Oop! I'm Babbling Again...

Saturday, 12 August 2005, I went the The 2006 Cowpie Blues Festival. Yuh huh, you read that right. Now I've had a lot to post about lately. For example my sister is in South Korea right now. We put her on a plane a couple of weeks ago. (Makes it sound like we made her walk the plank, doesn't it?) I'll Blog that later on. There's one photo in particular that she has sent to me that I'd like to put up here...if I can figure out how. THAT, however, is not the subject of THIS post.

So. Cowpie Blues Festival. www.cowpiebluesfestival.com (Yes, I've forgotten how to make that a link...I'll get on that shortly. Gimme a minute)

Andrew mentioned it and I had to ask if I really wanted anything to do with anything that involved the word/concept/actuality of a cowpie. But we went. And it was good. It was great. I will go again. And again. And again.

It was vaguely Woodstockian. A farmer with a love of the blues mows down the back 40, sets up an outdoor stage with a kick-butt soundsystem, has a few vendors in, grills some FANTASTIC black angus burgers (did I mention that it's a cattle farm?) and then invites hundreds of his closest friends and strangers over to sit in the open air, under a perfect blue sky, feel the breeze and enjoy the jams.

Did I mention the hot air balloons? Did I mention the beautiful white/turquoise classic Ford Fairlane? The MG? The girls blowing bubbles? The safe, family atmosphere? Did I mention seeing Farmer John dance in front of the stage?

I just threw this on my Blog page quickly, with no revisions. I'll clean it up shortly. Now I have to rescue my car from the weekend and unpack the trunk from the cooler, quilts, pillow, food, duffle bag, books, magazines...

Sometimes People are Amazing

Okay...the following will sound flippant. It's not. I was genuinely touched.

My new job that I've mentioned is with an insurance company. Personal Lines; Property; Casualty. I work in the Call Center answering billing questions. An agent called me today with a sob story about a couple whose policy cancelled yesterday for non-payment. They are genuinely hard-working people, fallen on hard times. Taking care of a dangerously ill child took precedent over a second income. There's been a recent death in the family as well. Please don't cancel. Please make an exception. What do we have to do?

Yada yada yada...and the dog ate my homework. You have to pay the amount due. That's it. Pay your bill. Okay, that was the flippant part.

The thing is, this story is all too familiar. These people the agent told me about are not deadbeats. They're parents that had to make a decision whether or not Mommy was going to take care of their sick child in the hospital while Dad was driving long-hauls in a truck, trying to make enough to keep their heads above water, or was Mommy going to work the second job?

I had to tell the agent that there was nothing that I could do. The policy cancelled yesterday for non-payment. It wasn't like it was sudden. I had to explain that no less than four letters had gone out. They had simple used up all of their several grace periods, and calling the day after was too late.

The agent insisted that payment could be made in 10 days when Dad gets paid. I explained that a new policy would have to be written. This one had cancelled. I conferred briefly with my Supervisor who pointed out that at this time, re-writing was going to generate a down payment that would be less than the four months that they were behind. I related that to the agent. Sorry. Nothing more that I could do.

Now here's the kicker. Ready? The agent thanks me. Thanks me for looking at the policy so hard and for conferring with my Supervisor to make sure there was nothing that I missed.

She tells me that the bank that holds the mortgage on the home told Mom "If you were renting you would have been evicted by now" when the woman went in to explain why they were behind and to assure them that payment would be made on the first of next month, when Dad gets paid. I was floored.

Okay, there was nothing that I could do to assist, but at least I showed some human empathy. At least I sympathized and made an effort.

The agent didn't know I’m a newbie. She heard "I'm sorry. There's nothing that I can do at this point. This, however, is what I suggest..."

She called me a sweetheart. She asked to speak to my Manager so that she could sing my praises. She asked me transfer her. I'd like to say that I was thinking Heck yeah! I've got a 90 day review coming up! See, flippant again. The truth is that I was touched. Touched by the hardship of the family. Touched by the agent's concern for them. Touched by her praise of me...after I told her no.

