Sunday, May 11, 2008
A rambly ramble 'bout the Internets
I will ignore the child crying like a fire engine while his mother pats his back with one hand and shoves food into her mouth with the other. I also will ignore the woman who sat alone at the table next to me, almost sideways in her chair, and continues to stare at me as she eats her pastry.
I am at that "bread" restaurant people have raved about, for the first time. I'm enjoying a soda and a cheese pastry. And free Internets.
Free. Internets.
I have canceled the Internets at home, due to Schmerizon's poor performance. Since I moved here, I have had many weeks without it, and have gotten used to not having it. So why pay them? For the price of a soda/tea I was gonna buy anyway, I can sit and surf and sigh. Ahhhhh.
I'll use the money I save to reimburse myself for the shoes I bought yesterday, $25 a pair for three pairs of sandals (two dressy-ish, one not-so-dressy-ish). I did so need them! What I didn't need, but couldn't refuse, was the $45 pair of Converse sneakers, low-tops, blue. Very cute. I'm going to price check, though, at other stores (online, of course), but I'm sure DSW is hard to beat.
Or I could put the savings toward the texts for the classes I'm taking starting this summer at a local university (go Wildcats!).
Or I could buy books, you remember them -- a major source of entertainment pre-Internets. Oh, how I loves me some books. The words! The paper! The smell of new, untouched, un-flipped-through pages! I even get excited about the textbooks smelling new. That helps to ease the pain of paying a car payment or two for the pleasure of owning them, new.
But for now I'll sit back and enjoy the conversation of the two brothers next to me. They're currently complaining about the child's whining cry.
"Makes you not want one, eh?" one says to the other.
My inner critic agrees.
"Do they come with an off switch?"
It's a small price to pay for free Internets and not having to deal with the whining Schmerizon repair man, who, it seems from my lack of service so many times, does more harm than good.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
I am at that "bread" restaurant people have raved about, for the first time. I'm enjoying a soda and a cheese pastry. And free Internets.
Free. Internets.
I have canceled the Internets at home, due to Schmerizon's poor performance. Since I moved here, I have had many weeks without it, and have gotten used to not having it. So why pay them? For the price of a soda/tea I was gonna buy anyway, I can sit and surf and sigh. Ahhhhh.
I'll use the money I save to reimburse myself for the shoes I bought yesterday, $25 a pair for three pairs of sandals (two dressy-ish, one not-so-dressy-ish). I did so need them! What I didn't need, but couldn't refuse, was the $45 pair of Converse sneakers, low-tops, blue. Very cute. I'm going to price check, though, at other stores (online, of course), but I'm sure DSW is hard to beat.
Or I could put the savings toward the texts for the classes I'm taking starting this summer at a local university (go Wildcats!).
Or I could buy books, you remember them -- a major source of entertainment pre-Internets. Oh, how I loves me some books. The words! The paper! The smell of new, untouched, un-flipped-through pages! I even get excited about the textbooks smelling new. That helps to ease the pain of paying a car payment or two for the pleasure of owning them, new.
But for now I'll sit back and enjoy the conversation of the two brothers next to me. They're currently complaining about the child's whining cry.
"Makes you not want one, eh?" one says to the other.
My inner critic agrees.
"Do they come with an off switch?"
It's a small price to pay for free Internets and not having to deal with the whining Schmerizon repair man, who, it seems from my lack of service so many times, does more harm than good.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Random Thoughts Thursday
An "I'll take Hodge Podge for $200, Alex" edition
* It's allliiiiiive! My Internets is working! I was without it for a week, which included four calls to tech support (in a variety of foreign countries, I think), and a novena.
* OK, I didn't pray, but I might as well have, considering how, um, "helpful" tech support was.
* Got a credit for the week I had no Internets. The amount: $6.66.
* Why am I not surprised by that figure?
* I have stopped trying to sing tunes with a beat that keeps time with the throbbing in my tooth.
* Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow.
* The Rx says to take it with food. I chose Jelly Krimpet (tm) Tastykakes.
* My geraniums are thriving!
* My one birthday balloon is still floating in my living room (that's almost a month later, for those keeping score at home).
* I channel surfed passed and so tuned into that "talent" show for the first time. I saw a very pretty boy with dreadlocks, a talented young woman, a David with a very bad haircut, and a David who isn't very Articu-letta. I see I'm not missing much.
* There are other things a-foot, but this is just a catch-up for the moment. It's time for another Krimpet, er, my medicine.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
* It's allliiiiiive! My Internets is working! I was without it for a week, which included four calls to tech support (in a variety of foreign countries, I think), and a novena.
