Just for the record

I want to clarify something for the employees and clientele of various restaurants, Starbucks, card stores, etc, etc. I want to do this for two reasons. First of all, credit must be given where credit is due. And second, there are times when I appear to be a real retard.

The truth is: this child does not belong to me.

Sadly, I cannot take any credit for how cute, smart and well-behaved he is. All praise must go to his mother, Susan. Happily, conversations like the following, really DON'T mean that I'm an unfit mother.

woman at *$: "cute kid!"

me: (smile)

woman: "he must burn so easily."

me: (deer-caught-in-headlights expression accompanied by long pause and then) "him?? ummmm...."

Happy Amazing Race Day!

I have missed two episodes and that must end tonight! I'm excited to see how all the claws are coming out. And I'm hoping that my buddy Phil:

...is not becoming super-cheesy. He did a lot of lame one-eyebrow-raises in the season premier. I deeply hope that hasn't continued.

Last week I made a new friend while hanging out in Edmonton. Introducing little Ricky Ziprick, aka Josiah:

Hm... that doesn't look too comfortable. We did bond and become great friends. And now there's another one on the way in Toronto!! Congrats Laurel & Bill!!

Ditch of Humiliation

Who can drive down a road that has NO ice, NO obstacles, NO road-dangers whatsoever, and somehow manage to spin out into the ditch? That would be me! I'm not sure where my head was at... I wasn't adjusting the radio or anything, just snapped out of a reverie to find myself getting a little close to the shoulder and then over-reacted! Cranked the steering wheel, did an unintentional donut, then landed facing the opposite direction on a steep, soft shoulder. Picture a green Echo looking something like this:

I was hoping to avoid utter embarassment, by just pulling out and heading on my way, but no such luck. With one back tire in the air and both front tires sunk into soft ground, I had to wait for a tow truck. Before the tow truck arrived, a curious policeman showed up. He decided to park his car behind mine, flashing lights and all. He also decided to call his parter in a giant police van to come and have a look.

On the upside, I got to keep warm in the back of a police car. Criminals get VERY little foot room! Policemen get GPS systems to keep track of their buddies' vehicles. I got many stares from passers-by during the 40 minute wait for the tow truck.

Signs of Hope

I am pleased to report that not all companies have abandoned quality customer service. I was unsatisfied with a certain facial cleanser so I emailed Johnson & Johnson.

(aside: I would like to state for the record that I really do have a life outside of complaining about products I don't like. It's just been that kind of week.)

Lo and behold, J&J actually wrote: "we regret your experience with our product but appreciate the time you took to give us your feedback" then they proceeded to send me a coupon!!

I am heard and appreciated as a customer! Thank you, J&J, for making my day.

Thanks, also, to the Toshiba support line for saving me from mental breakdown when I thought my compter had passed from this life. It's been a big day.

ARG!!

Whatever happened to quality customer service??!? I guess it went out of business when Walmart came to town. I just stayed up 90 minutes past my bedtime trying to install a LINKSYS WIRELESS ROUTER that turns out to have an UNFIXABLE software problem. What does the company do to show how much they value my business and how sorry they are for the trouble THEIR problem has caused me?? They say, "um, you'll have to check on the store policy where you bought it."

Thanks. Thanks a lot. I'm really excited about packing up all the various pieces and trekking back to the store.

To be fair, the call centre people were nice... good listeners, polite & friendly. Oh, and talking to me from somewhere in India! Thanks to CBC radio, I know that India is becoming the world leader in Call Centre business. Although, CBC said that many call centre employees in India (who generally have graduate-level education) learn to speak English with 'mid-western' accent. My phone buddies had not taken those courses and were quite willing to admit their location.

I'm going to bed in hopes of being less whiny in the morning.

The Race is on!

My favorite show is back for it's 9th season... and it looks promising!! Most of the first 2 hours was driving and cab rides. It was short of exciting tasks (except for the helicopter ride -- I LOVE helicopters!), but I still have high hopes. Who could not love the team of hippies??

They're funny, they're easy-going, but they're not dumb. They know how to get around. The stupid girls-in-pink, on the other hand.... here's hoping they get the boot at the next pit stop.