Tuesday, August 19, 2008
10:02:00 AM - I'm back baby!
Ankle injury be damned. I decided last night I was going to try something I haven't done since college, and threw down a 10k. My goal was 60 minutes, and I managed to best it by just over 3min. I'd like to get this time below 50 minutes by the end of August.
12:16:00 AM - Who are you voting for?
Not to get a political, but I thought this was funny:
Tax plan anyone? Pretty much a wash in my tax bracket. This would be better if it showed the actual percentages, not just the percentage change. More Here.
Make less than $80,000? Congratulations! John McCain thinks you're stupid!
"People who make under $80,000 are too stupid to understand taxes anyway." - John McCain, August 8th, 2008.
Obama's a smoker.
Can we throw both of them back and draw two new ones? 1 Comments
Tax plan anyone? Pretty much a wash in my tax bracket. This would be better if it showed the actual percentages, not just the percentage change. More Here.
Make less than $80,000? Congratulations! John McCain thinks you're stupid!
"People who make under $80,000 are too stupid to understand taxes anyway." - John McCain, August 8th, 2008.
Obama's a smoker.
Can we throw both of them back and draw two new ones? 1 Comments
Monday, August 18, 2008
11:38:00 AM - Brusing Starter
Sunday, August 17, 2008
4:12:00 PM - I Got a New Cell Phone
and it's not an iPhone. I think I have a few more years left on my contract before I'll be able to upgrade. No this one is just like my last one, only shiny and new.
A few weeks back, my phone locked up, crashed, and re-booted. After that always entertaining sequence of events, the speed dial for voicemail no longer worked. I could hold in the 1 button until my thumb turned purple, but it still wouldn't dial. After an hour on the phone with AT&T's crack tech support squad, I was transferred to the warranty division and subsequently sent a brand new phone. It arrived the next day, and though the process of transferring everything from the old phone was a pain, in roughly an hour I was up and running. The old phone was shipped back, and I'm amazed that more people don't do this. Shouldn't there have been an easy software fix? Now I just hope they accept my old phone as it is well worn. 0 Comments
A few weeks back, my phone locked up, crashed, and re-booted. After that always entertaining sequence of events, the speed dial for voicemail no longer worked. I could hold in the 1 button until my thumb turned purple, but it still wouldn't dial. After an hour on the phone with AT&T's crack tech support squad, I was transferred to the warranty division and subsequently sent a brand new phone. It arrived the next day, and though the process of transferring everything from the old phone was a pain, in roughly an hour I was up and running. The old phone was shipped back, and I'm amazed that more people don't do this. Shouldn't there have been an easy software fix? Now I just hope they accept my old phone as it is well worn. 0 Comments
Saturday, August 16, 2008
7:46:00 PM - Mustang Anyone?
Just posted Hollie's Mustang on Craigslist. We've decided to scale back to one car for a little while. The 'stang has been good to us, but there's not much of a place for the baby's car seat. There's plenty of room in the truck though! It's getting closer and closer every day. I can't see the ticker from here, but it's only a few more weeks and we'll have a baby bouncing around our house.
0 Comments
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
11:01:00 AM - Vindictive Little Girl
10:51:00 AM - New dog beds
Saturday, August 09, 2008
7:21:00 PM - Slowly Healing
Keshia reminded me today that I haven't posted in a while. I'm slowly healing, but being unable to run has put a serious damper on my progress, and though I haven't been home to weigh in, I have a feeling I've slipped, and added a few lbs back on.
I've slowly started adding a few kilometers here and there, but I'm still having a bit of pain. Slow is fast, fast is slow. Better to not re-injure it, and yes, I will be doing a better job of watching were I'm running in the future. One thing though, I really want to go back and run the dish again and actually finish. Only two more weeks in SF, and I'll be done with my current project.
UPDATED: Keisha: 220. 2 Comments
I've slowly started adding a few kilometers here and there, but I'm still having a bit of pain. Slow is fast, fast is slow. Better to not re-injure it, and yes, I will be doing a better job of watching were I'm running in the future. One thing though, I really want to go back and run the dish again and actually finish. Only two more weeks in SF, and I'll be done with my current project.
UPDATED: Keisha: 220. 2 Comments
Thursday, July 24, 2008
12:44:00 PM - Minor Setback
I've had a bit of a setback in my quest/competition. Last night I went out to run the Standford Dish, and ended up flat on my back. The dish is a scenic preservation area owned by Stanford that has a lot of large satellite dishes. The run starts of straight up hill, and as one might imagine continues that way for half of the run, and then you come back down. I’m not certain the elevation, but let’s go with “way up there”. From the top you can clearly see all of Stanford and out to the Bay and beyond.
My journey took a wrong turn at the top of the hill. I thought I was taking the long way, but instead I turned to go down the backside to a secondary parking lot I didn’t know existed. Once I reached the bottom, I made the decision to leave the park and run around the outside back to my parked car. Less than half a mile down the road, I turned my head to make a traffic check, and failed to see a fairly large rock on the trail. Needless to say, my foot found the rock, and rolled over it. A quick tuck and roll, and I’m on my back wondering how things could have gone so wrong, and clutching my throbbing/swelling ankle.
