I think my next blog will be a place for all to come and vent about bad customer service. It's rampant here in the So. Cal. There are so many people in a small space that they really don't have to compete and therefore really don't have to try. It's pathetic. This is not reality.
But more on that in a future entry (or as the opening to a whole new blog).
I have two issues tonight.
1.) ATT Internet - I pay a premium to have fast internet with a large GB download capacity. Everything I do is Internet based so I pay extra to be able to have all my devices lightening fast on demand. But recently I'm on slow down mode. Interruptions to all my devices, consistently. Not like a momentary thing. It's on going. And the beauty... my Blu-Ray player shows me how slow the connection gets. It stalls out along the way, hitting zero and killing everything I'm playing with. Not cool and not worth a premium. They're getting a phone call.
2.) Hallmark.com - This site should be very cool. In theory, I should be able to load it up with all my card-appropriate events and schedule e-cards to be sent up to a year out to whomever I want. Yes, there's a subscription fee and I would gladly pay it if the dang thing worked. (Yes, I did pay it and the site sucks so bad, I'm asking for my money back.) Their interface is klunky and buggy. The scheduler doesn't work, the calendar entry system doesn't work, the FB posting doesn't work and if you hit the backspace key while typing, it goes back a page. Not just erases the error you just made, erases everything and backs up an entire page. Bad, bad programming and a HUGE disappointment from a company I always thought of as the top of the heap.
I also downloaded their 2 iPhone apps. One is a glorified commercial. Don't bother. What a waste.
The other allows you to create cards right on your phone. Insert photos, sign your name... cool concepts. But then they charge you 4 dollars to print and mail it. What I really want is to post it to FB, send it via email or text it. Who wants to wait for it to be printed and mailed? Again, so much promise and so disappointing.
There is an untapped market in this space... one just waiting for someone to create a pay as you go or subscription model to be able to manage your card giving duties via your phone, on demand or scheduled out up to a year. It's worth $10 - $20 per year to have this service. So sad that Hallmark missed it big time.
What other companies, services have disappointed you recently? Drop me a line and let me know. Might be just the kick in the pants I need to start my next blog.
Monday, September 10, 2012
A few of my favorite things...
This weekend was about being domestic. A quiet weekend sandwiched between bursts of activity. A weekend filled with cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. A weekend filled with extreme productivity which I often find more relaxing than any vacation I've ever had.
But this blog entry is different than those in the past.
This one has recipes. Yummy recipes.
Okay... links to other peoples recipes.
Food is like art. I know what I like and I'm not afraid to try anything and everything under the sun. No ingredient is too expensive to try once (in a tiny amount) and no item too exotic to order if only for the story.
So here are this weeks adventures in cooking. Let me know if you try them, how they turned out and how you would make them better next time.
Ranch Dressing - Thanks to The Pioneer Woman Blog
I'll never buy the packaged stuff again. Not in a bottle (yuck) or in a green and white envelope. Simple, easy, cheap... all my favorite attributes in a recipe.
My advice, be sure to chop the parsley very fine. Next time, I'll try using a food processor.
Honey-Wheat Pizza Dough - Thanks to California Pizza Kitchen
This has been my favorite pizza dough recipe for many, many years. I use a bread machine to make it perfect everytime. I usually top it with simple ingredients (sun-dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts are two of my fav's) and bake it in the toaster oven. Makes a large dough ball that I keep in the fridge for quick weeknight dinners. Pair with a salad... yum.
Raspberry-Thyme Syrup - Thanks to Real Simple Magazine but no link. (bummer).
So easy. 1/2 cup berries, couple of sprigs of fresh time, cup of sugar, cup of water. Stir. Bring to boil. (Stir so it doesn't boil over.) When it starts to thicken, turn off and cool for an hour. Strain. Keep in glass container in fridge for a couple of weeks - but it won't last that long. Great addition to traditional margaritas.
I was skeptical about the thyme. Smelled like Thanksgiving but it was just the right touch to cut the sweetness of a pre-made margarita in a bottle. Lots of room to experiment with this one.
Infused Tequila - Again, thanks to Real Simple Mag but no link.
I tried 2 variations - Habanero and Meyer Lemon. (Separate but might be good together. Try it and let me know.)
Easy... 2 cups silver tequila in a mason jar. Add your infusers.
For Habenero - 2 peppers split.
For Meyer Lemon - The peel of one lemon, quartered. (I squeezed the juice for another recipe.)
Put the lid on the jar and then let set for 5 - 10 days. Try it every day until you reach the desired flavor. (That in itself makes this one a lot of fun.) I just started mine on Sat so I'll report the (hiccup) outcome next weekend.
For more food related info - you can follow my other blog, "Fabulous Food Blog".
Even better, become a contributor, play along and share your own recipes and insights.
S.
But this blog entry is different than those in the past.
This one has recipes. Yummy recipes.
Okay... links to other peoples recipes.
Food is like art. I know what I like and I'm not afraid to try anything and everything under the sun. No ingredient is too expensive to try once (in a tiny amount) and no item too exotic to order if only for the story.
So here are this weeks adventures in cooking. Let me know if you try them, how they turned out and how you would make them better next time.
Ranch Dressing - Thanks to The Pioneer Woman Blog
I'll never buy the packaged stuff again. Not in a bottle (yuck) or in a green and white envelope. Simple, easy, cheap... all my favorite attributes in a recipe.
My advice, be sure to chop the parsley very fine. Next time, I'll try using a food processor.
