So I've been a fan of a-ha for quite some time. They're calling it quits this year, with their final concert taking place in Oslo this December. Not surprisingly, their record company took this opportunity to release a compilation album (the third compilation album for a-ha, the first one being Headlines and Deadlines: The Hits of a-ha in 1991 and the second a-ha: The Singles 1984 - 2004 from, well, 2004). This year's release was simply titled 25 and contained not twenty-five, but a whopping 39 a-ha tracks spread across two CD's (remember those, kids?). This included every single the band ever released, as well as a decent selection of good album tracks.
More recently, I stumbled upon a Deluxe Edition of 25, released (as far as I know) only in Germany. What makes this release attractive is the inclusion of a DVD containing 17 of the band's numerous music videos. With the last video compilation from a-ha being the by now almost two decades old Headlines and Deadlines: The Hits of a-ha, a more up-to-date collection is most welcome to fans. Short story shorter; I ordered it and it arrived in my mail box this morning.
Unfortunately, the DVD turned out to be something of a disappointment. Now, let me preface my complaints with saying that I am well aware of the fact that many of a-ha's original fans are now middle aged women who fall well outside of the nerd demographic and are thus unlikely to notice or care about this particular matter. But me, I'm an honest-to-goodness twenty-something (for a few more weeks, anyway) geek, and in my little world the work that's been done is nothing short of catastrophic.
To be fair; there are some positive aspects to this release. As I mentioned previously, the last video compilation from a-ha is from the early 90's, and with that being the case, a-ha: The Videos features several music videos that have never been commercially available before. Among them is the ultra-rare 1984 version of Take on Me which hasn't been seen since, well, 1984 (in fact, the record company has previously refused to even acknowledge its existence. With that in mind, its inclusion here is especially surprising). That's right, a-ha fans, the infamous "blue video" can now be purchased on DVD. Who'd have ever expected that?
Other previously-unreleased videos that fans have long sought after which are available on this DVD include the original version of I've Been Losing You, Dark is the Night For All, Shapes That Go Together, Angel in the Snow, Did Anyone Approach You, Lifelines and last but not least, the band's farewell song Butterfly Butterfly (The Last Hurrah). And as if that wasn't enough, several of the videos included here that were previously released as part of the Headlines and Deadlines compilation feature here as alternate versions, also previously unavailable.
So far, so good. So what's the downside here? After doing that much right, what could they possibly have screwed up so badly on a simple music video compilation that I'd use the word "catastrophic"? Well, how about replacing all the music??
Okay - that probably sounds a bit more dramatic than it is. From what I can tell, what they've done is replaced the original audio in the videos with audio taken from the actual CD's. Which, I suppose, wouldn't be so bad… if they had bothered to actually use the correct tracks. They wouldn't have been too hard to find or anything, heck, some of them were on the actual CD's this DVD came with.
As it is, they've used the album version for each and every song. Now, for some videos (for instance, Stay on These Roads or Did Anyone Approach You?) that works out just fine and dandy, but many of the videos used different, shorter edits/mixes that differed from the album versions. Obviously, the full album versions of the songs don't match the shorter lengths of the videos, so they've edited down the songs to compensate… but not in the same way the original edits were shortened. As a result, we end up with a bunch of videos that features incorrectly edited versions of the songs. In some cases, this is only noticeable if you're familiar with the videos to a geeky degree, while in others it is painfully obvious as the music may not match the visuals at all (it is appallingly apparent during parts of The Sun Always Shines On TV, for one).
I can't even imagine why they would pull something like this. My first thought was that it might have been an attempt to improve the audio quality, but if that is the case then the FAIL level of this release truly reached EPIC because the sound is really not that good on some of the affected videos. In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say some probably sounded better before.
My second thought was that it may have been a rights issue, but on the other hand – if they had the rights to release the music, and they had the rights to release the videos… then it is not much of a stretch to assume they also had the rights to release the audio tracks for those videos.
