The Faces of Lou
Friday, November 30, 2007
Labels: Blog

Ramblings for readers, who enjoy a person rambling on about nothing, or something, depending the mood of the person rambling, or the mood of the reader who finds something worth reading about, or possibly rambling on about themselves in a comment to the rambling...
I could go on, but I think I have made my point!
Hosted by Laughlin's in Pennsylvania
My son, "Two", saved up his money and purchased a car back in October. It was a pretty good looking car, but shortly after he got it, we had to replace the transmission. After it was repaired, he paid for insurance, inspection, and PA registration. He spent hours with his mother, myself, and other family members practicing his driving. All of his hopes, money, practice and repair work went towards passing the driving test to get his license, which was scheduled yesterday. It was scheduled at 1:30PM, and I figured around 2:00PM, I would get a text message, a phone call, or I would otherwise hear the Earth move from his jubilation. When 4:30 came and went, I realized I hadn't heard anything, and I was surprised. I got out my cell phone and started typing out a message to him, and we had the following text message conversation:
Me: Where are you? Two: Here Me: Gee thanks. Where is 'here'? Two: Right where i'm sitting Me: Are you at my place or your mom's or some other location. Two: The second Me: How did the big test go? Two: She said I did great, except that I hit a cone while trying to parallel park Me: So is that a pass or not? Two: Not Me: Did you resched? Two: Yes Me: When is it scheduled? Two: Next Wednesday at threeHe decided to skip his weekly scout meeting last night, and instead he went out driving with his aunt to practice parallel parking. When he was at the testing facility they told him he could practice on their course after hours. On his way back from his successful practice his car "died", and he couldn't get it started back up. By the time I got there the "Ex's" husband had arrived on the scene and had jumper cables hooked up to recharge his battery. We had a little gathering of people looking at his car: Two, his aunt, the Ex's husband, myself, the owner of the property were Two's car broke down, and the owner's 4 year old daughter. We decided that the problem seemed to be the alternator, and that when we got Two's battery charged up he would be able to drive it home. After a few minutes of battery charging, he turned the key and the engine started right up. A few minutes later, we are closing the hood of his Cavalier, and he leaves trying to get the car home before the battery dies again.
After he gets the car to his mother's house, he packs up his stuff, and slumps himself into my car, despondently. I tell him to not worry, and that replacing the alternator is a pretty easy task and we can do it ourselves without needing to take it to a mechanic. His spirits lift only slightly, and he tells me the day was one of his worst, but it wasn't all bad... He got a girl's phone number today.
My first thought was that he was kinda "pulling my leg" a little. I figured he must have gotten the number of the driving instructor on some result paper from his test... and he was just trying to lighten the mood with a joke. So I kinda dismissed him, and didn't really give him a chance to explain...
After a few minutes later, he then asked if I wanted to hear about this phone number he got. So I decided he needed to get the joke out, so I said to give me the story. To my surprise he wasn't joking, and to my relief it wasn't the driving test instructor. He had met a nice young lady from another school earlier in the day at a meeting.
Two is the "Rotary Club Student of the Month" for November at his high school, and he attends the weekly Rotary club meetings on Tuesdays during the day. This is where he met the "Student of the Month" at another local school, and they shared a "moment" making fun of the "old guys" at the Rotary club.
Two is growing up... He's almost driving on his own, and has enough courage to ask for a girl's number... I didn't learn how to do either until last week! (OK, Ok, I stretched the truth a little... I learned to drive much younger.)
Later Lou
Labels: Cavalier
Tell Two good luck. It's an open question whether the girl or the car will be higher maintenance.
By limpy99, at 11/28/2007 1:23 PM
Well that stinks. Doesn't hardly seem right to fail a kid for hitting a cone during parallel parking......most adults (including my husband) don't know how to do that! Just for the record, I am an excellent parallel parker but there's little use for that skill in the mountains.
Without a doubt, girls are higher mainenance.....I should know, I am one!
By tysgirl, at 11/28/2007 8:13 PM
Car trouble is one of the most frustrating things in life! I guess we should be thankful not to have to walk everywhere most of the time.
By Jessica, at 11/29/2007 10:47 AM
limpy
Two told me yesterday that he called the girl, and she didn't have time to talk, but she asked him to Email her. He didn't give me any details... Although he did mention he has a date for the annual "semi-formal" dance coming up in December.
tysgirl
So you are good at "parking"... How about "driving"? Or are you one of those "woman drivers" I have heard tell about.
jessica
Welcome. Thanks for "walking" over here with your fingers to visit. I thought that was a good "Segway" as an alternative to driving and walking. (Yeah, I a full of "that" today)
By LouLaughlin, at 11/29/2007 2:02 PM
Great job! There's nooooo doubt about it. You're from Da Burgh. You deserve a reward, so go have an Ahrn City or two. And GO STILLERS! How Pittsburgh Are You See All Our Quizzes
Later Lou
Labels: Blog
My unplanned vacation is over, and I am back to work.
