Another new technology, that is just what we need. First it was Facebook, then MySpace, and now Twitter. All greats to electronically communicate, but what ever happened to traditional communications. One of two things are happening, everyone is becoming a write and social face-to-face communication is declining. But obviously, this Twitter thing is a hit-recent member, Oprah! Last night at 2:13 a.m. Ashton Kutcher got over 1 million tweets! Wooohoooo! According to CNN Kutcher and CNN had a deal that Kutcher would donate over 10,000 mosquito bed nets if he beat CNN and 1,000 if he did not, fortunately he did. I have heard so much about Twitter and can be honest, do not know much about it, but if the Web site will be used for more causes as this, I am all for it! If these Web sites could be more for good causes rather than just for communication, I believe they could be held much more credible and useful. Right now, people use Facebook simply for communicating, whatever happened to calling your friend or running over to their house and talking to them. Why not starting a group of Facebook and taking donations for a good cause? There are so many possibilities with sites like this, especially because they reach such a vast amount of people. The capabilities are amazing-it even got the current President in office.
Many may think I am a hypocrit for talking trash about social networking especially as I am blogging and am currently a member of Facebook. But Facebook is no source of communication for me, a hi here and hi there that is it. Social networking sites could be so useful. For example, I recently posted a blog about how irritating Charter Communication can be. A few days later, the manager out of Missouri wrote me back apologizing for bad service. He has also been e-mailing to fix the situation and to be honest with you, it gave me a whole new perspective of the business. So I will not say there are no good things that come out of networks such as these, but I do believe that they should be used more for changing the world and less for personal communication.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Pondering on Eating Out....Random
This week I went out to eat with my boyfriend and his family....interesting. I have much respect for waiters and waitress because I used to work at a coffee shop and tips were a great source of money for me. However, one question? Why is that cooks/waiters/waitresses whoever it might be always bring your food all at one time? I understand it is not the waiters or waitresses fault, but it is really confusing to me. We all ordered side salads before the meal and a tray of chips and salsa. We waited about a half hour or so before we even got the side salads and FINALLY they brought them out. Approximately 3-3 1/2 minutes later, five huge plates with the entree plus side plates with dressing were brought out. We ended up wasting a lot of food because we simply could not fit it on our tables. I understand that restaurants are busy especially in a town as small as this where as there are only a limited amount of places to go and sit down and eat. But if you are going to bring out the appetizers late (which we specifically told the waitress the salads and chips were) why not just wait 15 minutes or so to bring the actual dinner out? Again, I am not "bitching" I am just saying, it does not make much sense to me. Why the rush? not only that, but when the staff does this, especially this waitress, she actually got upset with us because we had too many plates. Regardless, we were paying for the plates so we can have as many as we want right? I guess not. I respect staff at restaurants and again, have been in the position. As irritated as I was, I left a good tip and smiled the whole time. It was actually more funny to me than anything, because when the waitress brought the plates she looked at us as if we were suppose to immediately swallow all the plates in front of us. No apology, no explanation. I understand she was more than likely overwhelmed, but hell, I would rather the food be cold then it go to waste. I know whoever is reading this will probably just say, "and if the food was cold, you would complain about that too," but you are absolutely wrong.
I have never been rude to a waiter/waitress because I understand, not completely, but somewhat. I am not blaming them for what happened, it was just something that got my blood going, I hate wasting things!
Anyway, aside from my eating out experience and the clutter of plates hanging over our table which eventually just got threw to the strays, the food was great!
I have never been rude to a waiter/waitress because I understand, not completely, but somewhat. I am not blaming them for what happened, it was just something that got my blood going, I hate wasting things!
Anyway, aside from my eating out experience and the clutter of plates hanging over our table which eventually just got threw to the strays, the food was great!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Biden v. PETA
Getting an animal from a shelter could be condemned as "the right" thing to do, but for some people, it just isn't. It brings many risks such a behavioral and social problems, especially for families with children. Getting a dog from a shelter is a great idea, but it also limits a person to only certain breeds of dogs, for example. For some people, if they are going to spend the money on an animal such as a dog, why not get one that accommodates to them?
