Wylde Bill too HOT for TV!

House off the market

2011-01-28T11:28:00.000-06:00

After I had my house on the market for over a year with a Realtor who lives in my neighborhood and never got any offers, I put my house on the market with this "Move Up" realtor. All of the builder who work with him said he does what he says he is going to do. He told me he could sell my house in 45 days. He had a professional stager come in and took professional pictures. I did get a few showings and one offer. The offer was from some investor who offered me 50% of my asking price. Apparenly, he was doing that to all houses in my neighborhood looking for the one seller who was despirate. The day I took my house off the market a Realtor called and was like, "My client LOVES your house and really wants to see it. I told them I was done and they house was off the market. I explained that after a year and a half and dropping the price of my house to less than I paid for it, I was tired and ready to just keep it and refinance it. I had held of refinancing this house because my realtor told me not to. Can you imagine all the money I would have saved if I refinanced earlier? This realtor called my realtor and I agreed to one last showing. We cleaned for 2 days straight. The people came and left. I got feedback from these people who basically told me they were going with another house. I have a feeling they decided to peek at mine and compare it to some of the other houses that were repos to see which was the better deal.

I am glad we are off the market. My oldest son reminded me that he graduates from High School in 5 years. Amazing how time flies. I guess I can hang loose for a little while. I plan to install a sprinkler system and do some upgrades, like a tile backsplash and replace the sink in the 1/2 bath downstairs. I would love to install solar but do not think my HOA is going to allow me. I will probably have to end up getting my attorney to contact their attorney and hash it out. I told my current realtor that if he sees the market change to let me know that I could go back on the market in a moments notice.

New Years Resolution

2011-01-28T10:55:00.003-06:00

I turn 40 this years and I have decided that I finally going to start working out more frequently that I have been as of late. I dumped my Gold's Gym Membership after Gold's told me they were upping their membership fees and they were going to start doing a bi-weekly debt. They also said they spent 17 million on renovations. They apparently spent 17 million on renovations; but, I have yet to see any changes. My membership had been $25 and ended up at almost $40. The closest location that was open 24 hours was William Canon and Mopac. After I get home, why would want to drive back into Austin to work out?

Planet Fitness had a deal where it was no money to join and $20 a month. They are 24 hours a day Monday through Thursday. They do close early on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is a no frills gym that has free tanning and free massage chairs. You can also get half price drinks at their gym, which are a little cheaper than connivence store prices. I joined up and started on the track to a healthier lifestyle. My first gold is to drop 30 pounds. The second goal is to run a 5k. There are your typical cast of characters that you normally find at any gym, The "Lollygagger", the guy who sits on a machine and looks like he is going to use it and waste time looking around. The "I have two more sets guy", the guy who is working at a machine and is doing sets. He might walk away for a few minutes, but do not dare grab his machine away from him. He will run over and remind you he has a few more sets and can not be bothered. You can forget trying to work in with either one of those characters. They will remind you that, "They got their first." There are big yellow signs with the rules at this gym. I have seen a few folks answer their cell phone while working out. Now who is calling that it is so important for you to answer your phone and talk to them the whole time you are working out, especially when you now that cellphones are not allowed on the gym floor. These people are the same people who will answer their phones in the bathroom and have a conversation.

I guess I can not complain too much. The gym membership is inexpensive. I just put my head phones on and do my workout. We will see how this gym thing goes. I can already feel my clothes fitting much better.

The soul sucking part time tech support job has come to an end.

2010-03-09T19:23:00.004-06:00

Right before Christmas, I was let go from my part time tech support job. The company was called Telenetwork. They did DSL support for Centurytel and a few other ISP's. This place is run by a bunch of kids who are totally clueless. My Team Lead was a good guy. He was freshly married with one child and in college. I had been doing support longer than some of these kids had been alive. This job was a soul sucking job. Customer's would always whine and complain. You would ask them simple questions and they would act like they were not sure what you were talking about. I got to the point where I was using remote access to fix most of their issues. The biggest complaint was the customer service surveys. They would get one every call. You would get negative comments based on a previous tech's incompetence. One lady called it and whined the whole time I was trying to help her. I finally put her on hold, and submitted a trouble ticket for her. The second issue is the pay is too low for tech support. They start you out at $8 an hour and offer you $1 more if you work nights. If you get a Team Lead that likes you, you can get him to promote you rather quickly. Even when I was let go, I was still barely making $12 an hour. I could easily walk into a tech support department and they would start me at least $15 an hour. I guess its all the turn over they have. It is a non stop hiring and firing feast over there. Third, I loved the fact that they terminated me via email. Where is the sense in that? I guess its less stress on them. I knew my days were numbered. I did not think it would happen when it did. Forth, it took them a year and a half after promising me from day one that I could work from home. They almost told me I was not going to be able to because I was only part time.

On a positive note, the extra cushion of money working part time was nice. I was able to buy a new stove and refrigerator and pay cash for it. I liked the idea of having an emergency fund just in case. I found another company that lets people do remote support and pays them by the job. Not a bad gig at all. The down side is that the training is long and boring. It is al web based. You do a module and have to fax in these forms to show you did complete it. I did a Webinar with one of the trainers and you could tell it was another bunch of young 20 somethings working there. They were totally unprofessional. The trainer kept telling me she was hungry and she wanted to go outside and smoke. It will be interesting to see how long this job goes. Will be nice to work a few extra hours when I want.

More confessions of a Tech Support Rep.

2009-04-21T00:10:00.001-05:00

I am sitting here waiting for my shift to end. I get a call from a lady who is in an outage area. What is funny is there is a message on the line they call in that there is an outage. You would think they would hear that message and go, "Ah! Internet is down. I will try later." They still wait for a tech to get on the line, only to be told, "There is an outage, I am not sure when it will be back up."

Tonight, this lady asks me, "I am not sure if you ever heard of the this thing called the XBOX?" I only have 2 boys. My oldest lives for Xbox live. It makes me wonder if this lady thought I lived under a rock or something.

Another guy calls in and asks if the outage is still going on. I politely told him it was. He tells me, "I am able to get on and it has been working." I asked him if there was still a message on the phone stating there was an outage. He tells me the message was still there. I guess perhaps he thought if I said it was working, he would be good to go and be able to get online. If the message says its down still, what makes you think I am going to tell you any differently? This guy then wants to know why he can get online during the outage. I was ready to reply with something sarcastic like, "It is all that porn you are looking at sir!" I tell him, I am not sure because I have no technical information as to why he is able to get online. I explain perhaps they might be getting close to resolving the issue. He then tells me, "You are too expensive and you are going to lose customers!!" I could only hope that happens. It would make my life much easier in dealing with clueless people who are not very technically literate who want to whine and complain about their internet.

I was sick this weekend.

2009-03-26T15:37:00.003-05:00

I went to East Texas to see some family, which was nice. I came home Sunday and was sick as a dog. I had some sort of 24 hour bug. I was running a fever, had chills, and felt nauseous. I still felt bad Monday, left work early and crashed for about an hour before going to my second job. I got to my second job and realized I was not going to make it the whole shift. I got a chance to go home since I was sick.

I came home, took a hot shower since I still had chills and passed out. I woke up in the middle of the night sweating because I had put a blanket on me because I had been cold earlier. I drank some Gatorade G2 and passed back out. The next day, I am fine.

I have been trying to take some stuff I bought at the Vitamin Shoppe to help me get whatever bad stuff I had in my system out. I love it when on the bottle or container it says, "Great Tasting" or "Tastes Great". You know this is a sign that it probably tastes nasty. I end up buying this stuff called Greens Today (www.greenstoday.com ). This stuff has 7 serving and is a powder that you mix to water or juice. I get back to work and mix it up in bottle with water. I start drinking it and this stuff tastes like I am drinking water mixed with grass clippings. It is really bad. This stuff says it has "Strawberry" flavoring to it. There is no Strawberry in this. Its gritty and tastes like tea that is really strong. I am tempted to mix it with some juice to see if its any better.

I love the line on the back of the container, "Blend, Shake and Enjoy". You apparently can give this to kids too. My kids will not drink anything green, nor anything that tastes as rancid as this. I should go send the company my review of their "wonder drink".

Shopping a Big Lots the other day

2009-03-26T14:48:00.003-05:00

I am at Big Lots with my boys and I over hear this guy on a cell phone. This guy was dressed like he worked construction. He was on a cell phone and I over heard him telling the person he was talking to that he was "Panhandling" at night and working during the day. I am all for people trying to get ahead in life working a second or third job to make ends meet. I was totally amazed that this guy bragged that he was doing this to make extra money.

I am always willing to go out of my way to help someone out. I am just amazed this guy was bragging that he was sitting on a street corner with a sign trying to get people to feel sorry for him so he can make an extra buck. I guess those stories you hear about these folks who put on dirty clothes, get out of their Mercedes-Benz to go beg for some money because its tax free are pretty much true.

On weekend, I saw one homeless person go eat and another took his street corner. There were 4 of them on each corner. It was like a job to them. It much have been shift change. One of the homeless guys was directing the other homeless people to their corner and one went on break.

On the Dudley and Bob show (KLBJ FM 93.7), a homeless man called it and admitted to Dale Dudley that "panhandling" was a pretty good job for him. He was making all of his money tax free, he had a place to stay with a little place to make food and made about $1600 a month doing that. He also was very proud that he had beat the system and making it on his own.

I guess I will have to start looking at homeless standing on street corner's in a different light now. I am still going to do what I can to help the less fortunate; but, in my mind, I will always wonder if I am getting duped or not by someone who is trying to make an extra buck by "appearing" like they are homeless.

More confessions of a Tech Support rep

2008-11-12T13:23:00.002-06:00

It has been awhile since i have written anything about my lovely part time gig. I can not complain. It is easy money. It will pay for the tile going in my house and to have my house painted. The issue with the Doctor who basically wanted me to be fired was a blessing in disguise. It raised my profitability. My Team Lead basically told me I was on cruise control. He still wants to go days. There is a young guy named Dustin that I hope gets the position. He is a good guy and has been with the company over 2 years.
I have been opting to leave early pretty much every time I work. This is going to cause me to work at this place longer that I would want because my paychecks from this place are smaller than they normally are.

What drives me nuts about this part time gig?

1) This place is full of kids that work there while going to school. There is drama galore.
2) The lady that monitor's our calls from Centurytel is not a real tech at all. She reads from a script to see if we hit all the points. What is interesting is that when she first started, we were all getting "Good Calls" on pretty much every monitor she did. Now, she takes off for stuff which is totally untrue. I now look at these monitors as comedic relief.
3) They have promised we could work from home every since I started in January. The new phone system is in place but still we are at the "hurry and wait point".
4) The people calling in whine and complain about the silliest things. All they need to do is get on the phone, let me know what the problem is and let me fix the problem. They do not need to keep calling in about the same issue if we have trouble tickets in for no DSL sync or slow speeds.
5) Dial up customers and DSL customers who are signed up for 256K/128K and cry because their connection is too slow. Dial up customers need to go with DSL and those DSL customers need to upgrade their speed package.
6) Customers who call in who want me to go outside my scope of support because they have screwed up their system. I love when folks call up and tell me they have viruses and want me to fix it, or they have installed some program that screwed up their machine and they are like, "Well, you are my internet provider." I will admit I have gone out of scope of support to fix an issue for a few customers, just because they were nice and cordial with me and I figured if I punted the call back to the manufacturer they would get the run around.
7) They need to seriously pay their techs better. My Team Lead told me about this company who hires their techs who work from home from day one and pay them about $5 more than hour than what they start out at.
8) There is a web filter at this place. It is not too hard to get around it. There was talk about allowing higher level reps outside of the filter, provided you were not on probation for points. That has yet to happen.
9) This company is on a "points" system. They need to do away with points. If a person calls in all the time, or is constantly late, it needs to be at the discretion of Team Lead to put that person on probation or terminating the employee.

I ran into one of the recruiters when picking up my kid from daycare. I had to be careful what I said to her about the job. I did not want to bite me in the butt later on. She asked me if I had met the Network Admin before. I had not met him in person but knew who he was. What is funny is my first week at the job, I was able to get behind the firewall. This guy pretty much does things backwards. I am not sure if it because he does not know what he is doing or perhaps maybe that is the way he learned how to do it.

Overall, I know my days at this place are numbered. There is going to be a time where I get fed up and just walk out, never to return. I would hope that I would be done with my projects before that happens.

This is why Google must have taken the short bus.

2008-11-12T13:05:00.004-06:00

I am a Database developer/Data Miner at my job. I am constantly on the look out for fraud patterns diligently work at ways to stop it immediately. I am fairly good at my job. One year, I saved my company over 4 million dollars and helped them to recoup that over 4 million just on one product alone.

When I emailed Google about a website they were hosting on Blogger that was basically selling gift cards bought with stolen credit cards, this is the "canned" response I got.

Thank you for your note. Please note that Blogger is a provider of content
creation tools, not a mediator of that content. We allow our users to
create blogs, but we don't make any claims about the content of these
pages. We realize this may be frustrating and we regret any inconvenience
this may cause you. In cases where contact information for the author is
listed on the page, we recommend you working directly with this person to
have the content in question removed or changed.

In cases where the author is anonymous, please note that in accordance
with US state and federal law, it is Blogger's policy to only provide a
user's contact information pursuant to a valid third party subpoena or
other appropriate legal process.

Sincerely,
The Blogger Team

In cases like these, all I have to do is identify myself and contact their support team as well as their legal department. I usually do not have to pull out the big guns and get our former cop who works in Corporate Security to contact them directly. I am amazed that Google would allow fraud to take place on their website. What if it was something threatening to nationality security? Is Google going to allow fraud to take place on their website and try to wipe their hands clean with it? I am all about the First Amendment right to free speech. I can talk about my thoughts on here and rant and rave about whatever. You do have to be careful what you say on Blogs and on the internet because it could come back to haunt you. Companies are becoming more savvy and googling potential applicants to get a glimpse inside their lives.

Thank God I have friends in high places. I am sure whoever wrote me the "canned" response was some person sitting in a cubicle in India. What is even funnier, they did not even sign it with a name.

Google needs to wise up, they are starting to act like Microsoft.

More confessions of a Tech Support rep

2008-09-25T13:14:00.002-05:00

The other night I get a phone call from a guy who was telling me he was a Neuro Surgeon and had been in surgery for the last 3 days. He had just gotten home and noticed his DSL was down. "No problem. What lights do you have on the modem?", I politely asked. The light status will usually tell me what is going on with the DSL connection. The doctor then tells me he is in a black out and the only thing on is his generator. He also states that his whole neighborhood is without power. I then asked him, "Do you think perhaps because your neighborhood does not have power, that might be cause of your internet problems?" He agrees with me and tells me he just wants me to notate his account, which I do notate his account. He hangs up with me and I go on to the next call.

I later find out that he has called back two more times to get a ticket put in because he does not have service. A ticket should never be put in if you have an outage area. The ticket would be immediately rejected back. He decides after his 3rd call that I was very rude to him and decides he wants to complain to my team lead that if he does not fire me on the spot, he is going to talk to his attorney. My team lead who is very laid back comes and tells me, "I do not care about this moron. He needs to get a clue." He then proceeds to tell me he is going to document it in my file in case the attorney does call in and tells me he is going to take me off that call group. I am fine with that all because that particular call group is a nightmare to work anyway. He kinda blew off this guy as another caller calling in to whine and complain.

I find out later on that the documentation that he put in made it seemed like I dropped the ball and basically he made me out to be the bad guy. I was in total disbelief. Instead of backing me up, my team lead basically said that I should have put in a ticket and I could have handled the call better. I will agree I probably could have handled the call better and not been so short with this guy. If you are going to call in and the first words out of your mouth is a bunch of complaining, things are going to go downhill real fast. Needless to say, I was still talking calls from the call group a week later.

On Monday night, I rolled in and the first call I got was from that call group. I go to sign in and amazingly enough they had pulled my access to their portal. I was set to take the calls still but had no tool to track the calls. I had to put calls back in the que. When callers have been waiting on hold for more than 10 minutes, they are not very nice about having to go back into the que. Secondly, I would like to know how I am supposed to track these calls now that I do not have a tool to do so. I alerted the Floor Manager who basically told me he did not have "Provisioning" access. What is ironic is, I can take test to take these calls and it will automatically provision those calls to me ; but, they can not take me off that call group. I ended up signing out of my phone, emailing my Team Lead and walking out before my shift was up. The only word I got from the Floor Manager was "I will back you up." What does that mean? If I can not do my job, I am going to bail. It is not like I need this gig. The pay sucks for DSL tech support reps anyway. The only reason I took this job was to make extra money to pay off some debt and to help make some money to install new flooring in my house. They have also been promising to allow us to work from home since January of this year. I have yet to see that happen.

I have decided to start looking for a replacement part time gig that I can work 5 days a week that does not cut into my sleep schedule where I am sleeping in shifts like I do now, where I can make just enough money so I can knock out the floors and other projects that I need to put my house on the market. I have a Masters degree in Computer Science. I am not sure why I am sitting at a tech support job where they hire college kids because its cheaper for them. I have decided I am going to be a part time professor at an Online University. I figure if I can get my foot in the door at University of Phoenix, I can take Doctoral classes as well and get my Ph D.

I work tonight at 11pm. We will see how it goes. If they still have things screwed up. I am walking out again and will not come back unless they fix my provisioning or I might just not come back period.

Hotwire.com trying to pass a less than 1 star hotel for a 3 star hotel.

2008-08-01T03:29:00.003-05:00

I took my boys to Houston to get out of town for a few days. I decided to book a Hotel via Hotwire.com since I had good luck with it previously. The downside of Hotwire is sometimes you get a less than desirable room. In Dallas, I got a room at the Wyndham which is a nice hotel but the rooms are usually near the elevators and all you hear all night is the roar of the elevator. I had figured for a quick trip to Houston. I had planned to got Galveston but could not find anything for under $149 a night and that included these "Mom and Pop" dive hotels that usually cost around $50 a night. I have family in Houston I could have stayed with, but did not want to impose on them. I checked Hotwire and they had a 3 star hotel for $65 a night. I figured this was a pretty good deal and I almost did not book it since the Radisson was offering their hotel deal for a few dollars more but had free hot breakfast. When you are traveling with 2 boys, a hot breakfast at a hotel can save you money. I decided to book the Hotwire hotel for 2 nights and wound up with a Econo Lodge. I would like to know when Econo Lodges started offering 3 star accommodations? I do have a travel agent license and I am quite familiar with Hotel ratings. At best, Econo Lodge is a 1 star. I had a birthday party for my Cousin's daughter in New Braunfels where I was going to get to see all my cousins and my aunt and uncle. I went to the birthday party and left for Houston about 2:30PM. I get to this hotel which is near Nasa and it had changed Hotel names a few times. My GPS had it listed as a Quality Inn and Suites. I go to check in and the two ladies working behind the counter did not seem to know what was going on. They give me my room and they proceed to tell me it is a Smoking room and it is the only room they have available. I explain I have 2 kids and my kids have allergies. The smoking room would not be acceptable. They told me I would need to call Hotwire to dispute the charges since they already charged my account. I immediately hand them back their hotel key. I did make a point to go see just how bad of a "smoking" room it was. It was on the back side of the hotel in the "ghetto" section. There were a few shady looking folks also staying in the same area. I grabbed my MacBook, used their internet and booked the Radisson near the airport. I check in at the Radisson and it much nicer than the Econo Lodge. The room is much bigger, plus the amenities were a lot nicer. I proceeded to call Hotwire and waited on hold for 20 minutes. I finally get a rep who is very rude and inconsiderate. She berates me and explains when I clicked on the accept button on their site, I was agreeing to their terms. I politely explain that I was offered a 3 star hotel for $65 and Econo Lodge is not even a 1 star hotel. She told me they had reps who had visited the hotel physically and it warranted at least a 2 1/2 rating. That is still not the 3 star that they offered me. Secondly, this hotel was not even a 2 1/2 star because 2 1/2 star hotels usually have a restaurant attached to it and this one did not and they usually offer hot breakfast and this hotel only offered a Continental breakfast. I had explained that I was a licensed travel agent and would put my license on the line that this hotel was not even a 2 1/2 star hotel. The rep basically told me I was screwed and hung up on me.

