When we last left our intrepid adventurer, he was in search of a replacement cell phone, after having been chastised and belittled at the hands of the all-knowing, all-seeing Wicked Witch of the Device Service Center.
So, L and I get back into the truck and drive to the ATT store in our neighborhood. The whole drive, I feel like I need to be sitting on a hemorrhoid donut pillow, cause my ass is working button holes over the bullshit I just endured at the service center.
On the drive, L calmly asks me if I am going to go postal on the poor, unsuspecting customer service person at the store. I told her that I would remain calm and try to get some satisfaction out of his company, without disemboweling him.
We arrived at the store and after about a 10 minute wait, it was finally our turn. The nice young lad introduced himself, and after explaining my problem, we went to his computer to see if he could work some magic. After a few minutes of "hmmmmm and oooohhhing", he looked at me that said, " your fucked". Not really, but essentially that is what he meant.
As he put it:
I am not eligible for a free upgrade until December (Shit);
I don't have insurance on my phone (shit fuck shit);
The hag at the service center was correct, the manufacturer wont honor the warranty;
Seems the broken screens are the reason they don't even sell that model of phone anymore (LG Slide POS);
I can buy a new phone from them for $175 to get the same model (now why would I want to do that?);
I could buy any other phone in the store for full price (here comes the anal violation again);
He could hook me up with a basic, POS Nokia phone that looks like a kids toy for $40; (makes and receives calls and that is about it); or
I can go buy a Go Phone at one of the other retail establishments, slip my SIM chip into it, and viola, I have myself a new phone with the features I want, at least until December. ( hmmmm, getting a new phone and screwing the man at the same time.....)
Now Skippy didn't have to tell me this, cause it directly affects his commission, but he also is appreciative of the fact that the LG i had to buy last July out right and the LG has a design flaw which has caused it to break.
So after deciding to take Door #3 and get the Go Phone, Skippy transfers my info to a new SIM card so that i can insert it into the GO phone upon purchase. ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD AT THIS POINT, even though we have spent almost 2 hours getting to this point.
So it is off to Best Buy to talk to yet another pimply faced lad. I much waiting in line with the unwashed masses and toothless hilljacks that seemingly appear out of the woodwork on Sunday at this place, I am able to get the GO Phone. I purchase a Razr, just like L had, only a different color. No frigging way am I walking around with a Pink phone.
We swap the SIM card, power up the phone, and lo and behold, it recognizes the number and I am back in operation. Wait for it..........
Except, Skippy didn't transfer any or my address book to the SIM card, so now I have lost almost 200 numbers and contacts. FUCK FUCK FUCK.
Needless to say, it was Mother's Day, L's Mom was on her way to our house along with L's son and daughter-in-law, so we had to hustle home and BBQ. I would have rather went back to have a few words with Skippy but duty called. I was in a foul mood for the rest of the day, still having that violated feeling and even the six pack of Blue Moon with orange slices didnt do much to cheer me up. Oh well, live and learn from the experiences.
So if any of you has any bright ideas of how to recover numbers from a phone that you cant read the menu screen, I am all ears.
Have a nice day and as always comments are welcome.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Cellphone Hell - PArt 1
It's Monday, but yesterday sure felt like a Monday. Fucking wireless phone service......
I have been having trouble with my phone lately, not wanting to sync to the bluetooth and other little foibles that are just irritating enough to piss you off from time to time, but not enough to do anything about. After consultation with the pimply faced customer service tech at the local ATT store, he told me that my bluetooth problems were phone related and not operator error. He said that since the phone was less than one year old, i am entitled to a new phone. All this took place last week in the middle of my whirlwind tour of the Midwest.
Fast forward to Sat afternoon. L and I are working in the yard; mowing, weeding, mulching, you know the typical domestic stuff we all end up doing on the weekends because we don't even have time to scratch our ass during the week.
So I go to make a call to the ex to discuss schedules for dropping off the kid's Moms day present for her and lo and behold, the fucking screen on the phone is totally roached. There are colorful squiggly lines and pixels just floating about. I know I am screwed, but all i did was take it out of the holster. I didn't drop it, throw it, or spill my drink on it (although i did drop my last phone into a glass of fruit smoothie....) So i call the customer support line and get Apu"s mother on the line to walk me through the adventure of swapping the phone for a new one. After a lengthy conversation of her talking and me asking her to repeat herself in plain English every other second, I finally have an answer. Take it to the local device support center on Sunday or wait 3-5 days for the dolts to ship me a new phone.
So Sunday morning rolls around, L and I embark on a trip to exchange the phone. We arrive at the site, which is about mid point across the STL metro area from our home, and we wait for them to open. Once they opened, we are greeted by three less than cheerful staff who look upon us like we have violated them anally for even walking in the door.
