I might as well confess that I accomplished nothing on my to do list yesterday. In my defense, however, I did attempt to take my car to get inspected but then realized I’d left my current proof of insurance at home. And by “left it at home” I mean I’ve never actually printed out the new one and the one in my glove compartment has been expired for months.
I’m also a little concerned that my car may not pass inspection because something is a little off with the left blinker. It only works when you hold it a certain way when you push it down. Apparently it’s been like that for weeks but I didn’t notice it until P pointed it out the other day. I figure I can just become like P’s grandmother who was known to map out her driving routes based on the way that required the least amount of left hand turns. And really, where do I go besides HEB and the pool?
Although I desperately need to get out to Nordstrom because they’re having their semi-annual sale and I need to look at all the things on sale that I won’t even know I want unless I see the incredibly marked down prices.
On a totally different note, look what came in the mail!
In case you don’t know what that is, I’ll tell you. It’s power. Pure media power.
According to the directions I’m supposed to start recording what we watch beginning this Thursday.
Those poor Nielsen folks don’t know they’re going to get a diary dedicated to old episodes of 90210, The Bachelorette, a bunch of hunting shows that contain the words “wild” or “adventure” in the title, Nascar, and every episode of Johnny Quest that has ever been broadcast because Caroline is addicted to Johnny Quest and we have them all on our DVR.
Basically, I don’t feel like our household is really going to help them get their finger on the pulse of American television viewing habits, which is kind of a shame because look what they sent to compensate us for a week of laboriously documenting our watched programs.
That is five American dollars. In cash.
Don’t think I’m not taking it with me to Nordstrom later this week.
If I can figure out a way to get there without making any left turns.
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johnny quest. oh the memories.
my friend’s husband taped over their second child’s birth accidently. to tape what? why the johnny quest marathon of course!
We were choosen by Neilsen last year but they came and hooked us up to their computer which recorded our viewing.
They said they’d done away with the diary method…..are you sure this is the real deal?
are they paying you…..we were paid after each six months.
Ah, the question is the “new” Johnny Quest or the original (and in my mind only good) Johnny Quest. Ah the Saturday mornings that I watched those when I was growing up. Who cared about Johnny, I just wanted to see Race Banyon.
You got hosed, Big Mama! We did the Nielsen viewing diary a few months ago and they paid us $30!! But, all they got was American Idol and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. So, I think we came out better in the end.
Please watch Kings on NBC. I love it and keep hearing that they are cancelling it. Who doesn’t want to watch an inaccurate, modern version of King David? Ok…maybe you can just leave it on when you leave the house on Sat. night.
We were chosen for the Nielson Ratings about 15 yrs ago. I’m thinking we got $1. It may have been five, but I’m not sure. I remember it being very crisp. Of course, we didn’t have as many channels to decide from back in the day.
My husband is right there with ya on Uncle Ted. I don’t remember the name of “Lee & Tiffany’s” show, but he loves it too. Or maybe he just loves Tiffany?
5 whole dollars! Don’t go spending it all at once now! LOL!
My mom, who actually sold real estate for a time, requiring her to drive all over the city, totally planned her routes based on few-to-no left turns! SO funny!
Why, yes, I plan my driving based on the fewest possible left turns. In fact, my right turn blinker burned out. Not the left one, you understand. My son, who thinks this is hilarious, almost had me convinced that Google Maps had a “no left turn” option for directions.
Maybe I’m your grandma?
I could use $5. I don’t have a TV but that would be good feedback for them, don’t you think?! I noticed that Starbucks is giving away a free pastry with a drink purchase today at participating stores (you can print a coupon)- I hope you don’t have to make any left turns!
I was supposed to be a Nielsen household a while back … they came and tried to hook up the special box but could never quite get it to work after multiple visits. I was a little disappointed, but I would never have agreed to it if I had actually had to keep a diary. I still got to keep my $5 though!
They also made me sign some confidentiality agreement swearing I wouldn’t tell anyone I was a Nielsen family — better be careful
Good luck with that, I hope they like your diary and you can continue with getting $5 each time!! I didn’t know Nordstrom was having a sale!! Thanks!
Wow! 5 whole dollars!! When I did the tv diary a couple years ago, I only got $1. Thank you Nielsen people for helping jumpstart the economy!!
Ohhh hilarious! I need to get in on this. I’m all about getting $5. haha!!
When I worked for NBC, we used to snort at the Nielsens, because we knew the system was flawed.
We just didn’t know how flawed.
(Although, for the record, we lived and died by them all the same. They are the only ratings system out there, so for right now, they control everything. The future of our country is in your hands.)
I LOVE Jonny Quest. Caroline has some good taste.
