out of talking to me in person but when he finally came over he ok'd it at $6.00. No shit sherlock, I know how to work the system! Also, I used BF's Sears card and they didn't even look at the name - I won't give myself a point for that, but I do count it as part of my triumph. Suzanne -1 Sears - 0<br />
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It was crazy cold/blizzardy/snowy this weekend so I pretty much stayed inside and ate Hershey's Kisses left over from Christmas. I think I watched Mantracker too but I was in a chocolate coma so I don't really remember. But I do love Mantracker, in case you didn't know.<br />
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Calgary Transit still sicks the biggest of donkey balls. That is all.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-16361195252911546262010-12-10T14:29:00.000-08:002010-12-10T14:31:52.022-08:00How I saved Christmas - The Shaw FireplaceChristmas almost didn't happen this year. I bet you didn't know that but it's true and it was Shaw Cable that tried to take it away.<br />
My sister called me a few weeks ago asking me about the Shaw Fireplace (or the Yule Log, as you may know it) and when it was going to be coming on. I hadn't seen anything yet so I told her to relax, that Christmas wasn't going to sneak past her somehow and that if she REALLY needed a hit she could turn on her own fireplace (but only during the day when D is at work. He is too cheap to pay for the gas to run it).<br />
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Fast forward one week, J calls again to tell me the fireplace is there, but it's $0.99 cents to watch it this year.Yeah right, I tell her, but as I'm flipping through the channels to prove her wrong low and behold there it is - The Shaw Fireplace, on pay per view. For $0.99 per day. Not for the whole season, PER DAY! For full disclosure purposes, the proceeds are going to be matched by Shaw and donated to some (mystical) charity, however, no one tells me when I have to donate to a charity. I'm pretty sticky about who and when I donate to and I'm certainly not going to bullied into it by a corporation with the highest paid CEO in the city who can certainly afford the full donation out of his own pocket without taking away my sacred fake tv fireplace.<br />
<br />
Moving on....I was pissed right off by this. You see, the yule log is quite a tradition in our family and we watch it all through December (even though yes, we all do have our own fireplaces - but they don't crackle like on TV!) so I emailed Shaw my displeasure and here is the exchange:<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody>
<tr></tr>
<tr><td style="padding: 2.25pt 2.25pt 2.25pt 1.5pt; width: 112.5pt;" valign="top" width="150"><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Question:</b></div></td><td style="padding: 0in;"><div class="MsoNormal">Re: Shaw Fireplace I was extremely disappointed to see that there is a charge this year to watch the Fireplace. We have had this on for many gatherings over the years and always look forward to its return but will not be subscribing to it this year.$0.99 for 24 hours of viewing? I don't think so! It will be cheaper to just go and buy the DVD. I understand the charitable angle, I really do, but I choose what charities I donate to throughout the year and don't appreciate being nickled and dimed to death (i.e. $0.05 for plastic bags, $1.00 donation at the grocery store, drug store, restaurant, $0.99 to watch the fireplace etc). Shaw is a huge company with huge profits - you don't need to take our money to make a donation, we are quite capable of making our own donations thank you very much. </div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">On Tue, Nov 30, 2010 at 8:50 AM, Shaw - eCare Account Support <<a href="mailto:ecare.accounts@sjrb.ca" target="_blank">ecare.accounts@sjrb.ca</a>> wrote:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">Good morning Suzanne,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">Thank you for your email dated November 29th. My name is [shaw guy] and I will be happy to address your concerns regarding our charitable donations.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">I’m sorry to learn about your disappointment. You should be happy to know that we are still providing four, 30 minute showings of the Shaw Fireplace in Standard Definition and High Definition starting today (on The Frame channel, two during the day and at 6pm and 8pm daily) and going until the 10<sup>th</sup> of January. And from noon on the 24<sup>th</sup> to noon on the 26<sup>th</sup> the Shaw TV channel in your area will have the Shaw Fireplace showing around the clock.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">In regards to the donations specifically, we are actually matching customer donations. This has proven historically to be a fantastic way to engage customers as opposed to simply making a donation that would otherwise go unnoticed. I know that you can appreciate this decision as you’ve also noted that you make charitable donations yourself. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">We donate and raise millions of dollars for dozens of charities each year – we just raised a collective 2.6 million pounds of food through the Shaw community and our partners Campbell Canada and Safeway as a matter of fact. We were so delighted with the results (our initial goal was only 1 million pounds of food) that we have added an additional cash donation of $250,000. This is also separate from our annual Season of Warmth where we come together to help shelter and cloth the lesser fortunate in our local communities.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">I’m sorry if you had the wrong impression and felt as though this was a cash grab. This is very far from it. I trust that knowing what I’ve told you know, you can come to appreciate our decision and agree with it. If not, I’m sure you can at least see that we’re trying to engage our Shaw customers as best we can. This is similar to when cell phone providers were offering their customers a chance to send a text message to make a charitable donation in response to the natural disasters in Haiti recently. We are doing our best and will continue to make both cash donations in the background, as well as other more public fundraising events and programs that engage the community. Thank you for your understanding.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">Please let us know if you have any additional concerns, or feel free to contact us through our Live Chat. Simply go to <a href="http://www.shaw.ca/chat" target="_blank">www.shaw.ca/chat</a>. We look forward to hearing from you.</span></div><br />
<br />
Hi [shaw guy],<br />
Thanks for the response.<br />
<br />
Just to clarify, I in no way was seeing this a cash grab by Shaw, I completely understand the charity angle and the matching of donations. I'm not against the donations to charity at all, what I am unhappy about is the fact that you are taking away a service unless I donate. If Shaw wants to make a donation, then just do it. If you want to make a big splash about it (which they clearly like to do) to try and look good in the public light, then go for it, but don't force your customers into it $0.99 a day. This is unlike the example you have used of donating to Haiti via text message - nothing was withheld from me if I chose not to make that donation whereas here I have to pay everytime I want to see it - charity or not it is still money out of my pocket and this year I do not have a choice to a) turn the fireplace channel on for free or b) decide for myself where I would like to spend my charitable $'s. I respect the note about the Frame channel, but seriously, who has time to care about tuning in during those 2 half hours in the evening (I work during the day) when there is news or better prime tv to watch. Do people even watch that channel? I had no idea it even existed until researching this issue (and I still won't be watching it). Will they be doing the same thing with the Christmas tree channel or will that not even air this year?<br />
<br />
