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.Monday, August 13, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Lollapalooza
This past weekend I attended Lollapalooza 2012. This was the first time I had gone all 3 days. Three years ago (2009) I went just on a Sunday. I had a lot of fun then, but this time I wanted the full experience. My legs are still tired.
Friday I did some "discovering." I saw Dr. Dog and The Head and the Heart--both of whom I had never heard before, but I enjoyed them. It was really hot and sunny that day, but that's part of going to Lolla. I also checked out The Shins who were playing on the stage right before The Black Keys. The sun went down between the Shins and the Black Keys and the city became even more beautiful. I had heard The Black Keys put on a good show and they did not disappoint. I think it was my favorite show of the whole weekend.
Saturday I saw Aloe Blacc which was probably my second favorite act of the weekend. He has an amazing voice. Shortly after, "Stormapalooza" came and we had to evacuate. I hung out in the DePaul building for a while and then relocated to the new City Target (it's really nice, by the way. If you haven't been there I suggest checking it out!). At 6 pm they allowed us to re-enter. The Alabama Shakes show was cancelled, but I did get to catch The Tallest Man on Earth and Franz Ferdinand. The final show I saw was Red Hot Chili Peppers. They sang "By the Way" which is my favorite song (besides "Under the Bridge") which made me happy.
Sunday I started a little bit later. I didn't go to any shows until the evening to see Florence and the Machine. It was amazing. I was a casual fan until that show. Now I'm obsessed. She is like a musical wizard. Just her presence made the crowd go wild. Her voice gave me chills. I checked out Perry's for a little bit. It has definitely grown since I was there last. Moved to its own stage, it used to be a little sound booth. I then went to see Miike Snow and rest my legs/feet by sitting on the hill. Seeing all the people in attendance can be an overwhelming experience. Then I headed to my final show-Childish Gambino. I'm a big fan, and so are a lot of others, apparently because it was PACKED. This stage didn't have any screens to broadcast the performance so we packed in pretty tightly.
So that was Lolla. I'm not sure if I'll go next year or not, depends on the lineup I suppose. I think everyone should experience at least once though.
Friday I did some "discovering." I saw Dr. Dog and The Head and the Heart--both of whom I had never heard before, but I enjoyed them. It was really hot and sunny that day, but that's part of going to Lolla. I also checked out The Shins who were playing on the stage right before The Black Keys. The sun went down between the Shins and the Black Keys and the city became even more beautiful. I had heard The Black Keys put on a good show and they did not disappoint. I think it was my favorite show of the whole weekend.
Saturday I saw Aloe Blacc which was probably my second favorite act of the weekend. He has an amazing voice. Shortly after, "Stormapalooza" came and we had to evacuate. I hung out in the DePaul building for a while and then relocated to the new City Target (it's really nice, by the way. If you haven't been there I suggest checking it out!). At 6 pm they allowed us to re-enter. The Alabama Shakes show was cancelled, but I did get to catch The Tallest Man on Earth and Franz Ferdinand. The final show I saw was Red Hot Chili Peppers. They sang "By the Way" which is my favorite song (besides "Under the Bridge") which made me happy.
Sunday I started a little bit later. I didn't go to any shows until the evening to see Florence and the Machine. It was amazing. I was a casual fan until that show. Now I'm obsessed. She is like a musical wizard. Just her presence made the crowd go wild. Her voice gave me chills. I checked out Perry's for a little bit. It has definitely grown since I was there last. Moved to its own stage, it used to be a little sound booth. I then went to see Miike Snow and rest my legs/feet by sitting on the hill. Seeing all the people in attendance can be an overwhelming experience. Then I headed to my final show-Childish Gambino. I'm a big fan, and so are a lot of others, apparently because it was PACKED. This stage didn't have any screens to broadcast the performance so we packed in pretty tightly.
So that was Lolla. I'm not sure if I'll go next year or not, depends on the lineup I suppose. I think everyone should experience at least once though.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Ravinia getaway
Friday I took a trip out of the city to one of my favorite places, Ravinia. It’s a quick Metra train ride away, but it feels like I’m entering a peaceful, magical oasis. There is nothing to worry about and when you’re with good friends nothing else matters. The fun part about Ravinia is the picnic before the concert begins. It’s like a pot luck picnic with wine, fruit, cookies, and other snacks. I discovered this amazing garlic cheese spread from Trader Joe’s that my friend brought to eat on a baguette.
My friends and I went to the CSO performance of Mahler 4. The best part about seeing CSO at Ravinia is that they give free lawn seats to students if you show your ID at the window!
I was apprehensive about going to Ravinia this past time because it was raining shortly before we got on the metra. Though it was sprinkling when we arrived, the sun was shining and a beautiful rainbow appeared! I normally don’t see one that stretches to a full arc. Soon the rain stopped and the ground actually wasn’t that wet. And we had a great picnic blanket that had a nice bottom so the water didn’t soak in.
CSO is very calming for me and being outside in nature let all my worries fly away. I got to see the stars and it was very comforting. I do love Chicago, but this little getaway was absolutely wonderful. If you ever get the chance to go to Ravinia, I highly recommend it!
