I didn’t want to have to share. But I just can’t help it. I just have to. So I believe this all started with my old phone not working just to find out Verizon was having network issues. Well, after a week of my new phone not ringing when someone called and after a week of fiddling with it because it had to be something dumb, I took it back to the store. And when I say “I” I mean Neil did. Because I was too embarrassed to admit I couldn’t work my own phone. This is actually the nicest and most technologically advanced phone I have ever owned and I was starting to feel stupid for not being able to work it. Well, it turns out that Verizon has NEVER had that problem with this phone before. They were puzzled. At least it wasn’t me!? So their solution was to give me another brand new phone. But in order to do that we would have to return the old new phone box with receipts as well. So my poor dear husband had to go back home get that and then wait around while they activated the new phone. He even missed his study group for me. He delivered my new phone to my work and rushes off to class. But my new phone didn’t have the same menu options and functions as my old new one. So I was furious. I am debating just returning the stupid new phone and downgrading technology because apparently I am not ready for such a big step. I have a technology inferiority complex. While I waited for Neil to get out of class to see if he could figure out how to work the new phone I hit my breaking point.
After the last week and half I am surprised this didn’t happen sooner. So you ask what could possibly have been my breaking point? Someone who shall not be named ate a piece of my lunch. Seriously. Let me explain something about this lunch first. It began Monday night when dinner ended up being a disaster. Just imagine buckets of rice and a missing ingredient and Cheryl crying on the kitchen floor. So my dear husband picked me off the floor and said I’m buying pizza. He even splurged for the good pizza. He even saved some for me to take for lunch on Tuesday, which is a treat for me. So I take my precious good pizza to work and store it in the refrigerator. Clearly it was not to share. I have never had a problem before at work but someone helped themselves to my lunch! Tears were almost spilt because not only was my phone not working but someone ate my lunch.
To make a long story short, I decided to take my own advice. So I went home and ate chocolate cake. Then I decided that I ought to start marketing my life to television. Wouldn’t this make a great episode of The Office?
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Writing Life
Over the weekend I finished The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan. I thought it was pretty good. The ending was a bit far fetched for me but it was an interesting book. My favorite Amy Tan book is The Kitchen God's Wife and my second favorite is The Joy Luck Club. Why I suggest that everyone should read at least one of her books is because she not only introduces you to the culture of the Chinese and Chinese-Americans but she was an amazing way with words. Her writing has a way of drawing you in and describing things in a way I never could have even imagined. After reading one of her books I could only dream of being able to write that beautifully.
I just started reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I am introducing a new category to my palette. Biographies. In the library I usually sit at a table in the biography section and I stare at the plethora of biographies wondering what all of those people were like and why they are special enough to write a book about themselves or have a book written about themselves. Anyway, as I have begun this book I decided I cannot share my opinion on this book. Who am I to comment on whether I like someone else's life or not? It reminded me of an experience I had earlier this summer. I briefly reconnected with a friend I haven't spoken to in over 4 years. She contacted me out the blue. It was nice to reconnect until she made judgments on my life. We are both in very different places since we last spoke. We are probably different people than when we last spoke. But it was hurtful to hear her dissect my life and make it seem as if I led a miserable life. So I cannot judge Elizabeth Gilbert's life because it is her life.
I can say that I think she is a great writer. I can also say that she is such a good writer that I have been able to say, "Wow. I've been there. Wow. I've felt that." But there are also some parts that I can't even relate to. I wonder if I was to write an autobiography some day, what would I write? Would it be funny? Would it be sad? Would I have enough meaningful things to write about?
For now though, I think I will stick with blogging and reading about other people's lives.
I just started reading Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I am introducing a new category to my palette. Biographies. In the library I usually sit at a table in the biography section and I stare at the plethora of biographies wondering what all of those people were like and why they are special enough to write a book about themselves or have a book written about themselves. Anyway, as I have begun this book I decided I cannot share my opinion on this book. Who am I to comment on whether I like someone else's life or not? It reminded me of an experience I had earlier this summer. I briefly reconnected with a friend I haven't spoken to in over 4 years. She contacted me out the blue. It was nice to reconnect until she made judgments on my life. We are both in very different places since we last spoke. We are probably different people than when we last spoke. But it was hurtful to hear her dissect my life and make it seem as if I led a miserable life. So I cannot judge Elizabeth Gilbert's life because it is her life.
