OMG, I cannot believe I'm going to say this...I'm so glad the weather is suppose to be crappy this weekend. We had plans to go climbing and I'm just too tired to make the trip.
I'm certain I would have fun if we were to get out and climb outside, but we've been burning the candle at both ends -- we're almost out of wax. In fact, we have not grocery shopped in probably three weeks. I'm serious...three weeks. Our pantry is even starting to look empty. While we could probably make something to feed us if we had no money or other food resources, there is diminishing items of nutritional value in the cupboards.
Okay, now for my end-of-the-world story. I finally contacted a company that will install Solar Panels. Sara got me a subscription to Home Power and now I want to get a solar water heater, and electricity. You are probably wondering what does getting solar power have to do with the end-of-the-world? Well, unlike Y2K were I wasn't even remotely concerned about it, with the rising cost of gas, fresh produce, and even getting to work, I've come to believe that thanks to the <sarcasm>great leadership</sarcasm> of George W. Bush and his faithful band of idiots, we are doomed to suffer another Great Depression.
Sara thinks that we are fortunate that there is going to be a change of leadership soon that will help to alleviate a major depression. And of course we are so certain that only the most extremely zealous and thoughtless are going to vote for McCain and another four years of a war that should never have been.
Okay...that is my interpretation of what Sara thinks -- she'd be a lot more elegant in her choice of words. Anyway, I need to get the ivy cleared from my yard, and cut back a few more car loads of blackberry bushes, and then maybe I can start my garden. Oh and we are trying to buy a climbing gym, and we have a couple of businesses running, and I am also trying to master my new hobby of Spanish.
Huh...when you write it all down, it almost seems like I need to cut back a bit.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Sooo Sore
While Sara was out climbing I decided to stay home and do some yard work. I started at 7:30 in the morning by starting a small fire (my fire permit only allows for a four foot diameter fire) which burned very hot and in a counter clockwise path burned the two year old yard waste. I actually had to pull some dried alder from our wood pile to get the fire to burn because the moisture was still very high.
I proceeded to start cutting out large sections of blackberry bushes. I swear I burned down a pile of vines that was a couple cars large. I had dreamed that I would get all the blackberry bushes in the front yard and it wouldn't be too much work. Well after six hours I can hardly tell that I did any work at all. It is really just depressing. , and my body is still sore two days later.
I figured being the kind of person that likes to hike, and rock climb I should be in pretty good shape for the yard work. Apparently that is just not the case, and I'm looking forward to more rest. The last time I was this sore, I road my bike 110 miles from Bellingham to Bellevue.
I proceeded to start cutting out large sections of blackberry bushes. I swear I burned down a pile of vines that was a couple cars large. I had dreamed that I would get all the blackberry bushes in the front yard and it wouldn't be too much work. Well after six hours I can hardly tell that I did any work at all. It is really just depressing. , and my body is still sore two days later.
I figured being the kind of person that likes to hike, and rock climb I should be in pretty good shape for the yard work. Apparently that is just not the case, and I'm looking forward to more rest. The last time I was this sore, I road my bike 110 miles from Bellingham to Bellevue.
Monday, March 03, 2008
InDirecTv
I have found that companies that try playing games with me is simply unacceptable. For years Sara and I paid a monthly bill to a satellite television corporation. In June of 2007 I called to cancel my programming. As is the custom of these corporations they want to keep you as a customer. I said I just wanted to cancel the account, but they persistent and I finally let them "Park" my account for six months. What I didn't know was that they would reactivate my account without contacting me, and start billing me for the service after that period.
This weekend I happened to open a letter from this television distribution corporation and saw a bill for $125. My first thought was, "What the Hell?" I was certain that I closed that account, and I had no intention of continuing service. My second thought was, "Good thing I didn't just dump this in the recycling like I usually do." I proceeded to call the service center to find out what was going on.
