Tech Support the Old Fashioned way.

One of life's true joys in trying to make sense to an offshore Tech Support technician. In call centers around the world, banks of semi-literate folks consult countless computer monitors programed with FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) answers to which are readily available on the web. These brain dead robotic drones are trained in the art of feigning expertise in the hope of deflecting countless frustrated callers begging for help with what is known in the industry as "ID10T" problems.  Here's a little video that put's it all in perspective:

A Disturbance in the Farce

I'm discovering an interesting thing about blogging, it takes a certain amount of psychic energy to feel the need to share your thoughts. Either the recognition of an uplifting sight or event, which makes for a saccharine syrupy post, or the more usual adrenaline rush which comes from some disturbance of your serenity. I read a couple of Blogs regularly and am amazed at the fictitious issues and the level of discontent that the writers must conjure up in order to create entries. I know that conflict sells soup and controversy is the life-blood media, but gee, maintaining that level of pissed-off-edness is just enervating. 

I'm sure that if the wannabe anarchists, who have usurped the Occupy label, try to close the Golden Gate Bridge, or create some other adolescent chaos tomorrow I'll be re-energized. But today, life is serene and I aim to keep it that way. 

San Francisco Geopolitical Map.

At last, a graphic representation of the Bay Area.

Now you can pick your residence in concordance with your personal obsessions. Rational thinking no longer needs be part of the process.

Immigration Tango, 'er Tangle

Some things are more complex than they seem.

Sustainability: Unclear On The Concept

I was at my favorite auto repair shop which will remain nameless to protect their anonymity.  At the counter was a tennis clad trophy bride. 

 

The conversation went like this:  Yuppie: I'm thinking about buying a Prius, the Mercedes S550, Lexus SUV and the CLK 550 Convertible are all gas guzzlers. After she left I chuckled and asked; "Two Mercedes' and a Lexus and she's worried about gas?" The service manager said; "Don't forget they also have a Jaguar." A lesson in social responsibility if I ever had one.

"Homeland Insecurity" 2

Here's what the former head of the TSA has to say about the agency today, courtesy of MSNBC: We're doing it all wrong!  

The interesting thing is that even though he acknowledges the system sucks, the solution is more staff and more money. Did I hear you say "rabbit hole"?

46:33 on Hold

Just spent over 46 minutes on hold with the DMV till they disconnected the call. Best part was listening to the most infuriating, badly edited music loop I've ever heard, interrupted only by the reassurance that my call was important and would be answered by the next incompetent robot they could scrounge up from the unemployment office. Would have been faster to go to an office, but the 411 I need can only be accessed by phone. It is now an hour later and still no call back. Have to go take my Blood Pressure Meds. BULLSHIT! 

Addendum: In all fairness, actually, the young lady who called back after 90 Minutes was quite pleasant and competent. Gave me the final bit of information I needed in seconds. Two and a half hours of wait time for 30 seconds of data. Oh, well.

 

"Homeland" Insecurity

We've all been through the indignity, disrespect and petty demagoguery of the fiction called "Homeland Security". That Bush era, post 911, make work, fear enducing program, designed to infuriate even the most passive among us. Just as with some of the WWII, citizen participatory programs designed to remind us of our patriotic duty, the TSA is a reminder that we must all genuflect to the "war on terrorism". Think about the economic impact of the TSA; hundreds of thousands for high-tech screening machines, R and D in scan and sniffer technology, thousand upon thousands of high paying low skill jobs and their secondary spin-offs, including the shark-fest of a carnivorous, paranoia inducing media. Now, with real unemployment near 15% the Pres' doesn't dare bank down this minimal job creating program even though it's a screaming fraud. Really, you say? Well consider this; one well placed charge can derail a hundred car railroad train in an instant. When's the last time your id was checked, your baggage screened or your asshole probed when traveling by rail? Oh, I guess "terrorists" don't know about trains. See the cigar and brandy bloated congressmen all in a row? Toot, Toot!

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Pay Attention

Fair Warning!

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I do remember some things about the '70s. At least I think I do. Remnants of Golden Gate Avenue. The BASS Poster is a one-off that someone either in Seltzer or Bill's office made to commemorate the partnership. Bill's Marketing Manager, my friend Zohn Artman gave it to me for some reason or other. I don't know where I got the Kelly/Mouse Dead Poster but, I know I didn't spend New Years 1973 at Winterland.
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I found it. Particularly appropriate while listening to my second least favorite personality on my most favorite radio station. 
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I'm usually an early adapter, number 122,122 on Linked-in, one of the first on Gmail, #239 with a Fastrak, so why did I wait so long to start a Blog. I guess I'm getting old and didn't think the Blogosphere was anything but a cosmic muffin. Having spent a life in Media I should have harkened back to the posts on the sign-posts that defined our early mass communications. So, now with ego in full blossom, here's my blog and who gives a damn?

The hypocrital rant.

Many years ago a genius curmudgeon loudspeaker designer named Paul Klipsch handed out little yellow lapel buttons emblazoned with the one word; Bullshit!. Paul was referring to fact that most loudspeaker designs were marketing driven and derived from a zero gravity environment in contravention of the basic laws of physics.  If Paul were alive today he would might well be commenting on lack of integrity, the deterioration of honest discourse and respect for the laws of human interaction in the media. From the the 24 hour cable "news" stations to the blogosphere to the politics at the heart of our nation, the agenda seems to be which errant adolescent can pitch the biggest, loudest and most self serving tantrum. Our culture seems to be driven by a form of attention deficit disorder; "If I don't get enough attention, I get disordered". Even as I write this I am aware of the need to be aggressive and controversial to capture your attention and shamelessly gather readers for this blog.  BULLSHIT! Now, where did I stash that little yellow button now that I need it again?