My sister apparently is experiencing Asthma for the first time in her life. She has shortness of breath, and is breathing very shallowly. I remember her not understanding the concern for my health and feeling that I must be faking, in order to get what I wanted. About 8 years ago, I finally turned to her and said, "You know what I truly wanted as a kid? To be able to be outdoors all the time, and play in the neighborhood." She threw me a puzzled look of dawning realization. "Oh? I could do that, but all I wanted was to be left alone to read." I just replied, "Well, maybe neither of us got what we wanted."
She was never sympathetic while we were growing up. I don't think she is now. But I do hope she understands that no, I wasn't faking all those years just to get Mom and Dad's attention - that in fact, I was horrified to have this unwarranted, undeserved attention.
I was never sympathetic towards her attitude about heat. I was always cold, so how could I understand what heat was like to her. She was always hot.
I have been experiencing hot flashes, and in combination with driving under a hot sun, then waiting... well, let's just say Bratworse has every right to be mifffed at me right now. I lose my cool, so to speak. I am irritated beyond belief that there is no relief from the inescapable heat that threatens to sizzle my skin from the muscles on out. I feel the flush in my cheeks and experience the sweat pouring down my back, and sense my temper straining at the gates, looking for a target to rub on, to rub itself raw of this heat.
I have a lot of empathy towards my sister now for when she had to suffer because my asthma couldn't deal with sleeping in an air-conditioned room. I understand now, why she snaps so quickly at perceived jabs.
What was that about Turnabout? Hopefully my sister will come out all this okay, sans asthma. I hope this shortness of breath is a temporary thing, just there to instill insight and that's all. I hope my inability to control my temper due to hot flashes will pass and I will regain control over the beast. Maybe turnabout isn't the best thing.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Writing
I should've written my novel when I was young and arrogant and foolish.
I should've written my novel when I thought I knew how the world worked and I understood the evil that lurked in people's hearts.
I should've written my novel when I had the audacity.
In some ways, the Bush Administration (yes, I know... WTF? But hang in there with me, it'll tie in) has shaken me beyond belief, rattled my self-confidence in so many ways that whenever I start writing fiction, I question whether I can capture that je ne sais quoi factor that has so mystified me these past few years.
When Clinton was elected in 1993, there was a hope kindling in me that compassion towards your neighbor would once again be the hallmark of what makes an American. When Aaron Sorkin came out with the TV series, The West Wing in 1998 five years later, I felt that hope growing.
Not only was the series basically a fantasy of an ideal Clinton Administration, it was intelligent, compassionate AND popular! Yes, hope was in full bloom inside me.
And then... and then... America went and voted for this imbecile, George W. Bush.
My reaction was EXACTLY the same as my reaction to the re-hiring of Jeff George. WTF?!?
You see, I'd become a somewhat political junkie during the Clinton years and so I'd been keeping up with Time and Newsweek. And I knew that in the Bush family, the one being groomed for the Presidency, was Jeb, not Dubya. Dubya was the most charmiing of the fuck-ups, but fuck-up he was. Out of the four Bush brothers, Jeb was the shining star.
And yet, because Jeb wanted more experience at GOVERNING, he decided not to run in 2000. For some strange reason, McCain scared the Republican establishment. But with so much momentum behind McCain, only someone that had "name" quality could knock off McCain? So the Texas Republicans all stroked Dubya's ego and got him to throw in his hat.
Hardly anyone remembers this anymore. Hardly anyone remembers that when GWB's name was first floated in, the CW snickered collectively.
Surely the American public could see through this... I thought.
But those of us in the sane world, we didn't understand the indignation and ruthlessness of the ones who lost in the last two elections to Clinton. We saner people saw those events for what they were, elections in which the people dictated their will. Apparently, those who lost, saw defeat and humiliation. We apparently forced them to take this cool, jazz saxophone playing, pot-not-inhaling, womanizer as their president.
Well! If they had to accept Clinton, well then we had to accept this drinkin', cussin', good ol' boy Texan Oil Man who actually OWNED a team that was America's favorite past time. Every time we pointed out this man-child cheated, or was a bully, or a liar, or was illiterate, all we did was add to his cache.
The first time Bush was elected, I thought okay, they cheated to get their man in there - (Are you enjoying Karma, Katherine Harris?). But nothing too bad could happen, right?
I never expected America to collectively shit in its pants.
I never expected that America would EVER EVER EVER start a war pre-emptively. PERIOD. I was going to add, without cause, or without just cause... but then I realized, no. I NEVER thought America would publicly start a war pre-emptively. Oh yes, I didn't it put it past the CIA and U.S. government to start clandestine wars, but for the public to cry out for blood in Iraq?
I wonder if I can ever get my mind behind what's happened to America this past decade. I see pictures of Katrina's devastation and reminders of my government's abandonment of the poor whilst creating more and more poor with their destructive policies, and people STILL voting for them.
I just don't get it... and if I don't get it, how will I ever write fiction in a way that's true?
*sigh* I should've written my novel before 2000.
I should've written my novel when I thought I knew how the world worked and I understood the evil that lurked in people's hearts.
I should've written my novel when I had the audacity.
In some ways, the Bush Administration (yes, I know... WTF? But hang in there with me, it'll tie in) has shaken me beyond belief, rattled my self-confidence in so many ways that whenever I start writing fiction, I question whether I can capture that je ne sais quoi factor that has so mystified me these past few years.
When Clinton was elected in 1993, there was a hope kindling in me that compassion towards your neighbor would once again be the hallmark of what makes an American. When Aaron Sorkin came out with the TV series, The West Wing in 1998 five years later, I felt that hope growing.
Not only was the series basically a fantasy of an ideal Clinton Administration, it was intelligent, compassionate AND popular! Yes, hope was in full bloom inside me.
And then... and then... America went and voted for this imbecile, George W. Bush.
My reaction was EXACTLY the same as my reaction to the re-hiring of Jeff George. WTF?!?
