Controlled Chaos

QUOTE(SnB @ Mar 28, 2007 -> 12:41 PM) I worked as a bagger for 3 years in high school at dominick's. We sure wasted alot of plastic bags. But paper bags are a b****. I did it for one year as well. The people asking for double paper in plastic were the worst. Talk about a pain in the ass. Not as much as pushing carts thru the snow, but it still sucked. Speaking of pushing carts, I saw some automated s*** at Target last week. The kid just hooked the carts together and drove them in. What's up with that??

How Not to Talk to Your Kids The Inverse Power of Praise. By Po Bronson

QUOTE(WhiteSoxFan1 @ Mar 28, 2007 -> 10:28 AM) I thought Haley and Sanjaya both did very well, but clearly im all by my lonesome there. Haley is amazingly gorgeous, but I still like her vocals even if im just listening to her without visuals. Sanjaya is to the point where nobody is ever going to give him the benifit of the doubt. He could be on key and have great rhytm like he did last night with the chorus and everyone jsut talks about how mellow pitched he sounds and how stupid his hair was. I thought he did well. This was the first time for me that I liked Richardson's performance. Blake bored the hell out of me. Im not even going to comment on Lakisha or Melinda because they are just not my style and I get easily annoyed with that and their horrendously bad looks. Jordin I thought did extreamly well considering the song she choose. As for chris sligh, I guess it wasnt his best performance, but I love his song choices. Id rather listen to him sing a good song, that I know rather than the crap Lakisha and Melinda keep singing. That leaves Phil and Gina. I thought they both did "alright", but according to the judges they raised their stock with great great performances. I honestly didnt see how, but its all opinion based. The bottom two will be Sligh and Haley tonight. I thought Sanjaya was so horrible. His voice was all over the place. It sounded like Peter when he was going through puberty in the Brady Bunch. I also think it's a bit of a stretch to think there was any symbolic meaning in Sanjaya singing that song. I mean the song is about a girl wanting/dating the "bad boy" player type of guy who's been with a bunch of other girls. You give the dude way to much credit, but to each his own. Hopefully he comes out with an album for you. I missed Gina but I heard she did pretty good. I thought Jordin was the best of the bunch last night. I like that she is good and has fun.

