Hey, bye summer. You will forever be associated with death in my memory, but it's still too bad you were so short. Also, a bit cool. Not a lot of great river tubing weekends. Summer 2009: When Not Bringing Death, Still Disappointing Me with Unfavorable Temperatures!
So where were we. There was that wedding; that happened and was lovely. There is another wedding next weekend, which means another outing for the happy green dress. And TOMORROW. Well, tomorrow is kickball prom. Oh yes. For which I have purchased ANOTHER dress, but I got this one at Ragstock for $12 so it's not quite time for me to join Dress-Fiends Anonymous. This one is red. It has poofy sleeves and there's a bow on the heinie and a bit of a train. It's pretty much the most tasteful thing there ever was, and if you'd like to see it you are cordially invited to come by Painter Park tomorrow night around 7:00. I can't say much about my kickball skills, but in the field of fashion I am about to bring it.
In other upcoming events, the final Uptown Market of the season is on September 20th. This thing has been the happy standout of my summer. I'll admit, when we first started talking about it, I wasn't entirely confident it was really going to happen. But then stuff kept chugging and chugging and we have had one, two, three events now, and people seem to like them and our vendors keep coming back, and when the markets are going on I look around at all the tents up and down the street and think, "Hey! I totally helped to do this!" And later I look at our Flickr stream and it's just this giant giant warm fuzzy. So yeah. That is happening. And we have some big ideas for next year, but regardless of what happens with that, I will forever be so proud of what we've pulled off this summer.
Well anyway, that's the update. And oh, I'm tweeting now, because I was looking for a new way to be obnoxious. So in between posts here, there may be tweets there, and that is how I will bare my life until they invent a way for everyone to post their genome map on the interweb, and then I'll do that and say hey everyone, look at me, me, me.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
a remedy, of sorts
I'm pleased to report that I have now purchased a bright green dress with a totally inappropriate neckline, which I will wear to a wedding on Saturday. Thank you, Miranda and Scott, for scheduling a happy occasion. It is much needed.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
a statement re: death, funerals, attire
A few months ago I bought a black dress with a modest, funeral-appropriate neckline, knowing that I would need it and that when the time came I probably wouldn't feel like shopping. And yes, I have needed it, along with the modest, funeral-appropriate blouse ("blouse," eww) I also bought when I realized that these things sometimes involve visitations the night before. And on Tuesday I will need it again, and woe is me, whine whine whine, I guess the events themselves should help me keep things in perspective in regard to my depression about having attended so many.
I was thinking the other day about all the sad/lovely things that accompany losing someone and making peace with that. Wearing of their jewelry. Having dreams in which you're talking to them, and they're well and lucid and calm. Waking up and feeling comforted despite the lump in your throat.
At my grandma's service in California last weekend (a non-traditional affair, delayed to allow people to make travel plans), my aunt brought this goofy headband with pinwheels on springs, which she then made someone wear when she had a hard time getting through her speech. And it helped. Sad and lovely.
Everyone is in agreement that hospice is wonderful, or mostly wonderful, until the waiting drives you crazy and you just want it to be over, except you don't really want it to be over. But these places have well-appointed libraries. And, if you're lucky, a slide-top freezer with an excellent selection of ice cream novelties. If you weren't there for the reason you were there, it would be an awesome place to hang out.
In the past I have made attempts to rehabilitate clothing that has become associated with bad things; e.g. "This is the sweater I was wearing when I got dumped, and I'm going to wear it to the party on Friday because I'll have fun there, and then this sweater will no longer only remind me of getting dumped." But I think the funeral dress will always remain the funeral dress. It's not like I have many other occasions in my life that call for a dress that dull, which is a good thing I suppose.
But the funeral dress is short-sleeved, so nobody fucking die in winter, okay? Or at all, for that matter. Everyone eat veggies and quit smoking, seriously, thanks. I'm getting a little too practiced at all of this.
I was thinking the other day about all the sad/lovely things that accompany losing someone and making peace with that. Wearing of their jewelry. Having dreams in which you're talking to them, and they're well and lucid and calm. Waking up and feeling comforted despite the lump in your throat.
At my grandma's service in California last weekend (a non-traditional affair, delayed to allow people to make travel plans), my aunt brought this goofy headband with pinwheels on springs, which she then made someone wear when she had a hard time getting through her speech. And it helped. Sad and lovely.
Everyone is in agreement that hospice is wonderful, or mostly wonderful, until the waiting drives you crazy and you just want it to be over, except you don't really want it to be over. But these places have well-appointed libraries. And, if you're lucky, a slide-top freezer with an excellent selection of ice cream novelties. If you weren't there for the reason you were there, it would be an awesome place to hang out.
In the past I have made attempts to rehabilitate clothing that has become associated with bad things; e.g. "This is the sweater I was wearing when I got dumped, and I'm going to wear it to the party on Friday because I'll have fun there, and then this sweater will no longer only remind me of getting dumped." But I think the funeral dress will always remain the funeral dress. It's not like I have many other occasions in my life that call for a dress that dull, which is a good thing I suppose.
But the funeral dress is short-sleeved, so nobody fucking die in winter, okay? Or at all, for that matter. Everyone eat veggies and quit smoking, seriously, thanks. I'm getting a little too practiced at all of this.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
in which things suck
Hey, guess what. My other grandma died last week. Also, on Tuesday I rear-ended a guy on Nicollet. A nice old veteran. So yeah, not the best week of my life.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Sconnie.
