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May 28, 2008
Piles, ME News, Vol. 1, Issue 13
Good morning! (again.. forgot to attach the newsletter.)
My Memorial Day Weekend ended up consisting of three piles. Garbage, Goodwill, and Resale.
A friend helped me weed through the closet full of clothes in the bedroom. We started out focusing on Jeff’s side, and then ended up moving over to my side. I tried on nearly every piece of clothing I had, and most of them were just too big to keep. That’s one of those good news/bad news things. I did find 4 pairs of pants that are the next size down, so that’s my next goal.
I’m thinking I might try to organize every day of my life into something like those three piles.
Garbage – stuff I don’t need to keep with me for another day.
Goodwill – things I can do to make others happier.
Re-do – things that I can do better tomorrow.
Well, look at that. I’ve added another list to my life! Have a blessed and safe week.
jak
Posted by jaselin at 03:29 PM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2008
Faster, ME News, Vol.1 Issue 12
Greetings! Somehow, it’s Wednesday again. Growing up, my parents frequently mentioned that time went faster as you got older. Got it!
Another fallen Michigan soldier’s name showed up on the Adrian DOT signboard this week. They have my admiration and respect for doing that. It lets me know that someone out there needs a prayer now! It also reminds me that every day that I am given the chance to say a prayer for a soldier or their family, it is a blessing for me, as well.
As we head into Memorial Day weekend, please set aside a few moments to acknowledge the brave Americans who have kept us, and are still keeping us, free.
Blessings and continued freedom,
jak
(PS. Some of you were so “there��? for with me this week during the great Squeeze-Crisis of 2008: I thank you for the support. I am now safely out of crisis mode. I’m still standing on my soapbox, though. So, pardon the repetition, and just enjoy the ride, again.)
Posted by jaselin at 03:22 PM | Comments (0)
May 19, 2008
Very Remote Control
Last week I was clearing out old email from Jeff's computer, and found a hilarious email exchange between us.
Jeff used to fall asleep watching TV. Actually, he fell asleep a lot of places, but for now let's just stick with "watching TV."
The thing is he'd fall asleep with the remote in his hand, which sometimes caused the program I was watching to suddenly be gone, or it might end up being forwarded/rewound if we happened to be watching a recorded DVR program. I'd wake him up and ask for the remote. My request was always denied with "It's ok. I'm awake now!"
After a few closely spaced incidences one night, I demanded the remote. He was reluctant to give it up, as usual. Finally, he did, realizing that if I missed any single second of Reuben Studdard on American Idol, I was going to be royally annoyed - for a royally long time.
Here’s that email thread:
Me: Thank you for giving me the remote last night… I know it was traumatic for you, but you handled the separation like a pro! Kisses.
Jeff: Well you are soooo welcome. But I was having the shakes and passed out several times this morning. I called the Dr. right away and she told me I had Post-Traumatic Remote Control Separation Syndrome. She told [me] to take two aspirins and call the PTRCSS Society. So I called them and they said they would be happy to help me out with my problem for a small donation of 500 dollars, and with that I called the credit union to make an electronic funds transfer of 600 to the fund for PTRCSS Society. When I finished that I called the PTRCSS Society again and they said they would come over tonight and assist me in this non-life-threatening but very bothersome disease. They have found out it is transferred thru a gene from the mother that is dormant in females but is very active in males. I have found this to be interesting and am learning quite a bit. My goal for the PTRCSS Society is to start a telethon within two years and have as much success as Jerry Lewis and Muscular Dystrophy. May I add that Jerry Lewis is also a sufferer of PTRCSS and that he donates a large sum to the PTRCSS Society every year? He tries to keep it very low key, as he is actually a very private person. Oh, and did I tell you that Jerry called me personally and told me how it felt to suffer from PTRCSS? He really is [as] nice on the phone as he is on TV. And he sang to me… it was sung to the tune of “You'll Never Walk Alone." He changed the words to “You'll Never Click Alone.� Well that’s about all the excitement I can handle for one day. Hope things quiet down a bit around here. I love youuuuuuuu.
Posted by jaselin at 03:16 PM | Comments (0)
Squeezed
I got all excited this morning when I heard that Squeeze would be playing at the Royal Oak Theatre. One of my all-time favorites, and one of the most talent-packed bands ever. I knew I just HAD to go. So, I got on-line to check it out, and I must be horribly out of touch... $59.50 for BALCONY SEATS! $40.00 for general admission, standing room only!
Ok, used to be that floor seats cost more because you actually had a chance to see facial expressions, or maybe catch a drum stick.
However, I am too mature (note I did not say "old") to stand around for 6 hours waiting for the main act to play, just to end up getting squished by sweaty strangers who are usually taller than I am, show up hours later, and believe they are entitled to be closer than I am because THEY are the band’s biggest fan ever. Besides they don't toss drum sticks anymore; it's got something to do with liability. Go figure.
Now, about the balcony seats: never been to Royal Oak Theatre. But I'm thinking it'd be like trying to watching my Squeeze video collection from the outside of my house looking in. Bifocals don't really cover that.
Come to think of it, I'm not even sure I have that ancient VHS tape, anymore. And, I don't have a clue as to how to use the VCR, either. That was Jeff's world. (He did eventually teach me how to successfully use the electric can-opener, but that's another story.)