I can say that I think she is a great writer. I can also say that she is such a good writer that I have been able to say, "Wow. I've been there. Wow. I've felt that." But there are also some parts that I can't even relate to. I wonder if I was to write an autobiography some day, what would I write? Would it be funny? Would it be sad? Would I have enough meaningful things to write about?
For now though, I think I will stick with blogging and reading about other people's lives.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
I just had to
I have been enjoying my new found optimism despite frustrations and set backs. However, this was just too good to not share. As I have already explained Neil has a very expensive extra textbook he will not be using. So we researched some options and decided we would try selling it on half.com. Well, we ran into some issues while doing that. Before reading the Instant Messenger conversation below please note that our ONLY option for help was through this Instant Messenger. We searched the website for a phone number but none could be found. Second, please keep in mind that we were logged in and registered on the half.com website. That is very important to remember.
1:56:41 PM Sylvester F.
Hello, thanks for waiting and welcome to eBay Live Help! My name is Sylvester. How may I help you today?
1:57:34 PM neil
I am trying to list a textbook to sell. But when my credit card is being verified it says the card identification number is incorrect. I have updated my credit card in my account but it still won't work.
1:58:06 PM Sylvester F.
Please give me a minute or two while I check this for you.
1:58:25 PM neil
okay. thank you
1:59:06 PM Sylvester F.
I can see that you've not yet created a PayPal account.
1:59:24 PM Sylvester F.
To sell on eBay you'll need to create a PayPal account.
2:00:37 PM Sylvester F.
Is there anything else that I can assist you with today?
2:01:22 PM neil
So I need that to sell on half.com? None of the listing instructions said I needed a paypal account.
2:01:41 PM Sylvester F.
Oh!
2:01:51 PM Sylvester F.
We have a dedicated team for Half.com issues. To contact them, please try the Help Wizard available from the Half.com site:
http://pages.half.ebay.com/help/wizard/index.html
2:01:56 PM Sylvester F.
From that page, select the topics that describe your problem. You'll then receive a possible resolution. If the response that you get doesn't answer your question, click the "Contact Customer Service" link to email the support team for Half.com.
2:01:56 PM Sylvester F.
You can also send them a direct email by sending your question to service@half.com
2:02:40 PM neil
Is there a phone number I can reach them?
2:03:37 PM Sylvester F.
Please don't worry, our listing team will call you while you've completed your listing...
2:03:56 PM Sylvester F.
May I transfer you to our eBay Listing team.?
2:04:08 PM neil
No thank you.
2:04:21 PM Sylvester F.
You're welcome.
2:04:26 PM Sylvester F.
Have I resolved your issue?
2:04:43 PM neil
No. I suppose I will have to email half.com.
2:04:57 PM Sylvester F.
Oh I see.
2:06:27 PM System
Sylvester F. has left this session!
I am still deciding if Sylvester F. is from India or if he is a computer. Because if neither of those options are the case then well that was horrible customer service. Well, it is horrible either way you look at it but at least I could understand why it was so horrible if one of my assumptions was correct.
So because our frustration came to a boiling point we decided we were not going to work with half.com anymore. We then proceeded to drive around Logan trying to sell the textbook back to all of the bookstores in Logan. The highest offer we got was for $35 for a brand new, never been used $120 textbook. Lame. We didn't accept that and I tried half.com again today. I know, what was I thinking? And it still wouldn't work. Does anyone have any ideas? Too bad I don't have a twitter account with millions of followers so I could make something happen and call half.com to repentance. If only I had that much power...
1:56:41 PM Sylvester F.
Hello, thanks for waiting and welcome to eBay Live Help! My name is Sylvester. How may I help you today?
