After three years of having first level status on two different airlines, I was tired of just having the equivalent of “silver” or “gold” status. I wanted platinum status on airlines. I was sick of always going to the airport and knowing I’d only get lounge access because of Chris’s Qantas club membership or because of his oneworld sapphire status. And then this past year, from both work and fun travel, I gained my own platinum status. And my platinum status card arrived in the mail today! I’d finally get into lounges in my own right!

Wrong. The pamphlet that accompanied my platinum card said I would get oneworld partner airline access — only if flying abroad on either American Airlines or partner airlines. And unfortunately, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and anywhere in the Caribbean do not count as “international” destinations. When I am flying my cross country flights from New York City to San Francisco, I will get no lounge access. When I take flights for work to Atlanta or Fort Lauderdale, no lounge access for me.

I called an AA Platinum representative and lectured her about how little logic there was in granting American Airlines platinum members access to partner lounges on international flights but no lounge access too American Airline platinum members on domestic flights. The domestic flights will be the majority of the flights I will be taking — I live in this country, and that’s why I’m loyal to this domestic airline! Why can’t you people understand this? She gave a sympathetic sigh and said there was nothing she could do since it also didn’t make much sense to her, but she couldn’t change or make the rules. And then she asked if I wanted to purchase lounge access for $450 this year (discounted from $500 for non-status members) or pay 65,000 miles.

They are getting no more of my money. They get enough as is.

Yesterday, I redeemed my Sephora coupon for a complimentary makeover. It was set to expire next month, and I had no idea when else I’d want to have my makeup professionally done. The makeup artist who was working on me asked what kind of look I was going for. I told her I was going out to celebrate my birthday last night, so I wanted a birthday look that maybe would play up my eyes. Can we go for the “smoky eye” look? And so she proceeded to spend the next 90 minutes working on my face. The request for “light” skin coverage apparently wasn’t heard or was just ignored.

When she was done and gave me the mirror, I looked at my reflection in complete shock. I could barely recognize myself. I think those are my eyes, and that’s my nose, but now my nose looks a bit distorted because of all the foundation. I looked like a vampy, exotic Asian, with eyes that were almost made to look slanted up. I had to ask her to tone that down, so she altered it slightly.

My friend told me last night that she thought I looked amazing, that the only reason I didn’t like it was because I just wasn’t used to seeing myself made up like this. Now I know what I do not want as a wedding look, or any look ever again.

Since the engagement, I’ve been subscribing to different wedding websites and their daily/weekly updates. They’re supposed to be giving me ideas for what to do for my “big day.” While it has certainly done this, it’s also clogged my inbox full of a lot of ideas, thoughts, and sayings that really are either not helpful at all or are so obvious that I’d have to think that the majority of people who read this must be stupid to otherwise not know this stuff.

The latest “cool” email I’ve received is titled, “We’re calling the best wedding songs of 2015 now.” Why would anyone want to choose a wedding song that is supposed to be an “it” song of the year? I thought that the first dance wedding song was supposed to be a song that was special and meant something to that particular couple? If you have been together for at least two years, wouldn’t your song… be a bit older than the year you are getting married? Why would you want your wedding song to be something that is just “in” for the moment or the year? I’d hope it isn’t a reflection of your union..

Now I know why a lot of people just suck it up and pay the per person head count for the venue they choose. I just found out how painful it can be to source an external caterer.

One place I am looking at has a “preferred external caterer” list. If you do not use one of these preferred vendors, you will be charged an extra $1,000 AUD just for them to be vetted to ensure that they have their food license and follow proper sanitation and food guidelines.

Some of these caterers do not offer alcohol. Some offer just beer and wine. What does that mean — I have to source my own alcohol? Oh, and then some don’t offer dessert table spreads and just do plated desserts (of course, this usually costs more). And if you choose external catering, the actual venue just charges you an insanely high “venue hire” fee, and all they will do is literally give you the space, tables, and cutlery (and the paper towels in the bathroom… yes, it’s that explicit and noted in the “what’s included?” section of the form. They won’t cut your cake. They certainly won’t serve it. And they will charge you a per-hour fee for added security. I guess hiring an external caterer increases the chance of crime?!