Sep 28, 2008

Dirty Dining Report: Leona's on Taylor St.


I'm a fan of Chicago based restaurant, Leonas. I think that the food is great, the portions are huge and the service is typically phenomenal! Today was defintitely a major let down in all areas. Since this is the first time I've been let down with the food after YEARS of eating there, I won't hold it against them...however, I will post what I thought to be a disgusting, despicable version of a salad.

The lettuce was not only wilted, but even the peppers had rot marks. It was just a big disappointment....All of those dark green marks are not supposed to be there...the tell-tale signs of not so fresh lettuce. To make my speculations more of a reality, the server told me, apologetically of course, that she thought my salad may have been left over from the previous night...gross! Moral of the story, Sunday doesn't seem to be a good day to hit up Leonas. The food is less than fresh and you're better going on a Friday or Saturday night!

Oh, what a night!

Many people have their own opinion on the entire R. Kelly drama...we all know the story...have seen the tape...whatever. I, for one, have maintained my stance that I don't want to judge him and have separated his personal life from his musical genius.


Last night I had the pleasure of attending a party at the king of R & B's house and regardless of how you feel about him, it must be said that he knows how to show people a good, make that GREAT time! First off, it was like fort knox outside his crib. I've never seen so many security, etc...not to mention the confidentiality paperwork you have to sign...of which I must admit I didn't read...lol...so, I'll refrain from giving too many details of the night or showing any pictures...Hell, I may have signed my life away or agreed to have my first child produce an album...lol...I'm not really sure! The night was fantastic and I'd urge anyone and everyone to go to one of his parties...kinda like the Chicago, urban version of the Playboy Mansion: Think pool, flowing drinks, scantily clad women, great music, good food...

R. Kelly also played some music off his upcoming album, 12 Play 4th quarter, due out this fall.


The noteworthy guests in attendance included Carl Thomas, Kelly Jay (better known as "beautiful" from FOL), obviously Mr. Kelly himself (looking quite scrumptious as he made his rounds around his house) and others.

Sep 26, 2008

Obama or McCain?

ABC is offering a game, of sorts, where you can pick the view point that you most agree with - without knowing which candidate it belongs to! The topics cover war, immigration, health care, taxes, etc. Click on this link and see who you really agree with!

http://abcnews.go.com/politics/MatchoMatic/fullpage?id=5542139

Thank you...

I want to take the time out to thank the over 100 people that have visited my blog in the last 2 days...all because of the "customer service" based blogs that I posted. I am glad to have sparked so much conversation about the topic. Despite receiving messages like this:

11 of 1

jesus lady. just let it go. he wasn't THAT rude ... jesus lady. just let it go. he wasn't THAT rude to you and to post this stuff on the internet only shows a lack of character on your part. this really doesn't surprise me, because you're black. just ignore his email and go about your life instead of trying to damage somebody's reputation. people like you disgust me.

(mosesblimy)

8:55 AM


I still stand by my original posts. To clarify for all, this is my blog. It's an outlet for me to write about my experiences, opinions...anything and everything that crosses my mind. I had a bad experience with a leasing agent that happened to work for a certain company that in turn happened to be representing a certain developer....and I chose to write about it. Everyday people have bad experiences and decide to share that with their friends, family, etc...that is exactly what I did.

This has nothing to do with damaging someone's character/reputation or putting a company on blast...but instead shedding light on the fact that bad customer service is alive and well...and I, for one, find it to be unacceptable.

Buying real estate is NOT comparable to ordering a big mac and fries...you're potentially investing hundreds of thousands of dollars and I believe that the highest levels of customer service should be put forth. Whether you're a 60 yo seasoned pro or a 20 yo just getting started, you have to treat people with respect.

Sep 25, 2008

Update

I have to update everyone on the latest info regarding the leasing agent from hell.

