done deal

i will not sleep for the next 3 weeks

earthquake drill

all throughout schooling i mocked the earth quake drills, until my senior year (2001) when we actually had an earthquake. Now, i take it a bit more seriously. maybe its becuase of the pts i get, or becuase i am at the top floor of our building. funny, how it serious they seem later in life. nothing like being prepaired. which means i should probably buy a snack pack. just in case!

yum!

We had the BEST night last night, and we were still home by 830 to watche supernatural (yes, i am a dork). First, eric picked me up at 5 from work and we went to Daniels (after going through 3 lobbies to find the right elevator). There we sat in the bar with an AWESOME view of seattle. We had beer (Myself, Stella, and Eric, Mac&Jacks and Guiness), Oysters (raw!), cheese platter (yummmmy!) and teriyaki steak strips. which was really a 16 oz steak cubed in the best sauce ever. it was soooo good. so from there we went to the mall, and stopped by nordstroms grill to have a drink (eric, dark&stormy, me, Rum&coke) of which the bartender was very liberal with the rum. yikes. On to Bon Marche Home store (or macy's, for you corporate minded people) to shop around for dishes. no such luck, since aparently stone wear is freaking expensive. So then we went and got cupcakes from NY cupcakes (very very very very very good). and from there, my friends, is when we entered the twilight zone.
First, we went into Helzbergs so i could show eric the ring i was interested in. and then... HE TRIED ON RINGS. for himself. *gasp*. pretty freakin' awesome. and we went to another store so he could get more ideas on what he likes.

SCORE!

why i love google mail

my biggest gripe with google mail is no folders. I'm a tactile person, so i need cubby holes for my various emails. but this is my favorite thing about google is the spam filter. it catches almost EVERYTHING. Thank you, google.

I really hate to blame the cleaning staff

Brillz. The key filing system of which was bestowed upon me after two companies merged, and then downsized into a 10 person office. With that, items went missing. This is the most excitement i have had in WEEKS! Happy Professional Admin Day!!

wonderdog

bowser @ 12 weeks sooo cute!
I love my dog. really, i do. granted i dont cut his hair in a timely matter, or i get annoyed with his consistant squeeking toys (which are now hidden). But there are some times that i want to lock him up. But then, he gives me a loveable face that i cannot deny and all is well. until the next incident.

Bowser sleeping on a bench
Bowser at 1 yearish - after haircut

And this is what happens when you forget to take the trash out before you go to work... and you locked up the sqeeky toy. FUN times. Good thing i cleaned the carpets, eh?

horay!

So i am wearing my new shoes today, and they are uber comfey. and cute. which normally never go hand in hand.

And then i also bought a lovely pair of black high heals. bowser will never, ever, ever see these shoes. i think i will keep them in my car.

new shelves!

So our place, though rather large for a one bedroom (770 sq ft), has been feeling cramped lately. All of our furniture is on the ground. so everything feels like it's closed in. So Mary and I went to ikea yesterday (i love ikea!) and i went looking for shelves. Low and behold, my sister found the best ones at a WONDERFUL price of 4.95 each. seriously. so freakin' cheap. so i bought 10. and a new rug for 14.95 (score!) . oh, and some other crap, but most important right now is the shelves.

The cool thing is, is that our ceiling is slanted, so it gives the shelves more of an "edge" and makes it look more like artwork. I am hoping to put some art work in the gaps, but for now, i think it looks pretty dang cool. to bad i bought a bit to much, i only needed 7 shelves, and we don't even have enough to fit for seven. looks likes its time to buy more DVDs! (but not CDs. seriously. i don't know why guys like to keep them). So don't mind the messy couch and coffee table (that would be 10 ikea pamphlets on how to install the dvd rack). I'll re post so you can see the new rug too.

it's april, right?

So, i was in the office yesterday afternoon, looking outside thinking "it sure is grey outside." No, not grey. SNOWING. In April. And it continued to snow all night, and into this morning. and it's about negative 500 degrees outside. definitely NOT flip flop weather.
One nice thing about the cold weather/snow, is that is pushes back the blooming time for tulips, and dying time for daffodils, so we get to see them in bloom together, which i do like.



