When a Pedicure Turns Stressful...

I felt like sharing an experience which I'm sure a lot of people have witnessed, in some way or form. Perhaps just putting it out there and receiving feedback and input how how others have dealt with similar situations will help me moving forward.

I went to get a pedicure today at a salon which I don't usually frequent (I actually booked a reservation for another place and ended up at the wrong venue...still trying to find Buddha Nails on 6th Avenue between 13th and 14th street).

While I was there, a woman was getting a gel manicure. She was already helped when I arrived and I didn't pay too much attention to her, as I was trying to relax and enjoy the wonderful pedicure (at 29 dollars at Deluxe Beauty Spa, it's actually a bargain based on the amount of services it entails).

Halfway through my pedicure, about when I was getting my legs exfoliated with some nice lemon wedge and scrub, the nail technician named Sunny ironically enough yelled at the woman receiving the gel manicure, because she had accidentally chipped it. I was caught off guard, but didn't snap to attention until when paying, this same woman told the nail salon/technician they were overcharging her by 10 dollars for what she had asked for. This situation escalated quickly, with the customer speaking calmly to the employees, asking for a manager. As there was no manager there apparently, they got her to contact him or her on the phone and she repeated her concerns about pricing, when she had asked for a regular gel manicure. I did hear her say, "You can't give me an upgrade I didn't ask for" which seemed reasonable enough.

Sunny was getting very worked up and nervous, becoming more and more shaken and argumentative. Once the initial call to the manager was finished, Sunny refused to give the woman a receipt and told her she was "No Good!" repeated times. By now this has been going on for a good fifteen minutes (back and forth calls, requests, etc.). I did note that the woman was not at all rude or mean, just very clear and straightforward with her requests; she seemed reasonable and just wanted to clarify and receive the price for the service she had asked for.

Then I realized while this was going on, that I was getting anxious and wanted to double check the prices for my services. The lovely lady helping me eagerly handed me a brochure and I cross referenced what I had asked for and the prices I had been quoted. They were totally correct.

The pedicure had pretty much turned into a stressful situation, as Sunny's shouting and the woman's calls to the manager were distracting and took place at the very front of salon, which was relatively small. In the end, the woman did get a bit irritated, as I would have, when Sunny refused to give her a receipt and yelled at her.

After the woman proclaimed that the refusal of receipt was "insane," she called the manager and ended up getting a free manicure. I am sure that the cost of this service was deducted from Sunny's paycheck and further added to her stress and anger at being 'reported' to the manager and rebuked on the phone. But she continued to shout and badger her client who then informed her she was going to give her a nice tip, but now wouldn't (that seemed a little unneeded, as given what had panned out, she would either tip or not, but stating that she wouldn't tip seemed a big provocative). After telling Sunny she shouldn't yell at her clients, especially since she was being spoken to in a normal voice (the woman never did raise her voice), she departed and the drama was over.

I'm sorry if this post is a bit verbose (unintentional rhyme), but I just want to know how people deal with situations in which their experiences in a venue are compromised, due to similar circumstances. I of course tipped the woman who did my pedicure well and was very polite, basically ignoring what was going on as it unfolded and did not reference it after it had ended. I feel like jumping in or even talking about the experience would fuel a fire, especially since Sunny began crying after the woman's departure. But since I do think Sunny was inappropriate and rude to her customer, I would say that I believe the client was in the right and dealt with the matter well. On the other hand, I am sure Sunny was going to lose money which she definitely needed, prompting her to react a bit violently to her client's behavior.

Thoughts on this or other scenarios you have encountered?

Planning Barn Snacks and Meals

I wanted to write a some Post Script to my last post. While I am in New Jersey visiting my horse for at least two full or half days per week, feeding myself doesn't come cheap. The sodas, shakes, sandwiches, sushi and salads I consume sometimes top twenty bucks a day for two meals and snacks. Thanks to some great barnmates, I did find out that the local diner where I usually get lunch does have a special soup/salad deal for about ten bucks.

But I wanted to try and make a conscious effort to prepare some food at home and bring it with me. Current ideas include:

-Pasta salad (penne w/ cherry tomatoes, yellow pepper, onion, garlic and parmesan) in tupperware for lunch.

-Ziploc baggies of BareNaked granola to keep my energy up. I like the various mixes they make.

-Fresh fruit (I did buy pre-cut Honeydew, just to save time so I don't have to grab breakfast at 7:30am tomorrow)

Anyone have other fun suggestions which travel well?

Getting In Touch With My Inner Stepford...

