Wow!..Over a month! Well I guess that nothing absolutely stupid has happened...until now.

Once again, a "Customer Service" rant. Although this time, rather than giving it to you second hand, I have the chat sessions with AOL logged.

I was handling it on behalf of a family member, so I omitted a lot of stuff...you will see items placed in "{}". These items were personal information of the individual, that no one online needs to see.

I spent an HOUR AND TWENTY MINUTES in chat sessions, with "MHI" persons at AOL. The issue is this... The person was paying AOL for dial-up service (despite having cable for a year..grrr!), even after the "FREE" AOL price plan switch in November...Now I PERSONALLY changed their billing info online TWICE, but AOL has still continued to bill a monthly $9.95...

Now not only have I done this, but when this person signs on, and goes to their billing/account history page, BOTH requests are present, even to this day.

So I took it to a live "human" tech support chat... I don't need to say anything else, the stupidity rolls on here...but I am amazed at what AOL tries to do to people, and what they will go through for $9.95:

Session ID XXXXXXXX
8:47:11 PM System System MHI Neri has joined this session!
8:47:11 PM System System Connected with MHI Neri
8:47:16 PM System System Hello, {ME}. Welcome to AOL Billing Statement Live Help Support. My name is Neri.
8:47:16 PM System System {ME} stated the question or problem as: Billing Issues Billing Statement.
8:47:21 PM Agent MHI Neri May I ask what your name is, or what I can call you?
8:47:34 PM Customer {ME} {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE} is fine...good evening Neri
8:47:57 PM Agent MHI Neri I am pleased to meet you, {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE}.
8:48:01 PM Agent MHI Neri I appreciate the opportunity to handle this for you.
8:48:16 PM Agent MHI Neri I will be glad to check that for you. To protect your privacy and security, I will need to complete account verification before accessing your account information.
8:48:21 PM Agent MHI Neri Let's get started! :-)
8:48:26 PM Agent MHI Neri Will you please verify your full name for me?
8:48:29 PM Customer {ME} {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE}
8:48:41 PM Agent MHI Neri Thanks.

{Portions omitted for acount info and other stuff that you don't need}

8:51:57 PM Agent MHI Neri Perfect! Thank you so much for providing me that information, {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE}. I appreciate it. Let us continue.
8:52:14 PM Customer {ME} well now I am not able to access anything, because I have not paid for my "free" account...
8:52:32 PM Agent MHI Neri I have reviewed your account records and here is what I have found out for you:
8:52:45 PM Agent MHI Neri When AOL no longer has a valid method of payment and an outstanding balance exists on the account, the account's billing contact is notified through a pop-up to provide new billing information.
8:52:57 PM Agent MHI Neri AOL does this reminder as a courtesy to ensure that service is not interrupted.
8:53:06 PM Agent MHI Neri Outdated or incorrect information on your account may cause payment-processing problems, which in some cases could lead to service interruption.
8:53:12 PM Agent MHI Neri Our records show we are unable to bill your AOL membership to the method of payment we have on file for your account. This is the reason we notified you of the need to update your information.
8:53:36 PM Agent MHI Neri There is an outstanding balance of $9.95 on your account. Your financial institution rejected AOL's request for payment on March 22, 2007. We will resubmit uncollected charges on your next month's billing cycle.
8:53:46 PM Customer {ME} OK I understand that....I changed to a "free" account on 1/22/07....why are you still trying to charge me on 3/26/07???
8:53:52 PM Agent MHI Neri This can easily be remedied by updating your payment method. I can help you with that if you would like.
8:54:22 PM Customer {ME} No I am not giving you any information tell me why there is a charge on my account 2 MONTHS after I switched pricing plans....
8:54:42 PM Customer {ME} and why was I charged on 2/24 as well???
8:55:02 PM Agent MHI Neri I understand your concern.
8:55:07 PM Agent MHI Neri I assure you that we have several layers of security to protect your personal information. Also, this is a secure area for customer assistance.
8:55:17 PM Agent MHI Neri Until you update your payment method, the notification pop-up will continue to appear when you sign on to the AOL® software.
8:55:34 PM Agent MHI Neri To update your billing information, sign on to your Master Screen Name then visit AOL® Keyword: BILLING. Enter your ASQ when asked. In the MY ACCOUNT section (left side of the page), click the PAYMENT METHOD link and follow on-screen instructions.
8:55:37 PM Customer {ME} I am not updating anything...you do not need a credit card # for something that is "FREE"
8:56:09 PM Customer {ME} there is nothing to bill if it is "FREE"
8:57:07 PM Agent MHI Neri I understand your concern. Let me explain that for you.
8:58:22 PM Agent MHI Neri Our records shows no request to the Free AOL services on your account. The last price plan change request was to the $9.95 AOL Basic Dial-up plan which was made last December 25, 2006.
8:58:45 PM Customer {ME} I'm in my account right now....account changed 1/22/05 15:00
8:59:03 PM Customer {ME} my apologies...2007
8:59:36 PM Customer {ME} also have email confirmation & screencapture of the change...
8:59:57 PM Agent MHI Neri I apologize but your records shows no price plan change request to the Free services on your account.
9:00:12 PM Agent MHI Neri Please allow me to apologize. It is AOL's standard policy to not make any changes to our members' accounts without their direct request and permission, and the e-mail you received did not clearly state that.
9:00:17 PM Agent MHI Neri We actually have AOL® Keywords: MY ACCOUNT and CHANGE PLAN built to assist you in making this change online. This way you do not need to speak to anyone and can make the changes directly to your account quickly and securely.
9:00:43 PM Customer {ME} really now....
9:01:33 PM Customer {ME} so the email that i have received, the screen capture that I have on file, and MY ACCOUNT INFORMATION CURRENTLY ON MY SCREEN showing an account changed performed on 1/22/07 at 15:00 "does not clearly state that"???
9:02:25 PM Agent MHI Neri I understand why you might feel that way and I am sorry about the inconvenience.
9:03:01 PM Customer {ME} I'm looking at my recent account activity as we speak...are you telling me that you cannot see this yourself??? Please tell me that there is no entry on your system dated 1/22/07..
9:03:08 PM Customer {ME} I dare you
9:03:27 PM Agent MHI Neri Are you referring to this AOL account you are currently signed on to?
9:03:52 PM Customer {ME} yes
9:04:01 PM Agent MHI Neri Thanks for clarifying that.
9:04:04 PM Customer {ME} can I drop a jpeg in this chat??
9:04:15 PM Customer {ME} will show you what YOUR site is telling me
9:04:27 PM Agent MHI Neri Yes, {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE}, there is no record of a price plan change on your account on January 22, 2007.
9:05:12 PM Customer {ME} Thank you that is all I needed to know then, you cannot help me with this issue, and I shall be sure to report this credit card fraud to the appropriate authorities...Thank you Neri...goodnight
PM Agent MHI Neri Is there anything else I can assist you with at this time?
9:06:17 PM Customer {ME} You can only do what your computer tells you...I understand...
9:06:31 PM Customer {ME} Thank you for your assistance, I will take this up accordingly..
9:06:52 PM Agent MHI Neri Thank you so much for understanding and for your exceptional patience regarding this matter, {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE}. I sincerely appreciate it.
9:07:14 PM System System The session has ended!

