I have been a member of BSC for about four years, I joined because quite honestly it was the "best" gym in Boston at the time (other than the Marino Center at NU) and I couldn't afford to pay the entire membership fee up front at the same time. So, at the time I joined the BSC at Fenway and overall, I was OK with the service I received and the services available at the gym. It was also close enough to work that I was able to walk there within 10 minutes and not have to worry about moving my car.
However, as BSC opened new gyms it seemed like the Fenway gym was being neglected. Machines were breaking, showers didn't work for weeks at a time, and personnel were pulled out of that location to help with the new locations. The gym was still usable but it was frustrating to see my membership fees which were always going up not helping the gym that I was working out at.
When my job moved across the river at the beginning of last year I changed my home gym to one of the new gyms. The main reason for the change was that this new gym had parking that was free after 5:00pm and since I would no longer be able to walk to any location the free parking was going to be key. I signed up for the passport membership at this BSC and paid $69.00 a month for it. Quite expensive but it was the special they were running. Since then my fee had gone up to $75.00 per month. It was really amazing to see the rates increase while the services, machines, and cleanliness decreased. The new gym (which was a bran new gym) never had clean towels, the entire winter last year two showers were broken and if there was somebody else in the shower then you couldn't get hot water. Shower heads were broken, machines would break and not be replaced and things would just disappear. It was incredibly frustrating.
Over the past few months things continued on a downward spiral in a way that I found was more devastating than the breakdown of the "physical plant." The people at the gym just seemed to stop caring. They are laid back and indifferent. When I asked a trainer a question about a machine he told me that I should make an appointment and then he would help me out (asshole)! The other night (at 9:30pm) I used the cables in the personal training area because nobody was in there and the other set of cables were being used. Another different trainer came out and asked me if I could read the sign that said personal training area! These are the problems that I have with this gym. Not to mention the "rumor" that a homophobic trainer is working at a "gay" gym and causing issues with his clients.
All of this frustration came to head this week when I went to the gym and they told me that they had cancelled my membership because of non-payment. Well I went through the roof because for the last three months I have given them my new credit card information countless times. My card was stolen in November and I changed my card. Since then I go in and they say my membership is inactive so I give them my new card number and sign a paper. Somehow this didn't work and they cancelled my membership. And here is the kicker, because they cancelled my membership my old fee is no longer correct and they wanted to charge me $94.00 a month plus a reactivation fee of $35.00 and another $50.00 charge. Needless to say I went through the roof. I yelled at the manager and expressed my concerns and the only solution he came up with was that he would call his home office and check but there was nothing he could do to help me, even though his employees are retarded.
The next day I came armed with my evidence but the manager was not "available" to speak with me so I left copies of all my receipts and charges. He called me on Friday to tell me that there was nothing he could do about the rate, but it was already to late for him I had filed a complaint with his home office and they secured my rate at the lower rate of $75 for me. Guess there was nothing he could do, but I sure as hell was not going to stand by and let them fuck me over!
An Innovator Not A Bad Speller
Leave it to Bill Bryson to make me feel better about my short comings! I just finished reading The Mother Tongue: English and How it Got That Way and I loved it for a number of reasons. But the most important reason, besides my undying love for Bryson, is because he reveals that a number of words are spelled the way they are today, because people could not spell them properly in their original form. Therefore, I am not a bad speller I am a language innovator, maybe some of my awful spelling will stick and one day I will be quoted as the one who finally made sense spelling in the English language (or maybe not).
In this book Bryson goes over the evolution of the English language, the parts of speech, why we use certain words, and why we spell them the way we do. He points out the origin of certain words, when they came into existence and why we use them. He also discusses the different meanings that certain words have in the US and Britain. The most rewarding aspect of this book is that you realize that English is a living and changing language. Words that you use now can change within a few years, they may not be used at all or the meaning may even change!
Hell, for you Project Runway viewers who are now using Fierce to describe anything that looks good all because of Christian (that little snot) you know what Bryson means!
