Heh. Twitter is fun. So, you may know that I have my W(aL)D Twitter account, and I use it to be goofy. I think I re-opened the Subway door here. Mayhaps this time I’ll get some sort of resolution?
@subwayfreshbuzz Nope. Not when 1 bite is a potential trip to the E.R. thanks to cross-contamination in the food-prep area.
Tonight, I have this in my Direct Message box…
subwayfreshbuzz Thanks for the feedback. It would be great if you could let us know more about this incident on our cust. service page http://bit.ly/bhSAn
Well, at least I have someone paying attention! I sent them a link to my original complaint to Subway, but I’d like to list the whole saga here… in case I need them to refer back to the message trail at some point…
Wow, I think I got a reply from this faster than I was in line the last time I went through the McDonald’s drive-through. You can read the original message with yesterday’s “O’Ffended“, or see the full text below included in their reply.
from McDonalds.CustomerCare@us.mcd.com to world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.com date Tue, Mar 9, 2010 at 5:24 AM subject Message from McDonald’s USA
Hello Eric:
Thank you for taking the time to contact McDonald’s.
We appreciate your comments. I apologize for your dissatisfaction with our company. Please know that I have immediately forwarded this information to the appropriate personnel for further review.
Again, thank you for contacting McDonald’s. We hope to have the opportunity of serving you again soon under the Golden Arches.
Jessica
McDonald’s Customer Response Center
ref#:6711209
————————————————————————————————————–
Please do not “reply” to this email response. No “replies” can be received through this mailbox. If you wish to contact McDonald’s Customer Response Center again, please visit our website at http://www.mcdonalds.com
————————————————————————————————————–
McDonald’s now has FREE WiFi at over 11,000 U.S. locations! Find out more at http://www.mcdwireless.com.
You wrote:
Hello friends, You may not know that “Mick/Mic/Mc” is listed in the Racial Slur Database as “Irish | Many Irish surnames begin with ‘Mc’ or ‘Mac.’ Many Irish are also named after the famed Michael Collins, making Michael (Mick) a very common name. Not as derogatory as Paddy.” I was wondering, in an ever-increasingly politically correct society, why you would continue to use the “Mc” prefix on your items and promotions?
As an American of Irish and Scottish descent, I can’t hep but wonder if I should feel celebrated, or offended?
I mean, the Shamrock Shake is indeed awesome. Who can get angry about those? (Except maybe Grimace, who’s no longer around to promote them?)
I realize that the original brothers were named “McDonald”, but why the “Mc” or “Mac” in “McNuggets”, “McCaf??”, “Mayor McCheese”, “Big Mac” or any other McWord? ie – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McWords
Do you feel any responsibility for the Mc-inization of the USA?
Thank you for your time, I can’t wait to hear from you!
-Eric
I wonder who the appropriate parties are… and what do they mean by “under the Golden Arches”? Is that where Jimmy Hoffa is buried?
Heh. You can blame this one on my cousin Melynda. She encouraged me to write to McDonald’s to try & get free shamrock shake coupons. I have no idea if this will do the trick or not, but it sure was fun.
Submitted via webform, some links added for your convenience…
from McDonald’s <DoNotReply@mcdonalds.com> reply-to McDonald’s <DoNotReply@mcdonalds.com> to world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.com date Mon, Mar 8, 2010 at 12:33 PM subject McDonald’s Web Site Comment or Question
Thank you for visiting McDonald’s website. Below is your email which has been submitted to McDonald’s Customer Response Center. While replies to this e-mail cannot be received, should you need to contact us again, please feel free to contact us through mcdonalds.com. Thank you.
Title: Mr.