Today is the big cable install today. i sure hope everything goes OK. but it looks like i might have to fork over my ssn to get the stupid dvr cable box. or hopefully they will screw up the install so i dont HAVE to put a stupid deposit down on the cable.

tgif

PRINTER IS FIXED. there is a god. well, a very LATE god, but one at least. AND my tax return came today, and not a moment to soon. -- thats kinda funny phrase, moment too soon. becuase honestly, i would like it to have come sooner -- . So now the TV is paid off, bills are paid, and mama can buy a new pair of shoes (that bowser will never see, smell, touch or lick).

uh oh... i hear the printer beeping like something is not working. looks like i'll be investing in the bottle of tequilia a little sooner than i thought.

well, at least the lenght of installation is resolved

So, after countless emails and tweets with Frank, and a phone call from Mark and Timber (or Kimber), i am getting cable on SATURDAY. this saturday! just in time for.. wait...crap..baseball ;) I found out that in order to get DVR i need to give them my SSN. No Way Jose! also, found out that my installation cost and prorated first month will come in a bill, and that i dont have to pay up front. Very classy. Of course the first rep didnt know this infomation. But, all is well, for now!

why i cannot, CANNOT stand comcast. they are the new power monopoly

Soooo, i am trying to be a good girlfriend. i thought that if i surprise eric with cable (courtosy of the refund check!) that i would be AWESOME, even though he knows i hate comcast with a vengence. It all started when i lived in Lynnwood, and order cable tv and internet. well, the modem they gave me the first time kept on crapping out on me... and aparently it was an outdated, recycled modem that they do not support. NICE. this happened 2 more times. not to mention billing was pretty terrible, but hey, i lived alone and needed more than my cat to keep me company.

jump foward 4 years (oh god... im old). Here i am, at my second job thinking "hey, now would be a good time to order cable!" So i pop on the internet, check the items that i need, even order an add on that i dont really need but thought would be cool, check yes for installation needed and i was whisked away to "chat with the service rep to confirm order." and that, my friends, is where the maddness begins. so, if i seem a bit bitter, please understand. i am not trying to make the rep's life miserable, but comcast itself. becuase seriously, this has taken over an hour and 45 minutes.

So here is the chat with the rep. the timing is a bit off due to time zone, but you'll get the idea...

