Patrick Swayze knows what's up....

With so much drama in the L.B.C.

It ain't easy being Snoop the big H.O.E....





So I'm watching Spongebob the other day, and Nick plays one of their manufactured bands music videos. A boy band named "Big Time Rush"... The songs called something like "I Want to be Your Boyfriend" or some shit. Anyway, I'm sitting there waiting for this god-awful song to end so I can get back to Spongebob, and who pops up and starts singing in the middle of the song??

Snoop D.O. Double G.

What!?! Is he really so irrelevant now that he's stooped to singing with Nickelodeon manufactured Boy Bands?? Or is it simply a sell-out move??

Either way, I no longer have any respect for him, and officially no longer like him. Granted, I haven't listened to any of his stuff since Doggystyle, but I always though he was pretty cool. Until now...

I want to be your boyfriend!?!? Really!?! What happened to 'We don't love them hoes"?

It looks like the pimp is now the hoe... Congratulations Snoop... You're officially a bitch!

I would tweet this post to him, but Justin Beiber may show up at my house strapped with a gat...

Comcast still sucks!

Ok, we used to have Comcast cable. but they started taking away our channels and trying to force us to upgrade to Digital Cable. We were paying like $40 a month or so, and to go digital would have almost doubled our bill. So we cancelled and moved to DirecTV.

We've had DirecTV for a little over 2 years now, and recently downgraded to their bottom of the line package which provides the locals, all the kid channels (Nick, Disney, Boomerang, etc..) and a few others, for $40.

For some reason today, I logged on to Comcast just to see if their prices were anywhere close. And I saw a BASIC CABLE package for $15.75 a month. All it said for the channel lineup was: Local news, sports, kids’ programs and weather.

So I scoured their website, to figure out what this meant, and what channels came with it. I looked everywhere and was unable to find it, so I chose to LIVE CHAT a customer service rep and find out.

I had 3 simple questions:

1) What is the channel lineup for the Basic Cable package
2) Is Basic and Expanded Basic cable analog?
3) What is the price on Expanded Basic cable.

My chat lasted for 59 minutes.

6 minutes of that was spent being shuffled around.
41 minutes of that was spent trying to determine the channel lineup for Basic Cable.
12 minutes of that was finding out that Expanded Basic isn't offered in my area, even though the website shows it on my channel lineup.


I was shuffled around a bit at first, but finally got someone who said they could help. After almost an hour I still didn't have the channel lineup. The emailed copy of the transcript does not contain timestamps (Im sure they do this on purpose) but I also took screenshots, which follow the transcript to show the time. I will also add timestamps to the transcript in RED.

I have highlighted some of the best parts:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

cj  10:30:05 EST -  I have some questions about your Basic Cable package for $15.75 per month.
Jocel  -  Hello cj, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Jocel. Please give me one moment to review your information.
Jocel  -  Hi! Thank you for contacting Comcast Video Live Chat. I'm Jocel, your Comcast Customer Representative ready to serve you today. How are you doing today?
cj  -  fine thanks
cj  -  Im trying to find out what channels are included in this package, all it says it: Local news, sports, kids’ programs and weather.
Jocel  -  It's great to know that you are well, CJ.
Jocel  -  I understand you need the details of the Basic Cable package.

Jocel  -  As much as I would love to help you with this, we have another department who specializes on this concern. I would be glad to connect you to them.

cj  -  ok
Jocel  -  Will there be anything else that I can help you with before I connect you to our sales team? I would be glad to assist you further.
cj  -  nope, thanks
Jocel  -  You are most welcome.
Jocel  -  Please stay on the line while I escalate your concern.
Jocel  -  Please wait, while the problem is escalated to another analyst

Louis  -  Good Morning

Louis  -  Unfortunately I am not able to access the information for your area, I am located in Massachusetts and do not have access to the information for your area, one moment please while I send you to the correct location

