One of my fave dance labels, Robbins, gave a heads up about the new
Cascada release. Check out her summer jam - Evacuate The Dance Floor. When I heard it, it made me think of driving to the Jerz shore with the windows down and music blaring...
Should be one hell of a summer for this gal's iPod...
Labels: Listen To This, Music
Labels: Apt, Mr. Wiggles, Random Mess
I know I've said a few times that I have some amazing friends. Well, one of them really has gone above and beyond and, while he never recognizes himself or what he does for people - it's time we did, right?
Let me tell you about CK. CK I knew from eons ago. He's one of the "nice guys" that any parent would be proud to call him their son in law, any friend would be blessed to have and family - fuhgetabouttit. He's loyal, caring and just fabulous. We won't even go into his "Joey Tribiani" impersonation *LOL*
I met him about 20 years ago on TheShowThatShallNotBeNamed. We kept in touch through the years. When I broke up with Mark for the umpteenth time, CK sent roses to my job on V-Day to cheer me up and keep my mind off of the azzhat. When I was contemplating moving here, CK encouraged me to follow my dreams. When I went through the typical b.s. with H., CK listened to me and gave me great advice. When I've been contemplating the next steps for my life, CK listened patiently and gave some great insight which helped me see that my decisions are on the right course. The man has been like a brother and don't even get me started on when I have a boy around CK and the boyz. That guy is vetted worse than a supreme court nominee. Oy vey! When I fly home to Philly, CK is always there with a hug, a cocktail and tons of laughter. CK is an amazing person - through and through. And, if you ever get the chance to hear his full story - you'd sit there in shock. He's gone through hell and back a few times but through it all, he has triumphed. Believe me when I say that the Philly crew is blessed to have him in our lives.
A few months ago, CK gave word that he was donating a kidney to a friend of his who was in dire need. He didn't even think twice - if someone needs something and he can help, so be it. The operation was put off a couple times due to complications but last week, CK gave a heads up that the operation was a go for Tuesday. So, I turn to you, my blog friends, and ask that you please take a moment out of your day and send good thoughts CK's way for the success of the operation for both him and his friend and a speedy recovery.
OurBuddy and CK
Chris - we love you!
Labels: Friends, Philly, Random Mess
Normally, when it comes to shipping stuff, I have always preferred FedEx over UPS. Downtown Orlando - FedEx moves quickly, efficiently and I have little to NO drama. UPS - well, we have never gotten along - not in New Hampshire, not in Lake Buena Vista nor in Altamonte. However, when I prefer UPS over FedEx - you know there has got to be a problem.
There is one driver assigned to the route that my apartment complex is on and it has been that way since I moved here. I have had issue after issue with this driver and, sadly, while I make my displeasure known, the Longwood office won't do a damn thing about it.
One of the perks of living here is that we can sign an addendum to the lease where we give the complex the power to sign for packages. All he has to do is go to the office and drop it off. Easy peasy, I say. Does he - NO. He claims that they "aren't open". They are open from 10-6 every day so that's hogwash. This recent incident is the 5th time this s.o.b. has pulled the same "noone is in the office; noone is at the apartment" dance and, like I told the CSR at the call center in India or wherever, should I see that idiot of a driver, I'm going to have restrain myself from punching him in the nose. The call center knows I've called to have stuff escalated and I know they give messages to the manager of the Longwood branch. What does that spineless twit do - hand it off to a customer service rep. to handle. He is "too busy." I left a message for his regional boss to call me - crickets. And the issue has only gotten worse.
FedEx Longwood once tried to tell me that the reason for the "strain" on the drivers' workload" is that they were "on the Disney route". Longwood is NOWHERE near DISNEY. I'm not that dumb - the Lake Buena Vista office has that route. They've tried to tell me that the driver delivered packages to the office and I need to look again. However, it was NOT delivered as both myself and the complex manager went through each and every package and *boom* it wasn't there. I left a message for a call back first thing - which I got at NOON the next day. The spineless twit had a CSR call me to tell me that it was delivered on Friday and to look again. No, newsflash - it was delivered that Saturday morning, NOT Friday as the driver alleged. What was in the package - fresh pasta that needed to be refrigerated from FoodBuzz that I was to test for Cooking In Stilettos and, lo and behold, it was on the s.o.b.'s truck for 3 days. The ice packs were no longer chilly. It was warmer than a monkey's butt. Here's the kicker - when it was FINALLY delivered, the driver turned the box so it was hidden with the "refrigerate" and address labels facing the wall. That afternoon, when I opened it up and saw the fresh pasta just ruined, I about lost my damn mind. What does the spineless twit of a manager do - nothing.
Then, this week - I had something delivered that will be reviewed on Cooking In Stilettos - what does the same driver do - leaves a tag saying that noone was there and that he'd deliver it again, all while noting that there was noone in the complex office. Newsflash - they were in the complex office - especially at 1:00 in the afternoon. There's about 4-5 people in there at any given time. I about lost my damn mind on the poor kid from India who heard me out and agreed - there's a big problem.
Here's the problem - the driver is a lazy fool who not only doesn't deliver the packages as instructed, but he leaves them on his truck for a day or two, depending. He doesn't deliver at the time he says he does - the complex office confirmed that for me. He lies to his manager who tried to tell me that I was wrong. I'm sorry - I got to SOBE late because he "forgot to deliver" my cards in February and I had to take time out of my day the next day to go to the Longwood office first? Don't play me! I don't appreciate the Pass The Buck Mentality that occurs at the Longwood office and, when I had to go there today to pick up the package that should have been left at the office like UPS did with their package this week, I got nothing but bullshit excuses from the guy in the front who tells me "the station manager of course will call you back" but HE wouldn't take a message - told me to call the 1-800-FEDEX number and they would get the message to the station manager. WHAT THE #*@*@*#* What a bunch of lazy ignorant fools is my opinion of the FedEx Longwood office. Clearly, the manager and the employees at the Longwood station are all the same - too lazy to do their job CORRECTLY so, therefore, hopefully the corporate office will finally open its eyes to the crap going on there and make changes.