There is a plan, you guys. There is a plan in the works to go on an adorable little Midwestern getaway. With a BOY. Well, a man. If I took a boy over state lines for this gig, I believe that would be a federal offense.
But anyway. Ummm... there is gonna be a CABIN, and a LAKE, and a FIREPLACE, and all kinds of just nauseatingly bucolic stuff. Which I am probably jinxing by writing about. And the lady still needs to send me the address to send the check to, and I will feel much better when that's actually done and the thing is like officially confirmed. I can't relax without being confirmed.
My inability to relax is a key contributor to my need to go on this trip.
Is it slightly smug to be writing about my upcoming mini-vacation with my fellow? Yes. But please remember that another vacation of mine in the not-too-distant past involved sitting on my couch for a week, watching "The Wire," probably eating Doritos. I have paid into the "pathetic loser" bank for quite some time. Now I am making a withdrawal.
Okay, that metaphor doesn't really work like I want it to.
But anyway. Ummm... there is gonna be a CABIN, and a LAKE, and a FIREPLACE, and all kinds of just nauseatingly bucolic stuff. Which I am probably jinxing by writing about. And the lady still needs to send me the address to send the check to, and I will feel much better when that's actually done and the thing is like officially confirmed. I can't relax without being confirmed.
My inability to relax is a key contributor to my need to go on this trip.
Is it slightly smug to be writing about my upcoming mini-vacation with my fellow? Yes. But please remember that another vacation of mine in the not-too-distant past involved sitting on my couch for a week, watching "The Wire," probably eating Doritos. I have paid into the "pathetic loser" bank for quite some time. Now I am making a withdrawal.
Okay, that metaphor doesn't really work like I want it to.
Monday, May 25, 2009
in which I return, am a big downer, try to think of nice things
Oh hai. I’ve been away for a bit. Not like... physically away from the computer or anything, just away from le blog, because it seemed for a while that there was nothing I could write about that would be honest, because frankly a lot of things have been very sad and I didn’t know how much of that I wanted to put in here. And things still are sad, but there are happy things too, and hey it’s like summer now, so why don’t I cheer up a bit.
Sad things: A few months ago my grandma in California was diagnosed with cancer and given a pretty grim prognosis. Very shortly after that, my grandma in South Dakota was also diagnosed with cancer, and I don’t even know if they bothered to give her a prognosis because by the time they found it it was everywhere and she died pretty quickly after that. On the 15th, specifically. So there’s that. And there were actually a lot of things that were very okay about it. She didn’t seem to mind that much; she had Alzheimer’s and this came at a time when she was still mostly herself, but aware of the fact that soon she wouldn’t be, and my grandpa died nine years ago, so I think she felt this was a fine time to go. I hope that when it’s my turn I will be similarly pulled together.
I went back to work last Thursday and managed to be pretty okay with the saying hi to everyone and opening the nice card they gave me. But then our VP stopped by to say he was sorry, and added, “Grandmas are important,” and I almost bawled right in front of him, because yeah, they are. That sums it up nicely.
Okay, but other things, happy things, let’s make a list:
1. Brendan was named a Pulitzer finalist. And also won some fancy-pants award from Columbia. This is a happy thing in that a) I know him and I like to brag about it, b) it’s wonderful for him, obviously, and should help him go places at a time when journalists are finding that hard to do, and c) should he ever write me a letter of recommendation, my letter will SO beat any competitor’s. SUCK IT, THEORETICAL COMPETITORS.
2. My friend Roxie is starting an art fair/farmer’s market Uptown; I and a posse of helpers have been pitching in, and it’s looking like this thing is actually going to happen. We’ve been working with city hall and the neighborhood boards and it’s all official-like. We’re still taking vendors, and we’ll need volunteers, and we’ll need people to come and actually shop at this thing, so put it on your calendars, y’all. The first one is on Father’s Day, you can totally bring your dad and then go have a few beers at the Herkimer, YOUR DAD WILL LOVE IT.
3. Kickball starts this week.
4. It’s nice out.
5. I still have a job.
6. Hey, this is probably obnoxious to announce on my blog, but I totally started dating this guy in December and he’s totally my boyfriend. And today we assembled an Ikea bookshelf in under two hours, and that goes on the list of happy things. And so does he. He can juggle and stuff. He’s very talented. WHAT. SHUT UP.
7. My brother finished school. If anyone knows of any guitar repair/luthier job openings, he would love to know about it.
8. I made an awesome pasta salad yesterday.
Obviously, I’m supposed to be writing something else right now. I am clearly incompetent at the aforementioned job that I still have. Anyway, I’m back and stuff.
Sad things: A few months ago my grandma in California was diagnosed with cancer and given a pretty grim prognosis. Very shortly after that, my grandma in South Dakota was also diagnosed with cancer, and I don’t even know if they bothered to give her a prognosis because by the time they found it it was everywhere and she died pretty quickly after that. On the 15th, specifically. So there’s that. And there were actually a lot of things that were very okay about it. She didn’t seem to mind that much; she had Alzheimer’s and this came at a time when she was still mostly herself, but aware of the fact that soon she wouldn’t be, and my grandpa died nine years ago, so I think she felt this was a fine time to go. I hope that when it’s my turn I will be similarly pulled together.
I went back to work last Thursday and managed to be pretty okay with the saying hi to everyone and opening the nice card they gave me. But then our VP stopped by to say he was sorry, and added, “Grandmas are important,” and I almost bawled right in front of him, because yeah, they are. That sums it up nicely.
