Buildings Don't Kill People...

Over the weekend there was a party at the Old Post Office Pavilion in downtown DC. Unfortunately, one of the party-goers was attacked and murdered outside the building as the party broke up - something about a "confrontation between 10-12 males." The knife-wielding assailant injured two more people as he fled. Now, this morning I hear there is an increased cry to stop holding after-hours events at public buildings, as there was a similar incident at another public building a few weeks ago.

Ding-dong! Reality calling!

Buildings aren't the problem - public or otherwise. When is DC going to get serious about violence among its young people?

Wonders Never Cease

My sister got her flowers. Fairly early in the afternoon. For whatever reason, the florist decided to stop acting like a horse's ass and just do their job. She said they were actually nice when they came to the door. They probably figured this was a family of crazy people, and they didn't want to rile anybody up.

1-800-SCREWUP

I don't often get mad enough at total strangers to yell at them. I've been doing lots of yelling today.

You see, tomorrow is my sister's birthday. She lives in another state. So, on Wednesday morning I decided to send her flowers. I figured four days lead time ought to be enough. Right? Wrong. Now, it's not my fault her birthday falls on a holiday this year. But, it does. Apparently, that's a problem.

Yesterday afternoon, I got a message from 1-800 Flowers about my order "for delivery today or tomorrow" (first screwup...delivery was requested for Saturday, not Friday OR Saturday). Seems the florist is just soooo swamped. Can they deliver on Saturday? Since I didn't get this message until late in the day...and since I actually wanted it delivered on Saturday in the first place, I didn't see much point in returning the call at that stage of the game.

So, this morning, 1-800-Flowers starts calling again. Seems my sister's phone has been disconnected, and they're soooo worried that if they go over to her house and she's not there they'll be faced with a dilemma of what to do with the flowers. They might have to leave them. Or my sister might have to go pick them up.

"Just deliver the flowers. It's OK." They started arguing with me about how the florist really needs to know. Don't I have another number? I did. Turns out, that one doesn't work, either. (My sister and I communicate primarily by instant message and email.) By the third call, things were really getting ugly. I'm advised that if we can't get this resolved right now, they probably won't be able to deliver the flowers today at all.

RESOLVED? RESOLVED? Just deliver the flowers!

"But, ma'am...."

"Look...the woman is an invalid. She IS at home. She is NOT out shopping. I'm sorry if her phone's been disconnected, but that's just the way it is. I've done my part. I ordered and paid for these flowers DAYS ago. Just tell them to deliver the flowers!"

"Would you like to talk to someone else about this matter?

"WHAT? No, I do NOT want to talk to someone else. I want the flowers delivered. Today. Period. No further discussion needed." Yes, I'm yelling at this point. Loudly. But, at least I didn't swear!

It remains to be seen if my sister will get her birthday flowers.

Just be warned. 1-800 Flowers MAY be OK...but they're only as good as their weakest link. And, apparently this particular florist in Tennessee doesn't want to take the time to live up to their end of the bargain.

PISSED!? You bet! Unfortunately, I have a nagging feeling this isn't over.

SIGH....

2 Bs or not 2 Bs

This morning one of the local flaps on the news is all about alleged discrimination within the local school district. It seems that the magnet school program is drawing mostly caucasian and asian kids. African-American parents are crying foul. They interviewed one very sincere dad whose little girl was passed over for the program. She had been on the All-A Honor roll. But, recently, she just missed it because of two Bs. Helllloooo! Does he not realize that in this competitive situation kids who have nothing but As on their report cards are probably being turned down because the scarce, coveted slots are going to the "All A+" kids? Not everybody can be the best. And that's OK. It's seemingly difficult for today's parents (and their kids) to accept that.

Leave Your Blood at the Door

Just got back from the doctor's office. A rheumatologist this time. It was the same ol' same ol'. Leave your money on the counter and your blood in these little vials and call us in a week. *SIGH*

As frustrating as this whole process is, the hardest part was keeping my cool when I answered the same questions THREE FREAKING TIMES! Being the dutiful new patient, I filled out all their little forms beforehand. Thinking ahead, they mailed me these items so I could save time upon check-in. Wrong! A nice little nurse took my completed forms and then sat down and asked me every damn thing that was on the forms...again! She wrote my answers down in a different form, printed on different colored paper with different boxes. I'm sure there is method to this madness.

