Mickey & BOA go to the mattresses

7/5/11

BOA,

On April 8, 2011, I flew from Juneau to Seattle.  Before boarding the plane I made a payment of $1,111.11 on my VISA account.  The reason for my trip was a family medical emergency.  The day before my brother’s wife had been diagnosed with brain cancer.  I knew my 89 year old mother would be distraught over this.  My mother is in very poor health and I wanted to be there for her as well as my sister-in-law & brother.  When I arrived in Seattle, I found my layover which I thought was very short was around 7 hours.  I had my puppy traveling in baggage and decided to check on auto rentals. 

Found an amazing inexpensive one way rental.  And then there I was on the phone begging you to allow the charge.  After several calls, totaling about an hour you did! 

As you know I am a legacy cardholder from Sea First.  And have my Alaska Airlines charge card for over 20 years.  I didn’t want to go through this hassle each time I used the card,  So every time I charged something, I got online and made payment for it. 

This was to no avail, my charges kept being blocked.  Not every one.  It was usually a small one for a few dollars.  I spent hours on the phone.  The trip took longer then I expected.  On Sunday one of your agents, who was so very rude and huffy told me that my charges would continue to be blocked unless I filled a travel itinerary, letting BOA know where I was going and when I was going to use the card.  I told this person, who acted so puffed up with his importance that there was no way in hell I was going to do that.  I also told him that, in my opinion, this was no way to treat a long time good customer such as I.  And with this call I had enough of BOA. 

OK since you were treating me so very badly I was just going to walk away.  My card was shredded, and I let you know how I felt about the way I was treated.  And since you had treated me so badly I was going to return the favor by walking away my obligations to you.

Since then I’ve calmed down a little.  Where do you propose we go from here?  Should we kiss and make up?  Or what do you suggest for a parting of the ways.  When and if you respond let me know an email address, I can respond to.  You have blocked my ability to contact you via email from my online account.  Respond only by email.

I will not spend hours on the phone, talking to one person after another, being transferred from one department to another.  Whoever contacts me should be someone well versed in dealing with people and have the authority to make decisions. 

READ THIS NOTE BEFORE YOU REPLY.  A FORM LETTER TYPE RESPONSE WILL BE IGNORED.  PHRASES LIKE ‘VALUED CUSTOMER’ AND INSINCERE APOLOGIES JUST MAKE ME WANT TO PUKE.

The ball is in your court.......

Mickey

How to save money. 100% guaranteed method!

What it is: FYI


By February 28, 2011 my online access will be limited.  Due to the state of my $$$, I am giving up my broadband Internet connection.  I will try and visit the library every 2 or 3 days to use theirs as it is  free.  The change on my Internet and phone will save me around $850.00 a year!  Another benefit is that it will free up my time to do other things.  Am sure you have heard the phrase a boat is just a hole in the water to throw money into.  Well for me a computer is just a place to throw time into.


Almost 20 years ago, when I took down the umbrella for the last time, I read a book called, "Your money or your life."  Do you know what the best way to save money is?  Don't spend it!  You can gave a good rewarding life and not have to spend a lot of money.  Not making a lot will free up your time to do other things!  You could read a book, spend more time with your children, help others, help make the world a better place to live and so on.


When I went to work for Costco, appreciated that it was not an expensive place to work.  You did not have to get an expensive or extensive wardrobe to wear to work.  The health insurance was good, and the employee's share wasn't very much.  I lived very comfortably, wanted for nothing, had no debt, money in the bank and was stocking up my IRA!


My life went through some changes, and with those came a wild ride ride.  My savings vanished, debt piled up, and credit cards were maxed out.  Now the ride is over.  Actually that feels pretty good.  I am up to my eyeballs in dept, raiding the IRA, and worse of all there are some physically ailments, chronic conditions, from the stress of the ride that will be with me always.   


So it is time for a deep breath, taking it easy, and when necessary repeating my financial mantra, the best way to save it is not to spend it!

Of Restrooms & relationships

Since the first of September have spent most of my time in California. My mother is 88. The past couple of years have been hard on her physically and she is not as sharp as she once was. Still most people would like to be half as sharp as she is now. Until the middle of January by time was spent at home. Home being the old huge rambling, 5 bedroom, 3 bath family house we have had ince '62!

