Customer Service on the Phone

Have you ever made a call, gone through menu after menu which includes entering your account #, to finally get a person and they ask...FOR THE ACCOUNT#? Arrh! That annoys me still, but not as much it did before I worked in a call center.

There are sooo many things that can affect whether the person gets the info you entered or not. From the company not using all of the technology correctly, to a major outage from their phone provider, to short wrap up times between calls. So if the person doesn't answer the phone & say "Hello Ms. Remnants, how may I help you?" Then usually ask them what do they need to help me. Sometimes the account #, or maybe the reason for my call. The call can go smoother if they can go through their own menus and ask you for the info as they get to it.

One thing that I didn't know before I worked in a call center is that if the company has the right technology a call center an be a great place for blind or visually impaired people to work. I am soo in aww of the blind people that I worked with, because they have to listen to the computer in one ear & the customer in the other. They have to remember how many times to tab to certain places to enter info & just memorize so much that I just depend on my sight to do. But they pretty much had to meet the same goals that those of us that could see did.

I know I've called somewhere & there was a rude person on the phone, especially in those companies that once they have you locked into a contract they don't have to work to keep loyal customers. Can you say Cable Companies, Ricky? But I guess I try to be pleasant even when I have a major issue, like waiting during that half day window & the technician hasn't called or come.

I could probably go another 10 paragraphs on scenarios & situations, but I'm off to see a movie.

I do have to say again that I am in aww of my blind coworkers. Because they used to deal with some of the same rude people that I would talk to. I had a hard time concentrating when a person just talked & talked while I tried to complete some of the more difficult requests. So that listening to different things in each ear just wouldn't work for me a deeply dependent on my vision with my glasses or contacts person that I am.

Movies, Movies, Movies!

Over the past 2 weeks I have gone to the movies to see. a) Everybody's Fine, b) Up in the Air, c) Did you here about the Morgans? & d) Armored.

Why these movies? There really are quite a few more that I want to see. I guess they each had an actor I like for one reason or another, well, one of the movies...I just really needed to see black people after those choices. LOL Actually, I knew about Armored before the others, but I saw trailers and added them to my list. I didn't realize that Sam Elliott was in 2 movies until I saw them. He's another actor that I enjoy seeing.

If it wasn't for the $5 matinee before noon...I wouldn't go so much. But I need to make sure that when I go to another theater that isn't my normal stop. I should know the matinee price & hours. Also theaters don't advertise when they change prices or times for the bargain matinee so I guess I should check often.
a) I liked the trailers & and I am a fan of R. De Niro. The movie was ok. It's your normal holiday family with issues movie. Just the kind of mix that I like funny moments, serious moments & happy moments. The entertainment that I needed.

b) Another movie that after seeing the trailers & the lead actor, I just had to watch. I thought that the fact that some of the people used in the firing scenes had actually been fired recently was interesting. It also doesn't totally follow the “Hollywood” formula. I enjoyed it, it won't be a classic in my book. I am sure that there is someone more deserving of an award for best actor, but I'm not voting so what I think doesn't matter.

c) c)Well, obviously Mr. Grant is in this one...I must have wanted to see a romantic comedy. Guy does something stupid, guy loses girl, girl & guy work it out, guy gets girl in the end. No, I didn't ruin the ending for you. You know the formula...But I liked the movie. And Sarah outside of New York city was funny.

d) Diversity in the cast. Oh boy! I don't think that it was entirely believable but it was entertaining and a good movie overall. Bad guys never prosper & the hero does. :-)

Randomness again

I have started quite a few posts. It's the finishing part that hasn't happened, so I'll just be random.

The weekend of Dec. 5th I had a great birthday & attended another friend's surprise party. I was in my home state of Texas. I stayed with one of my best friends that I have known since Jr. High. So we were celebrating birthdays for those of us OVER 45.

I didn't realize how much I missed seeing burnt orange & white for the Real UT, the University of Texas; because here in GA I don't see many people in Texas jerseys; hats etc., it's always the other UT.

