ANOTHER Verizon Post? Ugh…

So you all know I love Verizon. Since I switched from Cingular in 2008, and despite the issues I’ve had, I still feel I’m with the best mobile phone provider. When I call the help line I get resolution from people that most likely graduated high school. When I go to a store, the people there actually know about the products, can answer questions, and can suggest the right product for you based on a few simple inquiries.

But. I had another “OMG” experience tonight.

I bought a Droid in December. It’s the new light of my life, my significant other, it does the things I need it to, it’s my personal assistant, my entertainment, my traffic advisor, my weather girl, everything. I love my Droid. And when I bought it, i got a $100 mail-in rebate. You give me $$$ for an excellent machine? I think I’ve died and gone to heaven!

Oh wait. I’m not in heaven. I get a notice in the mail regarding my rebate: “Thank you for participating in this promotion. Unfortunately we could not honor your request due to the following reason(s):

-Your ESN/MEID has already been associated with a previous rebate. Please call blah blah blah

Okay, so the ESN/MEID is basically the UPC code from the box, which means that what they’re saying is I’ve sent in the UPC from the box AFTER someone else already claimed the rebate for that phone. WTF?! So I call and this nice gentleman says “I’ll check your number… ah it seems your number was already used. I’ll check the validity of the rebate before… okay, I’ve determined your number was entered in error, so I’ve corrected it. Your rebate will be in the mail tomorrow. I apologize for the inconvenience.” So I’ll get my money. Cool. But here’s a few questions…

a. (I assume he’s being honest) Someone else already used my #. The rebate says I have to actually mail in the cut-out side of the box in order for this to be valid. So… the warehouse issued two UPCs for the same number? Way to track shit like it’s 1805. OR… someone sent in a fabricated phone box and you actually processed it? Wow, I’m not sure that this isn’t even dumber than the first situation.

b. (still assuming he’s being honest) Someone typed in a number wrong. This may happen. But he sure sounds like this is what he does all day every day, which leads me to assume that either i.) this DOES happen all the time and Verizon has hired blind retards as data entry personnel (wonder how much they get paid?) OR ii.) he’s so used to hearing about data discrepancies that it’s old news and he’s simply assuming the worst and it will benefit me. Sort of. God, I hope it’s the first one. At least, I think i do… I really can’t decide.

c. (assuming now that “The Man” runs Verizon like every other company in the U.S.A.) The whole rebate thing is a possibility for Verizon to not actually pay people money back by reducing the likelihood that people are diligent enough to follow the rebate process through from start to finish. If I never send in the rebate, then that’s $100 that stays in Verizon’s pocket. If I file the rebate but they send me this notice and I never bother to call, then that’s $100 that stays in Verizon’s pocket. If I file the rebate and follow up on this call and they give me some lame-ass excuse for the error and inform me that the rebate will be mailed in the morning, then the $100 can go to the customer because they’re in the top 5% of their class! Do people actually go through this process and never wonder that it’s all simply a scam to keep money with the phone company?

I wonder how many people in this country alone are employed in positions such as the gentleman I spoke with whose whole apparent purpose in life is to placate the MORE intelligent percentage of the country that actually follow through all the steps in order to get what is owed to them. And then I wonder how many people in this country are employed in positions whose sole purpose it is to screw over the less diligent, but trusting individuals who are simply trying to do what they think is best. And then I shudder to think about how many people are aware that they are employing possibly hundreds of people with the intent to scam or sell people on believing something, or at least confuse them long enough to buy into an idea, only to profit on their ignorance shortly thereafter.

I believe in karma. But I also truly wish the best for every individual on this planet. I wish we could all live as we please without impacting each other’s lives. But since we can’t, I wish everyone would be mindful of others. And I really wish that there weren’t so many greedy, soulless, money-hungry assholes out there mucking up society for those of us who simply want to earn a modest wage and get by with certain fundamental necessities.

Verizon, I want to believe this was truly a mistake but I’m just not gullible enough. I may only have 28 years under my belt, but it’s 28 solid years and I’m not a moron. I’m saddened that you’re preying on good people. (Sure, there’s some evil people in the mix that you’re screwing over as well, but I find it hard to justify what you’re doing based on that fact.) It’s like the government bailouts for banks – it’s always going to be the little guy paying for it in the end that doesn’t deserve the hardship.

Peace, y’all.

P.S. No spelling or grammar editing was done here.

Work Trip to Toronto, Day 1

Flying over Toronto as we come in for a landing, I see what people talk about when they say that snow just looks dirty. Walking around, either as the snow is falling or after, the snow looks so crisp and full of potential, as if it’s just waiting to be trampled down with footprints or molded into a snowman. But from half a mile up, with all the dark tire marks and the messy piles strew along the road, it really does look like someone walked on a plush white towel with muddy boots. Blech. Of  course, it won’t stop me from jumping into a nice big snowdrift to do my own damage, leave my mark if you will. It’s supposed to snow tonight. Hasn’t started yet. This girl is kinda disappointed.

