Twenty Four At Heart

Steve Jobs Dies and Apple Goes to Hell??

I want to preface today's post by saying I have been, for quite some time, one of the biggest Apple fans on earth.  In addition, although I never met Steve Jobs the man; I was a huge fan of Steve Jobs the genius.

That being said ...

My MacBook died on my first day in Boston, two weeks ago.

I work on the Internet - I need a computer.

By laptop standards, I know my MacBook (at three years of age) was old.

(As an aside:  Yes, my laptop was backed up.  I backup my computer consistently.  I also store all my photos on an external hard drive.)

I waited six days to see an Apple Genius because my trip back east didn't allow for me to do so earlier.

For six days my frustration grew.

I'm a writer who couldn't write.

I'm a photographer who couldn't upload and/or edit photos.

I'm in the middle of a site re-design, and I'm unable to communicate with my web designer.

I have companies negotiating advertising space with me, and I can't respond to them.

My hands have been tied behind my back.

I don't blame Apple for any of the above.

But ...

When I finally did meet with an Apple Genius, six days into utter frustration, I was given incorrect information.  He told me I could upgrade the RAM on my laptop and solve a lot of my problems.  He was wrong.  My MacBook, it turns out, was too old to be upgraded.

He should have known better.  After all, he had my computer right in front of him and was "examining" it.  You don't expect a "Genius" to give out incorrect information.

Another computer-less day went by until I learned I was given incorrect information.  (The Genius had referred me to a separate company for RAM upgrading.  They were the ones to inform me my laptop was not able to be upgraded.) 

I then made a second appointment with Apple, during which my first "Genius's" information was corrected and I was informed I was stuck in computer-less hell.

A few hours later, I ordered a new MacBook Pro from Apple.  I was told I needed to place the order online because the stores don't carry MacBook Pros with upgraded RAM.  

Ok then.  

I had to borrow a laptop to place my order.

Fine.

When the order was finally placed, I was told the computer would ship from China and take about a week to arrive.

Days went by -

Days I could not work, could not write, could not edit or upload photos.

The laptop arrived a couple days early.  

Yay!  

I was ecstatic.  At this point, I had been without a computer for TWELVE DAYS.

I opened the shiny new MacBook Pro.  I couldn't WAIT to have a working laptop again.  I had so much work to get caught up on!  It asked me if I would like to transfer the info from my old computer to my new one via "Migration Assistant."

I pressed "yes."

Both laptops immediately became inoperable as Migration Assistant said it was "transferring information." 

Information migrated/transferred all day on Day#12 and Day #13.  

Soon I was back in the Apple store.

"Is it normal for Migration Assistant to take two full days?" I asked the Apple employee.

(I had been researching online and the "worst" case of Migration Assistant I had heard of had only taken one and a half days.)

"Yes," smiled the Apple employee.

Then he added, "It should be done running in the next two to three hours."  He also informed me it would have gone faster if I had bought a "firewire," but at this point it would be done shortly.

Twenty four hours later, (Day #14 without a computer), I was back in the Apple store, again requesting help.

"Migration Assistant is still running," I informed the Apple employee.  "It's been three full days - I need a working computer.  What do I do?  Should I buy a firewire?"

"A firewire will do you no good," Apple employee #Infinity told me.  "Your old computer won't work with a firewire."

::  Frustration  ::

Incorrect "Genius" information again?

Honestly, I've never been told the wrong thing by an Apple Genius prior to the last two weeks.  Now?  Every Apple employee/Genius has a different story, a different (incorrect) solution to my computer woes.

 On Wednesday morning I was back at Apple, yet again.  Two different Apple employees (one was a "Genius") got involved discussing "my" situation.   After a lengthy discussion, I was given instructions to buy an ethernet cable and told what to do.  (Apple doesn't carry ethernet wires, in case you're wondering.  Buying an ethernet cable involved going to a separate store.)

The Apple employees assured me my data would be migrated to the new computer "in no time" once I connected an ethernet cable.  

By noon I was back AGAIN (my third visit in 24 hours) to report the migration via ethernet cable had NOT worked either.  I was passed to three different employees.

I'm somewhat ashamed to admit it, by the time I was re-explaining "my" situation to the third Apple employee of that visit (the sixth of the day), I started crying right in the store.  My tears were tears of pure, unbridled, frustration.

Also?

This is how I spent my birthday - in Apple HELL.

"It's okay," the employee told me.  "I've cried in an Apple store before too - computer problems are so frustrating."

(By the way, my closest Apple store is a half hour drive away ... I drove there and back twice on my birthday and countless times in the last week.  Apple - you owe me hours of my life back.)

The final solution?

In complete frustration, I told Apple Employee #Infinity I don't want to see either laptop again until the migration of data has been completed.  I left both computers with Apple.  They tell me I'll have both computers back (with the data migrated) by close of business on the evening of DAY #FIFTEEN.

And oh yes, they're charging me $99 to do the migration, but at this point I don't even care.  I've never been so computer-frustrated in my life.

Happy Birthday to me.

P.S.  This post was brought to you by a laptop I borrowed for one hour.

P.P.S.  I'm sorry Steve.  I hope this post didn't make you roll over in your grave - or rise from the dead to yell at incompetent Apple employees.  (Which I TOTALLY think you should do!!)

© Twenty Four At Heart 

Dermaplaning

Earlier this week, I experienced my first-ever dermaplaning facial.

I didn't know what a dermaplaning facial was, but I had a Groupon for one so I showed up at my appointed time.

In hindsight, it's probably a good thing I didn't know what I was getting myself into.

Another term for "dermaplaning" is blading.

So, um, yeah - a woman took a scalpel to my face,

But in the nicest possible way.

To be a tad more specific, a woman used a #10 sterile surgical blade to exfoliate my skin.

(Wouldn't a cheap drugstore facial scrub be so much easier?)

The blade was gently stroked over my face in a similar fashion as a man might shave.  

There was no cutting, no blood, and no recovery involved.

Dermaplaning removes a few weeks worth of outer dead skin cells by gently scraping them off.

Doesn't that sound sexy?

I have to admit, my skin has never felt smoother or softer than it does post-dermaplaning.  It's like having baby skin again.

Maybe I should become a dermaplaning poster blogger-face?

Is there such a thing?

A dermaplaning facial also removes any "peach fuzz" you might have on your face, although de-fuzzing isn't the primary purpose of dermaplaning.  A lot of women start getting fuzzy once they hit their mid-thirties and beyond.  (Some of us are even lucky enough to have a random pubic hair grow out of our face!)

No kidding, I don't have a single whisker on my face right now.  Sad, isn't it?  How will my friends and family recognize me?

I don't get facials on a regular basis, and I wouldn't have done this one - if not for the Groupon offer. 

Would I do it again?

I would love to!  

Dermaplaning was relatively quick, painless, and it made my skin look great.

I've heard dermaplaning facials aren't overly expensive in other cities.  Of course, in Orange County everything is expensive.  It would cost me $150 to return to the same facility, without the discounted price, and get the same service again.

Have I mentioned I have two kids in college right now?

I won't be getting $150 facials anytime soon.

But, if you can afford to get dermaplaning facials regularly I highly recommend them.

It really did make a remarkable difference in my skin.

© Twenty Four At Heart

My Terror-fying Travel Story

When I first returned from Hawaii, I mentioned I had a "shocking" travel story to share with you.

The airport on Maui is small, as airports go.

When our departure day had arrived (*sob*), we began the long drive from our remote little beach to the airport.  

My entire family was in the car, but my daughter had plans to travel to Kauai for a few additional days.  The rest of us were flying home via the San Diego airport.  My daughter's flight was departing about 40 minutes prior to ours so we dropped her off first, and then went to return our rental car.

As we drove to the car rental return, we noticed a line of hundreds upon hundreds of people winding out of the airport building.

A minute later, I got a text message from my daughter informing me at least one of the TSA screening machines was "down" resulting in an extremely long security line.

We returned our rental car, checked our bags, and made our way to the end of the long, long, long line for security.

How long was it?

(That's what she asked!)

(Sorry, I couldn't help myself ....!)

The security line was so long, it went the entire length of the airport, OUT of the airport and then into some weird type of never-ending spiral circle.

Also, there was only one line for everyone regardless of their airline, their flight, etc.

I've traveled a lot and I've never seen anything like it.

In addition to being spectacularly long, the line also wasn't moving.

At. All.

People continued to get in line behind us and we continued to stand there, and stand there, and stand there.

Someone near me went to check with "authorities" at the airport, and returned informing everyone (loudly) flights would not be delayed.  No, not even if all the passengers remained stranded in The Longest Security Line Ever In The History Of Mankind.

And that was when things got ugly.

People started pushing, cutting in line, and being as rude as possible.

There were no airport or security personnel monitoring the situation near us, whatsoever.

An almost-mob mentality set in with people complaining loudly, panicking about their flights, and deciding this was the perfect excuse to let the worst of their  inner asshole  personality shine through.

One woman, who had asked me where the end of the line was upon her arrival, suddenly tried to push her way in front of me.

I informed her, quite matter of factly, I had no intention of letting her get in line in front of me.

"Just keep walking," her asshole husband said.

"I'm not cutting in line," she said looking me straight in the eye.  "I've been here the entire time."

Seriously, bitch? 

[And no, she really didn't realize I was the same person she had asked (thirty minutes prior) where the end of the line was.]

Another woman told me, panicked, she was going to miss her flight.

"We all are," I answered as I gestured to the hundreds (thousands?) of people in line with us.

All of this, adds up to a travel nightmare but not much more.

Things got a lot worse though.

The airport porters (or baggage guys, as you might refer to them) began taking bribes to move people ahead in line.

How do I know this?

I saw it happening.

One porter even asked the woman behind me if she wanted to participate.  She thought about it for a minute because she was so worried about missing her flight, but then turned him down.

This is how it worked -

A panicked and/or totally irresponsible passenger would pay $20 to the porter.  The porter would then get a wheelchair and escort the completely able-bodied person to the front of the line.  

Things were in such a state of chaos at the front of the line, the wheelchaired passengers only got a slight, cursory, glance as they were wheeled past security.

Holy HELL folks!

Is that an opportunity for a terrorist or what?

And why?

Because totally irresponsible airport porters wanted to earn a few extra twenties!

One family had such a large group, I watched as they decided to put two members of their family in wheelchairs.  (I suppose they didn't want to take a chance some of them might be told to go back and get in line.)  

The mom of the family got into one wheelchair.  Her adult-sized teen son pulled off his shoe as he got into the second wheelchair.  He stuck his sock-only foot out and pretended his foot was hurt.  Their entire large group (with the help of porters) went to the front of the security line and whisked right by.

I was so disturbed by what was going on, I put out the following four messages on Twitter:

Porters at Maui airport are taking cash bribes to sneak people thru security line in wheelchairs

Hawaii? Maui? You should be ashamed of yourself. Terrorist threat made easy?

Mayor Arakaw what the hell? It's damn scary what's going on here. #Maui #hawaii

@GovernorAbercrombie. Are you aware of what's going on with bribes at the Maui airport?

I doubt if my tweets were read by anyone of importance but, not long after I sent them, airport security began monitoring the line.

(Eventually they even succeeded in creating order out of chaos.)

I'm still horrified ten days later.

How could this possibly happen post 9/11?

How can we keep it from happening again?

© Twenty Four At Heart

I'm Sure You've Heard The One About ...

* Information for today's post was gathered from The Orange County Register and assorted other news sources. *

I put a link to a recent Orange County news article out on Twitter and Facebook last Tuesday.

Normally, I'd leave it at that but I'm having a difficult time shaking this one out of my brain.

One of this week's OC Register headline states, Wife slices off man's penis, police say.

I guess they have to add the "police say" because the woman allegedly sliced off her husband's penis.

(Who knows?  Maybe he drugged himself, tied himself to the bed, and then sliced it off with a knife all by himself?)

The wife, Catherine, told police her husband, "deserved it."

Of course he did Catherine.

Catherine and her husband have been married for less than two years.  He had filed for divorce in May, not long after their first anniversary, due to "irreconcilable differences."

In retrospect, that seems to simplify the situation a bit.

The story gets worse.

Catherine, allegedly, drugged her husband's food so he would fall asleep.

Next, she tied him to the bed.

Then?

Then ...

She waited for him to WAKE UP.

I guess she wanted him to see her cut off his dick with a ten inch kitchen knife.

Just when you think the story can't get any worse ...

Catherine decided to put her husband's penis in the garbage disposal and turn it on.

(He must have really been a lousy lover, don't ya think?  I mean, she had clearly decided there was absolutely no future use for it no matter how many roses he bought!)

(Also, garbage disposals are very expensive to replace.  Who would ever want to use that one again?  Cutting off a man's penis and then putting it into the garbage disposal is a very expensive proposition.)

Awhile later, Catherine called the police to tell them there was a medical emergency at her home.  

Sheesh Catherine!

She must be Queen of the Understatement.

Catherine was polite enough to greet the police at the door.  Her husband was still tied to the bed and "bleeding profusely from his groin."

The police filtered through the sink/garbage disposal for penis-parts, and apparently found some.  They gathered together what they could and then took the bits/pieces and Catherine's husband to the hospital for surgery.

In a follow-up story yesterday, the husband was asked for an interview but refused to discuss the situation saying, "This is a private matter."

??

Dude, the entire world knows about it.

It is, most definitely, NOT a private matter.

After surgery, the hospital reported the victim's condition as "good."

I somehow doubt that .....

© Twenty Four At Heart

Scattered

I'm going with scattered thoughts today.  (Scattered because my brain is making adjustments to new pain meds and I feel very scatter-brained.)

•  I'm almost halfway through my Invisalign treatment.  At this point, I'm very happy with both the process and the results.

I warned you.  I'm on drugs!

Ha!

•  I sent a package to Boston (for my daughter's birthday) via UPS "two-day-air."  It was sent over a week ago and it still hasn't arrived.  UPS has the package, but can't seem to get it delivered.  I've never had bad UPS service before.  I'm beyond frustrated at this point.  I feel like I'm banging my head against a wall every time I try to get the damn package delivered.  

•  I ran into a woman I know at the mall a few days ago.  I didn't recognize her.  She had a facelift, but her face FELL.  I've never seen such a strange look.  I can't figure out HOW it happened.  I still can't get her face out of my head either.  

