Sales - It's All About the Details

I was in the mall on Saturday headed to Williams-Sonoma to buy myself a present when I was approached by a woman from one of those little middle-of-the-mall shops you see sort of scattered throughout the main thoroughfares.  (They're the mall equivalent of pushcarts, I think.)

Since there's no polite way to say no to "May I ask you a question?" (usually the question is, do you have the time?), I was sucked in before I knew what happened.  This sales woman then proceeded to ask me if I had ever heard of her skin care line (I hadn't, nor do I remember it...) and wanted to show me how amazing it was.

First, the amazing nail care block (the kind with 3-4 sides made of something different on each side) that promises a beautiful shine and perfect nails for a month.  (Less than 24 hours later, I couldn't tell a difference...)  She looked at my hands and asked my profession. Doctor? Teacher? Um, how about "Administrator"?  Your hands look like you wash them a thousand times a day.  Sure... I just finished doing dishes an hour ago. Who wears lotion just to go to the mall?  The cuticle remover makes your cuticles disappear (dissolve? why would I put anything on my nails that makes my skin dissolve?) and never come back - until the next time you wash your hands.  Awesome.

On to the facial care products... try this exfoliating gel, use it only once a month, one container lasts a whole year (there was a picture on it indicating it was a 6-month supply).  It will make any blemishes you have completely resolve... you can go makeup-free and show off your natural beauty!  Then why are you wearing full-coverage makeup - lots of it?  Then you rub in this lotion... see how much more quickly it absorbs when you use the product? Especially when you rub it in two different ways to enhance the contrast.

Just for you, I'll knock my partner's commission off the price of the product, and give you a discount, because I know you'll love it if you try it.  Thanks - that will make me feel really awesome.  Someone else works for free, and I get expensive skin care product.

Let's face it. I said no.  Well, actually, she wasn't taking no for an answer, so I said, let me think about it and we'll come back if we decide to buy it.  We didn't.

What she didn't know about me (including my profession and how often I wash my hands) was that I have years of higher education (and a little obsession with certain TV shows) that have taught me how to pay attention to detail.  And if you want to sell something to one who has learned to be observant, you have to live and act what you sell - not just believe it.  And, it has to work.  Of course, then it sells itself anyway, so you don't need to try to persuade me.

Like the awesome wok I bought.

That evening I went to the General Relief Society Meeting and heard our prophet counsel us to be charitable and avoid harsh judgment.  (And I was glad I didn't actually say any of the commentary I just wrote into my story.)

The End.

Picture This

A self-accompanied seranade - by playing the trumpet on YouTube and singing live...

Imaginary squirrels playing a trumpet fanfare on a branch outside my window...

Delectable food served in a three-course meal (of sorts)...

Leaving on time instead of late (for once) on a Friday!...

Friends, laughter and feeling love.

I have plenty of reasons to be happy tonight.

Happiness

Tonight I went to the temple. Before I left, I remembered it has been two weeks since I was there (I was in the Oakland temple last weekend, but it's not the same). And I realized I've missed it, and remembered how much I love it.  Being in the temple fills my heart with happiness. Sometimes I feel it bubbling over and spilling out, sometimes it is just a full-to-the-brim sort of happiness (that's how it was tonight). Invariably, it's the kind of happiness that equates to peace and contentment, long-term satisfaction, and understanding. In the temple, it is easy to remember that Heavenly Father has a plan specifically designed for me. As I sat and pondered for a few minutes before I came home again, I thought of all the reasons I have to be happy, and let the feeling of contentment settle into my soul for a few minutes. Sometimes, I am so wrapped up in the latest this or that, so focused on what I need or want or do not have, that I forget to be content with the abundance with which I am surrounded. Then I talk to a sibling or I go to the temple (or tonight, I do both) and I remember how blessed I am and how much I have to be grateful for. And it leaves me feeling satisfied. Content. Happy. Not in the "I bought a cinnamon-scented thingy and I'm enjoying it thoroughly" sort of way (which I did and am), but in the "God loves me and has really blessed me" sort of way (which He does and continues to do). And that is a good thing.

Random Thoughts on a Monday

Within a four-day span, I saw the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Atlantic again. The clouds seem to hang lower in the Pacific, and you can spot bits of blue sky in between the piles of grey.  Sometimes, coming off a mountain, you descend into the cloud for a bit, before descending below its reach.  Parts of northern California look a little bit like New England, but only here and there, in an "almost, if you use your imagination," sort of way.  I missed the charm of New England while I was gone.  Only four days, but I was ready to come back.

I believe now a little more than I did before (which was already a lot, for the record) in miracles, marriage, and the great power that creating an eternal family has over the forces of evil in the world.  It brought hope to my heart to see the joy and happiness radiating from the faces of a bride and groom; both had waited years for this day, and both agreed it was well worth the wait.  Our Father has a specifically tailored plan for each of us, and great happiness lies at the end, if we will but trust in Him.

Tonight, I bought a cinnamon-scented broom-shaped decorative piece for my house.  Because every time I walk into Shaw's, the smell permeates my nostrils and piques my interest, and calls my name. Once I found the source of the smell, the decision was made.  Even though I (as a general rule) don't like Halloween decor, I'll figure out how to use it. It makes me happy. I deserve to be happy. (Especially if it only costs $6.99...)

