Friendly Neighborhood Computer Goddess - part 2

So here comes the installation saga...
I leave the cable company office with my DVR and modem to hook up at home... alone.
I stop at the neighborhood electronics store to pick up the router that I need to fulfill my wireless needs. As I'm in the store, of course there is no one to be found to ask any questions to... and my phone rings so I start talking to Leah and check out of the store with said router in hand. Head home. G is home so we decide to hook up the DVR first so that he could at least watch TV while I struggle with the modem. Ok, fine. Directions are fairly simple but where we will put it. I think we spent more time rearranging electronic devices than hooking up the damn thing. We finally get all the right cables in the right spots and call the cable company to send the signal so we can have CABLE. It was super confusing on the phone because of course they can't find my account and the guy can't freaking spell STEFANIA. After about 20 some odd minutes on the phone DVR is connected.
GREAT.
I head directly to the computer becuase I just want to get it all over with but we are also STARVED as it is dinner time. So I try for about 20 minutes to do both at once. Put the modem disc into the computer and that seemed to work just fine. Put the router disc into the computer and it is asking me to hook the router to the computer. My first thought is that, hmmm this can't be right. I assumed that the router and the modem could essentially be hooked up to each other in a completely different location than the computer because a) I work mainly on a laptop and b)there is no cable hookup (or phone line for that matter) that is even remotely near the computer. So I think... hmmm maybe I can hook up this up through the laptop (that is MAC, by the way) and of course none of the installation discs work on.
At this point I'm super annoyed that this isn't working and much harder than the cable company claimed it to be.
I call tech support. I get a rep and the first thing I tell him is that he is probably gonna hate that he got me as a caller!
First things first he can't find my account (this sounds vaguely familiar). Then I try to tell him what my deal is and he says (literally word for word), "oh boy, you are not gonna like what I have to say. this tech support does not support routers or networks you are gonna have to pay for that kinda of support, can I transfer you to sales?"
WHAT! OH MY FREAKING ... YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. ALL THE CABLE COMMERCIALS TALK ABOUT 24/7 TECH SUPPORT AND NOW YOU CAN'T HELP ME!!! OF COURSE.
I calmly ask him to at least try to steer me in the right direction and at least tell me if I'm barking up the right tree. He very nicely agrees and we realize that I bought the wrong router. OF COURSE!!! I hang up, pack my bags and head back to the store. Get there and realize that they close in about 13 minutes so I better make it SNAPPY! I get behind the LONGEST TRANSACTION IN THE HISTORY OF THE STORE. I SWEAR THE GUY ASKED FOR THEIR BLOOD TYPE. I start to walk around the store to locate the correct router and a very nice guy comes and asks me if I need help and I ask him all the questions that tech support DIDN'T SUPPORT, FREE!
As I suspected I was on the right track with the wrong equipment and I grabbed the right one. I pay, leave, head home determined to get this done.
Head to the computer and insert the correct router disc into the computer and it asks for... ready for this one... an internet connection. OMG... AT THIS POINT I THINK THAT THE UNIVERSE IS PLAYING TRICKS ON ME. No wonder G leaves this all to me because he lasted oh about as long as it took the guy to not be able to find my account when we were hooking up the DVR.
I head upstairs (where we want to hook the modem and router up), start ripping open packages, splitting cable wires, hooking lines in where they fit... being a total crazy woman. I press power, all the lights light up and it looks like we are in business. I turn around to the laptop hit internet and BAM it hooks up.
I start running around the house so proud and that is when my husband names me computer goddess of the house.
I decide to install the cable internet cd get about half way through it when it asks for a username and password that I got when I bought the service... YEAH RIGHT!
It's been 3 or 4 days and I haven't gone back.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Ciao
S

PS. I have a really great picture to go along with this post but blogger has a bugger. I'll show it to you next time.

Friendly Neighborhood Computer Goddess

That's me!!! I can't even tell you how frustrating life was yesterday... well at least I'm gonna try.
It all started a couple of months ago when we kept getting mail about the new AT&T cable/internet deal. They have a new digital cable that is supposed to be awesome. We wanted to upgrade our cable and internet so it seemed great. Then one day my husband changed his mind and said all at once, DON'T DO IT! Let's just call our regular cable provider and upgrade to their high speed internet and digital cable. So I called...
This is where everything starts to go downhill, and anyone who has ever called would know this. I called and spoke to a great sales person got all the details that I wanted and decided that yes we would do this.
She (salesperson) was really nice and helpful and we went through everything and in the end told me that I needed to pick up the DVR, and the modem and install it all myself or pay a hefty charge. This was not acceptable but ok. Then she said, BUT... if you get digital telephone then someone will come out and install that and the modem for free and the DVR for 1/2 charge. I was very happy with that checked with the husband and decided that YES indeed that was a great deal and I would take it. We even then were allowed an even better deal and got some premium channels for the digital cable.
So the appt was made for a week later (yesterday) between 8:30am and 10:30 am.
Happily I spent the week waiting for the extra channels, the all hallowed DVR that everyone who has one says they can't live without and the high speed internet.
So 8:30 comes around and I wait... and wait... and wait... and then 9:30 comes and I think, boy they never confirmed with me yesterday, hmmm... I should call and make sure that someone is even coming. So I call... and talk to another customer service rep to make sure that there is indeed an appointment, and she confirms that YES someone is on their way to install the digital phone. Well what about the DVR and modem??? They are scheduled for a self pickup and install. ARGH! I was so pissed and made sure she knew it too!!! The last woman I spoke to said that everything was going to be handled together at once and .... ARGH... fine, fine, FINE! I can do this. Hang up the phone and continue to WAIT. 10:29 comes and I am about to walk out the door and who shows up... the phone dude. Way to wait til the last possible minute huh!
It took about an hour and the dude was at least nice.
All day I'm pissed and finally after work (what was left of it) I head out to the cable company to pickup my DVR and modem to install MYSELF. I get there and tell them how pissed I already am and ask, "The modem is wireless, right?"
HAVE I LEARNED AT ALL? AS SOON AS I ASK QUESTIONS, I AM DOOMED!
The lovely gentleman says no. ARGH!!! I need a wireless system and would have NEVER okayed anything else. At this point there is actual steam coming out of my ears. The woman at the desk hands me 5 free on demand movies for my "TROUBLES" and tells me that I am probably better off just buying a wireless router because their wireless system is "pricey"!!! ARGH... what did I just sign up for?