First of all if you are going to shaft customers like that, why even have have a customer service department? She could have given me the benefit of the doubt and offered me some sort of credit. She could have said, "I am sorry to hear that sir. I can offer you a credit on your next stay using Hotwire." She could have even offered me a gift card for a free meal somewhere and I would have probably given them the benefit of the doubt. What is interesting is that I noticed that Hotwire was recently sued because they were doing the same thing, offering 3 star hotels and "bait and switching" with 1 and 2 star hotels. Here is the link:

http://consumerist.com/5011873/hotwire-facing-possible-class-action-lawsuit-for-selling-2+star-rooms-as-3+star

and here is another unhappy Hotwire customer

http://www.cruisemates.com/ forum/viewtopic.php?t=591775

I am going to dispute the charges with my bank and will never use Hotwire ever again. I will also make it a point to tell folks not to use Hotwire either because it is only going to save them headaches later. I can only imagine what would have happened if I was traveling overseas or perhaps out of state? I might have not been so lucky finding another place to stay for the night. It is like the old adage says, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

My car got broken into

2008-06-21T03:45:00.003-05:00

My car got broken into the other night but a few young punk kids. They stole my portable XM radio out of my car. They did not take anything else. They were stupid and cut the wires to the antenna and iPod plug that was not plugged into anything as well as a microphone for my Bluetooth Stereo that runs through my radio. What is funny is that the back fell off the of the unit. If they try to sell it, I will know it is mine because it is missing a back. I called XM and they disabled the radio and marked it as stolen so it could not be used. The also snagged my work badge but then tossed it in the grass when they realized they were not going to be able to do anything with it.

You would think with the satellite technologies, they would be able to pin point these thieves and led the cops to their door. I did end up getting a newer XM unit from XM which came with a car kit I happen to have my old XM radio that I was going to go back to. I always tend to look at things on the bright side like my mother does. The good thing that came out of all this is that it brought my neighbors behind me closer together.

More confessions of a Tech Support rep

2008-05-24T03:52:00.004-05:00

It has been 5 months since I have started this silly part time job. I have seen this place fire probably most of the people their hire. It makes me wonder how they keep anyone employed here. You would be better of getting a part time job at HEB where you could make $10 an hour, than the $8 an hour that they start you off here. The only reason why I took this part time gig was because they were flexible with my hours and the fact that I was going to be working from home. I was told my boss that we were 30 days out from them getting the new phone systems and the whole nightshift would be working from home. That will not be bad because I will not have to worry about commuting in to this place. Since being here, my stats are great, I am a profitable employee and my fix ratio is over 90%. You still get some customer who will call in because something does not go right because they screwed around with something. They need to give these people 3 times they can call for technical support. If they go outside of that 3 calls, they need to play for tech support. Keep in mind, this DSL company gives routers/modems to complete and total idiots who can not even turn a computer on. What is interesting about working nights here is that there is a night shift glitch where the system is supposed to count you tardy if you are late. Since my shift starts at 11 p.m., I have rolled in 30 minutes late. The system said I was tardy but points were never given to me for being tardy. Secondly, the main client we have here monitors probably 40% of our calls for them. I am amazed that I will get straight 100% on quality and then might get an 85% because I "did not update the master record" when that issue is a known issue with this tool that some guy threw together and is buggy as hell. This company is too cheap to go out and buy a new tool that might work much better for all of us. I have also been dinged for being "sarcastic" to customers. These folks are not very computer literate. When I have to listen to them tell me they are not very computer savvy every 3rd sentence and then put up with them not being able to follow simple instructions, of course I am going to sound a little sarcastic. I love it when a customer will ask, "It says next, should I click next?", or "Should I click Enter?" I usually answer the question with a question because they know the answer. "What do you think?", I will reply. To be honest, I could care less about my tone with customers. This is a disposable job for me. I am thankful for the opportunity to make some extra money to pay off debt; but, they need to pay me a few more dollars an hour before it might be worth sitting here putting up with customer's whining and crying that their internet is down.

I was at the grocery store the other day...

2008-05-24T03:29:00.003-05:00

I was at the grocery store the other day and noticed there was a young boy in a cart who looked about 4 years old with a pacifier in his mouth. I was in shock. My youngest son was 12 months when he gave up the pacifier. I had asked a few of my friends who are parents about when is a good time to ween a child off a pacifier. Everyone I asked answered that a child over 3 years old is way too old to be having a pacifier and it was a sign of laziness on the parent. What I want to know is, what the heck of these "chuppy" parents thinking? You know their kid should not be on a pacifier and it makes the parent look retarded for giving a pacifier to an older child like that. My youngest who will be 2 in August points to them and says to me, "Baby, Daddy" I chuckle to myself and replay, "Yes Matt, Baby".s

More rants fror the life of a DSL tech support rep.

2008-04-09T16:06:00.003-05:00

I just signed in the other day to my part time tech job and looked at the recent observations. The main company where we work tend to monitor our calls quite often, which is a tad bit overkill. I have gotten anywhere from perfect calls at 100% to "Needs Improvement". There is one woman who I swear is on the war path with me. On one of her comments she says, "Borderline sarcastic with customer". I was "borderline sarcastic with the customer because the clueless guy was like, "Oh? You want me to look for my start button?" He apparently thought I could magically get into his computer, fix his problem and get off. We do use a tool called Log Me In Rescue that allows us to sign in people's computers and fix things. I have used this tool a few times. The last time I tried to use it, the user was not smart enough to run the little applet that allows me access and it was taking over 10 minutes just to get to that point. I admit was borderline sarcastic with the customer, telling the guy, "Sir, you have to look for the start button on your screen."

I also get points counted off for not using the customer's name and not validating the customer's information. How ironic is that? I normally get that right when the customer gives me their billing telephone number. I am not sure if these folks who are monitoring our calls actually listen to the whole call or do they just deduct the points they think they need to and call it a day? I have told my Team Lead and I ready to come up during the day to have a little meeting with these monitoring folks to find out what their problem is. Of course, I am liable to tell them off and end up getting fired from the part time job. My Team Lead has re-monitored a few of the reps calls and they have been way off in terms of counting points off. When he finds things like this, he sends them over to the Admins so they can have the Admins contact the company who we are taking calls from. I am also amazed that I get counted off for my "tone". Excuse me, I put on the fake "Radio DJ" voice when I take calls. My father who used to work as a Journalist in the Army for over 20 years calls it the "Peter Puker" voice. I am not sure how an upbeat voice would get points off for "tone"? Maybe I should answer my calls in an Indian accent, "Thank you for calling...this is Sandeep, How can I help you with phenomenal service?"

This company sends out surveys in which customers can send those back into the company to show how good or bad a rep does. Usually, these are sent to the main account and users never check them. Every once in awhile, I will go into one of those surveys for the customer and give myself all high scores and in the comment section, fill in how polite and courteous I was. I try not to do too many of these for fear they might catch on. Besides, a little pat on the back never hurt dealing with clueless people.

Trying to join the gym here at work.

2008-04-07T12:25:00.002-05:00

I decided since I do not have time to go hit my local Gold's Gym during lunch, I would join the gym at work so I can at least start doing more cardio. We had a Healthy Heart screening and everything was fine other than my Cholesterol level. I fill out the papers and roll into our Fitness center office which is run by this bubbly trainer who looks like she lives in the gym. She checks my blood pressure and everything is fine there. She asks about my Cholesterol and I tell her thats they reason why I want to start working out at work since I need to work out more as well as change up my diet more. I am already scheduled for a onsite physical with a doctor who is coming to my work 2 weeks later. She then proceeds to tell me that she wants me to get the doctor first before they allow me to work out at their facility.

First of all, we have a gym at work and they push the whole, "Let's be healthy" here at work. It is part of the work/life balance. If you have healthy employees, they are sick less and are more productive. She basically wanted me to jump through hoops so I can torture myself by going to the gym. I find it ironic that it is easiest not to bother with the doctor's approval and no goto the gym. I already have a gym membership. I do not need to pay for a 2nd gym membership. Secondly, we have major health problems with people being overweight in this world, as well as heart disease. There is a huge increase in the costs of health care. I know that if I do not do something about my Cholesterol levels, I am headed for the same health problems my father has. The good thing is that I do have health insurance and can afford to go see a doctor about my health. What about the folks who can not afford it? I understand that my work gym is only trying cover themselves from liabilities if something happens if I have a heart attack in the gym. My Glucose is good, my Blood Pressure is good. If the only thing that is causing me grief is my Cholesterol, why not give me the green light to work out? I am headed to a physical next week anyway. It is kinda a Catch 22. I am damned if I try to work out because I need a doctor to give me doctor's approval to work out at the work gym. I am also damned if I not do anything and then eventually start having health problems because I did not do anything.

I ended up trashing the paperwork the lady at the work gym gave me. I have a gym. I just need to make time to go, even if it cuts into my schedule. My small group at church did the Biggest Loser and I lost like 35 pounds just watching my diet and running 3 times a week. I will start running again and pull out my mountain bike. The pool in my neighborhood just opened too. I will start bringing my boys to the pool to get in a pool workout. I am just totally amazed that with all the medical problems in the world and you get a chance to do something better in your life, you basically have to go above and beyond to prove you have the ability to make those better changes.

My middle brother needs to get a clue.

2008-04-07T12:09:00.007-05:00

My middle brother goes over with my parents to my youngest brother's house to deliver his birthday present. My brother had his kids in tow as he was going with my parents to some Catholic school job fair. He is still trying to get a teaching job even though he has yet to pass his certification test. He has been told by schools that he needs that first before they will even consider him; but, he has not passed the test as of yet.

As soon as my middle brother walks in my younger brother's house, he immediately turns on the HDTV and fires up the XBOX 360. He then allows his son to play, Saints Row which is a "M" for Mature game. My youngest brother sits there in disbelief that our brother would even allow his son to play a game as violent as that. It makes me wonder just what kind of common sense he has allowing this. His wife was at work; but, she has been over to my youngest brother's house as well and allows their son to play violent games like that. When I ask my middle brother about it, he laughs and tells me, "He likes playing games like that."

My brother needs to get a clue and start allowing his son to play more age appropriate video games and not "M" for mature ones.

Shopping to trip to Big Lots.

2008-04-05T05:52:00.003-05:00

I took a trip up to Big Lots because I needed some "canned" air to clean out a keyboard for work and the Walmart was too far for me to drive to. I ran into Big Lots closet to my work where I normally buy snacks, batteries, cleaner, etc. There is one lady who is working on the first register that doubles as the returns desk. She tells one lady that got in her line that she was doing returns only, which was a total lie. She immediately called up one of the other ladies to come open her register. She then proceeds to give her grief because she was not making announcements over the intercom. I had to laugh to myself because I used to work for HEB and Albertsons and they wanted us to do announcements at least twice an hour. I had jokingly said to the checker about her announcements, "Like you do not have enough hours in the day to include announcements." She laughed and rang me up. The lady being rung up at the first register with her Married with Children Marcy D'arcy hairstyle decides she is going to walk out with her bags in hand. Instead of pushing the cart to the front to move it out of the way, she squeezes by it to walk out. In doing so, she blocks the exit for the rest of the customers. I grab the basket and push it to the front.

I am amazed at how some people do not think about others while shopping. Life is entirely too short for us to be rude and inconsiderate. Why try to rush out of the store, only to block other customers who are also trying to get out of the store by leaving your basket?

Rants of a DSL technical support rep.

2008-04-05T05:45:00.003-05:00

Confessions of a DSL technical support rep

It has been 3 months since I started this part time tech support job. My team lead finally got me bumped up to Level 1 tech because I had more technical experience than most of the team on the night shift combined, not to mention i have a Masters degree in Computer Science and looking at Ph D. programs. I have yet to see a raise yet because I have to give it about 2 weeks for it all to catch up. I figure I will start blogging about this part time job on a regular basis. This will be my "confessions of a tech support rep" to give folks an inside look at what exactly we have to put up with on a daily basis. I am not going to mention any company names. What I can say is I work for a company that services quite a few DSL service providers who also provided dial up service.

1. First of all, do not tell me you are not very computer literate. I really do not care. My only concern is if you can follow directions or not. If you keep repeating the fact you are not very computer literate to make up for the fact that you can not follow instructions to save your life, only makes the call that much more lengthy.

2. We have call times we have to follow. I do not have all day long to work on your technical issue. I have to have you on and off the phone in less than 12 minutes. The good thing is that one call might roll on for almost an hour but the next call will come in and I am on and off the call in less than 2 minutes. That helps my call average.

3. If I put you on hold to "check on a few things", I am usually going to the bathroom or complaining to my co-worker about how clueless you really are. This place frowns on us using DND (Do Not Distrub). We have to have a DND of less than 10%. DND is used for breaks, lunches and bathroom breaks. In order to get under the 10%, I use the hold button because I am not here long enough in an evening to take a break or a lunch.

4. Please do not call me because your Microsoft Office does not work and you happen to know that I am available. If you whine because the previous tech helped you, I will probably tell you it is out of my scope of support and ask if there is anything else I can help you with.

5. If you still have dial up and are paying for you, you need to look into getting DSL. If you have the lowest DSL package it is like $15 a month. Dial up customers whine and cry because their connection is slow or when their friend send them a large file that they can not download because their connection times out. These folks usually call up and have to have us delete the large file so they can get the rest of their mail.

6. If you have email problems and I have to sign into your email, you need to make sure there is not anything in your inbox that you do not want me to read. I will probably laugh at you and blog about it later, especially if you have emails from multiple dating sites.

7. When you call in, please be sure you are ready to answer the questions I ask you. If I ask you for your billing telephone number, please provide it. Do not tell me, "It is DSL.", or start to go off on your issue. If you do this, it only makes the call longer.

8. When I am asking you questions and I realize that you are not sure what to answer, I am usually going to ask you a YES or NO questions. The answer will either be YES or NO. If you sit there and wonder to answer, the call is going to be that much longer and frustrating. Please do not be clueless if you do not know how to answer a YES or NO question. You have a 50% chance of getting it right.

9. Do not call up with a bad attitude. I understand things are frustrating. I understand it does not work. When you call up in a bad mood, the call is going to take that much longer. You need to be happy you are talking to someone from the US and not someone in India if you called Dell tech support.

10. If you are running a Windows machine with Windows 98, you need to realize that Windows 98 is barely supported. Do not get upset if I tell you that you might want to upgrade your system. You are behind in the times. I realize that "if is not broke do not fix it". You would not still be driving a big car from the 70s, especially with gas prices as high as they are.

11. If you call me at night to compare that you DSL is slow at night, you need to GET A LIFE. Turn off the computer and take a walk, read a book, watch a movie. Life does not revolve around your porn addiction or your online poker habit.

12. If your account is suspended, it can take 24 to 48 hours to get your account back active. At night, we are technical support. Do not call up crying that your phone works but your DSL does not because you are too lazy to pay your bill.

13. We are contractors of this DSL provider. In fact, the company I work for has multiple DSL providers they do support for. The main company whose building we are housed in has their reps monitor our calls. I swear they monitor our calls at least every 2 days. The 3 people that do the monitoring are just as clueless as our DSL customer. I will get perfect calls on like 5 calls in a row from one person monitoring and they will give me a "needs improvement" because of something silly like I did not use the customer's name or offer the phone number of a manufacturer that I refer a customer to. These folks should be happy we take calls from their customers. Some of these folks should not own computers. It takes every ounce of patience for me not to reach through the phone and choke these customers. When I worked tech support before, we maybe got monitored once a month at the most. I am seriously tempted to come up to this office and have a few choice words with these folks that monitor. My team lead goes back and re-monitors some of the calls they give "needs improvement". He always finds that the calls were incorrectly monitored.

14. The average age of the folks working here is about 20. They hire college students primarily. My team lead is only 28. It is amazing at all the drama that goes on at this place. One of the Level 2 techs that I made friends with bragged to me that he went up to the 3rd floor women's bathroom and had sex with her while he was on lunch. I am amazed because there are cameras all over this place. The 2nd and 3rd floors are the offices by the DSL service provided we are contractors of. This place is one big soap opera. The Level 2 that I made friends with starts pointing out all the women he has had sex with. The girl he had sex with on the 3rd floor apparently gave him oral sex in the parking lot when the parking lot lights were out. I can only laugh at the drama that goes on around here, especially since the Level 2 tech that was bragging has a kid and lived with the family of his baby's mother and got kicked out of his house.

15. I am amazed at what they start folks out here. It is a wonder that they keep anyone for a extended period of time. I only agreed to it because they told me I could work from home once they got their new phone systems and they were flexible with my hours. The starting pay here is $8 and hour. If you work nights, you get a $1 shift diff. I have never made $9 an hour since the early 90s. The starting pay for tech support reps in Austin is anywhere from $12 to $15 an hour. They can get away with paying so low here because they hire college kids to work here. I could make more money else where, but where else can I get paid to sit on my butt?

16. The turn over rate is way high here. I was told by the team lead that one month they hired 150 people and fired 150 people. I think the big thing is the "point" system. People tend to get fired for having too many points.

17. "Points" are really stupid at this place. If you come into work late, you get points. If you are a no call no show, you get points. You can work off your points by working at least 20 hours on weekends. The points need to be done away with. I think Team Leads should be given the power to put people on probation for being late and calling in. If you call in sick, you have to roll in with a doctor's note. The college kids that work here many times do not even have medical insurance. What makes you think they are going be able to roll into the doctor and get a note?

18. The Network Admin that works here has the web filter set too high. You can use "quota" time to browse on your own time. I realize there are certain sites they do not want you to be browsing while at work. They block message boards, Food, certain tech websites, Entertainment, etc. I can understand they are worried about bandwidth but this guy does not have to be so anal about the Web Filter. He has a network sniffer on at all times. He can see what people are doing. I did find two ways around his Web Filter. He did get smart and block the one way. I have not tried the second after he sent a nastygram to my boss about my web usage. If my boss gets another email from him, I might have to pay him a visit to find out what his problem is.

This place is just a job and is not my real job. I can kick back and not take it too seriously because if I ever get too upset, I know I can walk out here without looking back knowing that I do not really need this job. It is a nice thing to have, especially since I have to put my oldest son in summer camp. (Plus that new Fender Lonestar guitar that I want with a Line 6 Pod XT.) We see how long I last at this place.

My middle brother gets in a car accident.

2008-03-14T10:50:00.004-05:00

I call my middle brother the day before yesterday to touch base with him. Every since he got this bright idea to quiet his perm job at Home Depot Supply where he had benefits, vacation time and a regular salary and decided he was going go off and substitute teach to try to get his "foot in the door", I have been trying to check on his at least once or twice a week to make sure he is ok and see if he needs anything. My brother has told me that he does not have health insurance for his kids. He tells me the Dentist that his wife works for writes prescriptions for his kids if they need meds from the Pharmacy. My dad is retired and has this car that is like 14 years old. It is paid off. He has had quite a few problems with it; but, while he was working as a High School teacher before he decided to retire, he had put his car in the shop. My father tells me his car just needs a new radiator. I found one off eBay we can buy and is $80. I figured myself and my 2 brothers can all go in with $30 and buy this radiator so my dad's can drive his car. When I called my middle brother, he immediately tells me, "Ahh, I have to go. I just got in an accident and think I just totaled my car." My brother had a Ford Ranger that was paid off and he gets this bright idea that he is going to go buy this little Suzuki car that is a little more reliable that his truck. He has only had this thing for a few months.

My brother calls me back that same night and tells me he was in IH35 in San Antonio near the Pepsi bottling plant. He was coming over the bridge when traffic had come to a complete stop. He slammed on his brakes and was not able to stop in time. He rear ended a Ford F150 truck with his kids in the car. My brother not knowing where to get his car towed, tells the tow truck driver to take it to the Police Impound lot. I had asked him what kind of insurance cover ages he had. He tells me he does not know. I asked if he had rental car reimbursement and he tells me he does not know. The only thing he knows is that he has Progressive. My brother had called Progressive and the adjuster wanted him to bring the car into one of their adjustment shops. He tells the guy that the car is not drivable. The guy asks if he can tow it there and my brother tells him it is at the Police Impound lot. The adjuster is going to go to the lot to look at the car and contact my brother with regards to his claim. I suggested he contact Progressive to find out what body shops are their preferred shops and have the car towed there. That way if the car can be fixed, they can start work on it immediately.