I read a recent story from yahoo online about a dog breeder selling a German Shepard dog to the notorious Biden family last December. Today, she says she will "Never, never, never again," sell a dog to someone with a high profile. The Bidens are being criticized by places such as PETA for not buying a dog from a shelter, so for not saving a dog. Then after that, the lady who sold the dog ended up paying $4,000 for court fines when she tried to fight the citations such as pieces of dog hair on the floor, against her. This is absolutely ridiculous. I understand that dog activist want to help and save animals, but not everyone needs to take their point of view. Plus, what is it any one's business how someone makes a living or how someone chooses to purchase an animal? Sometimes I feel like activist organizations such as PETA are trying to force a belief on people that they don't choose to side with. Personally, I would choose to adopt and save an animal before i would buy one from a breeder, but again, that is MY choice, would you scorn me? No, probably not because I am not a high profile individual.
In conclusion, leave the two involved parties alone. They live in a free society and can choose to live their live and spend their money which ever way they want. PETA should not force their beliefs on anyone, just be happy for the believes they have already.
I read a recent story from yahoo online about a dog breeder selling a German Shepard dog to the notorious Biden family last December. Today, she says she will "Never, never, never again," sell a dog to someone with a high profile. The Bidens are being criticized by places such as PETA for not buying a dog from a shelter, so for not saving a dog. Then after that, the lady who sold the dog ended up paying $4,000 for court fines when she tried to fight the citations such as pieces of dog hair on the floor, against her. This is absolutely ridiculous. I understand that dog activist want to help and save animals, but not everyone needs to take their point of view. Plus, what is it any one's business how someone makes a living or how someone chooses to purchase an animal? Sometimes I feel like activist organizations such as PETA are trying to force a belief on people that they don't choose to side with. Personally, I would choose to adopt and save an animal before i would buy one from a breeder, but again, that is MY choice, would you scorn me? No, probably not because I am not a high profile individual.
In conclusion, leave the two involved parties alone. They live in a free society and can choose to live their live and spend their money which ever way they want. PETA should not force their beliefs on anyone, just be happy for the believes they have already.
Dear Pauly...
Dear Paul Montgomery Shore,
Your behaviors and the words that come out of your mouth brought laughter to my life. I still remember the first time I saw you in the 1992 movie Encino Man. Your comical views and corky behaviors brought a new meaning of “funny” to my life. You were the legendary “weasel” of Hollywood when you faked your own death in “Pauly Shore is dead.” How genius. But that night, you gave support to the stereotype that illustrious people are haughty, and you left everyone disappointed.
As you were crawling your way up the food chain, cracking jokes and initiating laughs, I was just a college student working long hour shifts at the local coffee shop, Scooters. I know, I define the word pity. I had been there for two and half years and it was the same routine every day. Except for that one night, the door opened and it was just like a movie in itself. Customers froze in their place, but not me, the coffee making process never stops. No one could move or breathe until you had made your entrance. As you took your first step, the glow around you darkened and everyone exhaled. Not one person spoke to you whether it was because they were in awe or only anxious. But I knew, I knew from the moment you stepped through those glass doors.
“I need a double espresso with milk.”
I stood there, staring, covered in chai tea syrup and vitamin D milk as if I had no idea what two shots of coffee with a touch of milk was. I still am not sure how long it took for me to process what you said but I do remember the look on your face and the feeling in my stomach. Even after you gave me that, “are you stupid” look, I still did not judge you. However, it only took a few s words to change my mind. Judging by your attitude on screen, you seemed care-free, friendly, and very approachable. I imagined telling jokes with you and laughing until my abdomen hurt and my eyes watered, but you surprised me.
Someone else recognized you and was not going to let you walk out of that coffee shop without confirmation that you were in fact “The Pauly Shore.”
“Pauly Shore? Are you Pauly Shore?”
“Um…no, no I am not.”
At first I smiled, because you are notorious for your humor and I was sure it was a joke. But then you abruptly took your coffee and faded into the dust.
I was flabbergasted. You were not different from any one of us, other than the fact that your wittiness took you somewhere beyond the local comedy venue. Your fans support you and your career. Don’t you at least owe us a hello, “Hey Buuuuudy,” anything?
I was disheartened, astonished, and most of all embarrassed. You did not reflect your on-screen characters even slightly. How does a person act as another, yet in reality become so different?
The disappointment lingered in the store after you left and then…you were forgotten. I attended your comedy show that next night, but it was not the same. You were just another arrogant luminary with hordes of green paper.
