ZIP IT

The Volvo S40 was my ride yesterday and it was so choice (i think i may have to buy one for myself).

Thanks, Zipcar, for the new vehicle (200 miles on the odometer), the FastTrak transponder (and with no extra service fee), and most of all, thank you for having a parking lot across the street from my home.

I love you, Zipcar!

LATHER, RINSE, REPEAT

In celebration of one year on the air, The Steaming Poop is taking a look back at some of it's favourite postings.

I'm sorry, we don't take Discover

Cat Flu

The Vicious Mrs. Parker

Jagged Little Pill

POLLS OPEN, NO WAITING

First, we have a gubernatorial candidate that has never voted (Meg Whitman). Next, we have a senatorial candidate who has never voted (Carly Fiorina). Last but not least, we have a Secretary of State candidate who HAS voted, but it was in May of 2009 and it was his first time doing so (Damon Dunn).

Beside their aversion to voting, what else do Meg, Carly, and Damon all have in common?

All three are GOP candidates.

(sigh)

STILL POOPIN'

And they said it wouldn't last.

Happy first birthday, Steaming Poop Blog.

THE SQUEEKY WHEEL

The following is the email response I received regarding the issues with a Hertz car rental this past Friday.

I'm very impressed with the tone of the letter and the fact that they addressed every issue I brought up with them.

Kudos, Hertz, you may have retained me for life.

Dear Mr. Crayne:

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns regarding your recent rental experience with us.

I agree that the customer service ball was dropped in this instance and I can totally understand your frustration. I sincerely apologize for what happened with the vehicle and the conduct of the Hertz personnel. Let me please say that I am really glad that you are okay and that no one was injured. I have also confirmed that the rental was closed at 11:00 a.m. the same day of the rental and there are no charges for the rental. Scott, I am sorry for everything you have gone through and certainly hope that you will give us another chance to regain your trust.

All Hertz vehicles are required to undergo strict maintenance and servicing procedures prior to being released for rental. Unfortunately, certain mechanical problems can occur unexpectedly. As a gesture of our concern, $100.00 coupon are being mailed to you separately. We trust you will allow us the opportunity to regain your confidence in Hertz.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you again for expressing your concerns. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you again soon.

Sincerely,

Sharon R
Customer Correspondence Administrator

BOYCOTT HERTZ

If you look closely, you will see a car on a flat-bed tow truck. That's how my Hertz car rental ended on Friday, just one hour after it began.

Or so I thought.

I picked up the car around 10am and began my one day rental. I was supposed to spend the afternoon in the Eastbay with some cousins. As I was merging onto Interstate 880 after crossing the Bay Bridge, the gas pedal stopped working, the dashboard lights went out, the engine revved up on it's own and the speedometer needle dropped to zero. The car behind me had to swerve from hitting me. It was pretty scary.

The Chevy Malibu that I was given had only 25 miles on it, so it's pretty amazing that a car so fresh off the assembly line, failed.

I managed to get control of the car and when I got to my destination, called the Hertz roadside emergency department and they immediately arranged for a pick up of the car. I was told I could go to the Oakland Airport to pick up a replacement, but I replied that I didn't have time and would just take BART home. I was also told they could not issue a credit to my Visa, as I would have to go back to the original rental office to have that done. Fine, not a big deal.

Or so I thought.

On Sunday, I walked to the Hertz office on O'Farrell Street to do just that. Not only was the counter person unable to do issue the credit, they were unwilling to even call to confirm that the car was picked up by their tow service. It was up to me to have the tow reference number, which wasn't given to me at the time of the incident. He did offer to call on Monday morning but only after I made a stink about having to do all the leg work so far. As a Hertz #1 Gold Club member, I had assumed that I would get some kind of dedicated service, but that's what I get for assuming.

I called the emergency road service hotline and they weren't any help, either. They wouldn't even give me the tow reference number and I was referred back to the office where the rental originated. I very tersely responded "why would I do that, they referred me to you. Why can't you just call them and confirm that the car was picked up?" She offered to give me the number of that office again, to which I replied "Sweetheart, I just came from there, I have the number" and hung up.

As of this morning, the charges continue to accrue, since the rental still shows as not being returned. What really upsets me the most about this was that I was given a car that almost caused an accident, and one that could have caused serious injury (or even death), and NOT ONCE did someone say "I'm sorry this happened and I'm glad you're OK. Let me see what I can do for you." There seemed to be more concern about where the car was rather than if I was Ok. Also, I'm surprised that there wasn't something on my rental record that the car had been picked up.

But then, I suppose that's asking too much from customer service, these days.

Today's entry will be updated as the day progresses. I'm sure I will be on the phone more than once later this morning (sigh).

GUILTY PLEASURE

A very guilty pleasure, indeed.