I walk into my hotel room and it looks like any other hotel room. Then I open the drapes.

I was aware that the hotel is directly across from hotel property, and even after two hours I haven’t actually heard an airplane yet. A co-worker gave me the heads-up that this is the strip: meaning there are quite a few fully-nude adult venues along the road, three of which are visible from my window. (Yes, the “strip” was supposed to be a pun.) One electronic sign boasts something about winning jewelry on Friday night, which makes me wonder a few things.

1. How many men will make the decision to patronize the establishment purely for the promise of jewelry?
2. How many men will decide to give that jewelry as a gift to a significant woman? Without her knowing where it came from? Or that the man frequents that type of establishment?
3. How does one win the jewelry? “You bought the 77^th lapdance of the evening from Trixie, the single-mother in nursing school, so you win this necklace!”?

Interesting observation: Mr. Greek, the Mediterranean restaurant and lounge next door. I’ve never had awful Greek food, so if the room service offerings don’t strike my fancy I can simply bundle up and wander next door. Time to peruse the menu. What is this? Mr. Greek IS the room service? Awesome! Kinda weird, my fish and chips came with a Greek salad, but who’s complaining? I put the half of my meal I didn’t eat on the windowsill. There’s no mini-fridge but I see it isn’t necessary, since it’s below freezing outside.

Time to check the weather, see if it’s snowing outside.

Nope. No snow. Maybe tomorrow. 60% chance seems pretty likely! Do you think the Canadians will look at me funny if I just bolt out the door to play in the snow the second it starts falling? Most likely, considering the Bostonians and the Baltimoreans did. So I look like a crazy Houstonian who has only seen snow a few times in her life, what’s so bad about that? It’s accurate and I’m trying to enjoy myself! Take a picture or piss off, eh?

Non-Holiday Party?

At the suggestion of my realtor, I may be hosting another party at Chateau Jen this holiday season. But, since I’m becoming more and more opposed to celebrating actual holidays with every passing day and year, I’d like to have a “Non-Holiday Party.” I’ll explain…

Previous posts share my opinion on Christmas. I’d love to have a generic holiday party, but I’ll still wind up with people giving me gifts, at least two people will expect an ornament as a party favor, and you know there’s that one pervert bachelor that thinks it’s cute to dress as Santa and make women sit on his lap. (or my little brother, perhaps ) Plus I have quite a few friends who don’t celebrate Christmas and I definitely want to invite them. Additionally, I’d hate to be totally lame and have the same common dishes, drinks, and decorations that every single other party will be offering up this December!!! I want to be original, I want my soiree to stand out in your memory as the best of the season! Why not give New Years something to measure up to?

SO…. here’s what I need from you. Ideas!

What shall we call it? Soiree Chateau.Jen * Non-Holiday Gala * Anti-Holiday Social * (I’m not a big fan of any of these, actually. Suggest away!)

When shall we do it? My suggestion is either December 5th or 12th, and I’m leaning towards the 12th.

That’s it! You know I already have a million dish, drink, and decoration ideas already brewing in my head. ~j

…still working on the title…

Word of caution to those opposed to bunny trails (what the hell are you doing here, anyway???): This one jumps, as I do not have a single topic I want to focus on.

Pops turns 30 tomorrow!!! Happy birthday, old man!! He and Mom are in Las Vegas with his parents celebrating and I hope they’re having a great time!

I tried to explain to Emily the other day what a Bodhisattva was, but I know I didn’t succeed. Here’s a link to a site that does a better job, quite succinctly.  http://grandrants.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/10987/

I may start frequenting that site, as I feel the author’s perspective on life is much like my own. Or, at least, the perspective that I’ve been molding over the last year or two. Not sure yet if it’s a man or woman, but their personal philosophy is:

In the long run, the pessimist may be right, but the optimist has more fun on the journey.

And, in the end, that’s what life really is.

Thought: It’s gorgeous outside today! 80*, cloud cover, not humid or rainy. What am I still doing inside?

Opinion: One should not eat mac ‘n cheese without Chipotle Tabasco squirted on top.

Feeling: I never really like the holidays. People are so wrapped up in things. (That’s kind of funny, no?) Most people totally buy into the media pressure to spend, spend, spend because $$$=love. It makes me feel sad. My family gets together every week or two at my mom’s house to eat, drink, and just enjoy each other’s company. We give each other advice, a hard time, hugs, whatever we need. They know I adore them without me having to bring anything other than a bottle of wine or side dish. That’s what the holidays are supposed to be about, but fortunately we do that 20 times a year. I’ve suggested for Christmas we either don’t buy gifts for each other OR do some sort of charity thing OR we make each other gifts. (Pops laughed at the last one, which only encourages me more!) Whatever we wind up doing, I know we feel less of the pressure to purchase than others, and will assuredly get more love and compassion out of our time together than most.

