So I’m a little sad to see it go. I haven’t really seen anything publicly about it, but we got a letter in the mail this week letting us know that Verizon Wireless has purchased Alltel. Right now I’m only seeing the good things to come with this. For one, that just combined the Alltel and Verizon networks so there’s greater coverage and more people that count as mobile-to-mobile (meaning the calls don’t count toward your minutes). Also, better phone choices! Alltel has never been the best for actual phones, I mean, I’ve never had a problem getting one I liked, but there’ve always been phones I liked better on other networks.

Also, Lowe’s employees get a 30% discount with Verizon, so I need to find out when I’ll be able to start taking advantage of that!

You may have seen some proof of this merge in the form of the new Verizon commercial where they’re offering “Friends and Family” which is essentially Alltel’s My Circle where you pick 10 people who your calls are free to.

So right now nothing is changing for us except that we have a bigger, better network, but I’m researching Verizon’s different plans now just so we’ll have an idea of what it’ll be like when the merge is complete and they start changing our billing/plans.

Are any of you on Verizon? What do you think of them?

I don’t use IE regularly, but all it takes is one time, and I’m not playing around with my computer.

HEADS UP……………….

I wanted to give everyone a heads up that if you tend to give gift cards around the holidays, you need to be careful that the cards will not be honored after the holidays.

Stores that are planning to close after Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even though the cards will be worthless January 1. There is no law preventing them from doing this. On the contrary, it is referred to as ‘Bankruptcy Planning).
Below is a partial list of stores that you need to be cautious about.

Followed by a list of stores to be worried about.

The list wasn’t completely accurate, but it does bring up something that we should certainly be more aware of this year. It’s worth being ‘in-the-know’ about store closings in your area if you do plan on giving gift cards. Snopes took the list of stores and broke down the truth for each one, so you may want to check their list and if a store you were planning to purchase a gift card at is indeed planning on closing some doors, find out if it’s the ones in your area!

Around here, we’ve all pretty much agreed to very small gifts, or none at all. And yes, of course I love getting gifts, but I think it’ll be a really nice change to just focus on the season and not stress about money as much. I had everyone on my list figured out for once though, had even found some great replica watches that I was considering for Daddy, but I guess I can save my list for next year’s Birthdays.

By the way, I found the perfect gift for any dad this year– we’ve got a flashlight at work that is built into a tripod and swivels in all directions! When you snap it back into place, it’s no bigger than the long flashlights, so it’s great!! Never again will he have to get frustrated with someone who can’t shine the flashlight in the right place! haha

A lot of areas around New Orleans have already started mandatory evacuation (unfortunately I can’t seem to find any list of cities and parishes that have….anyone know?) and it’s stated that if Gustav continues its current path, mandatory evacuation will begin Sunday morning. Something like 30,000 people have already been evacuated such as elderly and others unable to plan their own evacuations. They estimate around a million people on the coast hit the roads today.

I’m certainly worried. I can’t get ahold of Ryan’s mom, which isn’t unusual, but I can’t find any information either to find out if Slidell has already been evacuated. I’m not really sure where she and his sister would be going. It’d pretty much have to be here or Atlanta since pretty much everyone else is there in the path of danger.

Everyone just hope it dies down before it really hits. It’s currently at 145mph winds…. Track it here.

Well now the bastards have moved it to July 17 2009!! Why? Essentially because the recent strike means a lack of movies ready for summer release next year and they want to take advantage of that….basically more money. Assholes.

Source

EDIT: Hmmm….looks like thanks to this, they moved up the date for Twilight to November 21st. I think I can accept that as a replacement =)

Of course, he was cremated and most of his remains were put into a Pringles can–the rest in a traditional urn.

He was 89. The Pringles can was his proudest accomplishment. I for one thank him for keeping my Pringles from being crushed!

“I think Pringles’ initial intention was to make tennis balls. But on the day that the rubber was supposed to show up, a big truckload of potatoes arrived. But Pringles was a laid-back company. They said ‘Fuck it. Cut ‘em up.’”–Mitch Hedberg

I would’ve lied too! Perez poses the question of whether he should’ve lied or just kept quiet, but really, keeping quiet is as good as admitting it unless you’re always quiet about everything.

It’s enough that stars have to deal with exaggerated speculations about who they choose to date and why they marry–I mean think about it, unless you really know these people personally, you have no idea how perfect they may be for each other because you only know the persona they sell. As for them getting married because they’re expecting, it’s not so uncommon to be in a relationship that’s headed for marriage and just be in no rush to get there, so of course a life-changing event can come along and change your perspective and your relationship.

Obviously though, that’s just my opinion and it doesn’t sell magazines or gain site hits so what do I know?

They’ll be scrambling now to get something in place before the new school year begins, otherwise students will have to arrange to attend other schools in the area–not that there aren’t plenty to choose from, but it’ll be a pain for everyone in regards to how transportation will have to change.

It’s set to open in Atlanta in 2009 and possibly move to Broadway if it does well.

I….I don’t even have words. I should start saving money now. This is something my mom and I have definitely got to see together.

By The Associated Press

Wal-Mart Stores will open its first in-store medical clinics under its own brand name after leasing space in dozens of stores to outside companies that operate the quick-service health stops.

Apparently CVS, Walgreens, and Target are expected to follow?

I don’t know how I feel about this. I don’t have medical insurance so it’s likely, if there was one nearby, that this would be an option for me. Carrying around a medical id from Wal-Mart? I guess I could see that.

The only thing is that even with the Vision Centers within Wal-Mart it’s kind of hit or miss. I’m sure there will be some great clinics to arise, but at the same time, I foresee lawsuits in cases where the medical attention falls short–short enough to put someone in danger.

Haha–This also reminds me of a little old man I had as a customer back in my KMart days. He was convinced that Wal-Mart was communist and would comment on what they’d try to take over next. What’s next for the Supercenter? There’s groceries, general retail, deli, bakery, fast food, pharmacy, banking, optometry, general medicine, automotives, crafts…hmm I’m skipping a lot, I know. Aren’t there Wal-Marts somewhere that sell cars? Craziness. I wonder if Mr. Walton envisioned all of this…