A year an a half ago, we traveled back east for a wedding and a vacation. This trip was extended from 10 days to 3 months b/c my husband ended up in the hospital. I had a terrible time with this Hotel and Orbitz. After trying to cancel our reservation, Orbitz charged my credit card b/c hotel did not want to authorize cancellation of stay. I sent thame a letter upon returning to Denver. It read:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Mr. Gates,
I am Mr. X wife, with whom your hotel has corresponded about canceling our reservation back in January. I write asking you to authorize a credit in the amount of $623.26 to Orbitz.
We made reservations for 7 days and although the hotel’s policy is that cancellations or changes made after 6:00 PM local hotel time on the day of arrival are subject to a 100% charge. Your front end manager, Mr. Joshua Forten, did agree to cancel our reservation and charge us for a one night stay.
More than that, though, Virginia law states that “Where impossibility of performance is due to … to death or illness of one who by the terms of the contract was to do an act requiring his personal performance … the promisor will be excused ...” 1 M.J., CONTRACTS, § 69.
First, the purpose of the trip was to attend a wedding in North Carolina then visit D.C. before heading home. However, my husband was diagnosed with pneumonia at an Urgent Care Clinic in N.C. on January 3rd. In the evening of that day, around 6:00 P.M., I called the hotel to state we would not be staying that evening but that we would call the next day. We stayed in Fredericksburg with family instead, hoping that the illness would pass. I called the next day, January 4th, and tried to cancel with hotel. Ms. Greshuma, supervisor on duty, stated that I would have to cancel with Orbitz, however, Orbitz stated that the hotel will have to authorize the cancellation, and that I should call on Monday, the 5th of January for a refund. On Monday morning, my husband was rushed to the Hospital with irregular heart rhythm. I tried again to cancel on that afternoon. My husband’s hospitalization was a supervening event that had not reasonably been contemplated by us at the time of reservation. It made staying in your hotel impossible. Sure I could have agreed to stay at the hotel, and you could have given me possession of the room, but it so defeated the purpose that your hotel should excuse our performance of the contract and cancelled the reservation.
I have attached the following documentation of my husband’s hospitalization: the diagnosis from the Urgent Care Clinic, the Discharge/final summary of Dr. Y, my husband’s appointed primary care provider while at Hospital, and admission history and physical from Dr. Z, at Rehabilitation Hospital of Fredericksburg. Considering the overwhelming evidence that my husband was truly ill, I request that you authorize a credit in the amount of $623.26 with Orbitz.
These are reasonable demands. If I do not hear from you by May 22, 2009, I will assess what legal recourse we should take against your hotel, and Orbitz.
Very truly
Marla F. Benavides
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After writing the manager of the HI hotel that letter, on May 20th, I received a call saying that they would refund the entire amount ($800.00). Yes, you read it right! The entire amount was refunded, and the hotel room was finally cancelled. It took me five months to resolve this issue. But a thoughtfully written letter with evidence to prove my case went a long way to getting management to see my point of view.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Scammers
This is the latest in scam subscriptions.
If you take a quiz on Facebook, you may be automatically subscribed to some crap service. This service will text you crap and charge your cell phone about $10.00 per month.
If you take a quiz on Facebook, you may be automatically subscribed to some crap service. This service will text you crap and charge your cell phone about $10.00 per month.
No te rindas
The Author of this poem is unknown but it inspired me when I was younger and it still inspires me... Heck, it inspired a young boy I knew while working at a Middle school.
Cuando las cosas vayan mal como a veces pasa,
Cuando el camino parezca cuesta arriba,
Cuando tus recuerdos menguen y tus deudas suban,
Y al querer sonreir, tal vez suspiras;
Cuando tus preocupaciones te tengan agobiado
Descansa si te urge, pero no te rindas.
La vida es rara con sus vueltas y tumbos,
Como todos muchas veces comprobamos
Y muchos fracasos suelen acontecer
Aún pudiendo vencer de haber perserverado
Asi es que no te rindas aunque el paso sea lento.
