A special note to 1-800-FLOWERS

A while back a team member of mine bought flowers for a client of ours, using my corporate CC. That's cool. The client deserved it. She was retiring and we were going to miss her. Long story short, I keep getting emails from 1-800-FLOWERS despite many, many, many attempts to remove myself from their mailing list.

So, 1-800-FLOEWRS if you're reading...

Please excuse the vulgarity for which you are about to watch/hear. It is aimed at 1-800-FLOWERS.



Get my point? Catch my drift. REMOVE MEANS REMOVE. Read more!

How the internet helps folks grow a set

If you follow this blog, you know that yesterday I posted a rant about the MBTA increasing parking lot costs by $2. I know that $2 isn't a lot, but it drives the cost from $3.50 to $5.50 (if you park at Wellington or any where on the Orange Line I think).

From time to time, my rants get picked up by Universal Hub, as was the case with this post.

You'll note the comment by dot.douchebag.lane. Shim (she/him) thinks that I'm just another whiner. I'm complaining just to complain. This is far from the truth.

The whole point to my rant was that I'm getting a bit tired of getting squeeze for a buck here, a buck there, three bucks over here, 40% more in electricity costs, sky rocketing oil prices for home heating, etc., etc. It's just getting very difficult to live and raise a family in the state of MA (maybe this is the truth every where, but I'm a lifer so I have no clue).

Regardless...I have a good job and do some photography work on the side. I make enough money to support my family, pay our bills and enjoy some wiggle room from time to time - enough to keep the kids in activities and do some stuff for the wife and I. By no means are we the Rockafella's. We're comfortable with our slot in the middle class category for now. (Yes, I do have dreams of the three car garage, full functioning basement with man-town, one or two dogs, white picket fence, etc., etc. But, I know that dream is a bit off because my wife is at home with the kids and we're living off one income. That's cool. It's a sacrifice that I'm willing to make because it's for the health, growth and happiness of my family.

What drives me crazy about blogging and opening yourself to moronic commenters like dot.douchebag.lane, is that people tend to grow a set of balls because they are hiding behind the computer screen. Now I know I'm not the brightest bulb on the tree. I just know what I know. And what I know as it relates to this subject is that this is another area that I'm getting squeezed for my hard-earned money. The worst part is that there is no alternative. I can't drive to work because we have one car - my choice because it's easier to take the bus and train to work than have another car payment. It's sacrifice over convenience. I'm cool with that.

dot.douchbag.lane thought I was just whining. He pulled the inflation card. I understand that, but shim totally missed my point. Rather than outlining his stance and backing up his "original" thought, shim grew some balls and decided to attack me because he assumed that I'm a typical MA resident who just likes to complain. I could guarantee that thousands of other area commuters agree with me about this and just the cost of living in MA in general.

The kicker of it all is that shim decides to throw another jab at me as it relates to my hatred of pink hats. Yea, THAT topic again.

That's what makes me chuckle about blogging and interacting with people online in general. Arguing over a topic in an educated, adult manner is one thing. Acting like a moron, pretending to be a hard ass because you won't get touched up is another.

Regardless, I'm sure I'll run into dot.douchebag.lane on the T someday. Shim will be heading to Fenway, wearing shim's pink Red Sox hat and shim's "I heart Jacoby" booty tight t-shirt.

How do you like THEM apples?

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My response to the increase in MBTA parking fees

Apparently the MBTA is going to be raising parking fees.

Let me get this straight. Folks stopped driving into work and starting using the T more because of high gas prices. You, as in the MBTA, decide to jack up the price of parking by 100% or so, because why?

Oh sorry, to take advantage of the poor schmoes like myself who schlep into town each and every day on your broke-a$$ public transportation system that:

1. is more unpredictable than the weather
2. is littered with trash that supposed to be picked up by OUR tax dollars
3. is a safety hazard because there's ZERO security on the train
4. is a perv invested box that enables dirty old men to rub up against innocent, hard working women who are just trying to get home
5. has ZERO customer service - oh, sorry, you typically have ONE person manning the entire station because your kiosk machines are supposed to smile and say hello to us as they rake us for money

So great. Thanks. I appreciate you bending me over the barrel once again and taking another few hundred bucks out of my wallet per year because there is really no other option.

