testing blog entry

I can has custmer servis?

There are huge websites out there for customer complaints ie www.consumerist.com but today I'm writing about a good experience I had with AT&T today.

I have a Cingular 8525 (made by HTC, now called the AT&T 8525, precursor to the Tilt). It's a higher-end PDA cell phone with a slide out keyboard and a touch screen, it's practically a palm-sized laptop. I love it. But last night, I had it on charge and all it would display was a red light. It usually has an amber light when it is charging. It refused to charge or turn on. I searched the internet and found the common name for this malfunction is RLOD (red light of death).

I figured this phone is done for, I've had it for less than a year so I was bummed. I looked online to see about buying a new one but I couldn't find one I liked as much for a price I wanted to spend. So, on a whim, I looked on the website to see if it was still under warranty. I found a number to call, not really expecting to get any help on a Sunday morning. But this nice lady answered, and she spoked American English and it was her native tongue. She asked me a few questions about the phone, pulled up my account, verified my info, and confirmed my phone was dead, and my warranty was to expire on June 13. Thirteen days from today!

So, I have a new phone on the way. The call did not take that much time, and I wasn't locked in some endless phone loop. I was never put on hold. It was all very easy and pleasant.

yay for AT&T.

Also, earlier this week, I called them for an unrelated reason about availability of service at my house, and they were also very helpful, spoke good english, and I wasn't put on hold.

I'm amazed.

Finally

I've seen lots of blogs recommending "blue like jazz" and I'm finally getting around to reading it. I've had it on my shelf for a couple of years. I read "story" a while back by the same author and loved it. Not sure what took me so long. I'm just on chapter 2, but I like it! It's an easy read, engaging and honest.

At the end of chapter 2, he (don miller) had me at Wilco. At that point I knew I needed to read it.

Unlikely duo

I got up this morning to a notice from Rhapsody that there is an album put out by two of my favorite artists, though no one cold have predicted they would ever get together. How did I miss this???

Alison Krauss
and
Robert Plant!

And I'm listening to it right now. It's quite nice. Bayleigh and I are taking a road trip and I think this will be in my cd player all day. Him and her harmonize beautifully, and its laden with acoustic guitar and pedal steel. Refreshing!

The email also said there's a new release by Ryan Adams (not to be confused with Bryan Adams) but I've not got past this yet!

Good music day!!!

Also, a friend of mine has suggested I listen to Caedmon's Call. Sounds like something I would like.

Silas House

My husband had the chance to meet NYT bestselling appalachian writer Silas House last night at a local college. Jeff was quite inspired by listening to him, and he bought the book "The Coal Tattoo". Don't know when he'll get a chance to read it with all his school work.

So, I just now looked up this man's website, and found his list of favorite musicians and I was stunned. People know I have obscure taste in music, and this man had many of my favorites on his list. Artists like Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams, Be Good Tanyas, Sufjan Stevens, Iron and Wine, Patty Griffin, Darrell Scott, Abigail Washburn, and many others.

Now I can't wait to read his book too!

Intriguing Idea

Today on the zenhabits.com blog there is an article about minimalism - cutting your possessions down to 100 things. Here's the link to the article: http://zenhabits.net/2007/09/minimalist-fun-the-100-things-challenge/

There are some rules that help - such as shared family items don't count, cleaning supplies, books, collections count as one item, etc. I know I couldn't complete this challengs, but I am going to challenge myself to make a list anyways, just because it's an interesting idea. I'll be completing this list over the next few days, so check back. Hmmm, I could even make a flickr blog about it... Well, here's a list of the no-brainers for now:

1. My bible. I understand books don't count but I'm including in anyway.
2. My fiddle/violin with accessories (I'm counting that as a collection). That would include case, rosin, tuner, bow.
3. Pared down selection of sheet music.
4. Laptop and accessories, with EHD.
5. PDA Phone w/ accessories
6. PDA w/ accessories. (this could possibly go off the list. I keep it because it's more powerful and has a better screen and more memory than the PDA phone. But theoretically I don't need both.)
7. Digital Camera
8. Printer
9. Photo Printer/camera charger dock.
10. A guitar. Jeff and I share them, but I'm going to count one.
11. A moleskine journal or knock-off of one.


That's what I've got so far. I'm concerned if I count clothing, make-up, and personal care items, I'm going to run out very soon.

Interesting concept though. i"m going to look at some other blogs doing this and see how they are doing it.

Puppy-Sitting

I've been puppy sitting my MIL's new puppy while she's at work. She's a cocker spaniel named Libby. She's adorable, smart, and really catching on to the whole "go OUTside" thing. Which is a huge relief...