Andrea Wasik's Blog

Trio Jeepy by Branford Marsalis - Amazing Music!

2010-02-23T14:00:00.000-05:00

Trio Jeepy
by Branford Marsalis

I bought this album (vinyl) at a used record store in Harvard Square. I didn't realize how incredible it would be, I want to keep listening to it over and over. The sound from the vinyl and the incredible mastering on these recordings makes the listening experience HEAVENLY!

Now that I have the decent turntable, I need a good pre-amp. A tube preamp would be great, to match my tube amp. Something about making the entire flow of amplification pure by avoiding transistors. But in reality it's probably one of those mental things. A blindfold test is in order.

The Birds Keep Coming

2010-02-19T14:54:00.002-05:00

It's a constant racket out on my deck! These birds go through 8 lbs of bird seed every couple of days.

These doves sit in the trees for hours, watching the sparrows at the feeders.

This is what a chickadee looks like when taking off - at a shutter speed of 640, these guys move fast!

The Downy Woodpecker is coming every day now. I need a vertical feeder - He uses the suet boxes that are on the railing but never goes to the feeders - I think he needs to be vertically perched to maneuver.

Backyard Birds Today: Hairy Woodpecker, European Starlings, Mourning Doves

2010-02-17T10:20:00.000-05:00

Hairy Woodpecker

This was my first time seeing a Hairy Woodpecker at the birdfeeders. He seemed more inclined to perch on the vertical support post instead of actually getting into the feeder. Maybe the woodpeckers need a vertically-oriented feeder.

Mourning Dove

3 Mourning Doves...


European Starling

This was the first time I'd gotten European Starlings at the feeders. They're very fiesty, constantly fighting with each other. I got a good shot of one nipping the other in the neck. They like the suet feeders that are on the railing

European Starlings Fighting at Suet Feeder

American Express: Should be called "American Extreme Mess"

2010-01-08T07:14:00.009-05:00

I was trying to find out the amount of the recent late payment charge and finance charge hikes that Amex hit my account with due to Bank of America's erroneous cancellation of all of my ebills and automated payments. So I logged onto the Amex site and got a message that there was still $10 due - I clicked on the prominent "pay here" link, and this is the page I got: (click image to see full size version)

So on the same page, they are saying the account is cancelled and there is an outstanding balance, but on the very next line it says "there is no balance due on this account at this time".

So do I pay or not?

To make things worse, I clicked on the "contact us" link and was given an option to send them an email, however when I clicked "compose", I got a message stating:

We're Sorry
At this moment, we are experiencing technical difficulties accessing the Secure Message Center. This issue is being addressed and will be resolved very soon.
Until then, please try these options:
(1) click on one of the navigational tabs on the top (sometimes this resolves the problem)

They can't run a website - how do they expect to run a complicated financial services company?

Now it's not like I just made a payment and they haven't had a chance to update it yet - I paid off the total amount due many days ago, at which time I also cancelled my account because I got a notice saying they were raising my interest rate to 29.9%, which should be illegal.

I never carry a balance, but what if I were to get sick and Bank of America screwed up again and cancelled all my payments? Now I'd be paying that $29.9% rate! That made me so mad I told them to cancel my account and to make SURE they put it down on the record as me having cancelled, not them cancelling me.

DNA Testing, I Guess It's a Waste of Time and Money

2009-12-22T07:09:00.000-05:00

I had been considering having my DNA tested to see what I could uncover about my family tree until I read this article on the bogus factors of DNA testing for genealogical purposes. My grandfather was a draft dodger in Russia and that's how he wound up in the US, my grandmother was born in Austria but is from a Ukrainian family. She was sent over here on a boat when she was 16, in 1914. They met and got married in Boston. Then their youngest daughter (my mother) met my father, who comes from a working class Irish family that had been living in Boston for many generations.

If I were to do a DNA test, it would probably show a background that contained Eastern European and Irish. Since I already know that...I've decided not to throw money away to one of these scammy hyped up DNA testing companies. I'd rather blow that money at the poker table!

Bank of America, How Can You Screw Me So Royally?

2009-11-24T16:58:00.000-05:00

So I went into my local Bank of America office yesterday. I had opened a new business account and needed to sign the paperwork in person. I sat down with the rep and signed everything and watched as she set up my online access, etc. I then went ahead an deposited several thousand dollars in checks into that new account using the ATM and the card for my new business account.

