What The Muffin?

Internet-less

2010-01-07T13:53:00.001-05:00

I have no wireless until tomorrow afternoon. This is from the Blackberry. Therefore, the pictures of my shoebox, I mean dorm, will have to wait till tomorrow.

Live from St.Louis

2010-01-05T23:25:00.000-05:00

Nothing really substantial to post at the moment, but we have arrived in St.Louis. Move-in is tomorrow and I will have pictures of my new home (that's weird to say) as soon as I get settled in. Thanks for being patient while I'm getting set up!

Win

2010-01-03T22:39:00.004-05:00

We'll return to regularly scheduled, intelligible programming when I'm settled in at college. Or if/when one of the other girls blogs. Until then, it's going to be senseless pictures. Enjoy.

This is not the finished product...

2010-01-02T23:05:00.000-05:00

This picture was taken for Twitter earlier. It does not include my tote o' shoes and purses.

It's almost finished, but is still a work in project. I'm having a tough time believing that I'm actually leaving again, and hopefully for more than two months this time. It will be an accessible location this time, too. No required 24-hour periods on planes and in airports. I'm ready to roll, but still slightly nervous. I'm pretty sure that's normal.

Ode to Boxes, Rubbermaid Containers, Suitcases, etc.

2010-01-02T12:57:00.000-05:00

Why do you hate me so?

You see around you an entire room that needs to be packed up before Tuesday morning, and yet you refuse to lift a finger and help me fill each and everyone of you with books, clothes, and shoes.

Never mind that I have protected you from many plights. I'm not sure what threats come to containers and suitcases, but you get the point. I've provided you a sound home, and for what? You sit there as I stuff you full of the contents of my room and for what? Not even an offering of thanks for my filling your bellies (for lack of a better word) with sub-couture clothing? You make me sick, containers. Nauseated at the idea that I took you in.

We've been through this once before. You made me pack three of you, suitcases! Three! No help, no encouragement. You just sat and took it and I gave you a marvelous intercontinental trip for doing nothing. To a third-world country, but still. It's the thought that counts, goshdarnit!

Alas, I have no more motivation to pack you. But I have to. Tell me where the justice is in that. Where? Where is it!? Tell me!

How did I do this seven months ago without cracking up? And how did I do it with a baggage weight limit?

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T15:51:00.001-05:00

As my Christmas gift to you, please enjoy my awesome grandpa telling the Christmas story. He's done this every year since I can remember, and I finally got it on video. Merry Christmas to everyone!

Christmas Eve Madness (Complete with NORAD Santa!)

2009-12-24T21:56:00.001-05:00

Just for kicks, let me tell you that I'm currently watching the NORAD Santa Tracker. He's in Durazno, Uruguay as of 9:31, and is heading to Melo, Uruguay. I laughed when I saw that Durazno was the name of a city. It's also the Spanish word for peach. And yes, I knew that off the top of my head. Yay for fluency!

So, today I worked what was supposedly a 5-hour shift. 7 AM until noon. I expected the worst in the way of madness and braced myself with five hail Marys and went on my merry way. Sure enough, it was the bad place on earth. Evil, evil Christmas shoppers. Excellent day for sales, though. Our goal was somewhere around $4500 and we got about $6000. I wasn't forced to push RSSP on people and was thrilled about this fact. I didn't want to manipulate people around holiday times. So, I sold a couple of cameras, some stocking stuffers, lots of toys, things like that. My boss and Cayla both got some GPS sales, and I sold a corded phone. Around noon, my ride (ahem, Dawn) had forgotten me, so I figured, "Oh, I'll end up staying about half an hour extra."

Oh, you silly sales associate. It's Christmas, don't you know? Nothing can be easy.

(PS- Santa is heading to Rio, in case you care. I'm waiting for him to get to Asuncion. If the Paraguayans have been good this year, that is.)

Anyway, at around 12:20, Dawn still wasn't there and the gold mine walked in. People looking at Sprint.

