cogeco

Motherfuckin’ Cogeco.

Tuesday, there’s two Cogeco vans at the end of the street that pull up while I’m walking the dogs. There’s no way that’s good, and sure enough, we’re out of internet for an hour.

Not terrible, listed as maintenance on the Cogeco website.

But then…

A Cogeco tech returns around 3:30 yesterday, roots around in the box in the neighbour’s yard and boom, we’re down.

Not a big deal, right? Site reads maintenance again, probably only be for a bit. Got me out of the last half hour of work.

Except, when I look again at four, dude’s gone. Box is still open; no sign of him.

And we’re completely out.

He never returns.

So, we pulled some strings with the internet company my wife works for and whose tech department I used to run, and get ourselves a hub, but man, let me tell you. I thought I was being nice going through front line staff first, assuming they’d prod Cogeco and find out there’s a local outage.

Nope. Turns out Cogeco already booked a tech – for two days from now. So now, we’re scrambling, trying to find places to work, figure out what to do with dogs, possible sick days, etc., and knowing how this game is played, I can already see the screwjob coming.

Because Cogeco booked the tech, with no prompting from us, that means that it either is an area issue that for some inexplicable reason they’re willing to leave that way for days or they know they fucked something up specific to our line and put in early. Unfortunately, I also know our provider didn’t ask for anything, which means when things go sideways, there’ll be no recourse to escalate, because we never opened anything, even if Cogeco scheduled their own tech (who could no show on the grounds that we’re a third party and not a Cogeco client, and that any and all dispatches have to go through our provider).

To think, I know these people. I didn’t train any of them, because they were all customer service people forced into tech roles after I left, but damn, kids.

Do better.

Target: 1100 words
Written: 1030 words, novel: Bad Neighbours

Read: Trust Me, I'm Lying, Ryan Holiday (a very important book that will leave you completely bereft)
Comics: Codename Strykeforce 12-13, Ripclaw 1-2
Music: Infected, The The

weaksauce

What a pathetic display last night by the Democrats in the U.S.

That piece of garbage spews lie after lie, bullshit after bullshit, and only Al Green shows any guts.

Even AOC, who one would think could actually put up a fight, didn’t even bother to show up, or post anything particularly useful, or whatever.

No wonder the States is falling ass backwards into fascism.

Their primary defenders can’t be bothered to show up.

Pathetic.

Target: 1100 words
Written: 1628 words, novel: Bad Neighbours

Read: Trust Me, I'm Lying, Ryan Holiday (such a goddamned gruel to get through - don't get me wrong, it's an important and enlightening book, but life has been so insane, it feels like I can barely get through ten pages before I'm done for the day.  Normally, it would never take me anywhere near this long to read a 250-page book)
Comics: Cyber Force v2 11-12, Codename Strykeforce 11, Cyber Force Annual 1
Music: Inedits, Foo Fighters

tariffs

We’ll see if he actually goes through with it, or if this is still one of those fifth grade bluffs.

I think the most confusing thing about Donald Trump is how he managed to get this far in life. He’s not a smart man. It seems pretty clear that he was not a billionaire (although his looting from the top might have made him one now). He has the mentality of a spoiled narcissist, and seems to understand the world at a level where even frat boy bullies would go, damn, son. You need to step up your atrocious game.

Seriously. It’s elementary school bully bullshit.

And there are people in government and business that are way, way smarter than that, who understand negotiation and how to deal with people like that and turn them right around.

Yet, they don’t do it.

What do you do with a bully? You punch back. Hurt him. Make him realize you aren’t an easy target, which is what a grade school bully wants.

Bust him up.

Use his narcissism against him; it’s what Putin did. Turned his greed and ego in on him to make him feel like he’s got to live up to him, like an overbearing father figure who never gives any attention or validation, thereby making someone so sadly broken do anything to please.

Because that’s what happened here: Putin made himself into Daddy Fred, and Donald desperately seeks Daddy’s approval. Add a layer of extreme greed, drastic insecurity overcompensated by insane bluster and ego, and boom.

Easily. Fucking. Manipulated.

So let’s do it, Canada, Mexico, Ukraine, EU, Britain… whoever.

Punch that bully. Make him seek your validation.

You’ll have the entire U.S. under your thumb.