So, all in all? I do not regret the purchase, as I now have more of a-ha's music videos on DVD than I did before and most (but not all) of the videos that got messed up by the music replacement I already have on the Headlines and Deadlines DVD anyway. But as it stands, this DVD is useful for completist purposes only, because it's certainly not a good representation of a-ha's music video history.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Prince Caspian
So, I just got back from seeing The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Literally, I got home right now then sat down to write this.
So here's the thing: I grew up reading the seven Narnia books. Not unlike millions of other kids who grew up reading them in the 50+ years since they were first published. I read them, loved them, and read them again later on. I am a full-fledged Narnia fan. So when I heard Disney and Walden would be turning the series of books into a series of movies, I think I felt the same excitement that the Lord of the Rings fans did a few years earlier.
And when The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe came out, I went and saw it. I saw it, loved it, and then saw it again. How could I not love it? With its wonderful magical atmosphere, the land and creatures of Narnia brought to life in a believable way for the first time, and its characters portrayed in a very endearing, even lovable manner… I couldn't help it, it hooked me right in. On top of that, it was without a doubt the most faithful to the source material film adaption of a book I've ever seen (and yes, that certainly includes The Fellowship of the Ring). The plot left intact, all the characters in place… There were changes, sure, but they were mostly minor additions to the story for the sake of suspense.
But that's not to say it wasn't flawed. At times it felt flat and fake, maybe even bland. I loved the movie despite its flaws, not because I was oblivious to them. So when I saw Prince Caspian tonight, I went in expecting the same kind of experience. I expected a decent fantasy film that I could enjoy because I already loved the universe in which it was based. Boy was I in for a surprise.
Yes, I did love Prince Caspian. But this time it was different. This time I was surprised at just how good the movie was. None of what I considered the flaws of the first installment were present. This was a good, solid adventure film from the first minute to the last, with an interesting plot, solid acting, great visual effects work, kick-ass action scenes, and most surprisingly… actual suspense.
What it was not, however, was C. S. Lewis' Prince Caspian. Where The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe stayed very close to the book, the second film takes great liberties with the story – and many of them. But honestly, I didn't mind. Truth be told, Prince Caspian was never my favorite book in the series (It's kinda boring… But don't tell any other Narnia fans I said that!), and I can understand why its extremely awkward narration structure would necessitate some serious changes.
However that does not mean I'd be okay with such extreme alterations to the other Narnia stories, should they too be turned into Disney films. Prince Caspian is the only one in the series to which such major changes are justifiable. If, come Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 2010, it is filled with swashbuckling pirate adventures and epic battles instead of exploration and interesting places I will be severely pissed off.
For now, though, I'll just be happy that there's a new Narnia movie out, and that – surprising as it may be – it does kick ass.
So here's the thing: I grew up reading the seven Narnia books. Not unlike millions of other kids who grew up reading them in the 50+ years since they were first published. I read them, loved them, and read them again later on. I am a full-fledged Narnia fan. So when I heard Disney and Walden would be turning the series of books into a series of movies, I think I felt the same excitement that the Lord of the Rings fans did a few years earlier.
And when The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe came out, I went and saw it. I saw it, loved it, and then saw it again. How could I not love it? With its wonderful magical atmosphere, the land and creatures of Narnia brought to life in a believable way for the first time, and its characters portrayed in a very endearing, even lovable manner… I couldn't help it, it hooked me right in. On top of that, it was without a doubt the most faithful to the source material film adaption of a book I've ever seen (and yes, that certainly includes The Fellowship of the Ring). The plot left intact, all the characters in place… There were changes, sure, but they were mostly minor additions to the story for the sake of suspense.
But that's not to say it wasn't flawed. At times it felt flat and fake, maybe even bland. I loved the movie despite its flaws, not because I was oblivious to them. So when I saw Prince Caspian tonight, I went in expecting the same kind of experience. I expected a decent fantasy film that I could enjoy because I already loved the universe in which it was based. Boy was I in for a surprise.