NOW, not to be a pest or anything, but I tried again....

Exit 10:10:24 PM System MHI Jacque has joined this session!
10:10:25 PM System Connected with MHI Jacque
10:10:39 PM MHI Jacque Hello, my name is Jacqueline S. You have been transferred to Cost Automated Refresh and Reactivation Live Help. Please wait a moment while I review your previous session.
10:10:59 PM MHI Jacque I understand you want to confirm the status of your AOL account, do I have that correct ?
10:11:46 PM {ME} I know the status, It's on hold for payment...what payment I am unsure of since I switched to a free account on 1/22, with the last "cycle" payment on 2/24
10:12:15 PM {ME} which was made...but now I have a new charge...which I dunno why my "free" account is being charged
10:12:25 PM {ME} or on hold for said charge
10:13:25 PM MHI Jacque I will be glad to check your account. To protect your privacy and security, I will need to complete account verification before processing your request.
10:13:30 PM MHI Jacque What is your AOL screen name ?
10:13:34 PM {ME} {ME}
10:14:57 PM MHI Jacque Will you please verify your full name for me?
10:14:58 PM {ME} next??
10:15:02 PM {ME} {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE}
10:15:53 PM {ME} .......
10:17:05 PM MHI Jacque Can you please provide me the answer to the Account Security Question of the Primary Master Screen Name? Here is the question:
10:17:10 PM MHI Jacque {OMITTED...cause you don't need this}
10:17:34 PM {ME} {Answer you don't need either} ....and all of these items had to be entered to get to you...
10:17:36 PM {ME} next?
10:18:20 PM MHI Jacque The information you have provided matched what we currently have on file. Thank you very much for helping me verify your account.
10:18:25 PM MHI Jacque Please understand that we have a required verification process to follow when accessing account information. This is to protect the account privacy and security of our members like you.
10:18:35 PM MHI Jacque I know how inconvenient this can be, but please understand that we need to be consistent in verifying an account as we are strictly required to do so.
10:18:51 PM {ME} OK just gone through it...well this is now the third time...
10:19:32 PM {ME} so now that I am who I am, why is AOL still attempting to bill me for a "free" account?
10:19:40 PM MHI Jacque I apologize for the inconvenience.
10:19:50 PM MHI Jacque To confirm we have the correct information on file, may I have your current street home phone number, street address and zip code?
10:20:05 PM MHI Jacque Also, please indicate If you have an apartment number.
10:20:14 PM {ME} you have the correct info on file...again...how is this customer service.?

