The Pub Discussion Board

Eric Storm · 2019-03-29 14:56:32

*looks at donation* ... Okay, I'll give you a week... So, I'll only add two weeks to how long it was actually going to take before I posted it!

3dbig_smile

Eric Storm

StoryJunkie · 2019-03-29 22:06:50

*grumble grumble* we wait and wait and wait...what's he do.....lets us know he is getting close and then just rips the band-aid off...you are such a tease Eric lol

while I am still sadden for your losses last year and this, I am however happy to hear that you have been able to get some work done on your writing...and I don't mean that to say we finally get something more to read...I mean that I am glad that you are able to move forward, however slightly, and continue to do something that you love to do...write.

and just in case there is someone new around reading the forums...I was joking people!! Eric knows that some of us will joke about him not posting anything, we do it out of kindness because we hope it will lighten his day up just a little bit and get him to smile.

Eric Storm · 2019-03-29 23:12:20

pfft. You do it because you know I'll roast you over it, and I always love a good bonfire...

3dtongue

Eric Storm

Eric Storm · 2019-03-29 23:18:13

Well, it's finished.

... *waits for the cheering to start...*

No, I'm not talking about WAY8-2.

... *listens to the aggravated weeping, and smiles evilly...*

No, I mean my bankruptcy process. The bankruptcy was discharged yesterday, so that case is now completely closed, and the debt is now officially gone. Weird part is, so far, my credit score right now is HIGHER than it was when I started the bankruptcy process. That is NOT supposed to happen: it should be 100+ points lower than when I started. *shrugs* Go figure.

... What?

Okay, fine. Yes, I did write some on WAY8-2 last night, but no, it's not done yet.

Eric Storm

thehilz · 2019-03-31 04:09:36

Your evil truly evil.
Although I now understand about having difficulty writing as it took me nearly a day to figure out what to say without sounding like I was going dark side David on you. 3dwink

nukeman24 · 2019-03-31 23:07:18

Glad to hear your spirit is a little lifted or at least it seems like it a bit correct me if I'm wrong.... but yeah gotta love tech services aren't they always so helpful haha anyway keep trucking Eric and hopefully things get better for you we as your fans are here for you

Eric Storm · 2019-03-31 23:28:14

As is I think normal in my situation, my mood is highly variable. But most of the time, I'm all right. Having to give away Sprite was a bit of a kick to the mood for a couple days, but I've recovered from that.

In other words, I'm okay... mostly.

Eric Storm

StoryJunkie · 2019-04-02 20:27:46

In all sincerity Eric, I'm glad that things are headed up a little in the mood department. While I can't really say I know how you feel with the things that have been going on (none of us can really say that, everyone reacts differently to losses) I can empathize, my health is not all that great either, and while I haven't lost a loved one....it's only because I don't have one to lose, and the one pet I had (a dog) has been gone a long time now.....but as I said, it is good to read that things are not so much getting better....but looking up a little bit at least. Take care and we will read the story whenever you get it written and posted.

Eric Storm · 2019-04-03 01:23:30

Yeah, right now, my problem is only peripherally related to Keeshaba's passing. I'm worried about selling off the van, because I can't afford to keep paying for it. (Well, okay, as long as you guys keep donating, I can, but that money is supposed to be going to my emergency fund, which right now is still non-existent...)

I had a bit in here about my grieving process, but then I read it, and realized it sounded stupid, so I deleted it. Maybe someday I'll try again. *shrugs*

Eric Storm

ChiefRock · 2019-04-03 05:17:57

The supposedly experts will tell you grieving is what it is and does not have to sound rational but then they are just eggheads what do they know. When you are ready you are ready but how we receive it is not as important as how saying it affects you.
Eric You do what feels right to yourself

Augur · 2019-04-03 14:01:50

People grieve differently. Some grieve fast (as in immediately after the event) and overcome the passing sooner. Some innitially just feel a bit sad, strange, but without actually assuming/taking in fully the death of the loved one, and the grieving process starts slowly, but lasts much longer, as the person starts to miss their dead loved one in all the small daily details. People are just different in this way.

Eric Storm · 2019-04-03 15:42:34

Last night, I was trying to compare the "typical" grief procedure with the kind I go through, and use a medical metaphor. It didn't really work, so let me try with the other medical metaphor I came up with. 3dsmile

For most people, the death of a close loved one, like a partner or a parent, is like a large open wound. It's felt deeply, and is very painful, and takes a good long time to heal... and sometimes leaves a scar.

For me, the death of a close loved one is like a thousand pin pricks, one at a time. You go along and you're fine, but then something happens: you do something, or you are exposed to something, or someone says something, and you're reminded of the loss. It's a momentary pain that doesn't last too long, by itself, but other such moments are just waiting in the wings. And I say "a thousand", because it almost seems like there are a finite number of these moments. That's how it was with my mother, anyway... over time, the moments just kind of stopped happening.

Which is not to say that the pin pricks don't leave their own kinds of scars. Christmas is still not the same holiday for me as it was when my mother was alive. I imagine Halloween won't be, anymore, either. (Keeshaba was big on Halloween.)

