rob

Charter.com

A guy I work with had an interesting chat with a Charter representative.  First of all, it's hilarious.  Second of all, props to the Charter lady.  She played along quite well.

You really should read all the way through.  It gets really funny about 1/2 way through.

So all I wanted was information about Charter's $9.95 special...I went to Charter.com, but I couldn't find anything, so I started a chat session:

Thank you for choosing Charter Chat Live! A Customer Care representative
from Cable TV Order Inquiries will be with you shortly.
You have been connected to CVW Kelly .

CVW Kelly : Hello, this is Kelly. Thanks for contacting Charter. How may I help you today?

mike mike: Where can I find info online about the $9.99 basic cable deal that has been advertised? My zip is 63011

CVW Kelly : I’ll be happy to help you with information on our cable services. We can make sure we have the right package for you and if you wish, set up an install. Can I have your first and last name please?

mike mike: No. Can you just give me a link?

CVW Kelly : There is no information online. I can provide you with the information you need once I can determine serviceability.

CVW Kelly : To determine if we service your address please let me start by getting your Full Address,Zip and Phone number.

CVW Kelly : Please give me five minutes while I verify the serviceability of your address.

CVW Kelly : Great news! Charter telephone, cable and internet services are available at your address. So, now let’s find out what package works best for you.

mike mike: The 9.99 package works best for me

CVW Kelly : The $9.99 cable deal is for Basic cable only.

CVW Kelly : This is about 20 channels, mainly local.

mike mike: good, so how would someone go about getting that?

CVW Kelly : If you go to Charter.com, Cable and View Channels In Your Area, you will get a listing of all the channels in your area. To the right of the channel is the category it is in. Please let me know when you are there.

mike mike: there

CVW Kelly : You should be able to see the Basic channels.

CVW Kelly : What do you like to watch on TV?

mike mike: Cspan

CVW Kelly : The Basic will work for you then.

mike mike: I know.

CVW Kelly : What do you do for your Phone and Internet services at this time?

mike mike: what do you mean by "Internet"?

CVW Kelly : Do you have a computer?

mike mike: I think so

CVW Kelly : Do you have internet services on that computer?

mike mike: yes

CVW Kelly : Who provides those services for you?

mike mike: Explorer

CVW Kelly : Based on the information you have provided, we can set you up with Phone, Internet and
Basic Cable services for $69.97 per month for the next 12 months.

mike mike: I already have a phone

CVW Kelly : We could bring that phone service over to Charter for you.

CVW Kelly : Do you do much long distance calling?

mike mike: to who?

mike mike: My mom lives in Virginia

CVW Kelly : Do you pay for long distance calling?

mike mike: she calls me

CVW Kelly : Okay. We do have a very nice phone package.

CVW Kelly : Our Phone package is an Unlimited Local and Long Distance package with calling to
anywhere in the US, Canada or Puerto Rico. It comes with 10 calling features and free voice mail.

CVW Kelly : Then you could call her.

mike mike: I should call my mom sometimes

CVW Kelly : Well, would you like us to set you up with Phone service? Then you could.

mike mike: What about Wisconsin?

CVW Kelly : Our Phone package is an Unlimited Local and Long Distance package with calling to anywhere in the US, Canada or Puerto Rico. It comes with 10 calling features and free voice mail.

mike mike: Does that include Wisconsin?

CVW Kelly : Yes.

mike mike: Do you have any Inter-Web access plans?

CVW Kelly : That is Internet service. yes we do.

CVW Kelly : Tell me, what do you use the internet for?

mike mike: about 2 or 3 hours each day

CVW Kelly : So what do you think. Would you like us to set up that bundle for you?

mike mike: Can I use Google?

mike mike: .com

CVW Kelly : Yes.

mike mike: So I get the Cable, Phone, and Interweb for $9.99 for a year?

CVW Kelly : No, you get the Phone, Internet and Cable for $69.97 per month.

mike mike: Whoa!

mike mike: Is it an iPhone or a regular phone?

CVW Kelly : This is regular phone service.

mike mike: How many minutes are included per month?

CVW Kelly : Our Phone package is an Unlimited Local and Long Distance package with calling to anywhere in the US, Canada or Puerto Rico. It comes with 10 calling features and free voice mail.

mike mike: Ok. What if my mom calls and I don't answer the phone?

CVW Kelly : We have free voice mail. She could leave you a message.

mike mike: On the computer?

CVW Kelly : No, on the phone.

CVW Kelly : Isn't that something?

mike mike: wierd

mike mike: Oh. Does this plan include any texting?

CVW Kelly : No.

CVW Kelly : Only on the internet.

mike mike: what about email?

