It's good that I had some Comfort Food of Vietnamese Tamarind Soup for Lunch and an Event to attend Today that provided Retail Therapy. Why? Coz, I'm Mad at our current Internet-Cable-Landline Phone Provider, not only did we have a whole day of everything being down just the other day, but now they want to involuntarily suspend Paper Billing and force you go to Paperless. I don't do paperless billing where Online I have to bother with Passwords, PINS, ID Numbers and such that I never can remember coz every one has a different one and my Memory Care now can't Rolodex all that shit in my Brain anymore to retrieve when I need Customer Service.
To keep Billing by Mail they make you go thru a big convoluted Dog & Pony Show Online and finally when you tell them you either don't have a PIN, ID Number, Password, Magical way to enter their System and verify yourself, you get transferred to a Bot who is AI. When that fake Associate can't help you, they then transfer you to a Live Associate with a 3rd World Name, who was Raheem Today, who can barely understand you, nor you them, and you get nowhere and eventually hang up Mad and with a still unresolved Issue. I know they're having a big Corporate Merger, thus all the Changes that I do not like, nor want.
If they want to get Paid, and I'm assuming they will, then I want my Billing to continue by Mail. I don't want an App, an App Password, or a Special Yahoo E-Mail Account I can only access them thru. I don't wanna Save A Tree or a Stamp. I don't want Auto Pay so they can take whatever they want out of my Account whenever they want to. I don't want to have to go Online and have more shit to try to remember and will always forget, always. I don't want to Upgrade to Cox Fiber, I'm not excited it's 'coming', tho' eventually they all will discontinue what you had before that was more affordable, so that you have no Choice.
Instead, I'll shop for another Server to do business with, if you can't provide the level of Customer Service I want, expect and demand. If you don't want to retain long time Customers by appreciating them, then you don't deserve to have any. There are plenty of competitors eager to procure New Customers and their business. I've dropped other Businesses like a Rock before, where I spend my $$$ is totally up to me when there are other Options. Granted we all have to do business with some Monopolies like Utility Companies, but, mostly, Options exist for most Services.
I'm always Amused that after losing your Business to another, it's only then that they Reach Out and try to show you they'd make amends, if you'd only come back. It's very Rare that I ever would, after you've blown it, why would I? And if they ask why we left, I never sugar coat it, typically it's due to shitty Customer Service... a shitty Product... and forcing things upon Customers that they don't want and never asked for. Especially when there is a Problem that needs resolution and becomes a Pain in the Ass to the Customer becoz it doesn't get resolved quickly, if at all.
Coz I could give a Fuck what the Provider wants, they are there to Serve us, their Customers that keep them in Business... or cause it to Fail when we will no longer want to do Business with them. Sure, you might Sell me something, but, if your Customer Service is lacking, then I definitely won't Buy anything from you ever again, especially if it can be Bought elsewhere. And, I will put any Business on Blast for shitty practices, Bad Business, having shitty Employees, or a shitty Product. Cox is on Blast right now and I'm looking at alternatives of other Providers, in case they don't or can't get their shit together really fast. Rant now over. *LOL*
I did Need to get that out of my System, Raheem was the last Straw really for me. Offshoring to 3rd World Countries for Customer Service and trying to then Deal with your problem AND now a communication barrier with a subcontracted Associate of unknown origin, was not happening. I don't wanna come unhinged on some Poor Soul earning a Dollar and Ninety-Eight Cents in someplace like Myanmar. Where a Documentary exposed that many of the Help are Captives from other Countries and forced to do what they do, like modern day Slavery. The Country is one of the most corrupt in the World and has among some of the worst Human Rights violations left unregulated and unenforced by their Government.
And there's a host of other Countries, to be sure. We're steadily catching up to having that reputation in America becoz it's not as if we don't have an exploited Labor Force too. And I get more and more fed up with Businesses practicing Bad Business, or Human Rights Violations, or Animal Cruelty, becoz they successfully have been getting away with it enuf not to change and even treat their Customers Right, let alone their Help or their living 'Product'. Okay, now the Rant is really over, I Promise! *Smiles* I had a LOT to get out of my System, clearly. *Winks* And if Cox doesn't sent me a Paper Billing Statement, they won't get Paid until they do.
