The Vent and Rant Thread

[Rumpelteazer]

Earlier this week I received my replacement Kindle, my old one had developed the dreaded hairline cracks next to the screen.

That day I noticed a little line next to the bottom right corner of screen but couldn't determine if it was just a little mark or a small hairline crack (I'm kinda paranoid when it comes to my Kindle and hairline cracks right now). Today I got a magnifying glass but I still can't see what it is.

I just send an email to the Kindle department (didn't want to place another international call) and told them that because I don't know if it's a crack or a mark I don't see a reason for replacing it but that I would like it noted down that if it's a crack and it becomes worse that they know it was there from the day I received it. I also asked what they advice me to do.

I had decided that if the replacement would develop hairline cracks over time I would order a Kindle 4 NT instead of contacting the customer service but since there might be a crack from day one I decided to notify them anyway.

I'm now very paranoid about handling my Kindle. I haven't been carrying it around in my bag with me like I normally do because I'm afraid I might damage it. I'm also keeping an eye out on reports of the Kindle 4 (is it made out of the same kind of plastic?) because I've been thinking of getting one when Amazon opens their Dutch store (rumoured to be before the summer of 2012).

I'm very curious to see what Amazon has to say about this possible problem.

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

I just send an email to the Kindle department (didn't want to place another international call)

Install 'Skype' on your computer. My lifestyle requires frequent international calls, and I used to spend a small fortune on them. Not any longer. Usually Skype calls are as crisp and clear as any telephone (actually more so as the computer speakers are better!) and I pay just a few pennies per minute to any phone anywhere in the world. I can make a 30-minute call almost anywhere for under a dollar! I don't even need to dread being put on hold for 10 minutes! Skype calls computer-to-computer are absolutely free, so I can call my friends internationally at no cost what so ever. We even have those as video calls! It's like sitting and chatting in the same room.

Skype depends upon available bandwidth so if you have a slow computer connection, Skype isn't for you. But if you are using a good broadband provider, Skype is the answer to all international calling. I even use it's 'sister' program, called 'PamFax' to send my faxes.

Try it. Both programs are free to install. Give Skype a $10 credit and you are ready to call the World!


Stitchawl

[kindlekitten]

well the light is terrible, the location is on the top of my thigh just below the groin, I had a difficult time getting a picture. the dog was a Weimeraner and this is a fang to fang bite mark

[Rumpelteazer]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Install 'Skype' on your computer. My lifestyle requires frequent international calls, and I used to spend a small fortune on them. Not any longer. Usually Skype calls are as crisp and clear as any telephone (actually more so as the computer speakers are better!) and I pay just a few pennies per minute to any phone anywhere in the world. I can make a 30-minute call almost anywhere for under a dollar! I don't even need to dread being put on hold for 10 minutes! Skype calls computer-to-computer are absolutely free, so I can call my friends internationally at no cost what so ever. We even have those as video calls! It's like sitting and chatting in the same room.

Skype depends upon available bandwidth so if you have a slow computer connection, Skype isn't for you. But if you are using a good broadband provider, Skype is the answer to all international calling. I even use it's 'sister' program, called 'PamFax' to send my faxes.

Try it. Both programs are free to install. Give Skype a $10 credit and you are ready to call the World!


Stitchawl

Thank you, I hadn't thought about using Skype. We actually have it via our ISP so it wouldn't be a problem. Costs isn't, however, the problem. When I called last week it took a while before I got to speak with the right person and I found it difficult to keep pace with the person's quick Southern accent, I could understand him but it took longer than normal for me to process what he was saying. It might be that I was just tired but I always have problems when talking to someone on the phone who speaks fast with a heavier accent (even in Dutch).

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

well the light is terrible, the location is on the top of my thigh just below the groin, I had a difficult time getting a picture. the dog was a Weimeraner and this is a fang to fang bite mark

Getting bitten by a Weimeraner doesn't sound like a good thing... nor look like one. My recommendation is 'don't do this again.' Getting bitten by a Guppy is preferable. Or a pet rock. (My pet rock has never bitten anyone, despite being severely abused in childhood.) User's Choice.


Stitchawl

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by pholy

Ouch! That's nasty.

Feel free to take a picture if you must. Just don't post it here, please. It will bring back memories of Peter Watt's pictures of his leg when he got the flesh-eating thing.

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

Thank you, I hadn't thought about using Skype. We actually have it via our ISP so it wouldn't be a problem. Costs isn't, however, the problem. When I called last week it took a while before I got to speak with the right person and I found it difficult to keep pace with the person's quick Southern accent, I could understand him but it took longer than normal for me to process what he was saying. It might be that I was just tired but I always have problems when talking to someone on the phone who speaks fast with a heavier accent (even in Dutch).

don't worry about the southern accent issues I have problems understanding quite often myself. did a lot of pushups in basic training as a result

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Getting bitten by a Weimeraner doesn't sound like a good thing... nor look like one. My recommendation is 'don't do this again.' Getting bitten by a Guppy is preferable. Or a pet rock. (My pet rock has never bitten anyone, despite being severely abused in childhood.) User's Choice.


