Tired and Cranky

Tired and cranky. These words are almost always associated with toddlers. However, as of late, they're quite appropriate descriptors of me. The semester is winding down at an alarming rate. I have one and a half weeks of class and a week of finals; I can hear the fat lady singing in the distance. This is been a semester of 12-14 hour days: grading, planning, researching, and writing. And the most distressing thing of all is that despite all the time I've logged, I still can't seem to catch up.

There are 'virtual' piles of papers to be graded (Ma, virtual here means they're electronic, and not hard copies.), there's a dissertation that is simmering (at least it's not cold), four research papers that are in the process of being written, grades to be posted, and plans for next semester! Yee gads!

Suffice it to say I've been terribly tired and most cranky. I am tired of eating fish sticks, frozen pizza, and corn dogs (Although I do love corn dogs!). I want chicken soup with matzo balls; I want baked chicken; I want steak! But I seem to be lacking two things: time and money.

So I've hypothesized that these two factors combined with poor nutrition have only compounded the grumpy and tired factors by several degrees.

With all this said, I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can count on one hand the number of class periods I have left. I will have a week during Thanksgiving to rest and write and clean. Lovely! I plan to do all three. I'll have two weeks of class in December and then I'll have another three weeks to work on research (the dissertation and the four papers).

Embarq Free

There's a bit of irony with a dash of sarcasm in this post's title. Embarq sucks. And they're hardly free. Oh, you've read a vent here or there about my trials and tribulations with Embarq. Suffice it to say that in the past two years and three months that I have lived here I have spent more time on the phone trying to figure out my bill, contesting my bill, wondering why I do not have service, or trying to reduce my services so that I might better afford my bill. Embarq provided three services for us: land line, Internet, and cell phone. Internet being the only one that worked consistently and was relatively affordable (compared to other options). But alas, it didn't matter how we tried to work it, our bill was always $150/month. I tried a long distance package. I gave up long distance all together. We reduced the number of minutes on the cell phone. We added minutes and bundled. We tried slower Internet. The impact was never greater than $10/month.

Finally, it became a choice between phone and Internet or groceries. We chose groceries. Those of you who have tried calling me know I've not had service since the 5th or 6th of October. It's been a quiet four weeks. And aside from my minor withdrawal from the Internet at home, I've rather enjoyed the peace. I spent two years living in Eureka Springs after graduating from Hendrix without a phone. I can spend a few years living in the 'Burg without a phone.

And so today, the Embarq Saga ends... Of course, they got another 90 minutes of my life that I'll never be able to get back!

It began at 1:00 this afternoon. I called to make a payment on my bill and reevaluate my services in hopes of lowering my bill. I made said payment (and she assured me that my payment was not enough to restore my services, and I said I understood, no problem) and when I reminded the gal that I needed to discuss reducing my services, she hung up on me.

I called back. Got another gal. Explained that I needed to ask about a $159 charge on my bill (for services NOT received) and that I needed to talk about changing up my services. She explained, very patiently, that even though I did NOT have phone or Internet services, that the $159 was my charge for October, after all they didn't give my phone number away. Something about fine print. So I asked to speak to a manager to resolve the issue. The line was disconnected.

I called back. I cancelled my services. The gal assured me that I would be "pro-rated" for October, but the bill would not come out till November. She directed me to the wireless people to cancel the cell phone (which they're planning on dropping in the near future anyway!).

There I spoke with another gal. She disconnected the service. I asked her about the bill. We got to the 'hard questions' and we were disconnected (again!). I am so not kidding.

So I called back. Spoke with another gal at wireless. She said that I indeed cancelled my wireless, but that my other services had been restored. "No, they can't be! First my payment wasn't enough and secondly, I cancelled them," I moaned. "No, I show that you cancelled the wireless, but not your other services. But you're right, your services should not have been restored" She kindly connected me with a gentleman who worked in cancellations.

