Crappy Companies and Indifferent Service

I've had three really crappy customer service experiences recently with some of Our Better Companies.

The first one was T-Mobile (which is a dreadful company) After a YEAR of bad reception, in which I paid my silly bill right on time, I called their Customer Service department, and was told my contract was up and that I could switch my service.

So I did.

Imagine my suprise when they sent me a bill for $225 for an "early termination fee". Once again I called T-Mobile, and was told that the contract "was legally binding" and that they essentially didn't care that they had lied to me. I asked to speak to a manager. They put me on hold for ten minutes before I hung up.

Then there's Marriott. I was down in Portland for the weekend a few weeks back, and had to stay an extra day because I was sick as a dog (with strep throat, no less) I called the front desk and told them what was going on, and they were gloriously indifferent to my plight. They grudgingly let me stay over an extra night, but moved me to a smoking room and charged me the same rate as they did for the much nicer room that I had been in. They didn't even offer to help me move my stuff, and made me come down to the desk to switch rooms! (I can only hope that I was able to give those unpleasent people strep as well)

In MY day, when I worked at Marriott (Minneapolis City Center), we were quite considerate of people in situations like that: We would have at least offered to give them a bowl of soup or something, and reduced the rate if we could swing it. But that Portland Marriott (the City Center) is a creepy hotel. Don't stay there unless you want to get strep throat.

Lastly, there was Dillards.

As you all know, my dad died in April. That, of course, is not Dillard's fault. But when my mom went in one of their stores to buy something, they told her that since Dad was dead, her card was no longer any good, and that she would have to reapply for credit.

Let me hasten to point out that there was no balance on the card (they always paid it off) and that they had had the card for at least ten years. Besides the fact that I found it pretty cold of them to handle it the way they did, it was weird how they knew he was dead. The funeral hadn't even happened yet. What sort of ghoulish people are they? Does Dillard's have a department that sits around and reads obitiuaries, looking for credit customers?

So I complained. Dillards told me that They aren't responsible for their credit card company and that I need to talk to them.

What sort of tacky companies are these?

Such a beautiful day!

It's a beautiful day here in Seattle: The birds are singing, the sun is shining, it's just the right amount of heat and humidity. Really a lovely day.

In other news, I'm trying to get my backyard fenced, but the quotes keep coming in too high. I'm actually considering chain link on the areas that you can't see from the street. I know it's tacky, but maybe I can grow stuff up against it?

I am at sixes and sevens about the Noguchi table. I should probably just sell it, but it really is cool. Obviously, I need a bigger house. It would be perfect for a game room. And I've certainly got enough games.

President Chimpy plays with the Soldiers/AOL Greatest American?

So Schmush talked in front of the soldiers tonight and tried to impress us with his knowledge of the war. Why is it that whenever that creepy little draft dodger wants to make a point he always has to have some soldiers with him?

At least this time he wasn't in military drag....


And just who was it that was stupid enough to vote RONALD REAGAN as the "Greatest American"? I know people who subscribe to AOL are generally dumber than the average person, but this seems weird even for them. I suspect the wingnuts and Christian freaks had a hand in this....

Ronald Reagan (may he burn in hell) was the WORST president ever. Until Shrub of course.

Major Score!

So last night I was out and about and decided to stop at a thrift store. I've been kind of down on thrift stores recently, because they seem to be getting pretty slim in the pickings. I blame this on eBay and the fact that all the old people who have the cool stuff are dying off.

So I wasn't expecting much of anything when I went into this store, but found one of the best scores I have found in many a day: A 42" Noguchi "Cyclone" table!



It's an "iconic" piece of mid-century highbrow, and it only set me back $100!!! They still make these, and they retail for $1400!!

Of course, I don't have a place to put it, but don't worry about it - I will find a place!

A Paul McCobb Credenza!

As regular readers to this website know, I have a Paul McCobb "planner group" dining room table (I actually have two of them: A drop leaf with a wooden top, and the controversial Formica topped one that I currently use.) I adore the McCobb look - it's clean and "natural" (well, maybe not the Formica part, but you get the idea) and just suits my sense of style well.

And now, because of that damn/wonderful eBay, I have a McCobb Planner Credenza on it's way! Here's a pic of a similar credenza - isn't it cool?



The poor thing has been living in a suburb of Flint, for goodness sake, for the last 50 years or so, and is now going to start a new life out west.