GFY,
The Big Guy Read more!

Note to the Mayor of Revere

The of City of Revere has been planning a massive road construction project that included paving my street. About four months ago, they finally got around to digging up my street and laying down the first level of asphalt. Fast forward four months and the street is still unfinished. Yesterday, I got a letter in the mail stating that the project will not be completed this year, and will resume in 2009.

I understand things happen. I understand that there are multiple factor as to the slowing down of public work projects.

However, this is Revere. Things are a little different here. Well, maybe not all that different. Regardless, my street isn't paved and won't be for god knows how long. I can't wait for the winter to dump snow on us so the plows can tear up the soft asphalt. That means more potholes and more chucks of material ending up in my driveway.

Why does this really bug me?

Three times a week I take the bus to work. The bus stop that I go to is right on Park Ave, which is the main drag that was included in this massive construction project. The cronies that are doing the work just finished the sidewalks. It's been since spring when they started this whole thing. Now, if you know Park Ave., it's not that big. Yea, it stretches for about 10 blocks or so, but we're talking about sidewalks here people. Dig them up. Box them off. Add in the curbing. Pour the concrete and let it dry. All done. See ya. Thank you very much.

However, on multiple occasions I have witnessed workers sitting in their trucks, hanging out, chit-chatting with the cops (another story in itself). I have witnessed more fraternizing than working. That goes for the cops too. Last week, I came to the four way stop at the top of Park Ave. (an intersection of Everett, Chelsea and Revere which has been the root of more automobile accidents than druink driving). I pulled up to the stop and there were three Revere cops on detail. They were chatting amongst themselves and doing no work whatsoever. Cars were pulling up to the blinking lights and having to navigate around themselves because the cops weren't directing traffic. At $75 a whack (or whatever it is), that really pissed me off.

Fast forward to yesterday. I get the letter in the mail from Mr. Mayor stating that the project has been delayed. He gives no reasons. So Mr. Mayor is it because the city ran out of money by paying good for nothing cops or was it mismanagement of the project by you, the moronic Mayor that no one in this city seems to like? Or maybe it was the fact that all your friends are doing the work and you want to line their pockets because they line yours when the timing is right.

Now I know I'm grossly accusing city officials of unlawful acts, but hey, I did say this was Revere, right?

At the end of the day, I just want my street paved. I don't want to deal with potholes, chucks of debris in my front yard/driveway and lastly, I don't want overpaid cops and private contractors sitting around on their ass while the should be working.

So Mr. Mayor, you can take your semi-personalized letter (signed in ink, addressed to "resident") and shove it where the sun don't shine.

Yours Truly,
The Big Guy Read more!

Why Burger King is Better than McDonald's

I've never been one to go to Burger King or McDonald's frequently. It was one of those things where I'd go every six months, if that. If I'm going to get fast food, I'm going to get something that's tastier and provides me with larger portions. That's how I roll.

One day I looked up and had two darling little daughters. That's when my contributions to the Burger King and McDonald's franchises increased.

Since I've been buying chicken nugget kid meals for at least four years now (the age of my oldest), I've become keenly aware of the differences between the two establishments.

Simply put, McDonald's sucks and here's why:

Every time I go to McDonald's there is always some idiot working the window. I have to repeat my order a few times and clarify it when I get to the window.

At Burger King, the folks at the window are always on point.

When I arrive at the McDonald's window, there's no happy smiling face greeting me, thanking me for my order. It's just someone looking to grab my cash, throw the bags at me and send me on my way.

At BK, the exchange is always pleasant. There is a lot of thank you's, smiles, etc. The experience is friendly.

When I get my order at McDonald's, once out of every five times I go, they screw up the order. It has become such a problem that I diligently check the bag before I leave the window.

At BK, I couldn't tell you when the last time I had a wrong order.

At McDonald's I also have to repeatedly ask for a straw and napkins.