10:20:41 PM MHI Jacque So we can keep our records on file up to date and correct. You can update your information online anytime at Keyword MY ACCOUNT.
10:20:50 PM MHI Jacque Let's continue.
10:20:59 PM {ME} thank you
10:21:27 PM MHI Jacque You are most welcome, {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE}.
10:21:33 PM MHI Jacque Allow me to explain why you are receiving the pop up.
10:22:25 PM MHI Jacque When AOL no longer has a valid method of payment and an outstanding balance exists on the account, the account's billing contact is notified through a pop-up to provide new billing information.
10:22:40 PM MHI Jacque AOL does this reminder as a courtesy to ensure that service is not interrupted.
10:22:49 PM MHI Jacque Outdated or incorrect information on your account may cause payment-processing problems, which in some cases could lead to service interruption.
10:22:57 PM MHI Jacque Please hold for a moment so I can review your account.
10:23:10 PM {ME} If I have a FREE account there is NOTHING to process!!!!
10:24:10 PM MHI Jacque Thank you for holding, {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE}.
10:24:20 PM MHI Jacque I have reviewed your account records and here is what I have found out for you:
10:24:30 PM MHI Jacque Our records show we are unable to bill your AOL® membership to the method of payment we have on file for your account. This is the reason we notified you of the need to update your information.
10:24:50 PM MHI Jacque There is an outstanding balance of $9.95 on your account. Your financial institution rejected AOL's request for payment on March 22 2007. We will resubmit uncollected charges on your next month's billing cycle.
10:25:14 PM MHI Jacque This can easily be remedied by updating your payment method. I can help you with that if you would like.
10:25:19 PM {ME} WHAT PART OF FREE ACCOUNT DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND???
10:25:55 PM MHI Jacque Your current price plan is the $9.95 basic dial up plan.
10:26:13 PM {ME} lemme ask you something....LOOK UP my "DIAL UP USAGE"....
10:26:23 PM {ME} also look for "change plan" on 1/22/07
10:26:43 PM {ME} I have it here ON MY SCREEN in my account...provided from YOUR WEBSITE
10:27:01 PM {ME} I don't want to be rude here....
10:27:10 PM {ME} but this is ridiculous
10:27:35 PM MHI Jacque I can see how that is frustrating and I regret the inconvenience it has caused you.
10:27:51 PM {ME} so If I changed my plan on 1/22...why are you still trying to bill me 2 months later?
10:28:01 PM {ME} I was told the last bill would be 2/24
10:28:05 PM {ME} which I paid
10:28:10 PM {ME} as agreed
10:28:18 PM {ME} per my plan at the time....
10:28:30 PM {ME} I am not paying for anything past 2/24
10:29:05 PM MHI Jacque Our records show no changes to your AOL® pricing plan to the free AOL service. Please be assured that you are still on the $9.95 basic dial up plan.
10:30:03 PM {ME} well please be assured that I have my documentation here that states otherwise...in addition, there has been no dial up access to this account in months...
10:30:13 PM {ME} So...
10:30:36 PM {ME} We have a problem here...and I would like it resolved.
10:31:18 PM MHI Jacque I will tell you more about some great pricing offers after we have updated your payment information. This will be necessary to avoid possible service disruption.
10:31:18 PM {ME} I am attempting (now a third time) to resolve it...would you like me to fax MY PAPERWORK on the issue?
10:32:00 PM {ME} or just report the credit fraud you are attempting to commit?
10:32:20 PM MHI Jacque Again, we apologize for the frustration and inconvenience you have experienced. We appreciate your patience and your desire to get this matter resolved.
10:32:38 PM {ME} I'm glad you are so professional about this...will make for a great youtube video...
10:33:03 PM {ME} as is PAR for AOL service....you have yet to address my issue....
10:33:42 PM {ME} I have, in my account a "change plan" action on 1/22...WOULD YOU LIKE IT FAXED TO YOU?
10:34:00 PM MHI Jacque Yes, I will be glad to help you with your price plan concern after we have updated your payment method, would that be okay with you ?
10:34:08 PM {ME} You are dense
10:34:18 PM {ME} I am not giving you any financial info
10:34:21 PM {ME} for a free account
10:34:35 PM MHI Jacque Did you receive an email confirmation about the price plan change requested on January 22 ?
10:34:52 PM {ME} probably did...
10:35:20 PM MHI Jacque Could you for forward the email to my screen name in order I can verify this.
10:35:40 PM MHI Jacque * Can you please forward it.
10:35:49 PM {ME} sure hold on
10:36:15 PM MHI Jacque Thank you.
10:36:20 PM MHI Jacque I would be happy to hold for a brief moment. Please let me know when you are ready to continue.
10:38:36 PM MHI Jacque Not to rush you, but are you still with me?
10:38:40 PM {ME} yep
10:38:51 PM MHI Jacque Thank you.
10:39:57 PM MHI Jacque I hope you are still with me, {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE}.
10:40:58 PM MHI Jacque Please send a message that you are still with me, or I will have to end this session to help the next person in line.
10:41:04 PM {ME} sending now
10:41:13 PM MHI Jacque Okay
10:41:38 PM MHI Jacque Please forward it to {in fairness, not putting her personal email on here either}.
10:42:38 PM MHI Jacque Not to rush you, but are you still with me?
10:42:56 PM {ME} yep
10:42:59 PM {ME} still here
10:43:04 PM {ME} get it yet?
10:43:28 PM MHI Jacque Yes please forward it to {still being nice here...}
10:43:35 PM {ME} did that
10:43:53 PM {ME} from {ME}...subject {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE} account
10:44:03 PM MHI Jacque Please forward the original email.
10:44:36 PM MHI Jacque I do apologize however, I am unable to download a file.
10:44:45 PM {ME} OK fine but you're gonna have to wait to see if I can even find the email from 3 months ago
10:44:53 PM MHI Jacque I appreciate your understanding.
10:45:13 PM MHI Jacque Here is what I can do for you today.
10:45:25 PM {ME} OK
10:46:29 PM MHI Jacque Because we value your membership, if you update your payment information today, I can waive $5.00 from your outstanding balance. That's equivalent to half month of your outstanding balance months! How does that sound?
10:48:00 PM System Connected with MHI Jacque
10:48:00 PM MHI Jacque I hope you were able to get the last information I have just provided. Did it come through to you clearly?
10:48:15 PM {ME} Sounds like I'm getting rooked for $5....It's not even the money....its the PRINCIPAL... AOL has been sucking a crappy $9.95 for this account...I switch to a FREE account as soon as it is offered...but that one "didn't go thorugh" so I did it again in January....
10:49:04 PM MHI Jacque Okay, ....
10:49:04 PM MHI Jacque Because we value your membership, if you update your payment information today, I can waive your outstanding balance. How does that sound?
10:49:05 PM {ME} now youre saying "this one didn't go through" even though my account status, on your website, shows on 1/22/07 at 15:00 hours, I requested a price plan change
10:49:35 PM {ME} Well great! waive it...but since I'm on a free plan...you shouldn't need any info....
10:49:41 PM {ME} or am I not making any sense there???
10:50:06 PM MHI Jacque I'm sorry, I could only waived your outstanding balance if you will update your payment method now.
10:50:06 PM {ME} or are you going to try to bill me again later this month?
10:50:28 PM MHI Jacque Until you update your payment method, the notification pop-up will continue to appear when you sign on to the AOL® software.
10:50:45 PM {ME} That's insane...
10:51:08 PM {ME} For a free account, you shouldn't need any credit info
