Two Hundred Forty-Seventh Entry
I am back in Tulare from my luxurious conference in Palm Desert. It was fun hanging out with folks from work outside of work. I don't want to go to work tomorrow, but it is only half a day.
Amy is coming tomorrow and is going to make it all better. Awwwww....
7.29.2004
7.27.2004
Two Hundred Forty-Sixth Entry
I am in Palm Desert, California and having a good time.
I was informed yesterday at 8am that I needed to go home right away and pack for a three day conference that my boss, Marcia couldn't go to at the last minute. I was scrambling all over the place. I needed to: go to the bank, pay bills, take care of my grandma's meds, find someone to take care of my grandma's meds while I was out of town, pack, buy some last minute supplies for the three night stay and.....that's it.
We are staying at the Desert Springs Marriott in Palm Desert. It is sooooo nice. And cheap! Apparently summertime is the off-season and my awesome room costs $99 a night. I have a view of Palm Springs, the mountains behind it, the fake lake around the resort and the swimming pool. If only I had binoculars....hahaha.
About the conference...
It's called StormCon and it's all about storm water. Treatment, storage...you name it about storm water, it's here. Today was broken up into three lectures. The only one I didn't sleep a little in was the last one about "Bioretention for Stormwater Treatment". It was actually very interesting. We are thinking about doing a few bioretention basins in the county.
There are tons of vendors here with lots of cool toys. I got a squirt gun, mini beachball, golf tees and a tons of other stuff.
Tomorrow I only have two lectures because one of them got cancelled. I'm fine with that. The one that got cancelled was the last one of the day. I'm even finer with that.
The one sucky thing about it all is that it is frickin' 180 degrees outside. Blechh.
I am in Palm Desert, California and having a good time.
I was informed yesterday at 8am that I needed to go home right away and pack for a three day conference that my boss, Marcia couldn't go to at the last minute. I was scrambling all over the place. I needed to: go to the bank, pay bills, take care of my grandma's meds, find someone to take care of my grandma's meds while I was out of town, pack, buy some last minute supplies for the three night stay and.....that's it.
We are staying at the Desert Springs Marriott in Palm Desert. It is sooooo nice. And cheap! Apparently summertime is the off-season and my awesome room costs $99 a night. I have a view of Palm Springs, the mountains behind it, the fake lake around the resort and the swimming pool. If only I had binoculars....hahaha.
About the conference...
It's called StormCon and it's all about storm water. Treatment, storage...you name it about storm water, it's here. Today was broken up into three lectures. The only one I didn't sleep a little in was the last one about "Bioretention for Stormwater Treatment". It was actually very interesting. We are thinking about doing a few bioretention basins in the county.
There are tons of vendors here with lots of cool toys. I got a squirt gun, mini beachball, golf tees and a tons of other stuff.
Tomorrow I only have two lectures because one of them got cancelled. I'm fine with that. The one that got cancelled was the last one of the day. I'm even finer with that.
The one sucky thing about it all is that it is frickin' 180 degrees outside. Blechh.
7.25.2004
Two Hundred Forty-Fourth Entry
This weekend was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed having Hernani stay at my house. We visited a lot of family, and that's always fun. What I enjoyed the most was talking with him. He really is a very interesting person with even more interesting ideas. We were up until 5am yesterday sitting outside drinking Jager and Port just talking. I've never done that before. It was very fun.
It's unfortunate that only now I realize just how much I enjoy his company, as he prepares to leave the US to live in Portugal for one year.
This weekend was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed having Hernani stay at my house. We visited a lot of family, and that's always fun. What I enjoyed the most was talking with him. He really is a very interesting person with even more interesting ideas. We were up until 5am yesterday sitting outside drinking Jager and Port just talking. I've never done that before. It was very fun.
It's unfortunate that only now I realize just how much I enjoy his company, as he prepares to leave the US to live in Portugal for one year.
7.24.2004
Two Hundred Forty-Third Entry
Hernani is here in Tulare visiting. When he got here last night, we went to A&W for dinner. Well, he went for dinner and I went for my second dinner. There's always room for a Double Bacon Cheeseburger, fries and root beer float.
We watched "The Shining" last night. Very good, but very scary. Damn that Stanley Kubrick for making the best films ever.
Today, we are visiting family.
Cell phone odds:
- Verizon EVEN
- Nextel 2:1
- T-Mobile 6:1
- Sprint 60:1
Catherine Zeta-Jones is ruthless!
