oda’s Neighborhood

I love this video of Tim McGraw defending a woman's honor. I wanted to post it sooner but I've been busy with something worthless lately. Glad that nonsense is over with -- it was just a matter of time. Anyway, here's sexy Tim caught on camera phone last week.

And he kept right on singing. A true professional. "I ain't looking for trouble." 

It's summer and I feel like I'm missing something. That something is a Tim concert. Last one for me was Soul 2 Soul II  when I was so close to him that we locked eyes and he sang directly at me and gave me a big smile right back. Yes he did! Yes!  I had a smile that went from ear to ear, I was entranced. And he knew it. Oh yes he did. Tim and I shared a vibe baby! And I'll never forget it. He's probably been wondering where the hell I am.

I'm a grown woman. Look at me. Pathetic.

P.S. you know the sound, now discover the scent. July 2008
Think I'll slather hubby in it.  :)

Today is a day of celebration in our house. Not just the 232nd birthday of our country but also the birthday of my daughter. Yes, around this time my water broke and she was on her way. Seems just like yesterday. Only it wasn't and I'm much older. Although I have to say I don't feel older. Anyway, today was going to be a trip to the San Diego Zoo but we decided against it. Having a birthday on a day like today (here in Cali) is a little hard to deal with. It's always better to escape to the mountains or some place like that. If you go to a touristy place you have the crowds and heat to contend with. Now we have the high price of gas and the fact that we would like to be more frugal with our cash these days. It's kind of ruined the mood. Not that I'm complaining. Well, yeah, I am.

I have started cooking and then I will bake a cake. Once noon strikes I plan on making some drinks. Okay, I am going to wait a little longer than noon. Sun, swim, book, eat, movies, fireworks. In that order. It's open house here today.

I hope everyone has a happy, safe 4th. God bless us all. I hope by this time next year America is better in every way.

P.S. Hubby gets glasses today.He thinks he's going to look like a nerd. He will be home soon with glasses on his face. Can't wait to see.

cut as many as 12,000 positions

tarbucks CEO Howard Schultz's message to employees:

Dear Partners,

It has been almost six months since I returned as ceo. During this time, together, we have begun to transform the company by relentlessly focusing on our customers and the experiences they have in our stores. Espresso Excellence training, the successful launch and response to Pike Place Roast, Mystarbucksidea.com, the introduction of the state-of-the-art Mastrena espresso machine, the acquisition of Clover, our partnership with Conservation International, and the roll-out of the Starbucks rewards program are all examples of our commitment to our customer and elevating the Starbucks Experience.

This summer, beginning July 15, we will unveil healthy, good-for-you beverages, which are part of the Health and Wellness offerings at Starbucks. In addition, in Southern California, we will introduce a refreshing, indulgent cold iced beverage. Steeped in Italian heritage, it will be an exclusive product that our customers can only find at Starbucks. I can't tell you just how excited I am about our new innovations and programs and I believe you will be also.

For more than a year now, we have seen the adverse impact that a slower economy and dramatic decline in consumer confidence have had on our U.S. business. This has resulted in a drop in comparable store sales due to a reduction in customer traffic. The pressure on store unit economics has required us to take a serious look at our store portfolio. As a result, we must be more disciplined than ever in examining and evaluating our business.

After an extensive and rigorous review of our U.S. company-operated store portfolio, our executive and field leadership team, which included Operations, Store Development and Finance, has decided to close approximately 600 underperforming company-operated stores in the U.S. market, which includes our previously announced plans to close 100 stores.

Unfortunately, this hard, yet necessary decision will result in the elimination of many full-time and part-time retail positions. The majority of the store closures are anticipated to occur during the balance of FY08 and the first half of FY09. The exact timing of each store closure is dependent on third-party agreements and are, therefore, subject to change.  As always, we will treat our partners with respect and dignity, and in the spirit of transparency, we commit that all partners in our 7,200 plus company-operated stores will be informed as to their store's status (remaining open or closing) by mid-July.  We expect to place many of our affected partners in available positions at nearby Starbucks stores.  Those partners, who are not offered a comparable position within a reasonable distance from their current store location, will be offered a severance payment to aid their transition. These payments will be available to all full-time and part-time partners, and will be based on job level and current pay rate. Additionally, there is an ongoing review of our non-store organization, including both field and Starbucks Support Center resources.  Changes related to this review will be communicated to partners and implemented no later than August 1.

