And a little over the edge.
Yesterday, I had an experience I felt was worth sharing and definitely worth sending a message to Phil Schoonover of Circuit City. I am actually a proponent of customer interaction and response when it comes to the service industry. If a company is doing a good job, the company should know it. If they do a bad job, they should also be told. Below is the letter I am writing to the CEO of Circuit City.
Good Day Mr. Schoonover,
My name is N8ivWarrior and I was a potential customer in your store in 814 in Woodbridge, Virginia last night, December 28, 2006 at 5:30PM. I realize this letter may look long and laborious, but I wanted to make sure you understood my entire customer experience in your store.
Last night, I wanted to buy a DVD player for my mother-in-law. She already had a DVD player, but it was unable to play DVD-R disks that were used to create home movies of her granddaughter's Christmas day. My family actually lives in Illinois so this was the only way she was going to see her open gifts. Since I was heading into Circuit City anyhow, I figured I would also check out the prices of desktop computers as well, since I was looking to purchase a new one for my household.
It has been about four years since I last entered a Circuit City store. I noticed that the store seemed much less like an impersonal warehouse giant, and more of the retail "we care" and "get comfortable" feel. So when it comes to the atmosphere of the store, I have to say, it is much better than I last remember.
Weaving my way through the store, I was pleased with the presentation of the televisions, and audio systems. I looked at a few audio systems (because my truck audio system stinks) and attempted to test the different speaker systems. The buttons in the section I tried, didn't work. So, the speaker I wanted to test could not be tested. There was a customer service representative in the area but he was helping other customers.
As I gazed and drooled while walking by the TVs, I noticed the recliners in the middle of the store facing the TVs. Very nice touch.
I headed to the back corner of the store where the DVD players are located. I found the DVD player I wanted, and even though the product costs a mere $35.00 with a $10 mail-in rebate, I felt it was an important purchase. You had three of the product in stock. All three boxes had been crushed. They look as if each box had been thrown against the wall. I was still willing to take a chance and purchase the item, picking the box that looked least damaged. I knew Target had the equivilent product for $5 less, and I didn't have to mail in the rebate to get the $10. For some reason, I never end up mailing those things off so I consider the mail-in rebate useless. If you really want to incent me on price, just put it on sale.
But I was in the store, and it was worth the $5 for me not to have to go to another store. I also figured if I could talk with someone, they may be able to discount the item for the box being crushed.
As I complete the circle around the store, back to the front, my intention was to look at the pricing of computers. Out of the entire store, and the dozen or so computers, three (3) had price tags. This is Circuit City, not a fancy restaurant. I need to know the price before I will purchase the item. The three prices I saw, were not bad, just not for me and my family. There was a young man in a green shirt (I am guessing firedog) in the back of his little area, but he was intently looking at a computer.
After being frustrated with your lack of pricing, I walked toward the registers. Mr. Schoonover, the checkout system to your stores is terrible. There were five of us standing not in line, because there are no defined lines, but around the area believed to be the register section. Honestly, I had to pay close attention to determine that is was the location to check out. There was one person at the register.
The aforementioned young man with the green shirt, came from his pit area to the registers and we (the customers) believed he was going to help at the registers. Unfortunately, he walked past the cashier, and met a couple of his friends, gave them both "high fives," and talked for about 3 minutes before telling them to walk over to his pit area. Looking carefully at the situation, I dropped my DVD player on the counter and exited the store. As I was leaving, I looked through the door and saw three of your employees in the back standing and talking to each other.
One last item...I was NEVER approached to determine if I needed help with anything.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). I am just one customer. The man that was standing before me at the register "area" seemed equally upset with the customer service. Mr. Schoonover, I am in the customer service business. I know how much of an impact one upset customer can be to the business. I also know how much of an impact one happy customer can be to profits. The customer you have in the store wanting to buy is worth 10 times the amount of the purchase. If you can make a happy customer, you have a returning customer.
Additionally, customer service rule 1 is that dissatisfied customers tell about 10 people about their experience. 20 percent tell about 20 people.
As for me, you lost a customer opportunity for another 4 years. I am posting this letter on my blog. If you respond, I will also post your response.
Respectfully,
N8ivWarrior
http://N8ivwarrior.blogspot.com
Did you know...
If 20 customers are dissatisfied with their service, 19 won't bother to tell
you. Fourteen of the 20 will simply take their business elsewhere.
Good Day Mr. Schoonover,
My name is N8ivWarrior and I was a potential customer in your store in 814 in Woodbridge, Virginia last night, December 28, 2006 at 5:30PM. I realize this letter may look long and laborious, but I wanted to make sure you understood my entire customer experience in your store.
Last night, I wanted to buy a DVD player for my mother-in-law. She already had a DVD player, but it was unable to play DVD-R disks that were used to create home movies of her granddaughter's Christmas day. My family actually lives in Illinois so this was the only way she was going to see her open gifts. Since I was heading into Circuit City anyhow, I figured I would also check out the prices of desktop computers as well, since I was looking to purchase a new one for my household.
It has been about four years since I last entered a Circuit City store. I noticed that the store seemed much less like an impersonal warehouse giant, and more of the retail "we care" and "get comfortable" feel. So when it comes to the atmosphere of the store, I have to say, it is much better than I last remember.
Weaving my way through the store, I was pleased with the presentation of the televisions, and audio systems. I looked at a few audio systems (because my truck audio system stinks) and attempted to test the different speaker systems. The buttons in the section I tried, didn't work. So, the speaker I wanted to test could not be tested. There was a customer service representative in the area but he was helping other customers.
As I gazed and drooled while walking by the TVs, I noticed the recliners in the middle of the store facing the TVs. Very nice touch.
I headed to the back corner of the store where the DVD players are located. I found the DVD player I wanted, and even though the product costs a mere $35.00 with a $10 mail-in rebate, I felt it was an important purchase. You had three of the product in stock. All three boxes had been crushed. They look as if each box had been thrown against the wall. I was still willing to take a chance and purchase the item, picking the box that looked least damaged. I knew Target had the equivilent product for $5 less, and I didn't have to mail in the rebate to get the $10. For some reason, I never end up mailing those things off so I consider the mail-in rebate useless. If you really want to incent me on price, just put it on sale.
But I was in the store, and it was worth the $5 for me not to have to go to another store. I also figured if I could talk with someone, they may be able to discount the item for the box being crushed.
As I complete the circle around the store, back to the front, my intention was to look at the pricing of computers. Out of the entire store, and the dozen or so computers, three (3) had price tags. This is Circuit City, not a fancy restaurant. I need to know the price before I will purchase the item. The three prices I saw, were not bad, just not for me and my family. There was a young man in a green shirt (I am guessing firedog) in the back of his little area, but he was intently looking at a computer.
After being frustrated with your lack of pricing, I walked toward the registers. Mr. Schoonover, the checkout system to your stores is terrible. There were five of us standing not in line, because there are no defined lines, but around the area believed to be the register section. Honestly, I had to pay close attention to determine that is was the location to check out. There was one person at the register.
The aforementioned young man with the green shirt, came from his pit area to the registers and we (the customers) believed he was going to help at the registers. Unfortunately, he walked past the cashier, and met a couple of his friends, gave them both "high fives," and talked for about 3 minutes before telling them to walk over to his pit area. Looking carefully at the situation, I dropped my DVD player on the counter and exited the store. As I was leaving, I looked through the door and saw three of your employees in the back standing and talking to each other.
One last item...I was NEVER approached to determine if I needed help with anything.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). I am just one customer. The man that was standing before me at the register "area" seemed equally upset with the customer service. Mr. Schoonover, I am in the customer service business. I know how much of an impact one upset customer can be to the business. I also know how much of an impact one happy customer can be to profits. The customer you have in the store wanting to buy is worth 10 times the amount of the purchase. If you can make a happy customer, you have a returning customer.
Additionally, customer service rule 1 is that dissatisfied customers tell about 10 people about their experience. 20 percent tell about 20 people.
As for me, you lost a customer opportunity for another 4 years. I am posting this letter on my blog. If you respond, I will also post your response.
Respectfully,
N8ivWarrior
http://N8ivwarrior.blogspot.com
Did you know...
If 20 customers are dissatisfied with their service, 19 won't bother to tell
you. Fourteen of the 20 will simply take their business elsewhere.
I have been eating entirely too much since my visit home. Tomorrow, as I head back to Virginia I will be boarding the plane considerably heavier and rounder than last Thursday when I arrived. Knowing the NTSB and all of their new-fangled scanner apparatuses, they have considered my weight leaving the plane in Chicago and will throw up some red flag when I go to board the plane.
"Warning! The passenger has gained 40 pounds in a week. He MUST have a cavity search to find out what he is hiding." I hope they use the lube this time...
