Monday, October 29, 2007

An Open Letter to Car Dealerships

My I are the new owners of a Honda Odyssey. It's a great vehicle. DH and I got the vehicle we wanted with the options we wanted, and we're very happy with it.

However, the car buying experience is highly unpleasant. The bait-and-switch tactics are ridiculous, yet consistent.

Please, please consider designing showrooms that are friendlier to the consumer. For example, the showroom at which we purchased our Odyssey had a children's play area. It had three walls, and the fourth side was open to the showroom. Two feet from the toys was a 2008 Accord. Ummm... kids throw things when they play, they run around and they get loud. My child NEEDED to move and get loud to burn off some energy during the 6+ hours we were there. Having a brand-new vehicle right next to all of that was, quite frankly, dumb. Also, there was one television in the dealership on a Sunday (i.e. football day), so a group of 4 to 5 salesmen were constantly in the children's playroom. My son would eventually get tired of working around them to play and would run the showroom floor. I ran after him, so it became a game. Umm... salespeople, when you see a panic-ed mom running, get out of my way. I do not run in your showroom to entertain you.

How hard is it to have a glass wall with a door? How hard is it to have an extra tv in the breakroom for your salespeople? Can you please ask your employees to stay off the children's tables so the children actually have some room to play?

We ended up walking away with the perfect vehicle for our family yesterday, but I have to say that the birthing process was less aggravating than the car-buying process.

The customer pays for your salary. Keep our needs in mind, please.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Fire

When I was in college, on a frigid night (and I do mean frigid as in twenty to thirty below zero-- I went to school in Minnesota, folks), my apartment burned down. I got a sandwich bag full of smoky-smelling jewelery out of the apartment, and that was it.

Today, it was with a heavy heavy heart that I was reading about the fires in southern California. I've been there. It sucks. (It's weird for a while-- you think, oh I want that CD-- oh yeah, it's toast. You think, where's that picture? Oh yeah, it's ashes.)

As I was reading washingtonpost.com, I discovered that the fires were around San Diego. I have family in that area-- family that I don't talk to. (Bad grammar, I know-- but my point is that they haven't been in my life-- and some have been offensive when they have been in my life-- so I don't bring them into my life.)

I discovered that the town that all of my family lives in has been evacuated. I've had mixed feelings since. I have fond memories of visiting the family place several times when I was young. I'm sad at the thought that it could all go up in smoke. I feel sadness about the feelings they must be having right now. That's about as far as I can go, though. Does it make me want to reconnect with them? No.

Is this bad? Should I be reaching out to them? (This is rhetorical, of course.) Perhaps I should, but I really don't feel the need. I've been hurt so many times that I don't want to stick myself out there again.

In some ways, there is good that comes out of a fire. You truly get a sense of what is important (those that you love) and what is not important (stuff). People that matter surround you and nurture you. People that are buttheads make inappropriate comments. And you realize your own strength.

I know who I love and who loves me. I feel for those that I'm related to, but that's it. I wish them the best.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Cubs... of all sizes

Off we went to Shenandoah National Park this past weekend, despite our sick cub in the backseat. Oh, how he scared us with the low-grade fever, vomiting, and diarrhea-- but when the pediatrician says that we can go as long as we bring back a brochure for him, who are we to question?

We hiked down the Cedar Run trail to see the falls at the bottom. Discovered that we heard no water flowing as we were on our way down and that the rock where the falls were supposed to be was bone dry. Doggone drought. On the way back up, I heard a rustle. I looked to my left to see... a bear cub sprawled on the other side of the ravine. That's when I remembered that I had a bag of homemade granola in the baby backpack. And that cubs have mommies.

So I clapped at DH. Who just kept moving. So I said his name. When he turned around, I pointed and he just looked at me. So I said, "Bear!" in my most urgent tone. We both got moving.

A few hours later, we saw a cub posing for tourists just like Yogi did in the cartoons. I think it was the same goofy adolescent bear that I saw earlier-- I'm sure that he was doing his best 'feed me' look.

Oh, and dining choices near Luray were oh so sparse. Very, very disappointing. I always forget that I was spoiled by the quality of the beef in SD growing up. Not to mention that the Confederate-sympathizing vibe in our restaurant choice was very off-putting. But I forget that I'm south of the Mason-Dixon sometimes.

Random thought of the day: Having a husband that insists on being involved with decorating decisions to the point that I get frustrated and worn down is not fun. Who knew that paint colors could be so stress-inducing?

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Wedding planning...

My sister is getting married. Not immediately, but she got engaged over the summer and she's going to get married. (I wonder what catchy blog name I could use for her 'intended.' Maine Native? FBIL for Future Brother-In-Law? FCW for Former Co-Worker? I must think about this on my next commute...)

However, my parents are being buttheads. Yes, that was me, calling out my parents without their knowlege in the blogosphere. (They live in Wyoming, don't have a working computer, let alone internet. But this is awfully cheap therapy, you've got to admit.)

The family found out about my sister's engagement shortly before we arrived in Maine this summer. My dad not-so-jokingly discussed my sister getting married while we were there. Then that passed and I assumed his nudginess had passed.

Oh, no. Turns out they've nudged my sister about every little date twist and turn that has come up. Repeatedly. Unashamedly.

The more I think about this, the more upset I get. My issue is: THEY ARE NOT PAYING FOR THE WEDDING. I think the issue can be boiled down to that. So here's a new rule.

Rule: You are not allowed to b*tch about events of major cost for which you are not financially responsible.

Why can't people just be happy, and communicate that? And be supportive?

I don't get it.

And why can't toddlers go to bed without the frolic-ing in the dark?