We were promised, nay *guaranteed* delivery of Harry Potter by 7pm yesterday. 7pm rolls around and no sight of the book. I was busy (though at home) so I decided to wait to contact them until this morning. Their website is completely unhelpful - keep this in mind because it will relate to a comment from one of their (thankfully not in Bangladesh) "customer service" reps I talked to this morning. I can not access the order on the website. It's simply not there, in spite of the fact that I have received no less than 5 separate emails about my order. One this morning about 3am telling me the price dropped a dollar and I'd be getting a credit on my next statement (gee, a whole dollar?).
UPS HAS the shipment one town over and has since FRIDAY but, guess what? It didn't get delivered yesterday and there was someone home all day long too. So I try to get help via the amazon.com website and it's a complicated labyrinth of webpages with ZERO helpful information. I click on "contact Amazon.com" and, lo and behold, there is NO customer service phone number to be found. Why? They don't want you to have it because, and I quote "we're an internet based company". Well, golly gee, I never would have guessed. Don't you think an "internet based company" would have a HELPFUL website where their customers can get the answers they need in that case?
I finally found the customer service phone number on a website that was, you guessed it, NOT amazon.com. People have taken to posting their customer service phone number on various webpages because you can't get it from amazon.com (by the way, if you need it it's 1-800-201-7575). So after jumping through THOSE hoops, I call. I give the guy my order number. He wants to verify my email address. No problem. Then he wants to verify my mailing address. Okay. And my name as well. Mind you, I have now verified 4 separate pieces of "security" information for them.
Guess what?
It's not good enough. NOW I must jump through an additional hoop or these geniuses can not access my account. Now I have to figure out which credit card I used and give them the last FIVE digits as well as the expiration date. And they tell me they're doing ME a favor. All I want is my book and my money back. They guaranteed me something they did not deliver. But no, they can't help me. Oh no, until I give them the information they need for MY protection, they say, I'm out of luck.
After going round and round with them, I finally told them to screwthemselves and I'll call back later when I can dig up whichever credit card that MIGHT have been used for the order. And I am going to demand my money back as well as my damn book and then I am going to terminate my amazon.com account as soon as I have both.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Monday, April 11, 2005
I Heart Chocolate
I always knew chocolate was good for me, especially dark chocolate (which I love). And the darker the better, since dark chocolate has fewer processed sugars. And no, I don't plan on centering my diet solely around chocolate but it's nice to have some of what I've known all along be substantiated, even if it's just a little.
I Heart Chocolate
I Heart Chocolate
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
World Horror Con Update
I'm cancelling my trip to New York. I just got off the phone with the hotel. I'm still sick and, frankly, not feeling any better. No way I'm making the drive from Maryland to New York and I can't imagine giving the freaking flu to everyone at the convention. What a disaster that would be.
I'm crying like a baby right now. I'm SO tired of being sick all the time and I honestly can NOT remember what it feels like to be healthy and well. It's not just being sick, it's having to miss this convention that I LOVE attending and seeing people I really only get to see once per year. I am so disappointed right now and I just hate myself for not being able to get well.
So I'm having a meltdown. The weather has been freaking gorgeous and I can't even enjoy it. I can't do the things I love to do anymore because I just don't have the energy and everyone looks at me like I'm insane. Or like I'm making it all up. It's not all in my head.
I'm crying like a baby right now. I'm SO tired of being sick all the time and I honestly can NOT remember what it feels like to be healthy and well. It's not just being sick, it's having to miss this convention that I LOVE attending and seeing people I really only get to see once per year. I am so disappointed right now and I just hate myself for not being able to get well.
So I'm having a meltdown. The weather has been freaking gorgeous and I can't even enjoy it. I can't do the things I love to do anymore because I just don't have the energy and everyone looks at me like I'm insane. Or like I'm making it all up. It's not all in my head.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
World Horror Con
Next weekend is the annual World Horror Convention. This year it is being held in New York City, a mere 4-5 hour drive from where I live in Maryland. This will be my fourth year attending WHC as an artist. It is one of my "must attend" conventions because it is an industry convention.
I tend to enjoy WHC more than most other cons, when I am going as an artist and showing in the art shows. Few fans go to WHC because there is very little to interest them outside of some author readings and autograph signings. In general, the panels are geared toward industry professionals, amateurs and those who wish to be in the industry. The main focus is on writing and publishing. The artshow, however, tends to be small but fantastic. You have to be juried into the WHC artshow and I have to admit it is an honor to be included among these really talented artists. Especially an honor being one of the few purely digital artists who shows on a regular basis. They have definite opinions on the kind of art I do and, interestingly (and flatteringly, is that a word?) enough my name has been brought up by the jury panel in regards to 3D CGI and the potentials for the medium using software that is not considered to be "high end".
As usual, I am not ready to go yet. Tomorrow will be spent sorting through my artwork and deciding what to take with me. That's always fun. I have a print I need to take Monday to be matted (yes, Jeanette, this is your reminder). The woman who does the matting of my larger, odd-sized prints does a fantastic job. It's always such a joy to see her. I still need to pack and get the teenager to clean out my car (the trunk is full of her stuff) and then Wednesday I am on my way.
Wish me luck.
