Six months since my last post? Unacceptable.
The world has changed in six months. There is a leaking oil pipe under the sea, spewing billions of dollars worth of oil into the environment, causing billions of dollars worth of damage. There is unrest in the Middle East, there is unrest in Arizona with the racist bills on the ballot there. And there is unrest right here in my apartment as I've not chosen an accent color.
*sigh*
What I mean to say is that there is so much going on in the world that its difficult to grasp even a fraction of it. From the crash and burn in the financial sector and the public's bail out of Billionaires, to the folks who are losing their livelihood because BP's reckless heed to the call "Drill baby, Drill!"
All of it boggles my mind and warps my perception of what is in front of me. And that is, at the moment, 4 white walls.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
End of Autumn Update
December 8, 2009
Every Autumn, I used to wish for Spring to come fast. As soon as winter hit (which it hasn't officially done yet, but damn its cold) I would start doing the “come on Springtime!” chant.
Not any more. I realize that next Spring I will be 42. That means the 40's are only going to get stronger and the numbers will climb higher even faster. At least, that's what I'm told by folks far, far older than I. Folks who are well into their fifties even!
Two very good friends of mine are about to turn 30. I can't help but be excited for them both. When I turned 30 it seemed like my whole world opened up wide and life became a fun, exciting, challenging, rewarding, fulfilling experience instead of a fight.
Sometime in my late twenties, someone looked at me and said, “Steven, it looks as if you'll be dragged through life kicking and screaming.”
I'm no longer friends with that asshole.
There are so many things that I know now that make life easier. For instance, I know I have good friends and a supportive, loving family. There are friends out there who I haven't met yet, and others who's friendship is only beginning.
Other life lessons that come in handy include knowing that what other people think is not only impossible, but largely impractical. Even if I could read minds, what good would that do anyone?
Then there are the simple things that make living easier. I know I will never cut coupons – they're a waste of time. I know that I'll probably always be a Verizon® customer no matter how much I bitch and whine about them and I know I like La Yogurt®.
And on reflection, and after re-reading this post, I know I'm not the least bit deep.
WHEW!
Every Autumn, I used to wish for Spring to come fast. As soon as winter hit (which it hasn't officially done yet, but damn its cold) I would start doing the “come on Springtime!” chant.
Not any more. I realize that next Spring I will be 42. That means the 40's are only going to get stronger and the numbers will climb higher even faster. At least, that's what I'm told by folks far, far older than I. Folks who are well into their fifties even!
Two very good friends of mine are about to turn 30. I can't help but be excited for them both. When I turned 30 it seemed like my whole world opened up wide and life became a fun, exciting, challenging, rewarding, fulfilling experience instead of a fight.
Sometime in my late twenties, someone looked at me and said, “Steven, it looks as if you'll be dragged through life kicking and screaming.”
I'm no longer friends with that asshole.
There are so many things that I know now that make life easier. For instance, I know I have good friends and a supportive, loving family. There are friends out there who I haven't met yet, and others who's friendship is only beginning.
Other life lessons that come in handy include knowing that what other people think is not only impossible, but largely impractical. Even if I could read minds, what good would that do anyone?
Then there are the simple things that make living easier. I know I will never cut coupons – they're a waste of time. I know that I'll probably always be a Verizon® customer no matter how much I bitch and whine about them and I know I like La Yogurt®.
And on reflection, and after re-reading this post, I know I'm not the least bit deep.
WHEW!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
A Week After Ordering Voice & Internet Services from Verizon...
Here is how it played out with a Verizon representative online when I noticed my service installation date was 10/01/10 instead of 10/01/2009:
Verizon: I am happy to assist you with your order today. How may I be of service?
Steven Slater: Hi, I noticed my due date is 10/01/2010. I was hoping for service this year.
Verizon: Yes, that is correct. Please make sure someone is home for the technician to complete the order.
Steven Slater: The due date is next year. Get me? 2010 is next year. This is 2009. Understand?
Verizon: Yes, that is correct. Are you interested in upgrading your service?
Steven Slater: I haven't been connected yet! I don't have service!
Verizon: Please make sure someone is home to allow the technician access to your inside wiring.
Steven Slater: that's fine, but I want service THIS YEAR in 2009. Please look again at the due date. The due date is NEXT YEAR 10/01/2010
Verizon: I see the Verizon technician wasn't able to complete the order on the due date given to you. You will be charged a service fee for connection because it must be rescheduled.
Steven Slater: What? The due date is not until NEXT-EFFING-YEAR. Even if the due date was today, as it should be, I have been home and conscious all morning. No one rang my bell!
Verizon: Would you like to upgrade your service today?
Steven Slater: Am I chatting with a human being or is this HAL?
Verizon: I don't understand your question. Your business is important to us. Would you like to hear about our package deals?
Steven Slater: That's it! Cancel my order! Leave me alone! Forget I exist!
Verizon: I'm sorry, I can't do that. Would you like to hear about or convenient billing options for your past due account?
Steven Slater: WTF #@%* are you talking about PAST DUE ACCOUNT?!? You haven't installed anything! I don't have any Verizon services! Get me a supervisor or at least a human being!
Verizon: I'm sorry, I can't do that. Would you like to hear about Verizon FiOS?
Verizon: I am happy to assist you with your order today. How may I be of service?
Steven Slater: Hi, I noticed my due date is 10/01/2010. I was hoping for service this year.
Verizon: Yes, that is correct. Please make sure someone is home for the technician to complete the order.
Steven Slater: The due date is next year. Get me? 2010 is next year. This is 2009. Understand?
Verizon: Yes, that is correct. Are you interested in upgrading your service?
Steven Slater: I haven't been connected yet! I don't have service!
Verizon: Please make sure someone is home to allow the technician access to your inside wiring.
Steven Slater: that's fine, but I want service THIS YEAR in 2009. Please look again at the due date. The due date is NEXT YEAR 10/01/2010
Verizon: I see the Verizon technician wasn't able to complete the order on the due date given to you. You will be charged a service fee for connection because it must be rescheduled.
Steven Slater: What? The due date is not until NEXT-EFFING-YEAR. Even if the due date was today, as it should be, I have been home and conscious all morning. No one rang my bell!
Verizon: Would you like to upgrade your service today?
Steven Slater: Am I chatting with a human being or is this HAL?
Verizon: I don't understand your question. Your business is important to us. Would you like to hear about our package deals?
Steven Slater: That's it! Cancel my order! Leave me alone! Forget I exist!
Verizon: I'm sorry, I can't do that. Would you like to hear about or convenient billing options for your past due account?
Steven Slater: WTF #@%* are you talking about PAST DUE ACCOUNT?!? You haven't installed anything! I don't have any Verizon services! Get me a supervisor or at least a human being!
Verizon: I'm sorry, I can't do that. Would you like to hear about Verizon FiOS?
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