When the "bad check" crisis hit last Monday, I took an unplanned vacation for the three days before Thanksgiving to resolve the issue. Well, it took practically the entire time to get it resolved. If you want to read a lengthy post about the details click HERE.
My tenant's son said he was going to pay December's rent in advance so I "wouldn't have anything to worry about." He also said he would pay it this past Friday (11/23), but as you probably already guessed, I haven't seen the money yet. I am sure next month will be another battle.
My tenant is now telling me she is going to move out after the "Holidays," which I took to mean in January. I don't know if it will happen or not, but at least I am getting a possible heads up. I received an unsolicited call this past weekend asking if the apartment was available for rent. When I mentioned it might be in January they said that was perfect... So if they do move out, I may have someone ready to move in right away.
I got the marital home listed for sale. If you are interested in seeing the property, or are just curious you can click HERE. My realtor said she may have an interested party already, so I am hoping to hear some good news from her soon.
Regrettably, I am back to work. My boss isn't here today, so it seems pretty quiet in the office. Even though my vacation was unplanned, and except for the money crisis, it was for the most part, very enjoyable. Now that I am back, I wish my vacation was longer!
It snowed again here Thursday evening, and neighbor kids were making a snowman in the shared yard in front of Sweetie's place, but they didn't get to finish it... So there were a couple of large "snow balls" in the yard for the weekend.
My family is planning a Holiday gathering and gift exchange, so I have to create a wish list. I am having a tough time coming up with a list of things I would like to have. Actually my real "wish list" is quite lengthy, but most of the items don't fit within the monetary limit set for the gift exchange! If you had to create a list of things you wanted under $50... What would you ask for?
Later Lou
Labels: Duplex, holiday, Marital Home, Money
Under $50. Hmmmmm. I like gift certificates that I can stash for a rainy day to either go shopping or out to eat. I also like to ask for expensive personal care type items that I can never justfiy buying for myself....teeth whiteners, bath oils, etc. But then I'm guessing you're already beautiful and don't need those things, huh? :)
p.s. I think I can speak for Suzie and I both when I tell you that we aren't curious, we're downright nosy!
By tysgirl, at 11/26/2007 7:46 PM
You’re regrettably back to work, eh? I understand that.
My under $50 wish lists—as well as my over $50 wish lists—are always books.
By Sometimes Saintly Nick, at 11/27/2007 5:54 AM
Under $50 can lead to 2-3 cool DVD's as well.
And in some bars I know, a case of hepatitis. Stick with the DVDs.
By limpy99, at 11/27/2007 1:43 PM
tysgirl
I don't usually go by the word "beautiful". I prefer "handsome"... I am really, really trying hard to be less feminine... I stopped carrying a purse just a few years ago.
Nick
Books are always good. I saw a neat thing on Amazon.com called a "Kindle"... Although that's not under $50.
limpy
DVD's are cool, but I think I am going to have to upgrade to Blu-Ray or HD-DVD... I gotta keep up with the Jone's
Later
Lou
Later
lou
By LouLaughlin, at 11/27/2007 2:27 PM
I got carried away with my signature, so to make up for the double last comment, I won't put one on this one! :-)
By LouLaughlin, at 11/27/2007 2:29 PM
I can't believe I forgot books. Thanks for reminding me, Nick. I LOVE books and am always thrilled to receive one as a gift!
:::runs off to edit wish list:::
By tysgirl, at 11/29/2007 10:14 AM
P.S. I hope you have lots of turkey, before they get us!Labels: holiday
Happy Thanksgiving, Lou!
By tysgirl, at 11/22/2007 10:59 AM
Happy Thanksgiving Lou! I hope you and yours have a wonderful day.
By soozieq, at 11/22/2007 12:13 PM
Thanks, Lou. My T’day went well and continued yesterday when my neighbors dropped off some more turkey and fixins from there 2nd Thanksgiving.
Have a blessed weekend.
By Sometimes Saintly Nick, at 11/24/2007 10:22 AM
Tysgirl, Soozieq, and Nick,
Thanks for the Thanksgiving day greetings...
I am so thankful to have readers, and friends who visit and comment on my ramblings! Thankfully I haven't scared them off yet!
Happy Holidays everyone including those read and don't comment!
By LouLaughlin, at 11/26/2007 2:45 PM
Labels: Duplex
That just plain sucks. I hope you learn from this and quit being so nice to tennants in the future.
