Rant on jasoncrowther.com

Nice to See Windows Never Changes

Sun, 21 Jun 2026 08:39:39 -0700

So, I haven’t been a regular Windows user in 2 decades. My son told me his laptop was ill. He was playing Minecraft and had a hard crash. After recovering from the crash he noticed his bluetooth headphones wouldn’t connect.

Young Drivers, Sigh

Fri, 02 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Dropping daughter off at high school this morning…

On road up to school, SUV speeds past me and does a daring needle thread maneuver to change lanes between me and another car; only to stop at a red light 10 seconds later.

Front Office

Mon, 20 May 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Hi, I’ve got a sick kid that needs an appointment today.

Ok, what’s the problem?

Low grade fever off and on, some vomiting, another person in our house had sore throat last week.

Did I Ever Tell You I Love Being on Hold?

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

So, I just noticed that I added a doctor appointment to my calendar with a date, but no time. Ok, let me just call the office and get that time.

Modern Customer Support

Thu, 08 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0000

So, I’ve got a broken fridge. Made arrangements for a service call. Arrival window came and went, nobody showed up or contacted me. Here’s the follow up:

me: uh, I had a service call scheduled for yesterday. technician was no show, no contact.

Scheduling

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Background: 2 kids have dental appointments back to back. Need cancel second appointment due to scheduling conflict.

Call 1:

Me: Hey, I need to cancel my kids dental appointment.
Them: ok, when do you want to reschedule?
Me: anytime after is fine.
Them: we’re booked out past valentines day currently. I can put you on call for cancellations over school break if you like.
Me: Sounds great!

Sigh

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000

them: estimated wait time 2 minutes.
<10 minutes later>
them: you want a callback?
me: yep
them: an agent will call you back when available
<20 minutes later>
them: ring ring, this is your requested a callback, press 1 to acknowledge.
them: great, you’re #2 in the queue. we’ll talk to you shortly.
<15 minutes later>
them: hi… how can I help you?

MacOS, sigh...

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Shot my foot off messing around with sshfs and a VM on my antsle nano. I somehow managed to get a mount hosed and the only way to recover is reboot my host mac (mount -f and diskutil are no help, they just hang…) This is not a new problem, but I know how to fix it. Oh, well, if I gotta reboot, might as well get that pending MacOs security update.

My Favorite Kind of Friction

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Got my renewal notice from AAA in the mail recently. Decided that we really don’t need the service any more. We haven’t had a service call in over 5 years and we don’t save enough money from their discounts to recover the $100 yearly charge.

On Medical Scheduling...

Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Have a kid that needs some imaging. PA put in order and said if imaging department doesn’t call back, here’s the number to call. Ok, cool… except the front office took the checkout sheet that had the number (and some other notes) when we checked out. Grumble.

Um, apple what's up?

Sat, 21 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0000

The wife has been on me to fix a problem on her computer for a while now. She’s barraged by near constant prompts to enter a password for the dozens of processes that need access to the Local Items keychain. Somehow, on her computer the password for that keychain got changed (it starts off the same as your login password, and you really have to go out of your way to change that) and we don’t know it.

Eff'n Insurance

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000

So, its been on my list to switch over from the rental insurance that my apartment complex recommended (kickback, cough cough), to our preferred insurance provider. You know the one that rhymes with ‘fate harm’.

Ok, Walmart...

Sat, 07 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0000

You really have to get Site-To-Store pick up figured out.

On Thursday, I bought a budget Android tablet on-line. They happened to have it in stock at the location right down the street from me. So, I pulled the trigger. I got an email a few minutes later saying that it’ll take up to 4 hours for the item to be ready to pick up.

I Done Broke It

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Yeah, its humidifier season again.

Last night, I went to fill up the tank on one of our humidifiers last night. I tried to unscrew the filler cap and broke the handle off the bottom of the tank, sending the third full tank crashing into my foot. After a few choice words, I surveyed that while the handle was gone the rest of the tank was OK.

Car buying is annoying.

Mon, 30 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Recently, the lease on my trusty Passat ran out. I tried hard to get another VW, but it didn’t pan out. There’s no 2011 Passat (new for 2012), couldn’t get to the payment I wanted on a Jetta Sportwagen, and I wasn’t very excited by the new Jetta sedan (not up to snuff if you’re a previous VW owner.) I was pretty surprised that they didn’t try to fight a little harder for a long time v-dub fan. Oh well, too bad.

