bad behavior

My favorite time of year is now.

I love everything about fall: the weather, the clothes, the new TV shows, new plays, screening season, my son's birthday and Thanksgiving.

I am busiest this time of year, basically doing two things: seeing movies and working.

During screening season, and I go to about two or three films a week. Most are pre-release. And many include Q&A's with top talent. But since I don't want this blog to be a movie review site (there are far more qualified people to do that), there's not much for me to say about what I'm doing most nights.

Work fluctuates between incredibly busy and why-are-there-so few-people here except for so many of us associates?  I've had some great customers, and that's what I love most about my job.  But there are some bad ones.

They're the ones who talk to me like I'm an idiot. Or are rude and dismissive. Or who waste my time having me run around and pick sizes and styles they have no intention of buying. But the ones that make me angriest are the ones who should know better.

In October of last year, we get an email. Now instead of getting 6 or 7% commission on employees who shop our store, we will get 1%. And, as always, we only get paid commission.

So if, for example, an item costs $1,000, I could be paid $70 in commission if bought by a regular customer. But if that same item is sold to an employee, I would get paid $6 in commission (accounting for the generous employee discount we all get). 

Said differently, I basically get paid nothing for helping employees.

When I shop, I always announce right away that I am an employee. I did this even before the change in commission. But many employees don't. 

My effort in working with non-employees and employees is exactly the same running around for sizes, same looking up items we don't have but other stores might; same re-stocking; same everything. And while I am helping either, I am not helping someone else.

Last week two young women come in. They take up a lot of my time. Ask me to get something off a mannequin, which requires calling another department and getting them to come and help. Then the two women, while both very nice, buy nothing. They ask me to put the items they want on-hold (which requires a whole other process, and is something we are not even supposed to do for employees) and promise to come back the next day. They don't. Then, the next day after they are supposed to come in,  I get an email from one of the them telling me she's an employee and apologizing for not coming back.

A few days later two women come in and begin shopping around 7pm.  I leave at 7:15, but they look promising so I stay. At 7:45 they check out. And that's when I realize they are employees. Not because they ever tell me, but because their credit cards identify them as employees. They buy little. Leave their rooms a mess. And even ask me to hold some stuff for them. I leave an hour after I'm supposed to and gross  $7 for my effort.

Where is common courtesy? 

How is it that some people can be so clueless? Or uncaring?

Fortunately, most people are respectful and kind. If only their good manners could rub off on the others...

a few favorites

I sometimes find myself lost in youtube makeup tutorials.

I am a real sucker for new products with great reviews. Some work for me; some don't.

But I have a few things I feel compelled to recommend as they are my can't-live-withouts.



Top of my list is the Oval #7 Artis Brush
M bought one a few months ago and told me about it, but I was so happy with my Wayne Goss brushes I didn't think I'd ever be buying new ones again. I'm glad I was wrong. Now I can pretty much get rid of all my brushes and just keep the one Artis. These brushes come in multiple sizes (I also have the linear # 3 for eyeshadow) but if you are getting one, get the #7.  It blends makeup perfectly, and the #7 can be used for creams, powders and liquids. 


BY Terry Concealer (I use #02, Vanilla Beige)
Great for under eyes. Liquid, creamy, and a nice brightener. I always feel better wearing it.


Burberry Fresh Glow
I wear this over moisturizer and under makeup. It feels great going on and melts into your skin. It gives a great glow, without making you feel shiny.


Ellis Faas (#103 for me)
I usually just wear a tinted moisturizer but have been reading about this brand called Ellis Faas. Everyone who uses it seems to love it. It's easy to buy online but no where else. But I'm resourceful and find the one store in Manhattan that sells Ellis Faas— CO Bigelow, the oldest apothecary in America, located in the West Village. I try the #103 (fair with pink tones) and buy it. I've worn it only once and already love it. It gives a little more coverage than a tint, feels light and dewy on, and is totally buildable. The search has been worth it.

Lancome Definicils Mascara
This has been around for a while. I've tried many mascaras and hate most of them. My eyes always feel heavy. M told me about this product  (I think it's won some awards) and I love it.

Urban Decay Glide On Eye-Pencil
Easy to apply (if you don't need a perfect line).  I got Smoke and Empire.  It really makes the color in one's eyes pop, at least it does mine. 

RMS
I like this organic brand. I use and love the "Un Cover-Up (#11) and the Lip-to-cheek Demure for a spot of color.


Molten Brown Body Wash
Love these for baths. Great foaming and great smelling. I particularly like Ginger Lily,
Rhubarb and Rose, and White Sandalwood. My guess, though, is that they are all nice.

Colorscience 3 in 1
Just bought this after all the rave reviews. Still haven't opened the box.


Let me know if you have any must-haves. Or, your opinion if you try any of my recommendations. Would love to know.

an unplanned procedure

I come home last night after seeing a screening for BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE with Shari and Stephanie. Our feelings ranged from didn't like it at all to still not quite sure.