This article may be of some help. Good Luck man. What Airlines Do When You Complain by Scott McCartney Friday, March 23, 2007 provided by Mike Wallace of San Francisco was so mad about recent travel experiences and a lack of response to his complaints that he searched the Internet for email addresses at UAL Corp.'s United Airlines and fired off an angry letter to more than 60 company officials. No response. A second email to all the addresses he could find that used @united.com and @ual.com did get some attention. In all, after corresponding with United a dozen different times about being stranded at airport hotels on two different trips because of United flight problems, Mr. Wallace and his wife got some measure of satisfaction: business-class upgrades for some future trips and a $400 voucher. "It's a series of systems, policies and nameless, faceless people in place to wear you out. Most people just give up, but I pursued and pursued and pursued before I finally got something," said Mr. Wallace, an environmental consultant and elite-level United customer. A United spokeswoman says the airline's goal is to "satisfy our customers the first time they call, write or email us." After the aggravation of mechanical breakdowns, computer meltdowns, schedule changes, lost luggage, missed connections and long telephone or airport waits, many customers fire off angry complaints to airlines -- only to get less-than-satisfying responses. But there are ways to get more redress, airlines and travel experts say. (This week, The Middle Seat focuses on how airlines handle complaints; next week, the column will look at the Department of Transportation's role in addressing fliers' grievances.) A common mistake: Telling an airline you'll never fly them again. If so, then the airline no longer has an incentive to try to win back the customer, some airline officials say. Another tip: Always tell the airline what you want in compensation, and be realistic. A one-hour delay won't get you anything, but if the airline canceled your flight because of a mechanical problem, forced you to spend the night in a cheap motel and miss your important morning meeting, then lost your bag the next day, you can ask for something meaningful, like a free ticket. "Sorry doesn't cost the airline anything, and there's no reason for them to give you anything if you don't ask," says Joe Brancatelli, publisher of business-travel site JoeSentMe.com. Federal rules require airlines to reimburse customers for lost luggage and compensate them for bumping them from overbooked flights. After that, as with most any business, consumers are on their own seeking redress for bad service. There are differences in how airlines handle customer complaints. United and Continental Airlines, for example, still have phone lines to field complaints. More than 200 Continental employees are trained to resolve problems and compensate passengers on the spot, a spokeswoman says. Most other carriers don't take complaints by telephone -- mail, fax or email only. Once airlines respond to a written complaint, you typically can't talk to the customer service agent to appeal, either. In general, most airlines pay more attention to complaints from top-tier frequent fliers, especially customers who spend lots of money each year with the airline. Airlines track customers not by miles flown but by dollars spent, and high-dollar customers get more generous compensation when they complain. But airlines say all complaints do get heard, many get investigated and all get a response of some sort, even if it's only a formulaic apology. Most carriers say they track complaints and compile monthly summary reports for executives, and many say they forward the complaint to the employee involved and supervisors. The most efficient way for them to field complaints is by email -- letters get scanned electronically into computer systems, and airlines generally respond quicker to emails than to mailed letters. Automation is changing the airline complaint business. Many carriers now have systems that flag flights with lengthy airline-caused delays or nightmarish conditions, then generate letters of apology to passengers, some with offers of additional frequent-flier miles or vouchers offering discounts on future trips. There's a lot more airlines could do in the future, too. New systems are under development that will track passenger experience in airline computers. If airlines spend the money to install the systems, reservation computers could flag previous bad experiences. When you check in, the agent could apologize for the six-hour delay on your last trip, or your lost baggage, and offer a free upgrade or coupon for a snack or drink. Carriers say customers don't need to send complaints to the offices or emails of high-ranking executives -- complaints routinely get forwarded to the complaint department no matter how they come in. Some travel experts question that, suggesting that a slew of complaints to a CEO might catch the eye of an assistant doing the forwarding, and the trend might get mentioned. But there's little follow-up at airlines -- executives rarely follow complaints and inquire if they were ever resolved. American Airlines has 100 customer-service specialists to field complaints, but only those via letter, email or fax -- they don't take phone calls. Less than 5% of customers who complain send a second complaint saying they aren't happy with the response, something the company tracks closely, says Kurt Stache, president of American's frequent-flier program who also handles customer service. One who did send a second angry letter over a nightmare trip was Patrick Swan, whose wife, Chelly Bouferrache, had a laptop computer stolen from a bag that American lost during their honeymoon trip to Europe. The Alexandria, Va., couple endured late flights, missed connections and a night in an airport hotel. American paid more than $1,400 for the computer, even though its rules say the airline isn't responsible for electronic gear, and responded to the couple's initial complaint by offering them 10,000 extra frequent-flier miles each. Mr. Swan, particularly angry that American wouldn't take complaints by phone, fired off a second complaint asking for more. American said no. "We won't fly American Airlines again, except to use up 300,000 frequent-flier miles," Ms. Bouferrache said. American says it ended complaint phone banks to save money, and because the phone lines often had long waits, further angering customers. Ed Perkins, a travel expert at smartertravel.com, says if a second letter doesn't get the desired response, the only recourse travelers usually have is small-claims court. An airline ticket is a contract for service, and if the airline failed to live up to the terms spelled out in its "contract of carriage" (available on airline Web sites), you can pursue a claim in court. "You have to demonstrate some real loss, not just be mad that the flight attendant was snotty to you," Mr. Perkins said. Indeed, some consumer experts say traveler expectations are often out of synch with the reality of today's low-fare travel. With airlines still struggling for survival, "no one should expect a complaint to be adequately responded to," says Stephen Brobeck, executive director of the Consumer Federation of America. Consumers are wise to protect themselves from potential problems -- avoid checking bags and connecting flights, if possible, or at least closely timed connections ripe for problems with delays. Don't book the last flight before a big meeting or a cruise-ship departure. Fly at off-peak times, give yourself plenty of time for security, and check complaint statistics and flight reliability. Write to Scott McCartney at [email protected]