10:51:21 PM {ME} unless you are telling me that you will be charging me something in the future
10:51:41 PM {ME} is this what you are leaving out?
10:51:59 PM MHI Jacque Again, my apology, however, your current price plan remains on the basic dial up plan.
10:52:53 PM {ME} OK maybe you should re-read my original question....
10:53:18 PM {ME} IF I HAVE A FREE PLAN...you know FREE....
10:53:18 PM MHI Jacque I'm sorry, our records show no changes to your AOL® pricing plan to the free AOL service.
10:53:26 PM MHI Jacque Here is what I recommend.
10:53:47 PM {ME} I"M ALL EARS
10:53:48 PM MHI Jacque **instructions.
10:54:49 PM MHI Jacque I hope you were able to get the last information I have just provided. Did it come through to you clearly?
10:55:02 PM {ME} just ..."*instructions"
10:55:39 PM MHI Jacque I am sorry about that. Let me send the information once again.
10:55:49 PM MHI Jacque If you wish to view or update your billing information, sign on to your Master Screen Name then visit AOL® Keyword: MY ACCOUNT or the Web site: http://bill.aol.com. Enter your ASQ when asked. In the MY ACCOUNT section (left side of the page), click the PAYMENT METHOD link
10:56:09 PM MHI Jacque and follow on-screen instructions.
10:56:38 PM MHI Jacque Let's continue.
10:56:52 PM MHI Jacque I understand you are interested on the free AOL service, do I have that correct ?
10:56:59 PM {ME} yep
10:57:09 PM System We are enabling members who have already purchased a high-speed connection to continue using our AOL® free services option. This includes your existing AOL® e-mail address and Buddy List® features,
10:57:09 PM System the continued protection from AOL’s comprehensive Safety and Security features, and continued access to AOL's great broadband programming and content -- all for free for as long as you'd like to use them. There is no catch or commitment.
10:57:14 PM System We're able to continue our relationship with you for free because you're getting your connection elsewhere, which means we no longer provide your connectivity access or live customer support.
10:57:14 PM System Please note that your continued use of our free services will remain subject to the AOL® Terms of Service.
10:57:29 PM {ME} exactly.
10:57:56 PM {ME} been there..done that...twice...and now we're still here arguing over when I did or did not do that
10:58:15 PM {ME} DID IT...IS ON MY ACCOUNT 1/22/07 15:00....
10:58:26 PM MHI Jacque Since there is no record noted on this account on the price plan update to free, ....
10:58:39 PM MHI Jacque Would you like to take advantage of the free AOL® services option?
10:59:14 PM {ME} ok I'll repeat....been there..done that...twice...and now we're still here arguing over when I did or did not do...yes I would have loved this to have gone through...
10:59:52 PM MHI Jacque Allow me to explain that there is no price plan request to free noted on this account.
11:00:07 PM {ME} and I'll repeat again...the 1/22/07 15:00 is what is on YOUR website... I honestly don't remember that as the exact date...
11:00:17 PM {ME} you gave it to me
11:00:29 PM MHI Jacque Would you like to take advantage of the free AOL® services option?
11:00:35 PM {ME} YES...
11:00:37 PM {ME} yes
11:00:39 PM {ME} uh huh
11:00:44 PM MHI Jacque Thank you.
11:00:46 PM {ME} thats what I've been saying
11:00:59 PM MHI Jacque Do you currently connect via dial-up or do you have any DSL, cable, or wireless service already established?
11:01:03 PM {ME} cable
11:01:08 PM {ME} and have for over a year
11:01:19 PM MHI Jacque Thanks for confirming that.
11:01:24 PM MHI Jacque Let me assure you that this matter has already been resolved. Here is what we have done for you to take care of the issue:
11:01:34 PM MHI Jacque I have completed migrating your account to the free AOL® services option as discussed.
11:01:43 PM {ME} thank you very very VERY much
11:01:54 PM MHI Jacque Are you good with this change, {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE}?
11:01:58 PM MHI Jacque You are most welcome.
11:02:11 PM {ME} yes...an what about any open balances?
11:02:19 PM {ME} I hope that they have been wiped as well
11:02:39 PM MHI Jacque Let me give you some information you may want to write down. First, your free AOL® services plan which will take effect on your next billing date, which includes unlimited access to AOL via a high-speed Internet connection or
11:02:54 PM MHI Jacque dial-up connection purchased separately from another provider. This service plan does not include dial-up Internet access and does not include live customer support from AOL,
11:03:14 PM MHI Jacque but you will continue to enjoy any pre-paid dial-up time remaining in your current bill cycle. Although you will no longer be charged any monthly membership fee, you will be responsible for any other charges you might have incurred since
11:03:34 PM MHI Jacque your last billing date as well as any outstanding balance on your account and any premium services to which you have separately subscribed.
11:03:54 PM MHI Jacque If An additional $5 monthly charge will still apply if premium services or additional fees are paid through your checking account or telephone bill.
11:04:19 PM MHI Jacque If you find that you have a problem using the AOL® software for the first time with your new connectivity provider, you can get easy-to-use instructions on quickly solving this issue at AOL.com.
11:04:27 PM MHI Jacque The first article that appears "Use AOL Software with another ISP Connection "will provide you with the assistance you need. If you need further assistance or have any questions about your current services, please visit AOL® Keyword: MY ACCOUNT.
11:04:44 PM MHI Jacque An email will be sent out within 7 to 10 business days, confirming that we have discontinued billing monthly membership fees for your AOL® service.
11:05:01 PM {ME} yes this is already what I agreed to back in JANUARY...and since I agreed to is in JANUARY....and paid a bill in FEBRUARY...my balance should be $0.00...
11:05:42 PM {ME} or am I not making sense again???
11:05:54 PM MHI Jacque I do apologize, you will still be responsible for the outstanding balance on your account.
11:06:44 PM MHI Jacque Are there any other questions I can answer at this time?
11:07:24 PM {ME} With all due respect, and please note that this is not directed at you personally, but AOL can shove the $9.95...I have on my end what I did do, a copy of my current account statement from your website, and I'll be sure to find the email on or about 1/22....
11:08:04 PM {ME} ON PRINCIPAL ALONE....I absolutely refuse to pay AOL anything....
11:08:11 PM MHI Jacque If you find the email, we will be glad to have you visit us here at Billing Live.
11:08:39 PM MHI Jacque Again, {YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE}, I apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced concerning this matter.
11:09:17 PM {ME} not an inconvenience...will make for great youtube video...I have your email, I will be sure to pass on the link {which I have not, feeling in a nicer mood today.}
11:09:59 PM MHI Jacque I'm sorry to hear that.
11:10:04 PM MHI Jacque Are there any other questions I can answer at this time?
11:10:27 PM {ME} no but thank you for switching me to the free account....I will take up any balances with your legal department
11:11:21 PM MHI Jacque Thank you for visiting AOL® Live Help. If you need assistance in the future, just visit the Live Help area at AOL® Keyword: LIVE HELP or on the Internet, go to http://contactus.aol.com/.
11:11:23 PM {ME} great! appreciate the info!
11:11:39 PM MHI Jacque You are most welcome.
11:11:42 PM {ME} you have a good night!
11:12:09 PM MHI Jacque Have a good night!

