Malik
(11/3/08)
Very first Seahawks drive of the game was one play. It was a play
that would either set the standard for the day or serve to be a
fluke. On a short pass, Seneca Wallace landed the ball in Koren
Robinson's hands, and Robinson ran with it. Knowing Seahawks as of
2008, if this was to be the only play of the drive, it would be a
fumble. Well, Koren Robinson ran the ball in for the longest
Seahawks play in the team's history. The previous long play was in
the upper 80-something yard range, and was also from Robinson (back
in his first stint with the Seahawks...way back in 2002). 90 yards
later, the score was Seattle 7, Eagles 0. Unfortunately, the game
had another 55 minutes to go. That was the end of the Seahawks
offense, and the defense followed after the first quarter ended.
In the end, the offense and defense just seemed to quit before the
game even began. There were some good attempts at plays, but neither
the QB or receivers could seem to find each other. Worst of all, the
offensive line looked like a really sad joke. The TV commentary team
would say that the Seattle O-line must be good to have prevented any
sacks (until the fourth quarter), but that wasn't the case. The only
thing that kept sacks from piling on Wallace was Wallace's speed and
some clumsy attempts to throw away the ball (usually with a risky
and fruitless flip). The main problem, for the entire game, was that
Wallace was always rushed. A good deal of this falls on the O-line
not doing a good job of blocking and defending their leader. Of
course, some of this falls on Philly having one damned powerful
blitz oriented defense. If you must assign blame, it mainly falls on
the O-line, but the other defense was damned good at the same time.
Luckily, it wasn't Hasselbeck out there, or he would have been
destroyed.
Now the Seahawks, along with the 49ers and Rams, are 3 games behind
with half the season done. This means that the NFC West is still
open, but it's not looking good. Miami (next weeks opponent) is
going to be riding high off of a victory. Arizona is doing great
(Warner is still a great QB after all these years). There is not
much hope except for some crazy injury plagued teams facing the
effect of their own fragile ways. At least Seattle knows how to play
with a second or third string player. That
doesn't seem quite as true for Dallas and New England (both teams to
be faced later in the season). This whole season just feels like a
crap shoot of injuries and how any given team will deal with their
glass position players.
Once again, for the second time this season, I had to turn off the
game before the clock expired. Sigh...
Malik |
Malik
(11/3/08)
I'm back for a second run today for one reason. Recently I've
heard that
Comcast
has a team that searches the web for complaints about their
lackluster service. This team, supposedly, spends time looking
over web searches for complaints and works to sort them out when the
online complaint is not so anonymous that the plaintiff cannot be
found. Well, here comes my complaint. Think of this as
my challenge to
Comcast.
Prove to me that you give a shit. In fact, at the bottom of
this post you will find my contact info...my personal info...I am
going to shed my online persona for one single post in a challenge
to
Comcast
(something never before done by myself). The gauntlet is being
thrown down.
An open letter to
Comcast;
About a month ago,
a contracted salesman of
Comcast contacted
me with a deal. He was wanting to upgrade our service at a
tiny (~$2) savings. We'd go from a Silver Package (digital
cable with HBO and broadband internet) to the Triple Play Premier
Package. When he arrived at my home to go over the details in
person, he was about 5 hours late. Great first impression.
So, he promised us this package, the modem (phone+internet) our
current DVR cable box and two additional HD cable boxes for one low
set price (at least for 12 months). He even went on to say
that if we wanted to keep that price longer, we should just threaten
to leave Comcast
for a different provider to get our offer extended. Sounded
like a good deal...
A technician came
out a week later...well, first one technician came who was too
stupid to understand what a doorbell is. In the modern era, a
magical button that signals your arrival should not be
so...err...magical. We even have, in our home, two doorbells.
So, if you miss one, there's a second in your face. So, after
the first technician didn't ring the bell (either one), he left.
A while later, another tech arrived and was surprised to see me at
home. He came in and started to prepare for the upgrade when
he noticed something; we have a house alarm. He couldn't
proceed, despite the alarm not being attached to any
Comcast
related product (it has a cell responder and is attached to my
personal cell phone via T-mobile). So, I waited for another
appointment...to be set for more than a week after the first
appointment.
The second
appointment came and we got our phone/internet modem installed.
As the tech prepared to leave, I asked a simple question; what about
our two HD cable TV boxes? His answer; what boxes? He
couldn't change the order that we was there to fulfill and said I'd
need to contact Comcast
to find out what was up. At this point, I had wasted a lot of
my time for only an addition of phone service (which I don't even
want...I'm a cell phone person and my home is a landline-free zone).