Throughout the history of our company, we have always aspired to put our people first. This makes our decision to close stores more difficult, as it disrupts the lives of our partners, who have worked so hard to deliver superior service to our customers. At the same time, we recognize that we must make decisions that will strengthen the U.S. store portfolio and enable us to enter fiscal 2009 focused on enhancing operating efficiency, improving customer satisfaction and ensuring long-term shareholder value for our partners and customers.

By far, this is the most angst-ridden decision we have made in my more than 25 years with Starbucks, but we realize that part of transforming a company is our ability to look forward, while pursuing innovation and reflecting, in many cases, with 20/20 hindsight, on the decisions that we made in the past, both good and bad. However, I strongly believe that our best days are ahead of us.

We believe that building an enduring great company requires the thoughtfulness and, at times, the courage to make some very tough, difficult decisions.  This is one of those times.  We have built one of the most recognized and respected brands in the world … the essence of which has grown out of the passion and character and integrity that is inherent in our partners. And I promise you that I understand the magnitude of closing so many stores and the emotional impact it will have on our partners.  I assure you that we have taken all of this into consideration in doing what is necessary to strengthen our company for today and the future.

As always, thank you for all you have done and continue to do for our company.

Onward,

Howard

sorry Howard, but it's either a gallon of gas or a $4 cup of coffee. We're going with the gas.

recession or depression?

wonder if there are any illegals in there.
of course there aren't.

the guy was probably just coming back from his Hooters lunch.

Finally, they have put up their picture for 2008. I don't know these people but I care whether or not they put up a picture.

animation. wonderfully narrated.
just because

Two people who turn on each other during times of stress are not a match for each other.  (like, you bitch)

Two people who turn toward each other during times of stress are.    (like come here give me a kiss)

two people will try to beat each other into the ground trying to win an argument…thinking now this person will love me if I beat them down and  win. ?? Riiight.

tells me something about my past relationships.

My Sirius radio receiver burnt out. I had to get it replaced. Purchased a home/office kit and mounted the receiver on its platform.

The actual receiver comes in a box with connections for your car. Well, right now I want it for my bedroom and the office. So naturally I'm going to use the home/office kit connector.

I could not get this mo' fo to work. My husband couldn't figure it out. One Sirius tech person told me my receiver was bad so I exchanged it for a new one. The guy at Circuit City was like...whatever. I brought it home, called again, still wasn't working. Tried again on Saturday with another tech guy and he told me to buy a special adapter from Radio Shack. I  needed it (probably) to hook into my stereo. Got it. Started to hook it up and realized it wasn't going to work because of not having an holes in the radio for it to plug into.

Last night I got mad.Sometimes that's what it takes. I told myself this was the last time and then I'm done. I called Sirius again asking them why did it work this way for two and a half years and now with upgraded technology I can't get it to work. It should be easier if anything. Gave the phone up to my husband because i was frustrated. I was mad that these tech people in India couldn't help me. 15 minutes later I had an idea. While Cheech and Chong were still messing around on the phone, I grabbed the box, thinking I should try the base/platform that the radio itself came with. Get out of my way, click, click. I GOT IT!!!  The woman got it!  Yes!  The 'non-technical woman' got it.

Something so simple. Something so logical.

I was so happy, and saying to my husband how I can finally listen to CNN, and Dr. Radio and yes, even Howard again. My day will go by so much faster.

Get to work, Take it out of tte bag. I'm looking, looking...NO FREAKING POWER CORD. I went limp.

But I was okay, I had my iPod, Dr. Laura, and chocolate.

The only time you mustn't fail is the last time you try.

see, I knew I wasn't go crazy. well...some might beg to differ.

JustAskAsa.com

So how do you handle the increase in suddenly smaller sizes?

• Give yourself extra time in the grocery store.
• Check the sizes of the items you buy regularly.
• Look at weight on the actual item rather than the weight listed on the shelf tag. Many of the shelf tags still reflect the old package sizes, so size and unit pricing information may be incorrect.
• Reconsider what you buy. If your favorite brand is shrinking, maybe it’s time for you to switch to a competitor.