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Pilsen adventure
On Friday I went to the neighborhood of Pilsen with 2 of my friends. The main reason for going was because they had never ridden the Pink line and that's the line that takes you there. I served as navigator since I had gone there once during Discover Chicago week my freshman year. I think my favorite part of Pilsen is the street art. I unfortunately didn't get a picture of any that I saw (I was too busy looking at it and checking in on FourSquare), but the colorful El stop for 18th Street (where we got off) was probably my favorite. I wish all of the el stops were that colorful and pretty! It just brightens your day.
(view heading out of the loop on the pink line--from a new train by the way)
The first place we went to was the Jumping Bean cafe. It had great prices and I got this amazing coconut covered doughnut! I only had a little as I didn't want to spoil my lunch and it was really filling!
We looked a few thrift stores and went to a grocery store so my roommate Laura could get this Mexican spice blend she couldn't find at regular grocery stores. After walking around a little bit we decided it was time for lunch.
I took us to Nuevo Leon because that's where we ate when I first visited and I really liked it. It wasn't even noon when we got there and the place was packed, which is a testament to its name. It's a great value for the amount of great food you get. None of us could finish our food, but luckily we were able to bring it home for a second meal.
(I'm not entirely sure what this is called but everyone gets one when they sit down and it's really good.)
Our last stop was a candy store called Dulceria Lupitas. It's not your traditional candy store of course. It has all kinds of Mexican candies as well as a wide selection of pinatas if you're ever in the market for one.
After telling another friend about our adventure I was recommended Nightwood for brunch, so looks like I have another reason to go back :-)
The first place we went to was the Jumping Bean cafe. It had great prices and I got this amazing coconut covered doughnut! I only had a little as I didn't want to spoil my lunch and it was really filling!
We looked a few thrift stores and went to a grocery store so my roommate Laura could get this Mexican spice blend she couldn't find at regular grocery stores. After walking around a little bit we decided it was time for lunch.
I took us to Nuevo Leon because that's where we ate when I first visited and I really liked it. It wasn't even noon when we got there and the place was packed, which is a testament to its name. It's a great value for the amount of great food you get. None of us could finish our food, but luckily we were able to bring it home for a second meal.
Our last stop was a candy store called Dulceria Lupitas. It's not your traditional candy store of course. It has all kinds of Mexican candies as well as a wide selection of pinatas if you're ever in the market for one.
After telling another friend about our adventure I was recommended Nightwood for brunch, so looks like I have another reason to go back :-)
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Being nice has its benefits
I took an unintentional break from blogging again. Mainly because I was in England visiting my aunt and then went straight to Freeburg. I went about 2 weeks without Annabel, my macbook. I did manage to get one piece written for the blog In Our Words. You can read it here. It's about Carrie Bradshaw.
This post isn't about my trip to England though, this is actually about my trip back to Lincoln Park from Midway airport.
I got down to the platform at the Midway CTA station only to see a train pull away. Ok, wait for the next one (which I've never had to do). While waiting for a new train to appear, and older couple (in their 50's) asked me "Which train do we get on?"
"Well," I explained, "whichever one appears next. You see, this is the first and last stop for the Orange line. It starts here, goes into the loop, and then comes pack. It's like the letter P."
I asked them where they were headed and they told me "Chicago." No kidding. I asked where specifically and they told me 321 N. Dearborn. I told them that they should get off at Lake when they transfer to the Red line at Roosevelt.
You would have thought I spoke Latin to them. I told them to follow me at Roosevelt because that's when everyone would get off to transfer to the red line. During the train rides I got to know this nice husband and wife from Rhode Island who were first time visitors to Chicago.
The Monroe stop came & went and I told them that the next stop was theirs. As they were getting up to leave they handed me $10 and told me to buy lunch on them. They thanked me for being so nice and helping them navigate the train.
I was shocked. They didn't have to do that, but it certainly made my day. The past week was pretty rough and their generosity restored my faith that there are good people in this world.
This post isn't about my trip to England though, this is actually about my trip back to Lincoln Park from Midway airport.
I got down to the platform at the Midway CTA station only to see a train pull away. Ok, wait for the next one (which I've never had to do). While waiting for a new train to appear, and older couple (in their 50's) asked me "Which train do we get on?"
"Well," I explained, "whichever one appears next. You see, this is the first and last stop for the Orange line. It starts here, goes into the loop, and then comes pack. It's like the letter P."
I asked them where they were headed and they told me "Chicago." No kidding. I asked where specifically and they told me 321 N. Dearborn. I told them that they should get off at Lake when they transfer to the Red line at Roosevelt.
You would have thought I spoke Latin to them. I told them to follow me at Roosevelt because that's when everyone would get off to transfer to the red line. During the train rides I got to know this nice husband and wife from Rhode Island who were first time visitors to Chicago.
The Monroe stop came & went and I told them that the next stop was theirs. As they were getting up to leave they handed me $10 and told me to buy lunch on them. They thanked me for being so nice and helping them navigate the train.
I was shocked. They didn't have to do that, but it certainly made my day. The past week was pretty rough and their generosity restored my faith that there are good people in this world.
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