Christmas bonus

I know it may seem a little petty in a time when so many people would be happy to just have a job at all but I received my Christmas bonus today and to be honest I’m pissed off. Over the last 2 years my responsibilities have almost doubled at work and because like so many company’s we have been slower than in past years I have not asked for a raise. I care about my company and break my back every day to make sure that we do well. I in fact twisted my back on Wednesday morning an so I worked hurt for the last 2 days with no complaints. Not very pleasant ever but when you run a cabinet shop and spend your day lifting heavy things it’s downright hell. Last year I had a conversation with my boss and he in fact told me that he knows that I’m worth more to the company than I’m being paid and that he wanted me to know that I would be taken care of as soon as he could. Today he took the employees out for our annual Christmas lunch to a very nice restaurant, very nice of him I must admit. Then after lunch he asked if I would drop him off at a shop to get his truck. His brand new $80k truck that was having a custom stereo installed. When I dropped him off he shook my hand said he hoped I had a very nice holiday and handed me an envelope. I said have a nice holiday and I’ll see you in the new year and went on my way. After, when I opened the envelope there was a card and a check, my Christmas bonus. Very nice, except it was far less than half of what I received last year. I took the disappointing kick in the teeth of a bonus to the bank, cashed it and went shopping hoping to find at least some nice gift for my wife that would fit into my now lower than expected budget. I hate 2011! My beloved dog and constant companion of almost 16 years passed away, my wife’s mom from who she was estranged died before they could make peace or even say goodbye, my wife’s contract at work is not going to be extended as she expected it to be and my Christmas bonus might have just as well been a subscription to the jelly of the month club. I tell you this though. As much as I love my job come January I will be having a conversation with my boss, and he will be either giving me a significant raise or he will be trying to find another trained CNC operator that also happens to be a journey man cabinet maker that is willing to work for $10 an hour less than industry standard. Good luck!

just be happy your not in the good ole U.S of A... youd be gettin less than that. no raises in 4 years. our all mighty leader gave tax breaks just in time for insurance to go up.... i make less now than i did when i started my job. atleast i got one.
spooky

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Originally Posted by mr.spooky

just be happy your not in the good ole U.S of A... youd be gettin less than that.
spooky

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very true. of course i wouldn't pay 45% income tax, or have to spend $500000 on a 1500 square foot piece of crap house with no yard either.

I understand your frustrations man. My company established a "wage freeze" 6 days before i would have been eligible for my 1 year raise. Im putting myself through school, yet still working 32hrs+ a week and covering shifts pretty much whenever asked yet I got a slap in the face. But since then more responsibilty has been given that my boss considers "part of the job". My company doesn't even give christmas bonuses lol. I read in Money Magazine that if you have been with a company and they havent offered you a raise in 2 years then you should talk to your boss about one or look for another job. I hope you get your situation worked, good luck.

Wow I didnt even realize you were from Canada lol. My work got raises the year before I started there though spooky?

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Originally Posted by jason_ladouceur

very true. of course i wouldn't pay 45% income tax, or have to spend $500000 on a 1500 square foot piece of crap house with no yard either.

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wait,,, , is that 1/2 mil U.S $ on a 1500 sq. ft house?

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Wow I didnt even realize you were from Canada lol. My work got raises the year before I started there though spooky?

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im not in canada... and i work for the state of georiga.
spooky

No the first sentence was directed towards the OP. The second was directed towards you but i misunderstood what you had said, sorry for the cofusion! :/

egh. complain i wish i could for mypoopy raises but i cant. presisent wins and a poopy 1.4% raise is.. pathetic for all the hours i work.

http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/w...ws-500x354.jpg
spooky

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Originally Posted by mr.spooky

wait,,, , is that 1/2 mil U.S $ on a 1500 sq. ft house?

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yes i'm afraid so. and good forbid you have any vices. i just bought a carton of smokes. $78. just remember the grass is always greener on the other side.