QUOTE(vandy125 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 05:00 PM) Come on man. That is a bit of a drastic statement. How about we throw a comparison out there for you? 1B - Stands and catches the ball from an infielder occasionally C - Sits and catches the ball from a pitcher every pitch 1B - Occasionally fields grounders C - Also occasionally fields grounders (depends on the pitcher) 1B - Catches line drives C - Also catches line drives, but they come at him on every pitch 1B - Catches pop-ups C - Also catches pop-ups, but with a mask and other equipment in the way. Anything I am missing? You're not missing anything, but your first point actually defends my stance. The reason I say going from catcher to any position is a more drastic change than any other position swap is because a catcher does his work from a crouch. Yes he catches line drives, and grounders but from a crouch position. He slides left or right, sometimes puts a knee down, but the thing is his weight is always low. Be it crouching or kneeling. If he dives right to stop a wild pitch his weight isn't all on his arm when he lands because he has a low center of gravity to start with. Now if you dive from a standing or fielding position it's totally different. You're weight is all coming down from above. I'm not saying 1st base is harder than catcher, in fact, I know the opposite is true. I'm just saying fielding the two positions is drastically different.

QUOTE(Maverick0984 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 03:34 PM) Well for one, you are taking the extreme. Catcher to 1B isn't quite as drastic. Also, I said nothing about excelling at the position, just being able to not break yourself...c'mon now, don't put words in my mouth. Actually, I think swapping catcher to 1st or any other position for that matter, is probably more physically different then any other position swap. A catcher playing anything other than catcher is going to be more of a drastic change.

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 03:18 PM) Just clicked the link in your sig and got goosebumps. What's going on in the game for those who have no access to it? I did that with his link yesterday and same thign happened.

QUOTE(Cerbaho-WG @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 03:09 PM) MLB.TV isn't working for me. Noooooo. and mlb radio isn't working for me. Erstad just racking up the AB's. He's leading the league.

You cold join the sox pride club, which includes Gameday Audio.

QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 01:15 PM) so should we start saying give 105%? I'm confused YES. giving 110% is just ridiculous and impossible, but 105...now we're talking!!!

QUOTE(Jimbo @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 12:53 PM) wow palaces looks very nice. Went to Aventura palace. It was pretty nice and it's adults only. The cool thing about the palace resorts is you get to go to all of them if you stay at one. Aventura doesn't really have a beach. It has a Lagoon you can snorkle in. We went to the beach at Xpu-Ha and it was beautiful with crystal clear water. Wherever you go check trip advisor for some reviews of places

QUOTE(RME JICO @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 12:42 PM) That would be weird ending at 105%. Dude, it's that 5% that makes ordinary extraordinary.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 12:30 PM) Out of all of those options I'm going to have to choose 0, but I don't like choosing zero. I'm choosing zero because I think it's somewhere between 25% and 0%, and given that number and the 3 available choices I'm forced to round down. I knew I should have done it in 15% increments.

QUOTE(mmmmmbeeer @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 12:12 PM) I took shoota's comments in the same context as the new guy, as in shoota feels that they don't belong there. Would you please mark my name and critique my use of punctuation on each of my posts? I could really use the help. Thanks. Maybe shoota does feel that way...but even so it was just a question with some sarcastic undertones. I wasn't critiquing GoGo's punctuation at all, I was just wondering why the response was done with such protest to have an exclamation after each sentence. It was like he was pissed off cause shoota asked about it. I think you need help in comprehension, not punctuation.

no need for comments. We have enough here. I was just curious what the results would be.

QUOTE(caulfield12 @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 10:16 AM) Then you need the White Sox to bottom out and get a Top 10 draft pick for the first time in almost 20 years, since the Himes Regime. We've been too good or "mediocre" during that time span, I think we're third to the Braves and Yankees for wins during that time period (1990-2006), a trivia question almost no baseball fan would get right. We've had our share of disappointments, due to non-performance and injuries.....notably Stumm, Honel, Malone, Rauch, Danny Wright, Barcelo, Ginter, Guerrier, Myette, Liotta, Brian West. We've also drafted kids with potential (Russell, McCarthy) in lower rounds, but KW has gone for collegiate pitchers like Ring, Broadway and McCullogh, pitchers that will probably make the majors but not All-Stars...more like 4/5 types, you can include Haeger and Phillips in that mix as well. Loaiza, Contreras and Thornton have been the biggest successes for Cooper. The jury's still out on Vazquez. When you consider we've produced Crede, a fourth outfielder (Rowand), Buehrle and little else, and our biggest impact player (Borchard) was a complete bust, KW has done an amazing job filling in those gaps with small and big trades to compensate for a bottom third minor league system (since 2000-01). The Phillies wanted to dump Floyd on someone else, and this allowed them to save face. He just needed a change of environment, similar to Borchard and Thornton last spring. The key part of the deal was Gio. And where would we be with Garcia right now? The same place that everyone suspected, a pitcher throwing 80-84/85 MPH and relying on breaking stuff and maybe on the DL or facing season-ending surgery for an impingement in his shoulder. We're better off with Gio NOW than waiting 3-4 years for a pitcher or two that MIGHT develop into something of use. Anything we can get out of Floyd or Rasner is a bonus. Dude, you are like the epitome of what a new poster should be. Kudos and welcome to the board.