user Jamie_ has entered room
Jamie(Tue Apr 15 21:51:38 PDT 2008)>Order Information
analyst anna.27853 has entered room
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:01:28 PDT 2008)>Hello Jamie_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is anna.27853. Please give me one moment to review your information.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:01:31 PDT 2008)>Hi.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:01:45 PDT 2008)>I would be happy to assist you with your service order. How are you today?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:00:24 PDT 2008)>fine
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:02:42 PDT 2008)>That'g good to know.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:02:50 PDT 2008)>I can help you with your order. But first, let me verify some information from you. Would that be okay with you?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:01:29 PDT 2008)>yes
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:03:21 PDT 2008)>Are you a new customer or an existing customer?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:01:57 PDT 2008)>new
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:03:50 PDT 2008)>May I have your billing address and phone number please?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:02:52 PDT 2008)> ..... ..... ..... .... ..... .... (private info)
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:04:37 PDT 2008)>Thank you for that information.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:05:33 PDT 2008)>For security purposes, may I have your social security number please?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:04:09 PDT 2008)>no
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:06:58 PDT 2008)>I understand that this is frustrating. However, I need that information for me to be able to add into the information in your account.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:05:49 PDT 2008)>Why is my SSN needed?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:08:04 PDT 2008)>Because Comcast wants to protect the privacy and security of your account, we will provide information only to customers who are named as authorized on your account. We will be using your social security number as security to access information.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:07:53 PDT 2008)>There is no secure website icon at the bottom of this webpage. I do not feel comfortable giving out my SSN over an unsecured website. You can have a manager call me for that information, or you can have the last 4 digit of my ssn
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:10:41 PDT 2008)>Okay. May I have your driver's license number please?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:09:49 PDT 2008)>That is okay. .... Washington State DL
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:12:17 PDT 2008)>Thank you.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:12:24 PDT 2008)>May I put you on hold while I bring up the required information?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:11:03 PDT 2008)>yes
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:14:09 PDT 2008)>Thanks.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:14:41 PDT 2008)>Thank you for waiting.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:16:10 PDT 2008)>As I view your order information, you wants to add Digital Preferred with HBO and HDTV with Digital Video on your account, right?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:15:15 PDT 2008)>can you confirm the price first please?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:17:28 PDT 2008)>Do you want to order Tripleplay for only $99?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:17:23 PDT 2008)>NO. please confirm the price of Digital Preferred W/ HBO for 6 months at 39.99 and HDTV Video Recorder at 13.95.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:20:17 PDT 2008)>Okay. Please hold on for a minute while I view the prices for this services.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:23:49 PDT 2008)>Please hold on for a little longer.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:22:25 PDT 2008)>okay
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:27:28 PDT 2008)>Thanks.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:31:28 PDT 2008)>Please hold on for a little longer.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:30:20 PDT 2008)>please hurry, this shouldnt take this long.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:33:06 PDT 2008)>I understand that this is frustrating and I apologize for the inconvenience. But our system is slow for now, and I'm doing this as fast as I can. Please bear with me.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:31:50 PDT 2008)>okay\
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:35:56 PDT 2008)>Thank you for waiting.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:36:45 PDT 2008)>okay. BLOG READERS NOTE THAT I HAVE BEEN WAITING OVER 8 MINUTES BY NOW!!
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:38:23 PDT 2008)>I already view theavailable prices for the Digital Preferred with HBO is $39.99 per month for 6 months, and HDTV with Digital Video for $13.95.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:38:37 PDT 2008)>Do you want me to process now your order?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:37:15 PDT 2008)>yes please
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:39:09 PDT 2008)>Please hold on for a minute.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:43:16 PDT 2008)>I have been waiting for 5 minutes. I am not very happy with the amount of time that i have been on hold.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:46:44 PDT 2008)>I understand that but please hold on for a minute. As I've said, our system is slow for now. I need more time to do this. Please bear with me.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:47:25 PDT 2008)>okay
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:52:49 PDT 2008)>Thanks.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:55:02 PDT 2008)>Please hold on for a little longer.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 19:53:50 PDT 2008)>this transaction needs to be completed shortly, please.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 22:56:24 PDT 2008)>Okay. I'm doing my very best. Please be patient and please bear with me.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:05:20 PDT 2008)>Do you have an idea of how much longer i will be on hold? thank you.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:10:26 PDT 2008)>Please hold for another minute.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:09:58 PDT 2008)>this is really unacceptable.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:13:30 PDT 2008)>I apologize for the long hold. I'm looking for the right rates for your orders. I appreciate your patience.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:12:30 PDT 2008)>I thought the rates were already confirmed?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:19:46 PDT 2008)>Yes. That's for the prices.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:24:50 PDT 2008)>Thank you for patiently waiting.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:25:03 PDT 2008)>I already added your order to your account. BLOG READERS g- NOTE THAT WE FINALLY GOT THIS POINT AFTER I WAITED FROM (BASICALLY) 7:39 to 8:25!!!
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:26:44 PDT 2008)>The earliest scheduled date of installation is on April 21, 2008, Monday,between 8am to 12pm. Would that be okay with you?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:26:52 PDT 2008)>Are you available on that day?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:26:16 PDT 2008)>no, i checked the PM boxes during my check out.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:28:22 PDT 2008)>Okay. When is are you available?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:28:54 PDT 2008)>I mean when are you available for the installation of your service?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:30:12 PDT 2008)>Did you receive my last message?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:28:51 PDT 2008)>yes,
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:29:19 PDT 2008)>I am available this weekend all day, and monday evening after 330 pm
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:31:35 PDT 2008)>I apologize but we don't have an evening schedule for Monday.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:32:21 PDT 2008)>Are you available on April 26, 2008, Saturday?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:32:00 PDT 2008)>no. i need it be done either this weekend or during the weekday evening
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:37:39 PDT 2008)>Okay. Our available schedule for this week is on April 23, April 24, for 2pm to 6pm. Which do you prefer.? That's the only available dates for installation we have.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:36:56 PDT 2008)>April 23rd from 2-6pm it will have to been then.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:38:53 PDT 2008)>Okay. That's a good decision.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:39:37 PDT 2008)>I will just confirm the scheduled installation date is on April 23, Wednesday, between 2pm to 6pm.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:39:51 PDT 2008)>Please be available on that day.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:40:01 PDT 2008)>Please ensure someone over the age of 18 is present at time of installation. Also, the technician may call 30 minutes before arriving, if you are not available to answer his call, he may cancel the appointment.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:39:27 PDT 2008)>okay
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:41:11 PDT 2008)>Your order number is 1000108927752088.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:43:28 PDT 2008)>Your monthly charge is $100.18, And Installation for DVR and Cable is $43.99. Your grand total is 111.91.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:43:51 PDT 2008)>Our technician accepts money order or check upon installation.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:44:02 PDT 2008)>Would there be anything else I can assist you with for today?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:42:36 PDT 2008)>Is that the charge for this month only?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:44:31 PDT 2008)>Yes. That's for the monthly charge.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:43:13 PDT 2008)>how did 39.99 plus 13.95 add up to $100.18 a month?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:45:15 PDT 2008)>I apologize for the confusion.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:45:43 PDT 2008)>You have discount for $46.24.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:47:15 PDT 2008)>Your monthly charge will be $33.99 and 13.95. That's $47.94 for the monthly charge.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:45:59 PDT 2008)>Much better, thank you.
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:47:39 PDT 2008)>Would there be anything else I can assist you with for today?
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:46:51 PDT 2008)>Yes, can you tell me what are the costs of the taxes and additional fee's for this service?
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:49:08 PDT 2008)>Taxes and addition fees is $13.98.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:47:46 PDT 2008)>Thank you.
Jamie_(Tue Apr 15 20:47:49 PDT 2008)>good night
anna.27853(Tue Apr 15 23:49:37 PDT 2008)>Thank you for contacting Comcast. We appreciate your business. If you need assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact our 24/7 hotline, 1-800-Comcast. Or visit our website at www.Comcast.com. Have a wonderful day.