I waited until the last minute take my car for its emissions test & it didn't pass. Can't get my tags until it does. The parts cost more than I can afford right now. Ugh...

Sometimes I feel like I have stepped so far backwards in my life.

My landlord is a lunatic...not just my opinion. I live in a duplex & my neighbor says our landlord is the devil.

Maybe my next post will be more coherent.

Really an Award?

I saw the movie "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" the Saturday that it opened in Atlanta. I typically don't do reviews, because I am afraid I'll give something away. And I also don't feel that I write well enough to do reviews. I think I tweeted that Monique did an amazing job. I almost tweeted that Mariah won't win any awards, but she did ok. However, I decided to be nice. Her role was important, but she didn't have as much screen time as some of the other characters.

But when I saw this article I had to write something. I really do not know much about the award, but if it is for someone new to acting, well Gabby Sidibe should win it. Or if it is only for a new actor in a supporting role then any one of her classmates should get an award. And Paula Patton as Ms. Rains had a more significant role than MC as Mrs. Weiss, and did a good job.

What did MC do that was so amazing? Should she get an award because she didn't wear makeup? Oh maybe because she wore drab clothes? It seems to me whenever someone praises her performance they stop just short of saying she did a Plain Jane so well. The role was definitely more noteworthy than her previous role, but please wait until she does something more signifcant before giving her an award.

Easy Pumpkin Pie Recipe

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I got a laugh out of this, I hope you do too!

Randomness & things that make me go Hmmm

When did compound cuss words become common? Namely the word bitchassidness (my spelling) I have seen it spelled different ways; and think it is a very relevant term. I just wonder why I am stuck in single syllable cuss word hell.

When exactly did companies start making the bulk of their profit on fees, instead of just whatever they charge for their service etc.? And or requiring a contract instead of providing the best customer service to keep customers?

Why do people think that only voting in the "Big" elections is the thing to do? Don't they know that voting in the local elections is just as important? Especially if having enough police to control crime or keeping enough firemen employed to protect us & our property is important to them.

Is all publicity good publicity? Example of the week...Katt Williams.

I have to start somewhere

I blog in my head all the time...but it never makes it to the computer. There are so many things that I have running through my head. So today I guess this will be a very random post.

Fort Hood, TX was practically home for me as a child. My parents bought their house in the city just outside of the base. But everything we did was on Fort Hood. I took swimming lessons & went swimming at an indoor pool on base. All my medical care was at Darnell. I went to movies there...I can't really remember the 1st time I went to a movie off base, but I remember thinking "Did I miss the National Anthem?" According to my son...movies on a military installation still have the "National Anthem" before the movie starts. We went grocery shopping at the commissary, and also did other shopping at the PX.

I went to the only Catholic school in town, and some of my friends lived on base. One of my best friends lived near this field that we really shouldn't have been playing in at times, but we did and we could see the imprints in the grass where helicopters had landed.

My father's funeral was in a chapel on Post. The service is actually a blur in my memory, but I do remember the drive to the cemetery, and I remember the soldiers in uniform stopping & saluting the procession as we went by.

I lived on post when I was married. My son learned to walk in the house his dad & I lived in there. And as an adult he went through training & the processing that soldiers go through on there way overseas.

So someone shot our soldiers & civilians working on the post that I once called home. I have fond, happy & some sad memories there. But the families of those that were shot & injured or killed there, will just have awful memories about the largest military installation in Texas. That their family member was killed or injured there while still in the US.

They are in my prayers...

Maybe its the rain

It seems like the day I wake up not feeling certain aspects of my job is the day that I get to work & everything is broke, no really stuff ain't working...I have a funky e-mail from my supervisor, and if he had read/addressed the e-mail I sent a few days before then funky would not have been necessary. I make a phone call to some one in another department; introduce myself & get "What are you calling me for?" The statement itself wasn't bad, but it was HOW he said it. Breathe count to 5...

