auracom sucks ass

My internet life began in Newfoundland, back in the mid nineties, about 1994 when I got my very first computer. A 486 Packard Bell, fresh out of the box from Sears. I think Atcon was my ISP then, and then they were bought out by Auracom and I was switched to them. I didn't know a hell of a lot about the internet back then, or computers for that matter. When I opened the box of mine, it was the first time I had ever really used one, I just knew I wanted one. This was back when the internet was not mousable (lol, I KNOW it's not a word). One used the arrow keys to JUMP from page to page and PINE was one of the few e-mail clients.

From there I moved to Ontario where I signed up with Sympatico for the very first time. I grew as they did and went from my old 486 to a Pentium 3 when they first came out in 1998, and the following year signed up for high-speed internet, which I kept until I left Waterloo in 2002. Once in Nova Scotia, I signed up again with Sympatico high-speed, and the following year bought my first Dell.

Then I moved to the boonies and had to downgrade to dial-up, which sucks anyway, but I'll take it over NO internet connection. I have a web accelerator, so its not too bad for surfing the net, but terrible for music downloads.

Then I decided to check out another company where I thought I would get internet cheaper and in came Auracom. Well, once I had signed up, out came all the other charges...spam blocker (not built in) and web acceleration, and they just didn't seem very professional on the phone, like they really knew what they were doing. But I went with them anyhow.

Well holy shit, the SPAM RAINED DOWN! I received about 75-100 a day, with ads for everything from fake rolex watches to penis enlargement and let's not forget the viagra. DAMMIT. So I went looking through their site and found their spam blocker, signed up for that after just a day with that ISP. It didn't help at all. So I called them and they told me that even though I signed up for it, it looks like someone forgot to activate it there at their end. Fine. So activate it already. SPAM continued to rain down. FUCK. I called them again today, and puberty boy told me he had no idea why it didn't work properly. Lets go check the website and you can view the spam it has stopped so far today, becuause maybe you are really getting a lot of spam with your new address. Sure, whatever. The website reports that Mail Rover (spam blocker) has caught exactly ZERO spam since I signed up over 3 weeks ago. So after much complaining and whining (both his and mine) I told him to forget it, I am changing back to Sympatico.

Auracom sucks ass.

Fishing and Sexual Harassment

Not exactly two topics that you would put together, but this really gave me a chuckle...hats off to the quick thinking lady!

One morning a husband returns to his lake cabin after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap. Although not familiar with the lake, his wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors, and reads her book, enjoying the peace and quiet. Along comes a game warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and says,
"Good morning Ma'am. What are you doing?"
" Reading a book," she replies, (thinking, "Isn't it obvious?")
"You're in a restricted fishing area," he informs her.
"I'm sorry officer, but I'm not fishing, I'm reading."
"Yes, but you have all the equipment, for all I know you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up."
" If you do that, I'll have to charge you with sexual assault," says the woman.
"But I haven't even touched you," says the game warden.
" That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment."
"Have a nice day ma'am," and he left.
MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It's likely she can also think.

Where was the f-ing sunblock when I needed it?

Simply because I couldn't find the sunblock and I packed in a rush, so had no real idea where to look, and then began doubting that I brought it...I bring you a portion of my sunburn...I wore my bathing suit this weekend (usually go in stark naked shorts and a tank top) so had fresh unburned skin to scorch on my back. and now that I have also found the aloe gel, I can't reach where I need it most...sigh...where is that pool boy when you need him...

pics from the coal mines camping trip

this is a cool pic of a cliff that I think looks like a man's profile. Its right by the beach where we swam from the big rocks.

this one is a hike we did to overlook a small secluded beach, which we felt was too challenging to get to in once piece...although Lucy the dog did a fine job!

this is our camping area, overlooking the hills and the ocean

last one is the sunset from our campfire area, with friends M and D

Camping at the Coal Mines

well, if the image portion of blogger was working, I could post some awesome pics of the camping weekend I just came back from...will have to go fuck around with photobucket again I guess...sigh...

