I get it now why this other guy was so adamant about sending the computer in versus having a tech come out and do it: so he could make me eat it. He had claimed that I had verbally abused his buddy associate by using profanity and this, that and the other thing. I calmly replied that I had not used any profanity, not even the hint of it and that she was the one that hung up on me after insisting that I wasn't "her" customer, she therefore couldn't and wouldn't answer my questions.
I could be way off on that guess. The guy clearly didn't want to talk to me, which is unfortunate for him because I will be calling him back and asking him about the extended warranty. I will be calling the manager from Denver back and thanking him for his intervention - once I get my laptop back, that is. Whatever the case, I do expect to see it landing soon.
Umm, I just looked: I finally got automated email apologizing for "delay" (in reality, this thing should have been done and sent back to me by last MONDAY) and that it may take a while longer to get it shipped out to me.
Well I just burned up my pre-work hour and now I have to leave. A huge order to pull this morning, I know the manager didn't get it all done, so I will be busy today : )
G'day.
ben
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
HP And My Laptop
I had all but admitted defeat on this one. That's because of the unbelievable attitudes with that company that I received across the board. Umm, excepting on individual, the manager from Denver.
The only thing I had definitively concluded was that I was NOT going to pay them $359 to have a new LCD screen put on the thing and if that mean voiding the warranty, who cares. If that was the price everywhere, it probably would not have gotten fixed. Instead, I had received quotes for $125 and $150 to replace the screen - screen included in that price.
Well, as one of my final attempts, I called the guy from Colorado who did not answer, of course, since it's his off days, and left a message. The message was plain and to several points. Why is your company wanting to charge me $359 to replace a screen on a computer that I bought for not much more than that? When I have found 2 places already, locally, that will do it for a third of the cost? And other things. I actually did not expect to hear a reply from him, but I will try all avenues available until it becomes obvious that I am wasting my time.
Again, this was one situation where I was throwing in the hat. I lost, they won. I have a great track record with the W's and VERY few L's. And frankly, to pay $125 to fix it really wasn't the end of the world for me.
So, it was with great surprise - really it was - to get a call from home today while I was at work and hear Lynnette on the other end of the phone telling me a man named **** had called from HP and told Mark, who had taken the call, to give me a message.
Ohhhh, and what message was that? I imagined being told to f*** off or something that says that without actually saying it. Lol. The man said that the computer was going to be fixed today, post haste and that they would have it sent back to me asap. Reeeeeeally?
Hmm, maybe putting up with all that BS from people in India and the Philippines was worth it after all. I was hung up on; interrupted countless times; attempts to belittle me after I would ask them to speak to their manager; on and on and on. I wonder if I am going to get the extended warranty as well - for free, of course. I'll wait until I have my computer in-hand before I attempt to even address that one. That idea came from the guy that was handling my case, not the dude from Colorado. However, it was the dude handling my case that came up with the $359 figure, according to the person in the Philippines whose accent was so thick, I had to ask her to repeat herself frequently.
I'm guessing that this won't ever happen again with this company, be happy that I got what I am getting for free and that is that. Yes, happy. Especially after being told that it will not be fixed unless I ante up the $359, to which I loudly laughed. Yeah, right. I'll go out and buy another laptop - from a different manufacturer - before I do that, I replied as curtly as the statement was made to me.
Let's just put it this way: HP has some serious customer relation problems. Allegedly, many customers have complained about the treatment they received from the call centers in India and the Philippines. If you're going to have call centers in different nations, you better darn well make sure that the people that are employed speak FLUENT English and that their culture and way of seeing things isn't going to obscure the way they treat us - HP's customers. The only thing getting an attitude from these people makes me want to do is not ever buy anything from their company again. I will rethink that now that I found out at least ONE person in that entire company agreed with me and actually had the juice/power to do anything about it.
The only thing I had definitively concluded was that I was NOT going to pay them $359 to have a new LCD screen put on the thing and if that mean voiding the warranty, who cares. If that was the price everywhere, it probably would not have gotten fixed. Instead, I had received quotes for $125 and $150 to replace the screen - screen included in that price.
Well, as one of my final attempts, I called the guy from Colorado who did not answer, of course, since it's his off days, and left a message. The message was plain and to several points. Why is your company wanting to charge me $359 to replace a screen on a computer that I bought for not much more than that? When I have found 2 places already, locally, that will do it for a third of the cost? And other things. I actually did not expect to hear a reply from him, but I will try all avenues available until it becomes obvious that I am wasting my time.
Again, this was one situation where I was throwing in the hat. I lost, they won. I have a great track record with the W's and VERY few L's. And frankly, to pay $125 to fix it really wasn't the end of the world for me.
So, it was with great surprise - really it was - to get a call from home today while I was at work and hear Lynnette on the other end of the phone telling me a man named **** had called from HP and told Mark, who had taken the call, to give me a message.
Ohhhh, and what message was that? I imagined being told to f*** off or something that says that without actually saying it. Lol. The man said that the computer was going to be fixed today, post haste and that they would have it sent back to me asap. Reeeeeeally?
Hmm, maybe putting up with all that BS from people in India and the Philippines was worth it after all. I was hung up on; interrupted countless times; attempts to belittle me after I would ask them to speak to their manager; on and on and on. I wonder if I am going to get the extended warranty as well - for free, of course. I'll wait until I have my computer in-hand before I attempt to even address that one. That idea came from the guy that was handling my case, not the dude from Colorado. However, it was the dude handling my case that came up with the $359 figure, according to the person in the Philippines whose accent was so thick, I had to ask her to repeat herself frequently.
I'm guessing that this won't ever happen again with this company, be happy that I got what I am getting for free and that is that. Yes, happy. Especially after being told that it will not be fixed unless I ante up the $359, to which I loudly laughed. Yeah, right. I'll go out and buy another laptop - from a different manufacturer - before I do that, I replied as curtly as the statement was made to me.
Let's just put it this way: HP has some serious customer relation problems. Allegedly, many customers have complained about the treatment they received from the call centers in India and the Philippines. If you're going to have call centers in different nations, you better darn well make sure that the people that are employed speak FLUENT English and that their culture and way of seeing things isn't going to obscure the way they treat us - HP's customers. The only thing getting an attitude from these people makes me want to do is not ever buy anything from their company again. I will rethink that now that I found out at least ONE person in that entire company agreed with me and actually had the juice/power to do anything about it.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday 2/12/2012
Umm, well, here we are.
Sunday. No more NFL football.
Not a big fan of basketball anymore, not because I don't like the game but because of the abundant, stupid, selfish attitudes of the players. I have never liked soccer. Hockey I watch once in a blue moon. Baseball I also steer away from, though I used to be an avid fan.
No great loss, just musing. Went to church today and the guest speaker was back for round 2. Good sermon, but I am considering leaving the church altogether. I have never been a fan of the cliques in church. I saw them when I was a leader in the church and balked at it. People get into these little groups and will not go beyond them. I never thought it was anything Christian to engage in such and now on the receiving end of it, I definitely don't think it is now.
Receiving end meaning these people have been together for years, it's a church plant from Memphis, Tennessee. I cannot find a way into any of it, though I have tried. These people want to impact the Tempe area, yet they can't even find a way to reach out to people that come to their own church. Heck, I'll even name the name of it: Freedom Gate Church of Tempe, Arizona.
When I was in a different place in church - before the divorce and meaning I was a part of the leadership - I made it a point to reach out to new people and do whatever needed to be done to make sure they were made a part of it, if that's what they wanted. I would drag other members into it with me just because I felt so strongly about it. Who wants to go to church and feel like an outsider forever? That was the reason I went to such great lengths at the time and now? Doesn't seem like I can catch a break at this place.
Cliques may be a part of human life, but that doesn't make it right for the Christian church. Well, it's been 7 or 8 months of going to this church but I might as well be a newcomer that showed up for the first time this morning. The lack of engagement is astounding. I saw another guy that had started coming regularly to the church who was also in the same predicament. I reached out to him, but he ended up leaving as well as others I have noted that have come and gone.
I listen to their grand plan of impacting Tempe, but as long as they are stuck in their little groups and would rather not be bothered by "outsiders", they aren't going to go anywhere. Just an observation from - an outsider.
Of course, that information will never hit the ears of the people it needs to hit, I am just venting. I sat alone, eating at a table today, while the little cliques all enjoyed the company of their friends. I felt like throwing the food in the trash can - I am not poor, I can buy my own food - the point of eating "with" others is the "fellowship" aspect. It was even more amazing that people were standing or sitting there, staring at me, as if I was an alien that just landed from outer-space. Am I having a pity party? I dunno, maybe. It's just that I have been involved with the church for quite a long time now - sans 7 years of visiting churches here and there but not really wanting anything to do with it until I came to this church and resolved in myself that I would become a part of it as much as I could.
I am beginning to revert back to the mindset of: "I can visit a church here and there" mode. I could go about this in a totally different way. People ask you how you are doing at this church? I could look them in the eye and tell them that they are asking a question that they could care less whether they hear the answer or not. Lol. I could reply that they are only asking that question to make the appearance of actually caring. See, I have seen this in the Christian church for decades, it's nothing new. I would challenge any pastor to tell me I am wrong, number 1 and number 2, that anything is ever done to change it. And, when I first started noticing this phenomenon over 2 decades ago, that's when I decided I would do my best to INCLUDE people, not just give them a passing "gee, nice to see you" and move on stance.
Whatever.
I dunno if I will be going back next week. If I do, it might be on a more confrontational clause. Is it worth it?
Maybe. They want to sit there and talk about their vision for this area, endlessly, yet they don't even see what's going on in front of their faces. That would be the only point to it. Yet, in my mind, I know it would be a waste of time and energy, so why bother.
Well, it's outside to the great blue yonder. Beautiful day out there and I have some things I want to get done.
G'day.
ben
Sunday. No more NFL football.
Not a big fan of basketball anymore, not because I don't like the game but because of the abundant, stupid, selfish attitudes of the players. I have never liked soccer. Hockey I watch once in a blue moon. Baseball I also steer away from, though I used to be an avid fan.
No great loss, just musing. Went to church today and the guest speaker was back for round 2. Good sermon, but I am considering leaving the church altogether. I have never been a fan of the cliques in church. I saw them when I was a leader in the church and balked at it. People get into these little groups and will not go beyond them. I never thought it was anything Christian to engage in such and now on the receiving end of it, I definitely don't think it is now.
Receiving end meaning these people have been together for years, it's a church plant from Memphis, Tennessee. I cannot find a way into any of it, though I have tried. These people want to impact the Tempe area, yet they can't even find a way to reach out to people that come to their own church. Heck, I'll even name the name of it: Freedom Gate Church of Tempe, Arizona.
