Life Induced Thoughts

Some things you can never be the best at.

2009-11-17T18:59:00.000-08:00

This weekend I took on a project at the house. For many years as a renter I long awaited to become a homeowner and work on 'MY' house. The day came and it was a bit harder and less motivating than I thought.

Our front door was due for some attention. I spoke to the wife and we decided to get it done before the holidays. We went to Loews, picked out the paint, called a friend (who knew what he was doing) and began the job on Saturday. The first steps in sanding the door and frames were tedious. Inhaling dust, the physical activity left me nautious and a sore back. (so much for my age) Once that process was done it was time for painting. (anyone ever painted a door?) I hate painting, let me repeat 'I HATE PAINTING'. With many things in life I accept the fact that I will not be great at. Painting is one of them! No matter how concertrated I am, I always screw up.

Two days later. The job is done, I look at the work with the dogs. (both of them thought is was great) and wait for the wife to come home. (she did not think it was great) In the end, i am sure it looks fine but my commitment to it was to be the best. It is like what dad always says, 'Effort counts'. In this case, the effort to call someone to do it would of been the 'best' end product. I learned my lesson again.

Round II

2009-07-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

I wrote before how I was compensated for poor service at Shula’s in Tampa. We recently went back this weekend to use the gift cards which were meant for compensation. As we departed the restaurant I asked this question: “Was I satisfied with a free meal, is this why I thought they did a good job?” Was it because it was free? The two gentlemen I was with asked the same thing. My conclusion was that I would not have given them another opportunity to redeem themselves if it were not for the $200 meal. However, I don’t think I will ever go back willingly.

Being in the service industry I question the thought of this each day when dealing with the public. How much is too much, what is loyalty, and how to rectify a situation that is impactful to an individual. It boils down to a sincere relationship between a consumer and an establishment. A relationship of trust needs to be founded in any condition. In a day were professors teaching how to ‘Provide Service’ it has been lost that a consumer just wants what they want. (Reminds me of the backstreet song ‘I want it that way…’
So ask this, with the social platform rapidly controlling our lives and impacting the way we do our business how would you like to be served? Dine out with pre-selecting your meal, reservation on the fly, communication to management via twitter? Possibilities are endless.

Barnes & Noble BOYCOTT!

2009-03-02T21:58:00.000-08:00

This was sent to me today and I am outraged. This is despicable on how our society does not get that we are all one. I for one have boycotted the store already and have forwarded this e-mail to Barnes & Noble Corporate!

Barnes and Noble had this as their store front display in Coral Gables FL in the Miracle Mile Mall. I am totally disgusted and I think it is important that we all find a different place to buy our books. Obviously this is a place of extreme ignorance. How far have we really come?

Please support the boycott and pass this information along. It is so sad when you have been lied to all your life of who you are supposed to be because of the color of your skin. Some people just can't accept change. Fortunately, change will come with or without you.

Bobby Jindal GOP Response!

2009-03-01T12:08:00.000-08:00

Bobby Jindal's response last week was not only painful to watch but proves that the republican party is in complete disarray. Mr. Jindal was the 'rockstar' that was to contest Obama in 2012. Looks as if they need to go back to the drawing board. (I guess speaking after Obama is a daunting task for anyone but Jindal bombed)

The message was also the same GOP story - small versus big government, tax and spend versus wise Republican thrift. That might play well with the core set of republicans, but the debate has gone past that. CHANGE IS OCCURRING!

Jindal claimed that LA is the only state to see job increases in our troubled economic condition. He failed to mention that all of those increases come outside the city of New Orleans. (Where the jobs are needed) Jindal also questioned the $140 million allocated to volcano monitoring, he should realize natural disaster occur. He only is rebuilding for one.

The GOP tried but failed again. "We can do anything" was his tag line and in my eyes we can do anything. Just not with the Republicans in power!

Boys Weekend..Proud of Nolan.....Shulas was a disappointment

2009-02-26T20:48:00.000-08:00

Recently we had the pleasure of participating an traditional boys weekend. This year we themed our to Nolan's last weekend before the move to the far east. Obviously it was memorable in all aspects but to see someone that had grown so much over the past 5+ years is truly remarkable. It teaches us all that a commitment to your friends is one of the most important pieces of your life as you grow into adulthood.

Anyway, we had a miserable dinner in Tampa at Shula's. Between the poor service and the food quality making me cringe it just was not what anyone expected. I did writer a length letter which is below in italics and they did appropriatley respond with gift cards to a few members of the group. (I don't know if it was ever about what was free but I really did not feel the sincerity in the apology.) Just my feelings.......