You see, I'd become a somewhat political junkie during the Clinton years and so I'd been keeping up with Time and Newsweek. And I knew that in the Bush family, the one being groomed for the Presidency, was Jeb, not Dubya. Dubya was the most charmiing of the fuck-ups, but fuck-up he was. Out of the four Bush brothers, Jeb was the shining star.
And yet, because Jeb wanted more experience at GOVERNING, he decided not to run in 2000. For some strange reason, McCain scared the Republican establishment. But with so much momentum behind McCain, only someone that had "name" quality could knock off McCain? So the Texas Republicans all stroked Dubya's ego and got him to throw in his hat.
Hardly anyone remembers this anymore. Hardly anyone remembers that when GWB's name was first floated in, the CW snickered collectively.
Surely the American public could see through this... I thought.
But those of us in the sane world, we didn't understand the indignation and ruthlessness of the ones who lost in the last two elections to Clinton. We saner people saw those events for what they were, elections in which the people dictated their will. Apparently, those who lost, saw defeat and humiliation. We apparently forced them to take this cool, jazz saxophone playing, pot-not-inhaling, womanizer as their president.
Well! If they had to accept Clinton, well then we had to accept this drinkin', cussin', good ol' boy Texan Oil Man who actually OWNED a team that was America's favorite past time. Every time we pointed out this man-child cheated, or was a bully, or a liar, or was illiterate, all we did was add to his cache.
The first time Bush was elected, I thought okay, they cheated to get their man in there - (Are you enjoying Karma, Katherine Harris?). But nothing too bad could happen, right?
I never expected America to collectively shit in its pants.
I never expected that America would EVER EVER EVER start a war pre-emptively. PERIOD. I was going to add, without cause, or without just cause... but then I realized, no. I NEVER thought America would publicly start a war pre-emptively. Oh yes, I didn't it put it past the CIA and U.S. government to start clandestine wars, but for the public to cry out for blood in Iraq?
I wonder if I can ever get my mind behind what's happened to America this past decade. I see pictures of Katrina's devastation and reminders of my government's abandonment of the poor whilst creating more and more poor with their destructive policies, and people STILL voting for them.
I just don't get it... and if I don't get it, how will I ever write fiction in a way that's true?
*sigh* I should've written my novel before 2000.
In Laws
So, sugarmeesweettt is visiting us for a little while. It's weird having an in-law, much less an in-law who is the same age as you. We're getting along fine which is always a good thing when in-laws intermingle. I seriously doubt that if the reverse was true, Bratworse would fare well with my mother.
Speaking of in-laws, I actually feel bad for my brother-in-law right now. My sister managed to get a nasty infection which spread to her innards, and had to have an ovary removed this past weekend. So my mother is over there freaking out about my sister, reluctant to leave my sister's side because that is her daughter. In the meantime, they have to pay for a baby-sitter to take care of my little niece and nephew.
"But Mom," I said hesitantly. "Sis is going to be out of commission for 8 weeks, Bro-in-law took this whole week off, don't you think they're worried about money?"
"Hmph! My daughter is sick, who worries about money?"
Of course, her next sentence was about her lack of money.
Sometimes, you just have to shake your head and say, "That's my family."
BTW, sugarmeesweettt, that was a short way of saying, welcome to the Cholotto family.
Speaking of in-laws, I actually feel bad for my brother-in-law right now. My sister managed to get a nasty infection which spread to her innards, and had to have an ovary removed this past weekend. So my mother is over there freaking out about my sister, reluctant to leave my sister's side because that is her daughter. In the meantime, they have to pay for a baby-sitter to take care of my little niece and nephew.
"But Mom," I said hesitantly. "Sis is going to be out of commission for 8 weeks, Bro-in-law took this whole week off, don't you think they're worried about money?"
"Hmph! My daughter is sick, who worries about money?"
Of course, her next sentence was about her lack of money.
Sometimes, you just have to shake your head and say, "That's my family."
BTW, sugarmeesweettt, that was a short way of saying, welcome to the Cholotto family.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Nooooooooooooo! Tell Me It Ain't So!
*repeatedly bangs head on the desk*
I thought nothing could dampen my spirits about the Oakland Raiders.
I thought nothing could douse out this spark of hope that's ignited in my heart since the last two games where we had an effective offense and defense.
But somehow, the Raiders did.
Today, they signed Jeff George. No wait, let me give him the full title I've annointed him since those not so halcyon days when he started for the Oakland Raiders - the arrogant, blames EVERYONE ELSE but himself, full of pretensions about his own talent Jeff George.
The best day in my life as an Oakland Raider fan was seeing Jeff George get the boot and Rich Gannon get the nod.
I hated the way Jeff George would blame Tim Brown or Tyrone Wheatley for the muffed plays. I have never detested a man in football as much as I detest this man. He never played for the Raiders, only himself.
I thought nothing could dampen my spirits about the Oakland Raiders.
I thought nothing could douse out this spark of hope that's ignited in my heart since the last two games where we had an effective offense and defense.
But somehow, the Raiders did.
Today, they signed Jeff George. No wait, let me give him the full title I've annointed him since those not so halcyon days when he started for the Oakland Raiders - the arrogant, blames EVERYONE ELSE but himself, full of pretensions about his own talent Jeff George.
The best day in my life as an Oakland Raider fan was seeing Jeff George get the boot and Rich Gannon get the nod.
I hated the way Jeff George would blame Tim Brown or Tyrone Wheatley for the muffed plays. I have never detested a man in football as much as I detest this man. He never played for the Raiders, only himself.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Conservative Families
The inimitable Digby, based on a post by Echidne, posed an interesting question.
Do liberals come from conservative families?
(This was based on an article by a conservative professor who claimed that because liberals tend not to bring too many children into the world, and conservatives breed like rabbits ok, my interpretation but that was the gist of it that conservatives will outnumber the liberals in a few decades - and yes, Echidne called the article for what it was - a product of someone's anus.)