Louis  -  One moment please, I will send you to the correct area of Virginia
Louis  -  Also, we strive to exceed your expectations and hope that you will take a moment to complete the short 3 question survey that will follow our interaction, your feedback will help us to continue improving how we serve you. You will see it by clicking on END SESSION button after our chat.
Louis  -  We are committed to providing you with a consistently superior customer experience. If for any reason something goes wrong, we will work to resolve the issue as quickly and professionally as we can. We will give you a 30-day, money-back guarantee on all our services. If you are not satisfied and wish to cancel services for any reason, you can do so in the first 30 days and get your money back. Simply return your equipment in good working order and we’ll refund the monthly recurring fee for your first 30 days of service and any charges you paid for standard installation.
cj  -  thanks
Louis  -  You are welcome
Louis  -  Please wait, while the problem is escalated to another analyst
Sherlyn 10:36:20 EST -  Welcome to Comcast Live Chat Support Sales Department. Thank you so much for your interest in bringing Comcast to your home. In line with this, we do promise to provide you the best service you deserve. You may call me Sherlyn, I will be your Customer Service Representative today. How are you today?
cj  -  good thanks
Sherlyn  -  I am glad to know that.
Sherlyn  -  Please give me one moment to review your information.

cj  -  Im curious as to what channels come in the $15.75 Basic cable package. All it says is: Local news, sports, kids’ programs and weather.

Sherlyn  -  Thank you for that concern, CJ.

Sherlyn  -  I can certainly assist you with that. Please give me a minute.
cj  -  sure thing
Sherlyn  -  Thank you.
Sherlyn  -  You may check the channel line-up for that package. Here is the link:

Sherlyn  -  http://thesource/ChannelLineup3X_CCIL/ZipCodeSearch.aspx

cj  -  is that: thesource.com?
Sherlyn  -  Any specific channels that you would want me to check?
Sherlyn  -  Yes.

cj  -  its a 404 page

cj  -  Nickelodeon, Disney
Sherlyn  -  Okay. I will check, CJ. Please stay online.

cj  -  that URL does not work

Sherlyn  -  Oh, I can access it here in my end.

cj  -  how? it does not have a .com or .net or .org or anything on it

Sherlyn  -  Don't worry. I double check on this.

cj  -  well id like to see the whole lineup
Sherlyn  -  I see. Please give me a minute to provide you with another link.
cj  -  ok, thanks
Sherlyn  -  Please try this one: https://www.comcast.com/Localization/Localize.cspx?Referer=%2fCustomers%2fClu%2fChannelLineup.ashx%3farea%3d0

cj  -  ive already seen that page. it is just every channel you offer, not the channels that are included in the basic lineup

Sherlyn  -  Okay. Do you want me to provide you here with all the channels instead?

cj  -  no, the link you just gave me lists ALL the channels. I would like a list of ONLY the channels in the Basic Cable package

Sherlyn  -  I have here the list, CJ.
cj  -  ok
Sherlyn  -  Here are the channels included:

Sherlyn  -  BASIC CABLE
2 CBUT - 2
3 KWPX - ION
4 KOMO - ABC
5 KING - NBC
6 KONG
7 KIRO - CBS
8 Local Access
9 KCTS - PBS
10 KMYQ
11 KSTW - CW
12 Home Shopping Network
13 KCPQ - FOX
14 QVC
15 KHCV
16 KUNS
17 ShopNBC
18 Eternal Word Network
19 Puget Sound Ed Access
20 KTBW
21 Seattle Government Access
22 King County Community Access
23 Seattle Public Access
24 KWDK
25 UWTV2
26 Local Community Access
27 UWTV1
28 TV Guide Channel
95 TVW
97 Community College Channel
98 CCTV4
99 CSPAN

cj  -  I live in Virginia - that looks like a West Coast lineup. Our TV stations do not begin with K over here.

Sherlyn 10:47:56 EST -  Let me verify. One moment, please.

Sherlyn  -  Your address is XXXXXXXX, VA. Am I correct?
cj  -  yes, zip XXXXX
Sherlyn  -  Thank you. Please give me 2 minutes to double check, CJ.
cj  -  ok
Sherlyn  -  System is loading, CJ.
cj  -  ok
Sherlyn  -  Thank you. Please stay online.
cj  -  why isnt there somewhere on Comcast's website where I can see the channel lineup? This is an awful lot of time spent trying to get it...
Sherlyn  -  I apologize for the inconvenience it caused you.
Sherlyn  -  Yes. It is available through comcast.com.
Sherlyn  -  It's under SHOP, then click Digital cable with on demand.
cj  -  where? I cant find them anywhere. all that gives me is the entire channel lineup, it doesnt give me the lineup for Basic Cable

cj  -  can you give me a link?

