grrgoyl | Fuck T-Mobile and the Alcoholic

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Current Music: Just repeat to yourself 'It's just a show. I should really just relax."

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Fuck T-Mobile and the Alcoholic

T-Mobile is dead to me.

Can't say that I'm surprised, but they're screwing me out of a $50 rebate for Tery's Razr.

Maybe with exact dates and documentation I could fight it, but as it is I only have a vague timeline. I sent in the first form right after Christmas. Sometime in the middle of March I got sick of waiting and called to check the status -- only to be told it had been denied because I put the wrong phone number down. Naturally no one saw fit to notify me. The guy I spoke to said I could resubmit it, but had to be quick about it because the rebate deadline was coming up fast. I got it out that very same day, confident that the problem was solved.

Yesterday I got a letter from them, stating I was denied because it was postmarked after the deadline. I immediately called, outraged but not expecting much success. At first the guy sounded accommodating, so I explained the previous snafu. I asked how the second submission could have been late when I got it out minutes after completing the first phone call. He told me the deadline was actually January 31st. Furthermore, the computer had no record of my first submission. Naturally.

Again I fall victim to my failure to take names and record phone conversations. Faced with alleged computer evidence that I'm unable to disprove, what can I do? And it's not as if I can take my business elsewhere in a huff when I'm stuck in a 2-year contract, and they know it. Fucking T-Mobile.

~*~

And fucking Alcoholic. Now that the snow's gone, she's back to waffling between the handicapped space and regular spaces. It's hard not to let it get to me when I get home at 6 a.m. and have to park clear on the opposite end of the lot while her car sits infuriatingly in a regular spot right up against the building, the handicapped spot infuriatingly unoccupied.

Then she called looking for a favor -- she needed a letter from the HOA to get cable installed, and rather than turn on her own computer she wanted me to print it out and walk it over to her. Yes, that's SO much easier. I'm telling you, the woman is insane.

The decision to email her and find out once and for all why she switched back and forth was made easier when I remembered how she snoops and quibbles and nitpicks every little thing about the rest of our neighbors. I thought it might do her good to realize she wasn't entirely above reproach herself. "Go ahead," Tery sighed. "But don't hold your breath waiting for a rational response."

Tery was right. It was all kinds of clap-trap about the handicapped spot being "bird-doo land" and that the mailbox (which is 2 feet to the side) is too far when her ankle hurts. But, because she considers me her friend, she would park in the handicapped spot from now on and treat the other spot as 'mine.' No, I'm not trying to secure a space as 'mine.' My point was that the rest of us stood a better chance of parking reasonably closer if she wasn't using our spaces. I didn't bother with a rebuttal to correct her though. It's just too exhausting and she's just too crazy.

~*~

Unrelated, my LJ esteem is plummeting again. Where oh where have my LJ friends gone? I know my stuff isn't always so thrilling, but I'm not the only one not writing the Great American Novel every time I post. Talk to me, people.

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I hate rebates! Cingular was supposed to give me a $50 rebate for my Razr too, and after TEN weeks, I got a letter declining my rebate because I didn't submit the stupid UPC code, but Elaine -- oh, Elaine -- I DID submit it! I rememebr distinctly because I had to get Hoover to use his box cutter to cut it off the box because I was afraid I'd slip and give myself an amateur C-section.

I sent them a nasty letter, so of course any chance I had at that point was shredded.

Boy, what a racket. I would also consider a nasty letter if I thought it would do a bit of good. The only satisfaction I can possibly hope for is that the phone operator I hung up on suffers the tiniest twinge of conscience for the way his job forces him to cheat innocent people out of their money.

Do you have a long list of things and people that are "dead to you" ala the Colbert Report? I've tried for years to stay off that list! (I know I must come close to getting it on it sometimes.)

Rebates. It's a flim-flam game, Sir. Your expectations are too high. They (you know, "they") offer rebates as a sexy come on then find some loophole so they don't have to put out. Well, maybe every now and then. An inconsistent incentive is the most effective.

Parking. If you really want to mark your space, claim it as your own, just leave a poop! That's what the neighbor's cat does.

Other. Are you happy that _Heroes_ is back on?

I have tuned in to _Drive_ which may look stupid on the surface but is quite gripping. Like the first season of _24_. Or maybe _Lost_ although I haven't watched that. It appeared to me by accident when I was channel flipping and I managed to catch the premiere eps. There is Caleb!fromBuffy (happily, no longer eeeevil) and Sharon!fromWonderfalls (sadly, no longer a lesbian?) and Fred!fromAngel (thankfully, no longer southern). It's a Tim Minear show - a guy involved in producing all of the aforementioned. Nice that he keeps his peeps employed.

