iPhone 4s, how do I love thee? AT&T How do I loath thee?

To the AT&T Company, I cannot understand how you stay in business. Bravo for fooling the Apple people into letting you handle the iPhone. The iPhone is a wonderful thing. But your customer service is horrible. Actually, I think it should be called something else, because you’re certainly not serving the customer. I am appalled. My daughter’s phone that we’ve had since march broke. I pay for the insurance each month. Her phone just quit working. So, after getting the run around from several people, because apparently no one at your company has any records of a customer’s calls or issues, I went to my AT&T store. That’s right, 2 people in customer service said that since it was less than a year old, I didn’t even need the insurance, just go to the store and they’ll replace it. Well, when I went to the store, waiting a half hour and told them this, they laughed at me. I believe the quote was “who told you that?”. So then the guy at the AT&T store placed the order online for me for the replacement phone. I told him that my daughter is going to New York City and she HAD to have the phone by today, (Tuesday, October 25), so he asked if I was willing to pay $12 extra shipping to guarantee that. I said yes. I was told it would come in the mail by today. When I went to check on the order (they told me I could track it), my order said they were sending me a “headset”. I was concerned this was the case, so I called AT&T Customer Service (ha, ha), I talked to Stephen who said on his screen it said they were sending me a phone, not a headset. I have the screen shot of what mine said. He guaranteed everything would be fine. Said it would be here Monday, Tuesday at the latest. Well, surprise, my mail came today and it’s not here. I am just sick to my stomach. So I called AT&T (customer service ha, ha, that’s so funny), and I talked to Cynthia. She then, I guess, transferred me because after reiterating the entire story, I was suddenly back at the main menu (“if you are calling about a problem with a different phone, dial that number now...”). I really think it is polite to tell someone if you were going to transfer them. Next I talked to Ciera. Poor Ciera, I was pretty much a crying mess when I talked to her. I had promised my daughter her phone would be here by today. She is leaving tomorrow for New York City. I feel like I am going to have a heart attack, I am so upset. At least Ciera called the “shipping company” for me, she said they said it may be here tomorrow or Thursday. Well, that does me no good whatsoever. But, I’m pretty sure AT&T hasn’t done much good for anyone. Ciera did tell me I could take my new iPhone 4S back to the store and return it and only pay the $35 restocking fee. We’ll be seeing if that’s true because I plan on taking it back as soon as I leave work. And I’ll probably get AT&T’s signature line..” Who told you THAT?” Seems to be a way they can get out of actually helping anyone. I hear Verizon carries the iPhone now, I may check it out. Can’t decide. I so love the iPhone. But I will NEVER, EVER, EVER buy another thing from AT&T, and I encourage everyone on the planet to stay away from them. They are horrible. Their customer service is not even a joke. When we had US Cellular, they were at least very helpful. I wish they carried the iPhone. With Verizon getting in on the iPhone, I can’t imagine too many people with stay with AT&T. Truth is, people are going to need help with things and if your customer service and your website are so horrible, eventually people will go somewhere else. I know that’s what my family is going to do. Please feel free to repost, tweet or email this!

Tea Party Rally in Madison, Wisconsin

Politics in Wisconsin are pretty messed up right now. It seems like a historical time, especially in downtown Madison around the capital. People are passionate about their political views. It's inspiring to hear people dialog about their viewpoints so passionately, and reading blogs and watching television and Youtube videos is very enlightening. I had always thought it would've been interesting to be alive in the sixties, to see the riots in downtown Madison, to stick up for what you believe in. To be a part of history. After attending the Tea Party rally a few weeks ago in Madison and watching Sarah Palin and a few other conservatives try to speak about their beliefs, I think I may have been wrong. I think maybe politics bring out people's true nature, be it good or bad. I was stunned at the way people were behaving. I understand these are important times. I understand there's a lot at stake. I know everyone thinks their opinion is the right one, but I was stunned at the behavior I witnessed. A lot of childishness, rudeness, and people being downright mean. To be honest, it was the people on the left wing that I witnessed this behavior from. Oh sure, one or two people in the Tea Party tried to crowd ahead of me to get closer to Sarah Palin, but that was nothing compared to the swearing, jeering, yelling, mocking and noise making I heard from the Democrats. Was this necessary? Did this help them score points with anyone? Did this help get their viewpoint across? I don't think so. I think it made them look petty and stupid. I know times are tough. I know people may not agree with the laws and decisions our government is making right now. And isn't it a great country that we live in where we have the right to criticize our government openly? What a gift that is. But shouldn't we do it reasonably, out of respect for our country? And if you vote for something and you lose fairly, shouldn't that be it to a point? I mean yes, get involved, write emails, join a committee, participate in a peaceful protest. But really, things were just so out of hand at that Tea Party rally. There was no respect by the left. There was no reason for those protesters to try to drowned out Sarah Palin with their milk jugs full of change, even though they were obviously worried about what she was saying. I would've had so much more respect if they would've shown up and protested respectfully and quietly, not like a bunch of out of control rapid psychos.
But hey, maybe that's what they were going for.
They convinced me they're idiots.

