May I help you? Hell NO!

I am really disappointed in what passes for customer service. I have had two less than satisfying experiences in the past week. You judge for yourself as to whether I am in the right or I’m out of line on this.
Example One: The end of July I went to Wal-Mart to pick up Season One and Two on DVD which had a reduced price by about $20. They didn’t have it but told me that it was going to be the regular price so I could pick it up in a week or so. I didn’t believe them so I went to the customer service counter where I finally convinced them to give me a rain check. A month later as I am starting my holidays, I go back to see when they are expecting the DVDs in. I have the cashier take my information down and tell me that I will be called by Wednesday. I have a new answering machine which is always on so no problems. We now jump ahead another two weeks and I go to Wal-Mart and ask what about my call. The cashier puts the info into the little scanner thing and informs me that not only do they not have it but they can’t order it. Ever. I am told if I want to register a complaint, I can fill out the form they have which is sent to the President as well as the Store Manager, a form only in French because apparently English people don’t make purchases in Quebec.
Example Two: I received a card indicating that I had a parcel waiting for me at the post office in a pharmacy. I was trying to get across town to get the parcel. I was going to be delayed downtown so I called the post office and told her I was going to be a few minutes late so could she hold on for about another 2 or 3 minutes or alternatively could she put it aside with say the cosmetics so I could pick it up. It was 5:20 and she informed me that she works until 5:30 not 5:35. Under my breath, I thanked her ( a bit of venom rising) and tried to make my way to the postal counter. I arrived at 5:33 and true to her word she was gone and everything was locked up.
Now I do customer service as a job. I like to think I do a half way decent job of it as well, helping the customer where I can and taking the extra time where necessary and if it means a few extra minutes or doing a bit of extra work, then that is what it takes. Is this outdated thinking? I would like to think not but maybe I’m kidding myself. Well that’s today’s rant, about 4 hours later than planned but I get there in the end ;)

My Relative Dimentia ;)

So, I've been doing this blog now for about two weeks and I have realized that although I have named it after a science-fiction (or scientifiction as it was known in the 30s and 40s) I haven't really made much in the way of reference to Sci-Fi. I am planning to make amends now. Those of you not into this, I hope to see you tomorrow (read chapters 3 and 4 of your textbook and don't forget the permission slips signed by your parents ;)

So, today I want to discuss the new Doctor on Doctor Who, David Tennant. More specifically, I want to discuss what has been chosen as the new basis for his costume. As I have seen in the promotional pictures thus far, it is a brown pinstripe suit and sneakers. There is nothing intrinsically wrong with the costume but at the same time, I have always found The Doctor's wardrobe to be somewhat unique and stylish, this is more easily a blend into the crowd kind of outfit. Think about it, he is an alien who can travel throughout time and space and the outfits he is choosing is standard 20-21st century businesswear. According to Russel T. Davies via Doctor Who Magazine the reason is that they didn't want it to look like a costume, they just wanted it to look more like clothes but for the most part the first three Doctors (William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, and Jon Pertwee) had a great style sense but it didn't come across as a costume as such. Even Tom Baker managed to pull it off to some extent even with a 20 foot long scarf.

Just to be clear, I AM a fan and I AM looking forward to "The Christmas Invasion" which will be the first story to feature Mr. Tennant as the tenth Doctor. I want the series to succeed and run as long as possible but at the same time blind loyalty helps no one and this is just my opinion which I don't expect to change anything. Actually, that brings up another point, with him being able to travel in time AND SPACE why did all the ninth Doctor's stories take place on Earth or in orbit above it? The only thing I come up with is that while the series was establishing itself, the BBC didn't want to go for everything at once to upset or confuse viewers but would ONE alien planet have killed them?

Finally, for anyone in the Sherbrooke QC area. A week from tonight is the premiere of a local movie I performed in (Man, did I ever end up looking like Ricky from Trailer Park Boys) at the Granada Theatre in downtown Sherbrooke as part of the monthly film festival. There isn't an entry charge just a suggested donation and the fun starts about 7:30 p.m. I'll probably be mentioning this in most if not all the posts until then. Until then, so sorry must dash.

The long awaited Liana K post (well I was waiting to see what I'd say;)

A while ago (September 14th to be exact) I made mention of a young woman by the name of Liana K from the TV show Ed's Night party ( http://www.edthesock.com ) and I have since had people ask about who I was talking about. Ok, I can understand. The show isn't exactly on the same distribution level of say Baywatch. So here goes.