I know that both my sister and I are liberals, me much more than her. As for my mother, thank goodness she doesn't vote, cause she'd have cancelled out one of ours for sure. Although she hates Bush Jr., she loved loved loved Reagan, Nixon, (Nixon opened the door to China, making it possible for my paternal grandmother to finally meet me and my sister and her great grandson.) Pete Wilson (UGH!). She did like Clinton though and though she hates Bush, she believes that there is a war on Christianity (she insisted on saying Merry Christmas to all, thinking it would make others discomforted).
As for my father, the only real thing I knew of his politics (he was a citizen of Singapore and lived in Mainland China, therefore I never really engaged him in talks about politics; also, when he was alive, I was more interested in movie stars than tracking politics) was one time, I asked him what he thought of unions. My sister's union was on strike, and she was really worried about money coming in.
My father's terse reply? "I'm management."
I never asked him about unions after that.
Do liberals come from conservative families?
(This was based on an article by a conservative professor who claimed that because liberals tend not to bring too many children into the world, and conservatives breed like rabbits ok, my interpretation but that was the gist of it that conservatives will outnumber the liberals in a few decades - and yes, Echidne called the article for what it was - a product of someone's anus.)
I know that both my sister and I are liberals, me much more than her. As for my mother, thank goodness she doesn't vote, cause she'd have cancelled out one of ours for sure. Although she hates Bush Jr., she loved loved loved Reagan, Nixon, (Nixon opened the door to China, making it possible for my paternal grandmother to finally meet me and my sister and her great grandson.) Pete Wilson (UGH!). She did like Clinton though and though she hates Bush, she believes that there is a war on Christianity (she insisted on saying Merry Christmas to all, thinking it would make others discomforted).
As for my father, the only real thing I knew of his politics (he was a citizen of Singapore and lived in Mainland China, therefore I never really engaged him in talks about politics; also, when he was alive, I was more interested in movie stars than tracking politics) was one time, I asked him what he thought of unions. My sister's union was on strike, and she was really worried about money coming in.
My father's terse reply? "I'm management."
I never asked him about unions after that.
Loopy
I got put on a prednisone taper yesterday and today I started the regiment. Prior to prescribing the medicine, my doctor warned me that I would feel "weird."
I took the first four this morning with half a pop tart (I hate breakfast but I have to take this medication with food). And now, half an hour later, I'm feeling the first effects.
The first word that jumps to my mind is "loopy".
My co-worker turned to me and said, "feels like ingesting some 'brownies' eh?" I nodded. Yup, that's exactly what this feels like... ingested "special" brownies.
This should be an interesting next 8 days.
Monday, August 21, 2006
The Spark of Hope Kindling
At the end of the first quarter of the exhibition game between S.F. 49'ers and the Oakland Raiders yesterday, August 20, 2006, I turned to Bratworse and said, "You just heard the sound of hope kindling in the hearts of Raider Nation everywhere."
For the past two weeks, every Raider fan I spoke with, spoke with a dejectedness that only comes with watching our beloved Raiders play fairly abysmally and being afraid to get our hopes up because of the past three seasons. Before pre-season, people were hedging their bets saying, well, we'll be doing good if we get a 50/50 season.
But yesterday, the Raiders put on a show that showed that 1) our QB DOES have a shot at being decent, unlike our last QB; 2) our O-Line has a shot of protecting our QB and even if it does break down, our QB won't just stand there; 3) our Defense is becoming better than good; and lastly 4) the Raiders can play with a minimum of penalties!
YAY!
Around the 3rd quarter, a familiar chant rose from the TV - "Raiiiiiiiii-Ders!" This is the warcry that gets the blood pumping when you go in person to a game. When thousands surrounding you all start chanting the same war-cry and the railings are reverberating with the resonance of the chant, the feeling of bouyancy and jubilation is over-whelming.
The chant told me that it wasn't just me that watched the performance critically and found it pleasing. Hope is kindling in the hearts of Raider Nation.
Thank you, Art Shell. Thank you, Aaron Brooks. Thank you, Raiders O-Line and Defense. And everyone else who made a contribution yesterday. So, Jerry Porter, are you over your tantrum yet?
Monday, August 14, 2006
Names, I'm Naming Names
Dan has been the guy at the Apple store that's helped us out the most. I don't blame Dan for any of our problems, he first had Bratworse go through the ordering process at the Apple store (even though you cannot purchase made-to-order computers there) because I'm betting that he honestly thought that he COULD sell custom machines there.
Wasn't his fault Apple changed the in-store policies right before the machines were launched or were readily available at stores.
Colin was the tech guy I had yelled at. I must say, his composure at being yelled at was quite good. AND he did move our computer up so that it was ready by 10 am this morning as I'm sure he knew I was quite serious about calling every day for a status report. So kudos to Colin the tech guy.
However Tony, the manager there. He acted as if it wasn't possible for him to make an exception for our case. If I make an exception for you, I'd have to make an exception for everyone. Well Tony, you have a 20 YEAR CUSTOMER of Apple's thinking that maybe I should go to a Linux based machine. One thing I LOVED about Apple was it never made you regret buying or not buying the latest greatest, meaning it looked after new AND old users.
Well, I finally feel like Apple cares for nothing but the bottom line. Nice going Tony.
Apple seems like it would rather court the user of low expectations (the PC user) than satiate the standards of high expectations (old Mac users).
I am so sorry I spent all that saliva over 20 years, convincing many to switch to Macs. All I did was help lower expectations for us, the discriminatory users. Irony, thy other name is Life.
Wasn't his fault Apple changed the in-store policies right before the machines were launched or were readily available at stores.
Colin was the tech guy I had yelled at. I must say, his composure at being yelled at was quite good. AND he did move our computer up so that it was ready by 10 am this morning as I'm sure he knew I was quite serious about calling every day for a status report. So kudos to Colin the tech guy.
