Cable Update and Cheese Pennies

A couple hawks with a snack, across the street yesterday.

After finally getting cable TV canceled last month, no small feat, I changed my strategy a bit on Tuesday when I called to cancel cable internet.  I simply told them I was moving to Tokyo, which still didn't stop them from offering better deals or putting me on hold to delay me, but it did seem to go quicker this time.  I seemed to annoy them (again) that I would not end the call until they turned the internet off and I verified, but they had already proven their word could not be trusted.

Then, at the end of the call, he brought up one piece of equipment we supposedly still had - one of their modems.  I was pissed.  I told him it had been several years since we returned that modem, so long ago I couldn't remember what year or where I returned it.  He opened an inquiry and said it could take up to 72 hours.  Meanwhile, I looked up when we bought our first modem from Amazin' and it was March of 2014, so I would have returned their equipment by early April that year at the latest, over ten years ago.

Thankfully, later that night, I received an email that stated they have "completed your equipment research request in alignment with your expectations."  As far as I'm concerned, that better be the end of it.  Fuck Spectrum, I'll never be a customer of theirs again.

Meanwhile, I've continued to make cheese pennies every so often.  I'm finding it easiest to make multiple batches at once to have them available in the freezer.  I baked most of the last of a roll of mild cheddar cheese pennies yesterday, and today for the freezer I made bleu cheese (for the first time), parmesan, and sharp cheddar with cayenne cheese penny rolls.  (I've also made swiss cheese pennies before.)

Our first-place Brewers are playing the last-place Cubs this weekend.  It's always fun to beat the Cubs, especially this year.  Rain again last night and now too windy tonight for a fire, so I'm going to kick back and watch the game this afternoon and enjoy a quiet evening in.  Have a good weekend, everyone.

Cable Update

So, I had called earlier in the month of May to cancel my cable and you know how that turned outhow that turned out.  Well, I called again on Thursday afternoon to get my cable turned off.  I spent around 45 minutes on the phone and was assured it would go off at midnight that night.  Guess what?  In the morning we still had cable.  I had to get this taken care of before they pushed me into the next billing cycle.

Friday after work I called again.  I spent a half hour on hold before finally getting someone.  We went through the usual routines but I was having none of it.  I could not be swayed, I did not believe their lies and assurances that it will be turned off.  It got to the point I just let them know, over and over, I would not end this call until my cable was off, internet was left alone, and I could verify everything to my satisfaction on my end.  They kept trying to tell me that the order was submitted but I didn't care.  I know they can turn it off immediately and I would not hang up until this was done.

Finally, after almost two hours and 4 different levels of their 'customer service' workers, I got the cable cancelled.  So a total of 3 phone calls and almost 4 hours to do a simple thing that could have been done in minutes, if they wanted.

The very next day I returned the equipment, but my receipt showed the returned equipment and one mysterious piece of equipment (I only have a serial number) that I supposedly still have.  Sounds like someone there wants to give me another headache.

While I was dealing with that last phone call my wife ordered the equipment to get internet from a different provider.  As soon as we get it we will set it up and as long as everything goes as expected I will get to go through this all over again to get our cable internet cancelled and try to completely cut ties with this company, Spectrum.

Stay tuned.

Why We Hate Cable Companies

So, I called the cable company this afternoon to cancel our cable television, but keep our cable internet.  I was firm but pleasant in my approach, but it did not go as planned, of course.

The customer service worker I spoke to first and told what I wished to do referred me to their retention department, as I expected.  I deflected all offers of discounts and remained steadfast in canceling our cable tv while keeping the cable internet and eventually he stopped trying the various offers to have me keep cable tv.  He then turned off the cable tv and the internet also went out.  I kept him on the line until he got the cable internet to came back, but I was far from finished and also had a few questions about my bill.