I have actually been pretty lucky when it comes to the airport. As long as you know what you can and can't take on the plane, avoid carrying explosives, and wear easily slip-on shoes, you can move through rather quickly. The fact that I tend to fly the same airline every time and buy round-trip tickets doesn't hurt either.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). If you are going to be the person that stands there and argues with the air marshalls, drive. For some reason, the line I tend to get assigned in security always has the Texas traveller that has never flown on a plane before and doesn't understand why he can't carry his fully loaded hand-gun in carry-on luggage. He will insist that the airline is going to hurt his $50 1973 Colt 45 and will have every weapon in the airport pulled out and pointing at him...with me in the line of fire somewhere.
"Dammit, Washington DC is a dangerous place. I am a card carrying member of the NRA (National Rifle Association) and it is my RIGHT to take my weapon with me. I have a permit!"
Ohhhh...the right to bear arms...another blog entry entirely.
Well, I am going to go to the movies. I will definitely get a large popcorn with extra butter.
Did you know...
A calorie is a unit of measurement for energy. A small calorie (the size measured for food) approximates the energy needed to increase the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 °C.
"Warning! The passenger has gained 40 pounds in a week. He MUST have a cavity search to find out what he is hiding." I hope they use the lube this time...
I have actually been pretty lucky when it comes to the airport. As long as you know what you can and can't take on the plane, avoid carrying explosives, and wear easily slip-on shoes, you can move through rather quickly. The fact that I tend to fly the same airline every time and buy round-trip tickets doesn't hurt either.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). If you are going to be the person that stands there and argues with the air marshalls, drive. For some reason, the line I tend to get assigned in security always has the Texas traveller that has never flown on a plane before and doesn't understand why he can't carry his fully loaded hand-gun in carry-on luggage. He will insist that the airline is going to hurt his $50 1973 Colt 45 and will have every weapon in the airport pulled out and pointing at him...with me in the line of fire somewhere.
"Dammit, Washington DC is a dangerous place. I am a card carrying member of the NRA (National Rifle Association) and it is my RIGHT to take my weapon with me. I have a permit!"
Ohhhh...the right to bear arms...another blog entry entirely.
Well, I am going to go to the movies. I will definitely get a large popcorn with extra butter.
Did you know...
A calorie is a unit of measurement for energy. A small calorie (the size measured for food) approximates the energy needed to increase the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 °C.
Merry Christmas Everyone!
I was awaken at 6:00AM this morning to excited children and an even more excited wife. She was extremely anxious to see the expressions on everyone's faces and have fun with gift opening.
As for me, it was perfect. I ended up getting an Atari gaming system. You remember Atari with the games like Pitfall, Asteroids and the such. Well, the company makes a product that is basically the Atari, without the cartridges. It has 40 of the games and plays exactly like the old ones did. For me, it was like going back in time and getting the Atari that I always wanted but never had. I had another game called the Magnavox Odyssey. There were not nearly as many games.
Avery gave me a Hot Wheels Spiderman truck that she picked out her own self. Everyone tried to convice her to get something else, but it was to no avail. Avery was getting me the Hot Wheels. Just fine with me. I like Hot Wheels and I can put it in my new office.
Other wonderful things to note are the All-American Rejects CD, Lots of white socks (since I am down to two pair now), a new coat, and plenty of peanut butter kisses (which I didn't know they made).
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Diets are automatically on hold for holidays. I know I have put on another 5 pounds since I have been here. Between last night's delicious lasagna, and tonight's monstrosity, I have taken in more calories than a football team bulking up.
Tonight was especially bad. Most Christmas dinners consist of turkey or ham, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, figgy pudding (whatever that is), and some fruit salad dish. Not for the Warrior household this year. This year, everyone in the family was in charge of a dish of some sort (their favorite).
So, the menu looked something like this ham, crab cakes, au gratin potatoes, baked old english macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, cornbread, and deviled eggs. Everyone had what they wanted and there are plenty of leftovers.
When traditions require you to have certain items at Christmas dinner, add your own tradition. For us, Christmas dinner is whatever we as a family want to fix.
Did you know...
I was awaken at 6:00AM this morning to excited children and an even more excited wife. She was extremely anxious to see the expressions on everyone's faces and have fun with gift opening.
As for me, it was perfect. I ended up getting an Atari gaming system. You remember Atari with the games like Pitfall, Asteroids and the such. Well, the company makes a product that is basically the Atari, without the cartridges. It has 40 of the games and plays exactly like the old ones did. For me, it was like going back in time and getting the Atari that I always wanted but never had. I had another game called the Magnavox Odyssey. There were not nearly as many games.
Avery gave me a Hot Wheels Spiderman truck that she picked out her own self. Everyone tried to convice her to get something else, but it was to no avail. Avery was getting me the Hot Wheels. Just fine with me. I like Hot Wheels and I can put it in my new office.
Other wonderful things to note are the All-American Rejects CD, Lots of white socks (since I am down to two pair now), a new coat, and plenty of peanut butter kisses (which I didn't know they made).
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Diets are automatically on hold for holidays. I know I have put on another 5 pounds since I have been here. Between last night's delicious lasagna, and tonight's monstrosity, I have taken in more calories than a football team bulking up.
Tonight was especially bad. Most Christmas dinners consist of turkey or ham, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, figgy pudding (whatever that is), and some fruit salad dish. Not for the Warrior household this year. This year, everyone in the family was in charge of a dish of some sort (their favorite).
So, the menu looked something like this ham, crab cakes, au gratin potatoes, baked old english macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, cornbread, and deviled eggs. Everyone had what they wanted and there are plenty of leftovers.
When traditions require you to have certain items at Christmas dinner, add your own tradition. For us, Christmas dinner is whatever we as a family want to fix.
Did you know...
Figgy Pudding with Custard Sauce - 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons rum extract (or flavored extract of your choice)
- 1 apple, peeled and cored and finely chopped
- 1 pound dried figs, ground or finely chopped
- Grated peel of 1 lemon and 1 orange
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 1/2 cups dried bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 large egg whites, stiffly beaten
- Custard Sauce (recipe follows)
- Sweetened whipped cream (optional)
- Preheat oven to 325*F (160*C). Generously grease an oven-proof 2-quart bowl or mold; set aside.
- Cream together butter and shortening. Gradually add sugar, egg yolks, milk, extract, apple, figs, lemon and orange peel. Add next 6 ingredients, mixing well. Fold stiffly beaten egg whites into mixture.
- Pour into prepared bowl or mold and place into large shallow pan and place on middle rack in oven. Fill the shallow pan half-full with boiling water and slowly steam pudding in oven at 325*F (160*C) for 4 hours, replacing water as needed.
Custard Sauce:
- 2 cups milk
1 large egg
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon butter
- In saucepan, scald milk and allow to cool.
- Mix together remaining ingredients, except for butter. Add to cooled milk. Cook over low heat until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter, mixing well.
- Serve pudding warm with custard sauce or sweetened whipped cream. Store unused portions in refrigerator.
Makes 12 servings.
I am not a big fan of wrapping gifts. So when Christmas comes around, you can understand my apprehension. The fact that we use paper to wrap something just so someone else can rip it off is a bit further than I wish to go. Unfortunately, I am alone in this household when it comes to this point of view.
Today, I sent the wife out with all the kids except Dan to the movie to see Charlotte's Web. Dan and I sat in front of the TV watching to Bears narrowly beat the Lions and wrapped until I have wrapping elbow. After destroying my wife prized tape dispenser and going through two other rolls of tape and not so much paper, I think I have finished my wrapping.
Tomorrow, as they sit there and tear the two rolls of tape off of the two shoe boxes, I will smile because I accomplished the wrapping job I set out to do. Yes, it may take a cutting torch to break the box free of the tape boundary, but the small tears in the paper because the paper is too weak for the sharp corners will not peak through. I wish I could use duct tape but was strictly warned against that because of what happened to the kids that one year. They healed.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). When exactly did the Christmas decorating become a competition? There are houses in my area that are decked beyond belief. Airplanes have made wrong turns because the driveways are brighter than the airport lighting.
If the wise men even tried to guide themselves by the North Star, they would need to be anywhere but suburbia. The light pollution is bright enough that you can walk in a dark alley and see people's face from a block away. Seeing stars is impossible.
Knowing all of this...what are my plans tonight? We are putting everyone in the car with a hot cocoa and cruising the neighborhoods to look at the lights. Hypocrite? Maybe...but aren't the lights pretty?
Did you know...
Every year, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks Santa as he makes his rounds across the globe. LINK
Today, I sent the wife out with all the kids except Dan to the movie to see Charlotte's Web. Dan and I sat in front of the TV watching to Bears narrowly beat the Lions and wrapped until I have wrapping elbow. After destroying my wife prized tape dispenser and going through two other rolls of tape and not so much paper, I think I have finished my wrapping.
