Wow, am I glad it is the weekend. I know why this week felt long... it was. Not only did I work on Memorial Day, but I also worked the day before. So, I have been working for 6 days straight. In any case, I am thrilled it is the weekend.
Tonight, we are grilling weenies at my house and the fam is coming over. Tomorrow we are headed to the horse track and I cannot wait. Chad has never been, and his brother Chris will be joining us as well. Chris has also never been. Lorrie is still in town... not sure if she has ever been or not. All I know is that I am looking forward to it.
The weekend will also be a nice distraction. Monday or Tuesday we find out about our new company-wide cuts they are making. They have already laid off 16 people. Now comes some combination of wage cuts, wage freezes, hours cut, vacation time cut, vacation time accrual rate lowered, 403b matches cut, jobs combined, and a whole plethora of other possibilities. I am not looking forward to this. Yes, I still love my job, but a person can only take so much thrown at them. We'll see what happens next week... hopefully all things that I can deal with and will allow me to stay at my job.
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day Reflections
Good morning everyone. First, I am pleased to announce that anyone can now make comments on my blog. It used to have a setting where only people with a Google account could do so. Now, I have changed the settings to make sure everyone can comment. So, if you want to comment from now on, all you need to do is click the "comment" link below the blog post, and you will be all set.
On this Memorial Day, I have a few things to reflect on. The first is that I am at work. It sucks to work on holidays, especially when your family is getting together to play. BUT, and this is a BIG BUT... I am SO happy to have a job. I know I have mentioned this before, but in this economy, with all the layoffs (including with my company), I am very thankful to not only have a job, but to have one I love.
Another piece I am choosing to reflect on are the men and women who serve our country. I always get patriotic and sappy around these days, but for good reason. These soldiers literally give their lives for us to have our freedom. You truly cannot put a price tag on freedom and it is amazing that it comes "free" to us. There are many countries out there oppressed and essentially held captive by their government. We live in the best country there is... God bless the USA. (On a side note... all Jews who just freaked out that I wrote God, no worries. I asked my Rabbi, actually Chad asked, and writing out God is not a problem that everyone thinks it is. So... feel free to write it out whenever you want)
And in closing, as always, I miss my dad. It will be 7 years this week that he died. In some ways it feels like it has been decades. In others, it feels like I just saw him a few weeks ago. I miss him a lot, but one thing I will always have are my memories of 25 years together.
Sorry for the sap... the next blog will be MUCH happier (or at least sarcastic) per usual.
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
On this Memorial Day, I have a few things to reflect on. The first is that I am at work. It sucks to work on holidays, especially when your family is getting together to play. BUT, and this is a BIG BUT... I am SO happy to have a job. I know I have mentioned this before, but in this economy, with all the layoffs (including with my company), I am very thankful to not only have a job, but to have one I love.
Another piece I am choosing to reflect on are the men and women who serve our country. I always get patriotic and sappy around these days, but for good reason. These soldiers literally give their lives for us to have our freedom. You truly cannot put a price tag on freedom and it is amazing that it comes "free" to us. There are many countries out there oppressed and essentially held captive by their government. We live in the best country there is... God bless the USA. (On a side note... all Jews who just freaked out that I wrote God, no worries. I asked my Rabbi, actually Chad asked, and writing out God is not a problem that everyone thinks it is. So... feel free to write it out whenever you want)
And in closing, as always, I miss my dad. It will be 7 years this week that he died. In some ways it feels like it has been decades. In others, it feels like I just saw him a few weeks ago. I miss him a lot, but one thing I will always have are my memories of 25 years together.
Sorry for the sap... the next blog will be MUCH happier (or at least sarcastic) per usual.
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Writer's Block
I have writer's block. I have for a few days. Each time I sit down to write a blog entry, I come up with nothing. So, here I am, writing about nothing. What do you think? Are you bored? Do you wish I had something exciting to say? Well, I don't. This is it. This is my blog update.