At BK, that stuff is included without question. They also ask you if you need anything else.

So basically, customer service is better at BK. Happy customers make repeat customers. It's that simple. So McDonald's, if you're reading, step your game up. The only reason I would go to McDonald's these days is because it's on the way home. I can't justify the gas to drive another 8 mins or so to BK.
Read more!

How long before a bridge collapses?

The Globe has a story about the Feds mandating that the MBTA slow down Red Line trains to a crawl over the Longfellow Bridge because it's basically crumbling.

I realize these sort of repairs can't happen over night but don't you think that if these structures were checked frequently that repairs could have been made as needed versus letting them compile and having to endure a longer project?

This is the sort of thing that really drives me nuts about politics. Who's going to fix these bridges? Who's going to pay for them?

I know the answer to the latter question. That's us, the tax payers. So instead of marginal increases in taxes, road tolls, etc., we'll see big jumps in costs to fares on the T and $1 increases to tolls. That's how those politico's roll.

Basically, ah shucks guys, we have a problem. But, we have the solution. Let's bend the tax payers over the barrel one more time and really stick it to 'em so we can rake in more money to fix these problems. Then we'll do it again in about a year because we're over spending on contracts and can't budget a state project properly.

Ah, gotta love Massachusetts. At least our sports teams are winning. ;) Read more!

Why morning FM radio is horrible

Two questions posed to the audience (for call-in responses) that I heard scanning the radio today confirmed that morning radio is horrible.

Question 1: Do you sneak a peak at your significant others text messages?

Lots of the call-ins said yep, they did. One chick said that she checks her hubby's all the time, but knows that he's tech illiterate and is not worried that he'll find her "sex messages" as she calls them.

Great content guys. Keep up the good work.

Question 2: What quirks does your boss have that drive you nuts?

Answers varied: picking his nose, swearing, burning popcorn, bad breath, tight cloths, stinky perfume, etc.

Again, great content. I was charging my ipod and couldn't play tunes through the radio so I was forced to listen to this garbage. Here's a brilliant idea, how about playing some music? Read more!

Google Docs & Templates

I'm a big fan of the Google services. I really like Google docs, mostly because it's convenient and acts as off line storage for my photography business. They recently launched templates. Pretty cool idea, but I still have a gripe with the service.

No matter what you create, your content is still going to be html based or "web" based. This means when I download the file as a .doc, it'll give me extra line breaks, not take the formatting I worked on, etc. And if you import to Google Docs, you get just the opposite. You loose most if not all of your formatting. It's more of a pain in the butt than anything else, but if they really want it to be the alternative to MSFT's office suite, it needs to perform more like desktop app versus a web app. Now, I don't know the technology behind it and maybe there are some work-a-rounds, but for my uneducated-Google-Docs vantage point, it'll never replace MS Word, especially in business. Read more!

Dogs in cars, on laps

Heading into work this morning and some guy in a PT Convertible had a little rat dog in the car with him, leaning out the window (as dogs usually do). However, the dog was sitting on his lap. Why aren't their laws against this sort of thing? Isn't it dangerous?

Driving while talking on a cell phone is dangerous. Checking emails on your blackberry or texting while driving is dangerous. Doing your make-up while driving is dangerous. You're telling me that having a dog on your lap while driving a car isn't just as distracting and dangerous? The mutt could get in the way or prohibit your arm movements while trying to maneuver the steering wheel. It's a no brainer IMHO.

Why isn't there a law against this? Read more!

Stop whining about gas prices

Like everyone else, I'm pissed that gas prices are through the roof. As consumers, there's really nothing we can do. How many stories like the one I just linked to are we going to have to read this summer? It's only going to get worse. My advice to everyone?

Get over it. There's nothing you can do. Prices will never drop back to $2 or even $3 a gallon. We're buying at $4 now. You think continuous price increases are going to keep us from the pump? We're a society driving (yes, pun was planned) on traveling, moving. We need to get to places. More often than not that requires getting into a car and driving. The only way to stop the bleeding and really having it impact your budget is if you were driving a gas guzzler.

