Diamonds are forever..maybe

For all of you who are done with Valentine's Day...enjoy yourself.

He finally wins the big one

For those of you living in a hole, Peyton Manning and Colts got the monkey off of their back by defeating the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl 29-17 in Miami on Sunday.

There are two interesting stories that have surfaced in the last day or two about a man named Peyton Manning. One of them is confirmed the other is not.

#1 - "Going to Disney World!"
I heard this story on the radio, but have been unable to find it in print.
After every major professional championship event, Disney World somehow gets the most prominent player/MVP to say that the next thing they are going to do is "Go to Disney World!" The first time I every remember seeing this was when the Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Orel Hershier beat the Oakland A's in the World Series. He was on top of his teammates shoulders and he was going to the Magic Kingdom next. Other have included John Elway, Barry Bonds, Magic Johnson.
Well, after the Super Bowl, Disney approached Peyton Manning about saying the famous line. He asked how much was the payout, Disney replied with $30,000. Not a bad check for saying one line if you ask me. Peyton, (also known as King of Endorsements), said no, but he would do if for 1 million dollars. Disney passed, and had the real MVP of the game (Dominic Rhodes) and the coach, Tony Dungy, saying the famous line.
I know Peyton is good, but asking for a million dollars?

#2 - Losing a bet
Back in 7th grade, I lost a bet (have not idea what it was about) and had to shave my head. When the Twins beat the Braves in the World Series, my dad had to wear a Twins tie to work. If Ohio State had beaten the Florida Gators Robert Pierre would have to wear a Speedo at a pool party. I am glad Florida won on so many levels.
Now let me bring you to a vow that happened over the Super Bowl. I can only guess how much alcohol was consumed when this man agreed to do what he did (It is fitting this happened in a bar). Scott Weise, a die-hard Chicago Bears fan, will officially change his name to Peyton Manning because of the outcome of the game. Peyton Manning was MVP of the Super Bowl. Scott works at Staples. I know about being a true fan, but changing your name, when is it too much?

Jeep Dealership --> You win this round

Jeep Dealership wins round one. Hopefully this will be the last round.

A few weeks ago I received a coupon in the mail for an oil change, tires balanced and rotated and a brakes inspection from the Jeep Dealership (at Continental Auto Mall) for my wife's 2002 Jeep Cherokee. It actually wasn't a bad price for all that was included (usually there is no way in the world I would go to the dealership to pay their astronomical prices) and I love coupons, so we decided to take them up on their offer. Never again. It is a scam.

I scheduled my appointment, took the Jeep in and waited. The clerk/salesman (you will see why he has both titles in my eyes) comes out to the waiting area and lets me know the results of the brake inspection. Basically he informs me that my front brakes need to be replaced. But he does it in a way where I feel as though I could run off the road or into the back of a semi-truck if I don't get them replaced immediately. I had no problems with any of my brakes before he looked at it! So of course with the pressure on, instead of saying "No thanks" and going to someone else that won't drain my bank account, I cave to to the pressure and let them install the brakes. About 2 minutes later, after I come to my senses, I regret my decision.

This is not the first time I have been suckered with a vehicle scam. I will never take my car to the Firestone in Joplin after their little scam on my Explorer two years ago.

I really regretted my decision when I wrote the check. I felt like I had just written a check in response to an e-mail to get the Prince of Nigeria's treasure over to America.

Piece of advice - if the dealership tells you that you need to fix something, go to someone else get a second opinion and let them install it for a fraction of the price.

Yes, the Jeep Dealership won that round. I am a moron. And Continetial Auto Mall --> get a new jingle.

Make the process as hard as possible

This past week I received a notice in the mail letting me know that I needed to renew my tags for my vehicle. No big deal, right? WRONG. This was one of the most annoying and not customer friendly processes I have dealt with in a long time.

On the notice to renew in big bold letters - "Three Easy Ways to Renew!" Man were they lying. The first was by mail, the second was online, and the third was in person. I was somewhat skeptical already about it being easy, so I thought I would choose the path of least resistance and go in person. This way I could know I got it done, get my sticker for my tag and go home.

I showed up to office, handed over my form and asked who I needed to make the check out to. She takes a look at the form and then looks at me, "Do you have your insurance form?"
"It is in my car, I will go get it."
"Do you have your car inspection form?"
Because I have owned my car less than a year, it was inspected last year - surely I didn't have to go again this year. Oh no, because my car is a '99 I have to get it inspected every odd year from here on out. But the inspection is not the last thing I need.

I also need to go get a personal property tax receipt. The wonderful lady at the DMV then informs me of the process to get the receipt. Here you go (kinda like choose your own adventure):
- Go to the Jasper County Courthouse. If you have already paid go to room 107 for a receipt, if you have not paid go to room 207.
- I had not paid, so 207 here I come. I stand in line for a while, make it to the counter, tell the lady my name, she looks something up on a computer, takes a scratch piece of paper, scribbles down about 7 numbers and then tells me to go to room 107.
- In room 107, I wait in another line, hand the scrap piece of paper to a guy who goes and looks something else up on a computer.
- Now I write my check to the County Collector. I ask who to make it out to (expecting "Jasper County Collector") and I make the check out to "Steve Holt." I know he is the County Collector, but it would make me feel (1) safer, (2) like I am not living in redneck Missouri, and (3) nobody could embezzle money if I could make it out to something official, instead of an individual.
Now I have my receipt, next is the inspection.

Please is whatever business you are in, please make the process as stinkin' hard as you can for the consumer.