October 11, 2010
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News and Notes for October 2010
INTERNET: Last Wednesday evening while surfing the internet it just disappeared. So after all the problems Xanga experienced while setting up their new servers, I seemed to be having problems of my own. I picked up the phone to call AT&T, my internet provider, and there was static on the phone line instead of a dialtone. I was off work on Thursday and don't have a cell phone, so Friday morning I called AT&T from work. I went through a runaround on their voicemail system three times before I was actually able to talk to a real technician, who told me that there was a "network" problem and they would fix it, but had to send somebody to my home in order to do so.
The 'target' time to have the system repaired is 8PM tonight, so I've been without phone and internet since last Wednesday. I posted a "Wayback post" from work on Xanga, but haven't done any visiting. This morning I've got a lot of work to do, so I'll just post this short "News and Notes" in order to at least announce why I've been absent.
The other bit of news concerning the internet is that my website, www.allthingsmike.com, which I was afraid I'd have to take offline, has been renewed for another year. I thought the auto renewal took place in the last part of the month, but was mistaken. The money was transferred from my bank account in the first week of October, the same week in which my $125.00 DirecTV bill and my $836.00 rent/utilities check are cleared. The website subscription renewal fee is $179.00 so I found out that Friday I was overdrawn. A quick call to Wells Fargo and I was able to reverse some of the overcharge fees (they paid the bill because I have direct deposit). I had to 'scrimp and save' the remainder of the month. But at least I have my website. I plan to do some updating there soon.
HEALTH: I complained a bit a while back about my dental problems. I've had four teeth pulled in the last 10 years or so, and my dentist advised I get some kind of "operation" from a perodontist. I went in for one consultation, and the guy never called my back. In the meantime I had to have my cataract surgery performed, so since I really wasn't having any more problems, I figured I'd put the dental work on the backburner until 2011. The perodontist still needed to check Xrays from my dentist (which I had taken but I guess he never got) but told me I probably did need the gum operation. (I forget what it was called, but they remove part of the gum from someplace to build it up around my teeth. Sounded painful. And expensive.)
It's almost the end of the year. The consultation was late last year. I've got another loose tooth, and I really don't want to go to the same dentist. I asked my regular dentist if he thought it would be a good idea for me to just get all my teeth removed and install dentures. He didn't think that was a good idea. He thought the gum operation the best bet. I can wiggle at least two more teeth which might need to be removed later on, so I think it's probably best just to get the whole thing over with. In about a month or so, this current molar, which matches one on the other side of my top set of teeth which I had removed years ago but never got replaced, is going to have to be removed. I take Ibuprofen when it gets painful, and it's starting to be painful more often than not. Not a good sign.
I've received the name of our Vice President's dentist, and I'm going to go in to see him in about a month or so for a second consultation. I'll probably at least have him pull the loose tooth, and get a partial. My last partial, for my two front bottom teeth, cost me about $275.00 and was "temporary." I'm still using it two years later. If it only costs $275.00 to replace the top tooth already missing (I couldn't afford the $1000.00 for a permanent implant at the time and now my teeth have shifted all over the place) and the one which I'll have removed, at least I won't be in any pain and will have all my teeth "back".
I'm feeling pretty good otherwise.
WEALTH: Still on a strict budget. I'm not expecting a Christmas bonus this year. (but then really should never expect a bonus anyway.) Last month was a disaster because of the website subscription, and this month I have not only a house insurance payment but the car registration. Looks like I'll be short paying on my hospital bills again this month. But at least I'm eating well and have a nice place to come home to, with lots of entertainment choices. I want to reduce my DirecTV bill but like my HBO and Showtime, and it's usually always over $100.00 a month. Usually a call every now and then gets me some kind of "special deal". The best deal I'm getting on entertainment is Netflix. For $23.00 a month, I always have three bluray HD DVDs in rotation, plus a lot of streaming content from their website to my Roku player (that is, when my internet is working!) I hardly buy DVDs anymore. (Can't afford 'em) Last week Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" was released on blu ray. Not too long ago I would have rushed right out to buy a copy, but I rented it from Netflix and watched it again on Saturday night.
