New

I have created a new blog specifically for my artwork and Illustration Friday submissions. You can view it at Compendium
Here are a few samples of what you will find. Thanks for checking it out!

Chump Support?

I have not posted recently due to the fact that my DSL has been disconnected by my wonderful supplier. And not just simply disconnected but completely cut off. No I did not neglect to pay my bill. Well, I take that back, perhaps I put it off for a few days..umm, months maybe.

My point however is that I did pay the amount due before the cut-off date. Apparently they felt this was not enough however and decided to punish me for my procrastination. I spoke with a wonderful representative who apologized for the mistake..And stated that I would be back up and running by Friday. She also stated that I would be able to use my dial-up connection and access my email . Ha. After numerous phone calls, I still have no answer as to why I have neither. In the words of the so-called customer support rep "Umm..I just don't know what to tell you, sorry." And this is acceptable? They claim they have to 'recalibrate the line' and it will take at least two weeks for this to occur. I believe however that it is an evil plot to drive me absolutely insane.

I am furious.

I don't believe my standards of customer care are too high. I simply ask that when you make a mistake, you do everything within your power to correct it quickly.

To sum it up.. I will resume postings when it no longer takes 3 hours to upload. Hopefully before the leaves start to fall again.
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*Update*

I recently filed a complaint with the BBB pertaining to the problem above. I received a confirmation letter in the mail from them today and was so shocked I simply had to make a quick update.

The letter stated that the BBB no longer takes complaints against the company in question due to the staggering number of complaints that they receive, with no response at all from the corporation.

I am not surprised that a major corporation has received a number of complaints, that is expected. I am very surprised however that not one has ever been rectified. I believe it is time they had a major overhaul in their customer relations department. It's an outrage!

Needless to say, I have an appointment tomorrow for installation of my new cable connection. I am very excited. I will be posting again in no time!

Whoo hoo for you!

Guinea Pig

I was never a particularly healthy child. Aside from the common childhood illnesses such as ear infections and Schoolitis, I suffered from unexplained fevers and what I was told were 'cricks' in my neck which often required a trip to the chiropractor. I was once forced to sit on a pillow during class in the 8th grade because my back had 'gone out.' Granted I had spent the preceding weekend playing a 'game' which I can only describe as "Hey guys! Wouldn't it be cool if we pitched a tent and filled it with pillows and then ran super fast and jumped through the window?" So, perhaps I was begging for an injury.. But isn't that what 13 year old bodies are made for? I suppose that would fall under the category of 'self-inflicted.'

Fast forward approximately 7 years....
I have been diagnosed with Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Glaucoma. At the age of 23. Hoo-freakin'-ray! I will not go into the details of what led to my multiple diagnosis. I will however tell you each one took many years, mostly due to the inadequate physicians I was ever so lucky to encounter. I believe I handle it quite well, considering...

What is my alternative? I could always throw myself a pity party, but I've never really been into the whole party scene.

Rude Awakening

"...a German couple set up a loudspeaker and timer with the sound of a crowing cock to blast at their neighbors every morning." To make matters worse they then left for vacation! These people must really hate their neighbors. You have to admit it's rather amusing, although I can’t imagine I would be pleased to be awakened every morning with sounds from the farm. It got me thinking however... Have I ever done anything to intentionally piss off my neighbors? A group of college girls lived above me once and they felt the need to vacuum at 3 O’clock every morning. In retaliation I would wait until I knew they were asleep and grab whatever object within reach to bang against the ceiling. By far a crowing rooster. They did complain to an acquaintance that they could hear me screaming during sex, so perhaps the vacuum was their retaliation. Oh well. My current neighbors own a lawn care business and are fanatics about the cleanliness and upkeep of the neighborhood. I usually just let the grass grow until they decide to mow it for me. Hey! It works! I haven't mowed in 4 years! I'm afraid that is the extent of my neighbor taunting. This recent story has inspired me however.... I must conconct a plan.
What have you done to agitate your nearby residents? Or are they the ones driving you insane?

