Common Courtesy

For the most part, I try to stay as friendly as possible with customer service personnel. I really do. I say "thank you" a lot, I attempt to ooze every last bit of reluctant warmth I have into my phone conversation. I even wish them a good day back.
That being said, I hate it when Travelocity/Delta screws up my flight. yet again. forcing me to stay on the phone with them for an unnecessary half hour.
Why would they change my flight from something that made sense to something that didn't make sense? How can I depart Salt Lake at 4:30 p.m. and get to Atlanta at 10:00 p.m. when the connection flight in Atlanta leaves at 7:00 p.m.? Whyyyyyy?
Fortunately, the customer service guy on the phone from (you guessed it) India was super friendly. But at one point, I caught myself getting frustrated and basically asking them why the F--- they would change a correct flight to an incorrect flight. He then promptly reminded me that it was Delta who changed it, not Travelocity, and he was only here to facilitate me.
That made me feel really bad. Even though I know it's not the poor guy on the other line's fault that my flight got messed up, I held him personally accountable. I latched onto him as my emblem of despair. In my mind, he was the exact person who flung this entropy at me. Oops.
This was a friendly reminder to myself of the fact that I should not hold grudges against customer service representatives because really, they had nothing to do with the shitty service their--or other--companies provide. They are just the one responsible for fixing all the damn problems.
My apologizes, guy in India. I hope you're reading this.

P/C 2

Pro//:
Lovely weather--a tad chilly. Comfortable. Sun warming my face.
Almost Thanksgiving--the long haul is almost over.

Con//:
Fires in Diamond Bar--pray for everyone's safety and health.
Sleeping at 6 a.m.--my new bed time? Gosh I hope not.

My love for long dashes--simply wonderful.

Currently listening to: Sia "Electric Bird" && Culture Reject "Beach"

Pros & Cons

As I told JChorng the other day, I'm going to start (somewhat) daily blog updates with a list of pros and cons. At first it was going to be two pros and one con, but this week is sucking so much it should just be all cons.


Cons:
-Officially lactose intolerant. Can't believe 90 to 100 percent of Asian-Americans are. "Common symptoms, which range from mild to severe, include nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, and diarrhea." Let's just say I experienced four out of five of those symptoms. Couldn't go to bed. Woke up queasy. I can't believe Ben&Jerrys and brie would do this to me!! I love cheese...
-Failed PubPol. More of a disappointment to myself more than anything else.
-Overwhelmed. Seriously considered dropping out of school yesterday. Legit.
-Missing the fam&&friends.

Pros (trying my hardest to dig for them):
-A wonderful weekend behind me. Thanksgiving ahead.
-It's Wed! Getting over the hump...
-Sister sent me the cutest e-mail. Apparently, middle school in the 21st century is too different that I won't be able to understand it. Fact: I went to middle school in the 21st century. My sister has got it wrong!! But I guess I didn't see kids smoking in the bathroom or making out at parties, so she wins.
-Wonderful friends (JAxt, LPowers, VLella) who have got my back all the time.

Best part of 11/11: Finding out Jordan doesn't type with his thumbs. New nickname: JAxt, the thumbless typing boy wonder.


Eno River. 11/8/08

Drip Drop

Listening to Rain (Bishop Allen)

Courtesy of JAxt for introducing me to them. I really like them and will be seeing them next weekend. Got to interview Justin Rice a couple days ago. The interview log will be up shortly on the recess blog. But this song is very fitting for the weather and of...life I suppose.

oh let the rain fall down
and wash this world away
oh let the sky be grey
cause if its ever gonna get any better
its gotta get worse for a day

Recap

1) Just came back from D.C. It was quite enjoyable albeit cramped sleeplessness, but that was also an experience in and of itself. We performed at a couple different homeless shelters, and people were receptive to our songs and message.
As for the downtime, the core topic of the trip revolved around relationships because two of the girls in the group were going through heartache. That really got my mind spinning about tons of stuff, stuff that make me more more affirmed and similarly weary. Some comments were made in a tone that resonated with why I'm turned off by Christianity sometimes. Condescending, one-sided, closed. It extended too far into uncomfortable territory to which I kept my mouth shut for the most part. I generally give people the respect of listening to their ideas, but it is unfortunate when that same is not reciprocated because they are too stuck to think otherwise. This was probably why I wasn't feeling the best upon returning from the trip, but all is well now. I was just slightly baffled.

2) On a more superficial note, I have been cleaning my room, and I can't believe how much clothes I have. I'm bleeding a little inside. I could probably go two to three months without wearing a new top, a month or two without recycling bottoms...it's basically torturing me as to why I still feel the need to shop. shoot me please.

3) Bike riding is fun...when one is not out of shape. Lesson learned: I need to to exercise more. Riding to work should not make me out of breath.

ratatatatatat. at.

e*rock




ratatat

foundations

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s0rMQHBu7E&feature=related
an acoustic version of the song that is worth checking out. precious.

sorry for the blog hiatus. life is just hectic right now, but in a good way.
can't help but keep myself busy.