Vegas, kids.

I'm recovering from last night. Ow.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Answers

Where ARE y'all?

One thing I do have to give Pam credit for: the Birthday Week concept. Every time the Bald Man started some lame ass topic I would say "Birthday week! Let's talk about something else!" I would say I did not abuse this by making deliberately inflammatory statements (like when conservation came up, "You know, what's the point? We've got enough resources to last our lifetimes, the human race is bound to die out eventually, so why bother scrimping for a generation we'll never even know?") and then saying "Birthday Week! Move on!" but I would be lying.

And dinner was sooooo yummy, and then we went to the B-side and I had a yummy gin and lemon juice drink and the bartender gave me a slice of cake with a candle, and then I went to the Last Drop and all my drinks were free. I wish it was always my birthday.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I hate AOL. They are evil fuckers. Here's the email I just sent to Chris. Thank god my office has a door, is what I'm saying.

You know how you won't ever be caught dead in an IHOP?

I will never, EVER use AOL. Ever. They are horrible, money-stealing people. They are liars who misrepresent themselves.

When I was in DC, I needed an internet connection - I could dial up from my hotel, but I needed a browser. I used the AOL thing - you get a free month. I dialed up, did the work stuff that I needed to do, and that was that. I was going to call AOL to cancel (try finding that number - no small feat), but before I could, a girl from AOL called my cell phone (the number I had given to the when I signed up) asking me if I was satisfied with my AOL service. I said no, in fact, I wanted to cancel the service. She said, would you like to buy the AOL guide to the internet? I said no, I want to cancel my service. Finally, she said that she would cancel my service. I figured that was done with.

A few days ago, I look at my online banking and see that in fact, AOL had taken $21.95 from my checking account. I was surprised, as I had cancelled my service. I called AOL this morning and they said that they had no record of someone calling me and that no, they couldn't refund my money. I asked to speak to a manager. He told me that the person who called me was from the AOL store, and the AOL store can't authorize cancellations. I said that if they can't authorize cancellations, why did the girl tell me that she was canceling my service? The guy said that he didn't know, but that the AOL store people can't do that. I told him that really, what the AOL store can or cannot do is not my problem - all I know is that the girl said she was canceling my service, and she represented herself to me as AOL, and that what she may or may not be authorized to do with customers is nothing that I am obligated to be aware of. She told me she was canceling the service, and I believed her.

I cancelled my service - again. The little fuckers still won't give me my $21.95, though. It's not a lot of money, but I am just furious. Should I write a letter to their main customer service people?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Yes. And CC the president of AOL. There was an article in the Improper a while back about dealing with hassles like this, and the first step is writing a letter to the customer service people, CC'ing the prez/CEO. State clearly what you did, what was promised, and what you want (your $21.95 back). You should get it.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Hell YES.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

oh yes CC the CEO. Whenever letters are sent to Mike they get a response from the VP of stores, or the appropriate Regional Mgr, rather than just Cust. Serv.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

They are evil. Evil, and smug, and they are a cult.

"Well, you only logged three hours - you couldn't possibly have discovered all that AOL has to offer in only three hours."

Yes, because I am a stupid, internet-illiterate freak. Whatever.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

But aren't y'all excited for Vegas?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Uh, yeah. Vegas! Woo!

I just have to make it through the next three days here at work.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

You'll survive. I am far, far too excited. I spent ten minutes yakking it up with our HR lady this morning, telling her all about the penguins.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Oh, how I wish I didn't have to be here tomorrow!!

I have to do to mass laundry and pack tonight. And paint my toenails. But I have all my gifts. (whee!) and they're all wrapped and stuff. I always get stressed before I go away, wondering if I'll get it all done.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

But y'all. Pam. "I don't want to know that even though I'm not with him anymore, he wants me instead." How full of herself can she possibly be???

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I wrapped all my gifts and even used ribbon on some. Scary.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Lord do I hate her.

Get over your stupid self! Aaaargh.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Why must I break out right before Vegas? Why? Hate. I wanna leave nooooooooow.

Where did you fools go?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I am doing testing for the next hour. And I'm hungry. Bleah.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Oh, and I totally invited Pineapple to Vegas yesterday in 3WA chat. She has a wedding to attend and was quite bummed she can't make it.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Hannah - maybe this will come in handy for you and Kevin:

http://www.delta.com/travel/sp_offers/bos_lax_00/index.jsp

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Hmm. Although I doubt he'll be flying out to LA that soon after I get out there. We'll see.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Y'all, Kevin is going to give me my present tonight. Can't wait.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I can't wait!!! I so don't want to come into work tomorrow. I won't be able to get through the day!

