Windows Live OneCare

Windows Live Doesn'tCare.

It is only OneCare if ALL of your software is Microsoft -- it doesn't work well with others. It was already very frustrating dealing with the software; to deal with the customer support over the phone -- be prepared to be passed around with never-ending call transfers. The software treated a lot of my programs as if they were viruses. When I tried cancelling within the money-back guarantee period, nobody returned my calls despite leaving a few voicemails.

Just then, a nasty email from Billing told me that an automatic renewal would be charged unless I cancel it. I called FOUR times. After several business days, no calls were returned. Trying to cancel the subscription was hopeless -- one transfer after another. One representative said, "Just to warn you, Windows Live OneCare is American. They don't really take care of Canadian accounts." So, more transfer after another transfer until I recognize a friendly Canadian accent. She apologized, "Yeah, sorry. I left a few voicemail as well, but they never called back either. But here's the money-back guarantee toll free number."

There HAS got to be a way to pull the plug. Then, I typed the necessary keywords on Google. Finally, there was another way (NOT mentioned from the links provided in the email) to reach Billing: via online chat. After what seemed to be forever, the subscription was successfully cancelled. Of course, they would not give my money back, like I predicted. After such experience, I would never try another paid Microsoft subscription EVER again.

Untitled

Our eyes are window to the soul

Our hearts, alive with passion, we need to mould

From pieces of broken hearts, melted to whole

A piece by piece, we need to release

That memory which keeps our eyes shut

Locked up from the rest of the world

We are prisoners from our past;

The wilted flower will not grow,

New seeds need to be sowed....

Now, tear storms hit the panes

When it ends, all survivors see is a rainbow.

- Cynthia C.

December 2, 2003

Typing Blues

Pecking away at the keyboard,

Hunting for melodious alphabetic chords,

Painting rhymes, simile, metaphors and hyperboles,

Maintaining a somewhat harmonious accord.

Like a pianist typing the jazz scales

Which makes no sense,

Rising from the start of the rainbow

to the pot of gold.

Blues in a poem

Is about a million ohms

Of resistance, of annoyance in a person

who is clueless of what

A blues-ey poem is.

Typing the blues is nothing

Other than infusing

Clashing sharps and flats.

- Cynthia C.
(written in 2002)

The Everything in One Pot series: Creamy Corn Stew

Being a student means you won't have much time to make gourmet dinners nor the budget to get fresh ingredients. However, how do you PLAN to eat healthy? Well, it takes a bit of creativity and laziness. You put everything in ONE pot. Note: you can get any ingredients you like and just throw everything in one pot. It doesn't matter how you cook it: Stir-fry, boiling, using the slow-cooker, baking; you throw everything into one pot.

Why? It saves time. Also, you get more flavour in your food without having to add too much acquired taste. My boyfriend gets nervous whenever I throw everything in one pot. But hey, he's tasted it all: baked mushroom chicken, chow mein with a lot of stuff, stir-fries.... All it takes is a sense of adventure and any groceries you ALREADY have. The process really is just an improvisation of how my mom taught me to cook curry and "hot pot". Hot pot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_pot) is also known as "steam boat" in Brunei.

Stuff I used:
1 can of creamy corn

some small portion of canned mushroom

carrots (since I'm lazy, I used washed and skinned baby carrots)

onions/shallot

Chicken breast

Ham (a great way to use ham when it's getting closer to the expiry date; you don't have to use it if you don't eat pork)

1 egg (creamy corn generally goes well with egg; again, you can skip the egg if you aren't a big fan of eggs)

Directions:

1. Add a tiny bit of butter or cooking oil. Grill the onions, ham and chicken first.

2. When the chicken looks cooked, pour the can of creamy corn. Throw in mushrooms and carrots or any vegetables you have got.

3. When it starts to simmer, crack the egg. Stir.

And there, you have a quick meal which is brought to you by Everything in One Pot.