Stitchawl

I dunno.... I've heard those guppies can be pretty fierce:ee

[PeterT]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

Or a pet rock. (My pet rock has never bitten anyone, despite being severely abused in childhood.) User's Choice.


Stitchawl

Do you just keep a hammer handy in case the pet rock gets out of hand?

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Rumpelteazer

I found it difficult to keep pace with the person's quick Southern accent,

I often run into this same sort of problem, but because of my poor hearing ability combined with the support person's speed-speaking. Add to that the variety of accents we get these days from English language support... Southern US, Indian, Philippine, Texas... Plus they say the same things over and over again so often that they begin speaking an entire paragraph as one word! When I find myself up against this sort of thing, I first try asking them to speak slowly, enunciating each word clearly. If that doesn't help, I ask them to connect me with a supervisor. That usually solves the problem.

Originally Posted by PeterT

Do you just keep a hammer handy in case the pet rock gets out of hand?

Nah... I can take it down quickly with Aikido. I just use its own weight against it...


Stitchawl

[dreams]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

ugh! I was attacked by a dog tonight! I was picking my puppy up from the groomer as we have an event tomorrow. she also does doggy day care a.d boarding. o.e of them lunged at me. I have a gash on my wrist and the fangs as well as all the teeth between on my upper thigh. took about an hour to clean out. maybe I'll take a pic tomorrow when I replace the bandage. quite sore;o(

Ouch, kk. I hope it is much better now.

[amward]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

well the light is terrible, the location is on the top of my thigh just below the groin, I had a difficult time getting a picture. the dog was a Weimeraner and this is a fang to fang bite mark

YUk and ouch! We have always had Wei's (although we are between dogs at the moment), and they have all been big softies, might lick you to death. I'm sad to hear about a Wei doing this to you.

[Bookpossum]

We have a forecast of 40 degrees C today - gak - and it's already (10.45 am) stinking hot outside. Thank goodness for our evaporative cooler. I'm just hoping we don't have any bushfires.

Hope your leg is less painful today, kindlekitten.

[kindlekitten]

Strider (one of the Savannah cats) has an interesting sense of responsibility... he seems to think that by sleeping on an injury he is somehow helping it...

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

Strider (one of the Savannah cats) has an interesting sense of responsibility... he seems to think that by sleeping on an injury he is somehow helping it...

I have a theory that may shed some light on this... "Alpha Rhythms." That same frequency reached with meditation, sleep, and profound relaxation.

All cats have brainwave activity that registers in the 7-14 cycle per second range... what is often termed the 'Alpha' frequency. It has been shown that there is more rapid cell regeneration in humans when exposed to this frequency, and faster healing can take place. Some people will place music players against damaged areas and play generated alpha rhythms, finding that this does seem to speed up recovery. Cats are 'natural' music players. Through personal experiments, I've found this works for me...

Cats even purr at 7-14 cycles per second which I believe is responsible for the comfort and calming qualities we experience when sitting with a purring cat!


Stitchawl

[TGS]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

Strider (one of the Savannah cats) has an interesting sense of responsibility... he seems to think that by sleeping on an injury he is somehow helping it...

My dog will, given the chance, lick any small cuts or scratches on my hands or arms. Despite reassurances that dog spit contains antiseptic, I am not keen, and I am not sure his behaviour is borne of natural philanthropy, but the realization that I am made of meat.

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

I have a theory that may shed some light on this... "Alpha Rhythms." That same frequency reached with meditation, sleep, and profound relaxation.

All cats have brainwave activity that registers in the 7-14 cycle per second range... what is often termed the 'Alpha' frequency. It has been shown that there is more rapid cell regeneration in humans when exposed to this frequency, and faster healing can take place. Some people will place music players against damaged areas and play generated alpha rhythms, finding that this does seem to speed up recovery. Cats are 'natural' music players. Through personal experiments, I've found this works for me...

Cats even purr at 7-14 cycles per second which I believe is responsible for the comfort and calming qualities we experience when sitting with a purring cat!


Stitchawl

I am a strong believer in purr therapy and was seeing a rather odd doc in california that insisted cats would sleep on injured areas. that was during kindle kitten's reign who seemed to be semi-permanently attached to my left armpit... I was never aware of any issues with that armpit. the issue with Strider deciding that it needs attention is that, well it is a painful injury and he is well in excess of 20 pounds!

Originally Posted by TGS

My dog will, given the chance, lick any small cuts or scratches on my hands or arms. Despite reassurances that dog spit contains antiseptic, I am not keen, and I am not sure his behaviour is borne of natural philanthropy, but the realization that I am made of meat.

my Dad's best childhood friend grew up to be a Doc, as down to earth a Doc as a former New Mexico Cowboy could be... I was one of those kids that was all arms and legs held together with bandaids, I don't think that a period of 3 months passed without me having tore up elbows and or knees from the time I was 4 until maybe 16 (then I just had more interesting accidents), the "Doc" always insisted that dog spit was good for the owies and to let them do their thing! never had an infection!