Hey Comcast!

OK new rant for the day...this one is about my cable TV...

Comcast Boasts that they have thousands of hours of "on demand" television.

Myself, I am a big hockey fan. It is one of the few things I will STOP to watch, and actually pay attention to. So I figure "hey, I haven't seen a game in awhile...let me grab it on demand."

So I go through the maze of menus, and finally find "Flyers" (Hey I'm a hockey fan, and even watching a crappy team can get me my fix "LET'S GO RANGERS!")...

"No listings available"....what? NO game? huh... That makes no sense...they did play Saturday, why can't I get that?...It was only 2 days ago....

So I goof around in the menus...I did happen to find 14 selections of AAA HIGH SCHOOL swmming/diving events, and some of these events are 3 hours long...

So comcast thinks that they have to save programming space for 30+ hours of high school sports, but cannot leave ONE SINGLE flyers game on the system for more than 24 hours?

I hope the mommies and daddies of these lil fishies have to pay extra for their kids to go to school, for the pleasure of being able to tell Bob next door to watch the kid on TV. Because we all know the local high school pulls in more viewers then the Flyers...Maybe the local swimming hole should be move to the Wachovia.

Thanks for the thousands of hours of programming comcast, I personally only wanted 2 and a half, preferably pointed at a little black disc with a bunch of guys chasing it around...

Side rant...Vs. (formerly the "outdoor life network") carries NHL Hockey as well...(NHL WTF were you thinking signing that contract)...they carry games outside the region (i.e. for when I don't wanna watch the sucky Flyers)...yeah...your "On Demand" selections consist of 15 min outtakes of the games...

