Genius? Really?

I pulled my iPod out of my bag on Sunday so I could listen to a podcast while decorating a cake. I attempted to start my podcast, but it didn't start. I was booted back to the main menu. After attempting to start my podcast 3 or 4 times it finally froze. There was no hope for it, and nothing I did made a difference. I had the iPod sad face of Doom!

Ryan and I both put forth a valiant effort throughout the day to attempt to fix the problem, but to no avail. Finally I admitted defeat. Austin and I got on a train last night and went to the Gateway to visit the only Apple store in the state. Ryan assured me that these "Apple Geniuses" would be able to get my hard drive spinning, and get my faithful iPod working.

I entered the store full of hope, the kind you have when you see the doctor for an ailment that you know he can cure. I knew this iPod could be fixed and live to play another song.

Inside the Apple store they have a huge counter with a big sign above it that says "Genius". This is where you take your problems, and some guy more dedicated to Bill Gates than is healthy fixes things. I took my iPod to them and told them my sad tale. I asked if they could just get my hard drive spinning, or restore me to factory settings, or something to fix my problem.

The guy looked at my iPod, attempted to turn it on, toggled the hold switch, and tried to force it into disk mode. He held it up to his cheek to determine if the hard drive was spinning, (as though I hadn't done all these things before I came in.) then he looked at me.

"You're iPod is dead. It cannot be fixed."

"But what if you open it?"

"You're hard drive has crashed."

"But maybe you should jiggle the cables?"

"No amount of jiggling cables can restore a dead hard drive. Your iPod has the sad face, this means that your drive is dead."

"But there was no warning!"

"Ya, that happens sometimes. If you would like you can recycle this iPod and get 10% off the purchase of a new one, would you be interested in that?"

"Can I get 10% off a refurb?"

"No"

"Oh, well can I take it home and mourn over my iPod corpse for a few days? I'll mail it to you for recycling and buy a new one online where they are 30% less than new."

"I guess if you want, you can do that, but you don't get a discount for recycling unless you purchase your new iPod in the store."

"That's ok, I just want to save the planet. I'll recycle it for no reason other than it's the right thing to do."

So I went with Austin, (who was trying to convince me that he needed a new iPhone. I didn't buy in.) and we got back on the train and went home to mourn, and maybe bury the iPod in the backyard next to the cat. It was really sad, and I wanted to cry a little. This iPod has been a good and faithful friend. It has folded countless loads of laundry, hundreds of dishes have been cleaned with it, and many cakes and other kitchen goodies have been made with the help of this iPod. Not to mention all the other cleaning made possible by the distraction of a good podcast. I felt like I was loosing something important, something that had been a good tool. I know it's silly to be attached to physical things, but at the same time this thing had worked so hard for me.

When we got home we told Ryan what happened. We told him it was dead, and I asked if we could have a funeral for it. He looked at me like I was crazy and asked if the guy had tightened the cables. I told him no. He asked if he had cracked the case to see why the drive wasn't spinning. I told him no. He asked if the guy did anything. I told him no. All he did was tell me it's dead Jim.

So Ryan decided to take matters into his own hands. Because this iPod is about 4 years old, and because we bought it used, there is no warranty, so who cares if he breaks it more? It was dead, so we had nothing to loose. Ryan opened his computer surgical tool box and began the operation.

10 minutes later he was able to get the case off, and 30 seconds after that he had restored my iPod to working order!!!

I was so excited that I danced a jig, gave Ryan a hug and kiss, danced some more, and shouted my excitement.

The moral of the story here is that I would have paid cash money, I would have thrown down almost any amount, for they guy at the store to crack the case and do what Ryan did. In the end he lost the commission for my repair, he lost the commission for a new sale, and he lost my respect and desire to ever return to the Apple store for anything.

The good news is that I know who he is, so I'll make sure I send a nasty letter to Apple to let them know that they may want to provide him with a little more training, or maybe just bag him because he lost Bill the $10-30 I would have paid without thinking had he taken another 2 minutes to fix my iPod.

What I learned this week:

1. School is tough, but worth it every time.
2. Work is tough, but worth it when the check comes in.
3. It's wicked sweet when the toughness of school and work converge in the form of a wonderful job!
4. I hate starting new jobs. Apparently I "Don't play well with others".
5. This new job is the COOLEST! (and worth being in caps, I promise)


p.s. See the post about leaving Dee's. I'm just as sad about leaving the bank, but it seemed silly to post another goodbye.

Disappointment

I know I haven't posted for a while. I don't really have a good reason for that, but I'm going to put forth another effort to blog more frequently.

We were in Disneyland a few weeks ago, and there were some fantastic pictures that I wanted to share, but I haven't gotten around to getting them downloaded. I also suffered a concussion about 2 weeks ago, and wanted to tell that story. It was funny. And I'm thinking about starting a new job. I think that's it for recent news. I'll see if I can't be more consistent in the future.

Concussion:

We have one of those automatic doors here, and someone had pushed the button, so it was being held open. Amelia walked through, Katie walked through, and I walked right INTO the door, because I didn't notice that it was closing. Gave myself a concussion. (no really, it's ok to laugh, it was that funny!)

Back to the grind

I know it has been a disturbingly long time since the last post. I have no good excuse for that. I am now back at the grind, and my life seems to have been restored to some form of normalcy, so we'll give blogging another shot.