Yes, I did love Prince Caspian. But this time it was different. This time I was surprised at just how good the movie was. None of what I considered the flaws of the first installment were present. This was a good, solid adventure film from the first minute to the last, with an interesting plot, solid acting, great visual effects work, kick-ass action scenes, and most surprisingly… actual suspense.
What it was not, however, was C. S. Lewis' Prince Caspian. Where The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe stayed very close to the book, the second film takes great liberties with the story – and many of them. But honestly, I didn't mind. Truth be told, Prince Caspian was never my favorite book in the series (It's kinda boring… But don't tell any other Narnia fans I said that!), and I can understand why its extremely awkward narration structure would necessitate some serious changes.
However that does not mean I'd be okay with such extreme alterations to the other Narnia stories, should they too be turned into Disney films. Prince Caspian is the only one in the series to which such major changes are justifiable. If, come Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 2010, it is filled with swashbuckling pirate adventures and epic battles instead of exploration and interesting places I will be severely pissed off.
For now, though, I'll just be happy that there's a new Narnia movie out, and that – surprising as it may be – it does kick ass.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The Fugitive
In retrospect, I must have been a really weird kid. For many reasons, but right now I'm thinking of what kind of TV shows I was watching. Like, for instance, stupid game shows with large fan bases consisting of women aged fifty and up.
But first and foremost, I'm thinking of how while other kids watched poorly-written but "cool" action series, I watched stuff like The Fugitive. Yes, that's one of the all time great classics in television history, but to me at the time it was just an old show which I happened to like for some reason. I don't think any other 12 year olds I knew at the time would ever give a decades old TV series a chance – it was in black and white, dude!
Yesterday, the newly released Season 1 – Volume 1 DVD arrived in my mailbox. The fact that they split the season in half does suck, but I'm glad Paramount finally got around to releasing the series on DVD at all. So far I'm halfway through the 4-disc set, and I'm liking it. It's not quite as exciting as it was when I first watched it 15 or so years ago, but then again – this time I already know that Richard Kimble will find the one-armed man and get his name cleared by the final episode.
But it's still enjoyable, and it looks pretty good on DVD, for a 40+ year old TV series. And it's just plain fun to re-watch all the stuff I loved as a kid. Hmm, I wonder how well Saved by the Bell has held up…
But first and foremost, I'm thinking of how while other kids watched poorly-written but "cool" action series, I watched stuff like The Fugitive. Yes, that's one of the all time great classics in television history, but to me at the time it was just an old show which I happened to like for some reason. I don't think any other 12 year olds I knew at the time would ever give a decades old TV series a chance – it was in black and white, dude!
Yesterday, the newly released Season 1 – Volume 1 DVD arrived in my mailbox. The fact that they split the season in half does suck, but I'm glad Paramount finally got around to releasing the series on DVD at all. So far I'm halfway through the 4-disc set, and I'm liking it. It's not quite as exciting as it was when I first watched it 15 or so years ago, but then again – this time I already know that Richard Kimble will find the one-armed man and get his name cleared by the final episode.
But it's still enjoyable, and it looks pretty good on DVD, for a 40+ year old TV series. And it's just plain fun to re-watch all the stuff I loved as a kid. Hmm, I wonder how well Saved by the Bell has held up…
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Shonan Jun'ai Gumi
Today, I watched the fourth OVA episode of Shonan Jun'ai Gumi. Hang on for a few moments, and I'll explain why this is a medium-sized "big deal" in my little world.
I am by no means a major anime fan. I've seen a few animes, and I've read fewer mangas. Mostly because I'm too lazy to actively search out the good stuff, I guess. But there are a few titles I really like, with my personal favorite being GTO.
