when you are feeling really emotional about something, don't write emails before you have time to think about what you are really saying. or thinking. just as i always have to open my mouth about something, sometimes talking before thinking, my fingers spit out words in emotional bursts. online communication can be a funny thing.

i have broken down and joined the 21st century. yup, i have ordered a cell phone. been holding out for so long - i work from home, and if i am not home, i am likely out doing things that i don't want interrupted by a phone call. however, i travel enough that it is a pain not to have one. i actually still use pay phones! (they still do exist - you just have to look hard for 'em) i ordered it from amazon.com - noikia 3360, AT&T digital advantage 250+. i honestly don't think i will use it much, as i am not one to chat on the phone. love to talk to people in person, love to ramble over emails, but i'm short and succinct on the phone. just never liked talking on it, for some reason. i get 2000 night and weekend minutes, so i will have plenty of phone time to waste. and free long distance, which brings me to a happy-online-purchase story.

i ordered the phone on amazon, and they had a $50 instant rebate as well as an $80 mail in rebate AND a mail in $50 pottery barn/macy's gift certificate (i abhor macy's - so, it's really just a pottery barn gift certificate) AND free long distance. the phone was only $99.99 - but i will be getting $130 off + a gift certificate. not a bad deal. signed up for the $29.99 250+ plan. filled out all the forms and bought it. later that day when i was reading about the promotions i read that in order to get the free long distance, you had to manually check a box during checkout. hmm. i didn't remember doing that, and the free long distance was a big plus for me. the only people i talk to on the phone for extended periods don't live anywhere near me. i was concerned that i wouldn't get that perk, so i sent an email off to amazon's help desk. (oh, the poor help desk people. what a job) in less than 24 hours, i received not only an email explaining that i should have free long distance, but if i don't when i get the phone to just call and it will be set up; but a phone call, too. i was impressed. i sent an email back saying thank you for the assistance. today i had yet another message in my inbox:

Hello again from Amazon.com.

Thanks for writing back with your kind words. I'm glad to hear that my colleague, Jennifer, was able to assist you, and I'll be sure to forward your message.
We look forward to seeing you again at our store.

Best wishes for the holidays,
Jimmy R.

if every online company were to operate this way, i would suppose they would have been more successful. i geek on good customer service. speaking of amazon, have you all updated your wish lists? it's cloudy out today. i need coffee. and the sunday paper. i love the sunday paper. enough rambling here...