This current billing period is for May 2 until June 1.  Only after turning off the cable tv and my questions did he let me know that they do not pro-rate for their monthly services and I would be liable for the entire bill.  That would be over 3 weeks of cable tv services I would have to pay for but not receive.  Unacceptable, and I told him so.  After that exchange it took some time but he said he got my cable tv reinstated through June 1 but the cable tv boxes would not work, we would have to have the app downloaded to our phones and cast to the smart televisions.  Again, I found this unacceptable and I asked to speak to a supervisor.  He responded that may take up to an hour, I said I would wait.

In about ten minutes he checked in with me to make sure I was still there - yes, I'm not going anywhere. After about another ten minutes he "found" a ten dollar discount he could give me.  I said I would rather continue to wait for a supervisor.

Eventually  - and I never did speak to a supervisor - he was suddenly able to turn on our cable tv again through the cable boxes, so now our services were the same as if I hadn't called at all.  But he did say he end-dated our cable tv service for June 1 but I should call on May 29 to be sure, for some reason.  And you can bet your bottom dollar I will call that day, if not the day before, and for their sake I hope I'm in a good mood that day.

What a run-around.  

I entered the call in a good mood and was very pleasant yet I was misled, lied to, and delayed over and over.  I likely may have been able to end it today and get it pro-rated if I stayed on the line for another hour, but I had been on the phone for almost 90 minutes already so we will have the same services through June 1.  That is their tactic.  Delay, delay, delay and hope we give up and hang up.

I found the whole experience sickening and now instead of possibly returning to cable tv in the fall we will be relying on internet streaming services and over the air tv, but will also now immediately be looking into alternate internet providers, as well.

Fuck Spectrum.  I think I may try to call again tomorrow to cancel and try again have my bill pro-rated, but how much is my time worth?

May The Fourth Be With You

For all you Star Wars geeks, here's the Star Wars Holiday Special that you all want to forget.



I do remember watching this on television in 1978 - and it was never to be re-aired.   (Of course I also remember seeing the original movie in the theater with my friends back in 1977.  I remember playing with imaginary light sabers, acting out the scenes with my friends behind the Dixon theater waiting for one or our parents to come pick us up, several times we went.)  I liked the original trilogy as a youngster, but the newer ones I've not really seen much of, except for the one with the original characters back.  And then I only got it for us to watch as a nostalgic novelty.  I'm just not into this kind of thing anymore but I thought posting this today might be somewhat original and funny.  Well, we all like what we like so whatever it is you may as well let your geek flag fly high!

Happy Fourth of July, Andy Griffith

Happy Fourth of July everyone, tomorrow anyway.  I disappointed my wife by not wanting to go out with friends for a small party and to watch some fireworks.  I'm just exhausted and have started some complex training for a new task at work this week leaving my mind even more tired.  Yes, tomorrow is a day off but there are things I still want to get done despite the 100 degree temps expected and still hopefully have at least half of a restful day.

On a sadder note, I just found out that Andy Griffith passed away.  I like a lot of what he did, including the Andy Griffith Show, No Time For Sergeants and the following obscure video for Vitajex.  Rest in peace, Andy Griffith.




[Edit] I almost forgot about the little known show, Salvage 1, where Griffith is a junk yard owner that builds a spaceship to salvage valuable junk left on the moon by astronauts.  I loved that show as a kid and haven't seen an episode since.  I think I'll go check Youtube right now!...

Live Webcasts!

Coming in 2012

In less than an hour, Kiss will be shown live from their free concert tonight in New Orleans on AT&T's Uverseonline.   And tomorrow night TMOS is hosting a first-for-them live show in front of a packed theater, you can get your online ticket here.  Is there any question why the computer has taken over my television time?

Managing My Time / OCD Tendencies

I've been trying to change my days around a bit lately.  The biggest change is letting go of The Don Geronimo Show podcast.  It is his whole morning radio show from KHTK in Sacramento without commercials, which is usually just over three and a half hours long.  I listen while I work and usually finish it by lunch time, or sometimes later.  I've managed to keep that up for over a year and a half, plus the other, shorter, less frequent podcasts that I listen to (listed in the right column).  Then at home I like to watch The Mike O'Meara Show podcast, video recorded on Ustream.  Between TMOS and my usual surfing sites, they replace evening television for me, which results in me being holed up in the computer room all night, sometimes even while eating dinner.

