How can people watch that Bachelorette show and take it seriously? Or even find it entertaining as far as that goes? Where's the challenge? Where's the entertainment? You take an already beautiful, young woman, who has a successful career and wants to be married and have a family, make her even more beautiful with designer clothes, professional hair and makeup, introduce her to a dozen (or more?) successful, handsome men who also want to be married and have a family, and see who she picks. Sure each week there is some drama between the contestants vying for her attention. Sure there's the dramatic rose ceremony where she boots out the ones with whom she feels there is no "chemistry." All the while the music is escalating, the drums rolling, and with each presentation of the rose, there are sighs of relief. You'd think something real was hanging in the balance. And don't tell me these people have feelings that are "real" at this point. They just met for crying out loud.
I sound like I know far too much about this show to criticize. I come home from work tired and hungry. Prop my legs up with a big salad and grab my remote. One round of clicking, I discover there is nothing on, but I land on The Bachelorette and like a bad car accident, I can't turn away.
During the commercials I leave the room to change out of my work clothes and get so sidetracked, I forget I'm even watching TV. When I return to my living room I realize I've missed some drama. The Bachelorette is crying about something. What did I miss? I'm annoyed that I'm even watching this show at all, then I'm annoyed that I missed something, and then I'm annoyed that I'm even annoyed about missing some staged drama.
And that Bachelorette seems to always be crying about something. Whenever they show the clips of what happened last week, she is crying. She is crying this week. And then they show clips of next week's episode and she's crying. Okay, ya big baby, you're dating loads of gorgeous boys, in beautiful settings and money is no object. Stop your belly aching.
In my constant effort to come up with new and interesting (and lucrative) reality TV shows, I've got a far better idea. How about taking a middle aged, average looking woman, who lacks a proper career (anyone you might know?), doctor her up to look fabulous on TV (this feat may actually require a doctor), and without revealing to the men (handsome, successful, interesting ones, of course) her lack of career, assets or financial security, see how hard they compete for her hand. That sounds way more fun.
Showing posts with label whine w/ cheese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label whine w/ cheese. Show all posts
Monday, June 1, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Looking for Work IS Work
My luck seems to have run out. Over the last three years since my return to Seattle, I've found it quite easy to find work. Most of it was temporary work, but that's all I was looking for. Not sure of what I wanted to do outside of travel, play and write, temporary gigs were ideal for my lifestyle. With one foot out the proverbial Seattle door, a temp job was preferred over anything too committal.
In the past three years I've been an ESL teacher, a janitor, a receptionist at a theater supply store, a law firm and a seafood company called Ocean Beauty Seafoods (I kept answering the phones "good afternoon, Ocean Booty" and they offered me full time work anyway!), an administrative assistant in the City of Seattle's Engineering Records Center, a Seattle Art Museum librarian assistant and education department admin assistant, a pet nanny and dog walker, and I did market research for WhitePages.com. I was head of programming and development at a non-profit international education organization, catered an event at an art gallery, was a mystery shopper and drove a woman's car from Denver to Seattle.
The jobs over the last three years have been as diverse as my interests in life. Intriguing and entertaining. Unfortunately, the opportunities seem to have come to a screeching halt. No longer are friends or friends of friends tracking me down with the random odd job. Those days seem to be over for this "professional service provider." sigh.
I knew it would all have to come to an end eventually. I was just hoping I could hang on to the multiple thin income strings (or threads rather) a bit longer. With thousands of out of work talent hitting the streets with every layoff announcement, the competition for these and other crap jobs is fierce.
So, as Dr. Phil says, "if you're out of a job, then that's your job!" Oh, the reality of it all. I've been hitting it hard and letting up is not an option. Keeping the momentum up along with the optimism is a full-time job!
In the past three years I've been an ESL teacher, a janitor, a receptionist at a theater supply store, a law firm and a seafood company called Ocean Beauty Seafoods (I kept answering the phones "good afternoon, Ocean Booty" and they offered me full time work anyway!), an administrative assistant in the City of Seattle's Engineering Records Center, a Seattle Art Museum librarian assistant and education department admin assistant, a pet nanny and dog walker, and I did market research for WhitePages.com. I was head of programming and development at a non-profit international education organization, catered an event at an art gallery, was a mystery shopper and drove a woman's car from Denver to Seattle.