Once it was mine turn to step to the counter, i am greeted with a look that says, " what the fuck do you want white man and don't be getting into my shit today". I explain my problem to the nice lady, even though i want to bitch slap her across the room. I hand her my phone to look at the screen display and she immediately hands it back to me and says, " the screen is cracked and that is considered physical damage and we can not exchange it on warranty. If you want a replacement phone it will cost you $175.00". I asked how can you tell it is cracked and she points to a faint flicker of color in the very corner of the screen and says that is the crack. WTF
Now I am pissed, but L squeezes my hand to keep me from going postal on this woman and I ask a few simple questions about an appeal process or other alternatives to my dilemma. I get an attitude like, " you are holding up the line, Cracker, move on and let my homies in."
Needless to say, I am left with no phone, (i will be damned if I am paying this bitch full price), and decide to take my dilemma elsewhere.
Part 2 tomorrow.
Comments always welcome
I have been having trouble with my phone lately, not wanting to sync to the bluetooth and other little foibles that are just irritating enough to piss you off from time to time, but not enough to do anything about. After consultation with the pimply faced customer service tech at the local ATT store, he told me that my bluetooth problems were phone related and not operator error. He said that since the phone was less than one year old, i am entitled to a new phone. All this took place last week in the middle of my whirlwind tour of the Midwest.
Fast forward to Sat afternoon. L and I are working in the yard; mowing, weeding, mulching, you know the typical domestic stuff we all end up doing on the weekends because we don't even have time to scratch our ass during the week.
So I go to make a call to the ex to discuss schedules for dropping off the kid's Moms day present for her and lo and behold, the fucking screen on the phone is totally roached. There are colorful squiggly lines and pixels just floating about. I know I am screwed, but all i did was take it out of the holster. I didn't drop it, throw it, or spill my drink on it (although i did drop my last phone into a glass of fruit smoothie....) So i call the customer support line and get Apu"s mother on the line to walk me through the adventure of swapping the phone for a new one. After a lengthy conversation of her talking and me asking her to repeat herself in plain English every other second, I finally have an answer. Take it to the local device support center on Sunday or wait 3-5 days for the dolts to ship me a new phone.
So Sunday morning rolls around, L and I embark on a trip to exchange the phone. We arrive at the site, which is about mid point across the STL metro area from our home, and we wait for them to open. Once they opened, we are greeted by three less than cheerful staff who look upon us like we have violated them anally for even walking in the door.
Once it was mine turn to step to the counter, i am greeted with a look that says, " what the fuck do you want white man and don't be getting into my shit today". I explain my problem to the nice lady, even though i want to bitch slap her across the room. I hand her my phone to look at the screen display and she immediately hands it back to me and says, " the screen is cracked and that is considered physical damage and we can not exchange it on warranty. If you want a replacement phone it will cost you $175.00". I asked how can you tell it is cracked and she points to a faint flicker of color in the very corner of the screen and says that is the crack. WTF
Now I am pissed, but L squeezes my hand to keep me from going postal on this woman and I ask a few simple questions about an appeal process or other alternatives to my dilemma. I get an attitude like, " you are holding up the line, Cracker, move on and let my homies in."
Needless to say, I am left with no phone, (i will be damned if I am paying this bitch full price), and decide to take my dilemma elsewhere.
Part 2 tomorrow.
Comments always welcome
Friday, May 8, 2009
Weary Traveler
Good afternoon to you all. I am finally back in the office, able to get back into some sort of regular routine after a whirlwind tour of the midwest by car.
According to Hertz, when i turned my rental car in this morning, I have driven almost 1,300 miles since MOnday morning, when i picked it up. That includes a trip to southeastern Iowa and back to STL, driving around STL Tuesday evening and Wed morning, then driving to Coffeyville, KS on Wed afternoon and back to STL last night.
THe trips were all work related and it was good to be out of the office and back in the field again, even if it was only for a few days.
L and I missed each other terribly and tried to communicate when we could, between meetings, work, kids, and sleep. But it seems like I inverably end up traveling to one or more places in the midwest that is void of any reliable cell phone coverage. It is like in the TV commercials; you are talking to someone, and constantly moving around the room or the parking lot trying to find just the right spot to get a clear and uninterrupted signal. On top of that, I was having trouble with my new bluetooth and it just made matters worse.
So here I am in the middle of BFE, trying to talk to my wife, not getting a signal, leaving messages (both voice and text) for her, and then it taking an hour or more for her to respond. Needless to say, I am wondering WTF is going on. I tend to do that alot. Need to learn to control the emotions.
