Timesandlife's Blog

Breaking up is hard to do

timesandlife — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:36:16 +0000

Well, here I am, saying goodbye to my sweet Car. We’ve been through so much together. She was a good one. I’ll miss you, Car. I hope you make someone else just as happy as you’ve made me.

Breaking up is hard to do

Lakers parade is a sea of purple and gold

timesandlife — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:15:44 +0000

Now that I work in Downtown LA, I was able to sneak away for a bit to check out the Lakers parade. In times like these, I wish I had a little bit more height. They’re not the greatest photos, but here are a few shots from the event. A very well-run and organized event. Sure, it cost the city a lot of money; but people need things to be happy and excited about in these times, and part of it was off-set by private donations.

Wilt Chamberlain!

Lakers fans

Laker Girls

Lakers have arrived!

Really officially an Angeleno

timesandlife — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:05:42 +0000

Last year I sort of became an Angeleno as I reached my 5 year anniversary of arriving in LA. Well, this year I really officially became an Angeleno. I finally have CA license plates. We just bought me a Toyota Camry Hybrid. Drives like buttah. And gets fantastic gas mileage too! It’s a certified pre-owned, 2007 and came with just under 20,000 miles on it. We got it for a nice bargain. Drove 50 miles to see the car, told the dealer we weren’t leaving empty-handed, and drove off the lot paying a little less than what they’d priced it at. We were told it was a switch and bait car, meaning it’s a car they price as low as possible to entice people to come on the lot, and then show them a higher priced car. Ha! Suckers!

Coincidentally, our home and my new job are right by major Metro subway stations, and I think I’ll be taking that more than I’ll be driving to work. Oh, well. At least Chris can drive it and save us even more money by leaving his gas guzzler of a jeep at home! Rika likes the car a little better than the jeep too, I think

That's a good looking car.

Preakness, betting, food and booze equals a good time

timesandlife — Tue, 26 May 2009 04:29:42 +0000

Horse-racing, betting, potluck, booze…Thank you for showing us a good time, Point Pleasant West Virginia! (We even won a bit of money, thanks to a little filly by the name of Rachel Alexandra.)

Setting up the bar

A good old fashioned potluck!

Man, I miss these!

Our lovely host & hostess

Our bookies

And they’re off!

Best dressed.

Having a good time.

The big winner!

Customer service complaint

timesandlife — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:04:13 +0000

Why is it that companies have a difficult time managing expectations when it comes to service/repair people coming to your house? I’m waiting for the repairman to come fix our refrigerator. I can expect him to come between 8-5. Gee, that’s helpful. I have to devote my whole day to waiting for him. Really, GE? And this goes for any other service company who makes people wait, and wait…and wait. Wanna keep my business? Make me a happy customer and go the extra mile to manage my expectations better. This repairman for whom I’m devoting an entire day, better come with cookies and flowers. On the plus side, I’ve started a new blog!