Weekend recap

I don’t know if I have said it enough I am not the girl you make plans with on a Friday night if you want the happy productive version of me to show up.  So when my friend from the States suggested that we meet up in Niagara Falls, NY Friday night I gave him the usual disclaimer.  He said “A tired Sunny is still a good Sunny in my books”.  Alright he was warned!!

I left later than I wanted to.  The plan was to get there, eat, then go to the casino on the American side.  It was a good plan, until the border agent informed me that the casino allows smoking inside.   No thanks.  So to Plan B – Target!!

I love Target.  It is my favourite store to shop in while in the States.  Target is coming to Canada and I hope it will remain the same.  I was once a huge fan of Old Navy and The Children’s Place until they came to Canada and the quality deteriorated quite a bit in my books.

Target closed up with me still in the store.  I made the mistake decision to go down the grocery aisles.  The variety of food items that are not available in Canada is unreal.  I bought a lot of chocolate (for me) and snack foods for my kids.

The next morning was a late start.  My intention was to start my trip back home by noon.  But since I was sitting down to breakfast at 11:30am I figured that was impossible.

The trip home on Saturday was uneventful.  I stopped to pick up some roti at the wrong location of a restaurant I like to go to.   Then went home and napped.  It was wonderful.

On Sunday I decided to get an oil change before driving out to Kingston.  So while my kids were in babysitting training class, I went to Canadian Tire.  The wait was over an hour.  More than I was willing to wait.  At Wal-Mart, the wait was 5 hours!?!  WTH!?!

I ended up at one of those 10 minutes or less express oil change places.  I was their first customer. All was going well until they looked under my car and told me that they would not change my oil as I had a leak and they could not tell if it was the drain plug or the oil pan.  The guy didn’t want to risk removing the drain plug because if there was damage to the oil pan he would not be able to fix it.  He recommended I take it back to the last place that changed the oil.

So after I picked up my kids, back to Canadian Tire I went.  The lady I spoke with on the phone was apologetic and seemed determined to fix it.  The service manager gave me the old “wear and tear, regular use could be why the oil pan is damaged, not because of us”  speech.  I was not impressed.

It turns out that the drain plug they used the last time had a groove in the washer which is where the oil was leaking from.  Or at least that’s the story they told me.  2.5 hours later I left for Kingston.  Which is a 2+ hour drive.  Colour me not impressed.

I went to see my cousin who is in Kingston temporarily;  gave her the roti and a watch I was able to get replaced for her.  I literally drove to where she is staying, picked her up, went to dinner, then Wal-Mart and returned home.  It was a long day.

Fast forward to this morning.  I got an instant message from my friend in the States regarding the cost of breakfast.  We left the tip ($5 ) in cash on the table and he paid the rest ($23 something) on his credit card.  He even put a line through where the tip was to go.  Well this morning when checked his account a charge of $28 was there.  Huh!?!  A $10 tip!?!  The service was not even fantastic enough to deserve the $5 that was left.  I am shocked.  A similar thing happened to Krystal from Give Me Back My Five Bucks.  I thought it was a rarity.  I was wrong.

Needless to say, like Krystal, it is not my money so my hands are tied.  My friend says most likely he will not pursue it.  That is nuts to me. $5 on a $23 tab was more than generous.  $10 seems to be in the territory of “celebrity baller”, which neither one of us is.  I know it’s the principle and it’s just $5 but I would make a stink.  That’s the kind of gal I am.  I like writing letters.  Companies need to know both the good and the bad experiences I have had in their establishments.  Which gives me a great idea.  To their corporate website I go!!

Guess what?

I truly do believe that the Universe, the Secret, God, Jehovah, Allah, Krishna whatever it is you call the higher power truly is at work and life will bring to you what you need.

Now that’s not the answer to the guess what question but it is an insight to where my head is.

A few weeks back I applied to for yet another seasonal part-time job.  This time at a kitchen supply store.  I got the call back to attend their job fair on Wednesday.  I went and was put in a group interview situation.  My first ever.  It was strange and while I know that the position is for minimum wage and temporary, I was less than impressed with the whole scene. 

