Monday, June 19, 2006

Cloud

This is me trying to blog with my phone, very exciting huh!

A cloud - Phone Blogging...

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Catified: Another View

Catified

My friend Amy's office on her last day at TEC. It was my going away present those pictures are cats. Did I mention she hates cats?

Saturday, June 10, 2006

All Aboard... My first experiences on Amtrak.

Besides having to wake up at 5:20 am on a Saturday, to catch 6:05 am train it wasn't that bad. I boarded the train in Lapeer. I paid for my ticket "on the train," sort of. I had to get off the train in Flint and pay at the ticket window. The good news is the train did wait for me to reboard. The ride was pleasant. We stopped quite a few times in Michigan, however once we got past Flint I have to admit I was asleep. I woke up in Kalamazoo. The last stop was in Dowagiac, then from there we went directly to Chicago. I really found it to be a relaxing ride. I made one trip to the dinning car for a coffee. I enjoyed looking out the window at the countryside, I know the I-94 trip to Chicago by heart, it was nice to change it up a litte. We arrived to Chicago 10 minutes. As I was riding the train, I found myself a big fan, despite the ticket debockle earlier in the week. I will take Amtrak again. I think it would be a fun way to travel this summer, since I have a lot of time off. I am not sure it's the way to go if you are in a hurry, but its definately a great way to see the countryside. stay tuned for my next trip by rail in the states.

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Troubles with the Amtrak and I haven't even boarded the train...

Here is the skinny. I called Amtrak on Tuesday for the Chicago ticket. The woman I talke to told me if I wanted my triple A discount it would cost me $12 to have it shipped to my house, since Lapeer doesn't have a ticket booth. I said well that doesn't make since because it would end up being more expensive than the $42 ticket without the discount. I will take that one. She than told me I couldn't, because I couldn't buy that ticket until later in the week. So I said, ok i will call back. Now never having taken Amtrak, I was unaware that the price would go up, I know that sounds silly, but the lady made me feel like it was just something that made since. So I try to buy my ticket today and now the price is $60. I talk to the ticket agent and she says, sorry lady you are an idoit (not in so many words) but I can't do anything for you, then she transfers me to a customer service agent, to whom she had already told my story, who told me sorry lady there is nothing we can do. I was like look here, I would have bought this on Tuesday, but the lady told me I couldn't. She never mentioned to me that I could have gone somewhere to buy the ticket. I told them I understand if you can't give me the $42 price but you can at least meet me somewhere in the middle, perhaps by giving me my triple A discount. I was told that they were sorry, but all they could do was sell me the $60 ticket, I said no thanks.

Then I have Bruce, the smooth talker, call. And of course he gets them to change their tune and they agreed to give me the $42 dollar ticket. Its frustrating, but at least I got my way. But if this is any indication about how this trip is going to go, I am in for big trouble. stay tuned.

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

The Apprentice

TiVo and I have reunited tonight after a little break. Tonight I watched the series finale of the Apprentice, I was glad to have it on TiVo, because I watched much in fast forward. It was ok, I was pleased with the outcome, but bored with much of the show. Plus how many Pontiac commercials can they fit into one show for the love of GOD!

Tonight I was going to go running tonight instead I decided to nap and watch Apprentice. I am feeling guilty about not running. But I am not feeling well with my decision because frankly it was disappointing.

On another note I am taking the train to Chicago this weekend, I am excited, I have never taken Amtrak anywhere. I will be sure to report on the experience.

Monday, June 05, 2006


Summer Loving.... on a screened in-porch

Ok, I am still off the TiVo subjected, but it's because the weather is so nice. I am currently enjoying our screened in porch (thanks to wireless internet and my husband.) Bruce cleaned off the porch wthis weekend. He power washed it and now it's a great place to sit enjoy the weather minus the bugs. Anyone who knows me knows that I am the first true mosquito magnet. If you are near me there is no need to wear any type of repellent because all bugs want to do is eat me. Ha ha bugs, you can't get me now. I am also enjoying a lot of time on the porch with the cats.

I have also been running a lot. Well it's more like a jog, but it's still exercise. I am getting addicted. We have a great park down the street from us, that I run in. Why am I writing all this, I am worried that all this great weather is leaving little time to TiVo. Thank God for that 80 hour hard drive.