Look, I know this wasn't your decision and in all honesty you could care less. Complaints don't make it any further than the front line - I know that and I get it. It's just so annoying to be forced to participate in something if you want another product. If Shaw wanted to raise finds they could have made a "Fireplace DVD" and sold it locally with all proceeds going to charity - people would buy it. My family is all buying them this year rather than have to go the PPV route. And do you want to know the funniest thing? We all have fireplaces that we could use! Just thought you would like to know what a serious tradition the yule log is in our family.<br />
<br />
Thanks for your time and Merry Christmas.<br />
<br />
Suzanne<br />
<br />
<div class="gmail_quote">---------- Forwarded message ----------<br />
From: <b class="gmail_sendername">Shaw - eCare Account Support</b> <span dir="ltr"><ecare.accounts@sjrb.ca></ecare.accounts@sjrb.ca></span><br />
Date: Tue, Nov 30, 2010 at 10:40 AM<br />
Subject: RE: eCare Email Submission<br />
To: Suzanne Ferguson <suzanne.ferguson@gmail.com><br />
Cc: Shaw - eCare Account Support <ecare.accounts@sjrb.ca><br />
<br />
<br />
</ecare.accounts@sjrb.ca></suzanne.ferguson@gmail.com><br />
<div lang="EN-CA"><div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">Hi again Suzanne,</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">Thank you for your honest response. I want to assure you that we do care, and that your opinions definitely make it past the front lines. In the last year we introduced a platform where the 10,000 plus employees at Shaw can discuss anything that’s on our mind. Whether we have a concern about our sick policies, a channel request or a customer concern that we’d like to share it’s all fair game. And everyone from the front line representatives to the highest people in senior management including our current CEO Brad Shaw or our president Peter Bissonette, etc, take part in this regularly.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">We all participate in this forum and are strongly encouraged by our supervisors, managers and senior management to communicate our concerns without any fears of reprimand or rebuke. We very often escalate customer concerns because in one way or another we all are here to serve our valued customers and make them feel valued and loyal. Remember, we do not rely on contracts so it’s imperative that we keep customers happy. We are all Shaw customers, as well as partial owners through our stocks and investments so that is also kept in mind at all times.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">Whenever there is a large change or announcement (or in this case, extreme customer dissatisfaction) we are all very vocal on the front lines and. Our superiors are very supportive and receptive to these concerns because we pass them on immediately. Without acknowledging our mistakes we are missing key opportunities to improve. And whenever there are situations that cause a large amount of customer dissatisfaction it’s something that’s recognized immediately. You can be sure that if something is bothering you, there are problem many other customers that are bothered by it and we are aware of it by the time you’ve contacted us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">I’ve done my best to touch base on your initial concerns in the first email. And I hope that this second email reminds you that we are a genuine company with caring employees. Although a large corporation of our size can seem cold and mechanical, I can assure you that we are very cognizant of our actions and never make a move without careful consideration. Everyone has a say at Shaw and that includes valued customers like yourself.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">I would also like to thank you for your suggestion about selling a Shaw Fireplace DVD. That’s a very great idea and I shared it with a few colleagues that sit near me and they all agree. We’ll pass that suggestion along. I think our aim was to utilize our Video on Demand and Pay-Per-View services as it’d make a lot of sense. In my personal opinion, I think we should have continued to air the Shaw Fireplace 24/7 on TV. We could have chosen to include an occasional notice on the screen or in the Guide Information to advise customers that they can order the channel as well and make a donation that will be matched. I will propose these suggestions using the communication forum I had mentioned earlier. Although I believe it’s too late to make an impact this year, hopefully we’ll head in that direction next year.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">Thanks again for your time, Suzanne. I hope this email helps to restore your faith in Shaw Cable.</span></div><div class="im"><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">[shaw guy]</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">E-Care Team<br />
Shaw Communications Inc.<br />
Telephone: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;">310-SHAW(7429) or </span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.shaw.ca/chat" target="_blank" title="http://www.shaw.ca/chat"><span style="color: #1f497d; text-decoration: none;">www.shaw.ca/chat</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #b5d000; font-size: 11pt;">ACCOUNTABLE </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff8700; font-size: 11pt;"> BALANCE</span></b><b><span style="color: #b5d000; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #41b8f2; font-size: 11pt;"> CUSTOMER FOCUSED</span></b><b><span style="color: #b5d000; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #4eb9ae; font-size: 11pt;"> INTEGRITY </span></b><b><span style="color: #b5d000; font-size: 11pt;"> LOYALTY </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff8700; font-size: 11pt;"> POSITIVE, CAN DO ATTITUDE</span></b><b><span style="color: #b5d000; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #41b8f2; font-size: 11pt;">TEAM PLAYER</span></b><b><span style="color: #41b8f2; font-size: 11pt;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red; font-size: 11pt;">When sending a reply to us, please remember to include all previous correspondence! </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/shaw" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="cid:image002.png@01CB7C15.31FAD270" border="0" height="16" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=3359676dbe&view=att&th=12c9ddeafcb5411d&attid=0.1&disp=emb&zw" width="16" /></span></a><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/shawinfo" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="cid:image003.png@01CB7C15.31FAD270" border="0" height="16" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=3359676dbe&view=att&th=12c9ddeafcb5411d&attid=0.2&disp=emb&zw" width="16" /></span></a><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ShawCommunication" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt; text-decoration: none;"><img alt="cid:image005.png@01CB7C15.31FAD270" border="0" height="16" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik=3359676dbe&view=att&th=12c9ddeafcb5411d&attid=0.3&disp=emb&zw" width="16" /></span></a><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div></div></div></div></div><br />
<br />
So I still wasn't pleased and there was no way I was going to tune in to this Frame channel in hopes that I would get my yule log fix, so I was just going to buy the yule log dvd.<br />
<br />
But friends, if you have made it this far, you will be pleased to know that I have indeed saved Christmas! The Frame channel is now all yule log 24 hours a day at NO CHARGE! The PPV option is still there for you suckers who want to spend $0.99 a day to get the fake fire on your screen, but my cheap traditional ass will be watching it for free and playing the Fireplace Drinking Game for the next 4 weeks (every time the hand stokes the fire or puts in new logs you drink!)<br />
<br />
So there you have it. Christmas is back on. Your welcome.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://turbo.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2010/05/Fireplace-Wii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://turbo.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2010/05/Fireplace-Wii.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-43235409632244616492010-11-16T16:07:00.000-08:002010-11-16T16:07:39.176-08:00Calgarians Shocked By Winter. Again.It's November 16 and we've had our first big storm of the season. The phrases most uttered today were "I can't believe it snowed!", "Can you believe how bad the roads were this morning?" and my favorite "I wasn't ready for this AT ALL!". To the people who have spoken these words today I have one work for you: REALLY???? Did you think that this was the year that the California coastline was going to push up to the 49th and it was going to be sunny and warm all year?<br />