Luckily a couple driving past turned around a picked me up. Apparently the wife had recently pulled a hamstring, and was feeling rather sympathetic. So if I may stop for a minute, I must give a warm thank you from the bottom of my heart to those kind souls who were able to scrape me off the pavement and deliver me back to my rental car. If I had been clearer between the ears at the time, I would have gotten an email address and been able to properly thank you. Trust me, it meant a lot, I was still a long way from the car without a phone.
Once I made it to the car, I called Aunt Jo, and she was able to bring Uncle Rick to drive me back to their house. I spent the rest of the evening with my foot iced and propped up. She’s a great mom, and a whole lot like mine (makes sense being that they’re sisters and all…) Not sure what I would have done had they not been there. I’ll be watering the lawn next week as a thank you!
On the way back to the hotel, I hobbled through Rite-Aid to pick up an ankle brace. The best one they had will do the job until I can get home and get in my own. Ugh. It sucks to think that I’m already prepared for the recovery process since I’ve done this somewhat recently. I will say that I have less pain today than I expected, but it will be at least a few weeks before I can start running again.
This is going to put me behind schedule, and will be an excellent opportunity for Keisha to take the lead in our exercise/workout challenge. This also means that instead of just working out, I’m actually going to have to eat right…ugh. 2 Comments
My journey took a wrong turn at the top of the hill. I thought I was taking the long way, but instead I turned to go down the backside to a secondary parking lot I didn’t know existed. Once I reached the bottom, I made the decision to leave the park and run around the outside back to my parked car. Less than half a mile down the road, I turned my head to make a traffic check, and failed to see a fairly large rock on the trail. Needless to say, my foot found the rock, and rolled over it. A quick tuck and roll, and I’m on my back wondering how things could have gone so wrong, and clutching my throbbing/swelling ankle.
Luckily a couple driving past turned around a picked me up. Apparently the wife had recently pulled a hamstring, and was feeling rather sympathetic. So if I may stop for a minute, I must give a warm thank you from the bottom of my heart to those kind souls who were able to scrape me off the pavement and deliver me back to my rental car. If I had been clearer between the ears at the time, I would have gotten an email address and been able to properly thank you. Trust me, it meant a lot, I was still a long way from the car without a phone.
Once I made it to the car, I called Aunt Jo, and she was able to bring Uncle Rick to drive me back to their house. I spent the rest of the evening with my foot iced and propped up. She’s a great mom, and a whole lot like mine (makes sense being that they’re sisters and all…) Not sure what I would have done had they not been there. I’ll be watering the lawn next week as a thank you!
On the way back to the hotel, I hobbled through Rite-Aid to pick up an ankle brace. The best one they had will do the job until I can get home and get in my own. Ugh. It sucks to think that I’m already prepared for the recovery process since I’ve done this somewhat recently. I will say that I have less pain today than I expected, but it will be at least a few weeks before I can start running again.
This is going to put me behind schedule, and will be an excellent opportunity for Keisha to take the lead in our exercise/workout challenge. This also means that instead of just working out, I’m actually going to have to eat right…ugh. 2 Comments
Monday, July 21, 2008
11:36:00 PM - New look
and a new personal best 5K time: 23"43'. Keisha and I are competing to get back into shape and lose some weight. We're going to be motivating each other, and cross posting on Sundays. She's trying to lose 36, and I'm trying to shed 30. I'd like to drop from 225 to 195. I'm not sure if that's really possible with my build, but I'm going to give it the old college try. The last time I was below 200 was my sophomore year in college. Most of the weight I want to lose is right around my gut.
< /OBLIGATORYSMACKTALK\ >
I just hope she doesn't quit once she realizes that she doesn't stand a chance at beating me. I would rather see her take it as motivation.
< /OBLIGATORYSMACKTALK\ >
My other goal is to improve my running: speed and endurance. I'm currently focusing on the 5k, but will soon move to the 10k as I'm running my first one on August 31st, The Human Race (get it?). I set my personal record time today, but I'm not sure if I want to focus on continuing to lower it over that distance, or focus on longer distance with a slightly slower pace.
Labels: running
2 Comments
12:44:00 PM - It's a small world after all...
Sunday, July 20, 2008
10:01:00 AM - Cirro Engery Customer Service Screws up...Bad...Then Fixes it.
This weekend, I opened my last electric bill from Cirro Energy (I'm switching to Gexa). The next morning, a call to customer service took 30 minutes, and made no ground towards getting the problem resolved. Instead of retelling the entire story, below is the resulting email conversation:
from Kenneth Woodruff
to service@cirroenergy.com
date Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 10:54 AM
subject Problem with last bill
Dear Cirro Energy Support,
I spoke with one of your customer service representatives this morning, and was very disappointed by the lack of options in correcting an issue with my bill.
