December Posting Schedule on Vent

Hi Folks!

With this being the last day of November, I just wanted to let everyone know that posting throughout most of December will be very light.

This month gets extremely busy for me with my work hours doubling as we get closer and closer to Christmas.

So, starting next Monday I will only be posting once a week. I’m not sure what day that will be - I’ll just play it by ear.

However, this week I will be posting again on Friday.

Even though I won’t be posting a lot, I will be visiting your blogs throughout the next three weeks to catch up with all of you.

Thank you for your understanding everyone - I really appreciate it.



Please note: This will be me (the cat) responding with my answer to an impatient customer who snaps their finger at me because they waited until the day before Christmas to purchase ALL their gifts…..

Kiss it.

Update:

Is anyone else who has a blog with blogger having issues with their commenting system? Things like: comments being double published or comments disappearing and then reappearing in your email trash bin? I am, and it's driving in INSANE!

It's Black Friday....and I'm Scared

Well folks, it’s finally here.

The scariest day of my life….BLACK FRIDAY.

I think it’s strange that for someone who has been in the retail industry for umpteen years, I’ve never known where the term Black Friday came from.

Thank heavens for wikipedia, because I discovered it’s origin right here in Philadelphia.

“The term Black Friday originated in Philadelphia in reference to the heavy traffic on that day. More recently, merchants and the media have used it instead to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers go from being in the red (i.e., posting a loss on the books) to being in the black (i.e., turning a profit).”

Hey, what do you know….I always just assumed the term Black Friday originated from the opinion of sales associates, as a term of endearment for what it felt like to experience the horror of being eaten by Hannibal Lecter.

Let me be honest and say that if I weren’t in the retail industry you would never catch me shopping today, other than maybe stopping in CVS for emergency items, such as a pack of cigarettes or toilet paper.

What totally amazes me are the people who wake up at the ass-crack of dawn to stand in a long line, so they can get a complimentary cup of coffee and a Krispy Kreme donut for being the first 20,000 customers to enter the store on Friday morning....

I. DON’T. THINK. SO.

I wouldn’t wake up at the ass-crack of dawn on Black Friday, even if Barbra Streisand was making a guest appearance at Target; autographing each donut with a Sharpie.

“And I love ya, Barbra….you know I do.”

Can I just tell you how much I look forward to walking into work today; having to coat my body with a heavy lubricant, so I can squeeze myself through the crowds of CRAZED shoppers?

And can I just tell you how much I look forward to having every customer ask me if what I’m selling comes with a FREE GIFT?

Or the customers who mistaken my store for a FLEA MARKET; asking if I can reduce the price if they purchase two items.

But most of all, can I tell you how much I look forward to having every customer who immediately walks in the door, ask me….

“Where are the restrooms?”

And do you know what I feel like telling them?

“They’re closed for repairs. So, you can I either pee in your pants or GO HOME!”

Let the horror begin!

Please note: I think this is the perfect opportunity for me to go back and reread my previous post about how GRATEFUL I am for my job, don’t you?

Half Empty or Half Full?

Since tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, I would like to use this post to reiterate the things I have to be grateful for.

Last year, on this same day, I shared a post about something that happened to me when I first moved back east and how it taught me to notice the abundance in my life, which I had previously overlooked.

You can read about that here.

Every once in a while I will go back into my archives and reread that post whenever I forget and need to be reminded. I sometimes get distracted, by allowing my mind to tell me what I need in order to be filled, instead of focusing on and appreciating the abundance that is full.

Health

Family and friends

A job

A roof over my head

Food on the table

Clothes on my back

And knowing that I am loved.

I know this list may seem very basic, but in today’s world with the economy the way it is, and people loosing their jobs and homes everyday, I realize that some are struggling with even the basics.

This is a time when I especially need to notice that my glass is FULL.

And be forever grateful….

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed and full Thanksgiving!

Thank you for your friendship everyone!

X

Contrived Reality

As most of you already know, I never watch TV. In fact, the only time I turn my television on is to view a DVD rental.

The last time I remember watching TV was when Golden Girls and Designing Women were still on.

Could you die??

Television has never really been one of my favorite mediums. I much prefer film and live theater.

Therefore, when it comes to knowing the current popular TV shows, I’m completely illiterate.