I logged in from home later that day and saw that everything was there - I could see my new account from my main Bank of America login, along with my other existing business and personal accounts.

Today, I logged in and guess what? My new account was missing. So I called Bank of America small business customer support. I entered my new account number into their automated system (which you must do before you can get to a live person). The system did not recognize my new account number. Finally got through by entering my bank card number. I told the rep what was going on, and spent about 15 minutes total waiting for him to try to get my account to show up. He could not, something about the system that does the account linking wouldn't work right. He tried to get a "team member" or whatever happy-happy name they have to use when referring to their fellow workers. After waiting on hold another 5 minutes, it turns out the other guy couldn't do it either.

At that point he placed the blame on the banking center rep who opened the account for me. He said they couldn't give me access to my account because there was no signature card on file. Ok...so why did I go into the banking center yesterday to sign all the paperwork? Seems like the banking center rep didn't complete the process. She didn't do whatever it is that she has to do to upload my signature card to the mother ship.

And of course, bankers do not work past 4pm, max (it's now getting close to 5). So now have to follow up and call the local banking center tomorrow. I feel like a babysitter - I have to call to remind this person to complete her job so that I can access my money.

I know I am wasting even more time by making this post, but I want to share my frustration with others...and I have this odd, far-fetched idea that someone from BofA will actually read this and do something about their broken system. I know, it's nuts.

I'd switch to another bank, but BofA has me hostage with all my online payees - I can't even contemplate setting all of that up again with a different bank. Not to mention the fact that any other bank is probably just as screwed up as Bank of America.

Fidelity.com Broken All Day

2009-11-09T18:55:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to get cost basis info from my Fidelity Account all day - there's a whole bunch of "n/a"s in that column for all my holdings. I just got off the phone with a fidelity rep who confirmed it's been down all day. What do I do when they start showing n/a's for other things like my balances??? Rep said it "should" be back tomorrow. Time to switck brokers?

Bank of America, You Are Screwed Up

2009-10-30T19:25:00.000-04:00

So I went to open a new business account on BofA, and guess what? They are offering "%" as an introductory APY, how great is that???

Oh, and guess what businesses you can't be in, in order to open an account online:

Telemarketing
Precious metal dealers
Casinos / Gambling
Government entity

Maybe they should add "Banking" to that list - oh right, Bank of America is already in the Gambling business.

CVS, Stop Tracking Me

2009-09-30T13:59:00.000-04:00

It's always bothered me that CVS requires you to show your CVS card when making a purchase - if you want the "sale" price. I used to be able to tell them I didn't have my card on me and they'd swipe the store card. Apparently that policy has changed, and they are now insisting that you use your own card.

Yesterday, I had a bunch of sale items and wanted the sale prices. I tried to get them to use the store card, but no dice. So I told them I'd take a new card. They gave me the card, swiped it, then told me to return the application once I'd filled it out. Fat chance! I asked the clerks how long they thought the card would keep working if I never gave them my tracking data. They didn't know - I don't think they'd ever thought of that. I must be the only customer who doesn't like being tracked. Everyone else hands over their card (their personal data) every time they buy something. It's all going into one big tracking database that their marketing department uses for all kind of analysis.

I have an aversion to being tracked by CVS because I don't like the way they advertise sale prices all over the store, then don't let you actually buy the stuff at those prices unless you hand over your personal data. I know a lot of grocery stores do this too, but so far I've always been able to get away with asking them to swipe the store card for me. CVS, you are evil!

France; Learning Bank and Credit Card Fees Before Leaving Home

2009-09-10T09:59:00.002-04:00

In preparing for a trip to Paris, I thought "how nice would it be to KNOW what I'd be charged for using my ATM card and credit cards ahead of time"? I've never looked into it before traveling abroad but this time I'm being much more responsible about it. Here's what I've found so far. I'm still waiting to hear back from Chase Visa, and I think I'll ask ING too.

