Y'all. I am at my peak. The summit. The edge. The end of my rope.
And today it is all because of FedEx. This breakdown brought to you by FedEx - a champion of aggravation!
I use FedEx because:
1. The drop off is blocks away from my house - the house full of crazy. I can walk when it is not sweltering outside. (Let me refer you to my previous post - 2 months ago.)
2. I have an account there and don't need to worry about paying.
3. It is easier to use FedEx ground that USPS.
It has been quite awhile since I have used FedEx until last week. As I normally do I fill out a slip, either online or by hand, pack up my package, drop it off and charge it . Easy cheesy.
I received a letter this week from FedEx. The credit card on the account has a problem and that I needed to go online to pay the charges or call FedEx. I chose go online.
The online experience was so trying. I input my email address. Could not be found. I input my other address - could not be found. OK. I sign-up, input all required info, input my account number and input the last 4 digits of my credit card. I assumed (silly me) they meant the credit card I wished to use on the account, seeing that I had to register the account online and it did not have any info tied to it. I hit submit and it asked me again to input the last 4 digits. I did that and it takes me back to the registration prompt. I quit. I did it all again and I get back to the prompt. Quit. Did it again. Yelled at the monitor. Ok. Three times I am the idiot now. So I decided to call.
I spoke with a rep, rather quickly I might have to say. She asked me the name on the account, to verify the address, and the last 4 digits of the credit card number on file. I did not know the last 4 digits. We opened that account umteen years ago. I do not even know what card has the issue - has it expired, is it the one we had to have renewed due to fraud? I do not know. She said she can't help me unless I had an invoice number or the cc #. I told her that I did not have an invoice, that I drop off my packages and that is that. She said she can not help me. Sorry. FedEx policy. Sorry. Policy. Sorry. Sorry.
Now let me refresh your memory. We received a letter stating I need to contact FedEX to give them new credit card info. I was calling to put the new credit card on the account so they can charge me. FedEx wouldn't go any further with me because I did not know what credit card I used years ago on the account. Is it me or does anyone else see the Catch 22 in this? I searched files, I pulled out old cc #s. I get madder and madder.
Then I have a thought - check the mail. Voila - an invoice. I give said invoice number to her and miraculously we can get through everything else as needed. All I needed to know now was could the charges on the account be put on the cc. I had to be transferred.
As I waited she came back on about 5 times to say she was trying to connect me but she was having phone trouble. (Did I say yet that it sounded like she was whsipering through a can rolling in gravel during all of this but when she put me on hold, Beethoven's 5th was on the highest volume the phone could tolerate before exploding the speaker out?) Finally I heard breathing (really I did) and I said "hello". The agent said"umm hello". I said "hello" and Beethoven blasted me off the receiver. I waited and she came back and then Ludwig was back. Finally she came back (hallelujah) and asks if I wanted to put the charges on the card. She took care of all and we were done.
The call alone took about 20 minutes, in all about 40. 40 minutes of my life I will not have back again. Couple that with the Sprint "courtesy" call I got today from somewhere outside of the US. Well, if he was not outside the US, then he was definitely not from the US. (I love all people from all over the world but dang nab - please- if someone works in customer service, sales or support - please, for the love of God and all that is good - please speak English correctly, audibly and with understanding. I know everyone needs a job but some jobs require English speaking skills.) I tried to kindly twart the call but ended up a 20 minute excrusiation instead.
I told him I was at work and he wanted to know if he could call me tonight. Sure - let me kick back tonight and talk with you while the kids need a bath, dinner needs to be made, homework needs assistance and to be checked, so you can tell me why since I am a valued Sprint customer, you need to sell me a new line for $9 a month for a family, friend or loved one. They'll even throw in a new phone (which believe me was so dang tempting since I have a hate/hate relationship with my phone) but I explained that I am just waiting for Paul's contract to expire and for the day that I accidentally drop my phone behind the tire of my van and roll over the stinking thing so I can get an iphone.
