Insurance...Can't live without it...legally.

I recently got our Homeowners Insurance renewal notice. To say I was a little taken back would be an understatement. A 17% increase is a little steep…I sent Allstate an email stating so. Here is the response I got back. Naturally I was disgruntled at the opening considering the responder didn’t even take the time to find out my gender. I’m pretty certain we all know why rates go up…they had to pay out somewhere. As I recall we had some pretty severe tornadoes and flooding this year in several areas. You can bet if an insurance company has to pay claims that may dip into the executive bonus funds…someone is going to pay, pretty simple. Whoever wrote this could easily be a political speech writer. A whole lot of words and really nothing said of any value.


Dear Ms. Page:

Thank you for your request via Allstate.com. Your concerns are important to us and we appreciate the opportunity to address them.

Please allow me to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced.

I understand that you are frustrated that the premium charged is not what you expected. Periodically, it is necessary for all insurance companies to review their rate structure in order to determine whether the amount of premium collected is sufficient to cover operating expenses and future losses, including one that you might file. In order to continue providing the insurance protection required by our policyholders, it is necessary, from time to time, to re-evaluate our rates and discounts. We regret that we have to increase premiums, but please be assured that every effort is being made to manage expenses while providing the service our policyholders expect and deserve.

After investigation of your inquiry, the increase of your policy’s premium can be attributed to several factors. Other potential factors include, but are not limited to, rate increases, policy changes you initiated, or changes in discounts for which you are eligible. In your case the increase in premium was due to your Dwelling coverage limit was changed from $292,000 to $294,000 as part of the Property Insurance Adjustment (PIA) and a regional rate increase. The increase was offset by the increase in some discounts such as Home and Auto and Claim Free discounts.

The Property Insurance Adjustment (PIA) is a clause that is a built-in feature of your homeowner's policy and cannot be removed. At each renewal, your insurance coverage is evaluated. The purpose of this adjustment is to keep up with the pace of cost inflation on the products and services that would come in to play if the property were significantly damaged. If necessary, this coverage is increased to agree with the current value of your home.

Since your last renewal, we changed rates in Virginia due to the following reasons: On 1/24/2011, rates have been updated to more accurately reflect the amount of catastrophic risk each policy presents. On 9/26/2011, because of increases in average losses and changes in average expenses due to weather-related claims. Rates have been updated to more accurately reflect the amount of catastrophic risk each policy presents. Additionally, rates have been updated to more accurately reflect the amount of risk each policy presents. Rating plans affected include Home and Auto Discount, Claim Free Discount, Amount of Insurance, Rating Group, and Territory. The Home And Auto Discount was changed from 35.00% to 40.00%. The Claim Free Discount was changed from 15.00% to 20.00%.

I’m going to close your file for now but please reply to this e-mail at your earliest convenience if you have any questions. I can be reached between the hours of 9:15 am and 5:15 pm Eastern Standard Time.

In an effort to continue to improve our processes you may receive a survey call asking how well I handled your concern. We value your responses so we can provide the best customer service. Thank you for doing business with Allstate.

It was signed by a Customer Resolutions staff member, just a first name…if she assumed we were friends she was sadly mistaken…I assume it was a she, either that or his parents were influenced by Johnny Cash’s…A Boy Named Sue.

My Journey in Ink

My Father had tattoos, and based on his advice and very descriptive language when relating the experience and pain associated with them, not to mention the fear of not following his advice, I shied away from the temptation. As I grew older and started meeting others with graphic expressions in ink and their descriptive language relating the experience and pain associated with them, I shied away from the temptation even more. As did my father, as would my son I would eventually find myself in the Marine Corps. Not only would the exposure to tattoos increase, so would my association with historic gentleman whose influence would cause otherwise strong willed Marines to submit their bodies to the experience and the pain. Not only would these historic gentlemen be the influence to get a tattoo they would be the subject, gentlemen like Jim Beam, Jack Daniels, Jose Cuervo and in some cases a guy from Russia named Smirnov. I too enjoyed their company on numerous occasions but I just never got so deep under the influence they could nourish that I would head off to one of the ever present “parlors” that seemed to find their way to the streets around a military installation even more so than pizza parlors.