But the downside is that I now have to find a way to get it out of Flint. The old people I bought it from sold it to me cheap, but can't handle the moving part.

I'm hoping that I won't have to take a trip to Flint to get this thing, but one never knows. The only thing I know about Flint is what I saw on "Roger and Me" (Michael Moore's famously funny/sad film) and that didn't make me want travel there.

Oh, the things we do for furniture.....

God, conseravatives are dumb....

OK, I admit that that was a rather unfair blanket statement on my part. Some conservatives are just greedy.

So I went to a Mariner's game today. My first one at the new stadium, and I would be content for it to be my last. Baseball just isn't my thing.

While I was going there, I was approached by a jackass that wanted me to sign a petition for an initiative to repeal the recent hike in the gas tax.

This person is such a doofus. He voted for Bush, who cut the taxes on the ultra-rich, and then gutted the budget of everything but defense spending, hence the increase in the gas tax.

Here's a bald statement for those dumb conservatives out there:



It Takes Money To Run A Society Like The Society We Have Chosen To Have.

It has to come from somewhere, and since we don't tax the rich anymore, and don't make corporations pay their fair share, guess where it comes from.

Duh.

If 51% of this country is really that dumb, I don't know what's going to happen to us.

Velveeta Versus Falwell!

From this morning's "Planet Out" News.....

In his monthly National Liberty Journal, Falwell wrote, "Multiple millions of Americans who loyally purchase Kraft products have a right to express their opinion on the company's decision to link itself with the Gay Games. These people have a right to say, 'If Kraft insists on sponsoring the Gay Games, I will be compelled to seek alternative brands at the grocery store.'"

While the good Reverend has a right to express his opinion, and the mouth-breathers that regard that opinion have a right to follow him blindly, We can vote with our pocketbooks also.

Remember, if you dislike Kraft products, there are plenty of food pantries and homeless shelters out there who are happy to accept donations.

But again I ask you - what could be prettier than a Westinghouse Roaster full of delicious Kraft Macaroni 'n Cheese?

The Kids are All Right.....

It's got a good beat, and you can dance to it!

The Art of Pulling it out of your Ass: The O'Reilly Factor

You really have to hand it to Bill O'Reilly. I mean that.

He is so polished at lying. And he's so good at playing to the Angry Middle Aged White Failure guy. You know the type: He blames his every problem in his life on his wife, or Affirmative Action, or "the Mexicans", or something like that.

I had one of them in the house not long ago - he was putting a gas line in the kitchen, and I sat there and listened to him go on about how women in the workplace has made prices go up (????) I think perhaps he'd breathed in a bit too much natural gas. He also told me about he ordered prescription pain killers on the internet and used them every Friday night. A real neat person.

Or this fat smelly slob that I had dinner with on the train. He ate all the dinner rolls (spitting half of them out while he talked), and dominated the conversation about how global warming was a myth - supposedly what we are experiencing now is a result of "volcanic activity on the ocean floor".

Oh yes - and how he hated "the Mexicans".

That's who O'Reilly plays to - stupid failures. Stupid failures who believe ANYTHING and love to be angry. That's right up O'Reilly's alley.

But back to pulling things out your ass: O'Reilly was interviewing this woman who had done some studies that seemed to prove that Gay Marriage (or, more correctly, Civil Unions) have been a huge success in Sweden. O'Reilly cited "government studies" that proved that traditional marriage had completely collapsed following the legalization of Civil Unions in that country.

There was no study. O'Reilly totally made it up. Pulled it out of his ass, as it were.

You have to admire someone who is such a smooth liar. He didn't bat an eye, and when his statistics were questioned, he simply said that these were "government figures" and therefore "irrefutable". (This coming from the same man who would not hesitate to write off numbers from the Congressional Budge Office or any other government agency as "manipulated by bureaucrats". Or Liberals)

If nothing else, it's good to see someone who takes pride in his craft.

Just to prove that I'm not pulling this out of MY ass, here's the link to the transcript of O'Reilly and the gay marriag thing

I want to be a WHO?

As proof of our increasing stupidity as a nation, "I Want To Be A Hilton" premeires tonight on the National Broadcasting Company.

I don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to be a Hilton. They're rich all right, but they don't seem to be too bright. Plus their hotels are kind of mediocre (Although I admit an eduring fondness for the Palmer House, Waldorf-Astoria, and Beverly Hilton. Two of those hotels still have Trader Vics. Guess which ones.)