Not saying you should be an ass, but don't let things slide!
Hang in there!
By tysgirl, at 11/22/2007 10:58 AM
Ok, that "!!!" in the title isn't a exhaltation, it's a exclaimation!
This is what I saw when I went outside this morning:
BTW: When I was snapping this picture, Scrappers, my second cat, decided to investigate the going's on outside, and was fascinated with the falling white flakes.
I mean, I thought we were experiencing global warming, and the ice caps were melting... why in heck is it snowing in Western PA in mid November!?! Ok enough of my complaining, for now. Later Lou
I'm so jealous!
It snowed here briefly yesterday. By snow I mean more of a hard frozen rain that melted the instant it hit the ground.
Hey, us southerners have to take it where we can get it.
By tysgirl, at 11/16/2007 11:07 AM
Wow, how cool....er downright freezing, I guess is a better way of putting it.
The only way my cats (or the Freaktard) will ever see snow is if I throw all them in the car and drive north for 3-4 hours.
But you know what? I think the Dog would REALLY enjoy the snow and be a complete and utter goofball.
Note to self: Run away to the snow this Winter.
By soozieq, at 11/16/2007 3:24 PM
Send some to the NE PA!
By Charlie on the PA Turnpike, at 11/16/2007 10:04 PM
Alright, waking up this morning to snow was a drag. I had to walk through it to get to the bus, and stand in it to wait for the bus, which was having troubling getting up the hill because of it. At least I know now that my car runs well in the cold. It started without a problem this afternoon.
By Joshua, at 11/17/2007 12:20 AM
Looks like our house this morning.
By limpy99, at 11/20/2007 4:39 PM
Just came by to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!
By tysgirl, at 11/20/2007 8:19 PM
limpy
Did it melt by the end of the day?
tysgirl
Thanks for the holiday wishes...
By LouLaughlin, at 11/22/2007 12:45 AM
Sweetie and I took a "vacation" day on Friday. Actually I took a vacation day, and she called off. The fact that I wasn't at work probably explains why I didn't create a new 'rambling along' post. It seems as if the only times I can find an opportunity to create a post is when I am at work. I wonder if that means; I am not doing enough work? or I don't care as much about work to actually do it? or If there just isn't any work to do? Hmmmm... that's a good set of questions.
We took the day off with a plan in mind: To clean the second apartment in my duplex. It was expected that the tenant was going to be moved out on Thursday. I say "was expected" because Thursday night they had not yet moved out. I came home Thursday night after our team got creamed in bowling, to find a note on my door that said:
Lou, I won't be out till next wend. "My son" gets a big check from work next week you'll get a lot of it. "Your Tenant" The names were changed to protect the innocent. (me)
The note means I have to wait another week to get into the apartment and clean it, and get it listed to re-rent. Hopefully, it also means that I could see some money this week, and that would be a nice change of pace.
You know I just realized that my tenant could be reading this blog... It's not like I am hiding myself very well. I mean, my profile does list my real name and the real town I live in (or at least it appears that way right?)... Oh well...

Anyway, Sweetie and I ended up cleaning MY apartment instead, and after two hours she stated we "still weren't done..." (sigh)... Apparently I am not a very clean bachelor. I guess I could use a good life partner, a good child or two, or a good maid to help me keep it clean.
This past Saturday afternoon, we also went and visited the old marital home, and checked on the roof construction happening there.
I don't recall if I mentioned it or not, but I did manage to scrounge up enough money credit to replace leaky roof, and I hired a Realtor recommended contractor to do the work. The contractor told me the work would be done in one week, and that he would start on Saturday (11/3/2007). When we stopped in this Saturday exactly one week after construction was started, it didn't appear like the job was done. As a matter of fact it didn't look like it would be done by Sunday. True to our expectations, when we drove by late last night (Sunday) and it still appeared as if there was work to do, and there was a lot of clean up yet to do. So it's taken so far, 1 week and 2 days. I wonder if I will get a credit since the job wasn't completed within the contracted time? Or do you think I will get charged more because the job took longer than expected? In either case, I am sure the project time will be blamed on the weather - It did rain, and there were a few snow flakes this past week.
The weekend was otherwise a great one, because I got to spend it with Sweetie, even though we ended up doing a lot of chores together all weekend.
Later Lou
Labels: Duplex, Marital Home, scouts, Sweetie
It doesn't always matter WHAT you're doing, as long as you're together. Well for most people at least...the Hubs and I are together 24/7 so time apart is actually sacred ;-)
By soozieq, at 11/13/2007 12:35 AM
I doubt you'll get credit due to the delay, especially if it's weather related. You can't work on a roof in the rain, period. Besides, I don't think there's any contractor out there who's ever finished a job on time. Whatever you due, make sure at least half the money isn't paid until the job's been completed and inspected.