The snow doesn't surprise me, it doesn't even phase me anymore. I grew up in Lethbridge and was used to waiting for the bus in -30 degrees and windy as fuck conditions. You had to bundle up to STAY ALIVE and you had to be prepared to bundle up from Sep - June because you never knew when shit was going to go sideways and you would walk out of work into a snowicane (I'm trademarking that term so don't even THINK about using it!).<br />
<br />
Things are a little bit different today, however. I work from home, wake up to 2 feet of snow, make my hot chocolate and enjoy my nice warm fireplace while I watch the suckers stuck on 17th try to fight their way into the office where they can tell their coworkers about just how bad the roads were (just in case they didn't already know). Even before I worked form home on a full time basis, I would exercise the telecommute option when it was really crappy out not just to avoid waiting for a Calgary transit bus that would never come, but mostly so that I wouldn't have to hear your stupid stories about icy roads and how you had to brush your car off in the dark. Even before work, when I was in college, I would take snow days. I know what you're thinking, snow days=drinking days, but news flash: every day in college was a drinking day. Snow days were for recovery, watching the View and napping intermittently. Ahhhh the good 'ole days. But now cars have heated seats, kids are apparently too delicate to wait outside for the bus and parking on the street and having to brush your car off is for losers. I may not have a car, but I sure as hell have a heated underground parking spot for my visitors (mostly for my BF - I'm NOT getting into a cold car thankyouverymuch).<br />
<br />
So what does this first snowfall mean for me? Not much really. It means I won't go for long walks through the neighborhood (which I never did anyway), I won't walk or take the bus to the grocery store (for $8 Sunterra will do my shopping and deliver it to me. Hello new level of laziness which I actually discovered a few years ago and have been abusing ever since!) and I will be cursing every unshoveled sidewalk that I have to walk over (which is basically none, but I have to have something to complain about).<br />
<br />
I'm thinking about skiing again this year, I haven't done it since I broke my ankle 3 years ago but there is nothing like standing on top of a mountain and then swooshing down the hill spraying snow children and other crappy skiers who can't stay up on their skis. I'll keep you posted on this endeavor, it could be a death trap because I'm so old and generally fall over at odd times so I may end up being one of those losers who gets carted off the hill on sled by the ski patrol (if I was single, this would be a pick up trick).<br />
<br />
Well, I'm going to 7-11 for a hot chocolate. I swear they put crack in that shit because I'm so lazy I won't go downstairs to check the mail but I'll sure as hell bundle up and walk across the street for it. Hmmmm, I wonder if they would deliver it for 5 bucks?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-64343957076262550512010-11-10T13:15:00.000-08:002010-11-10T13:15:35.448-08:00What Remembrance Day Means to MeTomorrow is November 11, Remembrance Day here in Canada, and it is the day we honor our military personnel with ceremonies and thank them for their continued service. <br />
I won't claim to come from a large military family - my aunt and her partner both served in administrative roles and my grandpas served in the World Wars, although I really know nothing about what they did and sadly their medals and other memorabilia is long gone. I myself was an Air Cadet for several years as a teen and participated in many wreath laying ceremonies as color guard and other ceremonial positions (I have some great Air Cadet stories but I will save those for a more appropriate time) and I was also part of choirs and groups who sang and/or recited In Flanders Fields (see below) on many occasions so I still feel a strong connection to November 11. <br />
Last year, on Dec 23rd, one of BF's best friends brother was killed in Afghanistan while serving our great country and I will never forget how we found out. It was Boxing Day and we were at his parents house watching Hockey Night in Canada when at the intermission Don Cherry did his usual salute to the troops and honor to those who had been killed in the past week. He gets very emotional when he has to report a soldiers death and when he said <i>Lt. Andrew Nuttall</i> I just stared at the TV thinking "please don't let that be J's brother" over and over. BF didn't say anything for what seem like hours, but after a minute or so he confirmed that it was indeed his brother. I didn't know him, BF had met him once or twice, but it was still a hard pill to swallow knowing that his best friend was spending Christmas dealing with this loss. It has been a rough year for the Nuttall family and I'm sure the Christmas is never going to be the same for them again. I know that the military has been taking good care of them and they have been involved in several ceremonies over the year like <a href="http://www.leaderpost.com/life/Military+family+remembers+matter+pain/3804378/story.html">this one</a>, so I feel like the least I can do is get my butt out of bed early and get out to one of the services and show some support for those who are missing their loved ones and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrfice.<br />
<br />
In Calgary, the services are here (taken from <a href="http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/keyword/Remembrance_Day">Metro Calgary</a>) :<br />
<br />
The Military Museum, located at 4520 Crowchild Tr. SW, will host a service at 10:45 a.m. <br />
<br />
A service will be held at the Naval Museum of Alberta at 1820–24th St. SW, which will begin at 11 a.m. <br />
<br />
The Jubilee Auditorium, at 16 Avenue and 14 Street NW, will also host a ceremony at 10 a.m. <br />
<br />
A ceremony and wreath laying at Central Memorial Park will begin at 11 a.m.<br />
<br />
After the services you can hit up a Legion or the Miners Club<em></em><span id="search" style="visibility: visible;"> </span>and get smash faced with the Veterans and their families. What? That's what they do and God Bless 'em for it!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Flanders Fields</span> <span style="font-size: small;">By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Canadian Army</span></div><b><span style="color: #3333ff;"><span> </span></span></b> <br />
<em>In Flanders fields the poppies blow<br />
Between the crosses, row on row,<br />
That mark our place; and in the sky<br />
The larks, still bravely singing, fly<br />
Scarce heard amid the guns below.</em><br />
<br />
<em>We are the Dead. Short days ago<br />
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,<br />
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie<br />
In Flanders Fields.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Take up our quarrel with the foe:<br />
To you from failing hands we throw<br />
The torch; be yours to hold it high.<br />
If ye break faith with us who die<br />
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow<br />
In Flanders Fields.</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-8505293964916415742010-11-08T12:27:00.000-08:002010-11-09T18:18:48.460-08:00Do I hate kids or parents? Some days it's a toss up.Update, Nov 9, 2010<br />
<br />
Just as I thought, these whiny bastards are getting $1000 from Alaska Airlines. I saw one comment that said they were going to start a blog called "Alaska Airlines Hates Responsible People" (the original assholes started a blog called "Alaska Airlines Hates Families") and that just about sums up my thoughts on it. People like this that want the world to cave to them disgust me and I hope karma gets them back 10 fold. Remember, it's you and I, the airlines customers who play by the rules who end up paying for these schmucks and now that the precedent has been set how many more idiot sticks are going to come out of the woodwork when they are too moronic to look at a clock and figure out what time it is? Stop the insanity!<br />
