Category: Just Asking

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MISSING YOUR SUNDAY NY TIMES?


Just asking…

Are you a subscriber to the Sunday New York Times, via the Sunday Star-Advertiser?

If you do, you know that you didn’t receive the Sunday Times — distributed by the Star-Advertiser, this morning –the second week this happened this month, since the NYT also was missing last Sunday. Transportation issues are the reason; the NYT delivery missed a flight to Honolulu, so delivery was  not possible.

So, you go through the drill of dialing the circulation department here, and wait, wait, and wait some more, till an agent answers your call.  My wait time today was 35 minutes, and 20 minutes last Sunday.

There is no other way to find out why the NYT was not delivered, along with the Sunday Star-Advertiser. You can’t call your delivery person, since you don’t have his/her number; by now, you must know there is a problem in Houston, er, Honolulu, but making the call is necessary since you don’t know if your carrier missed you making the rounds. Happened before…

When an agent finally answered my call, she knew little about why the NYT was AWOL, but muttered something about in-house computer glitches with the circulation crew, and said the missing paper was probably going to arrive with the Monday S-A, or maybe Tuesday, since Monday was the Martin Luther King holiday.

This missing-delivery angst happens several times a year. After talking to the agent here, I noticed I received an email from the Times that a transportation problem was the issue…like the papers missed a flight. The note included an apology for the delay and a thank-you for being patient. Oh, and a declaration that the paper would be delivered Monday.

If the Times can do that, why not the Star-Advertiser? Or if that’s too much of a burden for the circulation folks here, why not the carrier? Why can’t he/she send a text message or even an old-fashioned hand-scribbled note tucked in with the Sunday paper, so subscribes don’t have to call and wait and endure frustration? I mention this possible tactic today and last Sunday, and I was told to email the publisher. Like, he would care?

Newspapers are in the communications biz, but there’s simply no plan locally to inform subscribers that a problem exists. 

Have you had any circulation problem? Seriously. Share your thoughts…

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COLLECTIBLES OR PLAIN JUNK?

Jus asking…

If you have some of these items, are they collectibles or plain junk?

Stuff accumulates after time, and tossing is tough, since you’ve had a long history together.

But keep or save? Lots of memories here…

Cigarette ashtrays?

Old-fashioned washboard for hand-scrubbing clothes?

Rotary telephone?

Cassette player?

Beta or VHS tapes and player?

Old-fashioned hand-mixer with rotary blades you had to crank?

A Maneki Neko for good luck?

Crochet doilies?

Crochet toilet paper holder?

Old-fashioned water jugs for picnicking?

Japanese-style folding fans to cool yourself?

A 78 rpm disc and a player to hear it?

Rotary telephone?

A $2 bill?

A Kennedy silver dollar?

A Don Ho Suck ‘em Up mai tai glass from Duke Kahanamoku’s?

A Primo Beer cap made from the aluminum tin cans?

A Waterpik to cleanse your teeth?

A toaster oven?

Golden Wheat pattern dinner ware?

Bubble lights for your Christmas tree?

How many of these do you still own? Or list stuff you still have…

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HAVE YOU HAD A PNEUMONIA SHOT?

Just asking…

Hey, seniors. Have you had a pneumonia shot recently?

Longs pharmacies are giving these shots now (Medicare and your health insurance will cover). Got a call yesterday from Longs and made an appointment earlier this morning and received the shot.

So far, no side effects. So far, haven’t from anyone receiving the shot.

So asking: ya plan to have one? Supposed, it’s a preventive move so not required, but doesn’t hurt to have one, I guess…

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ROAD WARNINGS: A HUMP, A BUMP, A DIP

Just asking…

Is it just me or are you noticing the frequency of new signage on our highways and byways.

I’m talking about newish and plentiful signs that warn drivers to be cautious and keep foot on brakes.

And it’s a matter of gradations:

  • HUMP. Sort of like a warning that there will be a large bump on the road.
  • BUMP. OK, perhaps this is a signal that there will be an uppity element, maybe less so that a hump
  • DIP. Hmmm, like a slight discrepancy on the paving of the word. Not as worrisome or wobbly like a bump or a hump.
  • UNEVEN SURFACE (OR ROAD). Golly, that’s applicable to all the freeways and side streets that are worn out and awaiting fixing.

I believe you see all of the above east-bound on the H-1, from the Makiki area to the University Avenue.

The stretch of Kalanianaole Hwy., from Waimanalo heading to Kaneohe, has its share of  hump-bumpy warnings. There are some HUMP warnings painted on the road, near the school zones, and you need to chill unless you’ve got a sturdy truck.

On the other side of the island, Kamehameha Highway from Aiea east-bound to Pearl Harbor boast a few on-road hump warnings, too. Sedans and SVUs need to heed these little mounds.

The worst of these humps/ bumps might be at the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort, whose entrance and exit have the highest humps or bumps, and speeding would be manic. Methinks the small mountains of tar should be ID’d for what it is: Hilton Hills. After the first ascent over the first hill, you need to keep your seat belts on, put foot on the brakes, and Go. Slow. Otherise, you’ll ruin your tires or chassis.

Yikes!

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SPECTRUM SERVICE IS OFTEN IFFY

Just asking…

If you’re a Spectrum subscriber, have you noticed the frequency of issues that leave you without wi-fi, meaning no iPhone or computer service, and the loss of regular TV and streaming service?

It just happens so darn often.

Yesterday, there was no service from mid-morning. A call resulted in a message that there were problems in our area (Hawaii Kai).  Several hours later, the message was that power problems were in multiple communities.

Asked for a call-back, when repairs were done; follow-up message indicated service was restored. Not so.

Another call had to be made, since TV service was restored, but not with computer access.

Incoming emails apparently were stored, but no access till the whole system was up and running.

You’re a captive audience, so you need patience. And while you might be prisoner for half-a-day without service, you don’t get credit and a rate deduction in your monthly bill