Monday, January 26, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Finally!
The Steelers are going to the Super Bowl in Tampa...and so am I! Guy's uncle Lou came through big with a cousin who was willing to sell us tickets at face value, and I can't be more excited!
The parking pass is purchased, the rental car is reserved, Guy has a brand-new Polamalu jersey, and I'm picking up our tickets on Saturday afternoon. Although I cancelled our Segway tour and our spa day at Disney to recoup some of the ticket price, I think it's a fair trade.
Now we just need to bring home a win! GO STEELERS!
The parking pass is purchased, the rental car is reserved, Guy has a brand-new Polamalu jersey, and I'm picking up our tickets on Saturday afternoon. Although I cancelled our Segway tour and our spa day at Disney to recoup some of the ticket price, I think it's a fair trade.
Now we just need to bring home a win! GO STEELERS!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
How the Red Ring of Death Can Work For You!
After taking a long winter's nap this afternoon, I came into my office, and Guy yelled down from the loft, "The worst thing in the world has happened." No, no one died, and a tsunami didn't obliterate Bethel Park -- his XBox 360 got the red ring of death.
After convincing him to call Best Buy instead of speculating on what they would do by reading forums on the Internet, Guy found out that because his parents had purchased the replacement plan when they gifted him the XBox last Christmas, Best Buy would give him a brand-new one and remove his old hard drive so that none of his information would be lost.
So, needless to say, we ventured out to the local Best Buy, XBox in hand, and headed over to customer service. The girl there was very helpful, as she has probably gone through this procedure many, many times. After some initial trouble with the receipt, Guy was given his new XBox, complete with two free games (Kung Fu Panda and Lego Indiana Jones), and a gift card loaded with approximately $530 to purchase the new machine on. Here's where the bonus came in -- not only did he get two new games that he's never played before, but the price of the XBox has gone down since his parents purchased it a year ago, so he was credited what they paid for it but charged the current price, thus leaving us with a surplus on the gift card. We were able to buy two sets of headphones and a headphone splitter for our upcoming vacation with the leftover cash.
So, if your XBox decides to malfunction, don't despair! If you have the replacement plan, you could actually come out ahead. I know we did!
After convincing him to call Best Buy instead of speculating on what they would do by reading forums on the Internet, Guy found out that because his parents had purchased the replacement plan when they gifted him the XBox last Christmas, Best Buy would give him a brand-new one and remove his old hard drive so that none of his information would be lost.
So, needless to say, we ventured out to the local Best Buy, XBox in hand, and headed over to customer service. The girl there was very helpful, as she has probably gone through this procedure many, many times. After some initial trouble with the receipt, Guy was given his new XBox, complete with two free games (Kung Fu Panda and Lego Indiana Jones), and a gift card loaded with approximately $530 to purchase the new machine on. Here's where the bonus came in -- not only did he get two new games that he's never played before, but the price of the XBox has gone down since his parents purchased it a year ago, so he was credited what they paid for it but charged the current price, thus leaving us with a surplus on the gift card. We were able to buy two sets of headphones and a headphone splitter for our upcoming vacation with the leftover cash.
So, if your XBox decides to malfunction, don't despair! If you have the replacement plan, you could actually come out ahead. I know we did!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Doctor Dread
Why is it that I dread going to doctors so much? I have an appointment for an eye exam tomorrow morning, and even though I know it will be relatively quick and painless, I'm still dreading the visit. Spring is the time of year, too, where all of my many doctors' appointments come due, so I'm going to be running the gauntlet of MDs in the next month or so.
I'm guessing this type of dread is common, but I wonder why it exists. Is it because we're afraid of finding out we've got a brain tumor and have two weeks to live? Maybe. Is it because it's no fun being poked and prodded and asked personal questions? Probably. But why, after years of experience and non-eventful appointments, can't I get over the pre-doctor-visit blues?
I'm guessing this type of dread is common, but I wonder why it exists. Is it because we're afraid of finding out we've got a brain tumor and have two weeks to live? Maybe. Is it because it's no fun being poked and prodded and asked personal questions? Probably. But why, after years of experience and non-eventful appointments, can't I get over the pre-doctor-visit blues?
My Grand Idea
So, after a few days/weeks of lamenting because I didn't think there was any way of getting my hands on affordable Super Bowl tickets, I got a call/e-mail last night from Guy's uncle, who put a ray of hope into my life. He has a cousin who got chosen in the season-ticket-holders lottery for two tickets, and his cousin will sell them to us at face value as long as one other person he offered them to decides he doesn't want to go.
