Checkmate.

I ordered some new checks off of the credit union's website a few weeks ago, but they hadn't arrived yet and I was getting suspicious. The online system may have let me chose the color of my register book, but it never let me confirm that it actually had my current address (nor would it tell me how much the checks would cost). And sure enough, they had shipped the box of checks to our old apartment. You know, the one that we haven't lived in for two years.

Now, to be clear, the credit union has my correct address--and only my correct address--in their system. They just never bothered to tell the check printing company. I guess they just didn't feel the information was relevant.

Luckily, the post office sent the checks to the credit union when the address didn't work, so they were able to shred them for me and order some new ones. What do you want to bet they try to charge me the ten bucks again?

On top of that, the credit union has totally redone their website to make it more 'secure'. It now takes a total of three different authentication screens just to get into your account, and it's even hard to navigate. Apparently, more secure actually means smaller font, vague menu titles, and uglier color schemes.

And we're still waiting to hear about that home loan we applied for...

Is there anyone out there who's actually happy with their bank?
-Tim

Total Recall

Turns out my original iBook G4 battery is one of those being recalled by Apple. They'll be sending me a brand-new, free battery in 4 to 6 weeks!

-Tim

We regret to inform you that...

Atkins tennis center just called. Apparently, they were stringing my racquet and found a crack in the frame. They can't even string it, it's too much a safety risk. Now I only have my backup racquet with the broken handle.

This is indeed a dark day.

-Tim

Just when I think I'm out...

So it looks like I will be TAing this semester afterall. The department was short on people for Physics 140 and asked a few of us who were experienced with the course to fill in. I'll only have two or three one-hour sections, so it shouldn't be too much work--and they offered a pretty good incentive.

I played tennis with ck Friday night and finally just cut my who-knows-how-old hybrid kevlar strings. I seriously have no idea when I last had that racquet strung, but the strings were ridiculously loose and frayed. Neither of us could believe that they hadn't broken yet. Sure they're 'durable', but that really just means that they survive long past when they cease to be useful. I'm switching back to normal strings this time.

-Tim

Neighborhood Watch

Ok, maybe I'm the one who's crazy here...but I don't really think so.

A woman, who just moved into town, just came up to our door to ask me about how safe I thought the neighborhood is. A woman came up to a total stranger's door, at midnight, to ask how safe the neighborhood is. What sense does that make? Then, when I said that we're about three blocks from the police station, and we'd never had any problems, she acted all surprised that I didn't invite her in for coffee and a discussion on safety. She was also surprised that we moved in two years ago, and insisted that we just moved in like her.

And this isn't the first time this has happened. A few months ago someone came and rang the bell at about 2:30 am to introduce herself. I'm fairly certain it was a different woman, probably the one that the lady tonight was looking for.

So yes, the neighborhood is very safe, but sometimes strange women will come up and ring your doorbell in the middle of the night if you leave a light on.

-Tim