Cell Phone Hell

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Helpful, hint of the day… don’t break your cell phone in the middle of your contract period if you don’t have insurance. Last week, I left my Palm Centro on the kitchen counter, where I’ve been parking my phone pretty much forever. A short while later, I heard a crash, and the characteristic scurrying sound of a cat running for cover.

The Joys of Home Ownership

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Part 1 - Garage Door Opener

Finally finished up the garage door opener project. My buddy Cha graciously gave up a good chuck of his last Saturday morning rewriting the garage to add a new outlet to the ceiling. This Saturday, the garage door guy showed up. He quickly surveyed the situation and said everything was a go, but I’d need the extra $60 add on for some bracing for the flimsy aluminum door.

Flying Cats?

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Well, nearly. Friday morning, I thought I heard a crash around 3:45 am. Its a pretty common occurrence with our 2 kitties. At 4:40 the alarm went off as usual and after shaking out some cobwebs, I heard the distinctive sound of cat having way too much with a toy. I figured they’d snuck one of their toys out of the lower level and were gleefully smacking it around on the hardwood floor in the living room.

IM Spam of the Day

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Nothing I enjoy more than nonsense spam text. Good see that its spread to the IM world. Here’s today’s giggle inducer:

PersonalTrout: Listen, this is going to sound very weird, but how in the world does one remove an angry spider monkey from one’s…sensitive areas?

Vonage account cancellation, ugh.

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Finally pulled the plug on my Vonage line. We’re getting by just fine with the cell phones these days. The only folks that call the old number are telemarketers. Man, the cancellation process was almost comical in the lengths that the account manager will go to get you keep the line.

Gotta get off Sprint...

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0000

So, I’ve been trying to log into my sprint customer account for a few days to update my billing address after my recent change of address. So, I fire up my password key ring and dig out my login credentials. I copy and paste them over and click the login button. Sorry, bad username or password. Ah, ok. Lemme make sure I copy and pasted that right (still absent mindly swap control for command on the Mac every now and again.) Ok, that looks right. Sorry, bad username or password.

I Just Wanna Watch TV (part 33)

Sun, 11 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Tuesday, I hit up my local Best Buy on the way home from work. I headed over to the service counter and talked with a rep. I explained the situation. She disappeared for a bit to talk to a manager and promptly returned. She asked if I had selected a replacement TV yet. I said no, because no one had told me that how much the extended warranty was going to comp against the cost of the originally. I was pleasantly surprised when she said they were giving me the full cost of the original tube.

I Just Wanna Watch TV (part 32)

Sat, 03 Feb 2007 00:00:00 +0000

Hmm, been a few more weeks. Time for another update!

Last time, the TV guy came over tried to install the part he thought was causing the problem. After a bunch of screwing around under the hood, it seemed to work ok, but died right as he was leaving. He said he was gonna report the TV as not feasible for repair and that his office would be back in touch in 5 business days.

Dealer Courtesy Calls

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

So, Monday morning, the check engine light in my car was still lit up. Figured rather than blow something up, I’d better go get it checked out again. I left them my car for the day. About 4 o’clock, I gave them a ring, as I hadn’t heard anything from them all day. They said they’d fixed my broken latch and check engine light was a sensor they forget to reset after doing that oil change last week. Other than screwing up my work day, everything was back to normal.

Everything is Broken...

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0000

With the TV still being a problem, now my car is giving me fits. In the background, I hear the Long John Hunter song Everything’s Broken playing over and over again.

I Just Wanna Watch TV (part 30)

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Ok, just about 2 months after starting the process, someone finally came out to look at my TV yesterday. The United Radio tech called me in the morning as arranged, ask me a few questions about the TV, and said he’d be out between 11 and 1.

I Just Wanna Watch TV (part 29)

Tue, 28 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

My mom always said, “Patience is a virtue.” If that’s the case I’m way too virtuous, I guess.

I haven’t bothered giving updates for a while, because the situation wasn’t changing. I’d check in with the local repair center, they’d say that they still hadn’t gotten the right authorization. Then I’d check in with Best Buy and give them the whole sad story again, and they’d assure me that everything would be right in 24 hours.