Anyway, finally got home last night at 1030, to yet another steaming pile of excrement from one of her family. Not that we have to do anything, but just the fact that her brother has gotten himself into trouble, yet again and she is upset, makes it tough on us. Somewhere, sometime in the last 26 months since we have been together, we got appointed mediators and intermediaries for every fucking family crisis. Well that shit ends today.....they can all go suck on a tailpipe for all I care. I am not going to have L or I stroking out from stress and high blood pressure simply because everyone else is either too dumb, self-centered, or selfish to take care of their own shit and expect us to help them out. FUCK THAT SHIT. YOU ARE ALL ON YOUR OWN NOW DAMMIT.
On a brighter note, L and I have the weekend to ourselves again. We are meeting a couple tonight for drinks and maybe more. Then have a wedding to go to tomorrow evening. Wish us luck.
According to Hertz, when i turned my rental car in this morning, I have driven almost 1,300 miles since MOnday morning, when i picked it up. That includes a trip to southeastern Iowa and back to STL, driving around STL Tuesday evening and Wed morning, then driving to Coffeyville, KS on Wed afternoon and back to STL last night.
THe trips were all work related and it was good to be out of the office and back in the field again, even if it was only for a few days.
L and I missed each other terribly and tried to communicate when we could, between meetings, work, kids, and sleep. But it seems like I inverably end up traveling to one or more places in the midwest that is void of any reliable cell phone coverage. It is like in the TV commercials; you are talking to someone, and constantly moving around the room or the parking lot trying to find just the right spot to get a clear and uninterrupted signal. On top of that, I was having trouble with my new bluetooth and it just made matters worse.
So here I am in the middle of BFE, trying to talk to my wife, not getting a signal, leaving messages (both voice and text) for her, and then it taking an hour or more for her to respond. Needless to say, I am wondering WTF is going on. I tend to do that alot. Need to learn to control the emotions.
Anyway, finally got home last night at 1030, to yet another steaming pile of excrement from one of her family. Not that we have to do anything, but just the fact that her brother has gotten himself into trouble, yet again and she is upset, makes it tough on us. Somewhere, sometime in the last 26 months since we have been together, we got appointed mediators and intermediaries for every fucking family crisis. Well that shit ends today.....they can all go suck on a tailpipe for all I care. I am not going to have L or I stroking out from stress and high blood pressure simply because everyone else is either too dumb, self-centered, or selfish to take care of their own shit and expect us to help them out. FUCK THAT SHIT. YOU ARE ALL ON YOUR OWN NOW DAMMIT.
On a brighter note, L and I have the weekend to ourselves again. We are meeting a couple tonight for drinks and maybe more. Then have a wedding to go to tomorrow evening. Wish us luck.
Friday, May 1, 2009
TGIF, I think
Friday, the day that we all look forward to from the beginning of the work week. The day that we can't wait to end, so that we can have Saturday and Sunday to goof off, sleep, eat, drink, and whatever else it is that we do on the weekends.
Today, I am exhausted. I have been on the go since last Thursday, with family activities, a work trip to the Nevada Desert, plane travel, evening activities every night since i got home, and a full weekend ahead of me with the kids.
On top of that, it is rainy here in STL, and it isn't suppose to get any better before next Thursday, and I have another week of business travel ahead of me next week. Then next week is Mother's Day, baseball games for the kids, and a wedding that L and I are attending. At least we can relax and get snookered at the wedding on Sat. night.
On the bright side, SH1 and the stepdaughter are planning on getting a house closer to his work so them and the spawn can live together. Hey, at least they are out of my house. I don't see it lasting, and he has already told her the condition numero uno is that she get off her ass and get a job to help with the bills. Spawn goes into to day care so he can learn some basic socialization skills and there will be limits on spending. Hooray for him. But I will believe it when i see it.
L and I plan on dancing through the house naked and re-christen every room when she is gone.
Until who knows when. Y'all have a good weekend.
Comments are always welcome.
Today, I am exhausted. I have been on the go since last Thursday, with family activities, a work trip to the Nevada Desert, plane travel, evening activities every night since i got home, and a full weekend ahead of me with the kids.
On top of that, it is rainy here in STL, and it isn't suppose to get any better before next Thursday, and I have another week of business travel ahead of me next week. Then next week is Mother's Day, baseball games for the kids, and a wedding that L and I are attending. At least we can relax and get snookered at the wedding on Sat. night.
On the bright side, SH1 and the stepdaughter are planning on getting a house closer to his work so them and the spawn can live together. Hey, at least they are out of my house. I don't see it lasting, and he has already told her the condition numero uno is that she get off her ass and get a job to help with the bills. Spawn goes into to day care so he can learn some basic socialization skills and there will be limits on spending. Hooray for him. But I will believe it when i see it.
L and I plan on dancing through the house naked and re-christen every room when she is gone.