For those of you unfamiliar with comission-based sales at Radio Shack, you get comission for the sale of a phone, as well as a $15 bonus for a prepaid phone, such as Virgin Mobile, Tracfone, or Boost, and a $30 bonus for a contract or renewal. I have sold two or three prepaid, but our boss pressures us big time to get the contracts, and up until this point, I was in it deep because I was on a zero-wireless list. You don't want to be on this list, because if you're on the list for too long, people question your job security. So, I had never set this up, and Cayla started it for me so that I could help get some of the traffic at the registers out of the way, because she knew she would have to help me anyway. My boss comes in, helps me so that Cayla can take on some more customers, and gives me the basic steps to get everything set up. A processing error came up when applying the discounts (the one you get when renewing or upgrading a phone that make it free. Never, ever take that for granted. It's a major headache.) and my boss told me to call customer service to have them help me sort through it all. He then leaves me there. I type in my passcode and terminal number so that I can get assistance, and then I hear, "Your terminal is now in manual mode," and the phone goes silent.

I still don't know what manual mode is. I wait for someone to come back on the line, but nobody is there. I assume I'm being put on hold, and while irritated, I apologize to the couple buying the new phone, and tell them that I'm sure it will only be a few more minutes.

It wasn't only a few more minutes. It was about 20. Until the customer had to leave because he was late for something. At this point, I am about an hour and ten minutes over clock out time, and still have nothing resolved. Dawn has been waiting for about half an hour, and when my boss spots her, he tells me that I can go ahead and leave while he sorts the mess out. After asking about fifty more times if he was sure, I left, sure that I had lost a sale and that I was going to get fired before my last day, which is bad, seeing as my last day is January 1. It turns out that Sprint's server went down mid-activation. Good timing, Sprint. Right on Christmas Eve. In the end, the sales went through, so I'll have a nice little bonus on my next paycheck. Hooray for that!

(Santa is jumping from Rio to Greenland for some reason. I have no idea why. It seems like a little bit of a detour to me?)

For both of you that read this blog on a regular basis, Merry Christmas!

UPDATE-10:45 PM

Because I care:

A Challenge To You...

2009-12-22T21:45:00.001-05:00

It breaks my heart that the first question we ask when we meet a person is what they do for a living. Why are we so defined by our jobs? Nobody seems to be interested in the important things, like the fact that my favorite color is pink, that I love to dance in the rain, that Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and that I believe in magic. Ask me instead what I daydream about, what I love, and what my favorite book is. These, after all, are the things that matter.

I have been doing a lot of thinking and it just seems like... the world today has become so consumed with money.. with material items. When someone speaks of having a new job, the first question out of most mouths is usually "How much do you make?" And honestly, this breaks my heart. Sometimes, I feel like I was born at the wrong time.. wrong century. Because see, the things I want to do in this life probably aren't going to make me a lot of money. And there are a lot of times where I just feel like (to some people) this desire and plan I have just.... isn't good enough. When you state you want to visit the elderly, you want to help the homeless... often the first response is "Well, that won't provide you a living." No, honestly, it isn't going to make me rich in dollar bills, but honestly, I can't take any of that with me when I leave this earth anyways. What does it profit a man if he earns all the money in the world, but leaves nothing eternal behind? Sure, when we pass on we can leave money for our families, children, etc., but soon, that money will run out. Then what? I want my life to mean something. To change someone's life. I want there to be a brilliant echo long after I'm gone...

I just wish we could get to a point where we look at the goodness of someone before we look at their bank account. There are amazing people that walk around us on a daily basis that sometimes, we don't give a second look. I challenge you, the next time someone tells you about themselves... not to ask what their occupation is, but ask them what makes them come alive. Ask them what makes their heart race. What makes them tick... because I assure you, those are things that leave footprints once the person is long gone...