1:57:34 PM neil
I am trying to list a textbook to sell. But when my credit card is being verified it says the card identification number is incorrect. I have updated my credit card in my account but it still won't work.
1:58:06 PM Sylvester F.
Please give me a minute or two while I check this for you.
1:58:25 PM neil
okay. thank you
1:59:06 PM Sylvester F.
I can see that you've not yet created a PayPal account.
1:59:24 PM Sylvester F.
To sell on eBay you'll need to create a PayPal account.
2:00:37 PM Sylvester F.
Is there anything else that I can assist you with today?
2:01:22 PM neil
So I need that to sell on half.com? None of the listing instructions said I needed a paypal account.
2:01:41 PM Sylvester F.
Oh!
2:01:51 PM Sylvester F.
We have a dedicated team for Half.com issues. To contact them, please try the Help Wizard available from the Half.com site:
http://pages.half.ebay.com/help/wizard/index.html
2:01:56 PM Sylvester F.
From that page, select the topics that describe your problem. You'll then receive a possible resolution. If the response that you get doesn't answer your question, click the "Contact Customer Service" link to email the support team for Half.com.
2:01:56 PM Sylvester F.
You can also send them a direct email by sending your question to service@half.com
2:02:40 PM neil
Is there a phone number I can reach them?
2:03:37 PM Sylvester F.
Please don't worry, our listing team will call you while you've completed your listing...
2:03:56 PM Sylvester F.
May I transfer you to our eBay Listing team.?
2:04:08 PM neil
No thank you.
2:04:21 PM Sylvester F.
You're welcome.
2:04:26 PM Sylvester F.
Have I resolved your issue?
2:04:43 PM neil
No. I suppose I will have to email half.com.
2:04:57 PM Sylvester F.
Oh I see.
2:06:27 PM System
Sylvester F. has left this session!
I am still deciding if Sylvester F. is from India or if he is a computer. Because if neither of those options are the case then well that was horrible customer service. Well, it is horrible either way you look at it but at least I could understand why it was so horrible if one of my assumptions was correct.
So because our frustration came to a boiling point we decided we were not going to work with half.com anymore. We then proceeded to drive around Logan trying to sell the textbook back to all of the bookstores in Logan. The highest offer we got was for $35 for a brand new, never been used $120 textbook. Lame. We didn't accept that and I tried half.com again today. I know, what was I thinking? And it still wouldn't work. Does anyone have any ideas? Too bad I don't have a twitter account with millions of followers so I could make something happen and call half.com to repentance. If only I had that much power...
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Positive Attitude Part 2
Yay life! I really hoped I wouldn't have to write a part 2 but I am at the point that all of this has become quite humorous. Normally, I don't think I would take it so well but I must be turning over a new leaf. So yesterday, morning Neil calls me sounding quite upset and informs me that we ordered the wrong $120 textbook for one of his classes. We don't buy his books from the bookstore because they are too expensive and we have ordered his books online for the last couple of years. We not only have saved hundreds of dollars but we've never had a problem. Until now. We don't know if the bookstore put the wrong information online or the professor changed his mind or what but we can't return the book we have and now we have to buy another one.
Things couldn't get any worse right? Wrong. So Neil has a flash drive that he uses so he can work on homework at school and then bring it home to finish or save his work. Well, last night when he went to retrieve his flash drive from his backpack so he could print out a homework assignment, he couldn't find it. He searched his entire backpack twice. We searched our house once. Searched his car three times. And then he remembered he put it in his pocket instead of his backpack. So it could be anywhere that he went today. So we get into the car and start retracing his steps. Luckily, we decided to look at where we parked to walk the Logan River Trail. And there it was, only run over and smashed. But at least we found it? Fortunately, we were able to fix it enough to pull off his assignment.
