Hello townsfolk! I'd like to relate a tale of woe.
So when last you checked in on your intrepid hero, I was on my way to the greater Dallas metro area for work. Happy to say I am back. But here's where the story begins.
I recently changed my airline choice from Continental (hub in Newark) to American (hub in Dallas). This was just happenstance - but for the most part, American has been far superior, other than the fact that they want $6.00 for a sandwich on a flight. But the flights have all got off on time and arrived on time, something that Continental was sorely missing.
So Wednesday night I travel home, flight arrives at about 9PM. I get off the plane (I had a row in the back to myself), hit the facilities and then began the mile walk to the baggage carousel.
And it looked like an episode of a happy sitcom. Usually it takes 30 minutes to get my bags, but as I approached, there was my luggage, making the clubhouse turn towards me. Grab and go. Now on to the AirTrain - and as I ascend the escalator, the train pulls into the station ready to whisk me to Parking Lot #3. That was easy!
Get to the lot, walk to my car (got a sweet spot when I got there Monday morning) and away I go. I think to myself "SoulSlam, this has been the best trip home ever!" But SoulSlam was wrong.
As I pull up to the parking lot exit and payment booths (four booths, two are open) - my easy journey continued right up until I tried to put my stub in the slot. Wouldn't work. Try again, and then again. Won't feed. At this point the incredibly nice (NOT) lady, who resembled Witchy-poo started shrieking 'put the ticket in the slot'. When I explained I could not, she emerged from her post and grabbed the ticket out of my hand. So then she tried, and tried, and tried. No soap. She muttered 'doesn't work' and returned (with stub) to her cavern of a booth.
She does something that took some time (a minute or so, but seemed like an eternity) - then started shrieking that I had to 'back up'. Huh? I yell back that there are a line of cars directly behind me - how is that going to happen. Her response was to (from inside a booth with little access for folks to see in) begin flailing her arms madly and caterwauling at these poor schmoes who are behind me.
So finally everybody backs up and hoes to another lane - which was an easy choice since the PANYNJ only has two open. I guess that's what $24 a day covers. So I begin to back up, then start moving forward again. At this point some guy starts yelling at me to back up more, but since I can't see him, I'm not sure if he's talking to me. He then comes around an Econoline Van and starts yelling again. Now, my goal in life is to let it go - but my nature is a Black Irish, take no s**t Boyo, so I begin to yell back, which I am sure he doesn't get from the sheep often. So here we are in the middle of a lot, and once I began, he kind of quieted down and told me (in a respectful tone) that I needed to back up ' behind the line', which I cannot see or discern. So back up I do, then proceed to the booth and the wicked witch of the lot.
OK - story over right? No. I place my credit card to pay my $72 beans, and now, this fine piece of engineering, maintained by the PANYNJ I suppose, cannot read my card. So now the booth hag has to unstrap from her perch, open the castle door of the booth and get my card. AAAAAARGGGGHHHHHH!
A scant two minutes later, she hands me back my card. Solo. I look and she squawks ' do you want a receipt?'. Yes. you little *&^&^%$%%##%&((*&&^% (expletive deleted) troll!
My troubles were caused by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Read this about the PANYNJ over Ground Zero.
11.14.2008
11.10.2008
Big Cup of I Don't Know What
Travelling today to the great state of Texas (again). So I got to sit at Newark Liberty Airport, which is one of life's great thrills, something everyone should experience. But I digress.
What exactly is everyone sipping through enormous straws, in what amounts to a clear slurpee cup (dome cap and all) that they purchase at trendy coffee haunts?
I deduce the following - it is most likely cool to the touch, since anyone drinking hot coffee through a straw the size of a PVC pipe would most likely have a 3rd degree burn on their tongue; it looks like there's some whip cream in there, like a seven year old would like; and it costs a small bundle, but still the consumers purchase. I am befuddled, because to me you all look like lazy drone-bots being bamboozled by the evilness of Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and now Dunkin' D.
If you want coffee, go to your neighborhood coffee shoppe or corner deli and support the real folks. The corporate bean must be destroyed!
What exactly is everyone sipping through enormous straws, in what amounts to a clear slurpee cup (dome cap and all) that they purchase at trendy coffee haunts?
I deduce the following - it is most likely cool to the touch, since anyone drinking hot coffee through a straw the size of a PVC pipe would most likely have a 3rd degree burn on their tongue; it looks like there's some whip cream in there, like a seven year old would like; and it costs a small bundle, but still the consumers purchase. I am befuddled, because to me you all look like lazy drone-bots being bamboozled by the evilness of Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and now Dunkin' D.
If you want coffee, go to your neighborhood coffee shoppe or corner deli and support the real folks. The corporate bean must be destroyed!
11.09.2008
The Big Wait
So with some needed work in my humble abode nearly complete, I had a chance to re-hook me (sic) cable. And I still have issues with the digital feeds and boxes. So I re-ran a lot of cable on a rainy Saturday, thinking this would solve my dilemma. 
