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Thread: The Patio

  1. #349

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stinking desert valley of bad air quality, AZ
    Posts
    2,993

    Default Re: The Patio

    I have been getting calls about twice a month about an antivirus provider who went out of business and to press 2 to get my money back. Today it was every 15 minutes for about two hours. So we called the number back and got a voice mail for Sherie Roll which is full and does not accept messages. On the next call, pressing two takes you to another robo who wants your bank account number so they can deposit your refund. I only went there due to frustration. No info shared. Caller ID number is 415-225-4718. It never changes which makes me wonder if they are just stupid or maybe legitimate. Seriously doubt legitimacy.
    A long ago established Century Link (probably was QWEST or US West when we started) land line on copper cable is getting these calls. I remembered all the features advertised and went to the Century Link web site. I followed the directions for blocking calls and got a recording stating the number could not be blocked. Being stubborn at that point I clicked the chat choice on line. I spent almost two hours chatting with different “technicians”. Most of them kept asking what kind of cell phone it was and was it a droid or apple. I kept explaining it was a land line from copper cable. The first three stated that if it was a solicitor or robo call I could not block it. Bottom line with each “technician” (first one said she was a customer service rep) I spoke to they said the land line techs wouldn’t be available until 0800 Monday but they would be happy to activate No Solicitation Service and Security Screen Feature. Security screen only applies to cell phones. No solicitation service costs $12.23 per month and is not guaranteed to work. Holy batbeans frijoleman, WTF?

    Long, long ago I recorded the standard AT&T out of service tone and made a greeting starting with that, substituting the standard “no one is available…” for “the number you have reached is no longer in service…” It seemed to work. Now of course I have no recorders to make a new one. (the answering device and computers I recorded that on are long gone). So I try to find win 10 sound recording or voice recording. Nothing. I look on line. The instructions do not work. My win 10 laptop will allow me to make calls so the microphone is there, somewhere. Frustrating. Possibly I need to try to resurrect one of the old win 98, XP or 7 machines I should have trashed long ago. I know this laptop has a microphone as it works for calling. Time to go to bed and think about it tomorrow after deleting the robocalls I will get overnight.

    I will go to bed now, get up when I do and sit in my recliner until told otherwise. Maybe go for a walk around the neighborhood and see what I see about a neighbor’s first responder fire fighter flag disappearing. Unless of course I am told about an appointment I didn’t know about or a grocery order needing to be picked up. Retired life is pretty good but not without taskings.

    Enjoy your weekend.
    PO

  2.  
  3. #350

    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Virginia
    Posts
    680

    Default Re: The Patio

    An add for an old van caught my eye recently. It probably needed a lot of work but it did have a lot of security cage and bars as well as some good storage shelves. Then I noticed the contact was Jezebel Bimbo. I wouldn't call that number even on a bet.

  4.  
  5. #351

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stinking desert valley of bad air quality, AZ
    Posts
    2,993

    Default Re: The Patio

    Ya never know, you might get lucky


  6.  
  7. #352

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stinking desert valley of bad air quality, AZ
    Posts
    2,993

    Default Re: The Patio

    Update on the robocalls. I went to the do not call registry to make sure I was still on their list. There was a choice to report robocalls. I did it for the number I posted before and the calls stopped. For about a week. Then they started coming in under a new, local appearing number. Then they started being identified as an out of area number (area code 169, 127, 714 and one identified as Guam area code 671). Ignoring them for now as I have other priorities but will register them with do not call.

    Is anyone else getting these calls or am I just lucky. The robo claims I am owed money from an antivirus company.

    I administered a private telephone system for many years and know I could instruct equipment to send whatever caller ID I wished. I came to know that equipment to spoof caller ID became much cheaper in recent years.

    Just part of life.

    PO

  8.  
  9. #353

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stinking desert valley of bad air quality, AZ
    Posts
    2,993

    Default Re: Swimming pools

    Swimming pools has been a subject in the past but I am too lazy to search for it.

    Nnuut may be the resident go to person since the long ago poolman days.

    My pool service guy has informed me my 21 year old sand filter is leaking at a bulkhead connector, around the top where the gauge/bleeder valve is and also maybe at one of the welded seams. It’s not leaking at any seams right now or anywhere else so I need to scrub it off and watch it. I do have some other priorities in the next few months so won’t be able to do that. Bulkhead is relatively easy to fix if there is not too much corrosion, seam not so much. Pool person admitted it is no longer leaking.

    The sand was never replaced as pool companies around here said they don’t do that. I was always too busy or lazy to attempt it.

    Bottom line is the filter probably does need to be replaced. Unless I fill this never-ending money pit in and pretend it never existed. Wait, can’t do that, every few years relatives or kids or grandkids visit and the pool gets lots of use. Even if it is December. Grampa must have a pool, he lives in Arizona.