The good thing is that his kids were shaken up but were ok and no one was hurt. I am amazed that my brother has no clue about his insurance overages, if he has GAP insurance on his car, or if he has rental car reimbursement. From what I understand, Progressive does not do a 100% pay off of his car if they total it. More than likely, my brother financed the whole car. If Progressive does total his car, he will be lucky to get full value. The good thing is that my brother has his old truck he can drive. It has high millage; but, I told him that I would be happy to help him keep that beast on the road. I am surprised that my brother's wife has not put her foot down to make him get health insurance for his kids. I realize that he and his wife do not make very much money; but, there are insurance programs through the State of Texas that would allow him to get insurance for his kids at a reduced price if he needed to.

I am going continue to keep checking on him to make sure he does not need anything and help point him in the right direction. He is currently subbing at East Central High School until the end of the school year and working part time at Walmart to bring in extra money. He is hopeful that East Central will offer him a job next year. The big problem with that is my brother has not passed the Exit test yet and schools are not going to just offer him a job if he is not already certified unless they have some sort of emergency certification.

What is going on in my neighborhood?

2008-03-14T10:39:00.003-05:00

I am driving home the other day and see this guy on an ATV driving around on the streets. This is not the first time I have seen the guy driving his ATV in the streets. I laugh and shake my head. I go up to Kerrville for the weekend and go to the Tractor Supply store just to see what the have. I get on an ATV and see a warning label that plainly states, "NEVER USE ON PUBLIC ROADS".

First of all, I live in a neighborhood that has parks, pools, has an HOA that regulates how/when we cut our grass, etc. I am amazed they would even allow someone to own an ATV in our neighborhood, nevertheless drive it around the streets like a crazy person. I have enough problems with the clueless young girl who drives her electric scooter in my alleyway wearing a batters' helmet who ended up rear ending me a few days after she got her scooter. She still drives that thing like a banshee through the alleyway like a bat out of hell. I have seen her almost have to jump off because cars are driving down the alleyway to go park in their driveway.

I am wondering what the heck is going on with my neighborhood? Are people so clueless they do not have the common sense to not drive their ATVs around my neighborhood like a bunch of rednecks living in a trailer park? To the moron who has no clue driving around the neighborhood like a redneck who lives in a trailer park, we live in a nice community. Please stop being a moron, and get a clue. It might not be a good idea for you to ride your ATV on the streets of the neighborhood. Apparently you did not take the time to read the warning lable on your ATV, nor pay attention to the traffic laws of the city and the state and realize you can not drive that thing on city streets either.

Water softener install

2008-03-04T18:10:00.005-06:00

I went to Lowes and finally broke down to buy a water softener since we have hard water here in Kyle. I had also figured in the long run, it would be an asset to the house when I go to sell it. Last Friday I went to the Lowes in south Austin. I had originally went to the Lowes in San Marcos but the guy John who helped me made me feel like I was wasting his time. The south Austin Lowes had a New Jersey John who was very friendly, helpful and set up everything for me.

I get a call Sunday afternoon from the installer who says next week is wide open. I call him back first thing Monday morning and we set it up for Tuesday. They were at my house around 11am and in 2 1/2 hours later, they had me up and running.

I am overall pleased with the unit. It is very quiet and lives in the garage. They did have to dig up my yard to tap into the water line. I was amazed that they did not bury the lines deeper than they did. I was not impressed with the fact that the installer wanted to charge me $33 for 1 "hose bibs" which would allow me to use my water hose to water my grass with hard water rather than soft water. He tells me that the first one would be $33 and the second one would be over $100 because they had to trench more. Ironically, they failed to mention after he installed the hose bibs that there is a bypass valve on the water softener itself. I did not need to have a hose bib installed. I also thought the install price of $950 for labor was a tad bit much. I had gotten 3 estimates and labor would run me $500 maximum. For $950, the installers should have given me hose bibs for free. The water softener itself was only $549. It is amazing how an install fee would cost you twice as much as the actual unit itself. Lowes basically tells me their water softener install program is in a "test" market. The cool thing is you can run this water softener on either salt pellets or Potassium pellets. The different is the salt is $2.50 a bag and the potassium is like $11 a bag. There are 3 bags of salt in the unit now and I might have to buy 1 bag after having the unit in my house almost 3 weeks.

I had asked the installers how many water softener installs they do a week and he tells me 3. I realize what a racket this guy has doing 3 installs. The normal price is $1000 for the install. This guy is making at least $3000 a week in installs alone. I realize he has labor because there was 2 other guys with him. Both guys did not speak a word of English. He probably used day laborers. He also used a bunch of PVC pipe. It is not an install I would do myself since they did have to get permits from the city of Kyle and had to tap into my water supply line. I think Lowes needs to regular these guys a little more, especially if they are going to overcharge on the install almost $500 off the regular price.

Would I call Lowes again to get them to install something else? I would probably pass on the install and hire my own contractor to do the labor and just buy the materials from Lowes.

Working the 2nd job

2008-03-04T17:19:00.005-06:00

I got this wild hair and decided to work this part time job figuring I could pay off some debt and pay to get a water softener installed in my house. I figured it could not be too bad being that they would allow me to work from home because they were getting their new phone systems. I was also told their hours were flexible. I figured I would put in 15 to 25 hours a week. I got hired the first week of January. I had to go through training, which was a total joke. I asked the trainer to just send me to the floor right then and there. What was even funnier is when we went around the room and introduced ourselves, I was the only one with a real job and 2 degrees. This place hires tons of college kids, which is not totally a bad thing. When people found out what I did for my real job and how I had two degrees, they were all like, "What the heck are you doing here?" To be honest with you, I am not exactly sure. A week of training and a week in this phone room with no windows called the "dungeon" that was run by a young, thin, fake blonde girl who touted she had been smoking since she was 8. I guess you would be able to tell that being she had that gravely "smokers voice".

I get to the floor two weeks later to work nights. The original plan was to work 10pm till 2am, figuring that I could come home, crash and have plenty of time to wake up to get to my real job. Of course, I get put on this 11pm till 4am shift 5 days a week. I work my 8 to 5pm job, get my youngest son from daycare, come home, cook dinner, feed the boys, make sure Josh has done hs homework and then put the boys in bed. I crash around 7pm, only to wake up around 9:45pm, to get up and go into the part time job. It does slow down after 2am most nights. Since I am way over qualified for this job and my team lead tells me I have more experience and skillsets that all of the L2's put together who work nights, I am optimistic they will just make me an L2 and give me a few more bucks. There is another guy who also works nights with me named Ryan who has a real IT job like myself. He is also way over qualified. He and I joke about the day we both get fed up, and walk out of that place never to return. Ryan is a good guy and is very tech savy. Ironically, I have mentioned that what I make in one week at the Telenetwork is what I normally make in a few hours of work at my real job, I start to wonder why I am even there. My team lead is named Bob and is realted to Adrian Belew the musician. He is the most underated guitar player out there. Bob used to be in the Army and install phone equiptment. I like his "take no crap" attitude. He is a fun guy to listen to. He is dating another girl who works nights. She makes me laugh because she comes off sounding like she is mean; but, she is a real sweetheart. The L2 who works nights is name Ben. He makes me laugh. He tries to act like a player but I am sure he is a good family man. He tells me he has 4 kids. He can not be more than 25 years old. He brags about getting with a few of the girls there at work. I laugh and shake my head because I have a feeling he is more talk than anything. He reminds me alot of myself when I was his age. I was fearless and loved to party.

I have been there almost 2 months and the calls are not too bad. I do get tired of talking to elderly folks who have nothing better to do than to call up the tech support line and ask for help. Once they get you on the line, they want to ask where you are at and talk about life; but, you have to keep them on target. If I hear, "I am not very technically literate" when I am asking someone to click on "Start", I am going to scream. One lady was complaining about how she had so many computer problems. I told her, "Well Ma'am, some people should own computers, other should own etch-sketchs." I did not think that was as bad as when I told a lady I could not "send magical elves to come down and magically fix her computer. Ironically, my team lead monitored that call. We both got a big laugh out of it. I am constantly amazed at these computer illiterate people who have modems and routers. Most of these people can not even run their modem. Meanwhile, there are those people who are still on dial up. I ask every one of them, "Is there not DSL in your area?" Most people are happy with the slowness of dial up. I guess I am spoiled. If it is not at least DSL speeds, I am whining or complaining. I always wonder why these people decide to call tech support at 3am just for assistance.

The big pull at this place is first time fixes and talk time. Basically, you can not have a low talk time if you want a high first time fix rate. People are going to call back just because they started screwing up stuff and you have to refer them to their manufacturer. I do like telling those people who are still running Windows 98 that we can try it once and if it does not work, they might want to consider upgrading their machine since there is limited support for Windows 98. The best people to talk to are the folks who own Macs running OS X 10.5 and the Linux people. These people understand what is going on. They have an issue and you are on and off that call in record time.

I am not sure who wrote the "tracker" tool but this guy needs to be fired. It is buggy, outdated, and is in dire need of a complete overhaul. This place has over 800 reps, you would think the owner would invest in a support tool of some sort. You have to log into your phone and then log into the tracker. I have had the tracker gone down, only for it to tell me I was "tardy" because I had to sign back into it. They had a $50 bonus every pay day just for showing up on time. I NEVER saw that on my check. The network is locked down by Websense. There are tons of sites you can not get to. Some of the tech sites have message boards attached and those are blocked. There are ways around the Websense but they have put a network sniffer on their network. If my team lead gets any more emails from the network admin, I am going to have to have a few words with him. From what I understand, the network guys all have degrees. I am not sure where those degrees are from because it seems like they are running the network by the seat of their pants.

For a part time job, this place is not too bad. The pay is not very high to start out with. What they gave me to start and even with my "night shift" differential, it is still like almost $5 an hour under the industry standard. What they are hoping for are these college kids who are going to come in and work for them. They hire at least 50 to 100 reps a month. Ironically, they end up firing most of them. I guess there are worst part time jobs out there. I could be working at the local HEB again. I would be on my feet all the night and would probably be even more tired that I am now. I am going to see about getting my hours cut back. This working till 4am business is driving me nuts. I start to look forward to the 2 days off I have from the part time job where I can go to bed at a descent time and can catch up on my rest. I will probably stay long enough to see what working from home is like. If it works out, I might work there long enough to pay off my debt and my water softner and call it a day.

The next time I get a wild hair and decide I am going to go off and get this flexible part time job to help pay off debt, I will get a job teaching college and put my Masters degree to work.

Working a part time gig

2008-02-25T16:02:00.004-06:00

I decided to get this wild hair and start working a part time job doing technical support 20 hours a week because the company told me I could work from home and had flexible hours. This place is staffed by a large amount of college kids. For many of them, it is their first job while going to college. This company I work for takes phone calls from multiple DSL service providers. After working there for about a month, I realized exactly while I got out of the tech support industry. I understand in this day and age, computers are starting to show up in more households. People buying these computers are not real computer savvy and thats to be expected. If I hear, "You have to bear with me because I not very computer literate," 3 or 4 times during a call I am going to scream. Secondly, if I ask a yes or no question and "dumb" it down for the customer, it drives me nuts when they hesitate and give you an answer other than yes or not and you have to back track to get them to where they need to be. Third, the callers that I like the most are the ones that call every evening just to talk to someone because they are lonely. One guy calls every evening and when he gets me he says, "Oh Bill! I am so glad I got you. You were so nice to me the other day I wanted to ask you a question." Of course, the guy's question is outside the scope of support of the DSL provider I am answering calls for. Fourth, DSL providers should not give customer's the latest technology if they do not know how to use it. I spoke to a lady the other night that had a wireless router/modem combo and she screwed it up because she started messing with the settings. She ends up calling us at least 3 times a week because she did something and wants to blame it on the service. I think DSL providers should give a little 5 question test. If you can not pass the test, you get a Fisher Price modem. If you pass the test, then we give you the latest and greatest hardware. Fifth, I am so amazed about how many people still use dial up and they complain , "This is SOO SLOW!!!!" The guy last night had a Windows Vista computer and dial up. I usually ask the customer, "How come you are not running DSL? It about the same price as Dial Up.

We will see how long this job lasts. I am hoping to get some of my sanity by working from home. Once I do that, I can answer calls in my underwear.

I took my youngest to the doctor

2008-02-25T15:55:00.003-06:00

I took my youngest to the doctor for his 18 month check up. I noticed in the parking lot when I drove up there was a parking spot labeled "COMPACT". Ironically, this lady driving an SUV thought to herself that her big monster SUV was compact enough to fit in the space and decides to take 2 spots. Little did I know she was the same lady who tried to cut in front of me at the doctor's office while waiting in line. I hear the lady comment, "Man, you guys are busy for a Tuesday. There was not any parking downstairs." I chimed in, "Yeah, someone decided they would park their SUV in a compact parking spot. I guess they did not realize there was an open spot 5 slots down that was for regular vehicles." She responded, "Guess you could take 2 spots then!" I then realize it was the woman that was smart enough to take 2 compact spots to park her big boat of an SUV in space. I almost responded, "Yeah but then when the person parked next to you pulls out and side swipes the big SUV, I guess the driver will not care because she is parked in the wrong spot?" I got my kid's paperwork and went to go sit down without commenting and kinda chuckled to myself and wonder how clueless people like that even get a driver's license.

My neighbor's kid got a electric scooter for Christmas.

2007-12-30T17:27:00.001-06:00

I have been off for a week during Christmas. I am very thankful that I work for a company that believes in giving their employees time off for family. Christmas day I get up to take the trash out and my neighbor down the street kids both have electric scooters and they are zipping up and down the back alleyway.

I was working on my car to fix a steering problem. I was test driving it and pulled out of my driveway. I put the car in drive when I hear, "WAP!" The neighbor's kid has rear ended me with her scooter. I immediately jump out to make sure she is ok. She is fine as is her scooter. She is a little freaked out. Her dad comes down with drink in hand to make sure she is ok. She is and she drives off.

First of all if you your kid is accident prone, why would get them a scooter to where they are going to hurt themselves? My kid wants a motorcycle; but, you do not see me bringing one home. It kinda reminds me of the line, "You might be a redneck..." The dad is drinking and is buzzed drunk. He is like "Hey baby, just keep riding that thing. If you hit something, it will stop you. You do not need brakes with that thing." I am glad to see my neighbor was smart enough to have his daughter wearing a helmet. Secondly, these kids should not be driving motorized scooters on city streets. If you are going to have your kid drive a motorized scooter, take them to a large parking lot so they can no nuts. I wish parents would think a little more before buying their kids Christmas presents that could hurt them if they are not careful or accident prone.

My clueless middle brother.

2007-12-30T17:17:00.000-06:00

My brother calls me after Christmas. I usually call him once a week to check to see how his job search is going since he got this bright idea of quitting a job where he had benefits, vacation and a regular schedule to go substitute teach. I had gotten a Back to the Bardyard DVD. I have watched that show a few times and it is hilarious. I am talking to John when he tells me they are going to go return stuff they got for Christmas because, "Travis really wants a 1st person shooter game for his Game Cube." John tells me our mom had gotten him some DVDs. I spoke to my mom about that she denies giving Travis any DVD's at all. I am sure the DVD we gave him went back to the store. I am about to make a new rule where all gifts will be with giftcards. I am tired of being lied to with regards to Travis "loving" the movie we got him and "He could not wait" to watch it. After Christmas, my brother usually has my mom find out where we went shopping so we can start his return process. I have started to given them gift cards for themselves. This year I gave them a $25 gift card to the movies and a $15 iTunes gift card. I got a $20 Taco Cabana gift card, which was not bad. Josh loves Taco Cabana.

Of course John went to go get Travis a "First Person Shooter" game which is either marked "T" for Teen or "M" for Mature. That still drives me nuts because Travis is only 5 and should not be playing mature titles like that on a Game Cube or any platform.

Dear Mr. Moron driver,

2007-12-13T13:23:00.000-06:00

I was driving to work on 183 this morning and in my rear view mirror, I see this car coming up at a fast pace. This Audi R8 which looks like a futuristic car is weaving in and out of traffic. I was driving about 75 mph and he passed me like I was standing still. I had to laugh when he had to slam on his brakes because someone cut him off. He blew past me and continue weaving in and out of traffic at a high speed.

If you have the money to buy an R8, that is great, but please do not drive it like a moron. You are endangering me and the lives of the other morning commuters because you are in a mad dash to get someplace, or trying to show off that you are really that stupid. I do not care that your car has a top speed of 187 mph. I drive a hybrid. I drive it because I am tired of putting $100+ in gas in my car every week, plus I care about the environment. Secondly, you have 420 hp compared to my 100 hp? Woo hoo. I am not going to end up killing someone or being killed in a car that is designed for lead footers. Why would need such hp? We do not drive on oval tracks. You do not plan to outrun the law. Is the 300 hp mark not high enough for you. What kind of gas millage do you get with that beast when you are a driving like a total jerk?

I guess it goes to show that some people have more money than brains.

My brother sends me his kid's Christmas list.

2007-12-13T13:15:00.000-06:00

I email my brother to send me his kid's Christmas list. I have this tradition of giving him and his wife gift cards for Christmas because I got tired of thinking of the perfect gift, only to have my brother John try to return it after Christmas. I have gone as far as removing the shrink wrap and cutting out the UPC code so he could not return it when I was giving gifts. It is usually a Target or Best Buy Gift card.

Here is the response my brother sends me with regards to what to buy his kids:

Amber is into board games, or games for the DS.
Travis loves playing games for the Gamecube, he likes
shooting games.

Amber is the oldest and I am all for buying her board games. Josh loves board games as well. Travis who is 6 years old wants a "shooting game"? For his birthday, my brother told me he wanted Call of Duty. That is not an age appropriate game for a child that young. My son who will be 10 does not get to play first person shooter games like that. I will probably end up giving them both Game Stop gift cards. I am amazed my brother would let his youngest son play "T" for Teen and "M" for Mature games. What is even more surprising? His wife allows it. But then again, his wife's sister has 6 kids all with different dad's and my brother's mother in law takes care of most of them.

Dear Mr. SUV driver,

2007-11-22T22:54:00.000-06:00

When I goto the store, I try to make sure I park between the lines. This time, I had to park way in the back. I amazed that you were able to park your giant, gas guzzling SUV. When I came out to my car, I noticed you had crossed the line in the parking space because you have no idea about how to park that beast, let alone drive it. This proves my point with SUV drivers. If you can not park your SUV, you either need to drive something much smaller or take the bus. It always makes me wonder if you cry when you goto the gas pump and it costs you over $100 a week to keep that thing on the road?

I have seen a company that sells these cards to where you can leave drivers little messages. I would love to make some up on my own. Perhaps maybe that would give some SUV drivers a clue that if they are going to drive a monster truck like they do, they need to make sure they can park between the lines. Apparently, this guy did not have anyone riding with them in the passenger seat because they would have had a hard time getting out.

So Mr. inconsiderate SUV driver, I would hope you would be a tad bit more courteous to those people who drive cars much smaller than you.

HEB Thanksgiving Day

2007-11-22T22:42:00.000-06:00

I realized that I had forgotten french fried onions for the green bean casserole. I also needed some saline solution for my contacts. I knew the HEB Plus in my neighborhood was open till 2pm, so I hurriedly went over. The HEB Plus was not as busy as I have normally seen it. I was amazed that this store looked like folks were gearing up for bad weather. There was hardly any eggs, milk, the bread isle was barren. They had tea in a 1 gallon container which was no where to be found. I did manage to see some folks getting a jump on their Christmas Shopping buying Nintendo Wii's and a portable DVD player with 8 inch screen. As I made my way around the store, I realized why I enjoy going shopping late at night. I was amazed at people who were not paying attention and rudely cutting people off. You would also find some people blocking lanes and would glare at you when you would try to get by them by saying, "Excuse me." My big question is, have we really gone so far to forget why we are celebrating Christmas and Thanksgiving? I understand as people we lead busy lives. I decided to have Thanksgiving at my house. It was nice but even after buying a ham and making green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and rolls, I was dead tired after all that. My parents came as well as my great aunt who is living with them. After we ate lunch, we all lounged on the sofa watching some show about castles and fancy lake homes.

