Laughing Wolf
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Hey Fiserve Health: A Quick Insurance/Automation Rant
My patience with voicemail systems has been sorely tested this week, as such systems have caused things to take close to an hour versus five minutes dealing with a real person. Anyone who tells you that such systems are for your convenience is either stuck-on-stupid or a liar. They are for the convenience and cost-cutting of the organization using them.
This morning, I had the fun joy of dealing with such an automated system that would not put one through to a person. My insurance carrier somehow got the idea that one of the immunizations I was getting was because of an accident or injury. Even if you indicated that it was not such, it persisted with a line of questioning as if you had said yes. All this after a lecture on how any incomplete, incorrect, or otherwise dishonest answer (including apparently hitting the wrong button on the menu list) would have the fraud unit after you and you will burn, burn, burn. I’ve answered the questions, and would love to talk to a real person about why and such, but that apparently can’t take place, at least not yet. The funny thing is, the inoculation that appears to be causing the frantic notices and threats cost all of eight dollars.
Here’s a hint for the folks at FiServe and other insurance companies: you get inoculations to prevent diseases and getting them saves you the insurer money in the long run. Smart companies know this and encourage them, even if they seem exotic. They don’t threaten the person getting them, they encourage it. They also are not penny wise and pound foolish when it comes to automation. It may save you some money because you can can a few more people, but if you don’t serve the customers with it, it really doesn’t help. Feh.
Sorry, had my fill of “helpful” automation and am tired of insurance companies that presume you are up to something because you try to prevent problems.
LW
Monday, March 10, 2008
Thanks to a Special Reader
Recently, I had an interesting week given a nice bit of brightness when someone sent me three Good Eats DVDs. I’ve sent a thank you note, but in case it doesn’t make it, thanks!
LW
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Spanking Leads To Risky Sex?
Huh. I find that spanking someone usually leads to good and fun sex. Oh, wait, this is another attempt to demonize any form of corporal punishment I think. Feh. Prefer my first take based on the short headline…
LW
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valen-Tines Day
Let the followers of perpetual outrage seethe and riot, for we truly know the meaning of this day. For today is the day that Valen of blessed memory decreed that the One would clean the tines of all forks so as to not do other things to the girl, er, stay pure for that battle to come. Until such time as the One comes, each of us is to take this day and clean the tines in Valen’s name.
To each of you, a Happy Valentine’s Day! May it be filled with love, laughter, friendship, and as much impure and unchaste as you feel comfortable with. *VBEG*
LW
who may have to add the B5 set to his wish list…
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Better Than Last Time
Fate seems to like to start traditions, and one seems to be forming in regards my visits to Iraq—but at least it doesn’t appear to be determined to be expensive. I returned to find my car with a new problem: the stereo has decided it doesn’t want to work properly. It won’t turn off, the volume knob is switching it through AM/FM/FM2 and other delights along with volume changes, and it generally appears to have lost its electronic mind. No impact to driving or other systems, so plan to just live with it and be glad that is all that awaited this time.
In a few minutes I will go see about my grill. I had been warned that wind storms had ripped plastic off windows and turned my grill over; but, what I didn’t realize was that the winds apparently tumbled a grill weighing towards 50 or so pounds (real grill with side smoker. rougly 3 feet tall, 2 feet wide, almost 4 feet long with smoker and side deck) across the yard. At least the heavy rubberized canvas cover was caught by the fence.
I also am enjoying a wonderful gift from a good friend. D not only looked after Jenny for me, she also cleaned up a bit for me. Now to maintain and expand the opening… Thanks D!
More soon.
LW
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Christmas, Iraq, Random Thoughts
Over at Blackfive, I’ve just announced that I am returning to Iraq for Christmas. This is something that does mean a good bit to me, and I can’t thank those responsible enough. There will be more there and here, so stay tuned.
As the photo above shows, we did have snow here. Jenny was actually a bit annoyed when I first put out the straw, but she fairly rapidly decided that she would forgive me. For those concerned, she does have a dry and warm house outside, but she prefers to be outside where she can try to protect her yard from those awful rabbits and that darned cat from across the road. She says to “Send more rabbits” and I say that if you do so, send slower ones.
Today is ice and freezing rain, and the power has already fluctuated a time or two. It is a good day to be inside and Jenny is being much more a cuddlebug than normal. Part of that had to do with thunder early on, as she dislikes loud booms. Part of it, I’m not sure. It could just be the booms, it may be that she isn’t feeling great, or she just may be in a humor for love. She normally is not a clingy dog, preferring instead for skritches and simply to be near—but not too near—me as I work. Today, she has been all about the touch, the lean, and the full-court press into. It’s good.
When I was out of town last weeked, she did something that was quite the “Awwww” moment. A good friend who was letting her in and out for me told me that one morning Jenny went to the base of the stairs, looked up, made a sound, and then curled up at the foot of the stairs to wait for me to come down.
Given this, and the fact that she has made it VERY clear that the yard was not properly patrolled or defended during my first embed, I am going to try to find a way for her to stay here while I am gone. She loves being with Chumley, but she also likes being home. So, I’m going to see what can be done for her to be able to patrol and defend while I’m gone. Part of me has thought of a doggy spa, but she might seriously hurt me over that, as they give baths there (think stereotypical five-year-old reaction to having to take a bath). There are options, and several have offered, but if I can find a way for her to be here that is what I want to do.
More to come, power and will-power providing. Part of me is tempted just to curl up and read a book with Jenny. Maybe see how the sterol-loaded milk heats up to make real hot chocolate. Meantime, thank you all for your patience (esp. those to whom I owe e-mails and calls), and thanks for stopping by. Stay tuned.
