Time Warner Cable Got on My Last Nerve

I wrote out my check for $167 to Time Warner Cable yesterday. That is the bundle with TV, Internet and phone. No premium channels. I'm too cheap, and Time Warner charges too much anyway.

I was just rolling with the flow and paying Time Warner Cable. There really aren't options around here. There's Dish, but I've seen that and what a mess. As far as phone and internet, it's nice to have it bundled though that was a pretty good deal to start with and has gone up, up, up.

The reason I'm hopping mad at Time Warner Cable is because they changed the menu screen to blue with white letters. There is a reason most content is black on white. That is so you can actually read it. The new color scheme is just pretty as pie, but I can't read it. Well, I can if I get up out of the Lazy Boy chair and stand about a foot in front of the TV.

No. My vision is not perfect. It's 20/40. I can still drive legally without glasses. And I can see the TV just fine and could read the menu until someone got the idea to pretty that up and put white letters on a blue background.

Now I have to get up and stand in front of the TV to see what is playing. I seldom watch TV. When I do, I want to relax and not stand there with the remote trying to read the screen which was fine the way it was but not fine the way it is now.

I did call Time Warner Cable. They are "sorry [I] I feel that way." Hey. I don't feel I can't see the menu. I flat can't see, and that's a fact and not a feeling. I feel they need to fix it, and I feel they charge too much. And, I'm sorry they don't care that I can't read the menu now that they made it blue with white letters.

Maybe I should mail them a mad mail with red letters on black paper and see how they like that. I feel they would not like that one bit, but I'm not sorry they would feel that way about it.

Gas in the South - Good Luck Filling Your Tank

I like to stick my head in the sand (not that we have any sand in the Piedmont of North Carolina), so I've been closing my eyes and pressing "no" on the receipt for gas. Of course, I pay the credit card bill for gas and everything else, but I'd just as soon not examine the damage every few days.

It's hard to play clueless when there's just flat not any gas. The last time I gassed up, I skipped my usual station with the $20 limit (like how far does that go in a SUV). The next station had great gas prices, of course, because they simply did not have any gas. Boy, I'd list it low too if I didn't have any to sell. Well, no, I wouldn't. But, I guess that's a plan.

I'm out in the country, so I hit the last station on the way to the boonies and got some petro. If you're down with road trips, you can find gas (and no lines) out in the middle of nowhere. Of course, you burn a lot of gas getting to such remote locations (and back).

Today the BP in Salisbury, NC had some gas. The limit was $40 instead of $20 like last week. I chatted with the cashier, and she said they had to bump it up, because people were driving on by with the $20 limit - so no inside sales either. They have some great prices on Pepsi, milk, and eggs, so I usually gas up and load up on the way home.

My BP cashier did say that they hoped to have gas through noon tomorrow, but she said that they'd had a lot of folks in and that they might run out before dark. Good thing I went early I guess.

I hate to even turn on the TV and hear about the hour long waits to get gas and about people having to push vehicles up to the pump that run out of gas just waiting in line. It's not that bad here, but we have those purchase limits and stations running out of fuel.

I won't even get started on the price of groceries. Whew. Are they putting gold in those boxes of cereal now instead of plastic toys? You'd think so. Oh well, if there's no gas to get to the grocery store, then I guess the cereal can just sit on the shelf.

No Child Left Behind Who Can Buy Kleenex

I really don't get the extra credit at schools these days. You can buy Kleenex or dry erase markers and send in, and your kid gets extra grade points. You can also go to Open House. Same deal. Your kid gets extra credit on his or her grade.

Is it just me, or does this not make any sense at all?

Maybe the kid can do some extra work and learn something and get some points, but how does Kleenex or going to Open House mean your kid gets more grade points? Hey, I can afford some Kleenex and do send some. I can haul myself down to Open House which usually is just kind of a wasted evening at a big school. That's all fine. But, I don't see how that has anything to do with grades. What about the family that doesn't have any extra money for dry erase markers or no car or gas money to go to Open House? Or the ones who work odd shifts and are at work during such events? Too bad it seems. No extra points for those kids.