By limpy99, at 11/14/2007 11:28 PM
soozie
Yeah, being together has been good recently... I hope it continues for quites some time.
limpy
I only gave him half to start the job, and the other half only after I saw the work, and the clean up. Even though it looked bad when he was doing it, and it took longer than expected... The job and cleanup were really good.
By LouLaughlin, at 11/16/2007 11:53 AM
Our first two training sessions are done. We have trained 18 new leaders so far, and still have 3 more training sessions to go.

The first night was a little rough, and I was pretty nervious since I hadn't done training for awhile, and I kept thinking I would mess up... Guess what I didn't do? If you think I didn't make a mistake, you would be mistaken... What I actually didn't do was... Yep, you guessed it... I didn't do it perfectly... Surprise! no actually not really... But I did re-learn that you don't have to be perfect to teach, but you do have to recognize your mistakes and correct them.
Tonight was much better. I was much more comfortable, and not nervious at all. And guess what? I made more mistakes than last night, but I had more fun, and corrected them better.
Yesterday most of my mistakes were not so much informational mistakes, but a lack of cofidence, stuttering, and not following my notes. Today my notes were used, my confidence was stronger, no stuttering, but my information needed a little tweeking... Fortunately, I had my mentor there to keep me in line! ;-) Maybe this Sunday's session will be somewhere in between!
The next training sessions are on this Sunday, Tuesday, and the last one a week from today. Then I go back to Scouting retirement, and back to the non-uniformed civilian.
Later Lou
P.S... I saw snow flakes yesterday!!!
Labels: scouts
Snow flakes?!?!?!
I am sooooo jealous. I love snow! My favorite kind of snow is the kind that falls about 6 inches at a time and melts the very next day.
Unfortunately, that hasn't happened here in 10 years :(
*sniffle*
By tysgirl, at 11/09/2007 9:32 AM
Wanna trade...? I would rather be somewhere warm/hot where it never snows...
By LouLaughlin, at 11/09/2007 12:49 PM
Hell NO. I grew up in Wisconsin and have no plans of EVER living somewhere cold enough to freeze snot again.
Please take note, I said I like snow that melts the very next day!
By tysgirl, at 11/10/2007 9:15 AM
tysgirl
I just went back to re-read the comments, and I realized you said "freeze snot"... Have you had personal experience with this?
Later
Lou
By LouLaughlin, at 11/16/2007 11:54 AM
Have you not ever been somewhere cold enough to freeze snot? Visit WI some time, you'll know what I mean.
By tysgirl, at 11/16/2007 11:58 AM
No, I have never been to "freezing snot" tempature areas... I prefer areas above the 65°F (or 18°C).
I am sitting in my office now with the current INSIDE temperature hovering around 65°F, and I am freezing!
Later
Lou
By LouLaughlin, at 11/16/2007 3:56 PM
For many years I was a major Cub Scout Leader for our local Cub Scout Pack 481 in my home town. I started as a leader for the oldest boys, 4th and 5th graders, called the Webelos (WE'll BE LOyal Scouts). Shortly after I took that position the CubMaster and Committee Chairperson moved into Boy Scouts, and that left a few openings.
I was the enthusiastic new leader, and I was excited to be involved. So I moved into the CubMaster role, I helped to find a Committee Chairperson and helped with the planning and organization of the pack. The other parents weren't as enthusiastic as I was, and since I wanted to help the Pack grow bigger and more fun than it was, I started doing more and more. Eventually I was doing practically everything; planning our pack's functions, running the functions, attending training, attending district meetings, taking the boys on outings, and etc. I even got myself involved with running the district's summer day camp.
Well, as you can imagine, my enthusiasm waned, because I didn't get the help I needed. No one else wanted to help, probably because they thought I could do it all. I struggled for the last couple of years trying to keep things going, but I could see that it was falling apart. The parents seemed to only want a place where they could drop of their kids for an hour or two each week, and leave and do their own chores or go home and watch TV uninterrupted. I think they thought B.S.A. stood for Baby Sitters of America istead of Boy Scouts of America.
So couple of years ago my Cub Scout pack shut down. The Boy Scout troop continued for boys from 11 through 18, and so I became "just" a parent of a boy scout and attended the occassional Parent's (Committee) meeting. I stopped doing all of the training, the district events, the day camps, and everything else. Even though I gotten myself too involved, and I burnt out quickly, I find myself, even today, missing it. It was very rewarding teaching and working with the kids.