On the positive side, they are kind of a sleazy family - Any family that has Zsa Zsa Gabor and Elizabeth Taylor in it HAS to be a little fun-loving. But they also have Paris, who takes the fun out of sleazy and just makes it creepy.

But it WOULD be better to be a Hilton than a Marriott. The Marriott family is way too Republican for me, plus they are Mormon (Not that there's anything wrong with being a Mormon, I just wouldn't be a very good one. Although the underwear IS kind of sexy) And their hotels are across-the-board dreary. Except for the Ritz-Carltons, which I think they still own.

If I wanted to be in any hotel family, I would want to be a Pritzer. They are the people that own Hyatt. (At least I think they still own Hyatt. Look it up and get back to me, would you?)

Hyatts are freaky hotels. One of my favorite hotels in the world is the Embaradero Hyatt in San Francisco. It's the hotel that Gene Wilder stays in in "High Anxiety", and they also used it for some of the shots in "The Towering Inferno". They are also rumored to be heavily into sexual harrassment as a company (as if any hotel company isn't) and that can be a lot of fun. On occassion.

Miss Electric Chicken

I have two Westinghouse roasters. They are wonderful portable ovens that are essential for picnics, potlucks, family reunions, etc.

While the first one I got was fairly straight forward, the most recent one is just a gem of fabulousity. It has great Art Deco styling and an image of a woman that I have chosen to call "Miss Electric Chicken"


Isn't she marvelous? I just love Miss Electric Chicken!

In other news, I was out driving around over the weekend, and found a great old B&W Zenith television, complete with remote! It's the "Space Commander 300" and it looks marvelous in the Living Room. Pics will be forthcoming one of these days.

Remember the Evening News?

Despite all the kitsch and furniture I have, I am not a nostalgic person. I realize that the 1950’s and 60’s were not all a joyride in the Buick. Prejudice and sexism were rampant, polluters went unmolested (I love using that word) and a lot of social conventions and opinions were not what we would find acceptable these days – at least those of us who aren’t morons.

Plus, let’s face it – I’m not getting any younger, and who wants to be one of those weird, cranky, middle-aged men who grumble about the “good old days”?

I do admit that I think it would be nice if people dressed nicer, but that would mean that I’d have to dress nicer too, and I don’t want to do that. I wish that TV wouldn’t be so constantly vulgar and lowbrow, but then we’d be stuck with 150 channels all showing “The Waltons” and “Little House on the Prairie” All in all, it’s better these days.

But one thing I do miss, and unabashedly so, is real TV news.

The old news. The stuff that was on three channels that you got for 30 minutes. The boring middle-aged guy who droned on with minimum graphics and perhaps a film shot on location. The kind of news where they talked about world events: wars, treaties, medical and science news, you know the drill. If there was any editorial, it was always labeled EDITORIAL on the graphic. No mention of celebrities. No mention of sports (Unless it was something big, like the Stanley Cup). No mention of weird weather or cute kids or Virgin Mary’s appearing anywhere.

And the local news: Another somber 30 minutes with another middle-aged guy. Coverage of city council meetings and water department rate proposals. No talk about lurid crimes or car chases or sprightly old people or tiny tots. Minimal weather, minimal sports, Just news.

I have been thinking a lot about this because I get so tired of the crap that passes for news. I don’t know about you, but I don’t care that Tom Cruise proposed to somebody (on this morning’s new) or that there was a horrible fire in Philadelphia that killed four children (on yesterday’s news) or that the Runaway Bride even exists (the only news for about two weeks)

Even today’s pseudo news wouldn’t be that annoying if it weren’t for the cast of “journalists” that deliver it. Blonde, vapid, seemingly picked for how stupid they are, the women are enough to drive you crazy. And the men? Don’t even get me started on that bunch of himbos.

Even the role of the middle-aged man has morphed into Limbaugh, O’Reilly and Hannity. They aren’t journalists: They’re commentators, but no one understands the difference anymore. Their grim, fatalistic pronouncements and occasional sophomoric humor appeals only to the intensely stupid in our society.

So yes, if there is one thing I am nostalgic for in the “good old days” is the grown-ups: The Cronkites, Huntleys, Brinkleys, Murrows, etc that made watching the news make you feel like a grown up.

OK, something light....