Ed's night party is a show hosted by Ed the sock who is a grey sock with green hair who smokes a cigar. The show is co-hosted by Liana K (as there are several Kirsners in the production team including a Liana Kirsner, I am assuming that the K stands for Kirsner). The show consists of several other young woman with a guy in a hot tub, affectionately known as the "wank tank", a short interview segment known as "Close Edcounters" and verbal parrying between Liana and Ed. Imagine "Married...with Children" as a talk show.

If you followed the link I added earlier, you will see several promotional pictures of Ms. K, testifying to the fact that she does indeed have great physical beauty and while I know that most of the show is scripted, I do sense that there is some improv which suggests that Liana is also very intelligent. Basically, she dishes it out as good as she gets it. From reading her blog, I have also determined that she is very willing to speak her mind; a very admirable quality.

A few weeks ago, I was watching the show and during the episode the subject of turds came up (well, I am trying to keep this an all-ages blog ;) and width and length was discussed. During the course of the discussion, Ms. K stated it was something that didn't affect her because she was a vegetarian. I still can't figure out why but when she said that, all of a sudden she wasn't as hot as she was 30 seconds before. Physically, she hadn't changed nor mentally but all of a sudden I was like "ehn, whatever." I KNOW it's shallow, but there you have it.

Of course, they also have this really hot, chesty african-canadian dancer so I'll keep watching. Have a good day all!

Cloudbursting

Today's post title comes courtesy of Kate Bush. I was introduced to her music in the mid-80s by a very special someone. I chose it today as it seemed somewhat fitting.

It is a grey and rainy morning with rain scheduled to continue until about tomorrow morning and it somewhat matches my mood. Since about Friday I have been old and pointless. Just going through the motions because it's something to do. It was author Steve Englehart who once wrote, "My world goes a little crazy sometimes." Okay, so he was writing about Batman and I'm not being inundated by Joker fish but the sentiment is relevant. I was talking to my best friend last Friday evening when she pointed out that the news I was relaying was about others and when it came to my news, there wasn't much to tell. I think this is in part from an observation that another bud of mine made that I do tend to repeat myself. This is true not only in conversation but also in my life in general. I tend to get involved with the same type of people time and again and as a result, my life goes through the same cycles. I have to start thinking outside the cliched box. I tend to be stuck in the past because I know the territory so well ;).

This, I think, is because when I try to make changes they are seldom accepted by others. For example, all I have to do is to try and show appreciation for someone (ex. pick up something that they may have mentioned their kid was looking for or just a flower on a sunny day) and immediately it is decided that my life can't go on without my trying to get into their panties. I really don't think I have accomplished much in today's entry. Well, there's always Tuesday.

dating and relationships as a necessary evil ;)

I have been thinking about dating and meeting people for the past few days because a buddy of mine and I are probably going out on the weekend to see if we can meet some new people. The bar environment isn't one I can honestly say that I'm comfortable in. But how else do you meet people? The places you can meet people has mutated in the past few decades. If you were in school and tried to ask someone out who ended up wasn't interested they'd probably shoot you. If you ask someone at work if they want to go for coffee you get slapped by a sexual harassment suit. Then there are the old reliables, the library and the church, both known for their "Girls gone wild" attitudes.

Seriously though, what I am looking for in a woman, and I have used this description numerous times, is someone I can go with for dinner, movie and a bit of dancing on a Saturday night and curl up on the couch and watch old movies on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Before anyone mentions it. I do realize, being at least somewhat human, that in ANY relationships arguments occur and it isn't all cheery 24/7. Even I'm not that niave but on a general basis this is what I would be looking for in a relationship.

The problem, I guess, is trying to figure out what the opposite sex is looking for. I'd almost have to be a centipede to count the women I have known who have been involved with a guy who is an alcoholic or smacks them around or cheats on them repeatedly and keeps having them come back. I have a perfect example of the last one especially.

There is this woman I have known for about fifteen or more years at this point. She is intelligent, charming, has a great job and is very beautiful. Almost each and every year her husband, who she has had two kids with, cheats on her. She knows it. Everyone who knows her knows it, but each and every time she takes him back. It just boggles my mind. She could have any man she pleases and she continually puts up with the disrespect.

Maybe that's the big stumbling block for me. When I am looking for someone, it's someone I can respect as well as love. Somehow, John bum, bum, bum, the bad boy doesn't quite work for me but maybe asking for someone I can respect as well as date is asking for too much doing so. That's it! I have simple tastes! I only want the best ;)

And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like...