I still have over 4 long hours to go...Can I do it without strangling someone?

Random Friday

Who's smarter me or my dog...my dog or my last boyfriend?
When I put my running shoes on my dog gets excited, because he equates that with going somewhere, walk, car ride to possibly walk somewhere new etc. I was going to do some yardwork so I put the running shoes on in the bathroom (out of D-O-G's view). Then I went into the garage & opened the car door to get my sunglasses and he jumped in ready to go. (He doesn't jump in the car everytime I open the door.)

Did he notice the shoes? Hmm, if so he was more observant than my last boyfriend...Sooo, I took him for a short ride. Back window down just enough for him to stick his head out...He was a happy dog, he did look at me funny when I pulled back into the garage. Hey it was a 10 minute drive. I needed to get my yard done before it starts to rain.

I still didn't answer the question, maybe the D-O-G is smarter than both humans.

What is playing in my head

I didn't realize how much I missed Maxwell.

Thank you Cell Provider...I Won't be late!

We just sprang forward to daylight savings time. And the news reports that I watched said to change the clocks at 2:00am; and I may have changed mine at midnight in the past. But who in the 7734...(remember that one from childhood?) changes the time at or before 10:30pm? My cell phone provider that's who.

I use my cell phone as an alarm. Actually, everything that is on my schedule is in the phone. Or I just might not make it on time (or at all) if it isn't in the phone. So as scheduled my alarm went off at 10:30pm, and I got up and took a shower and dressed for work. Gathered my lunch/breakfast & was off to work.

I do notice people at the bus stop, and think that is an unusual amount of people for 11:45pm, does the bus still run this late? Oh well, it is a Saturday night, so maybe. Ok next stoplight, I look at my car clock...why does it say 10:45? Oh, yes...I haven't changed my car clock...so why does my cell phone say 11:45? I am sooo confused. So I stop at the convenience store...I need coffee anyway. OK my receipt says 10:45pm...I am going home, sooo not ready to be at work an hour early...This is not my favorite shift anyway.

But who changes the time before midnight? Please tell me t...mob...ile... Y, just Y?

I was wrong!

It's been 4 years and I thought he was Chinese, but nooo he's actually Japanese. I guess I can blame the Dr. well the vet. Yes, I am talking about my D-O-G, not a person. I guess it was the black tongue. He is by no means a full bred anything. He became a member of my family because a friend had 2 female dogs and too many puppies. He might be a combination of both, because his hair can grow long and he has that look like a lion. But the long snout always made me doubt his chowness as well as his size. He is smaller than a chow. I believe that he is part Shiba Inu.

When I was reading the information about the temperment of the Shiba Inu...I thought OH this is D-O-G. I think I read that they are born practically house broken...which amazed me about my dog. Once he learned where "OUT" was he was pretty much house broken. That took almost no work...Also when I read that they are fastidious and almost like cats about grooming...I thought wow that is my dog. I don't know how many times I have awaken to hear him in the corner just licking himself, paws & all.

Fortunately he doesn't have a high pitched scream that it appears the Shiba have...but like I said he isn't full blooded anything. Finally, this article/advertisement had me in tears (laughing), because I could relate. I already knew that if I wash him at home I needed to use the smallest bathroom in the house..or outside must stay on the patio..Want clean dog. When I could afford it I took him to a groomer. But now we can't afford that, so I try to go to the self-service dog wash...I can stand up & wash him, and there are hooks & restraints to help keep him in place.

It's good that I think I now know what my mutt really is. But I love him whether he is Chinese or Japanese, or both.

FYI that is a baby pic at the top...

It's Georgia Y'all!

