Apparently the newest annoying word for some time away is Babymoon. It’s better than Daycation or Staycation, but still annoying. The word is annoying, but the actual time away isn’t. With the impending arrival getting closer and closer, many online pregnancy-related websites & email lists suggest taking a babymoon. This goes especially for first time parents, as a nice little last fling before all of your apparent freedoms disappear.
We decided a while ago that a nice little getaway to a cabin would be the way to go. We have been tent camping at Forest Ridge Cabins and Campgrounds before, but had never tried out the cabins. They always looked quite inviting. The campground itself is always clean, and the owners are quite hospitable. The prices are competitive with other places that we checked out online, and really quite affordable. Important for the babymoon aspect, it’s not that far away. Cabins are our thing now I guess… since we honeymooned in one in Gatlinburg, TN. It all just seemed to make sense.
We booked the date a while ago, assuming that since it was spring we’d have a nice warm weekend. It was a nice weekend, but there was about 5 inches of snow on the ground, and the temperature never got much above freezing.
We stayed in the Allegheny cabin, and it was warm & cozy inside. We brought along some DVD‘s, cooked some s’mores (with peanut butter cups) around the campfire, and just had a nice relaxing weekend. The kitchen was stocked with all kinds of cookware and utensils, we made a nice steak dinner on Saturday. I also made a friend in Oliver, one of the campground cats. He strolled up as I was waiting for the last log to burn out on the campfire, then followed me up on the porch to hang out a but on top of the hot tub cover. He liked to look in the window at us, then look away when he saw that we were looking at him.
I think we’ve decided that Forest Ridge is “our place” as far as camping when we’re not going camping at Living Waters.
Check out Forest Ridge on Facebook, Twitter, & Yelp, and check out some of our photos…
I’ll tell you what, for all the customer service and food service that I do complain about… one place stands out as incredible. Every time I’m at a Five Guys Burgers and Fries no matter the location, they are fully staffed… everyone is doing a job & doing it quickly & efficiently with a rather pleasant look on their face. They communicate with each other quite well. The employees seem to be having fun while getting their job done, and they seem to take pride in what they do. I can only assume they pay much better than the average fast food joint, or just know how to delegate responsibilities evenly & know how to treat employees. I was in the one in Robinson when they got SLAMMED at lunch time today, and they put more people on registers, and worked down an ridiculously large amount of people in a short time. It helps that they only have burgers & the occasional hot dog as a menu item I’m sure, but it still is pretty impressive.
I’ll tell you what…
I should take a video of 10 minutes in a Five Guys and 10 minutes in this damn McDonald’s on West Liberty Ave. and compare how they’re run. McDonald’s employees are slow, confused, careless, and sometimes even slovenly. Five Guys employees seem to be the exact opposite on every front.
I’ve been to several locations, the Waterworks, Murrysville, Robinson, and Greensburg… and they’ve all been run with the same efficiency, pleasantness, and extreme cleanliness. I just think it ought to be said that it’s noticed by the customers, and they need to keep doing what they’re doing.
Of course, I’m very aware of food allergies, and peanuts are a big thing at Five Guys. This seems to get a bunch of flack, but they do take allergies seriously. The peanut-allergic have to accept it just like I accept that being allergic to shellfish, I’m not going to get a safe meal at Red Lobster. It’s OK. There are many many places to dine & choices to make. I’m glad that I have Five Guys as a choice. I’ve heard that they are excellent in handling a dairy allergy. Just check out the comments in the image above to the right. I see the allergy warnings on the door as a very responsible thing to do.
Even after all that… the burgers are just absolutely delicious. I tend to get a bacon cheeseburger with A1 and green peppers… sometimes even mushrooms. The french fries are almost as awesome as Kennywood’s Potato Patch fries, and that’s hard to do. The ingredients are always fresh, the burgers always cooked perfectly. One of these days I want to try a hot dog… but I can never get past the burgers. Maybe a little burger & a hot dog will have to do some day? I don’t even know if I can handle that. I’m glad I don’t live too close to one of these places, I’d be there way too often.
I hope to send a link to this to Five Guys, just to tell them that I appreciate what they’re doing, and to keep on doing it. Customers can see and appreciate that the employees are enjoying what they do, and doing it well. It does make a difference.
This is my letter to anyone within the Sprint, HTC, and Android organizations who will listen to my plea for an actual quick and final solution to my phone problem…
✉
Hello,
I’m writing to inform you of a problem that I’ve had with Sprintcustomer service, HTC‘s hardware, and Android‘s operating system. I’m not sure what kind of answer or resolution I’m looking for. I just feel the need to tell someone or everyone how unacceptable Sprint’s service (or lack thereof) has been lately as related to multiple HTC or Android errors.
