How to complain

In high school I had to write a lot of "persuasive" essays. I learned a lot of tactics to get the reader to see your side of the issue. I wrote about everything from school uniforms to feminist views. Though I kind of enjoyed them I wasn't sure if I would really use these skills again, except in college papers.

Well, I had a real world use this past month. I decided to write a letter of complaint to American Airlines because I was unhappy with them. Why was I unhappy? Here's the short version: when I had to change my ticket due to an emergency, I had to wait over 45 minutes on the phone to talk to someone. I didn't even get to talk to someone because I gave up in frustration and booked a separate ticket. When I got to the airport, I talked to someone at their counter and they were rude and explained to me that my original ticket would have cost $150 to change! How crazy is that? Other airlines (like my trusty Southwest that I usually fly) will hold the credit for you that you can use on a future flight. American Airlines wouldn't do that. So I was out a plane ticket which cost $180.

In my letter I politely explained my frustration and asked that they review their policy that angered me. I didn't "yell" (aka TYPING IN CAPS LOCK AND USING A LOT EXCLAMATION POINTS!) or curse. I double checked for spelling errors and grammar usage because no one will take you seriously if you spell a word incorrectly or cannot use proper grammar. The letter was a page and a half and I was proud of it.

A few weeks after sending my e-mail to their Customer relations e-mail address, I received response. It was quite lengthy. American Airlines explained their reasoning for their policies to me and said they would pass it on to the appropriate office. In addition, they also awarded me a $150 credit to use in the next year.

I've written 2 other complaint letters in my life and I have found it effective. The first was when Apple sold me a faulty macbook (it was replaced for free, but there were more headaches involved), and the second was when AT&T didn't correctly follow procedure when I was setting up my internet (They didn't set something up so I couldn't connect to the Internet), If you experience unsatisfactory service, I highly suggest writing a letter/e-mail to the company's customer service address.

Posted via email from Becoming an Adult in the City

Live & Learn: Cooking Edition

Today I decided to try cooking with chicken thighs. Chicken is chicken right? I love chicken.

Well, I learned that I don't like thighs. There's just something different about them in their texture. They're also really fatty. I hate fat on my meat. It's a texture thing*.
BUT, I did learn why it's called 'dark meat': Because it turns dark when you cook it, whereas chicken breast turns more white when you cook it. I never knew the difference!

*"Texture thing" also applies to why I don't like cheese or crackers on my salad.

Annual Fashion Rant

Hello!
I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. To top mine off last night, I went to Bobtail with a few friends. If you haven't gone, GO! But this post isn't how delicious their ice cream is, it's about the horror I saw.

OVERALLS.

Overalls are back my friends. I don't know if they were ever considered "in," but I saw them for sale in the GAP on Michigan Ave. a few weeks ago and almost screamed with fright.
Overalls are meant for 2 demographics: little kids and farmers.
Not fabulous women in the city or college students.

Who decided this? I want to pick their brain. As a farm-child, I know the benefits of wearing overalls, but I can't think of any benefits of wearing them in the city. I had plenty of pairs as a kid, but that chapter of my life is over.

And this lady was wearing them with one of those 'trendy' crop-tops. Um, NO. At risk of sounding like an old woman, Mid-riffs were never cool. Just because Britney Spears wore them 10+ years ago, does not mean that they are ok to wear now, even if they are over-sized. A small=XL in their sizing which annoys me. I want my shirt to fit me; I do not want to swim in it.

This is my shotty attempt to be humorous using Paint

Well, that's my opinion on the latest fashion trends. Maybe I'm turning into a conservative little old lady. Maybe I've spent too much time in J.Crew. Or maybe I'm smart enough to not wear something that looks ridiculous.

P.S. If you're wondering what last year's fashion rant was about, it was jeggings.

This Breaks my Heart

So, I should be reading for class, but I took a break and went to check out the Belleville News Democrat website. About twice a week I look to see what's going on in the hometown area. This was the headline:

Harmony-Emge cuts music and band programs, will save $640,000

Read more: http://www.bnd.com/2011/03/01/1612485/harmony-emge-cuts-music-and-band.html#ixzz1FPJ5EGgx

When schools have to cut budgets, music programs are always the first to go. I spent all of Spring Quarter my freshman year writing about this topic, so I don't want to go too deep in this post because I really should be doing other school work. But it's not fair. These programs are just as important as other subjects. If my high school didn't have a music program I'm sure of 4 things:

1. There would be an outrage of parents and the student population would be a bit smaller because their parents moved them to a school with a band program
2. My high school experience would have been extremely different
3. I would not have the friends I do now
4. I would not have excelled as much as I did in high schoo

Granted, high school is different than grade school, but there are so many studies that prove the positive effects of music on children. I could go on forever about the benefits.

What really ticks me off though, is the fact that the State of Illinois does not have the money to give this school. Illinois owes my hometown grade school at least $100,000. This is rediculous. How did we get into this situation? Corrupt government employees/governors. All they care about is driving fancy cars, custom tailored suits, & getting expensive hair cuts (yea, Blago, I'm talking to you). A cut of my hard earned money is going to state taxes. I want my tax money going to good use. Meanwhile our kids are suffering. They're not going to experience the joy of having music in their curriculum while in grade school. I'm almost embarrassed to be from such a cruddy state. We have to slash so much funding because greedy people in Springfield don't know how to do their job.

Well, that's out of my system.

 

Posted via email from Carrie Emge

Getting Excited for Harry Potter!

So I saw an article on Yahoo about Rubert Grint talking about life after Harry Potter and it made me excited for Part 1 of the 7th movie. November 19th! I'll be home when it comes out so I'm ready to hit up the Lincoln for some midnight madness.

However after seeing a pic from the movie, it made me want to go on a short rant about Hermoine's clothes [short because I have a maya assignment to finish]. I couldn't copy or save the picture so go here to see it:

http://omg.yahoo.com/blogs/crush/rupert-grint-talks-life-after-harry-potter/4...

It's not a horrible outfit, but Warner Bros, can we make her a little bit more fashionable? At least her hair is tame. But let's not forget the Yule Ball

I know she's supposed to be modest because she's supposed to be like 15 in the movie, but what's with all those ruffles??? Sure she had pretty earrings (that you can't see. Look 'em up though. You can buy them, but I think they were a little pricey), but I wore better looking dresses in high school. My 8th grade graduation dress was modest & pretty (wow that feels like a long time ago!). They don't have to have a bunch of sparkles & sequins, but ruffles are never good in my opinion. I don't want to be judgemental, but this is the 2000's. Let's be real

OK I'm done. Maya assignment is finished and I'm off to bed!

Note: I love Emma Watson. I am not bashing her. I'm sure it wasn't her idea on what to wear in the movies. I love the movies as well as the books!

Posted via email from Carrie Emge