Personally, summer seems like the worst time to ask what people watch on tv. Mostly it’s all repeats. no? No new episodes of the real stuff that makes you decide to sacrifice family conversation in order to hunker down in front of “The Biggest Loser” with a dinner plate balanced on your knees. Maybe that’s just me.
Can’t wait to see the picture of what you get for $5…does Caroline go shopping with you? My upcoming 1st grader is horrid when I have to shop (and let’s face it…it is always a HAVE to)…
And what is happening with the sister of a friend who made the awesome necklace you wore when you met Kelly Stamps? I am waiting…trying to be patient…but getting slightly anxious (not really)!
Have a great Tuesday!
Paige
I love the no left turns! They make the drive so much longer sometimes, having to sit at lights. And it’s summer…what do they expect to hear about your viewing pleasure. If my household had to do it, it would come back with every episode of any type of forensic show- everything from Law and Order to Bones, even House.
Lindsey
You got hornswaggled! We did Nielsen last year and received $30 cash … apparently the economy has hit them hard, too
I can get nearly anywhere without making a left turn, especially Nordstroms where they have those stupid round-abouts instead of intersections in the parking lot!
I once passed an inspection with a non-working left hand turn signal. They tried to fail me but I told them my left arm was my turn signal and they were forced by law to pass me.
Haha! Now don’t spend it all in one place
I have a friend whose mother would never take a left turn. Never. She managed to raise four relatively normal (albeit rather neurotic) children, and always got them to all their ball games and practices and sleepovers, though it must have taken her about twice as long. Apparently, she was the most popular carpool mom because driving with her was such an adventure.
That’s more than Arbitron paid us for our radio-listening diary. I think we got $3. Go nuts.
You must make your way to the nordstrom sale right now! I went the first day…unfortunatly had no chance to actually shop for myself since I had three wiggly boys with me.(well I did get myself one pair of shoes…but that doesnt count) I looked on line and they had some adorable dresses on sale! I just love Nordstrom…I used to live 5 minutes from the San Antonio one and would go to lunch there with my boys all the time!
My college roommate was scared to death of left turns so she’d make 3 right hand turns instead to get going in the right direction (at each L turn!!) Precious memories
Can’t wait to hear what you do with the big buckaroos!
LOL $5.00! That’s for the whole family’s viewing habits? You can buy a pair of socks. Thin ones. On sale. Congrats!
RF
http://www.withnakedfeet.blogspot.com
You could live a good life just going to HEB (love it!!!) and the pool.
Have you seen the new ABC show, Dating in the Dark? It comes on right after the Bachelorette on Tuesday nights. I was interested in hearing your thoughts on it! Happy Tuesday!
You do have your finger on the pulse of the average American tv viewer…we like many of the same shows! I love your tv viewing choices! Thanks for representing people like the the husband and I.
~ Ali
I’ve never commented – fairly new to Big Mama’s world!! I think you are funny!
We were a very proud Neilsen family back in the spring –it’s a bit of work those diaries but I SO understand your feeling of pride and power. My husband wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic about the media project and left me to complete the logs by myself – quite the task given our 3 TV’s and varied show preferences. All was well – I took claim of the five bucks – and happily spent it all in one place! Have Fun and rest assured you have the full support of a fellow Nielsen family! Log those shows girl!
We got to be a Neilson family once. I’m pretty sure we were a huge disappointment. We watch two hours a day tops and most of it was PBS. I don’t remember getting any money tho.
I’m so jealous of you and your diary power!! My husband is a member of our local media, so we’re banned from sharing our TV viewing habits. Guess they’re afraid that only KXII programming will show up. Enjoy and don’t let that moulah burn a hole in your pocket!!
We’re taking part in an Arbitron radio ratings study this week. So far, they’ve sent us $10 cash. It’s been pretty lucrative.
Have fun shopping!
Please enlighten me as to what HEB is. I haven’t a clue what you are talking about!
We did the Nielson thing a few months back. They did have people hooking up machines to the TVs for a while, but I don’t think it’s exclusive yet. My BIL is one of the ones doing the installs around here, and he didn’t come to my house lol. The diaries are pains.
As for inspections, just move to Oklahoma. We did away with them! Now any sort of nonworking pollutant-spewing car can be on the streets. It’s fab.
Mine came yesterday too – with $30 bucks! You got screwed.
Hmm. Perhaps you can get a sock at Nordstrom’s for five dollars! If it’s on sale, that is.
We were chosen by Neilson ten years ago and were paid $4.00. The week we were to keep the diary I gave birth to twins. I don’t remember what I filled out. I let my seven year old daughter do it for me. I’m sure when they saw the handwriting they thought it was filled out by a serial killer.
I did this once in college.
MTV had a major rating spike.
Shameful.
When we were a “Nielson Family” years ago we got $2. You are in high cotton. Maybe you can afford the Jelly of the Month club. According to Cousin Eddie, it is the gift that keeps on giving.