Re-writing this kind of policy is a pain in the butt for an agent. That's not where her concern was. She is an exceptional person. I will remember her the next time someone is yelling at me. I'll remember how she made me feel and I'll remember that my attitude made her feel better, even though I couldn't help. I'll remember her when it's getting hard to keep the yada yada yada out of my voice.

Sometimes people are amazing.

Exhaustion!

How did I go from having no life at all to having to schedule laundry just so it gets done? I might just have to go shopping and buy more clothes instead. (To Mom, Dad, Brenda, Andrew and Greg, who all know just how many clothes I have...I'M KIDDING!!! Please don't start calling me and reminding me of the Storage Unit that I'm paying for that's full of clothes ;-D)

Between Work, work, Tuesday night gaming and Thursday night filming, finding time for family and friends and taking Sterling to the vet, I feel like I'm meeting myself coming and going. It's good though. I mean, it's not that everybody get away from me exhaustion. It's just...chaotic :-)

I came home last night after working a 9-1/2 hour day and collapsed into Grandpa's chair. Jymi had this fantastic soothing, serene, world-beat, new-age music on when I walked in. I sat in Grandpa's chair and decompressed with a book. The music enfolded me, the chair rocked me, and the cats greeted me. Jymi and I talked awhile and then...I woke up. The house just took all of my frustrations from the day and scooped them away from me. Nice.

This is the last week of training for me at my new job. On Friday I "fly solo". Intimidating. But, let's face it. I rock in customer service. I just need to get over the frustration of the learning curve. I want to know it all now! I'm very impatient with myself. My trainer/mentor, Sharon, is fantastic! She's very in tune with my overload level. She's quick to joke and poke when I'm feeling good ("C'mon, you call those calls challenging? Send me something!") And she's really good at telling me to walk away ("Your shoulders are hunched up to your ears. Take a break already!") Sharon interviewed with another department today. She's been in the Call Center for five years, which is one reason she's such a wonderful trainer. I wish her luck, but I will miss her if she transfers to the other building.

I'm looking forward to getting on a regular schedule soon. I came back from vacation, packed, moved, started a new job, trained, began my shift, got a better job, trained...all while working at the store. Literally, since mid February, my shifts have changed 6 times. Starting next Monday, I'll have an 11:30a-8:00p shift and work at the store Saturday mornings only. Every other Tuesday will still be gaming night, and every Thursday will still be meeting night, but Sundays will be my very own!!! I am forseeing Laundry Day! (and on the seventh day, God created clean shorts...) Hey, I said regular schedule, not normal.

This Town Needs an Enema and So Does My Cat!

And so did my cat! Dr. Jessica is trying to find Sterling's sense of humour. We've had blood pressure checked, a couple of urinalyses, x-rays, a day's stay at the vet's, several pills prescribed, and now...the ultimate indignity. Did I mention the bath? Yes, he was a stinky kitty.

The bottom line is that he's a crotchety old man. He's 17! He has another appointment in a week. I have now spent more money on vet bills in the past month than I've spent in medical bills for myself in the past 3 years! But Sterling is worth it. Pets are not disposable. You care for them as you would anyone else who was totally dependent on you for their wellbeing. Hey! Who put this soap box under my feet?

Running Late...as usual...

I have so much to post from this weekend! It's late and I won't get to any of it, but I thought I'd leave you a little teaser:

Rosie feels much, much better and she totally has a crush on The Midas Man. She says she might have a little cough that she needs to go see him about again. I think she's fibbing but, well, The Midas Man was extremely cute and he flirts really well.

More to come.

Today Was A Very Very Good Day

Nothing makes a girl feel better than a new pair of shoes! Well, maybe a mani/pedi to go along with it. I got my first paycheck from my new job today. Medical insurance costs are not yet being deducted, so it was a good check. Guess what I did! I bought new shoes...and they were on sale. Yea!

The thing is, as I was leaving with my purchase my cell phone rang. I look down and the Caller ID says "Mom and Dad". I automatically thought, "Crap! How did they know?"

I answered the phone and my Dad, who is one of the coolest people I know, says "Sooo. You got your new paycheck today; you went to the bank and deposited it; now you're sitting at home in your apartment with your feet up and feeling pretty good, huh?"

