Unprofessionalism at Its Finest

Well, I had an interesting conclusion to my work week yesterday. We had been using a consultant for this past year to do some work for us. We treated him as part of the staff: he had an office, phone extension, email address, etc. And he had been given our member database, our leads, and some of our insider stories about "bad" members. We decided to let him go this week for many reasons, but it was supposedly an amicable parting, and he was ready to be let go. So mutual decision.

In any case, no one was told the terms of letting go: is he finishing out his contract year, or just completely out of the picture? Then I got an email from him about something work-related, so I figured he was finishing out the rest of his contract year. I later sent him a message asking him to contact one of our "problem members," which I called "problem member" in the email, which he promptly forwarded to said member with my phone number.

Talk about unprofessional, spiteful, mean, and fully setting ablaze the bridge with our organization. I was completely horrified, and the member of course called me two minutes later, indignant. Talk about embarrassing. (I guess that's why they say don't put anything in an email you wouldn't want getting back to the person, but you don't suspect that sort of thing with "trusted" coworkers.)

My boss is completely livid (as was I) and going to talk to the CEO to express her displeasure at the consultant's idiocy. The industry I work in is small and quite incestuous, so why would he want to piss us off it he wants to continue working in the industry? Our CEO knows everyone and is very well-liked. Why burn bridges when there was no malice to the letting go? Unbelievable. Needless to say, it was a two-glass-of-wine night last night.

We Got Some Blueberries

Today Jeffro and I made our now annual trek to Butler's Orchard with NOAAgirl. Now, we are set for blueberries for quite some time! I have two parties to go to this week that require bringing food, so I think I know how I'll be using some of these babies up! I just love, love, love blueberries and it's oh-so-sad that they're not a year-round fruit. Oh, I know you can import them in the winter, but they're never as good or as cheap.

Mystery Pooper

First of all, I never posted about my recent vet appointment where my vet told me my old dog has only a few weeks to live. I couldn't post about it cause I was too shocked and upset initially, but I'm doing better about it now. I mean, I knew she didn't have long, but I didn't know it was that short. She'll be 15 in August, and I was hoping to get to that birthday, but now I'm not sure. What also sucks is I have a conference in early August, what do I do if she's still around? Gamble that she'll be ok the week I'm gone? It all sucks, all the worry and anxiety and anticipation. Plus, I have had her since 6 months and I can't imagine not seeing her sweet face every day. THAT is just killing me.

Anyway, let's get to the Mystery Pooper. For the past 2-3 days I have found poop in the living room when I get up in the morning. Matter of fact, this morning I picked it up only to find another poop like 2 minutes later. I usually take a few minutes to get dressed and ready to get them out the door in the morning, but it looks like I better speed that up. I have no idea who is pooping--someone told me old dogs do that and don't even realize it. But the younger dog has had problems with his stomach and is on this weird medicine, so is that making him do it? I have no idea. So I can't yell at anyone cause I don't know where it's coming from. Although Jeffro did admit this morning that it was him . . .

Your Personality in Pictures

This is actually pretty accurate, do not cheat (there is no wrong answer) just pick what you really like....

When you click on the link, a series of about 15 pictures will come up.Click on a photo in that category that appeals to you. Just continue to keep picking. At the end it will give you a profile of yourself.... It's called a visual DNA.... Http://DNA.imagini.net/friends.

XXXRay Vision Scanners in Airports!

I saw this crazy story today about how some airports--including our wonderful National--are installing scanners that see through your clothing to make sure you aren't carrying any contraband. Supposedly the device blocks out your face and doesn't keep a record of it, which of course would make the process of TSA SEEING THE REST OF YOU NAKED so much less humiliating and embarrassing. Unbelievable! Talk about Big Brother watching you.

I don't think so! There's no way I would agree to this! At least you have a choice to be patted down or submit to the scanner (what great options), but if it comes to the point where there is no choice, I will not fly from an airport that does this!

You Be the Judge

Can you judge someone by looking at them? Take this fun little quiz. I'm proud to say I got 9 out of 10!

BY LOOKING AT A PICTURE OF A PERSON, YOU HAVE TO DECIDE IF HE IS A COMPUTER GEEK OR A SERIAL KILLER. GO WITH YOUR GUT FEELING AND CLICK ON YOUR CHOICE.