Until who knows when. Y'all have a good weekend.
Comments are always welcome.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Work'in for the Weekend
Well it is Friday and it is gonna be one of those weekends. Non-stop, rock-em, sock-em action, with plenty of drinking to go along with it.
My daughter is celebrating her first communion on Sunday and my sister and brother in law are in town. Actually the party started yesterday with free tickets to see the Cards kick the Mets ass on a sunny afternoon at Busch. Nothing like free tickets.
The ex's family is also all coming in for it and there will be a big reception/party at her(my old) house on Sunday after Church. It will certainly be interesting. We generally get along, but this will be the first time her sister and brother will have met L.
In the meantime, we are having my sis and brother over for dinner tonight, they are going to decorate A's room with new curtains and matching linens. Tomorrow, we are going to go to the big farmers market and just hang out.
Sunday is the festivities and then I will have to do yard work and pack for my business trip on Monday to the desert of Nevada. Only redeeming thing about it is the night in Reno on Tuesday before coming home on Wed.
Hope you all have a glorious weekend.
As always, comments or emails are welcome.
My daughter is celebrating her first communion on Sunday and my sister and brother in law are in town. Actually the party started yesterday with free tickets to see the Cards kick the Mets ass on a sunny afternoon at Busch. Nothing like free tickets.
The ex's family is also all coming in for it and there will be a big reception/party at her(my old) house on Sunday after Church. It will certainly be interesting. We generally get along, but this will be the first time her sister and brother will have met L.
In the meantime, we are having my sis and brother over for dinner tonight, they are going to decorate A's room with new curtains and matching linens. Tomorrow, we are going to go to the big farmers market and just hang out.
Sunday is the festivities and then I will have to do yard work and pack for my business trip on Monday to the desert of Nevada. Only redeeming thing about it is the night in Reno on Tuesday before coming home on Wed.
Hope you all have a glorious weekend.
As always, comments or emails are welcome.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Spring
Well Spring has officially arrived in STL. It is nice during the week; sunny and warm and driving everyone cooped up in the office "batshit crazy". then the weekend rolls around and it frigging pours all day and night and you would think Noah was getting ready for start gathering the animals.
On top of all that, we have the whole hay fever bullshit to deal with. I did not use to be bothered by hay fever and allergies, but as I have so ungracefully aged, it feels like I have a bug crawling around in my nose and i go through these fits of sneezing and coughing up a lung every morning to clear my airways. Lovely sight, I know.
I am too stubborn and lazy to go to the doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. Besides all those assholes what to do is keep you coming back every month or two for shots or a prescription refill for the full strength, kick in the ass, antihistamine. You know, the ones that you have to be fingerprinted and cavity searched to be able to buy. Thank you very fucking much, meth scum.
But instead, I will buy the cheap, diluted over the counter antihistamine and just double and triple up on those bad boys until my nose is so dry, i can blow sand out of it.
Ah Spring.....don't you just love it.
On a positive side, I do love spring and all the fashion changes that occur. NO I AM NOT GAY. I am a man who admires a nice pair of legs and feet. Spring brings out skirts, dresses, and sandals. Got to love the painted and sexy toes.
Comments?
On top of all that, we have the whole hay fever bullshit to deal with. I did not use to be bothered by hay fever and allergies, but as I have so ungracefully aged, it feels like I have a bug crawling around in my nose and i go through these fits of sneezing and coughing up a lung every morning to clear my airways. Lovely sight, I know.
I am too stubborn and lazy to go to the doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. Besides all those assholes what to do is keep you coming back every month or two for shots or a prescription refill for the full strength, kick in the ass, antihistamine. You know, the ones that you have to be fingerprinted and cavity searched to be able to buy. Thank you very fucking much, meth scum.
But instead, I will buy the cheap, diluted over the counter antihistamine and just double and triple up on those bad boys until my nose is so dry, i can blow sand out of it.
Ah Spring.....don't you just love it.
On a positive side, I do love spring and all the fashion changes that occur. NO I AM NOT GAY. I am a man who admires a nice pair of legs and feet. Spring brings out skirts, dresses, and sandals. Got to love the painted and sexy toes.
Comments?
Friday, April 17, 2009
When does it end?
I pose this question to you.....
AT WHAT POINT DO YOU DECIDE THAT YOUR CHILD IS SO WORTHLESS AND BEYOND REDEMPTION THAT YOU CUT YOUR LOSSES AND KICK THEM OUT OF THE HOUSE.
AT WHAT POINT DO YOU DECIDE THAT YOUR CHILD IS SO WORTHLESS AND BEYOND REDEMPTION THAT YOU CUT YOUR LOSSES AND KICK THEM OUT OF THE HOUSE.
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