Migrating!

The decision is made, I'm headed to Wordpress.

Come join us at the Intellectual Thicket, version 2.0.

Hmmm

I think this blog has reached a crossroads ...

Do I go on?
Do I move it to wordpress?
Do I start posting crazed diatribes about the usage of relief pitchers?

Who knows.

Comcast, I thought we had a breakthrough ...

So, after all that drama over my chat with "Lotta", the online Live Chat Comcast Rep., I got an email from the company's customer service rescue team. Long story short, they said they would downgrade my cable without any fees or such for "installation" or "change of service fee" or whatever. All they had to do is find a day/time for a service person to come to my apartment - for unknown reasons? - to finish things up. My guess was so they could collect my digital cable box. That was last week. Since then I have not heard a peep from Comcast about when I might expect this downgrade to actually occur, and honestly, after emailing to remind them that they said they would get back to me and getting no response, I am just fed up. When I get a free moment, I'll pop the cable box in my car and drive down to the local office and get rid of Comcast cable once and for all. Comcast, you had your chance and you blew it. Back to thinking that Comcast and its customer service does indeed suck.

PHL!

Oddly enough, Philadelphia International Airport does not suck. I know, I know, it might suck when you're stuck in it for hours, but its customer service, at least from me was great. How so?

Well, after going through security, I had to walk down two gates to find a place to sit to put my shoes back on (OK, that was a demerit for PHL). Afterwards, being the idiot that I am, I left my camera bag with my new, $600 Nikon D40 DSLR with the accompanying zoom lens behind. I didn't realize I had been parted with the camera until my flight to Houston was boarding, so I rushed around trying to find it. Finally, I called the PHL Lost & Found and luckily for me, they had found my lost camera bag! At first, they asked when I'd be back in Philly (uh, never?) and then asked if I had time to go to the communications center (on the other side of security ... sorry, no), but neither of those options worked. So, much to my surprise, they offered to mail it to me in California.

Now, I wasn't holding my breath that it would (a) arrive and (b) in one piece. However, about a week after leaving the camera behind, it arrived in Davis, packed neatly in a box with bubblewrap and all. So, huzzah on PHL and its Lost & Found department. You are a gem in a field of abysmal Customer Service!

The man for the country

Huzzah for Senator Obama!

On to the White House, says I!

Why Comcast is terrible ...

I tried to downgrade my cable from Digital Cable to Limited Basic on Comcast tonight. Let me tell you, Comcast is terrible.


Here is the transcript. Note the bolded passages, where, among other things, they wanted to charge me a $25 installation fee TO CHANGE MY PLAN. Insanity, my friends, insanity.

>>>
Erik(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:24:02 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I would like to change my plan to Limited Basic

Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:49:28 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Hello Erik_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Lotta.24942. Please give me one moment to review your information.

Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:49:31 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I will be glad to assist you today.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:49:50 GMT-0700 (PDT))>May I ask why do you want to changer your cable plan to Limited Basic, Erik?


Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:50:24 GMT-0700 (PDT))> It is too expensive for what it is worth. We don't need it anymore.

Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:50:33 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I see.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:50:47 GMT-0700 (PDT))> May I have your account number please? So I can better assist you.


Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:51:20 GMT-0700 (PDT))> XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:51:19 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Thank you for that information.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:51:23 GMT-0700 (PDT))> How are you today?


Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:52:03 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I'm doing well, thank you.


Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:52:07 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Great to hear that you are doing well.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:52:08 GMT-0700 (PDT))> You are welcome.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:52:09 GMT-0700 (PDT))> For identification, could you please verify the last 4 digits of the Social Security Number listed on the account?

Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:52:30 GMT-0700 (PDT))> XXX

Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:52:35 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Thank you for that information.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:52:41 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I am now going to process your order.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:52:45 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Please hold.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:54:37 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Thank you for waiting.


Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:54:55 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Your new monthly rate would be $11.70 before taxes and fees.


Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:55:20 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Alright


Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:55:10 GMT-0700 (PDT))> There is also a one time installation fee of $25.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:55:15 GMT-0700 (PDT))>Okay.


Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:55:47 GMT-0700 (PDT))> There is a fee to change my plan?
Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:56:24 GMT-0700 (PDT))>We already have the cable installed here? Why is there another installation fee?


Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:56:15 GMT-0700 (PDT))> What do you mean?


Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:56:55 GMT-0700 (PDT))> We have digital cable and we're trying to change the plan to limited basic
Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:57:06 GMT-0700 (PDT))> why would i have to pay another installation fee?


Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:57:49 GMT-0700 (PDT))> It is because your Basic Cable is wired and has a different way of installing it.


Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 19:59:08 GMT-0700 (PDT))> That doesn't even make sense ... so if I change to non-digital cable I get charged for a new installation?


Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 22:59:38 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I understand where you are coming from but yes, there is an installation fee.


Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:00:02 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Listen, if that is the case, then just cancel our service
Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:00:10 GMT-0700 (PDT))> This is rather ridiculous


Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:00:10 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I am sorry to hear that, Erik.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:00:27 GMT-0700 (PDT))> If you want to cancel your service, you can contact your local office for the cancellation.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:00:38 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Do you know the contact details of your local office?


Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:00:49 GMT-0700 (PDT))> So I can;t cancel it here?

Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:00:59 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Your local office is the only authorize to cancel services.


Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:01:17 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Wow.

Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:01:22 GMT-0700 (PDT))> If you want I can just give you a promo of our Digital Cable package.

Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:01:34 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Yes, I know where it is ... and I will gladly cancel this service ... this is ridiculous
Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:01:41 GMT-0700 (PDT))> No thanks, this is insane


Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:01:37 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Alright then.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:01:38 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Is there anything else I can help you with?


Erik_(Tue Jun 03 2008 20:02:02 GMT-0700 (PDT))> No, thanks.


Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:26 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Okay.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:27 GMT-0700 (PDT))> You are welcome.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:29 GMT-0700 (PDT))> It is my pleasure to assist you today.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:30 GMT-0700 (PDT))> I will appreciate your feedback about the service you experienced with me today. It is our priority to provide you the best customer service. Kindly answer the survey at the end of this chat so we will know how we can improve our service.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:31 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Thank you for contacting Comcast! We appreciate your business!
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:32 GMT-0700 (PDT))> If you need assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us through Live Chat or E-Mail (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Comcast also offers excellent FAQ and Help forums located at www.comcast.com to help you reach a resolution independently.
Lotta.24942(Tue Jun 03 2008 23:02:33 GMT-0700 (PDT))> Have a great evening!

New (and not so new) Reviews ...

I haven't updated much in the way of new reviews lately, so here they are!

Born Ruffians - Red, Yellow & Blue
Why? - Alopecia
The Long Blondes - "Couples"
Common Market - Black Patch War
Clinic - Do It!

And sure, here is my iPod Top 10
1. Death to Los Campesinos! - Los Campesinos!
2. Throw It On Me - Timbaland & the Hives
3. Sophia - the Toothaches
4. The Gymnast, High Above the Ground - Colin Meloy
5. Trouble Is - Common Market
6. Einfach Sein - Die Fantastischen Vier
7. Threads - Portishead
8. Under Pressure - Xiu Xiu
9. Shopping Bag - Clinic
10. Holle - K.I.Z.

Coolest ... thing ... ever!

Quite the snapshot!

No threepeat for the Beavs

The NCAA announced the bracket for the college baseball tournament today. 64 teams get to play on, but 2006-07 Champions Oregon State Beavers are not one of them.

However, my current home of UC Davis did make the tournament and will face off against the Stanford Cardinal. Go Aggies!

Dusty Baker, the Village Idiot

These sorts of things make me mad.