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Originally Posted by jason_ladouceur

I know it may seem a little petty in a time when so many people would be happy to just have a job at all but I received my Christmas bonus today and to be honest I’m pissed off. Over the last 2 years my responsibilities have almost doubled at work and because like so many company’s we have been slower than in past years I have not asked for a raise. I care about my company and break my back every day to make sure that we do well. I in fact twisted my back on Wednesday morning an so I worked hurt for the last 2 days with no complaints. Not very pleasant ever but when you run a cabinet shop and spend your day lifting heavy things it’s downright hell. Last year I had a conversation with my boss and he in fact told me that he knows that I’m worth more to the company than I’m being paid and that he wanted me to know that I would be taken care of as soon as he could. Today he took the employees out for our annual Christmas lunch to a very nice restaurant, very nice of him I must admit. Then after lunch he asked if I would drop him off at a shop to get his truck. His brand new $80k truck that was having a custom stereo installed. When I dropped him off he shook my hand said he hoped I had a very nice holiday and handed me an envelope. I said have a nice holiday and I’ll see you in the new year and went on my way. After, when I opened the envelope there was a card and a check, my Christmas bonus. Very nice, except it was far less than half of what I received last year. I took the disappointing kick in the teeth of a bonus to the bank, cashed it and went shopping hoping to find at least some nice gift for my wife that would fit into my now lower than expected budget. I hate 2011! My beloved dog and constant companion of almost 16 years passed away, my wife’s mom from who she was estranged died before they could make peace or even say goodbye, my wife’s contract at work is not going to be extended as she expected it to be and my Christmas bonus might have just as well been a subscription to the jelly of the month club. I tell you this though. As much as I love my job come January I will be having a conversation with my boss, and he will be either giving me a significant raise or he will be trying to find another trained CNC operator that also happens to be a journey man cabinet maker that is willing to work for $10 an hour less than industry standard. Good luck!

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My Christmas bonus was getting laid off the first week of December!!:O

I'm really sorry to hear that. :(

I hope 2012 brings better things for you and everyone else who is a victim of this horrible economy. :please:

It's a bonus - they don't really have to give it to you, and it depends a lot on how the company does that year. At my FT job, we got 1/5 of what one of our regular bonuses used to be. We used to get 2 a year, but didn't get a single one at all last year. Mine will only just about cover what hours I lose from being closed for the holidays at my second, part-time, no paid benefits (but 100% necessary) job. We were all hoping for something a little more this year, but I can't complain. At least I got something, and I do have a steady job... so just remember - it can be worse.

It sucks that it was alot less than you anticipated but at least you got something.

My brother and I work for the same people. He's been working for them for about 10 years now. I've only been working for them for 2.

They own(ed) 4 businesses. My brother started at one then began working part time at another. When I started I did the same, except I got moved to another business and work part time at the one he works part time at.

They sold the first business this summer. This is the one my brother and I both started at. I wasn't working there when they sold it but I did work there.

Recently they sold the second business (a couple of days ago). This is the one my brother and I work part time at. So technically he will no longer work for them at all at the beginning of the year (it doesn't change over until the first).

We both got the same amount last year for Christmas bonuses. The highest amount they give. (very few get it, most get alot less). This year I got the same as last year. My brother, who's been with them the longest, got 1/4 of what I got. Although I didn't tell my brother how much mine was, he knows and is really upset. So am I. Seems like they gave everyone at the second place the same base amount. I think it really sucks that they're going out like that. They have a couple of really good employees there that's been with them since the beginning and honestly deserve more and have gotten more in the past.

I've lost a little respect for them because of this.

It could be so much worse....my step dads christmas bonus was literally a $125 gift card to walmart and 3 extra vaca days....whats really messed up is he works on the railroad he only has 2 bosses above him and about 6 under him..both the people above him received $30,000...really?? Galesburg has the largest rail yard in the country so they arent a broke company......but its a little irritating especially when he couldnt pay the utilities and it was shut off for a day..

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Originally Posted by python_addict

It could be so much worse....my step dads christmas bonus was literally a $125 gift card to walmart and 3 extra vaca days....whats really messed up is he works on the railroad he only has 2 bosses above him and about 6 under him..both the people above him received $30,000...really?? Galesburg has the largest rail yard in the country so they arent a broke company......but its a little irritating especially when he couldnt pay the utilities and it was shut off for a day..

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i'm so sorry to hear that.:( that is complete crap.:mad: it really pisses me off when people don't give a poop about the people that worked there asses off to allow them to enjoy all the finner things in life.

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Originally Posted by jason_ladouceur

i'm so sorry to hear that.:( that is complete crap.:mad: it really pisses me off when people don't give a poop about the people that worked there asses off to allow them to enjoy all the finner things in life.

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Yepp I know this is the same guy that had all the metatarples (sp?) in his foot broken in a day but still stayed at work limping around trying to do stuff he even lost alot of money because they made him stay home and now they do this?