Also known as Great Teacher Onizuka, this utterly fantastic manga series and its not-fantastic-but-still-pretty-good anime adaption centers around 22 year old Eikichi Onizuka, former biker/street fighter/hooligan extraordinaire. Now an adult, Onizuka's goals are to find a respectable (read: well paid) job and, oh yeah, to lose his virginity. One day, he witnesses a middle-aged, fat, bald ugly high school teacher completely dominate an attractive, young female student. Upon seeing this, Eikichi sets a new goal for himself: To become the greatest teacher in the history of Japan – Great Teacher Onizuka.
Long story short: Rather than finding himself perving on 17 year old girls, Onizuka is eventually put in charge of a class of Jr. High students (who, much to his dismay, are just too young for his tastes). It just so happens that this class consists primarily of psychos who have driven away several teachers before; one disappeared and another went nuts. As the story develops, Onizuka slowly but surely begins to rehabilitate the class in his own unpredictable and crazy ways.
The manga consists of 25 volumes, about 200 pages each. The TV anime series is 43 episodes long and leaves out a lot. For starters, it stops half-way through the story and tacks on a less than satisfying ending spanning two episodes. It also tones down the naughtiness considerably (By the way, the English translation attempts to tone things down even further. Note to translators: When someone loudly and clearly exclaims the word "fuck", in English, then replacing it with "damn" in the subtitles just isn't going to fool anyone.) and leaves out a bunch of details, and changes others, along the way. Is it any wonders it left GTO fans hungry for more?
Now, then. What I failed to realize until after I'd finished watching the anime (which was my introduction to GTO, for better or worse) was that GTO is actually a sequel. It's predecessor is called Shonan Jun'ai Gumi and it's in the process of being released in English these days (under the title GTO: The Early Years, which doesn't really make sense). It's being promoted as a prequel to GTO, which it really isn't since it was created first, but never mind.
Shonan Jun'ai Gumi follows Onizuka and his best friend Ryuji Danma during their High School days as notorious trouble makers. The first four manga volumes have been released in English so far, and it's a lot of fun.
I don't remember when I first watched GTO, but I figure it must have been around six years ago. And it took me until last year to learn that an anime adaption was made of Shonan Jun'ai Gumi as well. Not so strange, maybe. There were only five episodes made, for video, released in the mid-nineties on VHS and then never seen again. And never released in America or Europe at all.
Of course, if 43 TV episodes can't do justice to the 25 volume GTO manga, then there's little hope of 5 OVAs even beginning to cover its 31 volume predecessor. But that fact won't keep a die-hard Onizuka fan from wanting to see them. Sadly, that just hasn't been possible. Until now.
Sentosha Fansubs to the rescue! I don't condone piracy or anything, but clearly the creators of this anime have long since abandoned it, so what choice does a fan have? Sentosha have made English subtitled versions of the Shonan Jun'ai Gumi anime and have released the first three volumes over the last seven months or so.
Tonight I was having a couple of guys over to watch the three episodes released thus far, only to find that Sentosha released volume four today. How's that for timing? Extended Onizuka viewing party, baby! …and that's what I was getting at with this post.
Geek moment over for now. Almost. I gotta post this clip from Shonan Jun'ai Gumi that someone posted on YouTube:
…and the darn cool opening title sequence from GTO:
I am by no means a major anime fan. I've seen a few animes, and I've read fewer mangas. Mostly because I'm too lazy to actively search out the good stuff, I guess. But there are a few titles I really like, with my personal favorite being GTO.
Also known as Great Teacher Onizuka, this utterly fantastic manga series and its not-fantastic-but-still-pretty-good anime adaption centers around 22 year old Eikichi Onizuka, former biker/street fighter/hooligan extraordinaire. Now an adult, Onizuka's goals are to find a respectable (read: well paid) job and, oh yeah, to lose his virginity. One day, he witnesses a middle-aged, fat, bald ugly high school teacher completely dominate an attractive, young female student. Upon seeing this, Eikichi sets a new goal for himself: To become the greatest teacher in the history of Japan – Great Teacher Onizuka.