When I was in a different place in church - before the divorce and meaning I was a part of the leadership - I made it a point to reach out to new people and do whatever needed to be done to make sure they were made a part of it, if that's what they wanted. I would drag other members into it with me just because I felt so strongly about it. Who wants to go to church and feel like an outsider forever? That was the reason I went to such great lengths at the time and now? Doesn't seem like I can catch a break at this place.
Cliques may be a part of human life, but that doesn't make it right for the Christian church. Well, it's been 7 or 8 months of going to this church but I might as well be a newcomer that showed up for the first time this morning. The lack of engagement is astounding. I saw another guy that had started coming regularly to the church who was also in the same predicament. I reached out to him, but he ended up leaving as well as others I have noted that have come and gone.
I listen to their grand plan of impacting Tempe, but as long as they are stuck in their little groups and would rather not be bothered by "outsiders", they aren't going to go anywhere. Just an observation from - an outsider.
Of course, that information will never hit the ears of the people it needs to hit, I am just venting. I sat alone, eating at a table today, while the little cliques all enjoyed the company of their friends. I felt like throwing the food in the trash can - I am not poor, I can buy my own food - the point of eating "with" others is the "fellowship" aspect. It was even more amazing that people were standing or sitting there, staring at me, as if I was an alien that just landed from outer-space. Am I having a pity party? I dunno, maybe. It's just that I have been involved with the church for quite a long time now - sans 7 years of visiting churches here and there but not really wanting anything to do with it until I came to this church and resolved in myself that I would become a part of it as much as I could.
I am beginning to revert back to the mindset of: "I can visit a church here and there" mode. I could go about this in a totally different way. People ask you how you are doing at this church? I could look them in the eye and tell them that they are asking a question that they could care less whether they hear the answer or not. Lol. I could reply that they are only asking that question to make the appearance of actually caring. See, I have seen this in the Christian church for decades, it's nothing new. I would challenge any pastor to tell me I am wrong, number 1 and number 2, that anything is ever done to change it. And, when I first started noticing this phenomenon over 2 decades ago, that's when I decided I would do my best to INCLUDE people, not just give them a passing "gee, nice to see you" and move on stance.
Whatever.
I dunno if I will be going back next week. If I do, it might be on a more confrontational clause. Is it worth it?
Maybe. They want to sit there and talk about their vision for this area, endlessly, yet they don't even see what's going on in front of their faces. That would be the only point to it. Yet, in my mind, I know it would be a waste of time and energy, so why bother.
Well, it's outside to the great blue yonder. Beautiful day out there and I have some things I want to get done.
G'day.
ben
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Qwest - or whatever it's called now (Century Link)
This company is another on my "loser" list and it's going to go away at this point. I have had enough. I have put up with years of incompetence, poor service, bad internet connections and am finally ready to just pay the price - I will have to buy a cable ready modem - and get it over with. I WILL be trying the grass on the other side of the fence.
If it isn't any greener, then so beit, but I have had Qwest internet for too long and for too long - it goes out altogether or it goes down to half the connection speed that I am paying for.
Yes, I was on the phone with them today, again, for the 50th time attempting to get the connection speed back up to par - that's the point. This supervisor I was speaking with stated - after I spent a bit of time telling him how I think about his company - that "it doesn't take that long to get to someone".
As if I should HAVE to get to anyone. Their internet doesn't work as agreed and paid for as often as it does. I have spent some time looking into Cox internet today, not that I believe it's going to be any better, but I at least have to try it once. It's certainly a faster connection speed for only a few dollars per month more - if it works. That's the problem I have with Qwest/ Century Link - it doesn't WORK as often as it does work.
I have had technicians out here 2 dozen times now in the last 4 years. I am sick of having to call them to deal with connectivity issues. SICK of it.
So, I am going to buy a Cox compatible modem that also serves as a wifi router and see what happens. It is going to cost me $129 for modem/router combo I want, but, again. Too much history with Qwest. Them changing their name to Century Link has changed NOTHING about the service. It totally sucks.
Yes, my connection has been going down for several days now - I finally contacted them today, enough is enough. Did they fix it? Yes, this time, one of the few that has ever occured, over the phone, but it took over an hour of it. I have been through more than enough hours of it and if I went into all of it, well, this entry would go on and on and on - 20 paragraphs at least worth.
Whatever. There are occasions when a relationship with a company needs to be cut and this is definitely one of them.
If it isn't any greener, then so beit, but I have had Qwest internet for too long and for too long - it goes out altogether or it goes down to half the connection speed that I am paying for.
Yes, I was on the phone with them today, again, for the 50th time attempting to get the connection speed back up to par - that's the point. This supervisor I was speaking with stated - after I spent a bit of time telling him how I think about his company - that "it doesn't take that long to get to someone".
As if I should HAVE to get to anyone. Their internet doesn't work as agreed and paid for as often as it does. I have spent some time looking into Cox internet today, not that I believe it's going to be any better, but I at least have to try it once. It's certainly a faster connection speed for only a few dollars per month more - if it works. That's the problem I have with Qwest/ Century Link - it doesn't WORK as often as it does work.
I have had technicians out here 2 dozen times now in the last 4 years. I am sick of having to call them to deal with connectivity issues. SICK of it.
So, I am going to buy a Cox compatible modem that also serves as a wifi router and see what happens. It is going to cost me $129 for modem/router combo I want, but, again. Too much history with Qwest. Them changing their name to Century Link has changed NOTHING about the service. It totally sucks.
Yes, my connection has been going down for several days now - I finally contacted them today, enough is enough. Did they fix it? Yes, this time, one of the few that has ever occured, over the phone, but it took over an hour of it. I have been through more than enough hours of it and if I went into all of it, well, this entry would go on and on and on - 20 paragraphs at least worth.
Whatever. There are occasions when a relationship with a company needs to be cut and this is definitely one of them.
Saturday 2/11/2012
Well, now that I have as much of the HP situation done as I can for today - I waited for a week to hear from them - now I can move on to other things.
Lynnette is coughing, hacking, coughing away. Has been for days. I had asked about the use of cough syrup, I didn't get an answer.
Hmmm.
Well, whatever, I don't want her walking around the common areas of the house hacking away like that, I don't want to get sick and I don't want anyone else to get sick, either, is all I can say about it.
I was going to have that kid come over and do some yard work today, but, his phone isn't working and he hasn't responded to my email, so that is also going to get blown off.
Which leaves me to find a new mattress for the travel trailer and also get up on the roof and begin work on the other roof vent that needs replaced. I have the vent, just gotta get up there and get to work! It's only 10:00am and I am waiting until it warms up bit more before doing that.
I am hoping to get a nice, used mattress for around $100. Delivered. lol. I can get a new one for $150 but we're not talking Sealy for that kind of money. Not in a big hurry to do that, but - on the other hand - wanna get it done while the money is available to do so. There is no mattress in that trailer currently.
Caleb is still having sleep issues - can't help him with that unless he wants to go to a doc and get sleeping medication. At his age? I slept through the night. In fact, I didn't start having sleeping issues until I got divorced at the age of 41. I have always been a light sleeper, but I found ways around that problem by using ear plugs and a fan to cover up noise at night.
Church service last night was a bit different. The guest speaker had everyone come up front and we all prayed. There was no sermon. I'm not complaining or saying it was bad, just saying it was definitely different.
That's it. I have a pond filter I need to disassemble and clean out. Not the funnest thing on earth but it's really the only thing I ever really have to do to maintain it. Other stuff I can or cannot do - if I wanna, lol. I actually can let the filters go for extended lengths of time, but then it gets so filled up with fish waste that it's very difficult to clean out with all the goo. Yuck.
Lynnette is coughing, hacking, coughing away. Has been for days. I had asked about the use of cough syrup, I didn't get an answer.
Hmmm.
Well, whatever, I don't want her walking around the common areas of the house hacking away like that, I don't want to get sick and I don't want anyone else to get sick, either, is all I can say about it.
I was going to have that kid come over and do some yard work today, but, his phone isn't working and he hasn't responded to my email, so that is also going to get blown off.
Which leaves me to find a new mattress for the travel trailer and also get up on the roof and begin work on the other roof vent that needs replaced. I have the vent, just gotta get up there and get to work! It's only 10:00am and I am waiting until it warms up bit more before doing that.
I am hoping to get a nice, used mattress for around $100. Delivered. lol. I can get a new one for $150 but we're not talking Sealy for that kind of money. Not in a big hurry to do that, but - on the other hand - wanna get it done while the money is available to do so. There is no mattress in that trailer currently.
Caleb is still having sleep issues - can't help him with that unless he wants to go to a doc and get sleeping medication. At his age? I slept through the night. In fact, I didn't start having sleeping issues until I got divorced at the age of 41. I have always been a light sleeper, but I found ways around that problem by using ear plugs and a fan to cover up noise at night.
Church service last night was a bit different. The guest speaker had everyone come up front and we all prayed. There was no sermon. I'm not complaining or saying it was bad, just saying it was definitely different.
That's it. I have a pond filter I need to disassemble and clean out. Not the funnest thing on earth but it's really the only thing I ever really have to do to maintain it. Other stuff I can or cannot do - if I wanna, lol. I actually can let the filters go for extended lengths of time, but then it gets so filled up with fish waste that it's very difficult to clean out with all the goo. Yuck.
My Broken Laptop - Hewlett Packard Substandard Service
I hadn't received any kind of contact from HP - at all - since I sent it in excepting an automated email saying that they had received it.
Getting annoyed with it, I went back into that email and found a link to their site to check the status of the repair.
Going to that site and inputting the required information, a screen comes up telling me that the LCD screen is cracked and that it was going to cost $359 to repair it.
$359.00??!!!
I then attempted to call the case manager in their executive department - closed on weekends. Then tried calling their main 800 number. Besides the endless prompts - which I have now figured out how to get around - you get routed to either India or the Philippine Islands. Indian accents, as I have repeatedly stated on this blog, are so thick and heavy it is often times difficult to understand anything they are saying.
I basically got hung up on a couple of times from that side of the world as I asked to speak to someone who actually speak intelligible English. I guess that doesn't go over too well with them.
I then started connected to the Philippine Islands. Their accent is readily recognizable. It has a high-pitched, irritating twang to it. Perhaps the irritation is with the company itself, I don't know, but they don't really speak English too well, either. After 4 more attempts with them, I finally got a lady that - about half English speaking I would estimate.
She gets back on the phone after taking my information which I had to repeatedly give to her and tells me the same thing: cracked LCD screen, you have 2 options. Pay me $359 now, over the phone or we can just send it back to you. Well I can tell you right now that I ain't paying $359 to have a computer laptop screen fixed, I will find some way to get it done cheaper (which I already have, thank you).
I ask to speak to her supervisor, which is when she starts getting cranky with me. Note that I wasn't asking to speak to her supervisor about HER, but about the situation. Here's my guess, and it's probably right on: anytime you end up speaking with a supervisor in that particular company, it's a ding on the rep that couldn't solve your problem. Many companies are like this. Instead of getting a supervisor, you are either put back into the general incoming call system with their computer automatic voice system or you are hung up on altogether.