Tomorrow, as they sit there and tear the two rolls of tape off of the two shoe boxes, I will smile because I accomplished the wrapping job I set out to do. Yes, it may take a cutting torch to break the box free of the tape boundary, but the small tears in the paper because the paper is too weak for the sharp corners will not peak through. I wish I could use duct tape but was strictly warned against that because of what happened to the kids that one year. They healed.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). When exactly did the Christmas decorating become a competition? There are houses in my area that are decked beyond belief. Airplanes have made wrong turns because the driveways are brighter than the airport lighting.
If the wise men even tried to guide themselves by the North Star, they would need to be anywhere but suburbia. The light pollution is bright enough that you can walk in a dark alley and see people's face from a block away. Seeing stars is impossible.
Knowing all of this...what are my plans tonight? We are putting everyone in the car with a hot cocoa and cruising the neighborhoods to look at the lights. Hypocrite? Maybe...but aren't the lights pretty?
Did you know...
Every year, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks Santa as he makes his rounds across the globe. LINK
Christmas Adam is the day before Christmas Eve. After all, Adam came before Eve.
This is really the last day to do any real shopping as tomorrow the stores will close early. So, since I have hardly accomplished any of my shopping (being male and all) I headed out to the malls and department stores with all of the other males to hunt down the toys and junk that will take another year to get rid of.
Let's think about all of this for just a moment. The kids are having a hell of a time buying gifts for me. Why? Because I need absolutely nothing. I have everything I need and most everything else is just clutter after a month. I don't often get terribly excited about gifts or material goods. I am more of an experience type of person.
I would much rather go to a play, tool around San Francisco, or take dance lessons than have a watch that will surely be broken within a year. The other things I will remember forever. The MP3 player I will forget.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Material goods have their place especially if you are in a new relationship, have new family members or have a new home. But seeing and meeting the Blue Man Group or hiking the North Rim of the Grand Canyon are adventures you will remember forever. Even something as simple and not-to-expensive as having a limo pick you up on your birthday to take you to Morton's for the best dinner ever will stay with me forever.
One other point, the people who give a gift like that may not see the initial reward on Christmas Day, but will hear the accolades for years after. That is a satisfying gift that will never stop giving. One last thing... It is much easier to find a gift online for an experience on Christmas Adam or Christmas Eve. Because at that point, all you need to do is print out the receipt, go out to the yard and find a big rock, rap the receipt around the rock and throw it into a box or bag. It sounds last minute, but they will still love it.
Did you know...
According to the Bible, Adam and Eve had Cain, Abel, Seth and many other sons and daughters. With hundreds of child bearing years, it is likely they had 50+ children. God was not happy when God said "be fruitful and multiply."
Today is the anniversary date for my blog. So here is a quick review of the past year.
Toilet Paper, Duct Tape, The English Language, Bathrooms, Names, Buying a Reader, Other Cultures, Lard, Losses.
This list of labels yet to be added to my Beta version of my blog is just the edge.
People often ask me what the biggest hit entry is...Queen of Denial is definitely the King. I would have to say I have had about 2500 hits on that entry alone.
The entry with the most comments (this included xanga and myspace) Meeting of Two Minds.
Most controversal entry is a toss up... on xanga it was about homosexuality and the Bible called OkieDokieThen. On Blogger, My Rare Political Statement...Illegal Immigrants.
In my year, I have met fellow bloggers, started other people in blogging and started writing a book. There have been good and bad times. Both I have learned from. I have discovered the ingenuity of people and how they make money.
This has been a great year. May the next year be as good as this one.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Blog. Blog like you never blogged before! Better blogs than this one later in the week.
One more thing, tomorrow (the shortest day in this hemisphere) I head back home for a week. YEAH!
Did you know...
Nationally (US), 64.9 million people are expected to travel over this holiday, which is the most popular holiday travel period of the year.
Toilet Paper, Duct Tape, The English Language, Bathrooms, Names, Buying a Reader, Other Cultures, Lard, Losses.
This list of labels yet to be added to my Beta version of my blog is just the edge.
People often ask me what the biggest hit entry is...Queen of Denial is definitely the King. I would have to say I have had about 2500 hits on that entry alone.
The entry with the most comments (this included xanga and myspace) Meeting of Two Minds.
Most controversal entry is a toss up... on xanga it was about homosexuality and the Bible called OkieDokieThen. On Blogger, My Rare Political Statement...Illegal Immigrants.
In my year, I have met fellow bloggers, started other people in blogging and started writing a book. There have been good and bad times. Both I have learned from. I have discovered the ingenuity of people and how they make money.
This has been a great year. May the next year be as good as this one.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Blog. Blog like you never blogged before! Better blogs than this one later in the week.
One more thing, tomorrow (the shortest day in this hemisphere) I head back home for a week. YEAH!
Did you know...
Nationally (US), 64.9 million people are expected to travel over this holiday, which is the most popular holiday travel period of the year.
When I get a chance, I check other blogs. Not those kiddie blogs, real adults writing thoughts. One of more recent reads is iNina. She has done something that made me think..."why didn't I think of that?"
She has performed a care package swap with Sima in the United States and iNina is tickled pink. When did I miss this cultural exchange through blogging? I feel I already learn so much from other people through the blog itself, I never even considered doing any kind of trading.
As some of you know, when I travel, I tend to bring back a momento from each state that is strictly a state or regional item. Take for instance, Rhode Island. What in the world is Rhode Island (a state about the size of a small farm) known for? Maine, lobster; Maryland, blue crab; Rhode Island...coffee syrup. I had to actually ask a local what her relatives buy when they come home. Coffee syrup is a syrup made of coffee. I had never even heard of it until that one moment.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). If any international readers want to perform a package swap, bring on the comments!
Did you know...
Egypt had the first reference to a postal system in 2000 B.C. The first pony express was in the 6th century B.C. by the Persian Empire.
She has performed a care package swap with Sima in the United States and iNina is tickled pink. When did I miss this cultural exchange through blogging? I feel I already learn so much from other people through the blog itself, I never even considered doing any kind of trading.
As some of you know, when I travel, I tend to bring back a momento from each state that is strictly a state or regional item. Take for instance, Rhode Island. What in the world is Rhode Island (a state about the size of a small farm) known for? Maine, lobster; Maryland, blue crab; Rhode Island...coffee syrup. I had to actually ask a local what her relatives buy when they come home. Coffee syrup is a syrup made of coffee. I had never even heard of it until that one moment.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). If any international readers want to perform a package swap, bring on the comments!
Did you know...
Egypt had the first reference to a postal system in 2000 B.C. The first pony express was in the 6th century B.C. by the Persian Empire.
I worked all weekend at the bookstore cafe'. Something to note for all of you 40 year old males interested in a nice relaxing job making coffee for bookstore shoppers...wear comfy shoes. It will require a considerable amount of time on your feet.
Saturday was crazy. We were non-stop and the line was always 5 people deep. Of course it was 65 degrees out as well, so EVERYONE had to have the frozen drinks which are the worst to make. With two of us being new, seasonal help, we kept up as much as we could, but in the end, it was my body that finally took the toll.
When I finally sat down at the end of the day, every muscle in my feet was screaming to be rubbed. I am not sure about your feet, but when my feet are in that much pain, for some reason it is also accompanied by a pungent scent. So, off go the shoes, off with the socks and on with the candles and odor sprays.
This brings me to my point (as I almost have one). How do you handle a customer that is visually and scentually offensive? This question has been brought to my attention after having a customer (also named John to my dismay) that visits daily make all of my co-workers suddenly need to go to the bathroom.
Yesterday, I found out why. First off, you can see him coming from outside the store. People are gawking at him as his large, protruding, hairy, stomach and belly button (also known as the cave) fall out of his child size medium striped shirt looking somewhat like a halter top. His spare tire lays over top of his cut-off blue jeans that are considerably tight but still keeping spectators from having to see his butt crack.
Approaching the counter, expressions from passers-by turn from an "oh-my-gawd" to an "ewwww" expression. Within seconds, I understand why. Accompanied with his extreme fashion statement is a body odor of someone decomposing. I am standing at least 4 feet away from him. Holding my total demeaner together and professional, I asking him the variety of questions to fulfill his green tea order and move him on his way.
He attempts to draw me into conversation with insults and confrontation but I continue on with my smile and breathe through the mouth. He sits in the cafe area, drinks his tea, walks around the store, and a hour later, leaves. According to co-workers, he often spends the entire day there and has held several co-workers captive in conversation.
Is it totally inappropriate to send this guy a shirt, pants, soap, and deodorant for Christmas?
Did you know...
