Jun 10
23
We killed our land line!
The idea had been ruminating in the background for some time. I had unconsciously started putting down my cell number when filling in forms, eschewing the “home” number, as I would never be there to answer the phone. Usually, I was away, working, or tending my son, or playing.
It became an irritating ritual, upon arriving at home each evening, to listen to the several messages on our answering machine. Pen in hand, push the button, ready to scribble frantically the wisdom about to be imparted by the caller… FAIL!
FIRST MESSAGE: Just another politician, usually beseeching me to malama big business so they could trickle some of that wealth down to me. Right. DELETE!
SECOND MESSAGE: Competing politician telling how bad the first caller was for calling my phone and leaving political messages. FAIL! DELETE!
THIRD MESSAGE: Do you want to sell your timeshare…? FAIL! DELETE!
FAIL! FAIL! FAIL!
Then two nights ago (Sunday night), my wife asks, “Do you care if we discontinue our home number?,” to which my immediate response is, “Duh?! Why didn’t I think of that?!”
She tells me that the phone bill is $30 a month! $360 per year!
So I go to http://www.hawaiiantel.net and look for the customer service phone number. FAIL! No phone number listed on their web site. They make me fill in a form and promise to call within 3 business days. And, by the way, “What was it you wanted to talk to us about?”
I WANT TO DISCONTINUE MY PHONE SERVICE!
I leave my cell number for the callback.
On Monday morning, early, I get the call from Hawaiian Tel.
“Whyyyyyy are you leaving us? We’re soooo saaaaad!”
We’re going wireless, all cell phone, all the time.
“Did you know that when there is a power outage, your cell phone won’t work any more?”
Not true, says I. Last power outage, I knew within one minute where there was power on the island, and where there was not, due to iPhone and Twitter. Yes, I have plenty of backup batteries for the cell phone, thank you.
“But you’ve had your number for such a long time! Won’t people keep calling you at your old number?”
Yes, they will. And all those politicians, telemarketers and so-called pollsters will get a “Number disconnected,” message, every single time! Hasta la vista, baby!
So here is public notice to everyone who knew my old home number. It is pau.
If you want to talk to me, call the cell. If you don’t know the cell number, email me or DM me on Twitter. Message me on Facebook. Let me know what you want to sell or who you want me to vote for. Maybe I’ll share my cell number.
Maybe I won’t! :)
Blaine
Jun 10
12
Moloka’i pa’u unit.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 4, 2010
Hawaiian Nonprofit Adds Executive Services Manager
HONOLULU, HI – The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA), a Hawaii nonprofit, has added staff to its Honolulu office. Blaine Fergerstrom has joined CNHA as Executive Services Manager, reporting to CNHA President and CEO Robin Puanani Danner.
“Blaine is a welcome addition to our staff,” said Danner. “He has the energy and experience to help advance our programs and to communicate to the world the good things that we are doing.”
Fergerstrom will manage CNHA’s Hawaiian Way Fund; the Cultural Connections program with Princess Cruises; Bishop Museum ECHO program; manage the Next Generation Leadership Program, overseeing and coordinating interns, fellows and AmeriCorps/VISTA volunteers.
He will also work on the agency’s external communications, including media releases, newsletters, announcements, printed collateral materials, and web presence, and will provide event and convention logistics and support.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the CNHA,” Fergerstrom said. “I love working with the Hawaiian community and this position enables me to continue my contributions to that community.”
Fergerstrom brings a wealth of experience in the communications field to CNHA. He served as a Communications Specialist for Sen. Brickwood Galuteria in the just-concluded Hawaii State Legislature. He previously was the Webmaster and Media Production Specialist for the Communications Division of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and is widely known as a staff photographer and writer for their Ka Wai Ola newspaper. Fergerstrom has also previously worked at Kamehameha Schools as Education Webmaster and was the original Webmaster for Hawaii’s first daily online newspaper, Starbulletin.com, of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
CNHA is a national network of Native Hawaiian Organizations, providing assistance in accessing capital and technical resources, and is a policy voice on issues important to Native Hawaiian communities. Its mission is to enhance the well-being of Hawaii through the cultural, economic, and community development of Native Hawaiians. For more information about CNHA please contact us at 808.596.8155, toll-free at 1.800.709.2642, by e-mail at info@hawaiiancouncil.org, or visit our website at www.hawaiiancouncil.org.
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