Had contacted an old friend who lives in Steinbeck country, and we made plans to meet while I was in California. I kept putting off the date, but we finally agreed on a day in January. We have know each other for almost 30 years. We have always had a very special and unique relationship. We like, respect and love each other. What works for us is to see each other no more often then one every year or two, but by 5 years, too much time has gone by! Our relationship has never been physical, but we do truly love each other.

So on a typical California sunny day Mia, the 18 moth old cocker spaniel, I hang out with, got in the car and headed down 101. Around Hollister, Mia was getting restless and needed a to take care of business stop and grab a bite to eat. We stopped at an In 'n Out. We walked around the parking lot and the Mia went back in the car, while I went inside and took care of my business. Couldn't believe how clean the restroom was! I told the counterperson how impressed I was, and asked to see the manager so I could tell them also. They should be complemented and know how much their efforts are appreciated. Don't understand the way some businesses have such dirty restrooms.

At the Safeway by my mother's house, customer service is an art. When you are shopping the employees ask if they can help and not in an intrusive way, but with just the right touch. It is a rare bastion of good customer service. But go into the restrooms it is a completely different story. They're dirty, and something is usually broken. Like there will be no sink, or the paper towel holder has been knocked off the wall. Not a pleasant experience, but better then cattle have it. This time they were particularly bad. I have told the manger in the past how impressed I am with their customer service. This time I went up to him and told him the restrooms as always were dirty and disgusting. He looks at me with such surprise, whips out his radio and puts out a call to have them cleaned. Then he thanks me for brining it to his attention. While I appreciated is prompt response, my reply was how can you be so surprised, they are always like that!

Whole foods is another place that could put more effort into there restrooms. Am not a big fan of WF to begin with. The employees have a snooty attitude that is way over the top. Their prices are high. And I doubt the sincerity of the place. They aren't on a mission of good nutrition, but to rake in as much dough as they can. They play boomer music, and are a rip-off of the '60 ideals. So why don't they clean the restrooms? They make enough money to have a stack of dollar bills to use for toilet paper!

In passing Trader Joe's is another that could use more effort in the restroom cleanliness department. Both Wfs & Tjs are upscale type of chains. How can they think that their clientele appreciate dirty rest rooms?

My friend lives in paradise. They are in a small pastoral town. They have a large lot, keep goats for milk, a garden for vegetables. The rows of corn have the added responsibility of teaching their two children responsibility. Our past two visits have been more affectionate then usual. So sent an email to her saying that sex was not something I wanted in our relationship, but it seemed to me that a little cuddling, hand holding, and a kiss or two on occasion would be welcomed by both of us. When she finally replied it was an emphatic no way. Was afraid our friend ship had been ruined. This visit had an apprehensive foreshadow to it. And she seemed a little reserved, nervous, holding back and keeping her distance. We took Mia for a walk along the beach. I tried to be careful that we didn't touch, but our hands seemed to seek out these little contacts. Each time sparks flew. We were both fortunate we weren't electrocuted! After the walk we returned to paradise. She asked me what I would like to do until dinner which was a couple of hours away. Take nap was my response. Put Mia in the car as she has her share of indoor accidents, and if tied up she would have barked and barked. Fell right into a very deep sleep. And when I was woken did not know where I was.

When we were saying good by I gave her SO a very big hug. We've not had much of a relationship and it surprised both of us. Think it was to let him know that yes I liked him to, and appreciated the time I spent with his life's partner. Looking forward to my next trip to paradise in a year or two!

Keeping my pants on, but helping the effort!

Mickey;

I  will look forward to the color shot in the newspaper. Who knows it could spark a movement...

See you in the funny papers.

Bob

Fight terrorism; get naked!

Bob,

Do you remember when I was put in the booth, back in November at the JIAP?  And then the lady from TSA just wouldn't stop.  Although others from the TSA, including supervisors knew that she was way out-of-line and had gone completely overboard they wouldn't stop her.  When I came back to Juneau, went through security in both San Francisco & Seattle.  Compared to Juneau I was waived through.  In both places they opened my carry on.  They took a look and sent me on my way.  No one felt the need to put on gloves and feel my dirty undies.  Why does Juneau take security to max?  Like is the Capitol City a hotbed of terrorism or what?