<br />
***********************************************************************************<br />
<br />
Maybe it's not the kids I don't like, maybe it's parents that fuel my hate.<br />
This story is all over the papers today: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2ejlzxb"><i>Diaper disaster ends in travel mess for Edmonton newlyweds</i></a> and if you are too lazy to read it, the gist of it is that the parents arrived at the gate 20 mins before their flight was scheduled to take off but their baby had an explosive shit episode so the mom went to change it and in the meantime Alaska Airlines gave their seats away because they were not boarded per the airlines posted rules. It then cost the couple $1000 for new tickets to fly home the next day.My 3 words to sum up this story? Boo fucking hoo.<br />
<br />
<br />
Ok, so we all know I'm not a fan of babies, or children in general, but this isn't the kids fault so I'll look at the stupidity of the parents here.<br />
<br />
<br />
1. In Las Vegas, Alaska Airlines requires that passengers be checked in and available to board at least 40 minutes before posted departure - it is clearly stated on their website and presumably in the e-ticket info these people would have also received but obviously ignored. Yet this family of mornons clearly state that they "arrived at the gate more than 20 minutes before the plane was scheduled to take off". So were they on time? NO! If they had been on the plane and the kid shit himself they would have pissed people off around them with the smell etc. but there's no rules broken in that (see, I understand that kids being a stinky pain in the ass isn't illegal).<br />
<br />
<br />
2. So they were admittedly late and they are pissed because Alaska Airlines followed their own rules to keep the flight departing on time thus not holding up the other 100+ passengers on the plane. From that I gather here, just because you have a kid that means that rules no longer apply to you, correct? Um, I don't think so. These people also believe that because they have a kid that their time is more important than everyone else's in the world so delaying the boarding process specifically for them is a no brainer and the rest of the people who were there and on the plane on time and ready to go mean nothing. The best part is that they are completely unapologetic for being late!<br />
<br />
<br />
3. "The company offered Blais and Roberge each a $400 travel voucher as a "service gesture," said another spokeswoman, but they have so far declined".<br />
"With memories of their wedding weekend forever tainted, Blais said they want an apology and $1,000. "I don't think I'm asking for anything unreasonable here.It was a terrible, stressful experience. But I'm not asking for any emotional damages. I just want them to pay me back for what it cost me to get home."<br />
<div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
<a href="http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Diaper+blowout+costs+couple+plane+seats/3792122/story.html#Comments#ixzz14iMG6QKh" style="color: #003399;"></a></div></div>So Alaska Airlines puts forth a good will gesture which they didn't have to do but that isn't good enough and you're doing them a favor by not seeking emotional damages and publicly posting that "Alaska Airlines Hates Families?" Are you kidding me???? What about the emotional damages of the world having to deal with people like this who have a sense of entitlement and believe that the world revolves around them? Where do I sign up for emotional damages for THAT? Also, I hope Alaska sues this couple for slander on the hating families bit.If anyone hates families it's Las Vegas - God bless Vegas for that!<br />
<br />
<br />
4. Who the hell flies through Seattle to or from Vegas/Edmonton? What were they trying to save, like $25 a ticket to extend the trip by hours? When you have a little poop machine with you just pay the extra few bucks and fly direct you cheap ass bitches! It's long trips and changing planes and the like that make kids cranky and piss off the rest of the plane (and I'm sure it can't be fun for the parents either). I also wonder where they stayed, I bet it was Circus Circus for $29/night - bedbugs included at no extra charge!<br />
<br />
<br />
5. You took your 9 month old to Vegas for your wedding. Seriously. How do you stay out all night getting smash faced and gambling too much when you have a 9 month old with you? Oh, you were there to see the sights? The sights are hookers and blow, what the fuck were you thinking?<br />
<br />
<br />
I have a feeling that in the end the stupid people might win this one, but then what? Where will we ever draw the line? These people went to Vegas, gambled that Alaska Airlines wouldn't enforce the rules on them and lost.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-5413282204669818522010-11-05T08:37:00.000-07:002010-11-05T08:37:35.547-07:00Mexican Curling TeamSo last Friday at the curling club they had a Halloween party and we decided to go as The Mexican Curling Team.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tKOFVdHtYuU/TNQeYK0sjnI/AAAAAAAAAow/vwEQg5VbS_k/s1600/mexican+curling+team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tKOFVdHtYuU/TNQeYK0sjnI/AAAAAAAAAow/vwEQg5VbS_k/s320/mexican+curling+team.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This worked for us for 3 reasons:<br />
1. We looked awesome.<br />
2. Everyone loves a creepy mustache<br />
3. We curl about as well as a team of real Mexicans would<br />
<br />
Obviously, we didn't win our game because we never do, but we gave the other team a good run for their money and we had a great time. J and D left early which thwarted our run at best group costume, but never fear, the best couple was:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tKOFVdHtYuU/TNQfc8_Hf_I/AAAAAAAAAo0/U9AV1Z6pYxs/s1600/BS+mexican.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tKOFVdHtYuU/TNQfc8_Hf_I/AAAAAAAAAo0/U9AV1Z6pYxs/s320/BS+mexican.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This week is back to our regular team uniform (we're the only ones who dress alike, it's very intimidating to other teams until they play us and see just how terrible we are). I'm also skipping this week - and to you who think that means I'm not going to the game it actually means I'm the captain and will call the shots on the ice. I hope I don't eff this up!<br />
<br />
In other news, I hate Calgary transit more and more every week but because I refuse to go into debt for a car right now I'm kind of stuck. Yesterday a 15 minute trip by car took me 2 hours on 1 shuttle, a train and 2 buses(when you pay your fare you get a ticket that is good for 90 minutes). I can't even get from the mall to home on one ticket anymore! You could pretty much see that my head was about to explode by the end of that trip but what can I do? I can't blame the bus drivers, it's not their fault. I call and complain but they don't care either...hello, they all have cars! I'm still not sure why drivers make $25+ an hour - unskilled and protected by the union, nice gig if you can stand driving around thousands of ungrateful assholes every day.<br />
<br />
I joined my buildings condo board and last night was our first meeting. Guess who got elected President? I didn't even ask or suggest it be me, the people just knew it was right. ha ha! I think we have a good board and we are putting things into action that have been stalled for months and some even for years. The new board had no problem making decisions - our new motto is Git R Done! Well, maybe that's just my motto, but I am the Prez, so....<br />
<br />
That's it, it's been a pretty quiet week. Have a good weekend!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-17463226771476968342010-11-02T13:42:00.000-07:002010-11-02T13:42:49.521-07:00The Craziest Work Email I Have Ever RecievedSo every couple of months my company sends out a newsletter which contains info that will assist them on the compliance side of their business (because that's what I do, compliance stuff). It is not meant to spam anyone but when you have several thousand people on your distribution list you have people that ask to be unsubscribed which we do immediately upon request. 99% of the people on our list appreciate the information we send, but I guess I crapped in someone's con flakes because this morning I got this:<br />