It's haunting me.  

She used to be so pretty.  Wrinkles would look better on her than the FaceFALL she got.  If she hadn't come up to me and started talking, I wouldn't have even realized it was her.

•  When/If you're having a bad day, get on the Damn You Auto Correct! website.  Click on the "Best of DYAC" tab.  You will find it impossible not to laugh.

•  Here's a recent photo I took in a public bathroom.

Why did I take that photo?

I don't even know ....

It gives you a good look at how I take photos with my bum arm though.  Left arm/hand holds the camera/phone up.  Right/damaged arm has a permanent slope down to it.  It works okay from my hand to my elbow so without any movement to the top part of my arm, I manage to click the shutter/press the button.

Magic.

•  Here's another.  This one I took so I could show you maternity clothes are back in style for non-pregnant women:

Please excuse PR's unmade bed, laundry basket, and general mess behind me.  (He's a teen - need I say more?) 

* Both of these photos were taken with a mirror.  One person commented it LOOKS like I'm holding the camera with my right hand, but everything is reversed.  It is truly my left hand holding the phone.  (Note the thicker ring on that hand?  That's my wedding ring - left hand!)

•  Did you read the recent Time magazine article?

I think Arnold was the pig-of-the-week when it published.

•  Several of you asked if the bike/flip flop photo is for sale.  It's on my website (Beach 2011) both in color and in black and white.

•  Speaking of photos, I've been using the PhotoCard app to send my daughter occasional (snail mail) postcards.  It's fun because the postcard arrives with one of my photos on it making it more meaningful to both of us.  So far, I've just sent her sunflower shots because they're her favorite flower.  She loves getting "real" mail and is planning to frame a few of the sunflower postcards together.   (They're big.  Around 8.5" x 5.5" I think.)

It's a fun, cheap, way to make someone's day.

OK, was that scattered enough for one day?

I think it was ....

© Twenty Four At Heart

Gay Thoughts From a Straight Woman

I'm so stunned by a recent conversation, I feel compelled to write about it.  It strays far from my normal blog topics.  I expect, as usual, I will probably offend some people with my frankness.

I have to speak my heart, though.

I had lunch with a girlfriend yesterday.

She isn't one of my closest friends, but she's more than an acquaintance.  I've always thought we were "on the same page" with our outlooks on life.

I guess that's why I was so shocked when our conversation about the TV show Modern Family, took the turn it did.

"I'm open-minded and tolerant of gays," she said out of the blue, and very nonchalantly.

"Tolerant?" I questioned.

(Because, for me, the word "tolerant" implies I put up with gays in spite of my real feelings.)

"Yes," she nodded.  "It would be different if one was a teacher to my kids.  I'd have a problem with that, but otherwise I think it's fine."

My brain immediately flashed to my friend Jason, who is both gay and a (wonderful) teacher.  Then my brain flashed to a few of the incompetent, horrible, straight teachers my kids have had over the years.

I admit, I was floored.

My brain tried to wrap itself around what I was hearing.

"You think being gay is catching?" I asked, appalled.

"No, not catching," she hesitated.  "There's just the whole nature vs. nurture argument and I wouldn't want my kids to be influenced by a gay teacher."

"You think a gay teacher would be teaching kids to be gay?" I asked, shocked.

"Influencing," she responded.  "A lot of people have tendencies that can go either way.  I wouldn't want a gay teacher to influence my kids in that direction.  Look, no one wants their kid to grow up to be gay.  They just don't."

I thought about my parents.  They (particularly my dad) would have had a hard time adjusting if I had been gay, but  I know, in time, they would have.

I thought about my own kids.  I can honestly say it would not change my love for them one bit if they were gay.

Not one bit.

Seriously, how could I possibly care as long as they were happy?

I don't write those words because they're politically correct, I write them because I believe them with every ounce of my being.

Would I worry about my kids' lives being more difficult if they chose a same sex partner?

Maybe I would.  

Maybe they would have to deal with discrimination and biases and people like ... well, like my lunch partner.

The thing is, I have a 16 year old, a 20 year old, and a 21 year old and I worry about their lives being difficult anyway.  Maybe my worries would be different, but I don't know if I would/could worry more than I already do.

Parents worry about their kids.

It's what we do.

(My mom, who just turned 80, worries constantly about my disability and the fact I live my life in pain.)

My thoughts returned to my friend's comment.

What did she mean "influencing?"

Does she picture a teacher interrupting the day's math lesson to give first graders pep talks on Why You Should Join the LGBT Community?

Seriously?

How is a teacher, in the normal daily course of their day, going to "influence" a student's sexuality?

I thought back to my youngest son's third grade teacher.  He was openly gay and, without a doubt, one of the best teachers any of my kids ever had.  Parents lined up to request him.  Everyone was hoping he'd "influence" their kids with all his wonderfulness.  He was known throughout the community for being a truly gifted educator.  In fact, he'd won national awards for his teaching.

I never once heard a parent voice any concern over his sexuality.

I guess I'm incredibly naive.

(For my naivety, I apologize to my LGBT friends.)

My heart hurts right now.

I'm not even gay and this whole thing makes me feel terribly sad and disappointed.

I can't imagine how horrible l it would be to be judged, not on the quality of your work, but on your sexuality.

I thought we'd moved further folks.

I thought our culture had evolved beyond tolerance to acceptance.

* I will leave comments open as long as they're posted in a respectful manner.  You don't have to agree with me, or my opinions, but you do have to be respectful of others.  I will delete any comments which I determine to be hurtful, harmful, or hate promoting.  I will close comments completely if I deem necessary. *

© Twenty Four At Heart

Summer, Summer, Summer!

* This is not a sponsored post. *

Oh, how I love warm weather!

We've had a bleh cold front here lately and it has made me SO restless for summer.

(I also find myself thinking about our upcoming trip to Hawaii with much anticipation.  We didn't take a vacation last year which has made me doubly eager to go on one this year.)

Warm-weather-living is an art form here.

I thought I'd share a few summer-related things I love today.

•  I love, love, love this Lands End beach towel:

It's big, it's soft, it's durable - it will last for years.  (They also make great gifts for teens anyone.)  If you swim daily, beach frequently, or just love plush beach towels, this is a great pick.  Even better - pick one up when they go on sale which is what I always do.

•  "Everyone" in The OC is wearing Tom's Shoes:

They've been around for awhile, but their popularity here is at full-fledged epidemic proportion right now.  So ugly, they're cute ...?  They're trendy, but not expensive and every pair purchased leads to one pair of shoes being donated to a child in need.  That's right - you get to feel good about your shoe habit!

(Don't order them online though - you can try on five pairs in the same size and get vastly different fits.  No two pair ever seem to fit the same. ) 

And yes, the pair I have are very comfortable!

•  Tommy Bahama makes some cute summer bags and totes.  This one, with its leather handle, makes me daydream about strolling island shops.

So cute!

Wouldn't that look nice on my arm?

Your arm?

Someone's arm?

•  I don't discuss it much on my blog, but I'm a melanoma survivor.  As much as I love the sun, I'm always very careful with sun protection.  I'm a fan of the company Sun Precautions.  (I originally learned about them from a doctor.)  When I'm out with my camera, by the pool, or at the beach - I almost always have their Women's Big Shirt draped over whatever I'm wearing.  

It's huge, it provides 30+ SPF, and for years it (or one of their other cover-ups) has always been with me.  

•  Speaking of sun protection, I hate hats.  They make me hot, they give me hat hair, they make my head sweat.  

There's only one hat I've ever liked.  Nike forced me to buy it years ago right after my melanoma diagnosis.  It's a Helen Kaminski hat.  It travels really well, stays cool in the hottest weather, and looks great too.  I've worn it for years and years.

I balked at the cost initially (Kaminski hats are not cheap), but Nike insisted it would be worth it and she was right.  Nike is always right.  It's the only hat I've ever needed and it has held up great for (I think?) eight plus years of year-round use.

I don't think they still make the exact hat I have, but they have plenty of other cute ones. 

In fact, as I was getting their link for you, I noticed this one:

How chic is that?

And yes, the one pictured above is expensive ...

But?

Gorgeous! 

•  Need a good tote for traveling this summer?

Well, here's another tip from my friend Nike.  She's carried the same Baggalini tote bag with her while traveling for ten years!  It's still in great condition.  They've got so many choices of bags, there's bound to be one you like.  (And their prices are very reasonable!)

I don't know if the bag Nike owns is still available, but I think this one looks perfect for a long flight:

It's called an "Only Bag."  I'm not sure yet, but it might be the only bag I carry onto the plane with me this summer.

© Twenty Four At Heart 

You Should Have Kept Your Wee Willy In Your Pants, Arnold

* Warning:  If you think celebrities can do no wrong, you will not want to read my opinion on the recent Schwarzenegger scandal. *

I don't normally comment on what goes on in the life of celebrities.  

I grew up in Southern California, and I'm the last person to be star struck by anyone.

You might even say I'm jaded.

Celebrities bore me.

(Well, except for the night Harrison Ford was at Angel Stadium's Diamond Club ... he did get my attention, I confess.)

Governors (and now, ex-governors) with big egos also bore me.

However, I'm so disgusted by all the latest Arnold Schwarzenegger hubub, I can't help but address it.

Arnold?

You're gross.

Gross as in, absolutely disgusting.

I don't know who would want to sleep with you in the first place.

Steroids create muscle bound men with teeny tiny, microscopic, peckers ...

Everyone knows that.

What an awkward combination - having a body all out of proportion like that.

In fact, the very idea of your wee-willy gives me a bad case of heebie jeebies.

Rumors have circulated, for years, of you manhandling women, sexually harassing women, bullying women for sex and basically making a giant dick out of yourself with women.

Now?

Now, you've humiliated your family.

Your poor kids.

(The kids everyone knew about, and the kid whose existence you've denied all this time.)

Your offspring are the people being hurt the most.

It's hard for a kid to walk into school when the newspapers and Internet are headlining their dad's schlong.

And why?

So you could feel more like a man by screwing the household help?

Seriously, Arnold?

The household help?

Did you threaten her with the loss of her job for sex?

Did you bully/harass her as you are purported to have done with other women?

Even if it was a willing, consensual, sexual encounter leading to a "love child" ...

I think you're pathetic.

I don't know anyone who respects a man whose ego lives in his dick.

I don't think anyone respects you.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Random Frivolity

I have one or two more serious subjects I'll be blogging about soon, but today I'm going to keep it light.

Light and breezy ... just like a feminine hygiene commercial!

(Because none of us have enough of those in our lives, do we?)

I want to follow up on a few things from prior posts.

•  Thank you to one of my readers for suggesting I get a Saltwater Canvas beach bag for the summer.  I ordered one, and I'm eager to get my hands on it.  It should be arriving this week, and I can't wait to put it to use.

I'm particularly thrilled it's made out of mesh so it won't accumulate sand at the bottom.  Also, it has lots of pockets which will be just perfect for my wine opener suntan lotion.

•  Phoebe's babies are growing so fast!  She's gotten very protective of them, so I shot this photo with my 400mm lens instead of from inside the grotto:

And yes, I only see three babies.  I think, perhaps, the fourth didn't survive.  They're twelve days old now.  They're very crowded in their nest.  They have real wings and feathers.  I think they'll be learning to fly soon.  I'm still swimming in the pool each day, but I've been staying out of the grotto so Phoebe won't chirp like crazy stress out.

•  I recently read The Color of Water by James McBride.  I loved it and highly recommend it to those of you who haven't already read it.

•  Briefcase has been traveling nonstop, including weekends.  As a result, I've spent a few evenings getting caught up on movies via Netflix.  I'm always way behind everyone else on movies, but I've recently watched and enjoyed:

     1.  The King's Speech

     2.  The Illusionist

     3.  The Queen

     4.  Temple Grandin

     5.  Secretariat

•  My son, RC (the one in college), is home for the summer so I'm back to having two of my three kids in the house.  There's a lot of testosterone floating around my house.

•  Lastly, but most importantly - I want to thank all of you for being so supportive of me as I've worked my way through this recent pain flare-up.  I know I'm horrible about responding to comments, but I read every single one.  You are OFTEN the strength that gets me through my worst days ... 

Thank you!!

© Twenty Four At Heart 

Orange

Have you noticed the color orange is "in?"

Orange is a color most of us normally associate with fall, not spring/summer.

Everywhere I go, all I'm seeing is orange.

I think I took the above iPhone photo in Z Gallerie.

No, I don't have any orange accents in my house.

Yesterday, I treated myself to a pedicure.  I was talked into using OPI's Grand Canyon Sunset, even though the color is out of my normal comfort zone.

It isn't exactly orange, but it's coral-ly.

I suppose I'll get used to it in a few days?  

I never like a new color the first few days.  It takes me awhile to get used to seeing something new.  If it doesn't grow on me, I can always change it easily enough.  Apparently, the salon can barely keep it in stock.

I haven't bought any orange clothes, I don't think I will.

Orange isn't the greatest color on me.

I did, however, finally find a summer handbag I like and it has an orange a "tangerine" handle.

So how do you feel about orange?

Are you keeping up with the trend?

Do you hate it?

Do you like it in limited doses?

Or are you a full-blown orange hater?

© Twenty Four At Heart

OK, This Didn't Happen in Orange County

Briefcase sent me this article yesterday.

I have no words so I'm just going to copy it verbatim here for you to read.

It's an article written by Celia Rivenbark who is a columnist in Wilmington, North Carolina.

I hope the type is big enough for you to read ....

If not?

It's worth pulling out a magnifying glass!

 

 

Megan Mariah Barnes is Florida's 1^st bikini-shaving-related traffic offender of the year.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Now, What Were We Talking About?

I wanted to share a little more about the Rose Parade with you.

These are the mountains I grew up in, as viewed from my seat at the Rose Parade.

Aren't they beautiful?

The parade opened with the, initially silent, appearance of a stealth bomber.

It IS stealthly because you don't hear it approaching.  I'm not impressed by such things, but ... I was impressed - and oohed and ahhed.

The grandstands were filled with a lot of football fans.  They had traveled far and wide to watch their teams play in the Rose Bowl, but they were enjoying the parade first.