QUOTE(GoGoWhiteSox! @ Mar 27, 2007 -> 10:48 AM) Don't worry about it!! I believe one kid has a radio show for all the mexicans on 105.9FM talking baseball and other topics! Also all of them are billingual and can help some of the latin players communicate better with non spanish speaking players! They also can help keep the dugout clean, be batboys, etc...... If ur a sox fan and watch the games u can clearly see that Ozzie's kids are just as happy and energetic as himself and if anything help the players stay loose! Freddie Garcia was best friends with one of Ozzie's kids and I always see Contreras and Vazquez talking with them!! Don't worry about it?? Perhaps your mistaken on what the board is here for? I think shoota was just kinda asking a question . and what's with all the exclamation points? way to feel your way out on the board dude.

Give ya props for taking the time to write down some s***, but what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever read. At no point in your rambling, incoherent speech were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone on this board is now dumber for having read it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

I've been drinking the black and white kool-aid all winter and although it's colorless, it packs a powerful punch and has left me with a vivid representation of the season to come. Sox win the central 96-66

QUOTE(watchtower41 @ Mar 23, 2007 -> 03:30 PM) looks like that will be the case, the one category where I wish we didnt beat the Cubs in. Fans will cry in $6 beers if Cubs don't meet expectations March 21, 2007 BY ELLIOTT HARRIS Sun-Times Columnist Along with on-field expectations at Cubs games, beer prices at Wrigley Field will be going up. A reliable source says vendors were informed at orientation last week the cost of a 16-ounce can will be $6 this season, a 25-cent increase from 2006. That would mean the Cubs have caught up to the White Sox -- in terms of what a fan would pay for a beer. Except that the Sox are expected to raise their beer price from last season's $6 by 25-50 cents. Is that the highest for any sport in the city? I didn't get to a Bears game this year so I don't know what they are there? It's getting absolutely ridiculous.

Nuke, The terrorists see themselves as martyrs if they die fighting the infidels or in a sucide bombing. They get their virgins and live forever in paradise or whatever. How do the Iraqi army feel about dying for the country? Is there honor in defending their country? Do most of the Iraqi army believe in what they are fighting for or is it more or less a job for them?

QUOTE(Y2HH @ Mar 23, 2007 -> 08:39 AM) Glad someone finally posted that... I don't care what Anderson's OPS, AVG, HR, SB, or whatever the hell other stats you can give me are in comparison to Erstad, there is something MORE to this story than any of you are willing to admit. By now, it should be crystal CLEAR that BA has fallen out of favor with this *entire* organization. Perhaps through something he said or did behind the scenes, his attitude in general, but whatever it was/is, the only thing that's going to get him past it is to play as if he actually was the next Andruw Jones. I stand by the Herb Brooks quote, "I'm not looking for the best players, I'm lookin' for the right ones." Pretty obvious that this organization doesn't think BA is the right player, even if he is the best we've got. Ozzie quote: "If the season started today, my center fielder is [Darin] Erstad," Guillen said Wednesday. "But the good thing is the season doesn't start today. … Hopefully, B.A. steps it up. We have so many different plans. haha Based on what?? Why even act like BA has a chance? Just state the facts and say I'm going with my gut on center field. I know Brian is a better defender. I know Brian has better stats this spring and I know Brian is only going to continue to improve, but I like Erstad. Id rather hear that then Ozzie pretend that this was an open competition and Brian failed. Truth is Brian didn't have a shot.

yo mad props to ya!!! nice read.

Congrats to you and your wife!! There isn't a better feeling in the world. Have fun cleaning the tar poop!!!