However Tony, the manager there. He acted as if it wasn't possible for him to make an exception for our case. If I make an exception for you, I'd have to make an exception for everyone. Well Tony, you have a 20 YEAR CUSTOMER of Apple's thinking that maybe I should go to a Linux based machine. One thing I LOVED about Apple was it never made you regret buying or not buying the latest greatest, meaning it looked after new AND old users.
Well, I finally feel like Apple cares for nothing but the bottom line. Nice going Tony.
Apple seems like it would rather court the user of low expectations (the PC user) than satiate the standards of high expectations (old Mac users).
I am so sorry I spent all that saliva over 20 years, convincing many to switch to Macs. All I did was help lower expectations for us, the discriminatory users. Irony, thy other name is Life.
Pissed part 2
Update: Well, we got the MacBook Pro back and it seems to be working. However, we got nothing more from Apple regarding our inconvenience. Congratulations, Apple. I cannot wholeheartedly recommend you to anybody from now on, given our treatment and that of our friends. You lost a 25 YEAR + advocate. Nicely done, Apple. Windows couldn't have asked for a better response from you all.
Original post which will be going daily from now on so the whole world can see:
I am so unbelievably pissed, it's unreal.
The stupid thing, I'm pissed that Apple has made me out to be a fool.
Bratworse bought a MacBook Pro when they first came out. Sure enough, she was happy as a lark until, our wireless started dropping it... but not only was it dropping it, the wireless was dropping the PC (Gateway) too. Just my trusty little iBook G4 kept trudging.
And then one morning, she woke up to the apple symbol with a big red circle and slash through it. We brought it in the Mac Store. Ah, but the hard drive is still there, just reload the system says the tech. So we did that; as a result, it started running slowly. And a few weeks later, there was a clicking sound from the left side of the laptop. And a blank screen.
Bratworse is LIVID! She's thinking (rightly so, given this experience) what, I gave up PCs for this?
And me? I'm the one who recommended this piece of shite. How the hell do you think I feel?
I have been a loyal Mac customer since Mac Plus days. I've owned a Mac Plus, an SE (had an external hard drive), an LC, a Power Computing PowerPC, an iMac (Lime Green) and now am so happy with my little iBook G4.
This is the thanks I get for convincing a PC user to a Mac?
We take the computer into the Apple store, and they tell us 10-12 days because the hard drive died. Today is the 14th day. And is it close to being done? No. Applecare tells her it'll be another week. She and I fight (because I'M STUPIDLY DEFENDING APPLE and I'm taking it personally that this beautiful piece of equipment that I would give an eye and my left breast for, Bratworse is calling a piece of shite).
So I get in the car, and drive over to Apple, and give them a piece of my mind. Colin, the tech guy, is trying to be reasonable with me, but I'm seeing red. How dare Apple make me look like a fool! After DECADES of loyal service as well as ACTIVELY pushing the Mac platform on PC users, they are doing this?
We don't have a promise of tomorrow. We only have a promise that her machine will be the next one worked on. Hopefully we will get it back tomorrow.
When we get that MacBook Pro back, I've got to give up this little baby here to Bratworse. Hope she will enjoy it as much as I loved using it. And hopefully the MacBook Pro will hold up. Because I am NOT a gentle user. This poor little iBook has keys askew, the lid askew and various other little things cause I've kicked it, dropped it and other stuff.
We shall see. In the meantime, I will be putting up this post every day (duplicates) until Apple calls up Bratworse, apologizes to Bratworse for her experience, and gives her something to make all of this awful experience better.
Oh, the OTHER thing she's pissed of at Apple about? We paid $2500 for the MacBook Pro, and it didn't come with a word processing program. Never mind that it came with Garage Band and all this other multi-media programs that she'd have to pay HUNDREDS of dollars for on the PC platform. She's pissed cause she had to dish out $125 for a word processing program. Of all things to leave out, to leave out a WORD-PROCESSING program was a really dumb move, Apple.
Original post which will be going daily from now on so the whole world can see:
I am so unbelievably pissed, it's unreal.
The stupid thing, I'm pissed that Apple has made me out to be a fool.
Bratworse bought a MacBook Pro when they first came out. Sure enough, she was happy as a lark until, our wireless started dropping it... but not only was it dropping it, the wireless was dropping the PC (Gateway) too. Just my trusty little iBook G4 kept trudging.
And then one morning, she woke up to the apple symbol with a big red circle and slash through it. We brought it in the Mac Store. Ah, but the hard drive is still there, just reload the system says the tech. So we did that; as a result, it started running slowly. And a few weeks later, there was a clicking sound from the left side of the laptop. And a blank screen.
Bratworse is LIVID! She's thinking (rightly so, given this experience) what, I gave up PCs for this?
And me? I'm the one who recommended this piece of shite. How the hell do you think I feel?
I have been a loyal Mac customer since Mac Plus days. I've owned a Mac Plus, an SE (had an external hard drive), an LC, a Power Computing PowerPC, an iMac (Lime Green) and now am so happy with my little iBook G4.
This is the thanks I get for convincing a PC user to a Mac?
We take the computer into the Apple store, and they tell us 10-12 days because the hard drive died. Today is the 14th day. And is it close to being done? No. Applecare tells her it'll be another week. She and I fight (because I'M STUPIDLY DEFENDING APPLE and I'm taking it personally that this beautiful piece of equipment that I would give an eye and my left breast for, Bratworse is calling a piece of shite).
So I get in the car, and drive over to Apple, and give them a piece of my mind. Colin, the tech guy, is trying to be reasonable with me, but I'm seeing red. How dare Apple make me look like a fool! After DECADES of loyal service as well as ACTIVELY pushing the Mac platform on PC users, they are doing this?
We don't have a promise of tomorrow. We only have a promise that her machine will be the next one worked on. Hopefully we will get it back tomorrow.
When we get that MacBook Pro back, I've got to give up this little baby here to Bratworse. Hope she will enjoy it as much as I loved using it. And hopefully the MacBook Pro will hold up. Because I am NOT a gentle user. This poor little iBook has keys askew, the lid askew and various other little things cause I've kicked it, dropped it and other stuff.