And just to tell you how bad I am….

I only this year watched Sex in the City, Will and Grace, and Six Feet Under.

For the past few years I’ve been hearing a lot of people talk about reality shows, but have never had any interest in watching them because I automatically assumed they would be stupid-ass.

Last week while I was in the Philadelphia Public Library, I spotting a DVD on the shelf entitled Project Runway (it was the complete first season). I rented it thinking it was a documentary series about the lives of runway models in the fashion industry. I don’t know whether any of you have ever seen it, but it’s a Bravo series in which 16 new clothing designers compete for a big break in the fashion industry.

Well, let me tell you folks….

Once I started watching it, I couldn’t stop. It drew me in so fast that I was riveted to my television for all 509 minutes. I started watching it Sunday evening and had to pry myself away from it in order to go to bed. The first thing I did Monday morning was brew a beaker of French pressed coffee and sat there for hours, watching the remainder of the first season. I was on pins and zippers waiting to see who was going to be the winning designer at NY Fashion Week.

Now, for however much I enjoyed it, I need to say that for a “reality” show I believe much of it was edited for dramatic purposes. There were certain instances when I could tell that the contestants were being prompted to “react” a certain way. In fact, there was one contestant who I felt that her nasty, competitive persona was strategically created to induce more friction between the other contestants.

But hey….that’s show biz, ya know? DRAMA works!

And even though I knew parts of the show were obviously contrived, I was willing to go for the ride because it was truly awesome entertainment.

While viewing this series, I was reminiscent of my seven years spent in fashion industry when I was one of the most sought-after male runway models at the Ford Modeling Agency in New York City, back in the early 80’s. So, I went through my portfolio photos and thought I’d share one of favorite catwalk moments with you.

This was taking during a swimsuit runway show for Gianni Versace….

Now…..how’s that for contrived REALITY?

“One day you’re in….and the next day you’re out” ~ Heidi Klum

Intermission....

Hi Folks!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I will be taking a week intermission from posting on Vent.

I’d like to spend this time focusing on researching and reading blogs for future interview posts.

Ever since I started hosting these interviews, I’ve been delightfully surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed putting them together and highlighting other bloggers. So, my desire is to share more of them sporadically throughout the months.

Also, I’ve been neglecting my review blog for the past month, so I want to spend some time this week; giving it needed attention.

Have a wonderful week blogging, everyone!

I'll miss ya, and will see you all again next Monday…..

X

I Think I'm Turning Japanese

One of the most wonderful highlights of my life has been the two months I spent working in Japan.

Now mind you, Japan was not a place I thought I would ever visit or even enjoy. However, I was delightfully surprised at how much I felt connected to this country.

And what amazed me the most was the fact that for as hard as the Japanese people work, they know how to balance their lives with fun and relaxation.

And let me tell you….the Japanese know how to PARTY.

Another thing that impressed me was how much spirituality plays a part of their everyday lives, because it's obvious in how they live confidently, yet quietly from their souls.

I never felt more peaceful and calm than the time I lived there.

I would like to share with you some of the things that Japan has taught me…

Waste not, want not

I never realize just how wasteful I was, because the Japanese are extremely conscious of waste.

Food portions in restaurants are far smaller than here in the U.S. Paper napkin usage is minimal. I never realized how many napkins I habitually used when I ate.

Beverage refills are not automatically given when your glass is emptied - you must ask.

Service

As far as I’m concerned, no one gives customer service like the Japanese. The service in department stores, restaurants, hotels, and public transportation is mind-blowing.

The Japanese have service down to an art.

I paid 45 USD for a mans haircut that I would have gladly paid more, because of the care and attention I received. The hotel I lived in for two months took care of my comfort as if I was staying at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

Everything in Japan is about service.

And tipping is not allowed.

Cleanliness

OMG…..I would have been honored to eat off their city streets because of how immaculate everything is. I don’t think I ever saw a single piece of litter during the entire time I was there.

The subway system looks as though they had just built it brand new. There is no such thing as graffiti in Japan.

Respect for the Elderly

The manor in which the Japanese culture values their elderly is to be commended. They believe that as someone grows older…they become more valuable.

As well it should be all over the world.

Thank you Japan…..for all that you showed me.