I have learned that it is better to be prepared and ready to go before Thanksgiving. If I had forgotten anything, I should have went to Walmart last night late, instead of waiting till today thinking I could just run in, get what I needed to and get out. I keep seeing the commercials for Black Friday sales and I do not plan to go anywhere near those sales, especially seeing how impatient and inconsiderate shoppers can be at the grocery store the day of Thanksgiving.

CompUSA - Not a computer superstore.

2007-11-15T12:41:00.000-06:00

I just ordered a Pioneer Inno portable XM radio. I have a car kit for my Delphi unit but the units are not interchangeable. The regular price is $80 for the kit. I checked my local stores like Target, Walmart, Best Buy Circuit City and CompUSA. CompUSA had it for $29.98 but you could not get it delivered. I called my local CompUSA to see if they could order it store to store and I could pick it up. The lady who answered the phone could barely speak english. She tells me she could not order it; but, I could call the store directly. I checked online and there was a store in Madison, WI that says there are In Stock. The other stores they list says limited quantities. I call the Madison, WI store and once again the lady who answered the phone could hardly speak english. If you have someone that has problems with the english language, why put them on the phone to deal with customers? I am sure that just adds to the frustration. This lady tells me that this Car Kit I am looking for is is not in stock. When I explain their website shows they have them in stock, she tells me that they do have 3 of them. I then ask if I can order one and she tells me I could speak to the manager to see if he will let me order the item.

First of all, this is NOT the first time I have had this issue where the website says they have an item in stock and they either have none or tell me the website is incorrect. One guy told me, "Yeah, we have one, but it is probably on a pallet somewhere in the back." This guy made no effort to go find this unit. Secondly, Walmart and Autozone allows me to order items from other stores and they will send them to my store within 24 to 48 hours. CompUSA should also follow suit. I am amazed that the lady wanted me to talk to the store manager to order a $29.99 car kit. I am sure the store manager has better things to do than talk to me about a car kit.

I will end up probably going to Fry's to buy a car kit, or just suck it up and buy one at Circuit City for $80. I am going to store going to CompUSA for anything. They seriously need to change the way they do business or they might end up losing even more customers. If your shopping trip includes CompUSA, skip them. You should goto Best Buy or Circuit City.

I really need to stay off eBay.

2007-11-09T15:03:00.000-06:00

I just bought a new guitar. I wanted to go back to something simple, with no Floyd Rose tremolo. I bought this cool Ibanez guitar that is red and has 2 humbuckers in it. It sounds ok. I have already ordered new pickups for it which should be here today. I am also going back to an all tube amp. I have a Peavey Valveking 112. It is a great amp. You can switch between Class A and Class B amp types. I had been using this Digitech GNX 3000 which is an all digital effects unit. It was cool but I missed glowing tubes and the feel of analog pedals. I have an old DOD Grunge pedal which is a bit much over the top. It is real gritty. There are a few mods you can do to it to clean it up. I would consider trying one or two out.

I am on eBay and I found a Ibanez Tube Screamer TS-9 pedal on eBay. I start bidding on it with another guy. I end up snagging it for about $70. They normally go for $99 new. I do not really need a new overdrive pedal; but, I figure what the heck? It finally shows up today around 2pm. I plug in my guitar, fire up my tube up and try it first on the clean channel. The overdrive is a little weak for my tastes. I like things a little meatier. I had seen in Guitar Magazines where guitar players have this pedal in their pedal board. Many folks like to use this pedal as a clean boost. I move over to the overdrive section of my tube amp. I put the distortion on about 50% and start playing some riffs. I fire up the Tube Screamer and there is a poof and a little grittier distortion. It is not "in your face/over the top" but still nice. I can hear the notes I am playing instead of hearing a bunch of fuzz. I did toy around with the gain, level and tone controls. I got a great sound with the knobs all at 12 0'clock. You could max the level and gain and would still get useable tone. I even tried it with the gain set at zero. I got a great clean boost. I am definitely starting to see what all the range is with these Tube Screamers. I may not mod this one. I would consider IndyGuitarist's "Tube Screamer on Steroids" mod, especially if I could keep the characteristics of the original pedal and boost it when I need to. I need to spend more time with it to see what kinds of tones I can get. I did manage to score a Boss MD-2 Mega Distortion. The only reason I got that was because in Guitar World Magazine they list a setting for Van Halen's "Somebody get me a doctor" in it and I love Eddie's old tone when it was gritter.

I definately need to stay off eBay because I also picked up a Pioneer INNO to replace my XM Roadie from a guy in Houston that was selling them for like $60. I will probably unload this Jackson Guitar and Kustom Tube 12A amp on eBay to try and recoup some of my costs. I also have some pedals that I need to unload on eBay too. Until the next eBay adventure.

Thanksgiving at my house

2007-11-01T23:51:00.000-05:00

Both of my brothers have their own homes and have their separate Thanksgiving traditions. Daniel normally works Thanksgiving. He and I think alike because I used to work the holidays as well. I would get time and a half plus get an extra floating holiday. My brother John usually has Thanksgiving at his trailer in La Vernia. He makes Fajitas and invites his in laws and his sister in law and her 6 kids. (4 of the kids have different dads.) He only has a single wide and when you get my parents, my clan, my brother's in laws and his sister in law and her 6 kids, it becomes standing room only. Plus., La Vernia is outside San Antonio and a tad bit far for me to travel. For the past few years, I have told my brother that it is a little too far to be traveling way out there. I have had Thanksgiving once at my house and invited my brother and he never came. I will always invite him and he is always welcome. I love my brother but he is very nosey. The last time he was at my house. I was at the store and when I got home, he had gone up into my spare bedroom, taken out my guitars and plugged them in to play. I have also caught him snagging stuff from my house without even asking. Once, he had my mom's van loaded up with stuff. When he realized he had been caught, he replied, "Can I have this?" If he would have asked, I am sure I would have let go of some of the stuff. He also always wants to borrow my guitar gear. I see him like twice a year. I hate lending him anything because I know I will never see it again.

My house got volunteered this year for Thanksgiving. My mother is going to bring my great aunt which I have yet to go see. We used to see her all the time but its been years since I have seen her. I will buy all the food no problem and have my mom bring a dessert. I will end up with turkey and dressing to eat for about two weeks after all that. I told my brother Daniel he is welcome to come out out. He and I have been close for a few years. He is also in the computer industry. I usually touch base with both brothers at least once a week. I am finding myself as the older, wiser brother that helps point my brothers in the right direction, which is kinda cool. I enjoy being able to jump in and resolve issues when problems arise.

It shall be interesting to see how this Thanksgiving turns out. I am tempted to just goto Bill Millars or HEB and order one of those complete Turkey Dinner meals where all I have to do is open up the package and heat it up.

Treak or Treating in my neighborhood

2007-11-01T23:36:00.000-05:00

I went out Trick or Treating with my son who had his plan to hit the neighborhood for Trick or Treating. This was his 2nd year Trick or Treating. (He is 9.) I am on my way home and he is already starting to freak out because I am not home yet. I get home, we eat dinner and he is already in his costume. This year he is a pirate. We start off at my neighbors house. We worked our way around the rest of the houses. My son keeps telling me, "The scarier the house, the better the candy." There are quite a few houses whose lights are off. We work our way around walking for about 2 hours. By that time, Josh's candy bag is full. He tells me he is getting blisters for carrying it.

I am amazed at how many kids are out this year. My A/C repair guy was having a Halloween party for the kids. There was a big screen playing VeggieTales. They had face painting and games. It was pretty cool. There were quite a few high schoolers out. One girl screamed, "I am NEVER too old to trick or treat." Wait till you have kids, you will be out carting them around. There were also parents who were driving their kids around to trick or treat. First of all, that is cheating. That is the whole point of Halloween. You dress up and walk all over the neighborhood to trick or treat. You do not drive. This girl's mom was on the cell phone the whole time. My neighborhood is still being built. It is like 10 years into a 25 year build plan. The Mexican nationals who are working on the houses brought their kids trick or treating. You could hear them speaking Spanish up and down the street screaming, "Ninos!" I was also amazed at my neighbors who were already buzzing from the beer they were drinking who were out with their kids, beer in hand, trick or treating. Hey guys. This is not New Orleans. I realize you are in a neighborhood but you can not walk around with beer or alcohol in you hands thinking this is just some big picnic.

Josh finally made it back to the house and complained the last 20 minutes of our trip about how his hand hurt, his feet hurt and how he had blisters on his feet. It kinda makes me laugh. He will walk like 8 blocks to trick or treat but complains walking a block to school and gets mad when I do not pick him up from school when I work from home. His bag was on the table. He had already started to sort out his loot. I was amazed that some folks gave pencils. There was lots of sweet and sour sugary goodness. There was not much in terms of chocolate. Perhaps that might be a good thing. If I am up late one night, craving something sweet, you might find me raiding that container of chocolate.

Drivers in Suburban and Expeditions

2007-10-18T17:11:00.001-05:00

If you drive a big SUV like a Suburban or a Expedition, this does NOT automatically mean you have the right of way. I realize you are bigger than me and would crush my little Honda Hybrid if you hit me, but because you drive a bigger vehicle does not give you the right to drive like a moron. Secondly, there are these things on your steering wheel called TURN SIGNALS, please locate them right now and start to use them. I can not stand you drifting into my lane with no signal at all and you expect me to realize that you wanted to move over. Do I look like a mind reader? Third, if you miss your turn or about to pass your exit, do not take the right of way away from me just so you can try to make it in almost taking my front end off my car. You need to take the next exit and take the whip around. Fourth, if you can not park your big monster, gas guzzling SUV, you do not need to be driving one.

Lunch at Jack In the Box

2007-10-18T16:58:00.000-05:00

I am rolling into work late today today and figured I would stop and get some lunch. I wanted Chik-Fil-La but the line was wrapped around the building. I decided to stop at the Jack in the Box around the corner from my work. I roll up to the window and this guy takes my order. I ordered the sirlon burger combo meal. When I get to the window, this lady who takes my money is a Hispanic lady with a thick accent. It reminded me of George Lopez's story about Mexicans working at Jack in the box. "You wanna Yumbo Yak? You wanna french fries?" The kid responds, "No sir, my friends are fine." It was all I could do not to start laughing while this lady took my money.

I admire anyone that is working at all, even if it is at a fast food place. Of course, fast food restaurants seem to hire anyone that can barely speak english. I have gotten rotten service at the Burger King and the Taco Bell in Kyle and Buda, TX. When you roll to the drive through, the person working at the drive thru will usually go, "Yeah? Anytime you are ready." Geesh, what kind of greeting is that? This woman at the Jack in the box was very friendly and professional. It just amazes me that a fast food restaurant would put someone who has a thick accent or has problems communicating because they are hard to understand to work at the drive thru.

My great aunt from Monroe, LA

2007-10-12T02:35:00.001-05:00

My great aunt finally moved in with my parents. She has been talking about doing that for years. I never thought she would move. She was living in my grandmother's house in Monroe, LA where my dad grew up. The whole neighborhood has gone downhill for years. My dad had mentioned the house was in dire need of repair. He ended up selling the land for like $5000 with the house and then paid $1100 to get it knocked down. My great aunt is in her 80s. My dad lived with her while she was in college. She is a sweet lady.

During her move, she told my parents she was bringing her 3 dogs with her. She never had children, so the dogs are like her kids. She had a couple who was coming to San Antonio anyway bring her. She was only able to get 2 dogs in the car with her because the other one was too scared to get in the car. A few days later, I find out that my dad, who has medical problems as is, is driving her to Monroe, LA which is a 9 hour drive, getting the dog and driving back.

I called my father to check on him and he was fine. When they got to Monroe, they were trying to get the 3rd dog and the dog bit my dad. They eventually got the dog in the car and they drove back to San Antonio. My dad ended up going to the hospital because of the dog bite.

My mother is biting her to tongue with regards to my great aunt and her dogs. She was like, "I can't say anything about those dogs. Those are her kids." I responded, "Mom, its YOUR house. You should have laid down the law and said that you can only bring 1 dog or 2 dogs tops." My mom was telling me she is worried about my Dad because with his medical problems she is worried that he is going to have another heart attack from trying to get the house ready for my great aunt and having to go back and forth to Monroe.

What is even more ironic, my great aunt has a room with a bed in it. The first night she was at my parents house, she slept on the porch to make sure the dogs were ok. My mom came home that day and found she had cleaned the porch completely. My dad then went out and bought her one of those Aero Beds so she can sleep on the porch and be with those dogs. On one hand, I think it is good that my great aunt cames to live with my parents. My parents are pack rats. This is forcing them to purge much of their clutter. I have even offered to come in and do painting and lay new tile to help them improve their house. My great aunt is also going to pay them money every month since she is going to be living there which will help with the added grocery expense. On the other hand, my dad has a lot of medical problems already. He does not need to add to them with street from my great aunt's move and her 3 dogs.

I already do call my parents once a week to check in on them. I will definitely have to start calling them more frequently and make sure my father takes care of himself.

Updates from my middle brother

2007-10-12T02:15:00.000-05:00

I have started to make a habit of calling my middle brother at least once a week. He and I had never been real close. He is the one that thinks since he is the middle child, everything should be handed to him. My mother bought the land that his trailer is sitting on. He told my mother that he would pay her back. My mother saw about $200 from him and nothing more. I laugh because my mother complains, "We do not have any money." I usually tell her, "Yeah you do, John's trailer is sitting on top of it." His wife is my age and were in the same graduating class. I knew of her, but did know her personally. She always has this "sour puss" look on her face at family get togethers and sits there with her arms crossed like she is upset about something. She hardly ever speaks to me. She has a short leash on my brother. Every time I see his kids, I try to visit with them. Recently, his wife has started getting a little better in the "being social" department.

My brother got his bachelors degree about a year and a half ago. He was working for a Radiological Office but got fired from that job. He worked at a hotel for like the third or forth time just to bring some money in. My son's mom got a job at Home Depot supply in New Braunfels. I had made mention that he should apply. He did and got hired on. He works in the credit department in a big call center. During the summer, he was trying to get a teaching job and was offered a few jobs outside of the San Antonio area. Of course, his wife would not let him relocate his family outside the San Antonio area. She is too close to her own family. My brother has the dreams of being a coach, which I think is a great dream to strive for. In his mind, he wants a coaching job his first year teaching. My suggestion to him is to get his foot in the door of a school district and then worry about getting a coaching job. He has taken the Exit test a few times. It is never mentioned how many times he has taken it. The last time I had asked him about it, he told me it was going to a review session in San Marcos for that test. He is like my mother that never does well on tests. The other big problem is that he does not have teacher's certification. He has had schools tell him they will not even look at his resume without that.

He tells me in an email that he wants to quit his Home Depot job and go substitute at East Central. I asked him if he would make what he was making at Home Depot subbing and he tells me he would have to get a part time job at a hotel to make up the difference. I try to explain to him that would cut into his family time and he needs to be working during the day so he can be home with his kids. I told him to just hang loose with his Home Depot gig until another teaching job opens up. I also tell him he needs to start looking at other school districts. I will say he has been trying to get his foot in the door. I think he needs to step up his search in trying to get a teaching job and stop thinking he is going to be a coach his first year out as a teacher.

I think God wants me to be the older, wiser brother to help direct my brothers, to help point them in the direction they need to be. I am happy to help my brother out in any way I can. I just would hate to see him make choices to where his family would never see him because he is always working to makes ends meet.

Hot Dogs at Exxon?

2007-10-12T02:07:00.000-05:00

I am at Exxon the other day getting a drink. I usually will grab something healthy like a granola bar to eat in addition to my drink. The big joke I normally use when my son can not decide what he wants to eat is, "I'll buy you hot dogs at Exxon. They are 2 for a $1." There was this well dressed lady in the Exxon and she was making chili cheese hot dogs. She sat in front of that chili and cheese dispenser for about 10 minutes making sure she got all the extra cheese and chili should could put on the thing. You would have thought it was her last meal.

I have eaten hot dogs at Exxon. They are not bad. It is a quick and inexpensive lunch or dinner while you are on the road or going from one place to another and need to put something in your stomach. It just amazes me how people just to try to get everything they can from that $.99 hot dog. The condiments are free, but do not just sit there for over 10 minutes to make sure you get a ton of cheese and chili that comes from a dispenser that squirts out by pressing a button. It is not nice, fat , juicy steak. It is a hot dog that is 2 for $.99, get it, put your chili and cheese and go. That is why they call it, "Grab and go" not "Grab and engorge yourself".

iPhone lawsuit seeks over $1 billion in damages

2007-10-12T01:53:00.000-05:00

Lawyers filed a class action lawsuit against Apple and AT&T seeking $1.2 billion in damages because the iPhone is locked to AT&T’s wireless network. The suit also notes that Apple will not allow unauthorized applications on the iPhone.

First of all, give me a freaking break. You knew that iPhone would only work on AT&T and they are in a partnership for a few years. Eventually, it will not be locked to only AT&T. If you knew this ahead of time, why sue? Should I go into Burger King and sue because they do not sell McGriddles? Should I sue Honda because my car will not run on BioDiesel when I knew I was buying a hybrid to begin with?

Secondly, this is a new product. Apple will eventually open up the door to developers to develop all kinds of apps on the iPhone, which will make the iPhone a even more valuable tool. There is already VoIP and Messaging on it via the Safari browser. These people just need to give it some time and eventually you will have a iPhone not locked down to the AT&T network and all kinds of apps being developed for the iPhone.

Our legal system is already locked up with silly lawsuits. Instead of whining about AT&T and trying to sue, why not do something useful with your time? What about building a house for Habitat for Humanity? Why not volunteer at a hospital? Why not go after auto manufacturers and the government to start making better fuel efficent cars? We have the technology to do so. We need to cut down on our emissions before we do more damage to the world that we have already done. Life is too short to be locking up our legal system with preposterous lawsuits like these. These people need to redirect their energies to do good in the world instead of wasting time and money.

More Moron Drivers

2007-08-22T12:52:00.000-05:00

Driving to work today I saw a girl talking on a cell phone and was not paying attention. She was in the fast lane of IH35 N and signaled to move over to the middle lane. She immediately jets over and does not realize that there is an 18 wheeler behind her and almost rear ends her. You have to wonder about people.

People need to take $10 and goto Target and buy a corded headset for your cell phone. You can even get a bluetooh headset for about $40. If you are going to drive your car, make sure both hands are on the wheel and your head is not cocked to the side wit you yapping on your cellphone. I am sure IH35 would flow much smoother if the moron drivers who talk on their phones while driving would get some common sense.

My birthday dinner at the Green Mesquite Austin, TX

2007-08-22T12:29:00.001-05:00

I have always wanted to goto the Green Mequite here in Austin off Barton Springs. Monday (August 20th) was my birthday. I packed up my son and we headed over to there. I had called ahead just to make sure I was not going to get there too late. They closed at 10pm, so there was plenty of time.

We roll in and the place is almost empty. We were immediately seated in a booth and our drink orders were taken. The menus are under the plexiglass covering the tables. This is a BBQ place, so I wanted to try some of that. The special for Monday was Meat plate which was Brisket; but, I wanted something other than brisket. The waitress comes back to take our order and Josh is indecisive. She suggests a hamburger as Josh is looking over the kids menu. He orders a hamburger and fries. I ordered a BBQ sandwich that comes with two meats with fries. The sandwich comes with sausage and turkey. The food is brought to us rather quicky. The waitress brings a ketchup bottle of BBQ sauce which is nice. I hate BBQ plates the drown their BBQ in sauce. The bread for the sandwich is a cheap hoagie roll and is very dry like it had been sitting out all day. The sausage had a nice smokey flavor to it as did the turkey, but both meats were dry and chewy. The Sausage was apparently cooked way too long as it was shriveled up. The food is editable but has to be covered in BBQ sauce because the meat was soo dry. The fries were hot and homemade. I do not have a french fry preference. It was good that they were not too greasy. Josh gets his hamburger and it has mustard on it and he does not like mustard. I try scraping it off and he tells me he is not going to eat it. I then tell him I will save it for tomorrow's lunch.

