I canceled my Cableone internet service in October. Everything went well, I even had a five dollar credit. They sent me a check, I cashed it and thought everything was finished. For the last two months they have sent me emails saying that direct pay has failed to go through. OF COURSE IT FAILED I DON’T HAVE AN ACCOUNT WITH YOU! Anyway, after calling in and getting them to remove direct pay, delete my bank account and email details they wouldn’t delete all of my account information. Since they require the last four letters of your social security number I wanted it removed as well. I am trying to come up with a way to remember a “random” four letter code for each business so I never have to actually give my SSN again. Ok, since I am not opening any more accounts in the states I shouldn’t have to worry about it but I have so I thought I would write some ideas down. One idea would be to start every code with the same number, say 0. I have never seen a SSN with 0 in it, and if they store it as an integer it will only be a 3 digit code. Then take either the name of the company, in this case Cable one, and convert it like a text message, but change the digit based on the position in the code. Or, just keep it simple and convert the name of the company like you would dial it as a phone number. 2225. Simple, easy to figure out when they ask, and they don’t know your SSN. Banks are the only business that I know of that actually needs your SSN to comply with the law. Other than that protect your information.

Last week I started a one month contact working for ACMA, The Australian Communications and Media Authority.¬† I am doing compliance auditing and things are going well.¬† It is a bit odd to be working in a different country for the government but the view from the office is great.¬† There aren’t many buildings in Melbourne taller than 40 stories and I work on the 43rd.¬† The area around Melbourne is very flat so I can see miles in every direction.¬† Well, most of the time I can.¬† There has been something in the air (I think a bush fire so smoke) northwest of the city so the sunsets have been amazing the last few days.¬† I keep getting the spots in my vision from looking at the sun though so I need to stop or wear sunglasses.

I know I haven’t been updating my blog that often.¬† It has been because I haven’t really been doing all that many different things.¬† I mean, blog post #29 of “I sat around the hostel again today” would get old.¬† Anyway, I will try to do more things so I can write more posts…

Last night I went out with some friends to a comedy show.¬† It has been a while since I have been to a comedy club and this was a better one.¬† The show didn’t start till after midnight and was being recorded to air on TV.¬† It will showup as something related to the Melbourne international comedy show.¬† I am not sure what station or even where it will be aired, possibly only in Australia.¬† If you want to see people crawling under tables to get away from being the brunt of a joke (it only made it worse for him) then I would recommend watching when it comes on.

I am looking for some honest feedback on some medication. I have done extensive research and think this will help with problems I have been having but wanted to know if anyone else has used Panexa and what their experiences were. Please let me know. http://www.panexa.com/

This last weekend I went on the Great Ocean Road with a group from the hostel here. There were several firsts for me, the first time I rented a car, the first time I drove on the left side of the road, my first roundabout, and I finally saw a koala. All in all it was a good weekend.¬† I saw some great sea cliffs, some nice beaches, some waterfalls and forests.¬† We had some great dinners because we finally had an oven, amazing how much you miss it if you don’t have one.

I am back in Melbourne now and looking for work.¬† I don’t see it as being too hard but I need to update my CV to match the style over here.¬† There are a bunch of people that are leaving the hostel this week that have been here for months so there will be a different group I will meet in the near future.