Blogging has served as a way for me to condition my writing chops and break into the freelance and literary world. Little did I know this project of mine would start growing into much more than a way for me to practice writing. Gays in the Life has helped me process growing up for real. Sharing how career, personal experiences, and health factor into daily life as a pair of husbands has been more than interesting. At times I wasn’t quite sure where the blog was going – and still wonder this on a daily basis. It’s so easy to get caught up in the list of goals and projects I’d like to complete – and ideas come to me EVERY day. I’ve gotten much better at reeling myself in, focusing on what’s in front of me, and it’s been yielding positive results.
So thank you, Shop Girl Anonymous for the nomination! This proves to me that I must be doing something right.
“Mystery Blogger Award” is an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging; and they do it with so much love and passion. – Okoto Enigma
Rules for the nominees:
- Display the award logo/image on your blog
- List the rules.
- Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to the nominator’s blog.
- Mention the creator of the award and provide a link as well
- Tell your readers 3 things about yourself
- Answer 5 questions from the nominator
- Nominate 10 or more people
- Notify your nominees by leaving the nomination link in the “comment” of their blog
- Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice, with one weird or funny question (specify)
- Share the link(s) to your best post(s)
3 Things About Me:
- I’m a proud Scorpio and ENFJ. I love anything that will help me better understand and learn a person. When reading the traits of gay male Scorpios and people with ENFJ personality types, each line describes me to a T. Take the test and find out your personality type here! https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
- I can play four instruments. I’m self taught on saxophone and electric bass and played Trumpet and Tuba for Indiana University – trumpet being my primary. GO HOOSIERS!
- I love all things spicy. If I’m at a Thai restaurant, chances are I’m ordering a level 4 to 4.5 out of 5 stars on the spiciness charts. It will be a sad day if the doctors ever tell me I need to stop eating spicy foods (lol).
5 questions from Shop Girl Anonymous:
1. What kind of customer do you think you are? Or what are sales associates saying about you when you leave the store?
Because I’ve worked in Customer Service for most of my working life – starting in the retail world, American Eagle Outfitters for years – I take the sales representatives into consideration. If I unfold a shirt for a better look. I can fold it back perfectly without using a folding board or paper. If there’s clothing in the dressing room, I bring it out when i’m done with my items and let the rep know. They’d say I’m considerate.
2. What’s your favorite spot for a little Retail Therapy? (Even if you only make the trip once a year)
I love any store that will help me get closer to the GQ closet of my dreams. I love H&M or the Gap for this. I know that’s more than one, but both of these stores enhance my rocker-chic style in or out of the office.
3. What is the best customer service you’ve ever received?
4. What is the worst customer service experience you’ve survived? Where were your expectations not met when it came to the situation?
(I’m combining answers 3 and 4)
This occurred recently, actually. My husband and I were out on a Saturday shopping around for a possible new car. Betty the Bucket – my old vehicle recently reached her limit and I was NOT driving it anymore. Having your brakes go out while driving is terrifying – let me tell you. We stopped at one dealership and shared our desired budget with the salesman.
He immediately shot us down by telling us that there was no way we’d find a rate at which we wanted for monthly payments for what we were looking for. Mind you, We weren’t shopping for anything over the top. I just needed something to get me to and from work. I activated my Customer Service Supervisor (my current job title) persona and turned his act back on him; Immediately letting him know that we weren’t interested and thanked him for his time. Working in customer service for over 13 years will do this to you; you notice EVERY detail of the service and become annoyed when it’s not good.
The next dealership wasn’t even a full block away. My new car ended up being over our desired budget, but the rep who was helping us did such a good job taking care of us. Even knowing our budget, he was able to offer up some options, we went on a test drive, and we ended up getting the car. Austin was his name. He was very attentive, made sure we were comfortable, answered all of our questions and found an answer if he wasn’t sure, and we drove away completely satisfied. Had the other agent stayed engaged and made a stronger effort, he probably could have worked our budget up a smidge like their very helpful neighbor, Austin, did.
5. Weird Question: What’s the oddest thing you’ve ever purchased?
Hmmm… My ears are a size 0G (8mm). One of my favorite pairs of gauges – also called plugs or tunnels – are made of bone. They look fab. Most people never know I’m sporting bone jewelry haha. That may not be terribly odd, but I’m pretty plain most days – buying only things I need.
My nominees are as follows:
The Secret Diary of J. Alfred Prufrock
My 5 Questions for the nominees:
- What’s your sign?
- If you could fly, control the weather, or manipulate metal… which would you choose and why?
- My spirit animal is a Grizzly Bear. What’s yours?
- If you could travel to one place right now, all expenses paid and to blog, where would you go?
- What’s your go-to dance move?
A Link to My “Best” Post: Based on my admin stats, this Thank You note to my readers was my best ever 🙂
Gays in the Life 
Oh my goodness I had very similar experience nearly five or six years ago I needed a car. My grandmother had given me a lump sum budget, to pay in full for college graduation. I knew I wanted a hatchback that my dogs could fit in. When i got to the first car lot the sales man looked me up and down, I’m sure I look like a whole lot with non fashionably torn jeans and a crummy its my day off T-shirt. He said “probably the only thing in your price range are these.” He took me to an old Lincoln that must have been twenty years old and with a deteriorated exterior. At that moment I looked at the man in disgust, seriously?! “I’m sorry we just don’t offer allot in your price range.
I stormed off and drove across the straight. The associate there, Scott, was incredible!!! I was one of his first sales, and as we were closing it looked like he wanted to kiss me as I laid 14,000 in cash on his desk (a thousand more than was asking because my grandmother is superstitious). I mentioned to him the incident across the street and he informed me that was his ex-wife’s father’s lot. He asked if I minded that we took a ride, and we drove across the street in my Mini-SUV. He hopped out of the passenger side and asked to see the owner. His father-in-law came out frustrated to see his wife’s ex, but even more frustrated to hear the tale of how he lost a sale to him due to his ill-mannered staff.
And I used to sale bone plugs in my store..,.well stared at them because you are obviously my only customer that purchased them. 😉 You rebel you!!!
Hahaha, I could only imagine the father-in-law’s face! It pays to treat your (potential) customers well, for sure 🙂
Thank you so much for the award!
Will get back to answering this on the 21st. 😘
Awesome! Can’t wait 🙂
I answered 😁😁😁 sorry for the delay