Pet Peeve: Your voice mail recording!

Here's a thought, why don't we all realize that everybody knows what the purpose of a voice mail is?  You don't have to instruct me to leave my name, number and reason for calling.  It's almost 2010, the voice mail system has been around for awhile.                                                                                                                                                      I cringe just a little, when I call up a friend and have to wait a few minutes to leave a freakin' message.  It used to be easy enough to press '#' and you could skip it.  Now depending on which service provider that they've chosen, pressing '#' will ask you for the password to access the voice mail.  Please do us all a favour and just say your name and 'leave me a message' or 'hey, what's up?' and be done with it.

When I first had my own voice mail, I was creative.  I would play the current song that I enjoyed and had you dancing it up like Ellen. 

For awhile, I did this, 'If you're a family member of Jay's or a friend, please leave a message, if not, you can go fuck yourself.'

I forgot that work may call and a new boss called and received that message.  She laughed hysterically and played it on speakerphone for others to hear.  Thankfully, she was cool about it.

From that experience though, I did 'If you're a family member of Jay's or a friend, please leave a message, if not, (insert Jay speaking in professional phone operator voice) we're sorry but this message has been censored by Bell Canada.'  The amount of people who thought it was for real made for much amusement on my part.

Finally, I've stuck for many years with the following, 'Hey you've reached me, so leave me a message.'  If you don't know who me is, they usually don't leave a msg.  It's a perfect system.  I've never had a telemarketer leave a msg or anything.

So for those who think that I need to hear your first and last name with a note about how to leave a message and that you'll get back to me as soon as you can....well you can go...We're sorry but this message has been censored by blogspot.com.                                              

Work It Out with Music

Continuing w/ the music theme of the week, let's talk work outs.  I, for one, could not work out unless I have music helping me in the background.  Music takes me away from the pain, boredom, and frustration of working out.  In between reps, I get to groove a little and this hypes up the routine.  Or if I'm going for a run on the treadmill, I lip sync along to the track to the amusement of those around.

I rejigged my workout playlist on my itunes tonight and here's the run down.  Links to some of the songs that you may not be as familiar with.

Hello Seattle - Owl City

Outta My Head - Leona Lewis

Spy - Shakira

Don't Stop Believin' - Glee Cast

Looking For A Good Time - Lady Antebellum

Wait Your Turn - Rihanna

Morning After Dark - Timbaland

Tik Tok - Ke$ha

Rock Wit U - Janet Jackson

Funhouse - P!nk

Touches You - Mika

3 - Britney Spears

Sweet Dreams - Beyonce

Now Generation - Black Eyed Peas

Fascination - Alphabeat

What songs are on your work out set list?

New Music Round-Up

Monday was a big day for new music. Susan Boyle's highly anticipated album came out. It's going to be the number one album next week but that's not enough to get me to buy it. Here's what I did buy...

Rihanna - Rated R, much darker than her previous stuff. I'm not a fan but Te Amo and Rude Boy are worth a download.

Lady Gaga - Fame Monster. It's thisclose to being an album (8 songs), totally worth the price. Gaga can do no wrong at this point. Best songs - Monster and Bad Romance. The video for Bad Romance is totally bitchin'.

Jay Sean - All or Nothing. This guy had a huge hit with Down (featuring everybody's BFF Lil Wayne). Most of the songs sound the same and there's nothing that stands out. Give this one a pass...but look at the album cover and bask in his hotness.

Adam Lambert - For Your Entertainment is the biggest surprise for me. I didn't like him on American Idol but the lead single got me hooked and overall the album is a fun mix of pop-rock and dance. The title track, Aftermath, Whataya Want From Me and If I Had You are my faves.

Kris Allen, the actual winner of American Idol released a CD last week as well. The lead single Live Like We're Dying is catchy but the rest of the album is blands-ville.

What else is out there? Leona Lewis? John Mayer? Tell me what you think!

Stupid Customer Complaint #2:

Today, I had an encounter with a customer. I was thoroughly convinced, it would end with either me being slapped or me bitch slapping them.

I received a complaint today from a customer about children playing in the hall.  Yes, yes, I know...what a scary thought.  Children playing and not just sitting in front of a television screen mindlessly playing video games.

