Day 1112 and more

Day 1121

The Day I Considered Bombing Chase Bank (not for the first time)

I have a Continental Airlines bank card. It has served me well, as a debit card, for many years. Looking back, I was living near the Empire State Building when I got the Continental card which means I've had it for seven or eight years. Wow. I remember the days when I could actually use the miles I accrued - I upgraded myself and others on cross-country flights and even shorter trips just because I could. It was easy, fun, much more comfortable than coach and totally worth the $30 annual fee. I went out of my way to fly Continental just to take advantage of my miles. I used my debit card constantly just to obtain more miles. And it paid off.

Well, it used to pay off. Now I can't remember the last time I was able to use my miles, no matter how far in advance I booked my flight. Has to be at least two years. Meanwhile, my credit card has been providing me with numerous Barnes and Noble gift cards, a sort of cash-back, and I love it. So I finally got smart and decided to change my bank card. Just a simple phone call, right?

That's funny.  

My first call (800-935-9935) was for naught as it was before 9am and there are no operators around. Good thing I didn't waste five minutes in the automated system before they let me know their hours.

My second call was 14.22 minutes and ended with the second person to whom I was connected warning me that I would Lose All Miles if I "downgraded" to a Leisure account. I was dumbfounded. It did not seem possible. But she was certain.

So I called the Continental-Chase people (877-292-4273) to see if that was true and to see how many miles I would lose. 3.46 minutes. The woman nearly said "those idiots at Chase" but she didn't. Of course I would not lose my 33,000+ miles. Not that I'll ever be able to use them.

But 25,000 is a round-trip ticket...will I ever call? maybe if I ever want to go to Iowa in July I'll be able to upgrade...oh, wait, I did that last summer...coach both ways. Blasted OnePass (800-621-7467).

I re-called Chase. After learning that I still pay the $30 fee when I "downgrade," I was transferred to the Leisure Rewards Department (888-234-2427). The woman there said I needed to call the main number. I mentioned that those people had transferred me to her.

"They transferred you to me?" she asked. "Good grief."

Indeed.

5.51 minutes and she didn't transfer me back because the computers are down. She suggested I call back in about an hour. I wondered if I'd shoot myself by then.

Next I called the Privacy Line (888-868-8618) to get them to stop sending all that New credit card solicitation crap to me. 3.25 minutes. I have to give it 90 days for all mailing to cease.

I drank half a Poland Springs water bottle then made my Sixth call.

The guy who answered was super friendly, asked me how I was doing, listened to my story, laughed and told me, when asked, "I'm doing good. I'm gonna go ahead at take care-a-ya right quick." Pause. "The system's slow this morning, I'm sorry. One moment please." Pause. "One moment, the system's not allowing me to enter the new card." Hold. "Sorry for the delay."

I felt scared.

"Your new card will be send in fivetoseven days. Call us to make sure the Continental card is deactivated and to activate your new card."

I love him.

"Have a nice day."

You too. 6.51 minutes. Excellent.

Can't wait to call them again. 

Day 1122

Bumble Bee Solid While Albacore in Oil, fishy. A's do Mar tonno trancio interno, awesome (especially if you're not afraid of a little salt).

wow, that's a fancy link. how did I do that?

And what's great to do with that mini can of tuna? This is about as easy as it gets, perfect for lunch or dinner when the summer day is hot and you hardly feel like eating:

Day 1123

Great News! My perma QL problems exist because (a) my spine is too straight --most people -dare I say "normal" people- curve slightly in at the bottom and out at the top, like the slightest S-- (b) my torso is long and (c) I am gimpy!

That's right, my right leg (which I guess I've known for awhile and people have made fun of my walk) is slightly shorter than my left. Consequently, my right side is more pressured and the strain of the disk herniation and QL spasm is never released...until now...Enter Lifts. No, not fat, clubfoot shoes, you jerk, thin little lifts to balance me out. I'll let you know what happens as soon as I order them.

Yea! I'm not crazy, I'm just gimpy! I lo+ve my Chiro and will miss her when my gimpiness is corrected by the lifts and I'm a regular, straight person again, which I am sure will happen very soon.

Day 1124

Verizon isn't that bad? Hmm.

Did you know that there are Verizon Wireless/Circuit City stores? According to the "terms of agreement" the employees of the Verizon section of the store are Verizon employees but I call bullshit - these people actually do their job, efficiently and helpfully. It was almost scary. I'm specifically talking about the one on Broadway and about 80th (on the east side of B'Way, right near an actual Verizon location, which is hilarious). Please never torture yourself again and seek out this lovely, wonderful corporate hybrid.

They even managed to get my rebate to me within a month's time. Can you hear me now?

News of the Day: did you notice the footage of the Israel/Lebanon bombing and the fires in California are almost impossible to differentiate from each other? I think they're playing the same tape

Day 1125

I have a new friend (well, pen-pal). She lives in Oregon and turns 70 this week! This is her blog.

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