Okay, but other things, happy things, let’s make a list:
1. Brendan was named a Pulitzer finalist. And also won some fancy-pants award from Columbia. This is a happy thing in that a) I know him and I like to brag about it, b) it’s wonderful for him, obviously, and should help him go places at a time when journalists are finding that hard to do, and c) should he ever write me a letter of recommendation, my letter will SO beat any competitor’s. SUCK IT, THEORETICAL COMPETITORS.
2. My friend Roxie is starting an art fair/farmer’s market Uptown; I and a posse of helpers have been pitching in, and it’s looking like this thing is actually going to happen. We’ve been working with city hall and the neighborhood boards and it’s all official-like. We’re still taking vendors, and we’ll need volunteers, and we’ll need people to come and actually shop at this thing, so put it on your calendars, y’all. The first one is on Father’s Day, you can totally bring your dad and then go have a few beers at the Herkimer, YOUR DAD WILL LOVE IT.
3. Kickball starts this week.
4. It’s nice out.
5. I still have a job.
6. Hey, this is probably obnoxious to announce on my blog, but I totally started dating this guy in December and he’s totally my boyfriend. And today we assembled an Ikea bookshelf in under two hours, and that goes on the list of happy things. And so does he. He can juggle and stuff. He’s very talented. WHAT. SHUT UP.
7. My brother finished school. If anyone knows of any guitar repair/luthier job openings, he would love to know about it.
8. I made an awesome pasta salad yesterday.
Obviously, I’m supposed to be writing something else right now. I am clearly incompetent at the aforementioned job that I still have. Anyway, I’m back and stuff.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Oh, so kind! Except not.
Two emails I received today from the doctor's office:
from: Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist's [Clearly not specialists in grammar- Ed.]
date: Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 2:56 PM
subject: Loss of Insurance - Preventative visit offer
Dear Valued Patient,
Working in partnership with our patients has always been part of our mission. In these difficult economic times, the need for that partnership is even more apparent. Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists is taking a step to acknowledge the current state of our economy and increasing numbers of uninsured women. For 2009, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists will be offering a low-cost preventive GYN visit to current established patients who have lost their insurance coverage. Our physicians have agreed to donate the entire cost of their visit fee. Women will receive a free pap smear and other preventive labs at a reduced fee. We are pleased to be able to take this step in helping our patients stay up to date with their important preventive care. Preserving health through prevention is a cornerstone of our practice. Please call our Edina office at xxx.xxx.xxxx or our Burnsville office at xxx.xxx.xxxx for more information.
Yours Sincerely,
Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists
"Well, that's awfully nice of them," I thought. "I still have insurance, but good to know." Fifteen minutes later, I received the following:
from: Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist's
date: Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 3:11 PM
subject: Recall: Loss of Insurance - Preventative visit offer
Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist's would like to recall the message, "Loss of Insurance - Preventative visit offer".
This is the same doctor's office that sent me the results of my last pap smear in a letter that said - and I don't remember exactly, but it was short so this is really close -
Dear Kate:
Your pap smear was abnormal. It is not cancerous or precancerous.
Sincerely,
Dr. So-and-so
I am less and less confident in this doctor's office.
from: Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist's [Clearly not specialists in grammar- Ed.]
date: Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 2:56 PM
subject: Loss of Insurance - Preventative visit offer
Dear Valued Patient,
Working in partnership with our patients has always been part of our mission. In these difficult economic times, the need for that partnership is even more apparent. Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists is taking a step to acknowledge the current state of our economy and increasing numbers of uninsured women. For 2009, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists will be offering a low-cost preventive GYN visit to current established patients who have lost their insurance coverage. Our physicians have agreed to donate the entire cost of their visit fee. Women will receive a free pap smear and other preventive labs at a reduced fee. We are pleased to be able to take this step in helping our patients stay up to date with their important preventive care. Preserving health through prevention is a cornerstone of our practice. Please call our Edina office at xxx.xxx.xxxx or our Burnsville office at xxx.xxx.xxxx for more information.
Yours Sincerely,
Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialists
"Well, that's awfully nice of them," I thought. "I still have insurance, but good to know." Fifteen minutes later, I received the following:
from: Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist's
date: Thu, Mar 5, 2009 at 3:11 PM
subject: Recall: Loss of Insurance - Preventative visit offer
Obstetrics & Gynecology Specialist's would like to recall the message, "Loss of Insurance - Preventative visit offer".
This is the same doctor's office that sent me the results of my last pap smear in a letter that said - and I don't remember exactly, but it was short so this is really close -
Dear Kate:
Your pap smear was abnormal. It is not cancerous or precancerous.
Sincerely,
Dr. So-and-so
I am less and less confident in this doctor's office.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
La Cocina
New rule: No more printing off recipes I see in blogs until I actually make, umm... 10. That seems like a good number, considering I have a binder at home with at least 100 things I've clipped out or printed because they looked amazing- but apparently not amazing enough for me to actually get off my duff and make. Rainbow cake was a big exception, because that thing pretty much demands to be made. I mean, how could you not? Recently, I have added to the bulging pile o'recipes with this, this, and this.
It's pretty much all Jess's fault for getting me started down the addictive path of food-blog reading. Thanks a lot, jerk.