Click here: http://www.malevole.com/mv/misc/killerquiz

THERE ARE 10 PHOTOS. YOUR SCORE WILL BE GIVEN AT THE END.

Lost My Daytimer!

Yes, I still resort to a paper calendar to keep me straight. I am just not a gadget person, and I guess you could say I'm a luddite since I'm always the last to purchase anything new. I'm obviously way behind the times since I haven't even figured out how to work my iPod and I got for Christmas. I just can't imagine where it's gotten to, and why no one has found it and called me to give it back. It had all my numbers, appointment, etc. in there so I am feeling rather lost about what I should be doing. It just sucks. I'm going to give it a few more days, then suck it up and go buy a new one and start all over again. Sigh.

Trailer Park Wedding and Emergency Vet

What an exciting weekend it's been! Yesterday Jeffro and I went to a friend's wedding where they renewed their vows. It was a nice little ceremony out in B.F., VA. A reception followed at the trailer park where they hang out on weekends. It was actually a fun time despite the heat and rain showers that started. A nice, simple affair with close friends and family. Right next to the trailer park pool. Priceless.

Yesterday morning, I had to go off to the emergency vet for my youngest dog, who was throwing up pink, presumably blood. X-rays yielded no immediate answers--he had swallowed a chicken bone earlier this week. So the guess is the bone irritated things as it went through the system. Today he seems to be doing fine, but we'll have to see what happens.

Today I'm off to see an open house in the neighborhood and then to my sister's to celebrate two of my nieces' birthdays. So when will I have time to do the desperately needed vacuuming and laundry?

Whew

Got my biopsy results yesterday--negative. Whew. Say no more. Mind you, I likely should still have my thyroid removed, but at least now there's no urgency. I was going to do it in June, but with my impending conference at work, I might just wait until the fall when things calm down a little. We'll see. So thanks for all the good wishes out there!

Wachovia: #1 in Customer Dissatisfaction

Warning: big, huge, unbelievable rant ahead.

I have been a Wachovia customer for the past 10 years. I have multiple accounts, debit cards, online banking, yadda, yadda, yadda. Now granted, I’m not a millionaire, so I’m sure they’re not clawing to keep my business, but this is ridiculous.

My debit card—WHICH HAS A VISA SYMBOL ON IT SO IT CAN BE USED LIKE A CREDIT CARD!—expires 6/08. That is in approximately one week. Yesterday I received my new debit card—with a completely different account number!

Last time I checked, when your credit card expires they just issue you a new one with the same number and new date. Not Wachovia.

Now, since they are trying to “simplify my life” with online banking, etc. I have used said debit card to sign up for automatic drafts from my account. Many automatic drafts from my account. Which means I have to call many vendors to tell them I have a F*CKING NEW CARD NUMBER WHEN IT’S REALLY NOT A NEW CARD.

I am COMPLETELY, ABSOLUTELY LIVID about this and spent ½ hour on the phone today (before yoga, ironically) yelling to Dipshit Customer Service Rep (DCSR) #1 and her Dipshit Supervisor. Below is the gist of the conversation, with actual quotes from both sides. I am totally not making this up. You can ask Jeffro, who just sat and ate dinner and hoped I wouldn't chew him a new one next.

Me: Excuse me, why are you changing my debit/credit card number and making my life completely inconvenient and miserable because I have to call all these vendors to change my account number?

DCSR: Whenever we issue a new debit card we issue a new card number.

Me: Um, this isn’t a new card, it’s just an updated one.

DCSR: Well, we do this with all debit cards in case there are any problems with the card.

Me: Um, there are no problems with the card otherwise I WOULD BE CALLING YOU ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH MY CARD! I would like to have my old number back.

DCSR: I’m sorry, there’s nothing we can do.

Me: Don’t you realize you’re causing an awful lot of problems for an awful lot of people this way? Aren’t you supposed to be making my life easier instead of harder?

DCSR: I’m sorry, this is our policy.

Me: What about customer service? Isn’t Wachovia supposed to be #1 in customer service? How exactly are you helping me and making my life and banking easier? You are making it incredibly inconvenient to do banking with you.