Myself? I'm driving a Honda CRV and loving it. Gas mileage is great. I do mostly city driving and take public transportation to work. I fill up every other week, just about. Yea, it's costing me more at the pump each time (what was $22 to fill my tank is now $40), but it hasn't preventing me from going on vacation or driving to work at times. We simply just have to make do. You work things out so you're not eating PB&J everyday just because you want to drive a Hummer. If it means you buy economy, then do it. Gas prices aren't going down. They will keep increasing. Has the price of milk dropped over the years (please don't argue with me that it's because of gas prices either).

The solution to all this really relies on the car manufacturers. They need to make more fuel efficient vehicles in the over-sized category that we as American's are accustomed to. Car manufacturers just need to make more fuel efficient (or independent for that matter) vehicles that are affordable, reliable and ECO friendly. Read more!

Annoying work habits

Listening to WFNX yesterday morning and the Sandbox characters were talking about annoying work habits. Here's a few that I've come across in my career:

- the close talker: always up in your grill when they talk to you. Best way to avoid them is to talk behind your desk.

- the linger-er: loves to chat about anything and everything. never shuts up and you can't shake 'em.

- the gossiper: fuels the hatorade cooler of the office. this person stirs it up, talks as much smack as they can about everyone in the office, including yourself to others.

- the un-PCer: we all know this person. f-bombs galore. hitting on the ladies. announces elongated trips to the john. Oh wait, that's me (less the hitting on ladies).

- the to-doer: this is the person who needs to do everything that they are assigned quickly in order to get it off their to do list. the list freaks them out and they can't handle juggling tasks.

- the energizer: this person brings a high level of energy to everything he/she does. whether it's making coffee, brainstorming, ordering supplies, going to lunch, etc. this person is a ball of energy all day, everyday. It annoys the crap out of everyone else though.

- the hobit: this is the person who sits in their cube/office all day long, just working away. no interaction with the rest of the office. no talking. no schmoozing. no networking events. no nada. the loner.

- the i'm important: this is the person that thinks he/she is above their title. they want to be in on everything. they stick their nose into business that's not theirs. they feel that the company will crumble without their help. however, for the most part, they are just a role player.

- the 9-5er: these are the peeps that clock watch. they are in right at 9 and leave right at 5. god forbid that they are their early or stay a bit later to meet deadlines.

- the complainer: we all have these too. this is the person that complains about everything, all the time, all day long. you start thinking that this person has never had a happy day in their life and that you wish they would just jump out of the window and go away.

- the "guy": we all have these people too. it's the guy/gal who is the IT person, but they are not the IT person. This person thinks they know everything about computers and can fix any problem. they are a nightmare to the REAL IT people because these folks get into the kitchen and move all the pots and pans around.

I know I'm missing some, so let's hear 'em people. Post your most annoying work habits. Read more!

Thoughts on Celtics playoff tickets

We are about 59 hours away from the start of the NBA finals. Tickets went on "sale" yesterday. The reason why I put sale in quotations is because guys like me can't get our hands on tickets. Yea, sure, I could have gone to the Garden and waited in line for a lottery - a lottery, i.e. a CHANCE to buy tickets. Is it worth the $200 and my time? Probably not.

This is what pisses me off about professional sports. I've been a Celtic fan since I can remember. Yea, I grew up during the late 70s and 80s. Good times. Lots of winning teams. Then came the 90s and we all know what happened during those days.

That's cool though. We suffered through it and now look where we are. We are still in the hunt for #17. Getting tickets was no problem back in the days, especially when they were losing. Now, you have to have corporate connections or blackmail on someone to get the privilege to go see the Green do battle.

I understand that you need the high ticket prices to keep talent on the team. However, why hold so many tickets for VIPs, advertisers and the like when the REAL fans are sleeping on sidewalks to get in line just for a CHANCE to BUT tickets. The Celtics had about 1,200 that they offered to the general public. That's not nearly enough.

I guess most of the real fans (not including the die hards who have had season tickets and are going to game because I applaud those folks) will be watching it from home.