Come back to read "Friendly Neighborhood Computer Goddess 2" coming soon, where you can read all about the installation process!

Ciao
S

This is Bridget at her 2nd birthday party last weekend. ADORABLE!!! Needless to say she is not the pain... read on.

I'm finally feeling better. I went to the chiropractor yesterday because I had gotten to the edge of insanity. The pain was shooting down my legs and because I was working and walking and basically not doing much different all the rest of the muscles in my back were trying to keep me doing all those things and they had gotten to the point of spasming and seizing up. Why do you ask did I wait so long??? HMMM... that is a good questions. Because I'm a pain in the @ss and don't know when to say enough is enough.
Well... enough is enough and now I'm starting to feel better... thank goodness. I went to the gym this morning and got in the pool and moved and stretched and tried not to over do it...
I'm gonna try to take it easy the next couple of days.
Otherwise... hmmm not much else going on. Fall is coming on strong. I noticed some leaves are starting to change and there is a slight chill in the windy bits.
It almost feels like now should be when we make resolutions... not in January when everything is so bleak and cold and raw... now seems like there is so much more opportunity to keep a resolution... Really the only problem is there are so many that I want to make.
(On a side note I'm listening to India.Arie and every time I pose a question she is answering them through her songs... very creepy and wonderful at the same time. I feel like a friend is sitting here with me.)
Have a happy and labor free labor day.
Ciao
S

Lately...

Hi. Lately peeps have been kinda in the dumps. All I can say is that there are brighter days ahead everyone. We need to experience the lows to really appreciate and love the highs. Keep your chin up and take it slow.

Other fronts...
Things are ok with me. My back is still a little sore and that makes me sore. I hate this problem and really beat myself up when it happens. It means that I'm not taking care of myself and no one likes when I don't take care of myself... EXPECIALLY ME!!!
I will vow to do better and hope that I do.

G is back to school and normalcy falls upon us and I love it. It means that FALL is right around the corner... apple picking, sweatshirts and sneakers, hot apple cider, apple fritters, back to school shopping (it's in my blood), back to school stories (from G and the kiddies J started 7th grade and K started 1st grade) leaves changing colors, brisk mornings that need jackets, this list could go on FOREVER, but the best for last... my anniversary. G and I are celebrating 5 years. I'm so excited. I love to celebrate.




What's on your list?
Love you
Ciao
S

Great Weekend.

I guess you could almost say WEEK.
Starting last Thursday hanging out with the loveliest ladies: Nina , Ali and Erin, and their most beautiful brood... Grace, Joey, Myles, Teagan, Benji and Keagan. Wow, what a day and it ended all to quickly... let's make plans ladies.

Later in the evening I went to visit an old friend that I went to High School with, K. She is wonderfully expecting her second child. Her daughter T is beautiful and I had a really great time. Dinner was DE-LISH.

Friday I headed out to Portland Maine with my girl Leah to see my fav Portland pair Judy and Jeff. I LOVE LOVE LOVE Portland and if I could not live here I would fo sho live there. The ocean, the art, the little boutiques, the restaurants. I love it all... but from what I hear the tourists are not easy to deal with... and neither are the winters. Oh well... maybe in my next life.

Now I'm back to work and waiting for the weekend...
Here are some pics...






I can't even believe that the month of August is gone and September is coming FAST.
I love the Fall though so... BRING IT ON!
Ciao
S

Post Secret Mini Movie

Check this out...

Where have I been?

Well... GLORIOUS vacation is where.
What a wonderful time. I meant to post I swear I did... but there wasn't much of a connection on the beach and well the waves were calling. I did take tons of pictures which I will share ASAP. I haven't downloaded them yet because as soon as I got back from vacation I got sick. I've had a fever since Sunday... ARGGH.
Very depressing. I've been in and out of work all week, sweating (not like a lady), dizzy and a little sick to my stoamch. I hate a summer bug. I called the dr and they said that it sounded like a viral thing and it needs to run its course. AARGH. Another really annoying thing. I hate things that need to run their course. HAHHA I know that sounded super childish but I'm on the verge of temper tantrum here. I am the first person to tell people that they should stay home from work when they are not feeling well and the last person to actually stay home. Oh well. Thanks to all of you out there sending me well wishes. I hope the course gets runned out this weekend. :)

Not really much else to talk about. G is at the Gathering of the Vibes this weekend... I miss him. I like when he goes away because it gives me a little time to myself but I also hate when he is not around. Another childish thing to say huh. I'm not too proud to say when I miss my hubby. And right now.... I do.

Ciao for now,
S

PS. Congratulations to Jenica... the birthing story was inspirational, props to your hubby.
Ali- can't wait to hang on Thursday... is Nina joining us?
Anyone else out there... drop a line.

welcome to the family train.