Good Day Car Shopping?

Today I had what can only be explained as an other worldly experience. The reason i say that, is because Jackie and I went car shopping and actually had a pleasant experience at the dealer.

We are looking to replace both of our cars, so we decided to go somewhere where we could look at multiple brands and models. We decided that, since I really wanted to look at the Grand Caravan and she wanted to look at the Journey and Explorer, we would go out the the Wickstrom Auto Group in Barrington. Totally a good call. I won’t get into too many details because my allergies are really kicking me today and I am a little drugged up tonight but here are the basics that made it such a pleasurable day.

• we weren’t attacked as we got out of our car.

• our salesman first asked us a) what were were looking for, b) our needs, c) what we wanted to accomplish today

• when we told him we probably weren’t going to buy today, he didn’t brush us off and only half ass take care of us.

• He suggested money saving things instead of trying to add on all the “convenience packages”

• He didn’t try to constantly high pressure sell us.

There were a lot of other things that he did right today. I was actually talkative. I don’t do that at car dealers. I really wish I could say more good things about Jared (I think that was his name and spelling) but I am more than not feeling well. Maybe Jackie will comment and add, or edit the post later and add too it.

The other thing that sold us on Wickstrom today, was what happened right before we left. We were wrapping up and the dreaded “sales manager” visit was looming. He walked over, introduced himself and I was getting ready for the sales pitch, clenching my jaw and bracing for the words “what can I do to make you drive that car out today”. I was fully expecting an actual nice car shopping experience go out the window. It never happened. He said thanks for coming in, here is my card as well, hope to see you back soon. That was it. No matter how many cars I buy from them, I am definitely now a fan of Wickstrom in Barrington.

I will mention I have received no free car or large ass discounts for saying this. I just really had that good of an experience.

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A Night … And Day … Off

Hi all,

Just a quick hello. Tori is staying at grandma’s tonight and tomorrow while the wife and I go car shopping. So, since we are childless tonight, it is time to go hang out with our favorite neighbors at the fire pit. Hope everyone has a great night and I will update tomorrow on the transportation endeavor.

Splish Splash

For months I have been writing the occasional post about Tori. I have even posted pictures of her. They have been cute pictures. Pictures that any parent, grandparent, relative … future boyfriend … would be allowed to look at by Tori when she is older. Today, that all changes.

I have said all along that I am going to be “that father”. The one that embarrasses my children without even trying, or even realizing it. Well, I figure that I might as well get the ball rolling and get that very first “DO NOT show my boyfriend those pictures!!” pictures up on the web for posterity. That’s right, the dreaded “baby bath” pictures. So, without further adieu, here is baby Tori in all her glory. Future boyfriends, we will have more to mortify her with.

DADDY! A Little privacy please!

I'm gonna wash that food right outta my hair

No more tears my eye!

These aren't the droids you're looking for.

Until next time, remember … “May the schwartz be with yoooououoouuououoalablababla”

Why I Hate People

I was reading a story today after I followed a link on a random site somewhere. It brought me to the page of a site called The Consumerist. The story was about some person who had a broken something and wanted it fixed by Best Buy. He was told one thing, something happened, he got upset, ultimately got his whatever it was fixed for free. (You can read the whole story here)

What did this yahoo do after he got his repairs for free? He sued Best Buy, claiming they broke the law on a number of counts. He did win some of the lawsuit but now is upset that he has been banned from Best Buy for life. DUH! What did he think would happen?

This is what is wrong with the world today. FREE isn’t even good enough for some douche bags. They have to go and ruin everything for everybody else with ridiculous lawsuits that do nothing but raise costs for everyone else. If you have a legitimate reason to sue someone, then fine. Don’t start lawsuits just to satisfy your self righteous feelings. I am not always happy with Best Buy either. Hell, there are a lot of places I am not happy with at time. But, they give me something free and it is all good. It is then my decision if I want to go back and shop there or not. I don’t need them to ban me.

And THAT’S what grinds my gears.