Life at The Shack and Gift Giving

2009-12-22T14:33:00.001-05:00

The job situation is complex. I swore up and down I would not be one of those people who complained about their job, but I think that one occasion, it is mandatory for me to have to go back on that promise. I love the premise of my job. Cell phones, cameras, and iPods are all things I love. I was hired because I speak Spanish. In fact, the very first cell phone I sold was to someone who spoke no English. I love that aspect. But at the same time, the job makes me feel like I'm a manipulator and a liar, and that's not something I ever wanted to be.

The problem is this. An essential part of my job is something called attachment. It means I have an obligation to sell people add-ons (for example, if you buy a camera, I am supposed to sell you a case, an SD card, etc.) and also to sell Radio Shack Service Plans (RSSP). It's Sales 101. There are a few problems with this, though. I myself don't ever purchase a service plan. I find it unnecessary. I bought an SD card at work and got an earful from my boss because I didn't buy a service plan. What the heck is going to go wrong with an SD card after the first 30 days? If it doesn't work, I'll bring it back, and you'll replace it. I'm not paying an extra six dollars on my twelve dollar SD card so that I can bring it in two years later and have it replaced. I feel hypocritical asking customers to purchase something that I wouldn't buy. I'm supposed to maintain a 40% rate of RSSP. Any given day, I get between 33% and 50%, which puts me right where I need to be.

As the attachments go, I can get that. But if we really believe what we say (and this is totally true) about our customers being the most educated that they've ever been and knowing exactly what they want, isn't it a little bit stupid to attempt to sell them something that we know that they don't want and/or need? Doesn't that insult their intelligence in the slightest? These are educated consumers! Why should I tell you that you need it when I know that you could get by without it or buy it somewhere else much, much cheaper? I really don't like that. And neither do the customers. They know that they're being taken for a ride and they take it out on the associates that are attempting to get them to spend more money. And that, my friends, is not a good thing.

On the brighter side though, it is a fun job sometimes. I'm working with technology, which I love, and I get to talk to some fun people and actually sold a camera with two attachments to a city council person yesterday. My last day is on January 1, right before I go off to college. I don't know that I'll work at Radio Shack again.

On the other side of things, the holidays are coming up, and the gift giving has begun. I discovered photo gifts this year and went a little crazy. For most of my really close friends, I got little magnets with pictures on them.

They went over pretty well. For one of my friends, who also has an excellent sense of style, I went to Claire's and raided their hair department for the big bows. I do so love the big bows. She's kind of taken that style and run with it, so I had texted her mom and asked what colors she wanted. I picked out a red clip-in rose and a blue floppy flower headband that I liked so much, I bought myself one of the same. The result of our amazing fashion since and style was the following:

That's right. We got each other the same thing. Great minds think alike.

Exciting News!

2009-12-22T16:55:00.000-05:00

Within the next few days (or even today) you may see some new blog posts from people who are not me. I have invited three new people to blog with me, all whom I think you will love and enjoy. I simply don't blog as much anymore and wanted to bring something new in. All of these people are awesome and I picked them for a reason. Two of them have accepted the invites already, so look for new and exciting stuff!

Update: As of 5:10, all three of them have accepted the invites! Give them a shout out on here or whenever they get around to posting something. Welcome aboard, you guys!

The Name's: Uh-Liss-Uh.

2009-12-22T17:04:00.000-05:00

Well hey there all you "What the Muffin" readers out there! My name's Alyssa, most people in my life call me Lyss. I'm really excited to be on board with this blog and start a'writin! I am your average word-nerd. I love crossword puzzles and reading. I still have a Super NES and can rock "Super Mario World" and "Donkey Kong" with the best of them. I have a pretty positive outlook on life and live my life through quotes. I will marry either David Cook, Daniel Tosh, or Ian Somerhalder one day, so don't be surprised when I blog with those exciting details. Alright, alright.. a girl can dream, huh? I love music and I believe lyrics express the words we can't. I'm a Buckeye fan through and through and I am "patiently" waiting for the Rose Bowl. I love snow. I love fall. I love Apples to Apples. and I love God. And I think that pretty much sums me up. Can't wait to blog more!

