Treo 680!!!

FINALLY!

I got my Treo 680! Many of you know about my addiction to PalmOS devices, and for the most part, my cell phone has been a Treo since 2002. A few bumps changed me over to a t616, and another clamshell phone, but I keep going back to Treo Smartphones. I had a Treo 180, then a 270, then last year, I got an unlocked 650. Which I killed in the ocean at Huntington Beach (See http://www.portable-essentials.com/2005/12/treo-650-rip.html for more info about how NOT to care for your Treo). I dealt with a non-PalmOS phone for a few months, until I could obtain a used Treo 650 for a reasonable price on Ebay. Well, now that unit has been having problems, primarily due to "drop testing" (Falling onto floor from pocket, repeatedly). So, I knew I needed another phone soon, and Palm released the 680.

I had the chance to buy an unlocked unit, like my 650, but I know I can get the 680 unlocked through Cingular anyway. So, why pay extra for it? For a chance to order it in a different color? It wasn't enough. At least not this time. So, I got one through Cingular. I pestered most of the local corporate locations around Sacramento daily since Monday (It was supposed to be available last Friday. Nobody has stated why they weren't available, but they finally showed up). I got one of 12 units sent to my local store. Total price: $174.99 + tax ($274.99 - $100.00 rebate). I think the rest sold out before I even got there, but they held one for me, since they knew I would get it. I actually paid for it last Friday in SLC, getting Diana a cell for free so she could get away from Cricket, the local prepaid monthly service in SLC. I had another 650 since last Friday (same price), but never even touched it. Turned it in when I picked up the 680.

I'll tell you more about it when I get to know it better. So far, I like... I like. :-)

Time Flies

Its been a few weeks since I posted. I can't even believe its been that long! Since I posted, my 43rd birthday has passed, and I got to see my daughter Diana, my grandson Jonny, and Jonny's father, Jon over Thanksgiving weekend. I really had fun out there, and wish I could have stayed longer. Diana, Jonny, and I spent Thanksgiving together. I showed Diana how I cook turkey, and we had mashed potatoes, homemade cranberry sauce, and other good things. Pumpkin pie waited until the next day. We were too full to enjoy it until then.

Jonny is 6 months old now, and the sweetest little guy! He smiles all the time, and is so close to crawling! When I was there, has would crawl a little, but land on his belly, doing that kicking thing babies do when they are learning to crawl. He is so cute!

Diana and Jon broke up, and Diana moved into her own apartment. Its really nice, from the pictures I saw. She needs everything, of course, but has a bed, and Jonny's crib and stuff. She needs furniture, towels, blankets, kitchen stuff, all the things we need when setting up a household.

She wants to stay in town, so Jon still has access to his son, which I think is a good idea. I hope that he becomes more responsible, and really takes on the challenges he needs to so he stays an active part of Jonny's life. They both love that little boy!




Here's some more pics of the magic munchkin:







My trip back was a different matter...

I took off early on Sunday, intending to make it over the Sierra before the storm hit that was expected. Had minimal problems, until I got past Reno. Then, the storm and I met each other. It had arrived in the mountains a few hours early. I got to the base of the mountain, and was heading up toward Truckee. Then traffic stopped dead. And crawled... and crawled... and crawled. It took me 3 HOURS (normal = 10-20 min) to get to the old agricultural station, where the chain controls were, in Truckee. Ugh... got waved through (Thank God for owning a 4WD Jeep with snow tires!). I drove at 20 MPH average (Max 30 MPH) for another 2 hours. Finally got out of the Sierra and home.

Normal trip = 10.0 hours
This trip = 15.5 hours
Worst trip = 16.0 hours

It was close to the worst trip to or from SLC that I have had. But, I got home safe. The combination of holiday traffic AND chain controls. Ick. Of course, our kids and grandkids are worth it!

A Complaint To Cingular Wireless

I have put up with a problem on Cingular for a long time now. Many of you also have this problem on your cell phone: SPAM text messages. I have seen a huge surge in these unwanted (and costly) text messages, and I AM TIRED OF IT. I have sent a letter to Cingular Wireless CEO and President Stanley T. Sigman. I hope he responds. And soon. Otherwise, I am looking elsewhere for a new provider, and a new number. Here is the letter I have sent:

===========================================
November 10, 2006

Cingular Wireless
Glenridge Highlands Two
5565 Glenridge Connector
Atlanta, GA 30342
Attention: Stanley T. Sigman, CEO and President


Mr. Sigman,

I am writing to you to make you aware of a problem that is plaguing many Cingular Wireless customers, yet nothing is being done to address and fix the problem.