Never go to San Francisco without renting a GPS with your vehicle. Especially if you're going to make me the navigator. I realized I've been living in New England a while because east is now defined as "toward the ocean" and west is "away from the ocean".  That works about as well in CA as "go toward the Pru" does in Western MA...  Fortunately, our driver knew what I meant in spite of my redefined directionality, and we got where we were going. Mostly. (Even if we did take the scenic route once or twice.)

That is all.

Cyclists of the Boston Variety

Warning: Rant.

1. Person on bicycle without a helmet, riding through an intersection of a one-way street the wrong way. As the light turns green for cross traffic. Huh?

2. Two persons, wearing black, riding down a dimly lit main road (on the proper side, but not in tandem!), with no head or tail lights. Are you trying to die?

3. Two more persons, wearing dark colors, riding in the bike lane of a typically busy road at 10 pm, with no helmets, head or tail lights.  Um, please tell me you're not going to get mad at me if I hit you... and then see Question 2.

When I ran the Reach the Beach relay, I sort of hated wearing those lit up glow vests at night, but they did have one effective purpose.  I was visible.  Really, how much does a set of those blinky lights cost?  At least wear a head lamp... or stick a flashlight in your mouth... or something.  Save us all the emotional trauma of unintentionally injuring someone we couldn't see.

To my esteemed friends who bicycle safely (i.e., wear helmets, use lights, and ride on the proper side of the road), thank you.

I'm Under Attack!

My nieces and nephews are on a mission. They have joined forces, united in their cause, and are launching a full-on attack. Their object? To get a certain someone to visit for the holidays.

A month and a half ago, I received two letters and an email. Apparently, I was a little slow in my response time... in the past 24 hours, three more emails filled my inbox with love.

"Hi ... i was thinking to write you a letter.I love you" -- "me and my siblings would really like to see you again do you think you could come?" -- "for Christmas, ... we all agreed that the best present would be you coming to visit us."

In general, I'm not terribly hard to persuade... let's just say this, my friends: I lost this battle almost immediately after it began.  My sunshine fix can wait until February - I need my family fix at Christmas.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way

Yesterday I had to pull a 13-hour day. Despite the holiday on Monday, it started with my alarm going off - hitting snooze - my alarm going off again - turning it off - and going back to sleep.  Twenty minutes later, there was a very obnoxious bird cawing outside my window. It woke me up again, and this time I got out of bed.

That is, I admit, the only time in my life I've prayed in gratitude for an obnoxious bird outside my window.

Lest you think I was just dreaming ('cuz let's face it - I did, for a bit), I heard the same bird again this morning, although not nearly as close by, and only in between cracks of thunder and flashes of lightning (since this morning we had a rip-roaring storm to get me up).  Perhaps the Lord knows how much I need help getting out of bed this week.

The rest of my long day yesterday was quite good, thanks for asking.  My favorite part of the first Tuesday of every month is the stark contrast between the pace of my morning work (frenetic) and the pace of my evening work (peaceful). During the day, I get to be "the boss of things" (in a manner of speaking), there is a fair amount of running around, and I usually don't have time for lunch.  In the late afternoon and evening, the temple windows reflect sunlight brilliantly, it's totally appropriate to slow down (physically and mentally), and I receive revelation. I love it.

On Prayer

We sang the hymn Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire in church today. It brought some good memories to mind; in particular, I remembered the spirit I felt as I directed the choir in singing this song a few years ago. The words are poignant and beautiful:

Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye
When none but God is near.

Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach
The Majesty on high.

Prayer is the Christian's vital breath,
The Christian's native air,
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters heav'n with prayer.

Prayer is the contrite sinner's voice,
Returning from his ways,
While angels in their songs rejoice
And cry, "Behold! He prays!"

Nor prayer is made on earth alone:
The Holy Spirit pleads,
And Jesus at the Father's throne
For sinners intercedes.

O thou by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way!
The path of prayer thyself hast trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray.

It reminds me of the sacred relationship between man and his Maker. We can turn to Him and talk with Him in all things and about all things: our desires and longings, the little happenings of our day, the things we wish we had (or hadn't) said, our fears and hopes and dreams. We can ask for His help, and He will give it. We can thank Him for all we have and are. He can ease our pain, fill our hearts with joy, and bring healing and peace in place of deep wounds. I am glad for the blessing of prayer.

Signage

My favorite sign I saw today, on the message board of a church right off Rte 2:

God answers kneemails.

How true.

Happy Weekend!

Goodbye, Earl

There's a country song by that name. (It's one of my least favorites, in case you're wondering.)  But it's also what we said tonight as we watched the weather. No more hurricane watch for us - nope - we're down to tropical storm warnings here. So much for the hype. The best part about being prepared is that you don't have to do anything two days before a hurricane to get ready. Just sayin'.

I made a list earlier this week.  Things I need to do, things I want to do. OK, it was two lists. The need to do?  Clean the bathroom, dishes, hang the clean laundry, wash the dirty laundry, that kind of thing. The want to do? Write letters to my nieces (sorry ladies, I'm slow), family history, watch my TV show.  The other night I did the need to do list. (Some of it) Tonight I did the want to do list. (Some of it. OK, only the last one. But whatever.) And now it's 1 am.  Good thing Monday's a holiday. I appreciate a day of no labor to celebrate the work I do the other 364 days of the year. :-)

And the best news ever. I have a button! I must be getting good at this whole web presence thing. I am learning how to write code, too - today I got the code to do almost half of what I wanted!  Pretty good for an amateur's-attempt-with-no-IT-department-helping effort, I think.

The End.