Hi

2009-12-22T16:52:00.001-05:00

Hello Petrithin Georgeigin Beginagain Samson Jr. This is Pinchletine Suzanne Fred Simpson giving you a shout out. I LOVE YOU! and so does the moose, the llama, and the hamster. Peace yo. By the way everyone I will be helping her blog and possibly other people. Lets see if this is entertaining or not? If not we will categorize it as PHAIL! Toodles, Bonvoyage, Later alligator.

Today

2009-12-22T16:39:00.000-05:00

Today is kind of tough for me, to be 100% honest.

Right now, I should be sitting in an Argentine airport, waiting to board a plane headed home.

I should be sitting with souvenirs that double as Christmas presents.

I should have four more months of Latin American experience under my belt.

Right now, I'm sitting in my room on my bed, typing this blog, wondering what could have been.

God has a plan. God knows why I'm here today instead of there.

Today's one of those days I wish I knew, too.

New Layout and System

2009-12-14T20:20:00.001-05:00

I'm tweaking the technical aspects of the site because I was having some slight issues with some stuff on the site. Everything should be back to normal now, but if you were a follower, you may have to resubscribe. Let me know what you think of the new look and leave a shout-out in the comments to let me know you're still out there. I should be back to blogging shortly.

A cause that we all should support...

2007-12-15T15:08:00.000-05:00

Just In Case....

2007-12-16T21:54:00.000-05:00

Hear ye, hear ye, listen to the voice of experience!

If you feel like hurling at anytime during a given day- let's use a Cantata, just for kicks, DO NOT CONTINUE TO SAID EVENT!

If however, you MUST go, should you have to excuse yourself directly before your part for such reasons as, say, that slight rising feeling in your throat making you feel like oh-my-meatballs-I'm-gonna-spew, in said event, do not continue on to said part.

If you have still not got the picture, you should exit quickly out the side door from the church platform at a strategic break in the song in said part. This will prevent you from spewing on the pretty Memorial Poinsettias in the front of the church. I doubt that those commemorating lost loved ones would appreciate such defamation.

After you exit, it is likely that several people will follow you, and then your cousin will take you home.

Anyway....that was my eventful evening. I think the church has the online video of the Cantata up. I am not strategically exiting. This was not planned. I was going to be sick. Oh happy day.

The Husband Store

2007-12-19T00:04:00.000-05:00

The store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates:

WELCOME TO THE HUSBAND STORE!! !
You may visit the store ONLY ONCE! There are six
floors and the attributes of the men increase as the
shopper ascends the flights. There is, however, a
catch... you may choose any man from a particular
floor, or you may choose to go up one more floor, but
you cannot go back down except to exit the building!
Happy Shopping!!!!

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband...
On the first floor the sign on the door reads:

Floor 1: These men have jobs and love the Lord.

The second floor sign reads:

Floor 2: These men have jobs, love the Lord, and like
kids.

The third floor sign reads:

Floor 3: These men have jobs, love the Lord, love
kids and are extremely good looking.

"Wow," she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going. She goes to the fourth floor and sign reads:

Floor 4: These men have jobs, love the Lord, love
kids, are drop-dead good looking and help
with the housework.

"Oh, mercy me!" she exclaims, "I can hardly stand it!" Still, she goes to the fifth floor and sign reads:

Floor 5: These men have jobs, love the Lord, love
kids, are drop-dead gorgeous, help with the
housework, and have a strong romantic streak.

She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor and the sign
reads:

Floor 6: You are visitor 4,363,012 to this floor. There
are no men on this floor. This floor exists
solely as proof that women are impossible to
please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband
Store. Watch your step as you exit the building, and have a nice day!

Day in New York City

2007-12-21T09:48:00.000-05:00

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For My Smurf-Boogery Cousin

2007-12-21T11:39:00.000-05:00

ROFL

2007-12-22T17:02:00.000-05:00

I found the most awesome website today. This lady asks people to send in pictures of their neighbors extreme Christmas decorations. She has a list of violation categories. It's too funny.

