Cancel the Cancellation

“Do not just look at your boyfriend as just a boyfriend. Look at him as a friend, too.”~ Vanessa Hudgens

I do not honestly recall how long ago this news story was, but there was a man who had secretly recorded his telephone conversation with big time internet provider AOL, and he recorded the miserable conversation that he had to endure when AOL had realized that the purpose of his call was to CANCEL his services with them.

I don’t remember just how long he was connected with them but it was at least twenty minutes to a half an hour.

The longer it took, the angrier he became. Eventually, he was screaming and shouting and everything else in between before AOL finally bid him adieu and he was able to hang up satisfied.

Just as this man had suffered because he wanted to cancel, so did I recently with another business.

My experiences are finding that most if not all online dating websites are in reality, all the same.

They operate in the same manner and they attract the same clientele day in and day out. Just because you’ve decided to leave one dating site for another doesn’t mean that the quality of those people are going to honestly change.

This morning, I was alerted to the fact that someone had sent me a personal message through one of these online dating services. I haven’t been to it in such a long time. So long of a time, that it took nearly an hour to remember what the heck my password was to sign in to be able to read whatever message was waiting on me.

As I opened up the website, I didn’t even bother to really look to see who had contacted me. I went straight to the message.

“I keep seeing your name on other dating sites. Man, you must be lonely and desperate!”

That was it. That was the all-important message. And it was very rude, in my opinion. 

I decided to go and check out this woman’s profile while the fires in my mind steadily began to burn.

The “About Me” section was very aptly named and filled out. Whomever this 24 year old woman was… the entire profile, including the “About Me” section, was about HER, HER, HER… and HER.

But then she provided links in her “General Info” section. Links to about a dozen and a half OTHER online dating websites and was apparently her personal profile.

And “I” am the desperate and lonely one??

So I came to the decision to cancel. Not because of the 24 year old woman but because I simply never really use the website for what it is there for. Seriously though: an hour trying to remember what the password was. That is speaking in volumes.

And that’s where the insanity started. I attempted to simply cancel the account online. But then “A survey” came in the form of a pop-up and would not go away until I had filled it out. And this took several minutes to go through, as they were questioning what was wrong and why I was making the decision to leave their site. 

Just about the time that I thought that I was done, I was put through the process of chatting with one of their representatives in a quick chat log box that popped up in the corner of the screen. And it was a very persistent bugger. I clicked OUT of it. And then I would receive an error message and a new one would come up.

I probably should have went for the power cord at the back of my computer at this point, but it didn’t come to mind until much later. Instead my mind went through questioning whether or not I contracted a computer virus through all of this garbage.

More time wasted chatting with that person, that which I assume was really a bot.

And then I just clicked off the browser entirely. Within moments, the telephone rang and it was someone representing the dating site claiming that “we had a lost connection and so we looked up your personal information to be able to speak with you.”

Wow… privacy violations, anyone?!?!?!!?????

I felt like that guy who had to deal with AOL all of a sudden. But I didn’t lose my cool like he had, I stuck to my guns and only honestly answered about six questions and anything else that was asked, I told them to refer to my previous remarks.

For future reference to anyone wanting to cancel their online dating accounts and have to go to through with this: THEY DON’T LIKE THAT!!!! I am guessing their attention spans are not that great. I am only speculating though.

So a grand total of 3+ hours to get this thing cancelled. Starting the clock from the time I read that rude message by that 24 year old to the time where I felt that the job was done. 4 hours if you count the hour wasted trying to remember what in the world the password was to get into the website to begin with.

Ahh, life. You are something else!!!

19 October 2013: Spending My Last Days In Paradise With Six Minute Century

“Nobody clapped! I hope they get the clap!!” ~ Omar Ramirez

It feels like a blur. An achy, head-pounding blur. And I’m no good with that.

“Wasting Time” release party to the rescue!!!

And that’s exactly where I went. By way of Dr. & Mrs. Froth, and SIX MINUTE CENTURY.

I never thought that in a thousand years I would see so many people that I actually KNEW. People that I can say that have become great friends with me. And they were all in one spot, BFE Rock Club in Houston.