A very nice and polite lady took my call. She was more than willing to help me but she said I either owed them $125, or I had to pay back a $150 credit that they gave to me. They gave me $150? I don't remember cashing that check, and my bill was paid up when I closed my account. I didn't use the service that they were charging me for so how could I owe them any money? I was a bit irritated, and told her I didn't owe them anything, but could she please get a supervisor. I didn't feel the service rep was responsible for such poor business practices and I didn't want to be yelling at her. Already my voice had been getting harsh.
After making me wait for nearly five minutes, "Chris" my service rep supervisor got on the line. Now, "Chris" didn't sound to be the brightest bulb, but I suppose he could have been educated thru high school. He tried, as the service rep did, to convince me that I owed them money. I let him speak his bit, and then responded, "Look, the only reason I let you 'Park' my account was because I was being badgered and I just wanted to get off the phone and get on with my life, and as for the 'credits' you gave me, I received no money or check from you. Now, you know I'm never going to pay you for something I didn't use, and I'm not going to pay back a credit I never received. You can either continue to waste our time or you can clear and close the account." To which "Chris" responded that he had closed the account and reversed the charges -- just like that. That was very smart as I was about to reach through the phone line and knock him upside the head with the receiver. I have to admit, I was very surprised, and kind of delighted that he resolved that situation so promptly after my spiel.
I think it is amazing how difficult corporations have become and the tactics that they use. If I agree to put something in "Park" or on hold or however you want to describe it, and I don't return the call to continue service the account should just be closed. Or if they are determined to keep my service, they should be required to gain my okay to continue the service. This process of resuming billing without a verbal acknowledgement is unacceptable. Now some might say I received a bill from them, but I also receive tons of junk from them and most of it went directly to the recycle bin. Anyway...the lesson is don't be nice to these corporations, it will only allow them to take advantage of you.
This weekend I happened to open a letter from this television distribution corporation and saw a bill for $125. My first thought was, "What the Hell?" I was certain that I closed that account, and I had no intention of continuing service. My second thought was, "Good thing I didn't just dump this in the recycling like I usually do." I proceeded to call the service center to find out what was going on.
A very nice and polite lady took my call. She was more than willing to help me but she said I either owed them $125, or I had to pay back a $150 credit that they gave to me. They gave me $150? I don't remember cashing that check, and my bill was paid up when I closed my account. I didn't use the service that they were charging me for so how could I owe them any money? I was a bit irritated, and told her I didn't owe them anything, but could she please get a supervisor. I didn't feel the service rep was responsible for such poor business practices and I didn't want to be yelling at her. Already my voice had been getting harsh.
After making me wait for nearly five minutes, "Chris" my service rep supervisor got on the line. Now, "Chris" didn't sound to be the brightest bulb, but I suppose he could have been educated thru high school. He tried, as the service rep did, to convince me that I owed them money. I let him speak his bit, and then responded, "Look, the only reason I let you 'Park' my account was because I was being badgered and I just wanted to get off the phone and get on with my life, and as for the 'credits' you gave me, I received no money or check from you. Now, you know I'm never going to pay you for something I didn't use, and I'm not going to pay back a credit I never received. You can either continue to waste our time or you can clear and close the account." To which "Chris" responded that he had closed the account and reversed the charges -- just like that. That was very smart as I was about to reach through the phone line and knock him upside the head with the receiver. I have to admit, I was very surprised, and kind of delighted that he resolved that situation so promptly after my spiel.
I think it is amazing how difficult corporations have become and the tactics that they use. If I agree to put something in "Park" or on hold or however you want to describe it, and I don't return the call to continue service the account should just be closed. Or if they are determined to keep my service, they should be required to gain my okay to continue the service. This process of resuming billing without a verbal acknowledgement is unacceptable. Now some might say I received a bill from them, but I also receive tons of junk from them and most of it went directly to the recycle bin. Anyway...the lesson is don't be nice to these corporations, it will only allow them to take advantage of you.
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