I received an email this morning from the president of the Development company that had hired T-Rock, the company the leasing agent worked for, and was notified that he was no longer employed by the company! I kind of just stared at my computer screen...not really sure of how to feel...but continued getting dressed for work. Once I checked my myspace this morning, I had received a message from the leasing agent...(yes...he went on myspace and found my page...thank God it's private) and sent me this message:

myspace.com/lifessweetbreath1

Date:

Sep 24, 2008 5:42 PM
Flag as Spam or Report Abuse Date Sent: 9/24/2008 3:42:00 PM
Body:
thank you. i lost my job. how was i rude? all i said to you was "you could have called or emailed"

" type="hidden">



...And then I smiled...and thought to myself that some people will never learn. I did not intend to get him fired from his job, but it definitely needed to be pointed out that his level of customer service was sub-par, unprofessional and a bad reflection on EVERY company he was representing...

Everyone, please find inspiration in this situation I just went through. You do have a voice and don't have to ever tolerate any unwarranted disrespect from anyone. You deserve the best in customer service especially when dealing with real estate, when hundreds of thousands of dollars are at stake.

Sep 24, 2008

Bad Customer Service: Part 2

I thought I was being polite by taking the high road and sending a professional email scrutinizing his lack of professionalism, etc...and then he went and replied to my email with this:


Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:26:35 -0700

From: (removed email) .

Subject: Re: West Loop Condo


Right. All it would have taken was a simple phone call or
email. Bye now!

I followed up with another nice, albeit strained, email:

To:(removed email)

Subject: RE: West Loop Condo

Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:22:43 -0700

Your level of immaturity and extreme unprofessionalism is beyond me. In a market that's not stable, you'd imagine that your level of customer service would be at an all time high...especially given that the nature of your business relies on the relationships that you create, nurture, and maintain. However, you've seemed to miss that. As a word of encouragement, you really should try to adjust your attitude. Try venting to your friends before a client. I do not care to hear or read your emotionally fueled rants and raves. Moving forward, please do not contact me anymore.



However, I am still unhappy with the level of service I received so I also sent an email to the developers that hired his company (T-Rock Enterprises, Inc) to handle all aspects of leasing for their company, I took it upon myself to find his myspace page and encourage everyone to take a look. Just like you want to research the company you do business with, it's not bad to research the agent as well.


To throw a little humor at this situation, as my friend Curtis said, "do not do any kind of transaction with a company called T-Rock unless it's a drug deal or something with music production..." lol...

Bad Customer Service

This morning I saw in my email box a rude, unprofessional and emotionally driven email from a leasing agent that worked with my boyfriend and I a few weeks ago. Not only was this guy not fully informed on the units he was showing us, but he had no idea the sale price nor the info needed for a lease/purchase. Basically, all he could do was open the door and describe what we could already see with our own eyes. Anyways, he sent me not 1, but 2 emails (in the same minute) and I thought I'd share with the world how unprofessional people can be:

Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:35:57 -0700 From: (removed email) To:
(removed email) Subject: Re: West Loop Condo

I deal with people wasting my time every day, but at least have the courtesy to tell me you have decided against it.
Thanks,

Kris On Tue, Sep 23, 2008 at 8:35 PM, Kris Mitchell (removed email)
wrote: Ishea, it would have been great if you guys could at least have told me you had decided against it. I spent my time and effort to work for you guys, and you can't at least call and say you have decided against it?



I don't do well with people, especially - - REAL ESTATE/LEASING AGENTS trying to vent to me about how their time was wasted, etc. To be frank, if you're a real estate agent your job is to show properties to people...that's what you do. Every showing doesn't result in a sale. Not to mention that this was the FIRST message (email/text/phone call included) that I received from the agent since he had last heard from me. No kind follow-up or checking in with you type of email...just straight to the "you've wasted my time" rant...So, here was my response:


To: (removed email) Subject: RE: West Loop CondoDate: Wed, 24 Sep
2008 06:50:14 -0700
Kris,

Being in the real estate profession I am sure you're used to the nature of the business: you show properties, hope to hear back from people, and eventually make a sale/close. So that you're aware, my boyfriend and I have been looking at numerous properties as well as going about our regular work schedule, etc. We did discuss the units on Wayman that you showed us, however in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, replying to your email was lost in the shuffle.

I am not only surprised by your extreme level of unprofessionalism, but taken aback by your rudeness. The courteous thing would have been to send a follow-up email, inquiring if we were still in talks about the property or had found another. We did like the units, however after this blatantly disrespectful email we will not be doing business with you or your company, T-Rock Enterprise Inc.