PICTURE THIS

I may complain about life in San Francisco (with reason), but I am hard-pressed to think of anywhere in New York City (or around New York City, for that matter) that matches the beauty of what I saw today on a nearly 9 mile hike with Facebook friend Greg.

HOLLYWOOD, SHMOLLYWOOD

You don't need to be punched in the face to see stars in New York City.

On two separate ocassions, I passed by two-time Oscar winner Shelley Winters and TV show host Dick Clark while walking along Park Avenue.

THANKS A LOT, JOHN MCCAIN

Hey Sarah, it's not your backyard, so I'm not sure why you felt the need to speak about the plans for a mosque being built a few blocks away from Ground Zero.

Oh wait, yes I do. You're a fame-seeking media-whore who sold herself out for the millions of dollars you've made as an "author" and Fox News contributor.

A couple of days had passed since Ms. Palin had received any news coverage, so it sounds like she was feeling a little ignored when she tweeted the following:

"Peace-seeking Muslins, pls understand, Ground Zero mosque is UNNECESSARY provocation; it stabs hearts. Pls reject it in interest of healing."

"Peaceful New Yorkers, pls refute the Ground Zero mosque plan if you believe catastrophic pain caused @ Twin Towers site is too raw, too real."

(sigh)

For the record, I do not really have an issue with this, although I admit that I raised my eyebrows a bit when I first read about it. It's a private land deal and is costing tax payers nothing. I also understand why people are feeling the way they are about this, however, not every Muslim is a terrorist (just like not every priest is a pedophile).

This is a New York City NON-issue and is not one that Americans need to get their panties in a wad about. It should be a debate between the local citizens of Manhattan and their planning commission only, not political pundits on cable news shows.

So, hey Sarah, shut up and stop using fear as reason.

HIGH YELLOW

I stumbled across an amusing and interesting article on MSNBC today that I think you might enjoy.

LOST SAN FRANCISCO

The "It's-It's" ice cream sandwich was created here and until the park was torn down in 1972, Playland-at-the-Beach was the only place you could buy IT. (insert rimshot)

The classic final moments of the film "The Lady From Shanghai" with Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth were filmed at the parks' beloved Fun House.

San Francisco didn't do anything when the oceanside amusement park was put on the market and later sold to developers. The minute it was torn down, however, everyone cried about how it should have been saved.

The site sat vacant for ten years before it was finally turned into a bland and boring apartment condominium development.

THE QUEENS ENGLISH

I "Refudiate" Sarah Palin.

THE MIRROR CRACKS

I caught "Tootsie" on HDNET this weekend. It's still a great movie but, man, in HD, Dustin Hoffman does NOT look good in drag (not that he looked good in the standard format).

Whew.

PARTY OVER HERE, Y'ALL

What I wouldn't give to have enjoyed a night at Studio 54.

STORMS COMIN'

Looks like they were having some weather in South Dakota yesterday.

TODAY IN SPORTS . . .

My Yankees lost to the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays today, but that's okay. The Bronx Bombers are still in first place in the AL (57-32), versus Tampa Bay, who is in second place (54-35).

Flo texted me this pic from the game and I got so excited at the thought of being home again and able to see my team play in person all the time!

THE MOST RIDICULOUS CITY IN THE WORLD IS . . .

. . . San Francisco (again).

The Board of "Stupidvisors" and the Mayor are more interested in having pissing contests than actually doing stuff they were elected to do, you know, like run the city and county of San Francisco.

C.W. Nevius covers this issue today on SFGATE, writing about the competing hotel tax proposals (and how they really just cancel each other out), the "Sit and Lie" issue set to appear on the ballot this November and how they (those at city hall) just seem to be sitting around playing "nah-nah-nah-nah-nah" with each other.

IN THE CLOSET

The Paul Smith Westbourne suit that now hangs in my closet.

FEED ME, SEYMOUR

I introduced fellow former choir nerd and Petaluma friend Heidi to my beloved taco truck earlier this afternoon.

As you can see, she took to it like a duck to water.

BLOW OUT THE CANDLES

I'm not sure how appropriate it is for Turner Classic Movies to be broadcasting Sixteen Candles. I mean, I remember when this movie came out and didn't need to be reminded that it was 27 years ago.

27 years ago, HOLY SHIT!

Wow, it kind of hurts to see that in writing but it is a GREAT movie, isn't it?

BACK TO THE FUTURE - 1985

It's kind of laughable now that I look at it, but this 1985 Pontiac Fiero (which was parked outside my apartment this morning), was once my dream car.

BATTER UP

Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, pictured here with legendary manager Billy Martin, passed away today at 80.

LOST SAN FRANCISCO

Whining in San Francisco, it seems, is a long-standing tradition.