The last few weeks of my experiences with Hewlett Packard have confirmed to me one thing: I will never buy another Hewlett-Packard product again. There are MANY other manufacturers of laptops out there, HP certainly doesn't have the corner on that market. As for now, however, I am stuck with this laptop and nothing I can do.
Moving on, I then tried to call the higher level manager in Denver, Colorado (he repeated that to me several times, apparently he likes Denver Colorado). I got his voice messaging. I left a message about the high cost of the replacement and what is the point of spending that much money to fix it.
My next search was on Newegg.com. See what a replacement screen actually costs, or at least something close to the amount. Around $90. If I can buy a replacement screen for $90 on Newegg, how much do you think it actually costs the manufacturer who MAKES the screen? Yeah. What a ripoff.
I then moved my search to Craigslist. There are always people on there that advertise for fixing computers. I don't use those services anymore- that's the people fixing desktops of which I no longer need help with fixing. Hardware or software, I can deal with all of it. Laptops? Totally foreign field to me, though, of course, they work no different than a desktop, they are definitely a different deal as far as how they get all of that crammed into that little case.
Anyway, I found a couple of people advertising on their, one of which has his own shop. I already called him: Yes, that's the new screen, I will charge you $125.00 total to replace it. There is a FAR cry of difference between $359 and $125, thank you very much.
I have now filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau concerning this situation, since they promised to fix this computer and yes, I paid to get that promise fulfilled.
We'll see where this goes in the coming days.
As for now, I can't do anything until Monday to contact the case worker and find out why they think replacing an LCD screen is worth almost the entire cost of the computer. I filed the complaint because they apparently respond to such complaints, as evidenced by what I saw on their BBB profile. However, in the end, I am guessing I will have to have them simply send it back and I will take it to a local person to fix it for a 1/3rd of the cost that they are attempting to charge me for it. This may be one of the few cases where BenB does not win against the company. If so, oh well. I have a pretty good track record of getting things fixed or problems solved - though I am not done with this situation yet.
That's because I found an address for their corporate headquarters and am going to see if there is a local number that will take me to something other than their so-called executive team. Of course, I did end up talking to a higher level manager after insisting on speaking with someone other then this executive team, so I guess if I just call that number back and am relentless, well, you know the story.
Getting annoyed with it, I went back into that email and found a link to their site to check the status of the repair.
Going to that site and inputting the required information, a screen comes up telling me that the LCD screen is cracked and that it was going to cost $359 to repair it.
$359.00??!!!
I then attempted to call the case manager in their executive department - closed on weekends. Then tried calling their main 800 number. Besides the endless prompts - which I have now figured out how to get around - you get routed to either India or the Philippine Islands. Indian accents, as I have repeatedly stated on this blog, are so thick and heavy it is often times difficult to understand anything they are saying.
I basically got hung up on a couple of times from that side of the world as I asked to speak to someone who actually speak intelligible English. I guess that doesn't go over too well with them.
I then started connected to the Philippine Islands. Their accent is readily recognizable. It has a high-pitched, irritating twang to it. Perhaps the irritation is with the company itself, I don't know, but they don't really speak English too well, either. After 4 more attempts with them, I finally got a lady that - about half English speaking I would estimate.
She gets back on the phone after taking my information which I had to repeatedly give to her and tells me the same thing: cracked LCD screen, you have 2 options. Pay me $359 now, over the phone or we can just send it back to you. Well I can tell you right now that I ain't paying $359 to have a computer laptop screen fixed, I will find some way to get it done cheaper (which I already have, thank you).
I ask to speak to her supervisor, which is when she starts getting cranky with me. Note that I wasn't asking to speak to her supervisor about HER, but about the situation. Here's my guess, and it's probably right on: anytime you end up speaking with a supervisor in that particular company, it's a ding on the rep that couldn't solve your problem. Many companies are like this. Instead of getting a supervisor, you are either put back into the general incoming call system with their computer automatic voice system or you are hung up on altogether.
The last few weeks of my experiences with Hewlett Packard have confirmed to me one thing: I will never buy another Hewlett-Packard product again. There are MANY other manufacturers of laptops out there, HP certainly doesn't have the corner on that market. As for now, however, I am stuck with this laptop and nothing I can do.
Moving on, I then tried to call the higher level manager in Denver, Colorado (he repeated that to me several times, apparently he likes Denver Colorado). I got his voice messaging. I left a message about the high cost of the replacement and what is the point of spending that much money to fix it.
My next search was on Newegg.com. See what a replacement screen actually costs, or at least something close to the amount. Around $90. If I can buy a replacement screen for $90 on Newegg, how much do you think it actually costs the manufacturer who MAKES the screen? Yeah. What a ripoff.
I then moved my search to Craigslist. There are always people on there that advertise for fixing computers. I don't use those services anymore- that's the people fixing desktops of which I no longer need help with fixing. Hardware or software, I can deal with all of it. Laptops? Totally foreign field to me, though, of course, they work no different than a desktop, they are definitely a different deal as far as how they get all of that crammed into that little case.
Anyway, I found a couple of people advertising on their, one of which has his own shop. I already called him: Yes, that's the new screen, I will charge you $125.00 total to replace it. There is a FAR cry of difference between $359 and $125, thank you very much.
I have now filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau concerning this situation, since they promised to fix this computer and yes, I paid to get that promise fulfilled.
We'll see where this goes in the coming days.
As for now, I can't do anything until Monday to contact the case worker and find out why they think replacing an LCD screen is worth almost the entire cost of the computer. I filed the complaint because they apparently respond to such complaints, as evidenced by what I saw on their BBB profile. However, in the end, I am guessing I will have to have them simply send it back and I will take it to a local person to fix it for a 1/3rd of the cost that they are attempting to charge me for it. This may be one of the few cases where BenB does not win against the company. If so, oh well. I have a pretty good track record of getting things fixed or problems solved - though I am not done with this situation yet.
That's because I found an address for their corporate headquarters and am going to see if there is a local number that will take me to something other than their so-called executive team. Of course, I did end up talking to a higher level manager after insisting on speaking with someone other then this executive team, so I guess if I just call that number back and am relentless, well, you know the story.
Friday, February 10, 2012
I have decided that I am going to go to the special church meeting tonight.
I don't really feel like it, but I feel oddly compelled to go. Which usually means I will definitely get something out of it. What, exactly, I have no clue, but I will find out when I get there, I guess.
Which reminds me, I need a new Bible. My brother gave me $60 cash for Christmas which is still sitting there. I figured to use it for something that I wanted, not needed. Okay, I did say I "need" a new Bible, translate to I WANT a new Bible. Of course, reading the Bible on line is way cool since you can look up as many different versions of any particular scripture you want to search out as you want.
However, the old-fashioned way of reading the Bible is also quite appealing to me. I like reading it both ways, really: online and on paper.
Whatever the case, I must leave soon and need to freshen up a bit.
Later.
ben
I don't really feel like it, but I feel oddly compelled to go. Which usually means I will definitely get something out of it. What, exactly, I have no clue, but I will find out when I get there, I guess.
Which reminds me, I need a new Bible. My brother gave me $60 cash for Christmas which is still sitting there. I figured to use it for something that I wanted, not needed. Okay, I did say I "need" a new Bible, translate to I WANT a new Bible. Of course, reading the Bible on line is way cool since you can look up as many different versions of any particular scripture you want to search out as you want.
However, the old-fashioned way of reading the Bible is also quite appealing to me. I like reading it both ways, really: online and on paper.
Whatever the case, I must leave soon and need to freshen up a bit.
Later.
ben
Friday 2/10/2012
So there it was. Opened up my online account and saw the paycheck with the 2 weeks extra pay in there, shining in all it's monetarial glory.
Wait a minute. It's just money, no glory about it.
I'm going to finish the trailer with the extra money and hopefully have it ready to be moved in the not too distant future.
I'm figuring another $500 should finish the job on it nicely.
2 more years. Geeeeeze. That's how long it is until the car is paid off. Endless car payments. Eternal. Sick of it.
Plans this weekend include continuing work on the trailer roof, I need to get that done now that I have the means to get everything else done on it. That kid I've hired twice now to do a bunch of junk outside that I don't want to do wants to come back. I have stucco paint and I am considering having him paint the wall out front of the house next to the sidewalk and running up alongside the west side.
There is a special church meeting going on tonight that I am considering going to as well. I've also been invited to go to the movies, though it's with a person I have some serious reservations about in several factors of consideration.
My laptop allegedly is getting sent back to me today, at least according to the email I read several days ago. Maybe they have an update email in there. No, nothing yet. Something tells me - based upon my limited experience with this company - that they aren't going to be doing ANYTHING before they say they are going to. I do expect it to get sent out today, however, and if it's not, I'll be going through the phone maze again with them.
And that's it for now, as work day calls and I must be leaving in a few minutes. Lots to do today, too, keep me busy all day long and then some : )
G'day.
ben
Wait a minute. It's just money, no glory about it.
I'm going to finish the trailer with the extra money and hopefully have it ready to be moved in the not too distant future.
I'm figuring another $500 should finish the job on it nicely.
2 more years. Geeeeeze. That's how long it is until the car is paid off. Endless car payments. Eternal. Sick of it.
Plans this weekend include continuing work on the trailer roof, I need to get that done now that I have the means to get everything else done on it. That kid I've hired twice now to do a bunch of junk outside that I don't want to do wants to come back. I have stucco paint and I am considering having him paint the wall out front of the house next to the sidewalk and running up alongside the west side.
There is a special church meeting going on tonight that I am considering going to as well. I've also been invited to go to the movies, though it's with a person I have some serious reservations about in several factors of consideration.
My laptop allegedly is getting sent back to me today, at least according to the email I read several days ago. Maybe they have an update email in there. No, nothing yet. Something tells me - based upon my limited experience with this company - that they aren't going to be doing ANYTHING before they say they are going to. I do expect it to get sent out today, however, and if it's not, I'll be going through the phone maze again with them.
And that's it for now, as work day calls and I must be leaving in a few minutes. Lots to do today, too, keep me busy all day long and then some : )
G'day.
ben
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Body Fat
The contest at work started early last year. It was a contest started by an aspiring salesman to see who could lose the most body fat in a specific time period. It was supposed to end in November. I was has my body fat measured at the beginning of it, in the 18% range. Okay, not great.
Certainly not considering the fact that at one point in my life, I was at 4.9% body fat. I had so little fat on my body that I had people asking: "Do you feel good?". Why, I would ask? "Because you have no fat!".
Those days are gone - although I maintained that kind of body fat until my late 30's.