I was realizing last night that I am a bit self-abusive. Now before the worry of my hairy palms, going blind as well as flagging this blog, let me explain. This isn't really a new realization but I tend to, on a almost daily basis, will remember something that I did wrong. It can be something from a week ago or it can be decades past. Either way, I will berate myself on it and then get on with the day. Some do last longer but generally within about five minutes, it's done. The problem is that guilt for the most part is a wasted emotion. The past is immutable. You'd think someone as interested in science fiction time travel could figure at least that much out.

This brings me to today's entry. In kind of a contradiction of what I have just said, I am making a very public apology to someone from my past. About three years ago, I met a wonderful young woman via the net. We had quite a bit in common and she made me laugh, think, as well as care (well she didn't MAKE me care, I wanted to do that;) The problem was we had the better part of the continent separating us. She was (and I'm assuming still is) very intelligent, driven and charming. Anyways after about a year, she met someone else who could give her all that I could and more and he was local. I understood and I would never want to stand in her way. They were happy and we remained in friendly contact. Then I called one day and true to my timing, the day
I called was the day that he passed. I offered my condolences and sent a sympathy card (I would have sent flowers but it was between paydays and my cc was overlimit as it was). I tried calling a few days later and the number was no longer in service. I found out by email that she was feeling overwhelmed by calls by her late boyfriend's family. I figured when she was cool she would give me the new number. After a while, the emails stopped as well.

I realize at this point that I was an annoying pain in the ass who once again had done more damage than good. Although she said I wasn't, her actions have stated that she felt differently. I feel sad and guilty that I screwed up something so lovely. Therefore, today's lesson: I am John and there is nothing so good that I cannot screw it up.

On the lighter side. I found this hilarious site which any comic or super-hero movie fan will love. It's http://yearone.spiderspawn.com

Temporal Instability

Every time that I start one of these (every time? This like what? My fifth entry) I keep saying to myself "Today`s topic is..." followed by Rick Moranis' voice saying "Back Bacon and uh, snow chains". Just one of the bonuses of watching a lot of SCTV with The Great White North when I was younger.

Actually age is my subject today...I think....No, it is...Yeah, that's it. You may have noticed that I don't happen to mention my age in here and in general I don't mention it. Even when I am directly asked I have to think about it because I don't think of myself in those terms. Generally, when I am asked my age, I tell people the truth. "I am older than I was and younger than I will be." Despite general opinion though, it's not vanity which prompts this answer, it's pre-conceived notions.

I have found that when you actually tell people what year you were born in there tends to be a lot of "Well you were there for that" or when referring to a person or trend it's "That was cool. What were they like when you first saw them." In that case, I am thinking more of musical groups doing comebacks and that sort of thing.

I prefer to be accepted for my own ideas and not just have it assumed that I will have certain opinions or preferences based on my period of existence. Each person is a unique being. In all of the Universe (even if a multiverse does exist) throughout all time. Each person and their experiences are specific to them and should not be assumed. This is not just a temporal thing but all sorts of things are pre-concieved in our interactions with each other.

I guess that's it for today. I'm not as insightful as I thought at the moment. I guess the coffee hasn' t taken effect yet. Maybe if I pour it down my pants. Nah, I'll save that for if things get drastic.



P.S. The Village People were NEVER cool! That's today's message.

Or are you just pleased to see me

This is a post I have kind of been looking forward to. It is dealing with my friends. All 4 of them. Yes, I said 4 and I am proud of the fact. When I use the term friend, it means something. It's not something easy to attain and not something I take lightly when someone I know has earned the privilege.

I have a great many buds, pals, associates, acquaintances, companions and the like which I consider as different levels of access to me but those I consider friends are people I would give a lung to (for a transplant, not as a Christmas gift ;) As I have said previously, I am not planning to name names in this blog and this goes for this entry especially as I don't want to alienate anyone with my words, but I think those four people already know who they are.

As well, there are those in exclusive categories which are outside definition. Lovers, for example. Not that that group is exactly a legion but at the same time, I have tried to retain a specific aspect of those I have been intimate with in honor of those special women. It's where I cultivated my interest in art and Kate Bush music. It's what has motivated me to try and express myself through writing. It has taught me that the world exists beyond the distance of my visual range and that I need to explore that restriction. It's where I started to learn cooking something a bit more complex than a Swanson TV dinner and it's where I learned to enjoy drinking beer...Well, maybe it hasn't ALL been 100% positive.

