Thursday, November 4, 2010

From Random Quotes

I love this one!

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.
Mark Twain

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

US Airways Arrogance

If I were the type to throw a temper tantrum, I would have thrown my coffee cup across the room to smash against the opposite wall. Nor will I demean myself by swearing or cussing out people over the phone. So instead of actively venting my rage, I'm sitting here shaking with anger.

My husband is in the Merchant Marines. His company can't get him or his crew mates off the ship today because the weather in the Gulf is so bad they can't send a boat or helicopter.

I immediately called US Airways to see about changing his ticket. They said I would have to pay the difference in ticket prices (which I expected) AND pay a $150 ticket change fee! I can understand a small fee but this amount is obscene.The customer service rep I initally spoke with tried very hard to discourage me from talking to a supervisor. Then she actually refused by saying that a supervisor wouldn't be able to help me either. Only after I strongly insisted did she put me through. But, as the service rep had warned me, her supervisor refused to budge an inch. Completely stonewalled me. I replied, "Fine. Then I'll eat the price for the ticket and buy him another ticket for the flight home. This way, he'll still have his ticket for his return flight." That's when the supervisor told me if I didn't change his ticket and he couldn't make his flight today, then his return ticket would also be cancelled! So, they cancelled out his ticket and issued me a credit. But I can't ever use it unless I also pay the $150 fee.

End result: my hubby will never fly US Airways again.

I never had this problem with Air Tran. There was one time I had my husband booked with them when he couldn't get off the ship, and they worked with me. I still had to pay the difference in price for the tickets, which was fair, but they waived their $75 ticket change fee. They were also more understanding and didn't act like automatons who could only repeat their company's mantra.

At a time when airlines are increasing their prices, you would think they would compensate their disgruntled passengers by providing better service. I'm specifically recommending not to fly US Airways to everyone I know. It was nice having my husband fly into Fayetteville and it justified the slightly higher prices US Airways charged. He's just going to have to deal with flying into Raleigh from now on, and the cheaper air fares with Air Tran will make up for the little extra it costs me in gas.

April 22, 2011 Added note: I was so incensed at the time I wrote this that I forgot about the other airlines who also fly into little 'ole Fayetteville. Hubby can still fly into an airport closer to home. Happy ending for us after all. Sad ending for US Airways - they've permanently lost a 24-trips a year passenger.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Time to Daydream Again

Well, I'm stuck. I've been working on my YA SFF trilogy and have managed to complete the first four chapters of the first book. I've also written out the beginnings of the second and third books, so I know where each will start.

I just don't have the foggiest idea of how to get from chapter five to the end of the first book - which will actually be the beginning of the second book.

Which means it's time for me to go back to daydreaming. It's how I've come up with the bare bones of all my works-in-progress. Hasn't failed me yet.

So I wonder, how many of you also get ideas for your books from daydreaming?

But for now, good night all!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Feminists are the new Chauvinists

I don't normally get involved or take sides in public debates, arguments, or politics. I have my own opinions and am comfortable with my stand on various issues. I also know that arguing a point with someone will not change their mind or viewpoint, anymore than they could change mine. So I try not to waste my time.

But. . .in this link to the Dear Abby column of June 29th, there is a letter from a woman declaring herself to be a feminist. Now I'm all for men and women living their lives according to how THEY want to live them. Those who know me know that I've made plenty of mistakes in my life, and have no right to tell someone else what to do. But I saw red when I read this so-called feminist's outrage at women who want a traditional lifestyle with a husband who will provide for them. I immediately did something I have never done before - I sent a letter to Dear Abby with my reply to this self-righteous, ignorant, female.

I pointed out that the women's feminist movement was supposed to be about gaining freedom for women to choose how they want to live their lives, free of societal, familial, or spousal pressure to conform to a lifestyle choice not of their choosing. To me, this means that if a woman wants to be a stay-at-home wife and/or mother, that is a choice for her to make, along with her husband's input. Of course, we all know that most women have to work whether they want to or not, simply for economic reasons. But a lot of them, if they had the choice, would prefer to stay home and take care of their children. And there is nothing wrong with that choice.

But today's feminists have become loudly vocal, self-righteous, and demeaning of any woman who chooses to be a homemaker. I get the feeling that feminists have decided they should dictate how all women get to live their lives (i.e., get a job, stay single, and keep all men at arm's length emotionally).

Feminists have taken over the role of male chauvinists. Almost all women have experienced men trying to tell us what we can and cannot do. Now the feminists are doing it too. The bottom line is. . .they don't want to see any woman living her life in a manner opposite of how they believe women should live. And holy cow! God forbid she should enjoy being a housewife. Talk about chauvinist pigs!

A truly liberated woman is one who lives her life in a manner that is her choice. And that means no one. . .man nor woman. . .has the right to tell her how to live her life. Now I'm just waiting to see if Dear Abby prints my response. You'll know it's me by my signature - An Independent Non-Feminist Woman.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Eating My Words

I know, I know. I said I wouldn't go on Facebook, but now I have. Of course, as is always my luck, now there are major concerns about Facebook's security. So, I am keeping all my personal info to a minimum. Anyway, I'm there. Check it out if you want, but you'll get a quicker response if you email me.

On the writing front, I took a serious and critical look at my first manuscript. This resulted in some serious slashing and cutting. But, after comparing the current version to earlier versions, this is SO much better.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Writer's Net Down Again!

*Sigh* Writers Net was back up, but is now down again. Just as I'm starting to feel good enough after my surgery to check-in regularly again, it's not there.