What A Slacker!

Do I Hold Grudges? Nah! LOL

Add comment August 10th, 2010 01:36pm whataslacker

Okay so if you are a person and want to express your displeasure with a company how do you complain? I voice my opinion to my friends and family and that circle has grown to include my online friends and family too. I also avoid using those products and services ever again, if I can help it.

Some examples of this are Comcast….hate them, their customer service, their product — everything but I still use them because cable companies are a monopoly and I have no other choice (don’t get me started on satellite TV). Thanks to my complaints here on my blog they did finanly take notice and come out to fix both the DVR issues & the cable leading to my house.

Another example is the SCI FI Channel (now SyFy) for personal reasons I can not really spell out here, they did a great disservice to me back in 2000 & I have never gone back (only a few exceptions have occurred.

Then there is The Outback Restaurant. I some of the worst service by any waitress ever there, which was then followed up by the manager who only defended the waitress. I could not eat the food and was still charged. I actually had to take my complaint to RipOffReport.com to get the corporate office to notice my complaint and/or do anything about it. All they did was send me a gift card for a restaurant that I was never going to ever again (I have not been back in one in over 5 years). I gave the gift card to friend.

Latest example is BP. With this BIG problem in the Gulf I refuse to buy their gas (thank goodness there aren’t many around so I do not have to actively avoid them but I will drive by if there is one even if the gas is cheaper). Will I ever go back to BP? No.  I haven’tgone back to using Exxon gas for anything so why would I forgive BP?

That being said…I think you now know the answer to the question…do i hold grudges? YES.

Seems like companies these days are more about PR then they are about actual customer service. Shame, because those companies will never see my business again.

My Review of Spaceship and Meteor Madness Plush Cat Toys

Add comment August 9th, 2010 03:01pm whataslacker

Originally submitted at Nip and Bones

Our Spaceship and Meteor Madness plush cat toys are sure to drive any cat wild. These Meteor and Spaceship designs and beeping sounds entice play. You will receive either a Spaceship or Meteor, if you would like to choose please let us know in the comments are of our checkout and we will do our be…

Spaceship and Meteor Madness Plush Cat Toys

Squeaky Fun from Outer Space

By whataslacker from PA on 8/9/2010

 

4out of 5

Pros: Cat Likes It, Colorful, Geeky, Fun

Cons: Not enough nip

Best Uses: Leave Around The House, Active Cats, Kittens

Describe Yourself: Long-time Pet Owner

These spaceships and meteors are loads of fun for my geeky feline! The round shapes have them rolling in erratic patterns making him think twice when he pounces. He loves the beeping sound when he plays. Only problem we can think of is, it needs more nip inside to get him to really go after it.

(legalese)

I Don’t Like This Feeling

Add comment May 28th, 2010 07:57am whataslacker

I don’t like this feeling.

I don’t like feeling.

I feel strange. I can feel everything happening in my body.

I feel weak. Nauseous.

I can fell my heart beating in my chest.

I can feel every breath I take. Especially the ones I don’t take. My chest feels heavy. It is hard to breath. I feel out of breath when all I am doing is lying here.

I can feel my throat. I can feel the breath as it moves down my throat. How can air get caught in your throat? My tongue feels like it is pushing on the back of my throat. Pushing it closed.

I feel my head, the weight of my head. Yet I am light headed?

I feel my arms and legs. Feel them feel as if they are useless or not even there. Tingly but not tingly. Weak.

Remember to breath.

My stomach is empty yet I feel it working. Digesting. Gurgling. Pushing nothingness into my bowels, bowels that bubble and twist.

Headache.

I can feel my eyes moving about in their sockets. I feel every blink.

I feel like a stranger in my own body.

I want to go back to not feeling any of this as it happens, to blissfully feel nothing as my body works.

I don’t like this feeling.

I don’t like feeling.

Blood Test Back I Have a High SED Rate

Add comment May 27th, 2010 05:32pm whataslacker

Of course when they called and told me my blood work was back and everything was okay except I had a high SED rate, I had no idea what that could mean and they did not explain it to me either. Thank goodness for WebMD.com (maybe), where I got an explanation even if it wasn’t exactly promising.

From WebMD.com…

Sedimentation Rate

The sedimentation rate (sed rate) blood test measures how quickly red blood cells (erythrocytes) settle in a test tube in one hour. The more red cells that fall to the bottom of the test tube in one hour, the higher the sed rate.

When inflammation is present in the body, certain proteins cause red blood cells to stick together and fall more quickly than normal to the bottom of the tube. These proteins are produced by the liver and the immune system under many abnormal conditions, such as an infection, an autoimmune disease, or cancer.

There are many possible causes of a high sedimentation rate. For this reason, a sed rate is done with other tests to confirm a diagnosis. After a diagnosis has been made, a sed rate can be done to help check on the disease or see how well treatment is working.
Why It Is Done

A sedimentation rate (sed rate) test is done to:

* Find out if inflammation is present.
* Check on the progress of a disease.
* See how well a treatment is working.

