Archive for July, 2007

Service with a Smile

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

Called Qwest today. Granted, should have done it sooner. The gentleman on the phone was very helpful, even when I had to get ahold of Heerema to find out what the last 4 digits of his Social Security Number were, in order to access my account. Matt started this account in August of 2002, and in May of 2003, we began the process of transferring it over to me. In the 2005 phone book, they finally got it moved to my name. I believe the process is finally over. Until next time.
Anyway, Qwest does all of their set-up remotely. This seems obvious to me, since the whole phone system is run with computers, and all one has to do to change the address where a number is assigned is flip a switch, or type some FORTRAN, or use a Linux, or something like that. What doesn’t seem obvious, however, is why it takes them 3 business days to complete a request. Seriously – is macro-ing a router that hard?
Anyway, there are two morals to this story:

  1. Call in advance to change your phone service, moron.
  2. You won’t be able to reach me by phone until Friday. Sorry ’bout that.

Posted in Colidge, Random Drivel | 2 Comments »

Why I Love Iowa: Reason #458

Thursday, July 5th, 2007

Hello?
“(Pause. Pause.) Mr Blair?”
(Strike one.)
Yes?
“I’m sorry to bother you tonight…”
(Strike two.)
“My name is Nate, and I am with the Republican Issues Fund [or something like that], and I was just wondering, if I could take a moment of your time sir, would you like to see Hillary Clinton elected as the next President of the United States?”
Um, not particularly.
“I’m glad to hear that, sir. A President Hillary Clinton means increased taxes and cuts in spending for national defense…”
(Not to mention First Lady Bill Clinton.)
“So I was wondering, sir, if I dropped an envelope in the mail, would you be willing to send us a gift of $75, $100 or more to help stop Hillary Clinton from being elected?”
(Foul-tip – that’s hysterical.) You know, Nate, I’m really not able to do that right now. (Nor am I particularly interested in doing so.)
“I sure understand, sir. What I’ve been doing for a lot of folks with similar situations tonight is that we can send you an envelope in 2-3 weeks. At that point would you be able to help out, even with a smaller gift of $35 or even $50?”
(STEEEEEEE-RIKE THREE! Nate, I have no idea what you stand for or who you support, just that you are from some nameless committee that really, REALLY hates Hillary Clinton. While that, by itself, does have some merit, I am NOT sending you money. For all I know, you could be Obama-ites, or even, God forbid, liberal Christians!)
You know, Nate, the election is quite a ways off, and I have not yet decided who I want to support with my money. But I appreciate the call.
“And thank you for your time, sir.”
(No problem. I’ll send you the bill.)

Posted in Politics, Smart Remarks | 1 Comment »

Pop Culture Update

Wednesday, July 4th, 2007

Transformers, the Movie
Universally panned by every critic for lack of plot, acting, and character development, and for being another lame, formulaic Michael Bay movie. Universally loved by nerds everywhere for lack of plot, acting, and character development, and for being another lame, formulaic Michael Bay summer blockbuster with massive, warring robots and ridiculous explosions.
Some quotes from around the internet:
“GIANT… ROBOTS BEATING THE TAR OUT OF EACH OTHER – it’s Shakespearian”
“Spoilers: They’re robots in disguise. Oh, and Snape kills Optimus Prime.”
Sounds like a dollar-theater movie to me!

Smashing Pumpkins – Zeitgeist
This album drops July 10, but they had it on their myspace for awhile, and I acquired a, um, beta version. Better than I had hoped. I was afraid that Billy Corgan would again drink the loudness kool-aid and make an over-produced album with no dynamics or punch (see: Machina). Upon initial review, that appears to not be the case. Yes, the CD should be listened to at the loudest volume possible for true impact, but it really packs a punch when it needs to, which is refreshing.
It’s definitely a Pumpkins disc, but the influences of Zwan (melodies, positivity) and The Future Embrace (cheesy 80’s synths) are obviously there. I am actually surprised by how much I am enjoying it. The only downside is that Billy Corgan is so powerful that no one can tell him to bury his vocals in the mix and cover them with effects (see: the ever-present chorus throughout Siamese Dream). Billy just does not have a great voice, and it should, under no circumstances, be mixed so highly above the guitars. The walls of harmonies are also ridiculous, and inappropriate for the Pumpkins.
But. The songs are good. The guitars are great. Jimmy Chamberlain’s drumming is phenomenal, as always. And, with the exception of the above, the mixes are awesome – huge drums, huge guitar, huge rock. There are a lot of “loud rock bands” out there right now that would do well to take a lesson or twelve from this music.
3.5 stars (out of 5).

Welmore Mile – Good Times & Pumpkin Pie
You can download this 2004 EP for free, and I highly recommend you do so. You should also read Peter Welle’s blog, The John Larroquette Project, on a daily basis. I rarely fail to laugh out loud at least once.
Same goes for the CD. It’s acoustical smart-alek musical awesomeness. Also, my sister was in tears the other night while listening to “The Bee Song.”

The Lone Strangers
…will ride again. Soon. Really.

Posted in Music, Smart Remarks | 1 Comment »