Hernani is here in Tulare visiting. When he got here last night, we went to A&W for dinner. Well, he went for dinner and I went for my second dinner. There's always room for a Double Bacon Cheeseburger, fries and root beer float.
We watched "The Shining" last night. Very good, but very scary. Damn that Stanley Kubrick for making the best films ever.
Today, we are visiting family.
Cell phone odds:
- Verizon EVEN
- Nextel 2:1
- T-Mobile 6:1
- Sprint 60:1
Catherine Zeta-Jones is ruthless!
7.22.2004
Two Hundred Forty-Second Entry
I forgot how much I enjoyed watching "Scrubs". There's a mini-marathon on NBC tonight. Very good.
Newbie's new movie, "Garden State", looks pretty interesting.
My quest for a new cell phone service has taken an interesting twist. Originally I was leaning towards Verizon, but Fred told me that if I get a Nextel, he can get me a major deal on a cell phone through his work. I may be bloop-blooping.
Current Odds:
- Verizon EVEN (Can you hear me now?)
- Nextel 3:2 (bloop-bloop)
- T-Mobile 9:1 (It's all Zeta-Jones' fault)
- Sprint 60:1 (It sucks, but it rounds out the top four possibilities)
It's getting interesting. The odds could change daily.
I forgot how much I enjoyed watching "Scrubs". There's a mini-marathon on NBC tonight. Very good.
Newbie's new movie, "Garden State", looks pretty interesting.
My quest for a new cell phone service has taken an interesting twist. Originally I was leaning towards Verizon, but Fred told me that if I get a Nextel, he can get me a major deal on a cell phone through his work. I may be bloop-blooping.
Current Odds:
- Verizon EVEN (Can you hear me now?)
- Nextel 3:2 (bloop-bloop)
- T-Mobile 9:1 (It's all Zeta-Jones' fault)
- Sprint 60:1 (It sucks, but it rounds out the top four possibilities)
It's getting interesting. The odds could change daily.
7.20.2004
Two Hundred Fortieth Entry
July 20, 2004
AT&T Wireless
P.O. Box 68055
Anaheim Hills, CA 92817-8055
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter to express my extreme dissatisfaction with AT&T Wireless.
I used to be an AT&T Wireless customer. In fact, until yesterday, I was a satisfied AT&T Wireless customer. But, as a result of a serious miscommunication by one of your Customer Care Representatives, I decided to cancel my wireless account with AT&T Wireless.
About a month and a half ago, I called you to learn about international calling rates. I was going to Portugal and wanted to know how much it would cost to use my cell phone over there. I was (mis)informed that if I paid an additional $3.99 a month, it would only cost $0.99 a minute to place calls on my AT&T Wireless cell phone. Knowing that I would be using my cell phone a lot in Portugal, I signed up for the $0.99 a minute/$3.99 a month international plan.
A couple of weeks ago, I received my statement and noticed that I was charged $1.29 a minute for calls I thought would cost $0.99 a minute. I called Customer Care yesterday to discuss the apparent overcharging and was frustrated that the representative couldn’t and wouldn’t do anything. She explained and insisted that the offer I had agreed to reduced the per minute charge to $1.29, and not to $0.99. I could not understand how one Customer Care Representative, a month and a half ago, could quote me one rate and another Customer Care Representative tell me that the rate was, in fact, higher. I thought, “if AT&T Wireless Customer Care Representatives don’t even quote the same rates, how can I expect to be treated well and fairly as a customer?” I decided, on the spot, to cancel my wireless service.
I am not asking that you credit my account the $84.60 that I was overcharged. I can’t ask for that because my mistake in all this was failing to get the $0.99 a minute/$3.99 a month deal in writing. What I am asking is that a lot more care is taken when Customer Care Representatives are talking to customers about “Special Offers” and “Good Deals”. It can’t benefit me now, but it would most certainly help you satisfy your millions of customers.
Sincerely,
Phillip Toste
Former Wireless #: **********
Former Account #: **********
Let me know what you think. Too harsh? Not harsh enough? Say Something!
July 20, 2004
AT&T Wireless
P.O. Box 68055
Anaheim Hills, CA 92817-8055
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter to express my extreme dissatisfaction with AT&T Wireless.
I used to be an AT&T Wireless customer. In fact, until yesterday, I was a satisfied AT&T Wireless customer. But, as a result of a serious miscommunication by one of your Customer Care Representatives, I decided to cancel my wireless account with AT&T Wireless.
