Meami Craig blog
Dr. Meami Craig is a proud Rochester native and has been the on-air Lifestyles Editor on "Tony and Dee in the Morning" on WRMM-FM (101.3) for the past 12 years. A graduate of Harvard University with a doctorate in psychology, Meami is married and mom to two children in college. She is "fascinated by all things human" and is known for her down-to-earth attitude and sense of humor on the air. Listen to her from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday mornings on WRMM and call in live to tell her what you think. She can be emailed at meami_craig@yahoo.com.
Trouble at Finger Lakes Race Track
There's trouble at Finger Lakes Race Track! My husband Bob and I usually go out there once a year or so, to have lunch, eat in the Clubhouse, enjoy a little time in the sunshine, see the horses in the paddock, etc. We decided for the first time to go out on Opening Day this year, Saturday April 19th. What a shock! The place was packed, teaming with people like us wanting to enjoy the festivities of the first day they opened their doors for the season. Now let me make clear that we are not complaining people, we just like to have fun and don't go looking for problems! To start, there were a total of TWO waitresses on duty that day for the entire Clubhouse dining area! Every table with a TV on it and a view of the track had been reserved, and the rest of the place was full too, so people were on a waiting list to get in. Still, management did not open the entire area and everyone was squeezeed into the first section only, while prime tables with TV's and a view of the racetrack sat empty. We were sitting there an hour and a half before a waitress even came on duty in our section! Then she only took orders for part of the section we were in, never coming to our table at all. Guests were pouring their own water, there was no chance of getting an actual beverage, and everyone was helping themselves to the paltry lunch buffet that was set out. Ordering from the menu was not a possibility. I know from experience that on Sunday they set out a great brunch buffet, complete with white wedding-like cake that is still my favorite and my daughter's too! Saturday it's not so good--bland potatoes, poor quality roast beef, and dried out brownies for dessert. My husband--who never gets mad about anything, trust me--finally got up and said he was going to go to a concession stand to get himself a beer and me a diet coke--and the stand closest to us was closed! Mind you, there were very long lines at the few food/drink stands that were open, to the tune of a 20 minute wait! Our waitress finally came out again all apologies to all, and she looked like she had been crying so out of pure compassion for her we said nothing to her or to anyone about the ordeal we had been through. People all around us were gearing up to berate her, so to avoid that negativity we decided to pay our bill as quickly as possible and go sit outside away from all the problems. Well, how long do you think it took us to get out bill?!? We NEVER did! About half an hour later, one of the managers came out and told us, without us asking, that he was very sorry and our meal was comped--he went from table to table comping meals. My husband is in business and he kept saying the real financial loss came from the money they could have made that day--we were only two people and if they had any real wait service we probably would have easily spent $50 or more on food and drink! Now for some constructive suggestions for track management of all levels: when you publicize Opening Day on TV be ready for it. Take an ad out in the sports section of the D&C promoting it too. Be overloaded with wait staff and have every single concession stand open all day for the big crowd that is expected. Improve your food quality and variety and you will get a reputation as a great place to eat while you watch the horses race. The bottom line: be prepared and act as if you care about your patrons. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAnd they're off!!!
Catching A Great Springtime Mood!
You can put that snowbrush in your car away at last! Spring has arrived here in Rochester! I drove by the pansy garden at Highland Park this week and there were workers in purple hats and matching tee shirts planting plenty! Besides just walking around outside and sniffing the fresh spring air, here are three quick ways to enjoy a great mood TODAY!
First, just look in the mirror and smile at yourself . Yes, that's right! Studies show people who start each morning by smiling at themselves in the mirror, corny as that sounds, rate themselves as being happier than those frowners or poker faces out there among you!
This is especially true for folks who smile at themselves on days when they don't even feel like smiling at all, so try it soon, and see what happens!
Next, did you know that certain foods are scientifically proven to help you fight depresssion? And no, it's not chocolate! It's spicy salsa! Research reveals that when you eat tongue tingling foods like nachos and salsa, the spices produce a heat in your mouth that acts as a stimulus to your brain's pleasure nodes. So load up on those jalapeno peppers if you want to eat your way into a real good mood! Sounds good to me--just grab the maalox!
And finally, if you want to get into a good mood in a hurry do some crossword puzzles or play a word game. Try games like Balderdash and Pictionary in particular. And why? They'll always boost your self-confidence--which always creates a good mood. Is there something that you do to get in a happy springtime mood? Do you take in a Red Wings game or have a nice walk in the warm spring rain? Let us know right here! Thanks!
How to Toot Your Own Horn!
There's a great new book out by author Peggy Klaus, entitled "Brag: The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It". In it, she gives tips for bringing positive attention to yourself without being obvious about it. For example, someone might ask you "What's new with you?" Never look down and say "nothing." Instead, talk about a challenge you recently overcame, no matter how small it might be. For example, I would say, "I blogged for "her" magazine today, and actually figured out how to do that on my computer!" A small achievement every time, no doubt, but an achievement for me everytime I am actually able to push the right buttons on my computer to do it!
Another trick is to forgo all naysaying. Thoughts can become reality and if you think you can or cannot do it, you are right either way! For example, at a meeting never say anything like, "Well, this is probably a stupid idea, but.." Instead, say something exuding confidence like, "I think I have an idea that may work." The only reason people second guess themselves aloud anyway is because they think it lowers other people's expectations of them..it's like speaking on a tight rope and you want to make sure the net is right there to catch you. Get on that tightrope with no net the next time you want to convey an idea that you have! This goes for talking with your husband about how to get the baby potty trained and it goes for chairing a corporate board meeting too! Words have power and self-talk is particularly powerful. Be decisive in your speech and watch things change in your life almost immediately!
Finally, give everything you say a good spin! Make like the political candidiates or the pundits on TV! To get comfortable tooting your own horn, take a few minutes and come up with a couple of sound bites about your life and activities. You may want to say something like, "I'm a soccer mom who mountain climbs when I'm not behind the wheel of the car." Then the trick is to really DO it! :-)