Just. Like. Putin.

Target: 1100 words
Written: 848 words, novel: Bad Neighbours

Read: Trust Me, I'm Lying, Ryan Holiday
Comics: Cyber Force Origins 1-2, Cyblade & Shi 1, Cyber Force v2 10
Music: Indie Cindy, Pixies

that was a week (and a weekend)

And now, I’m behind on literally everything.

I hate when I don’t get any time to read.

It’s crazy making.

I need it, like I need breath or food.

Fuck.

Target: 1100 words
Written: 107 words, novel: Bad Neighbours

Read: Trust Me, I'm Lying, Ryan Holiday
Comics: Cyber Force 9, Codename Strykeforce 9-10, Ripclaw 0.5
Music: Indestructible Object, They Might Be Giants

the return

Fun weekend. Maple farm, sugar shack, Mexican food.

Diarrhea.

Shit.

Target: 1100 words
Written: 165 words, novel: Bad Neighbours

Read: Trust Me, I'm Lying, Ryan Holiday
Comics: Cyber Force v2 7-8, Codename Strykeforce 7-8
Music: Indestructible, Rancid (fact: there has never been a bad Tim Armstrong song)

bebe

Off to see the granddaughter. Yippie kay yay, mother.

Target: 1100 words
Written: 140 words, novel: Bad Neighbours

Read: Trust Me, I'm Lying, Ryan Holiday
Comics: Codename Strykeforce 4-6, Cyber Force 6
Music: Incesticide, Nirvana

voting

I mean, I guess it’s worthwhile to go. I always make a point of it, but when literally no one you know or have heard of can defend or wants Doug Ford (and you know there must be people out there), you have to wonder how legit these wins are.

Low voter turnout, the surprise, unnecessary election to ensure he can “deal” with Trump.

I mean, bullshit. This guy is a bird of a feather with those assholes.

He’ll sell us out in a heartbeat if it means more slush money for him and his developer cronies.

Man, am I ever tired of corruption and stupidity. Am I ever tired of lies and flagrant disregard for the responsibility of being of service.

Because that’s what you’re supposed to be – a servant.

You’re in government because you want to help. You want to be of service.

You want to make the world a better place.

But these fucking Cons, man. They are a con.

All they give a shit about is lining their own pockets at our expense, and/or getting as much power as they possibly can.

What pieces of fucking shit.

Here’s to revolution, sooner rather than later.

Fuck ’em.

Target: 1100 words
Written: 3185 words, novel: Bad Neighbours

Read: Trust Me, I'm Lying, Ryan Holiday
Comics: Codename Strykeforce 2-3, Cyber Force 4-5
Music: In Your Honor, Foo Fighters

well, that was a wash

I tried to get my blood pressure stuff updated, but man, those online doctors are useless.

They’re nice enough, but they can do nothing for you.

So, I spent the day getting my van maintenanced instead. I tried the “walk-in” heart health clinic, but that appears to be a wash as well.

Fuck me.

I do not want to sit at the clinic for twelve hours.

Fucking Doug Ford.

Fucking Conservatives.

Target: 1100 words
Written: 148 words, novel: Bad Neighbours

Read: The Lost City Of Z, David Grann
Comics: Cyber Force v2 2-3, Codename Strykeforce 1, Cyber Force & WildC.A.T.S. - Killer Instinct 3
Music: In Violet Light, The Tragically Hip

off day

I’m taking the day.

It’s all been a bit much lately; it seems like everyone and everything is at odds.

Plus, I need an oil change, tire rotation and blood pressure medication renewal, so that means clinics and garages and money I don’t have.

Fuck.

Target: 1100 words
Written: 152 words, novel: Bad Neighbours

Read: The Lost City Of Z, David Grann
Comics: Cyber Force 0, Cyber Force/WildC.A.T.S. - Killer Instinct 1-2, Cyber Force v2 1
Music: In Utero, Nirvana

still pissed

I should show myself the bigger man, but I didn’t see the other guy.

He could be a right fat-ass.

Target: 1100 words
Written: 155 words, novel: Bad Neighbours

Read: The Lost City Of Z, David Grann
Comics: Cyber Force 1-4
Music: In Time - The Donnie Darko Edition, R.E.M. (I don't know where this came from and I can find no reference online... fan made?)