I hope as you read this you will consider my plea. Acknowledge those who look up to you, even if it means slapping on a phony smile and only saying “hello.” Don’t give evidence to the stereotype that those who are prominent are also arrogant.
Let yourself be known for your humorous competence, not your discourteous attitude.
Sincerely,
Your Faded Fan
Your behaviors and the words that come out of your mouth brought laughter to my life. I still remember the first time I saw you in the 1992 movie Encino Man. Your comical views and corky behaviors brought a new meaning of “funny” to my life. You were the legendary “weasel” of Hollywood when you faked your own death in “Pauly Shore is dead.” How genius. But that night, you gave support to the stereotype that illustrious people are haughty, and you left everyone disappointed.
As you were crawling your way up the food chain, cracking jokes and initiating laughs, I was just a college student working long hour shifts at the local coffee shop, Scooters. I know, I define the word pity. I had been there for two and half years and it was the same routine every day. Except for that one night, the door opened and it was just like a movie in itself. Customers froze in their place, but not me, the coffee making process never stops. No one could move or breathe until you had made your entrance. As you took your first step, the glow around you darkened and everyone exhaled. Not one person spoke to you whether it was because they were in awe or only anxious. But I knew, I knew from the moment you stepped through those glass doors.
“I need a double espresso with milk.”
I stood there, staring, covered in chai tea syrup and vitamin D milk as if I had no idea what two shots of coffee with a touch of milk was. I still am not sure how long it took for me to process what you said but I do remember the look on your face and the feeling in my stomach. Even after you gave me that, “are you stupid” look, I still did not judge you. However, it only took a few s words to change my mind. Judging by your attitude on screen, you seemed care-free, friendly, and very approachable. I imagined telling jokes with you and laughing until my abdomen hurt and my eyes watered, but you surprised me.
Someone else recognized you and was not going to let you walk out of that coffee shop without confirmation that you were in fact “The Pauly Shore.”
“Pauly Shore? Are you Pauly Shore?”
“Um…no, no I am not.”
At first I smiled, because you are notorious for your humor and I was sure it was a joke. But then you abruptly took your coffee and faded into the dust.
I was flabbergasted. You were not different from any one of us, other than the fact that your wittiness took you somewhere beyond the local comedy venue. Your fans support you and your career. Don’t you at least owe us a hello, “Hey Buuuuudy,” anything?
I was disheartened, astonished, and most of all embarrassed. You did not reflect your on-screen characters even slightly. How does a person act as another, yet in reality become so different?
The disappointment lingered in the store after you left and then…you were forgotten. I attended your comedy show that next night, but it was not the same. You were just another arrogant luminary with hordes of green paper.
I hope as you read this you will consider my plea. Acknowledge those who look up to you, even if it means slapping on a phony smile and only saying “hello.” Don’t give evidence to the stereotype that those who are prominent are also arrogant.
Let yourself be known for your humorous competence, not your discourteous attitude.
Sincerely,
Your Faded Fan
Dear Britney....
Okay Britney, I felt sorry for you the first time and now you are doing it all over again. Just when you started reliving your life the way you should and needed too! You were getting better and back at what you do best...singing, and now he has sucked you into his trans again.
First of all, why? What is it about him? Before he met you, he was a nobody. I commend you for not judging people and following your heart, but you deserve better than that. He has taken everything you have worked so hard for since you were 17, even your children.
Now I do not know if the rumors are true, but an "anonymous insider" has spilled some information about this. You and K-Fed together again? I thought you would be smarter this time through. I thought for sure that after all you went through, shaving your head, losing your kids, in and out of rehab, not even having control over your own finances, you would have learned. He is not good for you or for your career or for your health. I know maybe right now it seems logical to be with him, I mean he is your baby's daddy, but reconcile, that's it, that's as far as it needs to go.
An article posted on MSN, shows you and K-Fed together and a source says, "It's like they're newlyweds all over again. Brit and Kevin can't keep their hands off each other! The flings have made them both a lot happier." Of course he cannot keep his hands off you, you are back in the limelight! "The center of the ring just like a circus!" If he really loved you, he would have been there for you when you lost your hair, your estate, and family....but he wasn't. He was only there for the court appearances when he was taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from you monthly.
This is your last chance Britney. Your fans stood by you once through thick and thin, but your relapse was not easy on anyone. If you fall back into his trans, you might lose everything...for good this time. Think about it.
