Consumer Update

[susandennis]

Last night I was fiddling around trying to get my Tracfone voicemail set up - actually trying to figure out how since the instructions left out a lot of giant clues.  And then I had a basic DOH moment.  I called the cellphone and left myself a message. 

Bingo.  The little thing chirped proudly and I punched in '1' and a nice lady walked me through everything I needed to do.  So I am all set and still incredibly impressed.  Oh and I also tried the Google text message information - works great and costs me .35 of a minute.  Well, worth it. 

In case anyone out there isn't onto this trick.  Say you are in a part of town you aren't familiar with and want to know if there's a Bartels (drug store) nearby.  Fire up your text messaging and send a message to 46645 (googl) and give it some clues - like bartels seattle and hit send.  You will immediately get a text message with all of the address of all of the Bartels in Seattle!  It's the handiest little trick ever. 

(Thanks to barefoot_dyke who pointed out that the new number is 466453 (google). Without the 3 works fine for me but not for her - your own milage may vary.)

And my new phone loves it.  And I love my new phone and my new phone service. 

--

And I love the way my new bed sleeps.  I'm so used to waking up with sore shoulders and other body parts that waking up this morning with no sore anything was kind of disconcerting!  It looks odd, tho, being so high.  The bed frame is very platform-y looking and the mattress kind of makes it look like a growth that got out of hand.  Sherry, the designer, would not approved but I've decided not to worry about it.  Just to enjoy sleeping on it.

--

The TV is no worse today.  Yes, it would be nice to have a new TV.  I have no jones for HGTV but I wouldn't mind a flat screen-ish picture.  The problem is that my TV set up is so precarious.  It works only, really, because I will it to.  I have the cable split 8 ways from Sunday coming out of the wall - with a booster on some of it.  I have 3 TiVos and a cable box all choreographed to work with my one favorite remote. 

The thought of upsetting that applecart leaves me with fruit flies.  I'd like to hold off as long as possible so I take comfort in things being no worse today.

--

And, finally, before I go back to work to a conference call... I'd like to thank Boston.  Specifically the Red Sox. 

When you are on top - as you are - it is particularly important to set a good example.  And you did last night.  You come to our house and even though everyone knows you could chew us up and spit us out without breaking a sweat, you let us win game one.  One game won't hurt you and it does worlds for our self esteem which is deservedly low.  We needed the boost.  That was really nice and kind and very sweet of you.  Thank you. 

Comments

[rsc.livejournal.com]

I'd like to thank Boston. Specifically the Red Sox.

I guess I should say "you're welcome". Try to hear that as if i really meant it.

It's worth noting that, in the last couple of years, Safeco has not been a happy place for the Red Sox. Since we have five more games there before the season is done, I hope this doesn't continue to be the case. But if it does, at least I'll have the compensation that it will make you happy.

[susandennis]

It's my gift to you. That compensation. I hope I have more to give.

[jwg.livejournal.com]

It's quite annoying to have to stay up until after 1am to witness a loss - at least for me the last inning and a half was via radio in bed reading a very dark book about some low-life people in NZ (which I discovered partially read under a pile of magazines and that needs renewing tomorrow).

The current FCC date is Feb 17, 2009 for there will be no more broadcast of analog TV; I wonder what the cable companies will do?

[susandennis]

I did think about that - Red Sox fans having to stay up late to be humiliated. I tried to care. I did. At least you catch a time zone break on Wednesday.

Since my TV reption is all via cable, I've been under the impression that I don't have to worry about the FCC thing. What are you thinking the cable companies will do about it or because of it or...?

[rsc.livejournal.com]

At least you catch a time zone break on Wednesday.

I hope we get more than that. It was annoying that last night's loss took even longer than Monday's. There was nothing especially pretty about that game.

Oh, well, at least the Yanbkees are losing too.

ups and downs

[fredli.livejournal.com]

Glad you won. We (Az) were pasted by the Dodgers.

[barefoot-dyke.livejournal.com]

omg, that google thing is COOL. i had no idea you could do that. i typed in 'meijer battle creek' (a store here, and my town) and it bounced back with both addresses! wow.

ps ... but you got the number incomplete. it's 466453. :)

[susandennis]

Isn't it the funnest trick? It's saved my ass several times when I've been out and about and needed info.

The last '3' is apparently optional. When they first offered it, there were only the 5 digits and that's still the way it is in my addresss book but you are exactly right about their now using the 3 at the end as well.

They used to have this tiny little credit card size cheat sheet of common searches you could print out but I don't see it there any more.

[barefoot-dyke.livejournal.com]

ahhhh very cool! i tried it with the number you posted and it told me it was invalid. but the six digit number worked for me.

[susandennis]

That is weird but good to know. I'm going to change the entry cause if it didn't work for you, it probably won't work for others!

[susandennis]

I found it!! I found the wallet sized cheet sheet!

http://www.google.com/sms/tips.pdf