El triunfo es fracaso al reves;
Es el matiz plateado de esa nube incierta
Que no te deja ver a su cercania…
¡Aun estando bien cerca!
Por eso decidete a luchar sin duda,
Porque en verdad, cuando todo empeora,
El que es valiente, no se rinde
¡LUCHA!
Cuando las cosas vayan mal como a veces pasa,
Cuando el camino parezca cuesta arriba,
Cuando tus recuerdos menguen y tus deudas suban,
Y al querer sonreir, tal vez suspiras;
Cuando tus preocupaciones te tengan agobiado
Descansa si te urge, pero no te rindas.
La vida es rara con sus vueltas y tumbos,
Como todos muchas veces comprobamos
Y muchos fracasos suelen acontecer
Aún pudiendo vencer de haber perserverado
Asi es que no te rindas aunque el paso sea lento.
El triunfo es fracaso al reves;
Es el matiz plateado de esa nube incierta
Que no te deja ver a su cercania…
¡Aun estando bien cerca!
Por eso decidete a luchar sin duda,
Porque en verdad, cuando todo empeora,
El que es valiente, no se rinde
¡LUCHA!
A four-leaf clover
I have much silliness, and this poem was inspired by that silliness. :-)
I live my life "in clover "
I am like a four-leaf clover
Rare am I
And yet, the clover is said to bring the luck of the Irish
With a clover you can have all you want
Well, I dream of a champagne fun
A fabulous cruise in the sun
Can you see me
I am laughing in the intoxicating moonlight
Being the life of the party
Yes, me wild as can be
But I am like a four-leaf clover
Can you see me high above a mountain?
Standing tall, radiant and bright
And I am like a four-leaf clover
When nature really over-achieves,
It gives its clover a lucky fourth leaf
Can it be a sign from up above
The more leaves, the more luck
I am like that four-leaf clover
Can it be that I too sometimes can over-achieve?
I hold the secret to my own happiness
With that said, the secret to happiness
Means knowing how to face life's challenges
Using your own forceful and empowering tool
And this tool forms from within you,
This tool will bring you good luck and GOOD FORTUNE
Yes, the tool is simply a smile
A smile is all you need to bring happiness to your life
So you see
I am like a four-leaf clover
Who summons luck into my life
By being my own four-clover
So smile and be your own four-leaf clover.
I live my life "in clover "
I am like a four-leaf clover
Rare am I
And yet, the clover is said to bring the luck of the Irish
With a clover you can have all you want
Well, I dream of a champagne fun
A fabulous cruise in the sun
Can you see me
I am laughing in the intoxicating moonlight
Being the life of the party
Yes, me wild as can be
But I am like a four-leaf clover
Can you see me high above a mountain?
Standing tall, radiant and bright
And I am like a four-leaf clover
When nature really over-achieves,
It gives its clover a lucky fourth leaf
Can it be a sign from up above
The more leaves, the more luck
I am like that four-leaf clover
Can it be that I too sometimes can over-achieve?
I hold the secret to my own happiness
With that said, the secret to happiness
Means knowing how to face life's challenges
Using your own forceful and empowering tool
And this tool forms from within you,
This tool will bring you good luck and GOOD FORTUNE
Yes, the tool is simply a smile
A smile is all you need to bring happiness to your life
So you see
I am like a four-leaf clover
Who summons luck into my life
By being my own four-clover
So smile and be your own four-leaf clover.
Reflections: the woman I am...
Here I try to create a serious poem but alas! I think I have failed. :(
I am...
A woman
Full of energy, and spontaneity
Somewhere in vastness of this earth...
With eyes not quite of aspen's gold,
Nor am I a blue-eyed soul,
Neither am I, an ordinary brown-eyed Susan.
I sit and wonder
if love is a tale made of dew--
A granting of sweet dreams in their purity too--
A mint leaf of freshness
Covered in chocolate delight.
I listen...
