10/3/08
8/13/08
"comcastic"
Today I made a quest to get Internet at home. Here is what happened:
1. I get a flier in the mail saying $35/month TV & Internet call this 1.800 number.
2. I call the 1.800 number and the guy tells me to go to comcast.com for the deal
-I tell him that the flier should say to go online and he told me it doesn't say that because he has to try to sell me more stuff.
3. I take the bus to Starbucks to get online and go to comcast.com The website does not have the deal. So instead I pick the cheapest Internet deal and the cheapest TV deal ($53/month). Then a LIVE chat agent says that I have to already be a current TV comcast customer to get the Internet deal. I tell the LIVE chat agent that I just want the $35/month deal for both.
The LIVE chat agent says that I have to go to my nearest comcast store in order to get that deal.
San Francisco
260 Potrero Ave
San Francisco , CA 94103
Phone: 800-945-2288
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:00pm. Sat 9:00am-4:00pm
So now I am off to Potrero. What an operation they run.
1. I get a flier in the mail saying $35/month TV & Internet call this 1.800 number.
2. I call the 1.800 number and the guy tells me to go to comcast.com for the deal
-I tell him that the flier should say to go online and he told me it doesn't say that because he has to try to sell me more stuff.
3. I take the bus to Starbucks to get online and go to comcast.com The website does not have the deal. So instead I pick the cheapest Internet deal and the cheapest TV deal ($53/month). Then a LIVE chat agent says that I have to already be a current TV comcast customer to get the Internet deal. I tell the LIVE chat agent that I just want the $35/month deal for both.
The LIVE chat agent says that I have to go to my nearest comcast store in order to get that deal.
San Francisco
260 Potrero Ave
San Francisco , CA 94103
Phone: 800-945-2288
Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:00pm. Sat 9:00am-4:00pm
So now I am off to Potrero. What an operation they run.
8/1/08
My school is Subjective.
It is near impossible to bullshit in ad school. You either did the work or you didn't. In college I would wait till the last minute and whip out a 15 page paper, write a 10 minute long speech or even cram an entire semesters worth of knowledge into a one night study-a-thon. With all this "effort" I still ended up with a good grade point average.
Grades don't matter in ad school. Like my friend at Parson's says "if you can't sew you wont get a job." In my case I need to know my Adobies (you know, Photoshop, Illustrator and yes, even Flash).
Like all my Adobe classes at school, the copywriters sit around and throw playful insults at each other while the art directors squeeze their brains to pump out one good execution. My Flash class has so far caused me two things; eternal frustration and sudden loss of sight.
The problem with many of my classes is we're all just expected to know how to do things and then present to the class the next week.
And so, we all learn by subjective critique from our peers.
This is so different for me. In my undergrad I was first taught the subject and then expected to write the paper, perform the speech or create the project. At my school now it is just the opposite. First we create the ad and then we talk about it. In my opinion, what was all the hard work up front for? Can anyone just flat out tell me what is expected of me before I spend all week creating it?!? Just a hint would be nice :)
ugh, the love of subjectivity.
Grades don't matter in ad school. Like my friend at Parson's says "if you can't sew you wont get a job." In my case I need to know my Adobies (you know, Photoshop, Illustrator and yes, even Flash).
Like all my Adobe classes at school, the copywriters sit around and throw playful insults at each other while the art directors squeeze their brains to pump out one good execution. My Flash class has so far caused me two things; eternal frustration and sudden loss of sight.
The problem with many of my classes is we're all just expected to know how to do things and then present to the class the next week.
And so, we all learn by subjective critique from our peers.
This is so different for me. In my undergrad I was first taught the subject and then expected to write the paper, perform the speech or create the project. At my school now it is just the opposite. First we create the ad and then we talk about it. In my opinion, what was all the hard work up front for? Can anyone just flat out tell me what is expected of me before I spend all week creating it?!? Just a hint would be nice :)
ugh, the love of subjectivity.