Bank of America Says:

If you use your ATM card at a BNP Paribas ATM in France you will not be charged an access fee as it is a Global ATM Alliance bank. For your reference, while traveling outside the United States, you can avoid the access fee by using an ATM at the following banks in these locations:

- Barclays - United Kingdom
- BNP Paribas - France
- China Construction Bank - China
- Deutsche Bank ? Germany
- Santander Serfin - Mexico
- Scotiabank - Canada
- Westpac - Australia and New Zealand

Their current exchange rate for the Euro is $1.5339, and the current market rate is 1.450, according to xe.com. That means they are charging a 5.5% premium just for the privilege of exchanging currency at their bank. Seems high to me.

Bank of America Currency Exchange Rates

American Express Says:

I would like to inform you that we apply a currency conversion fee if you use your Card in some other country. We use the exchange rate of the day a charge is processed (plus a 2.7% fee assessed after the conversion rate is applied), not the rate of the day a charge is incurred.

Most charges are converted to billing currency using Interbank rates as reported by the Reuters information system. Foreign exchange rates not available on Reuters are established by contacting local banks or by referring to published Interbank, official or tourist rates.

All other foreign exchange rates are reported to us by local paying agents and are generally commercial bank rates, or the "Official Rate" where required by law. If the Reuters system is used, there is a cut off everyday at noon (Eastern Standard Time) for the daily rates.

I would suggest you to access the following link to make the conversion using the Interbank rate. However, it should only be used as a guide, as rates are subject to change.

http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic?user=americanexpress

Is there some kind of underground exchanage system that us little guys could use? Maybe find a friend in France and get him to send Euros in exchange for Dollars, at the current REAL exchange rate instead of the Bank of America rip-off rate?

Jeez, already bought my Kindle 2 at full price, now they put it on sale!

2009-08-02T08:15:00.002-04:00

I love my Kindle 2, use it daily. I don't regret paying more, but I strongly recommend that you pick one up now that Amazon has put them on sale:

Internet World 97 in New York City

2009-07-22T09:54:00.001-04:00

I came across this old t-shirt while sorting through some boxes in the attic. I can't believe it was 12 years ago. It makes me think about how much things have changed with these here internets since then. I recall returning from Internet World and giving a little talk in front of the entire company trying to explain how what an incredible business tool the Internet was going to be. I don't think I was very good at explaining it. Hey, maybe I can even sell this t-shirt on ebay in 2017 when it's 20 years old.

Anyone interested now? It's WAY too big - hey there's something that has not changed - all the t-shirts they give out at these events are men's - even if I can find a small men's I never wear them anyhow because they are just not cut for a woman. Makes me look as if I'm wearing a rice bag like my Cuban friend said they used to do back in the old country.

Remember, Always Check for Coupon Codes First!

2009-07-18T16:39:00.000-04:00

I just bought a bunch of stuff from the Company Store and luckily I remembered to search for coupons first. Got a free $25 gift card by clicking through from ShopGala. Not too shabby. If you want the gift card here's the link:

Company Store Coupons

Venice Vacation Home Still Some Dates Available

2009-07-07T09:09:00.001-04:00

October, November and December 2009 are available.
April 2010 is available.

See more about it here:

http://www.andreawasik.com/venice-fl-home-rental/

and here:

http://www.vrbo.com/222460

and send me an email for the very best rate.

Upside Down Travel Trailer on Rt 495

2009-07-06T12:42:00.000-04:00

This caused a big backup on rt 495 yesterday. Someone must have done a poor job of connecting their quite large travel trailer to their truck.

At first I thought I shouldn't be posting these kinds of pictures, it's kind of morbid, but then I realized that the newspapers publish photos like these all the time, so if they can do it, I can too.

In my opinion people have gotten lazy when tying items onto their car or when towing trailers. When I was a kid, I think the adults had better skills in such techniques. I have seen so many flapping mattresses I can't even count. I once saw a couple of kayaks on the grass about 50 yards behind a Volvo that was pulled over on a major highway.

Low Smoky Cloudy Fogs over the John Hancock Buildings in Boston

2009-06-28T08:40:00.001-04:00

I snagged this shot yesterday on the Mass Pike West. There were these super low clouds hanging over the city, and with the sun just behind them everything looked wild - almost like the buildings were on fire.

Kindle 2 Review

2009-05-09T18:06:00.000-04:00

I received my new Kindle 2 at the end of February. I had ordered the original Kindle back in November but it was back ordered. They sent me the 2 instead, and I'm glad they did!

