This past weekend, I finally got a dry, warm day to attempt to fix the soffit grate that the neighborhood squirrels had half-way broken down. All throughout the winter last year they decided to hibernate up in my attic. Scratch that – annoy us is a more correct verb. It wouldn’t have been so bad if they would have just slept, but every morning it was scritch, scritch, scritch, scratch, scratch, scratch. It was driving us crazy. Most times we could just pound on the wall or ceiling and they would stop. For a while, at least. It wouldn’t be too long before the squirrels would resume their antics which I can only assume included clawing, jumping, acrobatic feats, holiday parties, battlebot matches, who knows…

On Saturday, we glued the soffit panel back up with some Liquid Nails. It doesn’t look too pretty but hopefully it will keep the squirrels out. I’m hoping there weren’t any inside that cannot get out now although I’m not counting on that mesh to hold if a small animal stands/jumps on it.

All of this reminds me of this web site I found earlier this year. (more…)

We had dinner at Cici’s tonight and couldn’t help but notice quite a few couples were all dressed up. It then occurred to me that it was homecoming night. It next occurred to me that these guys brought their dates to a pizza buffet for homecoming dinner. These kids must really like this place for their dates to agree to have one of their extra special dance nights of the school year preceded by a five dollar all-you-can-eat pizza fest. I mean, this place doesn’t exactly have the romantic ambience and atmosphere that teenage girls are swooning to expect from their boyfriends. I do remember that for sure I had saw people come to this place for prom this past spring. I know for sure that Mandy would have kicked me square in the you-know-where if I had even thought to take her to a buffet on a night like that.

Maybe the girls are just humoring them by going but they are actually thinking things like “Wow. Big spender!”, “I hope this isn’t a sign,” and “At least we’re not at McDonald’s.” That’s right, girls, he could have made you pick off of the Dollar Menu™. Oh fine. I’m sure this was all a big group think effort and in their minds it was the cool thing to do. Eh, what do I know about cool nowadays?

The best part, though, was when we were getting into the van, we noticed two couples getting picked up by one of their mothers in her van to go down to the high school. Seriously, that’s great. Guys, I hope your girls forgive you and you do a better job at planning prom night.

That Taco Bell down the street has seen the last of me! I try and try again to give them the benefit of the doubt but alas, they have disappointed me once more. I have sent the following to the Taco Bell corporate office. I have my doubts on how far this will make it to someone who cares but whatever.

Dear El Presidente,

I have had numerous problems with this location. I tend to special order items, not because I’m trying to be difficult but we have food allergies in our family. I ordered this burrito (3 of them) minus the fiesta salsa. My wife is allergic to tomatoes and onions. The order took especially long since they had to fry some potatoes for some cheesy fiesta potatoes that I had ordered as well. When I got home, 2 out of 3 burritos were fine. I ordered 2 for myself and 1 for the wife. She unfortunately got the one that was wrong. Further more, there was sour cream in it which shouldn’t have been in there.

Luckily she caught it and it seemed to be in half of the burrito. I’ve had this problem with this location lots of times and I have called the manager each time (except for this time because it just seems to do no good). The manager does replace the item but the remedy never quite equals the frustration and inconvenience for having to go back out and try to explain what’s so screwed up.

I can understand if the employees of this location don’t choose to take too much pride in their work but part of food service is, well, service. I work in a service oriented environment as well but if I put in the effort that this location seems to do, I would be well out the door.

That’s all I would be allowed to fit in the comment form. I know high school students probably don’t want to take much pride at a fast food job but you know what? Someone should. It’s a job and you should do your best no matter how stupid or menial you think it is. Don’t like it? Then quit. Food should be considered a serious business. People can have allergies to certain foods and while an employee may not care too much, I know I will if I have to take someone to the emergency room for it. In that case, I may even send the entire bill to your corporate office before the insurance adjusts it.

Yeah I complain a lot. I got to have a talent here somewhere.