* OK, I didn't pray, but I might as well have, considering how, um, "helpful" tech support was.
* Got a credit for the week I had no Internets. The amount: $6.66.
* Why am I not surprised by that figure?
* I have stopped trying to sing tunes with a beat that keeps time with the throbbing in my tooth.
* Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow.
* The Rx says to take it with food. I chose Jelly Krimpet (tm) Tastykakes.
* My geraniums are thriving!
* My one birthday balloon is still floating in my living room (that's almost a month later, for those keeping score at home).
* I channel surfed passed and so tuned into that "talent" show for the first time. I saw a very pretty boy with dreadlocks, a talented young woman, a David with a very bad haircut, and a David who isn't very Articu-letta. I see I'm not missing much.
* There are other things a-foot, but this is just a catch-up for the moment. It's time for another Krimpet, er, my medicine.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Random Thoughts Thursday
A "please excuse Tara from not blogging as the Internets was broken" edition
* Yes, of course, the incorrect spelling/grammar was done on purpose. I'm a writer, people.
* So, Schmerizon has decided their technicians miss me. It's been, what, four months since the great phone-out of Christmas 07 (I didn't have telephone or Internet for more than a week), when new people moving into the building and getting telephone service meant mine stopped working.
* Yes, someone new moved into my building this week. I should totally place a pre-emptive call to Schmerizon when I see a moving van outside.
* When I called the number to get help (as if), the annoying automated voice was so helpful: "If you're having trouble with the Internet, visit our web site..." Are you kidding?
* The boy who tried to test my modem wanted me to unplug things and try the other jack in the bedroom. Uh, no. I've done all that as I'm an expert at this now. What does the error message that you're getting say? Something you've never seen before? Great. Just put in the tech call.
* What can I say: another week, another credit. They keep this up, they'll have to pay me every month to keep the service.
* Sans Internet for a couple of days, I've had extra time to clean like I've been meaning to and read more than 60 pages of a book I sacrificed to surf the web.
* The Internets is a huge time sucker.
* There, I said it.
* Anyhoooo....
* My bard-ista (looks like Shakespeare in the pictures/drawings where he's good-looking) is a flirt. The other day, I asked for extra sweetener in my tea. He says, "If it's not sweet enough, just dip your finger in it." I said, "Awwww. I already gave you a tip."
* The official month of me has come to a close. Tara-bration 08 is over. There was much singing, laughter, cake-eating. I loves me a birthday month.
* What's next? Why, Tara-palooza, of course. A concert of, well, not-so-grandiose proportions.
* Actually, that happens almost every day in my living room. Today was Broadway day. "Urinetown."
* Yes, it's the worst-named musical. But funny. It's so funny, I almost... nah, I can't do it.
* I got my electric bill down to $30. I was hoping to go even lower before summer arrived... last week. That's so not going to happen now.
* I don't leave lights on, my TVs are on power strips that are off when the sets are off (which is most of the time), I turn my computer off every time I'm done using it, and I don't run appliances unless I have to.
* No, I don't have The Clapper(tm) for my lights. Imagine if I did and had my Tara-palooza, and was doing an 80s homage to John Cougar (Mellencamp). "Jack and Diane" alone would have my lights flashing like a strobe at a disco.
* *imagining that*
* Four words: Arby's. Popcorn. Chicken. Shakers.
* Mmmmmmmmmmm.
* Yes, that was quite the 180. I don't know how I got there either.
* But I enjoyed the ride.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
* Yes, of course, the incorrect spelling/grammar was done on purpose. I'm a writer, people.
* So, Schmerizon has decided their technicians miss me. It's been, what, four months since the great phone-out of Christmas 07 (I didn't have telephone or Internet for more than a week), when new people moving into the building and getting telephone service meant mine stopped working.
* Yes, someone new moved into my building this week. I should totally place a pre-emptive call to Schmerizon when I see a moving van outside.
* When I called the number to get help (as if), the annoying automated voice was so helpful: "If you're having trouble with the Internet, visit our web site..." Are you kidding?
* The boy who tried to test my modem wanted me to unplug things and try the other jack in the bedroom. Uh, no. I've done all that as I'm an expert at this now. What does the error message that you're getting say? Something you've never seen before? Great. Just put in the tech call.
* What can I say: another week, another credit. They keep this up, they'll have to pay me every month to keep the service.
* Sans Internet for a couple of days, I've had extra time to clean like I've been meaning to and read more than 60 pages of a book I sacrificed to surf the web.