Why is everything so dang difficult these days? Why is customer service taking a national plunge? Why is technology making my life harder instead of easier? Why are other people who I am in no way related to, aquainted with or have any connection other than we are from the same species sucking time out of my day?
So all this has driven me to blog. Pretty or eloquent -no. Therapeutic - yes.
Got to go now. Time to experience life and gather more blog fodder. Have a customer service/telemarketing-free night all. Dah Dah Dah Dahhhh.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
It's too hot y'all!
Happy July 5th. Thought I would give the 5th a day of attention since the 4th got so much.
Summer is fully here my friends in the tropics of south east Louisiana. Last week I spent the weekend in a cabin in the swamp. Notice I say in the cabin. Well it would have been too difficult to crop (scrapbook) outside anyway but we really did not venture outside except to get better cell phone reception. (Side note - why is it that when you can't get tower or whatever it is that you need to make a phone call, you can text?) Back to the swamp - we did not go out also because it is so dang hot. Africa hot. The kind of hot when you walk outside you immediately start sweating. Now I am no fan of sweat, it's ok. But faucet pouring sweat down the face, the head from the scalp, behind the knees, even down the back is just yuck, if you do not have workout clothes or a bathing suit on. Today we looked at weather.com for the forecast - 96 degrees (another side note - how do you type the symbol for degrees? Anyone?) with 66 % humidity. Heck - you can drink the air with that much humidity.
This past week, well for most of it, it has been unbearably hot. I just want to say to anyone who HAS to work out side for a living - I feel so badly for you. Please drink a lot of water and find some shade. Actually if you can find shade it is not as bad. Who am I kidding? I was under a house (elevated) yesterday and last night and it was hhhhooooottttt.
The girls have been a bit bored and have decided that fighting at any given chance would help wain the hours away. I have threatened all sorts of punishments but one really is effective - "You will have to go outside for the rest of the day if you don't stop ....." Now surely you know that I would not just throw them out of the house into the back yard. I would be sure they had water. No really I can't do that unless there was a water feature in the backyard like, ummm, a hose. Even peace and quiet is thwarted by the dang heat.
What scares me most of all is the electric bill. I dread getting it. I know it will be high and I will have to live with that but it sure stings - twice. Once when I open it and then when I write the check.
Even the pool is hot. A little tidbit about me - I do not like hot water. I do not like to bathe in hot or even warmer water. I am not a fan of sitting in a mass of water that is hot at all. Now cold is too cold. I like cool to warm. So the pool right now is on the warm side and that is just nauseating to me. But the children like it. They don't care. Well actually they do. When Sarah and our friends went to the pool recently when Paul, Katie and I were at the emergency room for her lip (another blog at another time), they went to the pool and only stayed about 20 minutes. Should have sent her with shampoo and soap and had her clean up.
So as I write I am dreading this afternoon. Paul and his band, In His Company, are playing at the Mandeville Seafood Festival tonight on the Dew Drop stage. After they play Paul is playing with FBC Cov's worship team. It will be a long evening. I want to go see the Radiators at 4:30 but just don't know if I can take being out that long (and I suspect it will be crowded). Oh - we could go in the lake for a dip or at least get out feet wet. Hmmm.
Friends, stay cool. Stay indoors. Keep hydrated. Pray for a cool snap. It could happen. I need to go figure out what I am wearing so that when I get drenched today I won't be weighed down. Misery will have company.
Summer is fully here my friends in the tropics of south east Louisiana. Last week I spent the weekend in a cabin in the swamp. Notice I say in the cabin. Well it would have been too difficult to crop (scrapbook) outside anyway but we really did not venture outside except to get better cell phone reception. (Side note - why is it that when you can't get tower or whatever it is that you need to make a phone call, you can text?) Back to the swamp - we did not go out also because it is so dang hot. Africa hot. The kind of hot when you walk outside you immediately start sweating. Now I am no fan of sweat, it's ok. But faucet pouring sweat down the face, the head from the scalp, behind the knees, even down the back is just yuck, if you do not have workout clothes or a bathing suit on. Today we looked at weather.com for the forecast - 96 degrees (another side note - how do you type the symbol for degrees? Anyone?) with 66 % humidity. Heck - you can drink the air with that much humidity.