I informed the kids that they'd have to play outside as a customer had complained. I said that I was okay with it, but we have to respect everybody's wishes.

A few seconds later, a rather tall and large woman entered my office in a complete huff.  Demanding that I retract my statement that it's okay for children to play in the hall.  I stated that I wouldn't, but had respected her wish and the children were no longer playing in the hall.

She goes on about the safety of other patrons.  I told her that nobody else complained, so they don't have a problem with it.  She informed me that they don't know how to complain properly.  I told her that I had heard her complaint and dealt with it.

She decides to pursue it further and states that by me saying that it's okay, I have confused the individuals as English is clearly their second language.  I told her that I would no longer continue this line of conversation as I felt it was rude.  She said that I have no right to speak to her that way or anybody and that she knows people and how they act.  I asked how she knew that English was their second language and she said that she had observed them talking to one another.  I asked how English being a second language means they need further clarification about what I've said.  She had no response to that.

I told her that the issue had been dealt with and she starts yelling at me and how I don't know anything about customer service.  I informed her that her young son appears to be embarassed and that I had heard what she said, addressed it, and now wanted to get back to my work.  She yells 'You heard me. You heard me. Well then, if you heard me, I guess I'll be on my way.'

People are stupid.  Please don't be stupid like this woman!  This'd be Jay's tip of the day.

Let's Create A Club Night...

I did it.  I went queer clubbing in TO again for first time since the Winter.  For the most part, I spent the evening complaining (yes, big surprise!) and I've decided that it's time to assist club promoters. 

With that, let's create an amazing club night.  Here are a few of my rules...what are yours?

1) No one under 25 - I know, it's age-ist, but this is my club night and why not have a queer night for us oldies? ;)

2) No purses on your person in the club.  You're dancing and buying liquor.  All you need is a money clip, once you get into the bar.  Stuff it in your bra or shoes, if you have no pockets. 

3) Songs that are over 10 years old may only be played between 10:30-11:30pm.  It's early in the night, so you expect to hear bad music.

4) This leads to the next rule that really popular songs may be played twice with a 90 min. break in between.

5) The DJ must dance.  I've determined that DJs play shitty music, because they don't dance.  There's no way you can play 'American Boy', if you dance.  This song is not dance-able.

6) Candy!!!  Can you imagine??  Seriously, I think more candy should be sold at a club. 

7) If you're buying 2 drinks, then no cover.  Purchase your drink tickets at the door and you slide by.  If you're playing it sober, $5.  If people are going to pay for your over priced booze, why not reward them with free entrance?

8) Line-ups only when the club is at capacity.  Making people stand outside when the bar is empty is pure bullshit.  Line-ups make people go somewhere else, it doesn't develop interest. 'Oh there's a 20 min. line-up, this place must be hot..we should totally line-up.'  Nope, they just walk elsewhere or go home.  Seriously.

9) Be personable and responsible.  If I'm running a club night, I'm going to be there. I'm going to interact with customers. I'm going to see how my night is doing.  If after 10 years of doing the same thing on the same evening with the same DJ and the same performer, I'm not seeing the place as packed as it used to be...I'm going to change things up.  I'm not going to do a cover charge increase to make up the difference.

10) Have fun.  Let's have odd theme nights.  Random prizes.  Spotlight dances. Show vintage Simpsons on screens throughout.

What are some things that you'd love to see in a club night?

Mmm...pub food!

Mmmmm....pub food!  I had probably my most favourite pub meal ever this week.  It was at Old Nick's on the Danforth close to Broadview.  I was meeting up with a bud prior to seeing Toxic Avenger: The Musical (hilarious!).  We were wondering around and decided to check this place out as it had a rainbow flag sticker and appeared to have actual customers dining in it.

I was looking through the menu deciding on my usual hamburger combo (swiss & mushrooms is my usual go to), when I saw what could only have been created in heaven.  Wings, Rings, & Fingers.  Oh yes! You get onion rings, 5 wings, and chicken fingers with celery and carrots.  Could life get any better?  What a magnificent combo of all things awesome in the world.  Plus, they weren't small portions.  5 good sized wings, 3 ample sized fingers and a ton of onion rings.  All washed down with a pint of Keith's.