First Name: Eric
Last Name: Aixelsyd
Mailing Address:
City: Pittsburgh
State: PA
Zip:
Day Phone: 412-555-1212
Evening Phone: 724-555-1212
Contact Time: email only please
Your E-mail Address: world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.com
Comment: Hello friends, You may not know that “Mick/Mic/Mc” is listed in the Racial Slur Database as “Irish | Many Irish surnames begin with ‘Mc’ or ‘Mac.’ Many Irish are also named after the famed Michael Collins, making Michael (Mick) a very common name. Not as derogatory as Paddy.” I was wondering, in an ever-increasingly politically correct society, why you would continue to use the “Mc” prefix on your items and promotions?
As an American of Irish and Scottish descent, I can’t hep but wonder if I should feel celebrated, or offended?
I mean, the Shamrock Shake is indeed awesome. Who can get angry about those? (Except maybe Grimace, who’s no longer around to promote them?)
I realize that the original brothers were named “McDonald”, but why the “Mc” or “Mac” in “McNuggets”, “McCafé”, “Mayor McCheese”, “Big Mac” or any other McWord? ie – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McWords
Do you feel any responsibility for the Mc-inization of the USA?
Thank you for your time, I can’t wait to hear from you!
-Eric
Also… just to clarify to everyone out there who asks why I get so upset at various companies, or why I do this… most all of the posts in the W(aL)D category are just facetious in nature, or at least they start out that way. I don’t know why I need to explain this, or if I even should… it may be funnier if you think it’s real. Ha ha ha.
So, the parking walker has taken root in other neighborhoods. Perhaps this will one day replace that parking chair. I certainly would have an easier time moving a chair than a walker if it came down to it. This was sent to me by my friend Jason that lives over in Morningside, it was around the corner from his place.
By the way, I did see the parking chair pile as was threatened to happen by the Dormont police. We drove by too fast to snap a photo… but I’ll try to get back there before it’s gone. No word if any walkers made it into the pile.
The other day, I wanted to cook a few hot dogs before the US vs. Canada hockey game to enjoy along with some nachos, cheese, & jalapeños. These are the things I like to get when I have the opportunity to get out to a Pens game, and thought they’d be fun (and cheaper) to enjoy at home.
My outdoor grill is currently out of commission until I get some new knobs for it that won’t melt, and I really didn’t want to fire it up to cook 3 hot dogs anyway.
So, I thought of how to cook the hot dogs… Microwave? Oven? Toaster Oven? Foreman grill?
So many decisions. So, I did some Googling and found an article about 6 different ways to cook a hot dog. There are certainly more than that. I never really put that much thought into cooking hot dogs. They’re not even one of my favorite foods. Usually they only come out when the grill is already being fired up for hamburgers or we have some sort of campfire or bonfire going.
I ended up cooking the dogs on the Foreman grill, not the best idea – even given the recommended cooking times. They blackened more than I’d like on the outside, & were not quite done on the inside.
I should have slapped them in the oven or toaster oven. The microwave is just “eh”, and boiling is just out of the question… although I might try boiling them in beer some time as the one article recommended.
I’d just like you to tell me , in the comments section below – how you cook your hot dogs. I may post a wrap-up and make a list much longer than six methods at some point if I get enough of a response… and may cook them a goofy way for the chili cook-off.
Posted: 3:31 pm EST March 2,2010Updated: 8:31 am EST March 3,2010
DORMONT, Pa. — Using chairs to save parking spots on streets might be a Pittsburgh-area tradition, but one municipality has had enough.
Dormont police will no longer tolerate chairs on streets.
The police department on Tuesday began tagging chairs residents left to save parking spaces. Chairs that remain on the streets will be removed Wednesday and taken to the Dumpster at Banksville Plaza, police said.
Because of the recent heavy snow, the borough had tolerated residents using chairs to save parking spots, police Chief Phil Ross said.
However, when officers recently went around and put the chairs on the sidewalks, residents promptly put the furniture back on the streets, he said.
Dormont begins campaign against chairs for parking spaces
FOR THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Dormont’s police department has declared war on chairs.
Dormont residents who are leaving chairs to ensure parking spaces are saved will find their chairs tagged today and picked up Wednesday, Police Chief Phil Ross said.