In this book Bryson goes over the evolution of the English language, the parts of speech, why we use certain words, and why we spell them the way we do. He points out the origin of certain words, when they came into existence and why we use them. He also discusses the different meanings that certain words have in the US and Britain. The most rewarding aspect of this book is that you realize that English is a living and changing language. Words that you use now can change within a few years, they may not be used at all or the meaning may even change!
Hell, for you Project Runway viewers who are now using Fierce to describe anything that looks good all because of Christian (that little snot) you know what Bryson means!
How Cool Is That
So while I didn't check my blog over the weekend, a fellow blogger over at www.bookworship.blogspot.com awarded me the "You Make My Day Award." It is really cool that somebody other that S, is reading my blog and appreciates my awkward humor and odd observations, and all the other stuff I write about in this blog! In turn I get to select 10 bloggers that make my day and give them the award.
I read blogs from all over, book blogs, celebrity gossip blogs, people in the service industry, and all sorts of others that I get linked to, but here are my top ten favorites, that I always turn to and they all seem to male my day!
The waiter @ www.waiterrant.net
Kate @ www.kaitable.blogspot.com
Bibliolatrist@ www.bookworship.blogspot.com
Lesley@ www.alifeinbooks.com
Mimi@ www.miminewyork.blogspot.com
The doorman@ www.standingonthebox.blogspot.com
The folks @ www.overheardinnewyork.com
Perez@ www.perezhilton.com (Don't judge me)
Lobster boy @ www.rlserver.blogspot.com (Red Lobster Blog)
Secret@ www.allprowaiter.blogspot.com ( The Insane Waiter)
See they all make my day and I hope they make yours! Thanks for the award!
Just a Question...
Why does a commercial for nasal spray need to have the disclaimer... "Do not spray this product in your eyes." Isn't that kind of obvious, its a nasal spray, hence it should go in your nose. Really have the people in this country gotten that stupid?
Ugh, I guess so!
Ugh, I guess so!
Soccer Anyone?
So yesterday was the day after the last day of returns at my store, because the textbook business is a non-traditional business in order to preserve our sales we have to set a solid deadline for returns, and it is very rare for us to make an exception. That is not to say we are unfair about this either. We post huge signs throughout the store, we attach a brightly colored piece of paper to everybodys reciept stating the refund policy, and each cashier is trained to tell the customer that last day for returns when we hand them the reciept. With this said, there is always that person that thinks they are better than the rest of the people who obey the rules, and they think that we should make an exception because they are who they are!
Boy did I have a real winner when it came to that sense of entitlement yesterday! I was standing at the customer service desk helping out when a woman walks up and asks if she can do a return. She starts off by saying that she knows she is one day late, but I should obviously be able to make an exception for her because she just wasn't able to get down here yesterday. She pulls the book and reciept out of her bag and I take a look at the paperwork and explain to her that she is indeed right that the last day for her to make a return on this book was February 11, as she had said, and I was unable to make an exception. This did not please her so she asked how she was supposed to know that the 11th was the last day for returns, I calmly point out that it is printed on the bottom of the receipt, as well as printed in bold letters on the bright orange piece of paper attached to the receipt (and she obviously know because as aformentioned, she said she knew she was one day late!) This did not satisfy her, she still was not convinced that she knew the last day was February 11, because after all was she really expected to look at her reciept. I then pointed out the HUGE signs with the last day for returns posted all over the textbook department and at that moment a cashier also informed the customer of the return policy, so I also mentioned that all of our cashiers are trained to remind the customer of the return date verbally.
She could tell that this argument wasn't getting her anywhere so she moved on to her next argument. She insisted next that the book she wanted to return was only recommended by her professor, but the bookstore had listed it as required. Well since I had put up toe recommended shelf tag for this title, and I was aware that the physics department always lists this as a recommended title. She didn't believe me so I brought her over to the shelf tag and showed her that we had listed this book as recommended. If we had made a mistake (and the professor or department notified us of this) I would have given her a refund if she had brought it back, but we hadn't, so unfortunately for her she was not going to get a refund.