Put simply, email messages are being sent as text messages to wireless customers. Many of these messages take up 5, 6 or more text messages. These are coming through the default email to SMS gateway on Cingular, which apparently has no spam detection and removal capabilities.

In the past month, I have seen this skyrocket. My spam text messages used to be 2-5 per day, now it is closer to 30-40 per day. These spam messages are the same type that are hitting many email accounts as well everyday. These all have a text ID of 36245, which I suspect is a default gateway for email to SMS messages. I am sure you are also a victim of these email addresses in your own email account. I would be willing to bet that you even receive these spam messages as text messages on your own cellular phone.

This is absolutely unacceptable for me as a customer with 3 phones on my account. I have called numerous times to complain about it. I have been sent from person to person, department to department, and have even been lied to by customer service representatives, telling me that all spam emails have been “blocked” on my phone numbers. Instead of decreasing, these spam text messages have increased. I do not receive credit for the spam messages, which are not solicited by me in any way.

I am not the only customer with this problem. People are talking in many locations on the internet about this, and yet Cingular has not fixed this issue. I have been a customer for almost 4 years now. At this point, I am giving serious thought to leaving Cingular and going to another provider, since I cannot get adequate relief for my complaint regarding substandard service and customer service. I currently have no contractual obligation to Cingular, so I am free to choose another company.

I would like you to investigate this matter promptly, and to ensure that this problem is rectified immediately. I also want credit for every single spam text message I have received. As I stated, I am giving serious consideration to leaving Cingular as a result of this problem. I have been waiting for the new Palm Treo units to come out, but even this may not make me stay at this point. I want a company that cares about its customers enough to protect them from unwarranted spam attacks on their phones, and is responsive enough to correct problems immediately when they are found.

You may reach me either by mail, or you may call me on my phone: xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Thank you very much for your time and prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Renee Roberts

To Honor Our Veterans

If you have served in our military, please accept my undying thanks for helping to keep our nation free. If you are currently serving, know that your service is welcome by many of us, regardless of our political beliefs, and that it is necessary for our freedom, and that of the oppressed in this world.

THANK YOU

More Pics

Now, you'd *NEVER* know I was a proud grandma, would you!


I love his smile!

Here's a shot of Diana and Jonny

Latest Weighin

Today I am at 256.6 lbs, for a total loss of 21.2 lbs so far.

A Wonderful Saying

This saying really states how I feel:

"If it should happen that your dreams are shattered, do not be afraid. Have the courage to pick up the pieces and smile at the world. For dreams that are easily shattered can just as easily be rebuilt." ~~Chris Jensen

It is hard to pick up the pieces and rebuild, but it can be done. One little piece at a time.

Have a great week, everyone!

Latest Weigh-In

November 3, 2006: 258.4 lbs

I have lost 19.6 lbs so far (5.4 since I restarted on WW). Long way to go, but I am back to losing again.

Jeffrey Mitchell, R.I.P.

Last Friday, Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff Jeffrey Mitchell was shot to death while on duty. His killer has not been captured, yet. However, after a week, it was time to memorialize his life, which happened today. Over 5000 officers from all over the State of California came to pay their respects for this fallen officer.

This man went to work every night doing the same thing. After picking up his son from school, helping him with homework, playing a game of baseball and sitting down for a family dinner, Mitchell would leave for work. In a nightly ritual, he would shine the spotlight from his cruiser on his son's bedroom window, turn on the public address speaker and intone: "Jake Mitchell, go to bed," Capt. R.C. Smith said.

He loved baseball, and everything to do with it. He taught his son to play. His memorial service was held at Raley Field, home of the AAA Rivercats.

His procession took over 2 hours to get from West Sacramento to an area here in Sacramento known as "The Pocket". All along the route, people stood, giving their respect.

Please pray a special prayer for this man's family. He gave his life in working to protect all of ours.

Jonny in costume!

Isn't he CUTE????