Well, I got a call from that salesman today: "Hey bro (younger guy, early 20's, usually pretty cool, but we won't go into the "uncool" times), wassup?". If nothing else, it is always good to try and maintain as good a relationship with the people at your employment as you possibly can, even if they are arrogant, condescending, snooty, high-minded. god-like in their own eyes - you get the picture. I am actually not referring to this dude in that context, though. Just saying. I could go into another associate who had an attitude that would take a jackhammer to break today.
Nothing, dude, what's going on? I thought he was going to throw a late delivery at me - which usually doesn't bother me, either, it's all OT for me. "Hey man, I heard you took out that delivery today for me to *****?" I won't name the names of the contractors we deal with, not a good idea, really. Yes, I replied, I am there right now, waiting for them to come unload the truck. "Cool man, thanks!". Okay. "I need to get all of the measurements done for the final tally for the body fat contest, I need to get yours taken today".
Okay. No problem. When I get back, of course. We end that call, he is going to show up and get it over with. I didn't want to be measured, to be honest, looking at myself in the mirror, it seems that I have gained fat, not lost it. I figured I had only increased in my fat content, not lost any. I had brought that up to him that conversation. His reply: "EVERYONE says that, dude, but it's never the case. Everyone has actually increased muscle mass and lost body fat!".
I still didn't believe it, not from appearances. But whatever. I get back to the yard and end up having to go right back out to get a part for someone that needs it immediately. Back again - time to get off the clock. I clock out and go into the room this salesman is in. A large number of people are suddenly using our new facility, lol, it's pretty nice, has plug-ins to access the company intranet in every room (lots of empty rooms in there) and lots of places for privacy to shut doors for those that need it when talking with contractors and such.
I go into the kitchen - this is this guy's preferred room to do his business, lol. I weigh myself, 2 pounds heavier than when I weighed in last year. My weight is up and down but, unfortunately, pretty much stays at the same weight. I say unfortunately because I would like to get it to the low 180's, not the mid 190's. He gets out the calibers and starts taking the measurements. Nothing. Nothing. Referring to my biceps and triceps - lean parts of my body that show no fat. Nothing referring to nothing, not really measurable amounts of body fat there. You pinch the skin and that's what you get, skin. Which I really like considering I am 48 years old.
My stomach? He takes several measurements and then gets to the upper and lower back and then the thigh and then the calf area. He starts telling me I have lost body fat and increased muscle mass.
Noooo, I still don't believe it. He inputs all the measurements into the required fields - lots of them - and then it comes back. My once 18%? Now 14%.
I had to start thinking. Of course. All of that heavy, heavy material that has come in for 2 huge jobs. It isn't like lifting a piece of paper out of a ream. Most of it is large diameter material and is VERY heavy. I force myself, for the most part, to lift it out physically instead of using the forklift to lift it out of there. Not always - if it's jammed into a crate or otherwise an impossible situation, then yes, I let hydraulics take over. But I consider it a workout and that, it is.
So I'm not losing weight because I have been increasing muscle mass. Okay, I can accept that. : )
Certainly not considering the fact that at one point in my life, I was at 4.9% body fat. I had so little fat on my body that I had people asking: "Do you feel good?". Why, I would ask? "Because you have no fat!".
Those days are gone - although I maintained that kind of body fat until my late 30's.
Well, I got a call from that salesman today: "Hey bro (younger guy, early 20's, usually pretty cool, but we won't go into the "uncool" times), wassup?". If nothing else, it is always good to try and maintain as good a relationship with the people at your employment as you possibly can, even if they are arrogant, condescending, snooty, high-minded. god-like in their own eyes - you get the picture. I am actually not referring to this dude in that context, though. Just saying. I could go into another associate who had an attitude that would take a jackhammer to break today.
Nothing, dude, what's going on? I thought he was going to throw a late delivery at me - which usually doesn't bother me, either, it's all OT for me. "Hey man, I heard you took out that delivery today for me to *****?" I won't name the names of the contractors we deal with, not a good idea, really. Yes, I replied, I am there right now, waiting for them to come unload the truck. "Cool man, thanks!". Okay. "I need to get all of the measurements done for the final tally for the body fat contest, I need to get yours taken today".
Okay. No problem. When I get back, of course. We end that call, he is going to show up and get it over with. I didn't want to be measured, to be honest, looking at myself in the mirror, it seems that I have gained fat, not lost it. I figured I had only increased in my fat content, not lost any. I had brought that up to him that conversation. His reply: "EVERYONE says that, dude, but it's never the case. Everyone has actually increased muscle mass and lost body fat!".
I still didn't believe it, not from appearances. But whatever. I get back to the yard and end up having to go right back out to get a part for someone that needs it immediately. Back again - time to get off the clock. I clock out and go into the room this salesman is in. A large number of people are suddenly using our new facility, lol, it's pretty nice, has plug-ins to access the company intranet in every room (lots of empty rooms in there) and lots of places for privacy to shut doors for those that need it when talking with contractors and such.
I go into the kitchen - this is this guy's preferred room to do his business, lol. I weigh myself, 2 pounds heavier than when I weighed in last year. My weight is up and down but, unfortunately, pretty much stays at the same weight. I say unfortunately because I would like to get it to the low 180's, not the mid 190's. He gets out the calibers and starts taking the measurements. Nothing. Nothing. Referring to my biceps and triceps - lean parts of my body that show no fat. Nothing referring to nothing, not really measurable amounts of body fat there. You pinch the skin and that's what you get, skin. Which I really like considering I am 48 years old.
My stomach? He takes several measurements and then gets to the upper and lower back and then the thigh and then the calf area. He starts telling me I have lost body fat and increased muscle mass.
Noooo, I still don't believe it. He inputs all the measurements into the required fields - lots of them - and then it comes back. My once 18%? Now 14%.
I had to start thinking. Of course. All of that heavy, heavy material that has come in for 2 huge jobs. It isn't like lifting a piece of paper out of a ream. Most of it is large diameter material and is VERY heavy. I force myself, for the most part, to lift it out physically instead of using the forklift to lift it out of there. Not always - if it's jammed into a crate or otherwise an impossible situation, then yes, I let hydraulics take over. But I consider it a workout and that, it is.
So I'm not losing weight because I have been increasing muscle mass. Okay, I can accept that. : )
Bills
I had completely forgotten about the new Verizon Wireless account for mobile broadband. I paid the first month plus the next month plus the activation fee. But, I haven't had the laptop in a week now and the bill went into the cobweb sector of my brain.
I don't really know what brought it up in my mind, I didn't receive a notice or a phone call or anything. It just popped up: uh-ohhhh, you have a bill you forgot about. So, finding the paperwork, I call their 800 number and go through the automated system. Turns out it's only 1 day late and also turns out that I am not going to be hit with some sort of outrageous late fee, such as you definitely expect to get hit with with credit card payments that are late.
Caleb informed me that he put in his 2 week notice. Notice to quit work, that is. I mean, he had informed me a few days before that that he was going to quit - in a month or two. Suddenly that is ratcheted up to 2 weeks from now. I didn't say anything to him at the git-go, there are times I tend to speak my mind about things and in this kind of scenario, that probably isn't going to come out sounding like a walk in the park and the person it is intended for probably is going to be offended.
The reason I wasn't happy about this is that I wanted him to sit on it for a month - at least - think about it and perhaps think through all the little paths of "potential consequences" that it can take you through. Otherwise known as analytical thinking. You know, you think things through - well through - and do so for a while - before you make a decision about something as important as quitting your job? Yeah, that little tidbit.
I then asked how much volunteering he was going to be doing at the church - the alleged reason he was quitting his job. Fridays. I bit my tongue. At his age, I was working 2 jobs and burning the midnight oil. Many days would start at 6 am and end at 12 midnight. Now, he's apparently going to go to school, yes, but replace his job with 1 day a week volunteering?
I was good with him replacing the hours he was working to volunteering, yes, I was. I dunno what's going through that boy's head, but I am going to chalk this one up to a learning experience - for him, not me. He is going to find out that being broke and having no money isn't exactly a fun thing. It may also be that if he decides after a bout of being broke that he wants to go find another job, it may not be all that easy to do so. I'm not feeling really compelled to pay his insurance on my other car plus pump gasoline into it for him to drive around. I'll feed him and continue to pay his health care coverage as I have been doing for his entire life, but the rest of it?
Yes, life can smack you in the face and when it does, especially at that age? Look out. He sort of dealt me a hand that I wasn't expecting after he made his initial intentions known. I am not going to hold his hand and lead him through life. At his age, better learn quickly. He already stated his intentions of getting a bicycle and the fact that he won't be able to do Muay Thai anymore. No, I am not paying for his Muay Thai. I had thought this scenario was going to be a weeeee bit different than what is unfolding. I am going to continue to keep my mouth shut about it - but my wallet will also stay shut. The only caveat is that I want to go "sport fishing", they call it, again this year and if he wants to go - providing I am able to save up enough money for such a trip - then I will pay his way for that as I did last year.
Well whatever. I am not going to lose sleep over it. I do think he should have followed the course that he had originally pronounced in stating that it would be a month or two, at least, before he quit.
Moving on? What am I going to move onto. Oh, yes, the initial plan/goal of building a casita. Thank you for reminding me of that, I need to go out and take some measurements, be right back! ROFL!!
Hmmm. I think I could so a 15x20 unit. 300 square feet of space. The design is already in my head. Front door leads into a living/bedroom situation. At the other end is a small kitchen. It does have a microwave, oven with stovetop, refrigerator and sink, just isn't huge. It has cabinet space as well. Small closet to the right upon entry. Bathroom is aligned with the kitchen at the far end. One window, next to the door. Large window, though.
That's it. But plenty and considering a private residence in this location? Should be easily rentable.
That's it.
I don't really know what brought it up in my mind, I didn't receive a notice or a phone call or anything. It just popped up: uh-ohhhh, you have a bill you forgot about. So, finding the paperwork, I call their 800 number and go through the automated system. Turns out it's only 1 day late and also turns out that I am not going to be hit with some sort of outrageous late fee, such as you definitely expect to get hit with with credit card payments that are late.
Caleb informed me that he put in his 2 week notice. Notice to quit work, that is. I mean, he had informed me a few days before that that he was going to quit - in a month or two. Suddenly that is ratcheted up to 2 weeks from now. I didn't say anything to him at the git-go, there are times I tend to speak my mind about things and in this kind of scenario, that probably isn't going to come out sounding like a walk in the park and the person it is intended for probably is going to be offended.
The reason I wasn't happy about this is that I wanted him to sit on it for a month - at least - think about it and perhaps think through all the little paths of "potential consequences" that it can take you through. Otherwise known as analytical thinking. You know, you think things through - well through - and do so for a while - before you make a decision about something as important as quitting your job? Yeah, that little tidbit.
I then asked how much volunteering he was going to be doing at the church - the alleged reason he was quitting his job. Fridays. I bit my tongue. At his age, I was working 2 jobs and burning the midnight oil. Many days would start at 6 am and end at 12 midnight. Now, he's apparently going to go to school, yes, but replace his job with 1 day a week volunteering?