    The pool company suggests a 4-cartridge filter. Claims you hose them off every 6 months and they last for about 5 years. Replacement cost is about $400 for new filters. No backwash needed. There is actually no value added here, just supposed convenience. Theoretically no leaks either. Installation and purchase costs yet to be discussed.

    The cleaning system is popups with the octopus valve. Lifetime guarantee on that that so far Polaris has honored. They bought the original company. Century Pools of AZ I think. Century 99 system. Pool people claim it is the oldest system they service. I have replaced a lot of pop ups and rebuilt the valve many times.

    Thoughts invited. Pool company suggests I just change the filter. Thoughts also solicited on getting a salt system. Some TSPTalk members swear by them. I just continue to dump acid and put tablets in the floater.

    Have a great week and I hope the market turns around for those of you invested.

    PO

  10.  
  11. #354

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stinking desert valley of bad air quality, AZ
    Posts
    2,993

    Default Re: The Patio

    Changing subject line back to The Patio.

  12.  
  13. #355

    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Boiled Peanut, Georgia, USA
    Posts
    76,391

    Default Re: Swimming pools

    Quote Originally Posted by PessOptimist View Post
    Swimming pools has been a subject in the past but I am too lazy to search for it.

    Nnuut may be the resident go to person since the long ago poolman days.

    My pool service guy has informed me my 21 year old sand filter is leaking at a bulkhead connector, around the top where the gauge/bleeder valve is and also maybe at one of the welded seams. It’s not leaking at any seams right now or anywhere else so I need to scrub it off and watch it. I do have some other priorities in the next few months so won’t be able to do that. Bulkhead is relatively easy to fix if there is not too much corrosion, seam not so much. Pool person admitted it is no longer leaking.

    The sand was never replaced as pool companies around here said they don’t do that. I was always too busy or lazy to attempt it.

    Bottom line is the filter probably does need to be replaced. Unless I fill this never-ending money pit in and pretend it never existed. Wait, can’t do that, every few years relatives or kids or grandkids visit and the pool gets lots of use. Even if it is December. Grampa must have a pool, he lives in Arizona.

    The pool company suggests a 4-cartridge filter. Claims you hose them off every 6 months and they last for about 5 years. Replacement cost is about $400 for new filters. No backwash needed. There is actually no value added here, just supposed convenience. Theoretically no leaks either. Installation and purchase costs yet to be discussed.

    The cleaning system is popups with the octopus valve. Lifetime guarantee on that that so far Polaris has honored. They bought the original company. Century Pools of AZ I think. Century 99 system. Pool people claim it is the oldest system they service. I have replaced a lot of pop ups and rebuilt the valve many times.

    Thoughts invited. Pool company suggests I just change the filter. Thoughts also solicited on getting a salt system. Some TSPTalk members swear by them. I just continue to dump acid and put tablets in the floater.

    Have a great week and I hope the market turns around for those of you invested.

    PO
    PO If your filter is made of steel and rusts it must be an old one? I use a sand filter, it works well and you don't have to open it up and clean the Stinky Scum off of the EXPENSIVE filters. I changed the sand twice in 18 years, works for me, sand is cheap. I recommend Salt Water Pool Sanitizers, they are much better, Cheaper and almost run themselves, NO trip to get Gallons of Chlorine and all of the other crap they want you to buy. The unit that generates the Chlorine is expensive and you end up paying about $500 ever 6 years to replace the Cell that generates the Chlorine BUT it is much easier to use and I think it's more expensive to go to the Pool Place and buy Chlorine and Stabilizer etc. every week. Salt is cheap, buy it at Wallymart! I test the water about every 2 weeks, no I don't take it to the Pool ripoff place, I test it using Pool test strips it will tell you Chlorine,, total chlorine, Alkalinity, PH and all that other stuff. If my PH gets low I add Baking Soda If it's high add acid! If you have a liner pool without any tile, cement, with PVC piping, PVC Filter you don't have to add Calcium because plastic [PVC] doesn't have Calcium to prevent it from destroying the concrete, in MY OPINION!! Any questions?
    Last edited by nnuut; 08-15-2019 at 09:26 AM.



  14.  
  15. #356

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stinking desert valley of bad air quality, AZ
    Posts
    2,993

    Default Re: The Patio

    Oh no, superbowl and the wolf of wall street are on at the same time.

  16.  
  17. #357

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stinking desert valley of bad air quality, AZ
    Posts
    2,993

    Default Re: The Patio

    Sitting on my patio, still a relatively comfortable 67° at 9PM. A song has been going through my head all day and it made me wonder how cultured I’m not. Song is 1812 Overture. Must have heard it on a TV ad. Culture questions-I knew the name, not the composer, words about cereal shot from guns were running in my head along with the final scenes from Caddy Shack. Where do I stand as a cultured individual?

