Just Powers

Just in case you missed it, let me repeat, Verizon sucks. I will spare you most of the ridiculous details, but let me just say that I called on January 19 to transfer my phone and DSL service to our new address and as of today, February 25, I still have no DSL service.

My original ready date for DSL was February 15 and since then I have spent countless hours, and I do mean HOURS, on the phone with everyone from Customer Service to Retention(?) to the Customer Advocacy Team (who has yet to advocate for me - at all.)

Last week I left work early to come home and troubleshoot, because a technician promised me that everything should be working, only to have them tell me once I got here that it is not working yet and sorry - there is nothing we can do.

This past Monday I got an email letting me know that my new service ready date is February 15. Huh??

Today was the kicker. I spoke with someone in customer service who has been trying to deal with the issue for me over the past week. She called me on her break to let me know she is still looking into it, and has some notes on it but couldn’t talk to me anymore because she needed to get back online answering customer service calls. When I pointed out that I, in fact, AM a customer service call, and maybe she could just finish with me before getting back to “work” she got very frustrated with me and sounded really nervous that she was going to get in big trouble for being on the phone with me…HUH??

In the space of one hour today I have been told that I have a new service ready date of March 3, March 8 and March 15 and that it is a “load coil” order on my line that is now holding things up.

It completely blows my mind that a multi-million dollar corporation like Verizon can be so bad at their job - and that they still corner the market on phone and internet service.

I am sitting here waiting for a call back from yet another person at Verizon - who really understands my frustration - and my bottom line is that if they can’t get my DSL on today or Monday at the latest, I am calling Earthlink.

Verizon sucks.

Last night I went to dinner in Philadelphia with six friends from college. I am really lousy at staying in touch - with anyone - so it was a serious reunion. Steve promised to send along the pictures he took, so as soon as I get them I will post a couple here.

I wasn’t sure what to expect of the evening, and I am sure no one else really did either. It is very odd to go for years and years without talking to someone you spent so many pivotal, personality changing moments with. How do you ever catch up on 13 years of life?

As I sat listening to my old friends talk about their kids, their husbands, their houses, I was really amazed to notice that none of us have changed a bit. Carol Anne and I noticed this later and both commented that of course we have changed…but of course we probably haven’t either. I would like to say that my friends have all put on weight or have a few more wrinkles, but it seems I am the only one struggling in those areas…DAMN.
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My entries seem to have been somewhat spread out lately, and seem to happen only once a month or so - I guess I am due.

I am sitting in a new Wegman’s supermarket in Chester Springs, PA (or somewhere near there, everything kind of looks the same out here in the ‘burbs). They designed this SUPERmarket with a cafe for the weary shopper who might be overcome by hunger pangs as they wander the aisles. And this store is so big, a shopper could definitely require sustenance by the time she or he finishes finding everything on their list.

So anyway, they have a cafe that Mike and I came to for lunch. Once we stepped inside the doors we found ourselves whisked away to a provincial town in Tuscany. The whole thing is made to look like a town square and each food stall is like a little shop in said town. It is like it’s own little pavilion at Epcot, without the warm weather and a heck of a lot cheaper, if not a little cheesier.

We were both sort of amazed by the whole thing, until Mike pointed out that what they are going for here is the feel of a place like Reading Terminal Market without the pesky independent foodsellers to contend with. Oh yeah, and free wireless.

What a month.

Had Christmas in New Jersey, turned 34, had another Christmas in DC, had New Year’s Eve in Alexandria, had another Christmas in Boston, and got sick.

Meanwhile, out in the world: a tsunami hit southeast Asia, a mudslide hit California, floods hit Ohio, a heatwave(sort of) hit the east coast, followed closely by a blizzard, and an inauguration hit Washington, D.C.

Mike and I move next Monday and because of my being sick and Mike working too much, we haven’t even started packing. Can’t wait to be in the new house though. Out of town readers, don’t forget we have a spare room - just let us know you are coming and it is yours.

Watching the Eagles playoff game - since the Redskins went down in a blaze of glory this year, the iggles are all I have left. E-A-G-L-E-S!! EAGLES! (still wish it were the ‘Skins)

Mike and I found out last night we are going to be moving into the best house in the whole world. Our friend Emily actually found the place on Craig’s List and the three of us went to see it last Wednesday.

