I realize that one of my most popular blog entries with you, my dedicated readers was my vast insight into the world of music. As tonight began to wind down the following tune would not stop haunting me. Anyway with all this talk of Kevin heading off to college this Phil Collins song will not stop playing in my head. The song, which is from my favorite Phil Collins album, 1993's "Both Sides" talks about how we all turn into our fathers as we are also forced watch out children grow up and out of our control. 
Dedicated readers I have a horrible story to tell. As a dedicated reader you must know that I am a long time Directv customer. I have been with Directv since 1996 and I have no intention of canceling their great service. I also have Verizon Fios for Internet & Telephone services. Anyway last week I get a phone call from Verizon "offering" me increased services and only a slightly increased cost. However I would be "getting HD TV including Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia" which the evil Comcast Company refuses to sell to Directv. Against my better judgment I listened to the Verizon sales rep and I signed on for their "triple pack".
However after the call I started having second thoughts and I tred to contact the rep I was talking to earlier however he was not answering his phone or returning my calls. Funny since he specifically gave me his cell phone number because he "cares". The following day I called Verizon and finally get a hold of someone after what seemed like hours back and forth on the phone with various departments. It did not take long before I was angry and that was before I drug out certain facts that were contrary to the previous evenings promises.
1. I need "boxes" at any TV that I want Verizon TV. $3.99 each. These are simply "digital adapters". Nothing fancy here. No grid, no nothing, but $3.99 each.
2. Any new wiring is at least $59.00 per TV run.
3. To get Comcast Sportsnet the monthly package is increased by $10.00.
I could go on and on but I won't except for the fact that the ad I received said specifically $99.99 /month for FiOS TV, Internet & Phone Service. However this does not include the receivers ranging from $3.99 to $10.00 each or the aforementioned $59.00 (or so) cable charges to install wiring.
All this plus hours on the phone with "Verizon reps" all over the world has left me frustrated, angry and just a little disappointed in Verizon. Dedicated readers do yourself a favor, call Directv as soon as possible and stay away from Verizon for TV.
Tonight I believe I helped deliver yet another Trekkie into the world. After going to see the new Star Trek film with Ian, Brianna, Bill Jr, Dad and Lt. Morris Brianna started begging me to borrow some of my Star Trek DVD's.
I must say that this past weekend has been a rather unusual one for me. No it's not because of mother's day or Kevin's continued preparation for college. You see I have been a Trekkie (or Trekker) since my earliest memories. I can distinctly remember the first time I saw Star Trek on TV. I had to be 6 or 7 years old and while my grandmother (Nanny) vacuumed the living room I was changing the TV channels (knob on TV) trying to stay out of her way when I stopped on Channel 48. There was Mr. Spock mind-melding with a "horta" and Captain Kirk standing by looking ever so concerned, phaser in hand. I was hooked from that moment on. It had to be 1973 or so because I remember the animated series airing on Saturday morning shortly afterward and that was 1974. From those earliest days Star Trek has always held a special place to me. However life can be difficult and through my childhood, teenage years and even as an adult most of my friends and family thought I was a little nuts. I knew better because Star Trek was unique, just like me. It's tales of morality, common respect for others and its open mindness went on to help me raise my boys to be thoughtful, intelligent & respectful people.
Cross your fingers and wish the crew of STS-125 good luck on their mission to repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. This is the final mission to upgrade the Hubble which should continue recording images from deep space until about 2014 when a smarter and bigger space telescope is ready for action. One of the things many of you have asked for from this new blog is simply more William Mann. Because I care for each and everyone of you, my dedicated readers I decided to add some William Mann Slideshows to the right sidebar of this fine journal. You can simply watch the slideshows while you visit here or you can click on any of them for full fledged William Mann action from some of his many adventures.
