I have been settling in from my vacation and getting all rested up as well as easing myself back into the work world when something I never expected to happen... I went over my limit. I knew it could happen but I am believe or not being anal about how much I have, when it goes out etc, etc, etc. This time I just goofed and it happened. Luckily for me I have enough in checking to rectify the matter. The only thing is this was a one time deal and I'd rather not pay a fee if I have to.
So I get on the phone with my Credit Card company and explain my situation and ask specifically like they say on the blogs for a one time waive of the over limit fee. I was calm, I was cool, I was polite, I was denied. I was also shocked. They refused to even consider it. The Customer Service Rep told me due to economic times they were no longer doing these over to the phone and I would have to write a letter to the VP by the name of Kelly Hennick. I was flabbergasted. I mean it's one thing to say no after checking, they just flat out refused. I asked to speak to a supervisor figuring I just needed to escalate the matter. And I was promptly declined that request. I was not allowed to speak to a supervisor.
Now I'm getting peeved. I mean to be flat out told I wasn't allowed to talk to her boss is like me telling my customers they're not allowed to talk to my manager because I don't like them. I was getting annoyed. She kept repeating that address over and over again.
Finally, I told her since I had the name of the VP she wanted me to send the letter too. I'd just goggle the name and call his office. Her response? "Good luck. I'm sure it's unlisted."
Now I'm mad. After all this to be denied satisfaction? HA! I quickly went into private detective mode and used google for it's wonderful purpose. I quickly found the gentlemen in linked in and other blogging sites complaining about my credit card. All of them complaining that they couldn't get a phone number, but I was undeterred. I finally found it. On a scanned business card and punched in the numbers. One ring. Two Ring. Three rings. "Hello Kelly Hanick's office.." the voice on the line replied.
Yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
Finally my hopes had been answered I quickly relayed my plight to the secretary (little known fact 90% of the time Executive Secretaries are the people to talk to fix the messes.) within minutes I had been put in touch with the executive call center and promptly had my problem resolved in a quick easy efficient manor. So never give up!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
My thoughts on GI JOE
Rich wrote something I felt compelled to offer my own rebuttal, not that I think he's wrong. I simply think it's something you should go and see for yourself and offer some information that may be of help.
We all had characters like shipwreck and bazooka who influenced the color and tone of the GI JOE cartoon that made my afternoons when I was child a lot more bearable. The combination of humor, action adventure and mystery helped make me who I was. Yet, this portrayal is only one part of a larger equation. The Joe universe has been something so much more and I think the movie tries and does well to re imagine the franchise and bring to the next generation.
The cartoon and the comic of GI:Joe A REAL AMERICAN HERO was a product of the time. America, coming out of Vietnam and the election of Reagan, was finally able to recognize the military as something that was needed and not the inhuman monsters the were portrayed as in the media.
The writer of GI JOE, a talented man named Larry Hama used his own experience in the United States Army Corps of Engineers from 1969 to 1971, during the Vietnam War, where he became a firearms and explosive ordinance expert in the writing and methodology of the comic.
The movie does it best to use some of the plot points of the comic as well as that of the cartoon to present a movie aimed at a broader audience then either. Does it succeed? Yes and no. Like some of ou has mentioned there is no Shipwreck, no Lady Jaye to which the fans of the cartoon would complain were major compents of the cartoons. While the proponents of the comic would point out that the orignial team was not Duke, RIP Cord, Heavy Duty, Scarllett, Breaker and Hawk as well as Cover Girl but Breaker, Clutch, Zap,Flash, Grunt, Rock n Roll, Steeler, Stalker and Snake Eyes. General Hawk wasn't even the CO, General Flagg was. Popular charecters from the cartoon like Shipwreck, Lady Jaye and Quick Kick were featured but not delved into as deep as others like Stalker, Doc and Clutch were highlighted.
Another complaint mentioned by some was that of a brain washing that occurred to the baroness. In re-watching both the cartoon and the comic. Both versions were never completely loyal to the good Commander. In the cartoon it was always apparent that the Baroness was only playing along with commander for the power it afforded her and her relationship with Destro. In the comics it was very much in the same vein however, the baroness and Destro as well as some other characters were brainwashed several times in order to keep them his. The commander in the Marvel.Devils Due/IDW world is a lot more smarter, deadlier and sinister then his cartoon counterpart.