“I understand if you spent four hours digging yourself out you tend to get a little possessive,” said Ross, appearing at Monday’s council meeting. He said the department has been tolerant during the past three weeks due to the severe weather conditions. Recently, however, when officers put the chairs on the sidewalk, the residents later stuck the chairs back in the parking spaces.
“Maybe they thought kids were doing it,” Ross said. “The parking spaces belong to everybody and nobody.”
After the pick-up, the chairs will be left near the Dumpster by the salt pile at Banksville Plaza.
Not too long ago, I wrote to the maker’s of Totino’s Pizza Rolls(which I soon discovered was Pillsbury/General Mills) to ask about microwave cooking times for quantities of more than the reccommended 6 at a time. The answer seemed to be pretty vague, as most corporate replies are. Of course, I was determined to ask further questions — goaded onward by many of you here and on other places around the ‘net. Here’s where I’d like to share my reply to them, and of course their latest response. Thanks to Dave again for the editing help here!
from ERiC AiXeLsyD world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.com to Corporate.Response@genmills.com; Pillsbury@emails.pillsbury.com date Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 2:39 PM subject Re: Your Response From “Pillsbury” – 2010/02/12-0715 XTB mailed-by gmail.com
Hello Ms. Boyd,
Thank you for the quick and thorough response! (Apologies if the “Ms.” should be a “Mr.”, I know the name Tracy can go either way!) In reading your response, I have a few more questions, and perhaps a proposal for your consideration. I do enjoy the quickness/convenience of cooking in the microwave versus using a conventional oven. Perhaps I should learn to use the toaster oven as a compromise?
The first thought brought to mind was that perhaps I may be doing something wrong. The instructions say to arrange the rolls in a circle on a plate. Would this be “in a circle” like spokes of a wheel, or “in a circle” like covered wagons circling around weary travelers? I haven’t ever really put much thought into it until now, thinking I may perhaps be doing it wrong as there is no picture on the box to illustrate.
I’m somewhat confused as to the 8 pizza rolls for 45 seconds, as the recommended time for 6 rolls is (I believe) 55 seconds. Typically, I go for 1:05 so that the middle isn’t still cold. I’m also aware that all microwaves are different, and may vary, so I accept that my microwave is behind the curve, if you will. I will have to try 8 rolls at a time, and may even venture into as of yet uncharted 10 or 12 roll at a time territory. I know this may be a cavalier attitude, but it’s just how I roll. (Pun intended.) I will take into consideration that it has been “highly suggested” that I cook more than 8 in a conventional oven.
Along these same lines, I’m fascinated that no more than 8 rolls at a time have been put into the microwave at once in your test kitchens. Is this really the case, or have trials involving more than 8 rolls at a time manifested disastrous results? Is there some sort of moratorium on adventurous cooking? I know that if I had access to a bunch of pizza rolls, and a bunch of microwave ovens… I’d feel it was my duty to push past the ambit of acceptability into the realm of ridiculousness.
I have bounced my ideas off of a few like-minded individuals, and we are prepared to do a public service by testing Totino’s pizza rolls in varying quantities, cooking times, and microwave ovens while making video and statistical documentation of the results. I have safety goggles, a food thermometer, hot pads, a video camera on loan, and, obviously, a microwave oven. The only thing that we require now would be copious amounts of pizza rolls.
While I’m guessing that you’re not officially able to get behind such a study, would you be able to provide coupons for the pizza rolls, or perhaps donate them altogether? Certainly the prospect of someone embarking upon new microwave cooking frontiers would be exciting not only to you, but to the scientists/chefs/technicians in your test kitchens. We would, of course, be more than happy to share all of our results, which you in turn would be able to use (or ignore) at your discretion.
I would like to thank you for your time and continued correspondence. I truly appreciate the fact that Pillsbury/General Mills takes the time to respond to its consumers’ web inquiries with real emails from real people.