Nope. So I call IO Cablevision support, which oddly enough, requires you to look up your support number based on your local center, but the calls all go to Long Island. I guess it's better than overseas. Called in the AM to get the first TV sussed out, nice lady, very helpful, got me going. Explained I was having issues with two other sets, and she called back later in the day to see how I was doing. Nice.
Anyway, hooked up the other set again, went through the whole call to support, and still almost nothing. Seems to be receiving a signal, but little picture, including the broadcast channels which I think is odd. So the guy helping me (also very well) says 'we'll have to get somebody out there. How about tomorrow (Sunday)" Now your talking!
So here I sit waiting between 11-2 for the service guy. Hopefully we can get this corrected so I can live the life I am accustomed to - an additional 100 channels or so, but still complaining nothing good is on!
Watch for the update.
Update #1 - cable guy called around 1:30PM to say he was running late and could be here around 2:30. I'm OK with that. By sheer coincidence, the Jim Carrey tour de force, The Cable Guy was on while I was waiting. Karma!
And right now the J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS are layin' a beating on the St. Lou Rams, 24-0 in the 2Q. I hate the Jets, and in particular Fireman Eddie. So you know.
Update #2 - cable guy showed at 2:30 on the dot and proceeded to check everything thoroughly. Explained that my line coming in the house was O-L-D (probably from when the lines were first run in the late '70's.) - and he would run me some new line in the house, changed out the splitters, and got everything going good. We even had a second cable guy come out to help. They even replaced the grid panels in my drop ceiling (which I did not expect). Mission accomplished. Today I give an A+ to Cablevision.
Nope. So I call IO Cablevision support, which oddly enough, requires you to look up your support number based on your local center, but the calls all go to Long Island. I guess it's better than overseas. Called in the AM to get the first TV sussed out, nice lady, very helpful, got me going. Explained I was having issues with two other sets, and she called back later in the day to see how I was doing. Nice.
Anyway, hooked up the other set again, went through the whole call to support, and still almost nothing. Seems to be receiving a signal, but little picture, including the broadcast channels which I think is odd. So the guy helping me (also very well) says 'we'll have to get somebody out there. How about tomorrow (Sunday)" Now your talking!
So here I sit waiting between 11-2 for the service guy. Hopefully we can get this corrected so I can live the life I am accustomed to - an additional 100 channels or so, but still complaining nothing good is on!
Watch for the update.
Update #1 - cable guy called around 1:30PM to say he was running late and could be here around 2:30. I'm OK with that. By sheer coincidence, the Jim Carrey tour de force, The Cable Guy was on while I was waiting. Karma!
And right now the J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS are layin' a beating on the St. Lou Rams, 24-0 in the 2Q. I hate the Jets, and in particular Fireman Eddie. So you know.
Update #2 - cable guy showed at 2:30 on the dot and proceeded to check everything thoroughly. Explained that my line coming in the house was O-L-D (probably from when the lines were first run in the late '70's.) - and he would run me some new line in the house, changed out the splitters, and got everything going good. We even had a second cable guy come out to help. They even replaced the grid panels in my drop ceiling (which I did not expect). Mission accomplished. Today I give an A+ to Cablevision.
11.06.2008
The Hot Stove
This is why Baseball is the greatest sport - it really has become an almost 12 month affair- Season (including spring training runs from Late Feb to almost November and then we put on our wishing hats for the players we can pick up in the off-season to make our homeboys the best for next season. In the NY area, this is a big draw on talk radio and in the local rags - so maybe I'm living in a bubble. I'm sure my loyal followers in Des Moines might have a different opinion.
Big Names on Free Agent Market:
Sabathia
K-Rod
Texeira
Ramirez
Hudson
Cabrera
Dempster
Perez
Sheets
Fuentes
Big Names on the Trade Market:
Holliday
Peavy
Cano
Check out MLB Trade Rumors dot com for the latest - great site for this kind of stuff! And contrary to all the Yankee Fans out there, you can't get everyone (though I'm sure you will try!)
Big Names on Free Agent Market:
Sabathia
K-Rod
Texeira
Ramirez
Hudson
Cabrera
Dempster
Perez
Sheets
Fuentes
Big Names on the Trade Market:
Holliday
Peavy
Cano
Check out MLB Trade Rumors dot com for the latest - great site for this kind of stuff! And contrary to all the Yankee Fans out there, you can't get everyone (though I'm sure you will try!)
11.05.2008
Change
Congratulations to President-elect Obama on his historic win.
Give the man a chance. He won the election and deserves support.
Give the man a chance. He won the election and deserves support.
11.02.2008
Two Days
Until Election Day 2008. And if you have been living under a rock - it's the first time in eight when we will have a new President of the United States. And it couldn't come too soon, as this administration would appear to be ready to hand everything over and go home to Texas.
