In a Wine Store...It's Not All Rose

My mother drinks cheap champagne. There I've said it. And technically it's not champagne, it's sparkling wine. Cheap sparkling wine. She takes a glass of champagne, adds a few drops of Framboise, a raspberry liqueur, and enjoys a nightcap before going to bed. When she runs low on supplies, it's time for me to go to the liquor store to bring in the reinforcements. Today was one of those days.

Now the store with a great selection and great prices is about seven miles away and a pain to get to. The store is large with too narrow aisles and extra displays and clutter in them. So you have all these people with extra large shopping carts trying to get past each other like cars on a narrow street. People actually cede their right of way.

First up, some beer. When I didn't see a case of what I was looking for, I asked the stock girl who was in that aisle if they had it. No. Okay. I then look in the cooler that is maybe ten feet away and what do I see...just what I was looking for. Strike one.

If you are buying a case of wine or champagne, they need to bring it out to you. So I corner a salesman/snob, tell him what I want and he looked at me in pure disgust. Really, you want that? It's dreadful. Yes, he said a product his store was selling was dreadful. And he was British, so it really sounded...dreadful. Now I admit I was off my game because normally I would have let him have it. But I just said, yes, it is dreadful but my mother likes it and would you please get it for me. Strike two.

As I wait at customer service for the case, another salesman comes over and asks if I need anything. No, I'm waiting for a case. What are you waiting for? I tell him and he gives me the look. Well, how about trying... Now I'm getting pissed but just want to get out so I say no thanks. And I wait. Apparently all the stock clerks in the cellar are on lunch. And I wait.

Finally, I get the case and go to the register where I tell the woman I will pay for my order and my mother's order separately. Fine, she says. Then proceeds to scan it all together. Not ten seconds later. Strike three.

Needless to say, I was very happy that I came home with alcohol.

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Car Shopping: The Hated Journey Begins

In a previous post, "It's Not The Normal Noise In Here," I spoke of the need for a new car. Well, the search began yesterday. ugh.

Is there anything in this world, other than having a root canal, that is dreaded more than car shopping? Possibly, but at the moment, it escapes me. Which brings me to the first dealership. ugh.

After doing some research, we decided to first look at the Ford Escape. It's smaller than the 4Runner we now have, but after doing the internal cargo area measuring, thought we would take a look-see. We have a few requirements for the back of the car. It needs to fit a large cooler, a large dog and the usual supplies for the trek to the lake house each weekend. The dog, by the way, does not like to feel cramped...apparently it is in her contract. And as you may also remember about me...jersey prepared means I don't travel light.

Arrive at the dealership for an appointment with salesman "A"...a really young guy with an attitude that he was doing us a favor. Strike one. He only has the two Escape models and not the Explorer we wanted to see...but there is another Explorer he will show us. Ok, why not. He then proceeds to pawn us off on salesman "B" who walks us up to the Escapes. Very nice from the outside, can we get inside? "Oh, I gotta get the keys." Huh? Did ya not think I might want to actually get inside the car? Strike two.

Inside now, not impressive but it's ok. Measuring the cargo area, we lose 6" in length and 4" in width. Tight, but workable. Let's go for a ride. Some things I liked, some I didn't. The jury is still out on the Escape, but not out of the running yet. Can we see the Explorer salesman "A" spoke of....no. Was it a BS line he threw at us because the original Explorer was not on the lot? Don't know and don't care. Strike three...you are out baby.

Time to go home, enough stress and aggravation for one night.
And it's only begun...ugh

I need a drink and a new car.
Can someone just bring both of them to me?
Didn't think so.

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