In conclusion, I will def. go out of my way to frequent this place again.  What's some pub food that you just can't get enough of?

Mess with Glee. Face Jay!

I'm torn between two places.  Supporting my love of 'Glee' and not being hated on by my fellow disabled performers.  A recent article is knocking Glee for not hiring a disabled actor to play Artie, who happens to be in a wheelchair. 

For me, this is well played by the organization behind this stunt.  It's a hit show that is featuring an episode all about the disabled Glee member.  Instead of cheering on this fact, they know that controversy get much more press.  So they knock down the most diverse show on network television.  Plus, they do all this without even viewing the episode.

This episode features 2 down syndrome characters played by what appears to be 2 down syndrome actors.  Where's the love for doing that?  Where's the love for having all the actors appear for the majority of the show in wheelchairs, while learning life lessons?  They lament about it being harder, they talk about being different, they raise money for a wheelchair bus.  They opt to install wheelchair ramps instead throughout the school to ensure that current and future students will be able to access the auditorium.  Thus, highlighting the issues of schools not being fully accessible.

If they had found a perfect wheelchair bound actor to play Artie, I'm sure they would've cast him.  The fact is that they didn't.  Maybe that's what the issue should be focused on.  How many agents have such talent on their roster?  How many casting agents bring in such actors?  Plus, this wasn't just looking for an actor in a wheelchair, they have to be able to sing too.  If this organization put some effort into these issues first and foremost, then I'd cheer them on.

For now, I'm cheering like a Gleek should for a show that is as amazing as Glee is. :)

You were your best.

Genius is never liked in its own time.

And it's official: Dollhouse has been cancelled.

A sad day indeed for Dollhouse fans all around. I am personally more upset about the lost potential of such a wonderful show, but at the same time, I'm not surprised. After the treatment FOX gave to Joss Whedon's Firefly, I expected a short run for the Friday night outcast.

Dollhouse played with many interesting ideas, most of them philosophical and metaphysical. The show centered on an underground organization, funded by a private pharmaceutical company named Rossum Corp, called The Dollhouse. The Dollhouse rents out "actives," volunteers who have had their personalities completely erased, to any person who has the money to pay for anyone their fantasy desires. From a sadistic serial killer to a physiologically new birth mom, there was no limit to the imagination of The Dollhouse.

It's always interesting to follow a show from beginning to end--you not only get to see the characters develop, but the actors as well. Eliza Dushku is not the strongest actor on television today, but as the show progressed you could see her gettin better, especially when she is faced with the challenge to play someone brand new every week. Despite Dushku's increasing awareness as an actor and as the main active Echo, Dollhouse showcased a wealth of supporting players and characters as well.

Notable mentions go out to Enver Gjokaj and Dichen Lachman who play actives Victor and Sierra and Olivia Williams who plays the British Dollhouse boss-woman Adelle Dewitt. Watching them on screen is like watching Christmas happen, over and over again.

There are 9 episodes left in the season.
Summer Glau (ANGEL, Firefly, Sarah Connor Chronicles) and Alexis Denisof (Buffy, ANGEL) are set to guest star.

I'm even more excited now that I know Dollhouse has officially been canceled, because if I know Joss Whedon, I can be sure that he's going to out with a bang.

Dollhouse, you were your best.

Now rot in genius-DVD purgatory.

I'm sorry, this is a date?

"You probably killed your mother with those hands. And those flowers are probably fresh from her funeral."





At the ripe old age of 22, I'll admit that I've only just begun to date. And for those of you who know me well, I mean that I've only just begun to realize that these "dinners" and "hang out sessions" are actual dates, and not just people getting together to eat and walk along romantic streets and enjoy fun times at the theatre.

So in honor of this new revelation, I've decided to recount my early dating experiences for you all to read about and laugh at. Enjoy the density that is my mind.