Domo arigatou.

*thank you very much.




Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

X

Toot-toot...hey...beep-beep!

If hearing about flatulence either embarrasses or grosses you out, you may want to close your eyes while reading this post….

I just recently started taking the antioxidant supplement Alpha Lipoic Acid.

Actually, I have no earthly idea if it’s working, but it’s suppose to be an excellent overall antioxidant which also assists in keeping your skin looking as smooth and firm as a baby’s bottom.

I’ll let you know in a few weeks if I start getting carded while buying a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, because the liquor store cashier mistakes my youthful skin for a 6 year olds.

Anyway…..

I’ve noticed that one of the side effects in taking this antioxidant is that it sometimes makes me VERY gassy.

OMG….all day yesterday I felt like a fart machine.

And if my farts were bubbles, I would have looked like the grand finale in The Lawrence Welk Show.

“A one….and a two….”

It all started in the morning about 30 minutes after I ate my breakfast; having taken two capsules while eating.

One of the greatest perks about living in a noisy city is that you can freely toot while walking down the street and no one ever notices, because if you time it just perfectly you can coordinate them with the sound of a taxi horn. And you don’t have to worry about the odor because the retched smell of the subway which permeates the grates in the sidewalk, covers it up flawlessly.

The only problem I had was while I was at work. But, I figured out a brilliant way to take care of that because I didn't want my fellow salespeople to suddenly start dropping like flies from my toxic air biscuits.

I cleverly held a bottle of cologne in my hand, so that whenever I let one loose...I simply sprayed the area around my derriere so that it smelled like a mixture of green tea and grapefruit.

All afternoon people were asking me, “Ron…you smell so good. What kind of cologne are you wearing?”

I felt like saying, “It’s called, Eau de Fart.”

And thank god I was blowin' out the "silent but deadly type" because there would have been no way in hell I could have camouflage the sound without personally handing out ear plugs.

Like an idiot, I took another two capsules with my dinner that evening, which later made taking my bath rather festive.

Let’s just put it this way....

After about 5 minutes of soaking in a nice hot bath, I suddenly discovered a way to turn my bathtub into a bubbling Jacuzzi….

Fear and Regret

Last week, Gavin, over at Insanity’s Musings shared a powerfully open and honest post. And in his closing, he asked his readers to share a secret and a regret.

Today, I would like to elaborate a little more on my answers.

Secret….

I am fearful.

My own mother was shocked when I told her this, because she always saw me as being fearless.

Actor friends of mine have always said to me, “I would have never known you had tremendous stage fright, because you seem to be so confident.”

And my response has always been, “Yes….I’m confident that I’m afraid.”

You see, just because I do things doesn’t mean I don‘t fear them.

Fear has always been my greatest teacher, because I was born with a cornucopia of fear.

There have been so many things throughout my life that I have feared. Such as…..

Being accepted, being judged, intimacy, failure, death, not being smart enough, flying, talking in front of a large group of people.

And I can always tell when my life needs a good kick in the ass, because a fear will suddenly plop itself right down in front of me and say, “ Now…what are you going to do with this? You can either run away, or walk into it and see what happens.”

I think the only reason people see me as being fearless, is because I refuse to allow my fears to paralyze me. So, I guess they assume I’m not afraid.

But I am…really.

There is tremendous truth in the saying, “There is nothing to fear, but fear itself.”

I believe it’s the fear of fear that overwhelms me. Not the actual fear.

On one hand, being afraid makes me feel vulnerable to the unknown. And yet, on the other hand, it’s the catalyst that propels me forward.

Regrets….

I can honestly say I have no regrets.

Because like mistakes, as long as I learn from them there is nothing to regret. That’s why I don’t believe there is such a thing as a mistake.

Everything in my life happens for a reason. So, to say that I regret something is like saying that I regret the path of my life.

If I grow….what need is there to regret?

For me, fear and regret go hand in hand.

As long as I am willing to walk through the door of my fears….

….then there is nothing to regret.

Thanks, Gavin.....you're an inspiration.

Blog Interview: Confessions of Me

Today’s interview is very special…..

I just recently discovered the blog Confessions of Me and have not only enjoyed the authors stories, which primarily focus on the calamities of what it’s like to wait tables for a living, but more so have enjoyed getting to know the author herself.

