Friday, June 18, 2004

Picture...

Pictures of me keep having problems.... No, not because I break the camera...

I have pics up on Yahoo, but I can't seem to get them to be accessible unless I'm logged in.... If you're on friendster, I'm there with the same pics, or I can email them if necessary.

Bugging me, it is.

TTFN

Bush and McCain

Listening to NPR and hearing the love fest between McCain and Bush is starting to worry me.

Imagine, a Bush-McCain ticket. This would've been unbeatable in 2000, do you honestly think Kerry would have a chance? People like McCain. They don't know if they want to like the "I was against this bill until I voted for it" character.

My good friend Ted brought this to my attention: McCain for VP - on Bush's ticket.

The baggage leaves, the balloon comes in. Imagine it.

TTFN

Contractors...or Mercenaries?

Honestly I can't stand the euphemism anymore. They are not contractors, these military-security people who work for thousands a day. They are mercenaries.

con·trac·tor ( P ) Pronunciation Key (kntrktr, kn-trk-)
n.
One that agrees to furnish materials or perform services at a specified price, especially for construction work

mer·ce·nar·y ( P ) Pronunciation Key (mûrs-nr)
adj.
Motivated solely by a desire for monetary or material gain.
Hired for service in a foreign army.

Which do you think fits? We're talking about people who retire from the military, then for lots of $$$ go to work in a danger zone to protect corporation (not national) interests. That, to me, defines mercs.

More mercenary information:

  • US military in torture scandal

  • Deaths of scores of mercenaries hidden from view

  • Iraq : Mercenaries and Occupiers

  • U.S. Turns to Mercenaries

  • Mercenaries Second Largest Force In Iraq: Report


  • There's plenty more, just search the news. Read, people.

    TTFN

    AmSouth Bank... the next day

    Well, today is obviously a different day.

    Yesterday when I visited my local branch of AmSouth, I left a letter for the branch manager, who was unfortunately gone for the day. I told them I would return.

    I then called the bank and spoke to the people online - both rep and supervisor refused to budge. Which really tore my ass up.

    All day at work, my stomach was really upset, both b/c of the tequila last night and my nerves which were shot. Antacid. (Speaking of which I still need some Pepto) I took off early, both because of this and wanting to deal with the bank, as thinking about it got me worked up again.

    (In the meantime, I talked to a guy who handles parking for the city and got out of a parking ticket. Woo-hoo!!!)

    Well, I left work, went to the branch. The manager had left for lunch not long before (lucky ass banker's hours... sheesh...) so I left my cell # for her to call me and I would be back after I myself got something to eat. The guy who talked to me (Brian I think) was aware of the letter I had had sent from the call service people, as well as the letter I'd left. He said they'd looked into it and had figured out what happened, but he was waiting for the branch manager to make a decision, but they were going to try and help me.

    Well...

    She called me and said since they could basically assume that the gas station was not going to be helpful (honestly, who honestly believes that a gas station attendant is going to give a guy with an affidavit $180?? He'd have to call the manager, who would probably have to call the owner, and the owner would presumably say "Hell no, we took care of our end. Sorry, but fuck off.") she would put in the paperwork for it to reimbursed.

    I just checked my account online, and honestly, I could kiss her feet.

    The money is coming back.

    I effusively thanked her. Sincerely. I don't think I've thanked one person that much in a very long time, if ever.

    So if you are going to bank with AmSouth, don't deal with the phone people. They suck. Real honest to God decent people work in the branches.

    I've got to find some more alcohol, but this time, to celebrate!!!

    TTFN

    Thursday, June 17, 2004

    Scribbler

    Try this it's fun...

    Scribbler

    Thanks to Akeisha.