First World Problems

Many people tell me they are jealous of all the cool, fun things I do and believe that my life is great because I only post the cool, fun things on Facebook. Obviously I've created a false reality for everyone. Life isn't as it seems--it sucks a lot of the time--like this week. Here's the ugly truth. It all started on Monday. I have had the LA Times delivered since I first set foot in my beautiful adopted home of Southern California 27 years ago. I've had the paper delivered every. single. day. For 27 years! The paper didn't arrive Monday morning. I called the automated line to get redelivery. Still nothing. Can't get any info as to what the problem is. Called when I got home from work to get credit for no newspaper delivery. Tuesday: Still no paper. I called again. Nothing. Left the house for my dentist appointment, just the standard 6 month cleaning. Love my dentist and dental hygienist. They discover I have 2 chipped teeth. They figure I must have bit down on something right between 2 teeth and chipped both of them. Don't know when it happened, I never felt anything, but it had to be fixed. Made an appointment for later in the week. Wednesday: Still no paper. Called and spoke to a Customer Service Rep. The powers that be aren't giving them much info either. A "new delivery contractor is still learning the route." Here's a suggestion: give them newspapers and addresses and send them out. How hard is it to deliver a damn newspaper?? Had to call again to get credit for non-delivery. Also, today I tried a new housecleaning service. A friend tried them, said it was cheaper than what we were using, and they did a great job. They charged me $20 more than her, for the same size apartment, and did such a shitty job I had to dust when I got home! Total rip-off! Thursday: Still no paper. Stopped at 7-11 to buy one. I can't go this long without the paper! Went back to the dentist and got my teeth fixed. Called the Times to get credit for non-delivery once again. Friday: Still no paper. Went to the grocery store before work to pick up a few things, along with the newspaper. Had an appointment at lunchtime to take my less-than-one-year-old car in for it's regular oil change. During their multi-point inspection, they discover I need a new engine! Are you effing kidding me??? A new engine?? That's major! It's basically a brand new car! They wouldn't even let me drive it. Put me in a loaner and set me on my way--in total and complete shock. I don't know how I actually drove back to work. I know these things aren't terribly horrible. I'm well educated and I know most people on the planet have it way worse than me. I know people don't have access to good dental care, can't afford housecleaning, and don't even own a car. I know that I could live in Liberia with the fear of Ebola, I could live in Nigeria with the fear of kidnapping, I could live in India with the fear of rape, or Syria with the fear of war. Hell, I could even live in south Buffalo with 6 freaking feet of snow! But, I don't live in any of those places. I live here and I have dental insurance, can afford housecleaning (sometimes) and own a great car. This is my reality--and I'm not happy. It was supposed to be a regular 6-month teeth cleaning, a simple house cleaning job, and a standard oil change. It all blew out of proportion! I want perfect teeth. I want a properly cleaned house, especially if I'm paying for it. I want my beloved car back in flawless condition. And I want my fucking newspaper!! Today is Saturday. Still no paper. I have a hair appointment and a pedicure. Fingers crossed that nothing goes wrong with those!!

Greed with a Capital G

So, a few hours before do-or-die Game 6 for the Clippers, Donald Sterling's lawyer announces what we all knew was coming. Sterling won't pay the $2.5 million fine imposed by Adam Silver, and is gearing up to retain ownership of the Clippers via an anti-trust lawsuit against the NBA. Sterling is going to do what he always does, popular opinion be damned! What the rest of us think, the fans, players, coaches, staff, isn't a concern to either Donald or Shelly Sterling. It's always been about them. Everyone who lives in Southern California is sick of all the full page ads Sterling has taken out in the LA Times over the years to promote his good deeds. Self promotion has made him rich beyond belief. It's all about Greed, and I mean that with a capital G. Greed drives everyone involved in this story. Greed drives a rather attractive 31-year old woman to hang out with a rather repulsive 80-year old man. Greed drives people to make recordings and 'leak' them to TMZ. Greed drives TMZ to do what it does--and they've broken a huge news story that has no end in sight. Now the "experts" are saying that it is possible both Donald and Shelly Sterling may retain a small but silent ownership of the team. Prior to today's announcement, the current players and coaches said they won't play for Sterling. I love the Clippers. I like this group of players and coaches--I like them together as a team. I don't want them to break up--but if Sterling retains any portion of ownership, it's over for these guys as a team. A lot of people are saying no one would play for him, but unfortunately, that's where people are wrong, and where Greed comes back into play. I agree it won't be the current team, but a team needs players, and others will step up. If someone's lifelong dream has been to play in the NBA, and the only way to get in is to play for Sterling, there are those willing to sell their soul for the opportunity. It's that same Greed that drives Donald and Shelly and V. Too bad everyone can't take the high road, sacrifice for principles and morals. But then, TMZ, CNN and every news organization and publication would go out of business for lack of anything interesting to report. And it might be kind of boring, too. But until the moral high road becomes the norm and we eradicate racism and intolerance, I'll be following the news, I'll be rooting against the Sterling's, and I'll be cheering for my favorite team. And I will be hoping and praying that the NBA has better lawyers than the Sterlings. Go Clippers!

