Disconnected

Nine years ago I wrote about how things used to be.  That happens when you get to be a certain age I guess.  Despite all the wonderful electronic advancements, I actually miss being more connected.  I don't have a "Smart" phone.  It's basic, but nowadays probably referred to as a "special needs" phone.  It texts, takes pictures, and makes and receives actual phone calls.

As far as I am concerned texting is OK for something quick - not full blown conversations.  Just pick up the phone and actually TALK to the person.  Oh - right - they're at work and shouldn't be on the phone - that's why you are texting.  OK got it.

Face book - I am guilty as the next person (since the next person has FB as well).  Going on Face book let's me keep in touch with my daughter who is very busy and very "electronic".  I know she is alive and well because she posts photos and updates!  She does text on a somewhat regular basis as well but I know she is busy!   Face book does let me SEE what my other friends and family are up to, but I can't tell you the last time I spoke to any of them!  That's disconnection.

Disconnection is a term I've read about since I've been reading a LOT of Scientology books.  (saving that for another blog)  That's a term they use when they "remove" themselves from what they refer to as Suppressive Persons.   Harsh.  But if you actually sit back and look at it that is exactly what we are doing to ourselves. People in Scientology choose to disconnect from people and the people they disconnect from are the ones that suffer.  I choose NOT to suffer any longer.

I've gone back to working a a second job - it's two-fold since I DO need the money, but I need the stimulation of PEOPLE.  Real people.  No longer trapped in my livingroom at night with the computer / TV,  I also have a new friend who also wants to "DO' real things.    So,  I will be weaning myself from checking FB as often and I will go back to sending WRITTEN notes to my long distance friends.

I will still enjoy your photos and updates on FB but I will be spending more time living in real time. If you would like to get together for lunch or dinner give me a call!  Email?  Text?  Tweet?  OK - leave  a message on Face Book - I'll check it sometime!  

Canadian Geese

I was always told if you hit one you would get fined big time.  Needless to say I go out of my way to avoid them on the road.  They happen to like to congregate out front  where I work, so sometimes we have to be vigilant or we can get chased.  I've been told they are not very friendly, but that's not a problem, because I have always given them plenty of room!



When I was leaving work not too long ago there was one goose that was not keeping up with the rest of the flock, and it was apparent something was wrong with his wing.  I felt quite bad so when I got home I called my own Vet and asked if they had any numbers I could call to get the bird help.  They gave me 4 numbers.  No help.  I tried the local SPCA, went online to the Pennsylvania Game Commission,, Pennsylvania Association of Wildlife Rehabilitators, with no luck.

In 90 minutes time I made 26 phone calls with one that finally asked ME to bring the bird to them (in Philadelphia).  By the time I got thru to this person it was pouring rain.  Unfortunately, there wasn't a snowballs chance in hell I was going to go out in the storm to pick up an injured bird with a towel and a box?

Unfortunately, the next morning the dead bird was by the entrance.  It was a feast for the other large birds (which I do not know what they were).

The moral of this story is there isn't any rehabilitators in Chester County for any fowl that is hurt.  So if you happen across a Goose that is hurt, well, I hear they taste like chicken.

Still Cable Free

So, it's been almost one year now that I cut my ties with cable, and I still couldn't be happier.  The ROKU box is wonderful and has given me zero problems.  It's so easy to use I will be investing in a second one for the bedroom, but this time probably the streaming stick

So - let me up-date.  SLING TV.  This was the third best investment (ROKU being the first, HULU the second).  Originally I lamented that I would be missing FX, SYFY, BBC America, and various other stations.  Well, it's been less than a year and they have added those stations to their basic package (and more)  that together with HULU make it the best thing I've done in years!   I can watch SLING TV on my laptop as well and probably on my phone if I had a smart phone!

I've had some people say that I'm STILL paying a lot.  Compared to Comcast?  Verizon?  Dish?   Yes, I have to pay for my Internet (and I still have a land line), but I no longer have to pay for that pricey DVR box because I can watch all the shows I normally watched on the DVR now with HULU and SLING and there's no additional cost or fancy box.   Even when I threw in a treat for a few months of HBO ($14.99) I was STILL paying $90 LESS than when I had Comcast.

And since October I've talked to the people at ROKU - NEVER, HULU- NEVER and SLING once. SLING responded to my e-mail requests immediately and my one lone phone call was answered promptly and I wasn't transferred all over the place.  It was a delight to deal with.