Ergonomically, Kindle 2 is a pleasure. There are "next page" buttons on both sides. This makes it easy if you're say, lying on your side in bed and want to be able to easily turn pages from the side that's most accessible. Visually, it's extremely easy to read - I often forget I'm reading on a device. It's much better than reading on an iPhone or computer screen. Those are back lit, and apparently back lighting creates a much greater strain on your eyes.

A lot of people ask me if I can read it in the dark. Well, it ain't back lit. So I have a little clip on "Mighty Bright" light that I use in the dark. A lot of people also ask me if you can change the text size. Yes, you can, though I'm happy with the default font size.

I've used my Kindle 2 on airplanes quite a bit, and it really makes the time "fly" (sorry!). I love having the ability to switch between several different books and magazines, depending on my mood.

Browsing the web on the Kindle 2 is so-so. I prefer my iPhone for that. It is possible to read your Gmail, but the layout is off-kilter. I guess its browser is not great at deciphering CSS. Browsing for books and magazines and blogs to buy or subscribe to is a bit better. It's still faster to find your reading material while at your computer. Once you purchase, it's sent automatically to your Kindle.

While most books are $9.95, I would not recommend buying a Kindle if your main goal is to save money. You cannot share books bought in Kindle format - and that's something I often do with "real" books. I tried a few travel books on the Kindle, and I must say a real book would have been better because it's not that easy to pull the Kindle out while standing on a street corner in an unfamiliar city to look something up.

The main reason I got my Kindle was to have the ability to bring a good variety of reading material along with me wherever I go without lugging a heavy stack of books. For that purpose, it is wonderful.

I heard about the new larger Kindle, but honestly I wouldn't want it because it would not fit into my purse or backpack as easily as the Kindle 2. I don't think having a larger screen size is all that important. I suppose if you wanted to use a larger text size and not have to flip pages too frequently, it might be a good option.

Overall, I highly recommend the Kindle 2! If you are even thinking about getting one, you should get one. Once you get it, you will agree with me!

Rent My House in Venice FL!

2009-01-01T19:18:00.004-05:00

My vacation home in Venice FL is now available for the 2009 winter seasonal rental. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I'm unable to get down there this winter. It's a great place, I highly recommend it...and it's super cheap too, since most people have already made their rental plans for winter 09. For you cyclists, I can give you all the good cycling routes down there. It's close to numerous excellent beaches (some of the best in Florida), it's very clean and newly-furnished.

It's only available as a monthly seasonal rental - no weekly rentals, sorry.

Exclusive Triathlon Clubs

2008-11-23T16:34:00.004-05:00

A couple of my friends, who I often run and cycle with, told me how they are striving to gain membership into a local Boston area triathlon club. It's one of those situations where you have to wait to be invited to join. You can't just go online and sign up like I did so easily with my local running and cycling clubs. You have to be asked by a club member. I guess that's OK, but my friends further informed me that they don't just ask you after you've shown your interest by attending a few training sessions. No, it can take one or two years before you are invited. To even hope to ever become a member, one must show the extent of one's commitment by attending training sessions on a regular basis, volunteering at events, bringing home-cooked casseroles (low-fat vegan only, I assume) to their get-togethers, and so on. If you do this for a year, or maybe two, you might have a good shot.

That's why I have to agree with Bike Snob NYC, who recently reminded us that triathletes are actually part of the "freak cyclist" sub-category of cyclists. As he also states, Run/Bike/Swim = Dork/Dork/Dork.

I never want to take the chance of being part of any group that Bike Snob refers to as "freaks" or triple dorks. I feel a lot better now too, because this means I won't have to force myself into a wetsuit and make an ass of myself in some freezing lake. Even in the face of peer pressure, I have the freak/dork excuse to fall back on now, and no one can fault me for wanting to avoid being classified as a freak. Yet, this makes lovely friends freaks. When I'm around them I'll just have to remember not to express my true feelings about the elitist triathlete club they yearn to belong to. They never read my blog anyway; they're too busy uploading data from their 10 workouts/week onto their triathlete training software. But even if they did, I NEVER said I would do a triathlon. They also know that it is of utmost importance to me that I never give the slightest appearance of being a dork, and just because they may fall into that category, it does not mean that we can't be friends.

