Written on October 19, 2009
My wife and I had cell phone service with one of the big national companies, which shall remain nameless. Our contract with them ran out and we were on a month-to-month plan with them. As we don't use our cell phones all that much, on the recommendation of a friend, we decided to dump the carrier we were with and go contractless with TracFone.
We ordered two phones--an LG600G for me and a Motorola C139 for Pam. They both came within a few days and I got mine up and running fine. However, when it came to Pam's, it was not so easy. First of all, it was dead and I plugged it into the charger for a couple of hours to charge the battery. Still no luck. Call #1 to TracFone (India, that is). The guy told me to leave it plugged in for a couple more hours. Still no luck. Call #2 to TracFone. This guy told me to leave it plugged in overnight, which I did. Still no luck. Call #3 the next morning and, after some cajoling, I finally got them to agree to send us a replacement.
Replacement phone comes about a week later and seemed to work. Charged up okay and, since there were only ten minutes on the phone, I went online to purchase additional time. When I filled in all the blanks and hit "enter" an error message appeared telling me the account# I had entered was wrong. After retrying it, I got the same message so I called them to make the purchase. Gave them the info, but nothing showed up on the phone. The guy told me to check the phone the next day, which I did. Still nothing, so I call TracFone once again and am told to wait an additional 48 hours.
In the meantime, I make a call on the phone but only faintly hear the party on the other end. Another call to TracFone to find out how to increase the speaker volume (it doesn't work). on Saturday a wrong number call comes in. Pam answers the phone, but cannot hear anything on the other end. She hands the phone to me and I can barely hear the person on the other end. At that point, we decide to give up and get rid of the phone.
Today, before I had a chance to call them, TracFone calls me to get the additional minutes I had tried to purchase LAST WEEK added to the phone. I told the lady I was not interested in such--only interested in returning the phone and getting my money back. After convincing her that "not no, but hell no" I don't want yet another replacement phone, I get the address and insructions on returning the phone. I then go to the local UPS store, ship it back, return home and call TracFone (still India) with the tracking number. After being on the phone for better than a half hour (the VAST majority of time on "hold") and giving the tracking number to two different people I thought I was through. But no... I had to talk with yet another lady to discuss the phone time I had purchased. Since it was "Reserved", I could not get a credit on it. I could only add it to my LG600 phone which has more than enough time on it.
Of course, I was thoroughly pissed by this time. My patience had worn extremely thin and the last two women I talked to had to bear the brunt of my frustration. I was not nasty with them; I only told them how disgusted I was at the entire situation. In looking at the receipt I had printed up when I first purchased the phones, I noted their slogan is: "The Cell Phone That Puts You in Control". I told the woman that I did not feel in control of anything and that I would think long and hard before recommending their company to any of my frineds.
So, please, all of my friends. Think twice about purchasing a TracFone and utilizing their service. I'm stuck with them now, since I have purchased time which I will have to use. Maybe my opinion of them will change in time but right now they've got a long way to go.
Addendum: A couple of days later I received a follow-up call from TracFone by a lady who spoke very good English and with a good phone connection. I let her have both barrels. She was speechless. I think I FINALLY got my point across.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Taking a Break
I sit right now in our best friend's house in Miami relaxing from a very full week of pleasure, refreshment, and learning. Having been named Clerk of Sarasota Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), I am eagerly serving the Meeting, something I feel I was born to do. Knowing I have much to learn about clerking, I was thrilled when the Meeting agreed to pay my tuition to a Clerking Workshop at Pendle Hill, a Quaker study center outside of Philadelphia. Thus, began my break from the usual, with a bit of a trip down memory lane.
Pam and I drove to Miami, along with all our pets on Monday, Nov 16th. After an overnight stay, I flew to the Washington, DC area where I stayed with my sister, Becky and her significant other, Paul Silva.
On Wednesday morning, I went out to the new Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport, where I spent the morning. The highlight of that visit was seeing the actual plane I had ordered a major and his family off of when I was in the Air Force. It was a Lockheed Super Constellation C-121, which had just returned from the Caribbean and stopping at Charleston AFB, SC. I was told that a major and his family on board were going to continue on to the plane's base in Martinsburg, WV. Since civilians were banned from flying domestically on Air Force planes, the practice being in direct competition with the airlines, I had to tell them that, while the major could fly, his family could not. How blown away I was when, reading the fact sheet on the plane to learn it was the one I had such a memory of! That afternoon, it was off to see my high school sweetheart, Sally Eckbreth Rosholt. We have been in touch over the past few years but had not seen each other in over 40 years. How the years melted away. We had a fantastic visit with each other. It was quite fortuitous that her husband, Don, was doing some substitute teaching that day, so I didn't have to share her with anyone, save her 2-month old granddaughter. The 3 1/2 hours we spent together flew away in such a hurry.