(who goes by the name: Brndoutw8ress)

When I first clicked over to her blog there was something about the bold fusion of frankness, rawness, and sarcastic humor that made me feel comfortable in being there. I immediately got a sense of honesty and openness about the heart of the author.

Last week she posted an introductory speech that she had to deliver for her Oral Communications class; asking her readers for their feedback.

And it was at this time I discovered that she previously had an addiction to heroin.

Later that day I emailed her and asked if she would be willing to share an interview about her addiction on my blog, which she graciously consented to.

It was then that I realized what I had initially felt about her, was true…

…she is a totally open and honest heart.

So, it is with great pride and admiration that I introduce you to the fine lady behind the blog Confessions of Me.

Welcome…..


What lead you to the use of heroin? And how old were you?

The first drug I ever used was alcohol, I was 12 years old. Like most teens I experimented with alcohol and pot, but unlike my friends my experimenting turned quickly into a habit. As I continued to use, my disease progressed and at the age of 19 I shot my first dose of heroin.

How long were you a user?

I used drugs in general for 16 years, and heroin specifically for 9 years.

Besides the physical addiction, what is it about heroin that made you continue to use?

Heroin allowed me to escape from the guilt and shame, the loneliness, the unattained dreams, basically from myself. I used heroin to kill the pain that consumed my life. No matter how many times I’d tell myself that I was quitting, I couldn’t stop; I had to use in order to live my life.

How did your use of heroin affect your family and friendships?

Heroin ripped my family to pieces. That’s the thing about drug addiction; it affects everyone involved with the addict. My family didn’t trust me, whenever I would be at someone’s house all the women would hide their purses, they knew I’d steal their money and credit cards. I broke my mother’s heart over and over again until she finally had enough and cut me off completely. I had no contact with her for over three years; however, my father never lost hope in me and we continued to stay in touch, but he kept a safe distance from me.

Tell us about the moment when you finally said to yourself, “It’s time to stop and get clean”.

I had relapsed after having about 2 years clean. My ex had cheated on me and left our apartment and I was so devastated that I was contemplating suicide. I had only been using for like three weeks and already I was starting to see the ramifications of what I was doing (again) to myself. When you have clean time and you start using again, you know better, your conscience screams at you, “What the fuck do you think you’re doing, you know this is out of control, there’s a better way!

I woke up from a 2 day binge and looked around my apartment at all of the material things that I had accumulated again and I knew that if I did not stop right then and there I was going to lose all that shit again, and honestly I don’t think I had the fight in me anymore. I made a decision that morning that I would not succumb to that bag of powder ever again; it had robbed me of too much already and I would not allow it to win again. The following day I went to the methadone clinic and thankfully have not looked back.

Are you currently attending a support group?

At this point in my life I do not choose to attend 12 step meetings. I had in the past, but I had a bad experience with NA so I use what I learned there and implement the knowledge in my everyday life. I would suggest AA or NA to someone that is just starting out because it does work; although, I do not think that the program is the end-all, be-all that they claim it to be.

I am currently on a methadone maintenance program where I receive a daily dose of methadone and also receive individual/group therapy two hours a month. There’s a lot of controversy surrounding methadone, but hey it works for me! I plan on someday getting off of it, but not until I’m comfortable enough with myself to make that decision.

How has your life change since you’ve stopped using?

WOW, where do start! My life has turned around completely in every aspect. I am able to hold down a job. I am working on earning a college degree, I pay ALL my bills ON TIME, and most importantly I am rebuilding the relationships with my family that had been destroyed by my addiction. I have also come to be able to love myself and be content with who I am; for once in my life I am able to just be me!

What has been the main reaction of people who you’ve confided in that you were a heroin user?

Disbelief! They pretty much all say the same thing, “Well you don’t look like a heroin addict”. I just laugh when I hear this response because people’s misconceptions of what a junkie looks like are way out of whack! People have an image of a drug addict in their minds so when they see someone who looks “normal” that image changes, but this is a good thing. I think that we need to make people aware of the epidemic our country is in and hopefully start to save some of these kids before it is too late.

If you could share the most positive thing that came out of this experience what would it be?