In fact, I left work early, twice, much to the annoyance of my boss
(don't worry, I did at least get approval beforehand...my boss was
just in a grumpy mood recently). In all, I had wasted
over a dozen hours of my time on
Comcast.
So, I proceeded to play tag team on this by handing off this problem
to my wife. Afterall, when a company screws me around this
much, I need a break before things are said that I may regret.
My wife called and
was told that we needed a redemption code for this offer.
Well, no code could be found in the original salesperson's
quote/offer sheet. We then were told that the offer never
existed anyway, but another one was present that offered our package
with only one HD box. We didn't like this and gave
Comcast
a chance to correct this problem. Well, after more than two
weeks of phone tag, the call was finally connected for us this
evening. What did we learn?
We learned it was
actually no HD boxes. Only the DVR box we already had an the
most freaking ghetto piece of shit standard box we already have (and
have had for about 4 years...and it was outdated when we got it
originally). So, first of all, we told the
Comcast
phone serviceman (who, I might add, was quite helpful despite this
situation being very backwards) we were downgrading our service
immediately to the Triple Play Preferred Plus Package
for a $30 savings. Then we learn that that price is not
real and it's actually a $20 savings (bait and switch, anyone?)...at
least for our area. This is in spite of me entering my zip
code and address to find the prices.
Then we learn that
something else we ordered at the save time (a standard definition
DVR box for our roommate...at an additional cost because it
definitely is not part of the package), that should have also been
delivered long ago, would require us to drive into Federal Way to
pick up. Federal Way, during
Comcast
business hours, is not a fun drive. Let's just say rush hour
hits the commute from my home in SeaTac to Federal Way extra hard
each day. Plus, that would cost us gas. So, I made a
simply demand which should not be too hard to fulfill after all the
bullshit we have been put through; come out when I am free from
3-5PM on a weekday. We can get appointments from 2-6, but I am
not home at 2 and dinner time is around 6 (cooking must, therefore,
start around 5 or 5:30). If
Comcast
can welch on their appointments, why can't I demand a more suitable
appointment? In the end, we were basically told, "no dice".
So, after being with
Comcast since
they first came to Seattle (around 2003) and being with AT&T
Broadband before that (who
Comcast
bought to come to Seattle) for another year or so, and after many
flaky service appointments and failed communication from
Comcast,
I am not allowed a single concession from them.
First of all, my
largest complaint is this; this type of business of offering one
price and package then not delivering is called fraud. It's
more commonly classified more as a "bait and switch" scam as they
changed our package without changing our price to reflect the loss
of goods and/or services. This is illegal, unethical, and just
plain dirty. This is also why, upon getting some time to
myself, I will plan to file complaints with the big three; Better
Business Bureau, FCC, and the Washington State Attorney General's
office. Why? Because this is exactly why these groups
exist; fraudulent activity by major corporations.
Secondly, I want
to see this original salesman fired. He is not helping
Comcast's
already poor reputation by adding fraud to the complaint of shitty
service and shittier customer support. Have I ever mentioned I
was actually told, about a year ago, when I complained of a DVR
issue, that I could quit my
Comcast
service at any time? Yes, this was by one of the 1-800-COMCAST
phone service people. Great customer support there!
So, I'll now ask
Comcast
(in case this web scouting team really does exist) what I asked
their phone support person an hour ago; why should I bother staying
with Comcast?
In fact, here's a second question I also asked; what will happen to
this original lying sack of shit salesperson who deceived my wife
and I and wasted our quite precious time? I was told he has a
discipline hearing scheduled for Wednesday, but that the process is
confidential. I want to know if this type of shithead is
allowed to continue doing what is actually an illegal action
(deception and fraud to propagate a "bait and switch" operation).
By the way, I do have his name ready if
Comcast
contacts me...for all of you non-Comcast people, if you need a heads
up; avoid Comcast
salespeople with the name "Brady" who operate with a Salt Lake City,
Utah, area code cell phone/number if you want to be safe (sorry to
any Brady named people, with Utah ties, out there who work for
Comcast
but are actually not lying sacks of crap).
So, to throw down
the gauntlet with total authority, here is the real me;
Kevin L. Nelson
S 211th St.
SeaTac, Washington
kevin.lee.nelson@gmail.com
I expect some
answers, if Comcast
has the nerve to face me. I don't want any crap about how
nothing can be done. I just got done with four weeks of that
type of crap. I want something real. Might I add, I do
plan to follow up on this on this site until either I get a response
or until I feel that
Comcast is
completely full of shit and not even worth the effort to complain
about (like a certain Florida based former-lawyer who got disbarred
this year).