The original formulation for Mum deodorant was invented in 1888, by an unknown inventor from Philadelphia. Generally recognized as being the first ever product to prevent odor, the inventor promptly trademarked his invention and distributed it through his nurse under the name of "Mum." In the late 1940s Helen Barnett Diserens joined the Mum production team. A suggestion by a colleague inspired Helen to develop an underarm deodorant based on the same principle as a newfangled invention called the ball point pen. This new type of deodorant applicator was tested in the USA in 1952, and marketed under the name of Ban Roll-On. The first anti-perspirant aerosol deodorant was launched in 1965.
Saturday was crazy. We were non-stop and the line was always 5 people deep. Of course it was 65 degrees out as well, so EVERYONE had to have the frozen drinks which are the worst to make. With two of us being new, seasonal help, we kept up as much as we could, but in the end, it was my body that finally took the toll.
When I finally sat down at the end of the day, every muscle in my feet was screaming to be rubbed. I am not sure about your feet, but when my feet are in that much pain, for some reason it is also accompanied by a pungent scent. So, off go the shoes, off with the socks and on with the candles and odor sprays.
This brings me to my point (as I almost have one). How do you handle a customer that is visually and scentually offensive? This question has been brought to my attention after having a customer (also named John to my dismay) that visits daily make all of my co-workers suddenly need to go to the bathroom.
Yesterday, I found out why. First off, you can see him coming from outside the store. People are gawking at him as his large, protruding, hairy, stomach and belly button (also known as the cave) fall out of his child size medium striped shirt looking somewhat like a halter top. His spare tire lays over top of his cut-off blue jeans that are considerably tight but still keeping spectators from having to see his butt crack.
Approaching the counter, expressions from passers-by turn from an "oh-my-gawd" to an "ewwww" expression. Within seconds, I understand why. Accompanied with his extreme fashion statement is a body odor of someone decomposing. I am standing at least 4 feet away from him. Holding my total demeaner together and professional, I asking him the variety of questions to fulfill his green tea order and move him on his way.
He attempts to draw me into conversation with insults and confrontation but I continue on with my smile and breathe through the mouth. He sits in the cafe area, drinks his tea, walks around the store, and a hour later, leaves. According to co-workers, he often spends the entire day there and has held several co-workers captive in conversation.Is it totally inappropriate to send this guy a shirt, pants, soap, and deodorant for Christmas?
Did you know...
The original formulation for Mum deodorant was invented in 1888, by an unknown inventor from Philadelphia. Generally recognized as being the first ever product to prevent odor, the inventor promptly trademarked his invention and distributed it through his nurse under the name of "Mum." In the late 1940s Helen Barnett Diserens joined the Mum production team. A suggestion by a colleague inspired Helen to develop an underarm deodorant based on the same principle as a newfangled invention called the ball point pen. This new type of deodorant applicator was tested in the USA in 1952, and marketed under the name of Ban Roll-On. The first anti-perspirant aerosol deodorant was launched in 1965.
OK, I will accept the challenge to try out Blogger Beta since I had to create a Google account in order to comment on other people's site. Blogger published on this.
So, If you would like to see my progress, http://Beta-N8ivWarrior.blogspot.com.
So far, I have spent about 30 minutes trying to get going. Not bad. If they can move content as they say will happen, I should be all set.
So, If you would like to see my progress, http://Beta-N8ivWarrior.blogspot.com.
So far, I have spent about 30 minutes trying to get going. Not bad. If they can move content as they say will happen, I should be all set.
My boss in my second job calls me Joe. Even after correcting him repeatedly, he still calls me Joe. It has gotten so far out of control that other people I work with now call me Joe.
You would think with the name tag proudly displaying "John", he could get it right at least once. I am at the point where it is funny and I am making a label to place over it with "Joe" written on it.
He would probably start calling me Jake. At that point, we will have every other employee totally confused with who actually works there and what my name is.
Just for fun, I should use a different name each day of the week. That could be interesting. I could bet that my boss would start calling me by my real name in no time.
This brings me to my point (as I almost have one). For some reason, I can't comment on other people's Beta Blogger sites. I know this point really has no correlation to the topic, but I did want to drop it in there.
Now for the other point... Call me what you want. I personally will not be offended if you call me Joe, Jack, Jake or Ramakrishna. I may not answer you because I may think you are speaking with someone else. But if I see you are actually talking to me AND you are not on one of those stupid Bluetooth headsets, I will provide an appropriate response.
Hmm...need to write a blog entry on the Bluetooth headsets.
Did you know...
John Q. Public is a generic name in the United States to denote a hypothetical member of society deemed a "common man." Roughly equivalent, but more depreciative, are Joe Six-pack, Joe Blow, and Joe Schmoe, implying a lower-class citizen (from the Yiddish schmo: simpleton, or possibly Hebrew sh'mo: (what's)-his-name). Jane Winecooler also falls within this category.
You would think with the name tag proudly displaying "John", he could get it right at least once. I am at the point where it is funny and I am making a label to place over it with "Joe" written on it.
He would probably start calling me Jake. At that point, we will have every other employee totally confused with who actually works there and what my name is.
Just for fun, I should use a different name each day of the week. That could be interesting. I could bet that my boss would start calling me by my real name in no time.
This brings me to my point (as I almost have one). For some reason, I can't comment on other people's Beta Blogger sites. I know this point really has no correlation to the topic, but I did want to drop it in there.
Now for the other point... Call me what you want. I personally will not be offended if you call me Joe, Jack, Jake or Ramakrishna. I may not answer you because I may think you are speaking with someone else. But if I see you are actually talking to me AND you are not on one of those stupid Bluetooth headsets, I will provide an appropriate response.
Hmm...need to write a blog entry on the Bluetooth headsets.
Did you know...
John Q. Public is a generic name in the United States to denote a hypothetical member of society deemed a "common man." Roughly equivalent, but more depreciative, are Joe Six-pack, Joe Blow, and Joe Schmoe, implying a lower-class citizen (from the Yiddish schmo: simpleton, or possibly Hebrew sh'mo: (what's)-his-name). Jane Winecooler also falls within this category.
Several people I read have or are reaching landmarks. All of them are impressive.
iNina managed to blog for 30 straight days in November. I have attempted such a feat at one point and couldn't quite make it.
Americans Amuck are stepping the blogging scene up with their final goal of 365 blog entries in a single (the first) year. Amazing!
I really can't manage to put a daily blog together. During the summer, I really want to get outside and do stuff. So my hot time to blog is really during the winter. I am very indescriminate about what I blog about. Most of the time it is my observations, things that I think are just wrong, or my own twisted view.
During the past year, I started with my daughters being the only ones to read my ranting. My middle daughter was actually the catalyst to me blogging. She started my wife on it, which made me give it a try. Little did I know how much I would enjoy writing and getting all of this crap in my head out.
During the high life (before summer) I was up to around 1200 readers between Xanga, MySpace and Blogger. Now, I am trimmed to only Blogger and also to a more manageable 3 or 4 regular readers not including my kids.
I am 6 days from my blogging anniversary. Needless to say, I hope to see the 2nd anniversary. Honestly, I didn't think I would continue on after the summer. But once I started writing, it hooked me. So, my landmark is just making it the year. For those of you who really want to know:
186 (including this one) blog entries. 3 more in draft form.
118,977 words written. (damn, now I have to count again...OK, that was before this blog entry)
653,446 characters with spaces.
531,961 characters without spaces. (again, before this entry)
This only counts this blog, not my others.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Thank you. Thank you for reading my blog. I know that not all of you comment and it really doesn't matter.
Did you know...
The word "Blog" meaning to author an online diary or chronology of thoughts, was added to Webster's New Millenium Dictionary in 1999.
iNina managed to blog for 30 straight days in November. I have attempted such a feat at one point and couldn't quite make it.
Americans Amuck are stepping the blogging scene up with their final goal of 365 blog entries in a single (the first) year. Amazing!
I really can't manage to put a daily blog together. During the summer, I really want to get outside and do stuff. So my hot time to blog is really during the winter. I am very indescriminate about what I blog about. Most of the time it is my observations, things that I think are just wrong, or my own twisted view.
During the past year, I started with my daughters being the only ones to read my ranting. My middle daughter was actually the catalyst to me blogging. She started my wife on it, which made me give it a try. Little did I know how much I would enjoy writing and getting all of this crap in my head out.
During the high life (before summer) I was up to around 1200 readers between Xanga, MySpace and Blogger. Now, I am trimmed to only Blogger and also to a more manageable 3 or 4 regular readers not including my kids.
I am 6 days from my blogging anniversary. Needless to say, I hope to see the 2nd anniversary. Honestly, I didn't think I would continue on after the summer. But once I started writing, it hooked me. So, my landmark is just making it the year. For those of you who really want to know:
186 (including this one) blog entries. 3 more in draft form.
118,977 words written. (damn, now I have to count again...OK, that was before this blog entry)
653,446 characters with spaces.
531,961 characters without spaces. (again, before this entry)
This only counts this blog, not my others.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Thank you. Thank you for reading my blog. I know that not all of you comment and it really doesn't matter.