Thursday it was off to the U.S Capitol and its new Visitors Center, the Smithsonian Museum of American History, and Ford's Theater. On the way back to Becky's on the Metro, I did run into a bit of a problem, though. When I arrived at the Courthouse station and tried to exit, I found that I needed an additional 45 cents to exit. Putting a dollar bill and the fare card in the exit fare machine, both were rejected. I found the attendant and a very nice lady gave me a couple of quarters, but refused to change my dollar bill. I graciously accepted them and went back to the machine, only to have them rejected as well. Having visions of Charley being stuck on the MTA, I called to the attendant, who was leaving at this time. He opened the gate for me and let me exit. Fortunately, the lady was still there and she got her two quarters back.
On Friday, it was time to go to Pendle Hill, with a stop in Baltimore to visit the B&O Railroad Museum and Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum. At Pendle Hill, I had a very fulfilling weekend learning the ins and outs of clerking from Arthur Larrabee, General Secretary of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and a person who is well-known in Quaker circles for his expertise in clerking and the training of clerks, be they meeting clerks, committee clerks, or those simply interested in personal enrichment. Learning "at the feet of the master" was a great experience. While I am fairly well skilled at conducting meetings in an orderly fashion, the workshop really gave me some great pointers at handling matters from a spiritual perspective.
After the workshop was over and before I headed back to Becky's, I met one of my all time best friends, Tom Hoopes, who is on the faculty at The George School, a Quaker secondary school in the Philadelphia area. Having known Tom when he and his wife, Beth Castiglione, were in Madison, I had not seen him in over 13 years. It was such a delight to spend some time with him and his two boys over pizza before departing. Unfortunately, Beth was not feeling well and I was disappointed in not being able to see her.
Back in DC, I spent Monday visiting Dad and my Uncle William at Arlington National Cemetary before heading to the George Washington Memorial Masonic Temple in Alexandria and then down to Mt. Vernon for the afternoon. It has probably been 50 years since I visited there. They have a beautiful new visitors center with many exhibits and movies depicting the life of George Washington. On the way back, I blew past our first DC area house, 219 Guthrie Ave in Warwick Village, Alexandria. My, how the area has changed!
Back to Miami yesterday, Tuesday, where we plan to spend Thanksgiving before heading back to Bradenton on Friday. It has been a very full week and a half so far and my energy level has been great. Although I would sit down and rest from time to time, I never felt tired or fatigued. I imagine it is the fact I have kept very active and not sat around. Looking forward to a productive visit with my cardiologist next Tuesday. I am hoping the worst of my health concerns are far behind me. Time will tell...
Pam and I drove to Miami, along with all our pets on Monday, Nov 16th. After an overnight stay, I flew to the Washington, DC area where I stayed with my sister, Becky and her significant other, Paul Silva.
On Wednesday morning, I went out to the new Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport, where I spent the morning. The highlight of that visit was seeing the actual plane I had ordered a major and his family off of when I was in the Air Force. It was a Lockheed Super Constellation C-121, which had just returned from the Caribbean and stopping at Charleston AFB, SC. I was told that a major and his family on board were going to continue on to the plane's base in Martinsburg, WV. Since civilians were banned from flying domestically on Air Force planes, the practice being in direct competition with the airlines, I had to tell them that, while the major could fly, his family could not. How blown away I was when, reading the fact sheet on the plane to learn it was the one I had such a memory of! That afternoon, it was off to see my high school sweetheart, Sally Eckbreth Rosholt. We have been in touch over the past few years but had not seen each other in over 40 years. How the years melted away. We had a fantastic visit with each other. It was quite fortuitous that her husband, Don, was doing some substitute teaching that day, so I didn't have to share her with anyone, save her 2-month old granddaughter. The 3 1/2 hours we spent together flew away in such a hurry.
Thursday it was off to the U.S Capitol and its new Visitors Center, the Smithsonian Museum of American History, and Ford's Theater. On the way back to Becky's on the Metro, I did run into a bit of a problem, though. When I arrived at the Courthouse station and tried to exit, I found that I needed an additional 45 cents to exit. Putting a dollar bill and the fare card in the exit fare machine, both were rejected. I found the attendant and a very nice lady gave me a couple of quarters, but refused to change my dollar bill. I graciously accepted them and went back to the machine, only to have them rejected as well. Having visions of Charley being stuck on the MTA, I called to the attendant, who was leaving at this time. He opened the gate for me and let me exit. Fortunately, the lady was still there and she got her two quarters back.
