Guest Blog #4 "Everyone wants something for free"

The bike shop that I work at, like most bike shops, has a set price for repairs. Be it as easy as a tube change or a full blown overhaul, which is the complete disassembly/rebuild of the fork, wheels, crank, headset, derailluers, brakes and bottom bracket. NOTE* Knowing what all of that is is not necessary to understand the rest of this story so don't get discouraged-read on.

Almost every day I will have at least 1 person come in and expect me to fix their bike for free or try to haggle me down on the price of a new bike. "Can you do any better on the price of this bike?" While it's on sale, mind you.

This is why I then constructed a price list on a 3x4 foot dry erase board. The most common response when I tell people how much their repair will cost is that they think I'm "tryin ta play dem". This gets under my skin because I am overly honest with people, I have even been known to do some pro-bono work when I think that someone is really having a crappy day or just down on their luck in general. Much to the dismay of my employer, but what he doesn't know won't hurt him. (If you read the last guest blog you're probably thinking, man this guy is going to make them go out of business). That couldn't be further from the truth, I hibernate in the winter and only give hand outs on rare occasions. Don't judge me.

I started to get tired of people trying to make me work for free and complaining when I charged them. I don't work at a pawn shop people. Try haggling with an auto shop, its not going to get you anywhere. So I decided to write on that big 'ol price board in BIG capital letters "IF YOU WANT TO PAY MORE, ASK FOR A DISCOUNT". Now, please re-read that. Ok, assuming that anyone that reads this blog has above a 3rd grade education, its pretty cut and dry.
I had a lady stand in front of me at the cash register while I was tallying up what she owed and look me in the eyes right after she read my sign and say, "Can I have a discount?" WHAT? 'Did you actually just read that sign and ask me that?', is what I thought. I slowly turned around to look at my sign in case one of my lackies played a joke on me, while keeping eye contact with her for as long as I could and I, the one who wrote the sign, re-read the sign. Nope still the same as the day I wrote it. I proceeded to read the sign to her. She, looking me straight in the eye, mind you, nodded her head and said "yeah, can I get a discount". What the shit? At this point I pictured what I must have looked like. My face showing multiple expressions; disbelief, shock, confusion-to name a few. I re-read the sign to her, (this time slower because that helps when you talk to people that don't speak english). I enunciated every word I could and used my hands as stage props. A good 10 seconds of silent eye contact, then all of a sudden "Ohhhhhhh". It finally sunk in. I then sloooowly told her the total of her repair, didn't make any sudden movements, slooowly handed her the change and sloooowly told her to "haaave a niiiice daaaay maaaaam".

Wheew not getting that 20 minutes back, ever.

Inept: My feeling this afternoon.

I'm going to begin this blog by quoting verbatim an email that I sent today to our dear friend, Nikki. ("Life of a Flat Foot Floozy" blog over there on the right)((don't yet understand the linking aspect of Blogger.))

"Oh my Gosh.

I just went to babys r us to take a gander.
I want to cry.
Mental Overload.
How in the world did you know where to begin?

I'm gonna freak out. AHHHHHH"

And that pretty much sums up my afternoon.
:)

Nikki did, however, calm my anxiety by quickly replying back offering to go with the both of us to help. And I quickly accepted. I love you, Nikki.

You know, We LOVED registering for our wedding. We got to play with the scanner thing, have eyes bigger than our wallet, and have FUN...we simply had confidence in this field. I was shopping for my home, on someone else's dime. ;) How hard could this be? It wasn't. It was fabulous.

I suppose the stress comes into play with this registry b/c it's for another little person who will NEED the junk I register for. Not WANT....NEED. I went online today to babys r us to take a look around, to get familiarized...but then I quickly clicked the X in the top right hand corner of my screen and took 3 deep breaths. Then read about Cardinals Spring Training.

At least I have my stroller picked out.
Something I need not register for as my Mom is gifting this.

Hurrumpf.

Day Off

Ahhh, a day off. Went to the dentist this morning, got my toofers in check. Scheduled my next appt for after the baby is born...2nd thing planned for after-the-fact! Means it's not too, too far away!

Not sure what to do with my day--I have some pictures I want to take for some baby keepsakes, a nice big-fat healthy turkey sandwich made for lunch, perhaps I'll start my 3rd book in as little as many weeks...just Veg out and casually accomplish things~~it's nice that way!

~Editor's note~ I have a afternoon apps scheduled with my girlfriend Tiffany and then dinner scheduled with a couple that we are good friends with....not too bad of a day I'd say!

Hope everyone's enjoying their Monday too!

Kodachrome

Another snow-covered start this morning.
Driving to work.
9 Miles from home.
Hardly long enough for more than 3 songs.
Last song that pops on.~~Kodachrome~~Paul Simon
Make my day I tell ya!!
Stayed in the car until it finished.
Late arrival to my office.
B.F.D.
All kinds of pumped.
Dancing and Drumming along.
Upbeat song!
Daydreamin' of dancing with our baby, at our cabin.
21 weeks left and counting!!
Does this song make yo botty move too?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SExsuRIGAlg


Here are they lyrics to follow along with! If you really research this song, there are million different interpretations...which I LOVE about music!!~~Please listen!!