Here's a Wisconsin fan:

Here's a Texas fan:

I love people watching.  Really, there are few things as entertaining as a gathering with lots of people!

Did you know Paula Deen was the Grand Marshall of the Rose Parade?  

It's quite an honor to be asked.

Remember how I mentioned how cold it was the day of the parade?

The snow capped mountains in the Los Angeles area made for a beautiful day.

And yes, I did take the above photo right through our car windshield as we drove home.

© Twenty Four At Heart

When The Bedbugs BITE!

2011?

You aren't off to a very good start.

My son came home from college for the holidays.

Apparently, he brought bedbugs home with him.

Like most American college campuses, his school has been fighting against them valiantly.  As parents, we've gotten notifications of bedbug infestations in the dorms and steps the university has taken to eradicate them.  (By the way, those steps include bedbug sniffing dogs, temporarily closing dorms while they chemically and heat treat them, etc., etc.)

Bedbugs are a major problem on most college campuses right now.  They've made the cover of Time magazine and been on the national news too.

On Sunday night my son complained of a rash.

I took a look; I thought it looked like a rash too.  He had small red bumps on his leg in no particular pattern.  Because of the college warnings, I checked his sheets "just in case" and saw none of the telltale signs of bedbugs.  (By the way, the sheets in our house are changed weekly and always washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer.)

On Monday my son went to a local doctor and was given a prescription for a cortisone cream.  The doctor did NOT think my son had been bitten by bedbugs; we asked.  (Apparently bedbug bites are most often in a pattern, but my son's were random.  Maybe he got bit by a confused bedbug?)

On Monday night my OTHER, younger, son woke up itchy.

On Tuesday my college-aged son said, "I got bit on the ass last night!"

All of this led up to yesterday afternoon, when I pulled out a giant magnifying glass to examine a couple small spots I saw on his mattress pad, and found - oh shit!  Bedbugs in my son's bed!

Or as I now call them, The Little Fuckers.

(By the way, we found no evidence of bedbugs in my younger son's bedroom.  However, since he said he felt itchy we're assuming at least one has found its way to his room.  The babies are translucent and the size of a grain of salt - easy to miss!)

I'm horrified, of course.

Horrified!

I don't have a single bite on me, but I can't stop my imaginary itches.

I'm also overwhelmed at what needs to be done to get them out of my house.  Don't The Little Fuckers know I only have one working arm?  Don't they know my husband is out of town and why, oh why, is he always out of town for every home crisis?  (Speaking of, I always figured if we got bedbugs we'd get them from one of Briefcase's many business trips - isn't life ironic?)

Let me tell you what I've done so far.

First, I freaked out.  (!!!)

Next, I told my son (who feels TERRIBLE) he did nothing wrong and it isn't his fault.  He had no idea a bedbug or two sneaked home in his suitcase.  It breaks my heart to see him feeling so badly about something he had no control over.  I did tell him I would need his help though, because now we have a lot of work to do and I only have one arm to do it with.

I also told Twitter about my discovery, because my friends on Twitter are VERY helpful and have a wealth of knowledge.  While Twitter advice was coming in, I called two pest control companies - both of which will be showing up today to do a home inspection and give me an estimate on their services.  I've been warned it will cost thousands of dollars and possibly involve a total fumigation/tenting of our house.

From my phone conversations with the two pest companies, I'm already finding one of them more helpful than the other.  Nonetheless, I'm going to get (at least) two opinions and two estimates on eradicating the The Little Fuckers from my house.

Next, I washed all of my son's bedding in hot water and put it in our dryer, on the hottest setting, for an hour.  While the laundry was going, I ran to Target and bought mattress covers specifically made for allergy protection.  (These covers provide excellent protection against bedbugs.)

I vacuumed my son's mattress and then pulled out my home steamer and steamed it.  Yes, I do have a home steamer although I've rarely used it since my car accident.  It takes arm power to operate it, but I have my son here to help.

High temperatures and steam are supposed to kill bedbugs.  If any of them survived the steaming, they will be "trapped" in the mattress by the new mattress cover and eventually die.

Or so I've been told.

It was right about then, a Twitter friend informed me she had battled bedbugs in her home for one year before getting rid of them.  She told me what she did right and what she did wrong in the process.  She also informed me I needed to put the same type of mattress cover I had just bought on all the box springs in the house also.  (What I learned most from her?  Treat the entire house as if it has bedbugs even if they're only in one room!)

Back to Target!

I spent over $1,000 yesterday and I'm just beginning this ordeal process.  I will probably end up having to replace a lot more bedding.  I've, so far, washed all the sheets and mattress pads in both of my boys' rooms.  I've also enclosed both of their mattresses and box springs with the protective covers.  Today I'll do the same in my daughter's room, and then my room.  (Neither of us have gotten any bites or seen any signs of bedbugs so I started with the boys first.)

I'm living in fear of the estimates from the pest control companies.

In the meantime, everyone should know the following:

•  There's a pandemic of bedbugs right now.  

•  Bedbugs have nothing to do with the cleanliness of your home or you personally.

•  There's no reason to feel "ashamed" of The Little Fuckers - they're not caused by anything you did. 

•  Bedbugs don't carry diseases.

•  Bedbugs don't live on people.  You don't need to avoid me, or my family members, because you won't catch them from us.  They aren't cooties and they aren't lice ... they like to live in beds, thus BEDBUGS.  I promise not to invite you for a sleepover until I'm 500% sure they're no longer in my home.  (As it appears right now, they've been contained to one or two rooms of my house.)

•  Bedbugs like to travel from bed to bed in suitcases.  You shouldn't ever rest your suitcase on a hotel bed.  Use the little luggage stand the hotel gives you.

•  Bedbugs can live for a YEAR without feeding.  That means if one sneaks into your luggage it may just stay there, quite content, for months until it decides to make its move.

•  I wish someone had told me, and so I'm telling you ....   Everyone, and I do mean everyone, should enclose their pillows, mattresses and box springs in allergy protective coverings.  This is especially true if anyone in your family travels AND/OR if you ever have house guests.  If you can't afford to do every bed in your house at once, do it gradually - but do it!

I feel (very!!!) stressed out.  I feel overwhelmed with the amount of work I need to do and the unexpected, astronomical, costs involved.   

A part of me wants to say, "Universe, I give up.  I'm waving a white flag - you win."  

A part of me also wants to run away from home forever, find a corner to hide in, and collapse into tears.

But I also feel angry.

I've been through way too much these past few years, and I'm pissed.

The Little Fuckers have shown up in the wrong house.  I'm going after them with a vengeance and I will win this battle ...

And quickly, too. 

© Twenty Four At Heart

If It's Not One Thing ...

* I want to thank all of you for the outpouring of support for Mocha.  She seems to be improving with her medication and we just picked up one additional med for her.  We will be watching her closely for the next few days and hoping for the best. *  

Yesterday morning was a morning of emergency helicopters and firemen attempting to evacuate/rescue people in my neighborhood.

Flooding much?

Our house is fine.  At least, as of right now, our house is fine.

* My back patio a few days ago before the worst of the rain. *

Here's a link to the ABC news clip on the events in my neighborhood from yesterday.  Sixty people were rescued, thirty houses evacuated, and five homes were "red-tagged" as being unfit for residency.

(I apologize for the 8 second ad at the beginning of the clip!)

Also?

The video is not in a format I could embed into my post.  You'll have to click here to see my neighborhood and what it has been like the past few days.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Don't Forget the Crime Scenes

They were selling these maps at the Santa Monica pier.

Do people really want to go visit crime scenes?  

And if so, why?

© Twenty Four At Heart

Things I Like

Like many people, I start paying more attention to store merchandise this time of year.

There are lists to be made, holiday gifts to be purchased, and all the general madness the holidays bring on.

As I think of things I like, I'll occasionally mention them here. 

Maybe one or two will be good ideas for someone you're shopping for too - or better yet, for yourself.

(And no, this post isn't sponsored by anyone ....)

•  GBalance Pants by The Gap  

They come in capri and regular length and they're what I'm living in between now and January.  I just picked up a couple extra pair yesterday.  The band around the tummy folds down for a comfortable, but snug fit.  Post-abdominal surgery, I love having the extra support across my stomach and the pants themselves couldn't be more comfortable.  (I also like their Go To Great Lengths style - they're made so you can cut them into shorts, capris, or keep them long!)

•  Mini-Fragrances from Sephora

Sephora carries travel sizes of many different fragrances.  I've been ordering them for years to keep in my travel kit.  (Um, not BULGARI - but hey, it's a pretty bottle, isn't it?) They make great stocking stuffers and/or they're nice gifts all on their own if you have someone in your life who owns a purse or travels.  And yes, some men's fragrances are available also.

•  Pottery Barn Essential Throws 

Nike gave me one of these for my birthday.  It has come in very handy post-surgery.  It might even be my personal security blanket at this point.  Love!   

 

•  Brighton Charms

Building your own necklace or bracelet with Brighton charms is all the rage in The OC right now.  I haven't seen a camera/photography charm yet, so I've managed to resist this current trend.  If I see a cute camera charm, I might cave ....

 

•  Yankee Candles

I've used these candles for years, and my favorite scent is Home Sweet Home.  I also love Christmas Cookie and a host of other flavors.  Attending a holiday party this year?  They make a great, and affordable, house warming gift.  

•  Unite Shampoo and Conditioner

I won't lie - it's not cheap at around $18 a bottle.  I have a hairdresser friend who gave me a bottle of the Unite Volumizing Shampoo and a bottle of the Volumizing Conditioner for my birthday.  I have blonde, fine, hair.  I can't believe how much I love this shampoo.  Unite, of course, makes different types of shampoo for different types of hair.

•  The Photographer Necklace

I have this necklace, and love it.  When I went to link to it for you, I realized it's currently sold out.  You might want to keep checking back for availability.  Charming!

•  Paul Scerri Lymphofluide herbal oil

The spa I go to each month uses this during one of their most luxurious, signature, treatments.  (The treatment I splurged on for my birthday.)  It's an herbal massage oil and the company is based in Switzerland.  

I love it!

The spa only uses one to two small drops of the oil and the fragrance is pure heaven.  It smells healthy, healing, and invigorating.  In large doses it would be overpowering and way too heavy.  Add a drop or two to an unscented lotion or mixed with unscented massage oil and I think you'll love it.  (Yes, I did have to bribe someone to tell me what this spa "secret" product is - I've tried to find out for years.)  It's expensive at $55.00 per bottle, but at one drop per use I think a bottle will last forever.  I don't really know how to describe the scent but maybe eucalyptus with a touch of citrus?  Yummy!

 

•  Chloe Handbag

For those of you with money to burn, this Chloe handbag (at $1,460 before tax and shipping) is perhaps the most beautiful, red, handbag I've ever seen.  The quality is to die for if you're a handbag junkie like I am.  I'm never going to have the privelege of owning it, so maybe one of you should?

•  Twenty Four At Heart 2011 Calendar

Shameless self promotion!

In all honesty, everyone I gave a 24 calendar to last year begged for another this year.  The 2011 Calendar is also much better than 2010's.  So yes, if you're related to me you're probably going to get another calendar as a gift this year.  If you're not related to me, you can order one (only 20 bucks - such a deal compared to the Chloe handbag!) by clicking on the PayPal button on my sidebar.

Now it's your turn.

Do you have any great gift suggestions?

© Twenty Four At Heart 

Forrest Gump

I noticed a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant on the Santa Monica Pier when I was visiting a couple weeks ago.  

I've visited this chain of restaurants in the past, but this time I noticed something different right outside the front door.

The sign in the above photo is permanently fixed to a bench.

But that isn't all ....

Forrest's shoes, suitcase, and box of candy are also permanent fixtures.

Seeing this?

Made my day.

Sometimes it's the little things ....

© Twenty Four At Heart

Haunted Graveyard

I took this photo while visiting an old graveyard in Boston last summer.

The strangest thing happened when I got home and took a closer look at the photo.

I count seven ghosts ...

How many do you see?

 

© Twenty Four At Heart

The 21st Miner

I assume most of you have watched, along with the rest of the world, as the thirty three trapped Chilean miners were rescued from 2,300 feet beneath the ground.

Before The Haters jump in and start telling me I'm a shitty person for writing this post, I'd like to say I was riveted by the story of the miners from start to finish.  I was absolutely thrilled with the rescue of the men.

It was emotional, amazing and just incredible.

Yesterday, a lot of publicity was focused on the fate of Yonni Barrios who was the 21st miner to be rescued from the collapsed mine.

Yonni, as you probably already know, was greeted by his mistress when he emerged from the mine.  As it turns out, Yonni was not the only miner to have both a wife and a mistress, but his story became the most public.

Marta, Yonni's wife of 28 years, just recently discovered he had a mistress.  Prior to the 69 days he was trapped, she had no idea.  After learning of Yonni's indiscretion, Marta chose not to be there to greet Yonni when he popped his shaft out of the shaft.

Ahem.

There is just SO much material here ...

Trapped for 69 days.

The mistress (instead of the wife) was waiting for him at the end of his shaft ...

Stuff like this is irresistible to my warped sense of humor.

Susana, Yonni's mistress, has apparently been having a relationship with him for over five years.  She greeted him with sobs, kisses, and hugs.  

Yonni seemed a little uncomfortable during her display of emotion.

The greeting by his mistress, with cameras zooming in to capture every moment, seemed a little awkward.

Yonni probably knew his wife was at home watching the exchange on television.

It must be a little strange and uncomfortable for Yonni to have his illicit extramarital affair revealed to the entire world.

Go figure ....

Now, I personally don't care how Yonni chooses to live his life.

Who am I to judge?

I know very little about Yonni, his wife, his mistress, or his life.

I've experienced enough of life to realize not all situations are black and white.

I also wouldn't pretend to know the slightest thing about Yonni's particular love triangle.

I do, however, know Yonni was allowed to choose three people to be present to greet him when he emerged from the mine.

He invited BOTH his wife and his mistress.  

Really, Yonni?

Really?

I'm wondering how Yonni expected that to work out?

Who was he going to hug and kiss first?

Apparently his wife, although upset upon learning of his mistress, had initially planned to be there to greet him upon his rescue.  That is - until she found out he had also asked his mistress to be there.  At that point, Marta pretty much told Yonni to fuck off.