It started about two weeks ago, shortly after I applied the latest update as prompted by the phone. My original HTC EVO 4G LTE purchased only in September started going crazy. The screen would freeze, become slow or completely unresponsive. It would eventually load a screen that looked like TV static… only not moving. Naturally, I took it to the Sprint store. They also tried to blame the problem on various apps and settings. They did a soft rest, a hard reset, and even apparently looked up the problem on the internet. I had to leave my phone overnight and pick it up the next day. Well, the next day I was given a new or refurbished phone. The store employee said he couldn’t tell if it was new or refurbished. He said it might be new because the phone itself was rather new and they might not have refurbs yet. I find it hard to believe he couldn’t tell a new phone from a refurbished one.
So, after updating the new phone, reinstalling some apps, and setting everything up the way I had it on the old one… I started to notice a minor annoyance. If I opened a browser link through Facebook, email, or Twitter it would immediately close after it fully loaded. I took it to the Sprint store that Saturday morning. Again, they did the soft & hard resets, and tried to blame it on an App. They changed some settings in the phone that were telling the phone to look for a 4G network. When I went back in after leaving the store & running into the browser-closing problem again… The next guy changed that setting back and told me that I shouldn’t have changed it… and wouldn’t listen when I told him the last guy had just changed it. Oddly enough, I was told that the 4G network would be in the area by January when I purchased the 4G phone. When I told the person helping me at the Sprint store that I was told that… he says they were never given a timeline. Is lying part of your training as a Sprint customer service representative or sales person? What about intimidation and making someone feel like they’re not using their phone properly?
I was persuaded out of getting a 2nd replacement phone. I was told to delete all of my apps, add them back one by one to see which was causing the problem. The browser-closing problem was happening even without any added apps. Now it was shutting the phone off each time the browser crashed. I can assure you that I’m not an idiot when it comes to technology. I was told I was part of a percentage of HTC users that were having a similar problem, and that a replacement phone could potentially have the same issues… and to wait for HTC to make the next update. So, the solution was to wait?
My phone has taken to shutting itself off all week at random intervals. I can be talking on the phone, using Facebook, or not even be near the phone. It just shuts itself off. It comes back on, and I send HTC an error report. Where do these error reports go? Do they do any good? Is anyone working on the problem? Is this an HTC problem, or an Android problem?
Well, I waited a week. This Saturday I went back to the Sprint store, looking for a replacement phone. I work on the road & I have a pregnant wife. I need my phone to be functioning properly all the time. Again, we went through the hard reset option, and my apps were blamed. “Unfortunately Android is an open system” they said. “It must be a bug.” What about this mysterious problem that a certain percentage of HTC users had encountered? (I wish I could remember the percentage, I was told 10% or 20%, I believe.) A week has gone by with an apparently large bug issue, and nothing has been done about it?
All clean!
I was advised to install the Lookout app. I guess that app’s OK. I was told it would hunt out any apps that were messing up my phone. So, another thing to add to my monthly bill… Of course it’s not free or a one-time fee. As I tried to download & install Lookout, my phone shut itself off. I handed it to the woman assisting me, and it shut off for her again. She took it back to the technician. Again. Their advice was to run this app, and hope for the best.
Upon walking out of the store, I ran the app & it found no problems with any of my installed apps. I went back into the store, and this time they decided to put in a “ticket” for a replacement phone. I really have to wait again? A phone may be in by Tuesday. Again, I will have to re-download my apps, re-import my contacts, put all of my settings back. This will be the 5th time within the span of three weeks.
I left the store hoping to go on about my day, & my phone went into some “HD media link” video after hanging up on my wife in the middle of a conversation where I was expressing to her my exasperation with the entire situation. I went back to the store asking for the next level of solution. An entirely new phone? I’m not eligible for anything other than the ridiculously outrageous full prices because I’m not eligible for a new phone, or wouldn’t be singing up for a new line. I have been a Sprint customer for over 10 years. You would think that would carry some sort of weight. You would think I could “split the difference” in purchasing a new phone with some kind of discount. You would think a quick affordable solution would be offered instead of feigned apologies & being told to wait. I feel like I might as well have been talking to the brick wall in front of the store. It would have offered the same resolutions & peace of mind.
The early termination fees are the moral equivalent of extortion. I am tempted to move all five lines in our plan to another carrier. For what we pay for 5 lines total per month, you’d think Sprint would like to keep us happy. Once all the 2 year limits are up (and they’ll all be happening around the same time), we will be moving to another carrier. I know that Verizon has better signal/coverage in our area anyway.
I think that HTC and Android may find it interesting that Sprint employees routinely verbally (pardon the expression) shit all over the hardware, firmware, software & apps before any diagnosis is even made. Perhaps you ought to review your arrangements with how Sprint “supports” your products.