He was confused. He found it difficult to believe that I had been on the phone for about 75 minutes and had experienced three dropped calls. (Note: I was being very nice. No cussing or screaming.) So he began the process and provided me with a confirmation number (!) and I asked, "Should I call wireless back to make sure I the cell phone is cancelled?" "No ma'am, it's taken care of now. Is there anything else I can help you with?" "Why yes, I need to talk to somebody about my bill. There's $159... do I need to talk to billing?" "I can handle it for you, what's the problem."

And so I explained that I was being charged for services I did not receive. That I have NOT had service in four weeks, not since October 6. That I was not going to pay $159 for charges dated 10/13 - 11/12. And I asked, the gal earlier said I couldn't not be pro-rated for those days because I didn't not "cancel" my services and you were "saving" my phone number.

Long story, longer... He agreed to stop the bill on the 6th and pro-rate from there. Of course, I forsee another call to Embarq in November when I receive my final bill.

But I will no longer be using their services.

Well readers, this means that contacting me via the phone will be virtually impossible; just ask my mom or Shannon. But you can still reach me at the office (leave a message if I am in class) and you can email me at my gmail or UCM accounts.

Bye-bye Embarq!

Mrs. Wishy-Washy

Good ole Mrs. Wishy-Washy. She's one of my all time favorite book characters. One day she takes to cleaning all the animals on the farm. Shortly after getting them all clean, they find a nifty puddle and shout, "Oh, lovely mud!" If you have a preschooler or toddler, you must have this book. It's great for read aloud. The story pattern is easily picked up by kids and in no time they're reading on their own. "In when the duck, wishy-washy, wishy-washy." Of course, I totally identify with Mrs. Wishy-Washy on so many levels. She and I share the same buxom physique, however she has an ability to pull off fuzzy slippers where I cannot! We both find a great deal of pleasure (and perhaps self-medication) in the act of cleaning. And we are both find satisfaction in a job well done! Mrs. Wishy-Washy, I salute you!

Unfortunately, I've not been able to channel my Mrs. Wishy-Washy. My washing machine is on the fritz. It makes quite a horrid noise when one sets it to washing. I paid $60 for a wonderful man to tell me it would be cheaper to buy a new one! Oh no! Washing machines have transmissions? Well hooey! We're looking at nearly $300 to fix a $328 washing machine. The laundry mat is looking better and better. But at $1.50 to wash and $.25 for ten minutes of drying time the new machine would pay for itself in three months. But I would be right back where I am now in four to five years' time. Mr. Repairman assured me that today's washing machines have a 5-6 year life span. And I think he's right. My friend, Shannon, just replaced a switch on her 5-6 year old machine. I need a transmission on my 5 1/2 year old machine. His suggestion: Whirlpool or Maytag, and a front loading one at that.

Well, I've perused the Lowe's website and looked at several machines. And I am still uncertain. Fix the old one at $225 to $300 (depending on parts)? Purchase the least expensive Maytag or Whirlpool ($400). Or sell my first born (any takers?) and go for something a bit more expensive that is "supposed" to last 10 - 20 years ($650-$750). What happened to appliances lasting for decades?

So readers, I have to ask, "What are you washing with?" What kind of washing machine do you have? How long have you had it? Are you happy with it? What kind of detergent are you using? Does it smell good? Do you use dryer sheets, fabric softener in the rinse, or both?" Air your dirty laundry hear! I need help making a decision!

Drive-Thru

Wednesday morning I left the house early in search of medicine for my eyeballs. I didn't bother to take time for breakfast. I ended up at Wal-Greens where I found the meds I needed. The smell of McDonald's tempted me across the street where I found myself in line behind a beat up Monte Carlo. Both the driver and the car were belching smoke (ugh!). What was I thinking?

Well, that's when I heard the best drive-thru order in my life. The folks ahead of me leaned out of the car and ordered the following: "I'd like a steak and egg bagel. No egg. No onions. On an English muffin!"

Did I hear them right? The order actually went down hill from there and it took them roughly seven minutes to place a $10.98 order. Not to mention they were quite ugly to the attendant who took their order. I sat in the fumes while I watched three other cars zip through the other drive-thru lane.

It was the first time, I confess, that I actually hoped a food service employee would spit in a customer's order (theirs not mine!). Am I going to hell now?