On Friday, it was time to go to Pendle Hill, with a stop in Baltimore to visit the B&O Railroad Museum and Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum. At Pendle Hill, I had a very fulfilling weekend learning the ins and outs of clerking from Arthur Larrabee, General Secretary of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting and a person who is well-known in Quaker circles for his expertise in clerking and the training of clerks, be they meeting clerks, committee clerks, or those simply interested in personal enrichment. Learning "at the feet of the master" was a great experience. While I am fairly well skilled at conducting meetings in an orderly fashion, the workshop really gave me some great pointers at handling matters from a spiritual perspective.
After the workshop was over and before I headed back to Becky's, I met one of my all time best friends, Tom Hoopes, who is on the faculty at The George School, a Quaker secondary school in the Philadelphia area. Having known Tom when he and his wife, Beth Castiglione, were in Madison, I had not seen him in over 13 years. It was such a delight to spend some time with him and his two boys over pizza before departing. Unfortunately, Beth was not feeling well and I was disappointed in not being able to see her.
Back in DC, I spent Monday visiting Dad and my Uncle William at Arlington National Cemetary before heading to the George Washington Memorial Masonic Temple in Alexandria and then down to Mt. Vernon for the afternoon. It has probably been 50 years since I visited there. They have a beautiful new visitors center with many exhibits and movies depicting the life of George Washington. On the way back, I blew past our first DC area house, 219 Guthrie Ave in Warwick Village, Alexandria. My, how the area has changed!
Back to Miami yesterday, Tuesday, where we plan to spend Thanksgiving before heading back to Bradenton on Friday. It has been a very full week and a half so far and my energy level has been great. Although I would sit down and rest from time to time, I never felt tired or fatigued. I imagine it is the fact I have kept very active and not sat around. Looking forward to a productive visit with my cardiologist next Tuesday. I am hoping the worst of my health concerns are far behind me. Time will tell...
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Why We Need Healthcare Reform
After I retired, at age 62 and moved to Florida, I was unable to continue my HMO coverage I had in Wisconsin. Knowing the need for health insurance, I proceeded to take out a policy with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Florida. However, they would only underwrite insurance for me by excluding my lifelong stomach problems while charging me a somewhat exorbitant premium.
After a year of paying the premium and wanting to make sure I would not be left hanging should a catastrophic illness (ie: esophogeal cancer, for example) occur, I decided to explore benefits through the Veterans' Administration. Am I glad I did! I was able to get full medical benefits thru the V.A., being assigned to a physician who, first of all, recommended I discontinue using a medication I had been on for years, as it (Metoclopramide) can make one susceptible of Parkinson's, something which afflicted my father in his latter years. In addition, I am covered fully, not only for the office calls, but also for my medications, x-rays, weight management classes, and home health equipment--all with only a modest co-payment, depending on the situation.
I turned 65 and became covered by Medicare this past March. On May24th of this year, a Sunday, it was quite hot and I had washed the cars, becoming hot and sweaty in the process. Coming inside to cool off, I felt a sort of cramping sensation in the front of both armpits. It was a bit uncomfortable, but abated within about 10-15 minutes. The next morning I got up, as usual, before 7 o'clock and had my regular cup of coffee. The cramping feeling came back, a bit more intense than before, accompanied by a sort of lightheaded feeling. Telling my wife I thought I should probably go to the hospital, she took me where it was determined I was having a heart attack, albeit a minor one.
Had I not been covered by Medicare, I probably would not have gone to the hospital. Lord knows what (or where) I'd be today had I not been covered by some sort of insurance. More than likely, I would have "toughed it out". I am covered by a "Medicare Advantage" plan which includes a drug benefit. Some of the medications have NO co-payments for the medications, while two have a $60 co-payment, each. These two are covered by my V.A. benefits with only a $15 co-payment (for a 90-day supply as opposed to a 30-day supply under Medicare).
The right-wing politicians and pundits as well as conservatives in general say that healthcare reform is not needed. One rightwinger, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey, even writes that health insurance is a "privilege". In effect, if you can afford insurance, fine; if you can't afford it, that's your tough luck.
Well, I'm here to say that insurance reform (even some form of government-sponsored insurance) is a MUST. People should not be denied coverage for a medical condition, either because it is a pre-existing one or because the person cannot afford to pay the premiums. America is a compassionate society. Witness the outpouring of asssitance to Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami or to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Why not reform healthcare in America? To me, it is our birthright NOT a privilege.