In any event, I will try to recapture with words just how great my weekend was! We left not long after getting off work and headed up to some property owned by a friend and co-worker of mine to camp for the weekend. Now this property is found along the highlands of Cape Breton where there are steep tree-lined hills, and views of the ocean in the not too far distance where we could see the tuna boats fishing at night, lights twinkling at us.

We set up camp on the grassy knoll next to the little baby barn belonging to my friend. We overlooked a huge flower filled meadow, and more hills and then ocean beyond. There was an awesome old house nestled in the valley below, looking very cozy. There was a nice firepit to use, and I hooked my hammock to the roof rack of a friend's truck, and to a tree at the other end (the only nearby tree).

Friday night was low key, simple set up, food, drink, you know, the necessities of life...into the wee hours of the night, under a blanket of awesome stars.

The next morning we took off for the beach down the road and went swimming in the crystal clear rippled sand bottom beach, tossing the frisbee around. Great catch, F. even if you did dive under to get it!!! After the beach, we were back to the campsite for food, drink, rest, then joined another couple of friends for an awesome hike to another spot, where when the tide is high, we had to slip into the ocean from the big rocks as the beach part was submerged. There was some ocean current, but what a refreshing splush in the water it was. The steep climb back up the hill was a challenge, but we all managed, and were back to the campsite for more provisions and chillaxing by the fireside once again.

So thanks to friends M, A, S, J, K, R, D, and F for joining me for a fantastic weekend!

Now I am off to nurse my sunburn and unpack the mess I brought home with me...

Who ARE these people?

For the past couple of months I have noticed an abundance of numbers I don't recognize on my phone. There is never any message, but I see a new name just about every day I come home from work. Yesterday it was Ocean View Drafting...who in the hell is that? Some of you may recall my telephone woes from last year where I had to change my number 3 times...first it was because I had been called at home by clients and my number was listed in the phone book. I changed to what was supposed to be an unlisted phone number..except it had been previously owned by people who didn't pay their bills so THAT had to stop. Got another number and it apparently was one number different from a drug dealer (and a client had called it - interesting) and the local video store. So I changed it AGAIN. Then I found out that number was listed on the net and got calls from a pervert. So then I changed it AGAIN. Now I'm getting wrong numbers. Sheesh...I might just get rid of the phone altogether...

My ISP is a Drug Dealer

Thanks Auracom. I really needed a new source for Viagra. Appreciate all that offers for penis enlargement as well. And this just in...men's rolex replicas. Just so you know, I am FEMALE. If you're going to spam me, at least send me something I can use...like a vibrator

Rat Bastards

Just because it still brings a chuckle to my throat...STAY OFF MY PROPERTY YOU RAT BASTARDS! was discovered on a shed (rat bastards was on the other end) out on the coast of Cape Breton, near Framboise...they's rough customers out there, man.

Decisions, Decisions...

With limited funds, one is frequently faced with decisions involving money. I'm no different. This coming weekend is Evolve and I have never been, but the tickets are $90plus tax online. And I just spent $85 plus mailing for my Rolling Stones ticket this week, for the following weekend.

It's not that I don't have a great alternative. Camping with a bunch of friends at some land owned by a friend, overlooking the ocean from the high hills of Cape Breton. Less people, less $$$ and I can sleep in my hammock. I doubt if I can find anywhere to tie it up at Evolve; couldn't either at Shoreline...just an open field. Hmmm...

not to mention that I don't really have the money either, heh heh. I would have to scrape up the bits and pieces to get it together...unless I sold my treadmill...and I do have someone coming to look at it tomorrow night...hmmm...if I go, it might be a very last minute Friday decision.

the thing is, if I move up north, I won't be around many festivals of that sort I reckon, hang on, just looked before I continued on that thought and they do actually have a cool looking concert in the Yukon, believe it or not!!! It's called the Dawson City Music Festival.

so...I guess I am left with peddling my treadmill so I can go to the festival...if that doesn't happen, I will still be able to have a great camping trip with my friends...tune in next time for my next bout of indecisiveness...jesus christmas...

Auntie

I'm playing Auntie this weekend. Picked up my 6 year old neice O. yesterday from my parents who brought her across from Newfoundland. We went out to Pizza Delight for supper and she had a kitty cat pizza, which she just loved! When I checked out, I told the gal she was my favorite waitress because she always got my order right and was so efficient. She loved it. It was true...there have been many others there come and go, most of the terrible at their job, but this waitress had been there through it all and did a fine job. She said she really needed to hear that after the crappy day. Funny how a few words can mean so much to someone.