When I get the bill i was shocked to see it was over $20 just for 2 people. The drinks alone totalled over $6. The waitress had charged me full price for the hamburger. I had asked her about it and she proceeds to tell me that there is no hamburger on the child's menu. Of course, I laugh to myself because she is the one that suggested it after we were looking at the kid's menu. I then notice on my receipt there is a "suggested tip" at the bottom for 15%, 20% and 25%. The service was prompt and the waitress was nice, but she never came back and checked on us or to give us refills or even ask if we wanted dessert. She definitely did her job but she never went out of her way to serve us.

Overall, I was not impressed with the food at all. I have know people that have gone to this place and they said it was great. I have gotten better BBQ at Rudy's and they claim to be the "Worst BBQ". If they are the worst, what is the Green Mesquite? With the food being fair and the service marginal, I will not be returning to this place at all. I did notice the owner was opening a Green Mesquite in Russia. Apparently, Russians are used to bad food and marginal service.

If you want good BBQ, goto the Salt Lick or any of the BBQ places in Lockhart, skip the Green Mesquite. Or if you are on Barton Springs, go over to Chuy's or Shady Grove.

People who ride bikes to work

2007-08-09T21:43:00.001-05:00

I have no problem with people who want to ride their bike to work to get exercise or save money on gas or reduce pollution. In fact, my boss rides his bike to work every day. My pet peeve with this brave souls who brave the heat in the summer, cold in the winter and Austin traffic is the fact that many of these cyclist do not realize that if they ride on the streets, they are subjected to the same traffic laws as cars.

I was headed to the post office today to mail some bills before I started to head home. There is a 4 way intersection where I needed to make a left turn on. I get the this intersection. I let the car in front of me go because he had the right of way and I started to pull out. There was a cyclist who blew threw the 4 way stop without stopping, only to wave at me for not hitting him. Did he stop? No. Did he slow down before he got to the intersection? No. I waved at him back by giving him the "You're number one" sign. I can not believe how some of these clueless people have not been run over by totall not paying attention.

Please people who ride bikes, I admire what you are doing but do not do stupid things like disobey traffic laws.

New iPhone

2007-07-25T23:47:00.000-05:00

I was lucky enough to get a free 8G iPhone today. I have not really had a chance to use it much because you would think moving one address book to the new phone would be easy and painless, right? NOT!

First of all, I spent about 3 hours trying to get all of my contacts over to the new iPhone. It first synced my contacts with what was on my MacBook, which I did not want. I then went in and deleted everything. You would think after saving the contacts to the SIM card, I would be able to use them. I finally called AT&T and this guy did try his hardest to try and help me. His answer? The Apple Servers to activate are down. I explained that trying to pair bluetooth between the 2 phones are totally independent of that. I tried pairing the 2 phones together and then sending the contact file over and my old phone would not connect with the iPhone at all. I then tried taking the Outlook card file and trying to import it into Outlook 2007 and then have iPhone sync with Outlook. Outlook would only see my first contact in my list and nothing more. I had to once again delete and restart. I finally went to my address book on my MacBook, emailed myself the Outlook card file from the Memory Stick from my old Sony Ericsson and deleted all the contacts already in that address book. I then went in and and imported that file into the Mac Address book, synced and PRESTO! It worked!!!

I would love to see an easier way to manage contacts in the iPhone. You can not delete them inside iPhone, you have to update them using the Address Book and syncing. I am sure there will be a piece of software or another software update that will allow me to do all of that.

Overall, I am impressed with this thing. I heard one guy review the iPhone and he complained about it not having an expansion slot. My respond to him is, "Give me a break, it has 8 gigs of space. How much space do you need? It is a phone for crying out loud." I did see a guy who had put the new Casino Royale movie on his iPhone and it looked great. It was better than the iPod Video. I might have to load up with some movies for my flight to California and I would not have to pull the MacBook out to watch movies. This phone definitely blows my old Sony Ericsson W810i out of the water. I would get frustrated with that phone because you would try to hit back and it would bring you into Walkman mode. That was a pain. My only real complaint other than the address book syncing nightmare is that the keyboard is a little small for me to touch type. (I have fat fingers, so I find myself constantly trying to correct my typing.
) I look forward to using this device, especially having the ability to VPN into my office through it using the WiFi connection. That would be sweet being able to check stats on the fly.

Crazy Texas drivers!

2007-07-24T23:13:00.000-05:00

For the drivers out there that do not know, I am going to educate you about 4 way stops. I know you must have missed that at Drivers Ed. I am going to make it real clear and easy for you.

In the United States and Canada, there are many 4-way intersections with a stop sign at every entrance. In this case, the default rule is:

Whichever vehicle stops first has priority.
If two vehicles stop at the same time, priority is given to the vehicle on the right.
If three vehicles stop at the same time, priority is given to the two vehicles going in opposite directions.
If four vehicles stop, drivers usually use gestures and other communication to establish right-of-way. In some areas, the custom is for the north-south or the more-trafficked road to have priority, although this is rare.

Now, there is a 4 way stop next to this large HEB called the Kyle Parkway. I was coming from the HEB because I had just gotten gas. I had stopped at the stop sign. There were 2 other cars who had gotten there before me. I waited for them to go and then I pulled out. This lady in an SUV on my left pulls out as well and almost takes my front end off. I honk my horn and she stops. I continue through the intersection to make a left turn at the next stop sign. This lady pulls up right next to me and rolls down her window in the wrong lane. (The lane for traffic going in the other direction.) She rolls down her window and starts yelling, "What the heck is your problem?" I roll my window down and ask her, "Don't you know how to yield? I got to the intersection before you, so it was my turn. Besides, the person on the right has the right of way if you think you got to the intersection at the same time." She looks at me and goes, "Oh. I am sorry." She then pulls away.

First of all, this lady had kids in her car. Why do something stupid like that? Secondly, I had my kiddo in my car. If you are pulling up to make threats to me with my kid in the car, then you are committing assault. (If you strike me it becomes a battery. Road rage is a felony offense in Texas.) I am amazed at the level of stupidity in people. It makes you wonder where people get their driver's licenses. I am starting to believe when you purchase a big SUV or big truck, you automatically get a Napoleon complex and everyone should get the hell out your way. To the stupid drivers out there: 1) If your kids are in the car, do not pull up to drivers you do not know and start screaming. 2) Life is too short to get all upset driving. You live in a small town outside of Austin, you are not fighting Austin traffic. Stop being a hot head just because you think you are in the right, when you know you are not. (Heck, Kyle only has 1 red light. I could only pray the put one at that intersection.). 3) Learn to use your turn signals. Yes, your car has them. They are not optional equiptment. 4) Learn the rules of the road. They are there for a reason. If you need a refresher, take a Defensive Driving course. They are only $20 to $30 online.

If TxDOT would start giving intelligence test as part of the driving test, we would have a lot less morons out on the road.

Drive Safe!

My Brother and his crazy family

2007-07-23T13:17:00.000-05:00

This past weekend was my nephew's 5th birthday. My brother did not send out invitations. He proceeded to email me that we were meeting a Chuck E Cheese at 6pm followed up with a phone call. I asked why soo late and he told me that his wife did not get off till late and his mother in law and just got in from Florida. As I drove into the party, I called my mother and asked her what she was getting Travis for his birthday. She proceeds to tell me, "Call of Duty 2 for the Gamecube." I respond, "You do know thats not an age appropriate game for a 5 year old. It is a T for Teen game." My mom tells me that she things my brother is asking for it for his son because he really wants it. My brother then calls me and I tell him, "Call of Duty 2? You know 5 year olds are not supposed to be playing that." He proceeds to tell me that he lets his 5 year old play Grand Theft Auto and True Crime. He tries to justify it by saying he makes him turn the sound off so he can not hear the curse words. My son is almost 10 and I will now allow him to play either game.

I end up at Walmart and get Travis a Sponge Bob Ants in the pants game and another card game. I am sure my brother will try to figure out some way he can try to return both so he can get the money and buy another Gamecube game.

As I am getting close to Chuck E Cheese, my mom tells me that it is a "nightmare" there and they are going over to Mr. Gatti's. The funny thing about this whole thing is that he did not reserve a party room and everyone had to pay for themselves. My brother did not even order his son a cake of his choosing, stating "I will just get cupcakes. They are easier." He did get all the kids Powercards to play video games. Josh comes by back like 15 minutes later telling me he has no more credit on his card.

First of all, I am amazed that my cheapo brother has not reserved anyplace. At least when I have had Josh's parties, we always had food for everyone. Secondly, I alway purchase my son the cake he wants. If he wants cupcakes, thats fine too. I am amazed that my brother would wait until the last minute to buy cupcakes for his party. Given, at 5 year old you really do not care what kind of cake you get.

Of course, my brother's sister in law was at the party. I recently found out she is pregnant with baby number 6. She has 6 babies with 4 different fathers. The funny thing is she can not even take care of the kids she has. Her mom takes care of most of them. She did marry the father of her last son and new baby on the way. My question is when does the State come in and make this woman tie her tubes because she is becoming a welfare case? My tax dollars are paying for her and her kids. Just because she is too lazy to use protection does not mean that I and the other tax payers should have to pay for her making bad decisions. You would have thought she would have learned her lession the first 2 kids she had. What kind of example is she showing to her own kids that its ok to have a ton of kids and not take care of them?

Fox Rent a Car Austin

2007-06-09T17:55:00.000-05:00

I had planned to rent a car for my trip that I was recently taking, so I did not put that many miles on my car. I checked around and found that Fox was the cheapest. I was going to rent a full sized car for 1 week. The 1 week rate was $178.87 which included all the airport taxes. It was still cheaper than most car rental places. I get an email from some guy at a @aol.com email domain. I am thinking he is either the owner or one of the managers at Fox confirming my rental. I then get an email from this guy telling me I do not have UNLIMITED miles as the website stated, I have 200 miles a day since I am not flying into Austin. I email him back asking him for clarification and he says because I am not flying into Austin, that he would only give me 200 miles and this was standard practice. I told him to please cancel my reservation and I would be renting elsewhere. I tried calling Fox directly to make sure they canceled the reservation, and the girl on the phone told me she was not able to do that, that I had to do it myself. The reps that work for Fox are totally clueless and customer service is not one of their strong suits.

If you are going to rent a car with Fox, I would avoid them at all costs. They are cheap for a reason. You basically get the quality and service you pay for. I would go with a more reputable company like Dollar, Alamo, Budget or Avis. Ironically, I did rent with Enterprise and ended up paying about the same as I would have with Fox and got UNLIMITED miles. I will report how the rental goes when I get back from my trip.

My Wyndham hotel stay in Arlington TX

2007-05-14T10:14:00.000-05:00

I own two online travel websites as well as being a Referring Travel agent. I primarily got into it because I wanted to save money on my own travel. I had to book a hotel room close to Grand Prairie because my cousin's house was going to be full. I first checked my 1st travelsite.

http://www.travelwithbill.com

I could not find anything higher than a 2 star hotel for under $60 a night. I then checked my 2nd travel website.

http://www.minutetrip.com

Once again, I could not find anything under $60 a night. I have used the Hotwire website before and had good results. I have gotten the Candlewood Suites twice before for less than $50 a night. Candlewood does not have a pool but it is a extended stay suite which is nice. The one up in Arlington is very nice. I noticed on Hotwire they had a 3 star hotel for $52 a night. I decided to go ahead and book that hotel. To my surprise, it was the Wyndham which is right next to Six Flags and the Baseball stadium. I have stayed at the Wyndham last year. The hotel is more like an office building. The pool is nice and they do have a restaurant and bar. I am a Wyndham By Request member, so I figured I would use my card to check in. Because I had booked my hotel via Hotwire, they would not let me use my By Request card. That is a tad bit silly because other hotels, including Airlines will let you use your frequent flyer or frequent stay card even if you booked your hotel or flight online. I then proceeded to ask them if they had free WiFi. At the bare minimum I figured in the common areas, free WiFi would be good. The lady told me no and told me it would cost $12.95 a day. I then told her I needed a roll-away bed for Josh. I was told it was $15 a day. I then asked, "Do you at least have free breakfast?" "No. Breakfast is served in the restaurant at $12.95 a person." she replied. I got the key and went up to my room.

My first impressions of the room? First of all, the room was right next to the elevator. I could hear the elevator go up and down all night. Secondly, the walls were paper thin. Josh wanted to go get some ice from the ice machine and there was a couple having sex down the hall. That is not good when you have curious 9 year old boys who are wondering what all the noise is. The cable tv in the room was fuzzy. If you moved the TV, it would clear up. You would think a hotel of that size and being a 3 star hotel would have digital cable. There was a desk with plug ins for the internet; but once again, you had to pay for it.

If you are even considering staying at the Wyndham, do not. I have had better stays at "budget" hotels such as Motel 6, Days Inn and Super 8. It did not bother me that they did not have free breakfast because that is the whole point of traveling, you go out to eat at someplace you have never been before. Of course, other hotels are starting to offer hot breakfasts with eggs. The La Quinta up in Kerrville has waffles. I brought my laptop with me, figuring I could use the internet to check for places to see and do around Dallas while I was there. I did not want to use my cousin's computer because I figured that would be rude of me. You would think a fancy 3 star hotel would at least have free WiFi for their guests. Just as a suggestion, they could have had a website where customers could order room service or order gifts to send home, flowers, whatever. It is not like they would not make money off offering free WiFi. This hotel was far from a 3 star hotel. I have stayed in 1 and 2 star hotels that were a heck of a lot nicer than the Wyndham. I would maybe give this hotel 1 star, 1.5 stars tops. Even checking the ratings for this hotel did not help. I would advise not using Hotwire because you are basically getting a hotel room blind. Given, that is part of the fun. It is a gamble and sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. What was even more insulting is when I checked in and whipped out my Travel Agent ID, she could have cared less.The courtesies they give Travel Agents are at their discretion, so they do not have to do anything. How am I supposed to recommend a hotel to clients that can not even live up to being considered a 3 star hotel?

The next time I head up to Dallas (even go out of town and need to rent a room at a hotel) I am going to go for a extended stay suite. At least that route, there is a stove and a fridge where I can at least feed my child before heading out because you know how cranky kiddos get when they have not eaten.

I stopped to get gas at Exxon

2007-04-05T15:06:00.000-05:00

I stopped during lunch to get gas for my car at Exxon off Burnet and 183. That place is normally busy during the day. I normally do not go to that one. I usually hit the one over off Parmer closer to my work. I had circled around the station 3 times looking for an available pump. I was pulling out when a guy who was behind this lady in a truck who could not manuver this thing to save her life. (It goes to show if you can not drive or park a big SUV or Truck, you should not be behind the wheel of one.) She parks and I pull out. As I pull out this guy is about to cut me off and gives me a courtesy wave. I go on and move into the open pump to get some gas. Apparently he wanted the same pump. I jump out, paid with speedpass and started filling up. I look back and the same guy waves at me again. I was not sure if it was like "sorry, I did not mean to cut you off" wave or what. I finish and grab my receipt when he pulls into the pump next to me. I hear him tell me, "Thanks for the cut off." in a snooty tone. I replied calmly, "Anytime." As I hop into my car to pull out, he jumps out of his car and starts saying something to me with his hands out to his side. I replied to him with a "whats your deal" hand sign. He starts to walk towards my car and puts up his fists. I laughed and drove off shaking my head.

People listen, life is too short to whine and cry about getting cut off, or just because you got to the gas pump 2 minutes later than you wanted to. Secondly, this guy was practicing road rage. Life is too short to get all huffy about something silly about who got to the gas pump first. Sure, I could have stepped out and asked him what his deal was and why he was threating me, but why? I had the upper hand, I walked away laughing because he was being a clueless person by freaking out. I am sorry if you did not get enough sleep, or maybe you were late for work, or you were having a bad day or maybe your mother did not cuddle with you enough. It is too much to ask to take your meds on a regular basis and stop being such a hot head before you either land up in jail for being a moron or get pissed at the wrong person and you end up getting hurt or end up in the hospital?

I think to myself what if I had my kid with me? What would I be teaching him if I reacted to Mr. Moron's plea for me to get out my own car and stoop down to his level to handle the situation. I want to teach my child that violence is wrong and to be the bigger guy and walk away.

So Mr. Moron, do us all a favor and go home, cool your jets, crack open a cold one and realize, life is too short for you to be such a hot head.

To my neighbor mowing his grass

2007-04-05T15:00:00.000-05:00

My neighbor was outside working on his yard. He just mowed and had his weed wacker out. I had to shake my head in disbelief as he was weed wacking with no shoes or socks on at all. I have seen some people to stupid stuff; but, if you are going to mow your grass and weed wack with no shoes on, you have to have a few screws loose in your head.

To guys who wear rubber clogs

2007-04-05T14:49:00.000-05:00

Ok enough already! These rubber clogs are cute on women but guys who wear them? Thats a tad bit metro sexual you think? I have seen tons of guys wearing these silly shoes. I hate to burst your bubble guys, but they look silly on you and you look mental when you wear them. My kid's daycare lady said her son wanted some too and she told him not to wear them around here because he looked retarded wearing them. Stop the madness! NO more Rubber Clogs on Guys, Please! (Or I am going to have to start taking Man Cards away from some of you!)

Dont waste your time with Mr. Appliance

2007-03-07T15:26:00.000-06:00

My $1300 Whirlpool washer died on me finally. I was stupid and did not buy the extended warranty for it. I cant still buy it but they want me to wait 60 days before I can have a service call. I can be with out a washer for 60 days. I came back home from a trip overseas for work and had about 8 loads of laundry I had to do. Laundry at a 24 hour landromat is no fun. Especially when you are the only one that speaks english.

Before I left I called Mr. Appliance to fix my washer. I had called another guy out from a place in San Marcos who told me that to get my washer to work was to tap the top of it like the Fonz. It worked untl the tapping on top did not work any more. The guy from Mr. Appliance came out twice. The first time to replace the door lock mechanism. He was 100% sure that is what the problem was. Of course, I told him it was not the issue and he found out he should have listened to me. He called Whirlpool and they told him it was the wiring harness. He brings out a Wiring harness and was going to charge me $300 for the whole job. I was out of town when he came out and had a friend of mine meet them at my house. The guy was supposed to come out that Tuesday and did not show up to Friday. The wiring harness did not fix the problem and he proceeds to charge my friend $69. I called the Monday I got back and told them that the guy never fixed anything and he owed me $69. I was supposed to get a call back Tuesday and never did. I was told that the tech was going to stay on hold with Whirlpool until he could find out what was going on. I called Wednesday because I had not heard back from the tech. I was told that the tech was going to call me directly and I have yet to hear back from him.

If you plan to call Mr. Appliance to fix your Appliances, DO NOT. They do not stand behind their work or service. If I do not hear back from the tech within the next 24 to 48 hours, I am going to get the Better Business Bureau involved as well as the Attorney General because of their business practices. I will know better the next time my washer dies on me. I am soo close to treking on down to the local Conn's get a new Washer and get 36 months minimum payments no interest.

Windows Vista the "Wow"

2007-03-07T14:13:00.000-06:00

I get this wild hair and figured I would break down and be an early adopter of Windows Vista. I checked my computer online and it says Vista will run on my machine. In fact, I am supposed to get some sort of free Vista upgrade for it anytime now. I goto dinner with my parents and brother for his birthday and my dad hands me Windows Vista Home Premium. I get it home and start to install it. It gets to the product key and it hangs there. I know that the Upgrade CD has the full blown version of the software, so I followed the instructions to do a "Clean" install without destroying the file I have on my box. The trick to it is that when you install it you leave the product key blank. It will install the software and then when Windows Vista starts up, you need to put the CD in and have it do an upgrade with the product key. A few hours later, I had Vista installed.