On another note I am reading The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan. The concept of this book is love. Love between husband and wife, mother and daughter, father and daughter, sisters, and friends. This concept is told through a story of a woman and her step-sister. If you have never read an Amy Tan book, you should. I wouldn't say this has been my favorite and not all of her books are my favorite. But she is an amazing writer. Her books are amazing. I have enjoyed this book because it has explored how love can be lost and then found. It even explores how love can transcend the grave through reincarnation. It is just fascinating and the story is so well told. I can't wait to finish it.
Things couldn't get any worse right? Wrong. So Neil has a flash drive that he uses so he can work on homework at school and then bring it home to finish or save his work. Well, last night when he went to retrieve his flash drive from his backpack so he could print out a homework assignment, he couldn't find it. He searched his entire backpack twice. We searched our house once. Searched his car three times. And then he remembered he put it in his pocket instead of his backpack. So it could be anywhere that he went today. So we get into the car and start retracing his steps. Luckily, we decided to look at where we parked to walk the Logan River Trail. And there it was, only run over and smashed. But at least we found it? Fortunately, we were able to fix it enough to pull off his assignment.
On another note I am reading The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan. The concept of this book is love. Love between husband and wife, mother and daughter, father and daughter, sisters, and friends. This concept is told through a story of a woman and her step-sister. If you have never read an Amy Tan book, you should. I wouldn't say this has been my favorite and not all of her books are my favorite. But she is an amazing writer. Her books are amazing. I have enjoyed this book because it has explored how love can be lost and then found. It even explores how love can transcend the grave through reincarnation. It is just fascinating and the story is so well told. I can't wait to finish it.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Positive Attitude
For all of you Psych and The Office fans, I hope you will appreciate this as much as I did. Neil and I enjoy the humor in both Psych and The Office. Neil has a coworker that also enjoys the humor of those shows. During the summer they joked about humorous moments on those shows. Friday was Neil's last day in the office before going back to school. When Neil arrived early Friday morning he found a pineapple in his cubicle along with his box of mints in Jello. Seriously, that was awesome. I told Neil he needs to get an in with the vending machine guy. Anyway, if you don't understand, it probably isn't funny but if you do understand feel free to laugh out loud because I sure did.
Speaking of humor when I came across this on my daily Dilbert calendar I thought it summed up my weekend perfectly.
It all began on Friday when my phone stopped working. I wasn't able to receive calls and I was lucky if I could make a call. My phone is a few years old and I have been having problems for a few months now. So I finally got irritated enough that Saturday afternoon I bought a new phone. It wasn't until my new phone wouldn't work that I found out that Verizon was having mass service issues and it was not my phone after all. Oh well, I love my new phone anyway.
Then comes Monday morning. Monday mornings are never the best. They never can be because Monday just has a bad connotation (at least in my book). My day begins 10 minutes earlier than normal because I had to take Neil to school. The reason that I had to take Neil to school is that the free church parking lot he normally parks in became an official student parking lot that requires a $87 parking pass to park there. Why I mention this is because the University sent me an email notifying me of the change a few weeks ago (I think it would have been best to send it to the students but I guess that would just make too much sense). I passed this onto Neil so he could either find somewhere else to park or buy the pass ahead of time. But he didn't believe me that a church parking lot could now be a University parking lot. So flash forward to Sunday when we drive past to check it out and see the BIG sign saying it is now a blue lot for student parking. Let's just say Neil is buying a parking pass today but I had to drive him today so he could get to class on time. But let's rewind here for a minute. Our alarm goes off 10 minutes earlier than normal and we stumble out of bed. Shortly after that we discover pools of blood throughout our bathroom. It turns out Neil's foot is bleeding. From what? We have no idea. So after bandaging up his foot, Neil spends a few minutes cleaning up blood. So far our Monday morning isn't going great. Then as I am getting ready to brush my teeth I drop the toothpaste and instead of just landing on the floor, it also squirts out a long stream of toothpaste all over the floor. So then I have to spend the next few minutes cleaning it up.
We finally get out the door, Neil gets to school, and I get to work. But it doesn't stop there. My computer won't start and something is wrong with a scan disk or something. Then I remember all of the files that I have not backed up on the server. Then I think I should just go home, go back to bed and try again tomorrow. After about 20 minutes fortunately or unfortunately (whichever way you look at it) my computer starts and I am still trying to have a good attitude about life.