That's also ok with me. Good company, a few brews and my 42 inch plasma and I'm good to go. Add surround sound and it's like I'm at the game. In my case though, there are no long lines for the bathroom AND the beers and snacks are much, much cheaper.

Beat LA!

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My Joe Burgantino story

Rumor has it investigative reporter Joe Burgantino is yet another veteran TV reporter who is departing from WBZ-TV. See ya later Joe. The Boston TV landscape is better off with out you.

Why am I hating on Joe?

I had an incident where I was working a crisis assignment for a client. It was a high profile case and the media was all over my client like white on rice. After repeated calls from Joe and other journalists, the media started to get frustrated because they weren't given access to anyone within the organization to conduct interviews.

Joe, being the pompus a-hole he is, called the office one morning and made a comment to me that attacked me personally, my character, and my profession. I can't get into all the details because of the sensitivity of the case, but needless to say I was shocked as to what he said to me. I wanted to reach through the phone and strangle him. It was probably the rudest I've ever been treated on the job or just in general. I've dealt with some rude people before - lots of them being TV "journalists." Joe was by far the worst.

Every time he'd call the office to request an interview, he got ruder and ruder. My tolerance for his lack of professionalism brought me to the point where I was extremely close to confronting him in person. Cooler heads prevailed and I let his childish antics go.

So Joe, if you're reading this, I hope that McDonalds or Burger King will hire you because as an investigative reporter, you were horrible. You never broke any real news. You often got beat by your competitors. And you looked like Beavis on camera.

The Boston media landscape is better off without you. Read more!

I'm convinced we really do live in The Matrix

For years, the talk around fuel has been we need to find alternatives to save the planet. I agree with that. Let's do it. I'm 100% on board. But now the powers that be are raving that the cost of developing alternative fuels is driving up food prices. See the article in today's Times.

Because of this trend, I'm totally convinced that we really do live in the matrix.

Remember the scene in The Matrix when Morpheus tells Neo that, "dude, you're totally not living in the real world. You're chillin in some dark, cold, cave like warehouse in a world that's controlled by machines. To add salt to the wound, the machines are sucking your lifeless body full of it's energy to fuel themselves."

Neo's like, "Whoa."

As the movie goes along you're introduce to the agents. One in particular, Mr. Smith, talks to Morpheus about how humans are like a virus. We just take over an area and suck it dry of all it's natural resources. When we're done, we move to another spot.

Look at the history of mankind. That's exactly what we've done and what we're continuing to do. Hello?! We're trying to get to Mars? Why? So we can suck that planet dry too.

So yea, I think we're living in the matrix. This can't be real? Why spend on this time and energy trying to come up with alternative fuels to only drive up the costs of food. It's like stealing from paul to pay peter - or however that saying goes.

File this under FUBAR.

Read more!

Mass RMV sucks

I've been trying to call the RMV for about a week now. I've been on hold for a total of 60+ minutes in total. Each time, I never, never, never, never get through. I am starting to think that no one answers that phone and they put us in hold hell just so we can hang up and make plans to spend the day in line.

That's what I'm going to have to do. I'm going to have to take some time off work, sit in the friggin' line at the RMV for a couple hours. I know this is going to happen, but it doesn't make it better.

Why can't they clean their act up? Why can't the RMV streamline their process? What is so friggin hard about running it? Why do they always have idiots behind the counter? How come each idiot has a piss poor attitude?

Talk about an organization that needs reputation management. Read more!

Oil Prices

I have one thing to say to the oil companies. Go &$#* yourself.

At the homestead, we were running low so I figured it was time to get some oil. I called the place I usually get it from and it's $3.68 a gallon. Now get this, if you pay cash in hand, it's $3.25.

WTF?????!?!?!?!?

What the hell is the difference between taking the cash from my account via my debit card and taking cash out of my hand? Can someone please explain this to me?

I was going to fill the tank, but figured I'd have to mortgage the god damn house to do so. F-that. I got 100 gallons, praying that it'll get me to spring when we can throw on hoodies when there is a chill in the air.