Something that I've noticed in all the blog- and NY Times-reading is that the authorities are very encouraging, regardless of the space or tools you have to work with. Well, I guess I mostly mean Mark Bittman, whose How to Cook Everything Vegetarian is the biggest baddest food reference I have in my teeny internet-less apartment. But also, when I sat in on Judy's cooking lesson for Brendan, she was very easygoing about technique and tools. It's heartening for me because this is my kitchen:
Now, I took this picture before I painted and moved in, so it's not quite that bleak anymore, but you can see what I have to work with in cabinet space. No room for a stand mixer here. But I do what I can. Sometimes. When I'm not lazy. So, not often. But sometimes.
Whatever. You know what I mean.
It's pretty much all Jess's fault for getting me started down the addictive path of food-blog reading. Thanks a lot, jerk.
Something that I've noticed in all the blog- and NY Times-reading is that the authorities are very encouraging, regardless of the space or tools you have to work with. Well, I guess I mostly mean Mark Bittman, whose How to Cook Everything Vegetarian is the biggest baddest food reference I have in my teeny internet-less apartment. But also, when I sat in on Judy's cooking lesson for Brendan, she was very easygoing about technique and tools. It's heartening for me because this is my kitchen:
Now, I took this picture before I painted and moved in, so it's not quite that bleak anymore, but you can see what I have to work with in cabinet space. No room for a stand mixer here. But I do what I can. Sometimes. When I'm not lazy. So, not often. But sometimes.
Whatever. You know what I mean.
Monday, January 26, 2009
"Residences of uncompromising luxury."
Back when 100 Beacon was my college dorm, our shower had this weird metal wrap thing around the bottom which was of course rusty and one day I stepped on a piece of it that had flaked off and it punctured my foot and I had to consider if I should get a tetanus shot; also, the faucets had separate spouts for hot and cold water and the place was generally just kind of run-down and mouse infested, and, while conveniently located, was certainly not the lap of luxury.
My, how things have changed.
My, how things have changed.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Shrimp is the fruit of the sea.
There's a nice article in the Times today about a new cookbook by Judy Walker, the food editor of the Times-Picayune. I was lucky enough to have dinner at Judy's house when I visited New Orleans in November, as I tagged along with Brendan and his coworker/roommate Chris for the cooking lesson she gave them. It was a major highlight of the trip- we made shrimp remoulade, seafood gumbo, and bread pudding. Then I died of happiness.
So what I'm trying to say is that this is probably a pretty good cookbook.
So what I'm trying to say is that this is probably a pretty good cookbook.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
God frowns on marrying dogs. I know this for a fact; a Catholic priest told me.
I went to a wedding this weekend, and, despite a horrifying ceremony during which the priest referenced marrying a dog, it was totally redeemed by the lovely reception at the James J. Hill Library.
Aww, books are romantic.
Also, there was a Beatles cover band. And I don't care if you're one of those hip hipsters who is too cool for cover bands; let me tell you this: Everybody loves a Beatles cover band. Especially when the band tries as hard for authenticity as these guys did. See, they played the first set like this:
And the second like this:
Dedication. An excellent quality in a cover band. Also a marriage, I suppose, so huzzah for the happy couple whom I do not know. Sorry I called your ceremony horrifying.
Aww, books are romantic.
Also, there was a Beatles cover band. And I don't care if you're one of those hip hipsters who is too cool for cover bands; let me tell you this: Everybody loves a Beatles cover band. Especially when the band tries as hard for authenticity as these guys did. See, they played the first set like this:
And the second like this:
Dedication. An excellent quality in a cover band. Also a marriage, I suppose, so huzzah for the happy couple whom I do not know. Sorry I called your ceremony horrifying.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Papashoe.com: Are you trying to make my head explode?
This is the part where I post a rant about an ongoing bad experience I'm having with an Amazon seller. It's probably not interesting to most people, unless you get all self-righteous like I do when a retailer has done you wrong. So, you've been warned.
from: Kate
to: support@papashoe.com
date: Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 11:07 AM
subject: Order/shipping status #xxxxx
Hello,
I wanted to check the status of my order (number pasted below). Amazon is listing this as an open order still, and I'd like to be sure it arrives in time for Christmas.
Thanks,
Kate
Order Placed: December 15, 2008
Amazon.com order number: xxxxxx
Seller's order number: xxxxx
Order Total: $34.01
***
from: Support
to: Kate
date: Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 3:48 AM
subject: Re: Order/shipping status #xxxxx
Valued Customer,
It will be a close delivery around the time of Christmas. If there are any problems, I will let you know.
Season's Greetings,
www.PapaShoe.com
908-591-0006
***
from: Kate
to: Support
date: Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 10:51 AM
subject: Re: Order/shipping status #xxxxx
Hello again,
Hate to be a bother, but I just need to clarify. By "around the time of Christmas," you mean "before Christmas," correct?
Your information on Amazon states "Our goal is to DELIVER all products within 5 business days of payment, coast to coast. If for some reason a product goes out late, we will pay for expedited shipping to get you your product within 5 business days (at absolutely no extra charge to you!)."
So, even if we're not counting Monday the 15th, when I placed the order, 5 business days would mean delivery on Monday the 22nd. I really need to know specifically when the package will arrive.
Thanks for your help,
Kate
***
from: Support
to: Kate
date: Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 10:19 PM
subject: Re: Order/shipping status #xxxxx
Valued Customer,
Your order has been shipped. However, we are encountering a glitch with our tracking numbers so they will arrive at a later date. Please do not worry, though. They will be at your door before Christmas.