Speaking of humor when I came across this on my daily Dilbert calendar I thought it summed up my weekend perfectly.
It all began on Friday when my phone stopped working. I wasn't able to receive calls and I was lucky if I could make a call. My phone is a few years old and I have been having problems for a few months now. So I finally got irritated enough that Saturday afternoon I bought a new phone. It wasn't until my new phone wouldn't work that I found out that Verizon was having mass service issues and it was not my phone after all. Oh well, I love my new phone anyway.
Then comes Monday morning. Monday mornings are never the best. They never can be because Monday just has a bad connotation (at least in my book). My day begins 10 minutes earlier than normal because I had to take Neil to school. The reason that I had to take Neil to school is that the free church parking lot he normally parks in became an official student parking lot that requires a $87 parking pass to park there. Why I mention this is because the University sent me an email notifying me of the change a few weeks ago (I think it would have been best to send it to the students but I guess that would just make too much sense). I passed this onto Neil so he could either find somewhere else to park or buy the pass ahead of time. But he didn't believe me that a church parking lot could now be a University parking lot. So flash forward to Sunday when we drive past to check it out and see the BIG sign saying it is now a blue lot for student parking. Let's just say Neil is buying a parking pass today but I had to drive him today so he could get to class on time. But let's rewind here for a minute. Our alarm goes off 10 minutes earlier than normal and we stumble out of bed. Shortly after that we discover pools of blood throughout our bathroom. It turns out Neil's foot is bleeding. From what? We have no idea. So after bandaging up his foot, Neil spends a few minutes cleaning up blood. So far our Monday morning isn't going great. Then as I am getting ready to brush my teeth I drop the toothpaste and instead of just landing on the floor, it also squirts out a long stream of toothpaste all over the floor. So then I have to spend the next few minutes cleaning it up.
We finally get out the door, Neil gets to school, and I get to work. But it doesn't stop there. My computer won't start and something is wrong with a scan disk or something. Then I remember all of the files that I have not backed up on the server. Then I think I should just go home, go back to bed and try again tomorrow. After about 20 minutes fortunately or unfortunately (whichever way you look at it) my computer starts and I am still trying to have a good attitude about life.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Smartology
Pretty much speaks for itself.
I also overheard this conversation last week while waiting in the airport for my return flight home that was delayed by an hour.
Guy who had a close connection: "Since my connecting flight isn't very full and there are 4 of us on this flight trying to make it, can't you ask them to wait for us?"
Delta Agent: "No sir, we pride ourselves on being on time."
Can I re-emphasize that our flight was delayed by an hour? Doesn't Ever Leave the Airport comes to mind.
I'm sure there is more. I am just too tired to think straight. All I can say is Neil is a good sport for attending a 3.5 hour Opera with me last night. He even stayed awake.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Lesson Learned
So before I left on this trip, the director of the center I work for warned me numerous times to be careful of where I went in Phoenix because there were some "bad parts." I shrugged it off as him being overprotective. Well, last night I found out why he warned me. I finished up work late last night and decided to go to the nearest gas station to fill up my rental car so I wouldn't have to worry about it before going to the airport. Things were going fine until the receipt I needed for the gas didn't print at the pump so I had to go into the gas station. Let's just say I didn't "fit in." Well, while I am not so patiently waiting in line to get my receipt I witnessed a robbery. Well, technically it was not a robbery because no weapon was involved that I saw but robbery sounds more dramatic. Plus, it wasn't money they were after it was large cases of beer. So the store clerk stops helping people and calls the police while everyone is helping with the description of the thief. So I am standing there wondering if I really do want that receipt after all and I am concerned that I left my wallet on the front seat of my unlocked car. I had to decide whether I wanted the receipt or risk having my wallet and/or car stolen. Luckily, another clerk helped me and I got my receipt and got out of there as soon as possible. I now know where to avoid next time, lesson learned.
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