About a month and a half ago, I called you to learn about international calling rates. I was going to Portugal and wanted to know how much it would cost to use my cell phone over there. I was (mis)informed that if I paid an additional $3.99 a month, it would only cost $0.99 a minute to place calls on my AT&T Wireless cell phone. Knowing that I would be using my cell phone a lot in Portugal, I signed up for the $0.99 a minute/$3.99 a month international plan.
A couple of weeks ago, I received my statement and noticed that I was charged $1.29 a minute for calls I thought would cost $0.99 a minute. I called Customer Care yesterday to discuss the apparent overcharging and was frustrated that the representative couldn’t and wouldn’t do anything. She explained and insisted that the offer I had agreed to reduced the per minute charge to $1.29, and not to $0.99. I could not understand how one Customer Care Representative, a month and a half ago, could quote me one rate and another Customer Care Representative tell me that the rate was, in fact, higher. I thought, “if AT&T Wireless Customer Care Representatives don’t even quote the same rates, how can I expect to be treated well and fairly as a customer?” I decided, on the spot, to cancel my wireless service.
I am not asking that you credit my account the $84.60 that I was overcharged. I can’t ask for that because my mistake in all this was failing to get the $0.99 a minute/$3.99 a month deal in writing. What I am asking is that a lot more care is taken when Customer Care Representatives are talking to customers about “Special Offers” and “Good Deals”. It can’t benefit me now, but it would most certainly help you satisfy your millions of customers.
Sincerely,
Phillip Toste
Former Wireless #: **********
Former Account #: **********
Let me know what you think. Too harsh? Not harsh enough? Say Something!
Two Hundred Thirty-Ninth Entry
Any suggestions for wireless service? Use the comments link below.
I found some killer phones on the net yesterday, but you have to live in Europe or Asia to get them. Some of them "will be offered in the USA later this year." Yeah, I won't hold my breath. Check out the Nokia 7600 and 7610. They are pretty cool. So is the SonyEricsson P900.
Any suggestions for wireless service? Use the comments link below.
I found some killer phones on the net yesterday, but you have to live in Europe or Asia to get them. Some of them "will be offered in the USA later this year." Yeah, I won't hold my breath. Check out the Nokia 7600 and 7610. They are pretty cool. So is the SonyEricsson P900.
7.19.2004
Two Hundred Thirty-Eighth Entry
Today officially begins my "War on AT&T Wireless".
Rewind
Before I left for Portugal, I called AT&T Wireless and asked them for the discounted international calling plan. They promised me $.99 a minute for calls placed while in Portugal, for $3.99 a month. Fine.
Fast-Forward
Well, $440 later, I find out that I was charged $1.29 a minute for all the calls I placed in Portugal. Goddammit!
I called Customer Care earlier and told them of the discrepancy on the bill. It quickly became a matter of he said/she said, with me saying I was promised $.99 a minute and the lady saying that I was promised $1.29 a minute. She "checked the computer" and "found out" that the "regular rate" for calls from Portugal on an AT&T Wireless phone is $2.91. Obviously a lie. There is no way it could cost that much.
Accepting defeat really sucks, but after being on the phone for 15 minutes, it gets easier. Realizing that I was having smoke blown up my ass, I angrily requested to cancel my cell service with AT&T.
Oooo, it's on.
Today officially begins my "War on AT&T Wireless".
Rewind
Before I left for Portugal, I called AT&T Wireless and asked them for the discounted international calling plan. They promised me $.99 a minute for calls placed while in Portugal, for $3.99 a month. Fine.
Fast-Forward
Well, $440 later, I find out that I was charged $1.29 a minute for all the calls I placed in Portugal. Goddammit!
I called Customer Care earlier and told them of the discrepancy on the bill. It quickly became a matter of he said/she said, with me saying I was promised $.99 a minute and the lady saying that I was promised $1.29 a minute. She "checked the computer" and "found out" that the "regular rate" for calls from Portugal on an AT&T Wireless phone is $2.91. Obviously a lie. There is no way it could cost that much.
Accepting defeat really sucks, but after being on the phone for 15 minutes, it gets easier. Realizing that I was having smoke blown up my ass, I angrily requested to cancel my cell service with AT&T.
Oooo, it's on.