We shall see. In the meantime, I will be putting up this post every day (duplicates) until Apple calls up Bratworse, apologizes to Bratworse for her experience, and gives her something to make all of this awful experience better.
Oh, the OTHER thing she's pissed of at Apple about? We paid $2500 for the MacBook Pro, and it didn't come with a word processing program. Never mind that it came with Garage Band and all this other multi-media programs that she'd have to pay HUNDREDS of dollars for on the PC platform. She's pissed cause she had to dish out $125 for a word processing program. Of all things to leave out, to leave out a WORD-PROCESSING program was a really dumb move, Apple.
Too Late
Well, I guess it's too late. Apple called this morning to say that the MacBook Pro is ready.
But Bratworse wants nothing to do with Apples. Nice job Apple. If this MacBook Pro doesn't quite work up to par, we'll be selling it through Craigslist or Ebay.
Apple, you had one convert who was so deliriously happy with her MacBook Pro, until the parts started failing, and the service started stinking. Now, she's ADAMANTLY against your platform and will be vocal about it.
Idiot company.
But Bratworse wants nothing to do with Apples. Nice job Apple. If this MacBook Pro doesn't quite work up to par, we'll be selling it through Craigslist or Ebay.
Apple, you had one convert who was so deliriously happy with her MacBook Pro, until the parts started failing, and the service started stinking. Now, she's ADAMANTLY against your platform and will be vocal about it.
Idiot company.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Growing Pains for Apple?
After years of near stability for many Mac users, did Apple grow too rapidly for them?
Sometimes the universe conspires and the timing is unbelievable... or is it? Here's what I mean.
I just received a call from a friend who is a staunch PC user. Her girlfriend, however has been a longtime Mac user like me. This is her recent story.
A year ago, she purchased a new laptop and with it, she got Pro Care. Well, since a year was up, they offered to do an annual check up on it and she took them up on it. (Hmm, all Pro Care customers get an annual check up? No WONDER they're overworked in the tech department there.) She took it in and when she got it back a few days later, she was told everything was fine. However, when she checked it, ALL HER DATA WERE GONE.
Back in goes the computer. And everyday she calls, and every day they're unable to recover her data. Three days later, she gets the computer back sans data. So she hauls her old laptop there, to sync with the new one and at least recover data up to a year ago. Again she leaves the computer.
Two hours later, she comes back to get them when she realizes (thankfully she double-checked) one of the folders hadn't been transferred. Tired of the Apple store by now, she takes both the computers home.
At home, she goes through the computer, and she realizes that her missing data had, in fact, been recovered; they just had missing names. Somehow during the three days of data recovery, the techs had missed the fact that they were successful.
She goes back to the store and asks for a year of Pro Care for free. At first, the guys behind the Genius Bar said no, but the manager agreed immediately. I guess he realized that yes, even though it is the customer's responsibility to back data up, there is NO reason why her data should've been lost in the FIRST place.
As my friend said, the automotive equivalent is taking your car in for a tune-up and get it back missing the engine.
Apple, I truly love you as a company, but I cannot defend you. What separated you from the PCs for me was the fact that you cared about me as a customer; that you didn't bring out shoddy workmanship as a standard; that exception was the standard.
Apple, you are being exceptional right now, but I wouldn't call it a positive thing. So cut it out! Don't make me a liar, damn it.
Sometimes the universe conspires and the timing is unbelievable... or is it? Here's what I mean.
I just received a call from a friend who is a staunch PC user. Her girlfriend, however has been a longtime Mac user like me. This is her recent story.
A year ago, she purchased a new laptop and with it, she got Pro Care. Well, since a year was up, they offered to do an annual check up on it and she took them up on it. (Hmm, all Pro Care customers get an annual check up? No WONDER they're overworked in the tech department there.) She took it in and when she got it back a few days later, she was told everything was fine. However, when she checked it, ALL HER DATA WERE GONE.
Back in goes the computer. And everyday she calls, and every day they're unable to recover her data. Three days later, she gets the computer back sans data. So she hauls her old laptop there, to sync with the new one and at least recover data up to a year ago. Again she leaves the computer.
Two hours later, she comes back to get them when she realizes (thankfully she double-checked) one of the folders hadn't been transferred. Tired of the Apple store by now, she takes both the computers home.
At home, she goes through the computer, and she realizes that her missing data had, in fact, been recovered; they just had missing names. Somehow during the three days of data recovery, the techs had missed the fact that they were successful.
She goes back to the store and asks for a year of Pro Care for free. At first, the guys behind the Genius Bar said no, but the manager agreed immediately. I guess he realized that yes, even though it is the customer's responsibility to back data up, there is NO reason why her data should've been lost in the FIRST place.
As my friend said, the automotive equivalent is taking your car in for a tune-up and get it back missing the engine.
Apple, I truly love you as a company, but I cannot defend you. What separated you from the PCs for me was the fact that you cared about me as a customer; that you didn't bring out shoddy workmanship as a standard; that exception was the standard.
Apple, you are being exceptional right now, but I wouldn't call it a positive thing. So cut it out! Don't make me a liar, damn it.
Pissed
I am so unbelievably pissed, it's unreal.
The stupid thing, I'm pissed that Apple has made me out to be a fool.
Bratworse bought a MacBook Pro when they first came out. Sure enough, she was happy as a lark until, our wireless started dropping it... but not only was it dropping it, the wireless was dropping the PC (Gateway) too. Just my trusty little iBook G4 kept trudging.
And then one morning, she woke up to the apple symbol with a big red circle and slash through it. We brought it in the Mac Store. Ah, but the hard drive is still there, just reload the system says the tech. So we did that; as a result, it started running slowly. And a few weeks later, there was a clicking sound from the left side of the laptop. And a blank screen.
Bratworse is LIVID! She's thinking (rightly so, given this experience) what, I gave up PCs for this?
And me? I'm the one who recommended this piece of shite. How the hell do you think I feel?