Thank you for your business,
www.PapaShoe.com
908-591-0006
***
from: Kate
to: Support
date: Mon, Dec 22, 2008 at 4:27 PM
subject: Re: Order/shipping status #xxxxx
Hello,
I've just checked the tracking for this package (FedEx #: xxxxxxxxxx), and the estimated delivery date is December 29.
Please read through the email chain below to review our previous communications. I hope you understand that this situation is completely unacceptable. Not only has your company not lived up to its "delivery in 5 days" policy, but I have been lied to by your customer service and now will not have a Christmas gift for my dad.
There is one acceptable solution to this problem: If you can overnight a new shipment to the same address to arrive by the 24th, I will be satisfied. If not, you can certainly expect to hear about it on your Amazon site as well as on Consumerist.com.
This is especially upsetting to me given the way your represent yourselves on your site as dedicated to customers and giving "5 star service." I think you can agree that that is not what I've received, and I certainly do not feel like a "Valued Customer."
Please contact me to let me know how you plan to resolve this problem. My phone number is 612.xxx.xxxx if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Kate
***
Not confident that the fine staff at Papashoe would resolve this matter in time, I called them the next morning and finally reached a sane person by the name of Dan, who actually seemed to grasp the bad-ness of the situation. Dan refunded my money and told me when the shirt arrived we should just keep it. Nice, right? I was mollified, and by that I mean that my opinion of this company improved from "suck suck suck" to "neutral."
So I left them Amazon feedback to that effect:
3 out of 5 stars
The copy on the seller profile that states they will deliver products within 5 days is simply not true. Email support was vague at best and dishonest at worst. I'd been told I'd receive my package before Christmas, but it didn't arrive until the 30th. However, the person I reached on the phone was polite and apologetic, and gave me the order for free.
Date: 1/7/2009
Rated by Buyer: Kate
Fair and honest, yes? Well, I'm a mean meanypants now, according to the email I just received:
from: Support
to: Kate
date: Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 4:31 AM
subject: our request for a removal
Valued Customer,
Since we have given you this item for free to show you how sorry we are. We think that it is also fair that we ask you to remove your neutral feedback at the very least. Neutral feedback now affects us as adversely as the negative one does.
Thank you for your understanding,
www.PapaShoe.com
908-591-0006
Uhh... well, Papashoe, I'm sorry that you were adversely affected by my feedback. But I was adversely affected by your ineptitude, and I thought other people should know that. That is how feedback works. And despite the recent trend of feedback bribery and manipulation by sellers like you, people still rely on it to let them know if a company is reputable. Which is why feedback manipulation is against the terms of your seller agreement with Amazon. Which is why I forwarded them this email and reported you.
My dad better love the crap out of that shirt.
from: Kate
to: support@papashoe.com
date: Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 11:07 AM
subject: Order/shipping status #xxxxx
Hello,
I wanted to check the status of my order (number pasted below). Amazon is listing this as an open order still, and I'd like to be sure it arrives in time for Christmas.
Thanks,
Kate
Order Placed: December 15, 2008
Amazon.com order number: xxxxxx
Seller's order number: xxxxx
Order Total: $34.01
***
from: Support
to: Kate
date: Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 3:48 AM
subject: Re: Order/shipping status #xxxxx
Valued Customer,
It will be a close delivery around the time of Christmas. If there are any problems, I will let you know.
Season's Greetings,
www.PapaShoe.com
908-591-0006
***
from: Kate
to: Support
date: Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 10:51 AM
subject: Re: Order/shipping status #xxxxx
Hello again,
Hate to be a bother, but I just need to clarify. By "around the time of Christmas," you mean "before Christmas," correct?
Your information on Amazon states "Our goal is to DELIVER all products within 5 business days of payment, coast to coast. If for some reason a product goes out late, we will pay for expedited shipping to get you your product within 5 business days (at absolutely no extra charge to you!)."
So, even if we're not counting Monday the 15th, when I placed the order, 5 business days would mean delivery on Monday the 22nd. I really need to know specifically when the package will arrive.
Thanks for your help,
Kate
***
from: Support
to: Kate
date: Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 10:19 PM
subject: Re: Order/shipping status #xxxxx
Valued Customer,
Your order has been shipped. However, we are encountering a glitch with our tracking numbers so they will arrive at a later date. Please do not worry, though. They will be at your door before Christmas.
Thank you for your business,
www.PapaShoe.com
908-591-0006
***
from: Kate
to: Support
date: Mon, Dec 22, 2008 at 4:27 PM
subject: Re: Order/shipping status #xxxxx
Hello,
I've just checked the tracking for this package (FedEx #: xxxxxxxxxx), and the estimated delivery date is December 29.
Please read through the email chain below to review our previous communications. I hope you understand that this situation is completely unacceptable. Not only has your company not lived up to its "delivery in 5 days" policy, but I have been lied to by your customer service and now will not have a Christmas gift for my dad.
There is one acceptable solution to this problem: If you can overnight a new shipment to the same address to arrive by the 24th, I will be satisfied. If not, you can certainly expect to hear about it on your Amazon site as well as on Consumerist.com.
This is especially upsetting to me given the way your represent yourselves on your site as dedicated to customers and giving "5 star service." I think you can agree that that is not what I've received, and I certainly do not feel like a "Valued Customer."