It has been a week since I've been a loyal TDGS listener, and not a bad week.  I've been able to keep up on my other podcasts easily and listen to a lot of new music that I hadn't been able to get around to before.  The next step is to start listening to the daily TMOS shows at work in the mornings instead of watching it on Ustream every day after work.  TMOS is a scant 70 minute podcast compared to TDGS's 3.5 hours plus.  I will still watch the TMOS bonus shows on the weekends, that is content that I have bought and paid for the year.

While I will still be on the computer daily, I want to free up more of my time spent every day, keep my wife company more often, and spend more time just doing things, little things around the house that need to be done.  I can catch up on TDGS when I ever have free time, or when something sounds like it's getting interesting.  I'm not deleting it from my itunes, mind you, so I will still see the daily descriptions.  Hell, I've listened to him for probably 12 or 13 years now, it's hard to let go completely.

I'll have to check back with this later.  Somehow, posting my intentions publicly may help me be able to follow through.  I hope for less stress and time commitments in my everyday life.  I guess we'll see how I manage my OCD tendencies...

This was easier a few years back when they were still together on The Don & Mike Show.

Happy Mothers Day 2011

From The Mike O'Meara Show, Robb Spewak presents his Mama Montage.



Love you, Mom.  Hope you have a great day and you will see me soon!

TMOS Animation Commercial

Here's a shameless plug for one of my favorite radio shows/podcasts, The Mike O'Meara Show!

TMOS Cartoon II

The paint is just barely tacky, about 24 hours later.  But the tape is down in the bathroom ,the hardware not yet up and some, er, detail work needs to be done.  So no bathroom-redo post today.  It is a big project and I have decided that I hate painting projects.  Good to know with the kitchen coming up yet.  Sigh.

Anyway, for tonight here is a new animation by Strine Studios of  The Mike O'Meara Show, listed on the right.  Pretty safe (little kids won't get it), real (I remember the shows well), and very funny.  Enjoy!



Here's the first one.

Vacation, Day 3: A Change In Plans

This morning I woke up about 4:15 a.m.  Crazy, right?  Actually not very unusual, when I'm not on vacation my alarm is set for 4:51 normally.  The first second thing on my mind was The Kirk McEwen and Mike O'Meara Show.   It runs 4 - 8 a.m. my time, so there was going to be at least one morning that I got up early to check it out.  I sleepily decided that today was the day. 

My wife left for work about 7 and after the show was over I just putzed around on the internet, showered, and washed dishes.  When I looked at the clock and it was almost 10:00 a.m., I remembered that The Mike O'Meara Show podcast streams video live on Ustream for an hour.  So most all morning I spent listening and watching the same DJ live - in real time, which I never usually have a chance to do.

By this time the day can go 2 different ways.  Either I could jump into action and start working in the garage or I could relax, read the paper, and get some other little things done then listen to The Don Geronimo Show live at 2 to 6 p.m.  The radiophile in me won out.  I ended up listening to over 8 hours worth of shows today.  Not much accomplished, but I had a nice time relaxing.

Tomorrow I will be traveling with my sister and her kids down to see both of our grandmothers (the kids great-grandmothers!).  I'll try to recap that tomorrow night.  Now, the pizza is on its way so Good Night!

The Kirk McEwen and Mike O'Meara Show

Just a promo vid:

Mike O'Meara Is Back On The Radio

By Paul Farhi
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, July 3, 2010

 Mike O'Meara, who for years was half of the "Don & Mike" radio team, will return to Washington's airwaves next week with a new morning show and co-host.  O'Meara, 51, will team with radio veteran Kirk McEwen on WVRX-FM (105.9) starting Wednesday, the station announced Friday.

 With partner Don Geronimo, O'Meara was one of the top-rated personalities in Washington for more than two decades. Geronimo left the partnership in 2008, leaving O'Meara as a solo act on WJFK-FM (106.7). O'Meara continued until last summer, when the station changed to a sports-talk format. He has produced his own program as a podcast since then.
Read the whole article here.

