True Blood

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I'm hooked. Addicted. Enthralled. Whatever word you put in there, I've made my way through nearly two entire seasons of shows in two weeks. Granted, there are only 12 episodes in a season, but True Blood has some of the best writing of any TV series on any network right now. HBO has a heck of a writing team for this one.

Years ago, you couldn't have convinced me in any way, shape, or form to watch a show about vampires. I scoffed at those who watched Buffy. And now, here I am, completely entranced with Sookie Stackhouse and Bill Compton. Granted, I'm a sucker (haha!) for a good love story, so that part definitely compels me. But aside from the love story, each character's story is intriguing. I care about each one and have a love/hate relationship with some. Granted, I have to overlook some raunchiness (the HBO factor), but if you can get past that--and it isn't nearly as bad in the second season as in the first--it might very well be one of the best shows I've ever watched. Ever. As in my life history. And I don't generally watch a lot of TV.

I have to wait until June 2010 for season three to start. Bummer.

I like the series so much that I've ordered the first book in the series by Charlaine Harris that started it all: Dead Until Dark.

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Greyhound Greeting Success

Frasier and I went to the greyhound meet-and-greet on Saturday. I was rather apprehensive about it since he doesn't always do well with other dogs. As it turns out, I didn't need to worry. When we first walked in the door, Frasier wasn't exactly sure how to react since the greyhounds were immediately to our left and showed immense interest in him. He was interested in them, too, but wasn't too sure what they were all about. After all, these dogs are 75 lbs. of pure muscle, and Frasier is 21 lbs. of jumpy terrier. But once he got over the idea that they were ready to eat him, Frasier was willing to check them out and begin getting to know them.

Todd--the gentleman in charge of this particular event--helped me move to the side away from the other dogs with Frasier and his mobile speed bump/greyhound, Kendall. I discovered that Frasier was comfortable with Kendall...probably because of his incredibly calm and relaxed demeanor. They sniffed each other a few times, and to my surprise, Frasier didn't growl or bark once. I then allowed him to greet some of the other dogs, and that went similarly well.

All of this leads me to believe that when it comes to Frasier meeting other dogs, his reaction has more to do with the demeanor of the other dog. If the other one is pulling at the leash, excited, and nervous, Frasier will be all of those things as well. As much as I worried about adopting a greyhound with Frasier already in the house, my apprehension has been eased significantly. But we'll really know how he'll react when we do the home visit in a few weeks.

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Directionally Challenged--To Put It Mildly

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My entire life, I've never been able to tell east from west or north from south. I find this is most confusing when rooms in buildings are labeled by directionals since I don't understand the directionals. It's particularly difficult here in the office because most of our conference rooms are labeled this way.

Someone asked me this morning how I was able to navigate my way around Chicago if I have such a difficult time with directions. The answer is relatively simple: I used public transportation. In Chicago, the buses and trains are all labeled by colors and numbers. And if I needed to go north, I just had to remember that the red line going north heads toward Howard. If I needed to go south, I just looked for the train going toward 95th. I remember words much better than directions.

My mom is a country woman, and I'll often hear her say, "Go this way" or "Go that way." It is, of course, understood that myself and my siblings know which way she means. I suppose it isn't a surprise then that I am directionally challenged. My iPhone with its built-in Google Maps system has been a lifesaver on more than one occasion.

I do have one peculiar talent, though. Apparently, if I'm in another country, I have no difficulty figuring out which way we need to go in a car. On two separate occasions in France when Will was confused about which way we needed to go, I was able to say, "I think it's that way!" I pointed, and to our surprise, I was right! I suppose you could say I merely learned to recognize road signs from the map I'd seen before we left for France or that I paid close attention to the towns we passed through. But I prefer to think of it as a talent and I can instinctively (and eventually) find my way no matter where I happen to be.

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Customer service rocks...on Twitter?

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Lately, I've seen more and more stories about successes with Twitter and customer service reps. Social networking is changing the way we interact with companies for our needs and wants, and I've experienced some of this myself. Remember my blog post about trying to close on my house?