I’m married to a man who will not make left turns unless there is no way around it. Doesn’t matter if you go miles out of the way. I practically race him to the driver’s seat anytime we’re going out together because I cannot stand the suspense any longer. We’ve become that little old couple where the tiny little white haired lady is driving by looking through the steering wheel – too short to look over it. My only hope is that at least I haven’t started driving a huge old land yacht yet and I’m not sporting a bubble “do”. For years that’s all you could see of my mom when she was driving – a big white bubble do over the top of the steering wheel. No driver, just some spray starched hair coming your way.
Pennies a day on the blog AND $5 for TV? I expect to watch your infomercial titled “How To Become A Millionaire on Your Bum” soon.
P’s Meemaw is way ahead of her time…UPS does their routes all by right-hand turns only. Or so I’ve heard.
I see they haven’t raised the salary any since I was in college.
I did this during finals week my senior year. Which means I watched almost nothing. Which means I felt a horrible sense of guilt for not being able to document my addiction to Law and Order and Thirtysomething and wrote the Nielsen people a long essay about how it was finals week but were it not, here is what I would usually watch.
Because even during finals week, I obviously had too much time on my hands.
Geez, I got mine today too, and it contained only $2.00. I explained to the person who called asking me to participate several weeks ago that we don’t watch much beyond FOX news, but she insisted that that was what they “needed to know.” Go figure.
Target. You forgot Target. Unless of course you’ve boycotted them for relocating outside your driving parameter.
Can you make it there without any left turns?
ok, i’ve been a lurker for a while but your last post regarding veronica mars forced me out of hiding.(although our shared love of tammy taylor nearly did.) i am mostly unashamed to say that i am a grown woman who is envious of veronica mars’ clever quips and teen coolness. if only nielson would have known what a gem she is . . .
p.s.
you’ll find this interesting. i know a girl who actually met wes from the bachelorette and he claims abc framed him into looking like a jerk!
We also did the nielson ratings last week and received $2 in the mail with the intial letter, and $30 when we received our booklets. Just a stab in the dark but do you think it has anything to do with the number of tv’s you have? We have 4 tv’s and 2 dvr’s.
Wow, I guess the payment has gone up. When I received the Neilson ratings about 20 years ago, I think I got about a dollar for my participation back then.
HEB is a grocery store, primarily in south Texas (Houston, San Antonio, etc.) It’s great!
I’ve heard the same thing about UPS making only right turns. They claim their drivers can make faster deliveries, because they’re not waiting at red lights!
My husband did the Nielson survey thing..We didn’t fill much out, cause we dvr a lot too, but they did send us $30.00!
That is really cool that you got chosen to do that! My husband works in the news business and I always complain when ratings come out because I have never gotten to fill one of those out, much less have known anyone that has! Good to see that they actually do send them out. I still don’t understand how that can be very accurate! Anyway, enjoy being one of the chosen few! HA!
We just did that a few months ago. It was kind of a lot of work, but bless dh’s heart he filled out the diary. He said we got the $5 too.
Oh we were a Nielsen family! We had the fancy box hooked up to our TV. They hated me! I would turn cartoons on for the kids and leave it on the same channel for days at a time. The poor guy thought the thing was broken and came to hook up a new one! I told him no, I watched TV in the other room, that TV he hooked it up to was the kids TV and they only watched one or two channels!
I think we got like $50/6 months plus some cheezy prizes. It was a pain but we dealt with it for over a year.
I just had to comment, because my blinker(left) does the SAME thing. I must fix it. But I could make it to Nordstroms first, I don’t think I have to make any left turns! ha!
Okay, I was thinking that when I did the tv diary they sent me $10.00. Now I’m hearing all these others got $30.00! What’s that about?? Oh well… they got lots of documentation on how much college girls loved Law & Order and the Golden Girls back then.
Oh Melanie,
You got ripped off. Next time they call to ask if you will fill out the Neilson booklet ask for more money…I got $30 last time and $20 the time before. Negotiate, girl, your time is worth more than $5!
I did this diary but never got any cash with it. But I did receive a piece of paper saying one I return the diary I would receive $50. I did the diary back in I think MAY and I still have to receive my $50. I have called aprox 6 times now to inquire on where my money is. 2 of thos call have been today and then 2 weeks ago. 2 weeks ago they had trouble finding my info and finaly found it and suposdly I was entered in under the radio diary for some reason and they made some kind of change and fowarded my info on and said I should be receiving a letter about my issue. today they had even a harder time finding my info. she said she fowarded my info in a e-mail and I should hear from someone soon. lets see if that is true as I was suposed to get a letter or something from my last call and 2 weeks later nothing. If they contact me again in the future I will tell them they have to pay me up front or I dont particpate and that I deserve more.
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