First, get out and VOTE. It is a privilege many take for granted. So if you don't vote and don't like the way things are going, too bad, shut up, we'll see you in four more years. For those who do, you show you are a patriot and love this country by taking the time to cast your ballot.
Second, with the way things are looking, it seems as if the pundits to the right are pulling out the stops - just watch Fox News. I'm sure by Tuesday morning they will have uncovered enough dirt to make Mr. Obama a farmer (who is here illegally).
And Mr. McCain was on Saturday Night Live last night yukking it up - and maybe that's just what he needs. Unfortunately, for a lot of the peeps, he will always be connected to the current regime which may be his downfall. I guess we'll find out.
Me - I'm all about the One Man (or woman), One Vote. I don't pick down party lines - looking at what the big picture is for me. Right now it's the economy; my 401K looks like I haven't worked in a couple of years, but I've been putting a chunk away every paycheck. I'm sure a lot of you are in the same boat - and hopefully it's not named The Titanic. And truth is, I'm still not 100% sure who gets my precious ballot on Tuesday. But somebody will, and that is democracy. Then we can get to Baseball.
11.01.2008
Less for the Same (which is a lot)
Huh? What does that mean, SoulSlam?
Friday was one of those days where a lot of things went haywire. Coupled with the Halloween ritual of taking the kids out for tricks and treats at night and you have a busy (as in a one legged man in a a** kickin' contest busy) day/night.
And it actually began on Thursday evening. I relinquish the man-den on Thursday nights so my wife and boys can watch Survivor, a show which holds no interest for me. Now normally, I would retire to the Living Room, but that's being painted and is in 100% disarray. So I figured, I'll go upstairs to the bedroom, read a little Baseball America, put on something and spend a quiet hour waiting for my triumphant return to my cave at 9PM for some quality Supernatural viewing. So you've got the setup.
But my digital cable is apparently on the fritz in that room (and that room only) - could be the split is on the same as the LR and maybe the guys did something. No worries, I can fix that when I get some new splitters and cables over the weekend. So I disconnect the cable from the box, and plug directly into the Sony 24". No channels above 99, but I can rough it. And that's when I make my discovery, much to my chagrin.
Apparently, Cablevision (owned by the Dolans) have removed many channels unless you have a digital box. Channels like SciFi, A&E, truTV, TLC, Travel Planet, E!, QVC and Animal Planet are gone. No more. So I investigate the IO website, and see they were removed unless you have a digital box. So I look into a little more. That must mean that people with basic cable got a break on their bill, right? Because if you take away 8-10 channels, and you were once offering about 80 or so, then that should be at least a 10% reduction in the cable bill. Great!
No. Cablevision has decided that they would instead offer a free digital box (1) for a year. So that's about a $72.00 value. But reducing a cable bill by 10% would give you about the same savings. And what happens at the end of the free cable box for a year? Then you pay, about a $72.00 value. Which doesn't sound like a lot, but if you don't have the scratch, or if your on a fixed income, it is. And the funny thing is, Cablevision can do this and get away with it. Maybe it's time I look into something else.
Friday was one of those days where a lot of things went haywire. Coupled with the Halloween ritual of taking the kids out for tricks and treats at night and you have a busy (as in a one legged man in a a** kickin' contest busy) day/night.
And it actually began on Thursday evening. I relinquish the man-den on Thursday nights so my wife and boys can watch Survivor, a show which holds no interest for me. Now normally, I would retire to the Living Room, but that's being painted and is in 100% disarray. So I figured, I'll go upstairs to the bedroom, read a little Baseball America, put on something and spend a quiet hour waiting for my triumphant return to my cave at 9PM for some quality Supernatural viewing. So you've got the setup.
But my digital cable is apparently on the fritz in that room (and that room only) - could be the split is on the same as the LR and maybe the guys did something. No worries, I can fix that when I get some new splitters and cables over the weekend. So I disconnect the cable from the box, and plug directly into the Sony 24". No channels above 99, but I can rough it. And that's when I make my discovery, much to my chagrin.
Apparently, Cablevision (owned by the Dolans) have removed many channels unless you have a digital box. Channels like SciFi, A&E, truTV, TLC, Travel Planet, E!, QVC and Animal Planet are gone. No more. So I investigate the IO website, and see they were removed unless you have a digital box. So I look into a little more. That must mean that people with basic cable got a break on their bill, right? Because if you take away 8-10 channels, and you were once offering about 80 or so, then that should be at least a 10% reduction in the cable bill. Great!
No. Cablevision has decided that they would instead offer a free digital box (1) for a year. So that's about a $72.00 value. But reducing a cable bill by 10% would give you about the same savings. And what happens at the end of the free cable box for a year? Then you pay, about a $72.00 value. Which doesn't sound like a lot, but if you don't have the scratch, or if your on a fixed income, it is. And the funny thing is, Cablevision can do this and get away with it. Maybe it's time I look into something else.
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