Long story short: Rather than finding himself perving on 17 year old girls, Onizuka is eventually put in charge of a class of Jr. High students (who, much to his dismay, are just too young for his tastes). It just so happens that this class consists primarily of psychos who have driven away several teachers before; one disappeared and another went nuts. As the story develops, Onizuka slowly but surely begins to rehabilitate the class in his own unpredictable and crazy ways.
The manga consists of 25 volumes, about 200 pages each. The TV anime series is 43 episodes long and leaves out a lot. For starters, it stops half-way through the story and tacks on a less than satisfying ending spanning two episodes. It also tones down the naughtiness considerably (By the way, the English translation attempts to tone things down even further. Note to translators: When someone loudly and clearly exclaims the word "fuck", in English, then replacing it with "damn" in the subtitles just isn't going to fool anyone.) and leaves out a bunch of details, and changes others, along the way. Is it any wonders it left GTO fans hungry for more?
Now, then. What I failed to realize until after I'd finished watching the anime (which was my introduction to GTO, for better or worse) was that GTO is actually a sequel. It's predecessor is called Shonan Jun'ai Gumi and it's in the process of being released in English these days (under the title GTO: The Early Years, which doesn't really make sense). It's being promoted as a prequel to GTO, which it really isn't since it was created first, but never mind.
Shonan Jun'ai Gumi follows Onizuka and his best friend Ryuji Danma during their High School days as notorious trouble makers. The first four manga volumes have been released in English so far, and it's a lot of fun.
I don't remember when I first watched GTO, but I figure it must have been around six years ago. And it took me until last year to learn that an anime adaption was made of Shonan Jun'ai Gumi as well. Not so strange, maybe. There were only five episodes made, for video, released in the mid-nineties on VHS and then never seen again. And never released in America or Europe at all.
Of course, if 43 TV episodes can't do justice to the 25 volume GTO manga, then there's little hope of 5 OVAs even beginning to cover its 31 volume predecessor. But that fact won't keep a die-hard Onizuka fan from wanting to see them. Sadly, that just hasn't been possible. Until now.
Sentosha Fansubs to the rescue! I don't condone piracy or anything, but clearly the creators of this anime have long since abandoned it, so what choice does a fan have? Sentosha have made English subtitled versions of the Shonan Jun'ai Gumi anime and have released the first three volumes over the last seven months or so.
Tonight I was having a couple of guys over to watch the three episodes released thus far, only to find that Sentosha released volume four today. How's that for timing? Extended Onizuka viewing party, baby! …and that's what I was getting at with this post.
Geek moment over for now. Almost. I gotta post this clip from Shonan Jun'ai Gumi that someone posted on YouTube:
…and the darn cool opening title sequence from GTO:
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
I'm freaking hungry!
I'm starving here! Someone send me some food. Now! Oh well... I suppose I could always drag my lazy ass over to the fridge and get something. Or order pizza. That works.
I got the new Savoy album today. I realize that this will mean absolutely nothing to 99.9% of the 2 or so people who may stumble onto my blog, but if I don't talk about all the stuff I buy, watch and listen to, I really don't have a lot to say.
So. Savoy Songbook Vol. 1, released yesterday, is a sort of "best of" type deal containing two CD's. The first disc contains three brand new songs (though Karma Boomerang was released as a single a whole bunch of months ago so it's kinda old news now. Nice tune though.) as well as seven re-recordings of songs from their five studio albums. Some of them add to the originals, some of them lose something. Some lose a lot (specifically, Whalebone. One of my favorite Savoy tracks and it's only something like three years old and really didn't need to be "upgraded"). The second new song, Best Western Beauty, actually sounds pretty great on first listen. It's the type of song that will probably grab me once I've heard it a few more times.
Disc two contains 14 old songs in their original versions. I haven't actually gotten around to listening to this one yet, but since I'm more than familiar with all of Savoy's albums to date I'm sure I know what to expect. From what I understand, though, a couple of the songs are radio edits, which just plain sucks. Especially in the case of Man in the Park, which in my opinion got completely butchered in its radio version. Oh well... it's not like anyone is going to break down my door and pry the original out of my hands or anything.
