Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Customer service problems again

Yesterday with a plumber, today with a lender.

To redeem my plumber's reputation, the gal who handles the phone calls there went out of her way to take care of the issue and see that a different plumber was assigned to the problem immediately. That plumber came directly there from another job and finished the job that day.

The sad thing is. . . .both issues are with the same transaction. This poor buyer is having to deal with every one's lack of customer service. But I'm on the search for someone who can help her at the 11th hour. And rest assured. . . .I'll find that person. Why? Because I do NOT suck at customer service. That's one thing I KNOW how to do (at least a hell of lot better than the people I've been encountering lately).

Monday, January 28, 2008

I don't understand

I'm having a hard time understanding people in the world today.

Why is it so hard to provide GOOD, RELIABLE, QUALITY service?

Why is it so hard to say when you'll do something, and then DO IT AT THAT TIME?

Why is it so hard to say if you DON'T WANT to do it, instead of making excuses as to why you "can't" do it?

Case in point:

I've got a foreclosure listing closing on Thursday. I called the plumber I work with, who I send ALL my business to, and have been sending business to for a number of years now, to complete some CRITICAL plumbing prior to it's closing. I ordered this work LAST WEEK MONDAY, noting it needed to be completed LAST WEEK. That way everything would be done, re-inspected, paid for, paperwork gathered, lien waivers obtained, etc. by tomorrow at the latest. I stopped out at the property to check on the work Friday (I shouldn't be having to CHECK on these things, they should just be DONE but that never seems to be the case). Good thing I checked. The work wasn't done. I called today only to find out the plumber is on vacation and the work isn't even ON the schedule for the week.

WTF??

Happy F'ing Monday.

People are stupid. If you SAY you're going to do it, you'd better F'ing do it or else DON'T tell me you're going to do it. Don't tell me you'll have it done by Friday when you won't, don't tell me you're going to call me when you're not, don't tell me you "can't" do it when you can, but you really don't "WANT" to.

Say what you mean. . . . . . mean what you say. People will have a lot more respect for you, professionally AND personally.

Birthday Shoutout

Happy Birthday Shooter!!

Body Worlds

Went to see this yesterday. I thought it was going to be a little creepy, but it was actually pretty neat.

It was very interesting to see how everything goes together, how many nerves, muscles, etc we have in our bodies. What obesity looks like, what smoker's lungs look like, what a human embryo looks like at each week of development.

Interesting stuff. The only thing that would have been more interesting would be to know how old each of the bodies were. . . . .and how long it takes to "plasticize" each one. Looks like it takes lot, and LOTS of work.

I'd recommend it. It's not as creepy as it seems.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Quote

Success is not the key to happiness.
Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing,
you will be successful.

-Albert Schweitzer

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Actor Heath Ledger found dead

That's too bad.

Suicide = permanent solution to a temporary problem

4" - 6"?????

How about 13"?!?!?

Monday, January 21, 2008

A relaxing. . . . .but disappointing weekend.

Finally, it was a weekend where we didn't have a million things crammed into a 48 hour period. I had some business to do Saturday morning, but then the rest of the day was open - free of "scheduled plans". Being determined to finally get back on the training horse. . . .I met a friend at the Y Friday night and we did our weight workout together. I'm enjoying weights this winter, because my body is cooperating and letting me do them. We pushed each other and left there completely drained (sweet).

Saturday morning I awoke, went to my appointment (after dressing for zero degree weather) and headed home to hit the trainer. I could feel the hangover from the weight lifting, and I knew the weekend's workouts were likely to be compromised, but I thought I'd still try. Yeah, a pile of poopie. I managed to finish my longer ride Saturday, only to shorten my Sunday ride because the body simply said "NO". But, that was ok.

