Oops

Apparently the Circuit City thing was just a fluke since I realized the other day that we actually bought the computer from Comp USA. Ha!

Circuit City's Going Out of Business? What?!

I inadvertently called my very first porn line the other day.

Yes, there is more to it. I went into Circuit City the other day to see if they can fit offering me a new battery for our Mac into their busy schedule of shutting down nationwide. I was also lured in by the gentleman on the side of the road holding a sign that said "30% OFF". I found nothing of interest that was more than 10% off. Jerks with their false promises.

After my disappointing look around, I stopped by the customer service desk and asked the woman working how I could still go about getting a new battery since we purchased their version of a Performance Service Plan or whatevs it's called. She gave me an 800 number to call and assured me they would help me out. I dialed the number right as I left the store and thought to myself, "Wow, they are using some very interesting marketing skills," as I heard the terms "XXX" and "hardcore" on the other line. It wasn't until I heard a vulgar term for the male genitalia when I realized this was not Circuit City customer service.

I walked back into the store and attempted to go back to the same woman, but another guy asked if he could help me and all I could utter with a disgusted face was, "I tried to call Customer Service and this is porn."

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry," the woman said and then made the 800 into an 888 number. Um, kind of a big difference. The 888 number has continued to be just as helpful as the porn number though. I continue to receive an automated message that indicates all employees are in a meeting and will be available after 3:15. It's been three days. I would hate to be part of that meeting!

Vanlines of America

I am making it my goal in the next few weeks to tarnish the name of this horrible company!

I didn't feel safe in my previous apartment anymore so I decided to switch apartments. That was easy. The staff in my leasing office are wonderful and made it a very pleasant experience. I know not everyone can say that about the place they live, but I'm glad I can. Rather than bamboozling any remaining guy friends into helping me move apartments, I talked with Marty and decided to hire movers. I went online and did a Google search for "local Jacksonville movers." The next day I had several emails and a few phone calls from movers with quotes. I decided on one company after a few days and agreed to their $300 quote by giving them a deposit of $70. I asked where they were located and was told Fort Lauderdale. I was told they had a dispatch office in St. Augustine though so that's where they would be coming from.

Moving day was set for January 3rd and I was told the movers would be at my apartment between 10 and noon. They finally arrived at 1:30. Jerks. I was already getting a rocky start with them since I was supposed to be at work at 4 that afternoon. I told them it needed to be quick and I was told they would need to use packing materials on some items. I asked the guy to walk around and give me an estimate of how much money would be spent in packing supplies. $200 he said. I agreed and filled out the paperwork. They began moving boxes to the truck and then using an unnecessary about of packing materials on the remaining items. My couch was wrapped in three blankets, plastic wrap and tape! My mattress was also wrapped in plastic wrap and tape. My mattress!

Everything was in the truck and we were ready to go down the three buildings to my new apartment. The driver gave me the new paperwork and it said the move would now be costing me $1269! Yes, you read that right. I live in a one bedroom apartment and I was moving maybe an 1/8 of a mile away. I was shocked and appalled and refused to pay that after being quoted $300 and an additional $200 for a total of $500. I called the police and the truck drove off with all of my belongings. Not just my belongings - mine, Missy's and Marty's. Probably about $20,000 worth of our lives driving away in a yellow Penske truck.

The police were nice enough to try to help out and they were completely frustrated with this guy, but legally they couldn't do anything since it was a civil matter. They were able to track down the driver and have him meet them to work out the situation. Four hours had gone by at this time. The driver spoke with his disgusting boss on the phone and they agreed to take my only $400 on me and allow me to put $600 on my credit card ($400 charge and $200 for the "down time" they had to waste). The nerve. I told them I would pay the $400 before moving anything in and then let them have my credit card info after it was all inside. They said no. They insisted on receiving an authorization number before taking anything out of the truck. I was so over everything and ready to get it done with that I just paid it and had them move it all inside. It was 8:30 pm at this point, so I asked the police officer if he would stay with me while they moved everything inside. He did.

I finally lost it for the day when I asked the only English-speaking guy to put my dresser in a different spot than he had set it up.
"We're not interior designers," was his response.
Missy suggested I take off and head over to our friends house for the evening. She took care of everything with that little sassy attitude of hers.

Now I'm attempting to do everything in my power to make their life hell. I'm disputing the claim on my credit card. I'm going to file a complaint with the BBB. I'd like to take them to Small Claims Court, no matter what it may cost me. I'm just pissed overall! I feel like I can't trust anyone anymore. That sucks. I don't even have time to do all of this stuff!

2008:​ A year in revie​w

I know these are totally lame, but just in case you're wondering what I've been up to lately. Here's a quick recap:

1) Where​ did you begin​ 2008?​
Downtown Orlando with Maureen. 2009 was the first time in 3 years we didn't get to spend New Years together.

2) What was your statu​s by Valen​tine'​s Day?
Same as it had been. Happily dating my partner in crime, Marty.

3) Were you in schoo​l anyti​me this year?​
No

4) How did you earn your money​?​
I slaved away at Winn-Dixie corporate headquarters in their legal department. Then I left that to be a much happier person making quite less money taking pictures at Cady & Cady Studios.