<br />
<i>To: The lovely compliance ladies (that would be me and B)</i><br />
<i>From: A crazy Asshole (I should put his email on here just so everyone else can show him what spam is all about!)</i><br />
<br />
<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Guys, how the fuck did I get on this shit list?<br />
<br />
What gives spamming me with this shit?</span></i></m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Our thought to this was "where did this guy get his manners from?" After a good laugh and a coffee I responded to him with this:</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">To: The Asshat who clearly hasn't been laid in years, if ever</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">From: A Ray of Sunshine in Your Cloudy Day</span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><i>Mr. Asshat,<br />
Our newsletter is sent to those who are listed as contacts for publicly traded companies and contains information relevant to their operations.<br />
<br />
Upon investigation I have not found your email address "asshat@gmail.com" listed in our database which receives communication from us. If you are connected with a public company it is possible that another email address is forwarded to you (i.e. and info@pucliccompany) and this is how you received our newsletter. If that is the case please let me know what email address should be removed and I will be happy to unsubscribe you immediately.<br />
<br />
Best Regards,</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Sunshine</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Now I thought that was a pretty decent response giving him every opportunity to provide me with further information to remove him from our list. Well, I guess he didn't like it too much because this is what I just got back:<br />
<br />
<i>To: The Girls Just Trying to Make a Living</i><br />
<i>From: Some Coked Out Whack Job Who is Likely Up In The Clock Tower As We Speak</i><br />
<br />
<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">What kind of fucking bullshit is that???????????<br />
<br />
<br />
I am CFO of 8 TSX-V listed companies, how the fuck am I supposed to know which email you sent it to, you are the bitches that fucking sent it! I have never dealt with you in the past and consider this spam! Just because an email is in the public domain does not give you the right to fucking spam people.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now get me off this fucking bullshit list!</span></i> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
<br />
SERIOUSLY!?!?!?!?!? Did this crack smoking nut job just write and send that email? This has to be a joke, right? The best part is, he didn't tell me which companies so there is nothing I can do and I have now blocked him and he will be on our email list for all eternity. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. People are so stupid!<br />
<br />
I'll let you know if I hear anything more....crazy is just too fun not to share!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-14072770746839403872010-10-19T16:08:00.000-07:002010-10-19T16:08:50.368-07:00Food and Wine Festival Round Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tKOFVdHtYuU/TL4Z7SMFggI/AAAAAAAAAos/xLywHrDIc_0/s1600/stevie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tKOFVdHtYuU/TL4Z7SMFggI/AAAAAAAAAos/xLywHrDIc_0/s1600/stevie.jpg" /></a></div>So my little buddy died this weekend. Steve and I have been together for 10 years and he's taking a lot of my secrets to birdie heaven with him. He left behind his long term girlfriend, Elaine, who is none to pleased with his disappearance and is letting me know all day long. Poor girl, doesn't she know her constant nagging is what drove him to the grave???<br />
<br />
In other news, I played in my first official curling game on Friday night and we only lost 11-2. That's an improvement over our last game loss of 17-1 (I didn't play in that one though). At one point during the game DE, who was skipping for us this game, comes up to me and says "J and B are throwing really great shots". Message received, thanks asshole! We're hoping that this week we can keep the other team to 10 points or less. Or maybe, just maybe, we could pull off a win (if the other team doesn't show up we win, and we'll take it!). We should fare better when we get moved down to the bottom division, we're good at dominating other teams of assholes.<br />
<br />
Saturday was the Rocky Mountain Food and Wine Festival. This had disaster potential written all over it given it was BC, TB and I to start with and then BF and AM joined us later. Our first trip around was pretty much in line with the rest of the snobs there - we tasted different wines and checked out which foods we would try later in hopes that they would soak up the booze. I was actually looking for a specific wine I had tried last year but couldn't remember the name of so every table I was asking "do you have a spicy white wine?" and they would proceed to give me free samples to see if that's what I was looking for. TB blew my cover about halfway through - hey it's not my fault if I can work the system for free wine!<br />
During our second round we added in a few more beers and began drinking much faster and I did yell at TB once ( I was just trying to yell at her before she yelled at me, as she inevitably does when we're out). BF joined us and he immediately starts double fisting the tiny beers - "Steam Whistle is the New Co-op!" he declared, referencing Beerfest earlier this year when he drank so much cheap co-op beer that they actually cut him off. Our third round is where things really picked up. AM made his way down from work (super nerd!) and jumped right in on the shots with us. We finally decided that it was time to dive into the Absinthe, which will now forever be known as "assmouth" thanks to AM, and 4 shots later we were all feeling pretty damned invincible. It was at this time that Tabby asked me why I wasn't wearing a Bumpit and I told her because they are for white trash and I will not make it that easy for people to identify me. BF then pipes in and says "What's wrong with bunk beds? R and I had them when we were kids". Oh drunk BF, you are so goofy, we said BUMPIT, not BUNKBED!<br />
Big Rock saved us at the end of the night when we still had tickets left and they let us cash them all in for a bunch of beers which we shot like water before we headed to the casino. There wasn't too much more excitement there, BC made new friends as usual, BF went home not long after we got there and for once we all made money when we finally rolled out of there at 2am. I left with $225 which was enough to pay for my night so I was happy - plus I like having $100 bills in my wallet, it makes me feel like I'm more important than I am (insert rolly eyes here).<br />
<br />
Oh I forgot, we totally got reverse rascismed on Sat night! AM, our token Asain, called to tell us he was there and we waited and we waited and when he finally showed up we asked him the heck took him so long? His answer: "You try finding you four white people in here". We look around, pretty much everyone was groups of 4 white people. ha ha! <br />
<br />
Random thoughts:<br />
Our civic election was yesterday and for the first time ever my guy won! He's only 3 years older than me which makes me think what the hell am I doing with my life when this guy is mayor and I was sitting on the couch eating cookies watching him become mayor.<br />
<br />
I'm still going to they gym and I still hate it. I wish my fellow fatties would come out and try to get healthier with me, it's getting to the point where I might have to start snapping the skinny twigs in half just to slow them down a little.<br />
<br />
I figured out why I'm scared of Spiders - they move way faster than me and I don't like thatUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-45661027304219757352010-10-13T18:36:00.000-07:002010-10-13T18:36:56.549-07:00Miners, Diners and WhinersI've just spent the last 24 hours watching the Chilean miners be rescued. This is the most amazing thing I think I've ever seen and looking at this rescue should give everyone some perspective on life. My only concern is that they are so happy about bringing the miners home that they are going to forget about the rescue workers and they are going to have to live underground. Also, the Chilean Mining Minister is kind of hot.<br />