Distinction

Many people spend years thinking of what names they will give their children. Others jot down the first thing that comes to mind, or at least that was the case with one woman who named her child 'Placenta,' after hearing it used during her delivery. "It sounded pretty," she said. Poor, poor child. Many parents name their children after family members or themselves, with a common moniker such as John, Christopher or George. So very mundane. Then there are others who go overboard trying to think of something 'unique,' like Zoe, Zena or Xavier. These soon-to-be parents tend to think that they are the only ones doing this however and we end up with an entire generation of 'Zena's: Warrior Princesses of the Suburbs.' I very rarely hear my own name used and when it does fall from someone's lips it is so foreign I barely recognize it. I suppose this comes from being married, as I am now known as Honey, Babe, Woman.. Or my favorite, Hey! When my nephew was born I was given the name Auntie. This is very cute coming from a 5 year old, not so cute when muttered from every member of the family. We rarely call our loved ones by their given names. My grandparents are known as Grandma and Grandpa and my parents as Mom and Dad. I believe I was once punished for calling my mother Cindy, as if I uttered a profanity. Perhaps this is why I was so shocked to hear my husband call his father Ted. It seemed unnatural. Why was I given a name in the first place when it is so easy to throw aside, why not just a number? Oh wait, I am a number XXX-XX-XXXX.... According to this website (Click here,) the name Charlotte means 'strong and womanly.' I am idealistic and have a keen intellect and imagination. I attract many friends and I'm loved by all for my nurturing and loving ways. Sounds good. I have not yet been graced with any children but I believe I will save myself the trouble and give them no name. They can choose what best fits them. What does it matter? I'll just end up calling them Stop That!, Don't Put that up your nose, or Hey, Get Over Here! anyway.

Limbo

It seems I am in a continuous state of limbo. This is not to mean I spend my free time bent over backwards hobbling under a pole. There are no leis or mai-tai's here, just a monotony I find remarkably difficult to expunge.
Perhaps you've found yourself in the same predicament, neither here nor there. Never quite sure what you should or should not be doing with your humble existence.
I do not live for 'God,' or any specific deity for that matter. I live.. quite simply, for myself. There are no church gatherings or other religious brouhahas to attend and no preoccupation with 'holy scripture' to devour my time.
I no longer spend my day breathing in the moldy, stale air of an old office building, laboring over an assignment when my toxic supervisor is sure to take the credit.
Nevertheless, there are too many things that I find myself not doing.
I am stuck in perpetual non-motion.

Examination

An examination of my examination by an incompetent medical establishment.

I recently had the privilege of meeting a number of Emergency Medical Technicians as well as one very inadequate physician. The members of the EMT staff were friendly and courteous and besides blowing my vein out I have no complaints against them. Before I continue, if you are curious as to why I had this wonderful opportunity please refer to "A Sneeze" post if you haven't ventured there already (yes, my movement continues to be severely impaired.) When you are in such a dire situation that you concede to be carried from your home and transported to the nearest emergency care facility, the last thing on your mind is that you will be stuffed in Room 8 and forced to wait... That soon became my reality however as I learned that my physician (the one and only on call) was not currently available. Apparently when there is no spewing blood involved it does not warrant immediate attention. I lay on my stretcher for what felt like hours, staring at the shiny instruments lined up on the wall that would obviously continue to collect dust for the remainder of my stay. When I finally had the privilege of meeting my Doctor, or as I prefer to call him.. Mr. I'm-too-busy to examine you properly, he simply asked what my symptoms were and ordered a nurse to inject me with a plethora of useless medications. For someone who could not move her pelvis in the slightest direction and was screaming from the severity of said affliction one would assume that certain basic tests would be performed to determine the source of the problem. This was not to be however. I was wheeled in on a stretcher and rushed out on my own. With no explanation as to how I was to walk without the use of my pelvis, and with a diagnosis of 'back pain.' I am fascinated with the perversity of it all. Yes, in the good 'ole USA.. If you are unfortunate enough to be without medical insurance, you can expect an extremely quick and swift kick out the revolving door.