Everyone's got one and doing it..

... but are they really using it?

Over the past few months, I've noticed a lot of people in the pool wearing some sort of smart watch; whether that be Apple Watch, Google Pixel Watch or Fitbit. 

Most user I have run into, have an Apple Watch, truth be told, even though I know quite a few who love their Android phone (out in the real world). I think I have come across more Apple users in my community, then there are other device users (some of the hip young kids are into the "Nothing" Phone or whatever is up and coming). 

It's strange but it's probably generational that they are all accustomed to using the same type of device (they all hang out together and trade health problems). If they have a home computer, odds are, it is Windows based. 

Yes, they also have iPads because they want a tablet and since they already have an iPhone, they want to also be able to have a bigger screen to "FaceTime" their grandkids. The catch is, if they still have a home computer, it's Microsoft. So they can't have things move between all environments and want to know why their apps aren't on the computer. Because it's two different things and the operating systems won't play together. Although, the truth is, they don't feel they need an expensive MacBook because Windows is dead simple to use and all they know the programs. Even though the iPad, iPhone and Watch probably cost as much as the MacBook, combined, when all was first purchased.

Can't win and can't talk them into anything otherwise.

Plainly because I'm a contradiction myself.

Personally, I'm using what is now considered a "Legacy Device": an Apple Watch series 3, with its stock band for my swimming watch. I was given a cousin's old Apple Watch series 6 when they upgraded to something newer, which means the series 6 is now my every day watch, to the point I've purchased some nice Velcro sports bands to go with it. I just need to invest in some more bumpers because I dumbly kept putting them on my series 3 and the pool was ruining them due to my trying to take the bumper off to clean the watch face. I need to replace the bumper on the 6 because it's getting too cloudy and scratched. 

I have an iPhone, an Apple Watch, and I use a Hewlett Packard laptop. The laptop is 13 years old at this point, so it's a little worn (Windows 8.1). I grew up with Microsoft computers, whether that was an IBM machine running DOS or various other name brands running newer systems over the years. It's what I know, but I also am not afraid to admit I've had my hands on Apple computers before. I'm of the generation where we played Oregon Trail on both the Apple II and Commodore 64 in elementary school. I earned my fruit stripes by getting dysentery, thank you very much (The Commodore was rare; I think there was like 2 in the school and we always fought for it)! 

Squirrel brain activated! Got to get back to the topic at hand.

I was trying to bring this up (the use of the watch) because it's interesting how everyone is literally attached to said time keeper, but they're not using it for the exercise apps that may or may not be included within their device's environment. They all seem to be using it to be able to check the time, see if they got a random text, or because they want to have a watch tan line (likely story 😜). 

I can't speak for Android, but Apple has not only the Health app, but they have the Fitness app. Both talk to each other, so if you do some sort of workout in the Fitness app, it tells Health you've completed an activity. With the watch, you can open Fitness, scroll to the workout you want to do, and the timer starts and the app senses what you're doing. It can tell your heart rate, your movement, and will time you while you're involved in that particular exercise. The downfall is you only get credit for an exercise minute if your heart rate goes above a certain number (100 and something). 

The standard goals in Fitness app are:

• 300 active calories (Move)
• 30 minutes (Exercise)
• 12 hours (Stand)

I've actually set my move goal to 500 but have kept everything else because I tend to do several hours in the gym. I go between the treadmill and elliptical, so I know I could achieve the 300 within the first hour I'm working out, should I pay enough attention to what I'm doing. Same goes for when I'm swimming; if I'm not just floating around and working on a pool shoe tan. 

When I said there's a downfall for exercise credit, I meant that in the 30 minutes you're "exercising", if your heart rate falls below 100 and something, the app doesn't register that as exercising. You have to do a serious work out if you want to get full credit. 

Example is, when I'm on the stationary bike, if I'm not pushing myself hard on it, my watch won't register I'm really working out. I can set the app up to show I'm riding for 30 minutes, but if my heart rate stays at (let's say) 95, then I don't get credit. Even though the bike screen says I've pedaled close to 5 miles, there's a definite disconnect somewhere. I've got to pedal hard and fast and start some sweating in order for the watch to know I'm doing something. 

However, if I'm walking on the treadmill at a 3.0 pace and over the course of an hour, I bump it up to 4 so I can run, my watch senses I'm exerting myself a little more, so the effort ends up pushing both my move coal and exercise goal up higher. By the time I finish the hour, I've not only closed the exercise ring, I'm a few pushes away from closing the move ring. Which leads me to use the elliptical for an hour and I've now fully closed the move ring and gone more in the exercise ring. All because I've pushed myself on two machines. 

Swimming is harder because I had to concentrate enough and do my laps. I can't sit there and talk to the people who just want to be there to run their mouth and tip toe walk the pool. When there are so many people in the morning wanting to get their social butterfly on, trying to go up and down the length of the pool is a little tricky because there are no lanes; it's a free for all and you're fighting for space with other swimmers. 

I've squirreled again. Hope you're still with me.

My point in all of this is, the watch can see what you're doing if you're using it to count your exercising. I'm using my watch now, while I swim, and it's been trial and error for me because there are several swim options in the Fitness app. I was doing "open water" which I think is the ocean, and that drained the battery quickly, in the two hours I was in the water. There's the manual "swim" mode that you can trigger if you don't use the watch; you can manually put in what you've done. Then there's "pool swim", which is what I've been using lately. I set it for the stock 25 lap set, and it counts my arm movement as I go back and forth, so for so many yards or laps, I get some sort of credit.

I swear, this isn't an advertisement for Apple products or exercise equipment. But the above screen grabs are from my Fitness app today and what my month has looked like so far (aka the "sessions"). I'm trying to do as much as I can, to get into some sort of routine and be healthy, however sometimes, things don't want to go your way.

At any rate, I've seen people in the pool, just bopping along and doing their thing, and none of them seem to be using their watch to keep track of their exercising. No one taps their watch to start or stop the timer, turn the dial to unlock the water drop thing, or even compare strides as they walk their lap. 

People seem disinterested in using their device for its full features and only have it as a show piece. Something to check the time real quick or if they got a text from a friend. In all the days I've been at the pool and have seen dozens of humans in the chlorinated H2O, I think I'm the only one actively using my watch for what else it can do.

One of the swimmers did ask me about it one day, but it didn't end well. The person is nearing 80, somewhat active (they not only walk the community in the morning.. which ends up being over a mile), they swim for 45 minutes afterwards. They had asked me about my watch and what I do with it, because they saw me dry it off one day when I was done in the water. I explained that I use the Fitness app to track my swim and it goes into my Health app. They said they know somehow their morning walk is in their Health, but they don't know how to use their watch to do any of that, and they're afraid to use the watch in the pool. I had said that I know the feeling about getting it wet, but also know that it's kind of safe to do, since I'm not completely submerging my arm in an ocean and I take care of the thing when I'm done. I'm not in the water for more than 2 hours, which I know is a lot as it is, but I am mindful of keeping track of what my watch looks and feels like. 

As I said, certain things run the battery up quickly, so I am careful I don't abuse it. 

The swimmer was still confused and concerned because she'd love to keep track of her laps, but is afraid of ruining the watch. I did ask the age of it, and she said it's not new; she's had it long enough, but doesn't want to damage it and end up with nothing. I completely understand that concept; if I didn't have the 6, I might be in the same boat as this woman, but also, knowing how the 3 is aged out, I would be due for an upgrade anyway. So I'd probably use it in the pool a little more sparingly than I currently am.

I explained all the reasoning behind it - what she can do with it; how the data can help her when she goes to her doctor, she can tailor the watch and the phone to suit her needs. 