I had another experience with it recently. I wanted DVR service through Comcast. Will and I have never used DVR, but because of the cost and because I haven't been thrilled with Comcast as a whole, I haven't signed up for the service. When my Internet began having problems a few weeks ago (going in and out), I tweeted about it through my Twitter account. I knew Comcast would likely see my tweet since they'd helped me out with service issues once before via Twitter. I was right.

Within hours, a Comcast representative came to my assistance. Working as a team, ComcastCares resolves customer service issues on blogs, Twitter, etc. A member of this team was able to put me in touch with my local Comcast office. In turn, they then offered me the DVR service I was looking for at a $5/month rate. Fantastic. I signed up.

This morning, I saw yet another article about how social networking is changing the world we live in. The AP reports a Seattle woman tweeted about a bad experience with JetBlue, and within seven minutes, a company representative contacted her to resolve and rectify the issue.

I'm guilty of taking to Twitter or Facebook or even my blog when I'm unhappy. But I'm also quick to praise when it's called for. For example, in the case of Select Portfolio, while I blogged about their initial unwillingness to help me, I was also happy to acknowledge their success in resolving the situation to my satisfaction.

What's the moral of this story? I think companies are going to have to begin paying more attention to their consumers. When millions of people can complain to millions of others, complaints can no longer be swept under the rug. It could be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, consumers are satisfied as much as possible. On the other, no matter what a company does, someone will always be unhappy enough to make the company out to be a bad guy...even if it could be resolved with satisfaction.

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Still can't tether with the iPhone

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Get with the program, AT&T. The iPhone has been out for two years now, and we still don't have tethering? Up until about two weeks ago, we weren't even able to send pictures using text messaging. Seriously? The iPhone is one of the most technologically advanced phones out right now, but I'm starting to wonder why I can't even use the most basic of functions. Other phones on other networks have been able to do these things for quite some time. I love the iPhone, but if it goes to another network with more advanced capabilities, I'll be all over it. In the meantime, I'm stuck with the dinosaur that is AT&T.

Read more about it from the Wall Street Journal.

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If you feel compelled...

Say a little prayer for me this afternoon. I have an eye doctor appointment, and for whatever reason, I'm a little nervous. I think it's because my vision may have worsened a little, which means that my doc will want me to begin coming in every six weeks again. *sigh* This gets sooooooo old.

Busy!

I know it probably appears as if I've abandoned my poor little blog. And in effect, I have lately. It isn't intentional. But life has been a little crazy, and blogging is the last thing I'm thinking about.

Quick update: I mailed in our greyhound adoption application this week. Hopefully, we'll be hearing something soon, and we can get a foot in the water of the process. I'm finalizing details for our upcoming trip, and work is definitely keeping me on my toes as well. Frasier and I graduated our obedience training class on Saturday, and I have a certificate! My little boy is all grown up.

I hope to have something a little more interesting to write about later this week. Oh, and if you feel compelled, say a little prayer for me. I have another eye injection appointment tomorrow.

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Please Help! Giving Opportunity!

Today's post is written by Libby Krause.

Hi All! I want to ask a favor on behalf of an organization that is very near and dear to Brian's and my hearts. Christian Community Services, Inc. (CCSI) is a non-profit in Nashville that offers a program to help lower income families gain independence from government programs. They select 18 families each year from local housing developments to participate in a 9-month financial literacy, life skills and home ownership education program.

Each family is assigned a mentoring family who attends weekly classes with them. Financial Peace University is one third of the program (the financial literacy portion). CCSI is 10 years old and is in dire need of funding to continue helping families in Nashville.

This program has had a 70% success rate graduating 120 families over the past 10 years, 54 families have purchased homes (all still in these homes!), 4 businesses have been started (all still operating), and 17 individuals have achieved higher education degrees including 2 masters degrees.

CCSI has been approached by 3 states to develop similar programs for those states. But CCSI is currently at a crossroads. Their staff and program dollars are maxed out and they cannot expand the program to help more families without contributions.

There are two ways you can help, if you are able and willing:

1. Nominate CCSI for the Christie Cookie $25,000 Charity Giveaway. Select Christian Community Services, Inc., Nashville, TN from the list of charities.

2. Donate directly to CCSI.

Please help this organization continue to positively impact the families of Nashville and expand this program nationwide. If you would like more information about CCSI, please go here.