First of all, the "wow" starts now is a lie. The only "wow" I had is realizing what a moron I was installing Windows soo early in the game. I worked Tech Support in the past and the rule of thumb for any OS is what for Service Pack 2. It is a little cleaner thant he pervious versions of Windows and has a slick interface. On the other hand, Microsoft in true Micosoft fashion has ripped off Sun Microsystems and the Apple OS X. Microsoft needs to totally scrap Windows and start from scratch. They need to stop putting band aids on their OS's. I have only had Vista for less than a week and I already have 14 updates from Microsoft for it. It is also a memory hog. I have 1 gig of RAM and will need to get 1 more gig. The minimum system requirements are 1 Gig ram and 128 meg video card? Given, most systems meet or exceed that. Luckily, my dad got this version of Vista on an Academic price at $69.95. The funny thing is you can get CDROMs of the software for $9.99 if you need them. It goes to show that you should not have to pay over $100 for an OS. I think Microsoft needs to be like Linux and allow you download the OS for free and if you need tech support for it or want a CD or DVD of it you have to pay for that. It is amazing that the latest version of Ubuntu Linux is a heck of alot better than Vista. Microsoft needs to stop stealing other people's ideas and come out with a legit OS that works out of the box and it not going to lock up or freeze, instead of wasting my time and money on this Vista crap.

Thanks but I will go back to using Linux and OS X that is on my MacBook.

Madam Fu's in South Park Meadows Shopping Center, Austin TX

2007-01-28T22:08:00.000-06:00

I had seen a sign for this place "Madam Fu's Asian House" that just opened in the South Park Meadows shopping center here in South Austin. I figured I would give it a try. I rolled in and ordered a beef with garlic sauce bowl, a chicken garlic sauce bowl, lo mein for Josh and 2 hot and sour soups. I was amazed when the bill came out to be $40. I have eat Chinese food all over Austin. I have never paid more than $40 for lunch. There were no lunch specials at all. The meals were $8 and the soup was over $3. I was told by the lady at the register that the food was good with large portions. I paid and sat down.

I was brought the food about 7 minutes later. The hot and sour soup was spicy and was good. The veggies were fresh and and the garlic sauce was flavorful. I did not think the portions were large at all. I have had better food at Food Shui in NW Austin or The China Bowl in NW Austin. I will not be going back to this place. If I wanted to spend over $40 on lunch I should have gone to Johnny Carinos or some good steak place. The food was fresh and flavorful but not earth shattering.

If you are considering checking this place out, I'd skip it. You would be better off going someplace else.

I broke down and bought a new car.

2007-01-15T23:49:00.000-06:00

I got bitten by the new car bug. I traded in my beloved 2004 Honda Accord EX. I loved that car. It got descent gas millage. It was in fairly good shape, other than the time that some young 17 year old kid decided he could take a left right in front of me as I was going through an intersection. He tells me, "Dude, I had a green arrow." I had then pointed to the light and asked, "What green arrow was that?" There was no damage to his truck but he took my front end off. The car was not drivable at all. It sat at the body shop for over 3 weeks because he apparently screwed up my air bags and the seat belt.

To start off, I have owned a 2000 Honda Insight Hybrid. I loved that car. It did not have a lot of power, but got you where you needed to go. I got anywhere between 50 MPG and 70 MPG. It was a 2 seater and did not have a lot of room and was also a 5 speed, which was a pain to drive. It was fun going to gas stations and people would ask, "Where do you plug that thing in?" or "Can I see the engine?" It was interesting meeting all kinds of people when I would pull into a gas station. The main problem was that it was not a 4 door, so taking more than 1 person was not possible. I traded my Insight in on a 2004 Honda Accord which was a Honda Certified car. It had barely 12K miles on it.

The first place I hit was The Town North Nissan store off 183 just past Burnet. They had a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid with like 30K miles on it. It was white and was an automatic. They wanted $14.9K for it. I thought it was a great deal, especially since they went new for $24K. I was told to as for a guy named Boon. On my lunch hour, I ran over to take a peek at it. I walked around the car and it was in great shape. The interior looked brand new. I met with Boon who hopped in the car for a test drive, only to jump out as we were leaving the dealership because he had another customer. He tells me, "You take it for a drive. As long as you want!" I am thinking to myself, "Gee. They are being very brave letting me take this car by myself, without having any of my contact info." I drove it on 183 south for a little bit and drove it back. I checked the millage because this odometer will tell you how many miles per gallon you are getting. I noticed it was reading 29 mpg. I also noticed the check engine light on. I get back to the dealership and there is another guy waiting for me to get back because he always wants to look at it. I am curious about the check engine codes, so I grab my scan tool and go scan the trouble codes. There were 3 codes that came up and they were all manufacturer diagnostic codes. Honda is notorious for having funky check engine codes but many of them are minor. The other weird thing was that 2 of the LEDs on the battery indicator to tell me how charged the batteries were were out. Once you got past those two LEDs, the rest were lit so I knew the batteries were being charged. I asked Boon if there was a warranty and he tells me there was no factory warranty but they would give me a 1000 mile warranty. I think to myself, "Gee, I would do 1000 in a few weeks." I take his card, writing down the trouble codes and head back to my office. When I get back to my office, I check my own sources for these trouble codes because this will be the 5th Honda I have owned and I do all of my own mechanical work. I find out that the 3 codes are basically problems with the IMA charging motor. (This is the unit that basically makes this car a hybrid and helps it get such great gas millage.) In this case, there was a reason why it was only getting 29 mpg and not the over 40 mpg that it should get.

The second placed I looked was the Leif Johnson Ford dealership off Airport. They had a 2005 Honda Hybrid for 17.9K which was the special internet price. I had called and spoked to a guy who told me to ask for him and set up a time for me to come in. When I got to the dealership, I was referred to another salesperson named Amy who in turn turned me over to a 3rd sales person. We go to peek at the car and this car was a dark grey. It was also in great shape. I hope in and was immediately disappointed it was a 5 speed. The sales lady asked if I wanted to go for a test drive and I said sure. I asked if she wanted to drive it off the lot because that had been the practice where the sales person would drive it off the lot and then let you take the wheel. She looks at me and tells me she can not drive 5 speed. I hop in and we take off down 290 south. We got to talking and she was a very down to earth and sweet girl, telling me she had been selling insurance prior to selling cars. She also proceeds to tell me she has only been in the car business less than 90 days. I know that the car business is one of those businesses where people come and go and many folks tend to change dealerships like they change socks. It is always a red flag to me for a person young in the car dealership because negotiating a deal is always harder because they have very little experience. I come back to the dealership and was then assisted by Amy. She tells me they will basically give me book value for my Accord. I do have some negative equity with this car, even after paying more every month towards my car payment. At 6% APR my payments at 72 months would be close to $386, which is not too bad. The good thing is the windows are tinted already but the down side is that it is a 5 speed and I hate to drive a 5 speed in bumper to bumper traffic on Mopac during rush hour. I tell her that I am going to run numbers with my bank and I will get back to her. Ironically, Amy and the other sales person called me in addition to the Sales manager all weekend long to see if I had made a decision if I wanted the car or not. That weekend was Joshua's birthday party and I had family in town, as well as having to work sound. I called Amy on Monday and she proceeds to tell me they have raised the price of the car $1000 but will sell it to me at the $17993 price they quoted me. I tell her that I am going to go look at a gas version of the Civic because they get 30 city and 40 highway, which is close to what the Hybrid gets but also is like $16K for a 2006 Honda Civic Coupe.

The third place I looked was the Howdy Honda in South Austin. They had this 2006 Honda Civic coupe with the new body style. It was very sporty. I walked in and was immediately given to someone else because this car salesman had a delivery. The new salesman, Kasey, was very personable and down to earth. We took this 2006 Civic coupe on a test drive. I liked the way it handled. It drove great. I was impressed by how calm he was, even with Josh in the back seat asking when we could go home. I took Josh with me for the simple fact that if things took too long, Josh would not stand for it and raise a fuss. We get back to the dealership and they appraise my Accord. He comes back and says, "I have good new and bad news." He hands me a Car Fax report which shows my car had been in an accident. He asked me if my car had been in an accident. I told him it had and was repaired at a 5 star repair facility, using nothing by Honda parts and paint. He tells me because it had been in an accident, they were going to give me $7700 for it. He then tells me that I could come up with $3000 cash, that would help with part of the negative equity and might make the numbers look a little better. I had told him that I was not really looking to put anything down on it since I was not really looking to buy a car. We end up leaving the dealership and heading home.

The last place I decide to goto was Honda of San Marcos. Josh's mom had bought her 2003 Honda CRV from them, so I was familiar with the dealership. They were under new ownership so I figured since it was so close to the house, I could go it and see what they could do. I had figured if worst came to worst, I would just go back to Leif Johnson Ford and buy that 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid that had a 5 speed. I was met by a guy named Patrick. He was an older gentleman from Houston who was new the San Marcos area. He had told me he had been in the car business over 27 years. He was this down to earth, country boy kinda guy. I test drove the Honda Civic. Ironically, I knew most about this car that he did. We get back and he asks me if I want to buy it. I tell him that I am interested in seeing what the numbers look like. His manager, Mr. Macy, hops in my car and takes it for a test drive. Mr. Macy is from Florida where he had this huge house but is having problems selling it. His wife had gone back to get some furniture for their new house in Kyle where they just moved and was rear ended buy some foreign folks. He was not in the best of moods; but, with everything going on in his life, I can see why. Patrick comes back and hands me a Car Fax and tells me the car had been in an accident. He then tells me they are only going to be able to give me like $8500. I think to myself, "Wow, thats a bit more than Howdy Honda was going to give me but Leif Johnson is still going to give me full book price." I explain that to him and he goes back to Mr. Macy. They try to get me to put some money down to help work out the negative equity; but, I am interested in seeing how far they are willing to go to make the deal work. Mr. Macy then tells me he will give me close to almost book value for my trade. I tell him that I would like to see what the numbers would be and it comes out to $399 at 6.5% APR at 72 months. They take me into financing and the best rate they can give me is like 6.99%. I call USAA and they tell me 6.5% and basically tell me they are going to ship a check over to the dealer. I did wind up with a 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid. This car is white and is automatic. It is a clean car. It had like 29K miles on it. I was told the car was owned my an Engineer who had a mid-life crisis and wound up with a Honda S2000 Roadster. The windows were tinted on this car as well. I drove it home that night.

What is my overall opinion of the Civic Hybrid? It is smaller than the Accord. I did slam my right elbow into the head rests getting into the car the other day. The A/C controls are a little funky. It will take some getting used to. The radio will need to be updated but I have my sights set on a CD player that has a LCD display in it and will probably update the speakers as well when I upgrade it. I am getting 41 to 49 MPG. I drove for over a week on a little over 1/2 a tank of gas. Gas was a little expensive in San Marcos so I put $10 in and that put me just under 1/2 a tank and I am still driving on that tank. In my Accord, I would have had to put in $20 twice already. The Hybrid does take a little getting used to. You have to drive it differently than a regular car. You have to keep your eyes on the battery charging as you drive it. I tend to put the cruise control on and let it ride. I am overall impressed with this car. I decided to move away from the Accord since I drive over 100 miles a day 3 days a week and figured if I could just about double my mpg, it would benefit me in the long run. The 2004 Honda Accord average MPG was 28 MPG. In the Honda Civic Hybrid it is 47 MPG. You figure in a 10 gallon tank the Accord could go 280 miles. In the Civic Hybrid I could go 470 miles. I figured I would save probably $20 a week in gas alone and almost $1000 a year. Thats not too shabby.

So I walk into Crate and Barrel....

2007-01-15T23:45:00.000-06:00

Its been a long long time since I have been in this place. They are having this 30% off sale on Elfa. I start to look around and start thinking to myself, "Oh my! I have seen most of this crap at Target for like a 1/3rd of their prices." There are people in there buying hundreds of dollars worth of shelving and organizing crap. I am totally amazed. I walked out without buying anything. I did get some organizing ideas. I still have to put up some shelves in my office that I bought over a week ago. If I need organizing stuff, I will hit the Home Depot or Lowes. I might end up at Target. I am sorry to the folks who love this place. Its not all that.

So I get this phone call from my brother

2007-01-08T12:34:00.000-06:00

He leaves a message on my machine that says something like, "I just did something and you are going to laugh. I can not leave it on here for fear of it biting me in the ass." I called him back within 10 minutes. He proceeds to tell me that he met this girl off Quest Personals named Christi. I was like, "Ok." He proceeds to tell me it is my ex.

She and I dated years ago around 1997. She was a very sweet girl but there was an issue of her being very immature. I did not see us moving forward, so we broke up. Ironically, she tells me brother she broke up with me by throwing a promise ring in my car, which is a crock of crap. I never gave her a promise ring. What is even more ironic is that evertime I bump into her only, she tells me that she would take me back in a heartbeat, that she loves me still and will always love me.

My brother tells me that he almost needed Viagra just to have sex with her after he found out who she was. The funny thing is that it did not click to her that she and I are brothers. My brother tells her that he and I were roomates but thats it. I get an IM from her later that night asking what the names of my former roomates were. My brother tells me he is done with her; yet, Christi still text messages him that she wants him. What is even more funny is that she is dating some guy as well.

Christi send me an IM a day or so later. I told her that I can not believe she had sex with my roomate. (I did not tell her Daniel is my brother. I would have thought she would already know that.) She tells me it was a one time deal and that was it. Christi started going to my parents church and was big time involved with the church. When I asked her what God would think about her having sex with my former roomate and still having a boyfriend, she tell me "I repented and was a one time deal." Of course, I know better because she texts my brother all the time telling him she wants him.

I have suggested my to my brother that he needs to keep her on a short leash. He needs not to lead her on like they are going to see each other again because she will end up stalking him. All she has is his cell phone. She does not know where he lives or his last name. Once he moves in 3 weeks, he should be in the clear of her trying to hunt him down because he will have disappeared.

The good thing to come out of this is that I found out that she moved to the other side of town and does not goto my parents church any more. I am sure she will find some other crazy person that is just as screwed up as she is and Daniel will be a distant memory. It is kinda funny because when I see my brother, we just look at each other and kinda laugh.

DO NOT buy from Capital Kia in Austin, TX

2006-12-19T22:19:00.000-06:00

So Josh's mom on her final attempt to get a van decides she wants to go check out the Kia Sedona's in North Austin. They do have a 5 star crash rating and have front and rear A/C controls standard. I called up Kia and spoke to Chris Coker the Internet Sales manager. Chris tells me to come on out at 5pm on Saturday night. I had to go because Josh's mom did not want to get the shaft so I tagged along. We get there and they ran numbers on a 2006 Kia Sedona. Chris tried and tried but told us the payments would be over $500 and we wanted them around $350 to $375. I then asked if they had any demo models or certified preowned. He looks and tells me his Used location at IH35 and St. Johns has 2 2004s starting at $14k. He offers to meet us over there. We drive over there and were met by Matt who showed us the two Kia Sedona's. Both were basic models with power windows, locks and CD player. There was a green Sedona and a blue Sedona. Both Sedonas looked in rough shape. In fact, the detailer left wax streaks all over that van. I could have done a better job. We walk inside and they start running numbers. They start to present us with a deal when I tell Josh's mom that I am not getting good vibes from this and we should leave. She tells me she wants the van and wants to see what they can do. I come back and Matt pulls up their version of a "CarFax". He tells me there has been no repair work done to this car. Josh's mom decides she wants to go ahead and signs the paperwork. She has a "blank" check from USAA that she can use that had a better rate than they were offering but they were trying to get her financed that night because they get a kick back from finance places that use their service. Their rate they offered her was almost 3% higher in APR than she had but they worked on the numbers to eat the over $6000 in negative equity in her Honda CRV up. They get her payments a few dollars below what she is paying and they close the deal. It takes them forever to get this thing situated. You would think that you could just go in, buy a car and be in and out in less than 2 hours. Not this place.

She gets the van home and the next day she tells me, "I am spooked about this van. I should have listened to you." I figured they had a 48 hour return policy, she takes Monday off to go drop off this van at 9am when they open. She calls me from the parking lot and tells me one of the sales persons is refusing to help her that Matt or the Manager would have to assist her. She leaves to take the van over to the main Kia Dealership off 183 and Anderson Mill to get serviced because the van was making a noise which was coming from the suspension. I had hear the noise she was talking about. Chris Coker promised us a full detail for the van and promised to take care of the noise since it was under warranty. She leaves and calls Matt and the Manager from the used car start 3 and 4 times only to be told they were in "meetings". She even had Chris call him and he told Chris that he knew of the situation and he would "talk to him later". How ironic that over 3 days later, still no phone call from Matt or the Manager from the used store and its past the 48 hour turn in time.

I decide to poke my head under the hood of this beast to find out what the deal is because I am mechanically inclined and been working on cars for over 20 years. I do not have my own shop but folks tell me all the time that I should open one. I decided to change the oil and transmission fluid to straight synthetic. I also drained and replaced the power steering fluid with synthetic. I even ran fuel injection cleaner through the fuel system. Given, it is probably overkill on all that but you figure for a van that is 2 years old, it should have been in better shape that it was. I am impressed that www.kia.com has TSB's and technical repair data on their site for free. I have access to diagrams and tear down diagrams for any part of that Sedona. They even show you how to diagnose particular problems as well as list recalls. Ironically, the noise has since gone away. The Sedona shifts much better and runs quieter.

I am amazed at service we got from the used car department of Captial Kia. You would think they would stand behind every product they sold, but they do not. Once you buy a car or truck from them, you are on your own. I give Chris Coker praise for putting up with our ranting and trying to do whatever he could to try to fix the situation. He could not do anything about the whole returning the van business but tried to do what he could to make us happy. I plan to file a complain with the Better Business Bureau with these guys as well as the Attorney General. I also plan to contact the owner of Capital Kia who apparently owns the Auto Mall here in Kyle as well a few other dealerships in Texas. I am sure that it probably will not go fa, but what they do not realize is that word of mouth travels far. In fact, I asked a fellow co worker who is a Honda/Toyota fanatic and is from Japan what they thought of Kias and he was like, "I do not trust them. They are crap." I myself will never buy a Kia. I will also stick to either Honda or Toyotas. My 2004 Accord has over 85K on it and is still running strong. I will probably drive it until the wheels fall off.

If you are in the market for a new or used Kia, Do not goto Capital Kia. Do not listen to their tv ad about if they can not beat a Kia deal, they will probably just give it to you. That is a bold faced lie. They might "woo" you with great numbers but after the sale, you are on your own.

Car Shopping!

2006-12-15T23:01:00.000-06:00

So Josh's mom has talked me into going to help her buy a new van since I used to work in the banking industry. I ran the numbers and know basically she can get her new van at $350 a month for a 2006 Mazda MPV LX since they have tons of rebates. She had me call one dealer in North Austin. I spoke to the internet manager who was very nice and friendly. I told him I would have my 8 year old son with me, so if he needed anything he would need to get that so everything would be ready when we rolled in today. I call the guy today and he is at lunch. We fight 5 0'clock traffic to get up there. He calls me and he is back from lunch and tells me to come out. We roll into the dealership and he tells me they have this demo 2006 Mazda LX with DVD player and he can get me out the door for $350 a month. We go back into the showroom and he goes to talk to his manager twice. He tells me he can get $390. I told him basically that we would do $365 tops. I told him to meet me in the middle and give me more money for my trade. For every $1000 dollars its an extra $20 payment. I tell him to put $2000 somewhere so we can leave. He proceeds to tell me that all the paperwork is locked in his boss' office and he would have to call me on Monday so we can work the deal.