SOCIAL LIFE: A couple of weekends ago I had a "party" at my place with three of the guys in the park. I met a new guy, Ryan, who asked if he could drop by to "hang out" from time to time. He seemed to be enthralled with my DVD and Betty Boop collections and my creative abilites and seemed to be a nice guy to talk to. The next day, Ryan knocked on my door while I was taking my afternoon nap, and then left me a message that he'd dropped by. I called him back the next day, and told him to always call before "dropping by". "Well, I just live a few doors down, do it's no trouble to just drop by" he told me. I said I'm usually tired after work so don't want to socialize during the week. I'd be free for socializing on Saturday night, and expected to watch "Beauty and the Beast" and he was welcome to see it with me . A lot of times my neighbor just yells for me from his carport next door, and if I'm busy I'll just tell him so. He doesn't even knock! People in the park seem to think since we're all in close proximity they don't need to call. Ryan "dropped by" again on Friday night. My phone wasn't working and I apologized. I was working on my latest MikeVideo project and was in full creative mode, and didn't want to "hang out". Ryan has been giving me some "signals" which make me think he's "coming on" to me. Without coming right out and asking if he's gay, I gave him "signals" saying I wasn't interested. I talked to my neighbor and he did concur that the guy is gay. In any case, he didn't make it by on Saturday. Seems the more people I'm meeting, the more I just want to keep by myself! The worst thing about living in a mobile home community can be the close proximity of everyone in the park, when people think it's just so easy to 'drop by' anytime they want. I don't mind socializing, but I like to plan things in advance.
Comments (21)
A little solitude ain't so bad, Mike. I'm glad you've been clear about who you are and what you want. I hope you get your finances in order. It sounds like you're at least aware of all your spending habits and debt needs.
Good work.
Sounds like you're moving forward in many areas of your life - very cool.
Despite a few bumps, it sounds like you're keeping things together pretty well. Good to hear from you. Hope the loose ends tie up soon.
Life sounds good enough!
Beauty and the Beast is my fav Disney animation,I love the dancing scene in the library and the " Be our Guest" scene.
Finances are always a bitch, aren't they?
I try to keep the auto withdrawals at a minimum because the withdrawers are not always good about notifying you of what they've done and I like to control what is going where and when.Trailer park living is different - especially if most of the neighbors are retired or lonesome. Sometimes it's hard to strike a balance between being friendly and being considered "Standoffish". People do tend to be sort of intrusive.
Internet probs are a real pain..
Sounds like you have a more exciting life than me. Even with all your problems. I hope you can keep up
Hi Mike,
I see you're going through something similar I'm dealing with presently. Here's a good one for you.
I have all of my bills paid through the bank as well. Everything comes out at the end of the month, except my internet service provider. I've never had a problem with my phone, rent, cable, two insurance policies. The only one ~~ my ISP ! Last year they decided to take out $160.00 - they never send any written billing or receipts and since I was buggered up, couldn't get to the bank to check my balance, I became overdrawn because of their 25 dollar "late charge" and then another $42.00 from the bank for going over. Anyways, I called when I found out about it and was told they didn't keep records back that far - a lousy 3 months! Anyways, here I am again after I got that resolved, they decided to start taking their payments out on the 25th of the month. That's 5 days before my monthly income cheque goes in so again, I had a bill that was $67.00 over! (42$ for the bank and 25$ for the extra ISP penalty)
I knoew it's not a lot but, it's the principal. These people digging around - changing everything without my knowledge, taking more when I'm never informed. What pisses me off most is - they sent me billing info - in August 3rd, said I owed nothing - everything was fine. I nearly shit when I see a notice stating I now owe $160.00 presently. My internet service is $34.00 a month. How they come up with a bill for 160 - trying to fuck me over again is beyond me. I'd change companies but I can't stand the only other company here that has High Speed. I quit dealing with Ma Bell ages ago. More crooks.
Oh well, - sorry for the rant here. It's Thanksgiving so, I'm giving - you can say thanks later.
I used to be a huge collector of DVDs, but after I while I realize I wasn't gonna watch most of them more than 1-2 times.
The more I'm around people the more I like my alone time.
Thanks for update on you. Best wishes on the dental stuff. Hope this next year is even better for you. Hugs.
@DickDoktorII - Dear Steve, Even when I was spending lots of money I didn't have, I kept perfect records! I usually check my bank balance online twice a week, and I blame myself for not realizing when during the month I was going to be billed. However there's a six hour window before I was getting my direct deposit. What's insane is that in order to rack up as many fees as possible, the bank doesn't let you know what time a transaction is made. Just the day. When calling to ask if I could have at least one of the two $35.00 overdraft fees reversed, I went over the timeline, and couldn't tell exactly when the withdrawals and deposits were made. I wondered aloud why there isn't a timestamp on the website for each transaction and the guy on the other end of the line said I wasn't the first person to ask that question! Good rule of thumb, I'm thinking is that they ALWAYS do the withdrawals first before applying the deposits, even with only scant hours between, so that they can charge the fees!
