112 points of disintegrate!

Beck laid down some serious smack to Racknian. He blew into dust which was awesome because I was *this* close to death. I was dead if she didn't kill him on her turn. *phew*!
Jive Company Ski Trip 2008
We had a blast. Check out the video I put together.

Jive Ski Trip 2008 from Jive Software on Vimeo.
Dragon Avenue Video Review
Chibby and I made the first of hopefully many video reviews for Dragon Avenue. I'm hoping that we can set a trend for making D&D and related product reviews.


VR1: Complete Guide to Miniature Painting from Dragon Avenue on Vimeo.
Me at Work

It's a hard day at work up here on the slopes. Jive took everyone to Mt Hood today (except for a poor few who are sick or decided to work for some strange reason). I got some great shots of folks, although nothing on the slopes (I don't ski). About a dozen of us are hanging out in the lodge, playing games. In fact, I'm about to fire up a LAN game of Starcraft thanks to Reece. Good times!
Verizon FIOS Customer Service
I'm interested in FIOS. How could I not be? 15MBps up and down is insanely attractive. I jumped onto the FIOS website and tried to find the number to call an agent as I had several questions about Internet, Phone, and TV service through Verizon. I couldn't find the number, so I took the "chat with a live person" option and what fun I had!

We are routing you to a chat representative. Thank you for contacting Verizon FiOS. Your average wait time is 2 seconds.

You are now chatting with 'Jacob'
you: how can I contact verizon to order FIOS?
Jacob: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. How can I help you experience the cutting-edge technology of FiOS?

you: how can I contact verizon to order FIOS?
Jacob: Have you checked the availability for Verizon FiOS Services at your number/location?

you: yes
Jacob: Could you tell me which plans and prices are showing as available to you after
you check the availability?

you: there's a giant verizon fios box in my front yard... pretty sure I can get it. :)
you: It showed Internet and TV
you: I am interested in Internet, TV, and possibly voice
Jacob: Are you looking for Internet and TV and phone service?

you: as I just said. :)
you: is there a phone number I can call to order?
Jacob: Than I would suggest you to go with our bundle service.
Jacob: Would you like to go with our bundle service?

you: maybe. depends on price, number of HD channels, DVR costs, etc.
Jacob: "Good place to start would be the link I am providing you."

you: is there a phone number I can call to order?
Jacob: Please click here.
Jacob: I can help you with only online.

you: I can't call someone?
Jacob: Please proceed with the link and let me know if you have any questions.

you: It is frustrating to have my question repeatedly ignored. :|
you: is there a phone number I can call?
Jacob: Let me send you a link to check the number of your local verizon office.

you: really? there's no sales line?
Jacob: Please click here to get local verizon office number.
Jacob: I can help you with only online order service.

you: are you saying that there isn't a number I can call or that you are refusing to give it to me?
you: Ordering over chat would be painfully slow - as this conversation has already been revealed to be.
you: Oh thank God - I found the number 1-888-GET-FIOS
you: you could have told me that bro. :)
Jacob: Is there anything else I can help you with?

you: shoot - it looks like the phone number is only available until 9pm.
you: I'd love to get some help - but this process is so slow.
you: I ask a question, then wait 30-60 seconds for you to reply
Jacob: I understand your concern.
Jacob: However I can help you with only online order service.

you: what does that mean? That I can order through this chat window - or that I need to actually order through the web site and you're here just to answer questions about the web site?
Jacob: Yes, you can order online.

you: wow - this conversation is actually devolved into pure comedy
you: ok -what can you tell me about the HD DVR?
Jacob: Let me provide some information on that.
you: also - I used the link you gave me, filled in my address and it took me to a screen to "check the services you are interested in."

you: so I checked phone, FIOS Internet, and FIOS TV.
you: then I click "continue" and it does nothing
Jacob: I understand your concern. At this time since the HD set top box is unavailable, I can offer you a Sd set top box along with a 4 month credit for this device.
Jacob: Also, Verizon will contact you immediately after the HD equipment is back in stock, and we will arrange to deliver the equipment to your home free of charge.
Jacob: You just need to select your service.

you: wait a minute - you want me to sign up for FIOS, the latest in digital television and you don't have anything but a standard definition box?
Jacob: At this time since the HD set top box is unavailable, I can offer you a Sd set top box along with a 4 month credit for this device

you: as I said, I selected the three services I was interested in and clicked on continue. It did nothing.
you: Hal? Is that you?
you: does that mean that I can't watch HD with FIOS?
Jacob: Verizon will contact you immediately after the HD equipment is back in stock, and we will arrange to deliver the equipment to your home free of charge.

you: and in the mean time, I'll be paying for HD service?
Jacob: No, now you will pay for SD set top box.

you: what about the SERVICE
you: I assume there is a fee for HD service?
you: and how long before the HD boxes are available. It seems pretty silly to have digital TV without HD.
Jacob: Right now I have no information about the exact date.

you: what about the HD monthly service charges?
you: do I pay for those in the mean time?
you: Is there a separate fee for HD service or is it all inclusive with SD?
Jacob: You wilkl need Hd set top box for HD service, which will cost you $ 9.99 per month

you: so the $9.99 for the set top box includes the HD channels? There's not a separate service fee for the channels themselves?
Jacob: Yes that is correct.

you: thanks for the direct answer.
Jacob: Is there anything else I can help you with?

you: Well, the website still isn't working for me. I click on continue and it just doesn't do anything.
Jacob: Ok. Let me send you a fresh link for that.

you: I wasn't aware that links had degrees of freshness.
you: thanks for your help. I'm calling it a night.
Jacob: Please click here.

you: I'll call in the morning
Jacob: Please proceed with the link .

you: no thanks. I'm done fighting with it. I'll just call a sales rep in the morning so I can ask questions and get quick answers.
you: but if you're really out of HD set top boxes, I'm not interested at all.
Jacob: Alright ,Is there anything else I can help you with?

you: nope.
you: thanks for your help. goodnight
Jacob: Good night.



Mood: Perplexed at Verizon.
Listening to: Nothing although I'm about to find something to calm my nerves.
Watching: Arrested Development
Reading: My Own Kind of Freedom by Steven Brust, a FireFly fan fiction.
Hacked iPhone

Friend at work has a hacked iPhone. Sweet.
Mr. Roboto
I made a cool video with the kids just for fun. Check it out!


Mr. Roboto from Jim Goings on Vimeo.

In case the Vimeo one is giving you trouble, here's the youtube version.
My cool kid

Miriam shows the pinnacle of 7 year old fashion!
Robocopy GUI
Holy guacamole, some genius made a GUI for Robocopy. Robocopy is just about the coolest darn file copy utility I can think of and now the complicated features just got a whole lot easier to use thanks to the new GUI. You can download the GUI here.