In fact the Commander was the only issue I had with the plot. I like the tying in of the rex character and the back-story but felt that would have given to a secondary crony a lot better then to who the sotry was given. I felt the origin of the Commander in Hama's Joe fit the design and goals of Cobra a whoe lot better. Why would this commander want to take over the world? We can see why Destro does.
Another flow I had was with the commanders faceplate. Once you see it you'll see what I mean.
All in all I felt despite the flaws. It provided a good decent movie that could be presented to the whole family and enjoyed by all. We actually saw the millitary presented as a force to preserve jsutice and peace rather then burning or torching villages. It also gave some great action set pieces and presented a fun adventure.
We all had characters like shipwreck and bazooka who influenced the color and tone of the GI JOE cartoon that made my afternoons when I was child a lot more bearable. The combination of humor, action adventure and mystery helped make me who I was. Yet, this portrayal is only one part of a larger equation. The Joe universe has been something so much more and I think the movie tries and does well to re imagine the franchise and bring to the next generation.
The cartoon and the comic of GI:Joe A REAL AMERICAN HERO was a product of the time. America, coming out of Vietnam and the election of Reagan, was finally able to recognize the military as something that was needed and not the inhuman monsters the were portrayed as in the media.
The writer of GI JOE, a talented man named Larry Hama used his own experience in the United States Army Corps of Engineers from 1969 to 1971, during the Vietnam War, where he became a firearms and explosive ordinance expert in the writing and methodology of the comic.
The movie does it best to use some of the plot points of the comic as well as that of the cartoon to present a movie aimed at a broader audience then either. Does it succeed? Yes and no. Like some of ou has mentioned there is no Shipwreck, no Lady Jaye to which the fans of the cartoon would complain were major compents of the cartoons. While the proponents of the comic would point out that the orignial team was not Duke, RIP Cord, Heavy Duty, Scarllett, Breaker and Hawk as well as Cover Girl but Breaker, Clutch, Zap,Flash, Grunt, Rock n Roll, Steeler, Stalker and Snake Eyes. General Hawk wasn't even the CO, General Flagg was. Popular charecters from the cartoon like Shipwreck, Lady Jaye and Quick Kick were featured but not delved into as deep as others like Stalker, Doc and Clutch were highlighted.
Another complaint mentioned by some was that of a brain washing that occurred to the baroness. In re-watching both the cartoon and the comic. Both versions were never completely loyal to the good Commander. In the cartoon it was always apparent that the Baroness was only playing along with commander for the power it afforded her and her relationship with Destro. In the comics it was very much in the same vein however, the baroness and Destro as well as some other characters were brainwashed several times in order to keep them his. The commander in the Marvel.Devils Due/IDW world is a lot more smarter, deadlier and sinister then his cartoon counterpart.
In fact the Commander was the only issue I had with the plot. I like the tying in of the rex character and the back-story but felt that would have given to a secondary crony a lot better then to who the sotry was given. I felt the origin of the Commander in Hama's Joe fit the design and goals of Cobra a whoe lot better. Why would this commander want to take over the world? We can see why Destro does.
Another flow I had was with the commanders faceplate. Once you see it you'll see what I mean.
All in all I felt despite the flaws. It provided a good decent movie that could be presented to the whole family and enjoyed by all. We actually saw the millitary presented as a force to preserve jsutice and peace rather then burning or torching villages. It also gave some great action set pieces and presented a fun adventure.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Learning to enjoy the moment
This is the first post of my blog. I wanted to share my life in a way that I can't normally express myself. I find it so hard to share personal feelings and thoughts. I want to step beyond my norm and share my moments. So thank you for being a part of this moment.
I had the pleasure of visiting with and fellow-shipping with some good friends from college this weekend. Being so far from my college friends make it hard for me to be a part of their lives and having a work live where I never know what I'm doing next Friday means I can never get to confirm any definate plans. So this week seeing I had the weekend off, I loaded my Toyota Matrix, added some books to my iphone and hit the open road to see college roommates and friends I don't get to see much but are always in my heart. Taking the time to drive five hours from Midland,MI to Bourbonnais, IL.