I have 5 remotes lying around the den. There's one for the TV, one for the satellite box, one for the VCR, one for the DVD, and one for the floppy disk slide show picture device. I know I don't need the floppy disk slide show picture device, but again, fear of unplugging the wrong item keeps me in useless-electronic-limbo. That VCR hasn't been used in over a year. Even then, I wasn't the one running it; an eight year old was.
I'm afraid to try to make the VHS machine work for fear of using the wrong remote and messing up the only piece of equipment I can use; the TV. Even that required a teenager to leave me written instructions on how to sequentially manipulate the 2 remotes to make the TV/Dish work after Jeff passed away.
It's so weird how things time out, you know? Somehow being upset about Squeeze has morphed into my having to face-down my technological impairments.
I'm inspired now to go home and unplug the floppy disc slide show picture thingy... I think.
It’s probably sucking up major dollars in vampire electricity, anyway.
jak
Posted by jaselin at 03:14 PM | Comments (0)
May 14, 2008
Adversity, ME News, Vol. 1. Issue 11
Welcome to this Wednesday’s ME Newsletter!
I’ve had a lot of people asking me how, why, and when I find the time to do this thing. So, I thought I’d address that this go-round. It makes the meat of the newsletter a little lean, but guess what? In doing so, I managed to get a new perspective on my current place, re-evaluate some of my feelings, and learn a little something about myself. Thanks again for somehow turning the tables on me!
Adversity is an interesting thing. I’d never really thought to define my life as one of adversity, but apparently it has been. Actually, all of our lives have been wrought with adversity, and will probably continue to be. From all the reading I’ve done on the phenomenon , it appears that without adversity none of us would have any character!
I also found a near unending supply of fascinating quotes on the subject. In addition to your ME Newsletter, I’m sending you my “Adversity" poster of quotes. I’ve got my personal copy pinned up at home. I might just plant one on my office door, as well.
Wishing you a week of blessings and sunshine!
Posted by jaselin at 03:26 PM | Comments (0)
May 07, 2008
Summer Hours, ME News, Vol. 1, Issue 10
Evenin’.
Boy, am I happy that summer hours are in affect on campus. It means getting up earlier, but it also means getting home earlier, less traffic, and more time to do stuff around the house. It’s amazing home much more I can get accomplished is just one extra ½ hour a day.
Even more amazing is the chance to enjoy dusk out on the porch. Makes me feel like I’ve taken a short vacation every evening.
Have a wonderfully blessed week.
jak
Posted by jaselin at 03:17 PM | Comments (0)
May 02, 2008
Drive-by Inquiries and Sedentary Exercise
As with most organziations, we have a particular way we are required to answer our desk phones. Its 20 words, 36 syllables, to be spoken eagerly, but slowly, with a smile on our faces so our customers can hear it. We’ve been trained on this. But, I think perhaps the whole world needs to be trained on how to politely and intelligently make inquiries.
Plus, while I appreciate the effort to provide extra calorie burning lip, tongue and cheek exercise for us sedentary desk workers, I practically pass out after that required greeting. I take a mighty big breath before I start, too. And, once I stop seeing black-out spots, then the real conversation begins.
CSR: Good morning, (20 words, 36 syllables).
Customer: Um, is this where my paycheck comes from?
CSR: Yes, this is the (13 syllables) office. How may I help you?
Customer: My check is wrong.
CSR: May I have your name, please?
Customer: Ann.
CSR: May I have your last name, Ann?
Customer: Sklapzwerskamanty- Bergerstinghambler.
CSR: Would you mind spelling that for me, Ann?
Customer: Look, I didn’t get paid right, again.
CSR: Could you provide me with your employee #?
Customer: I don’t know my number. But my check’s been wrong the last 17 times.
CSR: Just one moment, let me try to locate your employee # for you.
Customer: If you people could just get things right once it would be amazing. I work hard for my money, and I need every penny of it.
CSR: Ok, I have your employee number, would you like to write it down for future reference?
Customer: No, I’m driving. (Horn)
CSR: Ok, I’m looking at your check data. It shows that you worked 47 hours during the last pay period. And it looks like you’ve been paid for 47 hours. Can you tell me what your check stub says?
Customer: NO, I’m driving! (Horn) Besides it’s at home. 47 hours sounds right, though.
CSR: So, the 47 hours are correct. Was there something else that you believe is wrong with your pay check?
Customer: Yes, you never put my reimbursements into my paycheck on time, and you haven’t since I started working here 4 years ago.
CSR: Well, that is because reimbursements are not included in your paycheck. They are always paid separately, once monthly, on the last working day of the month.
Customer: You never answer my questions! It’s not right that you hold on to my money. I want a check cut now.
CSR: I’m sorry but this department does not process your reimbursement payments. Let me transfer you to the correct department.
Customer: No, I don’t want to be transferred. No one ever gets back to me. I’ll hold while you go talk to them in person.
CSR: That department is ¼ mile away, across the street, in another building.
Customer: This isn’t very good customer service if you ask me. You should go to training. I don’t have time for this. I’ll call you back in 15 minutes to find out when I can pick up my check.
CSR: Thank you for calling (20 words, 36 syllables). Have a great day.
And they say exercise alleviates stress! For as many times as my phone rings daily, and as many times as I exercise through my introduction and exit greetings, I should be way below my suggested BMI, and practically stress free.
jak
Posted by jaselin at 12:09 PM | Comments (0)