I Just Wanna Watch TV (part 28)

Fri, 17 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Quick update. So much for we’ll get that authorization right out. I called the local repair place yesterday afternoon and they hadn’t gotten anything new from Best Buy. Crud.

The person said that they had been in contact to with N.E.W. to work out a few other cases during the day and they would try to work out my case too. I thanked them and told them that I’d be keeping my fingers crossed.

I Just Wanna Watch TV (part 27)

Thu, 16 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Week 5 began with me checking in my local repair shop. I first asked if they per chance had heard anything from Best Buy. Of course, they hadn’t. So, I asked them to describe exactly what they need so I could try to beat it out Best Buy. They said they need an authorization of $350 from N.E.W. before they can move on. I thanked them for their time and said I’d try to get things rolling.

I Just Wanna Watch TV (part 26)

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Ok, this is getting ridiculous. I’ve been waiting for Best Buy to provide the proper authorization for United Radio to make an appointment to come out and look at my tv. After another week with no movement, I waded in again to try figure out what the hold up is.

I Just Wanna Watch TV (part 25)

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Yesterday, I called my local repair shop, United Radio, per my instructions from Best Buy. Of course, they hadn’t gotten anything from Best Buy on the matter yet. Nothing seems to surprise me any more. I thanked them for there time and said I’ll go haggle Best Buy some more.

I Just Wanna Watch TV (part 24)

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

As you’ve probably guessed by now, nobody called me back after that last check in. So, I figured it was time to try to talk to someone in person. Last night, I checked in with my local Best Buy (the actual location where I purchased the TV.)

I Just Wanna Watch TV (part 23)

Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Last time I talked to Best Buy Service, they said some one will call me back in 5-7 business days. I wasn’t all that surprised that after 7 days elapsing, that I still didn’t hear anything from them.

I Just Wanna Watch TV (part 22)

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0000

This time its not Time Warner, I promise…

Recently my Sony TV (32" HD) cashed itself in. When you hit the power button, all you get is a blinking red light. What does the manual say about this condition? If when you power on the TV, have no picture, and the status light blinks red… (wait for it…) your TV may need service. Nice to know Sony manuals are written by Captain Obvious.

Bit Torrent and Road Runner

Sat, 02 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Recently, I noticed that my Time Warner Road Runner connection hangs whenever I use Bit Torrent. Its perfectly fine for a hours, then everything hangs. Lights on the modem and router blink away but no progress on downloads and everything else (web, mail, etc) stops working. I can usually get things back in order by shutting down Bit Torrent, power cycling my modem, Vonage box, and router.

Freaking Scumbags!

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Had pair of emails from Dreamhost telling me that they turned off my email sending capability because I exceeded their throttle of 200 emails in an hour. Hmm, that’s strange. I don’t send any email via my hosting account.

Tom Petty: The Highway Companions Club

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 00:00:00 +0000

Tom Petty is doing a fan club type thing called The Highway Companions Club. Sounds very similar to Dave Matthews Band’s Warehouse. Supposedly gets you better seats, but no guarantees; probably extra true since they’re teamed up directly with TicketBastard for a promotion. I think I’ll keep that $30, thank you very much.

I just wanna watch TV... Part II

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 00:00:00 +0000

So in the last installment, I was left with a HD cable converter, and a charge to keep calling Time Warner Cable to inquire if they had any HD DVR boxes available.

I just wanna watch TV...

Wed, 16 Feb 2005 00:00:00 +0000

Last week, Sandy and I were watching a DVR’d show. Suddenly, the playback started to skip (kinda like a scratched DVD), and then we hear the awful sounds of hard drive preparing to eat itself. But then, it went away and all was right in the world again.

Driving Me Nuts!

Thu, 07 Oct 2004 00:00:00 +0000

I use the old bcc: myself trick by habit on all outgoing messages (as I prefer to file my outgoing messages with incoming messages for filing purposes). yahoomail for some reason thinks I’m a spammer and puts messages to myself into the bulk email (aka spam) folder. lovely.

photostamps? bah!

Tue, 21 Sep 2004 00:00:00 +0000

grrr.

I was expecting some cool photostamps for my wedding thank-you’s in the mail today. When they didn’t arrive I decided to check my order status. Hmm, Order Cancelled, Uploaded Content Rejected!