Customer service is the foundation for the real estate industry and I think that you need a refresher course. You mentioned that your company was a young one, only having been around since November 2007...and with people like you representing it I can't imagine that it'd last much longer.

In the future, before you send a potential client a relationship damaging email, why not force yourself to take a few breaths and vent to your friends, because sending not 1, but 2 rude, unprofessional and overly emotional emails is not the way to build up your clientele.

I am not thoroughly experienced with the company, T-Rock Enterprises, Inc...but I do know that the agent that represented them and showed the units was a let down.

For anyone choosing to do business with this company, as they did have some nice properties, please DO NOT USE this agent:


Kris Mitchell - Leasing Agent
T-Rock enterprises Inc.

Sep 23, 2008

Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams


I stumbled across Solange's myspace page out of boredom and...well, basically just out of boredom. However, to my surprise I started hearing some good songs! After listening to her music for a week or so I started thinking I should just buy the cd! The problem with this is that I absolutely hate paying for music. Nowadays, cds only have a few songs on them that are worthwhile and it's just so much easier to download whatever you want and put it on your iPod, etc...not to mention this WAS Solange! flashbacks to her first cd that was NOT the business....but after thinking about it...the only reason I was holding back from buying the cd was because it was Solange...not because the cd wasn't good...the cd actually sounded great! I hadAnyways, I went to FYE and bought it (only $7.99...less than buying lunch) and have been listening to it non-stop for over a week! It's a well put together cd and definitely something you can play from start to finish, without having to skip anything. I'm honestly so happy for Solange because the shadow Beyonce can cast on anyone is huge...and she has managed to step out and find her own niche...So, go to her myspace page and check it out....and feel free to take the leap and buy it! You won't regret it...

Sep 21, 2008

How long is a light year?

Today my friend and I were having a conversation and we described someone as being "light years behind us"...then it occured to me, how long is a light year? In my quest to be fully knowledgable in the insults I throw towards people I looked up a light year and figured out this:

How Long is a Light-Year?
The light-year is a measure of distance, not time. It is the total distance that a beam of light, moving in a straight line, travels in one year. To obtain an idea of the size of a light-year, take the circumference of the earth (24,900 miles), lay it out in a straight line, multiply the length of the line by 7.5 (the corresponding distance is one light-second), then place 31.6 million similar lines end to end. The resulting distance is almost 6 trillion (6,000,000,000,000) miles!

Therefore...to be light years behind someone is even more hilarious to me because I can say with confidence that you're not only light years behind me, but technically 6 TRILLION miles! So, you're officially losing the race and should probably call it quits! :)

Sep 12, 2008

Fall '08

After living in Arizona the last 5 years I grew accustomed to 2 types of weather...HOT and REALLY hot. Fall became a thing of the past and totally nonexistent...palm trees could rarely be seen changing colors and having their leaves fall off. As I was walking around yesterday I was stopped in my tracks - - leaves were actually falling off of trees. I understand that Chicago didn't have much of a summer in terms of heat, but can it be that fall is already here with winter fast on its heels? Along with the change in climate comes the inevitable change in wardrobe. My year round summer clothes won't do me much good here. To help usher in fall, I've assembled a list of Fall '08 must haves:


1. Boots

Whether you want to rock a sexy suede or worn leather, I think that a great pair of boots are a must. I'm a sucker for a heel and think it flatters any woman's legs!

Dumond - $124

Mieko Mellucci - $259



2. Something vintage

Try ebay or checking out a local boutique...a vintage item is a must! Be it a pair of shoes or a bag...grab something old and make it new again!

Vintage Pirate Boots - $9.99


3. Chanel Necklaces

After watching countless reruns of "The Devil Wears Prada" I have become obsessed with the Chanel necklaces worn by Ann Hathoway's character! In my search to find one I realized that they were super expensive but definitely a collector’s item worth the price. However, being realistic I found the affordable alternative!