Hey, where's that damn pizza??
I got the new Savoy album today. I realize that this will mean absolutely nothing to 99.9% of the 2 or so people who may stumble onto my blog, but if I don't talk about all the stuff I buy, watch and listen to, I really don't have a lot to say.
So. Savoy Songbook Vol. 1, released yesterday, is a sort of "best of" type deal containing two CD's. The first disc contains three brand new songs (though Karma Boomerang was released as a single a whole bunch of months ago so it's kinda old news now. Nice tune though.) as well as seven re-recordings of songs from their five studio albums. Some of them add to the originals, some of them lose something. Some lose a lot (specifically, Whalebone. One of my favorite Savoy tracks and it's only something like three years old and really didn't need to be "upgraded"). The second new song, Best Western Beauty, actually sounds pretty great on first listen. It's the type of song that will probably grab me once I've heard it a few more times.
Disc two contains 14 old songs in their original versions. I haven't actually gotten around to listening to this one yet, but since I'm more than familiar with all of Savoy's albums to date I'm sure I know what to expect. From what I understand, though, a couple of the songs are radio edits, which just plain sucks. Especially in the case of Man in the Park, which in my opinion got completely butchered in its radio version. Oh well... it's not like anyone is going to break down my door and pry the original out of my hands or anything.
Hey, where's that damn pizza??
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
UPS
Wednesday.
I find the note in my mailbox: Delivery of my package has been attempted. Recipient not available.
Okay. I was home the entire day, but it's entirely likely that I was still asleep when they tried to deliver the package. I call the phone number on the note, hoping there will be some way to get my hands on the package before the day is over. The guy on the phone informs me that I can pick it up at their office between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, and I agree to do that.
at 7:00 PM, after I've failed to find their office, I give them another call and inform the lady on the other end of my incompetence. She assures me that they'll have the package delivered to my place by noon the following day.
Thursday.
I normally sleep in on vacation days, but I get up at the by my standards ungodly hour of 8:00 AM to make absolutely sure I don't miss another delivery attempt. Some time in the afternoon I call UPS again, this time to ask them just what's holding up the delivery today. I'm told deliveries are made until 4:00, so all I have to do is wait. When I call back later to make sure they really do intend to deliver it and not hold it for me to pick up, the guy tells me they'll call me back later.
At some point after 4:00, a guy calls and cheerfully informs me; "Your package is ready and awaiting your pick up at our office!" And I'm starting to wish I had just used the ordinary post service.
Friday.
Despite having arrived home late after having gone to the midnight premiere of The Simpsons Movie, I get up early again. I call UPS and ask; "Am I getting my package today?" The lady tells me that, yes, it's scheduled for delivery today.
Many hours and phone calls later, I'm still without my package and since they don't do deliveries on weekends I know I won't be getting it until Monday. Which happens to be the day I go back to work. Which means this whole UPS deal was a waste. The entire point was to get my Stargate SG-1 Season 10 DVD box set delivered while I still had some vacation days left, for which I had made no plans other than to marathon the final season of my favorite sci-fi show.
Monday.
The day I go back to work. Luckily, I happen to work the evening shift this day so I can still be home to accept delivery of my DVDs. I call UPS at 8:00 to once again make sure they're planning on making the delivery. I tell the guy on the other the end the whole tragic story, after which he tells me that in the event the package is not delivered today, I should call back at 12:00 sharp.
It's not. So I do. This time I get another person on the phone who tells me I've been misinformed, there's no way it was going to be delivered before 12:00. She tells me to call back in "an hour or two". I do, and I get another guy on the phone - I think the same guy I talked to first. He tells me they'll call me back. Frustrated and bored, I do a google search on "ups sucks". No shortage of hits there.