Celebrity Apprentice 2011

So, this year's Celebrity Apprentice has been pretty good. Not the best, but not the worst season. Kind of interesting. The cast includes Gary Busey, Dionne Warwick, Jose Canseco, Hope somebody, Richard Hatch, LaToya Jackson, Star Jones, NeNe Leakes, Lil Jon, Marlee Matlin, Meat Loaf, Mark McGrath, John Rich, Lisa Rinna, David Cassidy and Niki Taylor.
These are just some of my personal opinions on this season and the contestants, and I don't mean to offend anyone.
As someone who watches way too much reality television, I think I'm qualified to voice my opinions.
So, week 1 was a pizza making and selling challenge, and David Cassidy got out. First of all, I was sad to see that he got old. But more than that, I think he's a total alcoholic who needs help. I think someone should help him. Just sad.
Week 2 - they had to write a children's book and perform it for kids. I don't remember who got out. I think Lisa Rinna because she wouldn't play the back stabbing, do whatever it takes to get ahead game. Makes me like her.
Week 3 - camping challenge. Here's where Dionne Warwick proved what a mean, self centered. and lazy person she is. I really like Niki Taylor. She seems down to earth and likable.
Week 4 - Celebs had to create a 30 minute promotional video. Nothing too exciting.
Week 5 - Celebs create and sell their own artwork (if you can call it that). Lil Jon impressed me. Meat Loaf about went off on Gary Busey. Pretty entertaining tv.
Week 6 - Celebs must create a marketing campaign for Australian Gold. LaToya Jackson is not living in reality. Surprise, surprise, a Jackson living in never never land, trading on her brother's death and fame. What the hell has she ever done? Gary Busey tries to pitch himself to the head honchos at Australian Gold to be their spokesperson in the middle of the task. Classy he aint... Mark McGrath gets out, and I'm sad to see him go. He seems like a good guy.
Somewhere along the line Richard Hatch got out (I was surprised he didn't seem very mean or tough - I had remembered him that way from Survivor). And Jose Conseco got out. He didn't make much of an impression. NeNe Leakes, Marlee Matlin are there, not real strong personalities that I can see. Meat Loaf isn't level headed enough to get much farther. Gary Busey is a total fake jerk. John Rich is pretty smart and seems pretty level headed and sincere. Star Jones is the sneakiest person I've seen in a while. She totally knows how to turn things around and make herself look good. I would hate to go up against her. I think she will do anything to win. I don't think she's a very nice person.
I predict it will come down to John Rich and Star Jones.
A typical 'good vs evil" Celebrity Apprentice ending.

Wisconsin Politics

Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin has passed a budget reform bill that has folks in Wisconsin rushing to Madison to protest at the state capital. Union workers are saying the bill goes to far and strips bargaining rights from union workers. Republicans say these are cuts that need to be made and people in the private sector have been tightening their belts for years. It's a tough time in Wisconsin politics right now, and with elections on April 5, things are really heating up. Whether or not you're a democrat or a republican, you'll find a t-shirt or button to express your views at my Zazzle store, Creative Thought T-Shirts, llc. We've got "Kill The Bill" tshirts and mugs, as well as merchandise supporting the fourteen Wisconsin Senators who fled to Illinois to avoid having to vote on the Budget Reform bill. We've got lots of other fun designs...from t-shirts and coffee mugs to onsies and hats.

One thing that's very important is to get out and vote and voice your opinion! Contact your senator or other elected officials and let them know your views.