Dusty Baker on Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez - a nice, young arm that Dusty would love to ruin:

Volquez pitched winter ball and there are questions about him running out of gas. Baker couldn't disagree more. "Bob Quinn (former Yankees, Reds and Giants GM) told me once that pitchers usually rust out before they wear out. Latins guys who I've seen play winter ball rarely have arm problems — Julian Tavarez, Luis Tiant played winter ball somewhere every year, Diego Segui. Japanese pitchers throw more."

Volquez is currently 7-1 with a 1.33 ERA and 1.27 WHIP, and 62K and 30BB to go with 54.3 IP.
His pitch count for the season so far:
95, 75, 112, 105, 104, 100, 118, 110, 111
The 118 pitch game was one where the Reds were sporting a 9-0 lead ... and Dusty still let Edinson pitch on.

This has got me a little frightened.

Lesterific!

Off to the east coast for a few days (but not Boston)...

However, congrats to Jon Lester for his no hitter!

Portishead, Cylons and more music

For those of you who missed it, I love the new Portishead album.
If you want to know why, check out my review on TIG, especially if you like Cylons.

Portishead - Third

And here's a new iPod top 10
1. Under Pressure by Xiu Xiu
2. Death to Los Campesinos! by Los Campesinos!
3. Threads by Portishead
4. Rubicon by the Blistering Suns
5. Avantcore by Busdriver
6. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa by Vampire Weekend
7. These are the Daves I Know by Bruce McCullough
8. The Gymnast, High Above the Ground by Colin Meloy
9. Shake a Fist by Hot Chip
10. Allure by Jay-Z & Notorious B.I.G.

New reviews ...

Some new TIG reviews:

Tapes 'n Tapes: Walk It Off
Colin Meloy: Colin Meloy Sings Live
Monotonix: Body Language
Foals: Antidotes
Billy Bragg: Mr. Love & Justice

Barry Zito

I'm going on record to say Barry Zito (SF Giants) will lose 20 games in 2008. Why?

Well, for one, he isn't the pitcher that won the Cy Young 5 years ago. Secondly, the Giants are terrible. Thirdly, he's their #1 starter and durable, so he'll make most if not all of his starts.

Now, I don't have the time right now to check, but how many Cy Young winners have also lost 20 games in a single season? Good question...

Reviews Reviews and Reviews ... sort of ...

Busy week with traveling and labwork and such.

TIG has posted a bunch of new review ... actually they're part of a chopped up pile of reviews, thus their relative shortness.
Except the first one, which is the normal, overly wordy length:

Los Campesinos! - Hold On Now, Youngster (excellent!)
Ghostland Observatory - Robotique Majestique (trainwreck!)
Club 8 - The Boy Who Wouldn't Stop Dreaming
Dylan Mondegreen - While I Walk You Home
Mini People in Coney Island - Nara Dreamland
Rafter - Sex Death Cassette
Wire - Read & Burn 03

Here is my current iPod Top 10:
1 Under Pressure - Xiu Xiu
2 Rubicon - The Blistering Suns
3 Avantcore - Busdriver
4 Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend
5 Shake a Fist - Hot Chip
6 Allure - Jay-Z & Notorious B.I.G.
7 Aspidistra - Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
8 Death to Los Campesinos - Los Campesinos!
9 Snake Mistakes - Dan Deacon
10 Machine Gun - Portishead

Oh yes, and this weekend is the first Red Sox-Yankees series of the year. What fun!

It's Opening Day at Fenway

The Red Sox get their 2007 World Series Champion rings today.



And if that is not cool enough, the Sox are exorcising their demons for good by having none other than Bill Buckner throw out the first pitch. Its good to see him agree to do it and I'm sure he'll get a very warm welcome at Fenway.

Charlton Heston 1924-2008

Charlton Heston died today at the age of 84.

Heston might be one of the greatest science fiction actors of all time, starring in Planet of the Apes(as Taylor, left), Soylent Green and The Omega Man, the trifecta of classic sci-fi from the '70s. He was also politically active - and contrary to Michael Moore's portrayal, on both sides of the political spectrum. Yes, he was the president of the National Rifle Association, but he was also an active crusader for civil rights. He was one of the last of the "Golden Age" actors of Hollywood yesteryear.

