Friday Night Video

Here's a trailer for the original (to me) "War of the Worlds"  movie. The first time I saw this was on a late Sunday afternoon, on the black and white tv set in our basement. It was one more layer on my already haunted psyche that kept me awake throughout so much of the early sixties. Yet, like so many things in life, I both loved and feared it.

This movie had it all. It started with a flying saucer that landed somewhere out in the boonies (as they did in most movies- except maybe "The Day the Earth Stood Still"), and it never let up. You want pulse pounding action? Try this on for size:  A general mapping out intricate war plans on a chalkboard? Check! War games played out on a giant, government issued Risk board? Check! Random guy on fire, crashing into a table? Check and Double Check!

As a kid, I was dazzled by the glossy special effects. But as I've matured, I've come to appreciate the gritty realism. There is no better example of this than in the scenes of sheer mass panic near the end of this clip. This is reality in it's rawest form. None of that mamby-pamby, "We're all in this together" or  "Help thy neighbor" crap. This, my friend, reflects traditional American values- values like, "When the going gets tough, it's every man for himself." This, my friend, is harsh reality.

You think an alien invasion would be met with an orderly evacuation ("No neighbor, you were here first. Please, go ahead of me.")? Wake up and smell the coffee. Watch and learn as people get thrown through store fronts and hit on the head with crates. Take a good long look at the guy in the back of the truck, swinging his constitutionally protected club for no apparent reason. Which end of the club will you be on? Well? Think about it!

Anyway, I digress.

Somewhere around this house, I have this film on an unopened DVD. After reliving some of these exciting and suspenseful scenes, I'm tempted to crack it open and relive it again- this time in full Technicolor and "with a mighty panorama of Earth-shaking fury!" Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure the Earth shaking fury might scare the crap out of Sam. So instead, I share it with you. Sit back, watch, learn, and most of all- enjoy!

A Simple Question- P.S.

I should point out from the post below that:

A) Customer Service did nothing to resolve my question. I had to find it out myself, and  B) the figure they finally quoted me to add Caller I.D. to my service, was not "$10.99-14.99/Mo". It was a net add of $3.50.

A Simple Question

This is from a customer service phone chat I had with Verizon today. All I wanted to know was how much it would cost to add "Caller I.D." to my phone plan:

Chat Subject:Upgrade Existing Services

Your Question:I'm just trying to figure out how much it would be to add caller ID too my existing service.

A Verizon Service Representative will be with you shortly. Thank you.

Agent Faber has joined. (11:56:13)

Faber : Chat ID for this session is 09251378183. (11:56:13)

Faber(11:56:13): Thank you for choosing Verizon and visiting our chat service. I would be happy to assist you with your question.

For quality and security purposes, your session is recorded and may be monitored or reviewed. Please do not provide sensitive information such as social security, bank account or credit card numbers to the chat agent. May we view your selections and/or account information, including any services you subscribe to, which are displayed to you on verizon.com, so that we may assist you with respect to available Verizon products and services? Under federal law, it is your right and our duty to protect your account information. May I have your permission?

Faber: (11:56:23): Thank you for being our valued Verizon customer. 

ME: (11:56:36): ok

Faber: (11:56:41): I would be glad to assist you with your questions, and navigate you through out the online order process.

Faber: (11:57:26): Could you please let me know if you are logged in to your Verizon Account?

ME: (11:57:45): yes.

Faber: (11:58:31): Please click on the "Phone Extras" button, located on the left side of your Verizon Account page, and let me know once you are on the next page.

ME: (11:59:41): I think so. On the lower right, it says: "Add to your phone service" and gives selections.

Faber: (12:00:06): Please click on the "Add/Upgrade My Services" button, located on the left side of your Verizon Account page, then after you would be able to see "Phone Extras" button, under it.

ME: (12:00:36): Ok. Got it.

Faber(12:01:06): Please click on the "Calling features" tab, and check if you are able to see "Caller ID" feature.

ME: (12:01:21): ok. thanks.

Faber(12:01:56): you are welcome. Could you please let me know if you were able to find the "Caller ID" feature?

