Sinuses have mostly cleared for me, and Isaac seems to be over the worst of Headcold From Hell as well. Today I have accomplished finding a low-back strapless bra to wear under my bridesmaid dress, transferring my schedule for the Huntington into my planner, and sketching out some creative ideas I have for a future project. Also stopped by my cousin's shop to say hello. We have a tentative lunch scheduled for next week.

Yesterday, Jess called to tell me that the MadScience people called her for a reference. When they asked her if she knew me to have any experience with children, she replied "Well, I've seen her deal with actors on numerous occasions, and that's really the same thing. She's good at that." She said they seemed positive about me...mental fingers are still crossed.

Need to make a couple more phone calls and send some emails related to work-type things.

Last night I completed my Valentine's gifty-type project for my hubby.

Tomorrow will be spent snuggled up with eachother, potentailly taking a nice afternoon stroll, and possibly there will be some take-out food.

Your quotes of the day:

"All your ass are belong to me!" -Isaac

And from the film "Gypsy 83"
CLIVE: So, Zachariah...you running from something?
ZACH: Conformity. Boredom. And cows.

Tags: holiday, quote, update

Slept in only a little today, despite the delisciousness of my bed. Got up and made my bed, even!

Made killer cheesecake...based on Alton Brown's recipe. Changed the graham crackers for ginger snaps, and the heavy cream for 1/2 & 1/2. Also added some cinnamon, and followed the advice of several commenters and baked for a full 1:20. And the pledge is true...not a single crack! Not even a fracture! It looks like a whoop-de-do bakery type. And it will be even better tomorrow, when I add on the quick apple compote I made to go on top of it.

Currently in process of coloring my hair, a mix of 2 hennas...it's been a while, but I used Light Mountain's Red and Mahogany, sort of tie-died. I'll post results in a couple of days once the color sets and oxidizes completely.

This all created a lot of dirty dishes and containers, which are now all clean except for the suacepan I used for the apples. All that is left to do this evening is rinse my hair, wake my hubby from his nap (in a little while), and figure out dinner.

May all of you have a wonderful December 25th, no matter what you are doing. And hey, if you know where my parents live and want to stop by tomorrow afternoon, drop by. There'll be wine. And laughter. And cheesecake. And lasagna. And possibly a very sad little Charlie Brown type tree that needs your love. And who knows what all kinds of cookies. And a bunch of loud Italian people.

Tags: holiday, update
Feelin'...: colorful

Yesterday was lovely. Lots of sleeping in and food and hugs and food and driving and food and laughter and food. Beached whale proportions were reached. But I've been pretty damn good lately, so I'm OK with that splurge.

Today was sleeping in a bit, picking up stamps, some wine, my gun license, and dessert for this evening, and completing some house cleaning. Slothy day for the most part. My honey made a de-luscious dinner and did laundry.

Tomorrow is the Trash Bag Party chez Bob, with many many wonderful people we don't see often enough. More laughter and carousing and productivity to take place.

Sunday I think the only thing we need to accomplish is grocery shopping.

Message to the Weather Dieties: I know it's Nasty November and all, but this whole bi-polar thing you are doing with the weather? Not making me happy. Between my seizing back, my throbbing knee, my aching ribs, and my might-turn-out-to-be-a-migraine-at-any-moment headache, I'm about to take my ball and go home. Please try to keep some constants for more than an hour or so? kthxbai.

Your quote of the day:
"I've stretched out more girls than hatha yoga." -T-Shirt Hell, via Conan

Tags: holiday, quote, update

I really should be keeping track of the hats I'm wearing each night. Since I'm wardrobe, I pick one fantastic hat to wear during the run each night (I only go onstage once, after the show is over, to retrieve a pair of slippers). Today it is a fantastically floral number from the mid-50s/early 60s. It's quite fun!

Anywhat, yesterday we failed at getting pancakes, but we did get a nice greasy lunch. And, Kohl's was having a big fat sale, and we FINALLY now have silverware! We picked up a 65-piece Cambridge set (service for 12 plus serving pieces), for 65% off! So, that is taken care of, finally. Bedding we looked at...it was all either too big, too princessy, too plain, or too expensive. I don't mind paying a good amount for a well made item, but really. Or it comes as a 'bed in a bag' with ugly sheets and 3 'decorator pillows' I'll never use. Sure, it looks good in the catalog, having half the bed full of pillows of contrasting and complimentary forms and patterns. But where the hell do you put the 14 extras when you go to sleep? I don't have enough floor space. And I really don't need to add 15 minutes to making the bed to arrange my pillows.

So, happy No-It's-Not-A-Pagan-Celebration-At-All-What-With-The-Eggs-And-Bunnies-And-Celebrating-The-Reanimation-Of-Spring I mean Easter to those who celebrate!

And your quote of the day is composed of labels from various bins and storage areas in the costume shop here at MRT:
-Spare Blacks
-Period Underwear
-Wife Beaters
-Briefs, Dance Pants, Garters, and Spanx
-Collars + Cuffs + Heads (in the 'FURS' section>
-Gauntlets, Monster gloves
-13 fun shaped velvet hats
-unhangables

Tags: holiday, job, quote

Happy Holidays from The Flying Spaghetti Monster!