I stepped out of the shoe store, into the mall and headed for my car. "Well, not exactly. I'm not at home yet."

"Where are you?"

"The mall."

"Uh, what are you doing at the mall...with a new paycheck in the bank?"

"Well, I'm NOT in a shoe store!"

Dad chuckles, "Just left?"

"Yup!"

Okay, maybe you have to be a member of my family think that was as hilarious as we did. Trust me, it was funny. What's even better? Dad listening to me babble about how cute my new shoes are. See? Cool.

Briefly

...because I'm fading fast. It's late. Spur of the Moment Productions had its weekly meeting tonight at Jymi, and my apartment. For the most part it was just Jymi, Andrew and me. We polished some ideas for production and pulled some through the ether to put down on paper. We were just hitting stride when Bethie came in. I never realize how much I miss Bethie when she's not here. I realize it when she comes and I feel the difference in the dynamic of the room. Bethie brightens up the place. : )

Much missed were Lisa (home sick. Hoping her tummy feels better very soon, and hoping that Tessa is letting Mommy rest); Todd (whom Andrew got a hold of in Marquette, Michigan!!! Check a map. Do you see Marquette? IT'S UP THERE! WTF, Todd?); Shawn (who I also missed at work today, and whose new furniture I STILL am dying to see!); and Angela (who has a big project due for Kendall School of Design. Yea. Jewelry making major. She can do anything she wants as far as I'm concerned. psst! I like silver!)

Alrighty. Gotta brag a bit. I struggled with some of the writing that I did tonight. Did I mention that this is a Creative Writing / Amateur Theatrics group of friends that gather weekly and film...soon to podcast? Now I have. To continue. I nailed a couple of jokes tonight. Bethie liked the monkey pooh poem and the fairy poem. I cracked up Jymi with "fishsticks". However, I especially appreciated Andrew's reaction to "Howard Hughes' toenail clippings" and "A signed copy of Bite Me by Vlad the Impaler". We have outtakes of us laughing. Andrew's delivery on the voice-overs was dead-on perfect tonight.

I also have to add that the others' suggestions of "Litter Box Chocolates", "A press-on tattoo of Herve Villachaise" and "Albert Einstein's head...in a jar" had me gasping for air.

We crack me up.

Oops. So much for brief. Look. I'm babbling again! G'night

I Have Nothing To Add!

Okay, I have a bit to add. Today was a good day at work. I monitored a couple of CSRs who are already doing the work and understood more than I expected to. Also, there was a wonderful motivational speaker today. Rene Godefroy at www.villagehero.com (I'll add a link later). He was wonderful. I thought I'd sit politely, but I was caught up in his story and style right away. I'm interested in his book (yes, a motivational self-help book...me!) and I see a trip to Barnes & Noble in my future. Yes, he was that dynamic. If you get a chance to hear him speak...GO! There is humour and drama and more practical, applicable advice than I expected.

My Poor Poor Rosie

Rosie went to the doctor on Monday. Rosie is my 2000 Hyundai Elantra...the official colour of her paintjob? Wind Rose. Thus, the name.

Rosie went to Dr. Midas because we thought she was having Brake pains. Turns out there's nothing wrong with Rosie's brakes. She does, however, need a couple of new ball bearings. Her surgery is scheduled for this Saturday. Next, Dr. Midas accused Rosie of baldness. News not to be enjoyed by any girl! Rosie's is going to get 4 new tire transplants on Saturday too. She's very excited.

Whew! That's $475 in work, girl! I hope she feels a little better after this. Hopefully, we can get a referral for a good cosmetic surgeon too. Rosie's a little worse for wear from skating about on the ice and bumping into a tree awhile ago. Some time after that she cut across a restaurant/bar parking lot with a friend and, failing to see the giant SUV coming at her, got smashed in the face so that she has been sporting a permanent black eye ever since. Gotta teach Rosie to duck and dodge. (No, Rosie. I said dodge, not Dodge!)

She's looking forward to reconstructive surgery and cosmetic work. I'm looking forward to it even more. With the new job, I'm hoping to set up a budget (*gasp*) that will enable me to get Rosie's work done a bit at a time. Y'all feel free to remind me of this every time I mention cute shoes!