    Been paying bills on line today. Been doing that since the extended trip to CA for wife’s operation. Saves on postage and blank checks. Usually painless and straightforward. This month for some reason credit card accounts have been changing the amount to the minimum payment or in one case a couple hundred less than the statement amount which I did select. Just me or are they trying to get some interest payments out of me?

    One other thought to share, we have a planned trip to mouse-mega-bucks land in Anaheim for late April with grand kids. (we invited parents too) Not trying to be paranoid but watching COVID-19 progress and may postpone or cancel that. Prudence. Dear Prudence.

    Happy Saturday night everyone.

    PO

  18.  
  19. #358

    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Cleveland, Ohio
    Posts
    12,148

    Default Re: The Patio

    Quote Originally Posted by PessOptimist View Post
    Sitting on my patio, still a relatively comfortable 67° at 9PM. A song has been going through my head all day and it made me wonder how cultured I’m not. Song is 1812 Overture. Must have heard it on a TV ad. Culture questions-I knew the name, not the composer, words about cereal shot from guns were running in my head along with the final scenes from Caddy Shack. Where do I stand as a cultured individual?

    Been paying bills on line today. Been doing that since the extended trip to CA for wife’s operation. Saves on postage and blank checks. Usually painless and straightforward. This month for some reason credit card accounts have been changing the amount to the minimum payment or in one case a couple hundred less than the statement amount which I did select. Just me or are they trying to get some interest payments out of me?

    One other thought to share, we have a planned trip to mouse-mega-bucks land in Anaheim for late April with grand kids. (we invited parents too) Not trying to be paranoid but watching COVID-19 progress and may postpone or cancel that. Prudence. Dear Prudence.

    Happy Saturday night everyone.

    PO
    Flying to San Francisco near the end of the month for a two week cruise up and down the west coast. COVID-19 has us a little edgy.
    May the force be with us.

  20.  
  21. #359

    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Rocky Mountain High
    Posts
    6,960

    Default Re: The Patio

    The wife and I are reconsidering our trip to Charleston and Savannah. The much needed escape from an abusive manager at work is most likely going to be the deciding factor.

    Quote Originally Posted by PessOptimist View Post
    Sitting on my patio, still a relatively comfortable 67° at 9PM. A song has been going through my head all day and it made me wonder how cultured I’m not. Song is 1812 Overture. Must have heard it on a TV ad. Culture questions-I knew the name, not the composer, words about cereal shot from guns were running in my head along with the final scenes from Caddy Shack. Where do I stand as a cultured individual?

    Been paying bills on line today. Been doing that since the extended trip to CA for wife’s operation. Saves on postage and blank checks. Usually painless and straightforward. This month for some reason credit card accounts have been changing the amount to the minimum payment or in one case a couple hundred less than the statement amount which I did select. Just me or are they trying to get some interest payments out of me?

    One other thought to share, we have a planned trip to mouse-mega-bucks land in Anaheim for late April with grand kids. (we invited parents too) Not trying to be paranoid but watching COVID-19 progress and may postpone or cancel that. Prudence. Dear Prudence.

    Happy Saturday night everyone.

    PO
    Weatherweenie's Account Talk
    Teddy Roosevelt: Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official. Retired on November 30, 2023 with 30+ years of service.

  22.  
  23. #360

    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Stinking desert valley of bad air quality, AZ
    Posts
    2,993

    Default Re: The Patio

    Sitting on the patio thinking about moving inside as it is now below 70F and I feel the cold so much in my dotage.

    Reading other social media which maybe I shouldn’t, I have seen something that I predicted but still amazes me.

    Some of you may live in communities that have home owners associations (HOA). These are supposed to keep people from having junk cars in the yard or old refrigerators or other “unsightly” stuff. Most of them charge a monthly fee and are managed by large companies. They will have hired a local enforcer or two who’s word is the law.

    Some of you may also have heard about a movement to display “holiday” lights to cheer us all up and show solidarity in our current situation.

    When I first heard of the light idea on a MB I posted it sounded like a good idea but be cautious since the HOAs dictate when lights may be displayed. Maybe it is my fault for posting that but the HOA management companies have jumped right on that cash cow and are fining people $100s per day for displaying “unauthorized lighting”. They apparently have the legal authority to put liens on property. Yeah, we all signed the contract.

    The company is a multinational called Vision Community Management LTD. I have had the pleasure of meeting the local enforcer. I’m no fashion expert but he does tend to like dark colored button shirts with epilates. The meeting was about him taking a picture and threatening me with a fine over a neighbor’s vehicle being parked in front of my home. During the meeting I pointed out the vehicle in the photo was currently parked in the neighbor’s driveway. He replied he was just following orders. The warning still stands 6 years later. The management company wrote me that the enforcer was the ultimate authority.

    OK, I am rambling. So, the neighborhood decides to show some solidat and display lights. The multinational jumps right on that with fines. The local board backs them up all the way. No lights for the prols. By God that will teach us to have independent thoughts.

    How’s everything in your neck of the woods during these times?

    PO


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