ME: (12:03:27): Yup,thanks

Faber(12:04:38): Please select the Caller ID feature, and click on the Checkout button. Let me know once you are on the next page.

ME: (12:05:17): Well, I'm not sure if I want to add it. I was checking out the price.

Faber(12:06:07): Could you please let me know if you make long distance calls?

ME: (12:06:17): Not many.

Faber(12:07:07): You may upgrade your phone plan, with which you would get more calling features.

Faber(12:07:27): Please click on the "Add/Upgrade My Services" button, and let me know once you are on the next page.

ME: (12:07:59): I'm on the page.

ME: (12:08:15): Same as before.

Faber(12:09:05): Please click on the "Add TV or Internet" button, located under the "Add/Upgrade My Services" button, and let me know once you are on the next page.

ME: (12:09:42): Ok, I'm there.

Faber(12:10:58): Could you please check if you are able to see TV, Internet, and phone plans listed under the 'Create your own bundle' section?

ME: (12:11:18): I see them.

Faber(12:12:13): Please uncheck the TV, and Internet sections. Let me know once you have done that.

ME: (12:12:27): It's done.

Faber(12:13:07): Could you please check if you are able to see "Regional Essentials" phone plan?

ME: (12:13:40): Yes, I see it.

Faber(12:14:30): Please select "Regional Essentials" phone plan, and click on the "Add to cart" button. Let me know what price you able to see in your cart.

ME: (12:16:36): I clicked the "Selected" button, but the only "Add to Cart" button is for "Triple Play".

Faber(12:19:51): I apologize for the inconvenience caused to you.

ME: (12:20:06): Now the window went black with a refresh button. I clicked it and I'm back on the "create your own bundle page".

Faber(12:21:41): Thank you for the information.

Faber(12:22:06): I would recommend you to opt for Verizon Home phone, and High speed Internet double bundle, which would cost you $44.99/Mo without any contract.

ME: (12:22:44): I would, but I already have internet that I'm happy with.

Faber(12:23:44): Once you sign up, Verizon will become your Internet service provider (ISP). You will not require any other Internet service provider (ISP) with Verizon high speed internet service.

Faber(12:23:55): The great thing about High Speed DSL is that it's a dedicated connection. Cable internet service is a connection you share with neighbors around you, thus your speed will fluctuate during peak hours.

Faber(12:24:20): You would also qualify for the best bundle discounted price, if you opt for upgraded phone plan, and fastest internet speed plan.

ME: (12:24:27): I'm happy with what I have.

Faber(12:24:37): Verizon Regional Essentials offers unlimited local and local toll calling and 3 of our most popular calling features: Caller ID, Call Waiting and Voice Mail. Since it does not include nationwide long distance, it's perfect if you only make calls within your local or local toll calling area.

ME: (12:25:09): Ok. How much is that?

ME: (12:26:43): I already have call waiting and  local long distance.

Faber(12:26:49): You would get Verizon Regional Essentials + High Speed Internet Enhanced 7.1-15 Mbps double bundle at the rate of $44.99/Mo without any contract. The standalone price for Regional Essentials is up to $49.99/Mo

ME: (12:27:35): Ok.. I'll think it over.
 

ME: (12:29:03): Thanks for your help.

Faber(12:29:43): You would not be charged for any installation fee to install High speed Internet service, as you would get the self installation option.

ME: (12:30:18): Yeah,, but all I'm after is the price of what caller ID would add to the plan I have.

Faber(12:31:53): You may add Caller Id at the rate of $10.99-14.99/Mo to your current Home phone plan; however, if you upgrade your phone plan to Regional Essentials you would get Caller Id, and other 2 calling features included in your phone plan.

ME: (12:33:19): And how much does that add?

Faber(12:34:19): You would not be charge any additional upgrade fee to upgrade your Home phone plan to Regional Essentials.

ME: (12:34:56): What is the added monthly cost?

Faber(12:35:56): If you opt for Verizon Regional Essentials + High speed Internet Enhanced 7.1-15 Mbps double bundle your monthly bill would be $44.99/Mo + Taxes. There is no contract with Verizon Home phone, and High Speed Internet double bundle.