The jobs over the last three years have been as diverse as my interests in life. Intriguing and entertaining. Unfortunately, the opportunities seem to have come to a screeching halt. No longer are friends or friends of friends tracking me down with the random odd job. Those days seem to be over for this "professional service provider." sigh.
I knew it would all have to come to an end eventually. I was just hoping I could hang on to the multiple thin income strings (or threads rather) a bit longer. With thousands of out of work talent hitting the streets with every layoff announcement, the competition for these and other crap jobs is fierce.
So, as Dr. Phil says, "if you're out of a job, then that's your job!" Oh, the reality of it all. I've been hitting it hard and letting up is not an option. Keeping the momentum up along with the optimism is a full-time job!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Fly the Friendly Skies...or Just Walk
Besides becoming ridiculously expensive, air travel has become down right exhausting. It used to be fun to travel by air. You'd go to the airport and after check in, zip through security and head to the bar to have a celebratory cocktail to kick off the start of your tropical vacation. Once on the aircraft you'd hunker down with your 5 x 7 inch foam puff called a pillow and scratchy, yet, warmish blanket. A meal was served, the flight attendants were pleasant, cheerful even. You'd reach your destination and retrieve your luggage from baggage claim and be merrily on your way.
Today's scenario is much more grim. First of all, just getting through security involves the patience of Jobe. Wearing flip flops, no belt, no jewelry, and removing your fillings beforehand will speed things up. Rather than one of those plastic bins, I seem to require three plus the plastic dish for my bracelets, rings and hair clip. By the time you remove your shoes, remove your laptop, don't let your laptop case touch your laptop, make sure everything is flat, your purse is in a separate bin, your cardigan sweater is removed, you realize there is no time for that relaxing pre-flight cocktail!
You walk through the security pass thru, practically naked by now, and rush to gather your belongings while the other bins from those behind you are crashing into yours and you are attempting to stuff your feet into your shoes and put your belt on at the same time to get out of the way and keep the line moving.
The poor airline industry is suffering and we, the consumers, suffer the most. Over the past three weeks I've had the pleasure of working with four different airlines.
United Airlines. At work, our Cypriot participants flew in from Cyprus on United. They came in two groups, one flew in from Turkey, the others directly from Cyprus. The first group were due in on a Sunday evening, however, their flight was cancelled from Chicago to Seattle via Las Vegas. Just cancelled. Not delayed. Not postponed. Just flat out cancelled. Our two Turkish Cypriots, one of them disabled, were on their own in Chicago to figure out how to get to Seattle. They finally arrived at 1.00 a.m. Monday morning. The second group, a group of 17, were due to arrive on Monday afternoon at 2.30 p.m. We received a call in our office at 10.00 a.m. that their flight had been cancelled. Not delayed. Not postponed. Just flat out cancelled.
Apparently, the crew were over their flight hours and there were no backup crew members available. Was this scheduled flight a surprise? Did someone completely forget to book crew for an entire plane? The airlines suggested they keep the group on standby and get them onto planes as seats became available. The agent actually said that with other delays from other cities, it's probable that many people will miss their connections and our participants can get those seats...if they are, in fact, available. That sounds ideal. Have our group sit in the airport endlessly awaiting the possibility of a seat or two here or there as they may or may not arise. And what are we suppose to do here in Seattle? Drive back and forth to the airport several times throughout the day fetching these folks and getting them to their hotel? No, no. Unacceptable. The solution was, of course, to keep the group together and get them on the next available flight. This turned out to be the following day. They arrived on Tuesday night at 8.30. They lost an entire day of their scheduled program in Seattle.
Last week I was in Colorado for my cousin's wedding when his two daughters' flight was cancelled going back to New York. The airlines - United.
Unlike the days of yore where all airlines pretty much offered the same 'perks', today each airline has something different going on. I flew Frontier on my way to the wedding. I'd never flown Frontier before. It was comfortable enough, but no free snacks at all. No cookies, no nuts. We did receive a complimentary beverage, however. And I was still allowed the one checked in piece of luggage.
American Airlines, flown from Denver to DC, made me cough up an extra $15 for my one checked luggage. Of course I had to check it because I had all my lotions, potions, liquids and gels to transport. I also was traveling for work and play so already had a laptop and tote to carry on. Once on the plane, pillows and blankets (thin, felt, fabric thingy- but who's going to complain? At least I got one.) were provided, as well as a complimentary beverage. No little screens were installed on the back of the seats and no movie offered.