I have been a loyal Mac customer since Mac Plus days. I've owned a Mac Plus, an SE (had an external hard drive), an LC, a Power Computing PowerPC, an iMac (Lime Green) and now am so happy with my little iBook G4.
This is the thanks I get for convincing a PC user to a Mac?
We take the computer into the Apple store, and they tell us 10-12 days because the hard drive died. Today is the 14th day. And is it close to being done? No. Applecare tells her it'll be another week. She and I fight (because I'M STUPIDLY DEFENDING APPLE and I'm taking it personally that this beautiful piece of equipment that I would give an eye and my left breast for, Bratworse is calling a piece of shite).
So I get in the car, and drive over to Apple, and give them a piece of my mind. Colin, the tech guy, is trying to be reasonable with me, but I'm seeing red. How dare Apple make me look like a fool! After DECADES of loyal service as well as ACTIVELY pushing the Mac platform on PC users, they are doing this?
We don't have a promise of tomorrow. We only have a promise that her machine will be the next one worked on. Hopefully we will get it back tomorrow.
When we get that MacBook Pro back, I've got to give up this little baby here to Bratworse. Hope she will enjoy it as much as I loved using it. And hopefully the MacBook Pro will hold up. Because I am NOT a gentle user. This poor little iBook has keys askew, the lid askew and various other little things cause I've kicked it, dropped it and other stuff.
We shall see. In the meantime, I will be putting up this post every day (duplicates) until Apple calls up Bratworse, apologizes to Bratworse for her experience, and gives her something to make all of this awful experience better.
Oh, the OTHER thing she's pissed of at Apple about? We paid $2500 for the MacBook Pro, and it didn't come with a word processing program. Never mind that it came with Garage Band and all this other multi-media programs that she'd have to pay HUNDREDS of dollars for on the PC platform. She's pissed cause she had to dish out $125 for a word processing program. Of all things to leave out, to leave out a WORD-PROCESSING program was a really dumb move, Apple.
The stupid thing, I'm pissed that Apple has made me out to be a fool.
Bratworse bought a MacBook Pro when they first came out. Sure enough, she was happy as a lark until, our wireless started dropping it... but not only was it dropping it, the wireless was dropping the PC (Gateway) too. Just my trusty little iBook G4 kept trudging.
And then one morning, she woke up to the apple symbol with a big red circle and slash through it. We brought it in the Mac Store. Ah, but the hard drive is still there, just reload the system says the tech. So we did that; as a result, it started running slowly. And a few weeks later, there was a clicking sound from the left side of the laptop. And a blank screen.
Bratworse is LIVID! She's thinking (rightly so, given this experience) what, I gave up PCs for this?
And me? I'm the one who recommended this piece of shite. How the hell do you think I feel?
I have been a loyal Mac customer since Mac Plus days. I've owned a Mac Plus, an SE (had an external hard drive), an LC, a Power Computing PowerPC, an iMac (Lime Green) and now am so happy with my little iBook G4.
This is the thanks I get for convincing a PC user to a Mac?
We take the computer into the Apple store, and they tell us 10-12 days because the hard drive died. Today is the 14th day. And is it close to being done? No. Applecare tells her it'll be another week. She and I fight (because I'M STUPIDLY DEFENDING APPLE and I'm taking it personally that this beautiful piece of equipment that I would give an eye and my left breast for, Bratworse is calling a piece of shite).
So I get in the car, and drive over to Apple, and give them a piece of my mind. Colin, the tech guy, is trying to be reasonable with me, but I'm seeing red. How dare Apple make me look like a fool! After DECADES of loyal service as well as ACTIVELY pushing the Mac platform on PC users, they are doing this?
We don't have a promise of tomorrow. We only have a promise that her machine will be the next one worked on. Hopefully we will get it back tomorrow.
When we get that MacBook Pro back, I've got to give up this little baby here to Bratworse. Hope she will enjoy it as much as I loved using it. And hopefully the MacBook Pro will hold up. Because I am NOT a gentle user. This poor little iBook has keys askew, the lid askew and various other little things cause I've kicked it, dropped it and other stuff.
We shall see. In the meantime, I will be putting up this post every day (duplicates) until Apple calls up Bratworse, apologizes to Bratworse for her experience, and gives her something to make all of this awful experience better.
Oh, the OTHER thing she's pissed of at Apple about? We paid $2500 for the MacBook Pro, and it didn't come with a word processing program. Never mind that it came with Garage Band and all this other multi-media programs that she'd have to pay HUNDREDS of dollars for on the PC platform. She's pissed cause she had to dish out $125 for a word processing program. Of all things to leave out, to leave out a WORD-PROCESSING program was a really dumb move, Apple.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
OMG, I got on BoingBoing! Oh, plus an Announcement
So just before we left the house today, I was reading BoingBoing and came across a post that said Governor Schwartzneggar was sending out National Guardsmen and women out to airports. Well, I heard earlier that not all airports accepted, so I sent a quick email to Corey Doctorow informing him.
8 hours later, I'm reading BoingBoing again and I find that Corey Doctorow had kindly added my dashed off email! WOOT!
Yeah, of course I had to put the ol' political slant to it.
The other big news I have is, (though not as BIG as the other news I have, I just can't share it yet) my first article for Inside Mac Games is out.
Now, I have to come up with a second article for them. *sigh*
Friday, August 11, 2006
Hillary - an Opinion
sugarmeesweettt, one of the regular responders here (also known as Bratworse's Mom), requested a strange thing... that I blog about Hillary, so she would have something to comment to. Apparently, my current topic of politics have bored her.
Here goes, (even though I suspect my ma-in-law is baiting me).
It is true, I am an unabashed Hillary Clinton fan; however, that is not to say that I cannot see her faults. First off, I truly admire the way she handled herself over the whole Lewinsky affair. To use a metaphor loosely, YOU try being Melanie Hamilton married to Bill's Rhett Butler (psst, Gone With The Wind if you didn't recognize the reference). And let's face it, most women want to have an affair with a rogue, but not be married to one; and marry one, she did.