Faber(12:38:37): Could you please let me know if you are still able to see 'Create your own bundle' section on your Verizon Account page?

ME: (12:39:28): I only want someone to look at my monthly bill and say:"It would add X dollars for caller ID, OR there is a bundle that has the services you already have that includes caller ID, so the price difference would be ..." If I can't find that out, I think I'll stay with what I have. I've been on too long as it is.

Faber(12:40:28): I see that currently you have Flat rate phone plan at the rate of $19.64/Mo.

Faber(12:41:33): With Flat rate you would get unlimited local calling without any calling features. You would be charged additional for each calling feature. Plus you would be charged for Regional, and Long distance calling plans.

Faber(12:44:34): If you upgrade your services to double bundle your monthly bill would be $44.99/Mo + Taxes (your estimated taxes and fees would range between 10% - 15% of your total monthly Verizon bill)

Faber(12:44:49): With Regional Essentials phone plan you would get unlimited local, and Regional callings. Plus 3 of our most popular calling features: Caller ID, Call Waiting and Voice Mail.

Faber(12:45:10): With High Speed Internet Enhanced 7.1-15 Mbps Internet plan you would get the fastest internet speed available at your location, and free Wifi service.

ME: (12:45:11): Ok. One last question: I see on the other page, you offer "Call Waiting- ID" and it says it includes "Caller ID", and you also offer just "Caller ID". If I got rid of my current "Call Waiting" and got "Call Waiting- ID", wouldn't this be the same as just adding on "Caller ID"?

Faber(12:46:01): Yes, "Call Waiting ID" includes caller Id, and call waiting features.

ME: (12:47:51): So that's all I want to do, have my current Call Waiting and also have Caller ID. So, I deselect my current Call Waiting, and select "Call Waiting ID", correct?

Faber(12:48:26): Yes, you are correct. Then after click on the checkout button, and let me know once you are on the next page.

ME: (12:49:22): All set. I'll submit it.

Faber(12:49:47): Congratulations on completing your Verizon order successfully online.
You will receive an e-mail confirmation letter, within 24 hours, from Verizon. This e-mail will have your online order number which you can use to check your online order status.

ME: (12:50:19): Ok. Bye.

Faber(12:50:30): You are all set now!

Faber(12:50:40): Can you think of any additional questions that I can assist you with today?

ME: (12:50:53): No, I'm all set.

Friday Night Video

There are fondly remembered shows from my past that have aged nicely... and there are those that haven't. For years I've wished that a show called "Switch" would come out on DVD. Now, after seeing this mercifully short clip, I'm thinking maybe not.

This show played for a couple of years, beginning in 1975 and was about a former cop (Eddie Albert) and a former con man (Robert Wagner) who teamed up as partners in a private investigating firm. I used to watch this with Mom and Dad, and I remember the show as being kind of clever.

I will say that I like Eddie Albert in just about everything I've seen him in- old talk shows included, and my respect for him- not only as an actor, but as a human being, has only grown the more I've learned about him.

And to be fair, maybe it's best not to judge the show from this one clip. Maybe. That said, enjoy.

Friday Night Video

In honor of the weather of the last few days, here's a clip of Gene Kelly dancing in what is a good approximation of my basement- especially around the four minute mark...

Today's Comment

Once I realize it's Thursday already, the rest of the day feels like it should be Friday.

Whirligig

My head is spinning. I'm not used to being this busy. All day Saturday was spent at a college football game.

Living for Half Time

For some odd reason, I seem to have no pictures of the game itself, yet I have an abundance of photos of the marching band.

Sunday was spent picking up Jake, and going to the fair in the morning- until it started to rain. The afternoon was spent getting groceries and cooking food for Jake to take back and then bringing him, and all the food, back to his house.

"Like the Spanish city to me, when we were kids..."

Later that evening, Helaina and I went back to the Fair where we did a lot of walking and taking pictures and even going on the Ferris Wheel together.

I'm beat.