The most amazing thing to me to come out of that hell is the sense of self that I now possess. I learned that I am a SURVIVOR! You may not realize the amount of work and determination that goes into fueling a drug habit, it takes a certain amount of loyalty that most people wouldn’t be able to commit to. If I was able to work that hard at staying high, imagine what I can accomplish when I put this work into something positive!







Please Note: Brndoutw8ress will be responding to all comments on this post, so please feel free to talk openly with her. Thank you.

My Addiction to Exclamation Marks!!!!

As most of you have probably already noticed, not only from my posts, but also from the comments I leave on your blogs….I have a serious love affair going on with exclamation marks.

Let me clarify by saying that it’s more of an addictive love affair.

I don’t know whether it’s because I’m Italian, and that Italians like to talk with there hands, but using an exclamation mark when expressing myself through writing makes me feel like I’m using my hands to talk.

Yesterday, I left comment for someone on my previous post and when I went back to proofread it I noticed that every single sentence was completed with one of these….!

WTF?

I swear to god, if there wasn’t such a thing as an exclamation mark on my computer keyboard, I don’t think I could even speak. Being a passionate person, exclamation marks give me a means to transfer that passion through my words.

I get so excited when leaving a comment that my adrenalin pumps through my veins at warp speed; grabbing my index finger and pulling it to the exclamation key like The North Magnetic Pole.

Whenever I go back to reread a comment I left for someone, I try to remove some of my explanation marks before publishing it, but I just can’t seem to bring myself to do it.

I’m seriously ADDICTED!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ve never been one to use punctuation or grammar in the supposedly correct way, because I truly feel it confines me. When it comes to the way I write, I’m totally irreverent.

You may have also noticed I enjoy using CAPS.

I know that caps are predominately used when someone is angry and yelling, but for me I enjoy using them whenever I get a zestful communicative ERECTION that needs to be shared.

One of my dear blogging buddies, Jeff and I, have a running joke with one another where he’ll leave me a comment, and in his P.S. closing will sometimes leave me a plethora of these (!) in fear I will run out of my allotted quota.

And what he doesn’t know is that I’m storing them away in an old shoebox for when the time may come if (god forbid) punctuation does away with exclamation marks.

But once I run out of those, I seriously think I won’t be able to blog anymore.

Because I won’t be able to speak……

Is that you behind those Foster Grants?

Back when I first started this blog (I think it was within the first two months) I wrote a vent about people wearing sunglasses, not only indoors, but also walking outside in the darkness of night.

Well, apparently no one read my post because I still see people doing it.

I guess you could call this a major pet peeve of mine.

Every time I see someone walking around with sunglasses on where I work, I want to RIP them off their friggin’ face and scream, “WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE….KARL LAGERFELD??”

OMG….it makes my blood boil like tar on a hot summer roof.

I’ve actually gotten to the point when a customer walks up to me and asks for my assistance, I will ask them to remove their sunglasses so I can see their eyes. I don’t like talking to someone without having eye to eye contact. And I don’t particularly enjoy talking to my own reflection in someone’s mirrored aviators.

Friday night while I was coming home from work, I saw a woman walking towards me wearing a pair of sunglasses.

Ok, now help me with this because maybe I’m not seeing a reason.

WHY would someone walk around in darkness wearing sunglasses?

I ask you…who can see while wearing sunglasses at night?

I mean if it were me, I’d be colliding into trash cans, mail boxes, and tripping over dog leashes.

A few years ago, I worked with a guy who would walk into work wearing his sunglasses and kept them on for practically the whole day. And what amazed me was that the store management said nothing about it. The worse part is that he wore a pair of sunglasses with a LARGE gold Dolce and Gabbana logo emblazed on either side of the frames that were the size of a turnpike billboard. He wanted everyone to think that he flew to Milan, Italy and purchased them from Dolce and Gabbana themselves, but we all knew he had secretly bought them from a Vietnamese street vendor for $2.50 and came with a spring roll.

I’ve come to the conclusion that people who never take off their sunglasses are doing it for three reasons.

1) They’re potheads and they don’t want anyone to see their bloodshot eyes.

2) They have delusions of grander; thinking they’re Hollywood movie stars and don’t want people asking for their autograph.

3) They’re Italian Mafia.

And then there are those people who are doing it for all THREE reasons…..