There once was a theatre, The Fox Theatre on Market Street. It was the largest theatre on the west coast, able to seat nearly 5,000 movie-goers.

In the early 1960's, it closed down when attendance dropped and Market Street ceased as a destination for movie goers. There was a bit of a movement to save the grand movie palace from the wrecking ball. The city also had the chance to purchase the building for a very reasonable price of $1.1 Million dollars, with the hope that it be used as a concert hall. A ballot measure appeared and the chance to save this over-the-top architectural morsel was voted down by residents. It was quickly torn down and the minute it was gone, people began crying and whining about this "beloved" structure not being saved.

It was replaced with the bland, stale, AND perennially vacant Fox Plaza.

DRINKING THE KOOL-AID

This whole situation is a never-ending source of amazement to me.

In spite of an unwavering allegiance with a network provider that (at best) offers very poor service, in spite of the manufacturer first blaming broken antenna issues on users holding the phone incorrectly, in spite of a Class-Action lawsuit that was recently given the greenlight and in spite of a Consumer's Report article that gives this phone a thumbs-down, people are STILL running all over each other to own this phone.

Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

FAT CATS

Appetizers? For cats??

All the kids are fat and now you're going after our pets?

IF THE ACADEMY HAD ANY BALLS . . .

. . . then Vivian Pickles would have, at the very least, been nominated (best supporting actress) for her brilliantly comedic turn as Mrs. Chasen, Harold's mother in the classic "Harold and Maude."

I would like to know who I need to talk to about getting this film on re-released on DVD, PRONTO!

HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY, ATTICUS

"Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

-- To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

First published in 1960, it is, quite possibly, the best piece of fiction ever written.

BASIC ANATOMY 101

"She had terrible elbows but lovely feet."

-- Amy Greene, wife of photographer and Monroe's business partner Milton Greene.

POST MOR-DUMB

Of course, most of those arrested in Oakland last night weren't even residents.

Assholes.

TRIBUTE

Ten years ago today, I boarded a plane from JFK to SFO to attend the funeral of my grandmother, Flora King, who had passed away earlier that morning.

She's on my my mind everyday and always will be. Sometimes I can still hear her laughter and picture her rolling her eyes dismissively at something or someone, a trait I proudly inherited from her.

She wasn't like the other grandmother's I knew. She smoked (Pall Malls), drank (Screwdrivers), cursed (like a sailor), wore lipstick and polished her nails (with Revlon's Cherries in the Snow), and colored her hair (Reddish Brown). My grandma was also a vault. You could tell her anything and you knew once you confided in her, that was as far as it was going to go.

The last time I saw her was few months before she died and during that final goodbye, I got to do something that a lot of people say they wish they had the chance to do but didn't. As I held her hand, I got to tell her how proud of her I was and that I loved her. We were very close and I knew that she knew I loved her but, it was still nice to have had that moment with her.

Tonight, I'm going to light a candle, mix a Screwdriver and raise that glass in her honor.

Thanks for the laughs and the love, grandma. I miss you everyday.

Flora Cordero King

September 21, 1928 - July 8, 2000

SEXY HAUS FRAU

I was instantly hooked the first time I saw this video, and especially LOVE it's nod to pin-up Betty Page and the ignored, emotionally-needy, alcoholic Stepford Wife.

BULLSEYE

Discount retailer (and a favourite store of the Steaming Poop staff) Target is in negotiations to FINALLY open up in San Francisco, a town with a bad attitude about big-box stores.

It is being reported that they plan to move into the old Mervyns location at Geary and Masonic.

EXTRA, EXTRA

I've always LOVED this headline.

BEER TO BREAKERS

Bay to Breakers organizers have finally decided to use some common sense and ban alcohol and floats at next years (it's 100th) event.

It's supposed to be a charity foot race, not a "Mardi-Gras-style" drinking competition, people.

They also plan to crackdown on naked runners, which I applaud because it's usually the one's you DON'T want to see naked who are running naked.

SHUT UP AND SING

So Oscar-winning singer/songwriter Prince today announced today that the internet is dead.

Um, okay.

LOST SAN FRANCISCO

The single-screen movie theatre and the neighborhood bakery.

The Alexandria Theatre was cut up into three cinemas back in the early 80's but has been closed for years now and is said to have a date with the wrecking ball when the economy improves.

Ahren's Bakery was one of those places filled with lonely seniors and the homeless, who spent their afternoons washing down bearclaws and eclairs with bottomless cups of coffee.

IN THE DRIVERS SEAT

This was my holiday ride and I gotta say it was a nice one, especially since it was a free upgrade (something I LOVE).

When I picked up this 2010 Chrysler Sebring, I was told I was the first to rent this car. There were only 16 miles on the odometer and it still had the new car smell.

Mmm mmm good.