This past week, well for most of it, it has been unbearably hot. I just want to say to anyone who HAS to work out side for a living - I feel so badly for you. Please drink a lot of water and find some shade. Actually if you can find shade it is not as bad. Who am I kidding? I was under a house (elevated) yesterday and last night and it was hhhhooooottttt.
The girls have been a bit bored and have decided that fighting at any given chance would help wain the hours away. I have threatened all sorts of punishments but one really is effective - "You will have to go outside for the rest of the day if you don't stop ....." Now surely you know that I would not just throw them out of the house into the back yard. I would be sure they had water. No really I can't do that unless there was a water feature in the backyard like, ummm, a hose. Even peace and quiet is thwarted by the dang heat.
What scares me most of all is the electric bill. I dread getting it. I know it will be high and I will have to live with that but it sure stings - twice. Once when I open it and then when I write the check.
Even the pool is hot. A little tidbit about me - I do not like hot water. I do not like to bathe in hot or even warmer water. I am not a fan of sitting in a mass of water that is hot at all. Now cold is too cold. I like cool to warm. So the pool right now is on the warm side and that is just nauseating to me. But the children like it. They don't care. Well actually they do. When Sarah and our friends went to the pool recently when Paul, Katie and I were at the emergency room for her lip (another blog at another time), they went to the pool and only stayed about 20 minutes. Should have sent her with shampoo and soap and had her clean up.
So as I write I am dreading this afternoon. Paul and his band, In His Company, are playing at the Mandeville Seafood Festival tonight on the Dew Drop stage. After they play Paul is playing with FBC Cov's worship team. It will be a long evening. I want to go see the Radiators at 4:30 but just don't know if I can take being out that long (and I suspect it will be crowded). Oh - we could go in the lake for a dip or at least get out feet wet. Hmmm.
Friends, stay cool. Stay indoors. Keep hydrated. Pray for a cool snap. It could happen. I need to go figure out what I am wearing so that when I get drenched today I won't be weighed down. Misery will have company.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Why I like Summer
Everyone is making lists or answers questions on lists these days on the facebook interweb thing. I do not do these for many reasons - time, effort, and too much to think about and type. But I have been thinking about some things today that make me happy about summer. I thought I'd list them for you. There is no ranking here - just thoughts.
1. The smell of coconut - lotion, candles, drinks, whatever. Love coconut.
2. Get to sleep later than 6:45 a.m. except during VBS, camp weeks and if we happen to go on vacation and need to get up early to drive to get to the park, etc.
3. Swimming.
4. BBQ and ice tea. Now we do this all year but it just fits better in the summer.
5. Seasonal fruits and vegetables. Just bought 2 seedless watermelons and I think I almost single handed ate one of them. I have a new love for melons. Did not like cantaloupe when I was a child. Mine like it. Cool.
6. Growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and herbs.
7. The smell of fresh cut grass.
8. The smell of rain.
9. Snoballs. Plum Street hands down chocolate.
10. Wearing my Volatile sandals.
11. AC.
12. Going to the farmers market for vegetables.
13. Going on vacation.
14. Cleaning house - really cleaning. Organizing. Purging. Storing away treasures.
15. The beach.
16. Shrimp.
17. Being with the kids.
18. VBS.
19. Knowing school starts in August.
20. It gets dark later.
21. Baseball.
22. Waterparks. Swimming pools. Sprinklers. Hoses. Water in general.
23. Basketball.
24. Scrapbook retreat/crop/weekend and being with my peeps.
Now that was so positive of me. It was hard not to throw in the negatives. So what is a girl to do - list those negatives, of course.