Vintage Chanel Necklace - $1499


Vintage Chanel Necklace - $1200


Chanel Inspired Necklace - $250

4. Leather Jacket

Investing in a leather jacket is just that - - an investment! They can be fairly pricey but worth it. There's no better way to stay warm in the fall temps than with some sexy, butter soft leather rubbing against your skin. Black biker jackets are a thing of the past. Warm things up with burnt orange, yellow or cranberry!

Tory Burch $750


5. Royal Purple

I’ve always been a fan of the color and it’s looking to be a big hit this season. I recommend adding a pop of purple with a funky bag or a cute pair of stilettos!

Steven Midori - $159


Junior Drake - $348

*as an added bonus this bag can hold a magazine, wallet and even bottle of water comfortably!

6. Knit

Staying warm can be fashionable! No need to hit up Walgreens for those pair of $1 gloves…splurge a little and get some beautiful knit separates! You can mix and match or stick with the same color. I love pastel shades.

Nordstrom’s “star lite” knits - $58 - $78


7. Nail Polish

Ditch the acrylic, gel and French tips…this season everyone should trim their nails and find a signature shade. I’m a fan of darker, shorter nails and love anything in the berry family.

OPI – Couture Couleur La Collection de France


NLF13 - Louvre Me Louvre Me Not
NLF14 - Parlez Vouz OPI.
NLF15 - You Don't Know Jacques!
NLF16- Tickle My France-y
LOUVRE ME LOUVRE ME NOT
PARLEZ-VOUS OPI?
YOU DON'T KNOW JACQUES!

TICKLE MY FRANCE-Y

NLF17 - Bastille My Heart
NLF18 - I'm Fondue of you
NLF19 - A Oui Bit of Red
NLF20 - We'll Always Have Paris
NLF21 - Eiffel For This Color
BASTILLE MY HEART

I'M FONDUE OF YOU

A OUI BIT OF RED

WE'LL ALWAYS
HAVE PARIS

EIFFEL FOR
THIS COLOR








Sep 11, 2008

There's a hair on my...

There are those that at the mere thought of using a public bathroom shake with terror and run the other way...I am not that person. However, I am someone that is a bit OCD when it comes to having a clean bathroom...especially one that is free of random "small, black and curly" things...Honestly, if there's anything that makes my skin crawl it'd be the sight of a misplaced hair, twisting and turning in weird places and usually laying in an inconvenient spot...all by its lonesome. As I ventured into the bathroom yesterday I was met by the site of such thing...it stared back at me and I cringed...









As a courtesy, people should make sure that they don't leave any bodily hair or fluids on the seat...it's just gross!

Hidden Gem

McCormick & Schmick's
1 E. Wacker Dr.
312-923-7226

This is my hidden gem in the city. Feel free to stop by for happy hour which includes heavily discounted food and a few wine specials.

Mon - Fri
330p - 630p
930p - close

Sunday
All day




Ron is the BEST bartender and will make sure to take care of you all night!





I recommend the Cajun Burger w/fries $1.95 (yes...it's ridiculously cheap...and good!) and the Mahi Cakes w/ peanut sauce $3.95 (absolutely delicious and hits the spot for any fish lovers!)







Also, the wings $3.95 are a good choice too!

Choosing and Getting Chose 101: Tip #1

After a festive night of wine, cheese and convo with my Chi-Town partner in all things fabulous (Kamilah) - - we were approached by a UIC professor that was definitely trying to get chose. My friend, like the sweetheart she is, didn't give a fake number because like her, I've come to realize all men (white and black) will call your # right in front on you...which definitely reduces the chances of you being able to play them...lol...The conversation proceeded like this:


UIC Professor: Can I have your number?
Friend: Sure (gives number)

UIC Professo
r: (starts dialing) Something is wrong with your phone...it's not going through.

Friend
: Are you sure? I'm so embarrassed! I really pay my bills. Here, give me your number and let me give you a call.

UIC Professor
: (gives number)

Friend
: (dials number) Wait, something is wrong with your phone. I'm getting a message: The caller is not accepting calls at this time.

UIC Professor
: (scratches head) Ummm...maybe I didn't pay my bill.

I was falling out laughing at this point! It was straight hilarity!