Recently a good friend of mine in Scouting asked me if I would help give some training sessions to new Cub Scout leaders. Training other leaders was something that I truly enjoyed doing when I was involved in Scouting in the past. I really do enjoy teaching, and I sometimes think I took a wrong turn on the career path... I would have also liked to be a writer, journalist, or even a photographer as well... but I digress...
Tonight is the first of 5 training classes we are offering over the next 2 weeks. We are teaching Tiger Cub Den Leaders tonight, which are volunteers (parents) who will work with the youngest kids in the pack, the 1st graders. Tomorrow night we teach the Wolf and Bear Den Leaders, which are the volunteers who work with the 2nd and 3rd graders.
I am looking foward to getting slightly involved in Scouting again, and hopefully the distraction will not only keep my mind off of my current financial situation, but to give me some sense of positive action in my life, since everthing else seems to be going negatively.
Later Lou
Labels: scouts
Don't laugh at me, but is that really what Webelos stands for? We do some trophies for a couple of the local packs and I could never figure out how that fit in along with Tiger, Wolf and Bear.
And yes, I was too lazy to look it up myself ;-)
By soozieq, at 11/06/2007 4:39 PM
Yep, that's what Webelos means... The 4th and 5th grade level is a "transistion" level between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts... So they are unique and don't follow the animal names... BTW: The animal names are based on Kipplings Jungle Book.
No need to look it up, just ask the "Digger", that's what everyone else at work does when they want to know someting... Ask me to dig up the answer for them on the Internet! (that is if I don't already know it, and being a guy I know about everything, except women).
Later
Lou
By LouLaughlin, at 11/07/2007 8:33 AM
BTW: Hopefully you heard the sarcasm in that last comment that was dripping out and made a mess.
By LouLaughlin, at 11/07/2007 8:35 AM
Good for you, Lou. It sounds like you need a distraction. It's good that you can give back to the children in your community in the process.
Digger. Heh. Now I know where to come the next time Limpy uses some disgusting slang term I've never heard of!
By tysgirl, at 11/07/2007 1:56 PM
I understand from whence you come, Lou. In other words, I, too, was a Cub Scout leader for several years. Actually, I gave it up only after I entered seminary in my late 30s and moved from Kentucky to St. Louis. Until I read this post, I‘d not thought of those days in years. The memories are good ones. I believe you will find excellent experiences in you return to Scouting. So I commend your decision and offer my blessings for your Scouting future. In other words, have fun!
P.S.~ Alex says thanks for your words—and so do I.
By Sometimes Saintly Nick, at 11/08/2007 12:16 AM
tysgirl
They call me other names as well, but that's another story! ;-)
nick
Were you a boy scout or a cub scout when you were a boy? My son is almost an Eagle Scout, but I only made it to Webelos Scout.
soozieq
I learned tonight that Webelos scout used to stand for Wolf-Bear-Lion Scout, but that was before I was a scout as a kid, and that was quite some time ago.
Later
Lou
By LouLaughlin, at 11/08/2007 12:35 AM
I was only a Cub Scout, but both of my sons began as Webelos and continued into Boy Scouting.
By Sometimes Saintly Nick, at 11/08/2007 1:03 AM
Lou,
As I am my Troop's Committee Person in charge of Training, it's always good to see another active parent who is also trained!
How did I get involved? My now-12 yo son wasn't interested in Tiger Cubs. I told him how I wish I could have been one, since I had to wait to be a Wolf. And then I went on to Bear, then Webelos, then I was Boy Scout.
Well, we went for sign-up night, and he was hooked. The Cubmaster said he was the first Tiger to sign-up, so we'd need a Leader. My son stepped up and said Well, My dad was Wolf, a Bear AND a Boy Scout! In spite of my hushing him... I was a Den Leader for the 4-1/2 years.
By Charlie on the PA Turnpike, at 11/08/2007 10:55 AM
Ok, now I'm set. I know way more now about Webelos than I ever thought I would! Thanks.
And I thought something dripped onto my shoe when I was here last....I'm glad it was just sarcasm!
By soozieq, at 11/08/2007 7:03 PM
Boy, when it rains on you....it pours! Should I start making those pumpkin cheese cakes?
Hey, I just noticed my spot under "Friend Blogs", how did you get that picture there? Did you swipe it off of flickr? I don't care, just curious because I don't recall that being my icon.
By tysgirl, at 11/05/2007 8:57 PM
Yeah, I have a propensity for bad luck. :-)
Your picture is a link to your fliker profile picture.
I couldn't find an icon on Wordpress... Hope it's ok, I kinda like that picture.