DCSR: Well, I apologize for the inconvenience.

Me: Again, how is that helping me? Do you want to spend the day tomorrow making the calls for me?

DSCR: {giggles} No.

Me: You are completely useless.

DCSR: I’m sorry that you feel that way.

Me: I’m sorry that you suck. {Click}

Can you believe this crap? I have to spend the rest of the week trying to figure out who I have to call and how to call them, then I have to spend a day making calls from work, where I’m supposed to be working.

I threatened to change banks, but in actuality that would make matters even worse and more inconvenient—since the card expires like tomorrow I have to do all the changing now anyway so I don’t bounce payments, then do it all over again if I were to get a new account.

I’m headed to Wachovia tomorrow. Just pray that I don’t get escorted out by security.

New Rick Springfield CD!

Make sure you mark the date 7/29 down so you can be one of the first to buy Rick Springfield's upcoming CD, Venus in Overdrive. Me, I plan to pre-order from Amazon and I would strongly advise you to do the same. Check out his merchandise store here.

Nashville Update

Nashville turned out to be a pretty good time, lots of excellent free food and the craziest closing reception I've been to at any conference. They closed off BB King's, Wildhorse Saloon, and part of the riverfront downtown for the party. Crazy! We also went to Tootsies and went to an open mic at the Bluebird Cafe. For more details, photos, and music videos from the Grand Ole Opry, check out Jeffro's blog.

Nashville Notes

I'm headed to Nashville Opryland for most of the week for a business trip. However, since I really don't want to go and my office is making me against my will, I won't be doing much actual work while I'm there. Jeffro is going with me, and it's his birthday so we'll be playing a lot of tourist as he's never been to N'ville before.

I'm really looking forward to staying at this great hotel on the company dime.

Wish Me Luck

Well, tomorrow is my long-awaited biopsy on my thyroid. I've been very anxious about it all week, to the point where even my yoga class couldn't calm me down much on Monday. It's been a very busy couple of weeks, as I've been to another doctor that a friend recommended to help me figure out why I feel so darned crappy all the time. But I might actually find the answer out tomorrow, who knows.

In any case, wish me luck. If I find out anything exciting, I will make a post. But I don't think I will until the end of the month.

And in a complete nonsequitor, wish that Syesha gets voted off Idol!

Jeter Gig at Bistro Europa

Jeff's band, Jeter, has got a show this Saturday, May 10th, at Bistro Europa in Old Town Alexandria. They'll be rocking from 10-12, and then Willy Nilly will be going on from midnight until closing. There's no cover, so come on out, and bring your mothers along to rock with Jeter!

MP3: Lay Down - Jeter

MP3: Down & Distance (live) - Jeter

New FDA-Approved Weight Loss Pill?

Here's the caveat, this new pill is for overweight dogs. I am not making this up. I saw the ad for SLENTROL in a magazine. The ad talks about how hard extra pounds are on a dog, which is true, but then goes on to say "if you've tried diet dog food, reduced feedings, more exercise and nothing seems to work, you now have another option: FDA-approved SLENTROL." FDA approved? Doesn't the FDA have anything better to do, like approving safer drugs for humans, than approving dog weight loss pills? Now I'm all for pills that can help dogs, but have we become a country where we think everything, including fat dogs, can be fixed with a pill? Apparently so. So, according to the ad, you should "speak to your veterinarian and ask if SLENTROL is right for your dog." No joke, it says that.

New Martina Duet

With Alan Jackson, "Never Loved Before." Kind of an odd but cute little ditty. Download it here. Check out the CSI-inspired video here.

Summer Must Read

I came home tonight from a late night (work reception, at least there was free wine and beer) to find the coolest surprise gift from (I'm assuming) Jeffro: a copy of Chelsea Handler's brand new book Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea. How hilarious! I didn't even realize it was out yet! Considering I loved her My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands, I'm dying to get started reading!

New Martina McBride Live CD/DVD

For your purchasing pleasure, Martina McBride today released her first live CD/DVD. Guess what I'll be ordering as soon as I get paid?

ihasahotdog.com

Brought to you by the same folks who created http://icanhascheezburger.com/ there's now a dog version!

http://www.ihasahotdog.com/

Enjoy!


Thanks to MJ for the tip.