Please contact me to let me know how you plan to resolve this problem. My phone number is 612.xxx.xxxx if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Kate
***
Not confident that the fine staff at Papashoe would resolve this matter in time, I called them the next morning and finally reached a sane person by the name of Dan, who actually seemed to grasp the bad-ness of the situation. Dan refunded my money and told me when the shirt arrived we should just keep it. Nice, right? I was mollified, and by that I mean that my opinion of this company improved from "suck suck suck" to "neutral."
So I left them Amazon feedback to that effect:
3 out of 5 stars
The copy on the seller profile that states they will deliver products within 5 days is simply not true. Email support was vague at best and dishonest at worst. I'd been told I'd receive my package before Christmas, but it didn't arrive until the 30th. However, the person I reached on the phone was polite and apologetic, and gave me the order for free.
Date: 1/7/2009
Rated by Buyer: Kate
Fair and honest, yes? Well, I'm a mean meanypants now, according to the email I just received:
from: Support
to: Kate
date: Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 4:31 AM
subject: our request for a removal
Valued Customer,
Since we have given you this item for free to show you how sorry we are. We think that it is also fair that we ask you to remove your neutral feedback at the very least. Neutral feedback now affects us as adversely as the negative one does.
Thank you for your understanding,
www.PapaShoe.com
908-591-0006
Uhh... well, Papashoe, I'm sorry that you were adversely affected by my feedback. But I was adversely affected by your ineptitude, and I thought other people should know that. That is how feedback works. And despite the recent trend of feedback bribery and manipulation by sellers like you, people still rely on it to let them know if a company is reputable. Which is why feedback manipulation is against the terms of your seller agreement with Amazon. Which is why I forwarded them this email and reported you.
My dad better love the crap out of that shirt.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Year-End Catchall Post of the Year's Unfinished Post Drafts
2/27: Coffee!
4/4: In college, my classmates and I thought that our major was kind of a joke, because so much involved in "marketing communications" just seems like common sense.
But sometimes now- say, when somebody thinks putting a 24-word headline on a news release is a good idea- I realize that maybe it's not that common.
5/26: Every month or so when I go to the Red Cross to donate platelets, I entertain thoughts of meeting some hot dude there. We’d meet in the lobby, and then end up in adjacent chairs for our donations, and by then we’d be having such a fine time chatting (“Isn’t donating platelets the easiest way to do good?” “I know! It’s like volunteering, but for lazy people!”) that we’d both pass up watching a movie, and by the time we hit the refreshments table we’d be in deep smit.
This never happens. In fact, I rarely even see men at the Red Cross, and when I do they’re inevitably old and married. Actually, everybody I see there is old and married.
Now that I’ve thought through this scenario, it seems that the apheresis center is not exactly a hot singles scene. It should be though, and do you know why? You could be relatively certain that a person you meet there is free of any major blood-borne diseases, has a good platelet count and normal blood pressure, has never exchanged sex for money or drugs, and is not afraid of needles. These are all excellent qualities in a potential romantic connection, and just try ascertaining that kind of information on, say, the roof at Brit’s.
6/18: Everything up is down today and everything down is up! I can't concentrate! This is madness! Cole is enlisting in the army, my ex is dating someone way classier than me, they only had pound-sized yogurts at Au Bon Pain, my iPod battery ran out, and things in general have gone haywire! Is this what happens when I try to shake it up?
7/7: Today at work, Kate and Patrick get lots done.
P: i just discovered something terrible.
K: a lump in your nads?
P: oh, why did you have to go there? what if i really did?
K: you probably wouldn't be telling me about it via google chat?
P: ok, true. no, not actually terrible. but you know how some text editing programs have a feature where it'll read what's written in that awful computer voice?
K: yes, we had a lot of fun with that in my college dorm.
P: well, i'm trying to get a scottish accent out of it. this is not appropriate nor should i be enjoying it this much.
K: what's the terrible part?
P: okay, so clearly "terrible" was a bit of an exaggeration. or maybe the completely wrong word. it's just the worst kind of time waster.
K: what program is this? can i do it in Word?
P: i don't know, but excel can. but my attempt at phonetic scottish in computer voice is pretty terrible.
K: UMM. AWESOME. how can i make it speak scottish?
P: nononono. this is me trying to make it sound scottish with phonetic spellings. it's still the same shitty computer voice
K: i know, i just wanted to know what words you were doing. i just got a pretty decent boston accent with "pahk the cah in hahvad yahd."
P: ok, so you're way better at this than me. also less vulgar. "aaaie, thot laahsie, thar's a feckin coont"
K: i will now accomplish nothing for the rest of the day.
7/9: So I got an unflattering sunburn on my chest/upper-boob area while at the Pride parade a week and a half ago, and now look like an idiot every time I wear a shirt cut lower than the one I was wearing that day. In other Pride news, I got $5 in change in the form of dollar coins at the festival, and briefly thought that they were, like, special Pride dollars. I'm dumb. I didn't know Jefferson was on those things now; I thought it was still Sacagawea. In other currency news, why don't pennies just go away already? Seriously.
7/21: I just accidentally crumbled a cupcake all over my desk and then continued to eat the pieces that were still large enough to make it worth the trouble. It was very fetching.
12/1: Holiday confession: I love, love, love that Mariah Carey song, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." I heard it for the first time this season on my drive home yesterday, and I definitely sang along. I was a major fan of MC back in the day, you know.
***
Looking back, I guess I had good reasons for not finishing a lot of these posts. Here's to better writing in '09!