1. School is out.
2. It is some kind of hot and muggy.
3. Bathing suits.
4. Shorts.
5. Work is at the same pace and the kids are at home so it makes it hard to get things done.
6. I just wanna play.
7. Lazy days, lazy girl.
8. Sunburn.
9. The electric bill is ridiculous.
10. May not be able to go on vacation this year.
11. Camping.
12. Hurricanes and evacuations.
13. Baseball. (I know I put it on Likes but sometimes it always seems to be on.)
14. The sounds of fighting.
15. Mosquitoes. Oh ok. They are out almost the whole year round but I'm not.
16. Watering the grass.
17. Bad snoballs.
18. Sweating like a faucet. Sweating is ok but not soaking.
19. Children boredom which leads to mother bothersome.
I guess that's it for now. Looks like the positives outweigh the negatives. Cool.
Happy summer everyone. Have lots of fun , don't forget your sunscreen, have lots of fun and make sure you are ready in case you have to evacuate. We'll probably be here on a staycation this year unless we win the HGTV Green House.
1. The smell of coconut - lotion, candles, drinks, whatever. Love coconut.
2. Get to sleep later than 6:45 a.m. except during VBS, camp weeks and if we happen to go on vacation and need to get up early to drive to get to the park, etc.
3. Swimming.
4. BBQ and ice tea. Now we do this all year but it just fits better in the summer.
5. Seasonal fruits and vegetables. Just bought 2 seedless watermelons and I think I almost single handed ate one of them. I have a new love for melons. Did not like cantaloupe when I was a child. Mine like it. Cool.
6. Growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and herbs.
7. The smell of fresh cut grass.
8. The smell of rain.
9. Snoballs. Plum Street hands down chocolate.
10. Wearing my Volatile sandals.
11. AC.
12. Going to the farmers market for vegetables.
13. Going on vacation.
14. Cleaning house - really cleaning. Organizing. Purging. Storing away treasures.
15. The beach.
16. Shrimp.
17. Being with the kids.
18. VBS.
19. Knowing school starts in August.
20. It gets dark later.
21. Baseball.
22. Waterparks. Swimming pools. Sprinklers. Hoses. Water in general.
23. Basketball.
24. Scrapbook retreat/crop/weekend and being with my peeps.
Now that was so positive of me. It was hard not to throw in the negatives. So what is a girl to do - list those negatives, of course.
1. School is out.
2. It is some kind of hot and muggy.
3. Bathing suits.
4. Shorts.
5. Work is at the same pace and the kids are at home so it makes it hard to get things done.
6. I just wanna play.
7. Lazy days, lazy girl.
8. Sunburn.
9. The electric bill is ridiculous.
10. May not be able to go on vacation this year.
11. Camping.
12. Hurricanes and evacuations.
13. Baseball. (I know I put it on Likes but sometimes it always seems to be on.)
14. The sounds of fighting.
15. Mosquitoes. Oh ok. They are out almost the whole year round but I'm not.
16. Watering the grass.
17. Bad snoballs.
18. Sweating like a faucet. Sweating is ok but not soaking.
19. Children boredom which leads to mother bothersome.
I guess that's it for now. Looks like the positives outweigh the negatives. Cool.
Happy summer everyone. Have lots of fun , don't forget your sunscreen, have lots of fun and make sure you are ready in case you have to evacuate. We'll probably be here on a staycation this year unless we win the HGTV Green House.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
So you want to renew your driver's license...
Today I decided to look into renewing my driver's license since it will expire this month. I went on line first to renew my car's registration. Filled out the form, used the info from my renewal statement that came in the mail, hit send, voila registration completed.
Next I was ready to renew my driver's license. When I go to the first page this is what I see:
Step 1a: Certify Conditions
By exercising this method of renewal, I am certifying under penalty of law the following:
- I have received a Louisiana computer generated mail-in renewal invitation.
- I have not experienced any loss of consciousness other than normal sleep.
- I do not have any mental or physical condition that would impair my ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
Blah-de-blah blah about registration - so on and so forth, amen.