Sherlyn  -  http://www.comcast.com

cj  -  i see no channel lineup at that page.... I mean a direct link to the lineup
Sherlyn  -  We have 2 links available for the channel line-up, CJ.
cj  -  Ok, shoot
Sherlyn  -  That is the option that we have if we cannot view it through direct link.
cj  -  Ok, you have 2 links. Can I have them please?
Sherlyn  -  Those are the links I've provided earlier.
cj  -  the link you provided earlier had no .com or anything on it - that is not a valid link.
cj  -  the other one was comcast.com - what good does that do me?

cj  11:02:18 EST -  ok, i see it is going to be difficult to tell me what channels you offer in your Basic Cable package... so lets move on to my second question.

Sherlyn  -  You may use comcast.com, then click on SHOP, then click Digital cable with on demand.
Sherlyn  -  I have checked for Nickelodeon, Disney.
Sherlyn  -  It's available through our Digital Economy package.
cj  -  those directions do not take me to a channel lineup. it takes me to the page where i see the Basic Cable package for $15.75 - but from here, there is no way to see the actual lineup, which is why i chatted you. So In over 30 minutes, you have not been able to provide me with a lineup - OK, next question: is the Basic Cable and Extended Basic cable analog?
Sherlyn  -  Yes, it's analog, CJ.
Sherlyn  -  I apologize.

Sherlyn  -  It's mostly local channels.

cj  -  Its the non-mostly locals I was interested in. OK, so for either of the Basic cable packages, I will not need a set top box correct?
Sherlyn  -  Yes, you are correct.

Sherlyn  -  Do you want me to process that for you?

cj  -  Ok, I guess that's all - it'd really be nice to know what channels I would be getting if I signed up for this package - I guess its the "grab bag" of television.

Sherlyn  -  I really would want to provide you with all the list, CJ.

cj  -  No, without knowing what channels I'm getting, I dont think I want it - Im not the gambling type

Sherlyn  -  Please give me a minute to double check.
cj  -  I do appreciate the effort.
Sherlyn  -  Thank you. Please stay online. Will a minute or 2 would be fine?
cj  -  yes, im going to go to the restroom while i wait. I will let you know when I am back.
Sherlyn  -  Sure!
cj  -  OK, I am back - any news?
Sherlyn  -  Thank you for patiently waiting, CJ.

Sherlyn  11:16:55 EST -  Yes, I cannot access as well to just the basic list.

Sherlyn  -  But I have collected here the channels.

cj  -  yes, that was my reason for chatting you...

cj  -  OK.
Sherlyn  -  It has:
Sherlyn  11:17:44 EST -  9 WTVR (CBS Richmond) Limited Basic No
10 WRIC (ABC Richmond) Limited Basic No
11 WRLH (FOX Richmond) Limited Basic No
12 WWBT (NBC Richmond) Limited Basic No
13 WUPV (CW Richmond) Limited Basic No
14 QVC Limited Basic No
15 WGN Limited Basic No
17 Chesterfield Channel Limited Basic No
18 C-SPAN Limited Basic No
19 MASN 2 Limited Basic No
20 TV Guide Limited Basic No
21 Home Shopping Network Limited Basic No
22 Jewelry TV Limited Basic No
23 WCVE (PBS Richmond) Limited Basic No
24 WCVW (PBS Richmond) Limited Basic No
71 WTZD (Telemundo) Limited Basic No
95 INSP Limited Basic No
96 Chesterfield Schools Television Limited Basic No
99 Public Access Limited Basic No
100 TV Guide Network Limited Basic No
104 C-SPAN2 Limited Basic No
184 Jewelry TV Limited Basic No
202 WCVE- World Limited Basic No
206 WTVR (CBS Weather) Limited Basic No
208 WWBT (NBC Weather Plus) Limited Basic No
209 WRLH (MyTV Richmond) Limited Basic No
cj  -  OK, that looks right. Thank you. So I also see in the channel lineup page, an Extended Basic Cable package, but I do not see a price for it anywhere. Could you tell me how much that is?
Sherlyn  -  Let me double check, CJ.
cj  -  Actually, it is called Expanded Basic
cj  -  thanks

Sherlyn  -  There is no code available for Expanded Basic cable service in your area, CJ. Some of our promotions are actually market dependent. But the line-up for that package is almost similar with Digital Economy cable. The price is $39.95.

cj  -  but that requires a box correct?

Sherlyn  -  Yes, But there is no extra charge for the box.

cj  -  even if I want to add additional TVs later?

Sherlyn  -  I see. Additional regular box is only for $8.00.

cj  -  yeah - that's a scam... OK, thanks for your time.