First of all, I am amazed that this dude would even consider me coming back on a Monday even after telling him that I was bringing my 8 year old son and I did not want a long, drawn out car purchasing process because Josh would not go for that. Secondly, he told me at first that the demo had more room to play with numbers and would work out for Josh's mom. He then tells me that perhaps another model might be better. Another model? Didnt you tell me on the phone that everything was ready to go? Why make me come back to go through MORE hassles? I left pissed off and went over to the other Mazda dealer in South Austin, thinking that they would work out a deal for me. I walk in and was told that all salesmen had gone home. I told the lady, "Most car sales are done when a dealership is closing." I then spoke to the Internet Manager. I explain my situation to him. He tells me that their deal is a better deal than the other Mazda place was offering and show it to me on paper. The one dealer had an SV model and they offer an LX model. Josh's mom picks out a color and they get to working the deal. I started playing dealers against each other when I told them the one dealer was offering me $1500 more than they were offering me. This guy would not budge. They wanted to offer her $420 a month. I was amazed that they did not want to budge on their price. I had thought that it being the end of the month that they would give me some sort of break, especially since they are not going to be offering that model any more since they are going to the CX7 and CX9. He suggested I go over to Carmax and see if they will give me more for my trade and then bring that over to them so they could work something out with that. I told him I was NOT going to goto Carmax. He could either earn my business or I will wait for the first bone head to call me on Monday.

My first mistake was offering to help Josh's mom buy this new van since I was in the banking industry at one time. It is exhausting. It would be nice to be able to walk in to a place and have them give you a fair price without trying to poke your eyes out. I thought I was avoiding all that by contacting the dealer first, providing him my information and then going into the dealer a few days later.

Michael Richards Rant

2006-11-22T15:51:00.000-06:00

I recently saw on the news that Michael Richards during a comedy show went off some hecklers and said some racial things. Given, I will agree he did step outside the bounds and should not have gone off like that. No one should ever say racial slurs like that. What is interesting is the 3 gentlemen from the audience is now coming forward and wanting to sue Micheal Richards.

What is this world coming to? Just because a comic makes a bad judgement or goes on a rant, you are going to sue? If thats the case, I am calling my lawyer and and George Lopez and Carlos Mencia are going DOWN! Now you wonder why we need tort reform in the US Justice system. Why tie up the courts with a stupid case like that? You goto a comedy show and expect some sort of off color humor and now you want to run and sue someone because you are offended?

The Canadian Fraudsters are BACK!!!

2006-11-17T13:56:00.000-06:00

o after playing around with Canadian fraudsters. I get and email from the fraudsters again. Apparently they want to do business with me again. This time they want to wire me money. Of course, I am too smart to fall for that one. I will probably have them try to send me something to prove they are not trying to scam me. I have tried them to get them to send cash as a token that they are serious. They never fall for that. Perhaps I should ask for something material, like a GPS? hehehe Here is the email stay tuned for more Canadian Fraudster fun.

Subject: GET BACK TO ME
From: "ALEX WALTER"
Date: Mon, 13 Nov 2006 03:07:33 -0500 (EST)

Dear Willie Brilliant,

Long time, this is Mr. Alex Walter of REXCO GLOBAL IMPORT AND EXPORT CO UK, I believe you remember me.

My dear, how are you doing lately, hope fine?

You remembered that we had some business issue before, you have not hear from me for long because I have tried reaching all our clients to ask them to always make sure that their mode of payment will always work to make you happy.

I plead to ask you back to business with us as our pay collection representative as it was before, the good news is that things are better now, as our clients will be paying through you to us using a more simpler process and your percentage has also improved to 15% of every payment made through you to us.

The process our clients told us that they would like to use in paying through you to us is via their LINE OF CREDIT or their EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT, I believe you understand what I meant.

If you accept this proposal do get back to me in 48 hours and I will tell you what next and business continues, we for sure like to remian in business with you.

Whatever be the case my friend, do get back to me. Have a nice day.

Alex Walter

Austin's Red Light Cameras

2006-11-03T11:38:00.000-06:00

There has been a recent story here in Austin, TX that they want to put in Red Light Cameras to take pictures of vehicles that run red lights. I heard one guy on the radio say that it was an "invasion of his privacy". The DJ on the radio replied, "If you did not run red lights, we would not need cameras."

I have seen countless people run red lights all over the city of Austin just to beat the light. I have been hit by one guy who ran the red light because he thought he "had the right of way" then proceeded to tell me that he would appreciate it if I would not call his insurance, that he would pay for my damages out of pocket. I am all for these Cameras. I get tired of seeing people run red lights just to make up for extra time and think the fine should be at least $100. The max amount is $200 that can be fined but $100 would probably keep more people from running the red light. These cameras have been in Germany for over 20+ years.

Now, if they could just put spike strips for those morons who decide at the last minute to jet over on Mopac when their lane is either ending or exiting because they are too impatient to wait in traffic. (Which causes more of a traffic headache during rush hour.) I would be a happy man. :)

Mom of the year!

2006-10-31T15:36:00.000-06:00

These are pics of a girl who has her pictures of her kids online. I had to laugh. Here are her kids holding up a gun showing they look "tough". I am amazed at what would go through a parent's head to even consider having their kids do this. With all of the violence in this world going on and problems at school, you wonder where the common sense of these folks are.

The mom of the year award goes to the mom of these girls. Sister, get a freaking CLUE! I am surprised CPS has not knock down the door of this lady's house.

Circuit City's Credit Card

2006-09-26T11:28:00.001-05:00

My computer died and I figured I would get a new one. Circuit City had no interest but minimum payments for 15 months, which takes the bite out of having to buy a computer. I had asked the kid who rang me up, to make sure he put in 15 months no interest and he said, "Oh yeah. I have to request that." I have had this machine for almost a month and just get statement which says I have 6 months no payments or interest. I had a slight problem at Sams Club when I bought tires and called Customer Service and they took care of it. I call up Circuit City's credit card deparment which is handled by Chase. As getting through the menus, I get an Indian customer service rep who has a heavy accent. I explain the situation and she tells me I am not eligible for this special financing deal. I had explained I had the ad that I could fax it to her. She became very arguementive and started yelling at me to go into the store where I bought it. I ended up hanging up on her.

When I went into the store to get it situated and mentioned my rude customer service rep. The lady working customer service smiled and said, "Oh yeah. They will yell at you. They are not very friend nor provide great customer service." This goes to show that if companies continue to outsource customer service to companies in India who provide reps who have a hard time understanding simple English and are rude and inconsiderate, I will start to not to business with those companies. I had dumped Sprint because you would call and the Indian customer service rep would say, "Sir, you owe $25 on your bill." Yet you would call in the next day and they would tell you, "No, that guy was incorrect. You owe $250."

I do not blame Circuit City. Given, if the guy who rang me up would have correctly rang it up I would have not had to go through all of this. I seriously think that Circuit should force Chase bank to bring back those Customer Service jobs to the US just like AT&T has started to do.

Smoking

2006-09-21T15:55:00.000-05:00

I was coming back from lunch and I ran into a Speedy Stop off Duval and 183 before heading back to work for some chips and a drink. As I walk in, there is a sign that says "This is a NON smoking store." Ironically the manager and another employee were outside that place smoking. There have been times that I have been in that store and have smelled someone smoking in the back.

Now, if there is a sign that says, "NON smoking" and you are not supposed to smoke 50 feet from the gas pumps, why do people still do it? It makes you wonder where people's common sense is. I dont mind people that smoke. I just have a problem with it when its too close to the gas pumps and in my face as I walk into the store. I just think its hillarious that you see something that says "DONT DO THIS" and you see someone do it. Kinda made me want to go, "Here is your sign!"

Ran into an old friend

2006-09-06T13:52:00.000-05:00

So I the other day I run into an old friend of mine that I had met when I was working at another job. She and I had never met but she used to call me all the time. Our schedules never could mesh to where we could meet. We lost touch and I never heard from her again. Over 2 years later, I get an email from this same girl. She happens to work at my work. We start talking again and apparently her whole attitude has changed. She is not the sweet woman she once was. I suggest we meet up since we are finally in the same place at work and she tells me she is not going to talk to me or meet up with me unless I start sending flowers to her at work. (Apparently she is this type of woman that likes the attention she gets when something gets delivered and all the co-workers want to know who its from, etc.) So basically I come right out and ask her, "So you wont talk to me or meet me or get to know me unless I start sending stuff to work" Isnt that a little materialistic?" She response (and I quote), "Yeah. I am a Bitch now and if you do not give me anything then I want nothing to do with you."

Excuse me, but WTF? Here I am happy to run into an old friend and she is trying to act like a gold digger to see what kind of crap I will send her to her work. I dont mind the whole flower sending or bringing flowers to someone, but at least let me get to know you first. I had asked her on more than one occasion to allow me to get reacquianted with her again before we start the whole sending flowers to work business. She refused that. I guess it is all well and good that I found out early on that she had issues before it came out later on.

Vonage and VoIP

2006-08-14T09:35:00.000-05:00

I finally broke down and got a home phone with Vonage, figuring it would not hurt having a home phone so I would not have to use my cell phone when I call into conference calls for work. I had heard good things about Vonage so I figured what the heck? I tried calling 3 times in order to get service. Each time I got some Indian representative who was trying to sound American but could not understand normal English. The third time was a charm and got an Indian guy who acutely spoke GOOD English and was able to place my order. I received the package with the IP phone router and instructions on how to install it. It was fairly easy to set up and POOF! I was up and running. My big complaint with Vonage is they recycle their phone numbers because on a daily basis, I get phone calls from some girl who skipped town on her creditors and they think I am hiding her in my house. I asked one lady who called for this woman, "Does she owe you money? Because if she does she is LONG gone." My second complain with Vonage is their customer service reps are totally clueless. I had a minor issue with my voice mail and I had to call once again 3 times to finally get someone who had a clue what he or she were doing to get my voice mail situated. Ironically, that last guy was an Indian guy. The other problem with Vonage is they outsource much of their customer service people. It is very frustrating to call in and get some Indian person who does not understand you and you sit there for over 20 minutes trying to explain to the person what you are trying to do, repeating yourself 3 and 4 times. It has gotten to the point where if I ever have to call to speak to a rep and I get an Indian rep, I hang up and dial again until I finally get a US rep. When I had to call to speak about my voicemail problem, the rep would pick up the phone and I would say, "I have a question about my voicemail." They would respond, "You have a question with your voicemail?" Gee is there an echo in here? Please do not repeat my question. Secondly if you are going to answer my question, do not sit there and go, "Ahh... ah....mmm... ahhh." If you do not know, tell me "Sir, let me take a look at that for you." and then put me on hold.

I am amazed at home many companies out there that are moving to outsourcing because it’s more cost effective. I am all about saving the company money but if people hang up and keep dialing in to finally get a person that has a clue what is going on, how much money are you really saving? Secondly, please do not have some Indian representative trying to "sound" American. To me, that is a slap in my face. Perhaps I should start responding sounding like an Indian person when I get these people on the phone. I have seen too many people lose their jobs to outsourcing. What is ironic about it is that these outsourcing people think if a person loses their job in America, they can easily get another one and that is just not the case. I am not trying to single out anyone. It is not just Indian people. Its any company who outsources to another country and you get a rep on the phone that tries to sound like they are from here, yet can not understand words like "right" and "correct".

I will say with my bad experience with Vonage I am considering canceling my service with them. I would almost be willing to pay the extra $10 a month to Time Warner Cable for VoIP phone service because I know I am going to get a rep that is not outsourced and know that if I have a problem, they will respond quickly instead of having no idea what I am talking about when I ask a simple question about voicemail.

Cell Phone Jammers

2006-08-12T00:07:00.000-05:00

If you are like me, you get sick and tired of seeing people driving in their cars on the highway, not paying attention. There are some I have almost had accidents with. A study released in April 2006 found that almost 80 percent of crashes and 65 percent of near-crashes involved some form of driver inattention within three seconds of the event. The study, The 100-Car Naturalistic Driving Study, conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), breaks new ground. (Earlier research found that driver inattention was responsible for 25 to 30 percent of crashes.) The new study found that the most common distraction is the use of cell phones, followed by drowsiness. However, cell-phone use is far less likely to be the cause of a crash or near-miss than other distractions, according to the study. For example, while reaching for a moving object such as a falling cup increased the risk of a crash or near-crash by 9 times, talking or listening on a hand-held cell phone only increased the risk by 1.3 times. The study tracked the behavior of the 241 drivers of 100 vehicles for more than one year. The drivers were involved in 82 crashes, 761 near crashes and 8,295 critical incidents.

My problem is these drivers cause traffic to clog up during rush hour. I use to joke, "Gee, just buy a $10 headset." I have run into people who tell me they refuse to use it because they can not hear and have admitted to talking on their phone while driving and almost getting into an accident. There is a company that sells a Cell Phone jammer that will cause these people to have "No Service" with a 10 meter radius. It would be great to get behind someone who is on the phone and have their service go out. Meanwhile, what if there is an emergency? You would not be constantly jamming their service. Besides, once you passed them in your car they would have service again. I have heard movie theaters starting to install these. In fact, Every sunday at church there is always someone's cell phone that goes off in the middle of the service. On pastor said to someone whose cell phone was ringing, "Better answer it, might be God calling you." The down side to these jammers is the price. I found a portable one for $249. There is a UK company that sells them too. I am sure the FCC would probably step in if a bunch of people came in and started jamming cell phones. Its a nice thought to be able to go, "Gee Mister, stop being so rude and inconsiderate and HANG UP AND DRIVE!" and have people have to start paying more attention to their driving, rather then being on the cell phone causing accidents.

iPod repair

2006-08-09T12:55:00.000-05:00

I finally broke down and purchased an iPod 2 gig. I have only had it a month when the docking cable go stuck and when I tried to wiggle it out the cable became frayed and came apart. I requested service from Apple who sent me a nice box within 48 hours of my request. I shipped it back to them and was told they would not fix it because the casing was damaged. They stated, "This type of damage is excluded from coverage under the Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty or extended service contract, such as the AppleCare Protection Plan. The repair is pending your approval of the following quote for repair costs: 205.95 USD plus tax." Yikes! $209.95? Thats more than I paid for my iPod Nano. I declinded the repair and having them ship it back to me. I found a few places on the web that would sell me the back casing for $20 if I needed it. Apparently its fairly simple to replace. That will volid my warranty with the Nano, but if I need to replace the casing, I am willing to take that chance. The other downside to that is that I will lose my engraving.. C'est La Vie. I will give Apple props for being on the ball and sending me a box to ship it to them and getting to looking at it soo quickly. It is a little disheartening that they will not fix the case because it was damaged before I got it. The upside is that is an easy fix and I can do it myself for 1/10th what Apple wants to fix it for.

Not on my side

2006-08-07T13:05:00.000-05:00

I got in an accident on 07/06/06 with some young kid that thought he had a protected left green arrow and plowed into my car as I was entering the intersection. He called his mom who showed up with her neighbor. She was very nice and told me, "I appreciate you being such a gentleman with these kids." Ironically, I had not said a word to either one of them. What is even more ironic is that it is not the first time this moron had pulled the same stunt. On two other occasions, he had done the same thing. The cop that showed up at tha accident tried to be smart and say, "Oh, your car just needs a little buffing to get that out." I replied, "Sir, my car's bumper is on the ground. It needs a little more than buffing." The mom of the kid that hit me tried to offer to pay for my damages directly without getting insurance involved. I told her I would consider it. (Knowing that it would cost more money than they wanted to pay.)

I called the kid's insurance company that morning. (I will not mention names but I will say this, they are NOT on my side.) I immediately spoke to an adjuster who took my information and told me she would call me back once she spoke to the insured. I got a call back in 30 minutes and she told me I could take it to any body shop I wished. I had called my insurance company too when I got home after 1 AM that night. I decided to take my car to a place where my insurance and his insurance considers it a "5 star" body shop. I brought it in that day and got a rental. At first his insurance told me that they were not going to pay for a rental car over the weekend because my car was drivable. I was told by the Server Manager at the body shop that my car was NOT drivable. Since I drove a 2004 Honda Accord, the rental place gives me a Buick La Crosse. Nice car. Gas millage is awful in it. I can assure you, I did not get 30 miles per gallion highway. In fact, every other day I put $20 more in gas. I was going to fill it up by the fear was if I got my car back, then I would have a full tank in the rental. I made a few more calls to the insurance adjuster, who was great in getting back with me that day I dropped my car off, but then she dropped the ball.

I pick up my car about 3 weeks later because there was damage to the airbag sensor. Airbags did not deploy but had to get airbag service on it. The car looks great. You can not even tell anything had happend. The body shop did awesome work. I was thankful to get my car back finally. I was then told by the car rental that the insurance company had not approved the rental for the Buick. They gave me a compact rate. The car rental place had all along said that I am entitled to an equal car for whatever I orginally drove. I made the offer to bring the Buick back and they could have given me a compact but the car rental manager told me not to. I have called the adjuster 4 more times, left messanges and even went as far as calling her manager and left him a message. On top of that, the car rental place sent this company 4 messages through their system.

I am amazed at this insurance company's handling of my claim. They started off great but after the 2nd day, customer service went out the window. This insurance company is NOT on my side and if they are on your side, then I would seriously considering dumping them because they are worthless.

Use your freaking turn signals!

2006-08-03T13:14:00.000-05:00

The 57 percent of American drivers who say they don't use their turn signals for changing lanes.
In a survey commissioned by Response Insurance, these were the reasons given:

· 42 percent said they don't have time.
· 23 percent said they are too lazy.
· 17 percent said they don't because they forget to turn it off.
· 12 percent said they change lanes to frequently to bother.
· 11 percent said it's not important.
· 8 percent said they don't because others don't.
· 7 percent said not doing it adds to excitement.

The survey also found 62 percent of men leave the turn signal alone when changing lanes; the number was 53 percent for women. Seventy-one percent of drivers ages 18-24 don't signal, but 51 percent of those 55 to 64 do.

I can assure you on my way to work and my way home I see countless people who drift into lanes, will cut through 3 lanes of traffic without staying in each lane for 3 seconds and do not use their turn signals. I saw a bumper sticker that said, "Turn Signals are NOT a factory option". I just wish people would be courteous enough to let people know you are going to change lanes instead of just jetting over with no warning and having me slam on my breaks because you are being impatient.

Sams Club to buy tires

2006-08-03T12:55:00.000-05:00

So I just got my car out of the shop and its like 3 days later. I am driving to work and I got a flat. The front driver side tire shreded at the sidewall. I pulled over, changed the tire and headed back to work. I called around looking for the best possible tire deal. Sam's had the best deal on tires, so I called to make sure they could get my car in and out without it being too busy. They told me it would be after 1pm, so I took it to them after 1pm.

I get there at 1pm and there is a guy behind the counter who has NO clue what he is doing. I wait for almost 20 minutes for him to assist me. When it is my turn, I tell him I need tires for my car and he rings me up. He tells me it will be about 45 minutes and they will page me when I am done. I cruise around Sam's Club, checking out stuff I can buy, sit in the massage chair, go visit the Vision center about new glasses, swing by to get a drink and a pretzel. An hour and a half passes by and I roll over to the tire place to check to see if my car is ready. It is not in the garage, so I go to the counter to ask about it. There is the Loss Prevention Manager and this moron who cant figure out what he is doing refunding money to this guy who apparently they screwed up his tire purchase a few weeks ago. I noticed a Honda key just sitting there next to the computer. About 20 minutes passes and he looks down, "What the heck is this?" I respond, "If its a Honda key it is probably mine." He looks for my paper work and then gives me my key. No "Thank You" no NOTHING. I was like "Can I get a receipt?" Its in the car sir!" Now Mr. Moron has to raise his voice to me like I am the dumbass. I grabbed my key and walked out. The tires were on and my car drives great. The spare tire had been on it. Did they bother to put it in the trunk where it was? NO. It was just laid in the truck. I should have threw it through their window like that old Discount Tire commercial.

I am starting to realize that maybe Sam's Club isnt the best place for tires. I should have gone to Discount Tire or even NTB. They all price match and I sure they would have given me installation as cheap as Sams Club. Personally, I think Walmart makes it a habit of hiring morons so they can get some sort of Goverment deal on taxes because this is not the first time I had a run in with a moron at Walmart or Sam's, nor will it be my last.

Note to Sam's Club: Start giving intelligence tests before you hire stupid people. That would weed out much of the bad employees you have giving "wonderful" customer service.

Ahh thought SO!