CVW Kelly : You can get up to 10 e mail addresses with our internet service.

mike mike: what would I do with 10 email addresseses?

CVW Kelly : You could have a e mail address for everybody in your household.

mike mike: It's just me and my wife and our dog

mike mike: so I only need 3

CVW Kelly : then that is what you could have.

mike mike: is that cheaper?

CVW Kelly : No, the internet rate is the same. The number of e mail addresses is just a bonus feature.

mike mike: Not much of a bonus for me

CVW Kelly : Well, that's what it is.

mike mike: How many people do you know that have 10 people in their household?

mike mike: legally, I mean

CVW Kelly : A few. Some people may use more than 1 e mail address for themselves.

mike mike: How many phone numbers can I have?

mike mike: 10?

CVW Kelly : We can set you up with extra numbers but they would cost extra.

CVW Kelly : You get 1 number with the phone package.

mike mike: How about this... give me 3 emails, and 7 phone numbers

mike mike: that's 10

CVW Kelly : No can do.

mike mike: what about 3 emails and 3 phone numbers?

CVW Kelly : No can do

mike mike: What if someone wants to call my dog?

CVW Kelly : Sorry.

CVW Kelly : But for an extra $3.50 per month we could get a distinctive ring for your Dog.

mike mike: Can I get a ring that only he can hear?

CVW Kelly : No. They don't make rings in that frequency.

mike mike: I'll have to talk to him and see what he says about all this.

mike mike: I have to get going. The Interweb closes at 4:00

CVW Kelly : Were you interested in getting services set up tyoday?

mike mike: when?

CVW Kelly : We could set up an order for you and get an install in the next couple days.

mike mike: I have to check with my wife... and my dog

CVW Kelly : Is there anything else I can help you with today?

mike mike: Do you know the phone number for google.com?

CVW Kelly : No I don't.

mike mike: then no

CVW Kelly : Thank you for using Charter Communications' Chat Support. Your session has ended. You may now close this window.

Kindle 2

OK...I'm not a gadget guy.  And honestly I would say I lean more on the frugal side than the average person.  But this I MUST have.

Introducing...the Kindle 2

Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines

Lightweight: At 10.2 ounces, lighter than a typical paperback

Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, service plans, or hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots

Books in Under 60 Seconds: Get books delivered in less than 60 seconds; no PC required

Improved Display: Reads like real paper; now boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and even crisper images

Longer Battery Life: 25% longer battery life; read for days without recharging

More Storage: Take your library with you; holds over 1,500 books

Faster Page Turns: 20% faster page turns

Read-to-Me: With the new Text-to-Speech feature, Kindle can read every book, blog, magazine, and newspaper out loud to you

Large Selection: Over 240,000 books plus U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs available

Low Book Prices: New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise

Shift Conference 2009

Next month Adam (maybe Randall) and I are going to the Shift Conference up at Willow Creek Community Church.  I haven't been to a conference up there in a while, but this one looks pretty good.  It will be a great chance for Adam (maybe Randall) and I to hang out, learn some stuff, meet up with some friends, and have some fun.

Some how some wires got crossed and someone screwed up.  I got asked to lead a discussion during one of the breakouts called "Cups of Coffee."  I will basically get to facilitate a conversation on the topic of my choosing.  Here's the list I accidentally ended up on.

Walt Mueller
Scott Rubin
Glen Westburg
Michael Novelli
Paul Jansen Van Rensburg
Dr. Bruce McEvoy
Dave Zimmerman
Mark Moder
Richy Fisher
Candace Stephenson
John Zylka
Sean Mixson
Rob Bergman
Steve Argue
Fred Lynch
Jody Skogen
Kyle Cooper
Time Homa
Kristi Hayes
Cyndi McClure
Tim Mannin
Dave Teixeira
Brian Schwammlein
Dave O’Vell
Jason Raitz
Scott Bartlow
Jess Oxford
Matt McCoy
Tara Rumler
Leah Gleason
Dave Choutka

Stuff I don't know - part 2

I've wrestled for a long time with a passage in Acts 8.

When they arrived they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.  Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.  Acts 8:15-17

I have always understood that receiving the Holy Spirit is simultaneous to accepting Christ.  I have also always understood that there is nothing we have to do to receive the Holy Spirit.  This passage makes it seem like the Holy Spirit comes later (even after being Baptized in the name of Jesus).  And it seems as if it is something that must be prayed for.

I am well aware that the Spirit of God is very mysterious and not formulaic.  And I understand that the book of Acts is set in a time when the Spirit of God is being revealed in a new way.  Again, recognizing the mystery of God's Spirit reminds me of the mystery, wonder, and awe of the God of the universe.

