My Front Yard

Sometimes we forget just how good we have things.

I was sitting at the desk this morning, when Abigail jumps down from the window - something scared her... I saw a shadow move, and this is what it was.

A Momma and a baby!!!!

Of course, I had to run and find the camera. This was taken from my office window, but how KEWL.... I didnt see them stop to eat my flowers, so I am still blaming that on the bunnies!

Banking

With all the changes in the banks recently – I experienced a frustrating display of customer service…..

I really liked Washington Mutual. They were friendly, they had branches all over the country, the online bill pay was exceptional… All good.

Well as you know, they were bought out by…..da da dahhhhhh


I don’t know where they come up with their customer service, or their policy and procedures. All I know is that I dislike them immensely!!!!

Being offshore, I do all my banking online – I hardly EVER write a check. I live by my debit card and try never to carry cash. Not to mention when you have a son with some addition issues – you don’t have cash for long…..

What happened was:

I was at work, and my boy had his car impounded – for good reason:
No drivers license (a piece of plastic doesn’t mean he cant drive)
No insurance (see above)
Previous tickets for the before mentioned items….
Oh and lets not forget – the license plates and vin numbers on the vehicle do not match.

I was going to Western Union some money to him, to help him out of his predicament. But to do Western Union online they apparently pull your credit report and ask you questions. Stuff that I am sure you should know off the top of your head like:


You opened a credit card in 1998, what was the amount of the first billing statement?

If you don’t answer all these questions correctly, they deny the transfer. Ok, I can understand that. I am sure that Western Union has experienced all sorts of fraud – and I was not set up in their system.
Ok, no problem. I will have him figure out how he is going to receive money.

What I didn’t know was that this tags my debit card that I was trying to use. They shut my card OFF….

I come home, and try to use my debit card to get out of the parking lot. No go…. This had been a problem a couple weeks before hand.
I came home from Vegas and my card would not work – I also called Chase at that time, they said there was nothing wrong with my card. I was the parking peoples transmittal machine. At that time, I told them well it is YOUR problem, since this is how I get out of the parking lot! I let it go, and thought it was the same issue.
Like I said, I never write checks, but do carry them – thank goodness, since I have written more with the banking change than I have in the last two years.

The next morning I go to the grocery store – my debit card will not work…. They take a check, but the system shows the account is invalid. They take my check anyway and let me write it for $20 over. Need diesel – light is on!!!!
As I walk out – I am on the phone with Chase.
I initially speak to some dude with a heavy Eastern Indian accent – play hell trying to understand him.
After about 15 mins and repeating the debit card number, checking account number and my social security number. He says “you have no account, you have nice day” whoaaaaaa buddy, wait a min!!!!! Yes I do have an account, and you are sitting on all my money – you will find it….He finally finds my account after making the statement “you Washington Mutual customer” – “you take down this number”… NO – I PAY FOR GROCERIES, what number are you taking about? I called the number on the back of the card – you fix the problem…..He then transfers me to the debit card division.
I have lost all patients and humor with this system by now. Still sitting in the parking lot at the grocery store.

Some lady gets on the phone. She says, we have a hold on your account for a fraud alert. She then asks me about a couple of bill pay items that I had sent out. I tell her yes, I did pay those – and my daughter has been on the phone with you in the last week – verifying the same information. She then asked about the Western Union deal. I told her yes I did try to do that, it didn’t work – no problem there. She then asked about a charge for almost $20 at a Valu-Max, hummmmm. I just came in the day before, was in New Orleans, and didn’t use my debit card at all…. I'm thinking, thinking….. She then states I Have Closed The Account….. wait a minute lady!!!! I just explained to you how I am off shore and when I come home, I have things to do – I am only here for the day and fly to Houston tomorrow for a week… what do you mean you just closed the account???? She responses with “There seems to be fraud, and my name is Toni!” Well Toni!, what the fuck is wrong with you??????? I have no cash, and need diesel, food, and cat litter!!!! She then says “go to a branch for a temporary debit card, or go to an ATM and call us and we will issue the debit card transaction” NO!!!!! I want you people to leave me alone! I want you to communicate issues and concerns and not just randomly cut me off from my money! I want Washington Mutual Customer Service!!!!! Where is the nearest branch from where I am at???? She response with, we have no branches on the West Coast and listed off like 10 states on the East Coast…..