Charter versus......ME
Charter Communications files for bankruptcy....Charter Communications going out of business....I have heard many different rumors about Charter Communications and to be honest, I hope they are true and as far as I am concerned they are. According to Stock News, Charter filed for bankruptcy on March 27, so is this why they decided to raise their prices $20? Because they are going out of business and want to screw their customers over once more before they do? Maybe that was a little harsh, but since I moved here two years ago, I have had only bad experiences with Charter and my experience two days ago put the cherry on top.
It was a typical day for me, got up, went to work, came home, ran outside to get the mail, sit down, and look at the mail. But, looking at the mail was not that exciting that day, to be honest with you, I think that I may have had water streaming down my face from my eyes. I go to school full-time and work full-time. Yeah, I make money, but not enough. Last month, we decided to get an upgrade with our cable but adding a new addition, the DVR. Genius, I must say. This was only a $15 upgrade, which we could afford. I got my bill yesterday and the total bill for ONE MONTH REGULAR CABLE SERVICE PLUS A $15 UPGRADE WAS $160! At first I thought maybe it was an April Fool's joke played on by Charter and they just got the bill sent out late missing the actual April Fools day. So I called them, basically laughing through the whole discussion thinking that it would for sure be mistake.
"Well mam, actually our prices have raised $20," said the associate.
I said, "Well, were you going to make us aware of this? Did Charter also decide to add two movies, Showtime, and a big package plus upgrade on? Is this part of the price change too? Because I do not want any of this."
Of course, no answer, no explanation, NOTHING. Then looking for the bill a little more thoroughly I realized, they also threw on a random $35 service charge. What the hell?!
The associate was nice, decided to take Showtime off and one movie: $160-$5-$11= $144
I hung up the phone, but realized he did not take the random service charge off. So we called back and talked to a women representative. She said no problem, I will take the fee off. My thoughts...144-135=$109--this should be our bill which is at regular price as always, therefore prices did not go up $20.
"Okay mam your total now is going to be $129 for the month of March," she said.
I laughed and my boyfriend stared at me. Really?
In conclusion, someone is getting screwed over here and it is me. Get it together Charter.
It was a typical day for me, got up, went to work, came home, ran outside to get the mail, sit down, and look at the mail. But, looking at the mail was not that exciting that day, to be honest with you, I think that I may have had water streaming down my face from my eyes. I go to school full-time and work full-time. Yeah, I make money, but not enough. Last month, we decided to get an upgrade with our cable but adding a new addition, the DVR. Genius, I must say. This was only a $15 upgrade, which we could afford. I got my bill yesterday and the total bill for ONE MONTH REGULAR CABLE SERVICE PLUS A $15 UPGRADE WAS $160! At first I thought maybe it was an April Fool's joke played on by Charter and they just got the bill sent out late missing the actual April Fools day. So I called them, basically laughing through the whole discussion thinking that it would for sure be mistake.
"Well mam, actually our prices have raised $20," said the associate.
I said, "Well, were you going to make us aware of this? Did Charter also decide to add two movies, Showtime, and a big package plus upgrade on? Is this part of the price change too? Because I do not want any of this."
Of course, no answer, no explanation, NOTHING. Then looking for the bill a little more thoroughly I realized, they also threw on a random $35 service charge. What the hell?!
The associate was nice, decided to take Showtime off and one movie: $160-$5-$11= $144
I hung up the phone, but realized he did not take the random service charge off. So we called back and talked to a women representative. She said no problem, I will take the fee off. My thoughts...144-135=$109--this should be our bill which is at regular price as always, therefore prices did not go up $20.
"Okay mam your total now is going to be $129 for the month of March," she said.
I laughed and my boyfriend stared at me. Really?
In conclusion, someone is getting screwed over here and it is me. Get it together Charter.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Scams: Beware!
As any other consumer, I get wrapped into infomercials and any diet pill I see on television. Approximately 2 weeks ago, Oprah featured Dr.Oz on her show to promote his new diet pill: a colon cleanse plus acai berry pill. The cleanse is suppose to detoxify your body while the acai berry, a super fruit from the Amazon, is suppose to increase energy and suppress your appetite. Unlike any other fad diet, I figured, well it's on Oprah it has to be pretty legitimate right? So what do I do, rush to the Internet to get my "two free trial bottles, money back guaranteed!"
