Lizzard Running with Shears

Laundromat lost all of my clothes

2008-07-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

The Brooklyn Heights Laundromat located at 132 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights, NY lost all of my clothing. We went to pick up our laundry before we were leaving for a trip and guess what - the 40 pounds that we dropped off some how turned into 10 pounds after being washed and folded. How could this happen? Let me tell you what they told us.

Another customer of theirs came into the laundromat on Thursday night and took our full 40 pound bag of clothing. He returned later that night with the bag and 10 pounds of clothing in it. He told the owners that he would bring the rest of the clothing back but it was all mixed in and he had to go through it. The owners then proceeded to take our bag of clothing, put it back on the shelf and then let him walk out with his real bag of clothing. Well, he never brought back any of the clothing. The only clothing in the bag was some of my husbands - none of mine or our towels and sheets. The owners said they were expecting the guy to return the clothes that weekend. Well, its been almost 2 weeks now and there's been no clothes.

So here is what pisses me off.

1) The owners give tickets to every customer. The ticket has the number. This ticket is how you identify your bag. This allows them to make sure they give you the correct bag. The owners didn't even bother to look at the ticket and let some guy take a bag of clothing without checking to make sure it was the right bag.

2) Owners weren't suspicious when this guy came back with only a quarter of the clothes and said he had to go through them to sort them. Um hello! They don't do everyone's laundry together. They do them in separate washers and dryers. How could my laundry and his laundry end up in the same bag?

3) They let him take another bag of clothing and not demand that he bring the original bag of clothing back and sort them there. Why wouldn't you think something was suspicious and demand he bring back all the clothes before he could take his own?

4) The owners gave us our 10 pound bag of clothing and pretended like everything was ok until we mentioned that the bag was slightly lighter than when we dropped it off - like 30 pounds lighter!

5) The owners said they didn't do anything wrong and actually had the F'ing nerve to point out the disclaimer on the ticket which says that they will pay up to five times the amount of the laundry charge for lost or damaged items. Well guess again asshats! Lost means you don't know where my clothes are who took them. Damaged means I have my clothes but you damaged them. Giving away my clothes to someone else through neglect is another case all together.

6) I have to take time out of my day to take the SOB's to small claims court because they wanted to give me $500 for close to $2000 worth of clothing.

7) The rage and anger that I've been working on for 6 months to diminish is back in full force and unfortunately the laundromat is going to bare the brunt of it.

8) 95% of the items were 4 months old or less! There is time and effort involved in those clothing items. Traveling, sorting through racks of clothing, trying on numerous articles of clothing and finally finding pieces that fit me and look decent.

Seriously - their job is not hard. Lights, darks, hot, cold, fold.... match numbers up and give clothing to people that have the ticket that matches the laundry bag. It's not rocket science.

The saga of missing clothes continues.

Help Save Wild Mustangs

2008-07-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

I hate toting my own personal beliefs onto other people unless I think they deserve it (deoderant was created to help end my suffering from other people's pits). This one I believe in because a) I love horses and b) I love horses. My biggest dream is to be able to have enough money to retire before I'm 40 and open up a ranch (shopping has to be within an hour though). So - the Bureau of Land Management www.blm.gov is considering euthanizing the wild Mustang population. Wild Mustangs once ran free across our country, became symbolic of one of the greatest muscle cars of our times (Ford Mustang for you people who are still trying to figure that one out) and I think gave hope to people.

I know saying "Hope" sounds odd but I think it fits. There's a hope that we don't ruin all of the land and make cities. There's a hope that life used to simpler and beautiful. I am far from idealistic but wild Mustangs are the main reason I want to go west and see Wyoming and Montana. I want to ride on a horse and come over a crest over looking a valley and see a herd of wild Mustangs running free. Anyway...

I know writing a letter or signing a petition is often looked upon as annoying and a hassle. So my direct course of action is to donate to the Mustang Heritage Foundation www.mustangheritagefoundation.org . I live in NYC where I can't have a horse - I totally would if I could though. So I'm going to donate in hopes that my one little action can help a herd of wild Mustangs continue to roam free. One day I'd like to see them in that valley instead of in a book where they show pictures of wild Mustangs now extinct.

Hancock

2008-06-27T09:39:00.001-07:00

Saw the movie yesterday at a screening. Here are my quick thoughts on the movie.

Will Smith plays an excellent flawed super-hero.

Movie was a little short. Sometimes I like this but other times I don't - see point 3.

The plot line of Hancock's past definitely could have been blown out more and would have only added another 1/2 hour to the movie at most. (Most important point)

Not enough Jason Bateman. The guy was hysterical.

Charlize Theron was beautiful. Whoever did her hair I would love to have as my friend.