I tell her, I know damn good and well you have branches here, I have been to them!!!!
Her reply… oh you were a Washington Mutual customer, yes we have branches near your location. Ok, are they open? It is Saturday morning? Don’t answer me – I know they are, go back to ruining the next persons day! And hung up!!!

I get to the nearest branch and walk in – oh, and of course, now I spill my coffee on my dirty yard work clothes. I had not showered, no make up, hair not combed – pulled up on my head, just flew in last night from New Orleans, after getting up at 0300 Oregon time. My plan was to go to the grocery store, pick up a few things to get the day started and gas for the lawn mower. Then shower, clean up and deal with the rest of the world. Not deal with BANKERS!!!!

The nice young lady is sitting at her desk, and looks up at me. My first statement was “I bet you use to work for Washington Mutual, and hate your life working for Chase?” She smiles and asks how to help me.

I tell her the entire story, and she goes and gets me a Temporary Debit Card – kewl, this is a blue piece of plastic. No visa logo, no name nothing… I asked her how merchants would react to me presenting them with a card like this to pay for my purchases? Oh,,,,, you can only use them at Chase ATM machines. How am I supposed to live this way???????

Things You Dont Say

It was crew change today.... which means - I am half way done!!!!

Lunch is always fun - catching up on what the guys did at home. I swear, one of these days I will sit down and put all the crazy stories down -

What I heard today was:

One of the supervisors was saying.... 'yep it was time to come back to work. I was watching my wife in the pool - and she was so graceful swimming and going back and forth in the pool like a dolphin. But I had just watched that new Blue World Animal Planet, and I said "baby, you look like one of the Beluga whales" - It was time to LEAVE'....

He realized that after he said it - it certainly taken for What he SAID not What he MEANT.... How do you get out of that one???? You don't. You just come to work....

Yes - You can deep fry it.....

The food here at work, is certainly a cultural experience..

I have never seen "fried" like they do Southern style.

At home, fried means you put it in a skillet and cook it. Here it means deep fried, submersed in 160 degree grease!

When we have "seafood day" (yuck!) every single item on the line is deep fried.... It all looks the same - small balls of deep fry.

They "fry" EVERYTHING..... I have to share what it was yesterday.

Corn on The Cob

Yep, "fried" corn on the cob. I had to ask what it was, and just shook my head.... Now why would you take something healthy - and deep fry it? Might explain why so many of the people have high blood pressure and weight problems? ya, think?

Dose of Reality

Landed at home around 9pm at night. Since Chase bought out Washington Mutual and I got my new debit card. I have had nothing but troubles!!! I have had my debit card denied. I called the online banking, they said there was nothing wrong with my card. I told them I was going to need to use it to get out of the parking lot at the airport. Oh no problem!!! Guess what??? Problem.. the automated machine kept declining the card, I had to back out - go to a "cashier" and it would not except the card. The cashier went into the main place and it was still declined... Great - how much blood does it take to get out of parking? The cashier suggest I write a check. a check??? who uses checks anymore? Good thing I had that with me!