Some who have been around for a while, and others pretty new. But they were there.

I had been itching to go to this show so bad that I knew that if I had bugged Mrs. Froth with the “Are We There Yet?” over and over and over and over again for weeks, that she would greet me when I arrive and then KNOCK me into next year!

After starting about fifteen minutes late on the departure to Houston, the bus driver had obviously kicked some serious butt driving on the highway because for a trip that was supposed to last 2 hours and 45 minutes, we arrived just under ten minutes early………. I don’t know, you do the the math and then get back to me!!

The bus was such a blunder. I bought my tickets for the trip in early September. But then forgot to mention that I was in a wheelchair and needed a disability seat. A $4.00 expense that turned into an addition $41.00 because I bought another round trip ticket (the RIGHT way) the day before travel.

OUCH!!!!!!!!

I even sent a message to someone who lives along the travel path, and got to see them waving at the bus as it roared by their work place. I thought that was cool. Too bad I couldn’t get off the bus and go TALK to them.

I checked in to my hotel and then it was an afternoon of fun and overdue “Face Time” with Dr. & Mrs. Froth within their humble abode.

Come to find out that the band has been watching the Internet for album reviews. They found my last blog post. And frontman Chuck Williams saw it and thought that there were a lot of good and positive comments made about it. But he learned real quick that it was me.

After that, it was on to the show!! I had sent out several text messages in my excitement saying “For Those About To Rock, We Salute You.”

And then there is this:

I think it was very funny that SIX MINUTE CENTURY frontman Chuck Williams, replied with “LET FREEDOM RING!!!”

And then there is this ……..

Meet Danae Saree. 

I did. And for the first time.

I’ve been in communication with her over the Internet for so long that I actually came into contact with her when MySpace was used like Facebook.

Yep, that long ago… and it was the first time ever seeing her in person.

Awesome! Can I get an AMEN?

I think its just too cool for school to be able to finally meet people like this. Its too bad I didn’t get an opportunity to take a photograph with her.

Then it was on with the show!!!!!

Silenced Within jumped on stage first, and just rocked it. And it set a good tone to what would be a great night.

It became unusual that the drummer for Stress Level Red (who is former drummer for SIX MINUTE CENTURY) came up to me and asked me to critique the band and their performance. But NOT in the critique that you might think.

So they jumped on stage next and did their thing.

About that time when Stress Level Red was playing, and I was surrounded by bodies of people… that stupid stomach bug hit me, and hit me hard. I don’t think I recovered from it. Let’s put it this way, I didn’t bother asking anyone.

SIX MINUTE CENTURY then hit the stage with what I am believing was their longest set ever. We all were there to do one thing, celebrate and promote the new album. And that’s exactly what they played on stage. One track after another after another. Some of them, had been played live before. Others were brand spanking new and nobody had heard them, either recorded or played live. “Last Days In Paradise” is just as spooky and creepy played live as it is listening to on a recording. That song gives me the creeps.

But I was glad and relieved to see that there was a huge crowd there for SIX MINUTE CENTURY. I am given to understand that the band thinks its one of the largest ever. And personally, I am most definitely proud to have been a part of that.

I was most impressed with the talents of Dr. Froth as he tried different things on stage and to have them work out in such a remarkable fashion. He truly is a bad ass on that NSStick.

However, whatever was rumbling in my stomach was beginning to win. My energy was fading away quickly. And to boot, I had been awake since 5:00 AM that day. And I had several more hours to go.

The crowd began to thin out by the end, and I just kinda shook my head.

ECHO TEMPLE was up next to finish off the night. And so with ECHO TEMPLE, SIX MINUTE CENTURY, and Silenced Within…. three bands that I adore were playing all at the same place on the same night? Of course it was a blast!!! But that huge crowd was gone. And I just thought that was really shitty of the people.

After it was all done, I received a copy of the new album. And even had everyone sign it.

What was incredible and still is today, is that in the “Thank You’s” is the fact that I am mentioned by name TWICE. Once as a band collectively thanking me, and the other as Dr. Froth added me to his list of personal thanks. The band also mentions “The CENTURIONS” and the fans, which is something that I had come up with. Frontman Chuck Williams thanked the CENTURIONS and the fans in his personal notes as well. So I’m mentioned at least by name, twice.