<br />
So how was your Thanksgiving long weekend? Mine was pretty good. I didn't over stuff myself on turkey dinner for the first time EVER and I saved my sister's dog from certain death (She will in fact eat anything, anytime, anywhere). We had dinner at my parents place, and seriously, immediately after dinner everyone else went downstairs and watched TV (read: fell asleep) while my mom and I cleaned up (I'm not going to lie, she cleaned up). My parents are heading down to Texas for the winter in a couple of weeks so now I wonder, where are all of us kids going to eat on weekends for the next 6 months??? Moms diner is the only place I can afford these days. <br />
<br />
Sat was also my brother's 40th bday party and in order to avoid a break up BF and I decided it would be best for us to cab it to and from so that we could both drink. I was going to drink anyway, really it was just him who would have to be DD - now do you see why I don't have my licence? hee hee. The party was a good time. We went through 2 bottles of Jager and my brother was passed out shortly after 11pm. I think the excitement of recieving that new walker (with seat and brakes!) really wore him out.<br />
<br />
So we never made it to the corn maze, which was pretty disappointing to me (yeah, I whined about it several times), but everyone (except me and BF) were hungover disasters so it was probably best to not scare the small children by us showing up looking like death. Right? Next year for sure though - BF and I already have plans for a milk off (they have fake cows) and I'm sure the corn cannon will produce some sort of a story that will be turned into a PSA.<br />
<br />
This week I play my first curling game. We've had 3 practices but I'm still concerned that we might not make the Olympics any time soon. Maybe we should play for another country, like Albania or Nigeria - I bet one of those Nigerian Prince's could sponsor our team! I wish I could get some video of us in action because I usually fall over and my sister is SO cranky and swears like a trucker for the whole 2 hours, it's actually quite comical. We did get matching jackets though, so at least we will look like we're supposed to be on the ice. <br />
<br />
Random thougts:<br />
It's almost time to get my annual smelly pine cones for the Fall/Winter season. They are the closest thing I have to a plant - A bowl full of brown, dead useless plant. <br />
I was sure I saw a UFO last week. For the 4th time in my life. No anal probes yet.<br />
Civic election on Monday - Only losers don't vote. Don't be a loser! In case you care, I'm voting for Nenshi - I think he is the best choice to take this city and move it forward and the least likely to spend city $'s on hookers and blow.<br />
Nickels annoy me.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-60691767241072203142010-10-08T11:12:00.000-07:002010-10-08T11:14:15.906-07:00Bitches, Ditches and StitchesNothing really exciting has been going on around her and I don't want to blog just to take up space so that's why I haven't posted in a while But here's the roundup:.<br />
<br />
BC and a couple other "friends" went out on a Sat night a couple of weeks ago and the other two ending up ditching us. Really? Who does that? No courtesy text that they were leaving, nothing. Yeah, that's what I call a friend! BC and I ended up getting separated and didn't know the other 2 had left so it was a disaster all around. The 15 jager bombs he and I had probably didn't help and we're quite sure we were probably 2 feet apart, walking around in circles looking for other but we never met up again. Ranchman's can be a confusing place when you're smashfaced, wearing eye patches and being hit on by Captain Morgan. At the end of the day, I've decided to cull my friend list. When I can't support you're actions and am embarrassed of your behavior it's time to call it quits. Life's too short to be a bitch or be treated like a piece of shit and neither of the girls cared anyway.<br />
<br />
BF and I went to the Palomino to see Hayes Carll a couple of weeks ago and it was great. The only shitty thing about that venue is that it is in the basement and there are only about 20 chairs and 6 tables for 200 people. Now I'm not a stander, so thank goodness we got in line early and BF scored us the last table and last 2 chairs in the joint (they were plastic lawn chairs but that suited me just fine). I also noticed that both exits were in the same location so if there was a fire (which I was sure there was going to be) we were all going to die. We didn't die, but I'm still a little uneasy about that set up.They have a nice big bar with fast service and the bathrooms were big and fairly clean (bathrooms are very important to me. I can't go into dirty public bathrooms because my head spins out of control with that must have happened to get it that dirty and what diseases I am sure to leave with). <br />
<br />
I went with my mom to some sort of crafting/quilting show at the Round Up Center and found some neat new projects that I will work on never. I bought some more fabric for a quilt that will not see the light of day and got excited about scrapbooking projects that I have no intention of starting (or finishing).<br />
<br />
We (my family and our SO's) have also started curling on Friday nights. So far we've had 2 practices and 1 game and the only Olympics we'll be making are the Special ones, although if you know my family that sounds about right. Our dad is coaching us but he laughs at us more than anything (even though he says we've improved already). You may be asking yourselves, why curling? Well, it only takes 2 hours, the whole family can participate and it's in the rules that you have to go for drinks after every game with the team you played. For reals! Also, throwing rocks on ice, how could that possibly go wrong????<br />
<br />
Other than that, it's been all quiet on the home front. We have s few things going on this weekend that may be fun to report back. Want a hint? Corn Cob launcher. Oh yeah!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-32085235337363345782010-09-07T20:44:00.000-07:002010-09-08T17:31:55.586-07:00I Heart ChickensSo we didn't make it to the football game. The weather was too iffy and I refused to sit in bleacher seats so we watched the game at my brother's place and had cake and ice cream for dinner. I also had cake for breakfast this morning becuase I thought I started at the gym this week. Turns out it's not until next week, so I'll be shovelling chocolately treats in as much as I can until the gym torture begins again. I hate the gym, but you'll hear more about that at a later date.<br />
<br />
On Sunday I met BC for coffee and umbrella shopping before we found a bench to watch the Pride parade. BF decided to stay home and study which was probably for he best since half naked guys dancing on a float to Britney Spears isn't really how he likes to spend a Sunday afternoon...<br />
Things at the parade started out a little shaky when I was getting hit on by more men than BC (see how I clarified it was by men? I wasn't wearing my lesbian shoes for a reason this weekend!) but the tides turned and BC didn't end up having to throw me in a puddle or light a fire for attention. Crisis averted. There was also a fake mustache club...this caught me by surprise because I've wanted to have a fake mustache party for over a year now - except I don't want to do the same things that these ladies do. Feel free to google it.<br />
<br />
So after the parade we made our way down to Olympic Plaza to check out the after parade party and inadvertently ended up IN the parade at one point...but I was just looking for more candy. As we're wandering around we come to a t-shirt booth and I stop, stare and am thoroughly confused at a shirt something like the this (ps - google now thinks I'm a gay man after searching that):<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mantagged.com/product_images/q/194/i-heart-vrt-muscle-grey-black__63973_zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.mantagged.com/product_images/q/194/i-heart-vrt-muscle-grey-black__63973_zoom.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><br />