Ultimately, I love Will Smith. The guy can do no wrong. Loved him in The Pursuit of Happyness. Hell - I even loved him in I am Legend which gave me nightmares for days and I just remembered I need to add Omega Man to my summer reading list. If Sony doesn't do a sequel they should definitely do a prequel or two.

3 1/2 Stars out of 5.

Coffee and Cigarettes

2008-06-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

SMELL AWFUL ON YOUR BREATH!
Chew gum, rinse your mouth out, brush your teeth... i don't care what you do but it fucking stinks. It especially smells when you just finished your "break" of smoking and drinking coffee and come directly to me to chat. The gum I offered you and backing away with a green face are obviously not hints. Please be courteous to others and do something about your breath.

Cash Bar at Weddings

2008-06-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

It is unacceptable. Would you invite someone to your house for dinner and then ask them to give you $40? No. Why? Because it is rude.

If you are getting married in an area where majority of the people have to either fly or drive to attend and stay in a hotel - don't have a cash bar.

We have an instance where we have to fly out of the country, drive an additional couple of hours and stay in a one star establishment (only thing available) in BFN (we've moved past BFE). Of course we're giving a gift because we will not attend a wedding without giving a gift. So how can I, based on principal, attend a wedding where I'm already dropping $2k and then be told that I had to stop at an ATM on the way to the reception because I have to pay for my drinks too?

Now in defense of weddings - I know they are expensive. There are rules on etiquette however. If you can't afford an open bar than don't have one at all. You can have people drink coffee, tea and soda at very little cost and not look tacky.

My personal belief is that says volumes that you are willing to drop thousands on yourself and expect thousands in return but won't offer beverages. May as well make it a BYOB.

Where did the energy go?

2008-02-18T12:56:00.000-08:00

Got married. Got a dog. Got a pseudo-promotion at work. Was moved to a much bigger account. No kids. Where did my energy go? Is it the crazy globally warmed weather that is sapping me of strength? How on earth do other people manage crazy lives with much more responsibility than me and still have energy? Can someone please let me know where to find Ephedra filled products. I use to have energy then.

Death of a beloved pet

2006-12-30T20:22:00.000-08:00

I've never had to put a pet to sleep before. I technically didn't do it today either but it's still incredibly difficult. My wonderful and sometimes infuriating dog was put to sleep today. CoCo, my 18 year old mutt, was taken from me today. CoCo lived with my mom back in Michigan and today we finally realized it was time. Besides from being 18 - he was arthritic, was partially deaf and blind and he started going to the bathroom with blood in his stool. The vet said 18 was a good run for a dog and that the blood was an internal problem and that at his age - not much could be done. We couldn't let my dog suffer anymore because that would be cruel. Still, to say "yes, it's time to put him down" was one of the hardest things i've ever had to say in my life. So tonight - I honour and cherish the memory of a wonderful and insane dog. Even though I wasn't there to hold him when the vet injected him - it hurts all the same.

CoCo was there when I turned 13, when I first started driving, my first car accident, when I graduated from high school, when my dad died, when I graduated from college, my first job, when I left MI for NYC and even when I dropped my cooking on the floor on purpose so he could lick it up. He was there through every monumental and idiotic moment of my life. I was just home with him last week and when leaving I told him to be there when I came back to visit again - knowing in my heart I didn't think he would make it. He still looked like a puppy and in my heart I wanted to believe that he still was. I think I believe he will always be that puppy I bought for $80 and brought me more happiness than I could ever buy.

Today and tomorrow... I'll remember the dog who became family and made me chase him around my subdivision more times than I'd like to remember. Here's to CoCo - the sibling I never had but who I would have loved to have.

Am I a bad person?

2006-12-29T11:38:00.000-08:00

Am I a bad person for getting fed up with having a bad day? A lady cut me off as I was crossing the street on 8th Avenue and she turned to me and yelled - she was less than a foot away - "Why are you pushing me?!?" First off - i didn't push her. Second, trying to nudge around someone like this was my bad. Third, I would never just push someone - people are dense. Anyway - when I said that I was trying to cross the street she shouted at me "What the f*ck is your problem?!?!" while she was holding the hands of her two children. How sweet.

Today I actually pondered moving out of NYC. Not because its a cut throat city and populated to the max but because I'm fed up with ignorant and uneducated people. I know I will find people like that everywhere but they appear to be in a higher abundance in NYC. Then I thought to myself "how could I possibly ever leave this great city?".

To the lady who decided it was her mission in life to be a bitch today: look in the mirror and chill out. You live in NYC - people bump into you. You're supposed to let it roll off of you - not scream like an idiot in the middle of 8th Avenue swearing with your two children looking on. You're not setting a good example. We don't need more people like you in the world. You should be concentrating on raising your children to be better than you. If you are raising your children by the example your mother set for you - then your mothers birth control was not working because you should not have been born.