Honey-Wheat Pizza Dough - Thanks to California Pizza Kitchen
 |
| Homemade Pizza |
This has been my favorite pizza dough recipe for many, many years. I use a bread machine to make it perfect everytime. I usually top it with simple ingredients (sun-dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts are two of my fav's) and bake it in the toaster oven. Makes a large dough ball that I keep in the fridge for quick weeknight dinners. Pair with a salad... yum.
 |
| Margarita with Raspberry Thyme Syrup |
So easy. 1/2 cup berries, couple of sprigs of fresh time, cup of sugar, cup of water. Stir. Bring to boil. (Stir so it doesn't boil over.) When it starts to thicken, turn off and cool for an hour. Strain. Keep in glass container in fridge for a couple of weeks - but it won't last that long. Great addition to traditional margaritas.
I was skeptical about the thyme. Smelled like Thanksgiving but it was just the right touch to cut the sweetness of a pre-made margarita in a bottle. Lots of room to experiment with this one.
Infused Tequila - Again, thanks to Real Simple Mag but no link.
 |
| Not your boyfriends hooch |
I tried 2 variations - Habanero and Meyer Lemon. (Separate but might be good together. Try it and let me know.)
Easy... 2 cups silver tequila in a mason jar. Add your infusers.
For Habenero - 2 peppers split.
For Meyer Lemon - The peel of one lemon, quartered. (I squeezed the juice for another recipe.)
Put the lid on the jar and then let set for 5 - 10 days. Try it every day until you reach the desired flavor. (That in itself makes this one a lot of fun.) I just started mine on Sat so I'll report the (hiccup) outcome next weekend.
For more food related info - you can follow my other blog, "Fabulous Food Blog".
Even better, become a contributor, play along and share your own recipes and insights.
S.
Sunday, September 09, 2012
Looking for a Leader
Mental Floss is one of my favorite FB links as well as a fun magazine. It challenges my daily perceptions and reminds me that things didn't just happen. They've evolved over time.
Today, they posted the following on FB...
On this date in 1776, the Continental Congress officially adopted the name "United States," replacing "United Colonies."
I know it seems inoccuous at first but it makes me realize all the political ideology thrown around about the founding fathers and what they intended is all BULL SHIT. They are playing on our collective ignorance knowing that we won't check their facts. And if we're not going to hold them accountable, why should they put any effort into being factual? We're buying what they are selling simply because they are offering it, not because we need it or understand the consequences of our decisions. It's like someone offering you to turn left or right when you really need to go straight. Unfortunately, we aren't offered the option so we don't take a minute to realize what we really need isn't even on the table and we should say no to both and continue on our merry way. It's a collective and cultural issue we're dealing with and until that is addressed, nothing else will get better.
But I digress...
There was a reason the US and our form of government was called an "experiment" when the framework was originally put into place. It took the pressure off of trying to be "right" out of the shoot. It gave us room to evolve and change as the needs of the new found country evolved and changed.
I'm tired of hearing how the founding fathers "intended" something. That's BS. They made it up as they went along and left plenty of room to make mistakes and learn from them. We've lost sight of that... the ability to fail and recover. Everyone is so busy judging everything and everyone with the intent of being "right". There is no right. There is only right now and tomorrow it will change. That's how life works - personally and politically.
I'm so tired of the media spewing hot air saying nothing. Those people are running a business and their business is to get viewers so they can get advertisers so they can cash big paychecks. I know it sounds cynical but it's true. None of them is doing it to inform or educate. If they were, their facts would be checked, their statements would have sound logic and accurate context and they would be trying to dialog and discuss with the other side instead of yelling, screaming and name calling. They all deserve time-out's like the children they are emulating. What ever happened to asking more questions designed to understand the other persons perspective? What happened to putting yourself in the other guys shoes?
I'm looking for a leader but there don't seem to be any emerging. I say screw them all. Let's lead ourselves for a change. You lead you and those that you influence everyday. I'll do the same. Lead by example. Think bigger than ever before. Hold yourself to a higher standard. That is the only change I can believe in.
Today, they posted the following on FB...
On this date in 1776, the Continental Congress officially adopted the name "United States," replacing "United Colonies."
I know it seems inoccuous at first but it makes me realize all the political ideology thrown around about the founding fathers and what they intended is all BULL SHIT. They are playing on our collective ignorance knowing that we won't check their facts. And if we're not going to hold them accountable, why should they put any effort into being factual? We're buying what they are selling simply because they are offering it, not because we need it or understand the consequences of our decisions. It's like someone offering you to turn left or right when you really need to go straight. Unfortunately, we aren't offered the option so we don't take a minute to realize what we really need isn't even on the table and we should say no to both and continue on our merry way. It's a collective and cultural issue we're dealing with and until that is addressed, nothing else will get better.
But I digress...
There was a reason the US and our form of government was called an "experiment" when the framework was originally put into place. It took the pressure off of trying to be "right" out of the shoot. It gave us room to evolve and change as the needs of the new found country evolved and changed.
I'm tired of hearing how the founding fathers "intended" something. That's BS. They made it up as they went along and left plenty of room to make mistakes and learn from them. We've lost sight of that... the ability to fail and recover. Everyone is so busy judging everything and everyone with the intent of being "right". There is no right. There is only right now and tomorrow it will change. That's how life works - personally and politically.
I'm so tired of the media spewing hot air saying nothing. Those people are running a business and their business is to get viewers so they can get advertisers so they can cash big paychecks. I know it sounds cynical but it's true. None of them is doing it to inform or educate. If they were, their facts would be checked, their statements would have sound logic and accurate context and they would be trying to dialog and discuss with the other side instead of yelling, screaming and name calling. They all deserve time-out's like the children they are emulating. What ever happened to asking more questions designed to understand the other persons perspective? What happened to putting yourself in the other guys shoes?
I'm looking for a leader but there don't seem to be any emerging. I say screw them all. Let's lead ourselves for a change. You lead you and those that you influence everyday. I'll do the same. Lead by example. Think bigger than ever before. Hold yourself to a higher standard. That is the only change I can believe in.
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