I watched the weather last night, and yes they said there would be snow flurries. But this isn't the North Georgia Mountains...I just thought I would see a few flying through the air. I thought driving might be a challenge. But this is ridiculous.
I kept hearing thumping on my roof...I thought tree parts were falling. Not tree parts yet, but clumps of snow are falling of the pine tree branches.
I didn't sign up for this. It is March and I don't like snow. It's Sunday a snow day and I don't get to play hooky from work. Bummer...Just a few weekends ago, people were riding their motorcycles & had their convertible tops down. I am not a winter person. I don't care if my birthday is in December. I DON'T LIKE COLD WEATHER! It's March I am conditioned for springtime.

Springtime where are you? I need you.

This time last year

Last year if the president was giving an address to Congress...I would have been trying to find a TV station that did NOT have the address on. Gee now that I actually like our president...I will be watching the entire address.

I did see the View this morning talking about the Grammar police picking apart President Obama's speech. I think that during his term their job is VERY easy. So what if he mixes up his "I" & "me"'s...Grammar Police...get a real job!

Everything Seems so unimportant

I was on the internet trying to find some information, and discovered that one of my son's former classmates died about 7 months ago. According to the obituary it was the day after his 21st birthday.

I always get sad when I read about the death of our soldiers, especially when they are young. I tend to worry about (I guess I will call him the Pvt. ) since he is in the Army and overseas. He isn't in Iraq or Afghanistan although his job has had him in the latter on 1 or 2 missions.

The young man that was his classmate died from liver disease. He was ill when they were in high school, and had a liver transplant I think shortly after they graduated, but I think that liver didn't work and he was on the transplant list again before he died.

I was worried about some really unimportant things, or at least after finding an obituary of a very bright young man...I realized how unimportant they were.

A Penny & My Thoughts

• Why do idiots in cars speed up the minute I turn on my blinker to get over a lane or 2.
• I missed my exit earlier, passed a guy with a broken down van.
• Passed him again...black smoke, flames shooting from the hood. Not good, been there, no fun!
• Today was beautiful, it was sunny & 66 degrees (my kind of weather)
• Went to see that movie that gives dating advice, my friend & I enjoyed it. She read the book, I haven't. It had a very "Hollywood" ending. I wonder if the authors liked the changes.
• I think it's funny to see billboards of competing companies next to each other
• The 2 airlines that are headquartered here have quite a few dueling billboards LOL
• Should I be upset when the only compliment about how I looked the other day was from my blind coworker?
  
• I saw my doctor in the mall today, my friend wanted to know why I didn't introduce him to her. Well he didn't ask...Maybe he's Just Not...Yeah we used that statement for the rest of the day
• I saw my favorite author (Pearl Cleage) today in a restaurant, actually we spoke to each other, so cool, so cool LOL

Happy Inauguration Day!

I watched the ceremony today with my son that is home visiting from overseas. I do wish I could have been there in DC witnessing the ceremony in person, but I hate cold weather. So being at home with the heat on makes me happy, too. And when I didn't particularly like the view etc. I just changed the channel.

One of the more memorable moments while we watched it was when they mentioned that President Obama (ooh President that sounds soo good) is the Commander in Chief, I turned to my son and asked, "Wow how does it feel to have a black Commander in Chief?" We both smiled & laughed. I also thought about the fact that my father joined the Army when it was still segregated, and wonder what he would have thought if he were alive today. For me today it was exciting & bittersweet to think about those that didn't get to live to see this day.

Any comments about what this day means to you, or your friends & family?

Conversations with my Toaster

Now that my son is away, it is just me and the Dee Oh Gee. Aww what the heck, I was talking to Dee Oh Gee even before my son left. He is a very good listener though.

Even though he is 4 yrs old, he is still quite a hyper dog. When I let him out and he is ready to come in he jumps on the door & I herar is paws hit the door. Many times I yell to him..."I'll get you in a minute Dee Oh Gee!" And then he waits about a minute & jumps & hits the door again. Although this particular time when I looked outside he wasn't near the door he was at the end of the yard near the tree.

Oh, that sound....wow...I guess that was my piece of toast popping out of the toaster. It does sound like his claws on the door. Hmm am I crazy if I talk to inanimate objects in the house? Ahh, don't answer that ;-)