Wednesday, December 04, 2024

Change: I Switched From Verizon To T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

 Internet Service Backstory -

The apartment building I live in is exclusively wired for Comcast. And since I loathe Comcast because of their INSANE prices and the way they think they RULE the world, I refused to use their service. Therefore, the only other option I had was Verizon. However, since Fios was unavailable in my building, I succumbed to Verizon DSL. 

That's right, you heard me correctly.

For the past 23 years, I've been using DSL, which is only half a step up from Dial-up service. I felt like Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail. It was so bad that many times while watching a movie, it would buffer. Not only that, the service would knock me offline constantly, so I had to reboot the modem which was a royal pain in my arse.

But I put up with it because I didn't think I had any other options. 

Also, guess what I was paying for DSL service each month. Are you ready for this?

$100.98!

And that was because I was paying for not only internet service but a landline phone as well. And for a phone that I NEVER used. DSL requires that you be connected to a phone line.  

My New Internet Service Search - 

For the past several months, I've been searching for a different option and decided to look into the possibility of going with Wi-Fi internet. And I wanted one that was reliable, fast, and available in my area. But most importantly, much less expensive. 

I looked into Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. 

After watching a bazillion YouTube videos on each one, I chose T-Mobile 5G Home Internet.

I purchased the service (which included a gateway) online rather than in-store because if I did so, they would waive the $25.00 activation fee. In addition, it qualified me for a $150 Virtual Prepaid Mastercard promotion.

Signing up online went smoothly. The gentleman who helped me (Jonathan) could not have been more patient, kind, and efficient. He informed me that I would receive the gateway in 3-5 business days. It only took TWO days!

Setting It Up -

I had heard over and over again how easy and quick it was to set up service. They all said, "It will only take 15 minutes to set it up." One YouTuber even claimed,"It was so easy to set up that my 98-year-old grandmother completed it in less than 5 minutes!"

Yeah....RIGHT. 

After trying to connect my desktop computer to the Wi-Fi for over 45 minutes, I decided to call customer service. But before doing that, I did everything I was instructed to do, via the app.

I got a technical support guy who kept saying to me, "Oh it's so easy to set it up. You simply plug it in and it will AUTOMATICALLY connect your devices."

Oh, really?!?!

By the way, don't you love how IT people talk to you like you're an IT person as well? They seem to have little patience for anyone who doesn't understand IT. And I'm thinking, "Why would I call you if I understood IT?!?!"

Anyway, after trying everything on his end to correct the issue, he came up with another way to go at it. Now mind you, my cellphone device had no problem connecting to the Wi-Fi, it was my desktop that had the issue. 

Come to find out that my desktop Wi-Fi would not accept the name and password that was printed on the back of the gateway. Therefore, I had to go in and create a new name and password. Oy vey!

But that seemed to do the trick. It connected!

My Feedback On The 5G Home Internet - 

I have to say, besides the issue in getting my computer to connect to the gateway, the process was not bad. As soon as I got online and started visiting various websites, I could immediately tell how much FASTER the service was compaired to my DSL. It felt like I was flying over the internet. And no buffering while watching a movie. 

And guess what? It's only $55.00 per month. It would have only been $50.00 had I signed up for auto-pay, which I never do. The gateway was included. Unlimited data. No contract. And no price increase. 

Here are a few photos.

The box...

I placed the gateway right next to a window. I'm on a very high floor, so I get a strong signal...

And here it is on my desktop computer...

So far, so good! I'm VERY happy!😁

Goodbye DSL! Hello 5G Home Internet!

Have a faaaaaaabulous rest of your week, everyone! 💕

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Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Expressing My Freedom Of Speech

Preface: This post involves the topic of politics. Please know that if this is something you don't care to read, I will understand. Also, don't feel the need to comment or share who you voted for, or even if you chose not to vote. This post is not about debating or defending why I voted the way I did. I'm not here to change your mind, nor will my mind be changed. This post is simply an expression of my freedom of speech.

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My Views On Politics - 

I rarely post about politics on my blog. And if I have, it's only been a few times. However, this past presidential election affected me deeply. 

I will start by saying I'm neither a Democrat nor a Republican. I'm a registered Independent. I don't vote for a party; I vote for the person and the issues they address. People automatically assume because I'm gay, I am a hardcore, straight-down-the-line Democrat, which I'm not. And that makes me very unpopular with the gay community. But that doesn't bother me because I've always been secure in my identity and see myself as part of the whole human race community. 

I'm also neither liberal nor conservative; I'm both. I'm liberal about some things and conservative about others, and I believe that most people are that way.

