NaBloPoMo

Call back until you get the smart person

August 22, 2009 by kathi

Almost every time I’ve called with a connection problem to my past DSL provider (Earthlink) or current cable internet provider (Comcast), they have tried to tell me that my modem was the problem. The modem has never, not even once, turned out to be the actual problem. When I left Earthlink earlier this year, my original modem was almost 10 years old and still working.

In all cases but one, the problem was somewhere on their network, well before my house. In the other case, the problem was in the NID box (the phone company network interface device) mounted on the outside of my house.

Today I called Comcast twice as our high-speed internet connection went out this morning. The first rep I spoke to told me that they aren’t always able to see network outages on their screens and that it must be my modem anyway because she was unable to reset it from her end. I pointed out to her that the last two times I called, I had been told the same thing and both times it turned out to be something on the network. She offered to set up a service call and said the first spot available was on Monday. Since neither Dan or I would be able to be home for any Monday slot, I said I’d call back.

When I called back, I got a different rep, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to tell the whole story yet again, including the part about the modem not being a problem in the past. Much different response. He tried to reset my modem from his end and could not. But, unlike the first rep, he heard and comprehended what I said about suspecting a network problem, and actually made the effort to check to see if there was in fact a problem on the network. And there was. There was a problem in a junction box somewhere in my area, and it was affecting a few other customers as well. He said he would have a truck sent out to the junction box, and also set up a service call for me in case the junction box was not the only problem. He was able to find a Sunday slot open for us (so there was a cancellation in the 10 minutes it took for Dan and me to discuss which Tuesday time slot would work for us? Possible, I guess, but I bet the first rep never even checked weekend slots) as well.

About twenty minutes later, our connection was back up. I called to cancel the service call a couple of hours ago as it’s obviously not needed.

I just wonder why the first rep made no effort to even check for a network problem. Was her statement correct about not being able to see network outage information? If so, why not? Why was the second rep able to check and see a whole lot of information that led to a correct solution to the problem? The second rep sounded quite a bit older and infinitely techier than the first rep, but shouldn’t everyone answering calls for high-speed internet connection problems either have access to the same information, or be smart enough to pass the call to someone who does have the correct information?

My problem is solved for now, but I hate to think that I’ll always have to keep calling until the smart person answers, rather than be able to expect a smart person on the other end no matter when I call. I guess I should just be glad that they’re not outsourced.

(NaBloPoMo | August ’09: 22 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 210 of 274)

Back to class for Freya

August 21, 2009 by kathi

Freya is headed back to group obedience classes tomorrow. We took a break and skipped one eight-week session, but I think our lives are all better when Freya has the structure of a class setting at least once a week. I’m also thinking of taking her to a Tuesday night class as well, but I haven’t made a final decision on that. The extra cost factor would be minimal (it is an obedience club class with a reduced price for members) but the distance is a little farther than I’d like. I definitely want her to be ready for the next UKC Rally Obedience trials coming up in the fall, though, so I’m leaning more towards doing the class.

Freya also has a vet appointment immediately following class, so it will be a busy morning for us. She has a small lump which I originally thought was a scab from overly rough play with Axel. It doesn’t seem to cause her any discomfort, but it isn’t going away, though, so it’s time to check it out and make sure it’s not something invasive or dangerous.

UPDATE 8/22/09: Thanks for all of your Freya love! It was a cyst from an ingrown hair and nothing more serious.

(NaBloPoMo | August ’09: 21 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 209 of 274)

Not just talking to myself

August 20, 2009 by kathi

I’m sure that everyone who’s ever blogged, even those of you who are now drowning in popularity and surrounded by millions of fans, is familiar with the imaginary echo. You know, the one of your own bloggy voice, when you feel like you’re just talking to yourself. Eventually you either find your people (sometimes a huge number of them and sometimes just a few), or get comfortable with the sound of your own voice, or more likely, a combination of both.

It’s still nice to get confirmation that someone is out there. So the efforts of these creative folks to bring a little more interaction to their corners of the ‘net is something I really appreciate and enjoy participating in.

I’ve been participating in the Mingle at Indigo’s That’s My Answer! for a few months now. Participants share comments every Thursday throughout the month: comment on three blogs within the group and return a visit from someone who has visited you. It’s a smallish group with a variety of blog topics. I’ve enjoyed “meeting” blogs and bloggers I might not otherwise have come across in my travels across the ‘net. Signup is ongoing, so check it out if you have the time.