Date Number One: Fall of 2005

This dude messaged me on facebook out of nowhere. Apparently, I had met him while running into my friend Trish on campus. Thinking I was cute, he asked me to hang out sometime...and so we did. At my house. We both found common ground on X-men and proceeded to discuss the joys of Wolverine, the hotness of Ice-Man and the greatness that is The Phoenix. In the darkness of my basement while we watched some film (probably X-men) he kissed me. It was gross. He was sort of gross, not my type, emo and just plain weird, and it felt like as if I was kissing the lips of a dead duck. Cold, and wet, and did I mention gross? After refusing to do it again and telling him that he's just a "friend," he curled up on my couch in the fetal position and proceeded to tell me how "no one ever likes me." Fun, eh?

Date Number Two: Summer of 2006

"Hey, let's grab dinner sometime."

To most normal people, when asked by a relatively cute stranger (or acquaintance), the first thing that would pop into your mind is "DATE." To me, I just thought of it is as food with some dude at around 7 pm. So what do I do? I head over to this guy's place right after work, still wearing my name tag, cargo shorts and a gross t-shirt. He walks out of his house freshly showered in a form fitting polo and jeans that make his ass look like a work of art. He ends up taking me to Terroni's on Queen where we are seated in the back patio underneath a tent with Christmas lights all a-twinkle, and he orders us wine. I didn't drink back then. So of course, I'm a little tips and it's not until he feeds me a piece of his pizza that I realize that this is a date. And so after a slightly romantic walk up Palmerston back to his place, I decid to make out with him to remove a little bit of my guilt. Sadly, in retrospect on the drive home I realize that he's not my type and I make some lame excuse at the end of our second date not to see him again.



Date Number Three: Winter of 2007

Now this, this is the first time where I actually acknowledge that I am actually indeed, going on a date. Another online contact off of faceparty.com, our first meet'n'greet was on campus where we decided to just grab a coffee. After forty-five minutes of thinking "whoa, you're a little extra," I decide to go ahead and go on a second date because really, how can you possibly know whether or not you like a guy after only spending less than an hour with him? And so what unfolds is the lesson of a lifetime: When you don't feel it, you don't feel it. Don't fake it to try and make yourself "see the person within" because it just won't happen. I didn't realize this until we ordered our dinner, after he picked me up, after he drove all the way across the God damn GTA because he's a complete gentleman. Once again with the guilt, I invite him back to my place where we watch a movie and I let him hold my hand. Sigh. I'm a jerk, I know. So over msn, I tell him that I have issues (which was true--I had issues back then) and that I really shouldn't see anyone.

After a two year hiatus, I am back in the saddle. A relatively fresh saddle, to be honest, but hopefully in time I'll be able to weather the leather and date like a pro.

So how about you readers out there? Any embarrassing or weird date stories?

Songs that I'd dance to at a club...

I haven't been clubbing since probably March of this year.  After so many terrible times, I've just lost all interest.  But if I were to go, I'd like to to hear the following 5 songs and then leave.

Miley Cyrus PARTY IN THE USA Video
Uploaded by tvguide. - Check out other Film & TV videos.

Oh yes, Miley Cyrus.  Usually, I'd cut a bitch, if I heard her in a club.  'I'm just being Miley...fuck you!'  But this is the kind of song that I could start the night off with.  No one's on the dance floor, you drag your friends to join you.  You nod your head and move your hips like yah.  It's a perfect way to start the night and then do a couple of shots at the bar to redeem yourself.

Beyonce - Sweet Dreams (Official Video) HQ
Uploaded by wonderful-life1989. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

While the alcohol settles in, it's time for a little Beyonce.  This song is great, esp. if you're with a tempting ex.  Cuz it's all about being a sweet dream or a beautiful nightmare...  When you're out clubbing, you've no clue about the randoms that you're encountering.  Will they be the one?  Will they bottom?  Do they have any diseases?  Will this be a nite to remember or just another roll in the sack?

Ke$ha - Tik Tok
Uploaded by RMG-UK. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

As Beyonce ends, I quickly head to the bar for a jack and coke.  Why?  Cuz this Kesha gal brushes her teeth with it.  It's another stupid song that you can jump up and down to and dance like a fool.  Oh oh oh ohhhh oh oh oh ohhhhhh.  This is a great "bump n grind and make out real dirty to" song.  Cop a feel, pinch an ass and just say that you're being a 'bad ass' like Miss Kesha.  Tic tok...the night is slowly coming to an end.