Enough, for cryin' out loud, is enough. And it really sucks when I have to tell people "if you need to ship something to me, please use UPS because FedEx in Longwood is a bunch of idiots."
Clearly, I've given them too many chances and now it's war. FedEx Longwood - CLEAN UP YOUR ACT!
Labels: Guilty of Idiocy
Labels: Friends, Memories, Music, Philly
I caught the Real Housewives of NYC reunion, but had to watch the Real Housewives of New Jersey and, quite frankly, I have a few issues. It's like Bravo cherry picks the worst of the worst and while the familial ties are tight and I like that better than some of the other cast interactions on other seasons, I don't get the casting of Danielle (hello - did you NOT learn from all things Real Housewives of ATL and Sheree's lack of divorce settlement?) who needs her divorce settlement to "survive" and reminds me of the plastic surgery gal - Catwoman or whatever. OHHHHHH - let's talk about Teresa - "There's something with the economy so I pay cash" as she goes to pay for $120k in furniture for a house that you HAD to have built because living in someone's house is "skeevy" and you need a French chalet in quartz, onyx and marble. Honey - you pay CASH? C'mon now. This gal was NOT born yesterday. But then again, your hubby works "construction" and you think he's "delicious and juicy". I'm sorry - I think my eyes rolled into the back of my head. Not to mention you say you "aren't a stagemom". Honey - YES you are. Most definitely you are but whatever. The only one I kinda think is "normal" is Caroline. She's no nonsense which is common with Jerz girlz.
So, IN MY OPINION, I'm thinking that it should be named Real Housewives - Soprano style... but it's a trainwreck that I'll watch again. Hey - we're in a recession - a gal needs a giggle.
Seeing pics from Jen Lancaster's Pretty In Plaid book tour has me a bit nostalgic for all things 80s...
Forgive me for subjecting you to all things Aquanet, blue eyeliner and sometimes horrifying fashion, but I couldn't help it. Plus - I just got word that George Lamond will be in OTown in a couple weeks so that also made me a bit nostalgic for some freestyle too.
First up... TKA when they showed up at Dorney Park (Kayel got everything branded *LOL* K - that will piss off BigBro, ya know)
Just for MB - a little flashback. Dude - can you tell Gene "Batman, seriously?"
A classic 80s track, a little Pseudo Echo to get the morning engines revvin'...
What's on your iPod this morning?
Things are still all willy nilly 'round these parts but thanks to Judy at No Fear Entertaining, I discovered the wonders of all things Window LiveWriter. Finally, all those draft posts I have in my head I can finally get out and publish.
The wonders of technology...
Y’all know that Jen Lancaster’s newest book, PRETTY IN PLAID: A Life, a Witch, and a Wardrobe, or, the Wonder Years Before the Condescending,Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smart Ass Phase is out today, right?Labels: Books, Guilty of Idiocy, Jen Lancaster, Shopping
Labels: Mr. Wiggles, Random Mess
Labels: Current Events, Orlando, Soapbox
Labels: Obsessed With, Shopping
Flat irons for hair that are on the market today can deliver truly amazing results. Products like the Maxiglide hair straightener can detangle hair and preserve moisture, while the Infrashine hair straightener and the Bio Ionic flat iron can actually boost shine. While these are great products that won’t fry your hair like the flatirons of yesteryear, you have to remember that they can still cause damage if they aren’t used properly. Healthy hair is just something that is at the top of my list and, of course, I’m sure it’s on the top of yours too. After all, you have to admit that there is nothing quite as unattractive as fried, broken, and dull tresses. That just might warrant a What Not To Wear intervention with Nick and Carmindy in the lead, right? Whether your hair is extremely curly or can be straightened in a snap, here are some flat iron tips that will keep your hair looking its best.
For those who already have hair that is relatively straight, using a flat iron to smooth and straighten hair is usually quick and easy. Curly hair, however, can pose more of a challenge. Some flat iron tips you’ll find online will tell women with curly hair that they should turn the heat way up to get the results they want. (Hello - guilty as charged!!!) This isn’t a great idea, however, for women who want to keep hair healthy. Curly hair can be quite dry, and applying excessive heat can cause a lot of damage. So, avoid cranking the heat. Instead, make sure you have a flat iron made for unruly hair, such as the Maxiglide hair straightener. It’s specially designed to detangle curly hair, and it uses steam instead of potentially damaging heat to straighten curly, frizzy, and generally unruly locks.
I learned that today’s flat irons are much easier on hair than the products of years ago. The Infrashine hair straightener, for example, is touted for making hair look shinier and more conditioned. But don’t be fooled by that shine. You have to remember that using a flat iron every single day will eventually dry out and damage your hair. So be kind to your tresses. Give your flat iron a break on the weekends or over vacation, and give your hair a few days to recover.
Some flat iron tips will tell you to keep going over the same piece of hair until it is perfectly straight. Going over the same section five times or more, however, is a recipe for disaster because it is more likely to result in damage to your hair. (Yes, I’m guilty of this too!) If you’re using a good product like a Bio Ionic flat iron, there’s no reason why you should have to go over hair this many times. Remember, you want your hair straight, not dull and flat. Two, three, or four passes (at most!) should be enough for even extremely curly hair.
The Maxiglide hair straightener, Infrashine hair straightener, and Bio Ionic flat iron will give you the smooth, shiny, and ultra-straight hair you want. Just be sure to follow these tips to avoid damage and keep it looking healthy too.
