An endorsement, or a funny thing happened at the farmer's market

Last Saturday, while we were at the Moscow Farmer's Market, we happened upon the University of Idaho Homecoming parade (a game that they actually won, surprisingly enough). Both political parties had taken up a large amount of space in the parade. The Democrats at 6-7 Priuses (Priusii?) and the Obama Llama.



While the Republicans had a large 18 wheeler topped with this man, wrapping himself in the flag.



This is Gary Schroeder. He is the incumbent state senator that represents Latah County, and has branded himself "Idaho's Education Senator." Check out his website here. He is a complete and utter moron. He has been "leading" the fight to keep the College of Law in Moscow. The problem is, the law school isn't going anywhere. Plans have been in motion for several years for the law school to take a more dynamic approach at legal education in Idaho. Many proposals have been made and the one supported by the law school faculty and many on the board was a dual campus approach. That proposal would open a new branch of the law school in Boise, which would focus on business, international, and governmental aspects of the law (allowing for concentrations) while the school in Moscow would focus on environmental, water, and natural resource law. This would increase the size of the student body to 400 total students (200 at each campus vs. 300 total right now).

Boise is one of the largest metropolitan areas (and capital cities) that lacks a law school. There are currently plans for another school, Concordia, to open a law school in Boise in 2010. while it takes a while for new law schools to get accreditation, etc., in the long run, this will hurt University of Idaho in networking and the ability to provide legal education for the whole state. To make a long story short(er), I think that it is very short-sighted, for a politician who prides himself on his education record, to refuse to help current and future law students of the Great Gem State by doing something that would be better for them. Rather, he wants to keep jobs in Moscow, which is already saturated with lawyers. Part of me, probably the Eastern Idahoan part, thinks that the Panhandle is still mad that the Capital was moved from Lewiston to Boise a long time ago, and they think this is the best way to restore their previous glory.

So, I am going to vote for this man, Sheldon Vincenti, or as we called him last year, Sheldo, the Vincentinator, V for Vincenti, etc.



He was an okay teacher for an awful subject (Civil Procedure). And he is also opposed to moving the law school, but at least he hasn't based his entire campaign on it. On the other hand, he never called on me in two semesters, which was a good thing.

Other items from the parade:
U of I made national headlines for the trashy outfits that the cheerleaders wore at the first football game. The cheerleaders, however, do not have the sole claim to fame for poorly thought out uniforms.



Latah County Democrats are not happy about Sarah Palin's alumni status, even if some of us are.



And finally, do you really need a bass guitar in a marching band? This was not the only band that had a poor kid pushing the amp.



We didn't stay for the whole parade, but it was enjoyable. They at least managed the distance between the floats very well, which has yet to be see at the Rexburg 4th of July Parade.

Candy Wreath!!!

I found instructions on how to make a candy wreath on Martha Stewart's website last fall and this year I decided to make it. I thought it would be super easy but quickly realized it was not, the difficulty was also compounded by my choice to make a larger one than the instructions recommended (trying to out do Martha isn't the best idea). Anyhow, now that it is done I think it turned out rather well and it just brings a smile to my face every day when I come home. I love wreaths and this is the first one I have ever had or made. I know Mike is hoping to eat the candy once the fall season is over and we take it down, but I just don't know if I can let it be destroyed. I guess I could make another next year, but then I have to go through the work all over again.

Something to brighten your day

Please enjoy Sandi's attempt at re-creating Happy Gilmore's tee-off. Good fun.

Dear Moscow Jack in the Box,

The following is something that I am seriously contemplating sending to the Moscow Jack in the Box. For those of you who don't know, I may have inherited this from my dad, who to my knowledge has taken on Micron and Skipper's of Idaho Falls. Also, I might add, while this has Sandi's name in the bottom, I don't think that she agrees with everything wholesale, and her disclaimers are at the bottom

Dear Moscow Jack in the Box,

This short note is to inform you that we are no longer going to be customers at your store. Why you ask? Let me tell you. On Saturday, October 11, 2008, my wife and I decided to grab a quick bite to eat. We had a busy schedule with a limited time frame, and Jack in the Box sounded appetizing. Then I had the following experience, which ruined any appetite for your store in the future. Were we not so forgiving, this wouldn't have happened at all, because we have been repeatedly disappointed with the service at your store. So much, in fact, that we should have stopped coming back a long time ago.

On that Saturday, we ordered 2 Jumbo Jacks (without cheese) and a medium fry. This amazingly complicated and difficult order took 25 MINUTES to be completed. I have nothing but empathy for fast food workers, having been one myself, but seriously, is this the best you can do? I understand how quickly things can get out of hand and you are overwhelmed, but the amount of time it took just scratches the surface. When we first arrived we were treated by your employees with nothing but disdain. When the woman who took our order was less than cordial, that should have tipped us off. But, our bad adventure did not end there. The dining area was filthy and unkempt from the Coke machines to the bulk of the tables. It was hard to find a decently clean table to eat our quick meal. But, as I already stated, the meal was anything but quick. As the minutes passed without our food, our frustrations grew. These frustrations were compounded by the fact that during the time we (and the other customers) were not getting our food, the management in the kitchen let someone go home. The employee sat at a table for the majority of the time we were there, not caring about the situation of her co-workers and just biding her time until her ride picked her up. I do not completely fault the employee, but every employee should understand that if things get busy, you might have to stay a little longer. The nature of the business is to allow flexibility in your staffs so you can adequately serve your guests. The complete and utter apathy of the crew was apparent. After 20 minutes, and being passed by on our order by those who ordered after us (but with very similar orders), we decided to go and ask for a refund and go somewhere else. We didn't get that far. The single employee putting together and handing out orders was overwhelmed by a system that he clearly didn't understand or didn't have enough training in. As he called our order, we didn't even get a simple apology for the wait, just more disdain for a presence in the store. 2 Jumbo Jacks and one fry and 25 minutes of our time. (This doesn't even consider the orders that were still ahead of us that hadn't received their food). Alas, the order we received was not right. We got a jumbo jack and another Jumbo Jack with twice the cheese, and semi-cold fries. This visit to your store will be our last, notwithstanding the fine products you usually serve. However, there are better alternatives in Moscow that are more considerate of our time and more appreciative or our limited spending dollars.

They say that customers who have a bad experience will tell, on average, ten other people. While we don't consider our influence expansive, we hate to consider ourselves as just average. Consider yourself warned.

Sincerely,

Mike and Sandi Archibald

What do you think? Is it worth the time? Even if I don't end up sending it, I enjoyed writing something not involved with school and maybe this could be a start of a regular "Mike and Sandi review random crap." type of post. In case you were wondering, Moscow Jack in the Box rating is now a 0/10.

*Sandi's Note: Things not mentioned by Mike...
1. The water tasted really weird, even after dumping it out and getting new.
2. The employee that was just sitting there was drinking a shake, I don't know why that makes it worse but it just does.
3. The employee handing out the food just stood there looking from screen to screen for at least thirty seconds at a time...like a deer caught in the headlights.
4. Last but perhaps more importantly...I am the one that really doesn't like the cheese at all, Mike can at least tolerate it....Well, he had already eaten a good 3rd of his Jumbo Jack by the time I had opened mine only to realize that it was not right. So Mike, being the kind and loving husband that he is, offered to exchange. So we switched because I really don't like that processed cheese, but the point is, I only got 2/3 of my Jumbo Jack because of it.