I've been bitchy on my last couple of posts, which is not indicative of my overall mood. I'm actually giddy as a schoolgirl over some exciting developments that only a few of my entourage know about (they're probably the two readers of this blog, so let's keep it to ourselves, Mrs Doctor Meyer and Miss Stayformore)

One of the things I'm ready to talk about that I think will be news even to the two stately ladies is my Fabulous "new" NuTone Food Center!!!!



In my quest for the ultimate built-in push-button kitchen, I have installed one of these. It works like a dream, and is the last word in kitchen convenience - although the mixer is a little weird. But I'm sure I will get used to it.

And another thing: I am rediscovering Formica.

As a Social Icon and international trendsetter, I really appreciate the convenience and forgiveness of formica counters, tabletops, etc. Clean up is a breeze, and if you get tired of the look, you just pick a new one out!

The colonel and I recently disagreed over Formica when I went out and found a dining table with a Formica top, but I think he is coming around to my way of thinking. Since my social set includes a seven year old and 9 month old, it really is a wise choice - at least for now. Plus, when doing something "fancy", you're going to put a cloth on the table, right?

But it's Summer, and the emphasis is on the outdoors! Summer dining, Summer Loving, Summer Cocktails - and that means a Blender! And who wants to go into the kitchen (even a stylish, push-button kitchen) for a refreshing blended drink? So it's time for a Patio Blender!



This is a blender to end all blenders. It now only blends AND stirs, it can also heat things up! Perfect for those sauces and things you might need when barbecuing.

So see - life isn't all dead cats and hatred of Republicans. There's a new built-in kitchen center, Falling in love (again) with Formica, and a new blender for the Patio. PLUS, Special Summer Suprises! Things could be much worse.

Breaking News: I still hate Republicans

I know I go on about this way too much, but it really is a drag. Republicans are just a bore. They're petty, vindictive, regressive fuckers. They're like having a hostile retard that you have to constantly attend to, and pretend to care about. They drag their feet on anything progressive and are simply unable to take responsibility. Everything is always someone else's fault.

They're like those people who come to a party uninvited, talk too loud, drink half a beer and then throw up on your carpet.

Why am I so particularly worked up about this yet again?

Because of one of my favorite obsessions. Amtrak.

The US House of Representatives Appropriations committee voted to shut it down yesterday. That doesn't mean it will happen, but it's not a good sign.

I fully realize that if the Amtrak LD trains went away tomorrow, the world would go on. I'm not that nutty.

My problem with this is not about Amtrak per se - it's about how services to the citizens of this country are being cut or starved to death, but we are not seeing any compensation for that loss of service.

Our national parks are cash strapped. Our schools are starved and stuck with ridiculous, non-funded mandates. Our soldiers are lacking equipment and are paid poorly. Our Veteran's are dealing with an outdated health care system who's funding is being cut, even as we create more vets with needs. Our highway system is over burdened and beyond its life expectancy. Our Airline industry is on the brink of collapse. Many of our citizens lack health care, which means that the price of everyone's health care goes up to cover the emergency room treatment. Salaries are not rising to match inflation. People are mortgaging their futures with credit cards and interest-only home loans in a desperate effort to keep up with the Jones.

At the same time, corporations are not paying their fair share of taxes. Companies are free to loot our national resources. The Paris Hilton's of the world get a big fat tax cut, and my taxes? Despite the rumor of a cut, they've actually gone up - particularly when you count property tax. It takes money to run the society that we expect to have.

In short, we're a mess. So let's cut a miniscule government program that probably generates more economic activity across the nation than the cost of its subsidy, destroy the livelihood of probably 20,000 American taxpayers, limit the mobility options to millions of Americans, and flush 35 years of investment (meager investment, but still investment) down the tubes.

In the meantime, Americans are distracted by inanities like Michael Jackson and the Missing Girl of the Moment.

OK, just one more.....

It never rains, but it pours here at danlangdon.com

They released the autopsy info on Terri Schaivo today, and it proves everything I suspected. The girl was dead. Had been dead for a really long time - just the body remained, and that body was in sad shape. Multiple fractures from being in bed for a long time, etc.

Since the whole Schaivo thing happened, I went through the death of my dad. That was a rough, rough time for the entire family (My mom, my sister, My Uncle Bob and Aunt Marilyn, My Uncle Harry and Aunt Jean)

He was on a ventilator and feeding tube. The first couple of days he was concious and aware of us. He couldn't talk, but he could signal: squeeze your hand, wink an eye, etc.