5) Did you have to go to the hospi​tal?​
I went with Marty to the hospital when there was a freak accident involving a water balloon and an ear canal.

6) Did you have any encou​nters​ with the polic​e?​
I wish I hadn't. The cop I had to file a police report with was a total D-bag.

7) Would​ you reliv​e 2008 over and over again​?​
No

8) What did you purch​ase that was over $​1000?​
Our new bedroom set. It's gorgeous.

9) Did you know anybo​dy who got marri​ed?​
Sydney Isham - I don't know what her last name is now...

10) Did you know anybo​dy who passe​d away?​
Marty's grandpa.


11) Did you know anyon​e who had a baby?​
One of the ladies I used to work with. All my friends are having 2007 and 2009 babies.


12) Did you move anywh​ere?​
I made plans for my apartment change. I'm now happily moved.


13) What conce​rts/​shows​ did you go to?
That really bums me out. I used to go to shows all the time and now I can't remember a single one I went to last year. I know I went to one at Jackrabbits. We went to go see a band that our buddy was friends with and then I felt obligated to stick around for the next band because there were only like 4 of us there. Poor guys...


14) Are you regis​tered​ to vote?​
I don't think so. That probably means No.

15) Do you still​ have the same job as you did in 2007?​
Not at all.


16) Has anyon​e betra​yed you in 2008?​
No, I'm pretty good at reading people and weeding them out of my life if they are not good for me.


17) Where​ do you live now?
Jacksonville


18) Descr​ibe your birth​day?​
We had a great time. Not what I would have expected at all, but it was a blast. I wore a lime green cowboy hat and had a lit cigarette as my birthday candle. We then went to dance at a country bar/nightclub. Then on my birthday, Marty took me out to eat at Maggiannos because he is the love of my life and knows what I want.

19) What'​s one thing​ you thoug​ht you'​d never​ do but did in 2008?​
Start the healing process from a traumatic event.

20) What has been your favor​ite momen​t?​
I had quite a few, but I think I loved it best when we had visitors. Maureen and I met up in Orlando for New Years. My mom and Bernie came down in February. Missy, AJ and Shawn came down in March. Bridget made it down in April. Nicole came for a visit during the summer after school had let out.

21) What'​s somet​hing you learn​ed about​ yours​elf?​
I'm a much stronger person that I ever thought. I've had my limits tested this year!

22) Any new addit​ions to your famil​y?​
We had Zeus in 2008 but had to return him to his original home since Kinnick couldn't get along with him. Dominant males!


23) What was your best month​?​
If I'm remembering correctly, I think it was June.


24) Were you in a relat​ionsh​ip this year?​
Same one.


25) What music​ will you remem​ber 2008 by?
Umbrella uh uh...


26) Who has been your best drink​ing buddy​/​buddi​es?​
Jen!

27) New frien​d?​
Meghan!



28) Favor​ite Night​ out?
Me and Jen and Rachel went out and told stupid boys we worked for a magazine in New York and we were looking for guys with that perfect surfer look for a photo shoot. One guy even took his shirt off. Like I said, stupid boys...


29) Would​ you say you'​ve chang​ed since​ the begin​ning of this year?​
Dramatically.

30) Do you think​ 2009 will be bette​r or worse​?​
It had a rocky start, but I don't think it could get any worse than the end of last year! I have high hopes!

Visitors have come and gone

I have had a very busy past week. Missy got in town to live with me last Wednesday. We spent the next couple days cleaning the house and getting ready for our cousins to visit. What a great way to welcome the poor girl, right? She's such a trooper. Love her!

My cousins Mandy and Brett came down for a few days in pursuit of a new puppy. Mandy had made arrangements with a breeder in Boca Raton to pick up a new chihuahua. Along with the puppy plan, we had plenty of time to do fun stuff like eat and go to Universal Orlando. We had a great day at the parks and then stayed in a shady $35 motel for the night. Good news? We survived! Yay!

I instinctively took I-4 out of Orlando back to I-95 to head down south to Boca. Little did I know that I had driven us 2 hours out of our way! I'm such a fool when I get behind the wheel. I do this all the time. I just assume I'm right. I think ahead of time that I should perhaps look at a map, but then blow that off thinking it's just a waste of precious time. I'm pretty sure I have finally learned my lesson.

Doesn't Kinnick look like a giant in this photo?!

Conversations from afar

This is the picture I referenced in a previous post about the little girl I took photos of while she was talking with her daddy on the computer. She was giving him kisses too. It was adorable.

On Veteran's Day, I had listened to an NPR program about young military widows. The most heartbreaking part was when one girl was describing how excited she was to smell her deceased 20-something husbands returned clothes that came in a black box care of the military. She couldn't wait to get just one more sniff of him to bring back his memory. Instead, all she smelled was Tide. Everything had been washed and sanitized before it had been sent home to her.

I told my sister the story at home that evening and she practically started crying into her plate of spaghetti. Then I almost did - again. I'm a sap.

Summer in December

I worked on another small movie set a couple weeks ago doing still photography. I walked in and felt like the token white girl at first, but that's just the south for ya. It was a good group of people and it gave me some more experience for my portfolio. That makes TWO movies now!