Did you know...
The word "Blog" meaning to author an online diary or chronology of thoughts, was added to Webster's New Millenium Dictionary in 1999.
I actually read other people's blogs. I really don't have a lot of time to do so, but when I get the chance...and a computer, I make an effort. Mickerdoo changed over to the Blogger Beta recently. I decided I was going to actually leave a comment and was unable. Instead, I will write a blog entry about it.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). No way will I change over to a Beta product. I appreciate the people who change over, but there are a couple things that deter me. First, I have spent considerable time making the site look like it does. Yes, it could use a renovation, but I want to do it in my own time. Not because it didn't take the move to Beta well. Second, the reason it is called Beta is because they are not finished developing the product.
For me, trying out Beta software is like nude cliff diving in a Mastercard sort of way.
Jumping from the 600 cliff; invigorating.
Flying in the air with everything flapping in the breeze; exciting.
Seeing the cool water on the 110 degree day rushing toward you; beautiful.
Feeling the sting of the water pushing your testicles through you body to your throat; priceless.
You can actually tell the difference on the outside of the site. The bar is different. If you compare my black bar with Mickerdoo's, you will see the difference. That is about it and it is nothing that makes it look bad, it is just a way to tell the difference.
I will wait for the finished and fix product.
Did you know...
If you Google N8ivWarrior and select the (I'm Feeling Lucky) button, it will bring you to this site.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). No way will I change over to a Beta product. I appreciate the people who change over, but there are a couple things that deter me. First, I have spent considerable time making the site look like it does. Yes, it could use a renovation, but I want to do it in my own time. Not because it didn't take the move to Beta well. Second, the reason it is called Beta is because they are not finished developing the product.
For me, trying out Beta software is like nude cliff diving in a Mastercard sort of way.
Jumping from the 600 cliff; invigorating.
Flying in the air with everything flapping in the breeze; exciting.
Seeing the cool water on the 110 degree day rushing toward you; beautiful.
Feeling the sting of the water pushing your testicles through you body to your throat; priceless.
You can actually tell the difference on the outside of the site. The bar is different. If you compare my black bar with Mickerdoo's, you will see the difference. That is about it and it is nothing that makes it look bad, it is just a way to tell the difference.
I will wait for the finished and fix product.
Did you know...
If you Google N8ivWarrior and select the (I'm Feeling Lucky) button, it will bring you to this site.
This is the second time I have come across this issue and I am frankly fed up. I find it terribly interesting and appalling that people actually have convinced themselves that this is true. Of course, history is written by people (mostly men) and is usually told by the winners, but this time, there is so much evidence against these idiots, I have a hard time believing they are walking on two legs.
What has me on this tirade? Holocaust Denial groups. Yes boys and girls, there are people on this planet that believe that the holocaust did not happen. They believe that the 5 million Jews that were "not" systematically killed by the Nazis and their allies must have all fallen down stairs or forgot how to set the safety on their squirt guns. They believe there was no such thing as a gas chamber and have set out to prove it with experts such as Quazimoto and Aquaman.
Seriously, they feel there never was a mass termination of life or that it didn't happen in the same way as the millions of people who survived state it happened. There are no mass grave littered across the European countryside.
WAKE UP! If you are one of those rare idiots that truly believes this, I open my comment box to your side of the issue. I have yet to be able to shove my head far enough up my own arse to arrive to the same conclusion. If you wish to educate me further, I welcome it.
These types of statements make me sick. Call it like it is people. The Nazis caused mass death among the Jewish populous. The American government caused mass death among 10 million Native Americans. The African natives brought to America against their will were slaves. The United States killed 200,000 Japanese people with two atomic bombs.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Before opening your mouth, you may want to actually ask the people who were there. For all of those people who claim the Pentagon was not attacked on September 11, 2001, shut up. Being one of the people in Washington, DC that day and knowing some of the people inside the Pentagon, you really need to get your fact straight.
Did you know... The second atomic bomb "Fat man" that hit Nagasaki was delivered by the B-29 bomber Bockscar.
What has me on this tirade? Holocaust Denial groups. Yes boys and girls, there are people on this planet that believe that the holocaust did not happen. They believe that the 5 million Jews that were "not" systematically killed by the Nazis and their allies must have all fallen down stairs or forgot how to set the safety on their squirt guns. They believe there was no such thing as a gas chamber and have set out to prove it with experts such as Quazimoto and Aquaman.
Seriously, they feel there never was a mass termination of life or that it didn't happen in the same way as the millions of people who survived state it happened. There are no mass grave littered across the European countryside.WAKE UP! If you are one of those rare idiots that truly believes this, I open my comment box to your side of the issue. I have yet to be able to shove my head far enough up my own arse to arrive to the same conclusion. If you wish to educate me further, I welcome it.
These types of statements make me sick. Call it like it is people. The Nazis caused mass death among the Jewish populous. The American government caused mass death among 10 million Native Americans. The African natives brought to America against their will were slaves. The United States killed 200,000 Japanese people with two atomic bombs.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Before opening your mouth, you may want to actually ask the people who were there. For all of those people who claim the Pentagon was not attacked on September 11, 2001, shut up. Being one of the people in Washington, DC that day and knowing some of the people inside the Pentagon, you really need to get your fact straight.
Did you know... The second atomic bomb "Fat man" that hit Nagasaki was delivered by the B-29 bomber Bockscar.
I have taken a second job. It is not that I don't have enough to do at my first job. In fact, I have plenty to do.
No, I have taken a second job for two reasons. First, on the weekends, I sit there watching TV and continuously think (which is not good). I need to get out of the hovel and do something with my time. The second job is for nights and weekends.
The second reason is, the extra little bit of money would be nice during this time of the season.
But it is not really either that motivates me most. Those are the logical reasons. Truthfully, I always wanted to work in a bookstore (as mentioned in my Utopia series) and now I am getting my chance. Granted I will be working in Seattle Best Coffee cafe' in Borders, but Borders is a bookstore nonetheless.
This is also a chance for me to actually relax at work. The amount of pressure involved in my new position is very low and requires an interaction with customers on the most basic level..."may I help you." I have always complained about how retail stores have provided less than stellar customer service, now is my chance to show them how to respect the customer.
Borders in fact trains their people to be courteous and helpful. In my first day of work, I was trained on the register and how to work with the customer. What I at first thought was going to be a mindless job ended up requiring me to kick-start some brain cells to learn about the 50,000 different types of transactions.
I know...you are thinking, "what?"
Yes. Well, I shop using credit cards. Some people use money orders, travelers checks, gift cards, prepaid credit cards, returned item cards and the all important cash. Don't forget my employee discount, my rewards discount, my personal shopping day. And that's not all! Magazines, newspapers, and books ring differently. There are food items, special food items (3 for a dollar), items that the bar code reader gets confused because there are too many bar codes. Oh, and don't forget returns, price lookups and rewards lookups. This still isn't even close to everything covered.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Every job out the requires some form of thought. Whether it be the janitor that needs to know how to get green jello out of the beige carpeting that has been there since the previous summer, to the particle physicist trying to understand the shadows from a broken atom. Stepping into a job is simply not as easy as someone may think if they have either never done the job before, or have not performed that duty since computers became commonplace.
So don't discount the person who is going through training at the register at the bookstore. They may just be working a second job ther and they really manage computer networks.
Did you know...
Amazon.com sells over 150,000 books a day.
No, I have taken a second job for two reasons. First, on the weekends, I sit there watching TV and continuously think (which is not good). I need to get out of the hovel and do something with my time. The second job is for nights and weekends.
The second reason is, the extra little bit of money would be nice during this time of the season.
But it is not really either that motivates me most. Those are the logical reasons. Truthfully, I always wanted to work in a bookstore (as mentioned in my Utopia series) and now I am getting my chance. Granted I will be working in Seattle Best Coffee cafe' in Borders, but Borders is a bookstore nonetheless.
This is also a chance for me to actually relax at work. The amount of pressure involved in my new position is very low and requires an interaction with customers on the most basic level..."may I help you." I have always complained about how retail stores have provided less than stellar customer service, now is my chance to show them how to respect the customer.
Borders in fact trains their people to be courteous and helpful. In my first day of work, I was trained on the register and how to work with the customer. What I at first thought was going to be a mindless job ended up requiring me to kick-start some brain cells to learn about the 50,000 different types of transactions.
I know...you are thinking, "what?"
