Spitty Rain

Oh, November. There YOU are! It was dark and raining that kind of misty/spitty rain all day. My lunchtime walk not quite as pleasant.

But tonight, I had tasty Chipotle and wine with my husband and then we're watching movies, all snuggled up against the November nastiness.

Tomorrow, I finally get to see the babies that were born nearly three weeks ago--the closest thing I'll have to nieces outside my blood relative nieces. My heart is already overflowing with joy.

But now, my couch, yoga pants, gorgeous husband, and snuggle dog are awaiting me.

Feeling St. Paul

Blackberry mojito, guacamole, jicama salad.

Long talk about a love of writing.

Giggles.
A hope that seems reachable.

A brisk walk home amid trees dressed with white twinkle lights, only a slight chill in the air, unseasonably warm in November.

Everything is still and quiet, even downtown, like I have it all to myself. Like it's all mine.

Veteran Memories/New York New York

I've written about Veterans' Day before, and I feel like I've said enough about that. At least for now.

I have another memory associated with Veterans' Day, too.

Four years ago, my then-boyfriend of sixish months asked me to go to New York City with him to visit some of his friends from grad school. (They have long since become like family to me.)

We planned the trip on Veterans' Day weekend. It wasn't the smartest idea we've ever had. Half the places we wanted to tour were closed on government holiday. But we had a wonderful time anyway.



We went to see the public library, but instead found a gigantic Veterans' Day parade. I don't have any digital photos of how many soldiers marched for peace that day. The U.S. had already been in the Middle East and Afghanistan for four-ish years. Many held signs that said things like "Veterans for Peace" and things about jailing President Bush.



We had so much fun, we almost missed our flight. Have I ever told you THAT story, dear readers?

My hair is flying in this photo, not because it was windy but because we were RUNNING to get on the subway to get back to our friend Jimmy's apartment, to get to the subway again to get to the airport. And we were supposed to be AT the airport at this point.



This is one of my all-time favorite photos, taken by our friend Lee.



Our relationship was still so new at that point. And I was head-over-heels, hopelessly, madly in love. Already. And I still am. And always will be.

In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of
There's nothing you can't do, now you're in New York
These streets will make you feel brand new
Big lights will inspire you, let's hear it for New York
New York, New York
—"Empire State of Mind," Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys

Simple Goodness

Today has been like the third or fourth day that it's been in the 60-degree range, and man, I'm taking it in. It won't last much longer--it's unseasonable now, anyway. It might be dark at 5 p.m., but it's warm.

And that makes me really happy.

Also, I finally get to meet my quasi-nieces this week. And I could not be more thrilled.

Also, I added a little Greatest Hits Collection of some past posts. Maybe more to come? People, going through my old posts, I need to step up the game. Word.

Stop the Bench Presses

People.

This is not a test.

I joined the gym yesterday.

No, for real.

No, it's not April Fool's Day.

Like, oh my God!

It's time. Here's why:

Community ed wasn't really delivering anymore on what I wanted. I loved most of the classes I took and I'd still consider going back to my belly dancing class but otherwise, I needed something more. And the last class I took was a joke, and a waste of a month's worth of gym money for five measly classes.

I know, right? Me, something more? Here are some more reasons:

• I get a little discount with my health insurance. And I have to go or I don't get the discount.
  
• I figure the barrier is a little higher when it comes to fitness at a gym vs. comm ed. This ain't no Richard Simmons' oldies class.
• I have lost a little weight, but I need to lose a little more before I'm satisfied.
• My doctor has recommended that with my two irritating illnesses, IBS and thyroid disease, to exercise five times a week. Say WHA? I'm not there yet. But I hear him.
• The Y was offering no joiners fee, and a free consult with a trainer.
• My sister belongs to the Y and we both are taking an interest in fitness, so we will push each other to go to class.
• Extra endorphins can't hurt. Especially as we enter the season called Depression around here.
• I've been inspired by some bloggers lately. And my husband.
  
• And the biggest one: I can eat more cheese if I work out. instead of a carrot dangling in front of me, imagine a chunk of Old Amsterdam Gouda and a Mounds bar.
• Expect updates.
• I would love some encouragement.

Dudes. I JOINED a GYM.

An update on my attempted productivity and cuteness

Yesterday got more annoying, if that's possible. After not getting my car 'til 1, I realized I still had to go to Target because I had to hit up the pharmacy. So, I get my car and scoot on over there to try and get some productivity out of my day.
I grab few groceries and head over to the pharmacy where....they're CLOSED for a half hour in the middle of the day. Normally, this wouldn't be an issue for me, because I love Target for one, and for two I usually have more shopping to do, but I had done that first. I wanted to throw my Yoplait yogurt cups at the closed window. I don't get it...why can't the pharmacists take rotating breaks for lunch so the pharmacy doens't have to grind to a halt during the day? There were a couple frail, older peeps that didn't look like they could stand and wait for a half hour for the pharmacy to open! Not nice.
Anyway, it worked out OK because once they did open, I got my prescription and then they printed out a $5 off coupon for my next purchase, which were the groceries! Yay!
Then I hit up a cancer benefit, and a birthday party, and went home.
Now I have a story to write today and lots of stuff to get done. So I leave you with this high dose of cuteness:

Don't call me honey

I'm sick of getting sexist treatment when I get my car serviced.