Dear Mr. CEO of the Vs. network...Please send me a copy of your video of the birth of your child, so that I can cut it down to "only the important parts". I would also like to make a pet project of your wedding video, your kids first steps, and I will be sure to cut it "professionally" into 10 second clips....I'll be sure to make your entire wedding ceremony fits into 7 mins (just like an ENTIRE NHL game in your recaps), and then be sure to ad in clips of other people's weddings for the last 7 minutes, covered by "commentary" from useless individuals.

Cmon now...somebody just show a game...

What to do?

I have come to yet another crossroad...I need to know what to do.

I am in a situation where I feel completely helpless, and the part that scares me, is that is what I do. I help.

I consult...that is...I am the "expert" that is brought in, when things go wrong, and nobody knows what to do, how to do it, and get things done.

I work in the construction industry. I help the Owner, the Architect, the Contractor, and the City, all come to an agreement on what/where/how something is constructed. What scares me is that in recent months, I receive no help from my design team, and the City informs me that "you don't know what you are doing (insert teeth sucking here)".

The past weeks, the City has COMPLETELY changed it's procedures, and of course in it's infinite wisdom, did not train any of it's own employees for the changes. I have spent the last 4 days working on stuff, that normally would take 1/2 a day.

On top of that, my clients now, have performed illegal construction, owes thousands in fines, and it is MY FAULT, they got caught, and I can't make it go away, so they can continue their construction. For this, I am an Asshole...

On the other hand, I have the client that has constructed everything already, prior to having retained any professional, filed for any permits, and now said "I'm disappointed in you" in a wonderfully angry tone, because he built something ass-backward, not to code...and I can't legalize it. SO he has to tear it down... Once again...Asshole.

In the background, I have a client who is yelling at me, because in an effort to save him $15,000, I asked him to pay me $500 to do a record search. Well the record search turned up nothing, so he has to go for the $15,000 worth of work...but the anger and ferocity he is showing me at this point, is incredible. Now granted, the search did not save him anything in the long run, but if the search worked, he would have saved $14,500. yet again...asshole.

My latest city battle includes waiting 5 hours to be told "I don't have time for you now, come back tomorrow"; Multiple requests for information, all of which have no effect on the project, and each time I come back with the useless information, as requested, I am told to bring more...mind you a construction crew is waiting on their asses DAILY for work to begin; requesting a copy of a document that "doesn't exist", then "it exists, but we don't have", then "you don't know what you're asking for", then "you don't know how to access the records"...an argument, teeth sucking, thrown up hands, and finally, when someone else comes over, I give them the application number, and within 2 minutes I have a copy in my hands. ummm...you asshole.

Maybe I am an asshole. I think people forget that the reason they hire me, is because THEY CANNOT DO IT THEMSELVES! If they could, why call me? But I am the asshole, because in my daily work, where it is my job to HELP my clients, and work cost effectively, all I get from both ends is grief...

"hey look, you had 3 violations that were $10,000 each...I got them to drop 2, but you still have to pay 1, and they'll drop the rest."

Do I get a "thank you" for saving THEM $20,000 in violations THEY caused? NO. Unfortunately, I get yelled at for not getting all 3 thrown out. All of them, for a building I've never seen, for people I don't know (a new client), for work that is undoubtedly done wrong and illegal.

Them: "Now, go back to the city, and request the 3rd one be dismissed."
Me: "I personally don't recommend that, you should be lucky they dropped 2."
Them: "I'm paying you to get this done, go do it."
Me: "If you insist, please put it in an email, and I'll do it..."

Now mind you...I get paid the same amount for the dismissal no matter how it is done. My job is to get it cleared. Now if I can get it kicked on face value I will. Otherwise, the fine must be paid, and the violation removed. Either way I still get paid the same amount. A whopping $175.00...As of right now, the guy is "up" $19,825.00.

So I get the email, go back to the City, and "politely (while cringing)" request that the third violation be dismissed as well....Well guess what...? Guess who has to pay $30,000 again...

Ready for this...I've been threatened by lawsuit.

Now I really don't care (I mean my contract is rock solid, and I have everything in writing, and how can I be sued because they fucked up...), but who wants to deal with this type of bullshit?

I am running into this more and more, and caring less and less about helping people. NO matter what you do for them, you're wrong in the end anyway. Even those that go completely as expected, and line for line as per contract, have people bitching at the end looking for any excuse for a discount on their bill. Don't worry...it's in the mail.

So the question is....what to do? In recent days, I have given serious consideration to closing my doors, never having to hear another person bitch about how "you didn't do enough", or "as fast as I wanted it" or "make it RIGHT!"

Well, I can't afford to close my doors...so guess what...I know what to do...I'm going to revisit someone I thought I left in my past a long time ago...

WATCH OUT, CAUSE HERE COMES THE ASSHOLE!

Myspace sucks!

Well, people have asked time and time again, and I was going to put this together myself, but it appears that someone has summed it up all too well...

http://jstoppi.googlepages.com/10reasonsididn%27tstartamyspaceaccount

Be Well.

Lycos says NO!...

OK another rant about service...however this one, I don't even recall asking for.

We all hate spam, and I get quite a bit of it. Now we all know that the "super stock deals", the "v..i..a..G..a..r..A D..e..a..l..s.." messages and the "just send me your bank account info, and I'll transfer you 40 million dollars" scams that come from individual accounts that will not remove you from a spam list, cause they don't keep one. Well here's a big one....LYCOS.