And their definition of autoimmune wasn’t very promising either….

Autoimmune disease

The immune system is the body’s defense against foreign substances, such as bacteria or viruses, that may be harmful. An autoimmune disease is an abnormal condition that occurs when a person’s immune system attacks its own tissues as though they were foreign substances.

* Normally, when a foreign substance enters the body, the immune system creates special cells to attack and destroy the foreign substance. These cells include antibodies and white blood cells (lymphocytes).
* In a person with an autoimmune disease, the immune system recognizes some of the person’s own tissues as foreign substances. The body makes antibodies and other cells that attack and destroy these tissues. This process often leads to inflammation and eventually, if it continues, scarring and destruction of the organs that are made up of those tissues.

Why the body attacks its own cells is not known. Autoimmune diseases include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and Sjögren’s syndrome. Certain types of diabetes and thyroid disease are related to autoimmune reactions. People who have autoimmune diseases are at an increased risk for infections.

My Food Allergies Growing

Add comment May 27th, 2010 04:23pm whataslacker

Foods I can never have ever again.

(Raw): cherry, nectarine, celery, carrots, banana, apple, tomato, potato, orange, grapefruit, pineapple

(Cooked): soybean (any Soy), apple, clam, oyster, lobster, shrimp, mixed fish, crab, peanuts, almonds (All nuts), mustard, carrot, potato.

Items in bold are new. Might even be more, these are just the touch them again and u could die list.

I Don’t Want to Feel This Way

Add comment May 17th, 2010 11:58pm whataslacker

I hate this feeling.

Hopeless.

Helpless.

I don’t want to feel this. Some think I like feeling like this. That I like the attention.

Not true.

There is no attention to be had. This is a very lonely process. I don’t share my feelings until it is nearly too late.

I have learned a long time ago to keep my mouth shut and just suck it all deep inside until I find myself crying alone in the dark.

Unable to sleep.

Unable to think.

Knot in my chest making it hard to breath. While the lump in my throat makes it hard to swallow.

Swallow what my pride? Self worth? Dignity? I don’t have any of those things.

I just want the blackness to take me but sleep eludes me even after taking something to help me.

Is there help for me?

Helpless.

Hopeless.

Worthless.

Soon the pain in my head starts to match the pain in my soul.

Physical pain to match the emotional pain.

I am broken beyond repair.

More Animal Food & Treat Recalls

Add comment April 22nd, 2010 07:40am whataslacker

I think every pet owner out there remembers the huge pet food recall a few years back that had to affect on every pet owners lives. That particular recall did not just hit one manufacturer or brand, but a huge list.

In trying to keep my fur kids safe from such things I keep an eye out for pet industry recalls when I hear about them and spread the news through every channel available to me.

A few months ago there was the Merrick Dog Treat Recall and this month we have a lesser known brand being recalled.

Advanced Cetyl M Joint Action Formula for Dogs made by Response Products is being recalled for a possible Salmonella health risk. They so no dogs have been reported as sick because of the product and that they are just pulling the product because of lab tests. Not so sure I believe that one completely, but all we have is the FDA press release about the recall.

So if your dog is taking Advanced Cetyl M Joint Action Formula for Dogs please read the recall report and check your supply carefully.

Should your dogs treats be in the recall please handle them carefully and wash your hand throuroughly so you don’t get sick from the Salmonella either.  Stay healthy and enjoy your pets!

Guilty Pleasures

Add comment April 13th, 2010 06:14am whataslacker

One of my guilty little pleasures in life are Pringles. I know, I know they aren’t good for you. That’s is why it is called junk food after all! But I just really enjoy them every once in awhile.

But how’s a person to know when their junk food could potential be even more of a health risk?

I am talking about food recalls. Granted when it is a REALLY big and deadly food recall it will be all over the news, but what about when it is just a “this could make you sick maybe” recall?

You have to assume the stores are on top of these things and pull them from the shelves ASAP. But do they really? It could be a full time job just keeping up with all the recalls. I would never have known about the Pringles recall had I not stumbled on it by accident today. (Thank goodness it isn’t one of the flavors that I normally break down and buy, but it would be nice to know these things before you buy them and not after they have all been consumed.)

So where do all the recalled foods go? My hope is that they are pulled from the shelves and destroyed, but are they? I won’t even go into my theory on discount grocery stores.

Recalls McCormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix Due To Unlabeled Wheat And Milk Ingredients

Add comment April 7th, 2010 07:07am whataslacker

Okay so McCormick is recalling their fajita seasoning because it doesn’t list allergens like milk and wheat, but where is the soy allergen listing? Food companies really need to address that fact that people are allergic to all forms of soy and not just one protein in it.

Grant soy protein is the deadly form for me and why I carry my eppy pen, but every form of soy reacts in my body making me sick in different ways. So it would be nice if all ingredients were listed and soy warnings given, not just listed as natural ingredients.

Here’s the full recall announcement if you want to read it….