Because of the luggage fee, every passenger drags on every bit of luggage and attempts to stuff it under the seat, overhead, on their laps, in the front pouches of their seats, you name it. How, exactly, is this checked luggage fee saving the weight on the plane? Are they unaware of the fact that the weight is still on the plane? And by the looks of some of my fellow passengers it appears that if I just ate my luggage, I could avoid paying any excess charges. As far as the baggage crew, do they think they are saving on manpower costs to put the luggage on the plane? Wait until the surge of L&I claims come flooding in because the on board crew are forced to help the passengers wrestle with their heavy carry ons in the overhead compartments!
From DC to Seattle it was Jet Blue. Jet Blue has the cushiest, roomiest seats of all of them. They boast the most legroom of any airlines. I think they might be right. The passengers wedged in the window and center seats could actually exit the row without the aisle guy having to get up! They did offer a variety of snacks including chips, cookies, animal crackers, nuts, trail mix and some stuff I can't remember because the list was actually quite long. However, you had to pay $7.00 for a blanket and another fee for a pillow-like object. The headsets for the individual little personal screens cost $1.00, payable 'on your honor' at the gate. Oh, and they didn't charge for my one checked bag.
I guess the little differences keep you on your travel toes. You need to pack snacks, a pillow and blanket. Travel light and only take a carry on (buy your lotions and potions at your destination). Soon we're going to be hauling our own luggage down into the belly of the plane and retrieving it ourselves. Actually, that might not be such a bad idea. At least we'd be assured of getting it upon arrival!
As for the crews, it seems they are getting older, wider and crabbier yet doing less. Hell, if I didn't have to feed 300 passengers a crap meal, hand out blankets, pillows and snacks, I think I'd be in a better mood. But that's just me.
With air travel being what it is, it might not be a bad idea to promote hitch hiking again. It made more sense. Share the gas, meet interesting new people, see the countryside, plenty of drive-thrus when hungry or thirsty, rest stops for potty breaks. Chances are, you'd get where you're going a lot faster with a lot less hassle.
Today's scenario is much more grim. First of all, just getting through security involves the patience of Jobe. Wearing flip flops, no belt, no jewelry, and removing your fillings beforehand will speed things up. Rather than one of those plastic bins, I seem to require three plus the plastic dish for my bracelets, rings and hair clip. By the time you remove your shoes, remove your laptop, don't let your laptop case touch your laptop, make sure everything is flat, your purse is in a separate bin, your cardigan sweater is removed, you realize there is no time for that relaxing pre-flight cocktail!
You walk through the security pass thru, practically naked by now, and rush to gather your belongings while the other bins from those behind you are crashing into yours and you are attempting to stuff your feet into your shoes and put your belt on at the same time to get out of the way and keep the line moving.
The poor airline industry is suffering and we, the consumers, suffer the most. Over the past three weeks I've had the pleasure of working with four different airlines.
United Airlines. At work, our Cypriot participants flew in from Cyprus on United. They came in two groups, one flew in from Turkey, the others directly from Cyprus. The first group were due in on a Sunday evening, however, their flight was cancelled from Chicago to Seattle via Las Vegas. Just cancelled. Not delayed. Not postponed. Just flat out cancelled. Our two Turkish Cypriots, one of them disabled, were on their own in Chicago to figure out how to get to Seattle. They finally arrived at 1.00 a.m. Monday morning. The second group, a group of 17, were due to arrive on Monday afternoon at 2.30 p.m. We received a call in our office at 10.00 a.m. that their flight had been cancelled. Not delayed. Not postponed. Just flat out cancelled.
Apparently, the crew were over their flight hours and there were no backup crew members available. Was this scheduled flight a surprise? Did someone completely forget to book crew for an entire plane? The airlines suggested they keep the group on standby and get them onto planes as seats became available. The agent actually said that with other delays from other cities, it's probable that many people will miss their connections and our participants can get those seats...if they are, in fact, available. That sounds ideal. Have our group sit in the airport endlessly awaiting the possibility of a seat or two here or there as they may or may not arise. And what are we suppose to do here in Seattle? Drive back and forth to the airport several times throughout the day fetching these folks and getting them to their hotel? No, no. Unacceptable. The solution was, of course, to keep the group together and get them on the next available flight. This turned out to be the following day. They arrived on Tuesday night at 8.30. They lost an entire day of their scheduled program in Seattle.