As a "welcome back" for blogging I had an experience last night that made me laugh and cry so much that I couldn't help but blog again.

After work last night I went out to my car. Imagine my surprise when it wouldn't start! After trying in vain to get it to start I decide that what I need is for the battery to be jump started.

I called Katie:

"Hey, do you have jumper cables?" I asked

"No," she replied, "why?"

"My battery died, and I need a jump start."

Short pause.

"What's you're licence plate number?"

"Umm.. 288 MHB, why?"

"Oh my gosh, I didn't know that was your car! I told security that your lights were on this morning! I can't believe they didn't call you!"

"Well how's that for ironic?"

Irony

Happy Halloween!

To start todays post, I thought I would show some pictures of costumes:

This is me:


"Making it up as I go"

And here is Katie:


"Trying, but not really making it"

And a Halloween anecdote.

So Ryan sent me a text on Monday afternoon to tell me that he needed a "spooky side dish" for work for today. I said sure, and then forgot about it.

Last night he asks me if I have all the stuff I need for the side dish, oh and while I'm at the store can I grab some candy for the trick or treaters? Sure, why not?

So I jump online, look around for a few minutes, and find I recipe I don't hate that doesn't look too difficult. I write down the ingredients, jump in the car and pick up the necessities.

Upon arriving home I decide that I can't be bothered to make the dish now, and leave the cream cheese out to soften. Once again I forget that this has to be done now.

After putting the baby in bed, watching TV, and general putzing around the house I decide I should make this side dish. With Ryan's help I was done in about 20 min, including pipping the sour cream spider webs on the top.

Today I get a call from Ryan.

"We won, honey!"

"We did?, what did we win?"

"We won some popcorn and movies, and a gift certificate"

"No, what did we win for?"

"The bean dip, silly!"

"Really? Sweet!"

So the irony here is that I didn't even take a picture.

Going back out!

I did something last night that I haven't done for a while. I went to the bar.

I went to the bar, and I had a drink, and I hung out with friends (from the diner, because they are the only ones I have). I even went to the diner afterward and ordered food, and drank coffee, and I was one of the crowd!

I had a great time, though I have no pictures to show for it. I might have to do it again sometime, and soon at that!

Restoring my faith in Humanity

I sometimes wonder about people. I wonder what they are thinking, or if they have ever learned manners. This came to the forefront of my conscious today.

This morning I was on my way to work and decided to stop at the convenience store to get a soda. As I walked in it became apparent that they were receiving a delivery, because there were cases of beer in the isles, and a big truck outside. After navigating my way around the beer to get my soda, I got in line at the check out counter. Standing next to me was the vendor who needed his paperwork signed. As the customer ahead of me finished his transaction I looked to the vendor to go first, because he had been there first. He looked at me and indicated that I could bypass him. As I stepped forward to the counter the cashier grabbed her clipboard and started checking in the delivery. I waited, and the vendor looked at me apologetically. He did everything he could to hurry the clerk, and was out of my way in about a min. As I stepped forward and set my soda on the counter the cashier continued to fill out her paperwork. For another minute or two. Finally I asked her “Can I pay for my soda, please?”

She looked at me angrily and said “This has to be done, I have to do it right now, and I’m sorry you are so pissed off about me doing my job.”

I looked at her with shock, and said “I would be less pissed off if you would look at me and say ‘One moment, please,’ or ‘I’ll be right with you’”

“Well you don’t need to get to grumpy with me, and I’m sorry you are having a bad morning”

I was shocked. I grabbed my change from her hand, and walked out of the door, while saying, “All I wanted was a ‘One moment please’.”

As I drove to the daycare to drop off my child I pondered about what has happened to common courtesy. I think it’s dead, and this was confirmed at the daycare.

I went in with Rebecca to get her settled, and while I was pouring milk on her cereal, and giving her a kiss an employee of the daycare walked behind me, knocking into my purse, and didn’t say anything. No “excuse me” or “I’m sorry” or anything!

Needless to say, by the time I arrived at work I was sure that common courtesy no longer existed, and I am from another time when you say “Excuse me” “Please” and “Thank you.”

I would have believed this too, if it weren’t for the doctor’s office. I called them because I needed to fax some information to them, but I didn’t have the fax number. When the receptionist answered the phone she asked me if I could hold. Please. I said sure.

While I was on hold (for 8 minutes, I had lots of time to think) I realized that this woman had asked me to hold, and then waited for me to answer. She didn’t assume that I would hold, or put me on hold before I could respond, she waited for me to answer and give my consent and permission.

Yes ma’am, I can hold. (for information that would only take 30 seconds to give, but that’s ok, she said please.)

After this happened I had one more small experience that has truly restored my faith. I decided to go out to lunch, and when I walked in to the fast food restaurant the woman behind the counter had her back to me, and was logging inventory. (It must be the day for it) I stood in front of the register and looked at the menu, and before I had a chance to wonder what she was doing she turns to me and says “I’m sorry, I’ll be right with you.”

Wow! I didn’t know that could happen! This woman used all her nice words, acknowledged my presence, and told me she would hurry. Her manager walked up then and asked me what I would like, and my companion and I spent the next 2 or 3 minutes singing the praises of this employee. She was wonderful, she was fantastic, and she used her nice words and asked us to hold. She should get a gold star for restoring my faith in humanity.