Okay, so i know i was a bit snotty. but either this person is a current student at my old highschool (notice the wonderful spelling/grammer?) or its just really a computer. So i talked with this "Frank" guy, who now i am really starting to wonder if he is even real, who promised that i would be compensated. Great, Frank, going to get my cable installed this weekend??

So, here is my list why comcast blows
1. package deals - there is no good one for the people like me who just want cable.
2. asking for personal information when its not over a secured website AND its truley not needed.
3. The amount of time i was put on hold to order cable PLUS an add on.
4. Billing - as you can see they couldnt even get the right amount there.
5. wait time for cable installation. This is a world of FAST food, drive thru pharmacies and self checkout lanes. Why, if i order on a tuesday, must i WAIT a full week for some guy to come over and connect 2 cables and flip a switch?
6. there is no alternate choice for cable tv here. its only comcast.

GRRRR.. I am sure i will have an update. maybe i should call my local TV station?

ps - sorry for the spelling errors. spell check is down...and i graduated from newport high!

migraines suck

well, thats about it. they make me want to barf, but becuase they make eating terrible, there is nothing to come up. Also, its like having a tuning fork stuck inside your head. And if i had perfect pitch (thank goodness i dont), it would be like an OUT OF TUNE tuning fork going off for hours.

Fortunately, no one is in the office this week, so i get to sit in my sweatshirt and cozy up, and watch a movie or two. funny, even the exec's suggested i bring them in. I think i might have caused my migraine yesterday (or re-aggrevated it) by shredding about 10 pounds of paper.

Maybe i will work on a picture and scan it in, so ya'll know what it looks like for me. that is, if i ever get the last part for the dang printer.

dang it, they were right!