I suppose that with my friends there is a bit of coveting that goes on because they each have some qualities that I would like to see more of in myself and maybe by hanging around them, I suppose that some of it will rub off. At the same time, I do realize that like everyone they have faults as well but the good far, far outweighs any possible bad.

So yeah, I have just four friends but in those four friends I feel that I have something special, something invaluable. I won't cheapen it by calling just anyone a friend because I can't think of anything else to call them. They deserve my respect and it's freely given.

Then there are those, I just want to jump their bones. But I digress...

How do you do? I`m John. Care for a jelly baby?

I just realized that I haven`t introduced myself yet. That was rude of me. Unfortunately I don`t have a great intro line so I`ll just get right into it. I`m John and I am located in the province of Quebec in Canada (despite the provincial government`s opinions Quebec is the province and Canada is the country ;) I consider myself a citizen of the world as opposed to a nationality firstly because I believe that the world is quickly becoming a smaller place and secondly because I know far too many people who use their nationality to define who they are and sometime limit who they are. I prefer to have my opinions taken for what they are and not representative as being part of a particular community. I am an old soul who does not suffer fools gladly.

What does this mean? Basically, we all have some grey matter between our ears and as I have often said: The brain is the muscle that requires the most exercise but frequently recieves the least. An example of this is an associate of mine who listens to a lot of talk radio. If you want to know what the radio station`s opinion of something in the news is, he will quote it to you as his opinion several days later, practically verbatim. This comes up a lot in the media when people are strongly for or against something because someone has told them that they should be. Ask your own questions. Have your own opinions. If you feel about something, have a reason why you feel that way. While sheep are tasty to eat, I have no desire to have a conversation with one.

Let`s see, what else about me? Well as mentioned in a previous post, I am devoutly heterosexual sometimes to my own detriment. I have an ability to be attracted to women who are generally never attracted to me or if they do, I tend to sabotage myself by putting a distance between us for "their own protection" and my four friends are precious to me (my next entry will be on my definition of friendship and kind of a tribute to those I call friends). I am emotional but every chance I get I try to suppress my emotions. I enjoy watching Doctor Who and reading comics I guess primarily because on some level I feel it gives me hope that on some level humanity has potential and is capable of improving above a lot of the pointless squabbles we find ourselves in (see also Citizen of the world earlier in this same post) and also the idea that once in a little while that maybe the right thing is accomplished. Actually, I think Colin Baker got it right when describing his interpretation of The Doctor:

"He has an essential belief in the rightness of things and if things aren't
right then he feels compelled to do something about it and right doesn't always
necessarily mean beautiful, happy or pretty but right, it's got to be right."

Well that`s about it for now. If you want to comment go ahead. If not, that`s fine too. I really am selfish in that I do this for me.

Head in the clouds when your stuck in the mud

Well, I've tried to come up with a topic but I can't honestly think of anything that doesn't sound angry, self-pitying, or dirty today and I have been looking at this screen on and off for over 2 hours. I'll try starting fresh tomorrow. Until then, play nice and respect each other (Geez! Was that lame or what?)

Travel broadens the mind...as long as you`re not driving

I do try and keep my promises, so here is my take on traffic in general.

It has always been my belief that society in general is suppose to evolve into something a bit better than it presently is. We are supposed to become more technologically advanced, more socially advanced, if nothing else, we should be getting at least a bit more intelligent than the day before (mind you, this could be my interest in Doctor Who and comics colouring my perceptions).

The thing that leads me to believe this is not the case is traffic on our roads. Now, up until about 7 or 8 years ago I had a car and I would like to think that I was conscientious when I drove although it is entirely possible I could have been fooling myself. Now that I am a pedestrian, I am able to be on the outside and observe those on the road.

First off, motorized vehicles. I do realize that a right turn on a red light but at some point aren`t you actually supposed to come to a stop as opposed to squealing to a turn. This is when an individual isn`t weaving in and out of traffic lanes on a 4 lane city street. It almost seems to have become a philosophy of driving now to say "I am the only one on the road. The rest of you are just figments of my imagination and therefore inconsequential." People, it's a city street, not a nascar track. This goes for larger metropolitan areas as well as smaller places.

Last winter I saw a perfect example of this. I was walking home and I arrive at a four way intersection. There is an ambulance coming from the west heading east with the lights flashing and the siren blaring. Meanwhile the light is just about to change to allow the ambulance the right of way but as always, there is one guy who has to make the dash so he almost rams the ambulance and then HONKS HIS HORN at the emergency vehicle as he goes on his merry way. I mean the nerve of the emergency vehicle. Doesn`t he realize that this could make the driver of the car late by, oh at least 2 minutes, for his dinner. What's one life in comparison to that? Seriously, unless you have someone about to launch a baby out of their pelvis or trying to hold in their spleen the additional 2 or 3 minutes will not cause your destination to disappear into limbo. IT WILL STILL BE THERE!!!

