FEDEX Customer Compliant

Dear Fedex,

I went into a Fedex office this afternoon to make a shipment and prepay for a return envelope. I was told it would cost $8 to ship the envelope one way, but HAD to create an account if I wanted to prepay for it to be returned to me.

So I setup an account. After the account was setup the cost to ship the envelope was $18 and to return it to me was going to be $22-32. I chose to just ship the envelope without paying to have it returned and almost left to go to the post office or UPS instead. This process is illogical. I signed up, for convenience, which *should* make me want to use your service more often. I get, that over time the idea is that eventually I am suppose to save money. However, you should realize that you immediately just lost business from me.

I opted not to purchase that one envelope and nearly left altogether. Then, I asked if - in the future - I showed up to ship a package if someone would be asked to show their ID before using me account. The customer service representative reassured me, that NO ID would be needed. I was not assured. So I asked if he could add a note to my account to make an ID be checked, he said he could not and no password was needed. WHAT?! How is this a useful service?

So I asked if he could just CANCEL the account, he said no but it's okay because when my card expires the account would no longer work. WELL GREAT you just added a card I got this week. It's good for YEARS from now. I'm writing this message, not to file a complaint against the branch but to corporate.

Your processes are corrupt and you need to hire a user experience professional to professionally evaluate this workflow. How did anyone think this was a good idea or a good way to attract customers?

I eagerly await your response to determine if I should just take my business elsewhere permanently.

-- Confused and unsatisfied customer

DIARY: That One Guy

"Always code as if the maintainer will be a violent psychopath who knows where you live."


EDIT THIS POST BEFORE PUBLISHING

Christian Hommel: Interior Architect

Christian Hommel and I met through an exchange program. He came and visited America from Germany well over a decade ago as an exchange student. He didn't live with my family, although we did host multiple exchange students, but we became long time friends. We where much closer pen pals in my early pre-teens and some what lost touch in my college years but Facebook recently reconnected us. He and I have traveled similar paths in life over vast distances and I think his amazing young career deserves checking out!

Diary: Spring is finally Here

Happy St. Patricks

 

Warm Weather!!!

I couldn't be happier to see the sun. Warm weather finally arrived this March. I'm writing this on Tuesday, March 17th. Sunday was my first day getting out. I went for a nice long bike ride. The next day I felt the burn. The sun got to me. The bike burned out my muscles. Still, I couldn't be happier that the weather is turning.

Happy St. Patricks. Hope it was fun for you! I missed all the green beer this year.

Book Update

Currently going through books faster than I can make hot cakes, that is to say, I'm not a very good cook and I really like books. Writing reviews however, is time consuming, but I have a slew of them on the way!

BOOK REVIEW: An Unlikely Duchess by Nadine Millard Narrated By Beverley A. Crick

"Irish Scoundrel Vs. Handsome British Duke"

Overall

Performance

Story

This historical romance starts off with a twist when two best friends make plans to wed their future children. Little did the two men know what twists and turns fate would make for their future children. In a lot of ways this story plays by the typical historical love story template, but luckily it has a deeper plot than most of these types of books.

An Unlikely Duchess has a few antagonists plotting against the happiness of the main characters. Overall this is a happy story with light hearted characters who are at the whimsy of their hearts and notions. The story makes 18th century London society sound like child's play. It's an enjoyable book to pass the time with very little reference to day-to-day life.

BOOK REVIEW: The Jennifer Nicole Lee Fitness Model Diet: JNL's Super Fitness Model Diet: Secrets To A Sexy, Strong, Sleek Physique UNABRIDGED by Jennifer Nicole Lee

• "She's Yelling at Where You Could or Will Be"

  
  

  Overall

  

  Performance

  

  Story

  

  PODCAST REVIEW : Listen
  Jennifer Nicole Lee means well and is a very inspirational athlete, but this is a book that is hard to listen to (narrated). I had a few very inspirational moments from this book, which I mention in the podcast, but overall this is not a good audible book. It is probably a better read. Jennifer Nicole Lee is a motivational speaker, and an inspiration to many women. Watch her videos.Her voice never changes pitch, she yells at you the WHOLE TIME! She basically says she cares, believes in you and that you need to believe in yourself and be focused over and over and over and... OVER. I don't need her to motivate me, I want recipes, real tips, thoughts and feedback about training daily. Stuff I could of got for free off bodybuilding dot com, but thought would be good to listen to in a book. I'm glad she loves her job but she is a bit negative and condescending despite saying shes not.
  
  

Journal Diary Entry: Make A Wish ... or Else.

Birthday Greetings

Today is my birthday. I've opted to not make plans this year. I'm terrible at party planning and generally find trying disappointing. I'm also writing this in advance because I assume I will be spending it with Charles freezing my butt off wishing I was on a beach somewhere. I'm a day older. Maybe a bit worldlier than last year. I've gained a few pounds. Settled into a house. Trained Charles to do many more tricks. Over the past year, I've seen new places, traveled, made new friends, run many races, and gardened. It's been a good year, a bad year, a dull year, a happy year, and some days where amazing. Most in fact where pretty great, with a few exceptions. I hope 2015 is even better.

On this day, I wish myself and all my friends happiness. Have a great day.

Journal Diary Entry: Running Away From Snow by @desaraev

West Glen, West Des Moines

Don't tempt me with mentions of your life living where it never snows. Running away from snow sounds excellent, right now. I just want to bike, run outside, garden, see the beach, or not have my face and fingers freeze off when I go outdoors.

I miss the sunshine. My poor pale skin has only been tanned by computer bulbs and overhead lights for too long. Not that I mind being pale and unwrinkled.

DIARY: PART 2: IS VICTORIA'S SECRET TOO SEXY FOR THEIR OWN GOOD?

Does Sex Sell?

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: IS VICTORIA'S SECRET TOO SEXY FOR THEIR OWN GOOD?

"We've so much gotten off our heritage ... too sexy, and we use the word sexy a lot and really have forgotten the ultra feminine," said Sharen Turney, Victoria's Secret's chief executive, in a call with industry analysts. -- ABC NEWS

We all have heard the term: "Sex Sells."  It's true that sex garners attention, but does it sell? Some would say no. That in many cases it just gives women a bad name or makes a brand look bad. Others might say, "Who doesn't like looking at 'attractive' people, and what does it mean to be attractive?" In this article let's explore the idea of beauty, how it relates to society, international standards, and build a baseline for a deeper conversation. For the purposes of this article let's set aside any discussion of weight as a factor, plenty of other authors have beat this topic into the ground, and it would too easy to lose focus on the deeper discussion points.

We tend to Clammer toward our own preferences for attraction: well-groomed, healthy, and or well-dressed people. A Clammer is a marine crustacean that burrows into the depths, which is also how we got the term clammer, or to dig. So let's dig into this topic, shall we?

REVIEW: Zombie Burger + Drink Lab

"Tastes Delicious and Filling + Checkout the ART!"

This place is amazing. Highly recommend visiting Zombie Burger if you come to Des Moines. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is one-of-a-kind. Walk around the restaurant and check out the zombie themed art which extends throughout the restaurant, even to the restroom signs.

The menu is a zombie themed newspaper with zombie themed menu items. My favorite burger is the Undead Elvis. It sounds weird, but the Undead Elvis is great, it's a small burger with an egg, fried bananas, and peanut butter. Yes, Zombie Burger sometimes has a short wait but it's well worth it. Sit down in the back and have alcoholic smoothies or stay up front and stand in line, the choice is yours.