Yes. Well, I shop using credit cards. Some people use money orders, travelers checks, gift cards, prepaid credit cards, returned item cards and the all important cash. Don't forget my employee discount, my rewards discount, my personal shopping day. And that's not all! Magazines, newspapers, and books ring differently. There are food items, special food items (3 for a dollar), items that the bar code reader gets confused because there are too many bar codes. Oh, and don't forget returns, price lookups and rewards lookups. This still isn't even close to everything covered.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Every job out the requires some form of thought. Whether it be the janitor that needs to know how to get green jello out of the beige carpeting that has been there since the previous summer, to the particle physicist trying to understand the shadows from a broken atom. Stepping into a job is simply not as easy as someone may think if they have either never done the job before, or have not performed that duty since computers became commonplace.
So don't discount the person who is going through training at the register at the bookstore. They may just be working a second job ther and they really manage computer networks.
Did you know...
Amazon.com sells over 150,000 books a day.
Something has always bewildered me about some men...and some women for that matter but that is another discussion. If you are male, and have to pee, why do you insist on walking past the open urinals to a stall and piss on the toilet seat?
This question has come up for me more than once. I personally have never been able to understand the mentality behind this action. The reason they hung these things on the wall was so you don't pee on the toilet seat. Is it due to the fact you don't feel like kissing the tile or hugging the flush valve? Are you unable to keep your balance while urinating and have to lean against the stall wall? If either of these are the case, then sit your butt down!
You all miss. For some reason, either the three feet from your wick to the bowl is too much of a stretch, or your cut a bit on the short side and don't realize it.
For the women readers, here is where I am going with this...they miss and either hit the seat (because men don't lift) or the floor gets the dribble. Hitting the seat is self-evident and can usually be avoided. However, when you need to sit down because you just had the chili-cheese dog with baked beans, the very last thing you want is your pants legs draped on the floor where the guy with the mini-me didn't realize he was shorter than he thought.
Another one of my pet peaves (or just makes me want to hurl) is when somebody else does NOT flush after purging his chili-cheese dog. How lazy does someone have to be to make sure the autoflush or the lever actually flushes? I am not sure if women have this issue, but for some reason, men just don't take the time or have the courtesy to listen for the FROOOOSH! If it doesn't FROOOOSH, go back and hit the silly little button. Because if I stand in line for the stall and you were in there and didn't make sure, the bathroom will sound something like this:
"OH MY GAWD! That has got to be the biggest, nastiest, smelliest crap that I have ever seen! If I were you mister, I would head to the hospital instead of the hot dog vendor!"
Man gives me the look of death...
"Hey, James! You should see the size and weird color of the turd this guy left! Bring your camera!"
I seriously doubt anyone in that bathroom would ever leave the toilet unflushed again.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). A little toilet courtesy would be much appreciated and goes a long way. Oh, and lay off the chili-cheese dogs.
Did you know...
The world's nicest public restroom and Golden Plunger holder is the The Shoji Tabuchi Theater in Branson, Missouri.
This question has come up for me more than once. I personally have never been able to understand the mentality behind this action. The reason they hung these things on the wall was so you don't pee on the toilet seat. Is it due to the fact you don't feel like kissing the tile or hugging the flush valve? Are you unable to keep your balance while urinating and have to lean against the stall wall? If either of these are the case, then sit your butt down!
You all miss. For some reason, either the three feet from your wick to the bowl is too much of a stretch, or your cut a bit on the short side and don't realize it.
For the women readers, here is where I am going with this...they miss and either hit the seat (because men don't lift) or the floor gets the dribble. Hitting the seat is self-evident and can usually be avoided. However, when you need to sit down because you just had the chili-cheese dog with baked beans, the very last thing you want is your pants legs draped on the floor where the guy with the mini-me didn't realize he was shorter than he thought.
Another one of my pet peaves (or just makes me want to hurl) is when somebody else does NOT flush after purging his chili-cheese dog. How lazy does someone have to be to make sure the autoflush or the lever actually flushes? I am not sure if women have this issue, but for some reason, men just don't take the time or have the courtesy to listen for the FROOOOSH! If it doesn't FROOOOSH, go back and hit the silly little button. Because if I stand in line for the stall and you were in there and didn't make sure, the bathroom will sound something like this:
"OH MY GAWD! That has got to be the biggest, nastiest, smelliest crap that I have ever seen! If I were you mister, I would head to the hospital instead of the hot dog vendor!"
Man gives me the look of death...
"Hey, James! You should see the size and weird color of the turd this guy left! Bring your camera!"
I seriously doubt anyone in that bathroom would ever leave the toilet unflushed again.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). A little toilet courtesy would be much appreciated and goes a long way. Oh, and lay off the chili-cheese dogs.
Did you know...
The world's nicest public restroom and Golden Plunger holder is the The Shoji Tabuchi Theater in Branson, Missouri.
Did I mention the mall was big? The distance between the Capitol building and the Lincoln Memorial is not a laughing matter. Continuing on from my last blog entry, I headed toward the Lincoln Memorial.
Mr. Smith was right. After you climb the 40,000 stairs dodging the school tours groups and cameras to the entrance of the memorial, and enter the front, and tucked in the darkness is Honest Abe. He looks down at you as if he has been waiting for you to appear. He grips the arms of the chair and sits there...waiting for you to speak. The statue is magnificent. On the wall to his left is the second inauguration speech made during the Civil War. On his right, the Gettyburg address.
Exiting the memorial is the best view. As I reflect on the reflection of the Reflecting pool, I see the Washington Monument. Past that, the Capitol building. It is no wonder the cameras were en masse on the stairs.
Time to head back to the metro station. My legs are starting to feel the lactic acid build up. I am sure I will feel this in the morning...and I did.
Heading towards the Washington monument, there are people playing Ultimate to my right. Fact is, there were what looked like 12 different matches of Ultimate taking place on the edge of the mall. I used to play Ultimate in high school when I lived in Arizona. Ultimate is much like a non-contact frisbee version of football.
While walking down the line of players, I wondered if I could still play the game. It looked like such fun. Then I noticed it. The players are all 20 something. There may be a 30 something sprinkled into the mix but nobody my age. Oh, wait! On the sideline I see someone MY age! Maybe I CAN still play the game!...hmph...coach.
With a lower self esteem and lead legs, I continue through the Pacific side of the World War II Memorial and down the gravel path.
As I approach the Washington Monument, I notice a young woman standing on the short granite wall looking around and taking photos with her digital camera. Her friend is standing on the sidewalk talking on her cell phone (surprise). I noticed the woman on the wall was brewing something up in her mind.
As I pass the cell phone talking friend, I see the camera being raised. I provide my best smirk and hear the sound of the artificial shutter just as I pass next to her. About five paces down the path I hear the photographer laughing histerically. As I reached the crest of the hill, I hear them both laughing.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Play along. I could see what was going to happen. By playing along, I made someone happy.
If you happen to come across a photo with a smirking Native looking man and a young woman talking on her cell phone near the Washington Monument, leave me a comment so I can get a laugh.
Did you know...
If you don't want to wait for tickets or stand in line to the Washington Monument, the Old Post Office Tower has an observation deck that can see nearly all of Washington. It also contains the bells for the change of Congress.
Mr. Smith was right. After you climb the 40,000 stairs dodging the school tours groups and cameras to the entrance of the memorial, and enter the front, and tucked in the darkness is Honest Abe. He looks down at you as if he has been waiting for you to appear. He grips the arms of the chair and sits there...waiting for you to speak. The statue is magnificent. On the wall to his left is the second inauguration speech made during the Civil War. On his right, the Gettyburg address.
Exiting the memorial is the best view. As I reflect on the reflection of the Reflecting pool, I see the Washington Monument. Past that, the Capitol building. It is no wonder the cameras were en masse on the stairs.
Time to head back to the metro station. My legs are starting to feel the lactic acid build up. I am sure I will feel this in the morning...and I did.
Heading towards the Washington monument, there are people playing Ultimate to my right. Fact is, there were what looked like 12 different matches of Ultimate taking place on the edge of the mall. I used to play Ultimate in high school when I lived in Arizona. Ultimate is much like a non-contact frisbee version of football.
While walking down the line of players, I wondered if I could still play the game. It looked like such fun. Then I noticed it. The players are all 20 something. There may be a 30 something sprinkled into the mix but nobody my age. Oh, wait! On the sideline I see someone MY age! Maybe I CAN still play the game!...hmph...coach.
With a lower self esteem and lead legs, I continue through the Pacific side of the World War II Memorial and down the gravel path.
As I approach the Washington Monument, I notice a young woman standing on the short granite wall looking around and taking photos with her digital camera. Her friend is standing on the sidewalk talking on her cell phone (surprise). I noticed the woman on the wall was brewing something up in her mind.
As I pass the cell phone talking friend, I see the camera being raised. I provide my best smirk and hear the sound of the artificial shutter just as I pass next to her. About five paces down the path I hear the photographer laughing histerically. As I reached the crest of the hill, I hear them both laughing.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). Play along. I could see what was going to happen. By playing along, I made someone happy.
If you happen to come across a photo with a smirking Native looking man and a young woman talking on her cell phone near the Washington Monument, leave me a comment so I can get a laugh.
