So I was calling Ameritech to disconnect one of our extraneous phone lines at DIG-INTO. I came across the following annoyances:

• To verify that I could make changes on this account, they just asked "are you authorized to make changes on this account?" No security whatsoever. It's one thing if they recognized me (almost impossible, judging the size of Ameritech), but no they just simply asked me and I said yes. It probably helped that I was calling from the main phone line.
• I was persuaded to keep my line, since I might use it for a computer later on down the road. The Customer Service Representative (CSR) went on to tout the benefits cited in her CSR handbook of having a secondary phone line. I flatly told her that I am not worried about a measily $31 reconnection fee if I decide to reinstate my old phone line and that most people in this house have a mobile phone.
• The CSR sees that I have Caller ID... how perceptive. This person isn't the least bit interested in saving me money, so I'd appreciated it if the CSR would not snoop around my account and try to get me into Ameritech's new money saving program. She told me I'd be paying a little more per month, but the first month is free. So I asked, do I have to call to cancel this service? She said I would. So I said I wouldn't want this service... I wouldn't remember to call to cancel it.
• Sales pitch over? Heavens no! Am I interested in buying a cordless phone? Excuse me I think not. Since when does phone provider get in the business of selling phones? If I wanted a phone I would get one from the local electronics store.

I'm surprised the CSR didn't bother selling me Girl Scout cookies. At least that I'd consider paying for. I for one, love my cell phone. $30 a month for 120 minutes, which is extortion on AT&Ts part, but it is a much better value than anything Ameritech could ever give me.

That is one thing to AT&Ts credit. I hope I don't jinx them by saying this, but at least they don't try to push things on me that I do not want. The CSRs they have have been much nicer to me, and occasionally 1-800-IMAGINE will have a few down to earth people.

I get to see Styx and REO Speedwagon (the latter is formerly a local Champaign band) tomorrow night... I am psyched.

I had a great time visiting family in India. I wish I could have stayed longer than a week. Amsterdam was fun. It was good to see Dan, who I haven't seen in a while, and Katie (surprise)! I think this trip is going to make a profound impact on what I end up doing in life...

This break wasn't my best of breaks. I didn't get the gifts I wanted for the end of year gift exchange extravaganza. I didn't do to much.

However, a good friend of mine said this, "You have an interesting life." Reflecting on that makes me feel better. No, I don't feel like my life is that interesting. If it were, I could tell great stories about my life. I'm not a good storyteller. But at least one person said that my life was interesting. Maybe it's because I do things.

I for the first time will be travelling solo to another country. That in itself, I have no problem with. What makes it an adventure is that I am going to India. I know a smidge of Hindi and I'm winging it by myself for the first time. Undeveloped country... should be a blast. So I am excited. This is my little adventure. I'm taking rolls of film, and hopefully they will show up on this web site:)

Hope everyone else is having fun.

I haven't written for a while... I have stuff to write, just never get around to typing it. Anyhow...

I've been reading through the news and I just wonder if any of the conflict would be resolved if people just put a little thought into their actions. Count to ten before you act in anger. Counting calms the mind. You then start to think about what you do before it gets done.

If I had a gun, and didn't act with caution people would be falling left and right. I'm trying to cross the road, if you are in a car and don't slow down for me, I might just shoot you. This is my biggest annoyance, and it is the only time I would ever want a gun. Of course, if I did have a gun, I wouldn't use it so recklessly. I would count to ten before I acted in anger. A clear mind prevents many a mistake.

In all honesty, guns should be banned. You bring a gun into a situation, and the fun is over. There is no reversal of fortune, unless either I myself am armed or you are clumsy. I don't think guns deter crime. I think they are a tool of sacrilege. They allow people to feel like they are God (or as close to God as they can get) and alter a persons life in a far too abrupt manor.

Peace be upon you.

The following is my brother's post:

The end is not near. It is here. Really, with an economic upheaval that is really based on a lot of things that are somewhat artificial.

Yesterday's exorbitant wealth is slowing down for a lot of people. Internet frenzy, earning expectations are slowing and dropping because artificaily, too many things were too high.

Materially, the world has been taking it on the chin for some time now. The Europeans and the Pacific rim countries have nowhere near the opulance of our latest wealth.

This slow-down will invariably be frightening..but why? Oh no, buying cars that do not come with leather, or sport utes that used to be decadence ala labotamy. Think of this upcomming leanness as an opportunity for the rest of America to get along as most college kids do regularly..with a little suffering. A little cost-consciesness.

I for one will take a beating financially, I know I will make much less money next year than my last two years. Hey, I need the discipline.

Dave will be going to India for a few days at the beginning of next year and be reminded once again how good we have it in the US. God has chosen to make us quite fortunate really. Our concerns are nowhere near the gravity of others in far off worlds, or even next door in our own home-towns.

In America, we can actually suffer and have two cars two tvs and two vcrs! Is this a great country or what?

I just had a great day. I like to cook so I cooked today. It was cold, so I went to only one of my four classes today. I like people so I had people over for dinner.

Yeah, it's all good...

Sorry for being such a Gore-supporter, but screw Nader for ... yes, stealing votes from Gore. Actually screw all of you who voted for Nader without knowing if your state was divided between Bush or Gore.

The margin is so damn small, I pray for a recount.

I suspect Bush might be president, so I may be abroad for the next four years as much as possible. Good night.

update: according to adam there is a recount... more to come, gore is winning

Since Dan my Franco-immersed friend would be jealous...

Al Franken came to our school to talk to us. He is funny. He is a commedian with a lot of political insight.