Russia, Perm #1 Preamble...

You cannot understand what the big deal is, this Midwestern boy, local kid makes good thing is until I give you the whole story, but then, who gives a flying ass? Well maybe that's not how to put it. I hope I can tell as good of a story as this trip was... Mostly I'm transcribing what I wrote on my Treo 650, because I can't get any of my computers to sync with the damn thing. It's Sprint's fault I can't get a fracking signal at my house...and I got a fracking 270 dollar bill because I have to roam at fracking home!@#$%...but it's not sprints fault that I can't sync. It's partially my fault for buying a PC and then customising to fit my needs, but it's also Palm's fault and Vision something or other...no, on second thought, it's Sprint's fault for that too, partially.

Ok, this is the pre-preramble.

Can I tell you how disaffected I am with Sprint?

I mean, it's expensive enough traveling all over the place having to hear everyone else talk about how great Cingular or whatever OTHER company than Sprint is. I have been a Sprint PCS customer since I got a cell phone. Loyal, gracious with their shortcomings, hopeful and proud to be a Kansas Citian with them around. Sprint as a whole has done so much for the Arts and entertainment community around Kansas City (though their staffing problems have made paupers out of many of my former Sprint employee friends).

But I cannot get a darn signal to hold in my own house...in their own home town. I have to be on roam just to make sure I get a call and the expense is driving me away. I just cannot afford it. For years I have called and pointed out problems with my phone or service and have always received courteous service and have had my problems remedied not only service-wise, but also with help on my bill from time to time. in fact this recent problem I have tried to work out with them and was genuinely happy with how my customer service agent helped me and seemed to be on my side. But the problem remains and I just don't want to deal with it anymore. Part of it is that I dont want to have to stand outside talking to customer service in 98 degree heat. Or have to go in my car, when I should be talking inside my house.

And then there's the syncing problem. I am SOOOOOOOOOoooooooOOOOOOO tired of things not working properly, or being told of all of this interoperability and ways to make my life easier, when here I am taking time away from Writing about Russia to write about my Fracking cell fracking phone!!!

Even if there is an iPhone, or some other new bell and whistle thing, I am such a loyalist, that I'd be more than happy to wait a year or some for the new fangled gadget (lord knows it'll be cheaper) if I could just get things to work right.

I am so busy with important things like trying to talk with you all. finding time for hanging with my wife. continuing on with Hymn project...it IS in the works BTW. forming a new rock band and trying to get my fledgling company off the ground with no Exec director and no ready cash. Life is not easy right now. It's good, Don't get me wrong. Really, I am happy with life. I am pissed because I am passionate about what I do...and all of the things going on I don't even get to talk about. Hey...anyone got a spare million? I can't guarantee we'd make you your money back...but I would guarantee we'd put a lot of music, art and shows on with it.

I feel like a homeless person sometimes...panhandling. Hay! You got change for a thousand?!

Anyway, enough ranting about Sprint and all that. I'm going to give it ONE more go with them. I really, really want to be able just to get my work done. But There is a new technology out there and it is waiting for me to buy it...and complain about it later....but I am going...to give..it...one....more , ungh...try...pant, pant.

On to Russia.