This will be the first time I participate in IComLeavWe at Melissa’s Stirrup Queens. This project is in its third year, and now runs year-round. Participants can sign up from the first through the 21st of the month (so hurry up if you want to get in for this month). Each day for the week from the 21st through the 28th, comment on five blogs and return one comment, preferably blogs on the participant list. You can also participate as a blog reader even if you don’t have a blog of your own. I’m looking forward to this and hope at least a few people find my blog interesting enough to comment on, or at least read.

Melissa has also created a brand new blogger game: Blogger Bingo which is still open for signups until Sunday night. Go read about it, that link and this one, too… now can you even wait till Monday to start playing? Very excited for this to start!

So at least for the next week or two, I shouldn’t be just talking to myself. What about you?

(NaBloPoMo | August ’09: 20 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 208 of 274)

Revisiting canine calories

August 19, 2009 by kathi

I haven’t written about Freya’s quest to regain her girlish figure lately, mainly because she is stuck in a position that is all too familiar to many of us: the dreaded plateau. Since she is not gaining weight, and was only slightly overweight to begin with, I have tried not to worry too much about it even though I am puzzled as to why she’s not losing weight. Here are the past posts, if you didn’t get a chance to see them the first time around:

Counting canine calories
Freya’s weigh-in

She’s been keeping pretty active, but we probably haven’t been compensating enough for the rainy days (way too many of them this summer) when she didn’t get enough activity or the fact that we opted to take a break from group obedience classes for the eight-week session that just ended last Saturday.

Either that or Dan is feeding her a lot of extra treats when no one else is looking (I really don’t think this is the case, though, since there’s really been no change in the normal treat consumption and buying frequency pattern)!

The possibility of hypothyroid is always in the back of my mind, but Freya has been tested once and found normal (low-ish normal, but still normal). I’m not sure I want to spend the money for another full thyroid panel when she’s not showing any other symptoms related to hypothyroid other than the stubborn poundage.

So I am glad to see a very complete weight loss article in the September issue of Whole Dog Journal magazine. Even though the magazine hasn’t arrived yet, as a subscriber, I have access to the articles via the magazine’s website, which is a much-appreciated feature. I’ve just had time to skim the main article, and while much of it is information I’d already learned from a post at Dolittler earlier this year, there is other helpful information that is new to me.

I’d like to take a moment to plug Whole Dog Journal, if I may. It’s the only magazine for which I currently pay for a subscription. It is subscriber-supported and carries no commercial advertising. The focus is on natural dog care and positive training. I don’t consider myself 100% natural or a purely positive trainer by any means, yet I still find this magazine one of the most valuable dog resources available.

I have no connection with the magazine other than being a satisfied subscriber from the first issue to the present. Give it a try if you haven’t already.

(NaBloPoMo | August ’09: 19 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 207 of 274)

Very late update on an exterior improvement

August 18, 2009 by kathi

Way back here I mentioned that the planter bed in front of the house was finally finished, and then I forgot to post photos. Well, here they are, finally.

I don’t think most of you who visit me here had ever seen the old planter bed. It was made of timbers, and over the years was starting to sink and lean. It didn’t look that horrible even at the end, but it was definitely in need of repair and updating. It’s been replaced with a stone edging. I really like how it turned out.

Our lawn service folks were the ones who did this. The cost was reasonable and they did a very nice job.

I’m sure there are some jagoffs in the neighborhood who think we are lazy jagoffs ourselves for hiring a lawn service, since we are not that old and not that unhealthy. Well. I hired the original lawn service the spring after I bought the house in 1989. I was, and still am to some degree, allergic to a lot of different types of plant life. Cut grass used to be a big problem for me. After a series of allergy shots and the better allergy drugs of the 21st century, it is not so much of a problem any more. But back then, I was single, did not own a lawn mower, and was very much bothered by cut grass. A weekly visit from a lawn service was the best solution.

When I got married, we saw no reason to change things, as he did not bring an already-existing lawn mower to the marriage. The lawn service was sold a few years ago, and we thought about dropping it after a season with the new owners. Except the new owners were just as efficient and reliable as the original owners, and the cost was still very reasonable. No reason to change something good. And it’s nice to have one homeowner thing we don’t have to worry about!

Oh, not that I feel I had to explain myself to the jagoffs, and I know that you, my friends, wouldn’t mind if I never explained it. Just in case you were wondering!

(NaBloPoMo | August ’09: 18 of 31 | 75% Challenge: 206 of 274)