After a year of paying the premium and wanting to make sure I would not be left hanging should a catastrophic illness (ie: esophogeal cancer, for example) occur, I decided to explore benefits through the Veterans' Administration. Am I glad I did! I was able to get full medical benefits thru the V.A., being assigned to a physician who, first of all, recommended I discontinue using a medication I had been on for years, as it (Metoclopramide) can make one susceptible of Parkinson's, something which afflicted my father in his latter years. In addition, I am covered fully, not only for the office calls, but also for my medications, x-rays, weight management classes, and home health equipment--all with only a modest co-payment, depending on the situation.
I turned 65 and became covered by Medicare this past March. On May24th of this year, a Sunday, it was quite hot and I had washed the cars, becoming hot and sweaty in the process. Coming inside to cool off, I felt a sort of cramping sensation in the front of both armpits. It was a bit uncomfortable, but abated within about 10-15 minutes. The next morning I got up, as usual, before 7 o'clock and had my regular cup of coffee. The cramping feeling came back, a bit more intense than before, accompanied by a sort of lightheaded feeling. Telling my wife I thought I should probably go to the hospital, she took me where it was determined I was having a heart attack, albeit a minor one.
Had I not been covered by Medicare, I probably would not have gone to the hospital. Lord knows what (or where) I'd be today had I not been covered by some sort of insurance. More than likely, I would have "toughed it out". I am covered by a "Medicare Advantage" plan which includes a drug benefit. Some of the medications have NO co-payments for the medications, while two have a $60 co-payment, each. These two are covered by my V.A. benefits with only a $15 co-payment (for a 90-day supply as opposed to a 30-day supply under Medicare).
The right-wing politicians and pundits as well as conservatives in general say that healthcare reform is not needed. One rightwinger, Whole Foods CEO John Mackey, even writes that health insurance is a "privilege". In effect, if you can afford insurance, fine; if you can't afford it, that's your tough luck.
Well, I'm here to say that insurance reform (even some form of government-sponsored insurance) is a MUST. People should not be denied coverage for a medical condition, either because it is a pre-existing one or because the person cannot afford to pay the premiums. America is a compassionate society. Witness the outpouring of asssitance to Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami or to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Why not reform healthcare in America? To me, it is our birthright NOT a privilege.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A Brand New Day
I am sitting here watching the events of Barack Obama's inauguration unfold and am so happy for the nation and optimistic about our future. I have not been so happy since, being only a few days back from Vietnam, and walking into our kitchen to have my father tell Pam and me that LBJ had announced his intention not to run for a another term as President.
While I am optimistic about our nation's future, I also realize that it will not happen overnight. It will be a long, tough row to hoe but I feel that if all work together all will be well. As I have said in the past, what this nation needs is a forward thinking leader in the mold of JFK. Much is amiss and much needs to be done. I am confident in Mr. Obama's ability to build consensus and get this nation moving in the right direction in assuming it's traditional place as the leader of the free world.
While I am optimistic about our nation's future, I also realize that it will not happen overnight. It will be a long, tough row to hoe but I feel that if all work together all will be well. As I have said in the past, what this nation needs is a forward thinking leader in the mold of JFK. Much is amiss and much needs to be done. I am confident in Mr. Obama's ability to build consensus and get this nation moving in the right direction in assuming it's traditional place as the leader of the free world.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Connecting With My Past
It has been a fun couple of days for me. The highlight was connecting with my best friend in high school, Bill McCall. I was just messing around online Friday evening and googled "William R. McCall" when up popped Bill's father's obit from Arlington National Cemetary. It noted his dad had a sister who lives in nearby Venice, Florida. I looked her up and got in touch with her who told me Bill is now living in Houston. Getting his phone number from her, I called Bill and we spent the better part of an hour filling in the blanks of the last 45 years. His sister, Trish, lives in Naples, Florida and I am now attempting to make contact with her.
At the same time, I have been in touch with my high school sweetheart, Sally Eckbreth. We have been in contact for the last three years or so. I called her yesterday morning (Saturday) to visit. She had retired from her job with a local high school in Fairfax County, Virginia but was called back to fill in temporarily while a permanent replacement was found. None was and so she was asked to work on a permanent basis through the end of the school year. She is happy to be back at work with her old friends. I am happy for her.
I have also sent out notes to others from my past, both high school and college, hoping to make contact with others. The internet is really a great tool for gettting back in touch... Time will tell if I'll be successful.
At the same time, I have been in touch with my high school sweetheart, Sally Eckbreth. We have been in contact for the last three years or so. I called her yesterday morning (Saturday) to visit. She had retired from her job with a local high school in Fairfax County, Virginia but was called back to fill in temporarily while a permanent replacement was found. None was and so she was asked to work on a permanent basis through the end of the school year. She is happy to be back at work with her old friends. I am happy for her.