I guess I could go on to talk about missing Charley who is at the babysitter while AP recovers. I could say I am really not looking forward to Missy's graduation this weekend. I might tell you I really want all of my old Herzl crew to go to alumni camp this summer. Another thing I should mention is the fact that we are getting close to knowing if we can have the wedding at Temple. Or still I could tell you how much I love the weekends and am very thankful that the weeks tend to fly by.
So when I have nothing to say, I babble... or ramble. Perhaps this is why my blog is called Random Ramblings. Okay, I am bored out of my mind with this, as I am sure you are too. I am outtie.
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
I guess I could go on to talk about missing Charley who is at the babysitter while AP recovers. I could say I am really not looking forward to Missy's graduation this weekend. I might tell you I really want all of my old Herzl crew to go to alumni camp this summer. Another thing I should mention is the fact that we are getting close to knowing if we can have the wedding at Temple. Or still I could tell you how much I love the weekends and am very thankful that the weeks tend to fly by.
So when I have nothing to say, I babble... or ramble. Perhaps this is why my blog is called Random Ramblings. Okay, I am bored out of my mind with this, as I am sure you are too. I am outtie.
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Envy, My Ass
An ad appeared in the paper... 50-minute introductory massage for $39 at a place called Massage Envy in Eden Prairie. I figured, "Great... a quality massage for a cheap price." Well, was I wrong. It was the worst massage EVER. You may ask, "Come on, how many massages have you really had?" In truth... I have had hundreds of massages and this was the worst. Chad gives a better massage; little kids at camp give a better massage; anyone in the world gives a better massage. This was terrible. But, I also figured it would be like sex... even a bad massage is still good, right? WRONG!!!!!
So I got to Massage Envy and filled out my paperwork. I then went and waited in the tranquility room (give me a break). Next, my therapist (whose name rhymes with Bobert) came to get me. We went into the room and chatted about my massage. I specifically told him that even though I have a bad back, this massage was strictly for relaxation. I also noted on my sheet (that he definitely read) that I wanted firm pressure. I also told "Bobert" that I wanted to stay face down the entire time so he could concentrate on my back. He told me that would be fine, but he could not do my arms as it would be "awkward" and that he would still do some circular things of relaxation to my legs. Super... we were looking great. "Bobert" left the room, I got naked, and was all ready for relaxation.
He put some oil on me and started with some VERY light pressure just touching my back. I figured... "Okay, he is easing me into it." Nope... that was the massage. The entire time... no pressure, and no movement. He touched me instead of rubbed me. He never moved the sheet at all, did my neck for less than a minute, never touched my head, and ignored my legs after he told me about these spectacular circular things. Two times during my massage I almost said, "We need to be done here," but I figured that would be awkward. So, at the end when he told me we only had a few minutes left... I almost jumped for joy!!!
After he left and I got dressed, "Bobert" told me I needed some deep tissue work because he could really feel knots in me. First... DUH, I told him I am full of knots. Second, how would he know... he barely touched me!!!! I thanked him and went on my way.
When I got out, I spoke to the Assistant Manager, Erin, who was lovely. She apologized profusely and comped my massage. She also told me that she would call the manager to let her know and that she might want to call me. I said, "No problem."
At home, last night, my phone rings and the caller ID says Massage Envy. I assumed it was the manager. Well, the old saying is right... don't assume. Guess who was on the phone?!?! "Bobert!!!!!" He apologized for our miscommunication, blamed it on me, and then said he was under the impression that I wanted a relaxation massage and that is why he recommended deep tissue to me at the end. I told him I did want relaxation, and to me, relaxation is long sweeping strokes. He then told me he was trying to work out my knots. I said,"But you just told me you were not doing deep tissue, you were doing a relaxation one." He then said, "I apologize you had a bad experience, and hope you can find a therapist who gives you what you want, and I hope you give us a try again another time." He then hung up.
Pardon my French, but ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!?!? It is bad enough that the manager made him call me (talk about awkward) but then be blamed me and hung up on me. Not only was this a bad massage, but it was a bad experience. Do yourself a favor... regardless of how cheap, don't go to Massage Envy in Eden Prairie... it is NOT worth it. Now the question is... do I call the manager and let her know about the phone call or just let it go?