She was just too worried about breaking the watch to really concentrate on what I was saying. Again, I totally understand, and actually hoped someone else who regularly wears their watch everywhere, would have jumped in and said she's fine. There are people in the pool who abuse their watch - they wear it golfing, swimming, out shopping, sleeping... I think the only time it's not on their wrist, is when they're in the shower. 

Overall, my whole thought process and question / reasoning is... if you're wearing a smart watch to use it for everything else, why leave it on while in the pool? What's the method behind this madness? It isn't doing you any favors by staying on your wrist while in the water because you're not keeping track of how you're doing in this "workout", much like you're not doing yourself a favor by leaving it off and by your towel. I can't wrap my head around it.

I mean, I can; I wasn't using my watch in the water for the longest time. I would manually put in the exercise into my Health app when I got home, because I was like that swimmer and afraid to get the thing wet. Now that I've tried it, it works and I still baby it when I'm using it. That's why I know I'm contradicting myself here. 

It's just one of those things that I try to understand and can't. When the swimmers out of the pool and drying off, they're on their phones. So are the manually putting in what they did? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of turning on the Fitness app and having that do everything for you? Yes and no because they're not putting anything into the app. They're checking the email, their texts, the store circulars online. I don't think any effort is made into checking the Health app. 

I could be wrong and I would love to know what everyone else is doing. It's not me being nosy more so it's being inquisitive and asking the obviously wrong questions. 

Until I can figure out how to stop rambling about totally useless things and feel like I'm circling the drain with this, stay healthy and sane, y'all.

Cheers;

And thanks for sticking with me this long.

 

See also

• Apple Watch via Amazon
  
• Google Pixel Watch via Amazon
• Fitbit via Amazon
• Nothing products via Amazon
• 6 Pack Sport Nylon Loop Band Compatible with Apple Watch Band 38mm 40mm 41mm 42mm 44mm 45mm 46mm 49mm  via Amazon. 
• The title was longer, but this is what I'm using and has worked. I don't know how it fits all those sizes; I didn't ask. I know it fits the 40mm which is what the 6 is, but I haven't tried it on the series 3, which is a 38mm. I've too many other bands for that, and didn't want to waste it on it. 
• Apple Watch bumper via Amazon. 
• I've tried the hard plastic ones that just slip over the watch (snaps on), but found they get caught weirdly and end up slipping off my watch if I'm not careful. Since they just pop on, they usually end up popping off. Conversely, there are ones you've got to fiddle with to get it all around the watch (literally cocooning it), that seem to work better. But again, the more you try to take off the bumper and put it back on, the more flimsy the wrap is around where the watch band goes into the watch, so the more that the plastic will wear and snap off. It's a double edge sword, but honestly, I find it works better for my needs. 
• Example of bumpers:
• Hard case snap on bumper
• Soft flexible all around bumper
• You also need to make sure it has a screen protector because some don't and the whole point is to have the entire watch not get beat up. That's also my preference too.. make sure it stays good. I'm clumsy, so I'd rather pay for the whole protection than need to buy a new watch.
• 
  

People take it literally

I've got a "Free Hugs" shirt that I've worn out in public a few times. It's not a generic shirt that just says "FREE HUGS", but it's the Chucky doll with his hands outstretched. 

It actually looks like this:

Amazon link is here in case anyone wants their own.

One of the first times I wore it, outside of Halloween, my mother and I were in Rooms To Go. One of the sales people sees the shirt, points to it, and asks "seriously?". I didn't realize what was going on and I asked what he was talking about. He said that I'm "wearing a 'free hugs' shirt" and am I "giving away free hugs?". He had put me in an awkward position because what do you say to that, especially since you're trying to shop at a store he works at and may end up buying from him? So I weirdly said "yes?" and he asked if he could have a hug. I had to at that point. What choice did I have.

Yes, I could have told him to kick rocks. It's weird; it's gross; it's something you don't expect. But at least maybe we could get better help in the store if I complied? 

We didn't, as we ended up finding nothing we wanted.

Whomp whomp. 

I know I get stares when I wear it, but no one says anything to me. Or, they hadn't until we were in the furniture store, not have they since.

Speed up to this week and I'm wearing it again.

My mother and I are in Publix and I'm standing in the deli line, waiting to order a Pub Sub of The Day. 

When it got to be my turn, I did my ordering. As I stood there, another deli worker saw my shirt. She started questioning me. 

The first thing she asks if I wear the shirt to any of the colleges and their games. I said no, figuring that would be the end of it. 

Keep in mind what this shirt looks like and what the movie was about.

The employee then asked if I'm part of The Ministry, since I'm wearing a "free hugs" shirt. Again, I said no. She went on to explain "how people in The Ministry go to the colleges and college games, looking to give out hugs in the name of Jesus because the kids don't have family near them and are making friends. But a hug can do a lot of positivity for them because it's a personal connection and contact. The Ministry goes all around the country to do this and it's all in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior". 

I'm standing there trying to hold my mouth shut. Like, this woman, who doesn't even look like she should be a Christian, is asking me if I'm doing the Lord's Work at college campuses. Lady, does this shirt really make me look like I go out and hang with the 18-24 year olds? Maybe they have seen the film, but I doubt they want a hug from a random stranger. 

Hell, even when I was in college (over 20 years ago), I crossed the street immediately when I saw the Krishnas on the sidewalk. I knew better than to engage with them. I'm not going to a ball game and risk getting myself in trouble. No thank you. 

I kindly told her that it is something I don't attend to. It's a nice gesture, but I don't do it. If I had kept saying things, I think she might have wanted to try to convert me, seeing how the customer in back of me ended up becoming part of the conversation and agreed with the employee. 

Guess I'm in the wrong store, city and state if I'm getting asked about specific opportunities while trying to get lunch... 

Then again, a cousin ended up getting hit on at the Entenmann's display at another Publix once... 

Don't get me wrong; everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, there's a type of conversation that shouldn't be had in specific places. A deli employee in a grocery store shouldn't be asking about religion type situations when they don't know what the customer does outside of the store. 

Yes, I understand the context. It was as simple question for the good of humanity. Doing something nice for the community; karma points. There's a difference in how the conversation can be made, however. Once I was asked if I go to the colleges and I said no, it's the end of story. Had the employee finished her inquiry by saying "Oh, okay. I was just asking because I know there's a group who goes out because..." and then drops it, I wouldn't have an issue. There was no need to go into immense detail and ask if I was part of that group, as well as including the person behind me in the discussion. 

I know it's my hang up and I need to get over it. But sometimes it's just a weird thing to me because I'm taking as much of it out of context as they are. Maybe it's a sign I should stop leaving the house. Haha. 

I've got to seriously figure this stuff out though. How to better end a conversation without it being awkward as hell and also not get me kicked out of the business.

Until then, if you want to go hug a stranger, do it, but also, make sure you're not stinky and sweaty. It's still hot out there.

Cheers;

The things we remember

My friend Cat texted me at 11:30 last night, rather mad. 

(She lives north of Boston and the family wanted to go see the fireworks, locally) 

Due to the crazy weather happening around the country, Massachusetts hasn't been immune to any of the heat and humidity. It now has some thunder problems. I know there was some questions around the festivities at the Hatch Shell and the holiday lightshow ended up being postponed a couple hours due to impeding thunder storms and high wind. 

Since Cat was doing stuff in her city, she made the comment to me that "5 minutes and 31 seconds.. that's how fucking short the fireworks show was. They suddenly stopped, we waited a while and it started to rain. Ppl left in hoards. It was an embarrassment for the 250th".

I don't know what else happened or how bad it was there, as I did text her back this morning and she hasn't responded. She must still be mad because I know she had company over and they were planning an outing. 