Last week I was in Colorado for my cousin's wedding when his two daughters' flight was cancelled going back to New York. The airlines - United.
Unlike the days of yore where all airlines pretty much offered the same 'perks', today each airline has something different going on. I flew Frontier on my way to the wedding. I'd never flown Frontier before. It was comfortable enough, but no free snacks at all. No cookies, no nuts. We did receive a complimentary beverage, however. And I was still allowed the one checked in piece of luggage.
American Airlines, flown from Denver to DC, made me cough up an extra $15 for my one checked luggage. Of course I had to check it because I had all my lotions, potions, liquids and gels to transport. I also was traveling for work and play so already had a laptop and tote to carry on. Once on the plane, pillows and blankets (thin, felt, fabric thingy- but who's going to complain? At least I got one.) were provided, as well as a complimentary beverage. No little screens were installed on the back of the seats and no movie offered.
Because of the luggage fee, every passenger drags on every bit of luggage and attempts to stuff it under the seat, overhead, on their laps, in the front pouches of their seats, you name it. How, exactly, is this checked luggage fee saving the weight on the plane? Are they unaware of the fact that the weight is still on the plane? And by the looks of some of my fellow passengers it appears that if I just ate my luggage, I could avoid paying any excess charges. As far as the baggage crew, do they think they are saving on manpower costs to put the luggage on the plane? Wait until the surge of L&I claims come flooding in because the on board crew are forced to help the passengers wrestle with their heavy carry ons in the overhead compartments!
From DC to Seattle it was Jet Blue. Jet Blue has the cushiest, roomiest seats of all of them. They boast the most legroom of any airlines. I think they might be right. The passengers wedged in the window and center seats could actually exit the row without the aisle guy having to get up! They did offer a variety of snacks including chips, cookies, animal crackers, nuts, trail mix and some stuff I can't remember because the list was actually quite long. However, you had to pay $7.00 for a blanket and another fee for a pillow-like object. The headsets for the individual little personal screens cost $1.00, payable 'on your honor' at the gate. Oh, and they didn't charge for my one checked bag.
I guess the little differences keep you on your travel toes. You need to pack snacks, a pillow and blanket. Travel light and only take a carry on (buy your lotions and potions at your destination). Soon we're going to be hauling our own luggage down into the belly of the plane and retrieving it ourselves. Actually, that might not be such a bad idea. At least we'd be assured of getting it upon arrival!
As for the crews, it seems they are getting older, wider and crabbier yet doing less. Hell, if I didn't have to feed 300 passengers a crap meal, hand out blankets, pillows and snacks, I think I'd be in a better mood. But that's just me.
With air travel being what it is, it might not be a bad idea to promote hitch hiking again. It made more sense. Share the gas, meet interesting new people, see the countryside, plenty of drive-thrus when hungry or thirsty, rest stops for potty breaks. Chances are, you'd get where you're going a lot faster with a lot less hassle.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
80 Degrees Please
Do I even need to say "enough is enough?" I mean really, what day is this? May 14th or December 14th? It's really getting hard to tell anymore. The lining and pockets of my winter coat have shredded, I've lost or worn out three pair of gloves this season alone, and my scarves are beginning to tatter. It's time to retire these bits of woolen fabrics and pull out the spring clothes that we in Seattle never wear out!
Our warm weather clothes last far beyond the fashion trends. Yes, I know that is no reason to continue wearing out of fashion sandals, but in keeping with the current "Green" campaign, I find it difficult to discard a perfectly good pair of sandals that have barely been worn because our weather is not conducive to such skin revealing footwear. Besides that I'm a low income case and need to embrace the "everything old is new again" motto.
Last week a friend met me for a lunchtime walk and I had to ask her to bring me a scarf to wear because I stupidly forgot mine. I forgot where I was for a moment that morning as I left for the office! Silly me. It's only May! I can't walk out of the house without my scarf, gloves and turtleneck.
As another friend commented during this weekend's constant drizzle, and I agreed wholeheartedly, "I'm about to claw my way out of this city." Oh, how appropriate. She, however, is clawing her way out and moving to Tennessee! She's packed up her apartment and will be on her way soon, leaving me behind in the mist and gray skies.