Although my bank has a sign saying deposits first then withdrawals I have sometimes wondered the same, if withdrawals and then deposits. One month I got sort of a 'windfall' as I had managed somehow to pay my electric twice...after I paid my overdraft charges I had a little left so i put it in a draw account. If I have an overdraft on my regular account they take it out of this other account and only charge me $5.00 for the trouble and then when the next drect deposit comes in they reimburse the draw account first. Over the years it has saved me a bundle. Check with your Bank...
I don't live in a trailer park but at one time I had a little widow lady two doors down. Not only did she drop by unexpected without calling but she didn't even knock. Because of my health and my strokes we had given her a key in case of emergencies. Sometimes the emergency was that her grandson needed construction paper for a school project. So even though I have a house, the same problems can arise. Put a peephole in the door and don't answer if you are busy. Like you i think it rude for someone to expect you to drop everything you are doing and entertain.
Glad to see you have your computer up and running. ~ mom
Money and Internet problems seem to be everywhere lately. Seems like everyone I know is struggling lately to pay bills and stay above water. I'm trying to save up enough for a deposit on a new apartment in April, but every time I put a few bucks into savings I end up having to take it out again to pay bills. Then last month was car insurance, so that put a bigger dent. And the internet, oy! Between the Xanga issues and everything else, I'm not surprised it's been quiet around here.
Glad to see you got things up and working again anyway.
Mike, I'm sorry I have been remiss in reading. I have been busy. I just finished a lengthy blog, explaining the busy schedule this month. Getting ready for Cowtown Celtic Festival the first weekend of this month kept me busy the last week of September, too. Then weeks before in Sept, it was CelticFest in Jackson, MS.
I am sorry to read that you had internet problems and also that you're having dental problems. I remember I wrote about my refusal to let my current dentist pull all the molars he wanted to in my bottom jaw. I let him pull only one because it had become so sensitive, it hurt too much. The rest of my molars are doing fine, so far. I also rejected his proposal to get rid of my four front crowns and put n a bridge. If he had kept insisting, I would have gone to someone else for a 2nd opinion. I think you might still consider a 2nd opinion. The gum operation you write about sounds like something I had done many years ago.
I also understand about finances and how you have to really stay on top of a bank account to avoid overdraws. I just had to lay out a good chunk for car repair. I charge it to credit card only to give myself time to transfer funds to cover it, then I pay the entire amount when the bill comes in. Of course, I wasn't always able to do that in past.
Anyway, I'm glad you are mostly in good heath now. I agree with you re: your new "friend". I don't have any ill feelings about gay people, myself. However, anyone who intrudes, pushes too hard or "sends signals" like Ryan, I agree should be kept at a distance. Never mind "gay", it doesn't seem that your personalities match, either.
~~Blessings 'n Cheers
bummer when teh nets is down, hope you're back up and running smoothly. health, wealth, and happiness to you.
MIke
Sorry things have been so tough lately. Life can be difficult at times. I hate banks myself. I have been through cases of identity theft 3 times in the past 10 years. It is a real pain in the behind. Glad your internet is back up. You were missed.
Kat
@mommachatter - @leaflesstree - @an_OM_aly - @Betrayed1959 - Actually, I wrote this pretty quickly when I got into work yesterday morning, and I'm writing this reply from work. My phone/internet service is still down at home. The static on the phone line has been replaced by dead air. It was supposed to have been fixed by last night but that didn't happen. I'm going to give them today, and if the service is still down when I get home, I'll be calling tomorrow (from work), which will be a week without. You can bet I'll be asking for a week's credit on my next bill too!
I'll miss reading your site
!
The nice thing about living in an appartment, is people cannot just "drop by". Well, they can but, they can't see you so if you please, you can just ignore the buzzer. I find it very inconsiderate when people "drop by" without calling. What if I'm doing something private, or want to be left alone? I'm with you on that one.
Dear Mike,
I really have to say that I love reading your updates. It makes you seem more "human" I guess.
Thank you for the rec on my last blog for my book, although I wrote a really good (I think) religious theory and had bad luck ever since! (not published to site)
I see the neurosurgeon next week, but am having worsening symptoms, so I don't expect to hear good news. I know I will have to have surgery, but hopefully not multiples. I about had a heart attack when I looked up the cost of the surgeries. Then I added all the copayments up, without physical therapy or doctor fees. My legs got a little shaky. I'm not a rich woman and I always said I wouldn't want to be a financial burden on my family...but in this last year, I think I've changed my mind. I really like life and my family right now and I have all sorts of friends in the world, so I guess there really isn't a choice but to have the surgeries and do what I need to do to recover because I'm just not ready to leave at this point. Any recommendations?
Is your life a Church Marquee.