The interviewer asked us 5 questions and that was the end of it.  I left thinking:
a. I didn’t get the job
b. I am not sure if I was offered this job that I would take it
c. I should rethink this whole part-time retail job search

So I made a conscious decision to abandon retail and figure out a way to create extra income with less effort.  And yes I know if I figured out how to do this and patent it I would be RICH!!

This brings us to yesterday and what answer to the guess what question. 

Late yesterday afternoon my boss called me into her office and told me that she was officially promoting me!!!  WHOO HOO!!! 

I have been doing most of the functions of my new job for the past few months, but I will now have the title and more importantly the salary.   I will now move into a management role and will need to take some training.  A friend who trains for a living recommended the Disney Institute.  I never knew there was such a thing.  But it’s a recognized leader in training and in Florida so my interest is piqued.

I have lots to learn but I am confident that I can do it well. 

The “coincidence” of looking for additional income and getting a promotion with a raise the next day is not lost on me.

Have a laugh

At my expense, because I most certainly am laughing at me.

A while back I happened about upendilife.com.  The writing is great and the author engaging.  I spent more time than I care to admit now trying to figure out the blog name and what it meant.

Was it:

Up End I Life?

U Pend I Life?

Upend I Life?

U Pen Di Life?

Now the fact that the author calls himself Rafiki should have been a dead giveaway, but apparently not to me.  It wasn’t until this weekend when I was watching Lion King 2 that it occurred to me that site is Upendi Life …  after the song … in the movie … which Rafiki sings.  **duh**

I swear I am smarter than this in real life!!! LOL

Raf, stop laughing so hard. 

The competition

Ever spent time with people who make you question why you spend time with them in the first place?

I have a co-worker whom I am positive if we didn’t work together I would not talk to.  She is loud and abrasive and just down-right cold and annoying.  Most at work seem to tolerate her and even find her amusing.  I am not one of those folks.  Sad part is we used to be closer but the more time I spend with her the more I am repulsed.

Background info

She is a single woman who lives with her brother.  The nature of their relationship causes my eyebrows to raise often.  She often buys him expensive personal gifts that seem odd to me.  Since I did not grow up with any of my brothers I don’t know if their situation is “normal” or not.  I have asked friends with brothers and most of them give me a screw face and tell me that seems strange.  I am all for taking care of family but under no circumstance will my brother be treated like he’s the main man in my life.  One that I shop for while on vacation.  You might get a cheesy souvenir but that’s it.  

A few years ago, we went on a week-end shopping trip to PA with one of my girlfriends in a rental car.  On the way to the border I held on to the car door for dear life.  She drove like a maniac and blamed it on being used to her own car.  Huh!?!  The rental was smaller than her car it should have been easier to drive.  At duty-free I relieved her of the keys.  Of course we had to buy liquor as she is a drinker (more on this in a bit).  The stop at the border was almost an hour due to indecisiveness on what to buy.  Ciroc won. 

(Source)

We did not get to our hotel until after midnight.  

That night the bottle of liquor had to be opened.  We drank less than 1/4 of the bottle (make note of this) then went to sleep.  

Saturday started with a journey to find breakfast and then to Wal-mart.  Picture it we are in small town USA.  The Wal-Mart is adequate.  It is the only place to shop other than the outlet mall.  This caused my co-worker (CW) and girlfriend (GF) grief.  They could not imagine living in a place without shopping options.  **insert eye roll here** Anyhoo, throughout the time in Wal-Mart it seemed that whatever my GF picked up, CW would pick up 2.   It seemed like a competition to see if she could buy more.  It was insane.  We hit the outlet mall and separated since we all had different interests.  It was a long day.

Dinner was had at a local restaurant.  The food was decent.  CW ordered a steak that was closer to medium well than well done.  Remember this detail.  We went back to the room and CW decided to drink.  So the Ciroc was shared out.  GF bought her own bottle of something else so she was content with only a taste.  I drink when it makes sense and 3 women in a hotel room drinking just seemed sad so I did not indulge much.  This left CW with over 1/2 the bottle.  By the time we went to sleep, the bottle was empty as she “can’t waste liquor”.