Malik
P.S. I would
include more contact info, but this should be plenty for
Comcast's
team and there are some sleaze bags on the net (even worse than
Comcast)
that would easily capitalize. It's bad enough that my email is
now going to be spam filled. Also, this is not the email
attached to my cable account...that would be my wife's email, but
she's not the one throwing down the challenge. |
Malik
(11/4/08)
On one hand, I
wanted to say I'm now done with Fable 2. Well, I'm done with my
current play through and will probably not pick it up again until
either a long time passes or until a Lost Chapters style DLC comes
along. I have no more quests (except the ones that don't vanish,
like donating to the temple of light) and have bought everything
(except one house in Bloodstone). I am done. I do have about 21
silver keys to find, but demon doors and gargoyles are all done. I
am done.
I am done.
So, I'm back into
playing mainly Rock Band 2 and maybe some real guitar. I may break
down and get Fallout 3, but I'm not 100% on that decision...yet.
As for my second
post yesterday...I feel like explaining a little. Comcast has been a
thorn in my side for more than five years. It all started when they
acquired AT&T Broadband (the previous cable conglomerate in
Seattle). Unless I live in a few small isolated pockets, they are
the only cable option...a monopoly that the government actually
doesn't stop. This means I have to bend to their will...against my
better judgment. At least if I want TV that's not antenna only or a
two year service agreement with Dish or Direct. In fact, if not for
the two year contract, I would have gone with Direct TV by now (Dish
has some nice options, but screwy as hell set-top boxes).
This isn't the
first time Comcast screwed me over. I've even complained enough that
their support staff once told me "you can quit anytime you want. If
you want to quit, then just quit now". Yes, I am vocal when I'm not
being treated ethically. However, Comcast never flat-out lied to me
about my prices before or my service. Exaggerate? Yes. Lie? No.
Also, I figure
that I am not some damned special snowflake. That means that if
something involves me, it probably also involves someone else. In
this case, a door to door salesperson for Comcast (this "Brady")
sold me on a lie of a package. In my neighborhood, I am surrounded
by very old residents. These tend to be primary targets for scams.
Therefore, I must assume that the elderly are also targeted in this
scam of a fraud. While I don't always see eye to eye with elderly
people (especially about entertainment and politics), I must respect
anyone who has lived long enough to have seen so much that I can
only know of from history texts or videos. That is, these are people
who deserve some respect, at least until they prove me,
individually, otherwise.
So, I sure as hell
don't want to see this scam cause any financial issues, especially
in such a bad economic environment as we now have, for anyone,
especially elderly individuals.
For a breakdown of
this;
I started with the
Silver package. That's digital cable TV with HBO and broadband
internet.
Brady offered, for
a small price change (~$2), Triple Play Premier. That's all the same
channels as before, plus some more sports and non-premium channels,
as well as all the non-PPV premium channels. This also included one
DVR box and two HD standard boxes. It's also phone and internet.
Two weeks later we
were promised the Premier package, but with only the DVR and a
single HD standard box.
Last night we were
told the final real deal was the Premier package with one DVR and
one standard definition standard box.
In the end, we
lost a box (HD) and got a downgrade on a box (HD down to standard
def)...and the price never changed. That's fraud and close to (maybe
even is) Bait-And-Switch tactics. That's illegal. There's no two
ways about it.
So, I ended up
with two things I will do or have done. First, I present this on a
Google searchable site with my contact info. Comcast is supposedly
searching for this stuff online and trying to solve problems in the
name of fixing their bad reputation. Secondly, I am complaining to
larger entities. This will include the BBB and FCC (governing body
for the communications industry, which includes Comcast). For now,
it is only the Washington State Attorney General that I've
contacted. Complaint filed and done. So, let's just see where this
goes from here (with either Comcast or the Washington State AGO).
Sadly, I'm sick
and I am seeing plans that seem to have my local government putting
a giant fence around my house (literally, all the way around with no
gate) due to what is probably a goof on some plans for a really
messed up transportation project that never materialized. It's a
long story and it involves houses near mine being demolished several
years ago, but the government now thinks I live on nonexistent
lot...like Petoria on Family Guy. I'm also working on my
resume...so, all of this shit raining down at once is really leaving
me disorientated (that's the fever from being sick) and without
enough time to get anything fully accomplished in a timely manner. I
just need a vacation from the real world, I think.
Oh...and since
it's trendy to say even though everyone damn wells knows this
already; Vote.
Malik |
Malik
(11/5/08)
Politics is a
funny game. Funny because sometimes it's a crapshoot and sometimes
it's obvious what the best decision is...but in the end the
difficulty of a decision is not important as much as what level of
mud slinging or lying is involved. It's like a classic grifting
operation. If you talk too much crap, then it'll bite you in the
ass, but too little will do the same. You must make yourself look
good, but in doing so you need sneaky ways to make yourself look
better by comparison to the opponent via dirty ads and promises that
cannot ever be fulfilled.