From what I understand, he will still continue the podcast with Robb, Buzz and Oscar.  Hmmm.  From listening to a radio show for over 10 years, it has splintered into 2 radio shows and a podcast for me to listen to.  Tough choices will have to be made soon.  After all, there are only so many hours in the day.....

Geronimo First Show 20100621

Don Geronimo's first show on KHTK in Sacramento.  Right click and save target as...
http://cbskhtkam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/06-21-10-segment-1.mp3
http://cbskhtkam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/06-21-10-segment-2.mp3
http://cbskhtkam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/06-21-10-segment-3.mp3
http://cbskhtkam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/06-21-10-segment-4.mp3
http://cbskhtkam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/06-21-10-segment-5.mp3
http://cbskhtkam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/06-21-10-segment-6.mp3
http://cbskhtkam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/06-21-10-segment-7.mp3
http://cbskhtkam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/06-21-10-segment-8.mp3
http://cbskhtkam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/06-21-10-segment-9.mp3
http://cbskhtkam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/06-21-10-segment-10.mp3
http://cbskhtkam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/06-21-10-segment-11.mp3
http://cbskhtkam.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/06-21-10-segment-12.mp3

Links are stolen from the embed code on the KHTK website which is slow and hard to download from.  They say they are working on the feeds, hopefully it will be in itunes soon.  I'm only doing this for the first show to make it easy for me and others to download.  I will get some hits just from having the words 'Don Geronimo First Show Download.'  If that's you, please feel free to explore the rest of my blog as well!

**Edit 6/29.**  There is now a podcast feed here.  I've not found it in itunes yet, and I'm not sure what subscribing to a feed entails.  If I still have to manually add it to itunes, well, that's what I do now.

Don Geronimo Is Back!

California time, on 1140 KHTK in Sacramento.  It's supposed to become available on itunes as well.  It has been 2 long years since he walked away from the Don and Mike Show.  Welcome back, Don!

Oil Spill Deja Vu

This is an interesting look by MSNBC at the eerie similiarities between the oil spill in the gulf now and one that happened 31 years ago.  I saw this over at Bits & Pieces a couple of days ago and have been thinking of it since.  I was young and this was a million miles away to me, but I do seem to remember this happening.  I'm not going to go off on a ticked off rant, I'll just bite my tongue and state the obvious:  Those who do not learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them.

Google TV

This sounds interesting.  We still just have the 'old' kind of television sets, so perhaps a good thing to have waited to upgrade?  I'm not sure if it is really that innovative or not, I don't know the details.  And again, I don't really watch a lot of movies or tv shows to care too much, yet. 

Betty White on SNL

81 seconds of the best of Betty White on Saturday Night Live.  I watched it Sunday afternoon on Hulu.  She's just so likeable right now, and it's infectious.  For chrissake hit play!  It's only 81 seconds!  via

VH1 TV Shows

Music Videos
Celebrity Photos
News & Gossip

TMOS Promo

A quick, funny plug for my favorite podcast! (kinda nsfw language)



A fan made the cartoon.  The audio is from the promo for the 'TMOS Raw' pay-shows they did recently.

Buzz Gets A Lift

Before (Friday)                                                                                      After (Monday)

Buzz Burbank took one for the team and got a facelift last Friday.  Dr. Bruce Freedman (plasurg.com) was the first sponsor of The Mike O'Meara Show podcast.  They had him on the show a few weeks ago and arranged for Buzz to get a facelift for the show.  He is the oldest and was almost eager to have it done.  The videos were posted yesterday for all to enjoy!  Part 1 is actually not too hard to watch, the bright light bleaches out most of the gore.  Part 2 is a little more graphic.

He is awake and chatty throughout, yet very drugged.  A little over 7 minutes into the first vid he discusses the same study that the Man Flu article I posted Sunday was based on.   Buzz, always the ladies man...

You can see part 2 here.  Visit TMOS homepage here to listen to Monday's 'Big Reveal!'