Rochester Hills, Michigan, Apartment to Sub-Lease

Due to an unexpected job change, my sister-in-law, Kim, needs to move. The lease on her apartment ends on April 30, 2012, but she needs to be out on or before September 30. It’s a lower-level luxury apartment located at:

Village Green of Rochester Hills
1901 Village Green Boulevard
Rochester Hills, MI 48307

It’s a squeaky-clean 900 square-foot unit, with one bedroom, one bath, washer/dryer in unit, ceiling fan, new appliances and garden tub. Here’s a link to the floor plan:

http://www.villagegreen.com/Apartments/module/floorplan_organizer/floorplan_image[url]/49e7183173b80265.jpg/floorplan_scale[value]/1.17

Kim’s phone number is 734-578-7310. If you know anybody who’s looking for a charming and reasonable apartment in a great location (M-59 and Dequindre), give her a call.

Rochester Hills, Michigan, Apartment to Sub-Lease

Update on Wen by Chaz Dean Hair Loss

Well, my last post was about how I’ve been losing hair since using Wen by Chaz Dean Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner, even though I stopped using the stuff before the 24th of June. If anybody’s interested in seeing complaints from others who’ve lost hair after using Wen products, here are some links:

http://wen-haircare.pissedconsumer.com/wen-shampoo-made-my-hair-fall-out-20110122217733.html

http://wen-haircare.pissedconsumer.com/wen-cleansing-conditioner-causing-hair-loss-20101228213461.html

http://www.wenshampoo.org/wen-and-hair-loss.html

The last one listed is a blog on Wen's site that makes light of the problem. I left a comment about my hair loss, along with the FDA's phone number, and, of course, it wasn't published.

So what am I doing about this? A lot. I contacted the FDA (cosmetic area), as mentioned in my last post, at 888-723-3366 and filed a complaint. The person I spoke with seemed very interested and concerned about the issue. In fact, she also told me that anyone who’s had a problem with Wen products should save the bottles, because the FDA wants the expiration date and the lot number, if you file a complaint.

My bottle of cleansing conditioner had no expiration date on it, and the lot number is almost invisible. You’ll find it on the bottom of the dark brown-colored bottle. It’s NOT the tiny number on the bottom of the label. I had to use a magnifying glass, after a Wen employee told me where to look for it. It appears to be in black ink, and it’s very faint. At first, I told the woman that there was no number there. Why on earth would they make it so difficult to find the lot number? But trust me – it’s there. My lot number is T1088A.

I also wrote a letter to QVC, which sells Wen by Chaz Dean hair products, even though I didn’t buy the stuff from them. I explained what happened to me and told them that I’m working with the FDA. And I ended the letter by saying:

“At this point, I’m working with the FDA, hoping it will eventually require warning labels on Wen products. And I would think it advisable for you to require warnings, as well, since it’s inconceivable that you would knowingly expose even a small percentage of your customers to unexpected hair loss.”

In response to that letter, I got a call from QVC’s Office of the President, asking if they could forward the letter to their buyers and a vice president. The woman who called had me on the phone for at least 15 minutes and said they would be looking into my claims. I also gave them the websites above.

Finally, I visited my dermatologist, who said that she’d never heard of some of the ingredients listed on the bottle. So she can’t speculate on which one caused the hair loss. She told me to start taking Biotin and to come back in two months to see if the hair loss has stopped.

I still can’t believe that Wen doesn’t warn people that some percentage, however small, of its customers will lose their hair. All I want at this point is for Wen to put a warning about hair loss on its label. It would also be nice if they’d identify the ingredient that they suspect is causing the problem. But to do that would be an admission that they’ve ignored their customers’ best interests in favor of profits. If my hair continues to fall out, you can bet I’ll be talking with Wen again.

Photo by: Sandy Laurence©

Update on Wen by Chaz Dean Hair Loss

The Jaguar XJL - Better than Sex!

