Welcome to Fontucky

NASCAR rolls into town this weekend at the California Speedway which happens to be a stone's throw from my house.  There is a parade route for the NASCAR haulers that runs just outside my subdivision. 

This is when we earn our name.  Urban Dictionary definse the term Fontucky as

"City in Southern CA, actually called Fontana. Outdated term used to desribe the amount of rednecks who used to live there." This weekend the name won't be outdated.

                                 http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fontucky

Plane Etiquette

It still surprises me that so many people are unfamiliar with proper behavior when on a plane.  So here are my Top 10 Worst Passengers.

10.  Those who fully recline coach seats....there is no room for fully reclined seats.  I don't want your head in my lap.

9.  Chatty Cathy...I have my earbuds in, iPod out and my Kindle all ready to go, no, I don't want to talk to you.

8.  People too cheap to purchase a seat for their child.  If you can't afford to travel comfortably, stay at home.

7.  Those who hog the overhead compartment.  They put both carryons and a coat or bags in the compartment and yell at you when you try to share the space.  You are supposed to keep your smaller carryon under the seat in front of you.  And you have to share.  I'm not gate checking my bag just because your mother never taught you this.

6.  Those who eat smelly food on the plane.  We're gonna be on this thing for the next 2-5 hours, I don't want to smell your kung pow chicken and corn nuts for that long.  And don't offer me any...I'm not going to eat your leftovers.

5.  Loud groups, it's great that you are all travelling somewhere fabulous together, but if you're not sitting together, don't try to yell across 3 rows to converse during the flight.  The flight noise is bad enough without you yapping it up.

4.  "Unloading" in the plane lavatory or passing gas in your seat.  Work that out before we get on board. 

3.  Those who hog both arm rests.  Pick one, share the other.

2.  The "Know-it-Alls".  I have travelled many times, I know the drill.  Don't try to enlighten me with your dribble.  I got this.

1. People who try to rush to the front of the plane to exit instead of waiting for their turn.

Krewe of Eve

Krewe of Eve Location: Mandeville, LA
Date: February 25 , 2011
Theme: Eve's 25th Masquerade

Time: 7:00 p.m.
Floats: 26Bands: 15
Membership Size: 450
Year Founded: 1986
Float Designer: Blaine Kern
Krewe Website: www.kreweofeve.com

I had the great privilege to ride with the Krewe of Eve in Mandeville, La last Friday night.  The excited screams of all the kids and the crowds was more of a rush than I ever anticipated.  Having grown up in Biloxi, MS and going to the local Mardi Gras parades I knew that these parades were great family events and a part of the regional heritage.  I know that not everyone acquires an appreciation for parades, including my husband who just stood in the back of the crowds the whole time.  But, I'm glad he came to support me.

Coming Soon-Mardi Gras

I leave in a few days for New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras and ride with the Krew of Eve in Mandaville, La.  This can only mean that I'll have tons of new material upon my return.  Till then, laissez les bons temps rouler!

                                      

Happy Driving

Each time I leave work I encounter a situation where traffic backs up several lights of those of us needing to make a right hand turn onto the freeway (highway for my Southern friends).  And each day as I patiently wait my turn in that lane, I see 5-10 other cars squeeze their way into the lane up near the ramp as if they forgot that this was going to be their turn and as if the rules of the road did not apply to them. 

It is 5:10pm.  You are leaving work.  You are familiar with this route.  You do not get a free pass to the front of the line just because you are you.  They rules of the road do, in fact, apply to you.  You are not special.  And if I didn't drive such as nice car, you might find that you have to trade paint to sneak in next time.

I don't have road rage, I'm the one who waited patiently in the correct line of traffic.  I just don't have to leave room for you to move in.  I'm perfectly fine riding the tail of the car in front of me as safely as I can to see to it that you don't get an opprotunity to zip in front of me and cut me off.

If you are someone who does this, please stop.  You're really not going to get home any faster than I do.  Because I will pass you in my sports car on the two lane ramp before you ever make it to the freeway.  Happy driving.

Skintimate Flirty Mango Shave Gel

Smells like playdo.

Contractors

I am in the process of getting quotes for a new fence for our backyard.  I invited one local business and one major home improvements store, Home Depot, to my home to place bids.  

Mike's Fencing was about to come out the day after I contacted them, were on time and pleasant to have at my home.  They left a bid without too many questions and I felt very comfortable with them and their  product options.  They also called to follow up on their proposal.

Scheduled a week later (presumably because they're sooo busy) was the contractor for Home Depot.  This guy was late, although he called.  I found this guy very pushy and too much a salesman...which is a lot considering I've been in sales myself for over 10 years.  He asked to see the other quotes which I felt was rude.  He also said he was obligated to show me the Home Depot product but that it was not of high quality.  He went on to push his own line of products.  He also made a point to tell me how busy they were and were having to schedule at least 3-4 weeks out.  It's important to note that I have a deadline that needs to be met for this project.  He asked me for specific dates, which is good, but I went to get my own calendar and he tried to get me to come back to look at his.  I have my own calendar and appointments that I need to be mindful of, I found it presumptious of him to think that his calendar would suffice.

What is most concerning is that he was using the Home Depot brand to sell himself and his services while at the same time disparaging the Home Depot product.  He also used the fact that he was with Home Depot as a reason not to buy from a local business.  This also alientated me because I have spent my career helping local businesses compete in local markets via their advertising choices.

So I have some advice for the large retailers out there:
1) Be careful which contractors you choose to work with, they may not be working for you at all
2) Disuade those contractors from using your brand status as a reason for someone not to go local, it is desperate and tacky

I think I'll be going with the local business, Mike's Fencing for this project.