Compared to the number of times I had to call Comcast over the course of a year to "ping" the box from Puerto Rico (where their customer service is) I am WAY ahead.

Aging Rock Stars

Dear Aging Rockstar,

It is with a heavy heart i write to inform you that I can no longer contribute to your lifestyle.  For years i was one of the first in line (even slept out for hours) for tickets to see you.  Purchasing tickets for multiple shows and sometimes in other cities.

Alas.....those days are long gone.  Gone are the days of your fan club members getting priority treatment with first shot at tickets and the best seats.  Gone as well are the reasonable ticket prices.

Once upon a time you could buy tickets, park your car, eat , get a tee shirt and possibly a program - and have a good evening.  Now you have to put aside a large chunk of your weekly salary to afford just the ticket.   I wonder why your cost has gone up so much but other artists playing the same venue don't require I float a small loan to attend?

And I won't try to win free tickets with the radio stations this time either.  For the privilege of standing the entire show on the muddy grass watching on a large flat screen,  shoulder to shoulder with rowdy, drunk fans puking at my feet?    Nah.....I think this Old Broad prefers to stay home, pop in an Old VHS tape or a DVD from one of your Old concerts on my flat screen on my Old sofa with a bottle of wine.

With the money I save I can buy an airline ticket to visit my daughter!

Thanks guys!

Phone Sense

Working in customer service it amazes me how angry just about everyone is these days.  I realize that when you call in to us you have been  inconvenienced, so I do understand your frustration with the product.  But why do you think it is your right to attack the person answering the phone?  Or better yet, leave an obscene, usually illiterate, message on the answering service?

First - to those of you who are leaving messages - remember that we have Caller ID.   We can call you back, or even report your number, so be careful what you say.  Threats are usually reported to management both at our location and Your location.  Your leasing office is notified.  That way if you follow through with your violence, we all have a record.

Second - when you call (or leaving a message), take the food out of your mouth.  Refrain from eating please. And that goes for gum as well.   Speak clearly.  I wish most of the callers could hear themselves mumbling into the phone.   Those of you who have English as a second language, I am truly impressed.  I can only speak English fluently.  So unless you are fluent without any accent, please speak SLOWLY.  Please do not be insulted if I ask you to spell what you are saying.    This is, after all, the United States.   English is still the First language.

Nothing to do......

While making dinner this evening I caught someone on the news saying that kids were killing each other because they didn't have anything to do. The gentleman they were interviewing said that once the warm weather comes along these "Children" will be hanging out on the corners all evening with nothing to do.  It made me pause.  What on earth did we do as teens when we had nothing to do?   When we spent hours doing nothing on the street corners all summer long?   I don't remember one person ever killing someone.  Actually, I don't remember anyone ever being violent or intimidating to anyone at all.  No one ever had to cross the street to avoid us.

Have things deteriorated so badly that our youth has absolutely nothing they can do to amuse themselves?    Granted, my daughter is grown so I am not aware of what activities are available to teens, but I can't believe there isn't anything.  No longer any playgrounds with social events - sporting activities, dances.  I understand that movies are getting way too expensive to do weekly for a date, but I'm still not convinced there is NOTHING to do.

I am afraid I just believe there are a lot of angry teens out there and whether they have an opportunity to DO something or not doesn't matter - they will choose to be angry and DO nothing except  be angry and Blame everyone else for their anger.   Look at social media and the postings of all sorts of fight videos.  They think it is a joke.   These are the teens that bully and resort to violence.   And why are they angry ?  I'd like to know.  This generation has everything and then some but it doesn't seem to be enough.

I do know one thing this generation doesn't have that my daughter's generation had and those before her - and that was a good swift kick in the ass.

Social Networking

Simple Definition of social

• : relating to or involving activities in which people spend time talking to each other or 
•   doing enjoyable things with each other
• : liking to be with and talk to people : happy to be with people
• : of or relating to people or society in general

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before Facebook Social Networking I spent much more time reading newspapers.

.. I wrote actual letters.

.. I talked to people on the phone - Not Texted.

.. I actually met up with friends/family to get the latest news over meals, coffee, etc...

...I was actively "social"

Since Facebook ...I waste way too much time watching videos of dogs, cats, children, etc.

..I know what my friends and family are doing, or have done on any given day.

..I do get to see photos of friends and family - since I don't actually get to see THEM.

..I don't feel "Social" at all - and feel more anti-social.

I truly DO enjoy seeing all the photos and seeing the milestones posted I just wish everything wasn't so impersonal.