My boss is sure I'm going to bail on him any minute and head off to Guatemala. Hmmm, I hadn't really been thinking of Guatemala, but now that he mentions it....
For the last week I've been hearing everyone say "it's suppose to get into the 80's by the end of next week." Tomorrow is the beginning of the "end of next week" and I am getting my old, yet perfectly new, sandals out tonight in preparation for the event.
Optimism: It's one of my finest qualities!
Our warm weather clothes last far beyond the fashion trends. Yes, I know that is no reason to continue wearing out of fashion sandals, but in keeping with the current "Green" campaign, I find it difficult to discard a perfectly good pair of sandals that have barely been worn because our weather is not conducive to such skin revealing footwear. Besides that I'm a low income case and need to embrace the "everything old is new again" motto.
Last week a friend met me for a lunchtime walk and I had to ask her to bring me a scarf to wear because I stupidly forgot mine. I forgot where I was for a moment that morning as I left for the office! Silly me. It's only May! I can't walk out of the house without my scarf, gloves and turtleneck.
As another friend commented during this weekend's constant drizzle, and I agreed wholeheartedly, "I'm about to claw my way out of this city." Oh, how appropriate. She, however, is clawing her way out and moving to Tennessee! She's packed up her apartment and will be on her way soon, leaving me behind in the mist and gray skies.
My boss is sure I'm going to bail on him any minute and head off to Guatemala. Hmmm, I hadn't really been thinking of Guatemala, but now that he mentions it....
For the last week I've been hearing everyone say "it's suppose to get into the 80's by the end of next week." Tomorrow is the beginning of the "end of next week" and I am getting my old, yet perfectly new, sandals out tonight in preparation for the event.
Optimism: It's one of my finest qualities!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Starve a Cold, Feed a Fever
Or is it feed a cold and starve a fever? Or is it eat everything you can get down the hatch if it makes you feel better? Is it possible to get fat from chicken soup and saltine crackers? Apparently, it is, especially when teamed up with a package of Mother's Taffy cookies and a block of cheese. Toss in lack of a good workout and there ya go, a good five pounds of extra flab.
I've been suffering a crazy spring cold for two weeks now. I don't get sick very often and when I do, it generally only lasts a couple of days max. This one, however, is kicking my growing butt! Besides the food, I've been consuming $100 worth of Bartell's supplies: TheraFlu, NyQuil, Tylenol PM, Echanecia, Vitamin C, Juices Galore, and more tea and honey than I can stand....and I like tea, or at least I did.
Last weekend I was completely shut in with laryngitis. People who know me would have loved that. Two whole days without listening to Chatty Cathy yammering on. I crawled back to work on Monday, but my boss insisted I stay home on Tuesday. I think more than being concerned about my health, he was concerned about me spreading the joy. I don't blame him. I get annoyed when sick people come to work unnecessarily.
I'm on day 14 since the onset and still suffering a chronic cough. My neighbors are loving me, I'm sure. I figure it's pay back for all the screaming sex noise I have to endure. It's got to wrap up soon. This lovely "December in May" weather we've been enjoying isn't making things any better...for my health or my mood.
Okay, Wilma Whiner is signing off now....wishing you all good health!
I've been suffering a crazy spring cold for two weeks now. I don't get sick very often and when I do, it generally only lasts a couple of days max. This one, however, is kicking my growing butt! Besides the food, I've been consuming $100 worth of Bartell's supplies: TheraFlu, NyQuil, Tylenol PM, Echanecia, Vitamin C, Juices Galore, and more tea and honey than I can stand....and I like tea, or at least I did.
Last weekend I was completely shut in with laryngitis. People who know me would have loved that. Two whole days without listening to Chatty Cathy yammering on. I crawled back to work on Monday, but my boss insisted I stay home on Tuesday. I think more than being concerned about my health, he was concerned about me spreading the joy. I don't blame him. I get annoyed when sick people come to work unnecessarily.
I'm on day 14 since the onset and still suffering a chronic cough. My neighbors are loving me, I'm sure. I figure it's pay back for all the screaming sex noise I have to endure. It's got to wrap up soon. This lovely "December in May" weather we've been enjoying isn't making things any better...for my health or my mood.
Okay, Wilma Whiner is signing off now....wishing you all good health!
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