Unmitigated

Brainy or Wise?

My first semester back at college was in 1999. That first semester, I had a class about teaching and technology. It was a required class, and didn't go nearly far enough as far as I was concerned. They were teaching us how to use Microsoft Office, for pete's sake. To say that I was beyond the curriculum would be a gross understatement. I could have taught the class.

The teacher, Prof. Lentz, was a great guy, and I did enjoy working with him. He answered the questions I had outside of class, because he was afraid of confusing the newbies.

He maintained a spreadsheet of the class's grades, and asked each of us to come up with a code name, so that he could post the information without sharing who did what. Having recently discovered the wonder that is Harry Potter, and being quite confident in my skills and abilities, I chose the name Hermione.

Nobody else really got it. Harry Potter was relatively new in the U.S. Between September of 1998 and one year later, the first three books were released in the states. The buzz didn't get really crazy until Prisoner of Azkaban came out in the Fall of 1999. No matter. I got it, and I was proud to be a Hermione...an overachiever. Probably because it made up for all the years I had skated by in K-12.

So, Hermione I was, all the way through graduation, and the part of grad school that I finished (60%). I earned all those OWLs and was doing exceedingly well in NEWTs, too. My back troubles intervened, and I even ended up taking an incomplete in a class, although I did eventually finish that one with another A.

Years later, I realize that while I still appreciate Hermione and her talents, the one I really can learn from is Luna Lovegood.

Luna, who is so grateful to have friends.

Luna, who takes it in stride every year that her belongings will be returned by the mischief-makers.

Luna, who dances by herself at a wedding, just because she loves the song.

Luna, who never loses her sunshine, even locked in the Malfoy's cellar.

Luna, who helps Harry cast a patronus by reminding him of all the things there are still to be joyful about.

Luna, who is brainy (she's a Ravenclaw, remember?) but whose intelligence is overshadowed by her wisdom.

Smart is sparkly. Wisdom glows.

I want to be like Luna.

RTT: Straight Lines

Yesterday, I was looking at Google Maps to find the distance from Dayton to Troy in Ohio. Somehow, I clicked on something that got the map scrolling eastward, and fast. Nothing I clicked on seemed to stop it. Honestly, I got to Italy before I finally just closed down Firefox, and started again. It was weird and cool, at the same time. Kind of like Random Tuesday Thoughts with Keely...

I have been adding borders to all the pictures and photos I post. Because I can. And because it's fun to take a picture and look for a random splash of color in it to accentuate. And apparently, I have too much time on my hands.

Last Saturday, I went for a full day orientation for my new job. I was terrified that it would be another "meeting from Hell." My worries were completely unfounded. It was actually a fascinating day learning about the history and the mission of the place. While I usually find mission statements to be a bunch of claptrap, I was delighted to see that the primary mission of my new employer is "to inspire people to make a better future, by learning about the past." I left orientation feeling like I was a member of a team with a great responsibility both to history and customer service. I am really looking forward to being part of all this.

I do not recall the last time I worked, outside the house, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Remember, teaching goes from 7:30 to 3:30, or something like that, on most days. And my last teaching day was in June of last year. Needless to say, I was wiped out that night, and for much of the next day. I really need to get my legs back under me!

Husband Styro went to a benefit dinner on Sunday evening to raise money for the neighborhood clinic his church sponsors. There was a silent auction. He came home with a sparkly! Un-prompted by anyone! First time in 25 years! And I love it.

I think I have mentioned before that I tend to zone out on long car rides, and we had two of them last week, as we made a trip to Dayton and back in two days. I make a conscious effort to keep the conversation going so the driver doesn't get sleepy. Plus, how often do we spend that much time alone together, anymore? I know. So we passed a company called "Tranquility Products." I lobbed Husband a straight line --Tranquility Products? I wonder what they make? -- and he hit it out of the park -- "Probably baseball bats." Although I am a little worried about Husband's idea of tranquility.

More straight lines can be found at Unfocused, my long-neglected photo blog. I realized that since I don't emerge from the cocoon much in winter, I have very few photo blog photos since last fall. I have a ton to share, just from the hospital visit, as the buildings were too cool.

Shining Stars: Exemplary Customer Service

Hubs and I have been overwhelmed lately by examples of truly amazing customer service. I firmly believe that credit should be given in these instances, as people really only seem to remember the bad stuff.