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About This Election -

I almost didn't vote in this election because I wasn't thrilled with either candidate. However, about two months ago, I began feeling more and more that I needed to take an interest in both contenders because if I didn't like the results in November, I would think I didn't do my part.

 

As many of you know, I haven't watched the news in over three years. Therefore, before voting, I only watched each candidate speak at their rallies and whenever they were interviewed, to get an honest sense of their game plans before mainstream media edited and slanted their words. 

Around mid-October, I finally decided who I would vote for. 

Mind you, Philadelphia is a VERY, VERY, blue city. They wear their blueness as proudly as their Eagles and Phillies T-shirts. Therefore, leading up to election day, there were people out on the streets, walking up to everyone, asking if they had plans to vote, all the while wearing Kamala Harris shirts and pins. Our city was plastered with posters and signs that read Harris/Walz. So yes, the city of Philadelphia voted for Harris.

However, not all of us did. 

As I'm sure you can tell by now, I voted for Donald Trump. 

Yup, a GAY man voting for Trump - "Hissssssssss!" But since the election, I've spoken to other gays from Philly and NYC who voted for Trump as well. And they did so with no hesitation. 

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My Thoughts And Feelings About Donald Trump - 

Do I think Donald Trump is perfect? Hell no! Does he lie? Hell yes! But there isn't a politician in this world (Right or Left) who doesn't lie or is without dirty laundry. There were moments during Trump's first term when I wanted only to scream, "Would you PLEASE shut up and stop talking!" "And would you PLEASE stop acting like a bratty little boy when you don't get your way!" Yes, Trump has a MASSIVE ego.   

However...

It's his ego that makes him who he is and why he fights with such unending drive, determination, and force as a president. 

Even after an assassination attempt, he still moved forward. Nothing stops him. He's fearless. 

Does he act that way because of his ego? Yes, of course. But he also acts that way because of his love and pride in America. Underneath all his egotistical and verbose exterior, I see a soft and kind heart in Trump. He will simultaneously fight for himself and the American people. Without a doubt, I can tell that he loves this country. 

I realized a long time ago that I don't have to like someone's personality to admire them for the good they do.

That's how I feel about Donald Trump. At times, he truly irritates me. But he also makes me feel safe and secure.

I voted for Trump because he says what he thinks and feels. I wasn't looking for someone who was politically correct and polite. I was looking for someone who's not afraid to upset the apple cart and get things done. And right now, that's exactly what America needs.  

I don't believe for one second he hates gays, or blacks, or Asians, or legal immigrants, or women, or Latinos, etc. However, what he does hate is anyone who fucks with America. And so do I. I'm sick and tired of this country and its people being used, manipulated, and treated with disrespect. And not only from the outside, but from the inside as well. 

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The Day After Election Day -

One week out, I had a strong intuitive feeling Trump would win this election. Yet I also knew that anything could happen. 

When I woke up Wednesday morning, I made myself a cup of coffee, sat down in front of my desktop, and then Googled who won the presidential election in 2024.

And when I saw the results, I broke down and cried. I cried from relief, and I cried from pride in America and the American people who awakened from a deep state of woke, came together, and took back their country. Black, white, men, women, young, old, Latino, Asian, Amish, and even people who in the past didn't vote for him, voted for Trump this time.

He didn't just win. He won HUGELY. 

And I am beyond happy that he won back Pennsylvania because I love this state and am proud to be a native. 

What also touched me were the comments I read on the internet for days and days after the election, by people from all over the world who congratulated America for electing Trump. I don't think I ever realized how many other countries are dealing with the same issues as America.  

Here are some of those comments:

"Every country needs a Donald Trump. I'm from Ireland and we are crying out for someone of his caliber to take over here and clean everything up."

"BRITAIN NEEDS A DONALD TRUMP TO FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS AND OUR FREE SPEECH."

"The US public has scored a massive victory for common sense and rationality. To my American brothers and sisters, I salute you and I thank you. Britain is in a dark place at the moment, but you have given us a guiding light to move towards."

"The Indigenous people of Britain 🇬🇧 welcome Donald Trump. Thank you, AMERICA. 🇺🇸"

"I'm a 20-year-old dude from the suburbs of Philly and I am a PROUD Trump voter. Thank you to all who did their part. Here's to the future of America!"

"I'm an Australian and I've been more invested in the US election than the state election we just had. The world needs Trump more than ever."

  

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I would like to conclude this post by reiterating what I shared at the start. I will not debate or defend my presidential choice because, like all Americans, I have the freedom to vote for whomever I decide and for whatever reasons. And if you feel the desire to unfollow or unfriend me for my choice, so be it. I am no longer keeping my political opinions to myself, just because it's not in sync with the people who are permitted to say whatever they want. 

