I hate AT&T. Hate them. Hate them, hate them!! I think they pay their reps on how much false information they can pass out and how many times they can shirk their duties onto the local phone company.

Not being one to let an arguement go unsupported, here is a prime example:

Me: "Company Name, this is Catherine striving to provide you with excellent service: (gag)

Customer: Hi AT&T is my long distance provider and they are sending me 2 bills. I called them to see about getting them consoladated into one bill and they told me to call you.

Me: (thinking many many not so nice words about F-ing AT&T). Hmmm. Let's make sure I'm understanding your situation correctly. You have 2 bills. Both from AT&T right?

Customer: Right

Me: And they referred you, to us.

Customer: Right. I didn't think it sounded quite right, but here I am.

Me: I see. Give me a moment please to let me choose my words carefully. Okay. Although we here at (company name) are able to do some things on behalf of AT&T, we can not access their billing system to make changes. Unfortunately I have to refer you back to them for this change. I'm guessing it was a misunderstanding on the initial reps part and maybe with some more detail and clarification they will be able to assist you.

Customer: (laughs) You said that well. I didn't think that seemed right.

Me: You have no idea....( (%T#)(#$^#$)@#*$*@&T$)#%*^#)$P()%( I hate AT&T!!!!) Is there anything else I can help you with today?

Customer: No thank you.

Me: Well, thank you for choosing (company name). Would you say I've provided you with very satisfying service today? (double gag)

This is a rant that will NEVER end. I hate AT&T!!!!!! I will not give them my telephone service if they were the last carrier on earth.

It's all about TV. I feel too many people watch waaaay to much TV. Whenever I call someone, TV is on. Whenever I go to peoples houses TV is on. When people come over to my house, TV needs to be on. Hello? People? There is much to do outside of TV. What happened to the good old days where when we gathered we talked, or played games....you know brain power vs vegging? *sigh*

Then there are those who just put it on and then walk away and do something else. Oh now that bugs me even more. If you want background noise put the radio on or something. At least the radio is made for listening if you are even doing that. I went over to someone's house one time and they had 2 TV's going on different channels and they were outside cleaning the garage out. GRRRRR.

So. End Rant

I'm gonna rant on my family this time. So if you are family, don't read this, or get over it.

It is the running joke of the family that I can't cook. Which, was, a joke. I've been right there joking with them. My family are culinary snobs. Especially my brother and sister -in -law. Rightfully so though. They are super talented in the kitchen. My brother doesn't follow recipes, he makes his own and they are damn good. My mom just plain likes to cook and entertain and Shannon is a delicious baker. They all spend the majority of their time at home. I don't. Cooking happens to be a hobby of sorts with them and since they all enjoy it, most of the families together time is in the kitchen. Which doesn't include me. So. I get dishes. Which is more than fair as far as I'm concerned.

However, when the meal extends past 9 o'clock, and I have a baby, and work to get to the next day, it makes doing dishes difficult. They "tease" me that I'm deliberately getting out of doing dishes. Ever know when teasing isn't really teasing? That's what it feels like. Like they think I'm shirking my duties. Well, that's not the way I am. I like to contribute to the family just as much as they do, but I'm severly limitted. How do I help that? I dunno.

What ticks me off and yes, even hurts my feelings is that they are "joking" around more and more and extending the joke to anything that is domestic. They are right. I am not a domestic type like they all are. I don't keep an emaculate house. I don't cook, because when I get home at the end of my 8 hour day at the office, I'm tired. I've had a long day. Can I cook? I can follow a recipe just like anyone else. So if I choose to do some grand meal, I could. I may not have the lingo down pat like they do, and I may have to ask a question or two, but I'm not stupid. I truly wish I could keep a better house. I wish I like to cook so I can feed my family good meals.

So it's the 3 of them against me. Let's talk people. Can they identify personality types and handle them accordingly? Can they get things done when other people can't seem to get through? Do they allow themselves to be pushed around when they need answers? Can they handle irrate people? So, they are right. When it comes to domestic things, I'm not the woman they think I should be. When it comes to the business world, I excell. So sue me.

-End Rant

I have to say that I love blogging. I really love the fact that I've connected with a blog in Vietnam and Malaysia. On this note though it also makes me re-evaluate us Americans and how much we take for granted. It's going to be our undoing. We expectpeople in the other countries to learn our language. Too many people have the attitude that we are the world leader so everyone else should bow to us.

Very wrong.

If this sort of attitude continues, I promise it will be our undoing. History tells us that no one stays on top forever. Our education system compared to a lot of other countries is very poor. Math, science, geography, very low scores. Heck, I had to double check myself just to see where Malaysia is! (I was right on that, but off on the Phillipines). For a country of such opportunity, we are on our way to blowing it.

Have you ever looked at a picture that's got a bunch of little stuff, but if you look at this picture the "right way" you'll see another 3-D picture stand out? I believe they are called magic pictures or something like that. Well, for the record, I hate them. I think everyone who sees that stuff is on drugs or are trying to pull a fast one over unsuspecting people. Then the other people go along with it because they are giving in to peer pressure. Yep. Never have seen the hidden picture. Don't think I ever will. Last night in class I can't tell you how many times I tried. I can even tell you the technical stuff now about how they work. I can tell someone who can't see the picture how to do it so they can.....but can I do it??? NOOOOOOOO.

so. dont tell me to try again.
I've tried
and tried
and tried.
For years, I have tried. Even knowing the tricks now, I have tried. One girl in my class says that in her sensation & perception class the instructor said there are some people who can't do it physically. My cognitive psy instructor said he's never heard of that. I can't do it. I side with the other teacher then. (like that philosophy?)

-End rant

I should mention this idea of a rant page is taken from one of my instructors. I like it. We all know I'm prone to be long winded so this gives you all a choice to read it or not.

Anyway-so I'm back in school and I'm sure my postings are going to reflect it for a while. Todays rant is how rude people can be. I hate it when the instructor is lecturing and all of a sudden, there is this noise. What is the noise you ask? It's everyone packing up to go! First of all, it is rude to whomever is speaking. It is like saying, you're not important and neither is what you are saying. Second, it is rude to those of us who are interested in what's being said.

When I am a teacher, if my students do that- I think I'm going to give those who still have their notebooks out a test question and answer. Serves the others right. Although I'm not so stupid as to believe that they won't share with their friends. *sigh*

-End rant

My first rant didn't post due to technical difficulties.

So my actual first rant is the rants not posting!