HTC ought to be a little more transparent as to where the error reports go… and maybe perhaps respond to them? Let someone know that you’re working on the issue. Maybe let Sprint or other carriers know if you’re having a major issue or if you get 10+ error reports from the same phone in one day.
If anyone can offer a solution or explanation that doesn’t throw another entity under the proverbial bus, I’d love to hear it. I just wanted to let everyone involved see how poorly their products & services are being represented. Writing this & eventually blogging it will hopefully be therapeutic. It’s an added bonus if it helps bring to light a seemingly never-ending careless customer service loop, and even better if it gets something resolved.
Thank you for your time in reading of my misadventures, I hope to hear your thoughts.
I’ve posted advice for existing and aspiring bands before, and I thought this email from a pro would be useful. It was sparked when I saw his Facebook status the other day: “Great way to start the day: my favorite venue in the country complimented my email skills in contacting them to booking a date. It’s the highest praise I could hope for.”
The status went on to some comments & basically the author said he’d share the knowledge with those who cared to learn. I asked if I could post it in a blog, and here we have it. If you’re in a band on any level, pay heed to the advice below.
As far as background on Bengt, he’s in a band (& been in many), he records bands, he’s booked bands, and he’s generally been in every part of the scene. He knows what he’s talking about.
Action Camp
On to the advice & the guest part of this guest post:
♪♫♩♬♩♫♪
Alright, so here is what we usually send like 99% of the time. There always a bit of customization but this is the basic format:
1. Greeting, name the booker if you know it (usually listed on indieonthemove.com or their website)
2. Band name (with a link to the website), genre, location.
3. Date(s) requested in bold. They love that, it makes it easier read. If you can swing 3-5 dates that’s best, it gives them room. Do them a favor and check the website for those dates first, they appreciate that a ton. Also make sure to follow their booking procedure to the T. A lot of places have a specific way they like to work (Facebook message, Sonicbids, email format, etc). If you do it right it shows you listened so you’re already at the top of the pile.
Also, if another band that’s played there before suggested it, tell them so. It’s like introducing yourself to anyone else and starting with saying you have a mutual friend. It’s a job reference.
4. Links to music, video, press – let them decide if they want to book you. The more you talk about how awesome you are and why you should be booked, the more they think you probably suck and are trying to gloss over it. It’s like handing someone your demo and saying it’s not your best work.
5. If you played there or in the city before tell them. If you know what you drew and stuff be honest, they love that.
6. Offer to help build the bill, and specifically name bands you know or have contacted already.
7. Thanks in advance, Thanks for your time, etc.
8. ALL of your contact info including phone numbers. It shows you are easy to reach and you have your shit together.
One final thing: DON’T say someone famous produced your record, quote random blog reviews, list facebook or twitter numbers, anything like that. No one cares about that if they know what their doing in the working touring circuit. Steve Albini producing your record won’t make 100 people come out in Dayton on a Monday night, and facebook and twitter followers are ostensibly your imaginary friends that only you can see. Plus, even you have 4,000 people odds are only 10 of them are near the venue you are trying to book.
We are Action Camp, an art rock duo from Pittsburgh, PA.
We’re looking to see if you have Friday February 15th or Saturday the 16th available to book in the Revival Room – both look open on your calendar but I wasn’t sure if you would do a full house those nights. Our music is pretty different from what’s going on those nights so I’m not concerned about audience bleed over. This would be our 4th time to Southgate, 7th time in 3 years in the Cininnati/Newport scene. We know plenty of bands so we’d throw a bill together with 2 or 3 locals to help support.
If these are unavailable I’d love to work something out in the future. Southgate was/is by far our favorite venue on tour, I can only assume the new house is great. Sincerely, I (Bengt) booked a venue in Pittsburgh, and based many of my practices on the way SGH was run by Rick and his crew.
Previous dates:
Parlour 10/1/2010 (Gallery Opening, free show, 100+ attending)
Parlour 1/2/2010 (w/ Duppy a Jamba, 97 paid)
Parlour Summer 2009 (Flux Capacitors last show, well attended, don’t have stats)
Our most recent dates in the area were both in Cincinnati:
12/8/2012 The Comet Cincinnati, OH (100+, free show)
7/5/2012 Sitwells Coffeehouse Cincinnati, OH (smaller acoustic show, last minute add on tour)
Thanks in advance, can’t wait to see the new place,
So that’s it, pretty simple. Just be honest and to the point. I also should point out that this was 1 of 10 venues we emailed on Christmas, and he got back just a day later with this response:
“Thanks for writing. Those dates aren’t announced yet, but they are spoken for. How about Wed Feb 13, or Sun Feb 17?
“PS – very well done email, especially listing previous show turnouts. You’re way ahead of the curve on that one, and it did persuade me to jump on this, and get you in!”
I always email every venue that would work for us in a city, it’s better to have choices than no show at all.