You've heard the commercials, "If you shop there, you'll be sorry!" Eric and I went on an adventure yesterday. It WAS supposed to be just research on the prices and types of TV's. I didn't want to spend more than $1000 total ($500 from the each of us). Eric wanted a 42" TV. You can see how this was pretty much NEVER going to happen.



After having a wonderful brunch at my sisters (and getting stuck up in Dalai Lama traffic) we started to make our way down to FRY's Electronics. That store is MASSIVE. they actually had a great selection of TV's and decent prices. And we were only accosted twice by sales people. After leaving FRY's, we made our way up to Best Buy in Bellevue. My father hates this store, but sometimes they do have good prices. NOT yesterday though. The selection was terrible, and the prices were worse. From there we went to circuit city, since we have a 10% off coupon (which would save us tax and then some). the selection wasn't that great, but they have pretty good prices. Their online inventory is much better. So, from there we went to Video Only.



The Mecca of TV and good prices. Actually, the section for TV's under 42" is not that great, but I digress. There, glemming in front of us was the two TV's that we had been looking at all day. LCD, 42", 1080P... LG and Toshebia. We wern't quite sure which one we wanted more. I though the LG had a sharper image, but then Eric reminded me that I dont like the sharper image most of the time (i like fuzzy goggles, its easier on my eyes). The toshebia did have the ability to adjust color, but we both decided that we wouldn't really use that option and it was $100 more. So we walked away, letting our sales guy stew for awhile. And then 10 minutes later we were walking out the door with the LG tv. They were having a 9% sale (basically, no tax) so we coulnt really resist. it was only 1099.98 so i didnt mind the extra 100 bucks. plus we have the whole 30 day warrenty/ price adjust. Also, we can come back and buy an extra 3 year warrenty. so here it is, our new TV.

oh, and incase you wanted to see our road trip for the day... well you wont be surpised that i had a migraine from all the travelling!







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first time for everything

I finally bought would probably officially make me a girly girl. Mind you, i have been shunning this contraption since my early teens. I mean, its scary looking, will probably hurt, and quite honestly, takes to much time and effort that i care to have. What is this crazy item am i talking about? Look below and gasp with me...

An Eyelash curler!!! honestly i don't know if i am even using it right.

But it was 1.99 (thank you Wet'n'Wild) and i though, what the hell. might as well try it, right? I also bought l'orel HIP eyeshadow, which i love. the color really pops out. And when you are pale, and trying to use pale colors, its pretty important to have your eyeshadow look like actual color, not just awkward skin pigmentation. or like you have a black eye. So... who's going to teach me how

to use this stuff? :)

New Recipe

So, I am not a domestic goddess at all. I am more like a domestic-princess-with-training-wheels. But, i have this weird desire to make believe that when it comes to company BBQ, I will pull out the best recipe there is. plain and simple. Eric's coworkers will bow to my makings. So, for April's BBQ this is what i made...

Red Current Cocktail Sausages
1 cup (12oz) of Red Current Jelly --- you pretty much have to go to the skankiest grocery store to find this. i went to bellevue's Safeway!
1 cup Dijon Mustard -- yum!
3/4 cup of brown sugar
1/4 cup of ketchup
4-16oz of cocktail sausages (you can replace this with kielbasa, hot dogs, etc)

In a crock pot (slow cooker) mix all ingredients and let simmer at least 2 hours before serving.

Now, since Eric works at 6am in the morning, i prepared it the night before, minus the weenies. i let it cook up a bit, hoping that it would start to glaze over - it didn't, but it still tasted awesome. However, i thought it was a bit to mustard-y. So, being the clever geniuses that I am, I added a secret ingredient. I can't tell you what it is (yet), but it made it a bit more spicy, in a pepper sort of way. In the end I added some onion powder (wishing I had an onion!) and black pepper. In 1 1/2 hours I will know how it went and have a picture for it as well... (picture updated!)

My whole family are excellent cooks - I can make chicken, deviled eggs, 7 layer dip, (and now) cocktail weenies like no body else. I am, the ultimate superbowl kitchen godess.