No Spend July Results
"My oh My, it's July" has come to an end. As predicted, I won! In the beginning I only ate Tina's burritos and $5 foot longs. Then I started to go to my local coffee shop more and more. It's amazing how little things add up. But I just love how Caffe Roma remembers my name when I order a coffee or share a bottle of red with Jessica. In the end I sold 40,000 frequent flier miles to Monica - ensuring my win ;)
Jessica brought up the idea of $100 August.
......oy
6/27/08
Airport (ugh)
Flights continue to get worse and worse. Instead of getting excited to go on vacation I dread the expected delays and missed connections.
I am blogging now from Cincinnati. I hear lil' stories like the one I'm about to tell ALL THE TIME, and mine is really no different. I did, however, fine tune a great death stare.
First, I get to the airport. I flee from Josh's car to the nearest check-in kiosk. I swipe my credit card and instantly the screen of horror pops up "TO CONTINUE SEE AGENT."Ahhhh shit. I slowly turn my head to see my Flight number next to my least favorite word; "DELAYED" (at least it didn't say the "c" word).
So, I wait in the ridiculously long windy line of confused pissed of people to see my agent. I get the German one. This is where I start heavily observing other's techniques for assuring they will get to where they need to go. Looking back, I should of paid more attention. Plus I was only starring at other people because my agent was broken. I know he's broken because I'm sitting here in Cincinnati when I'm supposed to be enjoying lunch with my Aunts in DETROIT! DETROIT German Man! DETROIT!
Well...technically I'm supposed to be in Traverse City, but that's a different story.
So German man gives me my new tickets and I head towards the security check point. Check point man glares at me and asks "Are you traveling alone?" For some reason I instantly felt very guilty for not having anyone with me and said in a very meek voice "yah?" Then he said "What is your name?" I quickly snapped out of my embarrassed guilt and glared back at him; "You have my ID." At which point he told me that I had Joseph Barrens tickets.
ughhhh German man!
When I finally get to the other side I see several, scratch that, a ton of depressed pissed off facial expressions. This can't be good. So, slowly, like I'm about to uncover my hands at a scary movie, I look up to the Departures screen.
"Ah!"
I hate scary movies. And now I hate Departure screens.
I'm not leaving till 1:10AM now?! Wha?! There aren't even comfy chairs here. Wait a second, there aren't even ANY free chairs.
I felt like Delta slapped me across the face and forced me to sit on the ground (by loud yelling toddlers, of course). To make matters worse for some reason someone thought it a great idea to put marble walls in SFO - so all of the power outlets are set into the wall by an inch. I normally don't care about these interior design screw ups until my lap top died mid 30 Rock and I needed to charge it. Luckily, there is a Mac guy within 10 feet of you at any given time in San Fran, so said Mac guy let me borrow his. Thank you Mac guy.
Finally after five 30 Rock episodes - FINALLY we board. Needless to say, worse flight ever. A delayed red eye with a bunch of elder business guys does not smell good.
Feeling like jell-o, I get off in Cincinnati. I hand one of my newly created "business cards" to the girl I met sitting next to me and then I run off to find the elusive Gate "C". After a sleepy miss directed mess I realize there is a shuttle to get to Gate "C". Cincinnati Airport: 1, Adrienne: 0.
I'm at "C". I hand my ticket to the very slow lady behind the check-in counter. She says that she's not taking stand by yet.
Wait a second, STAND BY?
ughhh German man, how you have failed me so.
So, let me get this straight. I wait in SFO for an unexpected 2.5 hours to miss my connection to Detroit, and my consolation prize is STAND BY? Did Delta just slap me across the face again?! Of course by the time I finally found Gate "C" it put me low on the stand by list. Cincinnati Airport: 2, Adrienne: 0.