She seemed to be running out of arguments, so I took this opportunity to tell her that the best thing she could do was either try to find another student who wanted a copy of this recommended text, or try to sell it back at the end of the semester and get 50% back for the book, because it would definately be used again. Well, of course she didn't like this response and she began to raise her voice and demand to speak with a manager. I tell her that I am the AGM, but I could get my boss if she liked, since my boss was dealing with another return on the next register he had heard the entire interaction. She is frustrated that I am not making an exception and I try to explain the reason I can't make an exception to this policy.
I never raise my voice and I am very calm with her when she blurts out, "Well what the fuck do you want me to do with this book then!" I refrain from telling her to shove it up her ass and once again reiterate her options. She then begins cursing and throws the hundred dollar book on the floor and kicks it across my sales floor, she then runs after it and kicks it again and again, all the while cursing. She is like a rabid animal who has lost the ability to control herself. I step out from behind the register and try to regain control of this customer as she continues to kick the book, this time up my escalator, which I turn off on her because if that book gets caught it will cost me thousands of dollars to fix. I follow her up the "stairs" calmly and without raising my voice, tell her that I need to ask her to leave the store, if she wishes to sell back the book at the end of the semester she can do this as long as she promises not to create another scene in my store. I pick up the book off of the floor, hand her the reciept and wish her a good evening. She does not take kindly to this and tell me to go do something to myself (almost the same as what I refrained from telling her to do with the book). I finally escort her out of the store, and return to the lower level where the customers and my employees all seem to be in shock.
My manager looks at me and just laughs!
I look at him and say, " Man, I have never seen anybody think that playing soccer with a book that costs 100 buck will help them get a return."
All in a days work, gotta love the public!
Boy did I have a real winner when it came to that sense of entitlement yesterday! I was standing at the customer service desk helping out when a woman walks up and asks if she can do a return. She starts off by saying that she knows she is one day late, but I should obviously be able to make an exception for her because she just wasn't able to get down here yesterday. She pulls the book and reciept out of her bag and I take a look at the paperwork and explain to her that she is indeed right that the last day for her to make a return on this book was February 11, as she had said, and I was unable to make an exception. This did not please her so she asked how she was supposed to know that the 11th was the last day for returns, I calmly point out that it is printed on the bottom of the receipt, as well as printed in bold letters on the bright orange piece of paper attached to the receipt (and she obviously know because as aformentioned, she said she knew she was one day late!) This did not satisfy her, she still was not convinced that she knew the last day was February 11, because after all was she really expected to look at her reciept. I then pointed out the HUGE signs with the last day for returns posted all over the textbook department and at that moment a cashier also informed the customer of the return policy, so I also mentioned that all of our cashiers are trained to remind the customer of the return date verbally.
She could tell that this argument wasn't getting her anywhere so she moved on to her next argument. She insisted next that the book she wanted to return was only recommended by her professor, but the bookstore had listed it as required. Well since I had put up toe recommended shelf tag for this title, and I was aware that the physics department always lists this as a recommended title. She didn't believe me so I brought her over to the shelf tag and showed her that we had listed this book as recommended. If we had made a mistake (and the professor or department notified us of this) I would have given her a refund if she had brought it back, but we hadn't, so unfortunately for her she was not going to get a refund.
She seemed to be running out of arguments, so I took this opportunity to tell her that the best thing she could do was either try to find another student who wanted a copy of this recommended text, or try to sell it back at the end of the semester and get 50% back for the book, because it would definately be used again. Well, of course she didn't like this response and she began to raise her voice and demand to speak with a manager. I tell her that I am the AGM, but I could get my boss if she liked, since my boss was dealing with another return on the next register he had heard the entire interaction. She is frustrated that I am not making an exception and I try to explain the reason I can't make an exception to this policy.
I never raise my voice and I am very calm with her when she blurts out, "Well what the fuck do you want me to do with this book then!" I refrain from telling her to shove it up her ass and once again reiterate her options. She then begins cursing and throws the hundred dollar book on the floor and kicks it across my sales floor, she then runs after it and kicks it again and again, all the while cursing. She is like a rabid animal who has lost the ability to control herself. I step out from behind the register and try to regain control of this customer as she continues to kick the book, this time up my escalator, which I turn off on her because if that book gets caught it will cost me thousands of dollars to fix. I follow her up the "stairs" calmly and without raising my voice, tell her that I need to ask her to leave the store, if she wishes to sell back the book at the end of the semester she can do this as long as she promises not to create another scene in my store. I pick up the book off of the floor, hand her the reciept and wish her a good evening. She does not take kindly to this and tell me to go do something to myself (almost the same as what I refrained from telling her to do with the book). I finally escort her out of the store, and return to the lower level where the customers and my employees all seem to be in shock.