So, there you have it. Got it? Good. Doing research in advance before you ask for dates seems like a no-brainer, but apparently it needs to be said. I guess some bands naturally put more thought into stuff.
I’m not sure how you’d approach this if you had no previous gigs in an area… perhaps we can get Bengt to comment further for new bands, first time tours, etc.?
So the other night while dining at Panera Bread, I was talking to my wife about guitars… and how I want a USA map shaped guitar painted like an old map with the pastel blue, yellow, green, & pink (red?) states. Then, I said I needed 3 more guitars to have an “even” 13 by the year 2013. With 13 being my favorite number… and us having a baby in 2013, it seemed like a good idea. She laughed and rolled her eyes. I said I could set up a Facebook page & get a million likes then she’d have to let me buy 3 more guitars. She said that a million was too many, & suggested 13,000.
Like all good jokes, I took it too far & started a page. Can I get 13,o00 likes by 2013 so I can add 3 more guitars to my collection? I need 13 in ’13!
So, spread the link if you’re so inclined… and we’ll see if I can get 1300, let alone 13,000.
It’s a great article, soiled by crude comments (as are many things found on the internet). I’ve already shown my support by simply being a patron, been “vocal” about my support in blog form, and via comments. I’d like to add some more thoughts here.
Captain committed some illegal acts. He was arrested, sentenced, and served his time. In the eyes of the law, he’s paid his due. It should be settled there, but some of you apparently don’t agree. You look for further condemnation for whatever reasons… a perceived higher moral standard, some internal guilt, jealousy if you felt you’ve ever been punished too harshly for something, or just plain anger.
Captain has put it all out there. He’s admitted guilt, apologized to his family & the community, and he’s ready to move on. You can take the high road, and let him move past this & give him room to prove that he’s worthy of forgiveness.
Mainly, my whole message here is about forgiveness. It’s a simple thing to think about, and to talk about…but it can be extremely difficult to ask for or to give. It doesn’t matter what the situation may be. It doesn’t matter if it’s serious or simple. It does no one any good to hold on to anger or any sort of grudge or agenda.
Most major religions teach forgiveness. I believe there’s a dual purpose outside of the divine. When you find it within yourself to drop the urge to pass judgement and forgive someone, a great weight is lifted off of you. You can physically feel it if your anger or resentment is strong enough. Try it. Let go of the negative. It doesn’t do anyone any good. Leave judgement to the authorities and ultimately whatever higher power you subscribe to.
We can’t condone what he did, but it does take a lot of guts to stand up and apologize to the community for embarrassing it. Hopefully he is able to give back to Dormont in a way that would atone for his crimes more than probation or jailtime ever could.
An enlightened sentiment, eloquently stated.
To end on a light note… Johnny Cash was all about forgiving and rehabilitation… all those prison concerts. Who are we to argue with Johnny Cash?
So, this past weekend, I finally got a chance to work on customizing my New York Pro, I thought I’d get a bunch of it done all at one time. Well, I hit a roadblock or two as I was taking it all apart. (Of course.)
Once I got my work bench set up on the basement, taking everything apart was quite easy. I just took out all the hardware, and when I went to line up the new pickguard, it didn’t fit. It’s really close, but it doesn’t fit. I’m going to have to file or cut or sand or Dremel or some combination of all of the above.
It’s not the same…
The holes in the pickguard aren’t going to lineup with the screws, either. I’m going to have to maybe 2-sided tape it in place to mark all the holes once I get it cut right. I have no experience taking apart guitars, but it’s odd that the neck doesn’t fit “perfectly” into the body. There’s a weird gap there. It’s also easy to tell (now) that the old pickguard has been cut. There are some other spots where it doesn’t quite line up. I hope I don’t have to route anything out where the pickups go. I got them all from the same place, so I hope not.
Also, I thought I was taking the neck plate off… but it wasn’t having it:
That’s supposed to come off when you take the screws out…
Help?
It’s stuck. I feel like it’s glued on or was put on before the stain dried? I bought all black hardware, including a neck plate. Should I try to get this one off, or just let it go? I even tried to pop it off using a screwdriver through the 5th larger hole… all to no avail.
Any advice on that one?
If you’re interested in checking out my progress, take a look at the Photobucket album that’s my attempt to chronicle the whole thing. (Or, sit through this slideshow…)
Well, you probably know I like barbecue. I’m a big fan, and I’m always willing to try out new places. Well, new places that don’t have shrimp or other deathfish on the menu. I’ve scoped out the web sites three places I haven’t tried… perhaps they’re rather new? Can anyone tell me if they’ve been to any of these places & what they think? (Or if they have any stuff on site that’s not listed on the online menu?)
Perhaps, like movie nights, I can organize a Pittsburgh (& surrounding area) BBQ tour? Would anyone be interested?
I’d like to check out the following BBQ restaurants…
World (and Lunar) Domination 