I get this stupid Email "relationship-timeline@lycos-newsmail.com". Now I don't use Lycos, maybe I did...14 years ago...but have used nor heard from them at all, ever.

So I want to get off this SPAM LIST, and figuring that this is a large company, going through the paces to have my email removed from their list might be worth the effort.

To unsubscribe, at the bottom of the email is this link: http://www.lycos-newsmail.com/us.

Now on this page, you have to login, to unsubscribe. Since I don't recall subscribing to anything, I click on the "lost your password" link, so I can get it, so I can sign in, so I can cancel.

OK, the next page, you must provide your username (once again, don't have...didn't signup), my Last name (WTF?) and my email address. So I have to have all of this info, just to have it emailed to me? What for? Here's my email...just send whatever my username and password that is linked to this email account.....ummm... TO THIS EMAIL ACCOUNT.... Ahhh.. another link...feedback....

Clicking this, only brings you to the LYCOS homepage....GRRR...

OK to the bottom of the hompage....there it is..."Help".... Now I got it. Clicking help brings me to another page...."questions and answers"...hmmm...Dont have a question...ahhh...this is definitely it...."open new support ticket"....

FUCK!!! I have to have my username, to send in a support ticket, to find out my username, so I can have my password emailed to me, so I can log in, so I can be removed from a mailing list.

OK now going to scream at someone via phone cause this is just Bullshit...

I get a number (781) 370-2700...la la la..."press 2 for customer service"...ok...2.

"We're sorry but Lycos no longer provides customer service via telephone. Please visit our website..." FFFFFUUUUUUUCCCCCCCKKKKKKK!

Well I try several more extensions at the above number, leaving nice messages to all of these people who don't seem to answer their phones.

So I am turning to you, the internet public for assistance with this LYCOS issue. Anybody got ideas???

OK... yesterday's rant was a bit much... or so I have been informed.

Today's rant is once again about people, but in a larger scope. I'm talking about public spaces in general, with the example coming from our experience last night.

Yesterday was the birthday of the devoted Matriarch of my better half's family. The big 79!!!

As a request for her birthday, she wanted to go to Carrabas, somewhere in/near Frazer, PA. I would like to specifically direct this to the Owners and Patrons of this establishment...

We arrive at this restaurant, our party of nine, promptly at our agreed time of 7 pm. To find a line. "35 minutes to a table" Now myself, coming from the land of York, unless you are attempting to eat at a chain/restaurant in/near a mall, or if some sort of large unscheduled event happens nearby, a wait for a table is pretty much unheard of...even if there is a short (under 10 minute wait), there's always the restaurant next door, down the block, or...wait the ONE WHERE YOU MADE A RESERVATION...what the hell happens to the ability to make a reservation, once you lose sight of a city skyline?

Of course we all know it is more efficient to have a staff of 3 or 4 off duty cheerleaders, loosely organize a scribbled list of names. They can herd the cattle into the isles between the already seated customers, and issue modified blinking versions of the pager I carried back in 1984. Why have a single person manage a reservation list...I'm so dumb.

So we decide to wait (what other choice do we have?). So we say that we will "be in the bar". It seems that the grand wizards in the corporate offices of Carrabas, responsible for the design of the space, has neglected to make any suitable waiting area for this situation. In this box, it seems that the "bar" is a mere foot and a half away from a wall of "bar height" tables, all occupied by people who have equally waited their half hour for a seat.

So we, and many other potential diners, are forced to stand between the door, the bar, and the wall of already seated persons...this is wrong on SOOO many levels.

First off, for the staff, having to constantly "excuse me", and "pardon me" through the sea of people who are waiting to be seated, just to do their job. I hope the management give an extra hazard pay to the staff working this section of the restaurant.

Second, the persons already seated in this area...if I were one of them, I would insist on a discount on my meal...to have flocks of people standing behind/over me as I attempt to enjoy my meal, never mind the delays to my now cold meal, by my servers having to carry tray fulls of food through coughing, sneezing, aggravated patrons, who have no place else to wait, than on my shoulder.

Third, and the most important portion of this rant, is the lack of simple courtesy these patrons have for one another...I would personally like to thank Beavis and Butthead... the two frat boys who thought it highly appropriate to have not a loud, but most noticeably over animated conversation, in this tight "wait space". They apparently, through a poor attempt to impress the delta-delta-delta girls they were with, thought that a complete stranger (that being myself), would enjoy a constant literal ribbing, to further their efforts to get laid. Needless to say, I had made a loud comment or two with regard to their complete disregard to their surroundings, and went outside for a breather.

I would also like to thank Marge and George... these two early 60-ish stocky individuals, during their wait, moved somewhat to the far end of the bar. Once their cheerleader issued, magic vibrating light show came to life in their hands, you would have thought there was a fire. Not word pass their lips, barreling towards the hostess station... One member of my party, has a portion of her drink spilled down her jacket, cause Marge likes her some spaghetti, and we all know what happens when you get in the way of Marge - that 5 foot grandma linebacker, with a dyejob selected from a crayola box, and her 30 cents worth of Barilla.