Foreclosures - It's Still Bad in Florida

2008-11-19T10:58:00.009-05:00

I recently spent a few days inspecting some foreclosed houses and condos in Venice, FL. It's a sad scene to see houses that used to be fine, well-kept homes transformed into abandoned, stinking messes in need of thousands of dollars or even tens of thousands of dollars of repairs. I saw houses that have a lot of potential, but the thought of buying one and sinking a lot of cash into it in an uncertain rental market is scary.

All the real estate investment books say to buy when everyone else is running away - with caveats, of course. You need to buy in an area that is desirable. It could be a place where there are good jobs, or a place that has great weather and an easy lifestyle.

The west coast of Florida, south of Tampa, meets the desirability requirement. But it's tough when you can only rent consistently for 3-4 months a year. So instead of the normal equation where you would try to come as close to break even as possible with a 12 month rental scenario, that's just not the case in SW Florida. Dec/Jan/Feb/Mar are probably all you can get. And even then, you need to offer a rental that's in the right location - near the beach, in resort-like surroundings, etc. In my opinion, real estate prices need to come down a bit more from where they are right now to make this type of investment workable. Then there's the problem of condos with outrageous ($300+/month) condo fees for a small 1 bedroom unit. That kind of thing just makes it necessary that prices drop even more to make sense from an investment standpoint.

For the single family homes in neighborhoods, hit by job loss and not desirable for snowbird rentals, the outlook is even worse. I'm not sure who's going to be willing to step in and take that kind of risk. I saw some houses that were in quite good condition (these tended to be the ones not yet in foreclosure) - one in particular comes to mind, very neat, clean with updated AC, etc. The price seems low, but again, even with a low price it's a questionable investment due to the horrible rental market for family type houses.

Taxes are still high for most of these places, calculated when the house was worth close to double it's current value. This is a problem for both houses and condos, so until reassessments are done a buyer will be paying a very high tax rate. One has to wonder if the counties will be quick to reassess - they need the money!

As I rode my bike down Manasota Key, a beautiful key along the Englewood coast, it seemed like almost all gulf-front homes had for sale signs posted. I'm not sure who is buying these - they're mostly all well over a million dollars - that's prime beach-front real estate.

So overall it's a very gloomy picture for Florida real estate. Maybe it really is the time to buy, but does anyone have the guts to plunge in?

This lovely 2 bedroom brand new condo in Venice is cheap!!!

Davis Farm Corn Maze - Harder Than You Think!

2008-10-09T10:57:00.001-04:00

We took a drive out to the Davis Farm Corn Maze last weekend. They grow this huge field full of corn and then cut a very complex maze into it. Pretty amazing. It took us an hour and a half to find our way through! I recommend this for kids as well as adults - in fact kids under 12 aren't allowed to roam alone - you really can get lost in the maze!

Colleen's 7th Birthday Party

2008-09-18T13:48:00.005-04:00

This was another great event! Here is my lovely niece Colleen about to make her wish:

And here is Katie, passing by on her Barbie-mobile:

You can see all the pictures from the party.

Brenna and Colin's 2nd Birthday Party

2008-09-14T09:18:00.008-04:00

My very cute twin niece and nephew! I took a bunch of pictures of them yesterday, for those who are interested.

These are two of my favorites...

Update on Palm Centro Repair

2008-09-03T19:32:00.002-04:00

I sent in my Palm Centro for repair on August 11. It is now September 3. I called Palm today for a status update, and they said it was still "being repaired" and might be done sometime next week. If it actually is done next week, that would make it a full month that I would have been without a phone. However, because I switched to ATT and the iPhone, I am WITH phone.

How can Sprint and Palm expect anyone to go for an entire month without their phone? To add insult to injury, they continue to bill you for that time during which they know you did not have your phone.

If you are considering using Sprint or acquiring a Palm Centro phone, I strongly recommend that you change your mind and go for an iPhone instead. Or even go Verizon, who I have used for years without any problems such as this.

A Friendly Manatee!

2008-08-27T18:19:00.000-04:00

This Manatee swam right up to our boat out in the intracoastal waterway in Englewood FL! I was started at first when his head popped out of the water, but I soon realized he was acting very friendly. He loved the attention and did not leave the side of the boat for a good 45 minutes! These must be the sweetest friendliest creatures in the ocean - and maybe on land too.