Thursday, December 21, 2006

Can You Say Overage?

As midnight approaches and my billing cycle resets, I'm glad it's all done.

It all started on Tuesday. I had planned to spend most of the day in the car. I clocked over 200 miles between hospitals, meetings, and a trip to prison [it's a long story and I wasn't involved]. Knowing I would be on the road most of the day I planned on making quite a few calls. I like to maximize my time that way and besides, I like to use my bluetooth.

Concerned that I might be approaching my alloted 450 monthly minutes I thought I might call Verizon customer service to be safe. Wouldn't want to go over at 45 cents a minute. What I found out from the rep just about made me lose control of the car. I had two days before my billing cycle reset and I had already used almost 900 minutes! That's like over $200 in overages. Needless to say I had to come up with a plan so...

I started by having the customer service rep increase my monthly allotment. That move alone saved me $180.

I then stopped all incoming and outgoing calls from my cell. The traditional land line became my friend:)

I then proceeded to borrow every cell phone I could find. From Marian to Kevin to Lonnie, they all helped a brother out. Thanks for taking one for the team!

I never realized how much I talked on the cell phone until I didn't have the last three days. It was trecherous and I'm glad it's almost midnight

Side story: Tonight Lonnie graciously allowed me to borrow his cell phone. Emrie and I were doing some last minute Christmas shopping at EB Games and he calls me on his phone [I needed some video game advice]. Well, low and behold if he doesn't have the girliest ringtone in America! It's like Britney Spears or something. I couldn't find the stinking phone fast enough and as I took the call I darted out the door. Highly embarassing:) Lonnie, I appreciate your generosity but for the love of our manhood, please change the ringtone.

7 comments:

Lonnie said...

Hey.. No problem, glad I could help a brother out. By the way; it is not Britney Spears...
It is Mandy Moore

Anonymous said...

Sounds like Lonnie to me.

I hate cell phones, by the way. I believe they are from the father of lies himself :).

Anonymous said...

Kurt Davis
I started a new job in sales this last January. My first month my cell bill was 900 dollars. I had to work out a payment plan with Cincinnati bell and then they changed my monthly plan. That was a bummer.

Sandi said...

Glad your friends came thru. And, of course, auntie Marian! ha

Merry Christmas Chad.

Anonymous said...

Oh My! I heard the ring tone yesterday....All I can say is, I hope NO ONE knew you ..You can borrow my cell phone, it plays the UK Fight Song!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I stumble upon your posts and for the most part find your blog very enlightening. However, without knowing you or your demeanor, allow me to make an observation. Your comments about your friend's ring tone were for me rather childish. You should consider this person a true friend to even loan you the phone and furthermore, why should you worry about what others think when they hear the ring tone. Are you so shallow as to associate yourself with a ring tone? Just an observaton

Anonymous said...

To the "anonymous person" who commented on the "ring-tone" I was not in anyway offended. Chad and I have known and ministered together for going on 7 years at the same church. That is a rare occasion, when a “Children’s Minister” and a “Senior Minster” can be so close as friends and still be at the same church after so many years. I couldn’t ask for a better staff to work with. And now that we have Big Kev (Kevin B) on board the circle is complete. Sometimes ministry can be so overwhelming. You hear and see so much pain (along with so much good) that if you don’t take time out and “laugh” at yourself and each other, you will go crazy. God made me “funny” I love to laugh and make people laugh. I love “chick flicks” I love Twinkies and processed food. That’s what makes me Lonnie so if Chad or Kev or Kelly or Evan or others want to make a joke, I am ok with it, because I know they are my friends. Chad and Kevin are two of my best friends. I enjoy ministering with them and I enjoy just being “friends” and going to Eduardo’s or Howard’s Place and just do “life”