4/4: In college, my classmates and I thought that our major was kind of a joke, because so much involved in "marketing communications" just seems like common sense.
But sometimes now- say, when somebody thinks putting a 24-word headline on a news release is a good idea- I realize that maybe it's not that common.
5/26: Every month or so when I go to the Red Cross to donate platelets, I entertain thoughts of meeting some hot dude there. We’d meet in the lobby, and then end up in adjacent chairs for our donations, and by then we’d be having such a fine time chatting (“Isn’t donating platelets the easiest way to do good?” “I know! It’s like volunteering, but for lazy people!”) that we’d both pass up watching a movie, and by the time we hit the refreshments table we’d be in deep smit.
This never happens. In fact, I rarely even see men at the Red Cross, and when I do they’re inevitably old and married. Actually, everybody I see there is old and married.
Now that I’ve thought through this scenario, it seems that the apheresis center is not exactly a hot singles scene. It should be though, and do you know why? You could be relatively certain that a person you meet there is free of any major blood-borne diseases, has a good platelet count and normal blood pressure, has never exchanged sex for money or drugs, and is not afraid of needles. These are all excellent qualities in a potential romantic connection, and just try ascertaining that kind of information on, say, the roof at Brit’s.
6/18: Everything up is down today and everything down is up! I can't concentrate! This is madness! Cole is enlisting in the army, my ex is dating someone way classier than me, they only had pound-sized yogurts at Au Bon Pain, my iPod battery ran out, and things in general have gone haywire! Is this what happens when I try to shake it up?
7/7: Today at work, Kate and Patrick get lots done.
P: i just discovered something terrible.
K: a lump in your nads?
P: oh, why did you have to go there? what if i really did?
K: you probably wouldn't be telling me about it via google chat?
P: ok, true. no, not actually terrible. but you know how some text editing programs have a feature where it'll read what's written in that awful computer voice?
K: yes, we had a lot of fun with that in my college dorm.
P: well, i'm trying to get a scottish accent out of it. this is not appropriate nor should i be enjoying it this much.
K: what's the terrible part?
P: okay, so clearly "terrible" was a bit of an exaggeration. or maybe the completely wrong word. it's just the worst kind of time waster.
K: what program is this? can i do it in Word?
P: i don't know, but excel can. but my attempt at phonetic scottish in computer voice is pretty terrible.
K: UMM. AWESOME. how can i make it speak scottish?
P: nononono. this is me trying to make it sound scottish with phonetic spellings. it's still the same shitty computer voice
K: i know, i just wanted to know what words you were doing. i just got a pretty decent boston accent with "pahk the cah in hahvad yahd."
P: ok, so you're way better at this than me. also less vulgar. "aaaie, thot laahsie, thar's a feckin coont"
K: i will now accomplish nothing for the rest of the day.
7/9: So I got an unflattering sunburn on my chest/upper-boob area while at the Pride parade a week and a half ago, and now look like an idiot every time I wear a shirt cut lower than the one I was wearing that day. In other Pride news, I got $5 in change in the form of dollar coins at the festival, and briefly thought that they were, like, special Pride dollars. I'm dumb. I didn't know Jefferson was on those things now; I thought it was still Sacagawea. In other currency news, why don't pennies just go away already? Seriously.
7/21: I just accidentally crumbled a cupcake all over my desk and then continued to eat the pieces that were still large enough to make it worth the trouble. It was very fetching.
12/1: Holiday confession: I love, love, love that Mariah Carey song, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." I heard it for the first time this season on my drive home yesterday, and I definitely sang along. I was a major fan of MC back in the day, you know.
***
Looking back, I guess I had good reasons for not finishing a lot of these posts. Here's to better writing in '09!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Not bitter.
When it's this cold (yesterday hit 14 below, if you're an asshole living somewhere warm and you don't know), and you're getting dressed in the morning, you think to yourself: "Well, what sweater do I want to lay down and die in after losing my will to live, like the guy in that Jack London story?"
Also, your car doors freeze shut. Which is inconvenient, if you hope to go anywhere.
Just painting a little picture for my out-of-state readership.
Also, your car doors freeze shut. Which is inconvenient, if you hope to go anywhere.
Just painting a little picture for my out-of-state readership.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
I have my priorities.
I've slacked. I've been slacking. I'm a slacker.
I don't really know what to tell you, other than it's been cold out; I've had a hard time getting out of bed in the morning; I'm watching season seven of The West Wing on DVD and finding it very compelling; I'm knitting; I'm generally doing solitary old-lady things that are keeping me away from this, my blog on the interwebs.
Speaking of solitary, this Friday is the big company holiday party, a very fancy dress-up event that I will be attending stag. My hope is that Todd will be put in charge of drink tickets again, and I can down enough before dinner that I won't mind being seated next to the other sad singles at the sad singles table. Also, Kristin is pregnant, and she said Brooke and I could have her tickets. It occurred to Brooke and me, too late, that we should have RSVP'd with fictitious dates so that we could have then taken their drink tickets too. I may be coming off a little preoccupied with drink tickets here, but economic conditions and the precarious state of our jobs mean that one never can tell when it is one's last chance to be a lush on the company dime, and I didn't get a raise this year; I'll be damned if I don't make it up in vodka.
God bless us, everyone.
I don't really know what to tell you, other than it's been cold out; I've had a hard time getting out of bed in the morning; I'm watching season seven of The West Wing on DVD and finding it very compelling; I'm knitting; I'm generally doing solitary old-lady things that are keeping me away from this, my blog on the interwebs.