I don't even know if this Kleenex, going to Open House, or signing mid term reports make enough difference to boost a grade. If not, then it's just kind of a silly game. If it does change grades, then I really do wonder what that teaches our kids.

Maybe they can send home a donation sheet home with levels of giving that raise grades by letter. Give $100 - your child's grade goes up a letter and so on. Do I think that's fair? No. Of course not. Do I think these other little incentive programs are a good idea. Nope. Grades are earned. Donations are gifts. Going to PTA is probably a good idea until it gets to the point where you're sitting in front of a TV and listening to stuff that could be sent home on paper and make more sense.

"I'm sorry you feel that way." - Dumbest comment ever thought up.

I hate psychobabble and the latest commercial catch phrases that don't mean a hill of beans. My all time most hated customer brush off comment is, "I'm sorry you feel the way." I believe that phrase was first used by psychologists to placate clients and now used by every person working on the planet who doesn't have enough sense to say something meaningful.

This week I called Time Warner Cable about the change to a blue screen with white letters. There is a reason that print is usually black on white - so you can read it. White letters on blue - give me a break. Even with a fairly large TV I have to get about a foot away to read what's on now.

I told the tech support guy (since they did not have a button push option for feedback or raise cain) that I can't read the menu now that they made it blue with white letters.

Tech guy says, "I'm sorry you feel that way."

Do what?

I did not make a statement of feeling. I made a statement of fact. It is a fact that I can't read the screen. It is not some feeling I have.

Why is the guy really sorry?

He is probably sorry that:

1. I called.
2. Another tech guy did not get the call.
3. He works the night shift at Time Warner Cable.
4. He said that about "sorry you feel that way" and got an ear full.

OK. I did tell him that I figured he did not make my TV screen blue and that he had been told to tell customers that he's sorry they feel that way. So, I cut him a break. But I did tell him that saying he's sorry I feel that way is not fixing the problem and not making my evening.

Maybe customer service training should include some logic. If someone says, "I think the shows on tonight are boring," then it might make sense to say, "Sorry you feel that way." On the other hand, if someone says, "It's raining outside," then, "Sorry you feel that way" makes no sense at all. And, that's how most customer service reps use that tired phrase - randomly and illogically.

If you don't like my post, then - "Sorry you feel that way." Well, actually not. I wrote it. I own it. If you don't like it, then there is a back button. I would be sorry you went away but not, "Sorry you feel that way." I respect my readers more than that. And, I figure that folks can see the world through different colored glasses without offering fake validation that doesn't make anyone feel any better and doesn't fix the blue menu screen with white letters on my TV screen either.

Grilling on my Dad's Old Cast Iron Grill - New York Strip Steaks

An Oldie but a Goodie - Cast Iron Grill Box Style - Vintage Family Grill


New York Strip Steaks - Just About Ready to Come Off the Grill

My brother was coming in today to fix the light cover on my Mom's car. Long story. I won't say how that happened to get busted. In any case, my brother had me take photos and get the car VIN number, so he could get the light cover and paint and fix the car back up.

Mom wanted to have a nice lunch. She doesn't cook much these days. She mentioned steak, and I offered to grill them. It's hard to be inside and outside on a meal, but as a single Mom I've learned that juggling act. As I thought back, I guess it was probably always Dad or one of us kids who did the outside cooking.

The grill was out when I arrived. That was a blast from the past. My Dad died in a traffic accident two year ago. I hadn't seen the grill since then and hadn't cooked on it in years, since I usually do the grilling over here on my Weber grill.

I'd say the old grill must be 30 to 40 years old. When you hear, "They don't make them like that anyone," that's true here. I worked in a metal shop during high school, and I' say this is a solid cast iron grill. Definately it's heavy, but it does have one set of wheels for rolling. The grill has held up over all those many years and grillings, so it's certainly a study high grade of metal. The only damage on the grill is a broken hinge on the right side of the lid cover.

It's a box style grill rather than a kettle shape like Weber. Most all the old grills I've seen or used were in this shape. They're a little harder to regulate and the food is closer to the fire with this shape, but it's fine especially if you've had some experience grilling.