I certify the above statements to be true and correct. Yes, No
Ok. First what the heck do they mean have I not loss consciousness other than normal sleep. Really? Are they really asking this on this form? I just find that bizarre. Secondly - can I really honestly say I have no mental condition. I am almost 50 years old with 2 kids under 11 years old, own my own business with plenty stressful episodes daily, and so goes my life. Are they really expecting me to answer this honestly? Third(ly?), I am too honest sometimes. I can not continue on because I did not get a renewal in the mail.
So, now I have to call the DMV (or in the New Orleans area - the driver''s license place). After going through the automated directions (now here is a blog just waiting to happen - computer generated voice directions vs. a human - ok, a human that speaks English as their first or second language. People we live in the USA. Our official language is English. I expect to speak English or have someone at least understand English when they are in customer service. Another time though.) I am in the queue for 7 minutes, caller number 20. Thank goodness for speaker phones. Not only does the DMV have music on hold but helpful tips about driving, getting your license, registration and so on.
When I do speak to a customer service rep I am told that I can not renew on line because I did not get a renewal/invitation. She said they are like jury duty - some people get them and some don't. She said that when I go to the DMV (synonymous with going to the dentist or GYN) to make sure I have paperwork, my license and cash - $24.50. Now why? Why not $25? Will they make change? No check. No credit card. Just cash. $24.50. And she says to be sure when I get my license that my name and address is correct before I get out of line. I did not ask but I suppose if you are walking out, see they spelled your name wrong or gave you a different name or address and you go back, you have to pull a number and wait all over again. Now I don't know about you but that is just wrong.
I do not relish the idea of having to go there in the first place. The pool of humanity can be off the charts. There are things being said, stories being told or scenarios that just make my mind run amok that I would rather not experience. Secondly I feel intimidated in there. They have the power and they know it. I ain't messing around with them - you best believe. I want quick in and quick out. A nice photo would be a bonus but they can't pose you or tell you that "The first shot makes you look fat. Let's take another one darlin." Oh no. "Look here." Click. "That's all you get now move on." That's it for the next 2 years. And how about the weight question? I hope I don't get a look over the glasses or a "A huh". That would set me off and I can't afford to do that.
So wish me luck. Maybe I can use the experience for another blog. Or maybe I should pray I get a renewal form/invitation in the mail next time. Watch me get jury duty instead.
I'm off to unconsciousness.
Next I was ready to renew my driver's license. When I go to the first page this is what I see:
Step 1a: Certify Conditions
By exercising this method of renewal, I am certifying under penalty of law the following:
- I have received a Louisiana computer generated mail-in renewal invitation.
- I have not experienced any loss of consciousness other than normal sleep.
- I do not have any mental or physical condition that would impair my ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
Blah-de-blah blah about registration - so on and so forth, amen.
I certify the above statements to be true and correct. Yes, No
Ok. First what the heck do they mean have I not loss consciousness other than normal sleep. Really? Are they really asking this on this form? I just find that bizarre. Secondly - can I really honestly say I have no mental condition. I am almost 50 years old with 2 kids under 11 years old, own my own business with plenty stressful episodes daily, and so goes my life. Are they really expecting me to answer this honestly? Third(ly?), I am too honest sometimes. I can not continue on because I did not get a renewal in the mail.
So, now I have to call the DMV (or in the New Orleans area - the driver''s license place). After going through the automated directions (now here is a blog just waiting to happen - computer generated voice directions vs. a human - ok, a human that speaks English as their first or second language. People we live in the USA. Our official language is English. I expect to speak English or have someone at least understand English when they are in customer service. Another time though.) I am in the queue for 7 minutes, caller number 20. Thank goodness for speaker phones. Not only does the DMV have music on hold but helpful tips about driving, getting your license, registration and so on.
When I do speak to a customer service rep I am told that I can not renew on line because I did not get a renewal/invitation. She said they are like jury duty - some people get them and some don't. She said that when I go to the DMV (synonymous with going to the dentist or GYN) to make sure I have paperwork, my license and cash - $24.50. Now why? Why not $25? Will they make change? No check. No credit card. Just cash. $24.50. And she says to be sure when I get my license that my name and address is correct before I get out of line. I did not ask but I suppose if you are walking out, see they spelled your name wrong or gave you a different name or address and you go back, you have to pull a number and wait all over again. Now I don't know about you but that is just wrong.