So, I'd say there's about a 75% chance we will make it to Super Bowl XLIII! The only things that stink about the situation are these:
1. The tickets are still $800 apiece -- a fact that makes my penny-pinching husband turn green.
2. Thinking that there was no way we'd get tickets and wanting something fun to do for the Bowl, I bought us tickets to an all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffet at an Orlando sports bar. The tickets were $50 each and nonrefundable. I'm trying to sell them on craigslist, but I don't know if I'll be successful.
3. We have to figure out how to get to Tampa, get a parking pass, and cancel some of our Disney dining reservations for the second day of our trip -- basically it throws a wrench in our plans, but I suppose it's a good wrench. It's just that for someone like me, who wants to have everything planned weeks in advance, it's difficult to wait and see what happens.
I should know later in the week if we have the tickets or not.
In the meantime, I had an idea of how to raise some money for the tickets. I often have ideas that other people think are dumb or unrealistic, but I'll share this one just to see if anyone has any tips on how to pull it off. I thought if we go to the game, I could somehow see if any Tampa-area businesses want to buy advertising space on the t-shirt that I'll wear. I'll just get something printed online with a Steelers logo and then the name/phone number/slogan of the company(ies) on the back. I feel like it's a good deal for the company -- the shirt will likely be seen by hundreds or thousands of people. I just don't know how to get the word out to companies that I want to do this, and I also don't know if I can get a shirt made in time.
Any thoughts/tips/opinions? Am I retarded for even wanting to try it?
So, I'd say there's about a 75% chance we will make it to Super Bowl XLIII! The only things that stink about the situation are these:
1. The tickets are still $800 apiece -- a fact that makes my penny-pinching husband turn green.
2. Thinking that there was no way we'd get tickets and wanting something fun to do for the Bowl, I bought us tickets to an all-you-can-eat-and-drink buffet at an Orlando sports bar. The tickets were $50 each and nonrefundable. I'm trying to sell them on craigslist, but I don't know if I'll be successful.
3. We have to figure out how to get to Tampa, get a parking pass, and cancel some of our Disney dining reservations for the second day of our trip -- basically it throws a wrench in our plans, but I suppose it's a good wrench. It's just that for someone like me, who wants to have everything planned weeks in advance, it's difficult to wait and see what happens.
I should know later in the week if we have the tickets or not.
In the meantime, I had an idea of how to raise some money for the tickets. I often have ideas that other people think are dumb or unrealistic, but I'll share this one just to see if anyone has any tips on how to pull it off. I thought if we go to the game, I could somehow see if any Tampa-area businesses want to buy advertising space on the t-shirt that I'll wear. I'll just get something printed online with a Steelers logo and then the name/phone number/slogan of the company(ies) on the back. I feel like it's a good deal for the company -- the shirt will likely be seen by hundreds or thousands of people. I just don't know how to get the word out to companies that I want to do this, and I also don't know if I can get a shirt made in time.
Any thoughts/tips/opinions? Am I retarded for even wanting to try it?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Super Bowl Sale
I'm selling a bunch of things to try to raise money towards Super Bowl tickets. Here's a list of what I've got. I'll be adding more soon. If you're interested in anything or want more details, please let me know.
*Set of four stacking white Yaffa blocks with three drawers - $15
*Men's size large North Face jacket and inner fleece shell, one pocket does not zipper - $20
*Huge lot of brand-new scrapbooking supplies - $60
*Catchphrase Musical Edition - $5
*Set of four stacking white Yaffa blocks with three drawers - $15
*Men's size large North Face jacket and inner fleece shell, one pocket does not zipper - $20
*Huge lot of brand-new scrapbooking supplies - $60
*Catchphrase Musical Edition - $5
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
People Amaze Me
During the summer and this past fall, I worked at a lot of event promotions. If I haven't told you about those jobs, it basically consists of going to a concert or a convention and representing a company, passing out samples, etc. It's really easy, and it pays well. The one thing I learned, though, from working at these types of events is how incredibly greedy and cheap people are. If you are giving away something for free, they think EVERYTHING at the booth is free. In one instance, I worked at the Pet Expo downtown representing a dog-food company. We had small bags of samples to give out, but we also had large bags of food on display, as well as bags of treats. By the end of the weekend, probably half of the large bags and treats had walked away when we weren't looking. I would never, ever take something without asking first, and I certainly wouldn't assume that a 20-pound bag of food is free, especially when there were other booths at the event that were purely selling things, not giving anything away.