"I *heart* chicken" What? I love chicken but I don't need a shirt advertising it. And what does this have to do with the gays? I don't get it. Wait...chickens...roosters..cock...OMG that's a dirty shirt! I giggled to myself because I'm immature and then laugh at my stupidity. Next year I really think BC needs his own parade float - he could have all of his fag hags with him (he has a harem), Bella (my sister's Chihuahua<em></em>, not that vampire girl from the stupid movies) could have some sort of a rainbow bed and I'm sure my brother would dress up in drag just for good measure. We need to make this happen people! Oh, BF could drive the truck - there were lots of straight guys driving the trucks/floats because you know that had to be left to either them or the lesbos.<br />
<br />
Now, the rest of the weekend was covered by spending time with BF and dog sitting for my neighbor. Turns out, I am NOT a dog person and waking up early on weekends to feed and walk the dog are not my thing. I like to sleep in, make bacon and have naps. I don't like picking up poop, stinky dog breath and dogs who swat my zucchini bread off the counter and eat the whole damn loaf! Dog's mom comes back tonight so my dog sitting days are over.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure what's going on this week other than this stupid wedding - some friends of ours are getting married on Saturday and probably divorced on Sunday. This could be a complete gong show so I'll report back if it is, otherwise I'll let you know if I win the divorce pool. They also just decided that it is going to be a toonie bar. Like just decided this week. You can't do that, you have to put that shit on the invitation! I realize $2 is not a big deal, but when you can afford a $40,000 golf membership you can damn well pay for drinks for 60 people at your wedding. Cheap people suck! Out of principal I refuse to spend any money at this shit fiesta so I hope my brother brings a pocket full of toonies to cover me!<br />
<br />
I feel like a slurpee. Later skaters!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-32065952807035149452010-09-03T09:12:00.000-07:002010-09-03T09:12:52.895-07:00Pioneers and RainbowsIt's long weekend Friday and I can barely wait until 430pm. Yes, I do work at home and no one would really know whether I cut out early or not, but inevitably if I leave at 4:28 then some panicked client will call at 4:29 and rip me a new asshole. I swear my clients are the only ones who are ever around on long weekends and during Stampede.<br />
<br />
So what is everyone doing this weekend? I'm dog sitting for my neighbor so we're staying in town and if the weather is decent (decent meaning not pouring rain and windy) then I want to got to Heritage Park and reminisce about the good ole days of pioneer life - and be thankful I never had to strap a plow to my back and hoe the land. I never would have survived in the olden days - no Starbucks? No feather beds? No M&M's? No doubt I would be the weakest link and be found in a heap of cocoa trying to figure out how to turn into a chocolate bar when I should have been kneading bread or churning butter.<br />
<br />
Did I tell you my parents moved back here? I can't remember if I did or not. Anyway, they bought a house in Okotoks and will be living here in the summer and winters in Texas (they have a house there as well). My mother thinks that family dinner once a week is a necessity - I'm not that much into my family and twice a year would suit me fine. So far I've seen them 4 times in 2 weeks - good compromise. Sunday dinner will be at my parents place because as BF puts is "who are we to turn down a free meal when we're poor?". Can't argue that. I'll tell you about my poor ass and my cheap living ways next week. Dide you know you can use 1 ply paper towel as a coffee filter?<br />
<br />
My bud spud BC reminded me last night that it is Pride weekend in Calgary and that his people would be taking over the city. I think it was more of a warning to keep BF out of downtown and away from the parade on Sunday. BF is still pretty homophobic (he grew up one of three boys in a small town, what do you expect?) but over the last year he has really lightened up and what started as a tolerance of BC as one of my friends has grown into a genuine friendship with him for which I am thrilled because BC is a very good friend to me, rainbows and all!<br />
<br />
Speaking of pride, the very first summer I moved here I spent pride Sunday with a couple of my gaybot friends from Lethbridge who had also moved here and the bar we went to (I want to say Boyztown but I'm really not sure) was a riot! There were drag queens everywhere and this one guy kept hitting on me all night thinking I was one, and no, I was not offended in the least. Those queens put in a lot of prep time and look damn good - all I had was long bleached blond straight hair, real boobs and a sparkle shirt.<br />
<br />
Monday is the Labour Day Classic football game which we'll be going to with Tabby. She'll get drunk at yell at me (as usual) and I will try not to get in a fight on the train home. This will be my last football game of the year unless we get an Indian summer - I am not a super fan who bundles up in 20 layers of clothes to watch men in tight pants chase a ball around. I will, however, watch Grey Cup at a bar with lots of Jager if the Stamps make it that far.<br />
<br />
Ok, so that is what I have lined up for the long weekend - hope everyone has a good (and safe) one and I'll let you know how it all ends up.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-30034434107410896252010-08-29T20:31:00.000-07:002010-08-29T20:31:52.754-07:00Scald WarningI had a conference in Lake Louise last week. Rooms at the Chateau were $350/night and up (for a shoebox and no lake view) so I booked at the Deer Lodge which is a 5 min walk down the road and a fraction of the price. I figured by saving $1000 I was a genius but as per usual I was bitch slapped by reality again.<br />
First of all, let me just say that the service at the Deer Lodge is second to none. All of the staff I encountered where genuinely over the top friendly and could teach the staff at the Chateau a thing or two. So I get to my room, which is about 12x12ft and has 2 twin beds. I knew I was getting a twin bed but when I saw it I knew it was going to be a problem because I like to twist, turn and thrash all night and this bed was not going to cut it. I did consider pushing the two beds together but apparently the one upgrade that this place has ever done it so install permanent box bottoms for the beds.<br />
I go into the bathroom to get my paint and primer set up and notice a sign on the sink that says "Scald Warning: We recommend that when using the shower you do not use the sink or the toilet at the same time". Have I stepped into 1945? And how does one get warm water in the sink when the hot and cold taps are separate? At this point I started to panic because this is getting to be too much like camping. And I hate camping.<br />
Since I had the gala and stuff up at the Chateau I didn't realize how "rustic" this place was, but when I got back to the room and got into bed the trouble really started. First, the water from every room ran through the pipes in my room. Then I could hear some couple arguing about what time to get up in the morning. And then the thump thump thump slam! noises of people walking up and down the halls and slamming their doors shut - on all 3 floors. It's 1230, I get up and try to cover the 2 inch gap at the bottom of the door with my suitcase. This will stop the hallway light from coming in and keep out all noise, right?<br />
Stomp stomp stomp slam! beep beep, beep beep (blackberry message on someone's phone likely 6 or 7 rooms away). I'm tossing and turning in my tiny bed watching the time click by until 615 when the people above me decide it's time to get up and have a clogging competition.<br />
Same thing happens the next night and by day 3 I can barely keep my eyes open because of this place which I have decided must be an over priced hostel. Did I mention there were 2 pianos that guests are welcome to play? And that there were many, many guests that took the opportunity to entertain the masses? <br />