I mean, I get a full dose of this fabulous, weight loss pill and only have to pay shipping and handling, a measly $5.95! Wrong! As I went to order it, I could only order 1 bottle and after looking up reviews, I also found an article saying, "read the fine print." I am always very skeptical about ordering products online, but most of my friends always tell me to "lighten up, everyone does it."
The article posted by this lady stated that she ordered the exact same product and after 13 days still did not receive the pills. On the 14th day, her credit card was charged $80. Turned out the fine print said after the 13 trial day period, you will be charged. In the end, the lady had a whole hell of a lot of depth and no weight loss.
The point of this blog entry is 1. to warn you about Internet scams and 2. to warn you about fad diet pills.
Internet scams are occurring all over the net and millions of people are getting their identify stolen and racking up massive charges on their accounts. I have read a numerous amount of tutorials about consumers who buy products online, especially trial products, and if you do not cancel within a certain amount of days (usually written in the fine print) you get charged a lot more than expected. These companies are clever, because then when you try to cancel, you are on hold FOREVER and when you finally get through, they pass you off to another representative who again puts you on hold FOREVER. There are many articles in which I have provided links to that you can read about scare ware, phishing, and other scams by companies.
As for this breakthrough diet pill, first of all you cannot find the ingredients in it ANYWHERE, why because there are the exact same products on the market for about half the price. After hearing about the Dr.Oz diet, I called Complete Nutrition in Omaha and GNC right here in Kearney and was told that basically this is a marketing strategy for this company, they do not want you to know the ingredients because it is so similar and they want you to buy it online so they can screw you over. You cannot buy these two pills in stores, because they want to charge you twice the price, plus more after they screw you over, and make consumers buy it online.
After going to GNC, I got 2 similar products for less than $50 when the online companies were expected over $80 plus the shipping and handling. Moral of the story: NEVER buy "free trials" online and always search in stores for the products you are wanting, usually you get them cheaper and don't have to take a chance at losing money.
As for Oprah, being a credible source, she should think twice about every featuring fad diets on her show, so far no results for me (so far), and the reviews about the product are very negative, making her look bad!
I mean, I get a full dose of this fabulous, weight loss pill and only have to pay shipping and handling, a measly $5.95! Wrong! As I went to order it, I could only order 1 bottle and after looking up reviews, I also found an article saying, "read the fine print." I am always very skeptical about ordering products online, but most of my friends always tell me to "lighten up, everyone does it."
The article posted by this lady stated that she ordered the exact same product and after 13 days still did not receive the pills. On the 14th day, her credit card was charged $80. Turned out the fine print said after the 13 trial day period, you will be charged. In the end, the lady had a whole hell of a lot of depth and no weight loss.
The point of this blog entry is 1. to warn you about Internet scams and 2. to warn you about fad diet pills.
Internet scams are occurring all over the net and millions of people are getting their identify stolen and racking up massive charges on their accounts. I have read a numerous amount of tutorials about consumers who buy products online, especially trial products, and if you do not cancel within a certain amount of days (usually written in the fine print) you get charged a lot more than expected. These companies are clever, because then when you try to cancel, you are on hold FOREVER and when you finally get through, they pass you off to another representative who again puts you on hold FOREVER. There are many articles in which I have provided links to that you can read about scare ware, phishing, and other scams by companies.
As for this breakthrough diet pill, first of all you cannot find the ingredients in it ANYWHERE, why because there are the exact same products on the market for about half the price. After hearing about the Dr.Oz diet, I called Complete Nutrition in Omaha and GNC right here in Kearney and was told that basically this is a marketing strategy for this company, they do not want you to know the ingredients because it is so similar and they want you to buy it online so they can screw you over. You cannot buy these two pills in stores, because they want to charge you twice the price, plus more after they screw you over, and make consumers buy it online.
After going to GNC, I got 2 similar products for less than $50 when the online companies were expected over $80 plus the shipping and handling. Moral of the story: NEVER buy "free trials" online and always search in stores for the products you are wanting, usually you get them cheaper and don't have to take a chance at losing money.
As for Oprah, being a credible source, she should think twice about every featuring fad diets on her show, so far no results for me (so far), and the reviews about the product are very negative, making her look bad!
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