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I don't have to go to work tomorrow! And my boss isn't here, so I can leave at a reasonable time.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I know you don't. You suck. I'm going to leave around 3 and go home and change and then go to the airport.

I wish I wasn't so broke. That sucks more than anything. But I'm still going to gamble. I so responsible.

Anything good on 3wa?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I am filled with fear that I'll miss my flight. I have a meeting at 2 in northeast Atlanta - my flight leaves at 7 in southwest Atlanta.

Can I do it? We'll find out, won't we.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I can't wait. I want to go home and pack now. I think I am going to paint my toenails a really trashy color.

The internet filter is blocking 3WA again all of a sudden. But not chat, thank god.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I think I'm going to try and fly standby tomorrow, so I might get in at like 5.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Excellent. We're meeting up with GillianBoardman from 3WA for drinks, I think, and she said she wanted to go to Red Square. Yay! Can't wait!

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I'm still debating it. And if I don't get on the flight, I will ahve wasted an entire vacation day, you know? But then I can just go home until my scheduled flight. I can call you from my layover and let you know if I got on or not. If you don't hear from me, expect me around 9.

I wanna go to Red Square too!!

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Well, you can meet us there!

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

What time are you meeting her?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Not sure. I'm calling her when we get in.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I want to leave now!

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I know. Me too. I really hope I'm able to get on the earlier flight! How fun!!! Wheeee! Eric gets in at 9, so I'd want to be back at the hotel by then. Maybe Sara and I will go get dinner and then the 3 of us can meet y'all out?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

That could work. We'll see. I think GillianBoardman (actually, her name is Kathy) had to make an early night of it since she's leaving town the next day.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Alas, no one is worried that I may miss my flight.

Have either of y'all ever flown United?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I know you'll make it.

I think I have. I've flown a lot of airlines.

I wonder if a birthday will get a first class upgrade. I know they upgrade you if it's your honeymoon.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I'm sure I have. I've flown almost every airline.

why?

Does Falafel think you're a nut for wanting to go over the place meeting crazy people from the internet?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Of course he does. A total nut. At first I was embarassed, but now I'm all "Kevin, can you wait to meet my INTERNET FRIENDS?"

Why what?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Will Falafel be annoyed if I call him Falafel?

What's he look like, by the way?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

No, not at all. Just don't call him my little soccer mom. He doesn't find that amusing.

He looks like a former Division III college football player. Which he is. Dark hair. Swarthy, almost.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

They Why was for Teri.

Well he and Eric can contemplate why we feel teh need to put all our feeeeeeeeelings on the internet.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Y'all! United and Delta are skymiles partners! PRAISES!!!

They upgrade you if it's your honeymoon? Does Delta do that?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I've never flown United before. Just curious if they're quirky.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I told you how he asked me why I mentioned him at all, and said "But Hannah never writes about Eric!" I explained that was different. And that if I ever wrote anything he was embarassed about, I would take it down. I don't think he cares, but he doesn't get it, either.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

And if you have a boyfriend nicknamed Falafel, how could you NOT write about him. Hello!

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Okay, this really made me laugh. . .

------------------------------------------------------------------------ Originally posted by CaseK: Just out of curiousity (and not to pick on anyone here), does anybody else really hate the word "panties"? It sounds so, I don't know, nasty to me, like something a dirty old man would say. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Do I ever hate that word. That is one of the three "P" words that had better NEVER be mentioned in my presence. People find out what the other two are and then say all three together thinking it's funny- It came out at a bar once and I got kicked out because I hit a guy for dancing around singing "Panties, Panties, Panties" in a sick little girl vioce. Bleh.

Hee hee. She hit a guy! I love it.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I read in a magazine article about scoring free upgrades, most airlines will bump you to first class on your honeymoon, if they have room.

Exactly. Eric is just lucky his nickname isn't Gyro.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

True, but it's totally her own fault for telling people she hated the word so much.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I hope we can get upgraded on the way to Hawaii. I'm still excited that I can get SkyMiles from United. I'm still sad that all my Europe miles on Continental are just languishing away.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Is that where y'all are going on your honeymoon?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Yep. We've only heard amazing things. We don't want to go to Europe - we don't want to go anywhere where we'll feel pressured to leave the room. But sitting on a gorgeous beach, hiking, and eating really good food? That's our kind of vacation.

My dream would be to spend some time at the Four Seasons and some at the Kona Village resort.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

It's supposed to be just beautiful. Fun, fun.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Hawaii is a pretty popular honeymoon destination for a reason. I can't imagine anything better. I either want to go there or somewhere in the Caribbean. Aruba would be amazing. It's good all year round as it's outside the hurricane belt.