Locally to Fort Myers, I honestly don't know if any of our stuff happened because I went to bed early and usually the boom display wakes me up. None of that happened; I slept through whatever was (literally) popping off. No one talked about it today at the pool, so maybe things were kept (relatively) quiet.

It got me thinking of what we used to do when I was little. 

I remember going to New London (CT) and we'd pack a beach bag full of blankets, chairs, water and snacks, drive down to the waterfront, find a place to park the car on the street and then place our butts on the beach. Someone usually had a radio with them and the transmission always played the Wolfman Jack radio hour, and we would watch the light show. 

This, at least, was the early years of my youth since the Wolfman died in 1995. Now that I really think about it, I think a few years it was Casey Kasem as well; the channel usually changed to one of the shows, depending on who brought the radio and how much they wanted to share it.

As I'm writing this, I'm also thinking that we only went to the Hatch Shell a real slim handful of times. I truly only remember doing the beach thing when I was little. I don't recall what we did in my later years, but since moving to Florida, we haven't go anywhere to celebrate. 

Or at least, I haven't. 

This is definitely brings back memories (now I've got the song in my head. Great....) and I am seriously trying to think of the things we did in between the years we weren't at the July 4th thing at the beach. It's tough; I'm sure we did something. I'll probably remember it later. 

As much as I hate getting political, another "memory" I'm having lately, is based on a podcast I'm listening to (even as I create this post). 

I'm currently playing "Homegrown: OKC" by "USG Audio". 

The synopsis via Amazon is:

"Dive into a case of domestic terrorism from the past that’s really a warning about the future. Back in 1995, there was a disaster that should have prepared us for January 6th and the political violence that we’re seeing today: the Oklahoma City Bombing. Journalist Jeffrey Toobin reveals the story behind Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City Bombing, and right-wing extremism in America - how a decorated army veteran became consumed with rage, how he somehow went underground and built a bomb that damaged fifty blocks in a modern city, and how everything that led to the horror of April 19th, 1995 is still very present in America. Homegrown: OKC is a USG Audio podcast produced by Western Sound and Esmail Corp. Based on the book “Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Rightwing Extremism” by Jeffrey Toobin."

Everything seemed to happen during a school vacation. Some sort of hijinks during the months preceding to summer so that trials happened when I was off for summer. 

The bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal Building was one of those things. I was on spring vacation when Timothy McVeigh nearly leveled the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The trials went on for a while. 

I remember the news talking about this when it happened (I was in junior high school) and during my college years, I included this incident in a thesis paper I wrote for a sociology class. 

Now that I'm older, I'm listening to various podcasts, which extend to historical and political things. Therefore, I'm currently listening to USG Audio's investigative piece about the bombing. This is an in-detail story about what happened during the bombing and how it led to a future piece of history that could have been avoided if we listened better to history. 

Again, I'm trying to be neutral on this topic because it can be a touchy issue. I'm listing it only because I wanted to update my blog on what I'm currently listening to. If politics or history aren't something you want, there's no need to seek this out. If you want to learn a little more about what could have been avoided, then try hearing this. I am only two episodes on, but they're long enough that it feels like it could take a bit to get through. I'm sure that will change shortly. 

In the interim, I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and finding some fun to do.

Cheers;

See also (aka links on Amazon)

* Wolfman Jack (I highly suggest reading his autobiography. It's a pretty rad story of his life and how he got into broadcasting)

* Casey Kasem info

* Maroon 5's song "Memories" from the 2021 album, Jordi. 

* "Homegrown: OKC" podcast

* "Homegrown: Timothy McVeigh and the Rise of Rightwing Extremism" by Jeffrey Toobin (the book the podcast stems from)

Let's talk this one through...

I was telling a co-worker on Thursday about the Good Omens purchase and how I got a bad cover. 

I had shown him what I received and what Amazon was selling; how people were getting the non Crowley cover even though the character is clearly supposed to be there. 

My co-worker said I need to contact Amazon and see how they can fix this. I ordered the book with a character and I didn't receive what was paid for and advertised. I told him that I'm okay with this, although I'm bummed there isn't a character on it, it makes the novel a little eccentric. He said that that's not the point. It's misleading, especially where Amazon is the one who sold it to me.

I thought about it through out the day and I guess it bothered me enough, that I ended up doing a chat with Customer Service. 

What started out as "I wanted to tell someone how I received a poor quality cover of a book", turned into "We're starting a return for you and you'll get a replacement for it"; all in the span of forty five minutes. My co-worker helping me with things to say, kept saying "I'm getting aggravated for you because of this". 

Let me backtrack a little with the conversation.

I had started off by saying "I am not looking to return the book, but I wanted to make a comment about receiving the Good Omens paperback with white cover. Part of the graphics are missing on it. I know “covers may vary” (you receive either the black cover or white cover. Both have different character) and the white one I received is missing the character. It has only the title, author and a splash of tiny color; the main character is missing from the center of the cover". 

The associate apologized for the issue and they would help me with this. 

At this point in time, I said "it may be a quality control thing as the whole book looks okay. Just the cover is missing information". 

They again apologized for it, and offered me a promo credit. I asked if they could also send a corrected copy (at no charge) but they said that was not possible. 

Considering there are other people who have reviewed this book and stated they received the non Crowley cover, I really wanted to make sure this would no longer be a problem on future orders. 

I didn't make that last comment, but the response I received for asking for a corrected copy was "you can re-order the book". I asked if there was any guarantee that I'd get the cover as advertised and the answer was "I will take this as a feedback and escalate it on high priority to the concerned department and make sure necessary actions are taken on this and you do not face this situation again.

Be assured that this will not repeat again". 

~NOTE the last line: "Be assured that this will not repeat again"~

I asked if there was an expiry date on the promo and they informed me I have one year to use it. 

As I didn't get a full answer about the guarantee over re-ordering the book, they instead handed my concern to a "lead". This would be associate number two of the chat. 

Once I confirmed the purchase with the second agent, I started again with what the problem was - there's a lack of quality control over the printing and I wanted a guarantee that should I re-order the book, it would arrive as promised. 

This triggered a "return" and "damage" on their end, so the next part of the conversation was the agent informing me they want (/need / etc) to start the process of having me return this copy and get a replacement sent out, unless I wanted a refund. But I'd need to return the book. 

I asked again, what the guarantee was of getting the correct version if I'm sending this one back and getting a new one. I wasn't interested in sending it back (to begin with) if only to get the same no character cover. 

This agent couldn't help me further, and switched me to another person. I immediately started the conversation with "I was offered a promo credit and would like to accept that, please".

Unfortunately, the answer I got from that was "I have escalated your feedback and can help you with a return label". No acknowledgement of the credit.

The agent insisted on creating a return label, to which every mention of this, my co-worker was getting angrier because he wanted me to see this through and hoped Amazon would help me. 

Keep in mind, I'm not trying to swindle, screw or bash the company (as much as it may seem like I am, at least in the latter). I am writing this out now, in my blog, to let other readers know that these things can happen. You have to choose how you want to contact the company and decide what your end game is. I wanted them to be aware that they need to have better eyes on what they ship out, if people are getting things that are falsely advertised. 

Back to the conversation with the third agent.

They kept insisting on creating a return label when I asked about that promo credit. I was told that I was "given incorrect information. Unfortunately, we don't have the option or authorize to issue any compensation or promo credits.I hope you understand my limitations". 

Because this was a completely different department I was dealing with, I missed my chance on getting the credit. I had no other choice now but to return the book.

The agent had continued the conversation by starting "While I genuinely wish to help you, I'm unable to make an exception to our return policy. The return of the physical item is a mandatory requirement for processing refunds. This policy protects both our customers and our business.

The seller needs the item back for inspection, repair or resale; without the item, the refund cannot

be processed, as it would result in a direct financial loss for them.