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Originally Posted by python_addict

It could be so much worse....my step dads christmas bonus was literally a $125 gift card to walmart and 3 extra vaca days....whats really messed up is he works on the railroad he only has 2 bosses above him and about 6 under him..both the people above him received $30,000...really?? Galesburg has the largest rail yard in the country so they arent a broke company......but its a little irritating especially when he couldnt pay the utilities and it was shut off for a day..

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I'll add a little more... my dad makes about 30k from his job a year. Not bad but he works 45-60 hours A WEEK, he's on salary and has been with them for 12 years. All 4 times his bonuses came up the company has changed there rules So he couldn't receive them...sadly he's one of only 4 people on salary. His boss who does nothing makes nearly 750k a year..... the kicker? If he worked hourly he'd make close to 100,000 a year........

Our world is messed up.......

Better than what I got. I got a 'Well I was going to give you a $(insert ammount here) christmas bonus, but not any more!' from my boss. Followed by threats of not returning my personal property, after I quit.

:mad:

. . . Happy holidays. :rofl:


EDIT: Oh, and did I forget to mention being stiffed for part of my pay? I get paid commission style, and I noticed he skipped a bunch of things in the book where I wrote each thing I did. I mentioned it, and he flat out told me I wasn't getting paid for working on, and completing, HIS PERSONAL PROJECTS FOR HIM.

-rage-

Not only are we required to work on and through the holidays, but we don't get a bonus...
:rolleyes:

Life ain't so bad dude, be happy you have a job.

Try being the only guy at the company who makes all of the money for the boss and not getting a bonus at all. I get your frustration to the fullest extent. On the other hand, we can not let situations like this get us down. Smile and have a Merry Christmas! Your breathing, your wife is breathing and you both have jobs. Life is Good!

Damn those bosses...I bet they just love disappointing people...They probably have never had to work hard and don't know how bad of a struggle life can be...:rolleye2:

I feel you, I have been working at my company for six years now. 5 of those years I was "part time" becasue I was going to college, but still getting over 30 hours every week. And my boss' rule was "Part-timers don't get a bonus". I worked EVERY Saturday during the first five years. I got paid a little over minimum wage, but wasn't allowed to get overtime. I always had to do the crap work like digging post holes in gravel parking lots, digging trenches, weedeating (10 acres). What sucks the worst is that I work for a rental company and we have trenches and augers but I had to do it all by hand, not easy digging a 4foot hole through gravel...basically I was a :pee: on. I finally got a promotion to safety director but I only bring home about $22,000, making me one of the higher paid employees. I was told no more crap work and I would be rubbing shoulders with the big boys, meaning my boss "the owner" and his brother. Loe and Behold I'm still going to his newly built house to pick up crap because the builders are too lazy to pick up after themselves. Oh the house is a mansion on a very expensive plot of land, he drives a $65,000 truck and his wife gets a new Escalade every year....while all his employees make little to nothing and can barely afford to pay their own bills and feed their family....just makes me sick.

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Originally Posted by Rhasputin

Better than what I got. I got a 'Well I was going to give you a $(insert ammount here) christmas bonus, but not any more!' from my boss. Followed by threats of not returning my personal property, after I quit.

:mad:

. . . Happy holidays. :rofl:


EDIT: Oh, and did I forget to mention being stiffed for part of my pay? I get paid commission style, and I noticed he skipped a bunch of things in the book where I wrote each thing I did. I mentioned it, and he flat out told me I wasn't getting paid for working on, and completing, HIS PERSONAL PROJECTS FOR HIM.

-rage-

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Trust me I know that things can always be worse, I’ve been there.
My Christmas bonus one year was my boss stiffing me for the holiday pay that he owed me. And another year from another employer 2 weeks pay, and we almost ended up homeless. So believe me I know that not getting what you expected for a bonus is not the end of the world. I guess I just felt the need to rant a little because when you come to expect one year after year and then for no reason at all and with no warning you get so much less than you had expected it feels almost like you missed out on a paycheck. I know it’s not the same thing but it still sucks.
But either way there is no way I’m going to let it ruin my Christmas. We are off to the parents for Christmas dinner for 13 (I am French catholic after all) and let’s be honest that’s really what Christmas is all about.:D
I hope everyone here has a very happy holiday with the people they care about.

It sucks you went through a rough year, but seriously? You opened a woe is me thread about not recieving a bigger Christmas bonus? Get a grip on real life dude, there are people starving, cold and without families on Christmas and you're worried that you're unappreciated? If it bothers you, quit.

