4 Reach

Name:
Location: California, United States

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

10 LOVE/HATE COMPANIES

Hello All,

Today I read 10 COMPANIES WE LOVE TO HATE and thought of my stories to share. While the web site allows for comments, I decided my blog would better serve for future reading.

During my days of playing airline pilot, the other crewmembers and I often discussed the best Cellular Phone Provider. Finally, we concluded, “each has its strengths and weaknesses.” “Problems”, you say. Let me share one little story with you; it is a tale of Cingular and their customer service.

My girlfriend and I purchased a joint account with Cingular so we could communicate regardless of my location. Out on my bid-line, our route brought us to Cincinnati, Ohio and I had no bars. Curious, I thought, considering the coverage area on my plan was “Nation Wide”. I knew something was wrong when we landed in Dayton, Ohio and the same thing happened there. When I finally checked into my hotel room, I called the local Cingular dealer for a better understanding. They informed me that I would have to take this up with my local carrier; thus, meaning when I returned home. I found that answer reasonable. And, I did exactly as instructed upon my return home.

My local carrier said, “We have contracts with local carriers across the country and first we should verify which provider services that area”. OK, on my next bid-line I will find this information. In my hotel rooms, I read the inside cover of the local phone books to find Cincinnati Bell is the primary provider for Ohio. I brought this information back to my local provider with the hopes of resolution. With my girlfriend on an extension to the house phone, the following is condensed version of the conversation after establishing the prior communications with the Cingular Customer Service representatives.

Me, “my cell phone is not working in Cincinnati and Dayton”.
Rep, “What is the local provider for Cincinnati and Dayton”?
Me, “Cincinnati Bell”.
Rep, “We do not have a contract with Cincinnati Bell, I apologize”.
Me, “Let me understand this- you are saying that Cingular, the cell phone provider who is the reunion of the original Bell Systems, does not have a contract with Cincinnati Bell”?
Rep, “Yes”.
Me, “Does this make sense to you”?
Rep, “Well, Sir, let me see if I can assist you. Please, what exactly is the problem”?
Me, “My cell phone is not working in Cincinnati, Dayton- Oh shoot, it is not working in Ohio”.
Rep, “And, what state is that in”?

(Silence)

Me, “Are you kidding me”?
Rep, “Sir, first I must establish the state”.
Me, “Can I speak with somebody else? Maybe a supervisor?”
Rep, “One second please”.
Supervisor, “How may I help you”?
(I explained the previous conversation)
Supervisor, “I don’t understand, we need to know the State”.

(Crickets)


Me, as I was thinking (what state is Ohio in?), I said, “Never mind” and hung up.

I am currently using Sprint International Plan, because I have found more coverage, world wide, with the least problems.

Please share your problems.....and,

Be Safe,

Reach

Monday, May 26, 2008

Steam Ship Historicism

Hello All,

For 10 Dollars the paddlewheel steamship will take a person anywhere along the river. The year was 1859 and composer Daniel Emmett wrote and published a popular song of the time. “Dixie” specifically referred to a privately issued ten-dollar currency from banks in Louisiana and mainly distributed through gambling, trade, and transportation on the wide area portage of southern river steamers. The United States government set in motion the issuance of the Greenbacks, a legal tender currency not exchangeable for gold. The speculative person understood the probabilities of an eventual gold redemption, for the Greenbacks, greatly depended on the Union Army and political developments. My United States History Professor clearly stated, “This is, only one of the contributing factors to the Civil War.”

On this Memorial Day, I wanted to write of the first Memorial Day in the United States and this is where my quest brought me.

The divisions became quite evident during the 1860 presidential election and the electorate split four ways. The Southern Democrats approved slavery, while the Republicans denounced it. The Northern Democrats required the ‘people’ to decide on the issue, and, the Constitutional Union Party proclaimed the continued existence of our Union is at stake. Thus our nation experienced the deadliest war in American history, causing 620,000 soldier deaths and an undetermined number of civilian casualties. Upon its conclusion, it ended slavery in the United States and restored the Union by settling the issues of southern state nullifications.

The site was a historic racetrack in Charleston, a former Confederate prison camp as well as an impetuous cemetery for Union soldiers who died in captivity. The freed slaves reinterred the dead Union soldiers from a mass grave to individual graves, fenced in the burial grounds, and constructed an arched entry announcing the Union graveyard- a very daring thing to do in the South shortly after the North's victory. On 30 May 1868 the freed slaves returned to the graveyard with flowers picked from the countryside and decorated the individual gravesites, thereby creating the very 1st Decoration Day. A parade with thousands of people, including freed slaves and Union soldiers, followed with patriotic singing and a picnic.

Memorial Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates United States men and women who perished while in military service to their country. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it expanded after World War I to include casualties of any war or military action.

I hope you had a safe holiday,

Reach

Thursday, May 22, 2008

When Voices Matter, The Revisit….

Hello All,

On February 8, 2006, I wrote the following: “Voicing an opinion is a tricky thing. As we enjoy our freedom of speech, we certainly do not wish to insult other people for their beliefs. I think this is called ‘respect’! In that thought, it is good to listen to another person’s beliefs, as; it can sometimes allow us to reevaluate our own epitome of beliefs.

With this in mind, I thought my next topic placed out there for the world to read should be Global Warming. Here are some current progressions for this comparison.

2008-05-21: As scientific evidence accumulates on the destructive impact of carbon-dioxide emissions, a handful of lawyers are beginning to bring suits against the major contributors to climate change. Will the legal strategy that brought down Big Tobacco work against Big Oil? In their attempts, lawsuits in California, Mississippi, and New York have been dismissed by judges who say a ruling would require them to balance the perils of greenhouse gases against the benefits of fossil fuels—something best handled by legislatures. Enter the Senate Hearings on Capitol Hill; where, “Top executives of the five largest oil companies tried to shift anger over high prices to a debate over supplies Wednesday, leading a senator (Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.), to accuse them of acting like ‘hapless victims’ while racking up record profits.” And, the response, “I urge you to resist these punitive policies,” said John Hofmeister, president of Shell Oil Co.