Very few actors could talk to themselves and act barechested like Charlton.

Charlton with Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte on the Lincoln Memorial. (right)

More Opening Day Baseball...

A few thoughts after watching Atlanta-Washington on Opening Day #2:

- Why are they playing "Sweet Caroline" in the 8th at Nationals Park? Are the Nats trying to grab some of that Red Sox mojo?
- And you wonder why it is referred to as the "Red Sox Nation".

Remember folks, the "Red Sox Nation" doesn't refer to fans not from New England who have jumped on the bandwagon. It does not refer to the Red Sox being "America's Team". It refers to all the expatriate New Englanders all over the U.S. who support the team. So there.
- Jon Rauch came into the game in the 9th to get the save for the Nationals ... even with Chad Cordero warming. What's the deal? Is Cordero hurt? Uh oh.
- It's fun to watch players figure out how the ball plays in a new park. Kearns played one poorly in the 9th and McCann got tagged out at 2nd earlier in the game thinking a single was a double.

ESPN "Experts" Picks: An Analysis

So, the team over at ESPN has made their picks for the 2008 MLB Season. Nothing too shocking in the results, but I thought I'd compile their picks and look at the results. Here it is for your amusement.

Playoff Probably/Division Win/Wild Card (in %; out of 19 analysts)
Chicago Cubs - 100/89/11
Boston Red Sox - 95/73/22
Detroit Tigers - 79/53/28
Cleveland Indians - 79/47/33
New York Mets - 68/47/21
Los Angeles Angels - 58/53/5
Atlanta Braves - 53/37/16
Arizona Diamondbacks - 53/42/11
Seattle Mariners - 47/47/0
Los Angeles Dodgers - 42/37/5
New York Yankees - 37/27/11
Philadelphia Phillies - 32/11/21
Milwaukee Brewers - 26/11/16
Colorado Rockies - 11/11/0
San Diego Padres - 11/11/0

*Note: There is 1 less AL Wild Card pick because Pedro Gomez picked the AL Wild Card to be the Cubs and the NL Wild Card to be the Mets. He also picked the Brewers to win the AL Centrals and the Tigers to win the NL Central. He's on the ball.

World Series Winners (%, out of 19)
Detroit Tigers - 32
Cleveland Indians - 16
Atlanta Braves - 11
Boston Red Sox - 11
Chicago Cubs - 11
New York Mets - 11
Los Angeles Dodgers - 5
Los Angeles Angels - 5


So it seems that ESPN likes the Detroit Tigers to win it all this year, and they are a worthy pick. Their bullpen is a little iffy, but bullpens are bullpens - they are hard to predict. The Cubs might be a mortal lock on the NL Central. The AL West looks like a battle between the Angels and the Mariners (and the Angels starters look shaky right now). The Red Sox look in good shape in the AL East while the NL East could be up for grabs between the Braves (who did better on this than I expected) and the Mets. Disappointments? Nary a mention of Cincinnati or Toronto and only 2 appearances by last year's postseason darlings, the Rockies. Sorry folks!

New Reviews and Top 10

A couple of new TIG reviews and a top 10 for the weekend.

Remember, baseball starts (again) Sunday with Atlanta vs. Washington (in DC's shiny new ballpark!)

Kate Nash - Made of Bricks
Jack Penate - Matinee

Current iPod Top 10
1. Under Pressure - Xiu Xiu
2. Rubicon - the Blistering Suns
3. Avantcore - Busdriver
4. Shake a Fist - Hot Chip
5. Allure - Jay-Z and Notorious B.I.G.
6. Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa - Vampire Weekend
7. Aspidistra - Scotland Yard Gospel Choir
8. Snake Mistakes - Dan Deacon
9. Gardenia - Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks
10. Down Boy - Yeah Yeah Yeahs