I'm washing up, look in the mirror, and see this in my right eye: 





WTF?

I immediately text my friend M, my unofficial doctor, though she has no medical training. I send her a few pictures with the question:

Should I be scared?

She texts back:

Depends. How did it happen?

How did it happen? I looked in the mirror and it was there.

Today I get up and call my eye doctor first thing. He can see me if I can get there in 12 minutes. I leave the house and make it in on time.

I had had minor eye surgery on July 16. He looks at my eye and somberly says, "This is very unusual."

"Typically if this is going to happen, it happens within two weeks of surgery." 

I'm almost three months out.

But he assures me that I needn't worry. "Some tissues may have been cut during surgery, and are hanging by a tiny thread.  Do you want me to remove it now?" 

I tell him yes. 

He numbs the area around my eye. Then cuts the blood-filled blob —which he describes as "very big" — out.



He tells me my eye might bruise a bit, but there is no aftercare, and to have a nice day.

Already I feel better.

a weekly game

I took four Canasta lessons in June, and haven't played since.

Summer is a bad time to start a weekly game; everyone's schedules are too unpredictable. But now it's fall, and we are ready.

Tonight, eight of us meet to play Canasta. We hire Sharon, our excellent teacher who knows us all, having taught us all this summer.

In anticipation, I review my little book, having forgotten just about everything I learned. I also bake some chocolate chip cookies.  They taste okay, if you can ignore the burnt bottoms.

Janice hosts, and we start exactly on time. It's a very punctual group. Zelia and I are partners. Some are better players than others and I definitely fall at the bottom. Everyone else is on the high school level while I am still in third grade. But the group is fun, vocal, and patient.

We play three games in two hours. 

I am still on the fence about the game. 

I love the idea of getting together with friends every Monday night.

I love cards.

And I like competition.

But there seem to be a million rules.

And a lot to keep track of: how many sevens in the pack; how many aces; what your partner may be telling you through her cards; what my opponents are playing; and a lot more that I've probably already forgotten.

It's hard to imagine there being a time when I can say I know how to play canasta, though I'm hoping that will change.

a night with some stars

BAFTA NY honors Lorne Michaels and I'm invited. Along with the rest of the BAFTA Board and 80 others.

After some late afternoon showers the rain passes through and the stars come out. Melinda —a fellow-Board member and friend — and I arrive in Brooklyn a little after seven. The event is being held at Dumbo House. 

Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge provide the perfect backdrop to this great location.

Dumbo House, a private club, is the perfect venue for tonight's event. We walk in and there are photographers and stars everywhere. And it's hard not to notice the small touches that make the event more personal.

Most of the current SNL cast attends (including Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, Colin Jost, Michael Che and Aidy Bryant). Also present are Fred Armisen, Paul Rudd and Jon Hamm. 

It's a small group (about 90 people) so it's easy to approach and talk to whomever. But of course I'm too shy to do that as much as I'd like. 

I do, though, compliment Aidy on her portrayal of Rachel Mitchell this past week. She totally nailed it. And I introduce myself to Kate McKinnon and tell her how much I love her impersonations, particularly those of Rudy Giuliani and Ruth Bader Ginsberg. 

I sit at a table of 8, that includes Beck Bennett, Melissa Villasenor, and the writer/actor Streeter Seidell. On my right is Kyle Mooney and on my left is Tom Broecker, an SNL costume designer. Both are easy to talk to, open, and totally enjoyable. I learn a lot about the process and ridiculously short turn-around that is required to produce each show. I can't imagine the kind of stress the entire cast and crew are under week after week.

The speeches are short, funny, and of course utterly entertaining, especially the one given by Sir. Patrick Stewart who introduces Lorne Michaels.

It's a beautiful night with beautiful people, here to honor a man, deserving of his BAFTA mask.

rendezvous with shah

I always keep two pairs of reading glasses at work in case I lose one.

On Friday I had two pairs. By Saturday I had none.

When I got home Friday night I noticed that a pair of my Eyebobs was missing. (Eyebobs is a great site for inexpensive but stylish reading glasses).

By end of day Saturday, my $15 Duane Reade glasses had lost a lens, making me dizzy every time I had to put them on.

At work, I looked all over the normal places to see if anyone had found my glasses, but no one had. I think maybe I lost them in the Via I took home on Friday night. So I write to Via and they provide me with the driver's contact info. 

I call the driver on Sunday and hear nothing back. 

Today I try again; this time with success.



Yes, the glasses are mine. 

We arrange to meet at the 72nd Street Subway. I grab $15 to give him and leave my house.

I see him on the corner, just where we have agreed to meet.

I thank him and hand him some money. He adamantly refuses the tip I want to give him.

I promise to write to VIA to tell them about Shah. He thanks me, smiles, and is on his way.

I hope Shah has a great vacation, and that I get to ride with him again. 

His warm smile reflects his kind heart.