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. :)