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
So I got to Massage Envy and filled out my paperwork. I then went and waited in the tranquility room (give me a break). Next, my therapist (whose name rhymes with Bobert) came to get me. We went into the room and chatted about my massage. I specifically told him that even though I have a bad back, this massage was strictly for relaxation. I also noted on my sheet (that he definitely read) that I wanted firm pressure. I also told "Bobert" that I wanted to stay face down the entire time so he could concentrate on my back. He told me that would be fine, but he could not do my arms as it would be "awkward" and that he would still do some circular things of relaxation to my legs. Super... we were looking great. "Bobert" left the room, I got naked, and was all ready for relaxation.
He put some oil on me and started with some VERY light pressure just touching my back. I figured... "Okay, he is easing me into it." Nope... that was the massage. The entire time... no pressure, and no movement. He touched me instead of rubbed me. He never moved the sheet at all, did my neck for less than a minute, never touched my head, and ignored my legs after he told me about these spectacular circular things. Two times during my massage I almost said, "We need to be done here," but I figured that would be awkward. So, at the end when he told me we only had a few minutes left... I almost jumped for joy!!!
After he left and I got dressed, "Bobert" told me I needed some deep tissue work because he could really feel knots in me. First... DUH, I told him I am full of knots. Second, how would he know... he barely touched me!!!! I thanked him and went on my way.
When I got out, I spoke to the Assistant Manager, Erin, who was lovely. She apologized profusely and comped my massage. She also told me that she would call the manager to let her know and that she might want to call me. I said, "No problem."
At home, last night, my phone rings and the caller ID says Massage Envy. I assumed it was the manager. Well, the old saying is right... don't assume. Guess who was on the phone?!?! "Bobert!!!!!" He apologized for our miscommunication, blamed it on me, and then said he was under the impression that I wanted a relaxation massage and that is why he recommended deep tissue to me at the end. I told him I did want relaxation, and to me, relaxation is long sweeping strokes. He then told me he was trying to work out my knots. I said,"But you just told me you were not doing deep tissue, you were doing a relaxation one." He then said, "I apologize you had a bad experience, and hope you can find a therapist who gives you what you want, and I hope you give us a try again another time." He then hung up.
Pardon my French, but ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!?!? It is bad enough that the manager made him call me (talk about awkward) but then be blamed me and hung up on me. Not only was this a bad massage, but it was a bad experience. Do yourself a favor... regardless of how cheap, don't go to Massage Envy in Eden Prairie... it is NOT worth it. Now the question is... do I call the manager and let her know about the phone call or just let it go?
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Wonderful Work
I love my job... I truly do. I think my boss is wonderful, my co-workers are great, my tenants are fun, etc. The company I work for is good too. Nice benefits, decent perks, etc. However, I just read an article about General Mills. Allow me to share with you some of their workplace perks:
- Concierge service that will basically do anything for you (run errands, etc.) for $6
- A fitness center
- Mini-grocery store
- Full-service health clinic
- Caribou Coffee
- D'Amico & Sons that you can order dinner from during the day and pick up on your way home to feed your family
- A nature preserve
- Full-service automotive center
- Flex time
- A sabbatical program
- On-site care for infants
- They cover up to $10,000 in adoption fees
- Back-up child care when your kids is sick
And the list goes on. No wonder this place does so well on Fortune Magazine's list of employee-friendly places to work. Can you believe it?!?! This is not a workplace, it is a resort. I am still in disbelief.
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
- Concierge service that will basically do anything for you (run errands, etc.) for $6
- A fitness center
- Mini-grocery store
- Full-service health clinic
- Caribou Coffee
- D'Amico & Sons that you can order dinner from during the day and pick up on your way home to feed your family
- A nature preserve
- Full-service automotive center
- Flex time
- A sabbatical program
- On-site care for infants
- They cover up to $10,000 in adoption fees
- Back-up child care when your kids is sick
And the list goes on. No wonder this place does so well on Fortune Magazine's list of employee-friendly places to work. Can you believe it?!?! This is not a workplace, it is a resort. I am still in disbelief.
