New Cell Phone - AGAIN!

http://www.palm.com/us/products/phones/treopro/index.html

I had to get a new cell phone becasue I lost mine last night in the taxi in New York.
I called it in for an official report, but they said it would be two days before the taxi driver would have turned into the limo commision and that I would have to go to the police station and.... I couldn't deal with any more.
...with the mail in rebate (...which I hope they do this time.) it's only $229.99 or something like that.

When I went to the Sprint Store in New York (I AM NOT A BIG FAN OF SPRINT AT THIS POINT.) they told me it was the newest phone and has been out less than a week or so.
Online it looks like what I need and want, so moving on...

..so far, so good.
I like it.
...and plan on keeping it close. (I need to implant it in my head actually.) ARGH!
What about this lanyard deal, I should try that at least.

Cell Phone Downtime

...something is up with my cell phone. ARGH!
I know this photo is not of a cell phone, but it serves the purpose of showing a broken communication device.
It's not connecting and downloading messages or connecting with the phone service.
It's kind of working, but not really.
I'll try to take it into Sprint today or tomrorow, but it's a hectic schedule.
I keep checking my voicemail, so if you leave me one, I will call you back.
I get so frustrated that I depend on my cell phone so much. Yuck.

Site of the Moment - www.1800FREE411.com

Here's another information site that's free.

Check out www.1800FREE411.com instead of paying $1.25, $1.50 or $1.75 on your mobile phone for information and business listings.

Cell Phone Tricks

Rusty sent me this email yesterday and I was amazed, I didn't try any, so it's kinda silly, but the idea is really cool.
Check out number two, that's crazy.

5 Things Perhaps You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do

For all the folks with cell phones. (This should be printed and kept in your car, purse, and wallet. Good information to have with you.)

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

FIRST
Emergency

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find Yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to Establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.

SECOND
Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys In the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot From your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a cell phone!'

THIRD
Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time.

FOURTH
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following Digits on your phone:*#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe.

If your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

FIFTH
Free Directory Service for Cells

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial:(800)FREE411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

PowerSMS

I use this program on my cell phone called "PowerSMS" where it shows some statistics regarding my SMS.
Here were the stats when I checked them the other day, it's kind of interesting.

937 Messages Ringtone

I added this today as my alert on my cell phone whenever I get a text message, but I am already over hearing it. ARGH! It was fun for about 15 minutes.
It says, "[beep, beep, beep] You have 937 messages, all of which are marked urgent."

Vodka Phone

I found out how they can tell if your cell phone has water damage. There is usually a tab somewhere like in this phone that turns pink when it gets wet.
I don't know that he should have, but a guy at the Sprint store told me and showed me where the tab was kind of hidden on my own phone which was wet giveaway that it was wet at one point.
Water damage invalidates my warranty and moves me onto the second step for repair which makes it eligible for an insurance claim against the phone with a $50.00 deductible.
I am going to have to argue that this time it was not "water damage" but that it was "vodka damage. It's different.

I swear by it's truth, but I need a more durable "Tonka Toy" version cell phone. Lisa told me that years ago, and I need someone to get right on that. *wink*

...and that I could have made a new cocktail with the vodka I poured out of my cell phone that was sitting on the bar before someone asked me, "Is that your cell phone sitting the puddle of vodka in your kitchen?" Wasting that much alcohol is just abuse.

I have heard of "Vodafone" in Europe, but "Vodkafone?" No. ...maybe in Russia.

I read online that putting your phone in rice will help it dry out. I heard that if you use a hair dryer on it, it can fix it back to it's normal glory. I thought, "What about putting it in the oven?" No wait, let's go with the first thing first. *wink*

What to do if it's YOUR phone that you find soaking in a puddle of cheap liquor? Here's a few links:
http://www.wikihow.com/Save-a-Wet-Cell-Phone
http://lifehacker.com/software/cell-phones/save-your-wet-cell-phone-211623.php
http://dailyknowhow.wordpress.com/2007/06/13/save-a-wet-cell-phone/
http://www.baltimoresun.com/technology/bal-phone1027,0,3866492.story
I dropped one phone in the toilet when I was talking on it pissing once at my friends house right in the middle of a conversation. ...that talk really went into the crapper. No really.

Believe it or not, about two days later, most functions have come back to my phone. The touch screen is much harder to touch, some of the text messages I received before I had to soft reset the phone are not there now, and there are a few other things, but frankly, I am fucking amazed how that it works at all.

Google Phone

I just heard that the new Google phone is out. I just heard from a friend who just got it and loves it.