I was good with him replacing the hours he was working to volunteering, yes, I was. I dunno what's going through that boy's head, but I am going to chalk this one up to a learning experience - for him, not me. He is going to find out that being broke and having no money isn't exactly a fun thing. It may also be that if he decides after a bout of being broke that he wants to go find another job, it may not be all that easy to do so. I'm not feeling really compelled to pay his insurance on my other car plus pump gasoline into it for him to drive around. I'll feed him and continue to pay his health care coverage as I have been doing for his entire life, but the rest of it?
Yes, life can smack you in the face and when it does, especially at that age? Look out. He sort of dealt me a hand that I wasn't expecting after he made his initial intentions known. I am not going to hold his hand and lead him through life. At his age, better learn quickly. He already stated his intentions of getting a bicycle and the fact that he won't be able to do Muay Thai anymore. No, I am not paying for his Muay Thai. I had thought this scenario was going to be a weeeee bit different than what is unfolding. I am going to continue to keep my mouth shut about it - but my wallet will also stay shut. The only caveat is that I want to go "sport fishing", they call it, again this year and if he wants to go - providing I am able to save up enough money for such a trip - then I will pay his way for that as I did last year.
Well whatever. I am not going to lose sleep over it. I do think he should have followed the course that he had originally pronounced in stating that it would be a month or two, at least, before he quit.
Moving on? What am I going to move onto. Oh, yes, the initial plan/goal of building a casita. Thank you for reminding me of that, I need to go out and take some measurements, be right back! ROFL!!
Hmmm. I think I could so a 15x20 unit. 300 square feet of space. The design is already in my head. Front door leads into a living/bedroom situation. At the other end is a small kitchen. It does have a microwave, oven with stovetop, refrigerator and sink, just isn't huge. It has cabinet space as well. Small closet to the right upon entry. Bathroom is aligned with the kitchen at the far end. One window, next to the door. Large window, though.
That's it. But plenty and considering a private residence in this location? Should be easily rentable.
That's it.
2/9/2012 Thursday
Not a heckuvalot going on right now.
Not that there always needs to be, lol.
No new news on any tenants - just that one broke the knob off the hot water valve for the shower in the bathroom and left an apologetic message this morning.
Nice. A tenant finally takes responsibility for something. Not that I hold it against that person, I will replace whatever needs to be replaced and that will be the end of that.
Was going to take some measurements yesterday and see how much space I would have for building a casita - but I totally spaced it out. I think I was a bit tired yesterday and just wanted to relax after a long day at work.
Gilbert - the 21 year old tenant - was out on the side of my house taking pics and videos of my ponds yesterday.
He stated he was going to send them to his mother and try to convince her to do her own pond. These small ponds are incredibly easy care/maintenance. Clean out the filters every 2 to 3 weeks or even a month and that's about it besides feeding the fish. Occasionally you have to go through and trim down the plants - I try to give them away whenever anyone wants some - keep the water level up, that's about it.
One of my ponds has a very nice mixture of plants that looks really nice. I do hope we don't get another freeze like last year which about wiped them all out. They eventually grew back but it took 8 months for that to happen.
Anyway, time to be off to work.
G'day.
ben
Not that there always needs to be, lol.
No new news on any tenants - just that one broke the knob off the hot water valve for the shower in the bathroom and left an apologetic message this morning.
Nice. A tenant finally takes responsibility for something. Not that I hold it against that person, I will replace whatever needs to be replaced and that will be the end of that.
Was going to take some measurements yesterday and see how much space I would have for building a casita - but I totally spaced it out. I think I was a bit tired yesterday and just wanted to relax after a long day at work.
Gilbert - the 21 year old tenant - was out on the side of my house taking pics and videos of my ponds yesterday.
He stated he was going to send them to his mother and try to convince her to do her own pond. These small ponds are incredibly easy care/maintenance. Clean out the filters every 2 to 3 weeks or even a month and that's about it besides feeding the fish. Occasionally you have to go through and trim down the plants - I try to give them away whenever anyone wants some - keep the water level up, that's about it.
One of my ponds has a very nice mixture of plants that looks really nice. I do hope we don't get another freeze like last year which about wiped them all out. They eventually grew back but it took 8 months for that to happen.
Anyway, time to be off to work.
G'day.
ben
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wednesday 2/8/2012
The more I think about it, the more I am glad that Americredit did what it did. If I end up owing the IRS, so beit. I am not, in other words, thinking that I am going to get any kind of return this year considering that thing being dumped on me.
HP refunded my money for the extended warranty, I was just noticing on my credit card account. I didn't ask them to do that, they offered it. The reason I didn't ask them to do that is because I wanted that coverage. Now that they've done it, I'm going to make sure, once I finally get my computer back - that they are going to give me the free coverage that they claimed they would. If they do that, then all that time spent on the phone with those people will have been worth it.
I received an email from them stating the turnaround to send the computer back will be on the 10th. So much for the expedited service, that thing has been with them since - last week. Oh well, I can live without the thing. Don't necessarily need to be tied down to electronics all the time.
Whatever the case, I have identified the only real place on my property that a small guest quarters could be built. Right smack dab where on of the travel trailers is sitting. No worries, that trailer will be moved out of here soon enough, no later than the end of May. I am going to use the bonus money on my next paycheck to buy the new mattress and microwave for it and probably going to re-carpet the thing as well. My mom thought it looked okay, I am thinking different. It really doesn't look that good to me at all. Not that I am going to live in it, but I want the thing nice and new carpet will definitely make it nice. It doesn't have to be fancy carpet, just new. In fact, I want carpet that hides dirt and can withstand a bunch of dogs on it. lol
Anyway, if I can fit it, I'm thinking something like a 15X15 unit. Not very large, no, but big enough to do what I want with it. If I can find more room than that, great but I don't want the thing to take up the entire side of my house. I have to figure out how big I want the thing before I can begin to calculate how much it is going to cost to build it. Unfortunately, there is a lot of unusable space on my property thanks to the City of Phoenix imposed 25 foot setback from the street out front and 20 feet from the property line in the rear. No permanent structures can be built on any of that - building the thing behind my house would be ideal.
Can't do it because the utilities are running underground back there - gas, electricity, phone, dunno what else. Cable is running down the street.
Well, it's sorta stuck in my mind now that I am going to eventually build this guest house and rent it out for additional income. If it ever comes to fruition, that income will go directly to my savings account.
Whatever the case, the work day is arriving and I must get moving.
Later.
ben
HP refunded my money for the extended warranty, I was just noticing on my credit card account. I didn't ask them to do that, they offered it. The reason I didn't ask them to do that is because I wanted that coverage. Now that they've done it, I'm going to make sure, once I finally get my computer back - that they are going to give me the free coverage that they claimed they would. If they do that, then all that time spent on the phone with those people will have been worth it.
I received an email from them stating the turnaround to send the computer back will be on the 10th. So much for the expedited service, that thing has been with them since - last week. Oh well, I can live without the thing. Don't necessarily need to be tied down to electronics all the time.
Whatever the case, I have identified the only real place on my property that a small guest quarters could be built. Right smack dab where on of the travel trailers is sitting. No worries, that trailer will be moved out of here soon enough, no later than the end of May. I am going to use the bonus money on my next paycheck to buy the new mattress and microwave for it and probably going to re-carpet the thing as well. My mom thought it looked okay, I am thinking different. It really doesn't look that good to me at all. Not that I am going to live in it, but I want the thing nice and new carpet will definitely make it nice. It doesn't have to be fancy carpet, just new. In fact, I want carpet that hides dirt and can withstand a bunch of dogs on it. lol
Anyway, if I can fit it, I'm thinking something like a 15X15 unit. Not very large, no, but big enough to do what I want with it. If I can find more room than that, great but I don't want the thing to take up the entire side of my house. I have to figure out how big I want the thing before I can begin to calculate how much it is going to cost to build it. Unfortunately, there is a lot of unusable space on my property thanks to the City of Phoenix imposed 25 foot setback from the street out front and 20 feet from the property line in the rear. No permanent structures can be built on any of that - building the thing behind my house would be ideal.
Can't do it because the utilities are running underground back there - gas, electricity, phone, dunno what else. Cable is running down the street.
Well, it's sorta stuck in my mind now that I am going to eventually build this guest house and rent it out for additional income. If it ever comes to fruition, that income will go directly to my savings account.
Whatever the case, the work day is arriving and I must get moving.
Later.
ben
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
I'm Sorry, Did You Say I Have To Pay Taxes On My Taxes? Americredit - A Miserable Auto Loan Company
I got 4 of these 1099 forms from the State of Arizona today. They're attempting to tell me that my tax refunds that I received last year from previous years is - taxable income.
Now let me get this straight. I file my TAX returns to the State of Arizona. I get refunds. The next year, during tax season, I get 1099's saying that that is "income". Yes, it's income THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN TAXED and is the return on the OVERPAID taxes!
Whatever.
Americredit. A miserable company, to say the least. I washed my hands of them after the head-on collision that wasn't my fault and the truck was destroyed. A VERY long story I won't bother going into here, but they "repossessed" the destroyed truck - in the impound yard since it had been towed there after the accident - and "gave" it to the insurance company. I had had numerous conversations with them about getting the truck out of the yard and into my driveway, where I would strip the engine and transmission out of it and that would repay the $1,500.00 I had left owing on it. The original loan was for $17,500. I had paid $12,000 on it in payments and the insurance company gave them 10 grand on it.
No sympathy from them and didn't care about the truck. Hindsight being 20-20, I should have just paid the storage fees for the truck and had it towed to my driveway - behind my gate. I was intent on simply the remaining usable parts on the truck and that would have paid off the debt.
Instead, they played some mind games with me that infuriated me and had me on the phone for a long, long time with what eventually got to corporate headquarters. A "man" in Dallas, Texas - some facility there that houses these people for their business - had me wanting to punch his lights out. It is ever-so-loving easy to talk trash and speak insults over a phone, it is never that easy in-person.
Whatever the case, I refused to pay the amount "owing" after they refused to do anything for me. They didn't care, neither did I. When they let the truck go to the insurance company, who called me to inform me that they had been "given" the truck, that was the end of it for me. I have left a lot out here, I would have to write a novel on the situation that unfolded and quite frankly, I don't want to stir all that up within me again.
Today was their final blow. I got a letter from Americredit today. I haven't spoken to them since maybe a few months after that accident and the phone calls transpired. They "forgave" the debt. Great? Not hardly. They reported it as income or whatever to the IRS and sent me a 1099. In other words, I have to pay taxes on that "forgiven" debt. I am not going to report it. The IRS can come back and audit me. Americredit is going to have to prove that the amount they stated is the amount that was "forgiven". The original amount "forgiven" was about $1,499. The amount they are claiming is almost 3 grand.
I contested it from the beginning. I contested it on my credit report. I have never not contested it simply because of the extreme circumstances behind all of it.
