It’s been almost a month since my last post and, I’ll be honest, I don’t feel bad.

(Well, maybe a little bit.)

My domain is expiring in a few months and I’ve been thinking about it and… I think it’s time to let go. It’s been a fun ride but I don’t think I can justify paying what I do for web hosting.  While I absolutely love WordPress and Host Monster, I’m going to opt for one of the free platforms available.

It pains me to say this in ways you’ll never imagine but I’m going to take a cue from John Mayer and go with Tumblr; after reading my friend Anna’s post, I finally decided to create an account and play around with it. I’ve checked out Tumblr links many times over but never really thought much about it as a blogging tool.

And I actually kind of like it.

It’s basically just a place where you can share photos, audio, video, quotes, links and regular text posts. I guess it’s considered microblogging or an extended version of Twitter but whatever. It’s free, simple and lets me easily share stuff I find online, as well as my own verbal excrement.

I’ve become really bad at blogging but when I’m not footing the bill, I don’t feel like anything is being wasted.

So, I present to you: http://steenface.tumblr.com/

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As a fairly avid consumer, I like to think I’m pretty sensitive to customer service in as much that I try to be as friendly as possible and tip generously.  I don’t want to be that asshole customer that unnecessarily ruins everyone’s day; I think the worst thing I’ve ever done was leave an eleven cent tip on a $55 steak dinner, only because the waitress more or less abandoned us for most of the night, taking an eternity to get refills (and only if we asked for them) and then literally threw the checks down and nearly ran off to the kitchen.

I originally wrote up a big long rant about the crazy assholes that work at Allied Interstate, a collection agency that will call you almost forty times in the span of three days but only say, “HELLO? HELLO?” when you pick up and then get snooty on the phone when you call them back, asking you “Why would we do that?” when you explain the bizarre response from their employees. I was going to tell you about how they tried to force me to pay over the phone with a credit card right then because Company A turned the debt over to them, even after you tell them that Company A kindly sent you all your account information, including instructions on paying them directly. And how, at the end of it, they will still ask you for a check number as proof because they’re not getting paid and then get haughty when you tell them point blank that they aren’t getting shit from you.

(For the record, I’m not on the run. A bill from a book club got lost in the mail system at some point when we moved and I only figured that out after they called my stepmother’s sister, who is not only not a blood relative but lives in a completely different state. I still have no idea how they found her phone number before mine.)

But I figure there’s enough bad juju about Allied Interstate on the Internet. So I’m just going to register my rage in the grand web indexing scheme of things by saying: They’re assholes.  And, in return, I was something of an asshole to them. (Even my husband was impressed.)

But then yesterdayhappened and I feel that my attitude towards customer service was redeemed.

Ashley Furniture delivered our new items yesterday morning — a red leather sofa, a coffee table, and two matching end tables. The hallway connecting the front door to the living room is a bit narrow so my husband and I were resigned to hauling the old couch out through the back sliding door, tromping through the backyards of our neighbors, then bringing it back up around the front. (Our house is pretty much in the middle of our five or six house unit.)  No sooner than we get the ass end of the couch halfway out the sliding glass door, the doorbell rings and I invite in the delivery guy standing there. He saw our dilemma and immediately offered to handle it, even saying that he and his partner could get it down the hallway.  Sure enough, they had that monstrosity of a couch out the front door in three minutes!

Not only did they bring in the new stuff, he made sure everything was in fine working order — the couch is a pull-out sleeper sofa and the coffee table is a cocktail table with a lift-top meant for cocktails but is actually the perfect height for eating in front of the TV, something we wind up doing a lot — but they even carried our old coffee table and end table to the garage. (On that note, anyone in Florida looking for some new furniture? Cheap!) We tipped both of them a little extra because being helpful and friendly and just overall awesome really goes a long way with me.

I’m a full believer in speaking up, good or bad, about customer service. (When Linds’ Sony Reader developed an ongoing issue, I retweeted her frustration to Sony and she had a response within the hour.) I fill out customer surveys for the most part and thank anyone who has at least tried to provide good service. We’ve even flagged down managers to compliment employees (or chew them out, as some cases have been) in the hopes that it will impact that employee. I’m always glad to see other folks speaking up online; when I’m searching for reviews or help, it’s good to know what I’m dealing with.