And at a distance I hear a low, gentle whisper
a southing voice, I look around with a hopeful heart,
Imagine a dark, cold night,
The wind is whistling, and it is raining…
Fear overcomes you
Then suddenly, the dawn of morning appears
Drops of light shine through the clouds
And a rainbow appears
Can smell spring flowers in the air,
A racy scent,
Hovering over the summer days
This is love.
I see
A woman, proud, and unyielding,
A bit pretentious, daring
Like a pilot flying through a thunderstorm
Piquant as pepper -- more jubilant than a cheerleaders cheer,
Punchier than a child at play
adding flavor to all withered souls
Like salt, seasoning a gourmet dish...
I want
A measure of tranquility—a certain calmness,
a yodel that echoes in the stillness of the Rockies
A serene smile to find solutions
To the vastness of my problems,
An Indifference to a world of sadness;
I am radiant
A sun that transmits heat, warming…
like a child--filling life with laughter
He gives me strength that which God affords me--
And so, I can persist, I live each day,
Enjoying every waking moment...
My emotions...
Too plentiful-- to be directionless,
Too real to be imaginary, and yet the familiar eyes
Hold much recognition -- only my reflection --
Anchored in place, affixed by the will...
I sense ...
The downy wings of hope, in wonder,
Alone and warming of his 5 wits;
the bald eagle in the belfry sits,
with integrity, self-assured ...
I worry...
Of failed opportunities; that in my longing for success
I have forsaken all -- but oh, what reward,
what divine inspiration should light the journey to accomplishment --
And how can I heed the signs.
I astounded...
For having such strength of character, for holding on like an ironclad,
And then, when by the sweat of my soul, tired
I am lifted, a cup full--not half emptied, and I smile again
For what hard work, and effort, is not lost;
I am a hopeful woman...
With the understanding...
That life is what you make it,
that sometimes, there is a shade of gray,
that marks your triumphs dimly,
Then, suddenly, in a rush there is color
Like a bountiful harvest...
Hold on...
Hold on I say
to a life shaped,
by family & friends--molded and formed--
But as always, the core of us remains,
In a world that is constantly changing,
As the earth remains,
Until rejuvenated
Like a flower blooming
After a cold winter
I am dreaming...
Of the tallest mountain, reaching
Climbing, a step upward--not looking back
Of wolves that wander in the forest with purpose,
pushing me to the top-until alas, I made it.
I try
To persist, determined
that merely the struggle holds power;
a dose of inspiration may last a day, while
a dose of determination spans lifetime.
I hope
That my light carries you through,
that love is meant for sharing, that feeling
Wields influence in the words evoked,
And that my writing motivates you.
I am
a woman,
who is intrepid and free
I am...
A woman
Full of energy, and spontaneity
Somewhere in vastness of this earth...
With eyes not quite of aspen's gold,
Nor am I a blue-eyed soul,
Neither am I, an ordinary brown-eyed Susan.
I sit and wonder
if love is a tale made of dew--
A granting of sweet dreams in their purity too--
A mint leaf of freshness
Covered in chocolate delight.
I listen...
And at a distance I hear a low, gentle whisper
a southing voice, I look around with a hopeful heart,
Imagine a dark, cold night,
The wind is whistling, and it is raining…
Fear overcomes you
Then suddenly, the dawn of morning appears
Drops of light shine through the clouds
And a rainbow appears
Can smell spring flowers in the air,
A racy scent,
Hovering over the summer days
This is love.
I see
A woman, proud, and unyielding,
A bit pretentious, daring
Like a pilot flying through a thunderstorm
Piquant as pepper -- more jubilant than a cheerleaders cheer,
Punchier than a child at play
adding flavor to all withered souls
Like salt, seasoning a gourmet dish...
I want
A measure of tranquility—a certain calmness,
a yodel that echoes in the stillness of the Rockies
A serene smile to find solutions
To the vastness of my problems,
An Indifference to a world of sadness;
I am radiant
A sun that transmits heat, warming…
like a child--filling life with laughter
He gives me strength that which God affords me--
And so, I can persist, I live each day,
Enjoying every waking moment...
My emotions...