One thing the Clintons have, and that is mutual respect for each other, despite the other's faults. It is obvious from the way they are in public, and obvious in the result of that very public affair. They also recognize that together, they are a formidable force; separately, maybe not so much. And do they really want to test those waters? The known devil is always a better one. Therefore, to me, Hillary showed much grace and composure during those awful years.
How is she as a politician? I'm not as aware of her as I am my own senators; after all, she's the senator from New York, 3000 miles away. From what I've gathered, she's done reasonably well for New York. But honestly, most of the chatter I hear are gossipy malignant chatter so I don't really pay attention.
But from a few articles out there, it seems people are really polarized out there about Hillary. Some really like her, some really HATE her. And that is her detriment. No matter how wonderful Hillary Clinton may be, no matter how much admiration she garners, she will never be loved, like Bill Clinton is. Hillary isn't a warm fuzzy whereas Bill is. Yet, the hate out there for her is immense. So put hate vs. like, hate will win every time.
The best thing I've heard recently is a rumor that Steve Clemons heard: that if the Democrats win the majority in the Senate in November, Harry Reid will step down as Minority Leader and support Hillary for a bid as Majority Leader, as long as Hillary doesn't enter the primaries for 2008. That was the best move I've heard in a long time strategically.
Denials are flying high on this rumor. But in Washington, denials are very specific, as in No, I never said Valerie Plame sent him (never mind that I said Joe Wilson's wife sent him); therefore, be skeptical about the denials. I hate to see Harry Reid go, he's been so wonderful as the Minority Leader, but I can totally understand the thrill of being behind on the count and realizing you have four rounds to not just catch up, but win with the knowledge that your opponent only has a one-two punch. Being Majority Leader means maintaining the lead - nowhere as thrilling.
Back to Hillary. I think she would be tremendously effective at being Majority Leader and I think her chances of being the Democratic nominee for president in 2008 is nil. Her ability to draw raw rage cannot be overcome by her capabilities. If she had a warmer personality, perhaps she'd have a long shot but to be honest, all indications are, any ambitions towards the presidential nod are coming from her staff and dear hubbie, not Hillary herself.
I am really crossing my fingers for the outcome of a Democratic Senate majority with Hillary Clinton as Leader AND the outcome of a Democratic Congress, with Nancy Pelosi as Leader. WOOT! With the prospect of those two women in charge, no wonder some in the top echelons of the executive branch are lawyering up already
So sugarmeesweettt, did you get what you want? If in 2008, Hillary did become the nominee, I would of course vote for her. To me, Russ Feingold is starting to look good but only the future will tell who I will be voting for in the primary; I just know that I WON'T be voting for Hillary then.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
A Judo Flip on the Republicans
I'm totally fascinated by the Connecticut Senate race. As with others, I see it not only as a foreshadowing of things to come, I see it as a chess game with money, influence, information and turnout as the pieces.
Here's the board so far. Ned Lamont won the Democratic Primary and wonderfully, the Party is falling in behind him, with the leaders coming out strong within 24 hours of his win. The strength of the support has a few intentions. First and foremost, it was to tell Ned and his supporters, "stop fighting us; we are with you." This wasn't a concession to the extreme left as some might think. (Hmm strawman argument there, should find sources.) Rather, this was a respectful nod to the better player and a joining of forces. So, thanks Lieberman, you united one front - the one you claimed to be a part of - the moderates.
The second intent of the strong support was a signal to Lieberman and his supporters - stop the independent run or we will have to do something drastic like take away your committees since you are no longer part of the party. Lieberman seems to be sticking his fingers in his ears and singing "lalalalalala" loudly.
The third intent is to nudge possible straying senators and congressmen back into the fold. Or weed them out, whichever metaphor you prefer. Either accomplishes the same thing. The Democratic Party is waking up to the remembrance that it is a party that sees public servanthood as an honor -
And so, my fellow americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
As for Lieberman being an independent, who could he be courting as voters? First off, he'd be courting Democrats who'd be willing to betray their party, ones whom only he, with his years of seniority could help. Second, he'd be courting low information voters who'd only vote on name recognition. Third, he'd be courting independents who stand with Bush's policies but somehow understood why he had to vote those many other times with the Democrats. Fourth would be independents who stand most of the time with Democrats, but somehow understood why he had to go along with Bush when the votes really mattered. Fifth, he'd be going after Republicans which might not be as easy as Lieberman seems to think it is.
Even among a growing number of Republicans, Bush's policies are failed ones. As for endorsements, I seriously doubt that they are actually going endorse Lieberman. Rather, they're going to point at Schlesinger their candidate and roll their eyes as if to say, "Are you really going to vote for this schmuck or are you going to be a good Republican and force the Democrats to accept Lieberman as their senator?" Problem for this is, with the many disillusioned Republicans, can they themselves live with being good soldiers one more time or will they actually look at themselves and think, okay who's the schmuck here?
My prediction for November. Republicans in Connecticut stay out of the voting booth in droves out of disgust.
Boxer did the Right Thing, Will Lieberman?
Found out Barbara Boxer called up Ned Lamont, not only to show support, but also offered to stump for him.
Very nicely turned around, Ms. Boxer. I knew you'd offer support, but the offer of stumping for him? Classy.
Judging from what I've read (via Atrios)about Lieberman's talk with Matt Lauer on the Today Show this morning, it doesn't seem like Lieberman will back away from an independent run.
Now, as an independent, he's free to receive money from Republicans. I just hope he's not dumb enough to think no one will find out. But then, these are the guys who thought maybe people and the FBI will actually fall for the notion that a suspended webpage means someone hacked their site, instead of the bandwidth being exceeded.
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Heartened
OMFG! They are reporting as much as 80% of some precincts are votiing, in Connecticut.
Granted, that's 80% of registered voters, still leaving a large percentage of the population that's not voting, but this is INCREDIBLE! Did you know that over 20,000 registered as new Democrats between May and now?