The majority of my college friends live in the Chicago land area. Being Nazerene in a small church meant we had little contact with the district beyond the tri-cities (Saginaw and Bay City) So I didn't grow up with any of these people, nor did I get to particpate in the standard Nazrene rites of passage like NYC or Celebrate Life. So when I came to Olivet I was alone and barely knowing anyone. I was pretty lucky to meet the friends I still have today. Additionally, with work and an introverted personality I have a hard time making friends so I have commited myself to taking any opertunity to see and visit them any chance I can.
I always enjoy the drive. My car has a direct connector to ipod devices so I can listen to whats on my iphone and control it from my radio. A lot easier and a lot safer then trying to find a fm station with the old fm transmitter I used to use. I was all set. I had the books I wanted to listen to. I got to listen to Bridget Jone's Diary on the way there and a biography on Walt Disney on the way home. I find driving a lot easier when I have a good book to enjoy and this trip was the perfect example. Both kept me entertained and helped me to understand a little about myself and others around me.
After five hours of driving I finally arrived and had a chance to relax. Stopping for my favorite meal. Lonestar's steak soup. Something about it. So tasty and good. Just fills me up. The mix of veggies and steak makes my mouth water with delight.
I had brought some dvds with me when I arrived at Dan and Marlene's house I was very eager to show. I had the chance to see them when I scoured Netflix for weird yet interesting tv shows to watch.the IT Crowd and Spaced. These two british shows deal with my world in such a funny and new way I just have to show them. It's so hard to express my feelings sometimes and the tv shows I enjoy and watch do so well to express those feelings.
Finally after a wonderful night of laughing and enjoying company we parted ways and made my way to find my friend I would be staying with. Another old roomate Trevor. We caught up. Participated and watched a game of tennis on our old Alma Matter and made it to his apartment to crash.
That ended Friday. Tomorrow I'll talk about Saturday and Sunday and what it means to say goodbye.
I had the pleasure of visiting with and fellow-shipping with some good friends from college this weekend. Being so far from my college friends make it hard for me to be a part of their lives and having a work live where I never know what I'm doing next Friday means I can never get to confirm any definate plans. So this week seeing I had the weekend off, I loaded my Toyota Matrix, added some books to my iphone and hit the open road to see college roommates and friends I don't get to see much but are always in my heart. Taking the time to drive five hours from Midland,MI to Bourbonnais, IL.
The majority of my college friends live in the Chicago land area. Being Nazerene in a small church meant we had little contact with the district beyond the tri-cities (Saginaw and Bay City) So I didn't grow up with any of these people, nor did I get to particpate in the standard Nazrene rites of passage like NYC or Celebrate Life. So when I came to Olivet I was alone and barely knowing anyone. I was pretty lucky to meet the friends I still have today. Additionally, with work and an introverted personality I have a hard time making friends so I have commited myself to taking any opertunity to see and visit them any chance I can.
I always enjoy the drive. My car has a direct connector to ipod devices so I can listen to whats on my iphone and control it from my radio. A lot easier and a lot safer then trying to find a fm station with the old fm transmitter I used to use. I was all set. I had the books I wanted to listen to. I got to listen to Bridget Jone's Diary on the way there and a biography on Walt Disney on the way home. I find driving a lot easier when I have a good book to enjoy and this trip was the perfect example. Both kept me entertained and helped me to understand a little about myself and others around me.
After five hours of driving I finally arrived and had a chance to relax. Stopping for my favorite meal. Lonestar's steak soup. Something about it. So tasty and good. Just fills me up. The mix of veggies and steak makes my mouth water with delight.
I had brought some dvds with me when I arrived at Dan and Marlene's house I was very eager to show. I had the chance to see them when I scoured Netflix for weird yet interesting tv shows to watch.the IT Crowd and Spaced. These two british shows deal with my world in such a funny and new way I just have to show them. It's so hard to express my feelings sometimes and the tv shows I enjoy and watch do so well to express those feelings.
Finally after a wonderful night of laughing and enjoying company we parted ways and made my way to find my friend I would be staying with. Another old roomate Trevor. We caught up. Participated and watched a game of tennis on our old Alma Matter and made it to his apartment to crash.
That ended Friday. Tomorrow I'll talk about Saturday and Sunday and what it means to say goodbye.
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