Here's an article I found interesting, about how automated kiosks and
checkouts effect customer service, and jobs.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/ConsumerActionGuide/Wher
eHasAllTheHelpGone.aspx?page=1

I am a person that prefers "self-service" type dealies rather then having
to ask for help. But it kind of bothers me that the only reason companies
do it is because it allows them to downsize staff and save money... and not
in the interest of making the experience better for their customers.

Maybe greed really does rule the world.

A few days late, i know, but i liked this so I thought i'd share! I did not
right this, by the way.

APRIL 1

No one goes hungry

All people are fed

The oceans are clean

Lake Erie's not dead.

The Irish aren't fighting

The Arabs love Jews

The swords are now plowshares

Now ain't that good news?

The water's delicious

The air is so clear

On top of a mountain

You see to next year.

Couples stay married

Children are jewels

Sure got you going!

APRIL FOOLS!

Everytime I get one, my fortune tells me always really generic and happy
things, such as - "You will find great fortune and happyness" (How?! I'm
sure not on that path right now!!) Why dont I ever get "bad" fortunes, such
as "You will lose something of great value" (true) or "You will grow up to
be crazy and have 100 cats" (Im on my way!)

The other day I got a fortune that said "You are known to be quick in
action and decisions". Ok. No. I am a slow-poke, I take my sweet old time
doing anything, and I am incredibly indecisive. If I am KNOWN for being
quick in action and decisions, they are definitely asking the wrong people.
But thats it. I have lost ALL HOPE in fortune cookies!

Anyone know who I can write a letter to about this?

So, I have a little tiny thing thats been bugging me:

There are people out there who are willing to plunk 1000+ dollars on
electronics without researching them first. Why does that bug me? Because
its stupid! I most certainly would not buy ANYTHING that is that expensive
without checking out reviews online first. Ever. I even check out reviews
on things under 20 bucks on targets website before buying a pair of flip
flops. (but - im a cheapass)

You wouldnt buy a car without researching it online, would you? checking
out the specs, seeing the bluebook value. Why in the world do you think
buying a TV, computer, home stereo equipment or anything else like that
would be any different? Even going to amazon.com you can see reviews and
comments on almost EVERYTHING you can buy in a store, since they carry alot
of stuff. I dont know, it just baffles me that people dont consider things
that are expensive to be an investment.

Today, I set up my first ever (fake) tree. Its cute :) I made sure all my
ornaments were plastic so my cats dont make my living room a complete
disaster area (although they are still trying) They seem to REALLY really
like the tree. The also love the crappy foily garland i have wrapped around
the tree. ugh.

I got all my shopping done (didnt wait til the last minute this year!!) and
I'm not cooking a single thing! :-D this year I'm not in retail, or in a
bank thats in a mall, so this has by FAR been the most relaxing holiday
season EVER!

Yeah. Thats me rubbing it in your faces. I paid my dues.

So, today, black friday, I actually braved the crowds and did a little
shopping before work (yuck... i know once this redbull wears off im going
to be snoozing at my desk) I hit up Kohls and Circuit City, and only bought
2 things (...) I keep telling myself that I went to help my mom and sister
out so I dont feel as bad about it :-P

Anydangway, I was so impressed with how Circuit city handled the busiest
day of the year that I wrote a compliment letter. Enjoy!

p.s. who here is going to bring me another redbull? C'mon, Philadelphia
isnt all THAT far!

I've been noticing alot of people take critism really personally around
here, and some of the dicussions really turn into more of a personal attack
exchange.

Disagreeing is not the same as "Attacking". If you are going to post your
letter publicly on a site that allows comments, then expect people to
disagree with you. Im not saying its acceptable to sling personal attacks,
but all the same, dont make your letters public if you cant take people
disagreeing with you.

Sometimes the complaints and demands are just... ridiculous, and
over-self-entitled. If its going to be posted in a forum that accepts
comments, of course people are going to comment and say so.

You know who I'm talking about. Theres one in every group, a person that
has to "One Up" every story you tell. For those who don't know one, a one
upper ALWAYS has a story to top yours when you are complaining about
something. For example:


Me: Ugh, traffic was really bad this morning
One upper: Oh yeah? thats nothing, I sat in traffic for 3 hours once.

(you got in a fender bender)
Me: Ugh, i got in a fender bender this morning
One Upper: Yeah? well my last fender bender costed me 3000 dollars and it
was soo much worse!

Maybe those are poor examples, but really. You know what im talking about.
If your sick, they were sicker. If you are broke, they were/are broker.
Ugh. Everything is just so much more dire and dramatic with them. Every
time I listen to a One-Upper I just want to tear my ears off my head, hand
it to them, and say "THERE! TRY TO ONE UP THAT @!^#@!!!"

Yep! In two weeks I'm movin outta this crap-pile and getting a nicer
apartment. (maybe. you never really know how nice a place is until you live
there for a little bit.) My only concern is I have 2 young kitties, and I'm
scared that they will have trouble adjusting. (mainly im scared that they
will pee everywhere or try to bolt out of the door) Any cat lovers out
there have any good tips?

Either way, wish me luck!

And I have internet connection again!

Just for those who are concerned. :-P

Well, just got back from fun in the sun. Now, instead of being whiter then
sand, I am redder then a lobster! Seriously, my sunburn is so bad that my
feet and knees (which are badly burnt) are swollen! I tried that spray
sunblock... didnt think i had to rub it in... and.... now i just have
stripes of white! its horrible.

The water was cold, but that didn't stop me. And my sandcastle was awesome!

Well, I'm off to the beach for a nice relaxing weekend. I gots my SPF 30,
my bathing suit, and my sandcastle paraphernalia all packed up and ready to
go! Yes, im 23 (in a month!) and I plan on making the best sandcastle on
the east coast. And maybe I'll get some color in my skin. Right now I'm
whiter then the sand. (although thats not hard with Jersey sand, no offense
New Jersey-ians) I'm practically reflective. You might want to wear shades
around me.

I want a drink with an umbrella in it. But I probably need to go somewhere
tropical for that.

My friends brought a bag camping, "oh, I've never met a Dorito I didn't
like!" Hmm, try this one! It is cheeseburger, I could taste the pickle.
Absolutely revolting isn't it? I have actually talked people out of these
in the store! Well, not the teenage boys, but grown women. Yeah, not tasty
at all!