2006-08-03T12:54:00.000-05:00

No response from the fraudsters. The got nervous. Ironically, I got another email from some Russian guy who wanted me to accept payments for him and said in his email that it was safe from the FBI. Sure sure.. I believe that like I believe I need a hole in my head.

Playing their game

2006-07-27T10:45:00.000-05:00

So I have not heard from our fraudsters. I figured I would stir up the pot by telling these morons that I was arrested because of their "fake" check. Once again, the check is sitting on my coffee table and I was not arrested. I figured two can play the same game since they are playing head games with me. We will see what they say. I am sure they will leave alone now. Of course, if I get an email from their "attorney" from an @excite.com email domain, then you will know its totally fake.

Alex,

Forgive me for getting back to you so late. I was arrested and jailed for trying to commit fraud. The cops said the check I was trying to deposit from you was fake and now are charging me with this crime. I need to know what your company is going to do to assist me in my legal situation since I was acting as an agent on your behalf.

Your attention would be greatly appreciate.
Sincerely,
Willie Brilliant

We'll see how this goes. Its getting funnier and funnier by the moment. :)

Bad Breath

2006-07-23T01:02:00.000-05:00

So I meet this girl a while back. She is very sweet and lives a little bit aways from me. She is older than me, but I figured what the heck? We talk on the phone and have quite a bit in common, so we meet. I will say that if I ever go to meet someone I at least have cologne on or have my teeth brushed and my clothes are clean. This woman's breath was SOO nasty. She could have at least brushed her teeth. It was GROSS! I did not have the gall to tell her that she needed to floss and brush. What is even more strange is that she is going to nursing school. You would think that she would have an idea about good dental hygene. That is one thing that will make a good meeting go sour in a hurry if you meet someone and they have stinky breath or they smell like they need to hop in the shower.

Mr. Moron wont give up.

2006-07-19T19:17:00.000-05:00

OK, So Mr. Moron is going at it again. He expects me to just give him my account information and sends me this letter:

Dear Willie,

Thanks for your prompt response, I indeed appreciate.

While I was discussing this issue with our managers here, we have agreed to increase your commission by 3% if you agree to give this deal a chance. This will make your percentage on any payment made through you sum up to 13%. Please manage this offer because I can't send you cash now, but you will get the cash in good terms after this deal.

I urge you to us this a chance, because a customer was ready to payin some money by next week, at the end we will all be happy as friends.

I promise you that all your private information given to me are safe, I hope you will send your bank information today to enable them pay in next week.

Trust me everything will be just fine, thanks as I wait to receive your bank information.

Alex Walter

I explain to Mr. Moron that I am not comfortable giving out my account information and insist that he sends me my "commission" in CASH only. Of course, I know he is not going to do so. He sends me this reply:

Dear Willie,

How are you doing today, I believe fine?

Well I understand your plight and your concern, but I most let you know that I have heard those stories before now and I asure you that your personal information are sure safe with us.

I really don't know how to convince you at this point, but the truth is that our business is real and you will get to know this for sure soon. I did made some promises to you concerning this new development. I believe in trying, give it a try. Once you give us your Bank information within a week customers will be crediting your account and you then have the opportunity to deduct your commission and forward us the balance.

If you will ask me, I will honestly tell you to us this one more chance to proval our business real to you. I don't know how to play around with people's information, so I will not start with you.

I believe I have spoken in all simplicity, you have a choice to make. You know is not possible to send you cash.

Waiting to hear from you if you changed your mind, stay well and stay away from trouble.

Regards

Alex Walter

Gee.. He is trying to claim my nerves. He has spoken in all simplicity. Give me your account information and we will rob you blind Mister! hehehe

I am waiting a few days to respond to him. I am accutally considering on letting him in on my little secret that I have been blogging about him all this time, warning everyone else about his little scam. He makes no mention in his last email when I tried to call him out on the fact that his company or the other company he was representing was not even listed at all. There was no traces of his organization. Ironically, there is nothing listed on the return envelope. Wonder what he would say if I told him his check he sent me and all of his emails are being forwarded to the FBI. Maybe I will make some story up that My house was ransacked by the cops and they need to provide me an attorney because of some sort of trouble. See what he says. hehehe ;)

This guy REALLY wants my bank info

2006-07-14T22:05:00.000-05:00

SORRY FOR HIS RUDE ACTION, BUT I KNOW FOR SURE EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY.

IF YOU GIVE THE WIRE TRANSFER OFFER A CHANCE, THAT WILL COMPENSATE ALL
EFFORTS SO FAR. AND THE WIRE TRANSFER WILL NOT CAUSE ANY TROUBLE, IS
SIMPLY AND AUTHENTIC.

JUST GIVE ME THIS CHANCE SO I CAN GET THIS FUND FROM MY CUSTOMER AND
YOU PERCENTAGE WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU ONCE THE TRANSFER IS MADE.

PLEASE SEND US YOU BANK INFORMATION.

WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU.

ALEX WALTER

_______________________________________________
No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.


Once again, he is asking for my bank information. NO thanks. I responded with this:

Alex,

I appreciate your sincerity. After this check fiasco, I would feel much better if you could just send me cash before I give you my bank information for you to wire in the money. I think if you send me cash, it would make me feel more comfortable giving my bank information out to a total stranger. Please send my commission, cash only to my address.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
Willie Brilliant

Stay tuned for more...


Make My Way  your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com

Gee, my brother is SUCH a cheapo

2006-07-13T14:53:00.000-05:00

I get a call from my middle brother John that my nephew Travis' birthday is going to be celebrated this weekend at Mr. Gattis. No problem. We have done these kinda of family party/get togethers before. In fact, my son had his party there. My brother tells me that we are all going to go "Dutch" and he is just going to get tokens for the kids. Geesh, talk about pinching pennies.

I understand my brother does not have alot of money and he and his wife do not make much money. What drives me insane is that he expects everything to be handed to him. He decided he wanted to move to La Vernia because they liked it in the country. Instead of saving money up to put down on the land, my mother let him "borrow" $25K for his land which he was supposed to pay back and never did. He tells my mom, "Mom, I will start paying you back when I get a better job." My mom has maybe seen $100 of this money. She tried to keep it secret from me because she thought I would blow my top. I am not angry. It just pisses me off that she would let my brother borrow money like that, only never to see it again. One time I asked my mom, "Mom, can I borrow $25K to start my own Blimpee franchise?" My mom replied with, "I dont have $25K." I responded, "Sure you do. John's trailer is sitting on top of it."

On the other hand, I have worked for everything I have owned. My grandmother died years ago and my parents gave all of us $6000. My two brothers both bought cars. I slapped that money in a Money Market account and let it grow. To this day, I still have part of that money left. Dont get me wrong, I am not mad because my mom helped my brother out. I just think my mom should cut the purse strings and let me brother fend for himself.

Gosh.. this is getting GOOD!!!

2006-07-13T14:10:00.000-05:00

I have told these fraudsters their check is no good, that my bank said they were holding it for further instigation. Of course, this is all false. Their check is sitting on my coffee table and I NEVER went to the bank. Here is the one guy's response:

Dear Willie,

Thanks for you effort so far, just to remind you quickly that I was not
the sender of the cheque. But it was sent to you by one of my customers
who intended to make payment through you to my company as I told you
initially.

I contacted him and he said was very sorry about the situation at hand,
he also said they have a little problem with that account lately. He
further ask me to tell you to discard the cheque.

However; business continues, our customer are suggesting that they
should be paying through you to us via bank wire transfer, which is easy
and more authentic. And we have agreed to this, but we don't know how you
will see this new development.

At this point we most thank you for your understanding, for customers
to pay through you via this means, you will need to help us with the
following information:

YOUR BANK NAME
YOUR BANK ADDRESS
ACCOUNT NAME
ACCOUNT NUMBER
SWIFT/ROUTING CODE
YOUR PHONE NUMBER (S), to enable them reach you with payment.

Remember that when ever they make any payment through you will be
entitled to 10% of the total sum, we did hope understand this mail in good
faith.

Thanks, as we wait to hear from you.

Alex Walter

_______________________________________________
No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.

Who does this guy think he is kidding? Let me GIVE you my account number and routing number? Why? So you can wire money out of my account? Are you INSANE?

So then I get email from the manager guy who supposidly sent the check:

"HOLDER Co.Ltd" wrote:

Willie:

I must say that i am very disappointed with your way of work.So you
mean to tell me that Mr Taylor had made out payment to you since and
you did not notify us and you took the liberty of depositing the
funds.I remember instructing you to inform us on any proceedings and
you failed to do so.Now i am not in the position of telling you that
the check is real or not because i was not aware when the payment was
drawn but what i can tell you at this moment is that our customers are
very reliable people and they would not do anything to jeopardise their
name so i dont think they would send you a fraudulent check.

Now
i suggest you go back to your bank and have them inform you on when the
funds will be available for transfer because we need this funds
urgently and get back to me with full information.

I expect update soonest.

Aaron brooks
Chief Accountant
HOLDER COMPANY LIMITED.

So I got to call his bluff and send him this response:

Excse me? I am very disppointed in your own business practices. I have
gone to my branch at least 3 times to talk about this stupid check. You
basically made me look like an ass for even inquiring about a check
which was would have bounced aocording to my branch if they had not
caught it in time. I have wasted over 3 hours of my lunch hours as well
as countless phone calls to my local branch trying to chase this check
down.

You dont have to tell me if the check is good or not? I
strongly advise you to change your business practices if you wish to
stay in business for any lengnth of time.

By the way, I DID
follow instructions EXACTLY as ask by you and Alex. Now you can send me
another check that is GOOD this time or pay me for my time in trouble
after chasing this little fisaco down for you and your so called
"company". This time, you pay in cash.. no checks.. no wire transfers.

I am awaiting your response.

Willie Brilliant

We'll see if they accutally follow through. I am sure they wont do it, telling me I need to wire the money back to them. Would be funny if indeed they sent cash over for my "Commission". :)

Stay tuned for more details.

More morons trying to commit fraud

2006-07-12T16:13:00.000-05:00

So I get this email:

Good day Mr Brilliant:

How are you doing today,I write you upon receipt of the instruction you were given to collect payment from our customer.Please inform me on the situation of things on your end ASAP.

I await yur update.

thanks
Aaron Brooks
Chief Accountant,
HOLDER COMPANYLIMITED.

Whats funny is its from the same email the guy who is asking me to give them my "status" emails me from.. once again, a PUBLIC email address thats free. By now, I am laughing because they think I have this check in the bank and going to send them money once my bank clears it. I never went to the bank. I am sure if I did deposit the check it would bounce big time! Then I would be screwed.

I then get an email with the subject line: "CONFIRM YOUR STATUS!" from these morons.

Hello Mr Brilliant:

How are you doing today,Please i would like you to update me as regards the customer you were to contact for payment last week.May i have you know that your utmost seriousness is needed at this juncture.So please get back to us as soon as possible with information because we are arelly in need of this money.

I await your update.

thanks
Aaron Brooks
Chief Accountant,
HOLDER COMPANYLIMITED. -

Gee.. funny.. thats the same email address you used with the other MORON emailed me the check with the instructions to send them check to this other company. Whats is soo crazy is that they are stupid enough to use the same email for the same person.

So I email them this response:

Thank you for your message. I went into the branch myself and spoke with a personal banker. He told me my bank is holding the check because of some sort of invesitigation. They are stating the check is no good. Are you sure the check that was send is valid and not fraudlent?

Thank you
Willie Brilliant

Here is the last email I have recceived from Mr. Moron and my response:

Alex,

I have spoken to my bank. They are holding the check because they are stating this check is bad. They told me to contact you to find out what is going on with your bank?

take care
Willie Brillian

ALEX WALTER wrote:
Dear Willie,

How are you doing, hope fine?

As you promised to check on your Bank yesterday to get back to me, I was actually waiting to hear from you to get update if the cash is now ready.

Please update me, I believe your Bank is ready with the money by now.

Alex Walter

_______________________________________________
No banners. No pop-ups. No kidding.
Make My Way your home on the Web - http://www.myway.com

I am sure they will disappear after I mention the word "FRAUD". This is getting even more funnier by the minute.. stay tuned for details. :)

Wow.. It makes me wonder why some women play head games.

2006-07-05T13:55:00.000-05:00

So I am cruising the net today and I stumble across a blog from some stupid girl I tried to meet back in May of this year. She has this "transcript" of our IM converstation. Needless to say, she has edited it and added a few things to make me look like an ass. Of course, she has two of three girls who have left derogatory comments towards me (of course). I wonder how the crazy women in the world find their way onto the internet. I was amazed that she would even edit what I said to her to make me look bad then parades it around like she has been victimized by my words.

I tell you, I am going to start a website for crazy women on the internet to warn all men. Women have one already. Why not guys? Someone suggested I call it, "Yeah, I F***ed Her" but I would rather have it something more classy. I would rather have something educational than something derogatory and stoop myself down to her level. Trust me, I can fight fire with fire if that what she wants; but, I am a believer in karma.. what goes around, comes around. She will get hers in the end.

Dang, I thought I smelled bacon.

2006-07-04T22:54:00.000-05:00

So after my kiddo was whinning that he wanted to shoot some fireworks off, we go outside in the rain to do so. We light off a few things and low and behold Kyle's finest comes marching down the street and proceeds to tell me he is working a house fire right now and if he was on duty, he would write me at ticket for popping fireworks inside the city limits. Now, thats funny.. if you look on the map, I dont think I am in the city limits at all. I thanked him and got up all my garbage that we had popped and put it in the trash. Of course, my son was not very happy at all and of course was upset that he had to go back inside. What is also funny is all around my neighborhood, fireworks are going off. Of course, you do not see Mr. Kyle Police man marching over to those streets. Nope. I feel bad that the people who live around the corner from had to have the fire department out. I just think Mr. Kyle Police man could have been a little more professional about it rather than being a jerk about it in front of my kiddo.

Another dumb scammer.

2006-07-03T20:44:00.000-05:00

So I get another email address for this guy who wants me to accept payments for him. Here is the email I received:

Dear Willie Brilliant,
Good Day, how you doing today, I want to thank you a lot for your time and support on this this project,I have just been informed this morning there has been a confirmation from our accounting department about some customers who are ready to make payment so please act accordingly as you receive this information.Please we want you to contact this CUSTOMER for mode of payment, so that you can inform us on how and when he is willing to release payment through you to us.

HERE IS MY CUSTOMER'S INFORMATION:
Customer Name : Mr. Paul Taylor
Tel :+1-403-708-3582
Email: taylorpaul100@yahoo.ca
Amount:$350.000.00

Now we would appreciate honesty and trustwothiness at this medium like we always tell all our agents because this is a huge amount being entrusted in your care.I would also appreciate if you contacted him as soon as possible and make him understand that you are Mr Aaron Brooks company assigned agent from HOLDER Co.Ltd that you were instructed to collect payment from him to our company.

Lastly, we want constant update on what goes on between the both of you from time to time so please do not fail to let me know.

Note that he is to pay you installmentally.

I hope you understand have a nice day and God bless.
I expect your reply soonest.

Regards
Aaron Brooks
Chief Accountant,
HOLDER COMPANYLIMITED.

Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com
The most personalized portal on the Web!

The guy's email address is: holderco_ltd@excite.com. Now, if you want me to accept monies for your client, why not use your own email domain instead of a "public" one. I play along witht this guy and email his "customer" taylorpaul100@yahoo.ca

Here is Mr. Taylor's response:

thanx for your contack, kindly forward me your mailling address and your physical phone number where you can be reached

Paul,

I will be out of the office my secetary will contact you as well

paul

Bill Brilliant wrote:

Good Afternoon,
I am a Mr Aaron Brooks company assigned agent from HOLDER Co.Ltd that you were instructed to collect payment from him to our company.
take care
Willie Brilliant

And he responses again with his point of contact:

THANKS FOR YOUR CONTACT, MY ACCOUNT OFFICER WILL GET ACROSS TO YOU, YOU MAY CONTACT HER AS WELL

NAME : DENISE THOMPSOM
EMAIL: denisethompson100@yahoo.com
Tel: 403-708-3582

keep me posted

Paul

Bill Brilliant wrote:

Good Afternoon,
I am a Mr Aaron Brooks company assigned agent from HOLDER Co.Ltd that you were instructed to collect payment from him to our company.
take care
Willie Brilliant
How low will we go? Check out Yahoo! Messenger�s low PC-to-Phone call rates.

Funny, The lady with denisethompson100@yahoo.com Yahoo profile was created 06/19/2006. Once again, two more "public emails". What is interesting is that now they have another party int he loop for these "payments". Perhaps they are trying to cover their tracks. The phone number listed is a Candian phone number. Interestingly enough, I have a hard enough time fighting Candian fraud.

Here is her response.

Dear Mr. Brilliant

I have been trying to reach you on the phone without luck.

My name is Denise Thompson. I have been contacted by Aaron Brooks who has instructed me to send payments to you.

Please kindly confirm the following to enable me to expedite action accordingly.

Bill Brilliant

202 Teasley

Kyle TX 78640

512-405-3560 - this number is not in service - please provide update

NAME: --------------------------------------

HOME ADDRESS:--------------------------------

PHONE: ------------------------------------------

EMAIL: -------------------------------------------

I await your response at your very earliest convenience.

REGARDS

Denise Thompson

403-708-3582

Dang! I cant put a fake number in there for her to call me. :) I guess I am glad the number is still disconnected.

Beware of phony offers like these. These morons are only after getting your money and disappearing into the night.

Online Travel

2006-07-02T00:55:00.000-05:00

A friend of mine has gotten me into this travel business where you can search over 200 travel sites with one click. This saves you time when trying to find the best deal on travel. I just got RTA certified and now I am a Reffering Travel Agent and can get those Travel Agent only deals on hotels, car rentals, air faire, etc.

If you need to book a trip, or rent a car, or get airline tickets, goto

http://www.travelwithbill.com/

and click on Book Travel.

If you are interested in how you too can travel and get paid to do so and make money from the comfort of your home by having your own online travel agency, email me at:

bill@travelwithbill.com

Scammers of the world!!!!

2006-07-01T23:14:00.000-05:00

I get at least one of these emails every day where someone overseas is looking for people in the US to accept payments for them. All you have to do is take the check they send you and deposit it in your account and then mail the customer a check for the amount minus your 10% commission. Sounds easy enough right?

What these morons do not realize is that I work in Data fraud. I see scams like this on a daily basis. I signed up for one of thse deals and got an email from some guy in the UK using a @myway.com email domain. First of all, if you have a legit business, why not use a your own company name? This guy wanted to make sure I responded to his emails in a timely manner, which I did. This guy sends me a check in the amount of $79K and wants me to deposit this check. I have way ahead of this scam. These guys take a person who thinks, "Gee, easy money just making a deposit." Once the person makes the deposit in their bank and the bank realizes the check is fake, the check bounces and then the person is out the money they sent the customer as well as any bank fees and other monies owed to the bank since the check was fake. So I have the check sitting on my coffee table and I am not stupid enough to deposit it. The guy who send me the check emails me and asks to update him. I told him I had deposited the check but the bank was holding the check because it was a foreign check and they would not tell me when they would release the funds. (Of course, the check is still sitting on my coffee table.) A few days later he asks again about what is going on. I tell him the bank is investigating his customer because of fraud and they will not give me any more information. Ironically enough after I tell him this, I never heard from him again.

First of all, the company this check was supposed to come from does not exist. There is no contact information on the check so if anything goes wrong, you are screwed. Secondly, the guy who is is trying to get me to cash the check emails me from a "Public" email account ("@myway.com"). This is a BIG sign this is big time fraud. Thirdly, any talk of making easy money by accepting packages and resending them to someone else is big time fraud. (Its what I deal with on a daily basis at my work.) The talk of easy money should be a sign that you should run for cover. What is even more ironic is the guy's name, and phone number he wanted me to call him on as well as his email info was all updated in my database to block any order that tries to come through my company. Thank you Mr. Fraudster for trying to be slick, you just allowed me to protect my company against fraud from your moronic self.

I think I will definately have to post a copy of the check just so people can see how crazy some of these morons are.