My bet is, now that Marta has left Yonni - he'll want her back.

It seems to be human nature to want what we can't have.  If Susana had been the one to tell Yonni to fuck off, he'd probably chase after her.

It isn't easy to love two people at the same time.

Yonni's story made me think.

I thought about what I would do if I were Marta.  I thought about what I would do if I were Susana.  I wondered how often affairs are discovered when one of the involved parties becomes ill, involved in an accident or tragedy, or dies.  

I bet it's actually a pretty common phenomenon ...

I also thought about Yonni.  I tried to imagine being him.

I tried to imagine ...

And yet, I couldn't.

He asked both his mistress and his wife (who had just found out about his mistress) to come and rejoice together at his rescue.

It's hard for me to imagine being that stoopid.

Clearly, the man must have been oxygen deprived down in the mine.

So tell me, do you think I'm way off base?

What are your thoughts on the situation?

What would you do if you were Marta, Susana or Yonni?

© Twenty Four At Heart

A Must See!

**  I want to thank you for entering the contest to suggest a name for my new website to help disabled and/or challenged photographers.  I had a hard time narrowing down the name choices because there were so many great possibilities.  To help me, I checked to see which of my favorites were available as domain names.  The final choice was suggested by Le and it is Blurring The Focus.  Congratulations Le on winning a $100 Amazon gift card!

I like Blurring The Focus as the site name because when you're living in pain and/or with a disability it tends to be the focus of your life.  For it NOT to be the focus, you have to make a concentrated effort to re-focus on other things ... thus blurring your focus and getting on with other parts of your life.  Now begins the exciting act of putting the site together.  I will let you know as soon as it's up and running.  Again, thank you EVERYONE for all your support!  **

And now for today's very, very, special post ...

I don't put many videos up, but this one is a must (!!) see.  I saw Ricochet, a service dog, surf a year ago.  If this video doesn't touch your heart, I will be shocked.

Make sure you watch until the very end.

Enjoy!

 

© Twenty Four At Heart

Surfing Contest

On Saturday I watched part of the Hurley Pro Surfing Contest at Trestles Beach.

It was a beautiful day and the waves were big.  

There could be no confusion as to who sponsored the competition because Hurley was everywhere you looked - even on big buoys out in the water.

(You're welcome for the free advertising Hurley.  Do you see the PayPal button on my sidebar?  Feel free to activate it!)

Just kidding - they can send a check, don't ya think?

There was a heavy rip current, but that didn't stop endless numbers of surfers from enjoying the day.

Flags on the sand marked the boundaries for the competition.

Personally, I've never had any desire to surf.

It sure is a lot of fun to watch though (especially when there are really great surfers out in the water to entertain me).

They were amazing!

© Twenty Four At Heart

September 11th

 

I have not forgotten the many people who lost their lives on September 11th. 

© Twenty Four At Heart

The Statement Bracelet - A Giveaway!

Men - don't run away!  

Today is for you too.  I'm sure you have a female in your life.  If not a wife, lover, sister, or mother ... than surely a friend?  Today's giveaway item makes for a perfect gift!

Big, fun, chunky, jewelry is "in" for the fall season.

If you wear one big, chunky, piece of jewelry it's called a "statement" piece and you don't need a whole lot else to go with it.  (Maybe clothes?)

One of my local, Orange County, readers sells Stella and Dot jewelry.  She recently contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in choosing a piece of jewelry from her collection to give away here on Twenty Four At Heart.  (And no, I'm not being compensated in any way for this post.)

"I can pick out any piece I want to give away?" I asked.

She replied, "Any piece you want!"

We set up a meeting at the Money Town Starbucks.  She brought boxes and boxes of jewelry to show me.  I oohed and I ahhed as I looked at all the pretty, sparkly items.

I kept coming back to ONE bracelet, over and over again.  (Surprisingly, it wasn't the most expensive piece of jewelry I was looking at.)

"I want this one, but I want it for ME," I told her.

She laughed.

(And no, I haven't yet ordered it for myself but oh, how I want to.) 

** Hint, hint Briefcase! **

 

It's just so fun to wear this bracelet. 

 

It's full of baubles and sparkles and joy.

My daughter (21 years old) tried it on so I could photograph it.  She instantly fell in love with it.  She was on her way out with some friends and asked if she could wear it for the evening.

"No," I answered.  "It's not mine, you can't borrow it."

The bracelet is perfect for fall. 

It's perfect for the holidays. 

If you don't wear jewelry yourself, it makes a perfect gift.

The Audrey Cluster Bracelet normally sells for $69 plus tax and shipping charges.  I have ONE to give away this week for free.

This is how the Statement Bracelet Giveaway will work:

1.  Every comment left on this post counts as one entry.

2.  You may enter as many times as you'd like.

3.  I will accept entries until Thursday night (August 19th) at 9 p.m. Pacific time. 

4.  The winner will be selected by using the Random Integer Generator software program.

5.  The winner will be announced on Friday, August 20th.

I'm sure it goes without saying, if you don't win this bracelet in my giveaway, you are able to purchase it (or any other Stella and Dot piece) by clicking here.

**  Additional note:  Yes, I will ship this to you for free including internationally.  If you order Stella and Dot products on your own, additional shipping charges will apply if you live outside of the United States.  **

Good luck!!

© Twenty Four At Heart

The Getty Center

Up in the Santa Monica mountains are around 750 acres of land which The Getty Center was built on.  I've wanted to visit the museum for years, and I finally had the opportunity yesterday.

I didn't have my helicopter handy, so I borrowed this aerial shot off the Internet.  (Sorry it's so pixelated, but it will give you a feel for the sheer size of the place.)

The Getty is about an hour drive north of where I live.  The views from The Getty Center are incredible.

Here's a shot I took looking towards Los Angeles:

The air actually did get pretty clear as the day went on.  There was a lot of fog hanging around in the morning.  (And yes, morning fog often turns into afternoon smog in L.A.)

This next photo was taken out by the gardens.  I was having a, very, bad hair day, and I hate the unflattering shirt I was wearing, but I wanted proof I really was, finally, at The Getty.

I like art and I enjoyed touring the different Pavilions, but I loved the architecture of the center most of all.  Because I love photography so much, I would have to say the Center for Photographs was my favorite exhibition. 

I could have spent hours and hours just wandering around The Getty photographing the buildings, the views, the gardens, the fountains, etc.

There's something important I want all of you to know.  I took this next photo just so I could make something very clear.

OK, you're probably tired of looking at photos ....

Here's the last one:

There are fountains all over the place at The Getty Center and there are also, at least, three different spots to grab a bite to eat if you happen to get hungry while you're there.

I had fun.  It was a beautiful day in so many ways. 

I think I might make a trip back for another visit sometime in the fall.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Off to the Races!

For several years I've been meaning to get down to the Del Mar Race Track in San Diego County.  Just about everyone I know has gone to the races, and has reported back on how much fun they've had.  For some reason, my plans have never come to fruition.

Because of that, I was absolutely THRILLED to receive an invitation from Del Mar Race Track to come down and join several San Diego Bloggers for a family day at the races. 

My very first trip to the races!

This is a photo I took with my webcam as I was headed out the door:

The laundry basket in the background is a nice touch, don't you think?

I picked up my friend Nike and we began the drive towards Del Mar.  I live about an hour north of San Diego so it was an easy drive.  (Also?  Nike and I can talk for hours and drive time makes for a great chance to get caught up!)

Here's a photo of Nike once we arrived at the track:

I hope each and every one of you is lucky enough to have a friend like Nike during your lifetime.  We've been friends for about 16 years I think and she's the greatest. 

Nike took this photo of me shortly after we arrived:

 

Do you think having my hands on my hips hides their largeness?

No?

The horses were so beautiful.  They took my breath away.

I got to meet a lot of wonderful San Diego bloggers including my long-time Internet buddy, San Diego Momma.

I can't wait to spend more time with her when we go to New York in a week or two.

Oh, and did I mention the actual races?

The races were fun, exciting ... and the horses were majestic.

It was such a fun experience!

I only bet on two races.  During one race I bet on Talktoomuch and won $4.00.  In the next race I bet on Winsome Charm and won around $11.50.  I know nothing about horse racing and I placed my bets based entirely on the horses names.  I was SO excited to win even though it was only a small amount of money.  

All in all, it was really a fun day.

Nike and I drove back to Orange County and then stopped for a margarita and some ceviche for dinner.

Margaritas are their own separate food group, aren't they?

Well, if not, they ought to be.

I had such a good time, I'm really (!) looking forward to going back for another fun day at the race track soon.

© Twenty Four At Heart

How Clean is YOUR Dirt?

I was behind a dump truck, stuck in traffic, on my way through Los Angeles the other day.

Maybe I needed a little stress relief. 

Maybe I was just bored. 

Maybe I have a weird sense of humor?

For whatever reason, this really made me smile ....

© Twenty Four At Heart

Dear Facebook: You're Being an Asshat

Dear Facebook,

I admit, I'm not your biggest fan user.

Oh yes, I have an account with you and I do pop in to visit now and again.  I don't, however, spend much time with you.  

I have other, bigger, social media outlets.

For instance, I love Twitter!

I've made some great "real life" friends on Twitter.  

Not only that, but Twitter has allowed me to get to know some of my 24 readers and for them to get to know me.  

Twitter is also the new Google.

Sort of.

I ask Twitter questions and I get (fast) answers.

And of course, in addition to Twitter ...

There's Twenty Four At Heart.  

My heart and soul are here on 24.  You might say I have an intimate relationship with my blog.  Who knew this little ol' space could become such a huge, important, part of my life?  Twenty Four At Heart is, in many ways, my soulmate.

Maybe that's where the problem came in, Facebook?  Maybe you're jealous of my other relationships loyalties and decided to pout and make my life miserable?

Please let me know when you're over it, and ready to resume a more positive relationship.

Yours truly,

Suzanne/Twenty Four At Heart

You can imagine my surprise when I stopped into Facebook for a peek the other day and was told I'd been reported for linking to "abusive content."

Um, what the hell?

With a little more digging, I was told someone had "reported" Twenty Four At Heart for containing "abusive content" and I was notified I would not be allowed to link to my own blog again.

Now, let's think for a minute ...

What would be "abusive content" on Facebook?

Well, an example might be a male pedophile posing as a 12 year old girl and then using Facebook to lure young girls to meet him.  Certainly, I can understand Facebook shutting someone like that down.  Lying about who you are, and representing yourself as something you're not, would be considered abusive content.

I was shocked, absolutely floored, when I began researching Facebook's procedures on reports of abusive content.

If someone reports another Facebook user as abusive, Facebook just BAM! shuts the accused person/website down.  Facebook apparently doesn't CHECK to see if the content by that user is, in fact, "abusive."  Facebook just assumes there's a reason to censor the person, and does.

There is no way to "appeal" the situation if someone reports you for abusive content.

Let's look at a hypothetical example ...

Let's pretend I'm a Money Town woman and I absolutely hate that damn chick who writes Twenty Four At Heart.  After all, she makes fun of people like me.  I have plastic boobs, veneers for teeth, a butt implant, a chin implant, cheek implants and enough botox injected into me to last a lifetime.  I make Heidi Montag look like a novice with the number of plastic surgeries she's had.  I tell Facebook Suzanne is posting abusive content, and BAM! she can't link to Twenty Four At Heart ever again.  I'm a liar and a bitch - but Suzanne can't do anything about it so I win.  (I've just put her in the same Facebook category as pedophiles!)

Woo hoo!

Can you imagine how much power this gives to General Asshats, friends/relatives you've had a falling out with, or your exes?  Anyone with a personal vendetta against someone else can create Facebook chaos for you very easily.

I went to Facebook's "Help" link to find out how to correct a bogus report of abuse.

Facebook says:

"If you believe there is no abusive content on the specific website you are trying to post, unfortunately, the web domain that hosts the website has already been identified as abusive."

I'm not convinced the above sentence even makes sense?

The meaning, however, is clear.  You can't do shit about a report of abuse, even if the complaint was completely unfounded.  Someone cried "abusive content" and therefore, you *must be* responsible for abusive content.  Just like that, you're banned from linking on Facebook.

Seriously, Facebook?

Of course, I was very pissed off at this point.  

I researched further by googling people who have experienced the same thing.  I read reports from other Facebook users who were falsely accused of abusive content.  I learned Facebook sometimes arbitrarily removes the restriction without notice or explanation.  (The same way, as a matter of fact, they begin censoring their users.)

Sure enough, about 48 hours later my account was restored back to normal.

Why?

Is it because of the rant I let loose on Twitter about the situation?

Or did my rant have nothing to do with it?  

Did someone look into the situation on my behalf?

I will never know.  

I do know, however, this is a Facebook policy that MUST be changed.  The way accusations of abusive content are handled right now is wrong on so many levels.  

In fact, I think all Facebook users need to be aware of this situation.  

I'm going to go put a link to this blog post on Facebook right now.  

I wonder if Facebook will censor THAT?

© Twenty Four At Heart

A Mooning Disappointment

Last weekend marked, once again, the second Saturday of July.

What's so special about the second Saturday of July?

Well, for 31 years it has been an Orange County tradition to moon the passing trains on that day each year.  The event is called Mooning Amtrak.

 

I attended the event both last year, and again just last weekend.  If you haven't read my past recaps about Mooning Amtrak, I really suggest you do.  They're very entertaining, especially this one.

Two years ago, over 8,000 people showed up for train mooning and the city of Laguna Niguel, where mooning the train takes place, freaked the hell out.  As a result, last year the city paid an exorbitant amount of money on scare tactic publicity and for a ridiculous, overwhelming, police presence to discourage mooners from showing up.

Apparently Laguna Niguel is getting what they want.  This year only about 100 people came to moon the trains and there were more police "monitoring the crowd" than there were mooners.

It really pissed me off.

Train mooning is harmless fun and a thirty one year tradition.  It's also, in my opinion, a dying tradition.  The police ticket and/or arrest people for drinking in public or frontal nudity and traffic infractions.  The police do let people moon unharrassed, but their very presence scares people away.

Boo hiss Laguna Niguel!

Mooning takes place each year across the street from Mugs Away Saloon.  (The saloon does not sponsor the mooning in any way.)

