Lines At Post Office Reveal Great Opportunity for Improvement

What's wrong with this picture?

It's 2:45 pm and there are at least 11 people in line at the US Post Office on 112th Ave NE in Bellevue. That doesn't even include the part of the line standing outside the door. What's worse is there is only two clerks working.

Why does the US Post Office feel like it is ok to make people wait EVERY day? There is almost always a line at this post office and although there is plenty of counter space for five or most agents, there is never more than 2 or 3 working. Sure they can raise postage rates whenever they'd like to pay for their advertising, but perhaps that money would be better spent on better (and more) service....?

The silver lining here is that this is a great opportunity for improvement. I'm sure that better service and more help would translate into more sales and higher revenue for the post office. Any Post Master listening? I'd definitely like to hear your side of the story.

Happy St Patty's Day!

Happy Saint Patty's Day - and Happy Birthday to my good friend (and aunty to Jackie Kennedy), Patty Yamashiro-Hironaka in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii - sorry we won't get to see you on your birthday this year.

Here's a video of an advertisement that I think is pretty funny. I first saw it on Patrick Byer's Responsible Marketing Blog.

She's A Mixed Up S.O.B.

This video was created by a YouTube user, using a song from the Presidents of the United States of America (possibly my favorite band) - and actually mirrors my views of Billary Clinton. Check it out and let me know what you think. (it may take a minute to load - but it is worth it if you want a laugh). Guess it isn't working - perhaps it is too popular? Here's the link on YouTube. Apparently YT is having a little challenge, perhaps it will be working a little later?

Divorce Can Be Difficult, But Can Be a Very Positive Thing

Going through divorce can be a very hard thing. I am especially fortunate that my ex is a good person and we are amicably working towards a mutually agreeable end. There are still a couple things to work out, but all signs are pointing in the right direction. We have a beautiful and intelligent daughter, who is the priority in both our lives - and that makes all the difference.

One of the best things so far about divorce is that Jackie no longer has to hear me screaming in frustration in her house - and since moving out my frustration levels have dropped tremendously. Unfortunately, she seems to be hearing even more screaming at times from her mother and babushka - I had to witness it tonight and it was heart wrenching. Most of it was in Russian, so I could not understand a lot - but unfortunately for Jackie I think they were taking their frustrations with me out on her. It really hurts me to not be able to do anything to help her in that situation, but I know that they both love her very much and really just want the best for her.

It's taken some time, but I've just recently realized how miserable I've been for some time now. I've been frustrated in so many ways (not just the way you are thinking right now), but am taking positive steps to get happy again. I've got a lot of work ahead of me to improve myself, but for now it feels real good to feel good again.

One of the things that the big D has forced me to do is start really thinking about what I really want out of life - and to realize that I have A LOT of options - and a lot to offer other people. I'm getting closer, but still not to a point where I have it all figured out - guess that never happens for everyone.

Boycott CompUSave in Lynnwood

Not that I have a lot of time on my hands, but when I really like a company, or in this case, when I am wronged by a company, I want to let people know. This particular case is incredibly stupid. I have built 4 pc computers in the last couple of years with parts I have purchased at CompUSave in Lynnwood, WA. I tend to build pretty good machines, so I've spent some money.

A month or so ago I made the drive up to Lynnwood to purchase components for a new pc. While there, I also asked for a stick of RAM to replace one in my mother's Dell computer - and showed them the dead one. It turns out they sold me the wrong one (and are trying to blame it on Dell), so I sent them back the one they sold me for a refund. Yesterday a guy calls up and says that they will only issue store credit - and that they want to charge me a restocking fee of 15%.

I sent them an email telling them that they would be sorry if they don't give me a 100% refund, because I will be filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, protesting the credit card charge - and blogging about this experience. Now they are threatening to report me to the police! I should probably talk to their owner and let them know about how their employee is mishandling the situation - but I don't want to spend any more effort on them - and I'm sure they will find out soon enough.

Now this is hardly worth my time - but I want to make sure that it doesn't happen to anyone else. If you are buying a computer or pc parts, my advice is to be sure to Boycott CompUSave.

Does anyone know of a good place to purchase computer parts in Bellevue, the Eastside or anywhere in the greater Seattle area?

Update - this just in: Now they are claiming to be blocking my domain from receiving email. Man, are they whacked!

Wow - these guys pissed me off so much that I almost forgot the silver lining: I never have to drive to Lynnwood to get hosed by CompUSave again.