Did you know...
If you don't want to wait for tickets or stand in line to the Washington Monument, the Old Post Office Tower has an observation deck that can see nearly all of Washington. It also contains the bells for the change of Congress.
After leaving the museum, I continued on with my trip around the Washington mall. If you have never walked the mall before, make sure you have comfortable walking shoes...and went to the bathroom prior to leaving the last museum.
I continued on to the Capitol building. This is where history was made. Decisions of the world have been made in this building. Politicians have been paid in this building. It is one of the most splendid architectural structures in the world. It is associated to the people of America. We the people, vote for the people to represent our way of life. But most of all, Jimmy Stewart was here (sticking with Mr. Smith goes to Washington).
I walked up the set of stairs to where the Capitol policeman was staring down at me from his converted porta-potty. I wave. He does nothing. They have no sense of humor.
Back down the stairs (which there seem to be a lot). Picking up the pace slightly (because I saw most of it on the way there), I have to stop at a light waiting for it to change. As I look to the right, I saw the one building that everyone dismisses when they come to Washington DC but is actually the MOST important building in the District...no, not the restroom, but good point.
The National Archives. The building that stores the most important documents in American history. The document that is the foundation for American government, justice and liberty. If opposing countries were to attack the United States, the White House and the Capitol are buildings that house the lawmakers. But if they were to attack the National Archives, they are actually attacking the doctrine of America. The building blocks of the United States.
I am by no means saying that the White House and Capitol are not important, the loss of life would be catastrophic. But as a people, we would come together and vote a new Congress and President into power...in accordance to our Constitution...which is housed in the National Archives. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America, are all one of a kind. Granted, we have copies of these documents in all kinds of forms, but there is nothing like the original.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). What would we as a public do if the National Archives were destroyed? Would the people come together and recreate all of the documents in their original format? Would we adjust the document to better reflect the world as it is today? Would you clarify "right to bear arms"? Would you say "everyone" is created equal instead of all men? Would the United States splinter into Democrat and Republican nations since there are Red and Blue states (I saw them on a map that way once)?
I think if you ask people around you, you will discover that not everyone would agree after they think about it for 30 minutes. I think there could be a political backlash if the foundation documents were to be destroyed.
Did you know...
It took two and a half years for the U.S.Constitution to be ratified by the 13 colonies.
I continued on to the Capitol building. This is where history was made. Decisions of the world have been made in this building. Politicians have been paid in this building. It is one of the most splendid architectural structures in the world. It is associated to the people of America. We the people, vote for the people to represent our way of life. But most of all, Jimmy Stewart was here (sticking with Mr. Smith goes to Washington).
I walked up the set of stairs to where the Capitol policeman was staring down at me from his converted porta-potty. I wave. He does nothing. They have no sense of humor.
Back down the stairs (which there seem to be a lot). Picking up the pace slightly (because I saw most of it on the way there), I have to stop at a light waiting for it to change. As I look to the right, I saw the one building that everyone dismisses when they come to Washington DC but is actually the MOST important building in the District...no, not the restroom, but good point.The National Archives. The building that stores the most important documents in American history. The document that is the foundation for American government, justice and liberty. If opposing countries were to attack the United States, the White House and the Capitol are buildings that house the lawmakers. But if they were to attack the National Archives, they are actually attacking the doctrine of America. The building blocks of the United States.
I am by no means saying that the White House and Capitol are not important, the loss of life would be catastrophic. But as a people, we would come together and vote a new Congress and President into power...in accordance to our Constitution...which is housed in the National Archives. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States of America, are all one of a kind. Granted, we have copies of these documents in all kinds of forms, but there is nothing like the original.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). What would we as a public do if the National Archives were destroyed? Would the people come together and recreate all of the documents in their original format? Would we adjust the document to better reflect the world as it is today? Would you clarify "right to bear arms"? Would you say "everyone" is created equal instead of all men? Would the United States splinter into Democrat and Republican nations since there are Red and Blue states (I saw them on a map that way once)?
I think if you ask people around you, you will discover that not everyone would agree after they think about it for 30 minutes. I think there could be a political backlash if the foundation documents were to be destroyed.
Did you know...
It took two and a half years for the U.S.Constitution to be ratified by the 13 colonies.
Sunday, instead of sitting in the smoke infested house, I decided it was time to take a trip to Washington. I really haven't been there in a couple years, so there were a couple things I wanted to see. Plus, after watching Mr. Smith goes to Washington the night before, I was feeling a bit patriotic and cynical.
Off to DC I go. Knowing better than to park in the city itself, I stopped in Springfield and rode the metro. Washington DC metro is known for the cleanliness and efficiency of the metro system. Unfortunately for me, the rail car I was in, had the essence of dried vomit wafting throughout. Turning green from the scent, I tried to hold my breath and breath through my mouth. At every stop on the blue line, I would stick my head out the window and pant taking large gulps of cool air.
After arriving at the mall (the very large area between the Capitol and Lincoln Memorial, the White house and the Jefferson Memorial) I headed toward the Capitol building. For those who remember watching Mr. Smith goes to Washington, the Capitol building was the building that put him in awe. It is a magnificent building, but the one that impressed me most was the newest museum...the National Museum of the American Indian. The design of the building is meant to look like a Pueblo dwelling which is a stark difference from the marble and granite covering a good portion of the buildings around it.
There are a few areas that were of interest to me. First was the Lakota universe. Being half Lakota, the sharing of Lakota knowledge by the Lakota curators was enlightening and heart-warming.
The Our Lives exhibit explains modern day native life. It dispells the stereotypes of Native life and educates on the embracing and transformation of our heritage.
Lastly, There is a section stuffed in the corner dedicated to city Natives (such as me). Theses are Natives who were incented to move to the city or ended up going on their own needs. City Natives range from the adopted-by-white Natives (again like me) to the career driven Natives (also like me). There is a video that explains how neither the rez culture nor the government really attributes them as real Natives. Yet, the city Natives do their best to stay with other city Natives.
Also mentioned at this exhibit is the Native quantum. This is the blood percentage of a certain tribe. The issue city Natives have is that even if they marry another Native, if that Native is from a different Nation, you are thinning the bloodline. Additionally, if you marry other than Native and have children, you again thin the bloodline, even though the child may still follow the teachings and beliefs of the tribe. The tribe nor the government has to provide your tribal affiliation card unless you have a "true" quantum.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). The blood quantum should not be the most important part of being a tribal member. If we look at our own and other cultures past, we see that those people who have committed themselves to the tribal beliefs are the most active and honored.
For example, if someone who is not Jewish or Christian, works hard to become Jewish or Christian, they are the people who strengthen the religion. They are often the activist in the mission. The are teaching the young. They are helping the elders. They are defending the lifestyle.
By shutting out the lower than quantum Natives, our people lose our tribal Warriors for our way of being. These people are trying to embrace and share the tribal ways, not thin them out.
There is one more thing in the museum that touched me at the entrance to the Our Lives exhibit which also fits the Native peoples as a whole.
Our Lives is about who we are today.
Native peoples are everywhere in the Americas. We number in the tens of millions. We speak hundreds of languages. We live in the hemisphere's remotest places and it's biggest cities.
We are still here.
We are not just survivors; we are architects of our survivance. We carry our ancient philosophies into an ever-changing modern world.
We work hard to remain Native in circumstances that sometimes challenge or threaten our survival. Our lives is about our stories of survivance, but it belongs to anyone who fought extermination, discrimination, or stereotypes.
Did you know...
According to DNA evidence, the first Natives may have colonized the hemisphere in 28,000 BC...from Europe.
Off to DC I go. Knowing better than to park in the city itself, I stopped in Springfield and rode the metro. Washington DC metro is known for the cleanliness and efficiency of the metro system. Unfortunately for me, the rail car I was in, had the essence of dried vomit wafting throughout. Turning green from the scent, I tried to hold my breath and breath through my mouth. At every stop on the blue line, I would stick my head out the window and pant taking large gulps of cool air.
After arriving at the mall (the very large area between the Capitol and Lincoln Memorial, the White house and the Jefferson Memorial) I headed toward the Capitol building. For those who remember watching Mr. Smith goes to Washington, the Capitol building was the building that put him in awe. It is a magnificent building, but the one that impressed me most was the newest museum...the National Museum of the American Indian. The design of the building is meant to look like a Pueblo dwelling which is a stark difference from the marble and granite covering a good portion of the buildings around it.There are a few areas that were of interest to me. First was the Lakota universe. Being half Lakota, the sharing of Lakota knowledge by the Lakota curators was enlightening and heart-warming.
The Our Lives exhibit explains modern day native life. It dispells the stereotypes of Native life and educates on the embracing and transformation of our heritage.