Too plentiful-- to be directionless,
Too real to be imaginary, and yet the familiar eyes
Hold much recognition -- only my reflection --
Anchored in place, affixed by the will...
I sense ...
The downy wings of hope, in wonder,
Alone and warming of his 5 wits;
the bald eagle in the belfry sits,
with integrity, self-assured ...
I worry...
Of failed opportunities; that in my longing for success
I have forsaken all -- but oh, what reward,
what divine inspiration should light the journey to accomplishment --
And how can I heed the signs.
I astounded...
For having such strength of character, for holding on like an ironclad,
And then, when by the sweat of my soul, tired
I am lifted, a cup full--not half emptied, and I smile again
For what hard work, and effort, is not lost;
I am a hopeful woman...
With the understanding...
That life is what you make it,
that sometimes, there is a shade of gray,
that marks your triumphs dimly,
Then, suddenly, in a rush there is color
Like a bountiful harvest...
Hold on...
Hold on I say
to a life shaped,
by family & friends--molded and formed--
But as always, the core of us remains,
In a world that is constantly changing,
As the earth remains,
Until rejuvenated
Like a flower blooming
After a cold winter
I am dreaming...
Of the tallest mountain, reaching
Climbing, a step upward--not looking back
Of wolves that wander in the forest with purpose,
pushing me to the top-until alas, I made it.
I try
To persist, determined
that merely the struggle holds power;
a dose of inspiration may last a day, while
a dose of determination spans lifetime.
I hope
That my light carries you through,
that love is meant for sharing, that feeling
Wields influence in the words evoked,
And that my writing motivates you.
I am
a woman,
who is intrepid and free
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Law of Success 2.0: Case 70: Susan Greenfield
The Law of Success 2.0: Case 70: Susan Greenfield: "Click here for her introduction. Haegwan Kim (HK); Thank you so much for your time. Today I’m going to talk with Baroness Susan Greenfield..."
The test of a [wo]man is the fight [s]he makes
The test of a [wo]man is the fight [s]he makes,
The grit that [s]he daily shows;
The way [s]he stands on his (her) feet and takes
Fate's numerous bumps and blows,
A coward can smile when there's naught to fear,
When nothing his (her) progress bars;
But it takes a [wo]man to stand up and cheer
While some other fellow stars.
It isn't the victory, after all,
But the fight that a brother or sister makes;
The [wo]man who, driven against the wall,
Still stands up erect and takes
The blows of fate with his (her) head held high;
Bleeding, and bruised, and pale,
Is the [wo]man who'll win in the by and by,
For [s]he isn't afraid to fail.
It's the bumbs you get, and the jolts you get,
and the shocks that your courage stands,
The hours of sorrow and vain regret,
The prize that escapes your hands,
That test your mettle and prove your worth;
It isn't the blows you deal,
But the blows you take on the good old earth,
That show if your stuff is real.
So with this I say that my boss,a capable lawyer, is testing me for reliability, loyalty, preserverance and other essential qualities that show my real stuff.
I have what it takes.
The grit that [s]he daily shows;
The way [s]he stands on his (her) feet and takes
Fate's numerous bumps and blows,
A coward can smile when there's naught to fear,
When nothing his (her) progress bars;
But it takes a [wo]man to stand up and cheer
While some other fellow stars.
It isn't the victory, after all,
But the fight that a brother or sister makes;
The [wo]man who, driven against the wall,
Still stands up erect and takes
The blows of fate with his (her) head held high;
Bleeding, and bruised, and pale,
Is the [wo]man who'll win in the by and by,
For [s]he isn't afraid to fail.
It's the bumbs you get, and the jolts you get,
and the shocks that your courage stands,
The hours of sorrow and vain regret,
The prize that escapes your hands,
That test your mettle and prove your worth;
It isn't the blows you deal,
But the blows you take on the good old earth,
That show if your stuff is real.
So with this I say that my boss,a capable lawyer, is testing me for reliability, loyalty, preserverance and other essential qualities that show my real stuff.
I have what it takes.
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