Mugs Away Saloon is not a classy bar.  Let's take a closer look at the sign they have posted outside their front door.

Last year I walked into the saloon during train mooning, but it was so crowded I walked right out.  This year I walked in, looked around at the photos of tits and nude women on the wall and ...?  Walked right out once again.  

To be honest, I was afraid to touch anything in the saloon.  It's the type of place that makes most biker bars look like the Ritz Carlton.

These are my friends D1 and D2 who accompanied me to Mooning Amtrak.  They're pointing out their asses because they're afraid we might not notice them otherwise.

Have I ever mentioned what great girlfriends I have?  I don't like most women as much as as I like most men, but the women I do like?  Are pure awesome! 

Most of the people at Mooning Amtrak are very nice and just regular, every day, folks.

However, there are always a few people thrown in who make you wonder, WTF?  For instance, this time there was a guy who was very, very, serious about his mooning.  It seemed like, perhaps, he just liked to have his pants off a lot.  I nicknamed him Stroker.

 

Also?

Some of you don't come to visit on weekends and might have missed this photo which I also posted yesterday:

I was interviewed both on and off camera by several different TV and print reporters.  (So was my friend D1 who you see standing next to me in the above photo.)

Cross body purses make my boobs look big.

Oh wait ....

My boobs ARE big!

A few of you have asked me for online links of the interview and to be honest, I'm not sure where it appeared.  I do know ABC was supposed to be one of the stations receiving the feed.  I also know it was out there internationally because Twenty Four At Heart has been going absolutely crazy with insane amounts of traffic since the interview.  (A lot of that traffic has been from within the United States but a ton of it has been from outside of the country as well.)   Also, I've heard from some of my readers in various cities around the world saying they saw me on TV.

I also appear in one interview done by the local Orange County Register.  If you click on this link, you will see the article the Register wrote about train mooning.  At the end of the article, they have a video I appear in, briefly, which you can click on.  It's really not a big deal, but as I said - I don't know where to find the links to the other coverage.

Will I go moon the train again?  Probably not unless the event is resurrected to its previous glory.  I might, however, stop by to take a few photos again next year.

Did I mention ...

Boo! Hiss! Laguna Niguel!

Shame on you for ruining some harmless fun and a long time OC tradition!

By the way, just so you get a feel for how conservative many OC people are, I've copied two of the comments the OC Register received on their mooning article for you to read:

1.  All these people should be arrested for indescent exposure and lewd conduct....If children were also present, they should be charged with child abuse and sexual assault.....Since the gay movement is on the rise, the buttocks area is now a sexual organ and this is why these people should be charged with sex crimes.  These people are the same kind of mentality that say being gay is normal.....They are all immoral people and sinners and should be arrested for sex crimes

2.  These people are disgusting!
And for the OCR to promote their disrespectful behavior, foisting their indecent exposure onto others is wrong.  Why the double standard allowing them to do it when it is actually illegal to bare your privates. Absolutely sure a few go-nads and V-g's are visible from behind!  I have NO RESPECT for these people who show no respect for perfect strangers. How arrogant.

Good God, I'm surrounded by Puritans!  (Puritans on one side and Money Town Swingers on the other!)

Did you notice, along with their close minded attitudes, Puritan-types don't seem to have a very good grasp of basic spelling, grammar and/or punctuation? 

Egads!

© Twenty Four At Heart

A Moment in the Spotlight

Yes, that was me you saw on ABC and assorted other news channels over the weekend.  I was interviewed, both on and off camera, by several reporters while attending the Orange County annual Mooning Amtrak event.

There's nothing more meaningful than having your fifteen minutes of fame revolve around the shapeliness (squishiness?) of your ass.

I'll have more for you regarding the event on Monday!

© Twenty Four At Heart

In Case You're Interested ...

Consider this a catch-all, miscellaneous, post.

There are a few things I want to get "out there" to the Southern California population and even those of you in other locations might also have an interest.

1.   Mooning the Train, an Orange County annual event, will be taking place in the city of Laguna Niguel ALL DAY this Saturday, July 10th!  Parking is always difficult, so please plan ahead if you're able to attend this fun event.  I hope to be there for at least part of the day myself because it is ALWAYS a great time.

My ass *might have* appeared on national news last year.  Shhh!  Don't tell anyone.

(Yes, the city of Laguna Niguel probably DOES hate me right about now ....)

2.  The wonderful, heartwarming, Plasticos Foundation, is holding a Mud Run in Orange County on July 18th at the Irvine Lake.  I can't think of a more deserving organization and I encourage my local readers to show their support.  Even if you're not a runner, this should be a great event to walk and/or watch.  (It's about 3 miles at Irvine Lake)

Remember how I almost accompanied Plasticos to Cambodia?  Well, they recently returned from that trip and it sounds like an amazing time.  They treated a young boy with a cobra bite to his foot!  If you have any interest you can read all about it on the Plasticos Foundation Blog.

3.  Wild Rivers Park in Irvine and Raging Waters in San Dimas contacted me with a discount offer for my readers.  For Wild Rivers, the discount is $5 off a general admission ticket and you can click here to get the coupon.  (OR you can enter the promotion code: SUN2 if you purchase your ticket online here.)

For Raging Waters in San Dimas, the discount is good for $7 off a general admission ticket purchased online or $5 off a general admission ticket purchased at the park.  The coupon is available here.  (OR you can enter the promotion code:  1067 if you purchase your ticket online here.)

To my non-Southern California readers, forgive me for mentioning these local events/offers today.  I'll be back to normal posting ASAP!

© Twenty Four At Heart

I Don't Love Vampires

Well, yesterday's post set a record for "fuck you's" in my comment section.  

Getting so many fucks in one day will most likely make me ineligible for any blog awards during the year 2010.

That didn't sound right ...

Also?

That big corporate sponsorship I was recently contacted about probably just disappeared, but that's okay!  I haven't had a big corporate sponsorship previously, and I never intended to have one when I began Twenty Four At Heart.  If Corporate America thinks I've had too many fucks from my readers then ... oh well.

(Wait .... that didn't sound right either!)

I think I'd better change the subject before I make things even worse than they already are.

Apparently another Twilight movie just came out.

I'm sorry, but I don't get it.

I can understand ten and twelve year old little girls squeeing over vampires and werewolves, but grown women?

I tried, I really did try.

I downloaded the first Twilight book to my Kindle awhile back and I forced myself to read the entire thing.  I thought the writing was incredibly weak and the story juvenile.

**  Ducking from thrown objects **

I couldn't bring myself to go see the movie or, for that matter, to read any of the other books.

I realize my opinion is not a popular one.

I realize my opinion will probably create fuck yous in my comment section again today, except this time they will be directed at me.

Why would a grown woman wait in line for four hours to see a movie written for 12 year olds?  Why, why, why?

Why would a grown woman fantasize about a pasty white man with fangs sucking blood out of her neck?

Why would she find it titillating to think a werewolf would compete with a vampire for her?  (Yes, a hairy beast of a man who likes to howl at full moons.)

It's no wonder so many men say they don't understand what women want.

I don't understand either.

I, personally, like a real man.

You know, a warm bodied man with real flesh, kind eyes and ... ok, maybe a talented tongue.

Did I just say that?

I believe I did ....

© Twenty Four At Heart

A Day of Remembrance

I hope those of you who live in the United States will take a moment today and join me in remembering the many service men and women who have been lost fighting for our country.

I wish all of my readers a safe and wonderful Memorial Day.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Potpourri

I hope you had a nice weekend!

I've had house guests here for the last five days.  Even the best house guests are exhausting, don't you think?

Or maybe I'm just old.

I feel like I need to be Happy!  And Up!  And Chatty!  And Cooking!  And Cleaning!  And Entertaining!  all day long every single day while they're here.

It's so much easier to be grouchy, and lazy ....

In the theme of laziness, I thought I'd give you a few random updates today.

1.  Whirlpool came out five days earlier than expected and fixed my "failed" three and a half year old front-loading washing machine.  I was thrilled with their earlier-than-expected response time.  The final cost of the repairs was over $1,600 and Whirlpool charged me nothing.  I haven't written about the repair, because I wanted to use the machine for a week or so, and make sure it continued to work.  It has, but the other day I found water sitting in the empty tub, again.  The repair people had told me this happens when the pump fails and they just replaced the pump so I don't know what the deal is.  It's only happened once.  Maybe it was some weird fluke?  

I'll contact Whirlpool once my guests leave to take a look at it if it happens again.  The important thing is, I can do laundry again including the daily cleaning of my son's always-filthy baseball uniform.  

Thank you Whirlpool! 

This is what my son's uniform pants looked like five minutes into his game last Friday:

And that is why I need to do laundry every night!

2.  Several of you have asked why I might be traveling to Cambodia.  I've been invited by the Plasticos Foundation to travel with them to document and photograph a medical mission in June.  It isn't definite yet whether I'll be able to attend, but I'm working hard on the details in an attempt to take them up on this amazing opportunity.  As you may recall, the foundation travels to third world countries and performs life-changing surgeries to aid people with birth defects, malformations, and disfigurements caused by trauma.  In addition to changing the lives of the patients they attend, they also train the doctors in the countries they visit.  The doctors they train are then able to continue helping patients after the American medical team has departed.  

Everyone who travels with the Plasticos Foundation is required to work, and non-medical personnel are not normally permitted on these trips.  I'm incredibly honored they've invited me to come along to record this medical mission (with both my writing and my photography).  I'll let you know, as soon as I know, if I'm able to pull off the logistics to make this trip happen.

3.  It was pretty hot here this weekend.  Some of us will do anything we can think of to cool off.

He sits on the "beach" area of our pool to cool off.  Then he wades in and swims.  Then he sits back down on the beach for awhile.  He thinks it's his swimming pool.  (And for those who have asked in the past, we brush him daily so the pool doesn't end up full of dog hair.)

4.  I spent Saturday afternoon at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

Fashion Island is an outdoor, swanky, high-end, mall.  You can see the ocean from the mall.  A Nordstrom store just opened at Fashion Island on Friday.  In spite of the fact we have several other Nordstrom stores in Orange County, the entire OC seemed to show up for this big (!) excitement.  

??

Personally, I went to people-watch.  I rarely buy anything at Fashion Island, but it may be the best people-watching anywhere in The OC.

However, this trip I dog-watched instead.

I've never seen so many dogs inside a department store in my life.  I counted twenty five dogs inside the brand new Nordstrom store during the short time I was there.  (And that was just on the ground level!)  I'm not talking (only) about little, tiny, dogs either.  Several of the dogs began growling and barking at each other and the owners just laughed as if it were all very amusing.

Two dogs started to fight in the shoe department.  

Seriously, Orange County?

I'm a total, complete, dog lover and I found it ridiculous, inappropriate, and annoying.  

One dog ran in circles around me wrapping its leash around my ankles.  What would happen if that same thing occurred with an elderly person and they fell?  And what happens when someone gets bit by a dog while buying their $2,000 designer purse?  Does Nordstrom want those lawsuits? 

Not to mention, some people are allergic or afraid of dogs.

What the hell Orange County?  Do you really feel so entitled, you don't think you need to concern yourself with the well being of the other people around you?

And Nordstrom, what are you thinking allowing dogs in your stores?  If they aren't guide-dogs/canine companions, they shouldn't be there.  It's not the beach, it's a department store. 

Oh wait, I forgot, dogs aren't allowed on most beaches here either.  So why are they allowed in our department stores?

5.  My arm is bad.  Very, very bad.  The pain is the worst it has been in months, and I've lost a lot of function since The Torturer stopped treating me in February.  It's very discouraging.  And painful.  And did I mention ... painful?  I've put it off for as long as I can, I'm going to have to call my doc this week and get back into treatment.  You have no idea how overwhelming the very thought is.  Or how depressing.  Or discouraging.  And did I mention it has been very painful?  As in, waking-me-up-several-times-each-night painful? Ugh .....!!!

6.  Hummingbirds live in Orange County year round.  They're definitely thirstier once the weather warms up though.  I was sitting out by the pool yesterday afternoon and they kept buzzing around my head.  I don't know why, but they always make me smile.  

I like to think our yard is a friendly place for them to hang out.

© Twenty Four At Heart

An Abuse of Power or Freedom of Speech?

This is going to be a long post, but I need to address some things.

I began Twenty Four At Heart as a result of a terrible car accident I was in.  Writing has helped me cope with the struggles I've gone through.  It's also allowed me to look outside of my physical pain, and limitations, to find the humor in the small every day things surrounding me.  For me, writing has been tremendously healing.

As dramatic as it sounds, writing is truly my oxygen.  I don't know if I could have managed to get through such a hard time in my life without it.

In my short time in the blogosphere, I've intentionally avoided Internet drama to the best of my ability.  I've got real-life physical challenges to deal with every day, I don't need to get caught up in blogging dramas on top of it.  (And for those of you who don't live in the blogosphere, there is always plenty of drama going on.)

That being said, apparently I've unintentionally stirred up some shit this week with my post, Lately, My Life Has Been a Whirlpool.  My intention, of course, was just to vent about a situation in my life (just like I vent about so many other things here on 24).  I received some heated comments on my post.  I also received several Tweets regarding it and some direct emails also.

Emotions ran high.

Accusations ran high.

Support ran high.

Anger ran high.

To be honest, I never expected the Whirlpool post to receive the attention it has.  I didn't realize a broken washing machine would create such a fuss.

But I guess, I should have.

I've had every major appliance company imaginable on 24 since the Whirlpool post published.  I've also had some of the biggest public relations companies in the world visiting.

** Waving to all the nice folks  **

(Some of them are pissed off at me, I think.)

I know I have some readers who have never read any blogs other than 24.  They aren't aware of the washing machine "issue" which preceded mine.  For them, I will try to explain briefly.

There's a woman named Heather Armstrong who writes a very famous "mommy blog" called dooce.  She has over a million followers on Twitter.  A lot of bloggers love to hate her because they either a) Don't like her personality b) Disagree with her lifestyle or c) Have all sorts of jealousy issues about her success.  Personally, I enjoy her humor and like to read her blog, although I don't follow it every single day.  I met Heather briefly on the Dr. Phil show last summer and I thought she was very nice.  (Remember?  I spoke on Dr. Phil?  And the back of my head became famous for five minutes or less?)