Good Afternoon:
Last Saturday I organized a ‘Boys Weekend’ for 10 of my buddies to come out to Tampa and have some fun. A yearly tradition that changes theme every year but one main component stays the same. A ‘Steakhouse’! This year based off of some feedback from some colleagues I was told that Shula’s was a great choice for the event. (Last year we went to Council Oak at the Hard Rock)
Needless to say I am writing today because on how disappointed I was in the service we were provided. We called four hours before our reservation to inform that we would be added two more seats to the reservation. The hostess took it down and stated it would not be a problem. We arrived promptly at 8PM and were seated immediately. (2 members of our party were 15 minutes behind.) We noticed that only 9 seats were at the table. We asked 4 times for an additional seat. 20 minutes later the remaining two members arrived and one of them did not have a seat. We asked again the assistant waiter and he said they would get one out. I stated “its been 20 minutes”. He then acted quickly and pulled a chair around.
Problem-- Drink orders we placed and we waited an unusual amount of time for them to be delivered. Water was replenished frequently but drinks were not. Look at our bill and you will see we probably would of spent more money at you bar if your orders would have been replenished or taken. I finished my red bull vodka and never was asked for replenishment. On top of that two members of our table ordered a glass of wine that was never delivered.
Problem-- Salads were ordered an a member of our party ordered a special salad. He had a salad delivered that was similar to the house salad. He asked if a mistake was made and the assistant waiter said no. When reviewing the bill a mistake was made as it stated it was a house salad
Problem -- Overall service was SLOW! Our waiters seemed confused when delivering the food and when we requested the obvious: Particularly condiments for a baked potato (butter, sour cream, etc.) (Anticipating needs of a customer can be difficult but when you order a baked potatoes and ask for butter and sour cream and nothing comes out? Come on! Or broccoli with the sauce…..)
Problem -- I talk a lot about the assistant waiter…That’s because we never saw the head waiter. When we did he either walked away as we tried to speak to him or seemed overwhelmed.
Problem -- Apparently your POS system does not allow check to be split. It was frustrating as we asked for it to be set this way when we were seated and weren’t told until our bill was delivered that its not possible. They were able to divide the bill by ten instead of individual checks.
Problem -- After 15 minutes waiting for our credit cards / change back the waiter came bye and did not have enough change. He pulled out his wallet and exchanged change with members of the party.
Problem -- My party of ten were split of some sorts here. I was not a fan of the quality or preparation of the food. I had a 24 oz. porterhouse, not only my order of medium/rare seemed to be missed but the flavor of the meet seemed to disappear. When asked by the head waiter if it was cooked correctly I did not speak up but then again he was gone before I could answer.
Overall , I know you can see my disappointment and that I took the time to let you know. The slow service, disappointing response time, and the inability to grant a consumer request are all major deterrents from recommending or dining at Shula’s again. All ten of us are in the hospitality industry or connected to a serviceable industry in Orlando which I typically don’t discuss as it can sway reactions. I have to state this was one of the worst dinners I have had.

Capital One....Greed!

2009-02-11T20:34:00.001-08:00

Over the past few months I have been growing agitated at the greed that exists in today's society. It seems you cannot encounter anything or anyone who is not trying to swindle a buck or two away.

Capital One Credit Card--I just closed my account due to 11 months of pure hell. I had a measly $500 limit that I used as a personal card for when I did not want my wife to find out the stuff guys do. (cigars, golf, etc.) As minimal this is, I paid it monthly and did not think anything of it. Well, about 5 months into the card they froze my account. Reason why is that 'suspicious activity occurred.' When I called and asked they stated it was because I pay it off in full monthly. My response was .............. (just that)!

I was explained a process to get a release and it may have been more difficult than breaking into fort Knox. So I waited my 14 days and forgot about it. (It happened again) Flash to this evening. I was checking all the bills and noticed a charge on my account. $19, membership fee? Now I never was sent an update on anything changing with the account nor did I recall signing up for this component. (I would never) When calling the company not only did I get someone who could give two Sh*%* about me I got the "we sent a notice with account policy change" I asked to who, because I never got it. The charge was not adjusted.

I paid off the $19 and closed the account. I hope Capital One re looks at the customer service in the future and realizes the business they run is about people and not BS.

(Forgive me, I am new to the blogging world and thought it would be appropriate to write about my frustrations with Capital One)