I do not relish the idea of having to go there in the first place. The pool of humanity can be off the charts. There are things being said, stories being told or scenarios that just make my mind run amok that I would rather not experience. Secondly I feel intimidated in there. They have the power and they know it. I ain't messing around with them - you best believe. I want quick in and quick out. A nice photo would be a bonus but they can't pose you or tell you that "The first shot makes you look fat. Let's take another one darlin." Oh no. "Look here." Click. "That's all you get now move on." That's it for the next 2 years. And how about the weight question? I hope I don't get a look over the glasses or a "A huh". That would set me off and I can't afford to do that.
So wish me luck. Maybe I can use the experience for another blog. Or maybe I should pray I get a renewal form/invitation in the mail next time. Watch me get jury duty instead.
I'm off to unconsciousness.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
10 years ago
Ten years ago around this time I was being driven to the hospital in Massachusetts to be admitted for a scheduled C-section for our first child. It was a misty morning and I was nervous and excited at the same time. We just moved to Massachusetts a few days prior. I went to see my new OB on a Thursday and he said "Looks like we'll have a baby on Monday". My reaction - "This Monday. Like the Monday after this Saturday Monday. Can we wait?" He said I could, but for how long. "A month or so maybe?" I replied. I was not ready. I just moved from New York, had boxes and boxes to open, things to put away, we did not have a changing table or any furniture for that matter. We borrowed Sheila and Kevin's baby bassinet. Fortunately for us, Cindy was in to see her folks in Conn. and she drove over to see us. When you need action done, Cindy is the one to call. She took good care of us and got all we needed for those first days.
So I remember the op room. Not a place that is cheery. It probably made me more nervous than ever. I can't recall all the procedures except for the arms out routine, the draping, the tugging and such. I however vividly remember when the doctor delivered the baby and showed her to me over the drape. Something came flying towards me before the baby so I was stunned when I saw the little one. They took her and cleaned her up, checked her out, measured her and such. Paul was right next to me. Staring down at me. He looked ashen. He kept stroking me. Then they gave the baby to Paul and he brought her down to me. All I could see was her face. She was a cocoon with a cap. But to me she was beautiful. I fell utterly, totally, fully and unconditionally in love with this child. Right there.
After I was all taken care of, we were in a recovery room. Us. Our new family. Our new baby - Sarah - Paul and me. Paul held her oddly at first. I suppose he was being very cautious. After awhile he did bring her to me in the bed. I stared at that child for the beginning of an eternity. There was nothing more important or more interesting to me at that time. Just Sarah.
And now 10 years later I reflect on what a wonderful child my Saz is. She is smart, talented, funny, beautiful, interesting, good hearted, and a blessed child of God. She is so precious to me. I love her with all I am. God has shown me what love is for a child that I never could have understood before. He has shown me what my mom feels, which I never did understand before.
Not everyday is a bed of roses I do have to admit. Those of you who know us know that I am at wit's end most days; some new adventure to traverse on a daily basis around here.
But all in all I am so proud of my Saz. She's a great kid. Thank you God for this child and for the blessing to be her mother. I prayed so many days for a child and You have answered my prayer many fold.
Happy Birthday my little pooka. Here's to your first decade. I love you dearly.
Mom
So I remember the op room. Not a place that is cheery. It probably made me more nervous than ever. I can't recall all the procedures except for the arms out routine, the draping, the tugging and such. I however vividly remember when the doctor delivered the baby and showed her to me over the drape. Something came flying towards me before the baby so I was stunned when I saw the little one. They took her and cleaned her up, checked her out, measured her and such. Paul was right next to me. Staring down at me. He looked ashen. He kept stroking me. Then they gave the baby to Paul and he brought her down to me. All I could see was her face. She was a cocoon with a cap. But to me she was beautiful. I fell utterly, totally, fully and unconditionally in love with this child. Right there.
