AT&T Redemption
Jun2
I previously wrote about my woes with AT&T. I’m happy to report that they’ve done the right thing!
After a horrible exchange with their email support team, I called and spoke with a woman who reassured me I was eligible for the regular upgrade. She informed me I’d have to visit an AT&T store though.. but that’s not a problem.
So tonight, after waiting 30+ minutes for an associate, I ordered my iPhone 3GS! It’ll be delivered in 7-14 days. 
Top Ten: Zac Maloy Songs
Jun1
Zac Maloy was the singer for the 90s band The Nixons and is now a solo artist, writer, and producer. Here’s a listing of my favorite ten songs Zac’s been involved in.
10. Get It On from Zac’s Saturday is Gone CD.
9. Starkiss from Zac’s Yellow EP.
8. Passion from The Nixons’ Halo and Foma CDs.
7. Used To from Zac’s Saturday is Gone CD and Daughtry’s self-titled CD. Both versions are great. Daughtry’s rendition adds a new bridge that he wrote, so they’re different.. but the same. 
6. Come Back To You from David Cook’s self-titled CD. An absolutely amazing song!
5. 3 Days from Zac’s Saturday is Gone CD.
4. Early Morning Phone Call from Zac’s Life CD. Zac’s first solo hit.. great tune.
3. Perfect Day from Zac’s Life CD.
2. Sister from The Nixons’ Halo and Foma CDs. When thinking about this list, I initially had this song first.
1. Secret from The Nixons’ Six EP. Not as well-known as Sister, Secret is an amazing ballad. I would love Zac to re-record this for a solo album or EP. Zac, if you’re reading — re-record Secret!
Top Ten: Friends Episodes
Jun0
Who doesn’t like Friends?! It’s probably my second favorite television show behind I Love Lucy. So without further adieu.. my top ten Friends episodes.
10. The One With The Rumor. Great episode guest starring Brad Pitt.
9. The One Where Eddie Won’t Go. Adam Goldberg’s last episode. The way Chandler gets rid of Eddie is great.
8. The One Where Ross Got High. The dialog aimed at Jack & Judy Geller towards the end is hilarious.
7. The One With The Flashback. Great episode even though it’s not consistent with other facts as we now know them.
6. The One That Could Have Been. Great ‘what if’ episode!
5. The One In Barbados. Aiesha Tyler brought a new dimension to the show, and this is my favorite episode during her guest starring role. The ping pong scenes are hilarious.
4. The One In Vegas. Love this episode! The images of Ross and Rachel getting married and Chandler and Monica almost getting married are classic.
3. The Last One. Great series finale. It left the viewers with a sense of closure with the six main characters all left in a good place. At the same time, I feel the finale also left room for a reunion.. movie anyone?
2. The One With The Embryos. This is the one where Chandler/Joey and Monica/Rachel bet their apartments and switch. So many classic quotes from this episode.
1. The One Where No One’s Ready. Friends at its best. The entire episode takes place in Monica & Rachel’s apartment.
AT&T.. Why Must You Upset Me So?
Jun3
I’ve been an AT&T customer for years. And by years, I mean 12+ years. I was an old AT&T Wireless customer back in high school and early college, and then Southwestern Bell/Cingular, and now AT&T again. I’ve not had any complaints with them.. until now.
Flash back to two summers ago. I’m attending TBA/TODA/TCDA with Director’s Choice. Upon my return home, Monica has a surprise for me — the newly-released Apple iPhone. Such a great wife, isn’t she?
So for those keeping track, that was July 2007 — a month after the iPhone was released. So at that time, my contract was renewed for another two years.
Summer 2008 arrives and we move to the DFW Metroplex. Just like most people would, we head to our local AT&T store (company store, not an authorized retailer) to have our phone numbers changed. Turns out, AT&T tells us it’s not as simple as changing phone numbers. Reason being — we’re changing markets. So we can either keep our old Lubbock numbers or set up a new account in the new market. We opt to set up a new account so that our phone numbers can be local. In the process, the we were on at the time was no longer offered, so we were forced to change plans.. and conveniently, the price was $10 more per month. Frustrated but without options, we proceed.
June 2009 — Apple announces the iPhone 3GS. I would love to get one, and Monica says I can.. remember, I have a GREAT wife. I log into our AT&T account online and discover I’m not eligible for an upgrade. I realize this is because AT&T is considering Summer 2008 as when our contract started!