My manager looks at me and just laughs!
I look at him and say, " Man, I have never seen anybody think that playing soccer with a book that costs 100 buck will help them get a return."
All in a days work, gotta love the public!
S's Response
Well, I guess I should just make him a regular contributer to the blog, but his response was just so S that I couldn't resist...
"S" said...
Ok, I feel SOOOOOOOO much better now! And for other readers of this blog, let's be clear about one thing....I was not the one who called a green light blue. I have done some retarded shit in my day, BUT I did pass kindergarten with FLYING COLORS (pun intended).And also, I LOVED dancing drunk around the living room, although i doubt the folks who lives upstairs appreciated the blaring DTS audio that was coming from my apartment until 5:30 in the morning....OH, and no matter how much i try, there is just no use in trying to talk you out of your boy craziness. You always listen, and then disregard. It's like in one ear and out the other....Which sometimes works out well for you, admittedly. ANDDDDDD.....You are moving to NY next year some time. I won't have it any other way!<3-S
Also, I have a hilarious post that I need to post later tonight!
"S" said...
Ok, I feel SOOOOOOOO much better now! And for other readers of this blog, let's be clear about one thing....I was not the one who called a green light blue. I have done some retarded shit in my day, BUT I did pass kindergarten with FLYING COLORS (pun intended).And also, I LOVED dancing drunk around the living room, although i doubt the folks who lives upstairs appreciated the blaring DTS audio that was coming from my apartment until 5:30 in the morning....OH, and no matter how much i try, there is just no use in trying to talk you out of your boy craziness. You always listen, and then disregard. It's like in one ear and out the other....Which sometimes works out well for you, admittedly. ANDDDDDD.....You are moving to NY next year some time. I won't have it any other way!<3-S
Also, I have a hilarious post that I need to post later tonight!
He is So Demanding
So, S was upset because I haven't posted much about him in a while, well at least there hasn't been a dedicated S post in a while, here is what he said in the comment section of a post that had nothing to do with him...
Ok, I just noticed that there hasn't been a dedicated "S Post" since SEPTEMBER!!!! What the dilly yo?? I talk to you multiple times a day! I feel neglected on the blog though....Do I need to go away again to get some good face time on here or what??-S
Well, it is true it has been a few months since I have dedicated a post to S, so here is a post dedicated to you S.
I mean its not like its that hard to dedicate a post to you, we do talk multiple times a day on the phone. We even went out to Epic one night recently (it was fun because we havent been out together since the cape I think) then after we went out I drove you back to your house and we went inside and danced around your living room to your Ivete Sangalo DVD, normal people probably think we are nuts but we had a good time.
And I see you every Wednesday night, it is always an entertaining evening and I am going to be sad when you go back to NYC next summer for that really cool internship you are going to score at one of the top financial firms. You bastard I can't believe you are going away again this summer! Although, you are trying to convince me to get a job in NYC in the next year so that we can hang out down there all the time.
And seriously, there is nobody else who can honestly tell me how crazy I am (and be right about it) when it comes to the boys in my life (or the boy).
Ah yes, and those are my actual eyes in my new facebook pictures, I swear.
Anyway, I guess I don't post about you when you are around because I always seem to sort out my madness with you on the phone or you seem to sort out your madness with me. Plus, you haven't done anything ridiculously stupid that I can make fun of you about on here- like call a green light blue etc etc!
Ok, I just noticed that there hasn't been a dedicated "S Post" since SEPTEMBER!!!! What the dilly yo?? I talk to you multiple times a day! I feel neglected on the blog though....Do I need to go away again to get some good face time on here or what??-S
Well, it is true it has been a few months since I have dedicated a post to S, so here is a post dedicated to you S.