Came home in time to go to court with my ex-renters. These were the ones that I had to evict - you know, the sheriff's office and the whole 9 yards. As soon as I had evicted them, and had numerous judgements against them, they file bankruptcy. This is like $6000, that they lived off me. I filed a claim against the bankruptcy to attempt to collect this amount. Rent is actually dischargable in bankruptcy court. I have a check she wrote me for $1350 on an account that had been closed for over six months.
So, we go before the judge - when I filed I put on the petition for uncollected rent. Not being versed in how to handle these matters, I did not know the errors I was making. I did not submit any additional documentation to the court other than my original filing of judgement claims.
Here is the catch-
In order for them to "consider" the claim there has to be fraud.
Steps that I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN, and now I know are:
Rental application should have been filed with additional paperwork, showing no previous evictions (found these in the courthouse in McMinnville), they had been previously evicted.
Copy of check written on the closed account.
Since I didnt know how to proceed and did not submit additional paperwork, I could only testify - the case was dismissed - so here it is for everyone who "googles" Corina Corona is a dead beat! I also find out, that if I continue with legal action on the bad check, they can sue me for violating bankruptcy protection. So much for the "Oregon Bad Check Law".

As always parking is an issue in the City. I do not fit in the parking garages, and have to drive around until I find a open spot on the street. I have gotten a ticket for Not Having My License Plate on the front of my truck, by the parking police before. I now put my plate in the front window every time I am in the City. So I take 20 mins finding a place to park. I come out of the court house with 2 parking tickets and a red WARNING posted on the truck. I now have a ticket for not having my license plate permanently attached to the front of my vehicle and being parked in a loading zone????? oh, and the warning is that they are going to site me again if my time expires and I havent fixed these things immediately. Not only do I get taken for $6000, but now I am paying the City $100 for the pleasure. As you all know - I have issues with parking tickets, be it here or in Houston..... I HATE THE PARKING POLICE!!!!

While I was down there I also went to the attorney office that is handling my refinance on my house. Since, apparently something is missing in the paperwork and now I have nasty letters (5 of them) and this morning I found where they had posted ON THE HOUSE a foreclosure notice. I went into the office and they are moving offices, but the guy who works for the attorneys does not know the address of the new offices, I asked him "how are you going to get to work?" He says - It's in China Town. Great and after talking with my mortgage holder and providing all the paperwork they are in need of, I am going to give it to Jake, who doesnt know where he works??? What a feeling of satisfaction that is....

Paris

Stayed the last 2 nights at Paris, in Vegas. Was so busy, that never even went up in the Eiffel tower. They did not publish the times for dinner - but you can tell from the previous post, it was a busy trip.

The hotel is beautiful.... The inside has cobble stone walkways, trendy little shops and cafe's.

The rooms were not to the same standard as the Venetian, and they were more expensive. They were only half the size. Did have a view of the Bellagio fountains from the window, but didnt see them much, too busy walking.

Something that had changed since I was there last, was the Treasure Island pirate show in front of that hotel. Back when I took my National Paramedic exam, it was the two ships battling out and one of the ships sinking. All pirate stuff.

Now, one of the ships is all show girls, and they sink the pirate ship with songs... Stupid! Took 2 days to catch the show, we were there for one of the shows and the wind came up and it was cancelled, so went back for the 1130 at night. Another disappointment.

Something new they added, is a clothing optional pool at the Mirage. As you know there is always a catch - women get in for free, men $40.....

Fleetwood Mac

The main reason I picked this time to visit Vegas was that Fleetwood Mac had a concert date. I have always been a big Stevie Nicks fan....

I guess this is a bit of a bucket list item. Stevie is now 62, and who knows if I will ever have this opportunity again????

Started the evening with attending the dinner show at Excalibur, Tournament of Kings.

A medieval presentation of jousting and story of King Arthur. This was fun - the food was good. You are not given any silverware, your soup is in a bowl that you can drink from, and you are given a small chicken and large cut potatoes. Food was good, the show was entertaining and very interactive.

When it was over, we had about 40 mins to get to the MGM and into the concert.

Had great seats. All the other shows that were seen, I purchased tickets before leaving for the trip, but did not find the tickets that I wanted online for this show, actually got them at the box office about 5 hours before the show - that day. I always like to get upper level off to the left side of the stage.