Thank god I have a decent job with a great paying side gig. Mrs. Big Guy is full time at home with the kiddies so we're on a single income. It's tough, very tough at times. When you throw this oil business in the mix, it's f*cking brutal.

I'm pissed. The feds thought the stimulus package and the $$ coming our way will help stimulate the economy? Yea right...it'll stimulate my oil tank, that's about it.

Oil companies = F*cktards. Read more!

Tuesday rant

Today started off ok, then I had an incident that has put me on the bad side of the bed, so to speak. The bus took a but longer today to get to the stop. It was cold. I was tired. I wasn't happy. I get on and it's relatively empty. As the ventures on through the hood, it gets fuller. Finally, we get to Everett Sq. and this heavy lady gets on. Yea, that's right, she sits right next to me.

Fine. I'll deal with it. Turn up the tunes, I'm good to go.

Then she invaded my space with propaganda. She tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I wanted "this." This was a 4x4 pink piece of paper with some sort of religious quote on it.

I turned to her and said, "No thanks. I'm all set."

I felt like saying, "Hey, butt munch, does it look like I need to be saved? Does it look like I need God to help me out today? Am I a lost soul? Is there a friggin sign on my head that says pump your religion down my throat, all welcome?"

Why do overly religious people, always, always, always try and sell you their religion? It drives me nuts. I'm Catholic. We have the guilt thing. Do I go around making others feel guilty all the time? No.

I respect all religious, races, creeds, socio-economic status, etc. However, when people start to invade my world, my space with crap that has no reason to be discussed at that point and time, it drives me nuts. Yea, I like debating topics and I could have debated this woman about religion, but I was on the bus - a public bus.

My commute in the morning is my time. It's my time to think about the day ahead, or the day that has past, flush out ideas, think about the kids/family, veg out, catch up on some TV shows thanks to my Tivo to PC to iPod downloading technique, etc.

Simply put, I don't want to be messed with while commuting. Don't talk to me. Don't look at me. Don't even breathe in my way. Well, maybe that's a bit extreme. Sparking up a convo with a stranger is one thing, but to shove religious beliefs under someone's nose at 6:40 a.m. in the morning is an entirely different ballgame.

Morons. Read more!

Bah humbug

Yea, it's that time already. Read more!

More Craig's list foolishness

Here's a post from someone looking for a photog:

Looking for a seasoned event photographer for MODEL SEARCH EVENT/PARTY @ MANTRA

November 9th, need you there for 2-3 hours, around 11-2.

Model Search is happening during party, we want you to setup in VIP and take headshots of aspiring INDIAN models .. up to you on how to organize the process. You need to create a shoot atmosphere with some kind of backdrop or get creative ...

Also need cool event pictures.

Photos will be on several event sites and for further company marketing.

Offering $75 for three hours, let's talk.

Seriously...why do people think that taking photos is so easy and never offer competitive money to do the job right? Yea, someone will do this gig for $75 bucks, but they will get what they pay for.

Brutal. Read more!

#@$% Adobe

So, I purchased Adobe Premiere Elements last month online. I had no idea that it wasn't available yet UNTIL after I purchased it. So I was pissed. I started to think that I really didn't need it so I would return it. I can use some other free software and get similar results. I have enough Adobe products. I didn't need one more.

I embark on the return process and it was painful. Instead of canceling the order and crediting my CC, I had to fill out a software destruction form and email it to the company. I called to follow-up and they said that I would get the refund at the next billing cycle. Well, it's been a month. No refund yet. I called a short while ago and "Lisa" (sounded more like Hello, dis is Lidda") said to me, I should have gotten the credit. Check my bank account. So I did.

Nada.

Now I'm fired up. I said to her, "@#@$ $%# %$$% %$@# @#$@#$"

She gives me another confirmation number and tells me that I should be getting an email from Adobe within 24-48 hours regarding the status of my refund. Oh great, more waiting.

What the #$@ Adobe. You guys are a billion dollar company. Can you just refund me the $100 get it over with. I have diapers to buy. What the $@@# is the refund process so friggin' difficult?
I'm officially hating on Adobe right now. I will never buy another product from them again.

Here's to Adobe:

Read more!