archives: January 2009

Freeze

January 29th, 2009 @ 8:40 pm | Comments (0)
Filed: Uncategorized | Tags:

When the all-call came out for a company-wide state of the union meeting, I knew things were bad. As the CEO went through cost savings measures being implemented, one of the first things on the list was a salary freeze - no raises for this year. As I mentally composed a ranting blog post, I thumbed through unread messages on my BlackBerry and learned a rock star on the Philly PR scene was just laid off.

It could be much, much worse than not making 2.5 percent more.

Mouseconomics

January 21st, 2009 @ 7:08 pm | Comments (2)
Filed: Pomdering | Tags: , , , ,

I’m certainly no economist, in fact I got a D in my college economics course. But even I have a pretty clear view of what “Corporate America” can do to improve the situation in which we currently find ourselves.

For example, Disney just released it sent buyout offers to 600 park executives.

In a letter dated January 22, Disney told employees it needed to streamline its executive work force “at all levels” to reduce its cost structure.

Disney is sad because park attendance is down and is only rebounding because of deeply discounted Disney World stays. Do you know how much a one-day ticket costs? Seventy-five dollars ($75). That’s $300 for a family of four (adults older than 10). Perhaps if you didn’t have to sell a minor organ to enter the magical gates, more people could afford to visit Cinderella’s castle. Perhaps you would make more money if  1,000 people visit your park and paid $50 a day ($50,000) rather than 500 people at $75 ($37,500). I’m just sayin’. (I know there are additonal factors like increased workforce, blah blah, but seriously? Tell me there’s not a little corporate greed behind those admission prices.)

Furthermore, if Disney can do away with 600 executive-level positions, why did it have 600 executive-level positions in the first place? Could they have paid 600 people a more modest salary without a fancy title. (PS - Charlie Gibson, who works for ABC, part of the Disney Company, earns $8 million a year according to Wikipedia.)

On Friday night, as I sat in my sister’s hospital room, I had the pleasure of watching Brian Williams announce that GE, the parent company of NBC, laid off 1,000. Don’t get me wrong, I love Brian Williams; he works hard, reads well and was darn funny on SNL. But is he really worth $8 million a year (his 2007 salary according to IMDB)? Could they maybe cut his salary and save a few blue collar jobs? I would stop watching him just because he only makes $4 million, promise.

America’s enthusiastic about the new direction in which the government is moving. I hope that corporate America’s prepared to ride the same train (or atleast carpool. Let’s not get me started on American cars.).

Baby Blayne

January 18th, 2009 @ 3:50 pm | Comments (4)
Filed: My glamourous life | Tags: , ,

Blayne Steven

Meet Blayne Steven.

My newest nephew arrived late Thursday night and I was waiting in the hospital lobby when he popped out.

“Popped out” literally describes what he did - the medical professionals hypothesized he dropped so fast he smacked his face on my sister’s hips. His face was one big bruise and at some point his clavicle broke.

It’s hard not to compare brothers but the differences are so obvious. Where Dylan a blond haired, blue eyed pretty boy, Blayne is shaping up to be tall, dark and handsome. He weighed more than a pound more than Dylan and is two inches taller. And Blayne’s ears are way smaller.

“Can they make a blanket that feels just like this?” my youngest sister asked while nuzzling Blayne’s downy head. The satiny smoothness of a baby’s head is one of the best textures in the world.

(PS - I keep calling him Blake. Oops.)

It DOES Pay to Discover

January 15th, 2009 @ 12:45 pm | Comments (4)
Filed: My glamourous life, Philly | Tags: , ,

Dear Discover Card,

I love you. Thank you for siding with me on the recent dispute I filed against the horrible transmission company that took my money and manhandled my car. Want to make out?

XOXO,

Pom

In my farewell to 2008, I forgot about the horror of dealing with my car’s transmission. I never believe my car was properly fixed, but a return trip to the transmission shop and a test drive by my father let me believe that it would be OK. The car still didn’t feel right and the gas mileage was in the toilet. I made an appointment at my favorite neighborhood repair shop for a tune up and Al said I only needed new spark plugs, the rest of the motor looked fine. For shits and giggles, he decided to take a look at my transmission. And then he said we needed to talk.

I paid to have my transmission rebuilt but Al said they just squirted in a bunch of silicon and spray painted a tray or pan or something. Basically, they did a $200 job and charged me $1,800. And Art still wouldn’t give back the $1,000 deposit he said he never received it in his bank account.

After Al and I talked, I tried repeatedly to call the transmission shop - no answer. I was fed up! I disputed both charges - the “deposit” and the repair bill.

Today I logged on to assess the damage from my holiday shopping and voila! Discover approved the dispute and credited my account $2,800.

Halle-freakin’-lujah.

According to Al, my car is a time bomb waiting to explode. I’ve been looking around for a new car and think I’ve settled on a Toyota Corolla but I’m interested to hear your opinion. Love it, hate it? Have another car you wholeheartedly endorse? Comments welcome!

It’s an honor to be nominated(?)

January 14th, 2009 @ 12:30 am | Comments (0)
Filed: My glamourous life | Tags:

I had to attend an interpersonal communications class last year during which I learned I have a personality classification that equates to needing to tell the world everything.