Respectfully Yours,
-Eric Aixelsyd
I thought that was a pretty straight-forward email with some easily answered questions & an interesting proposal. Apparently I crossed the ridiculousness line for Ms./Mr./Mrs. Boyd, though. I don’t know why, but I read the following response with the “not amused” tone.
from Corporate.Response@genmills.com to world.and.lunar.domination@gmail.com date Tue, Mar 2, 2010 at 6:47 PM subject Your Response From “Pillsbury” – 2010/03/02-5183 XTB mailed-by genmills.com
Hello Mr. Aixelsyd:
Thank you for contacting Pillsbury with your inquiry.
In regards to your question, we have not tested for more than 8 pizza rolls at a time.
If you wish to try this, it would be at your discretion. Please note that when adding more products into a microwave to cook ( ie 16 pizza rolls instead of 8 ) and trying to adjust the cooking temperature will not harm the safety of the product, but may change the quality, such as hardening of the crust or uneven cooking, etc.
As a one time good will gesture, we will send some cents off certificates in which you should receive within 20 business days.
We hope you find this information helpful. Please let us know if we can help you again.
Thank you,
Tracy Boyd
Customer Care Specialist
Coupons! Nice. This will be a long 20 business days. I can’t believe that they’re actually sending coupons. I wonder what the amount will be? I have to do the testing now. I have officially gone past the point of no return. I must complete this absurd task… and I must do it right the first time. I’m assuming that “one time good will gesture” means that they’ve had enough of my shenanigans.
So, they definitely have not tested more than 8 at a time in the microwave. Why? I know I would. You know you would. Hopefully, with the help of my esteemed colleagues, we will remedy this situation. The world will know the limits of pizza rolls in the microwave.
Interestingly, my question about pizza roll circle placement went wholly ignored, as did the more personal inquisition as to Tracy’s gender. Not that the second one matters, but perhaps it iw what pushed the button. The circle question was quite important, though. I’m surprised that there’s no drawing on the box/bag. There are certainly illustrations out there for much more obvious sets of directions.
I can only imagine what went through his/her head as she read the “wagon wheels” line. Ha ha ha.
So, this leaves us wondering…
How did they know that safety would not be an issue but the quality would degrade if they didn’t do any testing past the magic 8?
Seriously, now… Does “in a circle” mean like spokes of a wheel, or like circling covered wagons?
Is Tracy a man or a woman?
Luckily, Tracy said “Please let us know if we can help you again.” I believe that we do again need some help. Is another reply in order here, or do we just save it for inclusion with our test results?
In all seriousness, this is my book of choice… before bed, to relax, while waiting for something, and of course on the throne. I love how they’re broken down into short segments of information… sometimes in story form, sometimes like a nice little history lesson, always with a touch of humor.
May times I have leared about something in a Bathroom Reader, then gone right to Google & Wikipedia or the bookstore to learn more. I highly recommend these books!
I thought I was going to have to learn to knit, but my wife Bethany has volunteered to step in and take over the knitting. Not that I’d mind learning to knit if I could turn out awesome hats like this…
How freakin’ awesome is that hat? Seriously. It’ll have to go into rotation with the Misfits, Flogging Molly, & Pens ones that I’m always sporting in cold weather.
Well, only Troy & Dave participated in the “I need a whole new level of participation” request in regards to the McReadverspamtiesemntply letter/coupon… and really only Troy made a graph. But, I said I’d leave it to a vote… so I will. Apologies that it’s later than I said it would happen… but then again, there can’t be many people hanging on the edge of their seats waiting for the results, as no one else participated. Ha ha ha.
I have also recently received a coupon for a free McCafé Coffee be cause I re-tweeted something on Twitter at the right time. I’ll throw that in for the winner too… even thought, they submitted on the 1st page, and not on the actual contest page.
Can I get you to vote for a winner here?
It’s set to end voting next Friday, so pimp this out to all your friends & relatives.
Thanks guys. When a winner is declared, if you can email or PM or Facebook me a mailing address, I’ll get you your coupons!
World (and Lunar) Domination 