Throughout the night I was awoken by CW’s many trips to the bathroom.  She was in there for a long time each time.  I am relatively sure it was the Ciroc that got her but she is blaming the steak.  Far be it for anyone to suggest that she can’t hold her liquor.  **more eye rolling**

Around 6 am the fire alarm in the hotel went off and stayed on for roughly 1/2 hour.  This made Sunday an unproductive shopping day for my travel mates as they were sleep deprived.  No problem for me I quite enjoy shopping by myself.  

We left PA in the early afternoon.  We stopped in Buffalo to go to Sally Beauty Supply and the Olive Garden; then home!

The trip left me feeling like CW was the type of person that always has to do more than whomever is there.  You spend $2, she must spend $4.  You drink 1 drink she must drink more (see how I rhymed there, I got mad skills!!! lol).  It was sad to me.

Which brings me back to present day.  On Friday, I shared with CW the fact that there was a little cellular kiosk selling various Blackberry phones and the pricing I got.  Her reaction was one of semi-interest as she did not want to be locked into another contract.  She wants the new Bold but it is $525 from this company.  I personally didn’t think she would buy the phone outright as she’s strange with what she will spend money on and $500 is way out of her comfort zone even though she will never admit it.

As you know I got the Bold.  This was not intentional on my part by any means.  I have been researching cell companies and phones for a few months as I knew my contract was coming to an end and was debating leaving Rogers.  She is not with Rogers but was thinking about switching companies as well.  

(Source)

Anyone else this would not seem strange to me but with her …

I sort of dreaded going to work yesterday as I am one of those people who leave my cell phone on my desk.  Since it has a pretty case it was screaming look at me.  Another co-worker saw it and then mentioned it to CW.  This sent CW to call her current provider.  At the end of it all she tells me that she got the Bold for free without having to change her current plan and no data plan.  I don’t know why but I find this hard to believe.  

This just seems like “Oh you got a deal, well I got one better”.  

Is it just me?

 

Question for today

I am a bit confused and hope someone can shed some light on the subject.

From what I understand the Libyan people searched throughout their country to find their fallen dictator Muammar Gaddafi.  Upon finding him, he was beaten and eventually shot dead.  His body is now on display.

The UN wants an inquiry.

In May, the US went into Pakistan unannounced, shot and killed Osama bin Laden before “burying” his body at sea.

Why no inquiry then?

How is one different from the other?

 

Seeing red update

Since no one from Rogers called me back, I got on the phone.  

The customer service rep that I spoke to said that my incoming calls were at no charge.  She didn’t know what the previous person I spoke with was looking at.  It was clear as day on the promotion page that she was looking at.  Lawd!?!  I swear the Rogers employees are trying to raise my blood pressure.

On a different note I got a phone.  I figured since I have signed away my life the next three years to Rogers, the least they could do was give me a phone.  So I got the new Bold, the price was fantastic so I figure why pass it up.  

I am still trying to figure out all the features on the phone.  I think I have BBM down though.

 

 

 

 

(Source) 

 

Seeing red …

On Tuesday, I agreed to renew my contract with Rogers with the special plan that was offered on Saturday.  It included 200 daytime minutes, unlimited incoming calls, unlimited text messages to anywhere in the world, unlimited evening and week-ends starting at 6 pm.

This morning my phone rang and my caller display said unknown number.  I thought nothing of it until the library called.  Their number usually shows up.  So I tried calling my cell from my work phone.  Again unknown number.  Huh!?!

I called Rogers who informed me that since my new plan with value pack was not to start until the next billing cycle in November, my old value pack containing call display and voice mail was removed.  Say what!?! 

After some back and forth, Rogers decided to put my new plan into effect today.  Alright, call display is back!!  Only when I log into my Rogers account, there is a monthly charge for the unlimited incoming calls.  WTF!?!  Apparently the notes made in my account reference that it was offered but nothing about it being free.  **insert heavy long-winded sigh here**

The rep I was speaking to, told me they need the rep I signed up with to confirm that I was offered free incoming calls before they could remove the charge.  They would investigate and call me back.  That was 6 hours ago …

Cell phone dilemma

Over the past two weeks my cell phone has taken to freezing up.  It rarely tells me when it decides to go on strike.   I really like my phone and it saddens me to have to get rid of it.  I need a phone that will consistently work as my cell is my primary phone number. 