It seems to me to be another iPhone wanna be. If you want the iPhone, just go get it. *wink* Okay, that's a little dramatic. I am sure this has some special features that the iPhone does not.

If Starbucks and Google were people, they might just take over the world.

Find out more HERE on the Google website and HERE on T-Mobile's website.

It does not look that overpriced with a $399.99 retail and a instant rebate of $220.00 making it a mere $179.99 online. CLICK HERE

...stay tuned for more.

Track-It-Back

I have these tags on my cell phone now, but up until now, they were not available digitally. Now that they are, I am going to order them. I highly suggest them for your electronic devices too.
Who knows if it will actually help, but I hope it does in the case that I lose my phone. (...as I often do.) I also like to think $4.95 is worth thinking it might.

Ask Cha-Cha

My friend Welcome Matt told me about this fabulous new site called www.chacha.com that is used on your mobile device. (Your cell phone silly.)

One of us at lunch asked a question that none of us knew and he said, "Ask Cha-Cha." I sure did and let me tell you, the site is fierce.

It's like having a friend who is waiting online to answer just about anything.
You can ask anything anytime.

I asked Cha-Cha, "Where can I find Red Bull Cola near me?" and Cha-Cha texted back an address of a gas station on Santa Monica. (I have not been there yet.)
I asked, "Where is the closest haunted site near me?" and Cha-Cha texted back about a "Fright Fair in Woodland Hills"
...to test it, I asked, "What's the easiest recipe for frosting?" and "Who owns Wendy's restaurant?" and respectively received text messages that said, "2 tablespoons light cream, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, or 1 teaspoon lemon juice or rum, 1 cup confectioners sugar stir in liquid sugar" and "Cedar Enterprises, based outside Columbus, owns Wendy's restaurants across the country. Thanks for using Cha-Cha!"

I think there is some filters on it though because it did avoid some adult questions I asked about some adult companies.

It's staffed by humans who have to past an online search test to become a "guide", so I don't know how they keep it free, but man, I am glad they do.
Since it is free, I have to wonder how it's funded.
Wait, I can ask it anything, so I asked, "How is Cha-Cha funded?" The reply was, "Cha-Cha is funded by Bezos Expeditions, the personal investment firm of Jeff Bezos; Morton Meyerson, the former President and Vice MORE?" Check out a webpage they directed me to at http://partners.chacha.com/?p=98.
Now I see how they target people with ads on this website that is not the first one consumers see.
Whoa, it's still utterly amazing.

It's free, try it yourself from your phone.
Text 242-242 your question now.
Gawsh, technology is amazing.

I think I will be texting Cha-Cha from bathrooms all over the country now when I need to know something.

Dial Pad

I got sick of seeing the same thing on my 'Speed Dial' pad on my phone, so I changed every one's photos that comes up when they call.
I always thought 'speed dial' meant you had to hurry and see how fast you could dial the number. Yea, not so much.
It made me feel "fresher" but not fresh enough to start answering the thing, so don't get too excited. *wink*

"...and folks on this tour, if you look to the left, you will see a screen. It's not just any screen.... it's a "Dial Pad."
You know it's bad when it's too hard and too much to have to dial 7 numbers in a row. ...sometimes more.
Thank goodness for this utility on my phone that I can just press the picture and it calls them. (I have three screens of this on my phone, this is the first one.)

I tried to pick out photos that were relevant to most of person it dials. ...from left to right it's interesting and I assure you, NOT in any particular order like MySpace.

1. The first image of the angry cartoon guy is my voice mail. ...that's what usually happens when I call it and check my messages, I turn into a cartoon character that's wild and easily upset. ...smoke comes out of ears on the right day.
   
2. The second one is Howard at FabScout. I like to think he's the other side of what I do, he's such a good guy and I am that bad guy. If you want to do porn, you better know who he is. If you want to do other things, pull up a chair and we can talk. Howard has such a big heart. I realized I don't have too many photos of him and I. I wanted one where we were strangling each other, but I don't think we have it yet.I need to get on that so I can put it here.
   
3. The next one is of what's his name, yeah, Jason Sechrest. That' photo is from the 'Cupcake Ravine' (...the original LONG story is HERE if you are so inclined. I'd run for my life.) I don't normally like New York but this time was a yummy craazy time. Unfortunately, I find to talk to him or text message him often so he's on the speed dial so I don't use too much of my effort on that part of the night.
   
4. The top right is one of the most used positions and of course, it's Rusty. I need him up there because it all ends with him. ...just like you read left to right and end on the right in English language, I always end up with Rusty. He's the best best friend you could ask for.
   
