If you don't shop at Wal-mart, Behind the Counter, maintained by a Customer Service rep at an unnamed WM will make you feel SO superior about that decision. If you do shop at WM, you will no doubt recognize some of your experiences. Found via Ravelry. Here's a beautiful quote:

"Wal-Mart's prices are low because the staffing - the single area largest cost area where money is spent and resources can be cut - is at an absolute minimum...

That very same can of paint you want mixed at 10 p.m. on a Sunday is going to cost you more at the local place - which is well-known around town for the level of service they provide. They'll smile at you, greet you in perfect English and give you tips on how to paint your house. You're paying for SERVICE as well as the merchandise. At Wal-Mart, you're paying for a d%*# can of paint. Nothing more. Everything less. Service, knowledge, assistance in the English language. You made the choice to shop here. Your choices have consequences...If you want cheap prices, come to the Wal-Mart. If you want good service, go anywhere else."

As a general rule, we don't shop there. John can count on one hand the number of times he's been forced to step inside one. I have a few more visits under my belt, but not a lot more.

I'm almost caught up with my bloglines. I've removed almost half, and recategorized the rest. Of course, while doing so, I found 5 more blogs to add...

Anyway, back on May 2, Marnie coined a new term - Gomorrize - after someone wondered why the first city of the Sodom and Gomorrah has a word, but the second in the pair does not. Click the link for her definition.

It took me a minute to process this email, but then I had to chuckle:

"Your funny for the week:

'ERROR
Access Denied by SmartFilter

The following error was encountered:
* Access Denied by SmartFilter: Forbidden, this page www.crazycatladymel.livejounal.com is categorized as: Pornography

Generated by Proxy: COMpiMUScinci07'"

whittlnwithbear, I know why the page wouldn't open (there's no www), but I'm dying at the pornography reference!

I'm working on this incredibly tedious project, which consists of reading bounced-back emails in a generic box and marking the addies in a spreadsheet. Dreadful! But then there was this:

"Hi. This is the ____ program at ____.com.
I'm afraid I wasn't able to deliver your message to the following addresses.
This is a permanent error; I've given up. Sorry it didn't work out.

<_____email addy______="addy______">:
xxx.xx.xxx.xxx does not like recipient."

And...I'm listening to the KT Tunstall album, Eye to the Telescope. I'm really liking it!

ETA: And since I crack myself up, here are 2 alternate messages I wouldn't mind seeing -
"Sorry, we couldn't deliver your message. We think _____ is a prat."
"Sorry, we couldn't deliver your message. We're refusing all mail for ____ until he bathes."

Regarding the music, Olivia* has a new accessory: a portable speaker thingy that I got at the Dollar store. Works just fine.

*Olivia is my Nano.

For a good time, call 877-SOS-KNIT

This made me laugh out loud!( pic behind cutCollapse )
Other Bush & Shrub stuff...

• This is Not Over (scroll to bottom for a couple of clips)
  
• This article is very interesting (via joy_disaster).

From indertictor: "I understand the President is in town today viewing the devestation. I've never understood what good that does. Not to knock the guy, but really it's not like his viewing it is gonna expedite the recovery process. If anything, providing for his security could hamper recovery efforts -- hopefully they've thought of that and are keeping him out of the places where most of the cleaning is going on."


purloined from joy_disaster's LJ... originally from: Mike Luckovich's September 11, 2005 entry

( Read more...Collapse )

switched to a link, so as to not steal bandwidth:
Bush: One of the Worst Disasters to Hit US
, via a blog I read but closed so I forgot where it came from.

Because you can't hear sarcasm in type, I had to redo my last post. I don't hate my SIL. Not even a little. But she is a way better knitter than me, and I'm a little jealous. You know how you say "I hate her," when what you mean is "I admire her"? That's how I hate T. In a totally loving way.

She knits, my MIL knits & I knit. I've been knitting about 6 months longer, but T. surpassed me a while ago. She's a freaking prodigy. I've never seen speed like this, and she's 100% self-taught. I'm slowly working my way up to mittens, and she's already mastered socks and has moved on to lace. And it's not like she sits around and knits and does nothing else all day. She's got 3 kids (toddler to high school) and works. She knits like I do -- waiting places, at red lights, etc.

Truth is, I doubt I'll ever attempt lace. My attention span is too short. And I'm working at my own little pace. It's all good. I feel a tiny bit inadequate, but I'll be okay.

Getting together w/ John's family (his dad's side) tonight was good. T. & I collaborated on Christmas gifts, so we can both knit for people and not overlap (like that's possible). I wasn't going to knit for her crew, but it turns out there's something that all the guys want that she wasn't going to get to that I can do. Anyone know where to find camoflauge wool?