Who will take the blame? Are fossil fuels to blame for Global Warming, soaring fuel and food prices? I am here to tell you this is not the case! True, I have uncovered evidence we are placing blame in the wrong areas. We need to direct our thoughts in a more “healthy” direction.

GENEVA - Obesity contributes to global warming, too. Yes, you heard it here first! While other Blogs are quick to blame high costs on Al Gore and the Alliance, a London based School disagrees. “Obese and overweight people require more fuel to transport them and the food they eat, and the problem will worsen as the population literally swells in size, a team at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine says,” reported by REUTERS updated 9:15 a.m. PT, Fri., May 16, 2008.

I have arrived to a conclusion: I will sacrifice one Big Mac per week and donate the money to the Alliance. At 180 pounds, this person is doing his share for the environment. However, they will not be receiving my money from the IN & OUT funds. No, I refuse to live with out my “Double Doubles” and “4X4’s”, “Animal Style” of course. As for the readers in any state, other than California, too bad you do not know the joys of a good IN & OUT burger. I am writing this post to prove a point; anybody can twist and manipulate statistics, or, I love IN & OUT. IN & OUT, the only fast food restaurant, which offers more items off the menu, than on- join the Secret Society today.

Be Safe,

Reach

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Reviving History

Hello All,

During my injuries of 2003, I had an opportunity for submitting a package to receive the Purple Heart Decoration. Having studied the histories and requirements of several decorations, I knew that my injuries truly did not warrant this prestigious award. Once again, the opportunity may be on my doorstep for another submission. Defense Secretary Gates is presently vying Congress to change the decoration’s requirements to include PTSD. First, we should examine the history of this medal.

21 September 1780, Major John Andre, under the name of "John Anderson", conducted the disloyal negotiations with General Benedict Arnold for the surrender of West Point in the woods near Stony Point and took breakfast with him in the house of the unknowing Joshua Smith. On leaving, Arnold gave “Anderson” six papers containing full information as to the state of the defenses at West Point. Three young patriotic Americans, John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart later encountered Andre (who mistakenly identified himself as a British Officer) and searched his person, only to find the treasonable documents in his stockings and arrested him. Tried and convicted of High Treason, Major Andre was executed in October 1780. The Congress recognized these young Americans by presenting each with $200 and a silver medal worn around the neck, The Andre Medal- the United States first Award presented by Congress.

Unfortunately, the regulation and citation accompanying the award was written for a specific act; thereby, eliminating any future presentations. President George Washington recognized the need for a Badge of Military Merit and designed what we recognize today as the Purple Heart. Again, only given to three Revolutionary War soldiers and not realizing the importance of wording the regulation and it held no statement regarding duplication. Public admiration of the award led to numerous commercial uses, such as, clothing designers placing small “purple hearts” on their products. Thus began the foundation of the Congressional Medal of Honor and proper verbiage in the regulation and citations.

The Purple Heart is the oldest symbol and award still given to members of the United States military. In addition, the actual order still includes President Washington’s original phrase, "Let it be known that he who wears the military order of the purple heart has given of his blood in the defense of his homeland and shall forever be revered by his fellow countrymen”.

I have found I do not stand alone in my regard to this award. Should Congress change the requirements, they will be acting against the original integrity intended of this award. If this was a lesson, cool; if not, then there are my two cents on this issue. Furthermore, I would like to leave this with a quote, “An, that’s all I got to say 'bout that”. - Forrest Gump

Be Safe,

Reach

Saturday, May 10, 2008

The Hypocrites Corner

Hello All,

I am just back from a mini vacation to Palm Springs, where a friend and I shared a two bedroom, time-share, apartment. The weather was perfect and the people were awesome as we lounged by the pool. Though our room was on the third floor over-looking the pool and bar, the plan was not in spending time in the room.

I tried to take in a day of golf, first time since my injuries, and found my leg will no longer handle the day. On the 14 hole, I was down by nine strokes from the other players and had to leave the game- not bad for somebody who has not played since 2003. However, I did learn a valuable lesson. At the end of the game I was only down by four strokes, thus suggesting- I play my best game by not playing. I consider that a successful round of golf. What do you think?

Anyway back at the pool, I established a reputation on the water slide. With all the rules, no head first sliding, no spinning, etc, I did manage to “Catch Air”. At one point, I cleared the sides by three feet on the corners. Even the “Life Guard” shook her head. Well, that is until I they banned me from any further slide usage. I was in the air and did a flip. The management did not like that one. Not the midair flip bothering them; I think it was because I accidentally came down on my face and suffered a cut above my eye. I knew when I did it, so I thought I should try to play it off when I came out of the water and nobody would notice. I think its funny how blood is difficult to hide, especially when somebody tries a “Bone-Head” move. This was not the worst part. After I realized there was no hiding my actions, I tried to talk the female Life Guard into a little mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. She did not go for it- too bad, she was cute. In addition, I promise there was only "some alcohol abuse" involved. Is being drunk considered Abuse? I don't know, those Vodka/Lemonades tasted great to us and our new found friends in the desert heat.

I met a great couple from Los Angeles who own a ’66 Chevrolet and wish to come down for Cruise Night. I told them they could stay at my place when they do come down. This should prove to be a great weekend- only because my pool does not have a slide.

Have a great weekend all, and I wish everybody the best Mother’s Day.

Be Safe,
I always say that, but is it considered hypocritical considering this post?

Reach