As I'm from the Specialist team , resolutions are restricted"

It boggled my mind because the 'seller' is Amazon, not a third party storefront. I don't know how they will repair the cover, but I'm sure someone will tear out the pages of the book and rebind them with a new back page stating the date of printing (like I received). My co-worker was just as crazed as I was at this point. He was waiting for me to finish this conversation because it was turning into a bad cycle of crazy. 

I asked to be connected to someone who could help me further, so I was transferred to yet another person. 

They immediately stated that the way it's understood, I'm writing about a damaged book. I replied stating it's "not a fully damaged item. It has a cover that is missing graphics on the cover.

It is how the company printed the book and Amazon sold it" and they wanted to go forward and help with a return or replacement.

Can you tell why this took almost an hour and both my co-worker and I were getting upset?

Again, I asked about a replacement and guarantee I'll get the correct cover. I even stated "I do not want a replacement if you can't help me with this and send me the right one". I was assured they will do right by me and I will receive the proper copy. 

I begrudgingly agreed to receive a return label and mail back the copy I received. I was told I'd get the replacement today, Saturday, and all will be good. 

Guess what came in the mail!

Yup, the same cover, missing the same character!

This time, it came in a bubble mailer and the back cover was not only bent and some pages crooked, but the spin also was damaged and part of the top cover too. 

Trust me, I'm not happy about this. 

Luckily, I hadn't shipped the first book back in case I needed to send Amazon images of both books as reference to what I had received. 

I immediately got on the Amazon chat and wanted to make sure they knew about this. 

I had started the conversation with "This is a quality control issue with Amazon sending out the book. Second time I received it, it is missing half the graphics on the cover, and now the book is bent. I have not sent the original order back yet, to see how this would arrive. I am willing to keep that first copy and send back today's copy. In exchange, I would also like the amount paid for the book returned to me via credit to my account for the troubles I have had with this order. Apparently this book isn't in stock like I was led to believe".

Before anyone says I'm doing something bad, again, think back to my original conversation with them: I'm reporting a printing issue but want to keep the book. It snowballed into a return fiasco. 

I had to go through the prompts about a dozen times before I was able to chat with someone in Customer Service. 

The first person who I worked with today, asked me to upload images of the book being wrong and damaged (the bent pages). Which is why I waited on sending the first one back - I figured they'd want to see what I got. I complied and we moved along. 

The associate saw the images and said that I need to return this book back in order to get a replacement or refund, so my query was partially answered. 

I asked them "Does this mean you are not carrying the book at all? It is again, quality control and false

advertising. I really wanted a copy of the book and am willing to keep the first copy, send back the

second, with a refund to my account so I can purchase the more accurate book somewhere else in

my own time" because it wasn't really clear and I did want to originally keep the book. I wasn't trying to be difficult, even though it seems that way. 

The answer this agent gave me was they could offer a promo credit, but then before I could answer, I was passed to another associate. 

The second person for today wanted me to elaborate on what was going on, so I stated everything that has been happening with this and how it's turning into a mess. They apologized for everything and wanted to start the return process on this new book. In order to do anything for me, they need both copies back. I said that doing so doesn't help the original message and what type of hassle this has been, in order to have what was advertised. 

This got me pushed to a third person.

I explained to this associate what's been going on and asked that they refer to both Thursday's chat and today's chat. The associate said they saw all the notes and wanted to confirm how many books I had at the moment. I stated I have the original order, which made the conversation on Thursday, and now I have the replacement, received today, for today's conversation. I reiterated both books are incorrect and as much as I'd be willing to keep one, now we're at the point I'd like some sort of refund because I don't want to keep getting a bad replacement.

I was told that if I expect a refund, I need to return both, so a return has to be submitted for both. I stated I originally wanted to keep one, but was offered a promo credit for the trouble. I'd like that honored if I can't get a full refund. I'm also keeping one of the books because that's originally why I wrote in.

This got me to another agent. 

The final agent in this chaos went over everything that has been going on. They wanted me to confirm what I've got, what I've shipped, what I've done. I explained everything, again, even though it was all in the chat. 

They too, informed me if I expect a full refund, I had to return both books. At this point, I was done going in circles, much like I've been doing here to explain it. 

I stated that I'd like to keep one of the books and that the first agent stated I could do that, if I returned the original one. They would also issue me the promotional credit for all of this inconvenience. I would like that to be honored. 

The agent agreed that they would issue me the credit as long as I return the first book. I told them I didn't need a label because I already had the one they sent me Thursday. The final statement from Customer Support was "Alrighty I'll issue you the Promo Credit. Please make sure you send back the original order". 

I said I would, and I did. I taped everything back up (I had originally put it all in an envelope to be mailed out) and I went to the UPS Store. Yes, I even sent back the better copy of the two, as I said I would. 

It's just maddening because the website states that "covers may vary", but because there's no one watching what is being sent out, there's no eyes on the quality of the item. Amazon is responsible for shipping this, and I wanted them to know about what I received. Especially since a lot of other people are commenting they got the bad cover as well. I don't know the exact number of people making reports for replacements, but there were a few who stated they got a second copy from Amazon with the same issue. You'd think the more people who talk about it, the more the company would do something. 

You'd think. 

I'm so sorry to go on this big tangent and I thank you for sticking with me. I'm also sorry this happened because it shows how this company is making brick and mortar stores lose patrons. Other companies are raising prices because they can't compete with the online retailer and it sucks. I'd love to have gotten the book locally, but if it's 10-20 dollars more in store plus a 30 minute drive to not know if it's in stock, what's the point? 

I have to reiterate, I am not sitting here trying to bash the company and demand stupid things. I've paid my membership dues and I've gotten a lot out of it. This is one of those instances where reviews really count and you have to take the risk of ordering because things vary so much, you really don't know if you'll get the right package. It is unfortunate because this is a big competitor and it's so easy to stay at home and do an order. 

The world is changing rapidly and people want everything "now!!!" and they also get greedy. I'm more upset that this was the first time I received a product where it wasn't accurately described. I could understand if it was a third party selling it and the main company had some sort of promise or guarantee to work with the customer, but here Amazon was the seller and they do have an "A-Z Guarantee" but both times they sent me the product, it was a fail. I want and wanted to read the book. I wanted to tell them what was going on. I had no intention of it spiraling like this. If this place is the only location selling the book, what choice do I have? B&N and BAM both said they didn't have the book in stock in local stores. I could have checked thrift stores, and that's like searching for a needle in a haystack. I could have gone to eBay and what promise do I have for there? Markups and such a plenty, and I haven't used my eBay account in a while. 

I wish it was better and once I know Amazon receives the book, I'm going to rate my experience over there too. Talk about the shipping process and the cover only. Not rate the level of the story. I'm still excited to read it, but I'm not excited over how I got to read it. 

To each their own and let this be a big lesson for everyone: Always do your own research and advocate for your best interest. I totally understand where they were coming from, based on a profit and loss situation, but every opportunity to make good was hit with a brick wall. At what point do you just stop and give up? Don't go through with things? That's your choice. You have to make sure you're doing what you feel is necessary. 

So, if you're reading this, my co-worker, now you know the end of the story if I forget to tell you.

Cheers;

See also:

* Good Omens page on Amazon (scroll to bottom to see reviews)

Please make it make sense??? :'-(

I was at another community today, waiting for Hotwire to come and hook up both Internet and television in somebody's house. 

No, not my house; I haven't moved. I was doing this for someone else who bought a place locally and needed a body in the apartment, as they're not here yet. 

We all know what a mess Hotwire is, from dealing with the shenanigans in my community. I've made plenty of posts regarding tech issues, insights and wild blowouts, yet, there are still small challenges we face on a weekly basis. 

Today was no different, although this is going to be a brand new account for someone who doesn't know from HotMess. 