Yes, I know many Americans are unhappy with the outcome of this election. And so much so that they have dissociated from friends and family members because they voted for the opposite candidate. And this has been on both sides. However, there have been several times in past elections when I was unhappy with the outcome. Yet, I knew there was nothing I could do to change it, so I accepted it and moved on. 

Several days ago, I met up with my good friend, Kelly, who did not vote for Trump. What I love about our friendship is that she and I can disagree on things but we also allow one another to have our own opinions without getting into an argument. She and I had an open, calm, and honest conversation about not only our choices, but what we also saw as the "pros and cons" of each candidate. 

As I sat across from Kelly, I thought to myself, "This, right here, is why I love America. As Americans, we have the freedom to express our ideas and opinions without fear of government retaliation, censorship, or legal action."

And frankly, that's the way I want it to remain.

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Monday, October 21, 2024

It's That Time Of The Year - "Fall Clothing"

Autumn always makes me think of the movie When Harry Met Sally.

Not only is it my all-time favorite romantic comedy, but I also love how the movie takes you through all four seasons but highlights autumn and winter, my most-loved.

While living in New York City, my ideal thing to do once autumn rolled in was to take long walks through Central Park. Lucky for me, I lived only half a block from Central Park East Side.

Central Park was one of my cherished spots in Manhattan because in a city composed primarily of buildings—small, large, and huge—the park was my escape into nature.

Besides the cooler temps and cozy, comfy foods, I also look forward to fall clothing. I have always felt that clothing is much more attractive than little or no clothing. And to me, I think fall wear is sexy.  

Two things I love about fall clothing:

- warm, rich, earthtones. 

- layers and textures

Some of my faves...

Fall clothing for kids...

And for pets...

🍂🍁🍂🍁 Hope you're all enjoying this season!🍂🍁🍂🍁

I certainly am...🧡

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Wednesday, October 02, 2024

Things I've Learned In My 69 Years

Today, I turned 69. And to be honest, outside of a few physical things that have naturally changed over the years (such as having to get up in the middle of the night 400 times to urinate), I still feel like I'm in my 30s. 

I remember getting ready to turn 30 and talking to my father on the phone one day, and I said to him, "Gosh, Dad, I cannot believe I'm going to be THIRTY in a few days. I'm getting old!" He chuckled and said, "Yeah? Well wait until you turn 67, like me, and then tell me how old you are." 

Back then, 67 sounded ancient. But now that I'm moving through my 60s, I don't see myself as old. I still feel like I'm 20, 30, 40... 

So, I guess it's true what they say about aging. 

Today I want to share four things I've learned in my 69 years. Mind you, I have learned much more, but I'm only listing these four because they are at the top...

1) Trusting my gut (intuition) -

Throughout my life, I've learned the importance of trusting my gut. And as I've gotten older, I have learned never to second-guess it. I also learned that intuition comes quickly. It's a feeling that tries to get my attention by saying, "Please, Ron, get out of your head and listen to your gut." And do you know what? It's never wrong. Trusting my gut prevented me from getting into some very negative situations. And it also directed me to some wonderful opportunities I would have missed had I not listened to my gut. 

2) Learn from my past, but don't live there - 

I'm a firm believer that nothing in my life happens by accident. I have no regrets. Good or bad, I wouldn't change a single thing about my past because it gave me the knowledge to live in the present. Every so often, I need to revisit my past and process certain moments to be reminded of what they taught me. However, it's important not to remain there.

3) The world will see me exactly how I see myself - 

I learned this lesson at a very young age. I discovered that what is most important is how I see myself. And in doing so, that is exactly how the world will view me. I was very different than most kids. But when I finally embraced all I was, the world ironically embraced me. I know that sounds very simplistic, but I found it true. How I feel about myself is a form of "energy." And that energy permeates throughout the world and can be felt by others.

4) Make plans and be prepared. However, be willing to stay open to how it plays out -

My time in theater taught me this lesson because when you perform onstage, live, it's important to make plans, be prepared, and show up. However, in theater, you have to be willing to stay open and see how it plays out. Much like life, I can do everything possible to prepare for things. But, I have to remain open to spontaneity as well. The theater was an excellent lesson in remaining adaptable, flexible, and living in the moment.  

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Yes, aging is inevitable. But that doesn't mean I have to get old.

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I'd like to conclude this post by saying how grateful I am for my life and the variety of paths I've traveled. I'm also grateful for all the opportunities I've had to grow and learn from. And lastly, I am immensely grateful for my parents, who brought me into this world and gave me life! 

My mother and me in 1955. I was only two months old...

Have a great rest of your week, y'all!💕

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