Maybe I shouldn’t listen to audio books in the car anymore. Because how could I have failed to notice the Jaguar XJL? Two days ago, I saw it for the first time, and it took my breath away. Just look at that back end, those taillights and the jaguar leaping across the trunk. I haven’t been this excited about a car in years! (Back in my early 20s, I lusted after the Jaguar XKE. But that was probably as much about the guy across the street who drove one, as it was about the car.)

Anyway, this magnificent machine is absolutely beautiful, and it has all the muscle I need in its 385 horsepower 5.0L V8. I think it looks best in black, but I like the dark blue, too. The interior is fantastic, with all kinds of extras. But it was the sleek exterior styling that made me wish I was a car thief. The only drawback, aside from the price, is the mileage – only 16 in the city and 23 on the highway. But that’s a small price to pay for something this smokin’ hot.

Alas, I’ll be driving it only in my dreams, because the XJL costs $80,000. I always swore that even if I became wealthy, I’d never pay that kind of money for a vehicle. But this car has made me realize just how narrow-minded I’ve been. Now I’m going to start looking for a job again. Age discrimination be damned – I’m coming out of retirement. I want an XJL!

Now you’ll have to excuse me while I take a cold shower!

Photo by: natetherobot©
Title: Jaguar XJ
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34888294@N02/4338872050/

The Jaguar XJL - Better than Sex!

My Hair Fell Out After Using Wen by Chaz Dean!

For years, I’d heard good things about the hair products from Wen by Chaz Dean. Well, last month I decided to try it, and I ordered the Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner. It arrived, on June 10 or 11, and I used it within a couple of days. I was very happy with the initial result. My hair was much less frizzy, even in the hot and humid weather we were having. And it looked great.

Unfortunately, about two weeks after using the stuff, I started noticing more hair than usual in my brushes. It seemed odd to me, but I wasn’t overly concerned. Then, as the days went on, there were long hairs all over my shoulders. Starting to suspect the Wen product, I decided to do a little research on the internet.

That’s how I discovered that hair loss is a known problem with some Wen products. When I called to cancel future shipments, the guy asked me why I was cancelling. Then, after I told him about the hair loss and asked why they don’t have a warning label on the products, he quickly turned me over to a ”specialist”. She asked me when the hair loss started and if it had stopped yet. She told me to stop using the product and that they’d immediately credit my account for the shipment that was enroute to me. She never admitted that the Company is aware of the problem. I’m guessing their attorneys don’t want it discussed with the victims.

Well, this is crap! For Wen to completely ignore this is unconscionable. I realize that not everybody loses hair from Wen products. But there are enough of us who have lost hair to require, at the very least, a warning on the label. And, for starters, we should also get our money back.

Here’s what you can do: Call the FDA (cosmetic area) at 888-723-3366 and file a complaint. In my case, the woman at that number directed me to the local FDA person in the Detroit metro area. If you’re in southeastern Michigan, that number is 313-393-8189. We shouldn’t put up with this kind of corporate disregard for our health and wellbeing. By ignoring all the complaints, Wen is acting like the Toyota of the cosmetics industry. And it’s got to stop!

Photo by: SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget©
Title: Woman Washing Her Hair
Location: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hygienematters/4505231340/

My Hair Fell Out After Using Wen by Chaz Dean!

Costco Carpet - Not Such a Good Deal

Let me start by saying that I absolutely love Costco. It stands behind its products, is an excellent employer and is a good corporate citizen. But we learned to be very careful when buying carpeting, which is sold from one of the kiosks that are lined up on the way out of the stores. Our first experience with a product from a kiosk was window treatments. We bought Hunter Douglas blinds last year and were very satisfied with the product and the price. So, when we decided to get new carpeting, we went back to the Costco kiosks. We were in for quite a surprise.

The way Costco sells carpeting is through “designers” with whom it contracts. The designers go to a customer’s home, measure and help the customer select an appropriate carpet. In our case, the first problem was that our designer over-measured our carpeting by 405 square feet! For those of you who aren’t paying attention, that’s a 20’ x 20’ room! And as she measured, she mentioned that she’d won awards for her measuring. I’ll bet.