Then Dr. Rheumatology comes in...and starts asking me the same ding-dang questions the nurse asked me!!!! I didn't want to seem uncooperative or ill-mannered, so I once again provided the answers. This time, the information was jotted down on a legal pad. Perhaps that makes the difference.

Whatcha wanna bet the blood they took is for the same damn tests I had three weeks ago. How many things can they look for in your blood, after all?

I keep wondering how the poor SICK people cope with all this!

Need a Lift?

I can't quite say why, but that woman who sells Levitra on TV really gives me the creeps. Is it just me? Maybe. Sometimes I have a strong negative reaction to people, with no logical explanation. I don't need logic. I'm all about the "vibe." I can just see her hanging around the outside of the mens' locker room at the country club, shaking her little bottle of pills with that knowing smile on her face. I just want to slap her!

My Heart is Hardened

A long-time acquaintance died over the weekend. We weren't friends, exactly. Time and distance made that impossible. But, she was a nice lady, and I liked her. Her husband and I were colleagues once, and when he moved on to greener pastures - within the same organization - we continued to work together in a different capacity for maybe 25 years or so.

This morning, the husband posted a moving announcement/tribute to her, referring many times to her strong spirit, her courageous battle and the appreciation of all of those who loved her so very much. I can just see him sitting in his den, composing this, with big tears running down his face.

And then the next picture I get is of him with his long-term girlfriend. My sympathy is short-lived.

Or maybe he really IS torn up. After all, he has aged. And not well. He's not remotely attractive any longer. Like Carly Simon says, "The river doesn't seem to flow here anymore." Maybe the girlfriends all deserted him years ago. Maybe his faithful, dedicated wife really WAS the center of his universe this last decade or so. Maybe he came to realize her value. I'm feeling myself soften again.

But then again, there's that picture of him in a tux, his girlfriend in evening wear by his side - heading out for a night on the town. While those of us who knew the gentle person he left at home...just gawked.

I dunno...I just can't shake it. I hope she knew. There's something demeaning about being in the dark about these things. And I hope she forgave him. For some reason I can't. But, then again, I don't love him. Love is a powerful thing.

God Bless you, girl. Rest in peace.

Girl Stuff

Sometimes I just have to give in and admit that underneath it all, I'm still a girl. Always was. Always will be. I've been really busy with work lately and haven't had time to get my panties in much of a wad over anything beyond my perplexing colleagues. So, no blogging. But, today I thought I'd revert to girl stuff and relate my experiences with some products I like. Yes, folks...occasionally I do LIKE something.

Oil of Olay Regenerist - This stuff is the BEST face cream I have ever tried. By far. I woke up one morning with eye bags so big they stuck straight out at the mirror. And they crinkled. Time to do something. Within just a few days I noticed a significant improvement in my bags. The unexpected benefit was the elimination of some of my blotches and splotches - and the disappearance of a patch of thickened, scaly stuff, too. I use the serum and eye cream and am experimenting with a couple other products in the line. Good stuff.

Bare Minerals - I'm working my way through this rather expensive, but amazing, makeup line. I would have never believed that a dry, loose powder substance would (a) actually stick to my skin (b) provide good coverage and (c) last throughout the day. It does. And it makes my skin look much improved. So far, I'm using the basic "foundation" (for lack of a better word) a blush and eyeliner. I wouldn't recommend buying the stuff online or from an infomercial. I had a bit of a shade-matching issue, even though I bought it in person. You might get lucky, but at these prices, I would want to be sure. I bought their little, round brush to apply the foundation. It works beautifully. I've never given my choice of makeup any more thought than my choice of toothpaste or deodorant. Those days are gone.

Fructise Hair Products - I bought three of these products simply because they were on sale at my supermarket this week. My hair felt amazing as I was drying it this morning - like it feels after a new haircut. I used the shampoo and conditioner for dry and damaged hair and followed up with a smoothing styler lotion. I love it when I find something inexpensive that out-performs the high-dollar stuff.

Gosh...this has almost made me want to go out and buy some glittery nail polish.

Almost.