Speaking of solitary, this Friday is the big company holiday party, a very fancy dress-up event that I will be attending stag. My hope is that Todd will be put in charge of drink tickets again, and I can down enough before dinner that I won't mind being seated next to the other sad singles at the sad singles table. Also, Kristin is pregnant, and she said Brooke and I could have her tickets. It occurred to Brooke and me, too late, that we should have RSVP'd with fictitious dates so that we could have then taken their drink tickets too. I may be coming off a little preoccupied with drink tickets here, but economic conditions and the precarious state of our jobs mean that one never can tell when it is one's last chance to be a lush on the company dime, and I didn't get a raise this year; I'll be damned if I don't make it up in vodka.
God bless us, everyone.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Early Thanksgiving Thankfulness
Because I'll be on the road on Wednesday night, and probably won't want to spend time online on Thursday, and because I'm procrastinating on a work project, I shall now make a list of things I am thankful for this year, so that I will be prepared when my mother makes everyone say something at Thanksgiving dinner.
1. The family is doing well. Mom is kicking ass at work, Dad has finally found a career that suits him, Jon quit smoking and continues to learn his craft as a luthier. And while Grandma probably wouldn't count this as one of her best years, I think that what happened needed to happen. And if you're an elderly widow living alone on a farm, and you're going to break a hip, you should do it in public, and in a relatively minor way, which she did. So way to go, Grandma.
2. Politically, things are looking up. Like, way up. I'm not saying that things are going to be magically fixed in January, but I am glad to know that the people in charge of trying to fix things are thoughtful and educated and don't make decisions based on their "gut" or "a feeling" or "Jesus." Also, Tom Daschle, you guys. This puts me, like, two degrees from the president. The Aberdeen mafia knows no bounds.
3. Remember that time about a year ago when I said I was going to pay off my credit card and start being a grown-up financially? Yeah, I did that. I don't want to tempt fate here, but I have built up a meager savings account that I now add to every month like a big girl. Also, the current financial crisis, if it had to happen, is at least happening at a time in my life when my portfolio is pathetic in the first place, and now has plenty of time to recover. Also, if I do get laid off, I'll have only myself to take care of. No kids, no husband, no house payment. I could totally pick up and join the circus. (A trapeze act, obviously. Finally, an appropriate occasion to wear sequins!)
4. My fuh-wends. I didn't know many people when I moved here, and for a while my friends were my brother's friends, and then my boyfriend's friends, who were all wonderful, but I sometimes felt a degree removed. So now finally, I am really glad to have do-it-yourself friends, people I met at work and book club and kickball, as well as a few members of the Aberdeen mafia, of course. This year we played kickball in formal wear, spent a rained-out cabin weekend on feats of skill and strength, and tomorrow will celebrate "Thankskegger," to which I will bring a Jell-o mold in the shape of a lobster.
Okay, so in order to fully enjoy Thankskegger, I need to finish an article. Right now. On Saturday night. Things I am not thankful for this year: My ongoing inability to write during normal work hours at my desk.
1. The family is doing well. Mom is kicking ass at work, Dad has finally found a career that suits him, Jon quit smoking and continues to learn his craft as a luthier. And while Grandma probably wouldn't count this as one of her best years, I think that what happened needed to happen. And if you're an elderly widow living alone on a farm, and you're going to break a hip, you should do it in public, and in a relatively minor way, which she did. So way to go, Grandma.
2. Politically, things are looking up. Like, way up. I'm not saying that things are going to be magically fixed in January, but I am glad to know that the people in charge of trying to fix things are thoughtful and educated and don't make decisions based on their "gut" or "a feeling" or "Jesus." Also, Tom Daschle, you guys. This puts me, like, two degrees from the president. The Aberdeen mafia knows no bounds.
3. Remember that time about a year ago when I said I was going to pay off my credit card and start being a grown-up financially? Yeah, I did that. I don't want to tempt fate here, but I have built up a meager savings account that I now add to every month like a big girl. Also, the current financial crisis, if it had to happen, is at least happening at a time in my life when my portfolio is pathetic in the first place, and now has plenty of time to recover. Also, if I do get laid off, I'll have only myself to take care of. No kids, no husband, no house payment. I could totally pick up and join the circus. (A trapeze act, obviously. Finally, an appropriate occasion to wear sequins!)
4. My fuh-wends. I didn't know many people when I moved here, and for a while my friends were my brother's friends, and then my boyfriend's friends, who were all wonderful, but I sometimes felt a degree removed. So now finally, I am really glad to have do-it-yourself friends, people I met at work and book club and kickball, as well as a few members of the Aberdeen mafia, of course. This year we played kickball in formal wear, spent a rained-out cabin weekend on feats of skill and strength, and tomorrow will celebrate "Thankskegger," to which I will bring a Jell-o mold in the shape of a lobster.
Okay, so in order to fully enjoy Thankskegger, I need to finish an article. Right now. On Saturday night. Things I am not thankful for this year: My ongoing inability to write during normal work hours at my desk.
Monday, November 17, 2008
I bet she uses Jergens.
Most adorable quote in yesterday's paper, from a second grader who met Michelle Obama during her tour of DC schools: "I touched her hand and she smelled like cherries."
I am totally jealous of that second grader.
I am totally jealous of that second grader.
Friday, November 7, 2008
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