Another 45 Minutes

And the Embarq saga continues.

After the horrors of Embarq from Saturday (You can click here to read that post!) I came to school today ready to do battle again. This time I was armed with the knowledge that I could indeed live without the Internet, a phone, and a cell phone. I have done so several times in the past.

At 2:42 I picked up the phone and by 2:50 the automated voice told me my wait would be at least 15 minutes. It was. And then I spoke with Devin. I asked her for help in figuring out my bill. 1) Why am I being charged for a service I do not have access to? Long distance. And 2) What do I need to cancel to cut my phone bill in half. (How can I have a $200/month phone bill if I do not make long distance calls?!) I explained my 45 minute ordeal from Saturday. She commented that David made NO notes in my file, it was as if I had never called. (I am thinking of a very dirty word right now!). She commented that I had not made any long distance calls since October. I reminded her that I can't! We went back and forth and finally I said, look, I am going to have to cancel my services. I am not willing to continue with the expense, the hassle, and the headache. Would you please connect me with someone who can help me? (Thinking back to David assuring me that I would need to speak to another entity to cancel services!). She said, "that person would be me." And I said, "Alright. Let's cancel the following: long distance and home phone, Internet, and cell phone." She asked, "Are you cancelling because you're angry about the $30 for long distance?" "No," I replied, "I am cancelling because I am unhappy with the service I receive and I cannot afford $200/month for services that I don't even have access to and therefore cannot use."

Long story short. After a 45 minute chat with Devin I will continue to have local phone services, Internet and a cell phone (all the things I 'enjoy' now) and my bill will be $120/month. Imagine that. I still won't have long distance, but at least I cut by bill by nearly $80.

Wankers!

45 Minutes

Or yet another reason I hate Embarq!

I spent 45 minutes on the phone and I am still not able to make long distance calls. I had about an hour before dinner and thought, let's call Embarq (again) to see what can be done about the phone. After being on hold for 25 minutes I got to talk to David. I explained that I was being charged for long distance but I was unable to use it. He said, "It looks like you have long distance." I replied, "Yes, I am paying for it, but I cannot use it." (This has been going on for months!). "Hold a moment." Five minutes later he comes back on the phone, "You're all fixed. You should have long distance within the next four hours." "That's great David," I say "but I am being charged for service that I have not had access to. While I do not expect to be reimbursed for October or November, I would like the December bill (due in about two weeks) and the current bill to be adjusted." (I am asking for a credit of $30/month for a total of $60. I already pay $200/month!) David coolly replied "We show no record of you calling to correct the problem so we cannot adjust your bill." I pointed out "I call from my office during business hours and haven't ever been able to hold long enough to speak to a person. It took 25 minutes to be connected with you." He repeated his previous statement. I asked to speak to his supervisor. He claimed his supervisor already denied my request preemptively (Is that a word?) and that was why I was on hold for the five minutes he said would take one. "Well then David, I would like to speak with someone who can help me cancel my services with Embarq." "Fine then, I'll connect you." I was on hold for another twenty minutes. I finally hung up. I still do not have long distance. And I have not been able to chat with a supervisor.

Warrensburg is a small town. With that there are some limitations, some drawbacks. Nearly all of them related to choice.

Shopping? Wal-Mart or Farm & Home
Groceries? Wal-Mart, Bi-Lo, or Parker's
Cable? Charter or Dish
Dinner Out? Appleby's or Rib Crib
Internet? Charter or Embarq
Telephone? Embarq
Trash Pick Up? Vic's Disposal, Warrensburg Trash, Heartland and the list goes on! There have to be TEN different trash companies in this town!

But only one phone service provider.

Considering Voice Over Internet Protocol like Vonage but then I still have to get Internet from either Charter or Embarq (and Charter's reputation for Internet service is worse than Embarq!). Cell phones from the Kansas City area may be thought (but I really never wanted to buy a cell phone! Ever!).

Monday I am going back to do battle.

If you think getting in touch with me is hard now! Just wait! I may be off the grid in no time!