Lastly, There is a section stuffed in the corner dedicated to city Natives (such as me). Theses are Natives who were incented to move to the city or ended up going on their own needs. City Natives range from the adopted-by-white Natives (again like me) to the career driven Natives (also like me). There is a video that explains how neither the rez culture nor the government really attributes them as real Natives. Yet, the city Natives do their best to stay with other city Natives.
Also mentioned at this exhibit is the Native quantum. This is the blood percentage of a certain tribe. The issue city Natives have is that even if they marry another Native, if that Native is from a different Nation, you are thinning the bloodline. Additionally, if you marry other than Native and have children, you again thin the bloodline, even though the child may still follow the teachings and beliefs of the tribe. The tribe nor the government has to provide your tribal affiliation card unless you have a "true" quantum.
This brings me to my point (as I almost always have one). The blood quantum should not be the most important part of being a tribal member. If we look at our own and other cultures past, we see that those people who have committed themselves to the tribal beliefs are the most active and honored.
For example, if someone who is not Jewish or Christian, works hard to become Jewish or Christian, they are the people who strengthen the religion. They are often the activist in the mission. The are teaching the young. They are helping the elders. They are defending the lifestyle.
By shutting out the lower than quantum Natives, our people lose our tribal Warriors for our way of being. These people are trying to embrace and share the tribal ways, not thin them out.
There is one more thing in the museum that touched me at the entrance to the Our Lives exhibit which also fits the Native peoples as a whole.
Our Lives is about who we are today.
Native peoples are everywhere in the Americas. We number in the tens of millions. We speak hundreds of languages. We live in the hemisphere's remotest places and it's biggest cities.
We are still here.
We are not just survivors; we are architects of our survivance. We carry our ancient philosophies into an ever-changing modern world.
We work hard to remain Native in circumstances that sometimes challenge or threaten our survival. Our lives is about our stories of survivance, but it belongs to anyone who fought extermination, discrimination, or stereotypes.
Did you know...
According to DNA evidence, the first Natives may have colonized the hemisphere in 28,000 BC...from Europe.
My Dear Jami,
Surprise! Your Dad is actually writing you a letter... A letter that is long overdue. Andi says that being away has given me time in my head. She's right. She's right a lot lately.
So while I am cruising back from dinner at Ho's Dynasty by myself tonight a song came on the radio that made me cry like a little girl and think of ...well...me. But not just me, you as well.
I have been slowly letting out some emotions that I have had bottled for quite some time and learning how to deal with them (that's where the being in my head part comes in). Here is what I have discovered.
I am so proud of you. I know I haven't been there emotionally much over the past 9 years nor physically the last year. For that I am truly sorry. I love you so much and I have not been there when you needed me most.
In spite of me, you have grown to a beautiful, compassionate, intelligent, amazing woman with a heart of gold. You have grown so much in the past year and I am absolutely stunned as to how much.
There is only one thing that I am certain would make your life complete I would like to see you do. First would be graduate. I am not harping about this, this is just very important and I want you to have everything you desire. Graduating will eliminate a large amount of obstacles.
You made a good choice with Dan. At first, I was sceptical because of the crowd he ran with and his influence in having you do the same. Dan has also grown considerably in the past year. You saw him as he really was outside the environment and that is a trait extremely valuable in life.
You have a gift Jami. You see the good in people. You are so good with children. You live life one moment or experience at a time. You love to live and live to love. For that, I am envious.
I love you Jami. I only want what is best for you...and since being in my head, I have discovered that what is best for you is what you want.
So, what made me act like I was watching a new episode of Extreme Makeover, Home Improvement or Mr. Holland's Opus?
My Wish by Rascal Flatts
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you’re faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you
And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin’ ‘til you find the window
If it’s cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you
And the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
Oh, you find God’s grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big
I love you Jami,
Dad
Surprise! Your Dad is actually writing you a letter... A letter that is long overdue. Andi says that being away has given me time in my head. She's right. She's right a lot lately.
So while I am cruising back from dinner at Ho's Dynasty by myself tonight a song came on the radio that made me cry like a little girl and think of ...well...me. But not just me, you as well.
I have been slowly letting out some emotions that I have had bottled for quite some time and learning how to deal with them (that's where the being in my head part comes in). Here is what I have discovered.
I am so proud of you. I know I haven't been there emotionally much over the past 9 years nor physically the last year. For that I am truly sorry. I love you so much and I have not been there when you needed me most.
In spite of me, you have grown to a beautiful, compassionate, intelligent, amazing woman with a heart of gold. You have grown so much in the past year and I am absolutely stunned as to how much.
There is only one thing that I am certain would make your life complete I would like to see you do. First would be graduate. I am not harping about this, this is just very important and I want you to have everything you desire. Graduating will eliminate a large amount of obstacles.
You made a good choice with Dan. At first, I was sceptical because of the crowd he ran with and his influence in having you do the same. Dan has also grown considerably in the past year. You saw him as he really was outside the environment and that is a trait extremely valuable in life.
You have a gift Jami. You see the good in people. You are so good with children. You live life one moment or experience at a time. You love to live and live to love. For that, I am envious.
I love you Jami. I only want what is best for you...and since being in my head, I have discovered that what is best for you is what you want.
So, what made me act like I was watching a new episode of Extreme Makeover, Home Improvement or Mr. Holland's Opus?
I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow
And each road leads you where you want to go
And if you’re faced with the choice and you have to choose
I hope you choose the one that means the most to you
And if one door opens to another door closed
I hope you keep on walkin’ ‘til you find the window
If it’s cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile
But more than anything, more than anything
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
I hope you never look back but you never forget
All the ones who love you
And the place you left
I hope you always forgive and you never regret
And you help somebody every chance you get
Oh, you find God’s grace in every mistake
And always give more than you take
But more than anything, yeah more than anything
My wish for you
Is that this life becomes all that you want it to
Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small
You never need to carry more than you can hold
And while you’re out there gettin’ where you’re gettin’ to
I hope you know somebody loves you
And wants the same things too
Yeah, this is my wish
This is my wish
I hope you know somebody loves you
May all your dreams stay big
I love you Jami,
Dad
I am not a person to go around providing plugs for people or groups to provide their valuable time and/or money. But there is one group that is fighting to help end extreme poverty and they are asking for nothing but your name.
The ONE campaign is a worldwide campaign to end AIDS and extreme poverty. There are one billion people living on less than one dollar a day...$365 a year. Because of extreme poverty, one person dies every three seconds. If you can relate this to any death toll in any war (cite):
ONE aims to help Americans raise their voice as ONE against the emergency of AIDS and extreme poverty, so that decision makers will do more to save millions of lives in the poorest countries.
This bring me to my point (as I almost always have one). Take action. They don't want money. They want your name. If you want to help further, visit ONE.
Did you know...
The Tsunami in 2004 that hit a large portion of the Indian Ocean claimed 229,866 lives. Nations all over the world contributed $7 Billion toward reconstruction. America contributed $35 million initially. After public outcry, America contributed $950 million.
The ONE campaign is a worldwide campaign to end AIDS and extreme poverty. There are one billion people living on less than one dollar a day...$365 a year. Because of extreme poverty, one person dies every three seconds. If you can relate this to any death toll in any war (cite):
- 62,000,000 - World War II (1939–1945), (see World War II casualties)
- 36,000,000 - An Lushan Rebellion (756–763)
- 30,000,000–60,000,000 - Mongol Conquests (13th century)
- 25,000,000 - Manchu conquest of Ming China (1616–1644)
- 20,000,000–50,000,000 - Taiping Rebellion (1851–1864)
- 17,000,000 - Timur Lenk's conquests (1370–1405)
- 15,000,000–66,000,000 - World War I (1914–1918) (see World War I casualties) note that the larger number includes Spanish flu deaths
- 10,000,000-25,000,000 - Second Sino-Japanese War (1931–1945)
- 5,000,000–9,000,000 - Russian Civil War (1917–1921)
- 3,800,000 - Second Congo War (1998–2004)
- 3,500,000–6,000,000 - Napoleonic Wars (1804–1815) (see Napoleonic Wars casualties)
- 3,000,000–8,000,000 - Thirty Years' War (1618–1648)
- 2,500,000–3,500,000 - Korean War (1950–1953)
- 2,300,000–3,800,000 - Vietnam War (entire war 1945–1975)
- 10,512,000
ONE aims to help Americans raise their voice as ONE against the emergency of AIDS and extreme poverty, so that decision makers will do more to save millions of lives in the poorest countries.
This bring me to my point (as I almost always have one). Take action. They don't want money. They want your name. If you want to help further, visit ONE.
Did you know...
The Tsunami in 2004 that hit a large portion of the Indian Ocean claimed 229,866 lives. Nations all over the world contributed $7 Billion toward reconstruction. America contributed $35 million initially. After public outcry, America contributed $950 million.
N8ivWarrior
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