When I received the notice that my contract had run out, I immediately began researching energy prices, and found that I could save money by switching to another company. I spent a good deal of time on Cirro's website, but was unable to find an offer that was competitive. Reluctantly, I made the switch to another company.
Yesterday I received an alarming bill in the mail for $614.96. More than double my previous bill! This happened while my usage went up less than 200 kWH. As it turns out the price per kWH jumped from $0.148 to $0.2349. It seems that I am being charged this rate for one month because it is my last month, and Cirro does not offer a monthly plan. Since there was no option for a monthly plan, there is no published way to switch companies without having to pay for a month of service at an extremely high rate. Thus the customer is trapped facing either an early termination fee, or a month's service at nearly double the going rate.
The customer service representative I spoke with refused to make any changes since I was considered to no longer be a customer, and then refused multiple requests for the call to be transferred to a manager, supervisor or anyone else. The CSR also noted that he deals with this type of call on a regular basis.
Please let me know what action Cirro will take to resolve this issue.
Sincerely,
Kenneth P Woodruff
Account#: xxxxxxxx
from Butch Grantham
to Kenneth Woodruff
date Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 3:28 PM
subject RE: Problem with last bill
mailed-by cirroenergy.com
Account #xxxxxx Kenneth Woodruff
Kenneth,
Thank you for your email.
I have credited a total amount of $339.34 to your account as the difference between what your contract rate had been and the month to month rate charged on your final bill. I am sorry and it should not have billed out at that rate.
Regards,
Butch Grantham
Customer Service Supervisor
Cirro Energy
Though I am pleased with the end result, I'm still disappointed that it appears to be company policy to hold the customer hostage. 1 Comments
from Kenneth Woodruff
to service@cirroenergy.com
date Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 10:54 AM
subject Problem with last bill
Dear Cirro Energy Support,
I spoke with one of your customer service representatives this morning, and was very disappointed by the lack of options in correcting an issue with my bill.
When I received the notice that my contract had run out, I immediately began researching energy prices, and found that I could save money by switching to another company. I spent a good deal of time on Cirro's website, but was unable to find an offer that was competitive. Reluctantly, I made the switch to another company.
Yesterday I received an alarming bill in the mail for $614.96. More than double my previous bill! This happened while my usage went up less than 200 kWH. As it turns out the price per kWH jumped from $0.148 to $0.2349. It seems that I am being charged this rate for one month because it is my last month, and Cirro does not offer a monthly plan. Since there was no option for a monthly plan, there is no published way to switch companies without having to pay for a month of service at an extremely high rate. Thus the customer is trapped facing either an early termination fee, or a month's service at nearly double the going rate.
The customer service representative I spoke with refused to make any changes since I was considered to no longer be a customer, and then refused multiple requests for the call to be transferred to a manager, supervisor or anyone else. The CSR also noted that he deals with this type of call on a regular basis.
Please let me know what action Cirro will take to resolve this issue.
Sincerely,
Kenneth P Woodruff
Account#: xxxxxxxx
from Butch Grantham
to Kenneth Woodruff
date Fri, Jul 18, 2008 at 3:28 PM
subject RE: Problem with last bill
mailed-by cirroenergy.com
Account #xxxxxx Kenneth Woodruff
Kenneth,
Thank you for your email.
I have credited a total amount of $339.34 to your account as the difference between what your contract rate had been and the month to month rate charged on your final bill. I am sorry and it should not have billed out at that rate.
Regards,
Butch Grantham
Customer Service Supervisor
Cirro Energy
Though I am pleased with the end result, I'm still disappointed that it appears to be company policy to hold the customer hostage. 1 Comments
Friday, July 18, 2008
11:47:00 AM - Old Pro - Palo Alto
Saturday, July 05, 2008
8:29:00 PM - Night out at LaGrave Field
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
10:30:00 PM - Take me out to the Ball game!
9:56:00 PM - The Ball Park
8:03:00 PM - On the train to AT&T Park
Thursday, June 26, 2008
11:14:00 AM - Downtown
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
9:55:00 AM - The Pier
Sunday, June 22, 2008
7:37:00 PM - Flyclear - Clearpass Coupon Code
I signed up this week for the Clearpass which allows you to skip to the head of the line at security at participating airports. This won't help me yet at DFW, but several other locations support it. It costs $100 + a $28 TSA fee and requires a couple forms of ID (Drivers license and passport are easiest) and a big brother esque retina scan. The cool part is your validation at security happens quickly and you head straight to front of the line. It's also important to note that the airports that have clear pass are closing the Platinum/First Class lines in favor of the clearpass lanes. Personally, I think that aspect sucks, but I'm willing to give it a try.
DSCAM1197857
If you want to sign up for the service, use the code above and receive an extra month for free, plus they throw in an extra month for me. 0 Comments
If you want to sign up for the service, use the code above and receive an extra month for free, plus they throw in an extra month for me. 0 Comments