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I already had this Battle with our Exterminating Company who auto enrolled me in Paperless Billing, while then increasing the Cost of Services with only an E-Mail too. I rarely even look at the avalanche of E-Mails, I'm beyond fed up with them and now that Server wants more information and to charge for what they used to provide for Free or they will Suspend you! *Eye Roll and Okay, I guess I'm Ranting On now... ha ha ha* I still have Juno, the Original Government E-Mail System that The Man had when he was still Active Duty eons ago when E-Mail was New in 1996. Now they want Billing information, not happening. Not paying for something I've loathed using for Years now and had for Free since the Nineties.
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Anyway, back to the Exterminating Co. that Raised their Rates substantially and then went Paperless without my consent to. So, they didn't get Paid. So, then they Called me to ask Why? Well, never got a Bill, whatssup? Oh, we enrolled you in Paperless Billing they say. I didn't consent for you to tho'. But, I did get a Paper Letter that you did Raise your Rate by a lot, so, now I wanna discontinue Service and if you wanna get Paid, send me a Paper Statement and I shall then Pay it promptly. Hardly any of our Customers do that they say. I don't give a fuck says I, Yes, I do drop the F-Bomb when annoyed as Fuck by lack of appropriate response. *Winks* I don't Care if someone has to Hand Write out a Bill, and send it, just send it coz I don't Read E-Mails and I don't use Apps either.
Yes, I could have Paid by Phone, but, that's not a Secure way to give your info at all and I was now too annoyed. They agreed to send me a Statement by Mail as usual for my allegedly Unusual request to. *Eye Roll* I know, I'm a Dinosaur, they'll just have to wait 'til we're all Dead, I don't Care if we're an inconvenience and bygone Era nuisance. *LOL* Before the Call ended tho' they agreed to try desperately to give me a Sweet Deal to still, please, continue to do Business with us?! Well, don't want the Monthly Rate you now have on Bug Treatments, too expensive, whaddya got? There has been massive Termite infestations locally coz of all the Dead Trees the Blight of Bark Beetles has caused. Termite Treatment initially is very expensive, I'd gotten Quotes before.
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So, I used that as my leverage, but, what kind of First Cousin Deal, on the initial expensive Treatment and then the Monthly Treatments thereafter can you offer me to Keep me? I've been their Customer for Three Properties spanning over 30 Years. We reached an Agreement which the Owner of the Company Blessed, and gave me really quite a ridiculous Bargain Basement Discount to show how much they Value us as Customers. Now, that's how you do Business and Keep a Customer after you done fucked up my Friends. Otherwise... Bye, Bye, Bye.
And, now I get Statements, even if I'm their last Customer who requires one and some Office Clerk is Typing or Writing it by Hand, which is what it appears it might require. And they do a Good Job when they show up... they always have and I liked that about them... and the Minute they don't, it's a Deal Breaker too. Simple. Do Good Business, treat your Customers and your Employees Right, you will have a decent Reputation in your Industry or, risk going Under. I don't Care, it's not my Business so I don't Care how much your make or you lose actually, I just want a Service provided, that's all, that's our Relationship, strictly Business. If you're a Small Business I like, and use, I truly will try to Support you and Promote you tho' at No Charge.
Moving On... since I'm sure you're exhausted with my prolonged Ranting now. *LOL and Winks* When I Go Off I really go a bit Mental, Okay, a LOT Mental, I ain't gonna Lie. *Bwahahahaha* I go from, "She's the Sweetest and most Darling Little Old Lady...", to, "Oh Shit, is she Possessed by Demons and does she Care if she gets Arrested or put in a Straight Jacket and hauled off?" *LMAO, insert Maniacal Laughter* Mostly becoz my Demons are very eerily Calm measured ones. Ones who will, without any Emotion at all, just take you Down and Out swiftly and Mercilessly.