I don't expect to get a tax refund this year, in case anyone is wondering. I will file my taxes, but that s*** isn't going on there and when the IRS comes back and demands payment or modifies the return, I am going to fire right back at them. Well, not really fire at them, but inform them of the situation that actually is occurring. Americredit cannot make false claims and they are going to have to provide proof.
The only plus side to this? This nightmare will go away on my credit report. That's right, Americredit has been reporting since August of 2005 that I am "late" on my payment. Well, actually, no payment has been received. It has dinged my credit for almost 7 years now. The legal limit that they could "sue" me in court is 6 years in Arizona. Yeah, that passed a while back. My credit score, after this is reported to the big 3 reporting agencies and after 3 or more months have passed - will rise up quickly. If I have to end up paying the IRS, then I will pay it. This is the one case where I would rather pay the IRS.
Whatever. It's a chapter in the book of my life that I have been wanting to have closed for some time now, but I absolutely REFUSED to give Americredit ANYTHING. You can't refuse the IRS - they will eventually just take it from you and then you will REALLY be hurting if what they take is your lifeblood.
There were several companies that picked up this debt, including one that claims a 99% collection rate. I went to their website after they contacted me on the phone and I basically told them to but off. I thought, not in this case. I figure whatever I was going to get back this year from the IRS will just pay this off and if I have to write them a check, so beit.
Better to have this monkey off my back than to attempt to let it go forever.
Now let me get this straight. I file my TAX returns to the State of Arizona. I get refunds. The next year, during tax season, I get 1099's saying that that is "income". Yes, it's income THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN TAXED and is the return on the OVERPAID taxes!
Whatever.
Americredit. A miserable company, to say the least. I washed my hands of them after the head-on collision that wasn't my fault and the truck was destroyed. A VERY long story I won't bother going into here, but they "repossessed" the destroyed truck - in the impound yard since it had been towed there after the accident - and "gave" it to the insurance company. I had had numerous conversations with them about getting the truck out of the yard and into my driveway, where I would strip the engine and transmission out of it and that would repay the $1,500.00 I had left owing on it. The original loan was for $17,500. I had paid $12,000 on it in payments and the insurance company gave them 10 grand on it.
No sympathy from them and didn't care about the truck. Hindsight being 20-20, I should have just paid the storage fees for the truck and had it towed to my driveway - behind my gate. I was intent on simply the remaining usable parts on the truck and that would have paid off the debt.
Instead, they played some mind games with me that infuriated me and had me on the phone for a long, long time with what eventually got to corporate headquarters. A "man" in Dallas, Texas - some facility there that houses these people for their business - had me wanting to punch his lights out. It is ever-so-loving easy to talk trash and speak insults over a phone, it is never that easy in-person.
Whatever the case, I refused to pay the amount "owing" after they refused to do anything for me. They didn't care, neither did I. When they let the truck go to the insurance company, who called me to inform me that they had been "given" the truck, that was the end of it for me. I have left a lot out here, I would have to write a novel on the situation that unfolded and quite frankly, I don't want to stir all that up within me again.
Today was their final blow. I got a letter from Americredit today. I haven't spoken to them since maybe a few months after that accident and the phone calls transpired. They "forgave" the debt. Great? Not hardly. They reported it as income or whatever to the IRS and sent me a 1099. In other words, I have to pay taxes on that "forgiven" debt. I am not going to report it. The IRS can come back and audit me. Americredit is going to have to prove that the amount they stated is the amount that was "forgiven". The original amount "forgiven" was about $1,499. The amount they are claiming is almost 3 grand.
I contested it from the beginning. I contested it on my credit report. I have never not contested it simply because of the extreme circumstances behind all of it.
I don't expect to get a tax refund this year, in case anyone is wondering. I will file my taxes, but that s*** isn't going on there and when the IRS comes back and demands payment or modifies the return, I am going to fire right back at them. Well, not really fire at them, but inform them of the situation that actually is occurring. Americredit cannot make false claims and they are going to have to provide proof.
The only plus side to this? This nightmare will go away on my credit report. That's right, Americredit has been reporting since August of 2005 that I am "late" on my payment. Well, actually, no payment has been received. It has dinged my credit for almost 7 years now. The legal limit that they could "sue" me in court is 6 years in Arizona. Yeah, that passed a while back. My credit score, after this is reported to the big 3 reporting agencies and after 3 or more months have passed - will rise up quickly. If I have to end up paying the IRS, then I will pay it. This is the one case where I would rather pay the IRS.
Whatever. It's a chapter in the book of my life that I have been wanting to have closed for some time now, but I absolutely REFUSED to give Americredit ANYTHING. You can't refuse the IRS - they will eventually just take it from you and then you will REALLY be hurting if what they take is your lifeblood.
There were several companies that picked up this debt, including one that claims a 99% collection rate. I went to their website after they contacted me on the phone and I basically told them to but off. I thought, not in this case. I figure whatever I was going to get back this year from the IRS will just pay this off and if I have to write them a check, so beit.
Better to have this monkey off my back than to attempt to let it go forever.
Sissoo Trees Revisited
I was delivering one, 24 inch diameter stick of pipe this morning to what turned out to be a nursery - a tree nursery at that. Imagine my delight - I love trees and looking at those 25 foot tall pine trees in boxes, ready to be transported wherever - amazing. I mean there were a LOT of those trees sitting there.
I was talking with the guy that was receiving the pipe - he basically runs this nursery, doesn't own it but he is responsible for the daily operations. He said the economic downturn? At one point those trees would have been worth upwards of 4k, now I could snag one for a grand. That quickly turned that switch to the off position for me, I am not spending $1,000 on a tree plus the cost to have it planted in the ground.
We got on the topic of Sissoo trees and he was all over that. Amazing, wonderful tree, he exclaimed. I said I had at least 20 of them growing on my property - probably more like 30 but whatever - and saw that they grow up to 40 feet. Oh nooooo, he states, they will grow MUCH taller than that. He stated that about 5 years ago, the Sissoo was imported to this area and became instantly popular. He also stated that in about 10 years, those trees were going to be mammoths. No-one has seen any of them around here that big, yet, he continued, because they are new to the Phoenix area.
Ohhhhh. "Expect those trees in your yard to eventually grow to 80 or 90 feet tall". What?!!! "Water them well and often and they will grow enormous". Hmmm, well that got me searching. One source states they can grow up to 82 feet, but usually don't get that big. Yes, the pics that I have seen show them around 40 to 50 feet. Even that is a pretty good sized tree and imagine having 30 of them growing on one, single property!
The wood is apparently valuable as well. It is prized for, supposedly anyway, making furniture with.
The idea that this property will one day have these huge, giant trees all over - and I do mean all over, I planted them on both side, the front and rear of the property - and I won't own the property yet I did ALL of that work to get them and get them planted? Doesn't set well with me. I spent a lot of time, effort and money getting all of this in on my property. Some of those Sissoos are around the 16/17 foot tall range right now. Others much shorter but growing.
Interesting conversation on a dirt road, out in the boonies in Chandler, AZ today.
I was talking with the guy that was receiving the pipe - he basically runs this nursery, doesn't own it but he is responsible for the daily operations. He said the economic downturn? At one point those trees would have been worth upwards of 4k, now I could snag one for a grand. That quickly turned that switch to the off position for me, I am not spending $1,000 on a tree plus the cost to have it planted in the ground.
We got on the topic of Sissoo trees and he was all over that. Amazing, wonderful tree, he exclaimed. I said I had at least 20 of them growing on my property - probably more like 30 but whatever - and saw that they grow up to 40 feet. Oh nooooo, he states, they will grow MUCH taller than that. He stated that about 5 years ago, the Sissoo was imported to this area and became instantly popular. He also stated that in about 10 years, those trees were going to be mammoths. No-one has seen any of them around here that big, yet, he continued, because they are new to the Phoenix area.
Ohhhhh. "Expect those trees in your yard to eventually grow to 80 or 90 feet tall". What?!!! "Water them well and often and they will grow enormous". Hmmm, well that got me searching. One source states they can grow up to 82 feet, but usually don't get that big. Yes, the pics that I have seen show them around 40 to 50 feet. Even that is a pretty good sized tree and imagine having 30 of them growing on one, single property!
The wood is apparently valuable as well. It is prized for, supposedly anyway, making furniture with.
The idea that this property will one day have these huge, giant trees all over - and I do mean all over, I planted them on both side, the front and rear of the property - and I won't own the property yet I did ALL of that work to get them and get them planted? Doesn't set well with me. I spent a lot of time, effort and money getting all of this in on my property. Some of those Sissoos are around the 16/17 foot tall range right now. Others much shorter but growing.
Interesting conversation on a dirt road, out in the boonies in Chandler, AZ today.
Tuesday 2/7/2012
I'm really, kinda, hating....this presidential run from both side of the aisle. I really don't want to hear any more of it and I am tuning it out for now. I haven't even decided who I want to vote for in the November election - I don't like ANY of the candidates that have any chance of winning right now. The latest news was Obama's reversal in his stance on "super PACs" - the man is a hypocrite and apparently two-faced.
Bash others for doing something but if it helps him out, then commit the same action regardless. I'll write-in vote for Donald Duck before I vote for Obama.
Anyway. I have partially decided on a course of action. If I am staying in this house - and will be stuck in it for a long time if that is my decision versus short-sell, I am definitely going to save up enough money to build a small casita/attached structure - more of a "in-laws suite". It would be completely self-sufficient - meaning the occupants would never have to come into my house for anything. This is all about retirement and finding ways to dump money into an account designed specifically for that alone.
The unit could fetch $500 per month, I am guessing and pay for itself in less than a year. It would have it's own sub-meter for electricity - or perhaps just install a regular meter for it altogether and do M-Power on it. The occupants would have to "fill" a card at a machine to get electricity. Water would have a meter on it running in there - but they would pay me directly for water bills - or not - I don't know how much water one or a couple of people living in a small place would use in a month, probably not enough to have to worry about it.
That, at the moment, will stand as Plan B, since I haven't yet made up my mind about short-selling the place. And likely won't for a while. I am still trying to determine what kind of place I could rent after leaving this property. Another thought would be to simply save up enough money for a enough of a down payment and get a second house. But that would take a long time to save up, say, 20k. Which is where a casita would come in handy. At $6,000 per year, I could rack up 20 grand relatively quickly. Meaning, taking all the money from that casita earnings and stuffing it into a savings account.
I have so many ideas running around in my head, no idea what to do here.
Oh, I do have on great idea: time to go to work : )
G'day.
ben
Bash others for doing something but if it helps him out, then commit the same action regardless. I'll write-in vote for Donald Duck before I vote for Obama.