5. I use Google 411 often. It's free and you can get the listing texted to you for reference. It's one of the most wonderful things available. Is Google running for president yet?
6. ...that's the placeholder for my family. I know which photo I want to use there, but I have to scan it. I couldn't find some clipart for "dysfunctional."
   
7. You can't really tell, but that's CoolTom. ...stuffing gift bags in Chicago. ...just like I always somehow see him doing in EVERY city. It's only fitting. ...stuff some more bags Tom. ...FASTER! I don't care that you have top go home Monday and paid for the entire trip on your own. In fact, I am gong to figure out how I can cost you MORE money. *wink* Thanks, bag boy Tom. You are forever emblazoned on my phone now.
   
8. This space available. Call 504-319-6487 and see if I answer. Good luck.

   ...and now for a commercial break, the gorgeous guy to the right is the "today" screen on my phone. It's like a summary and the best place for me besides being around Angel Benton to press buttons and get results. I change the guy on my background several times a day sometimes.

9. ...that's Fabrice the disco ball at the GayVN Awards in SFO when we all had on our "bee" glasses. He's such a star. ...every time he calls me and I end up putting him off, right? ARGH!
10. ...that's my grandpa. I put him in the middle so that I don't accidental push his button in my pocket late at night like I have a habit of doing to the corner people. Sorry, I hope you liked the song that club was playing that night. *blush* I want him on my dial pad so that I stay in better contact with him. The particular photo was of him and I at my Aunt Susan's awhile back this year.
    
11. ...that's my hick brother. ...gotta love him. If I can get him off his CB enough to talk on the phone, I can remind him of the difference.
12. ...that's Sean in the New York www.rentboy.com office dancing. I absolutely love that Sean pops up and dances on my phone when he calls. I usually only call him on his cell phone when we are out of town together and it's like we are always checking on this or heading here or GPS-ing this or wondering where someone disappeared to.
13. I have the "McDonalds Sweet Tea" image for a place holder too. It's whomever is the "sweetie" of the moment and I call the most often. ..lower left hand corner. ...often pocket called. Sucks to be them, but the "sweetie" of the moment also usually comes with some hot perks.
    
14. Oh Angel Benton. I had a BEAUTIFUL of Angel that I had in his space for the longest time that I never changed. ...not for anything. ...kinda like his Britney Spears voicemail on his phone. ...but it's time. I liked this photo of Angel from somewhere. He looks like he's going to get me. ...and normally, he should the way I put him through it.
    
15. Lisa is the other corner and the one who I call when I can't reach any more for the top numbers when they are too far. I don't know where I would be without her but it would probably involve a puddle or a padded wall.
    
16. The last button on the bottom right goes to the next set of images. I think we are okay here for now huh?
    

They say a picture is worth a thousand words right? With 16 photos at 1000 words each, this could easily be a 16,000 word post, thank goodness.
This post just looks long and boring but was fun to write, right?

Communication Gap

My cell phone is broken again.

Yesterday, I took it into a store in Seattle and they fixed one of the three problems it had. ...but they created a new one, so I am back at square one.
They fixed the screen I could not write on in one area. If you wanted to write something on it, I would have to move the screen down and write it there.
Somehow in the process of fixing that though, they broke the volume slider. It just slides back and forth now. Even if it did work, I couldn't hear it ring.
The original problem that I now still have though is that it won't charge. I can plug it into any of my chargers, the dock, car chargers, wall adapters - nothing works. I would guess it's the socket that you plug the charger into.

If you want to call me, use my office line 212-375-5300 or 213-596-0872 both are extension 213.
If you want to call me at home, and can find me, that's fine too. ...my home number is one that I don't use very much. I don't even know that I know the number actually.

I ordered a new phone online that's different, but that will take a couple of days to get. I ordered the Sprint Motorola Q.

FUCK SPRINT!

UPDATE: (22May07 6:50PM Los Angeles)
I have my phone back. I have the phone back that is.
The screen was replaced supposedly and the charging piece sodered (sp?) back in so I can charge it, actually, it's charging now, so hopefully it works again.
They were not able to fix the volume button. When I said that wasn't even broken when I took it into Seattle in the first place, she said, "You can go back there since they the ones who messed it up in the first place and they can fix it. That's all I can do." I told her that I find that unacceptable and wanted to talk to someone who could help me and she gave me a district manager's number who I left a voicemail for.
When I called customer solutions, the hold time was over 15 minutes, so I told myself I would call when I actually had 15 minutes to spend on hold.
ARGH!