So tell me: what are some of your customer service stories? Good or bad, silly or infuriating. And who knows? Maybe a curious customer or company rep will find it.

Filed under: daily | 14721 Commenthttp://www.steenface.com/?p=1472Consumer+Report2010-04-16+14%3A30%3A11steenface

So I was in the middle of a pretty bad day at work yesterday, chatting sparingly with my husband on gchat (that’s gmail’s chat program in case you’ve been living in a cave somewhere although I think even Google has touched the furthest reaches of the Earth) in the background, and the conversation turns to Old Navy:

me: ON’s sizing is jacked up
The women’s stuff has always been inconsistent
I have to buy a size up for their pants but buy a size down for their tops
Sometimes a Medium fits, sometimes I need a Small or Large
It’s so weird.
And if you buy one size in one cut of jeans, it’s totally different with the another cut
Husband: Agreed.
It pisses me off.
me: And on top of that, their store selection sucks
And, given their funky fit, I’m sure as hell not buying anything online
Haha, don’t get me started. I’m full of WRATH and IRE right now

Now, don’t get me wrong. I adore Old Navy — although I still hesitate at their non-sale prices because what the fuck, you just charged me $25 for a vintage style black shirt with the Orlando Magic logo on it??

But that doesn’t mean I don’t think they, as a retail outlet, suck. Sure, the graphics are cute and yes, some of their clothing is adorable and 2 for $5 flip-flops are a godsend in Florida. I just hate having to actually buy anything there because it means trying it on and, well, you saw what I think about their sizing.

“Maybe you’re just oddly proportioned!”

Maybe. But even as a perfectly average woman — medium shirts, size 7 jeans, all day, every day — their fit was always funky. Putting on a few pounds really hasn’t ironed that out either.

My husband may have caught me at a particularly vitriolic moment in my day but, honestly, I’d say the same thing even if I was basking out in the glorious sun with an ice cream cone in one hand and a good book in the other.

(Being trapped in a cubicle for eight or more hours a day really hasn’t much of an effect on me, if you couldn’t tell.)

Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing with other clothing brands or even Old Navy? Or am I just being a hateful hag?

(Don’t answer that last one.)

Filed under: fashion | 14682 Commentshttp://www.steenface.com/?p=1468WRATH+and+IRE.+Grr%21+Fear+Me%212010-04-09+14%3A30%3A15steenface

I hate April Fool’s Day. It’s the ONE DAY OF THE YEAR where you can’t believe anything on the Internet.

Filed under: just for fun | 14662 Commentshttp://www.steenface.com/?p=1466Jest+Do+It2010-04-02+14%3A07%3A47steenface

While standing the checkout line at Target last night, I got suckered into one of those last-minute, off-the-rack-near-the-register buys: a Smooth Away hair removal kit. It was $5, I was there, it was there, I figured why not?

I’ve tried quite a few hair removal products in my day so I didn’t really go into this with high expectations. I mean, I didn’t really understand the product; the packaging was pretty sparse on details and I was intrigued by this little product.

So, after getting home, I tore into the box right away. It contained a green “carry case,” really a vinyl wallet-type deal with a pocket on each side. One side held the two rubber applicator pads, the large one about the size of the palm of my hand and the smaller one the size of a finger toothbrush. The other side held the Smooth Away pads, which, upon closer inspection was really just superfine emery paper.

Yes. The purpose of the product is to essentially sand your hair away.

After testing it out on my legs and, I have to say, it’s not a bad product.  Although it took about the same time as shaving, it doesn’t require water or shaving cream, which can be useful if you’re on the go. The key to getting the promised results is to follow the directions: rub in a clockwise circular motion three times, then counter-clockwise three times. Don’t apply too much pressure.  There were some patches that were left a bit stubbly feeling so I had to carefully go back over them so as not to rub off too much skin.

A quick application of lotion and I was good to go!

(It should be noted that some people have said lotion really stung after using Smooth Away. This is probably due to a) using too much pressure or b) sensitive skin. I personally didn’t have any issues.)

