Semi-alphabetical order...

So it seems that Blockbuster has gotten a little lazy since everyone uses Netflix now anyway. Chad and I went in to Blockbuster today to locate a comedy in the "B" section and could not locate said comedy. And it wasn't because they didn't have it. As a matter of fact, they did have it, we just weren't aware of how to find it in their new, semi-alphabetical system. Luckily, one of their employees was familiar with the system and was able to locate it for us. I'm really not sure about why they've switched to this new system--a system in which "Billy Madison" might come before "Better Off Dead," or "Big Momma's House" before "Best in Show." I thought perhaps it might have something to do with the language barrier in Miami, but then I thought better. The alphabet is the same in Spanish as it is in English, as far as I know (with the exception of "ch" and "n with the ~", which I can assure you was NOT the problem). I think the problem is just that people are stupid. Or lazy. Or both. Netflix, folks. Much easier and no alphabet difficulties.

Call me anal...

I recently acquired a wonderful friend of the canine variety named Wilma (after our hurricane....which she survived at Miami Jai Alai). Well, my little canine friend came with a winning personality as well as some skin fungus, demodex mites, and some anal gland issues. The fungus and mites were not a problem compared to this little anal issue. Wilma started smelling a little funky on Sunday, so I got her an appointment to be groomed on Thursday. They express the anal glands at the groomer, so I figured I would have a sweet smelling dog by Thursday afternoon. Well, what I got was a dog with a stinky butt wearing perfume. (Kind of like the French, as Stu put it). I've learned more about anal glands in the past few days than I had ever hoped to. Anyway, Wilma has an appointment at the vet for Saturday, but I'm hoping I can get off work a little early and take her in tomorrow. Seriously...anal glands smell like ass.

The great hair catastrophe of 2006.....

So at the end of December I purchased this "salon package" for $40. It included a haircut, a manicure, and a mini-facial, which is a pretty good deal, considering the going rate for these services in Miami. All you had to do was pay a gratuity of 20%, which I figured was an OK amount since this was such a good deal. I had been to this salon before, and had a good experience there, so I thought there wouldn't be any problems. Well, I was wrong. In case you weren't aware, we have sort of a language problem in this here part of Florida (or should I say, Latin America?). I really don't have any problem with Spanish-speakers and I don't think it affects their ability to cut hair, per se. However, the next time I go somewhere to get my haircut and the stylist speaks virtually no English, expect to see me running from the salon as if it were on fire. Anyway, back to the story. I was very glad to be getting my haircut on Saturday, since the b/f is coming into town this week and we have several engagements to attend. I attempted to tell the stylist what I wanted, and I showed her some pictures to help illustrate the point. I even attempted to explain what I wanted in my broken Spanish. Well, apparently what I said translated to "please, cut my hair as unevenlly as possible and put some terrible layers in so that it looks like I have two different haircuts," because that is exactly what she did. I didn't really notice right away because when she blew it out she tucked it under a bit. However, when I took a shower the next day, I realized what a mess she had made. I thought maybe I could wait it out until it was time for another haircut, but after seeing myself in the mirror at work today, I was like, "I need a hair appointment NOW." The girl that I really like to go to had moved salons and the last time I tried to get an appointment with her I was told the new salon was not open yet. Well, thank the lord it is open now. So, I went to see Sonia, the French Scissor Wizard, who was able to fix my "catastrophe" as she put it. Unfortunately, my hair is a bit shorter now than I would like, but at least it looks good. So, if you are looking for a good haircut in Miami, go see Sonia at Jean-Claude Biguine on Brickell Bay Blvd. Moral of the story, ladies and gentlemen: don't get your haircut by a crazy Spanish lady who doesn't speak English. Things will not turn out well.