Origins: Not as it once was

By DAVID FAUCHEUX

Long-time readers to my blog may recall during one holiday season, I chose Origins as one of my little luxuries. I am now removing them from my list. During the past year I have had no end of trouble with the Store-in-Store in the Dillards in the Acadiana Mall when I was buying Origins products.

After arranging at considerable trouble to get there, I often find the counter unstaffed or understaffed.

One of the cosmeticians turned her nose up so far when I returned a product, had a bird been flying, she'd have had serious sinus problems. I then had to go online, arrange to ship it thru the post office, and experience $10 worth of trouble for a $25 product! I have emailed the company several times about this matter and have often gotten a concerned person on the other end.

Just Wednesday I emailed again letting them know about this understaffing situation and about my concern that their bath salts that come in a nifty old-time glass bottle with metal ring device are not as reusable (the plastic label is impossible, I tried everything, to remove) as the skin scrub that comes in a plastic antique-looking jar. I wonder what they'd have done if this had been Oprah?

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Dear Mr. Faucheux,

Thank you for your interest in Origins.

We are truly sorry for any inconvenience experienced at the Origins counter in Dillard's. Every effort is made to ensure that our retail store accounts provide sufficient coverage by trained representatives at our counters. We therefore share in your disappointment, and appreciate your bringing this matter to our attention. Your experience has been communicated to the appropriate executives, as we know they will be interested in your remarks.

Recycling has always occurred at the manufacturing stage, where worldwide manufacturing programs take maximum advantage of locally available options. To be successful, this effort must continue at the consumer level. As you probably know, consumer recycling is determined by the local municipality, dependent upon the type of collecting and sorting program available in the area.

Our Environmental Affairs personnel continuously explore state-of-the-art recycling initiatives. In this regard, we will be sure to share your comments with them, as we know they will appreciate your interest.

Once again, thank you for this opportunity to respond to your concerns. We look forward to having you visit your favorite Origins location in the near future. We hope you will continue to look to Origins for product honesty, performance and concern for the environment.

Sincerely,

Global Consumer Communications

2,746,9xx

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Secret Admirer

By DAVID FAUCHUEX

On the 26th I received the following e-mail. I was never able to determine who sent it, but this person likes my blog and gave me a link to a blog he/she is doing.

Hello, I wanted to let you know I came across your blog and I love it! I am a Talking Books Librarian and have recently started blogging about related topics. I included a link to your site in one of my recent posts; be sure to check it out!

If you like my blog, please feel free to tell others about my blog. Also, if you have any suggestions on things/topics for me to include on my blog, or ways I can improve it, please let me know. I am definitely open to any and all suggestions!

Keep up the great work on your blog!!!

- The Talking Books Librarian

IMAGINE That!

If they won't let you join them, make your own party so good they'll want to join you instead

By DAVID FAUCHUEX

Yesterday morning, while waiting in a doctor's office, I had to recently fire one, but that is too painful to relate here. I came across this amusing article, Tilt!, in the June 2007 issue of the Braille Forum. It's written by Carl Jarvis and I include the link below. Read it, and see if you don't agree with his unique perspective.

Ghana on the Internet:

By DAVID FAUCHEUX

A friend sent me a link to a blog that her friend, Erica, is writing discussing her posting to Ghana as a Peace Corps volunteer. It is so fascinating to journey with her as she begins this phase of her post-college life.

I don't read many blogs or participate in many Internet forums or discussion groups; just the thought of all that information makes me ill. I think of a Titanic's worth of interesting information and don't dare get too entranced, else I spend 28 hours a day engrossed. That is the one drawback of all the information out there now. It's really embarrassing, too, because as a supposed information professional, I should be able to make information dance to my tune, do as I command; but alas, it calls the tune and I try not to dance too hard.

Perhaps, it's a technology or adaptive software thing; perhaps, it's a personal Highly Sensitive thing; perhaps, it just is? Shit happens and all that!

But anyway, check out the link and stay tuned as I still need to do a review of the AudioPuzzles CD book. (I got delayed as I have been unwell; where are people like Andrew Weil when you need them or Dr. Mercola or Dr. Grossman? Well, if Medicare paid for these kinds of complementary medical services ...)

I did enjoy the magnetic Sudoku board and sent it to my friend, Mary, who is entranced with it and telephoned scant hours after receiving it to thank me. She needed a lift because she had had a bad nasal surgery. I'd rather send the game, than have the surgery--and hope by so doing to keep that kind of bad medical karma away.

IMAGINE That!

Guide dogs

By DAVID FAUCHEUX

I received this interesting e-mail last night. I thought, perhaps, my visitors might enjoy a free audio download. Reference the item below. It brought back Nader memories. Nader was my yellow Labrador guide dog from October 1988 to February 23, 1998. He had quite a voracious appetite as most Labs do; perhaps, his father was a vacuum cleaner? He loved organic carrots and even brown Basmati rice. He even ate the pulp after I juiced carrots. I had to quit the juicing thing because my fingertips got orangEy. I'd have never attempted library school without him. He died unexpectedly during my time at library school, about at the halfway point. I almost quit. Several friends helped else I'd have vanished.

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Subject: Re: Audiobook about blind person and guide dog, free for download

Hi, I'm Will Addison, the author of an audiobook called Luminescence, which I've decided to make available completely for free Mp3 download at my Web site.

I saw your name on a Web article and thought you may want to know about this free resource.

God bless,
Will Addison
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IMAGINE That!