I’ve never been included like this before. And it just fills my heart. I know for sure now that I am “something” to this band. To have been able to go to as many shows as I have in the past two years, traveling all that way, spending so much money, and still giving 1,000% in support. SIX MINUTE CENTURY basically returned the favor by mentioning me in their list of thank you’s.

Wanna see what I’m talking about?!?!? Go buy the album!!!!!

So after all the music was played, a group of us took off. There was a crowd of at least 16 people hanging out. Some of them needing to sober up and eat something over at the IHOP.

The longer I could stay awake, the better it was for me. But all good things must come to an end. And after I don’t know how long of laughing, being gross and immature, and just enjoying the moment…. I was brought back to the hotel and departed ways.

It was after 4:30 AM. My plan was to leave the hotel at 7:00 AM. My bus returning home was supposed to leave at 7:55 AM.

Luckily, I caught some really old re-runs of “Married With Children” and with that, I began to doze off. At some point I think I probably dozed off for about 20-30 minutes. I did not miss the bus however.

There was some random guy fussing and picking on people and telling them what to do because he wanted to get on the bus and he was unable to find a way to purchase a ticket. He yelled at everyone he looked at. And I began to wonder WHY is it that there’s always someone that has to fart in the bowl of ice cream?? Its ALWAYS SOMEONE or SOMETHING. And always on the return trip.

So this guy went after the bus driver when it arrived. And they charged him $44.00 to get on. And he flipped his lid again, but paid.

I was so tired that I couldn’t even think straight any more, and as we went on down the road and reached Houston Outlets, tears formed in my eyes and they rolled down my face without a care. And I could not figure out whether it was because of sadness that I was about to leave Houston for a very long time, or it was because of my exhaustion and serious lack of sleep.

My head bowed down and rolled around and bounced the entire trip home. The back of my neck now hurts. Leaving twenty minutes late from Houston this time, and then we arrived ON TIME. I tell you… I don’t know what it is about these drivers.

I did have fun though. I didn’t bum myself out with a lot of negative thinking. Considering that this was to be my LAST trip to Houston to go to any shows. Its beginning to become very difficult to deal with. Based on the fact that the bus schedules are yet again moved around.

All that money and time spent, for me to be awake for a continuous 30 hour stretch, and not even be in the city of Houston for 24 hours is catching up to me. Plus with the desire of wanting to move, I need to save the money as much as possible.

Its not the end of the world. No, I didn’t get into a dispute with SIX MINUTE CENTURY or their fans. I just need to save the money so that I can move. That way, I’m “there” whenever a show comes up. After all, if it had not been for the House of Froth, I wouldn’t have been there for the CD release show. And that would’ve sucked. So I give all my thanks to them!!!

So I spent my last day in Paradise. Maybe things will change down the road that I can return.

 

 

 

 

SIX MINUTE CENTURY – “Wasting Time”

SIX MINUTE CENTURY 

Chuck Williams- Lead Vocals
Don LaFon- Guitars, keyboards, and sequencing
Dr. Froth- NSStick
Mikey Lewis- Drums

“If you wouldn’t fist the mallard 24 hours a day you might get some work done. That duck is not a puppet, son.”~ Dr. Froth

Its been a very long time coming.

The arrival of the new album by SIX MINUTE CENTURY is now upon us. Spreading mirth and moistitude.

“Wasting Time” has more meaning behind it than any other album title I have ever seen. Especially if you ask the members of the band or their family and friends.

The album gives the listeners something different than what was on their first album. The progression of the overall talent of the band.

Even with a few changes in the band with Dr. Froth on the NSStick, the departure of Darren Davis, and Mikey Lewis (from Helstar) taking over on drums. These guys have come a very long way to prove that they are not some fly by night band that just plays whatever music they think will appeal to the masses. Instead they have opened their selves up to a total world of improvement and excellence.

As a fan that has seen them play live so many times (almost every time) some of the tracks on the album are recognizable. The rest of them serve as a treat to the listeners and it just blows your mind away into a far, far, far away place of elation, and overall a sense of total eargasm. 