In any case, Heather had a washing machine issue awhile back (with a Maytag which is the same company as Whirlpool).  When customer service repeatedly didn't handle her problem she became frustrated and sent out Tweets telling her million plus followers not to buy Maytag.  Needless to say, her washer got fixed promptly.

Her situation created a controversy in the blogosphere.  Some people applauded Heather for forcing a corporation to take action and be accountable for their customer service.  Other people condemned her for "abusing her power."

To be honest, I didn't know much about Heather's whole situation.  It just wasn't a memorable thing for me although I did remember there was some big controversy over an appliance.  (On many days, I'm doing well if I get a post up on 24 and I tend to be a little oblivious to the rest of the blogosphere.  Maybe that makes me self-absorbed, but more likely it has to do with the fact I'm living with intense pain and just can't deal with much else.)  

Then I started getting dooce-related comments on my post.  I had to google "Heather Armstrong appliance problem" and go back and read about it to get the details.  That's when I found out Heather's appliance issue was ALSO with a washing machine, and ALSO with the same company since Whirlpool owns both the Whirlpool and Maytag brands.

One of my readers, Lisa, left the following comment on my Whirlpool post and also unfollowed me:

Ok seriously? Am I the only person who thinks you may be looking a gift horse in the mouth a bit? The fact is you didn't buy the extended warranty and Whirlpool doesn't HAVE to do anything. They are because you threw a hissy on Twitter and tried to pull a Dooce. The whole "I'm a blogger and you better give me special treatment" act leaves a sour taste in the mouths of people who see real need every day because of skyrocketing unemployment. You are not shy about talking about all of your financial advantages, leaving us to believe you can well afford the cost of a new machine. The rest of us would have to make the best of this very same situation. Come on.

One of my other readers then responded:

Lisa, Ok Seriously! If you or I had spent $1000 on a washing machine and it broke, I think you or I would do everything in our power to right the wrong that is a lemon! No matter what anyone makes, Whirlpool made a shitty product and it shouldn't break in 3 years. I'd yell it out over the mountain tops but heck there's the internet, baby, I'd use that and make a strong statement!

I don't mind people calling me out if I deserve it.  In this case, I don't think I do.  Also, Lisa was making some big assumptions about my life that really pissed me off.  I replied to her:

Lisa,
I'm "not shy in talking about" all my financial advantages? When have I EVER talked about my finances?

Never. Not once.

I don't discuss my finances, my marriage, my family on 24.
I live NEAR an affluent area I refer to as Money Town. I don't live IN Money Town.
Your perception of my financial status is very misguided. I can't afford to buy a new washing machine every 3 1/2 years.

Even if I could, I shouldn't need to ... nor should anyone else.

I think I was quite complimentary of Whirlpool's efforts to stand by their product in today's post. Do I still have a dilemma? Yes, I do. I am physically incapable of carrying laundry baskets. I have no laundromat in the vicinity of my home. I have a problem.

Does it make me an Internet bully to discuss my problems/issues/concerns on my own blog? I don't think so ... that's what bloggers do EVERY DAY.

I appreciate being compared to Dooce, but I am a small blogger. I don't have anything close to her power. Also, I didn't get on Twitter (or my blog) and tell people not to buy Whirlpool OR ask for special treatment because I'm a blogger. Nonetheless, I can certainly understand why she got so frustrated that she DID shout out on twitter. There are few things as frustrating as dealing with a broken appliance which we, as moms, are very dependent on.

I did VENT on Twitter ... just like everybody else does EVERY DAY about the issues going on in our lives. Is venting "throwing a hissy fit"?? Then take a look at twitter and you will see people throwing hissy fits over various issues in their lives ALL DAY LONG.

Whirlpool responded to my venting ... and as I wrote in my post, I was quite impressed that they did and also with their response. I don't see anywhere in this post where I complain about Whirlpool's response to my problem or ask for "special treatment" because I'm a blogger.

On the other hand, consumers have every right to stand up for themselves and to request good customer service from the companies we purchase products from.

Another commenter wrote:

I am glad they are fixing your problem and I would be irate if an appliance broke down in 3 years! I had my last one for FIFTEEN!!! That is absurd and a quality issue that is the problem of the company. I am glad to see that they are doing something to resolve it. If everyone's washer broke down in 3 years and they just said, "Sorry, you didn't buy the warranty" as the previous poster suggested, how many do you think they would sell...not many I would think. I also think that even if you do have money, or not, is irrelevant in this issue and people need to quit hating. A customer is a customer no matter what their economic status and I expect to get a quality product when I spend my money as everyone should. Perhaps people like you and Dooce using your "voice" will make customer service better for everyone and it is certainly a good move on Whirlpool's part to correct the issue.

In a direct email, another reader wrote:

You have a strong voice in the blogosphere and although I understand your frustration, you are abusing your power by writing about your broken washing machine.  When my washing machine broke, I had to call customer service lines and wait around in frustration for days.  Why should you get better treatment just because you write 24?

I've read every comment, every Tweet, and every email I've received regarding my Whirlpool post.  I've also thought long and hard about all of them.

When I tweeted my frustration over my washing machine I wasn't "trying to pull a Dooce" because I didn't even know the dooce/washing machine details at the time.  I also wasn't trying to get special treatment.  I was surprised, but pleased, when Whirlpool responded on Twitter.  As I wrote in my post, I was impressed with their response.  I don't think they knew at the time, I'm the author of 24 and I certainly didn't Tweet "my machine broke and I'm a blogger so you better fix it."

A decade ago a frustrated consumer might go to their local newspaper or news station with a tale of woe.  Were they abusing their power by doing so?

Now, consumers use social media to voice their opinions whether they be positive or negative.  Savvy companies are aware of this and have a strong social media presence.

The issue of "power" and "abusing power" is really troubling me.

Do I, a relatively small blogger, have power?

I've never thought about myself, or 24, in those terms.

I don't have millions of followers like dooce, but I do reach thousands of people.

I suppose I do have some influence/power, but - not much.

When Anthem Blue Cross changed their payment policy towards physical therapists, I lost treatment for my injuries.  I blogged about it.  No one accused me of "abusing my power" for writing about a situation, created by a greedy disgusting corporation, which influenced my life in a very negative way.

Why not?

To me, that was a way bigger issue than a washing machine failing in three and a half years.

Why am I being accused of "abusing my power" now?

Am I irresponsible if I write about a situation/company/product in an unfavorable light?  Is it irresponsible if it's my honest opinion or experience?

When I write about a book I like, or a product or business I love ... and those comments are my honest opinion, no one bitches at me about abusing my power, do they?

Is it freedom of expression if my opinion or experience is positive and an abuse of power if my opinion or experience is negative?

Isn't it a positive thing, for all consumers, for us to demand our corporations stand by the products they make?  

For many years, I worked as a manager for a top Fortune 500 company.  Every single thing we did was about and for the customer.  We wanted to keep our customers for life.  When things occasionally went wrong, as things sometimes do, we did everything in our power to remedy the situation as fast as possible. 

I expect the very same treatment from the companies I deal with.  

I expect it, not because I'm a writer, not because I'm "powerful" (which is questionable), but because it's the right thing to do.  If I think highly enough of a company to purchase their products, they should think highly enough of me, as their customer, to stand by the product or service they sell.

And now I'd like to hear your thoughts ...

© Twenty Four At Heart

Happy Easter?

© Twenty Four At Heart

I Might Have Made A Scene At The Flower Fields

* As a reminder, tomorrow is Photography Friday!! *

I was back at The Flower Fields in Carlsbad on Tuesday.

A couple of my girlfriends wanted to make the trip.  Now that I've been there once, I had a better feel for what lenses I wanted to take with me this time.  I knew my macro lens could stay at home and my big monster 70-200 needed to come with me.

This is my friend Dee:

 

She was trying to steal me away from Briefcase.  Don't tell him, okay?

Here's my friend, Nike.  You've seen photos of her before:

She's carrying my camera backpack and I love her for it.  I even suggested we get married, and please don't go telling Briefcase about that either.

Thank goodness my friends were willing to help me carry things, because it's very hard to be a one-armed photographer.  I know I'm the one making the decision to pursue my love of photography.  I know I'm responsible for the incredible physical pain that results when I shoot pictures.  I also know how important it is to my spirit to have something I love so much in my life, regardless of the pain it causes.

<pops two pain pills and continues typing ...>

Here's my, hands down, favorite photo of the day:

Is it wrong to be in love with a photo?  Because I am.  I'm going to have it framed.  I think I'm also going to have note cards made from it.  I'm in love.

I wanted to also show you the view from The Flower Fields.

 

Sky, ocean, homes, businesses ... flowers!

And more flowers .....

  

I love watching the "wagons" or flower trucks drive through the fields.

It's almost more color than a person can comprehend.  Acres upon acres of beautiful, vivid, colors!

I could show you photo, after photo, after photo, of breathtaking flowers, and flower fields, and color.

A woman approached me at the fields.  She wanted to know if she could use one of my photos to paint.  She's an artist, but not a photographer.  I gave her one of my business cards.  How fun to think one of my photos might end up as a painting!

Another woman approached me with lots of questions about her point and shoot camera, how it works, and what she could do with it.  I won't go into all the details right now, but later in the day the subject came up again with my girlfriends.

"Sometimes," I informed them, "Bigger IS better."

And that's right about when I started getting a lot of strange looks from people passing by.  I swear, I didn't intentionally pose in front of the va-jay-jay looking lemon while posed like this.  No, I didn't realize that until I got home and saw the photo.

Several of the photos from today's post can be found on my photo site.  The last one, of the phallic camera lens and the giant vagina lemon, will not be available for sale.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Orange County Priorities

I frequently share "Money Town" stories here on 24.  I've had readers email me and ask if the stories are "really" true.  It's hard for them to believe some of them I suppose.  To be honest, I often find it hard to believe the people here too.

I've also said many times, there really are nice people living in Orange County.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of vapid, superficial, materialistic people here also.

Our local CBS news reported an interesting story yesterday about a woman who lives in South Orange County.  In fact, this particular woman doesn't live too far from where I do. 

The article attracted my attention immediately for several reasons, and I knew I had to share it with you.

A thirty year old South Orange County woman was sentenced this week for fraud.

Now, you're probably thinking people get arrested for committing fraud all the time, and you're right - they do.

What fraudulent act did this woman commit?

Well, she established credit under someone else's name in September of 2008 so she could get her hands on $12,000.

Perhaps you're thinking in this tough economy she needed money for food, or shelter, and was so desperate she was willing to break the law in order to survive.

You would be wrong.

No, this particular woman "needed" cosmetic surgery including a boob job and liposuction.

Yes, at thirty years of age she was so desperate for cosmetic surgery, she was willing to break the law.  She had her surgeries back in September of 2008.

She ended up pleading guilty to identity theft, grand theft and burglary.

This week the woman was sentenced to jail time and three years probation.  In addition, restitution was ordered.

Where did she get her plastic surgery done?

Why, at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery!

That's right, my friends helped make her look beautiful.

They also assisted the police in their investigation ... which, in turn, led to the woman's arrest.

Well, at least we know she went to top surgeons to get her "work" done.

She probably has the nicest figure in the entire jail.

By the way, local news stations have dubbed her The Breast Bandit.

Only in Orange County!

© Twenty Four At Heart

Why Don't I Just Bore You to Death With Spring?

Okay, really quickly, there's a few things I want to cover.

First, as I mentioned yesterday, beginning this week I'm going to try out "Photography Fridays" for awhile.  No, I'm not the very best and most expert photographer on earth.  Yes, I've taken photos for many, many, years and I do know some of what does and doesn't work.  It will be great fun to learn from all of you, in addition to answering whatever questions I can help with.

Do I have many professional photographers in the reading audience?  (I know I have at least one!)  If so, please feel free to join in with your wealth of knowledge.

Second, since I'm having two posts in a row with a spring/flower topic this week I thought I'd stick with the spring theme and take on photographing flowers for the first topic this Friday.  (A few of you sent in questions regarding flower photography.)  Even if the flowers have yet to bloom wherever you live, who can resist taking an occasional photo of them when they do bloom?  If you have a question, tip, or suggestion for photographing flowers you'd like included - please email me with it in the next day or two.

And now on with today's post.

On Sunday, Briefcase and I drove 45 minutes south to The Flower Fields in Carlsbad.

 

Carlsbad is a coastal town in northern San Diego county.  I live in southern Orange County so Carlsbad is not too far away.  (Orange County is right above San Diego County.)  The Flower Fields is, basically, a ranunculus bulb farm.

Try saying that five times fast.

Ranunculus Bulb Farm.  Ranunculus Bulb Farm.  Ranun ....

Never mind.

They grow bazillions (?) of ranunculus flowers at The Flower Fields.  Ranunculus are in the buttercup family, by the way.  They sell the bulbs from the ranunculi (?) - or is it ranunculuses (?) - all over the world.  They have 50 acres of land devoted to growing these beautiful flowers.  Currently, about 20 acres are blooming.

 

Flowers bloom as far as the eye can see.  (Add in a little beach fog in the distance - you can actually see the ocean from many spots at the fields.)

[Sorry the above photo isn't a great one from a technical standpoint.  I love it anyway.  I love the little path through the flowers and the sense of distance/scope it provides.  It reminds me of the flowers in The Wizard of Oz.]

Only a small portion of the flowers grown at The Flower Fields are sold.  I believe it's only one to two percent of those grown.  On the other hand, the fields yield a harvest of around six to eight MILLION bulbs!

They provide "wagon ride" tours of the fields also.  I've never gone on the ride, but I'm going to be back at the fields next week with some girlfriends and I hope to take the wagon ride then.

 

Mainly, I just like the idea of a man in a cowboy hat driving me around.

I've never had a man in a cowboy hat drive me anywhere.

You know, I really don't even see men in cowboy hats in Orange County.

Just sayin'.

 

Ranunculus are very pretty, but did you know they have no scent?  They smell exactly like nothing.  They also have no nectar, so they don't attract bees.  

Ranunculus come in a huge variety of colors.  In fact, the colors are so breathtaking, the fields are a favorite spot for photographers of all levels.  (National Geographic has even photographed The Flower Fields and you can bet they did a much better job of it than I did!)

