Peter’s Soapbox

Hundred Pushups: Week 2, Day 1

Ouch. Week two started today, with sets of 14, 14, 10, 10, and 15 pushups. The last one was a killer, and for the first time, my shoulder hurt right from the get-go, but I did them. I grunted and groaned, but I did ‘em! Hah! Take that, old self!

More Love for Fair Point

Today I decided that, since we never use it, it was time to ditch our toll-free phone number. Why should I continue to pay $30/mo for something we never use? So I called Fair Point and after re-reading the account number twice was able to get the account canceled “on one end.” However, I was told I needed to call another number to finish up the cancelation.

First question: why do I have to call two numbers?

So I called the second number and, when it asked what number I was calling about I keyed it in. Of course, there was no record of the 800# in their system.

After being on hold for 16:55 minutes, and repeated “Thank you for holding. Someone will be right with you,” messages, I finally got through to someone. I was very careful not to give out my main phone number, for fear of them disconnecting that instead.

Conclusion: Fair Point is overworked/whelmed by the northern New England Verizon acquisition.

Social Engineering Win, Hotel Security FAIL

This weekend I checked out of the hotel I stayed at in Boston. Thinking I wasn’t going back to my room, I left my keys and other miscellaneous (non-personally-identifiable) paperwork in the room. Among said paperwork were a few complimentary drink coupons, which I realized I could use for coffee at breakfast. Continue reading Social Engineering Win, Hotel Security FAIL…

100 Pushups Week 1 Complete, 200 Situps FAIL

Given my serious lower back pain (like, don’t expect to get into or out of a car without going “Ow! What the hell!?”), I’ve temporarily given up on the idea of doing 200 situps in the next six weeks. Fortunately, however, I can do pushups without the slightest bit of pain in the affected area, so I carried on with Week 1, Day 3 yesterday, banging out sets of 11, 15, 9, 9, and 14.5 pushups. Yes, 14.5. I kinda collapsed halfway up the last one.

Tomorrow I start Week 2!

The Journeys of Socrates

This week I finished reading Dan Millman’s The Journeys of Socrates: An Adventure. I decide to read it after seeing the movie Peaceful Warrior with my friend Kent last fall. Continue reading The Journeys of Socrates…