So we wait...30 minutes...40 minutes...50 minutes, we have all at at least, one time or another, gone outside, just to be free from the uncomfortable feeling of of shoulder to shoulder contact with a stranger.

So we are finally called, the table is ready... um... almost. We're seated at the table, with nothing but a tablecloth. Now, I am really not upset by this much, as I am just happy to be seated, SOMEWHERE. After some light conversation, we notice...there's still nothing on the table. We are informed by our waitstaff duo, that the dishwasher is running, and plates will be out soon. But they will take our drink order. At least our stuff will be clean. We put in the drink order, and go about our conversations.

OK finally...bread...side plates...we...get 5 of the 9 required sets of silverware... the non alcoholic drinks hit the table, but the rest of (majority) of us are still waiting, cause the "bar is slow".

The remainder of the meal went fine from this point, as we received everything as ordered, nicely presented, and the service from our duo was stupendous. My veal was surprisingly a decent cut, not expected from a chain restaurant.

Now as far as the wait... I do not expect the staff to be able to read minds, carry a stopwatch, or force out a seated patron, so that I can sit. HOWEVER, it is an all too common practice, for restaurants to completely underestimate the wait time, so as not to lose the customer. I can understand a difference of a few minutes, but DOUBLE? Are you that unaware of your business practices to estimate a wait time within say 15 minutes? And besides, after a half hour, I've already committed myself to this restaurant, why leave now? You'll just have to start again somewhere else. That's right, you've got me trapped.

But I have to say that this was a lousy meal. It was lousy due to the experience prior to being seated. From being herded into an isle for almost an hour, to be pushed and needled by fellow waiting patrons, by the time I sat down, it was already predetermined I would not enjoy what I was served, no matter what it was. On top of that, the situation lends itself willingly to become a horrible experience, because the longer it goes on, the more time you have to be exposed to (and focus on) all of those little imperfections that ruin an experience, and makes the palette bitter prior to any food being served.

A wait (twice as long as stated), a push, standing, concerns for a 79 year old woman standing for almost an hour, move left, "excuse me" right, doing a softshoe shuffle in my 12 inch by 12 inch square, attempting to let the staff do their job, while not hovering over the people seated immediately to my right or my back. Bump left, the plant is in my hair, spilled drink, Beavis, Butthead, Marge, George...

It is apparent by this experience that this restaurant is too small to handle the flow of patrons of the area. There is a standard practice that has been instituted, with much success, in the past. The customer is always right...Take a reservation.

***My apologies to the staff of this establishment, as you have done all that you can do to make my dining experience a pleasurable one, but it is the practices of the management of this (and other similar establishments) that force me to seek an alternate environment, where I am not dry humping a fellow patron for an hour, and paying for the "luxury" of dining on an (at best) average meal. I hope that the generous gratuities I have left in the past not only show my appreciation for your service, but are a source of additional compensation for dealing with your management's incompetence.

This one goes out to the idiot on the New Jersey Turnpike on the early afternoon of February 14, 2007:

You are a stupid ASS!

During this snowstorm that has hit the east coast on Valentine's Day, the roads (needless to say) were pretty bad. The Turnpike itself lowered the speed limit to 35mph, down from it's normal 65mph. For a highway where the acceptable speed limits are 80...the conditions were not good.

So I would like to send this lovely hello to the red minivan drivin, cell phone talkin, clueless soccer mom, who is unaware that in a snowstorm, YOU WILL SPIN OUT DOING 75mph...

I have a heavy foot. I also have EXTENSIVE driving experience on the Turnpike. I drive a "boxy but it's safe" Volvo...I...ME...Mr. "it settles in at 90mph..." was doing 35mph (and doublefisting the wheel to maintain control)....

The road situation during the storm (at this point), was that only the center lane of the Turnpike was plowed, leaving the far left and right lanes, a snowy/sleet mix that if entered...equaled death.

This twat (word I am using in agreement with my better half, since the "C" word is not her favorite, but is interchangeable), comes flyin into the highway on her cell phone, oblivious to the world around her. As soon as she is off of the ramp, she immediately slides into a spin. As she hits the 180 mark (i.e. her headlights facing me), she misses the SUV in front of me by inches... I look at her through her windshield, she still has the phone to her ear, with a huge round "O" where her mouth used to be. I hope she deafened whomever she was on the phone with.

I come to a sliding stop as she is now somewhere around the 270 mark. If I still had my old station wagon, that whale of a minivan would have been a great target, with me now facing the passenger side of the humpback, now spewing snow from the tires, since the twit apparently floored the pedal thinking this would help.

I sit mid highway, now sitting there watching the remainder of the show, where she continues to a her full 360, a drops to a stop. She's still on the phone...

So hello to my turnpike companion, whom I only wish I grabbed your Jersey tag number to post here, so that other travelers might be aware of how stupid you are.

I personally hope that you continue your driving habits, so that one day you can wrap yourself around a tree. I hope that your kids are with you , so that your genes cannot spread into the world. Lastly, I hope you're on the phone with your Mother, so that the last thing she hears is the sound of your death.

This was, by far, the stupidest thing I've been witness to in a long time. My only disappointment was the fact that you did not kill yourself right there and then, because now you have the ability to possibly harm someone else in the future...

To the dude navigating the Silver SUV in front of me...NICE HANDLING!!!