Anyway the reason I am writing is to tell you I have decided the next time I am put in the booth for a feel up, I am going to start taking off my clothes.  May stop with my underwear, but who knows.  Am thinking of getting some really ridiculous boxers to wear for the occasion.  Bright neon colors, with wording that says LOOK HERE!  And accented with a big red arrow just so there is no possibility of mistaking where to look.  What do you think?  Would you visit me in the slammer or the mental hospital? 

If I felt that this was the only way, or an effective way it wouldn't be so bad.  Why don't they ask the experts, the Israelis, for a tip or two?

Mickey 


While in California every Friday I went with my mother to a current event discussion group.  The moderator is excellent.  He could hold his own on PBS.  What more could you ask for then an understandable clear voice, knowledgeable, rational thought, and staying calm. The people who go to this are contemporaries of my 88 year old mother.  One of the last times I went before coming back to Juneau, was after the shootings in Arizona.  One person commented on the need for there to be more of an effort to locate people who might do something like what happened.  The thought hit me that if there was such an effort back in the '60's, I might have been committed, and still be institutionalized!  And for what?  Being one of the first people at my high school to grow their hair a little long, and forgo the usual dress standards. The journey though life can be a fine line travel!

From the comedy is not kind department...

Am in California again on a parent care mission.  Went to the post office today to mail a package to the Glory Hole. Enclosed was a check to be used for their holiday food needs, and a half dozen pair of barely used, clean and bleached socks. These socks were instruments of torture for me, did not give me happy feet, and made a big contribution to my worsening TDS.

For some reason I couldn't resting putting a handwritten sticker on it that said, “The Glory Hole, Juneau's soup kitchen of choice and a world class homeless shelter and hospitality house. Actually this was in no way a belittlement of of any facet of the Glory Hole's operation, its staff or clients.

Rather it was a rip on the meaningless use of 'of choice' and 'world class.' They have been around for at least 20 years. Why I don't even want to know. I just can't stand 'em.  Why don't their users clarify who is choosing? And some comparison criteria be noted. And how do I get in touch with the WCCC. That is as everyone knows the WORLD CLASS CERTIFYING COMMISSION!  Who appoints them?  And who funds there operations?

But I'd rather listen to those words all day long, then read some of the hate posts lately in Craigslist, SE Alaska rants & raves. There is some sicko putting up some really gross posts about Obama, Muslims, African Americans and more. Am all for free speech and opposed to censorship, but I thought  we as a country had moved beyond derogatory stereotyping humor. Is there any silver lining of hope for our future?

The hero who ate bagels 2 at a time!

This is a note I just sent to Angel, 1 of Ada's twin daughters.  And I'd like to share it. The words spoken about Ada at her memorial have effected me and made me think about the person I am.

Angel,

I knew Ada from the time she was pregnant with you and your sister. I don't think you knew or even heard of me, as my connection with Ada was tenuous. I knew your father from the time I worked at the Department of Labor. Jack was one of my favorite customers at my business. This is where I met Ada. I had a vending stand on the corner by Juneau Drug. It was called Mickey's Bagel Bistro. In the summer of '83, (I may be off a year), Ada would come every morning and get 2 onion bagels with cream cheese. I was always very generous with the cream cheese. Lief Saya would get a bagel with a thick 2 – 3 inch load of the stuff. Other customers told me that instead of getting cream cheese at the store, they'd get a bagel with cream cheese, take it home and scrape most it off and have enough for at least a week. Leif would eat every bit of his. Ada was obviously pregnant, and I'd tease her about what the result would be from eating 2 bagels every day. And that is exactly what happened; she had twins!

Since then I have told that story so many times about the women who had 2 bagels everyday, and had twins, that all of Juneau and then some surely has heard it.

I was going to tell that story at her memorial, but the words of you and your sister were so powerful, it made my story seem trite to me. The Ada you knew was different then the one I knew. She never said much, but she was always friendly and had this mysterious little smile. I wish I had known her better. You are fortunate to have had a mother like her.

Best wishes on your journey through life.

Mickey

AKA the Bagel Man or Mickey's Bagels.

PS/Please feel free to share this with your sister or anyone else you would like to. Ada was a wonderful person and a hero!