My Computer Is Not So Smart! So There!

So, I know that programs like Google and BING track our computer usage and direct advertising our way.  They also track where we are so that they can give us correct websites for commercial products.

Tonight, my computer is not so smart.  I looked up the movie, Selma http://www.selmamovie.com/.  And, I got the listings for Lufkin, Texas, even after I tried to change it to Lubbock, Texas.  Then, I went to Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ and BING http://www.bing.com/ gave me the address for the store in Amarillo, Texas.

And, that is the problem.  I hate BING.  Yet my computer keeps defaulting to BING, although I keep trying to set it so it won't do that. I think BING is stupid.  I much prefer Google https://www.google.com/.  When I use Google, I don't get a lot of paid advertising sites, and I get a more accurate and complete search.

I discovered, when I was having trouble with Suddenlink http://home.suddenlink.net/, I think it was in December of 2013, that when I blogged my complaints about Suddenlink, that they had someone who must have been trolling for such things, because I got a comment, not once but twice from the "same person" encouraging me to contact them if I had ongoing problems.  It felt like the comments were "canned."  But, at least Suddenlink tried to do a customer service contact when I was publicly complaining.   I wonder if BING and Google do the same thing. 

We shall see.

It is Soup and Stew Weather

We have had a lot of cold weather lately.  Today, when I was doing my weekly grocery shopping, I did not have anything in particular in mind to buy for meals for the upcoming week, so I bought several different soups.   I like soup.

I am finishing off my Christmas ham, and have carved the meat off the bone.  I have the bone, and lots of scraps that I will use for seasoning when I make pea soup tomorrow. 

If the cold weather continues, I think next week I will make a stew.

Those are good cold weather foods.

Such a Nice Gesture

Last fall, when Patrick Modiano was announced as the winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/2014/modiano-facts.html I mentioned to the Barnes and Noble www.barnesandnoble.com Mystery Book Club that I attend, that we might want to read one of his books, Missing Person http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_Person_(novel), which is a mystery of sorts.  Several members of the group had heard of his Nobel Prize and this book, but ultimately, we did not decide to read the book as a group.

I went on line looking for the book, and the price on Alibris and Abebooks was very high.  One of the club members, Debbie, told me to go to Amazon, and I did.  They offered the book a reasonable price.  But then, they kept telling me the order was delayed, and they asked me if I wanted to continue the order, continue to a specific date, or cancel the order.  I decided to continue the order, indefinitely.  We discussed it at the book club, and thought that a new printing would occur, and the book would be available at a reasonable price.  This is exactly what happened.

This week at the Barnes and Noble Mystery Book Club, Debbie had her copy of Missing Person.  She wanted to be sure that I had access to the book. She had not yet read it.  Debbie made such a nice gesture. (I received mine and was about half way through the book)

Later in the meeting, I had to excuse myself to use the restroom.  By the time I returned, the group had disbanded. Suzy was still waiting, because I had left my coat, and a book loaned from another member at the table.

These are really good people who are kind and considerate of other members in the group.  I really appreciate the people in the Barnes and Noble Mystery Book Club in Lubbock.

Do I Really Need A Smart Phone?

So, I have an old-fashion flip phone.  It has a camera, which I do not use, and I can actually access the internet with it, if I want to, but access is so slow, and the screen size is so small, I have long ago discontinued that service plan.

I keep debating about getting a smart phone.  I can text with my flip phone. I pay for each text message.  But, the truth be known, for as much texting I do, the pay per text message cost is still much lower than what I would pay to have a smart phone unlimited plan.

So, why do I need a smart phone? I don't.  There are two reasons that are not very compelling for me to get a smart phone:   The technology of my flip phone is outdated, and there will come a time when it is so outdated that it will limit my phone capabilities.  Since I usually only use my phone for voice communication, that has not yet happened.

The other reason I might want (not need) a smart phone is because I want to learn and use that level of technology.  The truth be know, I seldom text, and I do not make a lot of phone calls. I might like the portable internet access, but I am not sure the price is worth the convenience. 