Sherlyn  -  Thank you very much for your patience, CJ.
cj  -  good bye
Sherlyn  -  I can see here that Phone service is available in your area. Should you decide to add this to your order, please feel free to chat back with us.
Sherlyn  -  Comcast appreciates your business and values you as a customer. Our goal is to provide you with excellent service. If you need further assistance, you can chat with one of our Customer Support Specialists 24 hour a day, 7 days a week at http://www.comcastsupport.com.!

By the way, if you want to watch full TV shows and movies online? Go to www.fancast.com.
Sherlyn  11:29:46 EST -  Analyst has closed chat and left the room

Email sent at: 11:31:13 AM, 11/23/2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Needless to say, Comcast STILL won't be getting my business.


Here are the screenshots to verify timestamps:

Heres the screenshot showing the Expanded Basic lineup in my area:

Why League of Legends, Battlefield Heroes and that whole business model suck ass

Ok. So recently a new type of game has reared its ugly head. The "FREE" game, where you can pay money to make your character better than everyone else....

League of Legends
Battlefield Heroes


I think Runescape was one of the first....

This type of game sucks ass, and will die a short horrible death.....

They think they can attract a lot of players because it's free.... then hopefully get them to buy upgrades...

Well, the majority doesn't want to buy upgrades to your shitty game, so what happens? They get overrun by the few who do decide to buy some upgrades...

So what happens then? We quit. It was a good concept, but the execution sucked ass.....

Im not going to spend all this time working toward something, to have some shmuck who paid $20 come walk all over me with his +60 damage multiplier.

Shitty concept. Go die...

Charge me a couple bucks a month to keep the playing field level.

I have no intention of playing a "He with the most money wins" game....

Take that business model and stick it up your ass....

I'll play Counterstrike while I wait for a new good game to be released....

Big media companies, just don't get it.

First to go - The Newspaper.... once the largest media industry in the world, now headed straight into the crapper....

According to the Newspaper Association of America, in 1940, there was a total circulation of 32 million newspapers. In 1990, they had a total circulation of 62.6 million - the highest ever.

It took the newspaper industry 50 years to increase their circulation by 30 million. Its only taken them 18 years to lose almost half that.... 13.5 million.

In 2008 (the last year the NAA has statistics for on their website) circulation was down to 49 million, and is steadily declining 2 million per year. That number growing exponentially each year.

So what caused this? The Internet? Negative... the Internet did not cause the demise of the Newspaper industry... the Newspaper Industry's failure to embrace the Internet and utilize it, is what has caused their demise. Their own top brass killed them. They decided to ignore the Internet, and in some cases, flat out fight it.

But alas, it's not just the Newspaper industry that is so foolish. Lets switch our attention to the Movie and Music industries. We all know who the RIAA and MPAA are don't we? Not because they have provided us with some great product or service, and we want to tell all of our friends about it, no! Many of us never heard of either organization until sometime in the early 2000's... but they have been around for ages. The MPAA was formed initially in 1922, and the RIAA formed in 1952.

So why are these two acronyms household names now? Yep - LAWSUITS. These two organizations have spent the last 10 years suing John Q. Public over downloading songs and movies from the Internet.

So here we have another huge industry that is not only ignoring the Internet as this great new vehicle to make a shit-ton of cash with, but adamantly fighting it....

Best Buy announced last Friday, that they will be slashing CD and DVD inventory from their stores to make room for better selling items, like computers and MP3 players.

Is this because people are PIRATING music and movies at such a rate that no one is buying them any more? Again, negative...

Apple's iTunes store, sold its 10th BILLION song back in February. 10 BILLION!! Doesn't sound to me like piracy is running rampant. Sounds to me like people just changed the ways they purchase music.

Movies are doing just as well, with Amazon and Netflix as forerunners in the Internet delivery system of movies.

Yet the Music industry and Movie industry are still reluctant to jump in on this "new" phenomena... why?? Because they are all full of old baby boomers who are scared of technology.... well... we'll see you in the annals of big media companies who have FAILED because your heads were too far up your ass to understand how people consume media....

Even artists are going around the big mega-corps and releasing their tracks directly on the Internet, and in many, many cases, giving it away for FREE. Why, you ask? Typically, artists see shit from CD sales. They get an upfront amount, and that's it. If the album flops, or if it goes triple platinum most just see that initial check...

They make their money off of concerts and other appearances. So why not give it away?? Many people who may never hear them because they don't want to shell out $20 for a CD, may very well download something for FREE to "check it out". And if they like it, they may even go see the band in concert when they come to his town... That's where they make their money...

Although, in the RIAA's defense... they recently announced they will stop suing you if you download a song. Gee, thanks guys!