I probably won’t make this my primary method of hair removal but I can see using it when I can’t use the old water-soap-and-razor method or if I just need a quick none-too-thorough treatment on my legs.

Filed under: beauty | 14612 Commentshttp://www.steenface.com/?p=1461Not+Sponsored+Product+Review%3A+Smooth+Away2010-03-31+15%3A24%3A26steenface

Music artists shouldn’t use police sirens or police siren-like noises in their radio songs.

Especially if I’m speeding.

(Not that I ever go over the posted speed limit or otherwise break any traffic laws, Mr. Police Officer.)

Filed under: daily, music | 14594 Commentshttp://www.steenface.com/?p=1459Paranoia2010-03-26+15%3A01%3A05steenface

Okay, so I watched “Dancing With the Stars” last night. Don’t judge. I was busy cross-stitching and it was on and one thing led to another.

I’m already prejudiced against the show, simply because I’ve been spoiled by “So You Think You Can Dance?,” a competition using real people who have actually trained in dance; many of the contestants selected are champions and competitors within their chosen style so they have some level of talent and are challenged throughout the competition to grow and learn.

Fact: Some of the SYTYCD alumni go on to become professionals on DWTS — Lacey Schwimmer and Chelsie Hightower, for example.

So, anyway, last night was the premiere of Season 10 and, two hours later when the credits are rolling, I’m wondering how the heck this show made it to ten seasons. The house band is terrible, butchering some really great songs, and all the dancing was incredibly clumsy; I can’t knock the routines for being mediocre because I understand they’re working with what they’ve been given, namely a bunch of celebrity amateurs who felt the need to dance on national TV just to score some cash.

Some of my favorite moments:

• BUZZ FREAKIN’ ALDRIN. I don’t care that he wasn’t Fred Astaire. That man is adorable and, at 80 years old, pretty spry. Let’s not forget he’s a major historical legend! How cute was he?? You could see his mouth moving as he danced, silently counting his steps and trying hard to remember the choreography. I was absolutely tickled pink by his performance and spent all eleven of my text votes on him and Ashley.
• Kate Gosselin. I could care less about all her “Jon + Kate” drama or her new hair or whatever. The absolute awfulness of her performance was entertainment enough! She’d kick her leg out in what’s supposed to be a graceful sweep of fluttery fabric and tanned leg but it wound up looking more like a Jack Black karate move with her unpointed toes and expression of intense focus. (I swear I almost saw her stick her tongue out in concentration.)
• Niecy Nash. She absolutely rocked it. And I love her humor!
• Pamela Anderson. They saved her for last and I actually kind of forgot she was on the show. Which is amazing because how could you forget this?

All in all, NOT IMPRESSED.

The only appeal to the show is its potential trainwreckiness. For that, I might stick around for a few more episodes.

Filed under: television | 14564 Commentshttp://www.steenface.com/?p=1456%22Dancing%22+With+the+Stars2010-03-23+17%3A33%3A17steenface

Being on a budget, tracking every red cent, sucks.

I’m certainly not a high-end junkie — although for my birthday I did buy myself a Coach purse and wristlet at the outlet for a whopping sum of $150 — but I do enjoy shopping. I primarily stick to places like Target and T.J. Maxx because I think even Old Navy is a bit too pricey but my stuff adds up: clothes, cosmetics, the occasional toy (and I mean the kind you find in the kids’ area of Target, not the windowless shops in the bad part of town), books, etc.  I even spent the extra dollars for Jenny Hart’s Stitch-It Kit (now back out of stock) because it was back in print and autographed it was just one of those special things I wanted to own.

So anyway, I like to buy things.

But I have debt. I’m now finally in a position where I can really make progress in paying it all off. I’ve set some short-term goals: by August, my lower balance credit card will be paid off and my higher balance credit card will be halfway there.  After August, I want to continue making headway on my higher balance card while also managing to pay down my car loan. The idea is to raise my FICO score and free up some of my paycheck so I can go and do the things I want to do — travel more, get a new car, go out with friends.

It’s like being on a diet. The more you tell yourself “no,” the more you want to shove your face in that triple chocolate cake.