In any case, this is why folks shouldn't worry too much about my mental state as far as losing Keeshaba is concerned. The bigger concern is that I am now alone. Beyond two of my next-door neighbors, the only people I know here are family... and most of those I never talk to (nor do I want to). I know from previous experience that this level of isolation is not good for me. Before I resorted to Agnosticism, I would have had church friends to fall back on... but that's not an option, really... not without being a hypocrite, which I'm not going to do. Finding a way to meet people, with both my health and mental issues is... "not easy".

Eric Storm

Eric Storm · 2019-04-04 03:48:41

Well, it's finally done....

No, I'm still not talking about WAY8-2. misch_smiley

I finally got switched over from Speculum to Frontier. The installation to Frontier went smoothly, just a minor hiccup with the cable box.

Speculum, on the other hand, was a different issue. So, after the Frontier guy leaves, I call Speculum to cancel service, as I was told by the last idio...er ahem, very nice gentleman... that it would be best to call only when I wanted service terminated as soon as possible, to avoid further problems. Apparently Speculum CSRs are not trained in how to SCHEDULE cancellations.

So, I get on the phone. Tell them I want to disconnect. I now have to listen - for about the seventh time - to five or more minutes of some dipshi... ahem, some wonderful customer retainment specialist... asking me about why I'm cancelling, and if I tried everything possible to improve my experience with their service.

First off, if your service wasn't complete shit, I wouldn't have needed to try anything: it would have worked from the get-go. Second, I am calling to cancel. I'm not calling to see if you'll work something out with me. Shut up and cancel my account.

So, eventually, she gets the point, and cancels my service. Then she has the nerve to say, "And your final bill will be sent out soon, with a balance of $2.xx" (I don't remember what the cents were.)

Now, wait just a goddamned minute. The whole reason I scheduled my service for cancellation on April 4th in the first place was that my bill was paid up until April 4th. Now, those of you who can read a calendar will note that today is April 3rd. Therefore, there should not be a bill. In fact, they should owe me money, for a day's worth of undelivered service.

No, she says, it doesn't work that way. Because when we (mistakenly) cut off your service a week ago, and then it had to be reinstated, that changed your billing cycle, and now it starts on the 1st.

Well, I don't give a rat's ass what changes your stupid computer made. I paid for service through April 4th, and I'm not giving you bastards another red cent.

So, she tells me to hold on while she reaches out to (why can't they just say "asks"?) the billing department. She no longer has access to my account information, because... wait for it...

She just cancelled my service. *rolls eyes*

So, I sit on hold for a while, until some guy comes on the phone. This guy has NO CLUE why he's talking to me until I explain it to him. Did she actually even talk to someone, or did she just put me on transfer? I'm betting on the second option.

So, I explain it, again... and listen to an abbreviated version of the "why are you cancelling?" drivel... until finally, after putting me on hold himself, he comes back and says, "Okay, there won't be a $2.xx charge, and I'm putting in a $7.22 credit, which will go out in the next couple weeks." (Should have only been $7.04, but I wasn't going to get into THAT with him...)

So, all in all, it took me about 40 minutes... to CANCEL service. You'd think it was fucking brain surgery.

I hate Speculum.

Eric Storm

PS: by the way, I sent WAY8-2 to the reviewers a few minutes ago.

Josh.Bond · 2019-04-04 04:20:50

I believe the words out of my mouth were "sir...Sir...SIR...SIR!!!!, I called to cancel my service not to be guilted into MAYBE staying with you IF you can meet the requests that I asked for over a month ago and your initial CSR said it would be no problem, then 3 days later while waiting at home for a person to come out to make the change (which I think they could have done with a few swipes of the keboard) I call to find out the service call was cancelled becaus you couldn't actually do what i asked you to but never told me you cancelled it now either cancel my service and tell me to have a good day, OR put me throught to your supervisor with whom i will lodge a complaint about you. and If HE can't do what I am telling you to do Be prepared to be named individually and corperatly For harrasment, mental anguish, and attempted blackmail." so i think anyone who has ever cancelled Speculum...uh ...Spectrum has had to deal with that.

I hate dealing with people I can't look into their eyes. some people think I can be scary looking.

Have a good night all

Eric Storm · 2019-04-04 04:30:15

I realized, as I was writing up that post, what I should have said to them... and anyone else might want to take this tack in the future.

CRS: "Okay, sir... can I ask you why you're cancelling your service?"
Customer: "Because I can."

Eric Storm

StoryJunkie · 2019-04-05 01:00:07

I had a similar experience with DirecTV (I think I said some of this before) I didn't have quite as much trouble with cancelling as you...but I did have to put up with about 2 weeks of them calling me to see if I had changed my mind and offering me "special" deals if I came back. I had finally got tired of it, called them up and asked to speak with someone that could stop these calls, 25 min. later I get a man on the phone, I explain that I had cancelled my service and I wanted to calls to stop....I think he finally got the hint when I said "If I get one more phone call from you people, my next phone call will be to an attorney to start the harassment papers started and the BBB to make a complaint" I'm pretty sure it was the BBB part that got more attention, but I haven't heard from them since.