Coz, Listen, I'm Old, so I ain't got Time for Drama and when I'm actually Mad I don't Display nor Feel a fucking Emotion at all about YOU, if you have now become my Barrier and Obsession to Remove out of my way. But I will be relentless and tenacious 'til you're Removed. Then all will be Right with my World again. *ha ha ha haha* I'd rather we be Civil and mutually benefitted from any Business we do, your Choice on whether that plays out that way tho', choose Wisely, or accept whatever consequences that brings to you. Simple. Karens are a loud Spectacle of Dramatic Theater, and no Substance, they just want an Audience for perceived Grievances. I want fucking results, Quietly and Substantively. I won't fabricate a Grievance, got no Time for that nonsense. *Winks*
This Morning it was 57 Degrees when I took the Kiddo to Work, she had layered Clothing on and the Seat Warmer toasting her little Buns. Now, just a little while ago it was still 105 most Days, so, this is a substantial dramatic Shift in Temps, you FEEL that much of a drop, it's not a gradual adjustment for the Human Body. There was Frost on the Windshield so I knew it had Warmed Up to 57 tho', and likely dipped to Freezing Overnight! And it's damp from the unseasonal Wicked Monsoon and Microburst Storms hitting us daily now, very scary Weather, Arizona is in a State of National Emergency Aide requested, even here in the Metro Cities in some Neighborhoods! Tempe was hit especially hard close by and just East of us.
So, I don't quite know what to wear to the Event this Mortning and will therefore wait a little bit to see if its Warming Up or not? I could Layer, which might be Wisest and they peel off Layers as the Morning wears on. I haven't been staying as long as usual at the Events, they just haven't matched previous Years and I've come away mostly empty Handed and not spent or been tempted to spend. So, I do understand Why, at the Antique Mall, there's a lot of People and yet there's not a lot of Spending going on. The current Economy coupled with what Merch is being made available, just isn't cutting it anymore for many Customers. And Tomorrow is when I get my Ear looked at, so, I'm rather conflicted about how to Feel about that until I know what I'm Dealing with?
LATER: It was a good day at the Event, got good Parking, not big Crowds so it was a mellow shopping experience, and, surprisingly I found some Antiques worthy of purchasing and not wanting to pass up!!! Plus a Fabric Arts Hippie Top Statement piece made of a Fleetwood Mac T-Shirt that looks Vintage and a colorful Crocheted Afghan made into where the Sleeves used to be, really unique, hadda have it. Seemed to be a New Vendor who had a Boutique section in the Warehouse Building of the Event. In fact, there were several New Vendors and I got a couple more Antique Ornate Metal Receipt Holders from one.
And a couple of very large Canning Jars with Zinc Lids from my Friend Big Kenny. But my Primo Piece was a Black Victorian Era Mannequin Torso with Wasp Waist and Embroidered Store Logo, Silk Puff Sleeves at the Shoulder, from WARNER'S Haberdashery. It's the Lead Image for this Post, once I got it Home and decided where I wanted to Display it. The Designer who Sold it to me has had it for over Forty Years and moved to a 600 sf Downsized Home, so, she had to divest herself of a lot of her Primo Decor she's had for a very long time and Loves. She was so Happy I got it, she knows I appreciated it and I have a very Old Mannequin Display Hand for Rings and Bracelets from Warner's too with their Store Name on it, I'd guess from the 1920's Era. I've had that Display Piece a very long time too.
I have an Old Santos Crown somewhere that I Need The Daughter to find for me and we'll put it on Top of the Torso. But, right now I'm so tired, Traffic was insanely heavy on the way Home and I almost didn't make it back in time to pick Princess T up from Work!!! Getting to the Event I made good time, coming Home it was gridlocked Traffic the more Westside you traveled. They're overbuilding the Far Westside now and it's causing a lot of Traffic Issues we never had before. Mostly due to putting in Enormous Apartment Complexes that look like Chinese Prisons, and far too many high Density Residential Homes on every square inch Developers can get Zoning Changed to built them on!