Today my mother and sister left for their annual family trip to the Cape. I have stayed home the past few years and missed out on this excursion, which works out well, as I love having some downtime and having the house to myself for a few days (I'm not REALLY alone, as the three resident felines are ever present).

One of my recent resolutions was to be more resourceful in terms of cooking dinner. I rely on a list of about six amazing staples in my area to order takeout from, or pick up food from, on a pretty much daily basis. While none of these places break the bank, at about 10 dollars a night, it quickly adds up to a large lump sum per week.

After sleeping in (I wandered out of bed at around noon), I was determined to make up for missing the morning by taking of a laundry list (which yes, included doing laundry) of activities which had been on the backburner for quite a few weeks.

Immediate tasks included washing some leftover dishes, throwing my sheets in the washer/dryer and feeding Mr. Blue, my sister's dear friend's (wordy I know) Beta fish. After those were accomplished, I decided to be extremely ambitious and attempt to grocery shop for the next five/six dinners for about fifty bucks.

In NYC, at grocery stores like Whole Foods and Garden of Eden (where I go, Whole Foods has TOO MANY options), fifty bucks will disappear while just buying fresh produce. Instead of making a list, I worked the grocery store on the fly, creating dishes in my head as I perused the various aisles.

I will never be of those girls who can keep a detailed blog of the scrumptious meals they cooked, whether following a published recipe, inventing their own concoction or revamping an old classic. But, hey, I can try to be a little domestic and get in touch with my inner Stepford er...woman?

I did go a little over my fifty dollar goal, and spent about sixty bucks and some change. However, I know how that tonight's feast was an awesome skirt steak w/ asparagus, tomorrow will be garlic chicken and left over asparagus (I really like this veggie) and the following two nights I can have pasta salad. Just need to get some sort of greenery for the week ahead.

Also got breakfast for the week taken care of, with BareNaked Granola and Honeydew Melon. For me, today was a major accomplishment. I did buy one spinach pizza which I can just shove in the oven if I am really tired, or totally, utterly unmotivated. But for me, this cooking at home is a new venture and I am determined to succeed at making dinner at least 3x per week. I am planning on keeping proteins, garlic, chili pepper and other bangin' flavors in the apartment so my palate continues to be entertained.

A Weekly Recon...

In all honesty, I just wanted to use the term 'recon' in a blog post title. I've been watching way too much 'Dual Survival,' in which two men, Cody and Dave, brave fictitious scenarios in which they show you how to, well, survive, in a variety of disaster situations. They are always using the term 'recon' to review and go over their provisions and surroundings, taking note of what they have and maximizing everything's use.

So, I am going to do my only weekly recon, as a sort of survey of the wonderful things, beings and happenings which took place and which I have. Some silly photos, of Strider nibbling on his new found and surprising passion, watermelon, a close-up shot of Benji's hard earned and well conditioned muscular shoulder and the scrumptious choctail I had at Max Brenner's (the word Satisfying was in the title and it definitely hit the desert spot, after some sangria and pasta).

So here's my brief recon...I have a wonderful, supportive family, seven highly entertaining, thoroughly invigorating animals to fill almost every waking moment with love and laughter and the occasional yell, and a group of amazing and compassionate friends.

Memorable moments this week included catching up with a few dear friends, a certain meeting which left my mind at great ease and alleviated a lot of lingering anxiety, one hell of a date (see Facebook status update for details) and watching 'The Change-up,' tonight in theaters.

This movie was quite raunchy, with humor ranging from the visually disgusting (think on a very primitive level, like babies spewing poop) to smart one-liners and definite genius ad libbing. Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds were a formidable team of 'bros' and had more chemistry and many more scenes together than those involving Leslie Mann, who is an amazing comedic actress in her own right.

If you want to laugh till your stomach hurts (but not 'till you cry), desire some a light non-fluffy movie with something for everyone with a strong stomach and who is over 17 or so, go see it. The plot line is solid, the actors are great, and it's definitely a refreshing take on the 'Freaky Friday' scenario.

Take it easy,

M

If You Can't Escape to Paris..

For those us craving the seductive, elusive and sophisticated elegance of Paris, take a reality check. The majority of the population wishes they could jet set to this gorgeous city, wear striped t-shirts and berets and eat at quaint bistros and marvel at pieces at The Louvre. I haven't actually been to Paris, though have been to France, on a wonderful riding trek through the Southern areas, including The Camargue.

Always on the lookout for light summer reads which are still well written don't fall under the 'trashy' quality of romance novels or some chick lit, I was bombarded with raving reviews of Ellen Sussman's "French Lessons." The usual magazines I peruse for worthwhile light literature (People, Entertainment Weekly, etc.) gave the book astronomical praise.