Pink - Funhouse (HQ)
Uploaded by Henrietta-Aime-Fumer_Tv. - See the latest featured music videos.

Pink is always good for some more silly dancing.  This is a song for those that have been through a break up (aka ALL OF US!!).  You get to dance with your girlies and pretend that it's all going to be okay.  Who needs a lover, when you can just torch that shit.  I kinda wanna do some body shots to this song.

Britney Spears - 3 (New)
Uploaded by Henrietta-Aime-Fumer_Tv. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

You all knew it was going to end with this.  Grab 2 ppl and get real damn nasty on that dance floor.  I wanna see cocks out, tits exposed, and a lot of drunken messy kissing.  This better lead to walking to the front of the coat check line to get your shit, threesome sex in the cab, and then a night that you never quite remember, but always brag about.

What songs do you want to dance to in public?

I am a tv junkie!!!

I am a tv junkie.  I thought that I had kicked my previous 8 hour a day habit, but it's coming back with a vengeance.

This last week, I took a break from socializing and msn to focus on studies and of course, had to fill my reward breaks (yes, I reward myself) with something.  I turned to television and my old obsession is hooking me again.

Here's a rundown of all the shows that I'm watching and have on hold to watch.

New shows:
The Middle - never watched Patricia Heaton in that Raymond show, but I really enjoy this show.  It's like Malcolm in the Middle, but with an adult at the centre of things.

Modern Family - by far one of the funniest shows to be on the air in forever.  3 diff. families, each one hilarious.  There's a stereotypical gay family, but they've got a korean adopted baby...so hilarious.

Cougar Family - it has that Scrubs humour - which means that it's fast paced and witty.  Everyone is starting to become a bit over the top, but it's still a fun half hour.

Glee - The songs and Jane Lynch definitely make up for sometimes lame pacing and a really stupid wife pregnancy story.  

Old shows:
30 Rock - The season premiere and gay halloween were great.  This is another show that it's about the quick wit.

Parks & Recreation - This one has improved immensely.  Plus, I've spent a lot of time in Recreation, so I can laugh when they hate the library, cuz we do. :)

Big Bang Theory - consistently one of the funniest shows out there.  I laugh out loud so much and it's pretty much the same thing each and every week.

Curb Your Enthusiasm - I kinda skipped this the last 2 seasons after watching the first few seasons.  This season, it's found itself again.  Having the Seinfeld folks back has given it a nice resurgence.

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - I love the stupidity of this show.  Charlie is always such a dumb ass.  Mac is always such a hottie.  I don't even like to drink, but I love the crazy that comes with this show.  Bird law...enough said.

Catching up on:
Weeds - I'm watching this with a bud and we're halfway through the last season.  It's hard to see where they can go with it.  We started off years ago with Nancy selling weed to a few customers.  Now she's with a Mexican mafia guy/Mayor.  It's still consistently funny.  Plus Silas is hot.  We need to bring back last year's Silas nudity. :)

Brothers & Sisters - I watched the first season in about a week back in March.  I just caught the first 3 episodes of the second season tonight.  It is such a great show.  Especially if you have an over involved Mom and siblings.  I can relate to so much in the show.

House - I will always love this show.  House and I are pretty damn similar.  Both suffer daily in pain and like to be grouchy.  Sadly, he's the only one with the drug habit.  I've been watching this one over the last 2 months.  It's kinda the same old, same old.  I miss the early days of Chase, Cameron and Foreman.  I know they thought changing it up would be good, but I just don't like the new recruits at all.

Damages - This is by far the greatest thriller on television.  It is beyond the creepiest, most intense show.  Glenn Close is genius.  The writing is amazing.  The first season was so good.  This season was better at the start than at the end, but is still great.  I could never imagine watching it live.  Having to wait each week for a new episode would be soooo irritating.  I think I went through the whole 13 episodes in about 3 days.

Awaiting me:
The Riches - season 1 and season 2.  I made it through about the first 7 episodes of season 1.  Minnie Driver was simply amazing.

Big Love - I've had the second season downloaded forever.  But it's hard to find time for a full hour long show.