Still working on the NYC post. I have had the flu (again) for the past few days.

I'm Very, Very Late

2007-12-22T17:14:00.000-05:00

But, I've had the flu, and there have been no decorations until yesterday, so it's all good (I think)
Also, because I have been Typhoid Mary, I ordered in refreshments from Flickr. You can thank me later.

As for me, personally, my own decorations were up the week before Thanksgiving. Here's some video of Michael and Gabri on that evening.

There's a brief mention of my lights, and other random stuff.

I'm taking a break...

2007-12-26T22:54:00.000-05:00

I will return on January 1st. Until then, you must wait for the long awaited NYC story, my Christmas update, and many other things you cannot live without. I had the flu up until Christmas Eve, so I didn't feel like blogging. And on vacation, I really don't feel like blogging. So I'm taking a break.

See you in a week.

Happy New Year, People!

2008-01-01T14:29:00.000-05:00

So, this is going to be a short post, as my New Year's resolutions are requiring me to be a boring and scholarly person. Boo. Hiss. But fear not. I never keep my resolutions. I should be my same slackery self in a week or so. Maybe a month, tops.

Anyway, because you all are DYING to know, let's announce my promises-to-myself-that-I-won't-keep to the world.

Starting with Exams, which are next week, I am going to make a study schedule. Yes, a study schedule. Requiring me to crack a book outside of my normal homework needs. I don't know what the schedule entails yet, but I'm sure I will make it within the next couple days.
I'm going to lose weight. Yeah, I know, I say this every year, but I mean it. I started near the end of 2007 losing some and I'm going to keep doing it.
I'm going to work on calling people back. This sounds dumb, but trust me. I never call anyone back. Ever. It's embarrassing
Finish the BREAD chart for once. I say every year that I'm going to do it and never do. It's also embarrassing. So, this year, Sis.Redmond and some of the girls in the youth group are going to work together on it. Meaning, holding each other accountable for doing it. We are also going to-
Fast every Thursday from Breakfast until at least 3 PM. Trust me, this is sooo not as easy as it sounds like it would be. At least for me. It's not the whole day thing, but it's a start.

So, there you go. My lies....errr...truthful promises that are going to make me a good person this coming year. I'm going to go work on #1 and #4 now. Happy New Year, all!

And old acquaintance be forgot....and all that good stuff.

No Way!

2008-01-03T18:58:00.000-05:00

Dear Bob-The-Motorola-Q,

You have failed me. I am wounded. I understand that you are all for conforming and thought that you would be cool and clear your hard drive to be like SNB's computer, maybe that's what all of the cool techie toys are doing. You know, like high tops and poofy hair in the 80's. But really, was it necessary to clear off everything on my phone? I mean, call history I can understand but you went and deleted all the texts I had saved, like since October, and the videos I hadn't uploaded yet of my brother doing a Barbie funeral and wedding (which believe me, the people who read this would have found very funny), and that dumb video of Garrett threatening to take over the world with green jello, which let's face it, will never cease to make me laugh my butt off and thank god that I uploaded it to YouTube before you went dumb. Then, you had to delete all of my contacts, which you better thank God I had saved on my computer as back-up, which prevented me from throwing you across the room. That and Dad would have killed me. You also deleted my calender, which had my exam schedule and everything else on it. And my ringtones. You're so rude.
I would greatly appreciate it if you would refrain from clearing your memory again until such time that I tell you that you may do so. Such a measure would insure that I don't keel over in the prime of my life at 17.

Your Owner,

Her Royal Muffinness,
The Muffiny of the Muffins,

The Muffin

Mid-Winter Preview

2008-01-05T18:45:00.000-05:00

While I wait to get the rest of the videos from Mid-Winter, because some stuff just requires visual aids, here's a little preview. This is me, Brittany, and Ratchol on the way to Denison this morning. We had way too much fun. I also have no rhythm.