Given all that’s going on in my family, it’s been hard for me to not talk to people about it. It’s how I deal with stuff - talking. It doesn’t help that I’m the only single person in my family - everyone else has a significant other to unload on. Meanwhile, I only have my friends and coworkers (and random people who ask how my day is) to talk me through the drama.

Slynnro recently held a contest to determine which reader has either received the worst holiday gift or the worst/most ridiculous/hilarious family behavior on a holiday story. She just posted the finalists and I’m one of them!

So, if you have a minute, will you please click over and vote for my tale of woe? I just love her summary of the story. It’s really too bad I wasn’t blogging during Christmas 2007. I would have gotten so many posts from it.

Vote Pom!

(Dear Lord, please don’t let my family find this blog. They hate that I’m a talker.)

ROY J BIV?

January 12th, 2009 @ 6:28 pm | Comments (8)
Filed: Cows | Tags:

I’m at the great Farm Show here in the Keystone State until Friday. When not noshing on delicious milkshakes, fried mushrooms, potato donuts, Mozzarella cubes, sweet potatoes, mushroom soup, or tons of other fattening foods I have yet to discover, I have to do a little work.

Our booth allows kids (of all ages!) to “adopt” Cammie the calf and follow her life on our Web site. When helping one little boy fill out his adoption paperwork, I asked him what color his marker was.

“John Deere,” he mumbled into his shoulder.

That’s green for all you non-farmers.

Choosing Wine is Easier

January 7th, 2009 @ 4:30 pm | Comments (3)
Filed: Uncategorized | Tags: ,

“I’m getting a Blackberry next year,” I said at a family Christmas party.

“What’s that? A wine?” said my farmer father.

I have 10 minutes to choose either a Motorola Q or a BlackBerry Curve. What would you do?

If it helps you decide, I don’t think they’ll let me get the Curve in pink.

Was Jessie with him?

January 6th, 2009 @ 11:07 pm | Comments (1)
Filed: Celebrities, I heart TV, Philly | Tags: ,

To quote Legally Blonde: The Musical, “OhMyGod you guys!” Slater, aka Mario Lopez, was in Philly yesterday and he ate lunch directly below my office.

The trials and tribulations of the gang at Bayside High were a huge part of my adolescence. Every Saturday morning, I cheered Slater delivered Mrs. B’s baby, was so-so-so scared when Jessie got hooked on energy pills, and (spoiler alert!) cried when Kelly and Zack got married. I was thisclose to meeting a childhood crush - had I gone out during lunch, I might have run into him on the street.

The article that recounts Lopez’s time in Philly raises a few questions:

  • I haven’t worked out in WEEKS! For I am a lazy, lazy slacker. But when i do workout, I prefer the climated controlled environment of the gym. It’s just too dang cold outside to run - it makes my nose and lungs hurt. Do you run outside in the old (or heat - who wants to sweat MORE?)?
  • Have you conquered the Art Museum steps? I’ve lived here for two years and haven’t yet. Boo! Must put that on my list of things to do in 2009.
  • Is Buddakan all it’s cracked up to be?
  • Can the 10! Show afford the Four Seasons? If so, how do I become a guest? And will they pay for me to spend the night 6 miles from my house? (Especially when I live within a mile of the studio.)
  • Who do you think is going to be in the Super Bowl this year? Do you care?
  • And most importantly: Zack, Slater or Screech?

Don’t let it hit you

January 1st, 2009 @ 9:56 pm | Comments (5)
Filed: My glamourous life | Tags:

“There’s the door, leave your letters,” was a common refrain from one of my bitchiest sorority sisters when drama stirred in the house. If you didn’t see things her way, she wouldn’t miss you.

Well, 2008, there’s the door. You were a tough one, weren’t you? While I’m grateful that I’m still gainfully employed and have some money in the bank, there were low moments which overshadowed any high points.

The Good

  • I continued to lose weight, and until the recent Christmas eating binge, I’ve lost almost 70 pounds since I started my healthier lifestyle in February 2006.
  • I have the cutest, sweetest nephew.
  • I’m going to be an aunt again in 2009, twice.
  • My sister got a really cute puppy.
  • I went on a couple of trips to fun new cities: San Antonio in January, Portland, Maine, in June. And a few return trips to Chicago.
  • Awesome new friends made through this little space on the Internet. Thank you for your support and kindness.

The Bad

  • The downward spiral that is my sister’s life. From leaving her husband to getting pregnant days later, I’ve let the drama consume my thoughts. But it won’t in 2009. It can’t.
  • My sister’s brother-in-law died in a car accident. I spent a lot of time with his family over the holidays and they’re hurting so much. I think it’s because he lived several hours away and wasn’t home much that it doesn’t feel like he’s really gone. I look at pictures - of him in his new Mustang, at the wedding, at a Penn State game - and can’t believe that he’s not going to be in pictures in April when our niece or nephew is born.
  • I’ve had to reevaluate a few friendships. It’s damn hard to feel and see yourself growing apart from your best friends.

As we start off on the journey through 2009 I wish you and yours all the best for a happy, healthy, prosperous year. May all the right doors remain open for you.