A few pictures will be up momentarily on my Photos page. Enjoy!

Sorry, dear followers, for the delay

I know, I know, it’s been AGES since I posted! All I can say is that I’ve been incredibly busy with a project at work, just started a new project, and my house never actually got a tenant.

As I always say after these long breaks, I’m going to try to be better going forward about posting. And as we all know, there will undoubtedly be another drop off at some point in the future. But for the time being I’ll do my best to keep you entertained with the weirdness that I encounter.

The project I was working on at work to transition our California region to the new system went off with relatively few hitches. Three months of long days, 8am-8pm, lunch and dinner on the company, no time for working out, working weekends. It’s over and it was a success. Whew. Next project? I was asked to oversee Ontario operations the week before my Cali project ended, so no time to breathe in between. And the Ontario project, so far? I’ve learned more in these 3 weeks about the billing and accounting departments than I had in the last 5 years.

Yes, I’ve been at Constellation for 5 years. It feels like ages, but at the same time I feel like I graduated a year ago and don’t have a clue where life is taking me. But when I stop and think about it, it’s probably more about where my personal life is headed and where I want to go, versus where my career is headed. Career was always a secondary concern to general happiness and I was willing to earn less if it meant getting more out of life. But it seems my career is the easiest aspect of life to control.

Are the more important aspects of life harder to control? Or is it the fact that certain aspects of life are harder to control that makes them more important? Does it matter? Nope.

Significant other happenings? Went to the Italy Expo and the Quilt Festival, both of which were fun. Misha picked out her wedding gown Saturday, and we picked out bridesmaid dresses as well. They’ll be gorgeous and I’ll post pictures of some of the dresses, obviously NOT Misha’s. I’m currently trying to convince my family NOT to buy Christmas gifts this year and I don’t know that it’s going all that well. My second suggestion was that we make our gifts, and I’m using that as leverage to push the first suggestion.

Don’t hold your breath for the next post. I promise it’s coming soon though!!

bye bye house… sort of

It was August in the year 2006 when I started looking for a place to call my own. In September, only a month later, I closed on my townhome. Now, it’s three years later and I sit in my living room downtown, preparing to be a landlord in the morning. That’s right – a family is going to be renting my house!

I’m really thrilled – God knows I didn’t want to be paying this high-rise rent along with my mortgage on an empty house. John changed the HAR posting to sell/rent last Monday, they looked at the house Thursday, they called John on Saturday, we signed the contract Sunday, and they move in tomorrow. Does anyone else think that’s a bit quick?? Needless to say, I had some last-minute, somewhat hectic cleaning to do. I had a bunch of “Donation” and “Recycling” bags in my garage still to tend to, as well as cleaning the entire house. So last night and tonight I spent several hours getting the place move-in-ready and I somehow pulled it off. Without the help of mom and pops, well, it would have gotten done. But I would probably have been there until midnight, and that is a really unpleasant thought! I’m home, showered, and worn out physically.

It’s weird to think that I lived in my house for almost three years. It’s one of those weird things where I feel like I’ve been living there forever and yet like I just moved in. I had just gotten the place decorated, I got nice furniture, and I up and move. It’s all good though, everything looks sooo nice in #1807! Anyway, if you haven’t been by to see my new place and you’re in the downtown area, send me a text and I’ll meet you at the door with a cold beverage!

Shout out to Pops for helping with a gimp foot, and Alex for taking my moonwalk to Mom’s, and Mom for cleaning my kitchen (despite Pops’ dirty looks) after she delivered dinner for me- the soup hit the spot! and how did you know the Acai-blueberry-pomegranate VitaminWater is the only one I like?? Many thanks! Love you all!!!

August Days…Driftin’ Away

Wow, Misha’s right – it has been almost a month since my last post. Too much going on! The saddest part is that not much is really going on. Haha Oh well, I always find something to talk about anyway!

Alaska was incredible, again. I’m going to upload a bunch of photos to snapfish or something so that everyone can see them. I got some pretty awesome photos, but more importantly relaxed a TON! By the end of the first day, my body had synched to that Onion Bay rhythm and I felt like I’d been there for a week already. By the middle of the third day (I actually remember the exact moment this happened – it was on a walk up to the outhouse) I adjusted to the temperature difference. The only sad thing about that was that I did indeed have to come back to Texas’ 100+degree weather only a week later. It was beautiful, I had fun fishing and hiking, I wrote and drew and took photos, and I’m taking donations for all those of you that want to contribute to the “Help Jen buy the Property Next Door to the Lee’s Cabin” fund. That’s right, the cabin next door is for sale and I can’t think of a reason NOT to buy it and spend time there each summer. I mean, any other reason besides the fact that I don’t have the money to buy it, which is where that fund and your contribution come in. Contact me directly, please.