After I was all taken care of, we were in a recovery room. Us. Our new family. Our new baby - Sarah - Paul and me. Paul held her oddly at first. I suppose he was being very cautious. After awhile he did bring her to me in the bed. I stared at that child for the beginning of an eternity. There was nothing more important or more interesting to me at that time. Just Sarah.
And now 10 years later I reflect on what a wonderful child my Saz is. She is smart, talented, funny, beautiful, interesting, good hearted, and a blessed child of God. She is so precious to me. I love her with all I am. God has shown me what love is for a child that I never could have understood before. He has shown me what my mom feels, which I never did understand before.
Not everyday is a bed of roses I do have to admit. Those of you who know us know that I am at wit's end most days; some new adventure to traverse on a daily basis around here.
But all in all I am so proud of my Saz. She's a great kid. Thank you God for this child and for the blessing to be her mother. I prayed so many days for a child and You have answered my prayer many fold.
Happy Birthday my little pooka. Here's to your first decade. I love you dearly.
Mom
Friday, April 24, 2009
Jazz Fest and I'm not there :(
Jazz Fest starts today. Love Jazz Fest. Jazz Fest was one of the main reasons I wanted to move back home . (OK, the cold weather, high housing costs and lack of great food were up there too, not to mention being around family) Jazz Fest is so much better than Mardi Gras. Great music of all types - jazz, gospel, rock, zydeco, Cajun, kids and so on. I love it all. I especially love the gospel tent. The music coming out that tent is so rich and encompassing. And so many of my favs are coming this year. OK I have odd taste perhaps but I love Joe Cocker, James Taylor, Dave Matthews, Emmy Lou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Neville Brothers and The Radiators. Is Marva Wright going to be there? Love her. Jakob Taylor, The Robert Cray Band, Los Lobos will all be there. Erykah Badu, Rebirth Brass Band and the Imagination Movers. And oh so many more. MANY. Check out the line up http://www.nojazzfest.com/ .
$50 a day.
Now I am NOT saying this is not the best deal in the world - all these bands (and there are too many to count) for $50 a day. (Oh - they are playing on 5 days, not all on one day. Cher. That would be too much.) But $50. That is $110 for the 4 of us (kids $5 - now that is a DEAL). I can't pick what day I would go. And see that is another issue - parking. They do have parking in some spots but it is mostly hit or miss or park and ride.
And then there is food. The food is spectacular. And the crafts -oh the crafts are out of site. Some crafts people are history lessons of themselves and their art/trade.
Then there are the posters, the shirts, and so on.
And the weather is to be picture perfect. Hot now but no rain which means no mud.
Now if I could get free tickets, darlin' that would be sweet. Still not sure when I would go but it would make it all easier. Anyone have free tickets they want to share?
So I guess I will have to admire from afar - and I mean afar. I can go on the website and get the simulcast on 5/2 and 5/3 I suppose. Crack open a cool beverage of some nature. Break out the watercolors or clay. Stand in the sun in the backyard. Park the car 20 blocks away and go get it. That could give me some of the flava.
So here's to the 40th New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Guess the Nevilles will have to close without me - unless any Neville is reading and wants to donate some tickets?
If you can go - please do and let me know how it was. Just don't rub it in! Don't forget your sunscreen.
$50 a day.
Now I am NOT saying this is not the best deal in the world - all these bands (and there are too many to count) for $50 a day. (Oh - they are playing on 5 days, not all on one day. Cher. That would be too much.) But $50. That is $110 for the 4 of us (kids $5 - now that is a DEAL). I can't pick what day I would go. And see that is another issue - parking. They do have parking in some spots but it is mostly hit or miss or park and ride.
And then there is food. The food is spectacular. And the crafts -oh the crafts are out of site. Some crafts people are history lessons of themselves and their art/trade.
Then there are the posters, the shirts, and so on.
And the weather is to be picture perfect. Hot now but no rain which means no mud.
