My father was a mountain

I just got finished reading Cory Doctorow’s book, Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town. I’ll write a review of it later, but suffice to say, it was disppointing.

I could relate to some of the characters, especially the main character. After all, my father is also a mountain, strong, aloof, implacable, seemingly ever-present and yet difficult to reach. When I was growing up, my mother was more than a washing machine, but only just. My family was alien and strange compared to the greater world-at-large, and I’ve always struggled to fit in and be normal, even though I have frequently had difficulty even figuring out what “normal” means. So, the main character was interesting. The story was not.

I finally got around to listening to last Saturday’s, freethought radio. It was pretty good. They’re really getting the hang of this radio show thing.

I had an interesting “live chat” customer assistance experience yesterday. I present the transcript for your amusement:

Sherry: Hi Pamela.

Pamela: Hi Sherry

Sherry: I have checked the status of your order. It is currently being prepared for shipping and will ship out within 24 hours.

Pamela: I see.

Sherry: If you place the order before 11 A.M MST you will receive it on Friday.

Pamela: I placed it yesterday.

Sherry: I see that you placed it on 05/10/2006.

Sherry: Orders submitted before 11:00 a.m. MST will arrive by 3:00 p.m. on the next business day (does not include Saturday or Sunday) from the day your order is submitted.

Sherry: I’m awaiting your response.

Pamela: So, I submitted it yesterday, which would make that before 11 am today, clearly.

Sherry: It will arrive by 3:00 p.m. next day if you placed it before 11 a.m. MST.

Pamela: I see.

Sherry: Is that all the information you were looking for?

Pamela: I hope to receive my shipment tomorrow. I will need to reconsider ordering again if I do not. Thank you for your time.

Sherry: Okay Pamela.

Fun. So I checked this morning, and it looks like they accidentally shipped my package to Ontario, California. When I first read that, I thought they had shipped it “The” Ontario, about 2,590 miles away. Ontario, CA on the other hand is only 1,178 mi away, so I guess that’s ok. UPS claims that it’s been re-routed and is still on time. I cannot help but be amused.