After a few days, something happened. We're not sure what, maybe a stroke, but he wasn't there anymore. After a few more days, the time came to make decision, and we did. It wasn't even a decision really - we knew he was gone.

The doctors agreed. The parish priest agreed. The nun at the hospital in charge of "pastoral care" agreed. My sister's best friend, a Presbyterian Minister, agreed. So they took him off the ventilator, and we sat with him for the few minutes it took.

I bring all this up only because of this: When I think of what a shitty, shitty, time that was for us, tucked away in a hospital in a little town in Iowa, I can't even begin to think how terrible it was for the other families who were using that Schaivo hospice. For Terry Schaivo's family to have drawn out that inevitable outcome, to have allowed that macabre circus to form, to allow that fucking FOX news to turn into the sadistic crapfest it was, is beyond comprehension.

And for those supposedly "God-Fearing" politicians to attempt to score points on it is indicative of what is seriously fucked up about this country. It's one thing to say that you're "pro-life", but that was anything but.

I hope, gentle reader, that you never have to go through anything like that. But if you do, remember the horrific extended death of Terri Schaivo.

OK, I'll stop being a bummer now.

Alas, poor Clancy.......

We received some sad news over the weekend. Clancy is dead

Clancy was my cat in college. I got him from the Animal shelter in Iowa City. He was neutured and declawed on all four paws when I got him, so it wasn't my fault (but it sure was nice)

He was named Clancy by my roommate, Molly (the one on the left)

after a night of drinking.

I had him for several years. He moved from Iowa City to Minneapolis with me, and used to greet me at the end of the day with a bunch of meows. He was always a great meower.

When I moved to Seattle, I had a roommate who was allergic to cats, so I shipped Clancy off to my sister Mary in Omaha. Mary doted on him, which fulfilled a prophecy foretold by Andrea, the nurse.

Andrea was in her Tarot Card phase, and she did a reading for Clancy. The cards showed that he had had a terrible past (which I think was true) a stable present (somewhat true) but would have a long, serene life someplace else.

Of course, we were in a bar at the time (the Deadwood) and had undoubtedly consumed a fair amount of beverage, but the TAROT CARDS DON'T LIE.

Clancy was always a good, smart cat. Even at the end, when I last saw him (at my dad's funeral) he was quite a character. For instance, we had a bunch of family in one night, and we all had chicken. I took the garbage to the basement, but not to the garage. In the middle of the night, Clancy found the chicken and had something of an orgy. I found chicken in my bathtub. Mom found chicken in her shower. There was chicken by the washing machine. It gave us all a good laugh at a very sad time.

So RIP Clancy.

Oh, for Christ's Sake......(Literally?)

Those bible thumping religious freaks are now calling for a boycott of Kraft foods because of their commercial support of the Gay Games. (What do these people do with themselves all day so that they have time to plan things like this?)

"Oh dear" I can literally hear you saying, as you wring your hands and stare anxiously off into space "A Boycott. What can we possibly do?"

Well, here's what you can do. Whatever your "sexual preference" is, if you think this boycott is dumb, throw a neighborhood Kraft Party!!! It's Cheap, Cheerful, and perfect for those summer evenings!

Here's what you do:

* Get out your punch bowl. Fill it with your favorite lettuce blend. Offer a selection of fine Kraft Dressings (Italian, French and Ranch are always crowd pleasers)

* Break out your Westinghouse Roaster, and mix up a mess of Kraft Macaroni 'n Cheese

* Need some meat? How about a deli tray of delicious Oscar Meyer Products? you can wrap melon slices in bologna, spritz some spray-on cheese on slices of salami - the possibilities are ENDLESS!!!

* Want a little "pick-me-up"? How about some Jello Shots?

* For Desert, get out your preetiest platter or tidbit tray, and fill it with a selection of Nabisco Cookies (Nabisco is owned by Kraft)

* Make sure that you have a party perk full of piping hot Maxwell House Coffee and some Crystal Light for the little ones! And for those smokers, how 'bout a nice selection of Philip Morris products?

I realize that after eating a meal comprised entirely of Kraft products might cause some regret a few hours later, that's just temporary discomfort. Think of the psychic pain you can cause the religious freaks!!!

The Gay Games, by the way, are to be held in Chicago in the Summer of 2006.

Discuss amongst yourselves.....

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