I Miss "Extras"

One of my favorite shows of all time, and this episode was the first one I watched:

Clean Sweep

I've been a busy bee this weekend.  The garage has been full of my boxes for the last two years and I decided it was well past time to go through them and get rid of stuff.  Plus put together a couple of boxes of housewares for the Virginians/Texans.

Geezus, I had a lot of crap.  So one trip to the Goodwill, one trip to Auntie's Bookstore, and 3 Craigslist ads for freebies later, the GIANT TV is gone, Clifford the Big Red Couch is gone, I found a knitting project I had forgotten about, and someone may be able to park their car in the garage this winter.  Plus I'm happy that a considerable amount of stuff has or will find its way to loving new homes.

Thanks, P, for helping me schlep all the crap to the various donation stations.

A Day Out for the Old Lady

The girls were kind enough to take me to the movies today.  And as always when I choose the film, they were the only people under 50 in the theater.

We saw "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel", which I loved (and I think they enjoyed it too).  Most of my favorite Brits were in the cast except my gal Helen M.  It was a sweet movie, almost made me want to go to India.

We did a little shopping too: I bought a hoodie at the Gap as I was freezing (evidently I thought the 90 degree temps Cara and I were discussing this morning were here in Spokane.  Instead, it's that warm in DC and in Austin.  Here -- cold.)  Pia bought some cute shoes at Nordy's half-yearly sale.  Katie bought the World's Cutest Swimsuit and Matching Swim Cap for her pal Sarah's baby girl (due in the fall).  Hopefully Katie will show pictures bc this outfit was To. Die. For.

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Rant Mode ON

Grrr.  Don't you hate it when you get really crap customer service?  This happened today:

I needed to mail a Fedex package.  The recipient is paying the cost.  Seems pretty simple.  So I walked over to my nearest Fedex store, which is Manito Ship and Copy (putting the name right out there so you'll know to avoid this place)  Mind you, I've mailed 3 prior packages the same way, at the same place with no problem at all.

The cheery owner was on duty.  I told her what I needed, and she asked how I was sending the package.  I said "recipient is paying, can I please have a Fedex mailing label and box?"  Again, seems pretty simple.  Fedex GIVES their stores those shipping supplies so that customers can USE THEM.

Imagine my surprise when she refused to give me a Fedex box.  She cheerily informed me that "I have to make my money somehow, I can't be giving away boxes.  You can buy a box.  Or you can go downtown if you want a free box."  I told her I had gotten Fedex boxes there several times and she said "no you didn't".  When I insisted that yes I did, she said "well I'll have to talk to my employees about that"

Since I didn't have the time or the inclination to "go downtown" for my free box, I bought a fucking padded envelope from her.  And was not the least bit nice about it.  I only wish I had cash to pay her, because I think I would have spit on it before I handed it over.

OMFG.  Really lady?  This is such hideously stupid and bad customer service I can't even understand it.  Not only have you ensured that I will NEVER GO IN YOUR STORE AND BUY ANYTHING EVER AGAIN, I have also filed a complaint with Fedex (because that is the kind of angry customer I am), and I'll of course tell this story to anyone who ever mentions Fedex, mailing packages, Manito businesses, and bad service.  So for the crappy $2.50 you made on today's forced purchase, I'm guessing you are going to lose on that sale.

Okay, rant mode off.  God.

Only 76 Days Til My Birthday

Ah, Fame

Remember when I posed for this picture, wearing the "Barrister's Wig" and doing my best Queen Victoria impersonation?  It paid off, people.

I received this email today:

"I came across your wonderful blog while searching for Queen Victoria lookalikes on Google.  Myself and two colleagues are producing a book called Forgotten Lancashire, a spoof local history of the County of Lancashire in England.  This requires a picture of a very poor Queen Victoria lookalike, and we would love to include your picture in it (it would only be about an inch high, unfortunately!).

Do we have your permission to use it and, if so, to whom should we credit the picture?"

Who could resist the chance to appear in a spoof history book?  Not I.  Look for me (one inch high) at your local bookshop.