Author: gfox (old content)

Dessert Ineptitude

It was enough to make me want to never go back to Spinnakers. I wanted some dessert tonight so I called them up to see what they had on the menu. The lady I talked to listed everything then when I asked if I could place an order she said they don’t really do that any more.

I was incredulous. They wouldn’t let me do a takeout dessert order. What? We’ve done it before from their restaurant, but all she could offer was that they are now discouraging that. I have a hard time believing that they would rather have people come in and sit at a table on a busy Friday night and eat dessert. Wouldn’t it be better for a restaurant to do a quick takeout order and keep the table open.

Maybe it was the way she handled it that ticked me off.

I ended up going to Save On Food to get something. Their customer service is pretty awful too. I saw what I wanted in the bakery section and it was behind a counter so I needed some help. There were three people working in the deli right next to the bakery, but they pretty much ignored me.

Finally one of the ladies in the deli (high school age) asked if I was wanting something. I said I wanted to get one of the desserts in the case. Her reply was that the guy who was working in the bakery was on a break or taking the garbage out. Then she said she couldn’t help since she didn’t know how.

I was awestruck. It must have showed. She mentioned that the guy would be back in 10 minutes or so and asked me to come back. I had no other shopping to do and was getting ready to walk out of the store empty handed. The girl then mentioned she would give it a try and see if she could do it. She entered in some code and the price that came up was for a dollar more than the one on the dessert.

I was starting to correct her and was seriously going to walk out when the bakery guy returned. Lucky for Sox and I that he did, but what a bad experience. Every time I go in that store I regret it. Their employee training must be horrible. I certainly don’t blame the girl for her ineptitude, but I do blame her training and her managers. I know that it can be hard to approach strangers and offer them help, but that is part of the job at a grocery store.

In the end we got dessert but both places I dealt with left a bad taste in my mouth.

Something Rounded

More packing tonight. I actually threw out something that was very difficult for me to throw away. I’ve already written about how hard it is for me to throw some stuff away.

This item was something I made for my mom and dad way back when I was in elementary school. Maybe grade 2 or grade 3. I can still remember making it while sitting at my desk in the classroom.

It was a Christmas craft and we were making wreaths to hang on our door. We actually used ours for a long time, but for the past 10 years (at least) it has been in storage.

The tidbit you are missing is that it was made of a rounded out coat hanger, and strip of green plastic garbage bag tied to it. Tie on some ribbon and glittery pine cones, and you have the Christmas wreath that I made 20 some odd years ago.

Yes it was ugly. Yes I wanted to keep it. Yes I got rid of it. I hope some day my kids will make something that special to them.

Sometimes Meatloaf

He is a good dog and he does listen. Sometimes. These shots were taken during dinner last night. Sox and Sprout had gotten up from the table, but Beet and I were still there. Beet was cleaning up her plate and Yoshi came to investigate the plopping on the ground noises. Bits of meatloaf and peas.

To his credit Yoshi looked at me, then stared at the peas for a long time, but he did not make a move on them until I told him he could.

Yes, those are some of the peas on the floor in the second picture.

Glorious Play

We had a glorious day today and I really mean that. It started off with Beet sleeping in until 7. That may not seem like sleeping in to a lot of people, but not being woken before 7 is great to me.

I got up with Beet and we had a pretty lazy morning. She had breakfast and I had coffee, then we played for a bit. I actually got to read my book while she played. It was great. Sprout slept in until 9. Well, sort of. I went up to his room at 9 and he was wide awake and very chipper but he was ok with being in his crib.

The whole lounged for a bit, watched some tv, I drank more coffee, Sox cleaned the kitched, then Sox made waffles and sausages for breakfast. Mmmmm.

After breakfast Sprout watched more tv, I read some more, Beet had a nap. What a relaxing morning. Once Beet was up from her nap we all loaded into the car and headed to Beaver lake to take Yoshi for a walk and to play at the playground.

I took Beet and Yoshi for the walk, Sox and Sprout stayed at the playground. After we were done there we got back in the car and headed to Starbucks for a snack and some drink to warm up with. On the way home from that Beet fell asleep again, so after letting Sprout and Sox out of the car I sat there are read my book some more.

Dinner came and went, baths were done, the kids were put into bed, then Sox and I got some packing done.

The whole day was relaxing, enjoyable, and in the end it actually felt like I accomplished some good.

Weekend Couple

My last Cory died last weekend. We were away in Vancouver and when I got home it was floating belly up amongst the weeds. Bummer.

I still have 2 Danio’s, a Guppy, and a Platy. After we move I will likely get a couple more Cory’s.

Unfortunately the snails are still exploding. Tonight I counted 18 snails moving around the tank. Yikes. I might have to look into the Firemouths.

Dryer Boost

This morning I was feeling pretty gross. My cold has invaded my sinuses and my head was pounding. Still, I have a deadline at work and needed to head in to work.

After my shower I started looking for some jeans but couldn’t find any. The only ones I could find were still in the dryer and a little damp. After a few minutes drying time I snagged them out of the dryer and slid them on.

Oh mama. It was heavenly. All I could think about was the Seinfeld episode where Kramer was always heating his clothes before wearing them. I totally get that episode now. It was just the boost I needed to get out the door.

Rowdy System

There is a plan in Victoria to try and solve the rowdy bar patron problem. They want to scan people’s drivers licences upon entry, then if they are thrown out, they can be denied entry later on.

Besides the potential privacy issues the problem I see is their implementation.

Do they expect the bouncers at the bar to keep remember people’s faces when they throw them out, then scan the system for the night to be able to block them? Maybe they will ask for their licence back as they are tossing the person on the street.

I think the plan is noble, but this idea is flawed.

Lego Destruction

On the weekend we were in Vancouver at Sox’s mum’s house. We were there to see some family off on their 8 month trip. Their son and ours always play well together and this weekend was no exception.

Something new for Elliot was the introduction of regular lego. For me it was a blast from the past. Gran had a large collection of lego that I think used to belong to one of Sox’s brothers.

I had a great time building things for the boys. I really had a great time. I forgot how much fun playing with lego was.

At one point I asked Elliot what he wanted me to build and he said monster truck. That then got changed to a monster tow truck. I obliged of course. I found some instructions from a set and based my truck on part of that. It turned out awesome. The boom raised, lowered, and swiveled. The doors opened. It had big wheels.

After showing it to the boys they were a little non-plussed. Elliot grabbed it right away and played with it, and soon they were taking parts off. Ahh, my hard work. I was a little disheartened to see the destruction. I guess I still need to grow up a little. 🙂