After being told a tech would arrive between 8 and 10 this morning, a guy showed up about 9:30, backpack in hand and ready to hook everything up. He was showed where the three televisions were and where the laundry room was, so the devices can be attached to the wall (a Nokia modem and an Eero router). 

The tech starts working on hooking everything together and asks us to call the person who owns the unit, so that this tech can get access to the Eero device and complete an account. We told him that there already was a Hotwire account made and we have some information to give him, and he informs us that he really needs the Eero information as what we have does him no good. 

Huh?

We get the homeowner on the phone and explain the situation: the tech is looking for a text code to continue the internet set up, but he can only do that if the homeowner downloads and installs the Eero app to their cell phone and create an account through that. 

Why? An account via Hotwire was made; what does Eero have to do with this? 

Eero is the main box that Hotwire configures everything through. In order to proceed with anything internet related, the company has to go through Eero. If you don't do anything in the Eero app, there potentially will be too many problems down the road with Hotwire, if you need any type of troubleshooting help or need to return the devices.

I said that we were told, during our set up several years ago, that Eero is a Wi-Fi extender. It makes sure that we get wireless internet through out the house. All our information is done through the Hotwire app. 

He informs us that's false because Hotwire requires everyone to install and use the Eero app in order to make their internet run. If you don't have that, you don't have internet. 

I questioned him about that, as I reiterated that the Eero is an extender because we have a Nokia modem. He shot me down, stating that's not true. The Nokia is a modem that may be the brains of what is provided, however, the Eero is the one doing all the work. It is not a mesh / extender. It is the actual router. Without the Eero, you don't have (wireless) internet. 

Again, I questioned it because it wasn't how any other tech explained this to us and we also know plenty of people in our community who were told the same thing as we were: The Nokia is what supplies the Internet, the Eero is what makes sure you get a full spray across your house. 

To this he still fought me, saying that's wrong information. 

I asked him if what he's trying to say is correct, then basically the Nokia shouldn't be part of the equation? That our internet is coming from the Eero only? 

The long of the short of it is yes and no. 

You need the Nokia modem to get a part of the Internet, as it acts as wired internet. The Eero is plugged into the Nokia and makes the Internet wireless. 

So the Nokia isn't wireless already? You can't just hook it up and go online in another room?

Correct. 

(Essentially the Nokia is a hardwired device only. You can't roam the house expecting to get online because it won't do do that)

Well that's shitty, I think to myself. What a con job. 

(there are a few con jobs going on in this deal.. it's a magician's cup special. Watch where the coin is going under one of the vessels.. and then guess which one it is)

The Eero is what makes the house Wi-Fi compatible, therefore, you need an account on the Eero app. This way, you can change the Internet name, password, boot people, pause people, do whatever you want. While being in one room, away from the actual box.

Essentially, the box takes the place of the all in one machines (modem router.. the surfboard type boxes you get from other companies) that you type in the generic IP address, log in as an administrative user, and change all the stuff you want. There's no way you can do that through the Nokia because it's just a warm body in place of having the ability to manipulate the data. 

All of this still doesn't explain why the Eero was being sold as a Wi-Fi extender. That once Hotwire hooks up the Nokia, you need an Eero in any room to be able to get a stronger spray. If this extra box is needed to make the internet, then explain it that way. Don't be telling people that you can get more bang for your buck and a better signal if you use the Amazon backed box. 

Which brings me to another con job. 

The tech today said that all you need is one Eero, the main Eero, to fill your house with Wi-Fi. It has a 2200 square foot radius, so in an 1850 square foot unit, you're more than covered, room to room. By my community overselling the unit (allowing us to have 2 boxes per house), we're being overcharged because each Eero is a set price (1x$$$) with a set range (2,200 ft²). 

This means that the included Internet being part of our HOA, we're paying more than we should for the boxes. All we need are two total devices: One Nokia modem and One Eero. We don't need anything else. The single Eero can take care of everything. It's an Internet work horse. 

Now, if you want to get another box, because you have a bigger house (more than the aforementioned 2200 square feet), then yes, a second box will be needed and that's when the entire thing is called an extension or extender. The second box is extending the radius from the first box. There is no in between. Using the first box and only the first box is not a mesh anything. It's a plain old router. 

But... but... without even bringing this next part up... you can't tell me the signals push through walls okay. We all know (or should know) how cement and brick prohibit certain frequencies from reaching specific areas. This is why the sales guys said "you need two boxes to be safe" (let alone upsell the data speed.. which is another bracket so you end up paying that tier since the community doesn't provide it. We're talking basics here for our quarterly fees). Sure, they potentially sold us something they shouldn't have, but isn't that part of sales? Making sure you get more than what you need? Going back to the original thought of "it won't go through walls", well, tell me why Ed can't get a proper signal in his garage (he has a TV hooked up with a small banger box. Which he pays extra for) because his router is upstairs in his laundry room. He told me this yesterday - he has been having trouble lately, getting a strong signal when he watches his shows downstairs. I explained to him it's because the garage TV is trying to talk to the upstairs units and since the signal is going across his house, through the floor and into his garage, it's having trouble. It's going through wood, drywall, flooring, cement. and an aluminum door. So by the time it gets to him, he could see some buffering and flickering. Although.. thinking about it now.. we get buffering and it's only going through a couple rooms and an open space. It's still going through drywall, but we're on one level and relatively close to the access points. The hardwired Eero is literally 100 feet away from the living room television. However, it's not hardwired to the Nokia, in the laundry room. It's hardwired to an Ethernet port in the guest room (last Hotwire tech who came in, moved the box from the laundry room to the guest room). This potentially means, I think, it's ultimately a Hotwire issue coming into the house. It is basically an upgraded form of Dish Network: blink or sneeze and the system goes out. You're going to have trouble regardless. 

Yet, the fact remains, take a look at Amazon, the place selling the Eero device: all searches point  to "mesh system", "extender", "mesh extender system" and other key words (yes, it is also being sold as a "router" or "mesh router"). None of these terms should be interchangeable, in my opinion. This is what is getting people confused, and in my case, frustrated. 

If several techs are using one set of vernacular to describe the devices and other techs are not using the same conversational pieces, it leads to a very awkward situation. It makes it look like the company isn't training their people correctly and there are some employees who act as if they know better than others. 

Especially today, when I was asking about the devices and the tech saying I'm wrong, even though I said the other technicians were the ones telling me this information. I feel like he treated this situation like I don't know what I'm talking about. I do have to say, he didn't directly state I was wrong; it was the way he was trying to shut me down and correct me. At one point I just mentally clocked out and stopped being part of the exchange; let him deal with the other person in the room and the homeowner on the phone.

Maybe I don't know much, but maybe the Internet doesn't know how to elaborate either, if I am asking the wrong questions to go with it. Maybe the people who come to your house and set up everything don't know what they're doing either. 

Given that I was able to disable some settings in the Android Operating System that the TiVo cable box runs on (yes, if you look at some previous posts, Hotwire uses a retrofitted TiVo type box and runs an Android OS) while the two guys who came out to fix our internet, couldn't figure out what was wrong. I asked if it was a setting issue on the box (knowing full right it was) and they scratched their heads, saying no, they didn't think so. They couldn't figure out the problem while searching through the menu and seeing everything was "correct". I didn't want to show them what I knew because it would have created more issues as they would have probably questioned my logic and I would someone look foolish (me, them or all of the above). Yet I'm sure they would have hated me for disabling some stuff as well. Another tech on another day gave me the third degree about not wanting to sign in to the cable box and use my Google account because we could download apps and make the best use of the services provided. Explaining we have other streaming devices (a Roku for example) and we rent these cable boxes, I question how refurbished they actually get some days, since we've gotten previously loved boxes before (from Comcast) and they still had the other user's log in information up and running. Which showed the box wasn't factory reset or as wiped as it should have been. The tech didn't trust that answer and gave me an earful for it. 