Choosing and Getting Chose 101: Tip #1

PAY YOUR BILLS...ESPECIALLY YOUR CELL PHONE BILL BECAUSE GETTING AT SOMEONE IS A LOT EASIER WHEN YOUR PHONE IS ACTUALLY TURNED ON :)

Adventures on the CTA

I love the CTA. It's like having a personal chauffeur. A bus pass is your golden ticket to the city - - you're able to go anywhere! Everyday I take the bus and am bombarded by various sights and sounds...sometimes smells lol...and I try my best to capture these precious moments...these are my adventures on the CTA.

Short People: I'm short and love seeing fellow petite comrades on the bus...especially seeing someone's feet....dangle!









Missing your bus: There's nothing worse than seeing your bus coming...and then GOING as you realize that even if you broke into an olympic worthy sprint, you'd never make it!










Nighttime Rides: There's a welcoming peace and tranquility when taking the bus after 9p. There are actual seats, typically there isn't some hood ass girl on her cell phone talking about everyone that has pissed her off right behind you...as well as the lack of commuters taking up valuable space with their bags, books, and sometimes kids...lol...

Bad boys always win...

There's something about his messy, disheveled borderline gothic rocker addict look that hits the spot for me. His sexiness seeps out of my TV screen every Monday night on MTV's "The Hills" and I've definitely been left wanting more. I did a little research to find out what else there was to this bad boy (besides being MTV eye candy) and here's the scoop:






- about 25 yo
- former hairstylist
-models (appeared in Vogue Italia earlier this year)



Yeah, not much...lol...but here are some pics...because really, I would be fine with him never speaking a word! lol...

Sep 9, 2008

Noodles & Company - Great downtown lunch choice

I've been on this health nut kick as of late (the last week or so...lol...) and I decided to try out Noodles & Company for lunch! (it was much better than my first choice - McDonalds...I was craving french fries. lol..)

Noodles & CO
180 N. Michigan Ave.
312-981-7110

I ordered the trio special:


Japanese Pan Noodles with Beef
*Carmelized udon noodles in a sweet soy sauce with broccoli, carrots and shiitake mushrooms. Asian sprouts, black sesame and cliantro garnish.

Tomato Basil Bisque
*A rich and zesty tomato soup with a touch of cream, fresh basil and garlic. Topped with Italian parsley.

About $7 with a drink! You can also sub out the soup for your choice of salad.

As you can see (by the empty plates) I devoured my food! The meal was delicious!

Sep 8, 2008

Is your pill to blame?

For all the hypochondriac, self diagnosing obsessed people in the world, webmd is a site that's purely heaven sent! I stumbled across an article today titled :

Pill Users Choose 'Wrong' Sex Partners


"I'm a pill user! Did I choose the wrong partner?" I jokingly thought to myself...so I continued reading!

A UK study suggested that women are sexually attracted to men who smell like a good genetic match, but birth control pills make her desire the "wrong" men. The article went on to say that studies suggested women were attracted to men whose genetic makeup differed from their own and that having a genetically different mate increased the chances for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

At first I thought that this article was just for pure entertainment, but then I started thinking - - it all makes sense! If we instinctively use our sense of smell to seek out a sexual mate that would provide superior offspring, it's only natural that birth control pills (whose entire aim is to throw a monkey wrench in baby making plans) would alter the effectiveness! Now...what do you do once you're off of the pill and trying to have a baby? Do you switch up your mate? Does your sexual attraction to your current mate suffer seeing as how they weren't necessarily chosen based on their genetic superiority...The article delved into this a bit:

The question, of course, is what happens when a woman taking birth control pills marries a man to whom she's attracted -- and then stops taking the pill.

Herz says marriage counselors who have never heard about these studies tell her that the No. 1 complaint among women no longer sexually interested in their husbands is that they can no longer stand how he smells.

"If you can't stand how someone smells, you cannot become intimate," Herz says.

I agree with this statement. Think about it - - the sense of smell is so strong...it can evoke wonderful memories of that special someone, bring you back to a terrible place in time, make your mouth water, face smile...it does so much. Now imagine being totally repulsed by it...yeah, it's not a good look in the sex department! For now, I'll continue to be a fan of BCP (birth control pills) and take my chances with my partner! I don't feel like I've picked the short straw :)

Sep 6, 2008

Getting Started...