I am not heartless by any means and I apologize if i come across as rude, but there are better things to talk about on this forum.

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Originally Posted by dart

there are people starving, cold and without families on Christmas and you're worried that you're unappreciated?

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So until every person on the planet is living in luxury, none of the rest of us can gripe??? This is bad news. I very much enjoy griping and complaining...this is bad news indeed...

To be honest I would be happy with any bonus. I work in the school system and have not had a raise in 5 years, and this year we are working 3 days without pay. So count your blessing and be thankful you have a job.


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Originally Posted by dart

It sucks you went through a rough year, but seriously? You opened a woe is me thread about not recieving a bigger Christmas bonus? Get a grip on real life dude, there are people starving, cold and without families on Christmas and you're worried that you're unappreciated? If it bothers you, quit.

I am not heartless by any means and I apologize if i come across as rude, but there are better things to talk about on this forum.

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So why are your wasting your valuable time responding to this thread.

Better than the damn Jelly of the Month Club!!! :rage:

Where's the Aspirin?!

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Originally Posted by jason_ladouceur

So why are your wasting your valuable time responding to this thread.

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Because its post like this that make people seem heartless.


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Originally Posted by tsy72001

To be honest I would be happy with any bonus. I work in the school system and have not had a raise in 5 years, and this year we are working 3 days without pay. So count your blessing and be thankful you have a job.


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haha...you complain about no raise in 5 years and working days without pay...and immediately follow that up by telling him to zip it and count his blessings...funny...


and 5 years with no raise??? Might want to think about moving on...:)

I am happy to have a job, and thank God daily that I do. I also LOVE my job and my classroom full of kids. It is not about money, I am not complaining, just stating that it could be worse. Be thankful you got something! Please do not put words in my mouth that I did not say! And NO I do not think it is time to move on, teachers are not quitters because the government screwed up the priorities.


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Originally Posted by tsy72001

Be thankful you got something!

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I am thankful, but I'm not gonna be a door mat...if I'm not being paid what I feel I am worth, I'm moving on...it's not quitting...it's getting what you deserve...

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Originally Posted by jason_ladouceur

So why are your wasting your valuable time responding to this thread.

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I never claimed my time was so "valuable". I'm not trying to put you down, make fun of you or be a douche, but sometimes some people don't realize what they sound like or how they're coming across until another person points it out.

I'm simply replying to your thread to help you realize that you opening a "woe is me thread" about receiving a unsatisfactory Christmas bonus is making you look like the world revolves around you. Your wife losing her job and mother and you losing your dog are real concerns to complain about and I'm sorry for your losses.

You boss chose to give you a Christmas bonus. Whether smaller than last year or not, it's still something he didn't have to give you. It tells me that he appreciates you and gave you what he could or felt you were worth. Instead of complaining of the size of an optional Christmas bonus, complain about the things that matter in life and "Don't sweat the small stuff"

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Originally Posted by sho220

I am thankful, but I'm not gonna be a door mat...if I'm not being paid what I feel I am worth, I'm moving on...it's not quitting...it's getting what you deserve...

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Well in this day you just may
Get paid a whole lot less than now. By all means if you want to leave than do so, but really if I was your boss you would not have gotten a thing with your attitude.


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Originally Posted by tsy72001

Well in this day you just may
Get paid a whole lot less than now. By all means if you want to leave than do so, but really if I was your boss you would not have gotten a thing with your attitude.


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So wanting what I'm worth is having a bad attitude? Please explain...


It's becoming clear why you haven't had a raise in 5 years...you're just lucky to have a job!!! :D

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Originally Posted by tsy72001

Because its post like this that make people seem heartless.


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I fail to see how it's heartless for the people who work their asses off to make q company sucessfull to hope for just a little piece of the pie. I don't expect the owner to go broke to say thank you. But really if it wasnt for me and the other guys that break our backs every day he would have to actually work for a living and I doubt could afford new cars for him and his wife, 3 boats with a brand new boat house to park them in and all the other things he enjoys. The last time I was with him and we stoped to get coffee there was a problem because all he had on him was a fist full of 50's. It's his buisness. He worked hard to get it where it is. And I think he deserves all his success. But a couple hundred dollars would mean nothing to him and so much to me so why hurt the people you depend on for no reason. I never wanted any pity or to claim that I'm so hard off. I just wanted to express my frustration at the lack of thankfulness shown by a man that I have spent the last 5 years making rich.