Anyway, some
things turned out good last night, but a lot of things turned out
poorly as fools either got into office or their foolish concepts
become real with a passing of a resolution, initiative, or
proposition.
While I am happy
about the good results, they will not overshadow some of the bad. In
particular, the region I live in (greater Seattle area) got somewhat
hosed. I don't mean this from an ideological standpoint of
republicans versus democrats or conservatives versus liberals. I
honestly hate these tags for people and beliefs when it should be
more about the actual issues. However, when it comes down to
something concrete, like transportation, it shouldn't be as much
about anything more than reality (reality and ideology don't belong
in the same breath).
I'll just end by
saying that I'm going to get slammed by taxes during a horrible
economical time. These taxes are poorly planned out and will lead to
some darker days. While the supporters of a certain issue in my
region would say it will save me money in the long run, my largest
complaint with the results yesterday will not save me money at any
time. I'll spend and spend on taxes, while the results are a couple
decades out and will be outdated before they ever become reality.
However, it will make some people feel like they did a good thing
for the environment and for transit...even though it won't...and it
will hurt all people in my county (as well as two neighboring
counties) with higher taxes while people are fighting to pay their
mortgages and to find jobs.
Ok...I'm depressed
about a few local results, so I'll just say this, on the note of
Rock Band 2; the PUSA songs are great. My only real complaint is
that Ladybug is not the best choice they could have gone with and
it's definitely harder on expert guitar than the other two PUSA
songs (which as a lot of fun to play), despite being two dots lower
than the hardest PUSA song from yesterday. I really cannot even see
the reason for the challenge being so poorly represented. Still,
it's a fun pack.
Also, it looks
like, last I checked, the 20 free DLC song is probably delayed until
Friday, as of the last time I looked. Doesn't matter much to me
since I'll only get it if individual tracks can be removed, which I
find doubtful.
Last thing for
today, no word from my rivals (Comcast) yet. Still waiting...
Malik |
Malik
(11/6/08)
I don't have all
that much to discuss. Primarily, it's because I'm too sick to think
straight. If it wasn't for having my day job and it being a chaotic
time right now, I wouldn't even be posting. However, since I must
get up and do real work, I'll also keep up with posting.
I've decided my
next goal is too get some achievements on Rock Band 2. First off,
I'm going for the one that requires playing in every venue. Last
night I took the time to clear each venue in a city of at least one
set (more than one for any city that wouldn't unlock a later venue
without more stars in said city). I'm now down to the home stretch.
However, that's where it gets hard since some later cities offer
nothing but hell on expert guitar (like Singapore and Moscow). No
matter, I will still try to finish this on expert if
possible...although I see some hard guitar having to come in for the
last few venues.
After that, I'll
be on to the next goal of finishing the challenges to unlock some
band or album challenges and get the achievements for them. It'll
take some time, but unless I fully decide to get Fallout 3, then I
have nothing more pressing in the geek area to fulfill.
There was
an early announcement this week for next weeks Rock Band DLC.
Thankfully, we're looking at the Foo Fighters album (Colour and the
Shape) that was first mentioned back in August. It'll run $2 per
track or $20 for all twelve songs (the thirteenth song Everlong
already being on RB2). Not a bad deal for one of the best albums of
the 1990's (if not one of the best rock albums of all time).
Now, back to me
being too sick to think straight.
Malik |
Malik
(11/7/08)
Not much to post
today since I'm pretty much out of it (recovering from sickness and
a dull day at work of data crunching kills my thinking abilities).
However, I will say one thing to end this week how I started it...
Comcast sucks shit.
Seriously. I (you can see, if you check the links) am not
just bitching about how they pulled a classic bait-n-switch
operation on my household with promised services that were never
delivered upon (and hence I got a lower package for the same price,
until I dropped my package intentionally due to not putting up with
their shit).
If you are too
lazy to check the links, I'll summarize it. Basically, if you're
waiting for the 20 Free DLC code for RB2 and you haven't gotten it,
you should ask a question; do I use a Comcast email address? If so,
then you will want to follow the links and see how Comcast decided
that free DLC codes is the same as spam. Nice one there. You will
also want to follow the links to see how you can get Harmonix to
solve Comcast's problem.
Also, to conclude
this week of Comcast hatred (well, it's one week now, but it's also
been a thing that's been more or less happening for about five or so
years), I'll just add that Comcast has not contacted me about any of
my complaints. Sadly, with election season wrapping down, I'll have
another three weeks before the attorney general office for
Washington will step up (busy time of year for them). Oh well...f#@$
Comcast.
Malik |
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