This all pretty much has been leading up to this next story.... Google, the #1 Internet company who has bridged many aspects of daily life with the Internet (i.e. Google Voice, GOOG-411, GoogleMaps, GoogleMobile, etc..) is introducing GoogleTV....

Internet enabled TV is nothing new. I've been doing it for many years - first with BeyondTV, and for the past several years now, with SageTV...

DVR's started the demise of traditional TV, in that it allowed you to watch your favorite shows, when you wanted to... not on the TV exec's schedule... not only that... it allowed you to fast forward through all the commercials... GASP!! That's how TV companies make money... so do they change their business model now that peoples consumption methods have changed? And yet again... Negative....

They instead try to get Congress to allow them to encode their commercials so they can't be skipped... What?? Really?

So then The HTPC (Home Theater PC) arrives on the scene... not only is it a DVR, but its a media library, with Internet access... YouTube videos on your TV... how novel. But it's a blast.

For years when I've demonstrated my HTPC for friends and family, they are all amazed, and would love to have it... but it's a rather difficult task to do if you're not too computer savvy....

So in comes Google. They have partnered with Sony to introduce an Internet Enabled TV, based on the GoogleTV platform. They have also teamed up with Logitech, who is developing a set top box, that will add GoogleTV to your current TV. Basically a Plug-and-Play HTPC (although I am unsure about the media library capabilities)....

So Google approaches the networks, to try and get them on board....

ALL MAJOR NETWORKS DECLINED!!!

HBO jumped on, but their content will only be available to HBO subscribers... A few news agencies will run stock feeds, or sports scores...

But ABC,CBS,NBC and FOX all declined...

Sure, they have content on Hulu, and that's great - it shows they are testing the waters... but the selection of shows is limited, mostly older shows, and often times poor quality... I'll admit I watch many shows on Hulu....

Now while Hulu shows they are at least playing around with the ideas, Hulu Plus just shows what types of idiots these guys really are....

For those of you not in the know, Hulu is a website where you can watch a bunch of TV shows and Movies, for FREE. You will have to watch commercials, but not nearly as many as on a regular TV broadcast (though I do notice they are sneaking more and more in slowly)....

Hulu Plus is their subscription based service. Now many people were looking forward to Hulu Plus... that is, until they announced that those people who subscribe to Hulu Plus for $10 a month, will still have to sit through the commercials.... I'm sorry - Im just not going to pay you $10 a month to watch old ALF reruns, littered with Sprint commercials.... sorry... get a new business plan....

So to sum up this god awful long ass post.... Media Companies need to get their heads out of their asses, and understand times have changed and we no longer want to haul around a book full of CD's or have a shelf full of DVD's... My iPhone has 16GB of memory... I could put every CD I own on it and still have plenty of space left... granted - my musical tastes are pretty limited, and most bands I like have 30 second to 1.5 minute songs.....

So either jump on the bandwagon that is the Internet and work with it, or fight it and it's millions of users and go curl up and die with the Newspapers... I'll continue downloading media from iTunes, Amazon, Netflix, and wherever else I can... I'll be happy to pay you for it....

Farm Games - WTF!?!

OK.... I see these freaking Farm Games everywhere - On Facebook, on my iPhone.... So I downloaded one, and checked it out....

First you have unplowed land:

Then you plow it, which costs money, but gives you experience:

Then you pick something to plant on it:

Then you plant it, which costs you money, but gives you experience:

Then you wait:

And wait and wait... then when it's finished, you pick it and start over..... More experience opens up new stuff you can plant. But it also opens up a bunch of crap that costs you money, and gives you NOTHING....

Is there a goal to this game?

I gained experience points and was able to buy a chair.

The chair does shit for me.... It doesnt give me experience, it doesnt give me money.... it costs me not only money, but a square of my land.... And not only that but it costs me a GEM. How the fuck do you get gems? Oh! You pay real life money for them.

So I pay $1.00 for a gem, to buy a cyber-chair that takes up a square on my 12x12 virtual farm, that offers nothing in return? And these companys are making bookoo bucks....

I want to know who the jackasses are out there buying the chairs!!!

I don't get it.... maybe I'm missing something....

Two Ways in Which I am Better than BP

I just changed the oil in two of our vehicles.... and in doing so, have discovered two (2) ways in which I am better than BP.

Way #1:

I only spilled about a quart of oil





Way #2:

I cleaned it up immediately.

I may not be better than many people/things... but I think this proves I am better than BP.