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Saying "Hello!"
Would you be offended if you walked into a crowded room at a family gathering, and someone you were not even related to did not seek you out and say, "Hello." Me either!!! But apparently, we are alone.
So, my family gets together often, and certainly at holidays. For Thanksgiving, we go to my Aunt Barb and Uncle Jeff's house. Apparently (sorry for using this word for the 2nd time already in this blog entry), both my sister and I did not say hi to this woman. (I won't name names because I have family who follows my blog) Can you imagine the horror?!?! Mind you, she did not come up to either of us, and she is definitely "the adult" by several decades. Perhaps that is considered not respecting your elders, I don't know. In any case, we allegedly did not say hi to her (even though I have to believe we did).
Well... it did not sit well with her, and she told my grandma about it. My grandma told my mother, and my mother told both Missy and I. Are you fucking kidding me?!?! What grade are we in because I could have sworn I left elementary school in 1989. Whatever.... if you are upset, so be it. But then to "tell on me." Get serious! And then, to make matters worse, both my mother and grandmother specifically came up to Missy and I yesterday and told us to be sure and say hello to her when she came in for Mother's Day. I did, like the bigger person, and then was pretty much snubbed. So... you can better believe that was the last time I say hi to her. I don't play games, and if there is anything I hate more than games, it is drama. And this my friends, was a drama game!!
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
So, my family gets together often, and certainly at holidays. For Thanksgiving, we go to my Aunt Barb and Uncle Jeff's house. Apparently (sorry for using this word for the 2nd time already in this blog entry), both my sister and I did not say hi to this woman. (I won't name names because I have family who follows my blog) Can you imagine the horror?!?! Mind you, she did not come up to either of us, and she is definitely "the adult" by several decades. Perhaps that is considered not respecting your elders, I don't know. In any case, we allegedly did not say hi to her (even though I have to believe we did).
Well... it did not sit well with her, and she told my grandma about it. My grandma told my mother, and my mother told both Missy and I. Are you fucking kidding me?!?! What grade are we in because I could have sworn I left elementary school in 1989. Whatever.... if you are upset, so be it. But then to "tell on me." Get serious! And then, to make matters worse, both my mother and grandmother specifically came up to Missy and I yesterday and told us to be sure and say hello to her when she came in for Mother's Day. I did, like the bigger person, and then was pretty much snubbed. So... you can better believe that was the last time I say hi to her. I don't play games, and if there is anything I hate more than games, it is drama. And this my friends, was a drama game!!
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Kid's Candy From The 80's
Oh, growing up in the 80's was awesome. We had pogo-balls, dirt bikes, He-Man, and of course.... totally awesome candy. Here now is a tribute to the best candy and gum of the 80's. Please note, this is in no particular order:
1. Lick-A-Maid - Hello?!?! Licking a stick and putting it in flavored powder. Yum!!!
2. Ring Pops - Truth be told... I still eat them. Only one point on Weight Watchers.
3. Pop Rocks - Snap, crackle, and pop right in your mouth. So fun. You should try the chocolate bar from Israel that actually has Pop Rocks in it... AMAZING!!
4. Sees Suckers - Okay, maybe not always a "kid favorite," but you cannot go wrong with a chocolate sucker.
5. Bubble Tape - I used to love mouthfuls of this stuff... but just the regular pink bubble gum flavor... not those fancy grape, sour apple, etc. flavors.
6. Candy Necklaces - Not my favorite, but they were pretty cool.
7. Candy Buttons - Where else do kids get to eat paper?
8. Chicklets - Those little squares were not only delicious, but so pretty too.
9. Gummi Bears - Remember when they came out? Then the world went crazy... worms, Coke bottles, fruit, and even crazier with the "sour" versions!
10. Wax Bottles - Not only was the liquid scrumptious, but we turned the wax bottles into fake retainers for our teeth.
11. Zotz - I am guessing most people won't remember these, but they were VERY sour and fuzzy in your mouth once you got to the center.