When I got home I reralized the true error my ways - I should have gotten smash faced every night and slept in a canoe.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-71787421774353277992010-08-18T09:29:00.000-07:002010-08-18T09:29:48.366-07:00The River Nazi'sIt's hot and sunny out (in theory) and I want to float the Elbow river (not the Bow, I don't have a death wish). I do not, however, want to have to wear a life jacket in 6 inches of water - a tube barely has enough room for my fat ass as it is, never mind trying to squeeze a life jacket in there too. <br />
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I can't help but wonder, where did this silly bylaw come from? I bet it was spearheaded by some over protective mother whose nerdy kid lost his glasses while playing in the water and he was so scared to go home without them that he nearly drowned looking for them. <br />
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I just can't wrap my head around how I can go to Texas, rent a tube from one of a million tube shops (they even come with plastic bottoms so you don't scrape your ass along the way!) take my beer and float and drink all day and no one seems to die like they are sure to in the Elbow if they aren't squished into a life jacket at all times. Have you never floated in Texas? Well, here is what it looks like on a summer day on the Guadalupe river:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stayandfloat.com/2006%20Pics/MemDayTubers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.stayandfloat.com/2006%20Pics/MemDayTubers.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Look at all of those people not wearing life jackets an not drowning right before our eyes! They even rent separate, smaller tubes specifically for coolers - no shit! And everyone (or at least one in every group) gets a mesh bag to put their garbage in so the river isn't full of floating trash. Genius! <br />
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And now here is a summer day on the Elbow:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1/3091723-Elbow_River_at_Stanley_Park-Calgary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cache.virtualtourist.com/1/3091723-Elbow_River_at_Stanley_Park-Calgary.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Yup, I can see how we are all gonna die right there.<br />
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Look, I'm not saying it should be a complete free for all, but what about life jackets for 16 and under? Or even 18 and under? Just let the adults make their own decisions - I don't have to wear my life jacket when I'm in a speed boat on a lake, why do I have to wear one on the dribble river? I'm even fine with the no booze on the water - that definitely cuts down on the jackassery and helps to keep it a family activity (although I hate families and wish we could banish parents and their children to outdoor pools where they can scream and piss in the water all they want and I never have to see or hear them).<br />
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Until there is some common sense in the future I will skip floating the Elbow unless someone wants to cover the $500 ticket I would get for breaking the rules...floating sponsorship is now open.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-152333829743217753.post-54810309453399087422010-08-08T22:05:00.000-07:002010-08-08T22:05:14.396-07:00Big Balls in CowtownSo last weekend we (BF and I) went to the Stamps game (for my out of town friends, that is out CFL football team). We sprung for decent tickets on Kijiji which nearly caused a break up (but that's a whole other story) so for once I wasn't going to sit in those brutal bleachers, or worse yet the family section where it's not only alcohol free it's filled with kids who never shut up because a) they are too young to understand what is going on and b) it's way past their bed time but their parents think it is ok because it is summer time. <br />
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Anyway, we started at Tipperary's where we grabbed a bite to eat and BF began getting football drunk. Football drunk is way different than hockey drunk (which I will cover sometime during hockey season) mainly because <em></em>McMahon Stadium doesn't have draft beer, only cans. Bleh. Because of this it was BF's goal to have 5 draft beers before we got there and then 2 at the stadium. He meets his pregame goal and we walked over to McMahon. For those who don't know me, I don't like walking. Ever. I'm a fat girl, and if I could put a moving sidewalk from my couch to the fridge I would (if anyone can make that happen, please let me know!). It's only about 10-15 mins max to walk from the restaurant to the stadium but I bitched the whole way, naturally. And don't worry about BF having to listen to me complain about exercise, he's used to it and just tunes me out - I was fat when we started dating so he knew what he was getting into. Ok, totally got side tracked there...oops! So I've been to a few Stamps games in the past, but I think this is the first time I've ever been sober and there were some things that really took me by surprise. As we got within a few blocks the sidewalks became more crowded with avid face painted cape/flag wearing fans from both teams (The Blue Bombers being the other) and there was excitement about the night to come. This is WAY different from a Flames game where it's usually 3/4 full of corporate drones all trying to impress each other. Also, everyone seems to know everyone - it kind of felt like a church picnic, but with no bingo or potato salad .<br />
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We get to our seats and BF hits the beer stand and returns with 2 beers since he's now upped his quota to 1 per quarter...I'm wondering if the lemonade guy will come by for me. As the game goes on, the crowd stays loud (but not obnoxious) and the players are even encouraging the noise. Would that happen in an NFL game? I don't think so. The cheerleader sluts make their rounds (I know I know, they aren't actually sluts, but they are skinnier and prettier than me, so that automatically makes them whores in my book). It's almost half time and BF if going to get his 3rd beer and to get me a lemonade. He's gone about 2.5 minutes and when he comes back he has 2 beers and no lemonade because he "couldn't find the lemonade guy". Oh really? Well I'll tell you where he isn't - at the beer stand! So I get up and who is standing right at the top of the stairs? Mr. Lemonade! Can't find him my ass....<br />
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The game goes on, BF's drunk smile gets bigger and I even start to cheer out loud a little bit. In the end the Stamps won and we decide to take the train back (it's only 1 stop) because it is getting a bit dark and we pretty much always think we are going to get robbed for the $12.00 we have. The train platform is packed, as expected, and when the train pulls up everyone pushes to get on. We make it but immediately this chick starts calling me a bitch and going on about how I stepped on her foot (she was wearing flip flops, so I can imagine it hurt. Well, as it happened I didn't step on her foot, we got shoved and someone cut both of us off and stepped on her in the process. She's s going on and on so I snap, and I mean S-N-A-P. I've got lemonade courage and I am not afraid to use it! I tell her exactly what I think of her, call her every name in the book and offered her a kick in the twat to match her her poor little foot. I'm still furious when we get off the train and she happens to get off at that stop as well and actually admits she was wrong, that it wasn't me (I guess one of her friends told her who it actually was) yet she doesn't apologize, she called me a bitch, again. I let another string of unmentionable words go and she decides to walk in the other direction. Why am I sharing this part of the story that makes me look stupid? For exactly that reason - I made myself look like an idiot by stooping to her level and I never should have done that. There is a time to speak up and time to ignore a fat bitch in flip flops and I made a bad choice (even though BF later admitted that he loved how I called her every name in the book right to her face...twice).<br />
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So the lesson I learned this week is this - there are assholes in this city and even though I have balls big enough to stand up to them, sometimes I just need to stfu and let it go.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1