Another guy finally calls me back when I'm already on my way to work. He joyfully informs me that my package had been misplaced, but now they have found it and are all ready to deliver it tomorrow. "That's exactly one day too late," I tell him. "Tomorrow I won't be home to receive it." He asks if there is another place they can deliver the package.
Tuesday.
The package is delivered at work. I rejoice, despite the fact that I've thrown away $17.50 on "express delivery" when I probably would have received the DVDs just as quickly with the plain old postal service. Then I remember that I've thrown away $17.50 on "express delivery" when I probably would have received the DVDs just as quickly with the plain old postal service, and swear never to use UPS ever again.
I find the note in my mailbox: Delivery of my package has been attempted. Recipient not available.
Okay. I was home the entire day, but it's entirely likely that I was still asleep when they tried to deliver the package. I call the phone number on the note, hoping there will be some way to get my hands on the package before the day is over. The guy on the phone informs me that I can pick it up at their office between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, and I agree to do that.
at 7:00 PM, after I've failed to find their office, I give them another call and inform the lady on the other end of my incompetence. She assures me that they'll have the package delivered to my place by noon the following day.
Thursday.
I normally sleep in on vacation days, but I get up at the by my standards ungodly hour of 8:00 AM to make absolutely sure I don't miss another delivery attempt. Some time in the afternoon I call UPS again, this time to ask them just what's holding up the delivery today. I'm told deliveries are made until 4:00, so all I have to do is wait. When I call back later to make sure they really do intend to deliver it and not hold it for me to pick up, the guy tells me they'll call me back later.
At some point after 4:00, a guy calls and cheerfully informs me; "Your package is ready and awaiting your pick up at our office!" And I'm starting to wish I had just used the ordinary post service.
Friday.
Despite having arrived home late after having gone to the midnight premiere of The Simpsons Movie, I get up early again. I call UPS and ask; "Am I getting my package today?" The lady tells me that, yes, it's scheduled for delivery today.
Many hours and phone calls later, I'm still without my package and since they don't do deliveries on weekends I know I won't be getting it until Monday. Which happens to be the day I go back to work. Which means this whole UPS deal was a waste. The entire point was to get my Stargate SG-1 Season 10 DVD box set delivered while I still had some vacation days left, for which I had made no plans other than to marathon the final season of my favorite sci-fi show.
Monday.
The day I go back to work. Luckily, I happen to work the evening shift this day so I can still be home to accept delivery of my DVDs. I call UPS at 8:00 to once again make sure they're planning on making the delivery. I tell the guy on the other the end the whole tragic story, after which he tells me that in the event the package is not delivered today, I should call back at 12:00 sharp.
It's not. So I do. This time I get another person on the phone who tells me I've been misinformed, there's no way it was going to be delivered before 12:00. She tells me to call back in "an hour or two". I do, and I get another guy on the phone - I think the same guy I talked to first. He tells me they'll call me back. Frustrated and bored, I do a google search on "ups sucks". No shortage of hits there.
Another guy finally calls me back when I'm already on my way to work. He joyfully informs me that my package had been misplaced, but now they have found it and are all ready to deliver it tomorrow. "That's exactly one day too late," I tell him. "Tomorrow I won't be home to receive it." He asks if there is another place they can deliver the package.
Tuesday.
The package is delivered at work. I rejoice, despite the fact that I've thrown away $17.50 on "express delivery" when I probably would have received the DVDs just as quickly with the plain old postal service. Then I remember that I've thrown away $17.50 on "express delivery" when I probably would have received the DVDs just as quickly with the plain old postal service, and swear never to use UPS ever again.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
I have a blog.
Now bow in reverence of my awesome power. Oh wait... I have no power. But it sure would be awesome if I did. Waitaminute, is that a proper way to start a blog? Yes? No? I've never done this before.
Oh well. The point was to give blogging a try. Maybe I'll do it for real sometime soon.
Oh well. The point was to give blogging a try. Maybe I'll do it for real sometime soon.
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