But there's also... Pauline!fromHeavenlyCreatures (expectedly, no longer accented). I know you love Paul :) I think I've even seen some photos where you look a little like her.

My, my, my where to start?

Not a list set in stone per se. It's easier to make a list of things that aren't dead to me.

I've heard all kinds of rebate horror stories, but I've been pretty lucky so far, I guess. Nor will this incident prevent me from using them in the future (although I may think twice if it's a T-Mobile offer).

I missed "Heroes" terribly when it left for its two-month hiatus (I kid. Only a month. But Christ, I don't remember shows drawing out their seasons with month-long spring breaks in the old days). But then we discovered "Dexter" on Showtime, a show I personally enjoy more: less confusing, less to remember week to week, a more intriguing premise, and the best opening credit sequence I've ever seen. "Heroes" is still okay, I suppose...

"Drive" does look stupid on the surface, despite Nathan Fillon (who I've fallen in love with a little since seeing "Slither"). Guess I'll have to check it out on DVD. I can only watch so much TV in a day before teh Snarry beckons.

Thanks for talking to me.

Despite the fact that this isn't my journal and I surely don't know you, your anonymous-ness is killing me. Oh, despicable mystery! How you taunt me!

Anyway, Fred!fromAngel = not really southern? She'd better be secretly british, like House!fromHouse, or I'll be terribly depressed at not having known this before.

At the risk of destroying her mystery, my anonymous guest is my long-time friend from college, Beth ("Bear"). She of the golden hair, the tree-like torso and the tinkling laughter. She from whom I would not take no for an answer, despite being first straight and then in love with my adorable sister (rot her soul), also straight. She for whom my love knows no bounds, despite her refusal to join LJ properly.

This is a confusing situation, except for the part where she completely shuns LJ. I'm just looking for reasons to use indignant italics.

And what a masterful use of indignant italics it is.

And since I don't watch Angel, allow me to express my admiration for your Spinal Tap icon.

It's awesome, isn't it? I think I found the maker through you.

I know how you feel. I actually do post the Great American Novel every time I post (literally--it's just really, really small), but I don't get shit.

But what's worse is when you put yourself out there and 'friend' someone, and they don't friend you back. It's like asking someone to the Homecoming dance, only to have them turn you down while laughing hysterically as their football player friend stuffs you into a locker. It's a palpable rejection.

I know, I know. It's hard to imagine anyone as ridiculously awesome as you or me getting rejected by anyone for anything, but it happens.

I know, Steve. You've always been my most consistent friend, and that's why I love you best (and reciprocate...not that it's difficult when you write such interesting entries). You know how frustrating it can be when you feel like you're just talking to hear yourself talk.

If there's anyone my pathetic plea for attention was not directed at, it's you.

And how timely about the one-sided friending. That just happened to me this past week and boy, does it sting. I don't think my (or your) journal is anywhere near the worst one out there. What does it take, goddammit??

I think this place is clique-ish as hell, and most people's journals are just one step removed from a MySpace blog--it's just ten times as snobby. The only reason I've stuck around here--besides you and a couple others--is because people on LiveJournal are generally better writers than elsewhere. But even that's starting to get old, because while they may know lots of big words and have the ability to string a sentence together, it's almost too obvious...it's like a movie where you don't see characters, you see actors acting. I would much rather read an interesting post that isn't a literary masterpiece than read pointless drivel that only a creative writing professor could love.

There's also the commenting factor. I comment in all of my friends' journals. Maybe not every single post, but most or many. Do people return the favor? It's half and half. I find that the most popular people on my friends list never comment in my journal. I don't know whether that reflects badly on them or on me, though...

I know I'm preaching to the choir here with you. You see all the things I see. Just sometimes, it gets too irritating to bear. How do we spend hours composing well-crafted, entertaining posts and get nothing, while someone else speaks in 2-word sentences: "Fuck this," and gets a flood of pretend sympathy?

And also the popularity thing. People who have so many friends that they can't comment in other journals are superficial and only in it for the popularity contest. I've got a couple of those and am giving serious thought to making some cuts soon. If you can't be bothered with my shit, why should I bother with yours?

I know, so much angst for a stupid online journal. I just think it all boils down to mutual respect and interest, which some people can handle and some people can't.

Maybe we're both getting too old for this.

I think we were probably too old for this on our 18th birthdays...

I won't be offended if I make a comment on someone's post and the author never comments back...but it does give me pause when am one of many commenters, and my comment is ignored and everyone else's gets a mention. Usually, it's because I am swimming against the current of what the poster wants the comments to say...if all you want is a friends list full of sycophants, why bother posting anything worth debating?