Anyway. I have partially decided on a course of action. If I am staying in this house - and will be stuck in it for a long time if that is my decision versus short-sell, I am definitely going to save up enough money to build a small casita/attached structure - more of a "in-laws suite". It would be completely self-sufficient - meaning the occupants would never have to come into my house for anything. This is all about retirement and finding ways to dump money into an account designed specifically for that alone.
The unit could fetch $500 per month, I am guessing and pay for itself in less than a year. It would have it's own sub-meter for electricity - or perhaps just install a regular meter for it altogether and do M-Power on it. The occupants would have to "fill" a card at a machine to get electricity. Water would have a meter on it running in there - but they would pay me directly for water bills - or not - I don't know how much water one or a couple of people living in a small place would use in a month, probably not enough to have to worry about it.
That, at the moment, will stand as Plan B, since I haven't yet made up my mind about short-selling the place. And likely won't for a while. I am still trying to determine what kind of place I could rent after leaving this property. Another thought would be to simply save up enough money for a enough of a down payment and get a second house. But that would take a long time to save up, say, 20k. Which is where a casita would come in handy. At $6,000 per year, I could rack up 20 grand relatively quickly. Meaning, taking all the money from that casita earnings and stuffing it into a savings account.
I have so many ideas running around in my head, no idea what to do here.
Oh, I do have on great idea: time to go to work : )
G'day.
ben
Monday, February 6, 2012
Monday 2/6/2012
Randy, my next door neighbor, is moving. 350 man has irritated him to the point that he bought some junky, old mobile home the next street over or some deal like that. Yes, indeed. This is the effect of bad neighbors: you don't want to live next to them. Not that Randy is a stellar example of clean living. He is also a hoarder. I know, you think I am exaggerating. At one point, his back yard was nothing but sea of used, rusted old cars; refrigerators, this that and the other thing.
The junk was so densely packed in there, there were some places that you would have to climb over cars to get anywhere. Get the picture? Hoarders. Anyway, he is moving all of his junk to his "new" property, where I am sure he will live in filth and squalor all over again. So, is he going to build a house on the property next to me or leave it vacant? No clue. Don't really care at this point. 350 man is now bugging his neighbors on the other side of him. Those people are older folks that have lived here a long time now.
I dunno, but when that Injunction Against Harassment runs out, if that guy tries to start trouble with me again, I will be right back down at the court house and will file for yet another Injunction is all I can say about that.
How does it feel to be 48 years old? The same as 47, lol. I think the "hurdle" age for me will be when I hit 50. 2 years until that, I can wait, thanks.
Whatever the case, another full work week en-queue. I'm hopeful to get that Safe Driver bonus in my paycheck coming on Friday. I mean, I am trying to simply avoid Highway Patrol - almost got a nice inspection last week at a rest area that was full of them doing inspections - I got out of there JUST in time. One dude had just finished an inspection and was hurrying to get ready for the next one, or so it appeared, I would have been that next one. No thanks. Got out of there in a hurry.
Funny that they will come into a rest area and bother truck drivers who are either trying to sleep or just simply go to the bathroom. Well, it's not funny at all, actually, I think it's a load of BS. They'll go into truck stops, too, doing the same thing. Regardless, the only way to not get warning from them about whatever on your truck is to avoid them like the plague. I mean, seriously. A truck that has brand new rubber; good brakes; no broken lugs; no cracks in the suspension or anywhere else; no air leaks - they will find something to write you up on. Such as a fire extinguisher with a broken strap. The thing is on the floor, anyway, but they want to make an issue out of it.
If I am still with the same company through this year - I have no reason to believe I won't but who knows, I can't predict the future - I want that bonus again cause' next time? I get 2 weeks pay and perks points. Those points are good to use in a HUGE catalog that is filled with all kinds of stuff. I don't know how many points a driver gets for his 5th safe driver award, but I would certainly like to find out.
Well, work day approaches. I am going to be watching 350 man's place now a bit more. See what his intentions are now that Randy is gone. Is he going to try and buy that property, too? I sincerely hope that if Randy wants to sell it, he does NOT sell it to that freak. If I had the money, I would definitely buy it just to keep that guy away from me. Stick an old mobile on it and rent it.
Anyway, g'day.
ben
The junk was so densely packed in there, there were some places that you would have to climb over cars to get anywhere. Get the picture? Hoarders. Anyway, he is moving all of his junk to his "new" property, where I am sure he will live in filth and squalor all over again. So, is he going to build a house on the property next to me or leave it vacant? No clue. Don't really care at this point. 350 man is now bugging his neighbors on the other side of him. Those people are older folks that have lived here a long time now.
I dunno, but when that Injunction Against Harassment runs out, if that guy tries to start trouble with me again, I will be right back down at the court house and will file for yet another Injunction is all I can say about that.
How does it feel to be 48 years old? The same as 47, lol. I think the "hurdle" age for me will be when I hit 50. 2 years until that, I can wait, thanks.
Whatever the case, another full work week en-queue. I'm hopeful to get that Safe Driver bonus in my paycheck coming on Friday. I mean, I am trying to simply avoid Highway Patrol - almost got a nice inspection last week at a rest area that was full of them doing inspections - I got out of there JUST in time. One dude had just finished an inspection and was hurrying to get ready for the next one, or so it appeared, I would have been that next one. No thanks. Got out of there in a hurry.
Funny that they will come into a rest area and bother truck drivers who are either trying to sleep or just simply go to the bathroom. Well, it's not funny at all, actually, I think it's a load of BS. They'll go into truck stops, too, doing the same thing. Regardless, the only way to not get warning from them about whatever on your truck is to avoid them like the plague. I mean, seriously. A truck that has brand new rubber; good brakes; no broken lugs; no cracks in the suspension or anywhere else; no air leaks - they will find something to write you up on. Such as a fire extinguisher with a broken strap. The thing is on the floor, anyway, but they want to make an issue out of it.
If I am still with the same company through this year - I have no reason to believe I won't but who knows, I can't predict the future - I want that bonus again cause' next time? I get 2 weeks pay and perks points. Those points are good to use in a HUGE catalog that is filled with all kinds of stuff. I don't know how many points a driver gets for his 5th safe driver award, but I would certainly like to find out.
Well, work day approaches. I am going to be watching 350 man's place now a bit more. See what his intentions are now that Randy is gone. Is he going to try and buy that property, too? I sincerely hope that if Randy wants to sell it, he does NOT sell it to that freak. If I had the money, I would definitely buy it just to keep that guy away from me. Stick an old mobile on it and rent it.
Anyway, g'day.
ben
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Sunday/Birthday/Superbowl Sunday 2/5/2012
It has been a pleasant surprise to receive dozens and dozens of Happy Birthday wishes on my main Facebook account. : )
I had myself talked into staying home from church this morning, but something told me to go - so I did. Good service. Ended a bit early as they were having their yearly - corporate meeting or whatever that is required with a quorum of members to be present and vote on board members and such.
Well, I am not a member of that church. I was going to go through the class and make it official, but they cancelled on me at the last minute as other people who were going to come were sick and had to cancel out. That was months ago, I have heard nothing since. Since I couldn't vote and have no say in any of it, I decided not to stay for it.
Instead, my Standing Rib Roast is less than an hour from being done. However, another tenant made bacon wrapped hotdogs with all kinds of fixin's and I ended up eating 2 of them. I am not hungry, whatsoever at this point, good thing for refrigerators and the ability to store such. Doesn't matter, I am sure Mark and Lynnette will partake : )
_________________________________________
Roast turned out very nice. Giants win the Superbowl. Cool birthday.
Church - sermon - definitely challenged me today.
I'm intrigued, to say the least.
But - life goes on. Work tomorrow, the stark reality of it.
I have considered going back to the missionary life.
I don't remember it being any worse than having to deal with the day to day pressures of having a home, job and all that goes with it. You don't own anything, but then again, what do I really own anyway? A couple computers, TV's that I could care less about, dogs that I do care about - not unfortunately thank you, umm, some guns, an old car, a 5th wheel travel trailer. I don't own the house, the bank owns it and will own it for 30 years - which I highly doubt I am going to stay here that long.
Wow.
Okay.
A nice day, regardless.
G'nite.
ben
I had myself talked into staying home from church this morning, but something told me to go - so I did. Good service. Ended a bit early as they were having their yearly - corporate meeting or whatever that is required with a quorum of members to be present and vote on board members and such.
Well, I am not a member of that church. I was going to go through the class and make it official, but they cancelled on me at the last minute as other people who were going to come were sick and had to cancel out. That was months ago, I have heard nothing since. Since I couldn't vote and have no say in any of it, I decided not to stay for it.
Instead, my Standing Rib Roast is less than an hour from being done. However, another tenant made bacon wrapped hotdogs with all kinds of fixin's and I ended up eating 2 of them. I am not hungry, whatsoever at this point, good thing for refrigerators and the ability to store such. Doesn't matter, I am sure Mark and Lynnette will partake : )
_________________________________________
Roast turned out very nice. Giants win the Superbowl. Cool birthday.
Church - sermon - definitely challenged me today.
I'm intrigued, to say the least.
But - life goes on. Work tomorrow, the stark reality of it.
I have considered going back to the missionary life.
I don't remember it being any worse than having to deal with the day to day pressures of having a home, job and all that goes with it. You don't own anything, but then again, what do I really own anyway? A couple computers, TV's that I could care less about, dogs that I do care about - not unfortunately thank you, umm, some guns, an old car, a 5th wheel travel trailer. I don't own the house, the bank owns it and will own it for 30 years - which I highly doubt I am going to stay here that long.
Wow.
Okay.
A nice day, regardless.
G'nite.
ben
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Running Over A Bicyclist
This would be a trucker's nightmare. Running over a pedestrian, bicyclist or otherwise someone in or on a small vehicle. I know a trucker whose trailers tandems ran clean over the head of a teenaged boy. Wasn't the trucker's fault, but - it messed that driver's head up rather permanently. He quit truck driving altogether, he simply couldn't handle it anymore. It wasn't just the fact that he had killed the boy, he also ended up seeing this kid's brains all over the asphalt.
Dicey. Scary. Unnerving are a few words that describe what hit me the other day, in traffic, in the semi.
I was in a dual left hand turn lane. I had seen the group of bicyclists cruising down the street before I got to the light, but they were on the right side of the road. I got up to the left hand turn lane and sat there, looking around, waiting for the light to turn green.
If you are going to sit in the blind spot of semi truck while sitting on a bicycle next to it in traffic and expect the driver to avoid running you over, you might want to rethink that plan.
I have watched bicyclists all over the place doing some very stupid moves in traffic. Some of these people think they have the right to cut off machinery that - they are no match for. I read and hear in the news about bicyclists getting killed frequently in these parts, there is a reason for that. Number one, motorists are not paying the same attention to the road as they once were. The electronic s*** has taken their attention off of the road. Number 2, the extreme, almost arrogant attitudes that I see cyclists have and using while riding down the road.