Lindsay Buckingham is phenomenal on the guitar. Stevie Nicks, well I almost cried when I heard her sing. She can still belt it out, but can hardly walk around on stage. Mick Fleetwood, way scarier looking than he was in his younger years. The only one that was not there, was Christie McVie - I am going to say it was a bad decision on her part NOT to be involved with this tour.

The only down fall was the people sitting a couple of seats down. The woman kept getting up and going and getting a beer for her, and a mixed drink for her man. The third time she pushed past - I made a comment that maybe they should just go watch the concert for the DAMN BAR!!!

There was three standing ovations and each time they came back out and did another great song. Stopped by the bathroom on the way out (since I wasnt going to miss any of the show), and of course the "older" generation was in there. The lady in front of me, looked like your typical mexican grandmother. She said that if there were many more of these reunion tours she was going to start packing depends!!!

It was a great trip!!!!!

Bette Midler

The next night - I went to see Bette Midler at Caesars Palace.... I saw her about 8 years ago when she came to town. She is the most incredible performer!! She is 63 yrs old and runs around on stage, and put on a 90 min show.

She did her Delores the fish skit, and she had this elaborate production for a "show girl" - it was well worth it.

What wasnt worth it - was

X - Burlesque...... that was at the Flamingo. Since your in Vegas, thought this would be the old show girl performance. Nope-it was basically a strip show, like any other stripper place but you paid $50 to get in. They did have a stand up comedian at intermission, who was really good. Personally I was ready to get up and leave when it started, but was with a group of people and thought would be rude for them.

So in summary - even though they have all this advertising for this show, it is NOT a typically Vegas showgirl thing, it is a over priced stripper show. And the girls, made you think "anyone can do this" choreography is something they are unaware of...

Phantom of the Opera

I stayed at the Venetian Resort for the first few days in Vegas. Absolutely beautiful!!! Great service, I had booked it with a package deal to see the Phantom of the Opera.

I have always wanted to see the Phantom, and the production there was awesome!!!! Everyone talks about the chandelier scene. Personally I thought when the Phantom was hanging out of the bottom of the chandelier over the crowd - was the best!!!

The other attraction they have at that resort is the gondola rides.

You can do the inside ride - or outside. This picture is actually of the inside, and that is what I did. It was pretty hot while I was there, and was ready for some air conditioning. The ceiling of the building is painted with clouds, and as you walk along it seems as the clouds are moving - pretty kewl stuff....

When I go back to Vegas, I will stay the entire time at the Venetian. The room had a sunken seating area, large bathroom with the toilet in its own separate "closet", a vanity... oh and the drapes worked off of a remote control.

Been Busy

Sorry this hasnt been updated - but I am going to get busy with it....

Work was hectic.

Came home for the weekend and got some things done on Jack McAllisters house.... we painted all the primer and paint. It is waiting for the contractor to come back and do the finish work. Still sending information to the insurance company - that is a process that is just as bad as I had envisioned. The thought of loosing an entire house is overwhelming. I think the one that I have learned from that is...Take pictures!!! Lots of pictures of all the stuff in your house. Me, of course - this is on my ToDo list for my next project.

Went to Las Vegas for 5 days - first "vacation" I have had since 9-11-2001 (easy date to remember).

I flew Southwest, which I DO NOT like.... but it was only a 2 hour flight to Vegas, so for the price I was willing to suck it up. One word of advise if you fly Southwest... Pay ATTENTION!!!

When I was leaving home - I knew the gate, but never saw any signs - I was wondering around looking at stuff. Saw them boarding, went over and asked where the flight was going - they said "Vegas"... Great, I was the last person to board.

Coming home.

Got through security - went to the gate. They were boarding for another flight. Waited - Waited - finally 10 mins before my flight was to leave, I went up and asked them if this was my flight. I was told, next flight to board. Ok, sat down. Still worried, went and checked the reader board - Oh My.... they changed gates. Second to the last person to board....

Phew..... made it home!!!