Later
Lou
By LouLaughlin, at 11/05/2007 10:39 PM
Be careful with that tenant. If you've got a security deposit or first and last month's rent, hold on to it. I storngly suspect you won't be seeing anything past one or two "payments"
By limpy99, at 11/05/2007 10:51 PM
Hey Lou,
No problem on the picture, glad you like it. It's one of the few of myself that I actually like.
And hate to say it but Limpy's right....she's not going to pay you. You need to buck up and quit being so damn nice to these people!
By tysgirl, at 11/06/2007 10:07 AM
limpy
I am thinking both you and tysgirl are correct... I am not expecting any real money from this tenant.
She didn't pay September's rent, her son did for her. She never paid October's rent at all.
The biggest mistake I made was allowing her to move in without a security deposit. A lesson learned the hard way.
Later
Lou
By LouLaughlin, at 11/06/2007 11:28 AM
Oooh yah, that bites. I can't believe she didn't tell you that someone "broke into" her place.
I hope you find a new (better) tenant soon!
By soozieq, at 11/06/2007 2:09 PM
Retalix Strikers, my bowling team, didn't bowl so well this week, or last. "Sweetie" stopped in to the bowling alley tonight with her son, "Other Two" and watched our team lose two of our three games. Last week, we only won one of three games as well, so the team has moved from first place last week, to probably 4th or 5th after tonight. Our team captain is out for a few weeks with a sore elbow on his bowling arm, so we are a player short... However, that doesn't account for our recent losses, that is due to our less than stellar athletic performance. The good news is that it is still early in the season and if we can just bowl our average or better, we can easily regain our position in first place.
This weekend my brother's wife is going out of town, and because he has to work, and his oldest son wants to play in his football and soccer games on Saturday, they are staying at home. My brother will be working at Heinz Field during the Pitt and Steelers games on Saturday and Sunday, so I get to spend time with my nephew again.
My nephew is coming over Friday night after I get done with work and is going to spend the night with me, and my kids;"Two" and "Four." I think my daughter, "Three", will be coming down as well, so I will have a full house. We may go catch up on the current movie releases at the theater, rent a movie or two, or just sit in front of the wide screen TV and play video games on the PlayStation.
Saturday we get to take him to his flag football and indoor soccer games. He really enjoys soccer, but football doesn't yet seem to get his enthusiasm going.
I am really looking forward to a non-work, fun filled weekend with the nephew and the kids.
Later Lou
There's not much better in life than hanging with kids......helps put things into perspective!
Enjoy your weekend, Lou
By tysgirl, at 11/02/2007 9:46 AM
Well, not having any kids or a job, and still having tons of money could be pretty good too...
Later
Lou
By LouLaughlin, at 11/02/2007 2:31 PM
Well finally happened.... My patience got lost, and got lost good. Fortunately I found it, but then I lost it again. WARNING: If you like a quick read, you might want to skip today's post.
Yesterday was going to be a great day, because it was a vacation day, and only things I chose to do would be done, and done at my own pace. I took a vacation day because the marital home needed the heat turned on so the pipes wouldn't freeze this winter, and also so the house would be more appealing to the future owner. Running water, working electricity and heat are good selling points, I think.
Columbia Gas scheduled an an appointment with me at their earliest, which was Wednesday morning. They said a technician could be there sometime between 8AM and 12PM, and since they had no weekend or evening appointments available, I accepted the appointment and submitted a vacation request.
Being that work is so important and I didn't think I should miss any of it at all (smirk), so I briefly considered taking only a ½ day off, and saving the rest for the holidays. But I reconsidered and submitted a vacation request for the entire day. Besides, it was Halloween and I wanted to enjoy the holiday, by cleaning up the marital home yard, getting the gas turned on, checking to make sure the furnace was working, and still have a little spare time to relax and get ready to take the kids out for "Trick or Treat."
Halloween morning started with me awaking in a panic. It was 8:15AM, and I was late for work. Slowly when the Halloween cobwebs cleared, the panic subsided as I remembered that it was a vacation day, and that I only needed to get up and get ready to go to the marital home to get the gas turned on, and to clean up the yard. Before I packed the car with the yard care equipment, I cut the grass at my Duplex, and picked up the street garbage from the sidewalk and the side of the building. I then packed and arrived at the marital home around 10AM.
Since the lawn mower is incapacitated, I had to use the weed-whacker... (remember I bent the blade back in September). It was slow going, and I hadn't gotten very far when the phone rang. While it was ringing, pleasant thoughts were going through my mind, about how smooth the day was going; I was not at work, grass was getting cut, the gas company is calling right on time to tell me they are on their way. Surprise! The call was from Sweetie, and my day was made perfect. It just couldn't get better.
At this point, it should be mentioned, (and it is pretty close to a scientific fact) that I have really bad luck.
