Category Archives: doing it wrong

Klamath River rocks

Last week I got a survey in the mail addressed to Mr. Pam Hughes. It’s some sort of marketing thing and the questions make me wonder whether I have any business being on this planet.

I didn’t even have to do the first 4 pages because I don’t have pets or a busy breakfast morning.

What is a busy breakfast morning?

It asked me if I bought bacon strips in the last week. Is that the same as bacon? Or are bacon strips a separate type of product? I did buy bacon but the package says thick bacon slices and I didn’t buy it for breakfast I bought it for some collard greens I made for dinner. I said yes so I could check off at least one box in the busy breakfast morning section.

There was a whole page asking about tires. When I choose tires do I want them to make me feel sporty? I don’t even know what that means. Do I choose tires because I like the way they corner? Do I choose tires because something about getting soft and gripping the pavement? I learned more about tires during that survey than I’ve learned driving cars for the last 30 years. It also asked if I do a lot of research before I buy tires. No. I go to Les Schwab and buy whatever they recommend. They could show me tractor tires and I’d get out my credit card and say, “Okay, if that’s what you think.” I think there’s marketing information in that last statement but I don’t think the survey captured it.

Then it asked me a million questions about Facebook and do I rely on customer comments about products I’m considering and do I admire people with lots of friends and do I trust what corporations post. Ugh. Facebook.

They gave me five bucks and gave me another form to fill out so I could be entered into a drawing for more fabulous cash and prizes and no doubt more pointless marketing research.

Around the neighborhood.

I’ve been sitting on this half-drafted post for a day and a half for lack of time and now that I finally have time my point is ruined.

It’s been just warm enough to make the house stuffy in the evenings so I like to keep a bedroom window open at night.

A couple nights ago I woke up at 3am to the sound of a loud vehicle like a big truck idling in the street. After several minutes the noise was still there so I got up and looked and there was the new next-door neighbor’s moving truck which I guess must have just arrived after a long drive from California.

The noise when on for half an hour. I could hear voices. Insomnia issues aside, I’m not super precious when I sleep and can generally handle a little noise or some light or a flopping around spouse and barely notice. But this made me mad because it was loud, it went on and on and it was THREE O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING. What is wrong with people?

After a half hour I finally got up again and shut the window and the noisy truck eventually drove away. But I never fell back to sleep so I was completely brain dead the next day and couldn’t stop thinking really mean thoughts about my new neighbors whoever they are.

Bob went home this afternoon to let the dryer fix-it man in (don’t have the final word yet, but seems to be simple and not spendy fix – fingers crossed.) On his way out the new neighbor ran over to introduce herself. He said she is super nice and grew up in the neighborhood and is glad to be back in the area. He said she apologized for the other night but their moving van broke down and they had to be towed 50 miles to get home and that’s why they didn’t get there until the middle of the night.

What a bummer. I hereby take back all those mean thoughts.

Another photo from Seattle trip.

I was out in the world gathering provisions at 10am and already the “it’s the end of the summer holiday weekend” crowd was out in full force, shoveling hot dog buns and giant boxes of beer into their carts. Trader Joe’s had a huge crowd of retirement aged ladies with sunglasses roaming through the aisles as if they were enjoying an art show. Also, TJs rearranged the wine aisle AGAIN. Normally I can stock my cart blind-folded. I don’t like to have to search around.

I’m working on my windowsill this weekend and that involves sanding so my computer needs to be moved out of here. I’m not sure if I’m going to set it up in another room or not. I have the laptop but my presence will be spotty.

Enjoy your weekend.

From Seattle trip

On the way home from work I had to stop at the store and buy tampons, mouse traps and a 1/2″ drill bit.

Guess who got married 14 years ago today?

That’s us with my parents. Look how young we look.

It’s pretty much impossible for me to look at photos of that day without making fun of Bob’s glasses and my doughy white arms.

But look how happy we are.

Oops. Updated to add: Photo courtesy of Aileen Wilder.