When I think back
On all the crap I learned in high school
It's a wonder
I can think at all
And though my lack of edu---cation
Hasn't hurt me none
I can read the writing on the wall

Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, Oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama don't take my Kodachrome away

If you took all the girls I knew
When I was single
And brought them all together for one night
I know they'd never match
my sweet imagination
everything looks WORSE in black and white

Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, Oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama don't take my Kodachrome away

Mama don't take my Kodachrome away
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away

Mama don't take my Kodachrome
Mama don't take my Kodachrome
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away

Mama don't take my Kodachrome
Leave your boy so far from home
Mama don't take my Kodachrome away
Mama don't take my Kodachrome

Mama don't take my Kodachrome away

Guest Blog #3 "Winter Blues-things I do at work"

Is anyone else tired of winter? I have definitely had enough. don't get me wrong, I like the snow. I have awesome memories of sledding and getting to be off school, but I am arguably an adult now. I don't get off work because of snow. Even if I could, I wouldn't be able to go sledding, because most of the hills by our house are at schools and there's a new law stating that you have to be accompanied by a child to be on school property. *I don't know if that is actually true, but it would be weird for me to get my sled out and go sledding with the neighborhood kids.*

I'm ready to take the trash out without having to look like Randy from the Christmas Story. I'm ready to go mountain biking again. I'm ready to go camping and get out to Kelly's (sp change because of stalkers-remember?) family's lake house. Bottom line is that there is a lot more things to do when it's Spring and Summer. So, because boredom has taken it's toll, I am going to list the things that I have been doing at work to pass the time. I manage a bicycle shop, so keep in mind that we are a seasonal store, it is very slow right now. Don't judge me.

Take naps- This is a great way to pass the time. Usually I'm only good for a power nap because my ass falls asleep when I'm in my chair with my feet on the desk. Regardless, this energizes me so I can slack off to my full potential.

Ride bikes inside- Easy way to bring out the kid in you. Set up obsticles and ride. Being sure not to damage customer's bikes, or the stores bikes, because I'd have a lot of explaining to do. No matter what, can't let the owner see this happening, it is strictly against regulations.

Surf the web- This can be very time consuming, but also very frustrating. Let me explain. We still have dial-up at the shop. You see, dial-up was the thing that made that REALLY annoying noise when the computer is trying to connect to the web. It takes forever to load a page, let alone check email, and loses connection very often. I don't have that kind of time.

See if I can eat an entire PB&J sandwich w/o taking a drink- Seems impossible, right? But I have infact done it. I don't make baby sandwiches either. I'm talkin' double-decker, 3 pieces of bread PB&J's. It's awkward the one time a customer comes in as I'm in the middle of achieving the impossible.

Movie day at work- I don't do this very often, it makes me feel guilty. I bring my wifey's computer in and stop by Red Box to get a couple a flicks. Takes up half the day, and nobodys the wiser.

(And Last, but not least)
Occasionally fix a bike- I would love more work-related things to do at work, but like I said, noone is thinking about riding bikes in -7 degree windchill. I am though, getting a few bikes fixed up to donate to needy-kids with the help of our friend, (rhymes with Banana, stupid stalkers). I told you not to judge me!

Well, it's nap time, so I don't want to write my blog anymore. Have a good rest of the week, and if you have a crappy bike that you don't want anymore, let me, Kelly or Banana know so we can fix it, and give it to a kid that can use it.

Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes (turn and face the strain)

I have requested 2 weeks of vacation prior to my 13 week maternity leave, to prepare my house, my husband, my family, and myself for what's about to rock our world!! (Well, not "about" in a sense of current time, but you get the point.) I have been at my current job for 10 years as of June. I get mad vacation, and mad maternity~~loves it!!

Anyhow.

I am so super-excited to be out of the corporate world for a few months, that I have a list of to-do's for myself, to be accomplished right before, or for those that have to wait, for right after the baby is born.

Here we go!~and not particularly in this order!

1.) Hello Mystic Tans! Never have had this done, I usually bake myself~but that's not healthy. So spray me already!!

2.) Fixin' to get this mop on my head straightened, dyed summin' crazy and cut, ya hur me?

3.) I haven't decided on the exact colors yet, but I am getting 3 different colored extensions attached to my dome, all over...(did I mention I am off work for like THREE months?)

4.) I will be getting two new tattoos. Yes hubby, I said two. One of my new family name's motto, (in Latin of course)-(to match my maiden name one)...and the second in relation to my baby somehow. That one I haven't quite decided on, but it shall come to me, I just know it. This will put my tat count to 7. Good thing I get addicted to PERMANANT things, eh?

5.) One not-so-permanant form of expression I will be delving into is Henna. I've already purchased the kit, and chosen my artist, (rock it sis!). This will be to decorate my belly once I'm huge and not feeling so pretty!

~~There's a zillion other things rushing through my head, like scrapbooks for the baby when it arrives, etc...but I figured I would post the things I am going to do for myself, before I put my needs and wants on the back burner!!

I smell Spring in the air, and it reminds me that there are some changes-a-comin'. These days, that's all I want!

Ch Ch Ch Ch Changes!!!!

Didn't Realize

I did not realize how freakin hard it would be to 'blog' when you are never at home.

I thought for sure when I got pregnant that we'd be spending more time in the house, not having late nights and just takin' it easy all around. Not True. The first two weeks of the months I work 60 hours a week (not the norm, per say, but with America being Modification-happy, we are left with no choice). ((I work in the mortage industry and corporate America right now is SLAMMED!!!)) So, not walking in the front door until after 6pm, then taking care of regular-life crap, I'm spent. Weekends are spent catching up with friends and family that we rarely get a chance to see during the week anymore~~we've been hitting two/three different 'groups' a day some weekends just to keep in the loop!! I really do hope things start to slow down a bit...I've got a lot of half-finished to-do lists/projects layin' around and I'd like to put my time, mind and energy into them and get them finished!!

So, sorry blog-world, I haven't kept up as much as I thought I would. Hopefully I can get something fun out here before this week's Guest-Blogger session!