The Importance of Social Media

Every so often I am asked to help someone build their LinkedIn profile. Am I an expert? No, but I understand the relevancy of Social Media in our world today and I embrace it. I am on a variety of social media sites, more active on some than others, but I know how they work. I also know I can always learn more about each one. I have friends, mostly older, but some in their 30s, who discount these sites as a waste of time. That is wrong-headed thinking in our fast-forward moving world. Social Media is not going away, get used to it! I don't expect you to join Twitter and have 1.4 million followers. But I do want you to know how to contact an airline via social media to reschedule a cancelled flight when you're sitting at the airport on hold for an hour on their 800 number. You don't need to contact customer service solely via Facebook or Twitter, but you should have the knowledge of how to do it when all else fails. Understand that what you post, snap, share or blog about is out there for the world to see, so use some sense, be prudent, and use different sites for different purposes. For example, I use Facebook for friends and family, LinkedIn is strictly for work and business contacts--and the twain shall never meet. Well, half of that is true: I do have friends and family on LinkedIn, but I won't 'friend' a work colleague on Facebook. Some things are sacred! If you think social media is only for posting cat videos and checking out your old high school boyfriend, you are missing out on the powerful tools these sites provide. If you are looking for a new job, you have to use social media. Found a company you want to work for? Pin it, share it, follow it, like it. You'll learn about its culture, its trends, its future--and if you really want to be a part of it. The majority of companies are going to check you out, too. They may not be looking for your latest paper on biophysics, or how many promotions you've had in the last few years, but based on your posts and shares, they'll be deciding what kind of person you are--and if you fit in with their kind of people. Use your social media footprint to present you to the world. And, by all means, have fun on it, too. I have reconnected with so many friends from high school, I can't imagine life without them now. I know what is going on daily with my cousins who live on the other side of the country. I've found a ton of good recipes that have enabled me to have awesome dinner parties. My life has been enhanced through these connections. I'm grateful for all of them. Don't let the social media parade pass you by. And if you need help building that LinkedIn profile, give me a call!!

Open Letter to Target

I would like an explanation of why it is necessary to scan a drivers license for the purchase of alcohol at a Target store. I asked the cashier this question today. It was obvious she really didn't know why licenses are scanned. Her explanation and the explanation of another employee who was in line behind me was "it is to ensure minors don't buy alcohol." That answer makes no sense as a response to my question. I understand liquor laws and age limits. I am willing to show my ID to prove I am not under 21 and can legally purchase a bottle of wine. Why do you scan the drivers license? What purpose does this serve? I don't know of any other store that scans a license. It does not have to be scanned. A cashier can look at the date and determine if you are of legal age. This is far more secure than scanning the license where the information can be stolen. In light of Target's recent track record with cyber crime and identity theft, it is absolutely insane that you continue this scanning policy. You obviously do not know what the cyber criminals are capable of stealing when you collect driver license information. The easy answer for me is to never purchase alcohol at Target again. I only buy a few bottles a year, so I'm sure losing me as a customer won't concern you much, but it is in Target's best interest to reduce the possibility of identity theft and prevent these lapses in cyber security. Take the necessary steps to protect your customers so they remain your customers. My hope is that you review your reasons for scanning licenses and discontinue this policy immediately.

The Cleveland Browns Marketing Team

I can't decide if I should feel sorry for the marketing people who work for the Cleveland Browns, or if I should be super impressed by them. Those poor saps have to put a positive spin on everything to do with the Browns. That is a damn hard job! Every week during the season, they have to come up with something 'good' about every freaking game we lose. Hey, it's nice that Josh Gordon set some NFL records, and I'm happy for him, but we lost those games. It'd sure be nice to play a game, or two, in January. I would say February, but I'm smart enough to know that is asking too much. It's far more pleasant to be golfing in Hawaii in January than to be playing football on a frozen field somewhere. Why mess with a good thing? Keep the status quo. Ensure another losing season by hiring a coach from a losing team. What a concept. Ah, but this is where those brilliant marketing people come in. They've actually written that it's a good thing! That Pettine's defense finished in the top 10! Wow, how great is that? Who gives a damn if your defense is good when you lose the game? I'll tell you who--no one! No one gives a damn about any stupid ranking for a losing team. You know the truth? Those Buffalo players were staying in the same condos and playing the same golf courses in Hawaii as the Browns were while teams like Seattle, Denver, New England, Green Bay and San Francisco were still doing their damn jobs on the football field!! I mean, seriously, can the Browns or the Bills even spell playoffs?? I'm looking forward to seeing who our new coach is for the 2015 season. I know our spectacular marketing team can handle the job!