I mean its not like its that hard to dedicate a post to you, we do talk multiple times a day on the phone. We even went out to Epic one night recently (it was fun because we havent been out together since the cape I think) then after we went out I drove you back to your house and we went inside and danced around your living room to your Ivete Sangalo DVD, normal people probably think we are nuts but we had a good time.
And I see you every Wednesday night, it is always an entertaining evening and I am going to be sad when you go back to NYC next summer for that really cool internship you are going to score at one of the top financial firms. You bastard I can't believe you are going away again this summer! Although, you are trying to convince me to get a job in NYC in the next year so that we can hang out down there all the time.
And seriously, there is nobody else who can honestly tell me how crazy I am (and be right about it) when it comes to the boys in my life (or the boy).
Ah yes, and those are my actual eyes in my new facebook pictures, I swear.
Anyway, I guess I don't post about you when you are around because I always seem to sort out my madness with you on the phone or you seem to sort out your madness with me. Plus, you haven't done anything ridiculously stupid that I can make fun of you about on here- like call a green light blue etc etc!
WOW
It is still sinking in and I am not sure that I will ever be able to do the book justice or the author for that matter but I just finished reading on Friday morning the most amazing book. Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy who in my mind is the best american writer ever. Like I was saying, it is still sinking in but my mouth dropped as I read the last page of this journey. The judge is the most amazingly well developed and interesting characters (and incarnations of evil) in all of literature, and the book ends with the beautiful and heartwrenching line, "He is dancing, dancing. He says that he will never die." Anyway here is my attempt to sum up the beauty and violence and the amazing writing in this book...
This book is about men surviving on the frontier, violent men who live their lives according to the "rules" of violence. There are vivid images of violence, but also the spiritual imagery and the conflict between those who are simply no-good and those who are truly evil, these images create an unforgettable world of despair where carnage is law and survival is redemption. The story follows the kid, a fourteen-year old drifter, across the Texas border into Mexico where he joins a group of mercenaries traveling through the desert killing Indians and selling their scalps. And then there is the judge, an all encompassing character who you are terrified of but the reader also develops a love for his character. Judge Holden is a charming and gentlemanly renaissance man who also happens to be also be the "devil" He defines success as control and the means to this control is violence and war. Through the characters experiences the reader sees a world stripped of morality.
McCarthy has created a beautiful and frustrating world, that terrifies and thrills the reader. It is beautifully written and I am not sure any other novel will measure up.
This book is about men surviving on the frontier, violent men who live their lives according to the "rules" of violence. There are vivid images of violence, but also the spiritual imagery and the conflict between those who are simply no-good and those who are truly evil, these images create an unforgettable world of despair where carnage is law and survival is redemption. The story follows the kid, a fourteen-year old drifter, across the Texas border into Mexico where he joins a group of mercenaries traveling through the desert killing Indians and selling their scalps. And then there is the judge, an all encompassing character who you are terrified of but the reader also develops a love for his character. Judge Holden is a charming and gentlemanly renaissance man who also happens to be also be the "devil" He defines success as control and the means to this control is violence and war. Through the characters experiences the reader sees a world stripped of morality.
McCarthy has created a beautiful and frustrating world, that terrifies and thrills the reader. It is beautifully written and I am not sure any other novel will measure up.
Labeling Is Fun
So over the last three days I spent way too much time going through this blog and creating labels for all of the posts and labeling them. I however, think that it was worth it because now just by clicking on a label you can go to all of the posts with that label. It adds some functionality to the blog, I like that. Anyway, here are the labels and what they mean, some might be confusing...
"Happy" Holidays- these entries cover all of the fun that I have at the bookstore during the holiday season.
Bad Service Pisses Me Off- if you have read my blog before you know that I hate when I get bad service, and I don't hesitate to spread the word, now you can easily find all those places you should never go because their customer service blows.
Blogging About Blogging- all those posts about this blog or other blogs
Books- reviews, mentions, comments etc about books or just posts where I discuss books in general, hey I am a manager of a bookstore there are going to be a lot of these.