7.18.2004
Two Hundred Thirty-Seventh Entry
The one thing I've been most worried about concerning my blog happened to Jen this weekend. Her blog was found by someone who wasn't privy to it. Her thoughts that were meant for only a few close friends to read, were read by someone who doesn't understand the circumstances under which some blogs are written.
Blog entries tend to be thoughts and feelings that are occuring at the moment they are written, but not necessarily thoughts and feelings that are permanent or lasting.
It is an unfortunate situation.
The one thing I've been most worried about concerning my blog happened to Jen this weekend. Her blog was found by someone who wasn't privy to it. Her thoughts that were meant for only a few close friends to read, were read by someone who doesn't understand the circumstances under which some blogs are written.
Blog entries tend to be thoughts and feelings that are occuring at the moment they are written, but not necessarily thoughts and feelings that are permanent or lasting.
It is an unfortunate situation.
7.14.2004
7.12.2004
Two Hundred Thirty-Fifth Entry
I am free.
I can go back to my normal life.
After this coming weekend, I have no plans to visit the Bay Area for at least the next four weeks.
It's hotter than hell here, but at least I have air-con and won't have to suffer the heat in my truck driving back and forth to the Bay Area.
-----
The last month was extremely busy, extremely nerve-wracking, but extremely fun. Would I ever let myself get this busy again? Never.
-----
First was Las Vegas.
Louis and I stayed at the Paris Resort and Casino. I recommend it to everyone. It is a bit pricey(aren't they all?) but the decor and ambiance of the hotel is absolutely, hands down the best in Vegas. The buffet is awesome too. Loved it, loved it, loved it.
We hit most of the casinos on the strip. After Paris, my favorites were Bellagio and Venetian.
We watched the Wayne Brady show at the Mirage. It was hilarious!! It was just like watching "Who's Line" but just Wayne Brady. Very funny.
McDonalds was had by all at least 3 times that I can remember. We also developed a technique for getting free drinks at the casinos. We would sit at the nickel slots, wait for a DSB(Drink Service Bitch) to show up, start throwing nickels in, and order our free drinks. When our drinks came, we would throw another nickel in and then take off to another part of the casino or another casino altogether.
It was a lot of fun. There were a lot of interesting conversations between Louis and I, some of which I am not at liberty to discuss. Just Kidding.
-----
Then there was Portugal.
That was tons and tons of fun. I didn't want to leave. I want to go back next year. And then the year after that. My family is the same as ever which is good to see. It was just really great to see everything and watch my parents get really excited about showing us everything.
The festival was also great, even though the locals said it was one of the worst ones in recent memory. It didn't help that it rained and was cold most of the time I was there. But, I did get to see Simple Minds play(Breakfast Club song), and The Wailers(Bob Marley's band). There was also a DJ on the first night of the festival and my cousins took full advantage of the cheap beer and good music and got up on stage and did some very "interesting" dancing. It was awesome.
One night after the festival we went to "Wolf". A very cool night club where there's a DJ and lots of interesting liquor, including Absinthe(no, I did not partake.)
I ate so much good food throughout the vacation. I didn't eat anything I didn't like...except for octopus. Blechh.
My culture is something that I was never really too proud of. It's kind of just always there. But after this trip, I realized just how proud I am that I come from such a different culture and way of living.
-----
And then there was the Bachelor Party.
I got back from Portugal and had to be back at work the following day. Then I had to come back that weekend for the Bachelor Party.
In keeping with Louis' requirements, I had no stripper at the party. Noone seemed to mind. Every once in a while Rouja, Jesse or Bernice would walk through and that was about enough. Tons of food. Way too much alcohol. A lot of fun. Louis won $21.
We were attacked by the Bachelorette Party that night too.
Lamar had an idea that we play "Truth of Dare". I must admit, at first I was skeptical, but I enjoyed it. Anyway, just as we were about to end the game and go back inside, the girls drove by and threw TP and condoms and a bra and panties at us. They were planning to TP the house. I don't know why, but they were. Although they were unsuccessful, Louis spearheaded an effort to get back at the girls. He was really wanting to go, but the ideas were getting a little out of control so I had to stifle the revenge talk.
We got ours though. I placed a phone call to Jen warning her of what was to come. Apparently they spent a long time camped out in front of the windows waiting for our attack. Hahaha.
-----
Yesterday was the wedding of the century.
All the planning, stressing, worrying that went into the wedding paid off. The wedding went off without a hitch. It was emotional, beautiful and fun. I'm honored to have been a part of it. 'Nuff said.