The owners, who are living there until they move to a new place in January, are great and in addition to having the best house in the world, may possibly have the most beautiful children in the world - one of whom was only six days old when we saw the house. I was amazed that they were showing the house. If I had just had a baby, I would be holed up in my bedroom for six months- completely disfunctional and unable to deal with anything. Perhaps this is why I do not, in fact, have a baby…

Anyway, as much as we love our current landlords, and living in Adams Morgan, the space we are in is just a little too tight for us. That, and there is no jacuzzi tub.

UPDATE: Turns out they have the best dog in the world too. Emily and Mike and I are currently trying to figure out how to get him thrown in with the whole deal.

I love crossword puzzles. I am no good at them mind you, I usually can’t even finish the puzzle in the back of the free daily Express I get on the way to the metro, but I still love them. Maybe it is genetic. My grandfather used to do them obsessively, in pen. He was really really good at them. Apparently I got the “love crosswords” gene and not the “really really good at crosswords” gene. Hmph.

I was on a train last week and watched as my co-traveller, Gina Glantz, channeled my grandfather’s spirit and finished a crossword puzzle faster than anyone I have ever seen. I sat across from her, staring in amazement, as she filled in every single blank square on a New York Times crossword puzzle, without pausing, until there were no blank squares left. She brushed off my admiration and explained that she was doing a Monday New York Times, so there really was no challenge whatsoever. Um, yeah.

Gina then went on to complain that even the Sunday New York Times puzzles are not that hard anymore. She sent me a copy of the puzzle so I could see just how simple and ridiculous the Sunday Times has gotten. Um, yeah.

I am thinking of sending Gina one of my Express crosswords, to show her just how easy “easy” really is. I guess if I am going to do that, I better finish one first.

The former New England Chairman of the Bush/Cheney campaign was just indicted on charges that he participated in jamming the Democrats get-out-the-vote phone lines in 2002. He is the second man charged in the incident.

One of the races affected by the GOTV calls was Jeanne Shaheen’s run against Republican John Sununu. Sununu won by 20,000 votes…

I hate Politics.

If only George Bush had considered sending bloggers to Iraq before he sent in the troops. Iranian bloggers number upwards of 70,000 and are having the types conversations and sharing the news that is not allowed on the more traditional media channels. The Iranian regime is, of course, very nervous about this type of uncontrollable free speech and there are even reports that bloggers are being jailed.

While no one should have to live in such a way, it makes me kind of happy inside to know that underground revolution continues to find its way through the centuries. First the underground railroad, then the French resistance, and now bloggers. Amazing.

BBC News reported today that the staff at the state run television station in the Ukraine have joined the opposition protesters there, stating they are tired of “telling the government’s lies”.

Apparently, Deaf viewers of the station - UT1 - found out first that the staff at the state run station were tired of lying for their corrupt bosses. According to the article, the station’s sign language interpreter yesterday stopped interpreting what the reporters were saying. Here is what she signed to viewers instead:

The results from the Central Election Commission have been falsified. Do not believe them. Our President is Yushchenko. I am very disgusted that I was forced to translate the lies until now. I�m not going to do it anymore. I�m not sure if I�ll see you again.

Subversion sure does come in all shapes and sizes. It’s never too late to learn sign language…just in case.

UPDATE: Here is the New York Times’ take on this story.

My friend and co-worker Jim has me listed on his top five blogs he could not live without if he were on a desert island. I suspect Jim is just being nice, which is his tendency, but just in case he really does read my blog I have no desire to let him down.

Margaret Mead once said “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” These words resonate strongly with me and I am always on the lookout for people who prove it to be true. Well, I just saw a great post on WorldChanging.com, one of my top desert island blogs.

The “Kids” of Kids With Cameras

Zana Briski and Kids With Cameras is a great example of a small group of people making a big difference. Zana has brought photography to the children of prostitutes in Calcutta’s red light district. This seemingly small act has empowered these children in a way they have never experienced.

Out of Kids With Camera has come Born Into Brothels a film about the groups work in Calcutta. Zana is now working on establishing a residential facility for the kids in Calcutta and others like them all over the world that combines the arts and photography with education, sports and leadership training.

What an amazing thing this is. Go check it out. The kids pictures are beautiful (and for sale, I am thinking of buying the the book) and the website is nice too. Can’t wait to see the film.