Mccormick & Company Recalls Mccormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix Due To Unlabeled Wheat And Milk Ingredients

Company Contact:
Christopher Stevenson
410-527-6935

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 07, 2010 – SPARKS, MD – McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) has announced a voluntary recall of McCormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix, with UPC Code 5210002121 and “BEST BY” dates of JAN 16 12 AH and JAN 16 12 CH. McCormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix packages with these date codes contain undeclared wheat and milk ingredients. People who have allergies to wheat or milk run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product.

The McCormick Fajita Seasoning Mix packages were distributed to grocery stores nationally beginning on February 15, 2010. The product is available in 1.12 oz. pouches, and the date code is found printed in black on the back, at the bottom of the pouch. The “BEST BY” dates of JAN1612AH and CH are the only date codes affected by the recall.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product was mispackaged, and as a result, the ingredient statement on the package did not list wheat and milk as ingredients.

No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date. No other McCormick products are involved in this recall.

All grocery outlets that sell McCormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix packages have been notified to remove the affected product (UPC Code 5210002121 and a “BEST BY” date of JAN1612AH and JAN1612CH) from their shelves immediately. Consumers do not need to return the product to the store where it was purchased. Instead, consumers are urged to contact McCormick’s Consumer Affairs team at 1-800-632-5847, weekdays from 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM, or weekends from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Eastern Time), for a replacement or full refund, as well as instructions on what to do with the product.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration. The company is also issuing an alert through the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.

From the FDA

Microsoft Is Now On The List

Add comment April 5th, 2010 12:36pm whataslacker

I have been using Outlook Express for years without too much of a problem until today.

I recently moved all my files onto a newer computer at work (we won’t call it new as it has been sitting there not being used since it was purchased in 2007, but it is a lot newer than the dying one I was using). I moved all my email files, address book everything over to the new computer and I was rather impressed that I did it without spending too many hours searching on Topeka (see Google’s April Fool’s Day joke for an explanation) for the help I needed in exporting and importing the files from old PC to new PC. Yay me. Pat on the back and all that.

Okay, that being said, I normally have the email spell check everything before sending it. Well this new system did not have the email set up that way from the previous user. So I manually ran the spell check only to find that it wanted to change every word to something funky. What the heck was going on here? So I looked under the hood, so to speak, only to find that the only language available for the spell checker was French! I don’t speak French and don’t send too many emails in French. I need English, any English would do.

A quick search revealed that the missing languages in Outlook Express is known problem with Outlook Express 6 and Microsoft Office 2007. From what I read this happens with upgrades from old office versions to this new one, yet this PC come with the programs installed on it. Apparently, Microsoft has no intention of fixing this and suggests you use a third party spell checker. Maybe an updated Outlook Express is in order, maybe?

Thanks to a very helpful blog post on Outlook Express being stuck on French, I was able to find the information I needed to either get the 3rd party software (they recommend Spell Checker For Outlook Express from Snapfiles). Upon further reading of the comments I saw that I could install/reinstall just the needed Office 2003 Proofing tools, which I did and so far so good. But who knows what tomorrows PC start up will cause. Wish me luck.

Don’t even get me started on their new file formats for Office 2007!

I Want It Wednesday: Lego Minifigs Series 1

Add comment March 31st, 2010 08:50pm whataslacker

I absolutely need to have these! They should be available in June. The 16 different minifgs will be individually bagged in blind bags so you won’t know what you are getting (unless you are like me and can feel what the hair/hats feel like through the bags. In any case I am going to need several of most of these so if you see them when you are out and about please pick a bunch of them up for me okay? You know I am good for payment, right?

1. Crash Test Dummy
2. Zombie
3. Robot
4. Astronaut (with ray gun)
5. Cheerleader
6. Magician
7. Clown
8. Caveman
9. Wrestler
10. Skateboarder
11. Nurse
12. Archer
13. Ninja
14. Indian
15. Diver
16. Adventurer

Kerplunk

Add comment March 22nd, 2010 12:40am whataslacker

Growing up we did not have the game Kerplunk. Our cousin, Carla, did. So it was a fun thing we got to play whenever we went over to our Aunt’s house as kids.

I remember going up to her room and pulling out the game, putting it together and playing it (and probably losing – I always lost no matter what games we played growing up).

Kerplunk has a very distinct sound when those marbles come crashing out. (And they never remained contained in that little tray at the bottom, so some of the fun was tracking down all marbles after they came crashing down. Kerplunk!)

A little while back I spotted a Toy Story version of the game at Target and thought I’d be back to get it. Well when I went back I could not find it any longer.

Then I found it at Toys R Us, but who to play this “kids” game with?

A bunch of adults that’s who!

And you want to know something? I am pretty sure we all had a bit of fun playing it too!

Order Disney Pixar Toy Story Ker Plunk! Game from Entertainment Earth!

Get Moving With Moving Staffers

Add comment March 21st, 2010 08:40pm whataslacker

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