-----
Future plans are fairly normal, sort of. By August I really want to start studying for my PE exam. I am only going to take the fucker once. At least I hope I only have to take it once.
Then there are plans for a second job perhaps. We'll see how my August promotion goes.
Also, by the end of September, I hope to be a Dual Citizen(USA and Portugal). An EU passport is a very good thing to have. So might as well.
-----
Going to bed now, good night.
I am free.
I can go back to my normal life.
After this coming weekend, I have no plans to visit the Bay Area for at least the next four weeks.
It's hotter than hell here, but at least I have air-con and won't have to suffer the heat in my truck driving back and forth to the Bay Area.
-----
The last month was extremely busy, extremely nerve-wracking, but extremely fun. Would I ever let myself get this busy again? Never.
-----
First was Las Vegas.
Louis and I stayed at the Paris Resort and Casino. I recommend it to everyone. It is a bit pricey(aren't they all?) but the decor and ambiance of the hotel is absolutely, hands down the best in Vegas. The buffet is awesome too. Loved it, loved it, loved it.
We hit most of the casinos on the strip. After Paris, my favorites were Bellagio and Venetian.
We watched the Wayne Brady show at the Mirage. It was hilarious!! It was just like watching "Who's Line" but just Wayne Brady. Very funny.
McDonalds was had by all at least 3 times that I can remember. We also developed a technique for getting free drinks at the casinos. We would sit at the nickel slots, wait for a DSB(Drink Service Bitch) to show up, start throwing nickels in, and order our free drinks. When our drinks came, we would throw another nickel in and then take off to another part of the casino or another casino altogether.
It was a lot of fun. There were a lot of interesting conversations between Louis and I, some of which I am not at liberty to discuss. Just Kidding.
-----
Then there was Portugal.
That was tons and tons of fun. I didn't want to leave. I want to go back next year. And then the year after that. My family is the same as ever which is good to see. It was just really great to see everything and watch my parents get really excited about showing us everything.
The festival was also great, even though the locals said it was one of the worst ones in recent memory. It didn't help that it rained and was cold most of the time I was there. But, I did get to see Simple Minds play(Breakfast Club song), and The Wailers(Bob Marley's band). There was also a DJ on the first night of the festival and my cousins took full advantage of the cheap beer and good music and got up on stage and did some very "interesting" dancing. It was awesome.
One night after the festival we went to "Wolf". A very cool night club where there's a DJ and lots of interesting liquor, including Absinthe(no, I did not partake.)
I ate so much good food throughout the vacation. I didn't eat anything I didn't like...except for octopus. Blechh.
My culture is something that I was never really too proud of. It's kind of just always there. But after this trip, I realized just how proud I am that I come from such a different culture and way of living.
-----
And then there was the Bachelor Party.
I got back from Portugal and had to be back at work the following day. Then I had to come back that weekend for the Bachelor Party.
In keeping with Louis' requirements, I had no stripper at the party. Noone seemed to mind. Every once in a while Rouja, Jesse or Bernice would walk through and that was about enough. Tons of food. Way too much alcohol. A lot of fun. Louis won $21.
We were attacked by the Bachelorette Party that night too.
Lamar had an idea that we play "Truth of Dare". I must admit, at first I was skeptical, but I enjoyed it. Anyway, just as we were about to end the game and go back inside, the girls drove by and threw TP and condoms and a bra and panties at us. They were planning to TP the house. I don't know why, but they were. Although they were unsuccessful, Louis spearheaded an effort to get back at the girls. He was really wanting to go, but the ideas were getting a little out of control so I had to stifle the revenge talk.
We got ours though. I placed a phone call to Jen warning her of what was to come. Apparently they spent a long time camped out in front of the windows waiting for our attack. Hahaha.
-----
Yesterday was the wedding of the century.
All the planning, stressing, worrying that went into the wedding paid off. The wedding went off without a hitch. It was emotional, beautiful and fun. I'm honored to have been a part of it. 'Nuff said.
-----
Future plans are fairly normal, sort of. By August I really want to start studying for my PE exam. I am only going to take the fucker once. At least I hope I only have to take it once.
Then there are plans for a second job perhaps. We'll see how my August promotion goes.
Also, by the end of September, I hope to be a Dual Citizen(USA and Portugal). An EU passport is a very good thing to have. So might as well.
-----
Going to bed now, good night.
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