LW
Monday, November 26, 2007
I Am Here
Just a bit behind, particularly responding to e-mails and such. I have finished a four-part series on the embed, and am now working on yet another major article and several smaller-but-important ones for Blackfive. The public presentation on the trip has been finished and presented twice last week. I do appreciate all the good wishes and thoughts, though I will note that while I will pass on the blanket but do send the spirits. 
More soon,
LW
Does Anyone Know
Of a good compendium, pref. online and free, of grants/grant-giving agencies? If not free, then moderately priced?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Never Rains But…
Add to the unexpected the loss of some dental work this evening… Do hope my dentist isn’t too busy.
LW
Monday, October 22, 2007
Hey, Sgt. Gus!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Sleep
Finally.
The last few weeks have been very stressful. Lawsuit, major projects at work, embed, and more. Some have worked to ease the stress, others, well, not so much. Work has been the worst in some ways, as there have been several major events and a trade show I want to see go perfectly. The bad thing is, that has carried over into sleep, with nightmares about that event. I haven’t slept well in several weeks as a result of all the stress.
I’m not sure if it is because the repairs to the roof were done Thursday, the trade show is set to actually start, or what, but last night I slept long, dark, and deep. I think I dreamed, but the alarm this morning was most unwelcome and I suspect I could have slept dark and deep an hour or three more. Exhaustion takes a while to get over, but that was one heck of a good start…
LW
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Thank You For Rio Bravo
Someone out there just sent me Rio Bravo from my wish list, and since I don’t know who, I just wanted to say thanks. It is very much appreciated!
LW
Monday, September 17, 2007
Send Coffee
And some good thoughts. Had planned to get some more stuff up, but yesterday afternoon two friends were involved in different accidents. Good news is, no one was hurt in either one. Good news is, K’s car is driveable and should be easy (though maybe pricey) to fix. Bad news is, N’s car may be gone. Found myself last night borrowing yet another friend’s car to go down to Indy to pick up K and his passengers (and gear), and not back home until after 11. Plans for a quick post this morning went away when Jenny managed to get out and go play in the morning traffic. She is okay, and came back very quickly when I called—her being hungry this morning was a distinct advantage for me. Now that my heart is back down out of my throat, hoping that the rest of today continues to go very well (and much better!) for all. Please keep both K and N in your thoughts as they deal with insurance, repair, and all the rest.
LW
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Whew!
This last week, actually the last two, have been intense. I don’t see anything letting up until sometime in November at the rate things are going.
Work has been flat out balls-to-the-wall for several of us. There is a delightful Catch-22 going on, in that I am helping a client get ready for their major trade show of the year. Doing this has meant trying to finalize plans, despite some last minute delays and desires on the part of some; get all the furniture and such ordered from the show decorator; and, trying to get everything ready to put on a pallet and ship out to the show.
To make it more interesting, getting all their publications ready has meant working on multiple web pages and/or mini-sites since they are driving some of the publications, but the pubs are needed to do the web work and—I actually hope to have all done and the appropriate materials to the graphic designer by Tuesday so that we can print and ship by Wednesday.
It has also meant some scrambling in regards equipment. Anytime you rent at a show, it is expensive; but, it should also be less expensive than buying and shipping whatever it is you rent. When you have to rent from an event hotel, however, all goes out the window. It is not uncommon for such facilities to charge $600-$800 a day for wi-fi at the booth, and to make it even more interesting they block (or actively jam) all outside wi-fi signals including the signal they set up for the guest rooms. You don’t want to know about T1 or other “wire” feeds… All such prices are predicated on companies, primarily large companies, doing things in these conference/convention areas. They make no allowances for small companies/start-ups, non-profits, or anyone else. To say that they work on a dated business model is a bit of an understatement from my point of view.
We had gotten information from the hotel on AV items, as you have to rent those through the hotel and not the trade show decorator/services. The price to rent a large plasma display was high, but didn’t seem too bad—until it was discovered that the $750.00 was per day, not for the event. For just a bit more than one day’s rent, the client now owns a 37-inch HD LCD TV/monitor that will be shipped out as part of the display. What this did to the schedule, you don’t want to know.
The trade show is only one of several things going on, from board meetings to visiting dignitaries to potential partner events. All pretty much in the same time frame. Send single malt, more than one of us can use it.
Add to that preparations for the embed, and you take stress to a whole new level. I am getting gear, trying to make everything I want to take fit within that gear, deal with delayed gear, figuring out what I may just leave at home, doing physical training with the trainer, and doing some training off on my own. Not to mention paperwork, follow-ups, and such mundane things.
On top of all that, both regular duties and nice-to-dos. I am having to do all the normal household maintenance, from yard to cleaning, and am also trying to keep up my duties at Wolf Park. I also am facing a closing window on preparing herbs and such from the garden, putting up what is left of the other fruits of the garden, and trying to make jelly with some things while I can. Sleep, what’s sleep?
So, there is a good reason things are lite here right now. Yet, I need to get more up and said. I do want to say that I am not down, more like pinned to the wall of life by a firehose. *G* The good news is two fold: the pressure has to let up soon and some people at work are finally starting to understand the difference between an agonistic pucker and a smile/grin. It actually warms the cockles of my black flabby little heart to see them start and turn away in fear, though the urge to chase is strong when they run. Hmmmm. Maybe I shouldn’t be spending so much time with Echo and a few of the other wolves…
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Some Stress Gone
Sorry for the delays, but all is chaos. Amidst that, one good thing has taken place: the lawsuit I mentioned earlier has been settled. Not quite on the terms I would have liked, but better than nothing. More on that, and other things, soon.
LW
Content copyright C. Blake Powers and the individual authors. Comments become the property of C. Blake Powers and may be altered, edited, deleted, and used by C. Blake Powers or the individual authors without restriction or recompense.