12. Candy Cigarettes - Seriously... how cool were these?!?!
13. Blow Pops - Gum inside of a sucker! Did you hear me?!?!
14. Whistle Pops - An edible musical instrument... too funny.
15. Big League Chew - More mouthfuls of gum... and we felt like baseball players.
I love these strolls down memory lane. Any one else have a favorite I missed?
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
1. Lick-A-Maid - Hello?!?! Licking a stick and putting it in flavored powder. Yum!!!
2. Ring Pops - Truth be told... I still eat them. Only one point on Weight Watchers.
3. Pop Rocks - Snap, crackle, and pop right in your mouth. So fun. You should try the chocolate bar from Israel that actually has Pop Rocks in it... AMAZING!!
4. Sees Suckers - Okay, maybe not always a "kid favorite," but you cannot go wrong with a chocolate sucker.
5. Bubble Tape - I used to love mouthfuls of this stuff... but just the regular pink bubble gum flavor... not those fancy grape, sour apple, etc. flavors.
6. Candy Necklaces - Not my favorite, but they were pretty cool.
7. Candy Buttons - Where else do kids get to eat paper?
8. Chicklets - Those little squares were not only delicious, but so pretty too.
9. Gummi Bears - Remember when they came out? Then the world went crazy... worms, Coke bottles, fruit, and even crazier with the "sour" versions!
10. Wax Bottles - Not only was the liquid scrumptious, but we turned the wax bottles into fake retainers for our teeth.
11. Zotz - I am guessing most people won't remember these, but they were VERY sour and fuzzy in your mouth once you got to the center.
12. Candy Cigarettes - Seriously... how cool were these?!?!
13. Blow Pops - Gum inside of a sucker! Did you hear me?!?!
14. Whistle Pops - An edible musical instrument... too funny.
15. Big League Chew - More mouthfuls of gum... and we felt like baseball players.
I love these strolls down memory lane. Any one else have a favorite I missed?
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
Friday, May 1, 2009
Shorter Weeks
All in favor of a shorter work week, say I! Wouldn't it be great if the work week was Tuesday-Thursday, and the weekend was Friday-Monday? Think of how much happier the entire population would be. Okay, so maybe not as much would get done, and certain positions are most definitely needed more than 3 days a week, but when has this blog ever been one for reality?
That said, maybe we could just tack on one more day to the weekend... I would take Friday or Monday... I could make either work. Here is where I think we will be split. My guess is a large number of people would prefer Friday be the additional day off, while I think a great deal of others would opt for Monday. I guess when it really came down to it, if we had this un-realistic option, I would select the weekends be Saturday-Monday. Fridays are often casual as is, and Mondays ALWAYS suck. I realize this would make Tuesdays suck a bit, but at least we would have a recovery day after Sunday instead of going right back to work. But do we really need two recovery days? No... so this way we would have two Saturdays. Okay... who is confused?!?! :) lol
And, one final addition that might be nice... nap time. How great would it be to curl up with a blankie after lunch, take about an hour nap, wake up for milk and cookies, and then go back to work. I think we would be a lot more productive after a little daily snoozer. What do you think?
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
That said, maybe we could just tack on one more day to the weekend... I would take Friday or Monday... I could make either work. Here is where I think we will be split. My guess is a large number of people would prefer Friday be the additional day off, while I think a great deal of others would opt for Monday. I guess when it really came down to it, if we had this un-realistic option, I would select the weekends be Saturday-Monday. Fridays are often casual as is, and Mondays ALWAYS suck. I realize this would make Tuesdays suck a bit, but at least we would have a recovery day after Sunday instead of going right back to work. But do we really need two recovery days? No... so this way we would have two Saturdays. Okay... who is confused?!?! :) lol
And, one final addition that might be nice... nap time. How great would it be to curl up with a blankie after lunch, take about an hour nap, wake up for milk and cookies, and then go back to work. I think we would be a lot more productive after a little daily snoozer. What do you think?
Check back often for more Random Ramblings!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)