As for WAY 8-2 being sent to the reviewers..... 3dbig_smile :happy dance:

IBSwimmin · 2019-04-05 02:31:50

I'm sorry you had such trouble canceling Spectrum Eric - i ditched them as well a few months ago and told the CSR "Look, i know you have to read me this script about why I'm canceling you - let's not and pretend you did, ok?"

When they asked why for their "form's" i said because an ISP should be able to provide me INTERNET (wait for it) SERVICE!!

Pkiefel · 2019-04-05 20:24:19

Ohhh...thats exciting. Hope the reviewers hurry up (bounces up and down in excitment). Thanks Eric for the great story! I love reading it.
PK

Eric Storm · 2019-04-05 23:50:21

Well, you know, if you read back, even once the reviewers are done, I said I'd only wait two weeks after that point to post. (You can thank thehilz for it not being three weeks....) misch_smiley

I'm so mean... MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....

3dbig_smile

Eric Storm

thehilz · 2019-04-06 01:12:58

As long as nothing unexpected happens I should be able to give you another bri... er donation to knock another week off next week. 3dwink

Eric Storm · 2019-04-06 01:47:52

Far be it from me to dissuade you... 3dbig_smile

Eric Storm

Barbarian3165 · 2019-04-08 08:08:23

Please feel free to kick the reviewers in the tukus... We are jonesing for our Way8-2.

iccrmmkr · 2019-04-08 14:09:51

I am very sorry to hear about Keeshaba. It has been quite a while since I have logged in so this is the first time I heard about it. As so many others have stated, do what you need to. Write or don't write. As for speculum, I can't stand them. Unfortunately, they were the only option in my area except 3mbps DSL. Uggg, I had to switch though when speculum said pay $70 a month for just internet while you own your own modem ($10 fee normally for my area if you don't). So I limped through crappy DSL because it was literally that or no internet for about a year. You can bet though that I was first in line when AT&T put fiber down my street last month! Anyway, you definitely should get out and do something outside of the house that you enjoy. Try not to let the stress of life hit you too hard and glad the bankruptcy is done. For your eye infection, try goldenseal powder. Mix a little powder with distilled water, let it settle (very important, the powder hurts horribly if you get it in eye dropper), suck up some of the tea in a dropper (just liquid part), and drop into eye, blink it around for 1-2 min and then rinse with a second dropper of warm salt water. Repeat 2-3 times a day. We never go to doc for pink eye or whatever because this works so well. Take care!

Eric Storm · 2019-04-08 14:45:23

Barbarian3165 wrote:
Please feel free to kick the reviewers in the tukus... We are jonesing for our Way8-2.

Ah, but let's not forget that two-week wait even after they're done... mwahahaha

3dsmile

Eric Storm

Eric Storm · 2019-04-08 14:49:09

iccrmmkr wrote:
Anyway, you definitely should get out and do something outside of the house that you enjoy.

Um... like what? 1) I'm a homebody, and 2) There's nothing to do around here that doesn't cost money. 3) If there IS something to do around here that I don't know about, I can't get to it anymore, because I have no transportation.

For your eye infection,...

Turns out it probably never was an eye infection, just a really nasty allergy. The problem started to clear up on its own before I was even able to get the antibiotics, with just a few heavy-duty eye drops.

Thanks for the tip, though.

Eric Storm

The Pub Discussion Board

#1051 2019-03-29 14:56:32

Re: Writing Status

#1052 2019-03-29 22:06:50

Re: Writing Status

#1053 2019-03-29 23:12:20

Re: Writing Status

#1054 2019-03-29 23:18:13

Re: Writing Status

#1055 2019-03-31 04:09:36

Re: Writing Status

#1056 2019-03-31 23:07:18

Re: Writing Status

#1057 2019-03-31 23:28:14

Re: Writing Status

#1058 2019-04-02 20:27:46

Re: Writing Status

#1059 2019-04-03 01:23:30

Re: Writing Status

#1060 2019-04-03 05:17:57

Re: Writing Status

#1061 2019-04-03 14:01:50

Re: Writing Status

#1062 2019-04-03 15:42:34

Re: Writing Status

#1063 2019-04-04 03:48:41

Re: Writing Status

#1064 2019-04-04 04:20:50

Re: Writing Status

#1065 2019-04-04 04:30:15

Re: Writing Status

#1066 2019-04-05 01:00:07

Re: Writing Status

#1067 2019-04-05 02:31:50

Re: Writing Status

#1068 2019-04-05 20:24:19

Re: Writing Status

#1069 2019-04-05 23:50:21

Re: Writing Status

#1070 2019-04-06 01:12:58

Re: Writing Status

#1071 2019-04-06 01:47:52

Re: Writing Status

#1072 2019-04-08 08:08:23

Re: Writing Status

#1073 2019-04-08 14:09:51

Re: Writing Status

#1074 2019-04-08 14:45:23

Re: Writing Status

Barbarian3165 wrote:

#1075 2019-04-08 14:49:09

Re: Writing Status

iccrmmkr wrote:

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