 

The Flower Fields are only open from March 1st until May 9th, but they are open daily through those dates from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

There are other, beautiful, types of flowers at the fields also, but it really is all about the rununculus.

Beautiful, don't you think?

© Twenty Four At Heart 

Fun Facts

** I'm giving away a beautiful photography book this week.  Click here for details. **

Fun Fact #1:  I took this, very (!) bad, photo of myself with my MacBook yesterday afternoon.  Do you like the messy, un-brushed, hair?  (Seriously, I'm not sure I even brushed it with anything other than my fingers yesterday!)  

Did I photoshop away enough of my wrinkles?

The reason why I'm sharing this, less than flattering, picture is because I just received the shirt I have on.  I ordered it from Boden.  I've mentioned before, I like some of their clothes.  It was really hot here yesterday and this top was cool, comfortable, cute and ... just a little bit sex-ay due to the low-cut.  I always like to share a good find on Twenty Four At Heart.  (No, I'm not getting any freebies from Boden).

Fun Fact #2:  Someone on Twitter used the expression, "Omigod I just pulled a TwentyFour!" to explain something embarrassing she'd done.  It made me laugh.  Then I thought about it for a minute, and now I'm not sure if I should be flattered or insulted?  

Fun Fact #3:  My friend Mr Lady gave me the greatest tip on Twitter the other day.  I was cooking a dish with a lot of garlic in it and my hands reeked of it.  Mr Lady told me to rub my hands on stainless steel and the smell would go away.  I'd never heard of doing this before and, I admit, I was skeptical.  But guess what?  It works!  It might have looked a little odd as I gave my appliances a hand job, but the garlic smell disappeared completely.

Am I the only one who didn't know this trick?

Fun Fact #4:  Today is Day #4 of my 1,000 calorie per day diet.  In reality, I think I'm actually getting around 1100 calories each day.  I'm trying to do this for two weeks to kick-start my body into losing some weight before summer.  I don't know if I've lost anything yet, but I'm definitely eating healthier.  I'm also hungry.  I'm using SparkPeople to track calories and nutrients.  The most interesting part of the experience so far has been realizing what I DON'T have enough of in my diet.  (Vitamin C, as an example.)  If nothing else, it's making me very conscious of eating healthier which is always a good thing.  (And no, I'm not following the SparkPeople diet plan.)

Fun Fact #5:  I had a pukey kid home for the beginning part of this week.  If I catch what he had?  Shoot me.

Fun Fact #6:  Someone in my immediate family departed for Russia this week.  It wasn't me or Briefcase.

Fun Fact #7:  A local Orange County woman recently got upset with me for swearing on Twitter.  If you're on Twitter, you know swearing is extremely prevalent there.  Also?  clearly, this woman was not a 24 reader or she would have already known I'm not a G-rated blogger.

I woke up in a lot of pain that particular morning and I believe I tweeted something along the lines of, "Holy shit my arm hurts.  Fuck you Anthem Blue Cross for taking my PT away from me."  This particular woman replied back to me her son had read my tweet and I needed a time-out for cussing.

Excuse me?

If you know me at all, you know I absolutely cannot keep my mouth shut at times.

This was definitely one of those times.

I replied back this is why kids should not be on Twitter.

She replied back this is why [she] would "unfollow" me.

My reply?  

If you're easily offended, you never should have followed me in the first place.  Be a responsible parent and don't let your young kids read the Tweets of adults you've followed.

Fun Fact #8:  There are a LOT of women in Money Town right now who look like chimpanzees.  

 

Why?  

They've botoxed their faces to the point where their faces don't move at all.  Their eyes look permanently startled or frightened due to a combination of botox and bad brow lifts.  They've put so much filler in their lips, they flap in the wind.  But worst of all, they've added fillers to their laugh lines (parentheses) around their mouth.  Women here are going so overboard on the fillers, they look horrible.  Honestly, it looks like they're walking around with snouts.

Stop it Money Town women!

It doesn't look good - it looks ridiculous.  

And glaringly obvious.

And many of us are laughing at you.

And in a year or two you will look back at photos of yourself and say, "Omigod - what was I thinking?!"

Because that's exactly what I'm wondering right now.

What the hell are you thinking?

© Twenty Four At Heart

The Plastic Par-tay

Last Thursday night, I attended a Plastic Surgery Party hosted by the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery.

For me, it was a very different experience than the Plastic Surgery Party I attended at Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery last fall (Part I here and Part II here).

I arrived a little late due to bad traffic.  I had barely stepped into the party when I was met by some readers.  I was thrilled, of course.  It did change the dynamic of the party, however.  Because I was busy engaging with readers (who I now consider friends), I didn't have the opportunity to talk to random strangers and hear their stories.

Some things were similar, however.

There was a lot of champagne and an amazing food spread (which I never even saw firsthand, because - did I mention I was talking and being talked to a lot?).

By the way ... I didn't take any of these photos.  Every photo you see in this post was emailed to me by one of the nice people who works at the center.

There were a lot of people at the party, although, not quite as many as the party in the fall.

There was an area set up where vendors were available to discuss their products.  People could inquire about skincare products, magic eyelash growing potions, etc.  This area was very crowded and quite popular.

  

The doctors were kept busy talking to, and answering questions, from guests all evening.

Here's a photo of Dr. Horowitz and Linda (the nice PCPS employee who took most of these photos):

Linda has seen me in nothing more than a thong and a bra.  Poor woman!  That's a story for a different day.

Dr. Horowitz sure is a nice guy.  I've met him several times before , but I had an opportunity at the party to talk to him at length.  I was very impressed.  A couple of my readers were asking him (endless?) questions about their wrinkles or personal pet peeves and he was informative, engaging, and humorous.

Here's a photo of Dr. Nichter.  You already know I'm a huge Dr. Nichter fan.  He was talking to one of my readers.

When I was talking to Dr. Nichter, I scrunched up my face really tight and showed him all my under-eye wrinkles.  I asked him if I should use Juvederm or some type of filler to make them go away.  He smiled and told me I should just un-scrunch my face and act normal and I'd be fine without it for at least a few more years.

Ha!  Did I mention I think he's great?

I also wanted to share this photo of Kate and Stephanie with you.  I love everyone who works at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery, but Kate and Stephanie are two of my favorites:

I don't know how old Kate (on the left) is, but I believe Stephanie said she's 58.  I never would have guessed.  She's so beautiful and they're both incredibly nice people.

In fact, that's the one comment I heard most from my readers who were able to attend the party.  They couldn't get over how nice everyone from Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is.  That's why I've adopted their office, of course ... whether they want to be adopted or not.

There were raffles about every thirty minutes throughout the party.  I might have screamed and squealed when one of my raffle tickets was pulled.  I won a skincare product made by iS Clinical called Youth Complex.  

 

As I was leaving the party, a fellow party attendee approached me to tell me she uses Youth Complex, loves it, and that it normally sells for around $150.  She said it's made remarkable improvements in her skin.  I'll update you after I've used it for awhile and let you know if I like it.  I would think, at $150, it must be pure magic in a bottle.

As the guests left, each person was given a goody bag.  Inside, there was a host of things including a Twenty Four At Heart business card for each guest.  I bet the guests were much more excited by the necklaces in their bags though.  (The male guests had an instant gift for a woman in their life.)

Later this week (Friday?), I'll share with you a few photos of the necklaces they gave away.  I also thought I'd give you an update on some of the latest and greatest news in the world of Orange County plastic surgery sometime soon.  There's one product I'm really intrigued by.  In fact, I'd like to buy it by the barrel and take baths in it.  I'll tell you more about it soon.

Remember, even if you weren't available to attend the party, Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is offering discounts on both injectables and surgeries for the next few months to all Twenty Four At Heart readers.  You just need to let their office know you're one of my readers when you make an appointment.  

Once again, a huge thank you to Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter for being such big Twenty Four At Heart supporters and fans.  I had a great time Thursday night and I hope everyone else did too.

© Twenty Four At Heart

I Love This!

I was at the Plastic Surgery Party last night and had no time to write.  I had a lot of fun and actually won something in one of the raffles!  Woo hoo!  I'll tell you all about it soon.  In the meantime, I'm going to share with you this Old Spice commercial.  It's hilarious - I absolutely love it!

© Twenty Four At Heart

You're Invited to a Plastic Surgery Party!

The Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is having a Plastic Surgery Party in Huntington Beach on Thursday, March 11th, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.  Because I have friends in high places, the center is allowing me to invite YOU, both my male and female readers, to attend this amazing event!

I know my far away readers won't be able to attend.  You will, however, get to read all about the party right here on Twenty Four At Heart.

Not only that, the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is also offering some special deals for Twenty Four At Heart readers whether they are able to attend the party or not.  What kind of deals?  Well, you'll have to read a little further to find out.

I'm so excited to tell you what this party entails!  I've decided to break it down in a list of expectations for you.

What To Expect at This Free Event:

1.  Scrumptious nibbles, treats and champagne.  This "event" is basically just a very fun, nice, party.  And no, you do not have to get super dressy for it, but coming like a slob would not be appropriate either.

2.  A "goody" bag for all attendees.  (I've had a sneak preview and I think you'll like it!)

3.  A chance to mingle with Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter, two of Orange County's most respected plastic surgeons, and their staff.  (The nicest people anywhere!)  

4.  Some fabulous prizes will be raffled off including:  An Obagi Blue Peel (valued at $1,200), a facial by Innovative Skincare (valued at $150), Latisse (FDA approved eyelash lengthener and thickener), iS Clinical Products ($200 value), and a Vitamedica Gift Basket (valued at $100).  Oh, how I hope I WIN something!

5.  An opportunity to learn about the latest and greatest in the world of plastic surgery.

6.  Some fun people-watching.  You'd be amazed at the great stories some of the guests will be willing to share after having a glass or two of champagne!

7.  And oh yes, a chance to spend some time with me!  (I'll try to be on good behavior, but you just never know with me, do you?  At the last Plastic Surgery Party I *might* have played catch with a breast implant.  I do not recommend you do that!)

What NOT to Expect at This Event:

1. Do not expect to get in if you don't RSVP.  You MUST call (714) 902-1100 and let them know you will be attending.  Space is limited, so if you're interested please don't postpone giving them a call.  (Also, let them know you're one of my readers when you RSVP.)  Yes, you may bring friends with you as long as you RSVP for the total number of guests.

2.  Do not expect to see anyone getting plastic surgery at the party - not even Botox injections.  There won't be any procedures taking place that night. 

3.  Do not expect anyone to try and "sell" you anything or try to convince you that you need plastic surgery.  Dr. Nichter and Dr. Horowitz are professionals, and so is their staff.  Yes, you may ask THEM questions if you want ....  No, they will not point out your muffin top to you.  (I know this, because I've been to parties with them and they've never once told me I need a body lift and I DO!!!)

4.  Do not expect either of the doctors to have the time to give you a full consultation right there in the middle of the party.  They're both more than happy to answer questions, but if you'd really like to discuss your crows feet, sagging chin, baby-belly and wobbly thighs all in one conversation, you'll need to make an appointment for a consultation.  There will be a lot of guests wanting to mingle with the docs and it wouldn't be fair to the other guests if they spent the entire evening only with you.

5.  Do not expect a pair of Bionic Nipples in your Goody Bag.

Special Offer for Twenty Four At Heart Readers:

Don't ever say I haven't been looking out for my reader's best interests! 

The Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is offering the following to all Twenty Four At Heart readers:

A 10% discount on any surgeries scheduled with their office for the 6 month period running from the March 11th event until September 11, 2010.

A 10% discount on any injectables (botox, sculptra, etc.) scheduled with their office for the 3 month period running from the March 11th event until June 11, 2010.

What do you need to do to get the above discount?

You need to tell them you are one of my readers when you book the appointment.  That's all! 

Easy-peasy!

(And no, I'm not making any money, whatsoever, off of this!)

Details, Details, Details!

The Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery is located at 7677 Center Ave., Suite 401, Huntington Beach, CA  92647.  Their phone number, again, is (714) 902-1100.  You must call and let them know if you plan to attend!

I am SO looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible.  I hope you can join me.  Thank you again, to Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Nichter for extending this invitation (and the discounts!) to my readers.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Random Like That

I've been pretty low-key, just letting my eyes rest, and staying home a lot this week.  It certainly cuts down on my blogging material when I'm not out embarrassing myself and about as much as usual.  Never fear, though, I'm seeing much better and although my eyes aren't entirely back to normal, I think life will be back to its usual craziness this weekend.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share these little snippets with you.

1.  Proving once again, I have the greatest readers in the world, it turns out (at least) one of YOU is an opthamologist.  (You know who you are!)  It is just amazing to write about a situation and have a reader reach out to me with knowledge, advise, and comfort.  It makes me love this online world even more.

2.  Proving, however, nothing is perfect ....  I found one of the strangest reader emails of my life in my Inbox this week.  Some of you people out there?  Are bizarre.  I'm still shaking my head and asking myself, "Who takes the time to write such a long, rambling, email like this to a writer on the Internet?"  The person who sent it, clearly is in need of some psychological help.  It was not from one of my regular readers.  I know my regular readers are fantastic!

3.  I ran into Trader Joe's (a market, for those of you who aren't lucky enough to have TJ's where you live) to pick up enough food for my constantly starving 14 year old son.  I debated wearing sunglasses inside the store because my eyes are still uber-sensitive to bright light.  It would not be an unusual sight to see a person with sunglasses on indoors here.  I do live in Orange County, after all.  I opted not to.  

Five minutes into my shopping trip, a total stranger looked at me and said, "Have you been crying?  Your eyes are so red!  What's wrong?"  I mumbled something about eye allergies and moved on.

But really?

What if I HAD been crying?  What if I was going through some type of tragedy?  Would I want a total stranger to approach me and ask about it?  If you saw someone in a store with red, swollen, eyes would you approach them and ask about their life?

4.  I owe a bazillion people return emails right now, I'm sorry.  I know you understand, but I feel terrible when people email me with questions, etc. and I don't get back to them in a timely manner.

5.  I no longer have a physical therapist and that makes me euphoric, frustrated and sad all at the same time.

6.  I think my treatment for my arm has reached its permanent end.  That realization also makes me euphoric, frustrated and sad all at the same time.  