Then she detailed the $13,600 cost, which included $39 per room for moving a maximum of five pieces of furniture; $400 for labor on the stairs (curved staircase), $115 for the staircase spindles and $1,168 to remove our existing carpeting. Oh, and they tacked on a $10 fuel charge. Wouldn’t you think that on an almost $14,000 order, they could waive their stinking fuel charge?

Needless to say, we didn’t get the carpeting from Costco. We spoke with an owner of a local floor covering store, and he told us that he’d had other customers complain that a Costco designer had over-measured their homes. (The over-measuring may be a problem in this area only – we don’t know.) Anyway, we ended up getting comparable carpeting for almost $3,000 less from Georgia Quality Carpet Outlet in Holly, MI (http://www.georgiaqualitycarpetoutlet.com/). So if you need carpeting, check out Georgia Carpet’s website. If they have what you want, call their installer, Bill O’Neal, at 810-234-8318. He’ll give you an even better price than you’ll get in the store.

So now I’m wondering if Costco compares actual carpet purchases with customer appointments booked. I suspect that Costco’s designers’ rip-off installation fees and, if applicable, over-measuring could be driving potential customers away. Hey, Costco, it might be beneficial to know what percentage of appointments result in a sale. This time, you might be in for a surprise.

Photo by: Sandy Laurence©

Costco Carpet - Not Such a Good Deal

Lunch at Lobdell's In Traverse City - Yum!

Have plans to visit Traverse City in northern Michigan between now and July 28? Don’t miss an opportunity to experience gourmet lunches at Northwest Michigan College’s Great Lakes Campus. The restaurant, Lobdell’s, is run by culinary students under the supervision of Chef/Instructor, Joel Papcun, and Dining Room Coordinator, Patty Huhta.

It features regional bistro cuisine, or upscale casual dining, where lighter fare is offered, using local products whenever possible. The restaurant, located at 715 East Front Street in Traverse City, sits a mere 67 feet from the Bay, where you can enjoy both the excellent cuisine and the outstanding view. It’s open from 11:30 AM until 2:00 PM Tuesday through Friday, except for July 5, when it will be closed.

This is the first time Lobdell’s has been open during the summer, and it’s been a huge success. So don’t go without a reservation, because it sells out every day. It’s that good! Call 231-995-3120 for your reservation – you’ll be glad you did! I’ve been there twice and loved it.

Lunch at Lobdell's In Traverse City - Yum!

Let’s Stop Catering to Attention Whores

So now the asshole from Gainesville, Florida – the so-called pastor, who burned the Quran – is back in town to make trouble again. I’m not a violent person; in fact, I abhor violence. But I fear that I would feel nothing upon hearing that someone beat the hell out of Terry Jones, the idiot in question. How dare he come to Dearborn, the home of Michigan’s largest Arab population, to march and condemn Muslims during the Arab International Festival? What possible good can come of it?

The twisted pastor is here for one reason – his picture will be on the front pages of local newspapers, and that surely makes this attention whore’s private parts tingle. But it makes me absolutely ill. What’s wrong with us? We know how to stop people like Terry Jones - turn off the damned cameras! Attention whores wither and die when cameras and reporters disappear.

Everybody knows their game. We’ve all worked with them, people who have to be in the middle of everything all the time. And in every office or plant, there’s a rabble rouser – somebody who isn’t content unless they’re stirring up shit. They don’t worry about the consequences or who they hurt, they just thrive on the tension they create and the resulting attention they get. We have to stop feeding their narcissism.

We need to grow up and turn away from these walking human car wrecks. Don’t give them what they want. They’re ignorant malcontents who aren’t satisfied unless they’ve gotten everybody inflamed. Walk away! And don’t watch Fox News, master of distortion and leader of the attention whore media. Fox News loves the feeding frenzy. Ignore Terry Jones, and he’ll crawl back under the rock from which he slithered.

Photo by: M.V. Jantzen©
Title: Pastor in Black Leather
Location: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mvjantzen/5495632992/
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/deed.en

Let’s Stop Catering to Attention Whores