With a box shape grill, I put the coals heavier on one side and lighter on the other. Steaks can go down on the hot side and seal and then over to the cooler side for additional cooking for those who like steaks cooked more than rare. With the cast iron and the excellent conduction of heat, the entire grill maintains a high temperature, but it is possible to maintain some cooler space by using fewer (or even no) coals to one side.

Mom had hoped to get tenderloin steak, but Food Lion did not have any. She went with New York Strip. That's a good steak for grilling as well. There are numerous other names for NY Strip like Kansas City Steak and top loin steak, and hotel cut steak. The meat is cut from the loin across the back of the cow. It is tender, because cows do not do backbends, cartwheels and such. Tougher steaks are ones where the muscles are used more often - an example would be round steak (hard to get right on a grill). New Strip does not have as much marbling as a Rib Eye, but the fat ratio is good for grilling. Some strips are cut away from the bone and some include a small strip of bone but not in the T shape like t-bone steak.

I used a little marinade for a half hour or so to tenderize and to add flavor. New York Strips can also be rubbed and cooked without marinade. I prefer to marinate but not for too long. More than a couple of hours and the meat kind of breaks down - too much tenderizing.

Mom made salads, baked potatoes (both Irish and sweet) and rolls. I'd pop in and give her an estimate on the time for the steak. Dad never did that, and it's kind of hard to be the indoor person and not have some idea on the time.

The meal was delicious. I could have gone a minute or so less on the steaks. It had been so long since I'd cooked on it that it was hard to nail it. Knowing your grill makes a real difference. This grill was familiar and brought back good memories, but it had been years since I'd cooked on it.

If you happen to run across an old cast iron grill, buy it. You'll have a good one. This one has a lot of mileage, but I could see even a glance that it's good for many more years of grilling.

If you love to grill out or want to learn more about barbecue cooking, check out my site Yes You Can Grill. I have loads of tips, ideas and recipes, and I'm adding more outdoor cooking stuff all the time.

Redneck Rules for Dating - Ya Can't Make This Stuff Up

This here sign really is posted at a store I visited. Makes a body wonder if someone had some of the Bud before making the sign.

I grew up in the South, but I still find some of the customs confusing. The most recent I considered was male courtship patterns. Seems some of the guys have it figured out - or not. Cross my heart. I did not make these up. I'm creative - but not to this extent.

Redneck Dating Rule 1 - Wear Your Work Uniform When You Go Out Looking for a Date

I had to ask my brother about this one. He said that some of the guys he hires to do landscaping wear uniforms out. I do not mean uniforms like military or police uniforms. I mean the ones with your name in a circle over stripes or even your Wendy's hamburger shirt.

My brother said that the guys say these work uniforms say, "I have a job." Girls like that.

Redneck Dating Rule 2 - Don't Spend Any Money on a Girl

The guy who told me this one said that other guys will buy the drinks. You just sit there. By the end of the night, the girl doesn't even remember who bought the drinks anyway. The guy buying is probably sloshed too. That's when you make your move. This is a freebie, unless she gets pregnant. Then, you have to marry her or pay child support. Then, the plan is not so grand.

Redneck Dating Rule 3 - Always Go to Her House - Never to Your House

The way this one was explained was that if you bring a girl home, then you are stuck having to be nice the next morning. She may want to stay a while or forever. If you go to her house, you can make up some excuse about having to work or do something. You have an "out."

Redneck Dating Rule 4 - Get a Cell Phone - and Learn to Use It

Everyone knows that cell phones can go wacky. If you don't like how the conversation is going, start saying, "Huh? What? I can't hear you. Are you there?" Press the button to hang up. Swear later that you ran outside the cell zone.

Redneck Dating Rule 5 - If You Don't Want to Pay for Heating Oil

Times are tough. If you are out of money for heating oil or food or such or if you need some dental work, then don't pay child support. Do the right thing and go turn yourself in. If you time this right, you can weather the cold months in county. You get a bed, three squares, unlimited TV and weight room time, and you can rest up for another round of womanizing come spring.

Well, shut my mouth. I probably should not tell everything I hear. But, those rules were just too good to keep to myself. I did do the guys a favor and did not post photos other than my favorite generic shot from the quick stop. I hate to derail someone's dating life. On the other hand, I'm not dating. If you wonder why, just review these interesting rules I've heard around these parts.