I'll give this for the Bush/Cheney administration. They fucked things up enough to make people care. Democracy has won today. And, early returns seems to be saying, Enough of being wimps to this Administration.
Go Connecticut!
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Laughs
I LOVE BoingBoing... it's sort of like watching Airplane! Both are mixed bags of treasures, with some things making you roll with laughter, and others making you a little embarassed you found that funny.
Today, BoingBoing brought me the following:
Now I'm totally wishing we had kept the stove we had just replaced, so I could bang on it with a sledgehammer.
Today, BoingBoing brought me the following:
- Uproarious smart-ass reviews on Amazon for jugs of 128 oz. Tuscan Milk;
- and a Swedish band (Hurra Torpedo) doing a cover of Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart", along with accompanying kitchen appliances.
Now I'm totally wishing we had kept the stove we had just replaced, so I could bang on it with a sledgehammer.
Hippies, Commies & Today's Movement
Yesterday, I went fishing with an old friend of mine.
When I first met this friend, she was extremely active in local and national politics but was at that point, quickly losing heart. You see, while she wasn't quite a Hippie, she was a Commie. And her good friends were either Hippies, Commies or both.
They were the ones who saw with frightening clarity, the dangers of ceding so much power to corporations and the wealthy. Of course! They were Commies. All along, she had told me, there's no compromising with these folks in charge... if you do, they just see that as a concession, not a compromise and will take more.
True enough, that's what's going on. In the Reagan years, when Corporatism started making gains again, CEO's only (please note the sarcasm DRIPPING from that word) made 200x the average worker. In the Bush II Administration, CEO's are doing only slightly (again, please note the heavy sarcasm) more; they are now making 400x the average worker.
Yesterday, I spent half the time telling my friend about the internet's ability to give EVERY one a megaphone, about communities like the Daily Kos, about Lieberman's fight for his Senatorial life, about the predictions of a Democratic rout in November, and most importantly, I told her that had she been in today's generation, she'd be right alongside these people.
She agreed with me there.
But here's what I find fascinating. Today's people powered movement ISN'T powered by her types, the Hippies and the Commies. Today's movement is powered by people like me, people who'd been disgusted with the greed of the few, the compliance of the many and the lack of leadership from the government. We have friends who are Hippies and Commies, but we don't identify with them.
We're the ones born too late to be Hippies, but understood the passion and the idealism of them. Only we want to sleep in comfortable beds and not cots, nor do we wish to live in communes. We see the ease of life for the super-rich getting eased more and more, whereas the travails of the average worker become more and more burdensome. And we're saying enough.
We're the ones who've made friends internationally through internet games/chatting, and are shocked when we hear how the U.S.A. is perceived by others throughout the planet. We're the ones looking at our bankbooks and wondering if a catastrophe like Katrina hit our area, what would be our fate? We're the ones wondering how Bush could throw a $40 million inaugural ball and give a paltry 3 million to tsunami victims. We're the ones wondering how high gas prices will go and whether we can afford cereal at the grocery store. We're the ones astounded that people are proposing to make it a crime to even FEED an illegal immigrant.
We are ordinary people and we are pissed.
Oh, the irony of all this? Today's movement sees concessions in compromises too. The Hippies and Commies have managed to convince the rest of us that compromising with the Devil is a losing battle. Only the Hippies and Commies mostly are staying out of today's fight simply because they see it as ramming heads against a wall.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Hope Part Deux
Well, lookie here... The Senate Democrats did the right thing!
They beat back the bill that gave the top 10% wage earners a break. Granted, the minimum wage hike was included, but did the Senate Republicans really think in an election year, politicians would actually swallow a poison pill designed to only help 10% of the population?
Now, the Senate Democrats need to turn around and offer up a minimum wage hike ONLY bill, without any caveats to the Republicans' leash pullers.
They beat back the bill that gave the top 10% wage earners a break. Granted, the minimum wage hike was included, but did the Senate Republicans really think in an election year, politicians would actually swallow a poison pill designed to only help 10% of the population?
Now, the Senate Democrats need to turn around and offer up a minimum wage hike ONLY bill, without any caveats to the Republicans' leash pullers.
Hope
I can't watch the first few seasons of the West Wing anymore. It's too heartbreaking.
To me, those seasons symbolized the ideal of politics, not this farce that's going on in Washington right now. Those fictional characters that Aaron Sorkin dreamed up, the Josiah Bartletts, the C.J. Craigs... those were people who cared about the public, who remembered that they were PUBLIC servants.
As I read more about Ned Lamont, I feel sparks of hope flying from my heart. Can this man truly be real? A millionaire who VOLUNTEERS to teach an inner city high school?
Read some of those testimonials and you'll find the sparks of hope igniting in you as well.
Feinstein? Boxer? Are you two listening? You'd better shape up as well or you'll find yourself on the short end of the voting stick. The public is sick and tired of our government failing us on so many levels.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
A Sense of Humor and A Sense of Fun
Some people have those senses, some don't. Offhand, I can think of only one person who doesn't seem to have either; this pitiful person lives in my building. But a good public example right now is Senator Lieberman, who doesn't seem to have those senses either.
I'm fascinated by this race. Maybe I read too many political blogs, but I'm getting a vicarious thrill from watching people power as it pulls the rug out from under the establishment. Maybe, just maybe the U.S. can turn itself around from being a worshipper of corporations and the establishment, to one that embraces honesty and responsibility and honor. And the thing about this is, Ned Lamont seems to be having fun - see this video of Ned Lamont on The Colbert Show through Crooks and Liars.
Would you rather be scolded by Mr. Lieberman instead?
It’s time for Democrats who distrust President Bush to acknowledge that he will be the commander in chief for three more critical years and that in matters of war we undermine presidential credibility at our nation’s peril.
If you, like me, want someone to stand up to that imbecile in chief we have in the White House, please consider contributing to Ned Lamont. I just did. :)
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