Fast forward to July 5th, when the book was released (TIP: A LOT OF THE TIME BOOKS ARE REVIEWED BEFORE THEY HIT THE SHELVES. THE BOOK STORES PROBABLY HAVE THEM IN STOCK A FEW WEEKS BEFORE, BUT CANNOT LEGALLY DISPLAY THEM UNTIL THEIR RELEASE DATE. CHECK ONLINE OR CALL YOUR LOCAL BOOK STORE TO ENSURE THE BOOK IS AVAILABLE SO YOU DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME).

French Lessons has proven to be an entertaining, sexy and worthwhile distraction on the bus rides to and from the barn. It is structured in three sections, each between one French tutor and their American student. The three tutors know each other well, but the three storylines chronicle a day in the life of a French lesson between each teacher and pupil.

The three tutors are two men and one woman, the love interest caught between her male counterparts. The students are a lonely, grieving ex-school teacher seeking solace in a six day Parisian excursion, an American housewife who left her sucecssful job in the U.S, and desperately misses her home and former life and the husband of a well known American actress, coming along for his wife's movie shoot.

The three plots do all end at the same movie shoot, with realizations from both student and teacher. The future is a bit unknown for the characters and it is a book which deals with living in the moment, while playing with the uncertainties of life, love, lust and family.

I highly recommend it as a page turner with evocative and descriptive prose, well worth a read. If anyone wants to borrow my copy, let me know!

Until next week (which is in nine minutes),

Mun

B12 Ready...

I am dedicating this post to quite a few friends I have who require B12 injections, like myself. As an individual who suffers from several vitamin deffencies due largely in part to malabsorption, I wanted to provide a quick video, to prove that even spastic individuals like myself like give B12 shots (all to myself of course, no one else).

In lieu of constant B12 sublingual tablet therapy, I've opted to do monthly B12 injections. Based on how low your levels are and what is causing the deficiency, you may need to inject B12 more or less than me. But I was squeamish with needles up until about a year ago.

1.) Sterilize chosen area with alcohol (your thigh or buttock is best, as they are the fattiest places and recover faster bruise less than other injection sites.

2.) Load the syringe with B12 solution (a bright red color which you can see post- injection. THIS IS NOT BLOOD).

3.) Ensure there are no bubbles in the syringe, by tapping it and re-inserting/taking out liquid if requisite.

4.) Quickly and as adeptly as you can, stick the sterile syringe into the designated, sterilized area and release the full dosage of B12.

5.) If needed, wipe away any red solution left over, and place a Band Aid over the injection site.

6.) Ensure, with a doctor's assistance if necessary, that needles are disposed of in an appropriate, Bio Hazardous Waste way.

7.) Look into this option, because it is easy and can save you a lot of money in co-pays.

Peace, Love and Confidence,

M

Animal Husbandry- Why horses are just better companions.

It's been a trying week, to say the least. Quite the melange of events and misadventures which have curdled the first half of this week, making it hard to relax, concentrate and keep a peaceful and straight train of thought.

This all changed today when I hopped off the 194 bus and meandered down the driveway of KBTC. Benji was turned out in the field, quite busy swatting at flies impervious to his efforts to keep them at bay. With his halter strewn with fuzzies and some new evidence of potential rubbing due to sweat, he looked like quite the veteran. Of what, I am not sure, but perhaps the veteran of summer at KBTC?

I called out his name and didn't really expect him to amble over, as he was munching contentedly in a field of verdent grass. Yet he whipped his head around at the sound of his name and took off at a leisurely stroll towards where I waited at the fence to greet him. A few exchanged breaths of welcome greeting and muzzle kisses later, my worries from the past week's events had dissolved into distant memory threads, not even not my radar.

I left briefly to put my bags in the tackroom and Benji took off a full gallop, bucking as he went, in protest of my walking away from him. This was quickly remedied as I brought him right in and began to lavish attention on him, with brushing and conversation (he never answers but I still ask the questions).

I am only 24, and the world is still my oyster, with plenty of handsome guys waiting in the sidewings to emerge in my life. But for now, as of right now, I am happy to call Benji my horse hubby. He's always eager to see me, offers the most welcoming greetings and is eager to be by my side (the former crosstie unclipping he is famous for is usually when I leave the barn just to put away tack or clean things up). So, my wonderful redhead, with highlights most women would envy, thank you for getting me through this past eighteen months in stride, been steadfastly faifthful, never told any secrets, and have given me an outlet to forget my troubles and just love unconditionally.