So, am I a bad person for saying all of this? Or am I bad person for actually writing it out for everyone to see that sometimes I've had enough and want people to act kind?

Politics of Weddings (read lack of manners)

2006-09-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

Everyone told me that getting married brings out the worst in people but I always assumed they were referring to the people actually getting married. I didn't think that they might be referring to people that aren't part of the wedding but manage to get their fingers into it.

Let me just put this out there - if you did not receive an invitation to the wedding or your name does not appear on an invitation - then you are NOT INVITED TO THE WEDDING. This general rule of thumb can also be referred to by guests who actually do receive an invitation. Invitations are addressed to the people invited - weddings are not a free for all or an open invitation to friends, co-workers, on-off again girlfriends, pimps, etc.... So here's my story and why I'm typing at 11pm like a crack addict on a sugar high.

My fiance has a large family and in this family there are many young single (not engaged) adults. When we got engaged last year the decision was made that if members of his family were engaged then they could bring a guest - if they were not engaged then I'm sorry but no guest would be allowed - no exceptions. I will admit this is not ideal but when two people live in NYC, have regular-non Wall St jobs and paying for majority of the wedding on their own - well, they get to decide who gets invited and who does not.

Now, imagine that one cousin has a girlfriend that a) bride does not care for and b) keeps showing up at bridal events uninvited - somehow must have lost the remaining piece of their trailer park mind thinks that they are invited to the wedding that they indeed are not invited to. Now, imagine Trailer Park girl asks what the formality of the wedding is in front of many members of the family and friends. Bride says "Black Tie Optional" and then gets that nagging feeling that says "SH&T!" and proceeds to ask Trailer Park girl why she is asking these questions. Imagine the surprise of hearing Trailer Park girl say "I knew it! I told "boyfriend" that I could wear a ball gown cause I knew it was a fancy wedding!" Well HOLY CR&P, turn me around and call me silly but did that girl just invite herself to the wedding?!?! The quick answer is YES. How did this happen you might ask. Let me tell you...

Grandmother takes pity on Trailer Park girl because this girl apparently has had a tough life (unsure how this affects my wedding). Apparently Trailer Park girl's mom died when she was young and now her dad is an alcoholic. Tough crap - my dad died 10 years ago this coming Monday and do I make that other people's problem? No. Well, grandmother has taken pity/a liking to Trailer Park girl and asks her daughter, my fiance's mother, if Trailer Park girl can come to the wedding. WHOA!

First - this is not my fiance's mothers wedding. Second - Why would you ask someone who is not getting married if someone not invited can come. Third - wait for it because you will not be able to believe this - fiance's mother tells grandmother YES because she apparently can't say no. Then Trailer Park girlfriend's boyfriends dad (fiance's uncle) calls his sister (fiance's mother) to ask if Trailer Park girl can come to the wedding. Read points one through three above if anyone has forgotten.

The best part is - no one asked us - the people paying for the wedding and who's wedding it actually is - if Trailer Park girl could come. Why? BECAUSE THEY KNEW WE WOULD SAY NO!!!!! WHAT THE MO-FO!

Net net - after two weeks of being so angry at fiance's family and wanting to call the wedding off to elope I relent and say fine - Trailer Park girl can come but ONLY IF I GET AN APOLOGY FIRST FROM A) Grandmother who took pity on TP Girl B) UNCLE who's son is dating whorish TP Girl and C) FIANCE's MOTHER for saying yes to everyone, not consulting us and thinking she had a say in this wedding. Well guess what....

Got the reply card back from that family and guess what?!?! TP GIRLS NAME IS ON THE REPLY CARD AND STILL NO CALL OR APOLOGY FROM ANYONE! So guess what - I'm calling them out on it and uninviting her. They can call me rude or a b*tch but I could care less. If fiance's family wants to think that manners are a suggestion then they can do so within their own family. Not with me.

Enough is enough. I'll keep you posted on the wedding drama and how this ends up playing out. I think the entire family won't show but hey - you want TP girl invited then throw your own wedding and invite her to that. I'm done.

Airlines Suck

2006-09-15T18:14:00.000-07:00

Light rain in NYC causes flights in and out of LaGuardia to be cancelled. Put us on another flight and be nice about it? No. Be rude and basically say "you're screwed"? Yes. If any other business were to operate this way they would be out of business. How is it that the airlines are still in business and are never accountable for what people pay them for? Absurd.

Could this be the beginning of the end?

2006-09-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

I'm still unsure what the point of blogs are. Is it an open diary or a place to make the mundane funny? Recently, I've noticed that I have a ridiculous amount of opinions and very little options to voice them. Sometimes a person wants to speak their mind to have the weight taken off of them and to have piece of mind without other people giving their two cents. I suppose we'll see how much venting I have to do. Personally, I think living in NYC for a while has turned me into the Angry New Yorker.