Here is where I see a guy I stood up for back at SFO (he was trying to get on the direct flight to Detroit because his agent told him he should ask at the Gate. Then the Gate man said that we should of asked at the Door. I stepped out of line to back him up and yelled that there was clearly a lack of communication. No doubt he had German man too. The Gate man said that we were on Delta and this is NWA at which point guy and I said "you merged" in unison) So here I am with SFO guy waiting for the Detroit flight. He tells me he's #3 & #4 on the list and the next flight to Detroit is at 7:55PM and even that's full.
shit. shit. shit.
Then he says he's going to get a car and if I wanted a ride I was more then welcome. Ha! Take that SFO Gate guy! Just as I was going to gladly accept his sweet offer him & his wife's names were called for standby. I muttered sometime like congratulations.
Jolted by fresh fear that I wasn't ever going to make it to the cottage I kicked myself into corporate bitch mode. I'm not Executive Platinum on American for nothing! Actually in a Delta line, this means absolutely nothing. I know because I whipped out every membership card I had; AAA, United, American Airlines, Blockbuster... Nothing happened but my own mild amusement.
Meanwhile in line, a poor Midwestern woman is sobbing behind me to talk to the next Gate guy. Looking at her it made me realize how stupid I would look if I started crying. So I gave Gate guy the death stare. Basically my motivation was to act like a computer and show no emotion whatsoever.
This worked. This worked SO well I should write a book about it. Or put my death stare on YouTube to help Amazing Race contestants.
Astounded by my new found confidence I fire off a thousand questions (all said in robot mode); "When is the next flight to DTW?" "When is the next NWA flight?" "Since there is no way this was weather related what do I get for my large inconvenience?" "Where do I go to have Delta comp me a rental car?"
Then whenever he struggled to stand up to me I would respond with comments like so "I'm sorry, I have been up for the past 27 hours trying to go on vacation and can't hear you very well." Or my personal favorite; "It seems I have developed a minor twitch in my right eye." I actually got a chuckle from the crier behind me for that one.
Yes, it is sad it had to come down to snarky gen y zingers, but hey, it worked. He called every, EVERY flight to Detroit for me and got me as #1 stand by for the next flight.. Which should be anytime now. Fingers crossed for me please!
So, now I'm running on no sleep, I smell like a thousand farts and Starbucks is too far to get a coffee. But on the up side I have an amazing new death stare and luckily they have free WiFi here, so I can blog my heart out ;)
I am blogging now from Cincinnati. I hear lil' stories like the one I'm about to tell ALL THE TIME, and mine is really no different. I did, however, fine tune a great death stare.
First, I get to the airport. I flee from Josh's car to the nearest check-in kiosk. I swipe my credit card and instantly the screen of horror pops up "TO CONTINUE SEE AGENT."Ahhhh shit. I slowly turn my head to see my Flight number next to my least favorite word; "DELAYED" (at least it didn't say the "c" word).
So, I wait in the ridiculously long windy line of confused pissed of people to see my agent. I get the German one. This is where I start heavily observing other's techniques for assuring they will get to where they need to go. Looking back, I should of paid more attention. Plus I was only starring at other people because my agent was broken. I know he's broken because I'm sitting here in Cincinnati when I'm supposed to be enjoying lunch with my Aunts in DETROIT! DETROIT German Man! DETROIT!
Well...technically I'm supposed to be in Traverse City, but that's a different story.
So German man gives me my new tickets and I head towards the security check point. Check point man glares at me and asks "Are you traveling alone?" For some reason I instantly felt very guilty for not having anyone with me and said in a very meek voice "yah?" Then he said "What is your name?" I quickly snapped out of my embarrassed guilt and glared back at him; "You have my ID." At which point he told me that I had Joseph Barrens tickets.
ughhhh German man!
When I finally get to the other side I see several, scratch that, a ton of depressed pissed off facial expressions. This can't be good. So, slowly, like I'm about to uncover my hands at a scary movie, I look up to the Departures screen.
"Ah!"
I hate scary movies. And now I hate Departure screens.