I’ve been relatively successful in sticking to my budget so far. I track each paycheck in an Excel spreadsheet and it’s pretty neat. I input my bi-weekly paycheck amount going out a couple of months then have a set of fixed rows for my bills; this is also a great way to know when things are due and which paycheck they’ll come out of. I may not have money to go out and do anything but dammit, my bills will be paid. Then I can see how much money is left for miscellaneous stuff. Here’s an example of my spreadsheet, with the assumption that I make $100 per paycheck (which thankfully I don’t):

As I enter in miscellaneous expenses (Grocery Store, Gas Station), the total goes up into the yellow line and that amount, along with my bills, lets me track my money easily, without relying on the finicky banking websites. I stole the basic spreadsheet idea from my husband and tweaked it to be my own. Basic formulas and a little organization go a long way!

And now that this has totally degenerated into a late-night TV ad for some new miracle tool that will TOTALLY! CHANGE! YOUR LIFE!, let me get back to what I was saying.

Being on a budget sucks.

Inevitably, in the few days before my next payday when I’m eating food out of the pantry and staying at home, I find some item that I really, really want to buy. (Today’s find: some cute knee-high boots on sale for about $50. It should be noted that this a week or so after going on a very long rant to my husband about my lack of boots because I foolishly donated the ones I had without replacing them.)

But I’m determined. I will pay off my debts. I will make better use of my money.

And this is a great motivator:

I have promised myself that, if all goes according to plan, I will finally ditch my crappy little VW Golf and buy a convertible. (Albeit a used car at a reasonable price.)

So what about y’all? Any budgeting tips? Any goals you’re working towards?

Filed under: money | 14516 Commentshttp://www.steenface.com/?p=1451%22A+budget+tells+us+what+we+can%27t+afford%2C+but+it+doesn%27t+keep+us+from+buying+it.%222010-03-22+16%3A10%3A22steenface

On my desk sits the cutest little vase, filled about a third of the way with origami stars.

I was working on setting up my Sony Reader for the husband and happened to glance over at it. My first thought was, Huh. Those are getting low.

Y’all.

My jar of origami stars is evaporating.

And then my brain sputtered to life like a busted old engine and holy shit, do I need sleep.

Filed under: daily | 1444Post a commenthttp://www.steenface.com/?p=1444The+Blonde+Roots+Are+Hidden+Well2010-03-19+01%3A58%3A04steenface

The past few weeks, I have become obsessed with needlework.

I made the mistake of joining craftster.org, a mecca for virtually every type of crafter in existence.  Whether you sew, paint, glue, repurpose, cook or whathaveyou, there’s guaranteed to be something for you there. While stumbling through the many, many forums and ogling the creations of some very talented folks, I came across a forum dedicated to Sublime Stitching. Curious, I found the website and immediately fell in love with Jenny Hart’s patterns.

So much so that I even put her first book, Sublime Stitching, on my birthday wishlist. (With plans to buy her second book, Embroidered Effects.)

Of course, Saturday evening, I was excited to get supplies so I headed off to Jo-Ann’s, a birthday gift card in hand.  I started out with a medium-sized sewing box with a plastic tray organizer inside and a pocket and pin cushion on the inner lid; I also wound up buying embroidery scissors (an even cheaper Jo-Ann’s version of the Acme Stork Scissors), a variety pack of needles, a magnetic needle case, a bigger plastic hoop, some more plastic floss bobbins (and I highly recommend a floss winder to make life a bit easier), an embroidery pen (the ink is water soluble and washes out so you can draw your own designs on fabric), some cotton fabric from their discount bin and some floss for my current project.

I’m ready for some embroidery!

Except my current project – to be revealed later on, when it doesn’t look like such a blob – is going to require a bit of work so my foray into embroidery has been temporarily delayed. But that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped scouring Craftster, getting ideas and bookmarking my favorite projects (like this one and this one and that one and this one and that one). I’m itching to get started but I think I need to focus on one thing at a time. Until then, I stare at my Sublime Stitching book wistfully.

So, any guesses as to what my next project could be? Mwahahahaha.

(And my household is strictly banned from revealing my secrets!)

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