I tend to enjoy WHC more than most other cons, when I am going as an artist and showing in the art shows. Few fans go to WHC because there is very little to interest them outside of some author readings and autograph signings. In general, the panels are geared toward industry professionals, amateurs and those who wish to be in the industry. The main focus is on writing and publishing. The artshow, however, tends to be small but fantastic. You have to be juried into the WHC artshow and I have to admit it is an honor to be included among these really talented artists. Especially an honor being one of the few purely digital artists who shows on a regular basis. They have definite opinions on the kind of art I do and, interestingly (and flatteringly, is that a word?) enough my name has been brought up by the jury panel in regards to 3D CGI and the potentials for the medium using software that is not considered to be "high end".
As usual, I am not ready to go yet. Tomorrow will be spent sorting through my artwork and deciding what to take with me. That's always fun. I have a print I need to take Monday to be matted (yes, Jeanette, this is your reminder). The woman who does the matting of my larger, odd-sized prints does a fantastic job. It's always such a joy to see her. I still need to pack and get the teenager to clean out my car (the trunk is full of her stuff) and then Wednesday I am on my way.
Wish me luck.
I rarely update. I know I should but I just don't. I hate putting my politics out there for the entire free world to see, especially when I rarely discuss them with people I know and happen to like. Part of the reason is there are just so many people out there who are waiting to jump on someone, anyone, and tear them apart for their beliefs. It's not that I can't handle it when someone disagrees with me. I enjoy a good debate as much as the next person. No, what I can not abide are people who think their opinion is the only viable opinion and instead of arguing their stance with logic they resort to name calling and high school grade insults. I left high school behind nearly twenty years ago and, honestly, have no desire to go back.
My best friend, Kate, has asked me more than once why I don't read or comment more in her blog. I do read it, though not every day and sometimes not every week but I do read. I even comment occasionally. The reason I do not comment often is not because of Kate herself or her politics (which I only occasionally disagree with and even then it's generally only on minor points). Kate has developed quite a following on her blog and the majority of them fall into the name calling/high school grade insult category. They simply can not abide anyone who may have an opinion counter to their own and, again, instead of arguing their stance with logic and intelligence immediately pull out the insult card. They'll argue and say that they only do this to the "trolls" who start out by being generally stupid and insulting. Granted, they've not done it with me, but I am still reluctant to post anything even remotely contrary to what they believe.
Does this make me a coward? Probably. Though I like to think of it as avoiding a headache for both myself and my best friend.
My best friend, Kate, has asked me more than once why I don't read or comment more in her blog. I do read it, though not every day and sometimes not every week but I do read. I even comment occasionally. The reason I do not comment often is not because of Kate herself or her politics (which I only occasionally disagree with and even then it's generally only on minor points). Kate has developed quite a following on her blog and the majority of them fall into the name calling/high school grade insult category. They simply can not abide anyone who may have an opinion counter to their own and, again, instead of arguing their stance with logic and intelligence immediately pull out the insult card. They'll argue and say that they only do this to the "trolls" who start out by being generally stupid and insulting. Granted, they've not done it with me, but I am still reluctant to post anything even remotely contrary to what they believe.
Does this make me a coward? Probably. Though I like to think of it as avoiding a headache for both myself and my best friend.
Sunday, February 27, 2005
They Fight Crime!
They Fight Crime!:
"He's a superhumanly strong coffee-fuelled cop on a search for his missing sister. She's a supernatural motormouth queen of the dead on the trail of a serial killer. They fight crime!"
This link amuses me greatly.
"He's a superhumanly strong coffee-fuelled cop on a search for his missing sister. She's a supernatural motormouth queen of the dead on the trail of a serial killer. They fight crime!"
This link amuses me greatly.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
MSNBC - Firm hits brakes on �road kill' candy
MSNBC - Firm hits brakes on 'road kill' candy
Because we all know our kids will grow up to be heinous animal runner overers.
Yes, I know that is not really a word.
Because we all know our kids will grow up to be heinous animal runner overers.
Yes, I know that is not really a word.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
A fun little meme
This is a fun and interesting little meme. I realized I've done some interesting things.
10 things I've done that you probably haven't.
1. Lost your driver's license and a major credit card and had it returned by a famous author.
2. Danced the hula in a luau in Hawaii.
3. Had artwork published by three different publishers.
4. Been hugged by Neil Gaiman.
5. Had someone ask for your autograph.
6. Developed a successful online RPG.
7. Been a ballerina
8. Wrote an article on sexual fetishes (with more to come!).
9. Have been a telephone sex operator.
10 Have been a telephone psychic
10 things I've done that you probably haven't.
1. Lost your driver's license and a major credit card and had it returned by a famous author.
2. Danced the hula in a luau in Hawaii.
3. Had artwork published by three different publishers.
4. Been hugged by Neil Gaiman.
5. Had someone ask for your autograph.
6. Developed a successful online RPG.
7. Been a ballerina
8. Wrote an article on sexual fetishes (with more to come!).
9. Have been a telephone sex operator.
10 Have been a telephone psychic
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
AIDS virus may hold key to cancer cure. 15/02/2005. ABC News Online
AIDS virus may hold key to cancer cure. 15/02/2005. ABC News Online
Wow. Just wow. If this works, what an incredible breakthrough it would be. To quote my friend Kate: If they're right ... the worst disease of the modern world may very well wind up being cured by the worst epidemic of the modern world.
Wow. Just wow. If this works, what an incredible breakthrough it would be. To quote my friend Kate: If they're right ... the worst disease of the modern world may very well wind up being cured by the worst epidemic of the modern world.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
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