Currently I have a HTC Touch.  An ancient phone but it did all the things I need a phone to do; talk, text and has a calendar function which puts my next calendar entry on the home screen. 

Isn’t it lovely?

The only problem I had with it is the lack of keyboard.  The virtual keyboard keys were tiny.  They are designed to be used with the stylus that came with the phone.  I don’t have data on the phone although it is possible to get a plan with it.  I was hoping it would last me until my Rogers contract is up in February 2012.

(Source)

Saturday was a frustrating day as my phone was giving me more problems than usual.  It was telling me that the time to say good-bye was coming sooner than I would like.  I have been shopping around looking at different cell providers since we have a tonne of them now.  

I thought about just buying a phone out right so that I could get through the remainder of my current contract but the store I was in did not have anything that I would consider affordable.  I called a few friends and one was able to loan me an old Blackberry with roller scroller issues.  He scolded me for not having a data plan as a Blackberry without the ability to BBM or browsing was just a waste in his opinion. 

Maybe it’s just me, but I am not yet convinced I need to get my emails on my phone.  Plus I hear through the grapevine that once you get data you never go back. 

On my way to pick up the old BB, I called Rogers to see what they could do for me.  The gentleman in Customer Retention offered me a sweet deal.  That included everything I wanted, unlimited text messaging, unlimited incoming calls, 200 daytime minutes and my evenings begin at 6 pm.  Then he offered me data for an additional $20/month. 

Here’s where the trouble starts.  I am was  actually considering it.  I don’t need data.  It is very much a nice to have.  The phones that Rogers is offering me for free all have to have a data plan.  I was leaning towards a Blackberry (gotta support my Canadian companies) but I am not convinced I need to get the latest and greatest one.  I saw one in the store I was in for $250.  And now I think that might be the better way to go.  I can still get BBM but no unnecessary expensive monthly data plan. 

I used to be the kind of girl who would change cell phones every year.  There was always something newer, better, prettier.  Lately I find that new gadgets don’t hold the same allure they once did.  Hence my predicament now. 

I would love an Android phone but there are not many of them that come with a real keyboard.  The only one that appeals to me is the Sony Xperia Mini Pro.  I like the new Blackberry Bold and Torch, the idea of touch and a keyboard is very appealing, but the cost is too high.  I love my old Windows Mobile platform.  I like HTC brand phones, but Rogers only carries one and it doesn’t have a keyboard and would require that I take a data plan.  Then there is the new iPhone 4S … a total splurge.  It actually looks quite enticing.  When did life get so complicated?

I need to make a decision sooner rather than later.  Any thoughts? 

Back from VA

What a great long week-end.  The weather was fantastic.

I have never been to Virginia Beach before.  It was calm and relaxing.  Even with the long drives on either end of my trip I returned feeling like I have been away for a whole week!!!

It’s been a while since I have driven in the fall.  I forgot how beautiful the trees look when they are changing colour.

In VA, I did manage to shop til I drop.  There was some serious damage done.  I bought a new purse, hangers to organize our closets, lots of kitchen stuff, Hallowe’en costumes for the kidlets, hair rollers and bath products.  It is a lot of shopping and I don’t feel bad about any of it.  Most were on my grand master list of things to buy.

Hello from VA

I just realized that I did not mention my travel plans to the US.  When I was at my cousin’s in August, I mentioned returning in October if she was up to it.  Last week, she asked if I would want to go to the beach while I am visiting.  And like the crazy woman that I am I agreed to go.

So after driving 9+ hours to Maryland I got to my cousin’s house; only to turn around and travel another 4 hours to the beach.  I will be at the beach until Sunday.

I have been up for almost 24 hours and although I feel weary, I am not sleepy.

I will try to record all my spending for the spending recap.

Hope all is well with you.

For the Canadians, Happy Thanksgiving!!