Well the school systems does not have money because of the government, my boss loves all her teachers, I am one. I do not complain. I just think your being a selfish twit. Complain about something real and not about something petty. When you own your own company than you can get paid what you feel your worth. I am sorry if I sound rude, but there are so many that are worse off and they do not complain.


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Originally Posted by tsy72001

Well the school systems does not have money because of the government, my boss loves all her teachers, I am one. I do not complain. I just think your being a selfish twit. Complain about something real and not about something petty. When you own your own company than you can get paid what you feel your worth. I am sorry if I sound rude, but there are so many that are worse off and they do not complain.


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You're not an English teacher are you? If so, you deserve a pay cut after that post...I'll be talking to your boss first thing Monday morning...


and yes, you do complain. Everyone does...

Please keep it civil folks.

If the world was full of conservatives this thread would have never been started in the first place...

please argue with that...

"Every man's burden is the heaviest."

-pot smoking dreadlocked inspiration from Jamaica

I found this thread and had to reply. I did a goodle search on christmas bonus, complain--wondering myself (I've worked at the company since january) what other folks did or didn't do when it came to coming up shy on a bonus.

To be honest I would be happy with any bonus. I work in the school system and have not had a raise in 5 years, and this year we are working 3 days without pay. So count your blessing and be thankful you have a job.


OH MY GOLLY GEE! You're working 3 whole days without pay? Does that mean you only get 194 days off per year? And how did you find this thread? I hate when people come on a thread and wah wah they don't like the topic, etc...just why are you here then?

Plus: you are rude and abrasive. You call the person a "twit"...which makes you, well, I'm not gonna say it.

People who work hard have a right to wonder about lack of a bonus/a short bonus. YOU on the other hand not only complain about aspects of your job, YOU ARE ALSO COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FACT THAT SOMEONE IN COMPLAINING. LMAO!!! But you're too dense to even grasp that concept. What do you teach, pre-schoolers? You seem as bitter as you are feeble-minded.

Anway, I know the economy is tough...but seeing a boss in a new car, etc...I have to agree....ouch! To the poster who mentioned about the $200 gesture being so little to one, yet so much to another--I couldn't agree more. Yes, it's about some extra change for Christmas. But, to me at least, it is also about the principle.

Some of us don't have 4 months off in the summer, full health benefits, and the most POWERFUL UNION IN THE COUNTRY to protect ourselves.

And demonizing "the government" is about as dense as one could get. It's big business that created the crux of the problem, and if you don't get that--you shouldn't be teaching...anything!

I think this whole thread is getting way outta hand. Yes, it sucks to feel under appreciated, and it's easy to take it personally when someone says you should be happy with what you have because they don't have it. Just take a deep breath folks, it's a tough year for a lot of people and not a tough year for others, and everyone wants to be in the second category.

I do have to say though, that is a very poorly disguised troll account =/

Geez, you registered to post that?

This sounds way too personal.

The system isn't perfect, but teachers are right up there with police and fire fighters for me. Noble, and difficult, professions. I couldn't do it.

I don't know of any teachers that hit the beach for 4 months each summer, they all seem to be scrambling to make more money to make ends meet.

Just to let you know, teachers do not get as much time off as you think. We work many, unpaid, days during the summer. Any classroom decorations are out of pocket, as with art supplies. My point was be happy with what you get, just because you believe you should get more, as most people would view themselves as worth more, does not mean your boss thinks your worth more, if the op would go elsewhere he may just make a lot less with more work.


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Originally Posted by sho220

You're not an English teacher are you? If so, you deserve a pay cut after that post...I'll be talking to your boss first thing Monday morning...


and yes, you do complain. Everyone does...

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Hahaha, this made me lol. There's like 5 spelling mistakes in the post.

does not mean your boss thinks your worth more

and just because you teach does not mean you are able to properly use contractions

thanks again for complaining about the fact that people complain...you're part of the solution! i mean your a part of the solution:rolleyes:

PS "valentine pirate" and "robyn@SYR"....exactly my point! if you don't like a topic, i have a wild idea: don't read...or post for that matter. valentinep, i'm sure you're a regular private eye, but i was just stating my opinion, forgive me for that. i'll shut up...i mean, this is a "forum", right? are you the moderator? should i run what i have to say by you first? is it ok with you for me to say that? ooops i didn't get your approval first...i forgot i live under the weight of communism....lighten up, people...go read some nancy drew if you want to solve "thinly disguised" whatnots