I went to the CVS website not too long ago, to extol the virtues of the pharmacy techs at our local store. They really have gone above and beyond for us, and I wanted to make sure someone at corporate knew about it. I received a lovely e-mail in return thanking me for the good feedback, and assuring me that the word would be passed along.

Hubs has been contemplating a move to a widescreen TV for a very long time. Really, when we purchased our current set, more than ten years ago, he wanted one then, but the price back then was prohibitive.

Having received a bonus this year for some of his own outstanding customer service at work, he decided it was time to make the leap. He had very specific desires and specs, and we spent a good portion of the time in the hospital waiting room, looking at dozens of sets and websites, including Amazon.  There was a set listed that he thought was one of his top choices, and it was made by LG, a company whose products we have very much liked in the past.

"Mary? Can you come here for a minute?" He was downstairs, doing a little more searching before committing, and there it was, the set he had pretty much settled on, only $400 less than any other deal we had seen.

"Wow. Somebody must be going out of business. I think  you better buy that set, and quick!" So he completed the transaction, including the manufacturer's extended warranty, and a blu-ray player to go with. All for less than what he was going to spend on the original set.

The next morning, I came out to the breakfast table ("breakfast table, I have something to tell you"...sorry, back to the story) to find an e-mail that hubs had printed out to share with me from Larry at One Call. The price we had ordered at had been a typo, but because it was their mistake, they were going to honor the deal. Even though Larry, a VP of the company, could not have purchased the TV at the price we got. He hoped we would shop with them in the future.

Now, One Call could very easily have canceled the order, and that price would have never been seen again. But they didn't. THAT is the kind of customer service that keeps you coming back to a company. Again and again. And I hope you will follow that link to their site. They seem to have accumulated accolades for their outstanding level of service and knowledge. That's Hall of Fame material, right there.

Next on the list is Mike. On our trip to Dayton for FIL's surgery recently, we ended up heading home about six hours later than we had originally planned. No big deal, but it meant Hubs was ready to stop for something to eat. One thing that southern Ohio has that Michigan hasn't is Skyline Chili. When Hubs worked for the Infernal Revenue Service years ago, he spent a lot of time at the regional center in Cincinnati, and became a fan of Cincinnati Chili.

So, when the sign for Skyline Chili popped up near Troy, Ohio (just off I-75, on Main Street, about 25 minutes north of Dayton), Hubs announced that this option would be perfect. It's just west of the freeway, in a shopping center with a Wal-Mart. In we went.

This immediately caught my eye:

The picture doesn't do those blue chairs justice. Sparkly! And the deepest, most gorgeous cobalt blue. I love that blue, and I love those chairs. Then I hear, "What are you taking pictures of?"

It came from the guy in the green hat (it was St. Paddy's Day, I don't think he normally dresses that way).

That's Mike. Mike Fariello, the guy who runs the joint. He came over to chat with us while we ate. If Mike sounds a little like Joisey, it's because he's absorbed all the Sopranos episodes. "You like those chairs?"

"Love 'em! I want some for my house!" I gushed, wondering how many thrift stores I would have to hit before I found anything that awesome.

Guess what? He hooked me up! Four beautiful blue chairs at a price I am not disclosing because I don't want the world begging Mike for chairs, but suffice it to say that it rivals any thrift shop price I have ever seen. Hubs and I will pick them up when next we head down to Dayton, which should be soon. Now I just need to get one of these to go with...

   

If you are in the Dayton area, make the trip. Tell Mike I sent you.

Sunday PSA

Fill out your census form. I did ours (a household of four people) in less than five minutes. Easier and faster than voting, and almost as important.

That is all.

Dear So-and-So: Wardrobe Therapy

Dear Ankle-length denim skirt(s!),

The island is getting smaller, and more stylish. Two of you will need to go.

I haven't decided which of you is staying yet, so feel free to start sucking up now.

Sincerely,

MAW

Dear Feet,

You are the lucky recipients of the Wardrobe Therapy directive to do something nice for my body.  My new job has two components that involve you.

1. lots of walking and standing

B. some form of hosiery is required.

With both of these tenets in mind, I made a trip to the Easy Spirit store yesterday, and came home with these:

and these:

You're welcome.

Love,

MAW

Dear Captain,

It's time to raise the tone at Casa de Dumbass:

 

Yes, from the Frank Lloyd Wright Collection, we have LEGO versions of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, and Fallingwater, my very favorite Wright home. Both of these yummy items are sold in the shop where I will be working.

Love,

MAW

Dear readers,

Visit Kat for more Dear So-and-So!

Love,

MAW