The reason I thought of this topic today is because I am helping my mom to sell her junky car on craigslist. I posted the ad, asking $250 for the car. It runs but can't pass inspection without work. I got an overwhelming response of probably over 30 e-mails, but it amazes me the stipulations people have when they're making an offer. Here are a few examples:
*I can give you $35 for the car. I only take them for scrap. I can pick it up tomorrow. If you don't get what you want for it.
Not only does this guy not understand the meaning of "sentence fragment," but $35 for something listed for $250?? How much gall do you have to offer that?
*I might be interested in the car but would want to have my mechanic look at it first. If needed, could you get it to
Biber's Garage
1250 McKee Rd
Oakdale, PA 15071
I can come out at 4 PM on a weekday to view the car first.
Yeah, like I'm going to take the car all the way to Oakdale to get it to this guy's mechanic so he can look at it first. Don't think so!! It's not like I'm selling a car worth thousands of dollars here. I'm talking $250. You don't get first-class service with that low of a price.
There were a few other oddball requests and offers, but I think this is one reason parents need to teach their children to NOT ask for anything their little hearts desire. Sure, if you don't ask, you will never know, but have at least a little bit of tact when you're making your requests.
The reason I thought of this topic today is because I am helping my mom to sell her junky car on craigslist. I posted the ad, asking $250 for the car. It runs but can't pass inspection without work. I got an overwhelming response of probably over 30 e-mails, but it amazes me the stipulations people have when they're making an offer. Here are a few examples:
*I can give you $35 for the car. I only take them for scrap. I can pick it up tomorrow. If you don't get what you want for it.
Not only does this guy not understand the meaning of "sentence fragment," but $35 for something listed for $250?? How much gall do you have to offer that?
*I might be interested in the car but would want to have my mechanic look at it first. If needed, could you get it to
Biber's Garage
1250 McKee Rd
Oakdale, PA 15071
I can come out at 4 PM on a weekday to view the car first.
Yeah, like I'm going to take the car all the way to Oakdale to get it to this guy's mechanic so he can look at it first. Don't think so!! It's not like I'm selling a car worth thousands of dollars here. I'm talking $250. You don't get first-class service with that low of a price.
There were a few other oddball requests and offers, but I think this is one reason parents need to teach their children to NOT ask for anything their little hearts desire. Sure, if you don't ask, you will never know, but have at least a little bit of tact when you're making your requests.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
He So Funny
In college, I used to entertain/drive my friends crazy with stories of funny things Guy said or did. I can't help it -- I just think my husband is hilarious. Since I no longer live with two girls who I can share these stories with, I will use my blog instead. Here's what just transpired a few moments ago:
Me: Are you ever going to wash those? (Points to a sweater and a collared shirt that have been dirty since Guy committed a party foul at our Christmas party a few weeks ago)
Guy: I don't think you can wash sweaters.
Me: Well, what does the tag say?
Guy: It says, "throw away when dirty."
(He reads the tag)
"Machine wash warm, reshape and lay flat to dry."
Me: See? You can wash it.
Guy: Yeah, but it has to be washed warm!
(I think by emphasizing that it had to be washed at a particular temperature, it made him somehow feel like he had 'won' the conversation.)
In other news, we're going to Disney in 3 1/2 weeks, and I am super excited. My main worry is that we'll have bad weather in Pittsburgh and have our flight delayed our something along those lines. We have plans to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table the night we get in, so we can't be late! If you'd like to know what else is on our itinerary, just ask -- I'd be happy to share. :)
Me: Are you ever going to wash those? (Points to a sweater and a collared shirt that have been dirty since Guy committed a party foul at our Christmas party a few weeks ago)
Guy: I don't think you can wash sweaters.
Me: Well, what does the tag say?
Guy: It says, "throw away when dirty."
(He reads the tag)
"Machine wash warm, reshape and lay flat to dry."
Me: See? You can wash it.
Guy: Yeah, but it has to be washed warm!
(I think by emphasizing that it had to be washed at a particular temperature, it made him somehow feel like he had 'won' the conversation.)
In other news, we're going to Disney in 3 1/2 weeks, and I am super excited. My main worry is that we'll have bad weather in Pittsburgh and have our flight delayed our something along those lines. We have plans to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table the night we get in, so we can't be late! If you'd like to know what else is on our itinerary, just ask -- I'd be happy to share. :)
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