Down with Macy*s

Let the Chrsitmas shopping insanity begin...

My mom and I went out for early shopping yesterday morning. We hit up Mervyn's first and then made our way over to Valley Fair. After some successful shoe and jewerly shopping at one Macy's, we trekked across the mall to the other Macy's. We were delayed with some pastry shopping first (we can never pass those up).

Since the bag we had was heavy (mom had put everything we bought in one macy's plastic bag, including the pastries she bought for Dad), Mom carried the left handle and I carried the right. As we entered the Macy's, we were discussing which direction to head to get chair pads. Then it happened: mom was falling, the bag was tearing, and I went to the ground after her. We were both in so much shock. It looked like someone had spilled their iced coffee on the floor and left it. Several people stopped to see if we were alright. One man came over and said that he had just reported the spill to one of the clerks. So we waited for someone to show up. And waited. And waited. And waited... for about 5 more minutes, which is a ridiculously long time. We were all appalled that nobody had shown up yet. The guy (Raymond) went back to the clerk to remind them about the spill and the poor lady who had fallen in it. Raymond had commented that with all the cameras around you think someone would have been there right there. You know they would if it were someone shoplifting. Raymond came back with a clerk who said her manager was on the way. One minute later, a manger showed up. Cleaning people too. Then another person to take the accident report. My mom had coffee all over her and I had it on my shoulder and in my hair. The woman who took the report was polite but not very sympathetic or empathetic. Raymond stayed as the witness. When my mom pointed out that our expensive pastries were ruined, she said she would mail us a $25 gift certificate. My mom was really upset and shaken up after all this.

I have to say that what makes me the most angry is the lack of concern and no sign of urgency. There was spilled coffee on the walkway, which they knew about and did nothing to take care of it. They had two of their customers fall in it and did nothing for at least five minutes!!!! What in the world are they thinking!!??!! I just don't get it. I always imagined that if someone fell in a store like Macys due in some way to their inadequacy, there would be a rushing of help and concern. We did not get any. Of course, my mom and I are not scene people. In other words, we just took it. We did not yell, we did not scream, or even saying anything at all with anger. We were just polite. I can't help but wonder if that caused them to be unconcerned? It kinds of ticks me off that you would have to make a big scene in order to get proper care.

Okay enough rambling. I bet Nordstroms and even Mervyns would have treated us better...

I LOve myspace music!!!

It's super fabulous! I can look up musicians, listen to their music and decide if I want to spring the 7-12 dollars for their CD. Or I can just play favorite songs over and over again for free (confession: love Christina's Hurt song, can't get enough of it). Also I can learn that I have actually heard that singer/band before (ex., James Blunt). Now I know the name of the song by Nickelback that I like so much (Far away). Sarah McLachlan's Christmas songs lean me towards buying her Christmas CD.

The only minor problem is that it can play jumpy or choppy, so it doesn't really work for the long term. In other words, if I am listening to a song that much, I should just buy the song from iTunes or the album from BMG.

So that's my peace on that.

Just a little picture I like

Jeffra and Jenn

Babies on the Way

Just wanted to say that my two best friends' sisters are having babies and both have a due date in January. However, Karen's sister, Liza, just went into labor this morning around 1am. Karen called me at 7am to tell me. She is so excited. The baby (little Tyler) is one month early but I am sure all will go well. Karen cannot wait to be an aunt. If I remember correctly (which of course, I always do), the first thing Karen told me after telling me that her sister was getting married was, "I can't wait til Liza gets pregnant and I get to be an aunt!!!" Well, she may start being Aunty Karen today. I am very very happy for her and her family.

My other best friend, Amanda, has a twin sister, Katie who is also due in January. I was blessed to be down in Orange County to go to Katie's baby shower. She has quite the baby belly but she is so beautifully happy. Amanda's other sister, Elizabeth is also expecting to be a mommy but not until June. And of course, Amanda herself is hoping to have their adopted Ethiopian baby by February. Just babies all around.