miscellany

Because of Greg's (un?)lucky December trifecta (birthday on the 11th, our anniversary on the 19th and Christmas), I like to give him a big December present and smaller ones on the various days. This year, I got him good!

After telling him to reserve Sunday the 17th solely for us, I dropped one misleading hint ("It's not an alpaca.") that got his head really spinning and also told him it could be life-changing. We left the house around 8:15 on Sunday morning. Greg was driving my car (PT Cruiser Convertible) and we headed to the Interstate. Once on I-85, I commented with a little frustration that I'd forgotten the swimsuits. "Oh well, we'll still be in wetsuits." As we approached the Asheboro exit for the NC Zoological Park, I mentioned something about swimming with polar bears. He didn't believe that one. We passed the Asheboro exit.

Approaching Charlotte, we saw the Concord Mills sign and it just happened to be the exit we needed to take. So, I let him think for a moment that was our destination. But, at the top of the ramp, we turned left instead of right. To the left is Lowe's Motor Speedway. We'd been there earlier this year for a car show. We both really liked the show and being able to walk on the track. As such, T-Boug thought we were in for another car show.

We drove to the other side of the arena and stopped at the security shack. The security officer asked if we were there for the race car ride-along/drive-along. I replied with a simple "Yes." We were a bit early, so we had to park outside the gate for a few minutes. In that time, I had Greg complete the "sign all your rights away" forms. Despite his having to initial about 30 places, he still thought he was going for the ride-along. I didn't bother to correct him.

Once inside and having the forms processed, the moment of truth arrived. He realized he was not doing a ride-along at all. Instead, he was going to drive 8 laps around the track in a real race car! His adrenaline was already pumping when he thought he'd be riding. I thought his heart might explode now that he knew he was driving!

The experience was very cool, much like described on the 1-800-BE-PETTY website. However, we got to have a little bit more... Turn #2 was a little wet and they needed to dry the track before things got started. They invited all of the participants to take their personal cars on the track to help dry it by driving laps. AND, the people that came with them could ride, too! So we dropped the top, got in line and drove a dozen or so laps. Of course, the requisite phone calls were made, video was shot and pictures were taken. It was so cool!

After the track was dry, Greg and the others got to ride and/or drive and everyone seemed to have a blast. Greg was so funny when he exited the car after his laps; he walked to the left after driving 32 left turns at race car speeds! I took pictures (click the above picture for the album) and shot video and a professional photographer was shooting, too. When we saw the shots she took of him standing in full race gear beside the car and then in the driver's seat, I had to get him the plaque with both of them and several insignias. It was the perfect way to top off the event.

Happy 36th Birthday, 8th Anniversary and Merry Christmas, Greg! I LOVE YOU!

Labels: anniversary, gregpretre, sammoore

Great little video encouraging folks to switch to Firefox.

Cheap Eyeglasses Are Apparently Worth More Than Their Price!I know I'm digging out my Rx and trying out at least one of the sites this guy recommends!

It started with a post proclaiming my satisfaction with my new glasses. Eyeglasses I got at an excellent price -- online. It's caused quite a stir, and opened up a whole lot of information that (if the email and comments I've received are true) has saved hundreds of people, thousands of dollars.

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12/12/2006 UPDATE:
I just placed an order for cheap glasses from Zenni Optical, the most reviewed store on Glassy Eyes. Funky plastic frames that I'd never pay $200 to have are worth $32.85 (includes clip-on sunglasses and shipping!) to have some fashion glasses for occasional wear. (I chose the orange ones.) I opted for the standard lenses, mainly because I wanted to keep my first purchase pretty low-cost. Upgrading to thinner and even thinner lenses add costs of $19 and $39, respectively. If I am as pleased with this pair as I think I'll be, then I'll upgrade the lenses on the next purchase. (Hello, New Addiction!)

They should arrive within 2 weeks. I'll post about my level of satisfaction and maybe include a pic of them on me.

12/18/2006 UPDATE:
Received email notice that glasses have been shipped via USPS.

12/22/2006 UPDATE:
Received the glasses. Nice frame, excellent packaging, prescription seems right. One problem: the left lens is not correctly seated in the frame. I called the toll-free service line and spoke with Sam, a very friendly woman. Though I'm a little disappointed that my first order from them is not quite right, I'm still willing to purchase from them again. The price is so significantly lower than I'm used to that I'm willing to accept a bump in the experience. Sam said for me to repackage everything and ship it back. They'll either effect a repair or will re-order the glasses. (They're ordering, too?!!! How much do glasses REALLY cost to make???) So, after Christmas has passed, I'll head to the post office and send them off. We'll see where things go from there. I think I'm going to be satisfied and will order more soon.

Though the lens is not properly seated, I did wear them out and about tonight and got wonderful compliments on them. I also got incredulous responses from friends regarding the price. I think they'll be checking out Zenni Optical, too.

UPDATE: 12/28/2006
Glasses returned to Zenni Optical. Text of enclosed letter:

Zenni Optical
27 Sunny Oaks Drive
San Rafael, CA 94903

Good day,

Per a phone conversation with Sam on December 22, 2006, the entire contents of my order (Order ID: #xxxxx) are enclosed. The left lens is not properly seated in the frame, bowing out in the middle. Also enclosed is a copy of my prescription.

Another concern I have is about the anti-reflection coating. These lenses do not seem to have the same (or even similar) greenish iridescent sheen to them that the ones from my optometrist show. Has the AR coating been applied to these lenses?

This is my first order with you and I’ve already referred two potential customers to you. Additionally, I have written about Zenni Optical on my website, www.samiam.com.

I look forward to having these glasses and purchasing others from you. It is my great hope that this first experience is not indicative of the quality of my subsequent purchases or those of my friends.

Kind regards,

Labels: reviews