I have also sent out notes to others from my past, both high school and college, hoping to make contact with others. The internet is really a great tool for gettting back in touch... Time will tell if I'll be successful.
Monday, January 12, 2009
A New Year
Now that the holidays have passed and life returns to normal, it appears to be a time to reflect and look forward. Most of all, I am looking forward to a new direction (shall we say "change"?) in Washington. Things have really been the pits over the past eight years: 9/11; endless war; Katrina; an economy in free fall; high fuel prices; unemployment; recession. You name it; it's here. I have long felt that we needed an intelligent and responsible leader in the mold of JFK. I have the feeling we have one in Barack Obama. He appears to be one who is willing to listen to all options and opinions, unlike the "My way or the highway" attitude of Bush and his cronies. I hope and pray that Obama is successful in carrying out his program and that the nation can get back to its former glory and place in the world.
2008 was an eventful year for me. As well as my continued volunteer work with Tidewell Hospice, I was trained and am volunteering as an Ombudsman for the State fo Florida Department of Elder Affairs. What I do in this capacity is inspect nursing homes and assisted living facilities to make sure they are in compliance with Florida law. I also act as an advocate for residents of these facilities to resolve any complaints made, either by the resident or somene on their behalf.
I also greatly enjoyed my stint as Acting Clerk of Sarasota Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers). It was truly a labor of love and gave me a taste of what it is like to clerk a Meeting. I had the support of all in the Meeting which was of great help in getting things done.
I have also discovered the Bradenton Senior Softball League, an eight team league for those of us on the other side of 60. It is great fun, getting out and playing once again. Not having played in the past 14 years, I was a bit rusty but am slowly coming around. League play started today but, unfortunately, we lost both games. Nowhere to go but up from this point.
2008 also had its low points, the lowest being Mom falling and breaking her leg in mid-August. While she has the support of Gene and Maggot, I was able to assist in surveying the rehab facilities in the area, helping to choose the most suitable one for her. I have also checked out the ALFs in the area for when she is ready to be discharged. Unfortunately, it does not look as though she'll be able to return to her apartment. We had a great family reunion in Panama City at Mom's behest. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend as she was back in the hospital during Thanksgiving week. Our son, David, flew down for the week and was able to make it up there with the rest of us. Although Mom couldn't make the party, we took the party to her, squeezing 15 of us into her hospital room for at least some visitation with her.
I am approaching 2009 with much optimism. As noted at the outset of this posting, I am very optimistic about the new beginning in Washington. I hope that the feeling catches on and that, while the crooks who have ruined so much for so many (Ken Lay, Bernie Madoff and their ilk) are uncovered before they do any more damage and that the world is much better for all. This is my prayer.
2008 was an eventful year for me. As well as my continued volunteer work with Tidewell Hospice, I was trained and am volunteering as an Ombudsman for the State fo Florida Department of Elder Affairs. What I do in this capacity is inspect nursing homes and assisted living facilities to make sure they are in compliance with Florida law. I also act as an advocate for residents of these facilities to resolve any complaints made, either by the resident or somene on their behalf.
I also greatly enjoyed my stint as Acting Clerk of Sarasota Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers). It was truly a labor of love and gave me a taste of what it is like to clerk a Meeting. I had the support of all in the Meeting which was of great help in getting things done.
I have also discovered the Bradenton Senior Softball League, an eight team league for those of us on the other side of 60. It is great fun, getting out and playing once again. Not having played in the past 14 years, I was a bit rusty but am slowly coming around. League play started today but, unfortunately, we lost both games. Nowhere to go but up from this point.
2008 also had its low points, the lowest being Mom falling and breaking her leg in mid-August. While she has the support of Gene and Maggot, I was able to assist in surveying the rehab facilities in the area, helping to choose the most suitable one for her. I have also checked out the ALFs in the area for when she is ready to be discharged. Unfortunately, it does not look as though she'll be able to return to her apartment. We had a great family reunion in Panama City at Mom's behest. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend as she was back in the hospital during Thanksgiving week. Our son, David, flew down for the week and was able to make it up there with the rest of us. Although Mom couldn't make the party, we took the party to her, squeezing 15 of us into her hospital room for at least some visitation with her.
I am approaching 2009 with much optimism. As noted at the outset of this posting, I am very optimistic about the new beginning in Washington. I hope that the feeling catches on and that, while the crooks who have ruined so much for so many (Ken Lay, Bernie Madoff and their ilk) are uncovered before they do any more damage and that the world is much better for all. This is my prayer.
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