The trouble with auto-pay

I forgot that I auto-pay my phone bill, so was reviewing it this morning to see how much it was going to be ... and discovered I've got voicemail service. Never ordered it; don't want it!

I just called to have it taken off. Looks like once they credit me with nearly a year of billings (at $14.95 per month), I won't owe anything at all for a couple of months. The name of the person who signed up for it was completely unfamiliar to me - we're guessing she transposed a couple of digits her own phone number, which happened to then match mine.

A quote I like

I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that, then I realized I was somebody.

-- Lily Tomlin

Political Meanderings ...

While we were standing in line to disembark the ferry from Martha's Vineyard, there was a gal expounding at the top of her voice as to what a horrible, evil person Sarah Palin is: "She Doesn't Believe in Evolution! This is the 21st Century!" Good thing she was in Massachusetts. Imagine how that would play in the Bible Belt! I expect there were liberals who were shifting from foot to foot with discomfort due to her wild-eyed maniacal manner.

Speaking of powerful political pundits, apparently Lindsay Lohan via her MySpace blog has blasted Sarah Palin for being a "narrow minded, media obsessed homophobe." Coming from a narrow minded, media obsessed lesbian, those words carry great weight.

Signs of the times

There are certainly places I can really see where the state of the economy is affecting folks. I've not taken a huge hit, personally. I’m only supporting a couple of people, and I make a pretty decent wage, so I haven't had to make any truly dramatic changes in my lifestyle.

But ... when I go out for coffee or to lunch or dinner, I see far fewer people doing the same than this time last year. I know that's an easy way to save money when times get tight. It definitely is less expensive to fix food at home!

Another place I notice the difference is when I go to my favorite nail salon (Village Nails). I'm a "walk-in" person, and the only time I’ll make an appointment is if I'm trying to get squeezed in right after work. Used to be, the place was nearly full, there were three or four technicians working, and I always had to wait. The last several times I've been in, there might be one other customer the entire time I'm there, and often the owner is the only person working.

Today, there was a gentleman getting a pedicure when I got there, but the rest of the time – however long a pedicure and getting some facial waxing takes – I was the only customer there. At least an hour, maybe longer.