7.  For the record, I think Anthem Blue Cross (part of WellPoint) is a greedy, disgusting, medical insurance company.  Our economy sucks and people are really struggling to maintain health care.  At the same time, the WellPoint CEO was discussing her million dollar plus salary, and her eight million dollars worth of stock options, in congressional hearings this week.  All the while, Blue Cross/WellPoint is raising their insurance premiums for all of us "normal" people and paying their providers, the people we depend on to take care of us, way less.

Shame on you Blue Cross!

** Hopping off my soapbox now **

8.  Since I've been stuck in the house so much lately, I find myself very bored and perusing online sites.  One of my all time favorites, is B&H for photography related stuff.  I called them the other day and spent forever talking photography with one of their sales guys.  (Honestly, their sales people are SO nice, SO knowledgeable, and gush, gush, gush!)  I feel like I can call anytime just to ask questions.

But, of course, I wasn't calling just to ask questions.  I ordered a lens on my photography-related wish list.  It should arrive today.  Guess what I'll be playing with if I can find a few spare moments this weekend?

9.  I've been shooting a few photos again in the last day or two.  I'm ecstatic and will have a few to share with you over the weekend or next week.

10.  One of the women on The Real Housewives of Orange County really is the bitch she appears to be on TV.  I bet you can guess which one.

11.  I have my first treatment scheduled with the Fat Melting Machine (I'm a "test" subject for the machine) on March 1st.  My expectation level for results is at zero, but I still think it will be an interesting experience.  I'll have details on the March 11th Plastic Surgery Party for you at the beginning of next week.  Mark your calendars!

12.  I might be watching American Idol and Tweeting while I type this, so please excuse any typos.  I feel a strong responsibility to be a Twitter Judge whenever Idol is on.  Maybe it's my extreme love for music, or maybe it's just fun to act like I know what I'm talking writing about.  In any case, I take my Twitter Idol Judging responsibilities very seriously.

13.  I could make a list like this go on for days, but I won't.  (You're welcome.)

14.  One of my readers, Queen of Chaos, called her local Cole Haan store two nights ago to inquire on my behalf about the jacket I'm searching for.  How nice is she?  They informed her, and she informed me, it will be released to stores in 2-3 weeks.

Did I mention I have the best readers in the world!?

© Twenty Four At Heart

On The Lookout!

I've told you before, I'm not a very girly-girl.

At all.

I do have rare moments of girlishness though.

A week before my eye problems began, I saw this leather jacket in a magazine:

 

It's made by Cole Haan and, supposedly, part of their spring collection.

The problem?

It isn't on their website, or apparently anywhere else in the universe.

Of course, that only makes me want it more.

And no, we don't wear jackets very often in Southern California, but that's beside the point.

I've fallen in love with its neutral color and everything else about it, without ever trying it on.  (Maybe I would hate it if I had a chance to try it on?)

As soon as my eyes are a little stronger, I'll be searching a little harder for it.  I so rarely shop for clothes, I don't feel guilty if I splurge on an item once every decade five years or so.

Cole Haan?

You're a tease!

P.S.  If anyone can track down this jacket for me, I'll be eternally grateful.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Valentine's Day 2010

Wishing you a wonderful, happy, and love-filled day today!

© Twenty Four At Heart 

Emotional Hangover

Have you ever felt hungover just from stress?  

Or from emotions running intense and high? 

Well, yeah ... that's where I am. 

I'm wiped out, drained.

You guys were awesome yesterday.  Your comments, emails, tweets ... all made me feel like there really are good people in this world still.  I'm sorry I haven't gotten back to each of you individually yet.

Did I mention I'm emotionally drained?

There are two parts to my break up with The Torturer.  I'm trying to adjust to, and digest, both. 

First, there's the fact I've lost my long-term physical therapist.  Many of you have been lucky enough never to experience physical therapy.  Physical therapy isn't 100% about the physical.  When you go to PT for a long time, you develop a bond and trust and a relationship with your therapist.  That relationship, if it's successful, is a mixture of mutual trust and respect and even more trust.

After all, you are letting someone physically hurt you.  You have to be able to trust they'll do the right thing for you and also know not to hurt you too much.

(Something The Torturer has completely lost sight of this week.)

The professional bond is not usually severed as abruptly as in my situation.

I walked in the door of PT on Wednesday knowing I had a physical therapist I felt comfortable with and a few minutes later I no longer did.  The unexpectedness of the situation sent me reeling with anxiety and fear over the physical welfare of my arm (and all of its adjacent body parts).

The Torturer would tell you I had the option to continue treatment at his facility.  Perhaps, in his mind I did.

But ... there was no option.

I will find another physical therapist.  There are a zillion of them in Orange County and most of them take my insurance.  It might take a week or two to find one I feel is a good fit, but I know I will.  In fact, my shoulder surgeon read yesterday's post and emailed me with a few recommendations last night.

It was reassuring to hear from him.  It sounds sappy, but my immediate thought was, "Well, at least someone still cares about my recovery."

I hope my insurance will continue to pay for PT when I make the change to a new practice.  I know already, there's a very good chance they won't.

And then?  

I'm shit out of luck.

Thank you for that Mr. Torturer.

Don't get me wrong.  

I agree with The Torturer, Anthem Blue Cross is being One Gigantic Asshole.  I also agree, The Torturer needs to do what he feels is best for his employees and his business.

I have no problem with any of that.

As I wrote yesterday, I have a problem with how this decision was handled on the patient end.

The second part of this situation, the truly painful part, is the friendship involved.  

I've known The Torturer for nearly fifteen years.  

It isn't something I've written about much here.  I've shared with you the PT aspect of The Torturer, but not much about The Friendship aspect of The Torturer.  

I suppose it goes without saying, losing him as a friend is the part that hurts the most.  

He tried to tell me nothing has changed with us.

I don't know how he can say that?

(Did our friendship ever really exist in the first place?  This is something I question constantly now.)

I knew the friendship was gone the minute I felt the door slam on my ass as I left on Wednesday.

I knew it again, with an intense and very painful jolt, when I read his email and text messages last night.

I think that's all I should say about the relationship aspect of this situation.  Except, you know, it hurts on a personal level a lot.

I haven't mourned a friendship in a long time, and now - I am.

The Torturer left a comment on my post yesterday.  If you didn't see it, you might be interested in going back and taking a look at what he had to say.  Or maybe not.  He also wrote me a long letter and asked me to use it as today's post.  For a variety of reasons, I didn't feel it was appropriate to do so.

I'm not sure if I'll be posting this weekend.  If not, I'll be back on Monday.  

Also?  I do have some very interesting news to share with you next week.  It got upstaged by all the PT drama, but I really think you'll enjoy hearing about it.

Thank you again for all the kind words and virtual hugs.  

You are so often a huge source of strength - thank you!

Suzanne

© Twenty Four At Heart

Where The Torturer & I Break Up

You wouldn't believe everything that happened to me yesterday.  It was one of those days where I had nearly every moment booked from the moment I woke up until late in the evening.  In addition to all the planned activities for the day, there was an emotional roller coaster of unexpected events taking place too.

I will share a lot of yesterday's events with you, but for now, for today, let's just focus on one thing - my break up with The Torturer after our three and a half year relationship.

Well, let me be honest about this ... The Torturer broke up with me.

(And if you're a new reader, I apologize in advance but you will not understand today's post.  Perhaps you should go back and read my About Page, and/or peruse my Recovery category to get up to speed.)

There are two parts to this story.  I will explain the factual, blah, blah, blah part first (and quickly!) so when you read the ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGH! CURSE! TEARS! emotional part, it will make more sense.

My medical insurance is with Anthem Blue Cross of California.  For writing purposes, I will just refer to them as BC for Blue Cross.  

Recently, BC made the decision to pay physical therapists in California about half of what they have been paying them in the past for a patient's PT visit.  (This is in spite of making incredible profits as an insurance company.  Don't we all hate the big bad insurance companies?)  In other words, Blue Cross is forcing a 50% pay-cut on physical therapists who treat BC patients.  The Torturer has known for months this change was on the horizon and he's been very upset about it.  He's said it may result in having to cut the salaries of his employees or laying people off.  Around one third of The Torturer's patients are BC patients.

WAKE UP READERS!

I'M DONE WITH THE BLAH, BLAH, BLAH PART!

Yesterday, when I walked into PT I was informed The Torturer had made the decision to pull his practice out of the BC network of providers - effective at the beginning of the very week we are existing in right now.  That means I already attended two appointments this week I'm not covered for.

What all this means is, my insurance will no longer pay for me to go to PT at my current facility.

What it also means is, I no longer have The Torturer as my physical therapist.

What it also means is, I have no plan for immediate treatment and my arm and upper body will begin exploding in breathtaking pain in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ....

What it also MAY mean, is a discontinuation of insurance coverage for my arm forever.  (The reasons for this are long and technical and boring so I won't list them, but losing my coverage for PT on my arm is now a strong likelihood.)

I feel all my hopes for my arm, and dreams of my recovery, falling and shattering into a million splintered pieces on the ground.  I feel the fear of regressing, of losing what I've fought so hard for, clutching like a vise at my heart.  

In my mind, I hear over, and over again, The Torturer's words from just last week.  He chided me for missing two appointments because it became instantly apparent I had regressed in even that short amount of time.  I struggled to lift a one pound weight when the week before I had lifted three.

I think about my camera, my love of photography ... how hard I've fought and what I may now lose.

What happens to me now?

Could I pay cash (at a reduced rate) to continue my treatment?  Well, technically I could.  

Realistically, I cannot.

The Torturer did not handle any of this the way I think he should have.  (That is strictly my opinion as his long-term patient, and as his friend.)  I'm very hurt and disappointed.

Although I've known The Torturer has been frustrated by Blue Cross "issues," there was no advance warning he was considering exiting the BC network.  Therefore, The Torturer's BC patients (or *ahem* FRIENDS) had no idea of this impending change.

There was no transition time provided for me his patients to find alternative treatment.

There were no suggestions or referrals provided for the treatment patients need (and which The Torturer will no longer be providing.)

[Although, later - in an exchange of text messages and emails, The Torturer said he would provide referrals if requested.]

When I asked The Torturer what I should do, he said, "That's up to you."

And yes, I did take that to mean, "I don't give a shit, you don't bring any money in for me anymore."

Is that what he meant?

You would have to ask him.  I can only write about how his words made me feel.

I feel abandoned.

I feel betrayed.

I feel like I've lost the ONE person who has truly understood what I've gone through since my accident.  (Who, apparently, doesn't really understand at all because if he did he wouldn't have walked away from me without a visible ounce of concern for my well being.)

I feel very hurt at how casually I was "dismissed."

I feel myself sinking, and sinking, and yes - giving up all hope for any further recovery.

© Twenty Four At Heart

Bits and Pieces

I'm going to be touching on several topics, briefly, today.  I know you must love when I ramble on and on about this and that.  Nonetheless, there are a few things I want to update you on and none of them are worth an entire post on their own.

By the way, I might sorta be on drugs.  I don't think I need to confess that, but I better in case this post doesn't make sense.  Or in case I have a lot of typos.  Or something.  Only a little itty bit of drugs (and totally The Torturer's fault), but I'm warning you just in case ....

1.  First of all, wow!  Yes, wow!  Thank you so much for your support yesterday with my new photo gallery.  Honestly, the best people in the world come here (and there!) to visit.  I don't even know what to say except THANK YOU for being so supportive and just plain wonderful!

2.  Apple announced the new iPad yesterday.  I've never heard as many period-related jokes in my life as I did in the first hour after the announcement.  Clearly Apple needs a female on their marketing team.  There's not a woman on earth who would have suggested or approved iPad as a name.

3.  I'm taking three classes right now.  I feel like a full time student again.  First, I'm taking a Photoshop class.  So far, I've primarily learned how much I don't know about Photoshop.  I'm also taking a photography class.  The instructor thinks I'm really good at landscape photography.  He made me happy, giving me a lot of really positive feedback.  He also told me he can make me even better by teaching me "a few tricks."  Then he informed me I pretty much suck at portrait photography.  Um, maybe that's why I don't shoot people very often?

Shoot people?

It sounds so violent.

In addition, I'm taking some online tutorials (various topics) at Lynda.com.  It sounds so wrong when I tell my family I need to be left alone for awhile so I can "go do Lynda."

4.  I barely have time to breathe.  Maybe one class at a time would have been a better idea?

5.  Remember when my son was injured during football season and had to be rushed in for ankle surgery?  Well, he's still going through physical therapy, but he's almost done.  He is doing GREAT!  In addition, the baseball coaches at his high school have bent over backwards to accommodate him.  The freshman baseball team was announced this week and he made the team.  He's thrilled.  I'm very happy for him and also relieved.  My son lives for baseball, it's hands down his favorite sport.  He would have been crushed if he couldn't play due to a football injury.  (No more football in his future!)  

There will be a lot of high school baseball games for me to attend in upcoming months.  

Bleacher butt here I come!

6.  The Torturer put me in the worst pain imaginable last Monday.  I haven't been back to PT since.  (For a host of reasons, not just because the man hurts me.)  In any case, I'm hoping in another day or two the pain will have mellowed out to the point where I might be able to sleep through the night.  I'm verrrry tired from all the pain.  Boo Hiss on The Torturer!  (Also?  I bet he really misses me a lot!)

7.  There's a town in Canada named Lower Sackville.  I find this exceedingly funny because I have the sense of humor of a 12 year old boy.  One of my twitter friends is Canadian and informed me there is a Middle and Upper Sackville also.  Another Twitter friend chimed in with a town she encountered named Glory Hole.  ("I just entered Glory Hole - it's rockin' my world.")  

Yes, I use Twitter to further my intellectual development, why do you ask?

© Twenty Four At Heart

Happy Twenty Ten!

I rang in the New Year with some old friends last night.  To be honest, I'm still a little fuzzy-headed this morning.  As I recall, one of our male friends celebrated at midnight with a pink party hat strategically positioned on the lower portion of his body.  (I never realized how phallic an improperly positioned pink party hat can be!)  When I hugged him at midnight he said, "Be careful, I might poke you."

And he did!

Happy New Year to me?

Wishing each and every one of you a wonderful, healthy, happy, fun, Twenty Ten!

© Twenty Four At Heart

Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a wonderful, and heartwarming, day. 

© Twenty Four At Heart