Sweetie called not to be sweet, but because she was upset because her son "Other Two" was sitting in the principle's office at school, and she was stuck at work. I offered to go, but she said that her Ex (his Dad) was going, so I didn't need to, just that she was upset and worried because she didn't know what had happened. To help her calm down and get some answers, I suggested that since she couldn't be there, she should call and talk with the principle. She liked my idea and she called the school, and then quickly called me back and and gave me the scoop, with even more concern than before the call. She told me that he was being suspended, but didn't give me any details, because she didn't know all of the facts yet. He was OK, just sitting in the school's office waiting on his Dad to pick him up. She went back to work, and tried really hard to not worry too much about "Other Two", and I went back to work on the yard.
BTW: Patience was still there at this point, but with that bit of bad news, I felt my luck was starting to run out, which doesn't bode well for patience.
As it started to near lunch time, about 11:30AM, I called Columbia Gas and asked where the technician was, since he was supposed to be at the duplex in the morning, and morning was just about over. The gas company representative politely put me on hold, apparently did a little research and told me that the tech was in the area, and I would be his next stop, but it would be just a little after 12. After a brief complaint that my morning was wasted waiting, I asked if they would make it up to me by giving me a credit on the account. The response was "Sorry. I can't do that." The phone call was ended with a snide comment on my lips about how "convenient" it was for them to not be able to help or make me feel better... Patience almost got lost, but it held on.
An hour later, 12:30PM, still no technician. A second call to Columbia Gas and a different representative, that told me some interesting facts I hadn't heard before. The appointment was listed in their system as an "all day" appointment and that the tech would be there sometime before 4:30PM, instead of before 12PM. My explanation to the rep that I had a morning appointment, and that I had recently spoken to another representative that fell on seemingly deaf ears. The representative told me sorry, there wasn't anything they could do to help, I would just have to be patient, and the tech would be there sometime today.
That's when the patience got lost.
A tone started to develop in my voice, which was hard to contain, and I expressed that waiting was unacceptable as I had already waited a long time. I tried to calm down and ask the representative if they could find out how soon the tech might arrive. They said they had no way of knowing. My teeth started to grind together, and between the clenched jaws, I attempted to ask politely for the rep to check with the dispatch department, or a supervisor, or a manager. "Sorry, I can't do that" was the immediate response. At this point the jaw came unclenched, the lungs filled with air, and my voice got very noticeably louder, and reminded the rep that "I am the customer" and I demanded I be helped and helped now. "Sorry, there is nothing we can do for you". My voice rose a few more decibels and demands to talk with someone else, another representative, a supervisor, a manager, or any other living person working for their company. "Sorry sir, I can't transfer you, no one else will be able to help you". My face when deep red and the patience didn't just get lost, it fled! In my loudest, angriest, nastiest voice, which is usually keep reserved exclusively for "Ex", I said, "Give me a supervisor NOW!" And after repeating those words multiple times, I finally got transferred to a supervisor.
The supervisor came on the phone all polite and kind, and immediately called the dispatch department and found out that the tech was detained on an emergency call, and that they apologized for my inconvenience. With just a little consideration my face returned to normal colors, my noise level generated by my own voice lowered so I could hear the music on the radio, and patience returned. I quickly explained to the supervisor that I had scheduled a morning appointment but that it was put into their system as an "all day" appointment, and that I was pretty upset at the amount of time I have been waiting, and how upset the representative I was just speaking with had made me. To appease me even more, the supervisor gave me a $40 credit on the account, and almost all feelings of displeasure left me.
Hopefully that phone call was recorded or monitored for quality assurance, and the representative is told to find another job where their talents could be used... maybe they should work for Comcast.
Patience was recovered, and all was right with the world again.
After I got my $40 credit for the wasted morning, I went to lunch, and read the newspaper. The technician finally did arrive at 4PM, after a third call to Columbia Gas in which I was politely told that he was still on his emergency call, but would be there shortly. When the tech arrived, I found he was a very personable guy and we started talking about the day. He said his day a pretty bad one. He was at a house that had a pretty bad leak right outside and he was trying to fix it before there were any major problems, like explosions.
He took a few minutes and adjusted the gas meter, and quickly got the gas turned on, checked for leaks, and even went above and beyond and helped me insure that the furnace would light.
While we talked he told me that his son was looking for a cheap place in the area to fix up and move into, and I said I was selling this place, and maybe his son would be interested. He asked the price, and I told him and he said he thought his son would be very interested. I showed him around the place, and he was the first person I showed the house to that saw potential instead of problems. I gave him my business card. Now the question is, was he blowing gas up my tail pipe, or was he serious? If he was serious, I could finally get the Albatross off from around my neck, without the need to hire the Realtor, and all of the other repairs.