Dexter - I've missed all the seasons, but I love the main actor.  Some day, I will find time to watch it all.

The Office - I just can't get into this season yet.  I have class every Thursday, so it's hard to catch up.

Sons of Anarchy - I watched the first 4 episodes of this show and was hooked.  Then I neglected to continue.  It's now already onto season 2.  It's got Katey Segal and she's amazing.  It's got Charlie Hunnam and he's all grown up and not getting his ass licked, but still doing great.

And now you all officially know what a super tv geek that I am. :)  But seriously, tv is finally back after so many years of utter crap and me having no interest in anything.

"Good Until Further Notice"

In my pursuit of entertaining my own random thoughts, I would like to write about relationships today and why we just fucking get ourselves into it, when we all know that it has an expiration date, a "good until further notice" end? It might be because, to borrow Freud's term, it gives us a sort of "oceanic feeling"...but does it really? Do relationships really bring us happiness, or do they bring us problems, more than what we had to begin with? I would like to argue that it is the latter that happens, rather than the former. I am going to prove this by adopting some points in Laura Kipnis' book Against Love: A Polemic.

The one thing that struck me about this book is when she says, "falling in love means committing to commitment [itself]" (p.57). This essentially means that we're not only committing ourselves to the other person(s) but also, we need to commit on a number of emotional baggage, which is harder (as most of you would know) than it seems. Committing to commitment means that we are also constantly anxious about the possible end of the relationship and the fear of pain and suffering that will eventually follow that end. "Good until further notice" is the dictum of every relationship (at least for us post-modernists who think that "'till death do us part"
is now part of an archaic past): that it always has an inevitable end, which is either planned or unplanned; but essentially, we all have a claim to a right to exit when the relationship no longer works for us. Therefore, why do have to go through this whole committing to someone and committing to commitment phase if we know in the back of our minds that it will eventually end anyways? Can't we just have fun sans the commitment part? On that note, maybe I'll just stick to Spam since it's good until the end of the world...I could always eat it anytime I want. I'm Filipino afterall :P (if you're wondering what's the connection between Spam and being Filipino, see: SPAM and Fast-food "Glocalization" in the Philippines by Ty Matejowsky...or just ask one of your Filipino friends LOL!)

Stupid Customer Complaints...

Working in customer service can really suck ass and lately, I find myself getting more and more frustrated.  Mostly, because I keep getting stupider and stupider customer complaints.

I've only found one site that boasts this kind of stuff at notalwaysright.com.  But I'm seriously considering starting a new blog that strictly focuses on the dumbest of all complaints.

Here's a few from recently that I think qualify:

1) I want to speak to head office.  Every time, I speak to you, you're smiling.

Reply:  Here's the number (said with a big smile).

2) How am I to know who's the staff and who's the participants, if everybody is dressed up for the theme day?  The staff should always wear their staff shirts.


Reply: The participants are the one's that look like their under the age of 8 and probably under 4" tall.  The staff would be those over 16 and usually 5" and up.

3) I'm calling to complain that the staff play too much with the participants.

Reply: If I grant your request, I'd have 59 parents calling to say that the staff don't play enough.

Anybody else work in the customer service industry or used to and have some really stupid complaints?

FB = FML?

I think I'm on facebook too much. I probably check it 5-10 times a day during the week. Mostly to see what my friends are doing, check out links and creep on pictures (everyone does this, don't lie). That's what facebook is about. There alot of great things FB does that make my life easier. Yesterday my good friend got engaged after dating her guy for a VERY long time. She called her mom, then updated her status. How easy was that? One status update and everyone knows. That's the good stuff.

The bad stuff. In that same FB session I found out some other information I probably didn't need to see. I was going through Halloween pictures and saw my ex and his new guy in matching sailor costumes. Now, I already sort of knew about his new guy but I didn't really need to see them making out in their super gay matching costumes. As I don't particularly enjoy my stalker tendencies when they come out, I stopped myself from looking any further.

Do I need to check FB multiple times every day, is my life REALLY better for having FB in my life? Am I the only one having this issue?

PS - Would you ever wear a matching sailor costume with your new boyfriend?

(Answer - Hell no.)