* The Internets is a huge time sucker.
* There, I said it.
* Anyhoooo....
* My bard-ista (looks like Shakespeare in the pictures/drawings where he's good-looking) is a flirt. The other day, I asked for extra sweetener in my tea. He says, "If it's not sweet enough, just dip your finger in it." I said, "Awwww. I already gave you a tip."
* The official month of me has come to a close. Tara-bration 08 is over. There was much singing, laughter, cake-eating. I loves me a birthday month.
* What's next? Why, Tara-palooza, of course. A concert of, well, not-so-grandiose proportions.
* Actually, that happens almost every day in my living room. Today was Broadway day. "Urinetown."
* Yes, it's the worst-named musical. But funny. It's so funny, I almost... nah, I can't do it.
* I got my electric bill down to $30. I was hoping to go even lower before summer arrived... last week. That's so not going to happen now.
* I don't leave lights on, my TVs are on power strips that are off when the sets are off (which is most of the time), I turn my computer off every time I'm done using it, and I don't run appliances unless I have to.
* No, I don't have The Clapper(tm) for my lights. Imagine if I did and had my Tara-palooza, and was doing an 80s homage to John Cougar (Mellencamp). "Jack and Diane" alone would have my lights flashing like a strobe at a disco.
* *imagining that*
* Four words: Arby's. Popcorn. Chicken. Shakers.
* Mmmmmmmmmmm.
* Yes, that was quite the 180. I don't know how I got there either.
* But I enjoyed the ride.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Random Thoughts Thursday
An "I'll try to stop rubbing/scratching my nose long enough to type" edition
* Allergies. Ugh.
* From "The Idiots Guide to Getting the Girl," chapter 3: What's important to the young lady = important to you. and Being thoughtful makes a lasting impression.
* His birthday text (ugh) arrived at 11:59 p.m. The Last. Possible. Minute.
* Me = "You are the weakest link. Goodbye."
* Dating is entertaining.
* Twizzlers. Mmmmm.
* I now have geraniums on the patio. Yes, I will water them daily (as required). Yes, I sincerely hope not to kill them.
* Mom sees iron on desk (don't ask): "Is that plugged in?" Answer: "Yes, but the hot plate is plugged in under the bed, to keep my sheets warm."
* :-)
* Report: I'm breathing comfortably through my nose and it currently doesn't itch. I shall enjoy this respite while it lasts.
* Pass the tissues, just in case.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
* Allergies. Ugh.
* From "The Idiots Guide to Getting the Girl," chapter 3: What's important to the young lady = important to you. and Being thoughtful makes a lasting impression.
* His birthday text (ugh) arrived at 11:59 p.m. The Last. Possible. Minute.
* Me = "You are the weakest link. Goodbye."
* Dating is entertaining.
* Twizzlers. Mmmmm.
* I now have geraniums on the patio. Yes, I will water them daily (as required). Yes, I sincerely hope not to kill them.
* Mom sees iron on desk (don't ask): "Is that plugged in?" Answer: "Yes, but the hot plate is plugged in under the bed, to keep my sheets warm."
* :-)
* Report: I'm breathing comfortably through my nose and it currently doesn't itch. I shall enjoy this respite while it lasts.
* Pass the tissues, just in case.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Fight club
I would like to thank the bitter gun-toting religion-clinging Pennsytuckians who came out in droves to vote for Mrs. Clinton yesterday. I'm glad you could un-cling for just a second, put the gun down just a tad, so you could push the pretty buttons in the voting booth.
By the way, state, add a few more colors and some moving pictures -- you know, make it like a video game -- and more people would vote more often.
Anyway, thank you for making this race continue. It's exciting to watch, I think. Certainly more than the Republican race, which is like watching slides of the worst older person Florida vacation ever....
Slide... Here's John McCain standing behind a podium speaking to a crowd of loyal GOPers.
Slide... Here he is again, standing again behind a podium speaking to a crowd...
zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
At least the Dems aren't boring.
I'm Dem. voter number 217 in my district and I approve this message.
By the way, state, add a few more colors and some moving pictures -- you know, make it like a video game -- and more people would vote more often.
Anyway, thank you for making this race continue. It's exciting to watch, I think. Certainly more than the Republican race, which is like watching slides of the worst older person Florida vacation ever....
Slide... Here's John McCain standing behind a podium speaking to a crowd of loyal GOPers.
Slide... Here he is again, standing again behind a podium speaking to a crowd...
zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
At least the Dems aren't boring.
I'm Dem. voter number 217 in my district and I approve this message.