Thanks to a much darker tone and feel by vocal front man Chuck Williams and his mind which has sprung forth the most intense and dark song lyrics; it is definitely a step away from their previous work.

Tracks such as “Last Days In Paradise” and “Hell’s Gate” is very fetching to say the least. I find myself wanting to know more…. wanting to research these stories. Even if they creep me out.

Songs like “City of Hope”, “Killing Fields”, and “Baptized in Flames” takes the listener on a journey through times since passed and surrounds you with such a unique sense that you want to listen to it over and over and over again. The album is full of both melodies and savagery with their songs which cover subject matter of recent history.

The kick ass riffs done by Don LaFon throughout much of the album makes things memorable.

Dr. Froth as well with his intense style of play is also given a bit or two of feature to many tracks on the album as he is put up front on a number of tracks, and from what I am understanding, he wrote one of the songs on the album. I have a new found respect for the man.

Actually, my respect for everyone involved has grown.  

This quartet of music geniuses have collided and gelled together to make “Wasting Time” a very much desired thing to listen to.

There are other reviews out there, more professional than in this blog, and they too agree when they are given either 3 or 4 out of 4 stars, or even 4 out of 5.

It will be available through Amazon and other online outlets, as well as through their record label, Nightmare Records.

SIX MINUTE CENTURY will celebrate their album release on the 19^th of October at BFE Rock Club in Houston, Texas. If you are within a few hundred miles of Houston, this will be a show that you will NOT want to miss. It will be worth the drive, trust me.

 

My Wake Up Call

“If she isn’t going to invest and spend time on you, then you should never spend any time on her.”~ G. Franklin

I think that often times I become fortunate to have those kinds of people that have no qualms about speaking their mind. And even when they do, that most times it becomes an awakening.

For the past several months, I’ve been living in a daydream. Or nightmare, whichever you prefer.

But this morning the person who gave us this blog post’s quote popped my bubble and woke me up.

The deep and rocky subject about my social and dating life was on the chopping board and he sliced that bad boy immediately in half, separating the bad from the still yet to be determined as well as the good.

I was discussing the possibility for a date with a woman that of course, I adulate in her beauty until the sun goes down. Then do it all over again when the sun comes back up.

But certain key elements of the date was not looking good or even possible. I was told that I should can the idea in a whole.

So when I asked about a Plan B, that was more accepted than the original concept of the date, which in all honesty the details were screwed up by her misunderstanding something along the way. And I do not know for sure where she got tripped up.  The parameters of the date were out of reach for me. I could not fulfill it even if I wanted to or tried.

Plan B was more beneficial to me. And it still got me the face time with this woman that I seek.

And yet I suffered.

Don’t allow others to stomp on your joy. Be assertive and take a stand to what you feel is most comfortable for you. And if they too are comfortable, they will follow. If they do not follow, they are not meant to be.

Nearly pining for a woman who was never really giving me any satisfaction and my somewhat confused and scattered brain believing that I could be the change caused nothing but emotional hell for me.

And one sentence that was uttered allowed me to break the chains from this internal misery and second-guessing of myself which always was a prelude of turmoil and pain.

Such a waste of time and energy and of course, effort on my behalf when there was very little to draw any kind of satisfaction or fulfillment.

I hope that we all can learn from my mistakes. But even more so, I hope that nobody ever intentionally puts themselves into my shoes at any time at all.

I feel freed from my own dark mental prison. The shackles are now gone and its no longer on my shoulders to bear the burden.

We will see how this updated date turns out, or even if she agrees with the terms of the date instead of what was originally proposed.

I cannot say that I know her that well enough to say that she will sway one way or another.

Time will tell.

But I realize that that in the meantime, there’s no fulfillment of joy or pleasure. I’m not receiving any amount of spent time on her behalf.

And who knows, the time in which we are supposed to be together is so far away that it might not even happen at all.

All I know is that I don’t have to worry about her any more, and if that day comes then it comes.

And if that day never comes, sorry- its her loss.

Therefore ….. so long, redhead. The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ, moves on: nor all thy piety nor wit shall lure it back to cancel half a line, nor all thy tears wash out a word of it.