Now if I could get free tickets, darlin' that would be sweet. Still not sure when I would go but it would make it all easier. Anyone have free tickets they want to share?
So I guess I will have to admire from afar - and I mean afar. I can go on the website and get the simulcast on 5/2 and 5/3 I suppose. Crack open a cool beverage of some nature. Break out the watercolors or clay. Stand in the sun in the backyard. Park the car 20 blocks away and go get it. That could give me some of the flava.
So here's to the 40th New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Guess the Nevilles will have to close without me - unless any Neville is reading and wants to donate some tickets?
If you can go - please do and let me know how it was. Just don't rub it in! Don't forget your sunscreen.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Happy Candy Day
Can someone explain to me why every holiday has to have some sort of candy associated with it? Is the candy industry secretly running the country? I mean every time you turn around there is candy - the same candy mind you but wrapped in a different color or designed wrapper.
Start with Halloween. What is Trick or Treating without candy? Nothing. Sure you can pop some popcorn and buy some erasers and pencils but candy is meant to be handed out. OK. I get that.
Then it's Thanksgiving. OK, candy is not priority but it is available say for hostess gifts. Then Christmas. You name it and it is available, for stockings mostly but also for gifts and candy dishes.
Valentine's Day holds the market on candy I think. Say you just want roses or jewelry but candy is king.
Easter is also a big candy holiday. I happen to know that the Easter Bunny also gives out sports balls, dolls, knick knacks, gizmos and chips. But he prefers to distribute the sugary stuff. Oh and edible grass.
Mother's Day. There's a big candy holiday.
And then we rest for awhile. Guess the candy manufacturers go on vacation in the summer.
Maybe the dental association runs the country. Or Jenny Craig?
There is some candy I can just do without. Anything with marshmallows. Yuck. Anything with liquid goo inside. Yuck. Fruit flavored hard candy. Yuck. Fruit flavored hard candy with some jam like substance inside. Oh yuck. Floral flavored candy. Yuck. Jaw breakers. The dental association must be behind this. Sticky candy. See?
Now notice chocolate did not get on the list. Chocolate is the bomb and there is no substitute. Dark is preferred however milk is very good as well. Now to throw a kink in there - white chocolate. Back to yuck.
So now we have to purge this home of the evil stuff. I know I have a weakness for it. Hard to "be good" and have kisses and Dove bars around.
So happy belated candy holiday. I hear a malted milk ball calling my name. Shut up!
Start with Halloween. What is Trick or Treating without candy? Nothing. Sure you can pop some popcorn and buy some erasers and pencils but candy is meant to be handed out. OK. I get that.
Then it's Thanksgiving. OK, candy is not priority but it is available say for hostess gifts. Then Christmas. You name it and it is available, for stockings mostly but also for gifts and candy dishes.
Valentine's Day holds the market on candy I think. Say you just want roses or jewelry but candy is king.
Easter is also a big candy holiday. I happen to know that the Easter Bunny also gives out sports balls, dolls, knick knacks, gizmos and chips. But he prefers to distribute the sugary stuff. Oh and edible grass.
Mother's Day. There's a big candy holiday.
And then we rest for awhile. Guess the candy manufacturers go on vacation in the summer.
Maybe the dental association runs the country. Or Jenny Craig?
There is some candy I can just do without. Anything with marshmallows. Yuck. Anything with liquid goo inside. Yuck. Fruit flavored hard candy. Yuck. Fruit flavored hard candy with some jam like substance inside. Oh yuck. Floral flavored candy. Yuck. Jaw breakers. The dental association must be behind this. Sticky candy. See?
Now notice chocolate did not get on the list. Chocolate is the bomb and there is no substitute. Dark is preferred however milk is very good as well. Now to throw a kink in there - white chocolate. Back to yuck.
So now we have to purge this home of the evil stuff. I know I have a weakness for it. Hard to "be good" and have kisses and Dove bars around.
So happy belated candy holiday. I hear a malted milk ball calling my name. Shut up!
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