Stuff I don't know

A few months ago I was asked about angels.  It wasn't an easy question about angels (like there are any).  No, it was the big, fat, hairy, vague, you can't pretend to know this question.  "So Rob if ghosts aren't real then what are angels?"  It was a tough question that I ultimately had to say that I'm not really sure. 

Today I read in Hebrews 1:14 are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who inherit salvation?

That helped a ton, but I still feel like there are huge holes in my angelology.  The good news is I am always encouraged when I realize how little I know.  The less I realize I know, the bigger God becomes for me.

List 4

A few weeks ago Rachel and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary.  Here are just a FEW of the reasons she is my best friend.

• The longer we are married the more fun it is.
• She knows me.  More than anyone on the face of the planet....
• ...And she still loves me.
• There is not a single other person I can think of that I would rather spend time with.
• She pushes me around when I need it.
• She gives me lots of grace.
• She is smokin' hot. 
• She is the single best mother.  Period.  Don't argue, it's true.
• I have eaten more crazy food and done more crazy things in my life than I ever thought I would thanks to her.  And I am glad for that.
• We can talk for hours.
• We can sit in silence.
• We are on the same page.

List 3

My kids drive me crazy, they are squirrelly, they don't eat their dinner, they fight with each other, and they are just generally wild animals.

But I love them. Desperately.

List 2

One of the reasons I am excited about moving into our house is that it allows us to put down roots.  We have been excited to finally get settled here because we have really grown to love this place.  We love our friends, our church, and the community we live in. 

The reason we moved here is because I took a job at The Crossing.  It is a great job and here are a few of the reasons why.

• Things change...a lot...and quickly.  I love it that we aren't afraid of trying new things.  We have been in several meetings the last few weeks about a pretty major change we are considering.  It could completely fail, but we are considering it because of the potential positive impact it could have.
• I work with an awesome team.  We are all COMPLETELY different in our personalities, giftedness, and passions.  Yet we all care deeply for students, which makes for a great dynamic.
• The health of our church community is really important to our entire staff.  We spend a lot of time making sure we are living Biblically healthy lives as individuals and as a community.
• We have a ton of fun.  I love it that we get to work really hard, but we always take time to laugh a lot too.
• I am growing a ton.  I get to work in an environment that allows me to grow and pushes me to grow.  I have been on the receiving end of some of the most gut wrenching conversations, yet have grown incredibly from them.
• I get to work for a guy who is my biggest fan and completely believes in me.  Even though I probably don't deserve it sometimes.
• I am passionate about the big "C" church...as in not just our church but all of the churches around the country and even around the world.  I love being able to have a voice and influence in some of the larger discussions, even if it is in a small way.
• I work with some of my best friends each and every day.  I hear that isn't normal.  I feel lucky.

List 1

I have been slow on this little blog lately.  Partly because I am busy and partly because I just haven't been in the mood.  Enough of that.

I have seen this crazy thing going around Facebook lately.  People are simply posting 25 random facts about themselves and then tagging 25 people to do the same thing.  I have yet to follow through on my getting tagged.  Instead I am going to do some random lists this week.

List #1 - Reasons I am excited we bought a house. (Yes, we bought a house.  We will move in early April.)

• Although apartments are cozy, easy to clean, and zero maintenance...they are still small!  These walls are closing in on us.
• The kids will get their own rooms.  It's been good to have them share a room the past year and a half, but the nights they keep each other up will not be missed.
• The backyard is huge.  Part of it is our yard, but much of it is "common" area.  Which means we get to use it and I don't have to mow it!
• There is room for us to spread out.  It will be good for us to be able to go in a different room and read or write or just be alone.  Right now, that is not an option.
• We will finally be able to fully unpack.  We have lived in St. Louis for about 2.5 years now and we still have boxes in a closet and stuff stored back in Indiana.
• Apartment living is very transient.  Buying a house finally feels like we are putting down roots and making this place our home.  That feels good.
• We love to have parties.  That's hard to do in an apartment. 
• The house is definitely move in ready.  But there are many things we can upgrade and update over the years.  I love doing that stuff.
• There is a small deck just off the living room that has a roof over it.  I will sit out there.  Oh yes, I will sit out there.  And it will be glorious.

Wanna help us move?

Super Bowl XLIII

I have to admit, I was tired.  I had been out of town all week in Dallas and then gone on a weekend retreat all weekend.  So when I finally got home on Sunday night to catch the 2nd half of the Super Bowl I was a bit tired. 

However, I am not the only one who has agreed that the commercials weren't very good.  For the last few days I have been watching a few online and have finally found my favorite.




I don't know what it is about the ol' crotch shot that is so funny. But it makes me laugh every time!