Internet & Applications
Internet finally isn’t “Inter-NOT”For the last few months, I have been recording issues with my DSL line at my home. The basic problem was that after about 6:30pm, my speeds would average about 600kbps with massive packet loss, and get as low as slower than dial-up. 600kbps might not sound too shabby, but when you consider that I’m paying for 3,000kpbs (actually more considering they figure on an 8-bit scale), you may see why I was concerned. What’s more, my speeds were “normal” during other hours. From like Midnight to 5:30pm, my speeds were as advertised, only beginning to suffer around 6 or so. And this prompted a call to at&t tech.
First things first, we speak with “Gloria” in India, who is very sorry that I am having this problem with my DSL by the way. I know because she made sure to mention it like 5 times. I've mentioned I hate India, right? Of course, as I have tried to explain to the whole of the Indian Nation on more than one occasion: they can’t help me. I’m not an idiot, it’s not that my computer is off or something stupid like that. It’s at&t’s fault, so get someone the fuck out here to take a look. Seriously, review the notes. I’ve had to call on this SAME ISSUE for the last 3 years, you can take my word for it. We have history, alright?
So the techs start coming by. I think I met everyone on the team, actually. They can’t figure it out, so they call the next tier up, and they do something and say it’s fixed. But they never tested it, so I call back. Still got the problem, boys and girls; you know the drill, let’s meet at my house, ‘K? Well, this goes on for like 3 months. After switching routers (not mine, mind, you, the internet router I’m hooked up to) no less than 10 times and having group tech sessions with someone at my house, someone at the main switch, people from the ISP, and line techs all working on the problem at once – on conference call – at least 3 different times, they finally got the problem solved just last night.
Finally. Now, my speeds are pegged at the high-end all night. And only 3 months later, too! Some people were griping that I was complaining, saying that I was just tying up resources. Nay nay, I say, as I’m paying for service they are not providing. And, the fact that I’m not usually home until about the time the internet becomes internot. And besides, this is their JOB, they should do it, and fix it. And if they can’t fix it, I should not have to pay. And even deeper than that, I should mention that the techs told me that the problem stemmed from the local “main office” in the town next to me, where they were trying to artificially manage the bandwidth kinda funky, and this problem I was having was more than likely affecting half the local population, but no one else bothered to call in.
So there. Pffff, or whatever other text means my sticking my tongue out and making obscene noises. See? This is a perfect example of why we as consumers should complain if things are not right. It wasn’t an isolated incident, but everyone else was just fine with being frustrated, while I actually took action.
So take action, dammit. Just not against me.
Applications out
A few nights ago, while I was taking up space at the Mother-in-Law’s house as she cleaned and did her thing, I cracked open the laptop, found a wireless network that liked the way I looked, and got busy sending out applications via monster.com and careerbuilder.com. I think I sent out about 8 applications or so, ranging from assistant Plant Manager of a building supply company to Store Manager at The Gap; Bed, Bath & Beyond; and Staples. Yeah, unfortunately, I couldn’t find an Apple Store up in the Eureka Area (wink wink). Which actually may be a good idea. Maybe I’ll have to use the good ol’ Apple Light to signal el Jobso to drop in and hear my great idea to “enlighten” the Norcal area, huh? Well, I’ll mull it around.
In the meantime, though, I’m just worryin’ about actually getting a job. I hate this online application BS. It’s so impersonal, and how do you check up on it? You’re basically just assigned a number, and dammit, I need someone to interview me in order to seal the deal. I need people contact, doggonit, and I’m not getting it this way.
Right now, I’m just hoping for one phone call. I’ll take the opportunity to go up for an interview, then I’ll go around the town while I’m up there and drop off applications in person, shake hands, and turn on the schmooze, because that’s where I excel, dammit, in face-to-face schmoozing. I’m just faking everything else.
Norcal Boonies Broadband
Since I mentioned Norcal & the Internet in the same blog already, I may as well share a thought/fear that I’ve had about my internet usage once I move: Namely, if I get some land far out and away like I want… how the hell am I going to get high-speed internet? Because at this point, especially since they fixed my line, I’m addicted. Everything goes faster, and that’s just the ticket for me.
So far as I know, You have to be relatively close to the main office to get DSL, which means crammed up like sardines with a whole bunch of people I don’t like (speculation here). Cable? Hopefully they’ll run a line to me, but I doubt it way out there. So then, satellite? Maybe my only option. But have you seen the prices on that shit? And it’s like only half as fast as what I currently get, to boot.
Basically what I’m saying is that there’s a distinct possibility that when I move up north I’ll have to give up porn.
Peace.