I digress. I'm not in the IT world, doing any sort of IT job. Everyone has to be their own advocate to a point but there is only so much you can fight back with, to make sure you're on the same page as the people you invite into your home to get everything put together need to be aware of any type of situation. 

Nevertheless, the tech today, got everything set up, the TVs turned on, powered up the TiVo splash screen, the Fision boxes logged in to the newly acquired credentials, and he was out of the house by 11am. An hour and a half in and now people who arrive in the house don't need to rely on cellular data from their phones, allowing those who stay, the opportunity to watch the news while they wait for more people to come and deliver stuff to make the unit livable for the owners. 

In the end, with all the discussions on who is right and who is wrong and why the terminology needs to be changed, I still feel like Hotwire is a hot mess because they come in, set up to their liking and don't fully explain everything. Like I said, every human working there is different, so you get a variation of knowledge, for as little as they show you on how to work everything. I know they are on a tight schedule, but it doesn't excuse the way they work. That includes the way they charge you for everything too. 

All the communities they are in, there is a ten year contract and the rates go up a percentage (4+) a year. Although today's tech wanted to not talk about that because he briefly mentioned something about charges when the extra Eeros were brought up. 

I don't know, man. I know I'm sitting here running my mouth about technology and providers, but I really need it to make sense. I was telling a few people, including someone who has been working in high level IT jobs for several decades, and everyone was like "what the actual crazy is going on" because it seems like fakery to them too. Explaining everything that happened and the way things were happening, my friends just couldn't believe what I was telling them. I included photos and videos, and they're texting me back things like "smh", "wtf" and other quizzical messages. My IT friend saw a picture of what the settings menu looked like and he was in shock at the numbers (his exact text "WTF" and then "That makes no sense!"). Overall, the entire thing just didn't seem okay to him. At one point he says "Oh, that's a Mickey Mouse set up if I ever saw one. No pun about being in Florida" because I showed him how the boxes were on the wall using Velcro and staples.

It's how it's done here. I really can't excuse it or make it seem on the level. There's no way to properly show anything and write it out because there are not enough crayons, markers and paper to get it sorted. I wish I had an answer, but this is life now, especially since everything is trying to push into the AI generation. All of today's wildness will be completed more with a touch of a button, just you wait. Then what will we do? I don't know and I don't want to know.

Right now, I think I need to stop while I'm crazily circling around and cut my losses here. My time stamps says I'm posting this at 2:43pm because that's when I started this thing. But it's actually 6pm and I've got to get going. I got squirreled for 45 minutes and had to run an errand for another 15 minutes. So I've really been working on this a few hours, even though I shouldn't have. This is what happens when you just write and lose track of time... 

Until I get back the clock pieces I lost, go find something to do and entertain yourself.

Cheers; 

A week old batch of bird pictures | Podcast recommendation

 Last week, my mother and I were watching a movie when I happened to look outside. I keep seeing things hopping around on the wall as well as flying into the tree immediately outside our lanai. It was extremely distracting because whatever was moving into the tree, kept going back and forth between the branches and other places. 

It wasn't until I actually turned and focused on what was going on (as if to "turn and face the strange"), when I saw a couple of birds flying between a few spots out back. They either went from tree to tree, or hopped along the wall. Unfortunately, I couldn't get quality pictures, as I was fighting the lanai screen. I was, however, using my Canon Rebel T7i with telephoto lens (as per usual). 

The screen is why the photos look weird. I wasn't about to go fully outside and scare the chirpies away. I just couldn't get a good opportunity to have a photo of them in the tree closest to me, sadly enough.

Photos sharpened and cleaned up a bit in Photoshop. Yes, that's also a flowering tree. My mother doesn't know if it's a magnolia or gardenia, but it honestly doesn't smell like a typical gardenia (there's no strong fragrance), so it must be a magnolia.

I have.. what could be explained in an episode... as a "step-friend". Of sorts.

Huh?

My friend Shawn recommended his cousin Bailey's podcast to me. 

Thus, upon listening to a few episodes already, there is a term Bailey uses to describe friends of friends: Step-Friends. 

Without going into her wildly outrageous explanation (because you'll have to listen to it yourself), a step-friend is basically a friend of a friend that you're not completely friends with yourself. You're in the the circle of trust for your main friend, but you're not besties with your friend's besties. You are kind of in the same orbit, but you're not doing things together. Unless you make it a point to become friends yourself. 

It's hard for me to fully put it all into words because Bailey tried her might to explain it to Devin. It's wild, the way she went on and he was like "Wait. What???". 

Shawn has told me a lot about Bailey over the years, so I feel like I know some good about her (positive). When Shawn mentioned the new podcast, I put it in my playlist so I could get to it when I could.

Now that I'm listening to it, it's truly not disappointing and it's very generational (my and Shawn's generation, basically). I am totally finding myself nodding along with the conversations and feel that every exuberant point the two hosts have, I know both sides and can't say who said it best or who is a victor in the lightning round of question and answers. I've been in both places and can argue a third point a view, very quickly.

Okay... so what the podcast is called, and why should you care?

The name is "Overthinkers with Bailey and Devin".

They don't have an immense social network right now, so the only platforms they are on are Instagram, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

You should care because they are a pair of people who are really fun to listen to. They just seem to get along so well as they ramble on about things, while trying hard to not have squirrel moments (there are a lot of squirrel moments sometimes). The amount of crazy they come up with is particularly awesome. It's so left field that you want to just yell at your podcatcher and tell them you hear the voices too. You know full well what those Mandela Effects are or that Walgreens stores really are on every corner. Trying to put all The Conjuring movies in order on how they should be viewed, is the equivalent to all the Marvel movies. There are too many in the MCU to keep a straight face, but at least with the Warren films, the list is significantly shorter.

Shh.. don't give the kids any ideas... they'd lose their shit if they had to move the MCU films around... make the movies make the best sense in order of how to be seen, not when they came out. 

I honestly feel like this is one of those podcasts that have a very basic outline of what they want to talk about, but then dive into spider webs of other side quests. Hence the title of "Over thinkers": They start on one topic, discuss it briefly, something is triggered to get them into another topic and all of a sudden they forgot what they originally were talking about. Mainly because they wanted to discuss their side so badly, the focus was lost. But in a good way. 

Bailey had said something to Devin, of which I forget right now, but I texted Shawn what I was hearing. I don't have the text in front of me, but what I had said was I'm on whatever the episode was, and Bailey was on some tangent of whatever the topic was. I said "girl, we've all been there. You're not the only one. I feel you on that. It's all of us". Shawn laughed because he understood the reference and what I was saying. Again, it's a generational thing that meets every day life now. There are things Devin says that I'm totally like "yup!!!!!!" and there are things Bailey says that I'm like "oh geez.. nope. But maybe in another life". Can be reversed too. 

For as much as they're oversharing and overthinking the topic at hand, it makes the listener overthink the topic as well. We've all been in that situation and we all know what it feels like. These two humans together, having an honest conversation, feels like you're a fly on the wall of a very interesting friendship and you're really not supposed to be eavesdropping, but you are. And it's hella funny. 

Go check out "Overthinkers with Bailey and Devin" on  Instagram, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. . You won't be disappointed. 

Cheers;

See also

• "Turn and face the strange" reference is a lyrical quote from David Bowie's 1971 song, "Changes", from the album, Hunky Dory. 

“And the nobody people”…

…“And the somebody people”

 Technically, “the somebody people” were all around me. On Sunday, March 8, 2026, I went to see “Gulf Coast Symphony Presents: Changes: A Tribute to the Music of David Bowie” at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall.

