Thursday, May 24, 2012

Verizon FIOS scam

A word of caution to FIOS customers
 
I live in an apartment where FIOS was reportedly an option.  I am a college student and have no need for TV or landline.  I have the cheapest FIOS plan which is/was 54.99.  I bought a one-year contract and have had it for about 11 months now.  Recently I received a notice saying that due to increasing expenses, my service will go up to 59.99 upon automatic renewal.  The plan is still 54.99 for a one year contract for anybody who signs up, so it would appear Verizon is treating their existing customers to a nice $60/year fee.

I remember I had to jump through hoops before just to get an account number, because it is usually on your bill, but they told me that do not send people with FIOS-only plan a paper bill and thus, have no account number established.  It was and still is nearly impossible to find a link to a live CSR (chat) on their page.  My question was simply if I was going to be prompted to renew before my service ended (which is probably unlawful otherwise, but I did not mention).  Took 20min before I was told no, it's automatic, but that I wasn't even on a contract anyway and that my plan is month to month!  If I wanted to cancel or discuss the new rate I have to call, so I was given a "direct" number that misguided me to an automated system and finally to a sales lady.

She played stupid, trying to upsell me a package and ignoring my argument against the unaccountable $5/mo increase.  She was intentionally resistant and finally belittling over my cancellation "over just $5" and as if they were trained to handle the matter this way.

In summary, great internet provider, shitty customer service and prices.  The whole system seems shady, was never given a paper copy of my contract, no account number until I asked, automatic billing that never stops and increases automatically.  Probably a lawsuit waiting to happen.  I will probably buy a new contract at the lower rate once it is canceled.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Why Sinatra would not exist today



-Because nobody would be listening.  Crooners are a sound of the past, representing the space between classical and pop that does not, and cannot survive today.  Seth Macfarlane's album Music is Better than Words demonstrates how difficult it is to reproduce that extinct sound.

Tuesday, March 06, 2012



On Thursday May 17, 2007 Method Man was arrested in New York City on marijuana charges. His Mercedes-Benz convertible was pulled over at the Battery Tunnel en route to Manhattan, and when he rolled his window down the officer noticed a strong smell of marijuana. "It was like something out of Cheech & Chong. He rolls down the window and the smoke would choke a horse." The arresting officer said he noticed two blunts and a plastic bag with more marijuana in plain view. Upon further inspection more marijuana was found under the driver's seat.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Voyager Golden Record

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandenburg_concertos



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enigma_Variations#Variation_IX_.28Adagio.29_.22Nimrod.22