My You Be Forever Touched By His Noodley Appendage!

Tags: fsm, holiday, pic

First things first, be it a little late: Happy Birthday redleatherbound!!!

Nextly, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas/Weasel Stomping Day. My family and friends gathered chez moi for enough food to gag a Bogie (and as the saying goes, "It takes a heap o' vittles to gag a Bogie). I am posting the recipe for Stained Glass pie below. It's REALLY easy. For low-carb, simply substitute sugar-free Jell-O, and swap Splenda for sugar. I found (and used) some sugar-free ginger-snaps instead of graham crackers in mine...excellent substitute.

( STAINED GLASS PIE )

Tags: holiday, quote, recipe

Dear Consumers,

Please remember that ALL shops will be busy, because EVERYONE is shopping. Don't be surprised by long lines, congested aisles, and lack of parking. This happens every year.
Please also recall that the clerks in the store are HUMANS, and should be treated as such. Being an asshole does not make you look important, it makes you look like an asshole. And probably the 12th asshole this particular clerk has dealth with TODAY.
Please wait your turn in line, remember to hold the doors for others, and say please and thank you. Nice counts. Having worked in retail for a few years myself, trust me...if you are nice to the staff, they will be nice to you. Ask them questions if you have them. And please, also remember that most stores hire on part-timers for the season. They are usually in high-school or college, and truthfully, they are there to get experience and make money. They may not have the answers to your questions; could YOU remember the SKU# for every one of 12,000 items with less than a week under YOUR belt? They can always direct you to someone who DOES have the answer.
Patience is a virtue. We'll all be in a better mood if you treat your clerks and fellow shoppers with the respect you hope they would offer you.



Dear Retail Managers,

I know, 'tis the season when you need extra bodies. If at all possible, PLEASE offer them the following advice:
When stocking the shelves and/or straightening items, take a note of where they are so that you may direct customers. If you do not know the answer to the question, simply state "I'm sorry, I don't know, but let me direct you to someone who does." If at all possible, walk WITH the customer to the person, or at least until they are in sight (at Customer Serice, Jewelry Counter, etc). And if you get a cranky customer who demands to speak with a manager, please bring them to one of us. We'll take care of it.
I got that speech from my first retail manager, and it has been INVALUABLE.
If your staff works on commission, remind them that soft-sell and offers of "May I help you find anything specific?" are far more profitable than pressure selling.
And please remind your staff, especially the new ones, that while they should never raise a hand to a customer, yelling for security and/or management is acceptable and expected if the situation is truly dangerous and/or out of hand.



Dear Sales Associates, Cashiers, Product Knowledge Consultants, Team Members, and all other euphamstic Retail Clerks,

I know, this season can suck. Just remember, the Soccer Mom who screamed at you has 3 whiny kids with her, has had them all week since they are on vacation, all the toys are on display and they keep CRYING for each and every one of them, and she hasn't been able to get to the grocery store all day because she got a flat which took away some of the money for gifts and she's worried about her mom who is sick in the hospital on CHRISTMAS fachrissake, and now YOU had to tell her that you are completely out of Red Tinsel Garland.
We all have stories.
We don't need to share them.
If you customer is crabby, don't be crabby back. Don't be sarcastic. Don't be patronizing. Don't be anything more than understanding; offer alternatives if you think s/he may be interested. Ask if s/he wishes to speak with a department manager, who may be able to answer his/her questions more readily.
You are there to offer help, so HELP. If you see a customer looking a little lost, say "Hello. Are you seeking something in particular today?" Much more effective than "Can I help you?". It's a psychology thing:
If you ask "Can I help you?", you've put YOURSELF before the customer. Not good. Plus, a curt question can receive a curt answer. In addition, if you, in fact, cannot help them and must direct them to aother person, you've begun your little relationship with a soft lie...you CAN'T help them, but you still offered, and now, since you are so obviously incompetnet, you have to fob them off on a whole new person. I know, this sounds like a bunch of BS, but if you actually want to work in retail, read the studies.
On the other hand, the "Hello. Are you seeking something in particular today?" version never even MENTIONS you...you've put all the attention on the customer. They are left holding the ball, which can easily and politely be passed back to you with a "No thanks, I'm just browsing" (in which case you acknowledge the answer, and say something to the effect "Certainly. If you would like assistance with anything, just ask one of us." - that's the 'team' mentality everyone is wild about these days). Or, if they are seeking something specific, it's easy for them to segue: "Yes, actually, I'm looking for some gifts for my nieces." Now, you can strike up a conversation asking for ages, likes, dislikes, etc. And if you can't help them yourself, you can lead them where they need to be, even hand them off to another associate, and they will STILL be the center of attention: "Sue, this is Miss Devens, she's looking for some gifts for her 6 and 8 year old nieces."
And we're all happy.
And do NOT try to help a cutomer who does. Not. Want. Help. They'll leave, probably after complaining to your manager about you, and then complain about you to her friends and family.
Oh, most importantly, smile. Don't grin or simper or show every tooth in your head, smile. The kind of smile you give a six year old when they give you a drawing of a cow, one they made just for you! That kind of smile.
Please also read the section above for Retail Managers.



May your days be merry and bright.
All of you.

Tags: holiday, letters