Later that night, I took the kids trick or treating and afterwards I went over to visit "Sweetie" and "Other Two," since "Other Two" was not allowed to trick or treat because of his school suspension. From talking with "Sweetie" earlier I knew she was short on dinner and that "Other Two" was still a little hungry, so I offered to pick up a hamburger on my way. I brought a couple of hamburgers, and some ice cream to smooth Sweetie's nerves. I also brought some for myself and "Other Two" since he didn't get to go trick or treating. We ate and watched a little TV and when it was time for "Other Two" to go to bed, things got a little out of control. I don't think it's fair to give the details, but needless to say, my patience got lost again. My face didn't get red, nor did the voice get loud, but I stormed out of Sweetie's house angry and upset.
I wrote her an angry Email that was quite a bit longer than this post... yeah, I tend to be a little verbose... Maybe I should change my Blog title to "Rambling Verbosely Along..." (Is that a word? "Verbosely"?) After I wrote the Email, I re-read, edited it, and re-read it, considered not sending it, and then promptly hit the send button.
I don't know if she read it or not, but she called me this morning, and we apologized to each other, and all is right with the world again. The only problem now is that I am back at work, and I didn't get to have any fun on my day off, except for a very short time during trick or treat.
I am bowling tonight, and for some reason when I try to hit ten 3lb wood sticks painted white, with my 16lb ball and get them to all fall down, my patience tries to escape again. Hopefully I can keep a hold of it tonight.
Later Lou
Labels: Duplex, holiday, Marital Home, Mental Health, Sweetie
Yikes! Not much of a fun day off, indeed. Here's to hoping your weekend might be a tad bit better! :-)
By soozieq, at 11/01/2007 10:21 PM
soozieq
I almost feel bad that you read that whole thing... btw if you just skimmed it, I wouldn't be offended. :-)
I intend for the weekend to be MUCH better than this past week has been.
Later
Lou
By LouLaughlin, at 11/02/2007 12:15 AM
Way to take it out on the utility company. And I mean that. Our newspaper has been running a series on the problems people have with the electric utility that serves most of CT. Basically, they're trained to ignore people and say there's nothing they can do until you scram at them and leave them no choice. Like you did.
Hope the house sells.
By limpy99, at 11/02/2007 1:16 PM
limpy
Thanks for the support!
Somewhere in recent years, our culture has forgotten respect and customer service. And that's not limited to just utilities.
The house will sell... even if I have to practically give it away... BTW: I heard you were looking for a weekend getaway house in beuatiful Western PA? ;-)
Later
Lou
By LouLaughlin, at 11/02/2007 2:28 PM
There are 7 additional Ramblings:
Add your rambling comment...:::waves hands:::
tysgirl, at 11/30/2007 2:59 PM
Hi Lou!
I like it when bloggers post pictures of themselves. I look forward to reading all the blogs on my blogroll and the comments people leave on mine, it's nice to have faces to put with the names!
I think that I've seen pictures of most everyone, there are a few hold outs though. And then there's Limpy...all he's willing to show are his scrawny little ankles.
I like the movie reel effect you did with that slide show, very cool.
By
tysgirl
LouLaughlin, at 11/30/2007 3:30 PM
Thanks... I didn't want to come off as "conceited" by showing my own pictures, but like you, I like to see the faces of the people I read, so I posted my mug.
Besides I didn't have anyonelse's permission to put their photo up! :-)
Later
Lou
By
Nice to put a face with the comments.
SoozieQ, at 11/30/2007 5:44 PM
You have such a baby face!! Just how old are you?!? If you say you're older than I am then I'm afraid I'm going to have to like you a little bit less.
Just kidding.
Anyway, thanks for posting your mug for us to see Baby Face Loughlin! ;-)
By
Let's just say, I am probably a little older than I look. When I got married at 19, I was mistaken for a 12 year old.
LouLaughlin, at 11/30/2007 6:00 PM
Hopefully when I am 90, I will still look 40. :-)
Anyway a clue to my age is in my "About me" section...
By
Of course, it probably doesn't help much that I still act like I am 12 either! ;-)
LouLaughlin, at 11/30/2007 6:01 PM
Later
Lou
By
Ok I dislike you tremendously. I'm 36 and you look younger than me.
SoozieQ, at 11/30/2007 7:54 PM
I may act like a 12 year old boy, but I certainly don't look like one.
Which I guess, is kinda good, huh? ;-)
By
Excellent, impressive, and special production, Lou. Thank you for the insights into you.
Sometimes Saintly Nick, at 12/02/2007 11:44 AM
By