Last night was campfire and we had quite a blaze going. O had her first s'more, and LOVED it! It is certainly more fun at campfire with a young person. Its been years since my own daughter was that age, I miss it...sniff...

Today we're hoping to get to the beach, but its not looking so fine just yet...we may go anyhow and just not swim, but walk as I want to take her to Port Hood Beach to show her Port Hood Island, where her grandma is from.

Then her dad picks her up at suppertime and our little visit ends! Boo!

I like playing auntie, and don't do it hardly near enough...

Where are we going and how did I get in this handbasket?

I was out gathering firewood in the neighbors yard/woods and began sinking into the ground...WTF? Is it that swampy? Strange because its so dry here now, they have a ban on open fires here for the past while due to little rain. That's why I am watering my back yard to keep my campfire from spreading that I am going to light tonight (ban, what ban?). Anyhow, back to the squishy yard...I quickly realized what my neighbors had been doing with their horse manure they mucked out from the stall...it had been piled there years ago I reckon and the forest growth had covered it up for the most part, but was still very squishy...

So now its time to go check on the sprinkler...perhaps a little jaunt through it is in order on this hot summer day...its been YEARS!

Huge Bug Inside

It was a n occurence at my workplace. I was walking by a co-worker's office doorway the other day and saw this HUGE bug, with long antennae that had little balls at the end. I wasn't about to smash it with my sandal (but a huge winter boot would be fine) so I went and retrieved an old soup can from the kitchen recycling box and gently laid it over the top of this huge bug. It was as long as the diameter of the soup can. But then I thought my co-worker might move the can and discover the bug without knowing as I might not get a chance to tell her. So I got a post-it note and wrote HUGE BUG INSIDE on it and stuck it to the top of the upturned can. And went back to my desk.

So my coworker came in and saw the can, couldn't resist, was actually looking around for the candid camera crew. She lifted the can and saw the bug. I never heard her scream, so she must have taken it alright. She took the bug outside and laid him under a tree.

Phew. No one got killed and the bug is gone. and I got a laugh out of it all...now the post it note is taped to another co-worker's door...HUGE BUG INSIDE? Oh M. you are such a bug. Stop bugging me. Bug me to death why don't you. You bugger. Damn the bugs are bad tonight. Bugs as big as dogs. Don't mean to bug you. I got another laugh.

The Rolling Stones Tour

Moncton. Me and the Rolling Stones. I AM GOING! I just bought a ticket on e-bay for the concert and am quite excited to go!!! Whoo hoo! There are other bands playing too, so it should be a good time. We will be camping nearby at a campsite that has a shuttle, so not to worry abotu driving. I can't believe it! I will need the ticket in my hand first before I get REALLY excited...

I've DONE it Now

I applied for a job in Whitehorse, Yukon. And I have an interview in September. I think this time I am finally going to do it, and make the move up north for the big $$$. Granted, I don't have the job yet, but I think I am going to keep at it until I get one this fall. My sister is happy about it as it will put me closer to her, although not much easier to see her...its a 17 hour drive and an $800 plane ride there, which I think is ridiculous (the cost of the plane ticket).

It will be chilly, but I can't imagine it being any worse than when I lived in Labrador. It was pretty damn chilly then too and I always had to plug in my car. I can handle it. Bring it on. You will hear me whine about it later, heh heh.

I informed my supervisor, co-worker and executive director this week. I needed to used them as references so kinda had to tell them then. The Yukon folks were looking for the references now, in order to have that taken care of. There is also a written portion and I needed to find an invigilator. A WHAT? Yeah, I had to find that out too. I kind of had an idea because of the context, but it is just someone to supervise me while I write the written portion.

My agency is not happy that I'm leaving. I can understand that. Its been a revolving door there since I started and now I've been there three years and I'm leaving. I hope they don't have too much trouble replacing me, but there have been openings in the past for months, which is not good when the work is still there to do. Hopefully they have more applicants this time.