Seriously. I've had it.

My car is NEVER done when they promise it, they try to upsell me on absolutely EVERYTHING that they do not try to upsell my husband on, and they call me demeaning names. I know I am not brilliant at car maintenance, but I DO know how long it takes to get an oil change. However, I have had just about every incident related to my car take twice as long (or more) with a bunch of runaround.

At this point I'm willing to drive anywhere if I get fair service. A few months ago, I bought a set of four tires from a car place near my parents' house. Overall, that went really well. And not only did I get tires, but the deal at the time was that I got free oil changes for the life of the tires. I was excited about this. I figured since that service went well I'd be happy with that place.

Then, as I was planning to head out of town this summer for a weekend, I called the shop on a Friday morning. I asked the person who answered the phone if it'd be possible for me to drop by the store and have my oil changed quickly around 5:30 that evening. The guy said, "Oh yeah, no problem at all." I mentioned that I had the free oil change and asked if I should set up an appointment to guarantee my car gets looked at immediately, as I had a night of driving ahead of me and didn't want to waste daylight.

He tells me it's no problem at all and no appointment needed. I didn't feel good about it, but I didn't push it and said thanks and hung up.

5:30 rolls around and I'm in a huge hurry, and I stop by the store. The guy I talk to looks confused and says they can probably squeeze me in but it might take up to two hours. I look around. I am alone. I have no other car. I explain AGAIN that I was told it'd be no problem and take about 30-45 minutes. The guy says hes sorry, bu he didn't know who told me that because they tell everyone to plan on TWO HOURS for an oil change.

Now I'm pissed, I need to drive for about five hours and I just want to get on the road. I'm like, DUDE, I CALLED for this VERY REASON. He can tell I'm getting mad, and I'm mad because I don't want to take it out on this dude, who did not take my phone call in the first place. Then this dude pops his head in from the shop and says, super condescendingly, "Oh, HONEY, you talked to me this morning. I would have never told you that we could do that and I would have said you should set up an appointment." And shakes his head all slow back and forth, like I'm hard of UNDERSTANDING.

At the word honey, my blood boils over, and now I'm super pissed. I'm like, "Maybe I talked to someone else," trying to figure out why he'd blatantly LIE about talking to me and hoping I did, in fact, talk to someone else. And they both say, in unison, "No, he's the only guy here in the morning ever."

I was like "Then YOU TOLD ME this would be no problem and an appointment wasn't needed and in 45 minutes I'd be out on the road." I wait for them to back off, say they're sorry, and squeeze me in. I'm not asking for the world, here, and they promised it to me that morning. I can see two people out of the corner of my eye who are starting to look uncomfortable.

He's like "Honey, I'm sorry. You must have misunderstood me."

STOP CALLING ME HONEY!!!!!!!!!!! I was ready to punch him in the face.

I was like "No, I didn't misunderstand you. I know what you said, and I asked twice because I had a feeling you didn't know what you were talking about!" I grabbed my keys out of the guy's hand and stomped out. I was so furious at that point. I haven't been back.

So then I needed another oil change, badly. I stop by another shop, which happens to be right across the street from my house. I was like, whatever, it's convenient, even if it costs me to have it done. And they were once two hours late getting my car to me when I had to get to WORK but I have to get it done and this is the easiest way to do it.

I stop in, the guy is super friendly, no problem, he can have it done in the morning. He asks me what time I need my car by. I tell him NO LATER than 11 a.m. It is Saturday today, after all, and I have a ton of stuff to get done this weekend, including getting to the post office and the bank by NOON.

You can guess what happens, right?

11:15 rolls around and I still haven't heard anything. I call around 11:30 and ask if my car is done, hoping they just forgot to call me to pick it up. Nope. I'm on hold for FAR too long, and the guy comes back and says, "Oh I got it in for you, I can call you when it's done, OK?" Which means they hadn't even STARTED on the oil change despite the fact that they've been open since SEVEN this morning. So now it's 12:15 and it's STILL not done. Dudes. It takes like a half hour. Bank is closed. Post office is closed. Day's plans are totally screwed up and now I'm so mad I could spit.

I'm so flipping mad. This happens to me EVERY TIME. EVERY. TIME. I wish I didn't have to have a car. I'm so done dealing with these jerks who think my time is expendable and think it's OK to lie to me and call me honey. I realize car things suck for everyone. But seriously. These are just two of the incidents I've had. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO CUSTOMER SERVICE? And treating women like equals? Seriously. That dude is probably going to get an earful when I go pick my car.