Living in my downtown piece o’ the skyline is still simply wonderful. I love getting to walk to work and get a bit of sunshine and Vitamin D in the process because it boosts my mood before I get to work. Each day, I love walking home and sitting with my kittens on the couch to decompress while i eat my lunch. And then knowing that i’m only a stone’s throw (literally) from home means I’m not nearly as0 irritated at the end of the day thinking about the drive home and traffic.

Other than that, there isn’t much going on and I’m just FINE with that! Save the drama for yo momma, I’m enjoying things being low-key while it lasts. Projects at work are full-speed ahead, but I’m enjoying the challenge so no worries there. Misha’s fiancee Jon will hopefully be coming on soon to help us out with a ton of project work we have to tackle. I’m looking forward to the heat easing up a bit here at some point. I’m sure that’ll happen just about the time the big Hurricane of ‘09 comes through. Yay. Y’all have a good one. It’s almost the weekend again, and I’ll be laying out by the pool getting a tan and barbequeing!

Quick Update

Well, I’ve spent my evenings in the new place just unpacking, arranging, re-arranging. Seriously, how many times can I move my couch? And it’s still facing the same way, I just keep moving it by a few inches! Ahhh, OCD!!

Really though, I’m totally in love with this place. Still go outside on the balcony every day to appreciate the view, still adoring my kitchen, each day gaining more love for the layout. The “flow” of the place works well for me. I think I could stay here for a long time… as long as I keep making as much or more than I do now, obviously. Otherwise, I’ll have to start selling my beloved purses on Ebay or something to make rent… Oh, that’s a terrible thought. Let’s stop that.

Thursday I leave for Alaska again, and I’ll be gone until the morning of August 11th. I’m really excited to be visiting again. The beauty of the scenery and tranquility. The fact that work can’t contact me in any way/shape/form.  The opportunity to learn how to use my new camera and see what she can do.  So expect a few long-winded, painfully detailed blogs with a ton o’ photos upon my return!  Here’s one of me last year, thinking about how lovely the place is…

High Rise Livin’

This blog is no longer written by Jen, the whimsical fun-loving workaholic from the suburban side of Houston. Gone are the days of spending two hours in traffic headed to and from the job that I spend 10 hours a day struggling with.

You are now reading a blog written by Jen, an eccentric, twenty-something truly living life, reporting on its wonder from her new residence in the One Park Place high-rise, floor 18. View: resort-style pool complete with waterfall and 20+ft tall palm trees all located on the 8th floor. Location: the block next to my place of employment. That’s right folks, I’m living downtown! All I can say about the building wouldn’t do it justice, so I’ll just say it’s incredible. Oak floors, granite countertops, valet parking, gym, pool, and winebar/organic grocery store to come soon. Ahhh, I love it! 1400 McKinney. Stop by and say hi sometime!

There was a pretty cool lightning storm tonight that I attempted to capture (over and over again – I drank 3 glasses of wine first) with my new Canon Rebel T1i.

Housewarming will occur August 22nd. Send me a message if you’d like an invite!

~j

Surprisingly Good Day

It’s kind of funny that it took until I was driving home on the Hardy before I noticed that I had a pretty good day. I’m sure this may sound depressing, and I don’t mean that my life sucks, but I haven’t had a ‘good’ day in a while. Time has been flying by just because, in order to make it through the week, I put my head down and walk fast. Then the weekends are busy, lovely, and fleeting. I’ve been super busy at work, enjoying the project work I’m starting on, but still overworked. I never take a break during the day and stay til 7 most nights.

My day ended really well. A project that a co-worker and I have been struggling for two months against systems and even other co-workers to get rolled out finally came to fruition at 6pm. I tested the change we were making, and realized it actually worked properly so I threw myself back in my chair, punched my hands in the air and screamed “YESSSSS!!!” (The other girl in the room was startled, then laughed.) Two months of work. Successful. Worth it. It will save my group so much time and energy. So excited!

I also got confirmation that the moving crew will show up Saturday morning to pack up all my belongings and drive them downtown, then place them accordingly in my new home. Where, you may ask? Why, the One Park Place high-risk, of course! SOO excited about that too! (Eh, no, house hasn’t sold. I’m going to rent it and hope it’ll sell once the market pulls its head out of its ass.)

I also booked a room at the Comfort Inn in Kodiak, which is only slightly exciting. I land in Kodiak around 9pm and fly out the following morning on the Cessna at 9am, which means I have to find someplace to sleep. Which means i have to pay almost $200 for one of the last rooms at the only Inn in town anywhere near the little airport. 15 days until I get to fly to Alaska! Yay!

So, I guess looking back, my day was pretty good. Cool.