The shorter ride Sunday allowed me to sneak in some relaxation time and a short nap before taking my place on the couch for the disappointing Packer game. While I'm not a huge football fan, a "Wisconsonite" must watch the Packer game, especially at THIS point in the season. The game kept us all on the edge of our seats. . . . . . .some yelling at the TV, some pacing the floor, some trying not to fall asleep, some farting non-stop. . . . . . .overall a very challenging evening. The "Chinese buffet" however, was delicious! :-)

I was in such a deep sleep when the alarm went off this morning I wasn't sure what day it was. For a moment I thought it was Sunday and I was a little excited to have another WHOLE day to goof around. But then the smell of the coffee hit me, and I realized it was Monday. . . . .a day to drag my butt out of bed, make my mile long work list, and of course, finally update my blog again, before I lose ALL my blog friends.

Overall. . . . .a relaxing and fun weekend. . . . .but it could have ended a LITTLE better if the Packers would have won. Oh well. I think I'll live.

Happy Monday.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Yoga

Captain and I have been incorporating yoga into our workouts now. It seems to be helping. Although I don't think ANYTHING can help on a day after a lower body workout. Contorting my body into some of those basic poses this morning at 6:00am seemed nearly impossible. My legs were SCREAMING at me. . . . . I hope no one else heard them.

After that class, I decided I'd take today as a recovery day. My legs aren't too keen about the possibility of a ride today. . . . .so I'll shift my days around and do today's workout tomorrow (I was going to take off tomorrow anyway).

In the mean time. . . . . . .I'll work on hydrating, restoring inner peace, and putting together another real estate transaction. Know anyone who might want to sell or buy real estate?? :-)

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Sunday, January 13, 2008

24 hours

I know every day has 24 hours. . . . . . .but I SWEAR a few of mine have been shorter than that lately.

I guess it's. . . . . . .


Sooner or later.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

An ok day

The morning started off quite busy. Since I've been working a lot lately, I haven't had time to do the "routine" chores I usually do around the house, which left this morning for clean up of the house . . . . .getting ready for the party.

Captain and I managed to finish clean up, get to the grocery store and get things ready for the team party with just enough time to spare. Guests arrived, we hopped in the car and headed on out for our hike.
Glacial Blue was beautiful. The snow that had fallen in the morning made everything white and new. Since most aren't used to the pace of our hikes, we kept this one on the easier side and ended at about 1:20. Overall, still a good time.



Afterwards we headed home for some food, and our "team meeting". Introduced our new members, stuffed our faces, watched the Packers game, blew out some awesome raffle prizes and chilled out. Captain and I made the rounds and managed to spend a little time with everyone, which was an enjoyable experience. We've got a lot of really wonderful people on our team. . . . .and it was great to visit with them.

Then one by one people headed on home and the worst part of the evening began. It's always nice having people over. . . . . .but clean up is not my favorite thing. Thankfully with both Bill and I working at it we got it done rather quickly. That's a good thing, because I'LL be working all day tomorrow as well.

That's it for me. Time to retire for the evening.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Wow

I sure hope I don't catch what all my mtb friends are coming down with. So far I've been fairly healthy. . . .a bit sluggish and TOTALLY out of shape, but at least healthy.

Got a nice long road ride in Saturday (2:45), somewhat easy pace, but the hills still killed me. Thank GOD I finally built some fitness last year or I'd be screwed now. I think there's still time to bring it back.

Now if I could just stop working so much and get my butt in the gym and on the bike, I'd be a happy camper. Although it will be nice to be able to eat again. . . . . .

Thursday, January 03, 2008

A New Year. . . . .a new leaf

Isn't that what they say? The new year is the time to turn over a new leaf? What does that mean exactly? It's a funny little saying.

2008 came in gently for the Nigh household. With South Park playing in the background a bit earlier and friends stretched out upon the couch, the floor and perched in the bar stools, we simply bid each other a happy 2008 as we flipped to watched Dick Clark slur through his New Year's presentation.

No pyramids, no games, no drunk-fests, just a simple gathering of the "regulars", the "old friends" who don't frequent our get-togethers too much, and the "new friend" who braved the evening with a bunch of strange, old people (well, SOME of us are old).

As 2007 made it's way into history, I curled into a ball off on my own to contemplate my existence. And while I decided 2007 wasn't all that bad, I vowed to make 2008 just a little bit better. Perhaps a little more focus on myself this year will take me to the next level in whatever challenges I decide to conquer this year. We'll see.

Happy 2008.