This is something I’ve been waiting for since it was announced last year. I am not someone who frequently “goes to the symphony”; Broadway shows don’t count, so don’t try to talk some sense into “you’ve gone to [name the show]”. I honestly don't think of this as the same kind of thing - they're two separate types of productions and music. I have wanted to see what this local group could do for Dame Bowie, as the last time I saw them perform, it was 2018 and Base Entertainment / Base Hologram brought “In Dreams: Roy Orbison In Concert - The Hologram Tour” to the same facility. I’ve heard major artists doing one off performances with big name orchestras and they’ve been pretty good on record. I also totally have the July 4^th “Boston Pops on the Hatch Shell” extravaganza embedded into my mind, solely based on growing up in Massachusetts as well as having ventured out to the scene of the concert during non-event days. The Gulf Coast Symphony would be something new for me, as I’ve not had the opportunity to see any Philip Glass related shows (two different things, I know). Plus, this would be my second time seeing them do something anyway (as stated for the Roy concert).

The theater was almost packed – I was eight rows from the stage and got to look around. However, with a heavy security presence, I could not take any photos or videos; it was strictly prohibited. There was someone a few rows in front of me, who was trying to record random videos and two different security members came at several different times to try to stop the person. They didn’t escort that person out, only stared at them and shook their head “no”, as the person was in the middle of the row and couldn’t be approached. Usually, people are asked to leave or have the stuff taken away. In this day and age, it’s hard to have people delete the multimedia off their smart phone because everything is automatically synced to the cloud; however, it’s then, that the person should be asked to leave (potentially). It is never a good feeling, but I’ve had it happen before – I got 35mm film taken away from me back in the day, but I got to stay for the whole concert; it was easier to destroy the film than have me leave, but they very well could have kicked me out. It was really nice of the security to let me back in. It’s a weird predicament, for sure. Therefore, at the end of this show, I was able to take a few photos during intermission, but have tried to blur out any faces in order to upload them here. At least it shows where I was sitting, and no, security didn’t stop me from taking the photos at this time since there was nothing happening. Had the show started, it would have been different.  

With the Gulf Coast Symphony, Maestro Kurtz made sure to keep his players on their A Game while six rock and roll guest musicians led the orchestra through an array of hits.

The guest musicians were (according to the bio on the symphony page):

(I'll try to do some linking at the bottom)

·         Julian Shah-Tayler (who was here in October with Strangelove; more on that later). “Born in Leeds, England, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and performer Julian Shah-Tayler (aka The Singularity) is a classically trained pianist and self-taught guitarist with a philosophy degree from York University. Julian has collaborated with music icons such as Mike Garson (David Bowie), David J (Bauhaus), Carmine Rojas (Bowie), Alain Whyte (Morrissey) and Robert Margouleff (Stevie Wonder/ Devo), and he recently finished executive producing the Aladdin Sane 50th anniversary cover album, Forget that I’m 50. Julian’s 2022 album Elysium was named #4 Album of the Year by New Wave Podcast, with singles “End of the Line” and “Melt” both earning critical acclaim. He won a Golden Trailer Award for his work with Lana Del Rey on Disney’s Maleficent, and his songs featured in Catherine Hardwicke’s film Plush. When he’s not creating, recording, or performing, Julian’s charity Art Angeles helps bring music education to underprivileged youth in Los Angeles.” (Vocals)

·         Joie Shettler, a “Los Angeles–based actress, dancer, singer, and voice-over artist originally from Tempe, Arizona. A Joe Tremaine scholarship recipient, she has performed with Michael Jackson and Prince, was a Laker Girl, and was an original Pussycat Doll. She’s appeared in film and TV, voiced Guardian Eulryeon in Exorcism Chronicles (earning a Best Ensemble nomination), and sings with The Radio Rebels and YACHTZEE. Joie has had the privilege of singing commercial jingles and demos for numerous professional projects, and she has been honored to sing backup vocals for many artists, with her most notable performances including The Brian Setzer Orchestra, and, most recently, with Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction, with his new band, Kind Heaven Orchestra.” (Vocals)

·         Walter Ino, “a Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, and musical director originally from Pittsburgh, where he was classically trained in piano. With decades of touring and studio experience, he currently performs as keyboardist, guitarist, and music director for Tommy DeCarlo (singer of Boston), and plays with Asia featuring John Payne and Voices of Classic Rock alongside Lou Gramm, Steve Augeri, and other legendary vocalists. From 2011 to 2018, Walter was a member of the Grammy Award-winning band Survivor, and later toured as lead guitarist for Eagles of Death Metal. A regular in the acclaimed Las Vegas show “Raiding the Rock Vault,” Walter has shared the stage with members of Heart, Foreigner, and Whitesnake. He is also a guitarist for “A Farewell to Kings,” an all-star tribute to Rush. When not touring, he performs throughout Los Angeles with top local musicians, records at his own “Secret Asian Man Studios,” and writes and produces music for television and film.” (Guitar)

·         Tom Polce, a “Connecticut native” who “studied jazz performance at New England Conservatory and Berklee College of Music before becoming a prominent drummer and producer in the ‘90s Boston music scene, performing as a member of the rock band Letters to Cleo and for solo artists such as Bill Janovitz. Tom has produced and/or performed with many acclaimed musical artists, including Bob Dylan and Eddie Vedder.” (Drums)

·         Ben White “plays electric bass, upright bass, and Chapman Stick, and is an accomplished backing vocalist, having made a name for himself as a versatile and reliable sideman performing with artists such as Mindi Abair, Magnetico, The Boneshakers, Warren Hill, Keiko Matsui, Pet Shark, and recording with artists like Don Felder and Sophie B. Hawkins.” (Bass Guitar)

·         Rocky Rose, “Originally from Ohio, Allison Piccioni (aka Rocky Rose) is a Los Angeles–based multi-instrumentalist, film composer, orchestrator, arranger, and performing artist. A Berklee College of Music graduate with a master’s from the Royal College of Music in London, she serves as a Professor of Composition for Screen and Orchestration. Her recent work includes scoring the Geena Davis documentary This Changes Everything, now streaming on Netflix. Allison has toured internationally as the keyboardist for Persian pop star Siavash Ghomayshi, performing across six countries, and completed a national U.S. tour of Evita, playing over 70 shows in 30 cities. Skilled with keyboards, guitar, bass, alto sax, and vocals, she has recorded at premier studios including The Village and EastWest, collaborating with Grammy-winning producers Rob Carranza and Matt Champlin on numerous projects.” (Keys/Keytar)

For what it’s worth, the guest artists did an amazing job playing what “we all know”. They actually did a few tunes a little livelier than normal, but it was their creative license to do so. I did notice the orchestra try to keep up in some places because the band was going too fast for the old symphony players to do a proper version. It was okay though, because, at the end of the night, the Gulf Coast Symphony helped elevate Bowie’s music to another level. It was fun, jovial, and I wish there was a soundboard mix down of this available somewhere. I would 100 per cent buy it, with no questions asked. It was really amazing seeing these rock stars perform with the symphony. I kept wishing at least one of Bowie’s band mates had been here to do a guest appearance, but beggars can’t be choosers. The six who were here, did a job well done and put a lot of the non-essential singles back on the map.

What was the track listing and what do I mean “non-essential singles”?

The program we received upon entering stated:

 Act 1

·         Five Years

·         Let’s Dance

·         Ziggy Stardust

·         Fame

·         Rebel Rebel

·         Dancing in the Street (Duo with Mick Jagger)- duet

·         Changes

·         Starman

·         Under Pressure- With Queen

 

*** Intermission ***

 

Act 2

·         China Girl

·         Life on Mars

·         Suffragette City

·         Fashion

·         Young Americans

·         Modern Love

·         Moonage Daydream

·         Space Oddity

·         Lazarus

·         Heroes

 

“Five Years”, “Starman”, “Suffragette City”, “Moonage Daydream” and “Lazarus” aren’t ones that are normal radio players. “China Girl” is an original Iggy Pop song, so maybe people know Iggy’s version instead, although I’m not familiar with it being played on a station.

