Strange Phenomena

The other day Billy and I were playing at a park in Pitman when above our head we saw a really cool semi-circular cloud bow. I have seen plenty of sun dogs before but this was the first time I have ever seen a bow that arched away from the sun. That is, if you completed the semi-circle, the sun would not be at the center or even the anti-center.

Here is a far view:

Here is a close view:

Update: It turns out that this is what is known as a Circumzenithal Arc. Thanks to the good people at Atmospheric Phenomena for getting back to me with an answer as to what formed this really cool spectra in the sky.

Face Recognition Technology

I don't know what to say about this technology. Is it too good or not good enough when it presents the picture below as one of the options for me to name? This was a Christmas ornament in the background of one of my pictures.

A shrinking Gallon

Recently I was painting Billy's room and the first container of paint I bought was 1 US gallon. No big deal, this has always been the size of paint cans. I expected nothing different.

The second can of paint looked exactly the same, but as I was painting I noticed that it was actually only 3 15/16th of a gallon. I was cheated out of 1/16th of gallon of paint.

About a day later I got another container of paint and this time it was 3 7/8th of a gallon. This time I was cheated out of 2/16th of a gallon.

At this rate I will be getting droppers of paint by the time Billy is 7 years old.

Redemption

Today I received the most unbelievable call in my life. I was painting Billy's room when the phone rang and when I got it, the person on the other end was a representative from Verizon. She called to say that the person I talked to yesterday made a mistake and that I am entitled to a $150 gift card. Not only that, but she said that they would give us 3 months of HBO and Cinemax to make up for the troubles that I went through yesterday.

All I can say is WOW!!

TV Troubles

Well, here we are in July and we have still not received my $150 Visa card I was promised with my upgrade to Fios TV. Not only have we not received the $150 yet, but they charged us for installation on the first couple of bills during May and June.

Today I finally decided to call and find out what was up with the deal I was promised. After about one hour on the phone I learned that I will not get the $150 card. The person who signed me up for this service lied to me when they told me I was eligible for the $150 reward card. I already had a Verizon Double Play and switching to a Triple Play would not allow me to get the $150 gift card.

I was also informed that only the activation fee was waived, not the installation fee. So I was going to be charged $54 for them to run 5 meters of coax cable to my tv. I fought this because they used my EXISTING coax cable. The operator tried to call the installer to verify this. When she couldn't get a hold of the installer, she credited for the $54 installation cost.

Finally, I asked her about activating the DVR features on my HD box. She said it would cost $15.99. I asked, "one time fee". She responded, "No, each month". What planet are people on that pay these prices? I already have the hardware on the box....they want me to pay $16 a month to use it.

I am looking forward to March 19, 2010. That is the day my contract expires and I return to full over the air tv.

A quick storms rolls through Glassboro

Today a quick storm rolled through Glassboro and I was able to capture its approach on film.

Philly comes to Billy

This wednesday we got to see the Philly Phanatic, the Phillies Ball Girls and the Eagles' Mascot (Swoop). They all came out to community day in Pitman and we had a great time.

TV Times

After one year using only an antenna for my television service, I am once again getting paid tv. The good thing is that I am the one who is getting paid to have the tv service. Last year we signed on to a two year deal with Verizon that gave us phone and internet for $75 a month and we didn't want to pay the extra money for TV.

Recently, we signed onto a promotion that will actually raise or monthly bill by $10 a month and will allow us to also get tv. The offer also comes with a $150 Visa card and $30 off the first bill. So over the course of the one year left on our contract we will pay $90 extra dollars and get $150 dollars back. So they are paying us $5 a month to have the tv.

We didn't want to have pay for any boxes or other equipment so we are only getting the service on one tv and the other tvs will stay on the antenna.

Even though I haven't watched anything during the week or more that we have had the new service, I am looking forward to the hockey playoffs and the start of baseball season.