MBNA Sucks ?

Yes, apparently they do. I've had a running battle with them for some time now. Granted, I got myself into the hole I was in. I feel good about it for the most part. I put at least 6 young women through college, and gave a good head start to 6 or 8 more. At least that's why they said they were working at that strip bar. So, at least i got to see all of them naked, up close, and personal. Never got laid, but that's another fault of mine.
So, basically I've been working at lowering my outstanding credit card debt for the last, uh, 8 years? Whew! And I'm making progress. However, I had a bit of trouble when shifting jobs and residency. I had a check in my pocket worth a little more than $11,000.00 and couldn't find a bank that would let me open a checking account so i could pay some bills. Seems there was something on my Credit Report that didn't look good to them. Not that any of them would tell me what it was. I got a copy of my credit report. Everything looked A-OK to my un-educated eye. So the bills went late. And the interest rates started climbing. MBNA took a hard-ass line. And closed my account to any other transactions other than paying down the balance. Fine, I deserved that. A couple of years pass. New laws also pass, judging from the activity of my interest rates on the MBNA card. And NO OTHER card that I have. Just MBNA.
Next thing I know, my interest rate is up to %26.24. And they are not interested at all in negotiating that down. Seems most of my payments have been "late" by a day or two. Easy thing to do when payments are supposed to be in their office on a Sunday. Oh, it's all fine and legal, if you read the fine print. Oddly enough, the day after I got off the phone bickering about the 26.24 interest, I got two items in the mail: Another statement from MBNA with interest now at %26.57 and a statement from my 401K account...which I could take a substantial loan against. Which I did..and mailed that puppy off to the motherf*ckers at MBNA.
Now, the interesting thing. When I had an account balance, and tried to call in to customer "support" or whatever they call it, I got right through in fairly short order. Now, I have a credit balance (they owe me a slight refund) and I call to verify that the account is closed and I'll never hear from MBNA again...I have to wade through a bunch of crappy menus, get put on hold, and then suddenly "We're sorry, due to the volume of traffic on our phone lines, we will not be able to handle your call at this time. Please call back later. *click*" and dial tone. Damn convenient, eh?
Out of curiousity, I do a "google" on "mbna sucks".....and apparently they do, 'cause there's lots of complaining out there.

Your Papal Name is Pope Anastasius V

You think Pope Benedict IX was a Saint who should have indulged himself a bit more. You're already halfway though "How to Excommunicate for Fun and Profit" and, if you were made Pope, you would have the treasures of the Vatican on E-Bay before the end of week one.

Get your own name at What's My Papal Name?

Brain Fart Dust

Well, yesterday afternoon there was much bouncing about in my brain that I thought was important enough to stick up here. Now, just as I log on, my brain goes blank. Spring Fever? No, I don't think so. One of my friends complains about the way Spring is affecting his attitude toward the day. Me, I feel fine. Except for my newly working sinuses. I quit smoking some time ago. All the way back in February of this year. Some of the side effects have been rather unpleasant. The working sinuses, for one. Nothing like waking up in the middle of the night, unable to breathe through the nose. For several nights in a row. And I thought quitting smoking would help me snore less.

Spring is here however. One of the most beautiful times of the year here in N.C. Everything is blooming, the pollen is drifting across the roads. And the temperature encourages fewer square inches of clothing. Mmmmm MMmmmm Good!

The season hasn't quite made up its mind, yet. This past weekend was the Spring workout for our football team. Between the cold front, and the wind, it seemed more of a "football day" than did any of the games last fall. Seriously, a tee shirt, a sweat shirt, and an insulated jacket were my choice of attire for the day. And here it is only 3 days later, and it's in the mid-eighties outside.