I am NOT one of those drivers that isn't paying attention. Especially when driving the truck. Too much happens too quick and you have to be all over it before something really bad happens, like running cars and this and that over.
The problem on this particular occasion is that I could not SEE these bicyclists, they must have been RIGHT next to the truck in the blind spot. Wherever they were, they most definitely should not have been there. When the green arrow came up, I was moving right off the start. The next thing I know, a bike is hurling off to the side, out in front of the same traffic that was also waiting at that light. The green arrow and the regular light came on at the same time, meaning all the south bound lanes could take off. This guy was swerving around with cars who also didn't expect what happened attempting to avoid running over him.
It was pretty shocking to see this dude attempting to save his own life while he was laughing at the cars that were swerving to avoid hitting him. ???? What was THAT all about? Laughing at the cars that don't want to hit him? It was all a big JOKE to this dude!!! I'm serious, this dude is swerving his bike in the middle of hte lanes attempting to avoid traffic that is attempting to avoid him and he's out there laughing at everyone!!
Dicey. Scary. Unnerving are a few words that describe what hit me the other day, in traffic, in the semi.
I was in a dual left hand turn lane. I had seen the group of bicyclists cruising down the street before I got to the light, but they were on the right side of the road. I got up to the left hand turn lane and sat there, looking around, waiting for the light to turn green.
If you are going to sit in the blind spot of semi truck while sitting on a bicycle next to it in traffic and expect the driver to avoid running you over, you might want to rethink that plan.
I have watched bicyclists all over the place doing some very stupid moves in traffic. Some of these people think they have the right to cut off machinery that - they are no match for. I read and hear in the news about bicyclists getting killed frequently in these parts, there is a reason for that. Number one, motorists are not paying the same attention to the road as they once were. The electronic s*** has taken their attention off of the road. Number 2, the extreme, almost arrogant attitudes that I see cyclists have and using while riding down the road.
I am NOT one of those drivers that isn't paying attention. Especially when driving the truck. Too much happens too quick and you have to be all over it before something really bad happens, like running cars and this and that over.
The problem on this particular occasion is that I could not SEE these bicyclists, they must have been RIGHT next to the truck in the blind spot. Wherever they were, they most definitely should not have been there. When the green arrow came up, I was moving right off the start. The next thing I know, a bike is hurling off to the side, out in front of the same traffic that was also waiting at that light. The green arrow and the regular light came on at the same time, meaning all the south bound lanes could take off. This guy was swerving around with cars who also didn't expect what happened attempting to avoid running over him.
It was pretty shocking to see this dude attempting to save his own life while he was laughing at the cars that were swerving to avoid hitting him. ???? What was THAT all about? Laughing at the cars that don't want to hit him? It was all a big JOKE to this dude!!! I'm serious, this dude is swerving his bike in the middle of hte lanes attempting to avoid traffic that is attempting to avoid him and he's out there laughing at everyone!!
Saturday 2/4/2012
What kind of craziness is it that American Express has "no preset spending limit"?!!!
I know you have to pay the entire amount charged every month, but what if someone decides to go on a spending spree with the intent of not paying it? Naaah, they must have some kind of built in system to identify a person doing such and stopping it before it goes out of control.
I have had the card for a week, sitting there wondering whether I should activate it or not. I am going to give it a try. Use it for groceries and gas, if such places accept such cards and set a limit at $200 per month. Use it only for things I would have used my debit card for and make sure I set that money aside as I charge it on the card. Let the thing build up points for a while and then see if it's even worth having the thing or not. I mean, really, that's the only thing this card is good for: building up points and using them for whatever you can get with them. It is not a credit card, really, since you can't run a balance on terms with interest over time. At least, that's how I see it.
Meanwhile, the fight is on. Continue to have money taken out on a weekly basis, automatically, from checking account to savings account. The battle? To not touch the savings. So far, I have managed not to do that. But no guarantees, lol.
And if I'm staying on this property - still haven't decided that one or not yet - it is going to need more revenue generated from it. I have toyed with this idea for a couple of years now but have done nothing about it. That's because it isn't going to be exactly cheap to do, which is to build a small guest house otherwise known as a casita in these parts.
Basically a kitchenette design with a living/bedroom area combined, a small kitchen and a small bathroom with shower only, no bathtub. How many people take baths anyway. Lots, I'm sure, but no-one that lives in this house takes baths, only showers. Anyway, I can build one for about 5k if I do most of the work myself. Would take less than a year to pay itself back. I'm going to start looking at plans on the internet - have to have a set of plans to build anything in this city and pay for a permit, too - and start calculating what it will cost.
Caleb knocked on my bedroom door last night, just as I was going to go to bed.
He had some news for me.
He has decided that in the next month or two, he is going to quit his job and go volunteer at the Salvation Army church that he goes to.
How is he going to survive, you ask? My son is going to college, full-time. I told him long ago that he can stay with me as long as he is either going to school or working or both. He isn't quitting college.
Don't slam the boy, but if you feel you must, I don't want it written in any comments on this entry or anywhere else on my blog. I have felt since last year when he had that encounter with the Lord that he is called to the ministry and I will fully support him in that.
He will have a place to sleep; he already has a computer tied with my in-home Wi-Fi; I will make sure he has food to eat and he will still have a car to drive.
However, he is going to have to start to explore the world of "living by faith". It isn't a concept. It's a reality that I have lived in the past in trusting the Lord to meet your every need even though there is no foreseeable way for that to occur. As a missionary, I remember, at first, going for extended periods of time without any money. Not even a dime to my name. My needs were met, but I had no spending money. Over time, I had money coming in the mail and was able to do whatever I needed in terms of feeding myself and buying clothes and such.
But there are many, many times when I had nothing and was wondering where my next meal was coming from. The Lord never let me down on that. NEVER. And I will never complain about or regret those days of the time spent serving the Lord full time on the missionary field - at least my own experience. I have said some things about the leadership that was - full of it - of the organization I was with - but that's an entirely different.
From what I can see, Caleb is called to the ministry and he will eventually find that calling and he will, undoubtedly, spend his life serving the Lord. Whether that's as a pastor, an evangelist, a travelling missionary, who knows. Only God knows that and it will be exciting, at least for me, to see where this all leads to. He is taking a first step, on his own, without anyone telling him he needs to do so.
So yes, while he is still with me, I will help him with some things but not all. I want to see him take some steps in faith and let him learn on his own what it is like to ask the Lord for whatever you need and hopefully see those requests answered in whatever way the Lord chooses. This is the kind of thing that grows faith. After a while, it becomes more like knowledge: I know the Lord is going to provide for me, even though there is no way in the natural realm that that is going to happen as far as I can see. God is greater, He isn't broke and He owns everything!
So I am going to encourage him in this endeavor.
Today? Going to buy the other vent I need for the trailer roof and stop by the Chinese buffet on the way back. Oh, so wonderful food. I have never had budget Chinese food at a buffet that is THIS good! I don't do it often, but this is my birthday weekend, so what the hey.
I got my frozen Standing Rib Roast out this morning. I waited a bit long on deciding whether to cook it for my birthday tomorrow. I hope that it being out long enough will thaw it sufficiently.
Tomorrow: My birthday and Superbowl Sunday. There isn't much doubt in my mind who is going to win this particular Superbowl, but I do hope the Giants at least put up a good fight, cause' a blowout Superbowl sucks, really. I do hope the roast is thawed by then, but if it isn't totally thawed, no worries, just takes longer to cook, start it a bit earlier. Yes, been there done that - like the turkey I cooked last weekend. It took 1-1/2 extra hours to cook because it wasn't completely thawed, but it turned out delicious : )
Done for now.
G'day.
ben
Friday, February 3, 2012
Friday 2/3/2012
So, out of the blue, the tenant that was going into the hospital for 6 weeks as of yesterday calls me - yesterday of course. What's up, dude? You in the hospital yet?, having had already resigned myself to the fact that I would not see a penny of rent from that room for 6 weeks - at least.
He says he is coming over in about an hour to give me some money. That's basically the end of the story without going into too much detail, he showed up, handed me X amount of money, I decided to give him a break - the amount he paid versus what is actually owed - and left it at that. I'll take something over nothing is all I am saying.
A sigh of relief. I didn't want to have to dig into the savings account. I have that safe driver award coming, but I won't see that for another 7 days when I get paid again.
Took the computer to the Fed Ex hub yesterday. Got it there in time - it will be at the repair facility today. Allegedly, they are putting a "rush" on it to get it fixed as soon as it shows up in their doorway..........it would be nice to get it back in, ohhh, say a week's time instead of sitting there for Lord only knows how long........
Eye infection not getting any better, despite putting the antibiotic drops in there every day, 3 times per day, as instructed by the doctor. It's blood red in the morning, clears up by the afternoon, gets a bit red by nightfall and then, the next morning, same thing all over again. Plus, it is INCREDIBLY itchy. Hard to keep my fingers off of it.
The news is mostly full of garbage. I am sick of seeing all the junk being hurled around about the Presidential candidates. I haven't made up my mind, yet, who I would want to see in the Oval office, mostly because the top 2 candidates do not appeal to me, at all. Gingrich is just another career politician and Romney has certain elements about him that I don't like. Apparently Santorum has no chance and Ron Paul definitely has no chance, that man will never be the President. Whatever the case, whoever ends up winning the nomination for the GOP, I will vote for that person in the November elections over Obama regardless.
Well, work day approaches, but it's Friday.
G'day.
ben
He says he is coming over in about an hour to give me some money. That's basically the end of the story without going into too much detail, he showed up, handed me X amount of money, I decided to give him a break - the amount he paid versus what is actually owed - and left it at that. I'll take something over nothing is all I am saying.
A sigh of relief. I didn't want to have to dig into the savings account. I have that safe driver award coming, but I won't see that for another 7 days when I get paid again.
Took the computer to the Fed Ex hub yesterday. Got it there in time - it will be at the repair facility today. Allegedly, they are putting a "rush" on it to get it fixed as soon as it shows up in their doorway..........it would be nice to get it back in, ohhh, say a week's time instead of sitting there for Lord only knows how long........
Eye infection not getting any better, despite putting the antibiotic drops in there every day, 3 times per day, as instructed by the doctor. It's blood red in the morning, clears up by the afternoon, gets a bit red by nightfall and then, the next morning, same thing all over again. Plus, it is INCREDIBLY itchy. Hard to keep my fingers off of it.
The news is mostly full of garbage. I am sick of seeing all the junk being hurled around about the Presidential candidates. I haven't made up my mind, yet, who I would want to see in the Oval office, mostly because the top 2 candidates do not appeal to me, at all. Gingrich is just another career politician and Romney has certain elements about him that I don't like. Apparently Santorum has no chance and Ron Paul definitely has no chance, that man will never be the President. Whatever the case, whoever ends up winning the nomination for the GOP, I will vote for that person in the November elections over Obama regardless.
Well, work day approaches, but it's Friday.
G'day.
ben
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