Celebs- for those times when I just can resist making fun of a celebrity
City Living- the honest joys of living in the city, and the shit I don't like either
Crazy Customers- all those nutty people I deal with working retail on a day to day basis
Fun at the Gym- I hate the ametuers at the gym they drive me nuts, if you are going to the gym please go for an honest workout
Fun in the Summertime- The beach, rollerblading, kyacking and the general happiness that accompanies the summer months in Boston
Getting A Job- All of those crazy things people do when they are trying to get a job at the bookstore
Gross- all the gross things I come across either reading, at the gym, at work, etc
Hatred- just hope that you don't end up in one of these posts, yes hate is a strong word and I reserve it for those people and things I hate.
Jury Duty- 3 weeks of hell, but some good blog posts
Just My Luck- All those things that could only happen to me
Learning Experiences- the good and bad things that I have learned lessons from
Los Gatos- My cats (Bob and Tipsy) and their "adventures"
Me Time- things I do for me
New Toys- I like my electronics and I always share my joy
Out With The Boys- or girls or boys and girls- the time I spend out or in hanging out with friends Politics- I was a poli-sci major at NU so I am going to feel a need to comment on politics (Go Hilary) and other things
Problems with Basic Tasks- I like to consider myself smart but sometimes I have trouble with basic tasks usually resulting in injury or burning down the house
Quality Service- I'll talk about good customer service as well
Random- stuff that doesn't fit into other categories, or is just totally random in nature
S Posts- posts that are for or about S
The Bookstore- all of my bookstore jobs trips and experiences- its work and it causes stress sometimes so there are a lot of these posts
The Family- i love my family- these posts involve them in some way
TV- ah my other addiction that sometimes I feel a need to comment on
Will I Ever Be Happy- relationship stuff- hmmm this is kinda an up and down label
Those are the labels I have right now, I may add some, who knows, we can see how it works.
"Happy" Holidays- these entries cover all of the fun that I have at the bookstore during the holiday season.
Bad Service Pisses Me Off- if you have read my blog before you know that I hate when I get bad service, and I don't hesitate to spread the word, now you can easily find all those places you should never go because their customer service blows.
Blogging About Blogging- all those posts about this blog or other blogs
Books- reviews, mentions, comments etc about books or just posts where I discuss books in general, hey I am a manager of a bookstore there are going to be a lot of these.
Celebs- for those times when I just can resist making fun of a celebrity
City Living- the honest joys of living in the city, and the shit I don't like either
Crazy Customers- all those nutty people I deal with working retail on a day to day basis
Fun at the Gym- I hate the ametuers at the gym they drive me nuts, if you are going to the gym please go for an honest workout
Fun in the Summertime- The beach, rollerblading, kyacking and the general happiness that accompanies the summer months in Boston
Getting A Job- All of those crazy things people do when they are trying to get a job at the bookstore
Gross- all the gross things I come across either reading, at the gym, at work, etc
Hatred- just hope that you don't end up in one of these posts, yes hate is a strong word and I reserve it for those people and things I hate.
Jury Duty- 3 weeks of hell, but some good blog posts
Just My Luck- All those things that could only happen to me
Learning Experiences- the good and bad things that I have learned lessons from
Los Gatos- My cats (Bob and Tipsy) and their "adventures"
Me Time- things I do for me
New Toys- I like my electronics and I always share my joy
Out With The Boys- or girls or boys and girls- the time I spend out or in hanging out with friends Politics- I was a poli-sci major at NU so I am going to feel a need to comment on politics (Go Hilary) and other things
Problems with Basic Tasks- I like to consider myself smart but sometimes I have trouble with basic tasks usually resulting in injury or burning down the house
Quality Service- I'll talk about good customer service as well
Random- stuff that doesn't fit into other categories, or is just totally random in nature
S Posts- posts that are for or about S
The Bookstore- all of my bookstore jobs trips and experiences- its work and it causes stress sometimes so there are a lot of these posts
The Family- i love my family- these posts involve them in some way
TV- ah my other addiction that sometimes I feel a need to comment on
Will I Ever Be Happy- relationship stuff- hmmm this is kinda an up and down label
Those are the labels I have right now, I may add some, who knows, we can see how it works.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)