I'll be sad to leave my home, my friends, the beaches, but glad to leave behind the living cheque to cheque part...yeah, I can really do without that part. The gal who left last year to go to the NWT says it was really worth it for the money. She just accepted a permanent position in Yellowknife and was here for a visit between jobs and talked about how much she enjoyed it...so that kind of sealed it for me...I'm going!

Chill In The Air

Well, we done. Summer is over. I had to actually close windows last night because it got so chilly. The days are not quite as humid, and on one occasion this week, I even turned off the air conditioner in my office. Gasps from my co-workers were heard when I did that, I'm sure. Everyone thinks I'm trying to freeze them out, heh heh. I just can't take the heat, so this part of the summer will be my favorite.

What Your Friends Do When You Pass Out

I would love to be there when she wakes up!

Stormy in the Window

Here is the little shit disturber, looking oh so innocent. He constantly pesters the resident feline until she finally gives him a hell of a swat and he takes off. He is on the go constantly. In the wee hours of the morning, he thinks its ok to jump on my dresser and begin rooting through my basket of jewelry so I have to get up and put it in the dresser drawer. So then he leaps from the dresser to the back of my head and begins to fight with the resident feline, and my face is right in the middle of the battle zone. He is responding well to the spray bottle. I usually only have to show it to him and he backs off and runs off to stir up shit somewhere else. He had been all over my desk, stepping on my keyboard, sitting in front of the screen and refusing to move, so I HAD to get the bottle out. He looks so pathetic though, when I spray him, you'd swear I had acid in the bottle instead of fresh water. He squints, blinks and cowers away before I even squirt.

But he's a cutie, that's for sure. He follows me around the house, particularly when I'm in the kitchen and when I go to the basement to do the laundry. Now he's sprawled out on the desk next to the monitor, which is ok. Little shit is curled up around the water bottle though...

Leave My Dead Mouse Alone

Yes, there has been a casualty here on the far. I came home on Friday night to discover a dead mouse on my walk. He was huge too, and I didn't quite know what to do with him. My cats are indoor cats, so I know they didn't kill him, so it was likely an outside animal. I didn't want to move him in case some animal was "storing" the mouse there to come back later and snack on. As well, I didn't want to put him in my household garbage just yet as its not collected until Tuesday. So I left him there, dead as a doorknob.

Then I got up on Saturday morning to discover he had been moved about 3 feet from where I left him. hmmm...someone has interfered with the mouse. Perhaps it was the original killer...but why didn't this killer eat him or take him? Interesting.

Then my friend M. came over with some of her friends and their two dogs, and she asked me to move the mouse, so I did, and put him in a plastic bag, and stuck him on the railing of the back step.

We came back from shopping at second hand clothing stores only to find that the mouse had moved again, this time to the middle of my flower bed. OK, WHO IS MESSING WITH THE MOUSE?

So that's where the mouse sits, in a plastic bag in my flower bed. I haven't been out to check on it yet this morning...

Why Is Somebody Always Around When I Drop My Baby

This made me ROAR!

http://theonion.com/opinion/index.php?issue=4132

Of course, not because I thought it was true and a mother treating her children this way was funny, but because she sounds like so many people that I have come across in my job as a social worker!!!

What In The Hell

is with all this heat? It's summer, I know, but can't we have at least one day of rain? The nights are cool enough to sleep at least, which is a big change from living in Ontario a few years back. I just need to remember to put the fan on to draw the cooler air into the house at night.

the Stones concert in Moncton. Anyone going? I missed out on the original ticket sales, but I see that there are tons on ebay, some for ridiculously low prices. Hmmm...should I go or should I stay...

job stuff - heard from one of the jobs I applied for in the Yukon - they are sending me more information, and want to interview, so that's good news. I'll make about $25,000 more there too, which I can apply right on those god damn student loans. Take that, you feckers...

house chores...I need a house boy, someone about 6ft tall, muscular, in their mid twenties, and doesn't mind wearing cut-offs and no shirt while he works. I fecking hate house chores. I avoid the cat litter like the plague, never mind cleaning the bathroom. It gets done, but begrudgingly, and after I cannot possibly stand it any longer.

pant, pant, pant...