So let me get this straight.. First, AT&T made us open the new account to only change our phone numbers. Secondly, AT&T forced us to change plans and give them $120 more per year because our plan was no longer available. And now thirdly, AT&T is screwing me over by not honoring when my original iPhone was purchased. Hell no.
I’m not complaining about AT&T requiring early upgrade fees. I fully understand subsidizing and the costs associated with that. I have absolutely no problem with that.
But in my situation, I should not be punished for what AT&T forced upon me simply because I wanted to change my phone number. I’ve heard horror stories and experiences from friends and coworkers concerning AT&T, and I always came to AT&T’s defense. After this though, I’m not too sure I can do that anymore. AT&T has severely disillusioned me.
I have not yet contacted AT&T to see if anything could be done about the situation. If any AT&T employee reads this, I’d love nothing else to be able purchase an iPhone 3GS and extend my contract for another two years from now. I have no problems with that. But there’s no way in hell I’m paying an early upgrade fee when I do not feel it’s applicable to my specific situation.
Top Ten: Pearl Jam Songs
May0
This is a VERY difficult list to create since every Pearl Jam song is amazing in its own right.. but I’ll give it a go!
10. Brother from Ten (Redux)
9. Satan’s Ben from Vitaliogy.
8. Animal from Vs.
7. Come Back from Pearl Jam.
6. Off He Goes from No Code.
5. Yellow Ledbetter from Lost Dogs.
4. Alive from Ten.
3. Better Man from Vitalogy.
2. Daughter from Vs.
1. Even Flow from Ten.
Interestingly enough, not all albums are represented in the above list. This was very difficult to compile.. there were a lot more songs I wanted to add!
Top Ten: American Idol Contestants
May4
For quite a while now, I’ve been trying to figure out what I wanted to blog about on here since I post the family-types of things over at tomandmonica.com. So I came up with an idea to post ‘top ten’ lists.. about anything. Fun, right? Well, hey.. I think so.
For my inaugural list, I’ve decided to start out with my top ten American Idol contestants.
(10) Brooke White. Best when at the piano. I love the Carly Simon vibe.
(9) George Huff. Good ol George. His happy, genuine performances were enjoyable. I’d love to see him release a cover album of Motown standards.
(8) Jason Castro. Unique style. His recordings of Jeff Buckley’s ‘Hallelujah’ and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s ‘Over the Rainbow’ are awesome.
(7) Allison Iraheta. Such a great voice at such a young age. I’m anxious to hear what her album sounds like.
(6) Kris Allen. The newest idol. What I liked about him was that he never swayed from his style. He never overdid his performances.
(5) Blake Lewis. Idol’s original risk taker. His rendition of Bon Jovi’s ‘Living on a Prayer’ was amazing.
(4) David Cook. He has that ‘it’ factor. Great voice, great presence. Very likable and humble.
(3) Carrie Underwood. Outstanding country singer with a somewhat cross-over feel to her. I have a feeling she’s going to be in the business for quite a while.
(2) Kelly Clarkson. The original. No list of this nature would be complete without her. It was really a toss-up between Kelly & Carrie, but Kelly won out since she was the first.
(1) Chris Daughtry. Best rocker to appear on the show. Monica and I saw him in Lubbock.. puts on a great show. His debut CD is one of the few CDs I can actually listen through in its entirety without skipping a track.
Need
Apr0
Need. A term we all use constantly.
For me though, it took on a whole new meaning this past weekend while walking on the March for Babies. All along the five mile route, there were these placards containing memorials for those lost and praise for those healed.
Now, I’m a sensitive guy. I have absolutely no problem admitting that. But those placards got to me and really got me thinking.
Team Katie Bug raised $420 for the March of Dimes as a result of some very generous, giving individuals.
Let’s dissect that on a large scale in a broad sense.
How often do you find yourself saying.. “I really need a new car.”? How often do you (okay, me..) find yourself saying.. “I really need a new laptop.”?
I’m as guilty as the next person here.. and I’ve realized that those are not needs; they’re wants.
The babies NEED to survive. Prematurity and birth defects are serious problems, and I’ll venture a guess that it has either affected you personally or someone close to you. It’s a problem that deserves attention.
Next time you’re considering dropping $20,000 on that kitchen remodel; $7000 on hardwood floors; $2800 on the plasma TV.. I implore you..
Consider the babies that NEED your generosity. You never know when “those babies” might just be your own child, grandchild, nephew, niece, cousin..