I Don’t Care

Maybe it is because I am getting older and more bitter. Maybe it is because there is to much reality TV on. Maybe it is because there just isn’t enough time in my day to worry about everything. There are so many things that I really don’t care about that I can’t list them all. Here are a few though.

There is a royal wedding this weekend. I DON’T CARE!

Katie Couric is leaving the CBS News. I DON’T CARE!

Ian Ziering had a baby. I DON’T CARE!

Aflac duck gets new voice. I DON’T CARE! (since it isn’t me)

Blgovav … blavoyga … Blog is on trial again. I DON’T CARE!

I still have 8 months to go that I have to post every day. I DON’T CARE!

My little baby girl Tori is getting so big! I do care. 🙂

See you all tomorrow.

Another VIMB “How To” Moment

It was a long 40 days for this little blogger. For all those that gave up something for Lent …

How To Splurge After Lent (specifically for having given up Pop and Fast Food)

1. On Sunday, open 2 liter bottle of Coke®

2. Drink said 2 liter bottle of Coke®

3. Go to dinner and drink 4 more cans of Coke®

4. After Easter dinner, stop at McDonald’s and order 3 Big Macs, 2 Cheese Burgers, 20 piece Chicken McNugget, 2 Fruit Smoothies and a large Diet Coke

5. Get home, go to sleep.

6. Wake up at 3 am, take 3 Alka Seltzers, go back to sleep.

It’s Me … Tori

Hi everyone. My daddy is off having fun with the growed ups so I thought I would sneak on the computer and and wish everyone a happy Easter!

Love,

Tori

Flash Back To Easter Past

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail

Posted in Holiday, Nonsense, TV/Movies with tags Easter, movie remakes, tv remakes on April 3, 2010 by Bob

Hopping down the bunny trail. Hippity Hop and all that.

Happy Easter tomorrow/today depending on when you read this. Just wanted to make sure I got on and wished everyone happy Easter. There, I said it twice even. I really like that Kapgar mentioned dead bunnies and posted a great video you can see here.

Pretty much that is all I wanted to say today. Been a very busy couple days with shopping for my niece’s birthday which also happens to be on the same day we are celebrating Easter that I am making a pie and jell-o mold for so … I do have some (hopefully) funny ideas for upcoming posts, AND I will be moving to self hosting very, very soon so (again hopefully) there will be some cool enhancements coming once I move. I will let anyone everyone know before hand in time to change any RSS or subscriptions. (The above paragraph is actually pretty accurate but I am making deviled eggs.)

3 Days Of Rest

Good evening all,

In the spirit of the weekend, I would like to take this opportunity to let you know that voicesinmybrain will be relaxing for the Easter weekend. TO this end, do not be surprised if you see “best of” posts this weekend. Lot’s of family stuff this weekend. Do not fear however as I will be back on Monday fresh and ready to continue the post every day.

P.E.T.E.

Friends, are you tired of PETA standing up for animal rights? Are you upset that PETA, claiming to be as high and mighty as they think they are, not protecting anyone other than animals? Would you like to see someone stand up for other things? Then you want to join P.E.T.E.

That’s right, People for the Ethical Treatment of Everything is recruiting in your area. Who are we? We are an organization whose sole purpose is to stand up for the right of everyone and everything.

From the rumpled dress on the limo floor after prom, to the Taco Bell sauce packet left in the parking lot of the high school, we will protect!

We have a fleet of vessels of all kinds that we will deploy at the slightest hint of injustice. We will stand up for the poor fur coats that those bastards at PETA throw blood all over. We will champion the rights of kelp beds disturbed by the scurrying motor boats of Greenpeace. We will protect radicchio and heirloom tomatoes from the wicked gullets of vile vegans wherever they lurk.

At P.E.T.E. we believe in our founding principles that everything should be outlawed and everything should be protected at the same time. That’s right, we are the most fringe environmental group ever. So come and join us as we protect the word and the world’s protectors from themselves. We meet alternating Tuesdays in the basement of the community church. Donations can be sent to the same address. Thank you and god bless.