CourtneyP

So, yeah… Comcast sucks. It takes a lot for me to say such a strong statement (and immature, at that, heh), but it’s true. Even one of their techs thinks so (neener neener neener!).

Phase one of Operation: Screw Comcast was to get DirecTV and cancel our digital cable. We are able to get more for our money with DTV. But Comcast decides that this isn’t fair, and decides to jack up the price of our Cable Modem access. Bah. Fine, whatever, I’m in favor of getting DSL later this month anyways.

Yesterday, a fellow comes to disconnect our Digital Cable and take away the cable box. Easy enough, right? He comes almost an hour and a half AFTER the scheduled timeframe. When he arrives, I verify with this guy that this operation was just to disconnect the digital cable, and NOT the cable modem/internet access. He nods, has me sign some paperwork, and says, “I’ll be right back”.

(the rest of the enrty is long and painful. I just wanted to record it for future reference…)
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So, I’m back.

I was moblogging every day while gone, but durnit, something is all wrong. Kinda stinks that it hasn’t been working for these past few days, and yet I was chosen as the current Editor’s Pick on Textamerica. Eek!

I’m suspecting something is not jiving between cingular and textamerica. Blah.

More on the vacation tomorow. As they say, I need a vacation from my vacation. G’nite!

A recent thread on Plastic addresses the apparent rabid political-correctness of a Colorado middle school, and most likely, in schools natiionwide.

The issue? A young boy used the word “Gay” as a negative term in response to a call he disagreed with while playing four-square.

Kids still play four-square?

In all seriousness, is thins kind of language harmful to kids, or are we just overreacting? On one hand, I think that it was a bit extreme to suspend the boy. On the other hand, I think that it is a bit extreme for the boy’s parents to bring lawyers into the picture.
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Why is it, when another filipina spots me in the wild, she will approach me and ask: “Are you Filipina?”

Not that I mind so much that they ask, but it happens time after time after time… almost always followed by: “Do you speak Tagalog?” (said in either English or Tagalog)

When I answer “No, sorry”, their response is an “Oh…” followed by a turning away of their head, or bowing their head. Kinda like I was suddenly cursed. This happened to me this afternoon.

I had yet another interesting encounter earlier today on our cross street, some random dude slowed down his car next to me and asked if I spoke Spanish. I do, a little, but I said “no, not really”.

He had the same look of disappointment, and said, “oh, never mind…”

I asked him if I could help him with anything, and he got all flustered, started driving away slowly, and was shaking his outstretched palm, still chanting, “never mind, never mind…”

I guess I’m missing out on some sort of secret camraderie by not speaking foreign languages well…

I was driving to class this morning, when I saw an early-nineties sedan driving a little bit ahead and to the right of me. Not just any run-of-the mill sedan, but one sporting an American Flag, hanging off of the left rear passenger window.

What is so bad about that, you ask?

The flag was damaged beyond repair. It was frayed, torn and in very sad shape. If the Flag is damaged in such a way, aren’t you supposed to retire it in a dignified fashion? Isn’t it more patriotic to retire your flag if it has served its duty, and give it proper respect?

The US Scouting Service Project says:

When the flag is in such condition, through wear or damage, that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it shall be destroyed in a dignified manner befitting such a symbol. The traditional way is to cut the flag into pieces and burn it in a modest but blazing fire. As we perform this respected duty, let us reflect on the design and meaning of our flag.

I’ve seen way to many flags lately that are sadly threadbare and falling to pieces. That doesn’t really show much respect, although I’m sure the intentions are to fly their flags as long as they can to show patriotism.

What *is* patriotism, these days, anyways?

The current issue of Lenswork magazine has a photo collection of American Flags across the country. It’s a cliched photograph by now… but people continue to shoot numerous photos of the flag waving… of people declaring their patriotism and shouting never ending choruses of “United We Stand”.

Honestly, I’m almost tiring of this imagery. I know the events over the past couple of years have shocked everyone and made them sad, angry, and most of all, loyal to their country. But there *is* a limit, isn’t there? Can’t we just let it go and move on? Can we concentrate on making our country better instead of trying to make it even with the people and countries that we have been damaged by?

I’m often not one to rant about politics and related issues, but this brief moment this morning made me think a bit.