I was craving all sorts of delectible chocolate treats last night so instead of giving in to my deepest, sugar filled desires I went to LA Fitness to work out! After running for about 35 minutes and doing weights I felt great! I finished my night with a home made salad and bottled water! Though it was nice to get on the right track, I have to admit that I still craved chocolate treats! lol...

Regardless of the snack attacks I have I'm going to stick to living a healthier lifestyle. For breakfast I declined the greasy, breakfast sandwiches Justin was offering...and opted to make toast, egg whites and 2 slices of bacon...little peices of bacon! lol...I'm not ready to give up pork...so I'll cut back! Maybe I should consider turkey bacon...mmmmm...that's a thought!

So, here are my official stats:

Date: 9-6-08
Weight: 149 lbs
Waist: 29.75 inches

Hips: 40.25 inches
Right Thigh: 24 inches
Left Thigh: 24 inches
Chest: 38 inches

Sep 5, 2008

Reason #1 to miss Arizona (or hate Chicago...)

Weather

  • Chicago, IL

    Cloudy, 68°
    • Friday
      Sprinkles70° / 58°
    • Saturday
      AM Rain72° / 60°
    • Sunday
      T-storms73° / 60°
    • Monday
      T-storms70° / 59°
  • Scottsdale, AZ

    Clear 104°
    • Friday
      Clear105° / 75°
    • Saturday
      Clear105° / 77°
    • Sunday
      Fair105° / 77°
    • Monday
      Fair102° / 77°



......ENOUGH SAID.....

After I glanced out of my office window and looked at the doom and gloom that is Chicago weather, I got the idea to check on the weather for my former place of refuge - - Scottsdale, AZ! Of course I was hoping to see some gloomy weather due to it being the monsoon season there...but, to my surprise (or not really) the weather is absolutely gorgeous! Ugghhh...just another reason to miss Scottsdale...(or hate Chicago)

Sep 4, 2008

Almost Famous: Meet LaRicia

Sooner than later she'll be taking over the screens of your tv, pages of your favorite magazine or hosting the event you just have to attend! Introducing the entertainment diva in the making, LaRicia!


Name: LaRicia

Age: 24

Height: 5’7"

Weight: 160

Measurements: 34-30-42

Hometown: Chicago

9 to 5 gig: GCU,
pays the bills

What you really want to do: Be a publicist in the entertainment industry and working on a TV show.

Worst Date: When I went on a date to play miniature golf and the guy looked at me and asked me if I had it, like this guy was a grown ass man. Then he asked me if I would buy him something to eat. I was 17 and I won’t mention how old he was.

Favorite drink: Patron aka Freakum Dink or Red wine.

If you could tell 5 celebs to kick rocks, who and why?

1.Ashanti, this is my girl and I have always supported her but I was very disappointed with this new cd. Like, I hope she honestly didn’t think that it was banging because it was not it at all. Let’s get your game together honey!!!

2. Brian from Day 26, uhmmm how about you suck it up and learn those dance moves and not talk back to Laurie Ann “Boom Kat Kat”, get it together because you are not fine!

3.Angela Simmons, this is also another one of my girls but BABY please EAT. Being stick skinny is not a good look for her.

4. Luke, ok I feel your TV show but you need to just calm down and retire out of the rap game because that Rodeo song is not the business. I mean you had your time to shine, PLEASE STOP!

5. President Bush, dude it’s over just kick rocks or how about you crawl under a rock and never come out again.

Beauty Secret: Lots of rest and drink plenty of water and your inner glow will come naturally.

Guilty Pleasure: eating Breyers mint chocolate chip ice cream

Alter Ego: Hmmmm I would say her name is Jade and she can be a real bitch if you cross her, or she can be a real FREAK if you treat her right, lol. I only see her when I’ve had three or more Freakum drinks though, she’s too wild, so I don’t let her out much.

Words of Wisdom: “The choices you make determine the life you lead, so make it work”


Find out more about LaRicia:

www.myspace.com/mscitygrl


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