Is it my fault that when I was 18 the internet hadn't been invented yet?

I've also been the lone ignored comment amidst a sea of comments. Maybe there's some LJ cloaking device we've forgotten to disengage?

I think you know the answer to that, and it's spelled n-o-o-d-s. In some circles.

*glomp* I read!

Thanks, Jemma. It's just nice to hear once in awhile.

i'm a reader not a poster.

Me too, in your journal.

I still don't think I'm quite ready to come back (my cameo appearance in Nicole's journal was the result of a whole lot of bullshit I wish I hadn't had to deal with), but I do want you to know I adore you and do always find your entries interesting and worthwhile.

Also T-Mobile is indubitably crap. Sure, the network is decent and the rates are reasonable enough, but the customer service is beyond horrendous. You can't call those people for anything without it turning into a huge web of dickery. I don't even feel like getting into the ridonkulousness they've put me through, but just know that I SO know from whence you speak. Assholes.

The best part is, I actually work for Sprint/Nextel and could therefore, if I bought the phone, get free cell service from them, but I am locked into a 2 year contract with T-Freaking-Mobile that doesn't end until January 2009. Damn you and your MyFaves plan, T-Mobile.

Wow. The fact that you peeked your head out of hiding just to comment makes me feel better than a million comments.

I know what you mean about the "web of dickery." During the first phone call I was put on hold no less than 6 times while T-Mobile supervisors across the country were consulted.

Like every other injustice in the world, I think there should be laws against this sort of thing. But I suppose government is too busy trying to keep the world from imploding to worry about rebate fraud.

Oh, and also, "I should really just relax"....I had always wondered what the hell they said after "repeat to yourself it's just a show" But apparently I had not wondered heartily enough to, say, google the lyrics. Just enough to wait for a wonderful soul such as yourself to put it out there.

You know something? I think watching Prince of Space will make me feel a little less miserable. The weapons of depression will be useless against me!

You're such a dweeb : )

Almost any episode of MST3k can cheer me up instantly. Prince of Space sounds like just the ticket.

I know. It is both the bane and the best thing about my existence.

I ended up watching Hercules Against The Moon Men instead of Prince of Space, because I really wanted to hear the Tribute To Pants song.

You and me = going to see Hot Fuzz, perhaps? I don't promise to be insightful about the film, but I do promise to smoke a lot before I get there. And I stand by that.

Why the hell wasn't I signed in? Ha! Looks like you have to go see Hot Fuzz with some random anonymous weirdo now, instead of some random anonymous weirdo that you have corresponded with on livejournal!

LOL I'm not sure which idea is more frightening >; )

I'm down with Hot Fuzz. Not sure how your schedule works out. I'm free Sundays, Mondays, and weekday nights except Friday.

Smoke a lot of what? ; )

Ah, the neighbors. How I love to hear of them and their hijinks. I suppose you've taken her off your circle, then? (Or was it the FCW who was in Your Faves?) I wonder if people with handicap tags can be punished for not parking in handicap spaces the way people who might qualify for the normal Olympics can be punished for parking in a handicap spot?

"Dead to me"? I fully expect you to follow up this theft of theme with a series of bear-related posts. Plz.

Ready yourself for some shameless misuse of this post for a dumb semi-related question: how is the Razr holding up? I was thinking of switching to one, but quite a few people have warned me that they are ridiculously fragile.

Yes, I've spent many a wasteful hour speculating on the irony that traditionally the positions are reversed (normal people parking handicapped). As I understand it, she's not required to use the space. Though in my world, she totally is.

Theft of theme? I've been killing off things from me for years now. And perhaps it's the overnight shift talking, but you've lost me with "bear-related posts."

My Razr has withstood at least two heavy-duty drops and survived (though the industrial strength cover I bought on eBay might have more to do with it). I might be paranoid but the clamshell hinge seems to be loosening ever so slightly over time, but other than that, I still love my sexy, sexy Razr.

She should be required to use the space, I agree. Also, pregnant women should always use the space sometimes provided for them. I don't want to see a pregnant woman parked in the second spot outside Krogers, while I have to go to the back. It's not fair!

You don't watch the Colbert Report?

That's good to know. Though my iPod was fine after the first few times I dropped it, too...

I have my reasons. On top of barely being able to finish an episode of "The Daily Show" before Tery tires of the fake news, I find I much prefer Jon's benign, self-deprecating, nod-and-a-wink style to Stephen's pummeling, in-your-face, abusively aggressive style.

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=207371

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=207371

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