Have you guys started discussing which island and stuff? How long will you stay?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

We used to think Hawaii would be sort of hokey, like Niagra Falls. The more we hear, though, the more we want to go - several of our friends have been there recently and they said it was just heavenly.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Honolulu is VERY touristy and kitschy. But there's plenty of unspoiled Hawaii if that's what you're looking for.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

We're going to spend a week there, more than likely. We haven't even started talking about it yet - we'll book our flight as soon as the flights for that time open so we can get the Skymiles seats.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

We've thought about Maui, and Kuai (I know I misspelled that). Knowing us, though, we're going to want nice accomodations.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I've heard wonderful things about Kuauai. I have no idea how to spell it either, though.

I always thought somewhere in the Carribbean, too.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I don't know why, but the Caribbean doesn't excite us. I bet it's because we've seen all those corny ads for those Sandals resorts, though.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Those Sandals people have a cheesy, twenty-page spread in every single bridal magazine. So sad.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Oh, not Sandals. A small island. I have a picture of renting a house that opens onto the beach in my head for some reason.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Oh, I would never go to the Bahamas or something. Aruba excites me as it's more South American than anything.

I know a couple who went to Belize, and that would've been amazing, but Temptation Island totally ruined Belize for everyone. Now it gets packed there. Blah.

I just want to swim, be able to scuba and snorkle. Go on boat rides and lay in a hammock.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

We feel the same way about Belize. if we had married five years ago - yes. Now? No way. We have some friends who went to Xuataneo in Mexico (I know I misspelled that - the place in Shawshank Redemotion) and loved it.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Y'all. I'm so impatient. I want to get out of here already!

And I can't wait to see your ring, T.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

T - all your old notify messages are here:

http://tgoestotown.notifylist.com/tgoestotown.html

You might want to go into your profile at notify list and change your archive from public to private.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Will you all laugh at me if I bring 5 swimsuits? I'm not sure what I'll feel comfortable in.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I don't even HAVE five suits. You crazy.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Three bikinis and two one pieces. But the one pieces are from high school. I got them senior year and never wore them once I got to college and started to buy myself bikinis (my mother didn't allow bikinis).

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Wait. You can still fit into stuff from college.

And why did you stop eating Omwiches again?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Well, I haven't actually tried any of them on lately. Swimsuits are stretchy, though. I have plenty of pants and things that are not at all my size any more.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

God, I haven't bought a swimsuit in two years. I guess that's justification for buying a Burberry bikini, maybe.

Stretchy is key.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Of course, last summer I weighed 10 pounds less than I do now.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I just hate my stomach. A lot.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Tomorrow! tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I'm leaving at five thirty, too. I feel like that's playing hooky. I can't wait to be back in school.

But right now, I can't wait to go home and pack.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I think Kevin is bringing his laptop so we can watch Dick on DVD on the plane. Which is good, because I was thinking about bringing Trivial Pursuit and making him play. Which I still might do.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I will have my game boy. Joh, if for some reason, you beat all of Chris' recently reclaimed top scores, he'd be devastated.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Would y'all play drunken Trivial Pursuit if I bring it?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Um, yes. Do you even have to ask?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Actually, I can't think of a better poolside activity.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I can - beating all of Chris' Tetris scores.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Aww yeah. Can't wait can't wait can't wait.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

This is just so upsetting:

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/topstory/948673

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Joh, you'll break his heart.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Oh, that's awful.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

oh my gosh. How horrible. That poor father.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

That is just so sad.

However, I really cannot dwell on it. Not so close to Vegas. The time for sorrow will be next week.

Okay. My packing list: -sunscreen -makeup and beauty products -skirts and fun clothes -too many pairs of shoes -underwear -trivial pursuit -dick on DVD -reading for the plane

What else?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

That sounds about right.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Oh, and purse. I just want to bring one small purse. My tiger print fake Kate Spade, or my sensible little tan BR tote?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Definitely the tiger print.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

I'm going to be the trashiest girl in all of Vegas.

Ok kids, I think I'm out of here.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Oh, and see you tomorrow, Joh.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Wheee!! Oh, I don't know waht bag to bring. I guess my Kate Spade? But I want to have a little bag to take to the pool. Hmmm.

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001

Why would you bring a purse to the pool? I'm bringing my standard Kate Spade, my new pink stripey silk purse, and I guess that's it for purses - I'll really only be going out on Sat. night. What are the plans for Sunday night?

-- Anonymous, June 20, 2001