Then we have the more environmentally minded of us on bicycles. Now, if someone could explain to me why I can see children of about 10 years of age capable of riding a bicycle in the street but why teens on up are incapable of doing so. While I realize that dexterity decreases as you get older, I didn't realise that it started as such a young age. That could be why we have the guys that do the wheelie bounce but if they have to even think about going out in the street they rush right back onto the sidewalk like a scalded cat. Hey buddy, if you want to try something X-TREME, try hauling your sorry butt out into the traffic. It will probably impress more people by the uniqueness of the act. The way I look at it, if you've bought a bicycle, you've made your choice to own a vehicle. It's not as if I go out a buy a motorcycle and find the traffic too rough, I'm allowed to ride the sidewalk either. If it's too hard you have two choices: buy a car or walk. I realise that drivers don't make it easy for you, but damnit, take back what's yours. My hometown has about a population of I think 5,000. It's a small University town and as you may guess, on a Sunday, it's not expressway traffic. Still the sidewalk has cyclists weaving in and out around pedestrians.

So there you have it, my first rant. I hope it was as cathartic for you as it was for me ;)

I`m not very proud of this

Referring to my last post, I do try to accept people for who they are and not what they are. This, however, is not a rule written in stone as I have discovered to my regret. I have found that I tend to avoid blonde women and large breasted women when I am looking for someone to go out with although this goes back to unsatisfying relationships with both (the last blonde I went out with stole my car). By the same token, I can flip flop on reversals as well.

I started working at my present employers a bit over a year ago. At that time, the area I was working in had cubicles with somewhat high walls. I started chatting with one of my co-workers over the course of several months and a friendly relationship began. I nicknamed her "Princess" after the Halloween costume she wore and offered my condolences when her grandmother died. Then the walls came down, well not really but they became shorter and all of a sudden I started noticing that she had a killer figure and no matter how often I would catch myself most times when I said anything more than "Hi!" to her, I still found myself checking her out. Now, I admit that I have been in my fair share of strip clubs and I am also a fan of Benny Hill and Married...With Children, and until I found out she was a vegetarian I found Liana K. From Ed`s Night Party hot (this will be a WHOLE other entry believe me) but I try not to look at a woman, especially one who I find very intelligent and charming as just a physical form. I find myself ashamed whenever I am around her now and because of this, I now avoid her. The worst part is that I can`t even explain it because it is my problem and not hers but by the same token I am concerned that she thinks that I don`t like her.

Some of my other co-workers are not much help. I had one tell me "Forget it. She doesn`t deserve the respect. Just enjoy the ride." But I think that comes from the fact that he recently broke up with his girlfriend. I am seriously thinking of making guilt my new art form of expression. But the `no respect` thing is just not me and I hope it will never be. I have found that this among other factors has caused me to re-evaluate my interactions with others and distance myself from them for what I have stated has been in their best interests. The lone traveler continues. Well, that`s enough for one day. Next time, my rant about traffic (theoretically ;)

Brand New for Day 2

I was thinking about this last night and decided that since Blogger decided to have me read the terms and conditions, maybe I should have a statement of intent. Now when I say intent, it is what I INTEND to do, the practice may be different. I am planning to use this blog as a place to make observations (ie. Rant) or to pass on what I feel is useful information (ie. Meddle) and to record the important events and individuals in my life.

This being said, maybe I should describe myself somewhat (especially as I can`t, as yet, download a picture). I am a verrrry old soul in a somewhat young body (young in comparison to let`s say the Rocky Mountains, time is relative) and consider myself a bit of a traveler and explorer although my traveling in the past five years has been somewhat less than noteworthy. I am a Doctor Who and comic book fan (yeah, that gets the women damp in the panties) and am presently working on a screenplay (for about the past year) which is a psychological piece looking at what makes up an individual`s personality. I tend to be a bit introspective to the point where I can over-analyze things and my life experiences sometimes can sometimes come across as being a bit patronizing when describing or explaining things. I like to think that I try to accept people for who they are rather than WHAT they are. I try to look beyond the physical but at the same time, I`m not blind. This kind of leads into my first observation....

Day 1 and I'm still here

This is just a first time post. I'll think of something deep and meaningful as I go along but for now it`s just hello ;)