Unfortunately, with this lineup, there were some ch-ch-changes. They added a few extra rounds to “Fashion” in act one (ran it longer), while taking out “Life on Mars” and “Lazarus” in act two. They also moved “Heroes” to the top of the second act, while ending with “Space Oddity” and Julian said something about how he sang it for NASA at the fiftieth anniversary of the Moon Landing.

I really wish they had kept “Life on Mars” and “Lazarus” in the production, because the former is an amazing song for the symphony to do, while the latter would have at least allowed a 21^st century song to be played. There was nothing past 1983 in this show, so it wasn’t a complete specitacle of Bowie through the years. It would have been really neat to hear a current song done live and with an orchestra around it. The sad part is, it means it would be a song from the last album ever produced and released to the public (not to be confused with the Ziggy “this is the last show we will ever do” statement in 1973)

-Enter sad face-

The duets, I do have to point out, were not done the way the Live on Mars Tribute Band did things – that group used the jumbotron in their favor by using found / concert footage of “Under Pressure”, whereas the guest artists with the Symphony relied on each other. Julian was the main vocalist and he had Joie sing with him for both “Dancing in the Street” and “Under Pressure”. I must say, that girl has a pair of lungs. She nailed the Freddie bits, including the high octave at one point. There were fast fold projector screens flanking the stage, but they were used so people in the back / up in the balcony could see the performers (there were cameras following the artists and the videos were alternating between each person or focusing on the entire group).

When the show started, Julian came out performing in the Thin White Duke era outfit (1975). This is a stylized “aristocrat” type of silhouetted attire. Simple black trousers, white collared long sleeve shirt, and black waistcoat. The shirt was slightly unbuttoned and he was wearing some black chunky necklace. The shoes were… black but I don’t know what type. I’m not a shoe person, so I can’t tell you what kind, but I think tipped? His hair was also slicked back, well groomed. The rest of the band was in a mix of comfort: Joie Shettler had a green Aladdin Sane shirt with black skirt and shin high boots. Tom Polce was in pants and a black t shirt with some sun logo on it. Walter Ino had on a t shirt, pants and a blazer. Ben White had on something similar to Walter. Rocky Rose had jeans and a shirt, if I recall correctly. It’s honestly really hard to remember exactly what everyone was wearing. I know Julian is hyper specific, only because he was the front man and there was a lot of focus on him. The girls were also wearing bangle beads and bracelets. I remember that. After intermission, the band had come out, completely changed, to an extent. I think Tom was still wearing what he had on in act one, but Ben had on some jeans outfit (I think?). Joie was wearing bright pink tights with leopard print on the knees, with a patterned dark mini skirt. Her shirt was changed into something non db related. Walter changed his shirt and it was “LOVE” going down the chest, stacked, each line a different color of the rainbow. I think Rocky had changed as well. Again, without taking pictures, I’m of no service. Julian was in the 1980s “canary yellow” jacket and pants with a white collared shirt and undone black bowtie around his neck. His shoes were brown, tipped again, I think. This outfit was more famous for the 1980s “Let’s Dance” period, but there is a mustard yellow version floating around from 1974. The symphony players were all seated, wearing black pants and white jackets. Maestro Kurtz was wearing a white jacket that was lined with light green on the lapels and his pants were black. He had on a light green bowtie and cummerbund. The green was more light lime green than anything else.

One of the interesting things the band said, was there was such a delay in all of the Los Angeles people to get to Fort Myers, they arrived in dribs and drabs. Two came at one time, another person came at another point, two came later, another later than that. Ben's guitar arrived literally 30 minutes before rehearsal. They had to figure out things quickly, as time was of the essence in the afternoon. For as little time as they had (rehearsal started at 2 and they finally all got in the same space at 1:30), they sounded amazing at 7.

I stayed until the meet and greet at the end of the performance. Whoever did want a picture with the band was welcome to stay or at least say something to them. I unfortunately didn’t get my picture with the group, and I regret that now. However, I did go up to Julian and have a conversation with him. This is why I said in the beginning “more on that later”. Julian is a really nice guy when he’s not surrounded by loads of people, i.e. his rock star pals from the Strangelove group. He’s down to Earth and is very friendly. I shook his hand and thanked him for coming; I remember meeting him when he was here in October and he and the group marveled at my shoes and shirt. He said he completely had forgotten he was in Fort Myers until he was at the same hotel this time around and saw the performance hall. He travels so much, so everything is a blur. I said some things to agree with that, and reminded him about the show and what I had said then. He laughed and said he remembered it and remembered me. The conversation went on a bit more and we agreed on some topics while he was in Bowie mode instead of Strangelove mode. He seemed so much more relaxed and I’m sure it was partly due to getting some hydration in, but he also was a very cool guy to talk to. He had high fived me over how I agreed with something and seemed happy to have had the opportunity to speak to someone who had seem him here before. I think he was glad I said something, as I’m happy I did. I just wish now I got a photo. Oh well, it was still an experience and I enjoyed it.

Finishing this up, I really think that the Gulf Coast Symphony did a good thing for David Bowie’s music and definitely raised the bar for other bands to come in and try their versions. Again, it was no Philip Glass, but local artists can truly do the rock and roll lifestyle along with the bigger names out there. Having seen other celebrities come in and “turn it up to 11” and have so much fun with each other and with a genre not used to this type of sound, was one for the books. Having a phone free experience is great, except when you have the ability to use it at one point and fail to do so, it’s really gut wrenching. It is what it is; memories to last and maybe have another chance at this again. I’m glad I went and did this, even though the sound and vision person in me would love the full recording of the show, I know that’s an impossible ask, but it’s still something to think about. Too late now, I know. –shrugs- I also feel bad that I didn’t get autographs from the band. I said to myself, “You have the program booklet. You have a pen. Ask them for autographs”. Did I? No, but I had a very memorable conversation with the lead vocalist. That’s better than anything.

The view from where I was sitting

Same view, wider format

Until next time, listen to something different and don’t be afraid to step it up and ask for something.

Cheers;

See also:
(Amazon links)

• Blog title is from the 1972 track, "Five Years", which is from the album, "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars".
• The songs "Five Years", "Ziggy Stardust", "Moonage Daydream", "Starman", and "Suffragette City" are from the aforementioned "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars"
• The songs "Let's Dance", "Modern Love" and "China Girl" are from the 1983 album, "Let's Dance"
• The songs "Young Americans" and "Fame" are from the 1975 album, "Young Americans".
• The song "Rebel Rebel" is from the 1974 album, "Diamond Dogs"
• The songs "Changes" and "Life on Mars?" are from the 1971 album, "Hunky Dory".
• The song "Space Oddity" is from the 1969 album, "David Bowie (aka Space Oddity)". 
• The song "Fashion" is from the 1980 album, "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)".
• The song "Heroes" is from the 1977 album, ""Heroes"".
• The song "Lazarus" is from the 2016 album, "★". (aka "Blackstar")
• The song "Under Pressure" is from Queen's 1982 album, "Hot Space"
• The song "Dancing in the Street" is from 1985 and not from an official album
  
  
• Julian Shah-Tayler Amazon search. 
• Website
  
• Joie Shettler website
• Instagram
  
• Walter Ino Amazon Search
• Facebook
  
• Rocky Rose Instagram
• Website
  
• Tom Polce Website
• Instagram
  
• Ben White Website
• Instagram