My cell phone service is with Sprint http://www.sprint.com/mysprint/pages/sl/global/index.jsp. I have been a long term customer with Sprint, I think since 2003.  I see the promotional offers for customers to change to Sprint, but I have never once recalled an offer from Sprint to reduce my bill, or give me a deal because I have been a long term customer. (This is a wrong, long term customers need to get consideration.)

In November of 2013, I had a connectivity problem which Sprint denied was happening, until I finally convinced someone to check on it and they realized it was occurring. I could not use my phone in my home for a week.  I asked for a price adjustment, was told it would be only a few dollars, and said I wanted it anyway.

Within the past 12 months, I had another such problem, but it was resolved much more quickly. 

Every time I call customer service at Sprint, I am thanked for being a long time customer, but those thanks are not reflected in my bill. Sprint needs to figure it out.  If they really value me as a long term customer, they need to find a way to reward me for that.  That might include giving me a deal on an upgrade, as if I were transferring in from another cell phone service provider.

Meltdown!

Well, the morning started foggy and cold again, but by late morning, the melting had started in Lubbock.  That is the thing about snow and ice in Lubbock:  when it melts, it usually melts with a vengeance:  everything warms up, and the snow melts, there is no place for the water to go, so we have some minor street flooding.  Ice melts and comes crashing down from lights, branches, roofs, and what have you, sometimes causing more damage with the crash than with the weight of the snow and ice. 

Usually, it does not all melt in one day, and refreezes overnight, with the possibility it will continue to disappear.  We may get some snow tomorrow, but now we have wonderful sunshine.

That is one of the things that amazes me about the weather in West Texas.  The other thing is how quickly things dry out after a rain, even a heavy rain.  Usually, but the next day, all traces of rain are gone, except maybe, debris.

Winter Weather, Again?

I knew we were scheduled to have winter weather again today.  I was hoping the forecast was wrong.  It started cold and grey again, and by mid-day or a little later, it was raining.  The rain started freezing late in the day.  We were allowed to leave work early again, as the driving conditions were deteriorating.

But, scraping off the car was not as difficult as it was Tuesday, and walking, you could feel the slush versus ice, but there were plenty of icy patches.

As I drove home, I drove through sleet, rain, snow flakes and rain.  The temperature actually went up a degree by the time I got home, according to the sensor on my car.

But, it must be a real weather event.  Lubbock was mentioned twice on the NBC nightly news cast in reference to the winter storm, which is very wide spread!

Snowbound?

Well, not really.  And not in sense of the poem by Snowbound by John Greenleaf Whittier http://www.theotherpages.org/poems/whitt02.html.  I never have read the whole poem but it is about a family that is truly snowbound, and how they pass the time.

My snowbound status started with the freezing drizzle Tuesday afternoon, that sent me (and my coworkers) home from work a little early, on emergency leave. 

Overnight, the freezing drizzle and ice coating was covered with snow. Although I had plenty of plans for December 31, 2014, nothing was essential, and it seemed to me that staying home was wiser than chancing risky driving and a possible accident.

I had thought that if the weather improved, I might go out for a while on New Year's Day.  Well, it has stayed freezing cold with freezing drizzle at times during the day, so it made no sense to me to take a purely pleasure excursion.  I do see some traffic out and about, but I have no idea why the people traveling are doing so.  Nor does it matter much to me. Only that I hope their travels are safe. 

I had stocked up with what I wanted and needed for the holiday, so I have no reason to have to be out.  I really try not to do last minute shopping.  I do not want to face crowds or the possibility of something else happening. 

I have entertained myself with reading, watching TV, computering, visiting with the cats and what have you.  

But I am getting a touch of cabin fever.  If walking did not aggravate my sciatica and back pain, I would go for a walk.  I am okay.

I anticipate going to work on Friday. It may be that the starting time is delayed, if the weather does not improve, and so far, it does not appear it will do so.  And, on the way home from work, I can take care of the few errands that need tending to.

Being snowbound in this day and age does not isolate someone from the world.   There is too much access as long as the electric power endures.