Anyway, back to the Event, coz that part was a Positive of the Day and I did take loads of Blog Fodder Imagery for ya. There was a little Halloween left over, not much, but some very nice Velvet Pumpkins, Fashions, Jewelry and Accessories for Autumn. And, more Real Deal Vintage Items and Antiques than usual, which has been how it used to be, so I enjoyed those Offerings very much and Price Points were Fair. I did notice that a lot of the Regulars that used to always come, don't come anymore tho'. They haven't for a few Events now and for any of them to miss this many Months in a row is very unusual, so I do Hope everyone is Well? Especially since almost nobody misses the Holiday Events, and it looks like they are, I have no idea Why tho'?
There's only one Regular whose a Friend that I'd know the Why of missing the Halloween Event, she's a Fundamentalist Christian and so she doesn't Celebrate Halloween or ever attend any Halloween Events. She doesn't push it in person, but on her Social Media Platforms she's very vocal about how she feels about the Holiday. To each their own, I'm just glad she is respectful of those of us who do Celebrate and enjoy it and doesn't push her Beliefs in Person. What you use your Social Media Platforms for is your Business and we all put our Thoughts and Feelings out there about all kinds of things. I like her, I just don't Share her Beliefs, nor her mine, and that's Okay, we're still Friends and enjoy one another concerning other similar Interests we do Share.
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There were some Women behind me in Line before Opening who were complaining about their Teen and Young Adult Children the WHOLE time, and saying disparaging things about their own Kiddos!!! I got the sense they don't even Like their Children and that's just Sad. Coz I would venture to Guess the Kiddos Sense that and why they have so much Relationship Conflict that the Moms were complaining to each other of? I overheard the Ages of their Kids, and thought, did you already get so Old you forgot what it was like to be Young? Shit, I'm a Grandma of Kids of those Ages, and even Older, but I don't expect them to Act MY fucking Age! Why would you expect them to Act YOUR Age, they're still so Young and you probably Acted similar at those Ages, so gain some perspective and give 'em some Grace!!!
Plus, the one Mom was really chapped that her 20-something Year Old Daughter gets along better with her Dad and he has a very functional Relationship with his Daughter. It was her Ex-Husband and I sensed she Dad-Bashes and probably her Kiddos are Sensitive about that too, especially if they get along Swell with their Dad, even if they don't Live with him?! I could hear the Jealousy and Bitterness in her Voice and thought, No Wonder The Daughter doesn't get along with you, you're sounding like a fucking Shrew, Woman!!! The Dad apparently also financially is very good to his Children, she even had an Issue with THAT... well, Woman, beats him being a fucking Deadbeat Dad who doesn't provide for them, offer Support, or Care!!!
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I don't pretend to know the Dynamic of that Woman's Family, or the other one, who was still Married but just a tad more Measured about her criticisms about her Children of the same Age. But if I ever talked that much Smack about my Loved Ones, I wouldn't expect them to Like me or get along with me, those Gals were throwing Shade all over the place about their Families... so I can only Imagine what they were gonna say about their Friends?! And... sho' nuff, they soon got to that... and OMG, they be the kind of Friends who you wouldn't Need Enemies, that's for sure!
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Lord have Mercy they bashed the Character of Women they mutually knew and one had to Wonder, how do they behave Face to Face with any of those folks they're Back Stabbing??!!! Yikes. It was so Toxic just standing close enuf to have to overhear how Negative they were about Everyone NOT present to defend themselves!!! It was just uncomfortable to have to hear but you couldn't NOT hear, they were talking loudly enuf I could have been several people ahead or behind them and still heard the conversation!!! I didn't even turn around to see what they looked like, if they looked anything like their Toxic Personalities, their Countenance would be Sour as Hell and Misery personified!!! So glad when the Doors Opened and I could distance myself from their Bad Energy!!!
I have good News in that our Social Security Checks hit on time! *Whew* I was concerned due to the Government Shutdown, since, people still Working aren't even getting Paid if they get a Federal Check. The Shutdown needs to End, it's negatively impacting hard working people and Politicians should never use Federal Workers and our Military Personnel as Pawns in their Partisan Disputes between each other. Liking the Problem more than the Solution seems to be all too common among Partisan Politics and I'm fed up with it all, it's NOT Working for the American People. We NEED our Politicians to Work for us!!! And it seems like too many have forgotten who they Work FOR!?!
Happy Autumn from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian
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