I'm not leaving till 1:10AM now?! Wha?! There aren't even comfy chairs here. Wait a second, there aren't even ANY free chairs.
I felt like Delta slapped me across the face and forced me to sit on the ground (by loud yelling toddlers, of course). To make matters worse for some reason someone thought it a great idea to put marble walls in SFO - so all of the power outlets are set into the wall by an inch. I normally don't care about these interior design screw ups until my lap top died mid 30 Rock and I needed to charge it. Luckily, there is a Mac guy within 10 feet of you at any given time in San Fran, so said Mac guy let me borrow his. Thank you Mac guy.
Finally after five 30 Rock episodes - FINALLY we board. Needless to say, worse flight ever. A delayed red eye with a bunch of elder business guys does not smell good.
Feeling like jell-o, I get off in Cincinnati. I hand one of my newly created "business cards" to the girl I met sitting next to me and then I run off to find the elusive Gate "C". After a sleepy miss directed mess I realize there is a shuttle to get to Gate "C". Cincinnati Airport: 1, Adrienne: 0.
I'm at "C". I hand my ticket to the very slow lady behind the check-in counter. She says that she's not taking stand by yet.
Wait a second, STAND BY?
ughhh German man, how you have failed me so.
So, let me get this straight. I wait in SFO for an unexpected 2.5 hours to miss my connection to Detroit, and my consolation prize is STAND BY? Did Delta just slap me across the face again?! Of course by the time I finally found Gate "C" it put me low on the stand by list. Cincinnati Airport: 2, Adrienne: 0.
Here is where I see a guy I stood up for back at SFO (he was trying to get on the direct flight to Detroit because his agent told him he should ask at the Gate. Then the Gate man said that we should of asked at the Door. I stepped out of line to back him up and yelled that there was clearly a lack of communication. No doubt he had German man too. The Gate man said that we were on Delta and this is NWA at which point guy and I said "you merged" in unison) So here I am with SFO guy waiting for the Detroit flight. He tells me he's #3 & #4 on the list and the next flight to Detroit is at 7:55PM and even that's full.
shit. shit. shit.
Then he says he's going to get a car and if I wanted a ride I was more then welcome. Ha! Take that SFO Gate guy! Just as I was going to gladly accept his sweet offer him & his wife's names were called for standby. I muttered sometime like congratulations.
Jolted by fresh fear that I wasn't ever going to make it to the cottage I kicked myself into corporate bitch mode. I'm not Executive Platinum on American for nothing! Actually in a Delta line, this means absolutely nothing. I know because I whipped out every membership card I had; AAA, United, American Airlines, Blockbuster... Nothing happened but my own mild amusement.
Meanwhile in line, a poor Midwestern woman is sobbing behind me to talk to the next Gate guy. Looking at her it made me realize how stupid I would look if I started crying. So I gave Gate guy the death stare. Basically my motivation was to act like a computer and show no emotion whatsoever.
This worked. This worked SO well I should write a book about it. Or put my death stare on YouTube to help Amazing Race contestants.
Astounded by my new found confidence I fire off a thousand questions (all said in robot mode); "When is the next flight to DTW?" "When is the next NWA flight?" "Since there is no way this was weather related what do I get for my large inconvenience?" "Where do I go to have Delta comp me a rental car?"
Then whenever he struggled to stand up to me I would respond with comments like so "I'm sorry, I have been up for the past 27 hours trying to go on vacation and can't hear you very well." Or my personal favorite; "It seems I have developed a minor twitch in my right eye." I actually got a chuckle from the crier behind me for that one.
Yes, it is sad it had to come down to snarky gen y zingers, but hey, it worked. He called every, EVERY flight to Detroit for me and got me as #1 stand by for the next flight.. Which should be anytime now. Fingers crossed for me please!
So, now I'm running on no sleep, I smell like a thousand farts and Starbucks is too far to get a coffee. But on the up side I have an amazing new death stare and luckily they have free WiFi here, so I can blog my heart out ;)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