Tattoo Parlors themselves too were a deterrent. If you are a “baby boomer” then you may have an association with the ones I accompanied many a Marine to. Under Jim’s, Jack’s or Jose’s influence of course. If you associate words like sanitary, clean, neat, organized, smoke free, and heaven forbid sterile to these establishments we are not from the same planet. We didn’t go to the parlors in groups for moral support as much as to protect each other from those that hung out in a parlors general area. Thank goodness times change and so did the attitude, health concerns and professionalism of an ancient art and eventually my fears subsided, I no longer needed to avoid temptation, fear the pain or worry about being so much under the influence that I would find myself a canvas. I chose that being tattooed was not my preference. Under the combination of Fatherly advice, fear and personal choice I would be a tattoo virgin more than six decades. It would never even be an afterthought except for a brief moment when the Marlboro Man flashed the Eagle, Globe and Anchor on the back of his hand at a time when tobacco ads were actually on TV. It was only a brief moment. Years later Miami Ink would lead to LA Ink and that would lead to the introduction to Corey Miller and I would again consider the fantasy of being tattooed. My only problem was Corey was on the west coast and I was on the east coast. Funny how things work out, for seven years I was within fifteen minutes of Six Feet Under, Corey’s Studio, before moving to the east. Who knew? Then one day I found a drawing of an Eagle, Globe and Anchor that I would be proud to display…for life. Not only are tattoos expensive so is airfare to California. I needed to locate an east coast Corey Miller; little did I know I would do better.

Eventually I would start asking friends about studios and artists. One studio and one artist kept coming up. Strange as it may be the studio and the artist recommended by those that were tattooed did not have them done at this studio or by this particular artist. It would lead to a visit to the studio and research of the artist. It was no surprise that the recommendations would take me on a journey into the world of ink and art.

I am no longer a virgin and although only half way through my first creation of self expression that will make permanent statements of my pride and associations that influenced my life I have developed a respect for the craft and those that commit to its history of artistic creation and graphic communication. They say a journey begins but with a single step.

In my instance that step was into the boundaries of Trinity Tattoo Co. here in Virginia Beach, VA and becoming the canvas for the exceptional talent of artist Dave Lukeson. I will ever be indebted to those that made the recommendations and for the encouragement from the woman that has been my lifelong companion and been on many occasions the courage to begin a journey. Now that it has begun I have my own experience to relate to and relay to others.

It would be farfetched for me to associate the application with pain. Was I aware of being invaded by a foreign object; naturally. Was that awareness accentuated when closer to the bone; take it to the bank. But associating the application with pain under the skilled hand of Mr. Lukeson would be dishonest. Is the art everything that I anticipated; beyond. I’ve had compliments and the work is only half complete. I can’t wait till this one is finished so he can get started on the others. It will more than likely be sometime between sessions, getting into see Dave is probably harder than getting a meeting with a President…to say he is in demand would be an understatement. But if you happen to visit the studio, view his work, meet his staff, talk with previous clients and visit with those that drop by while your work is being done it is all understandable. He is the showcase of Trinity Tattoo. That is not to suggest that the artists chosen to share in the success of Trinity aren’t talented…just reviewing their work displayed at the studio or on the web site will put any doubt to rest.

Trinity Tattoo Co. also puts to rest the “parlor” label, being referenced as a studio is even somewhat of an underestimation but relative when you consider the building is full of artistic talent and professionals beginning with the front counter personnel. Personally I’m going with Trinity Tattoo Salon and Spa. But hey that’s just me. I have always enjoyed the comfort, courtesy, relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere associated with salons and spas…the same enjoyments I experienced at Trinity Tattoo Co. So to be redundant if you are contemplating having a tattoo to express a life experience or just display a fantasy or belief, whatever…do yourself a favor and go to Trinity…and if you wish to experience the talent of Dave Lukeson…the line forms behind me.

TURKEY...SHOOT!!!

The mist hung heavy in the tall grasses, the air was cool, moist and clung to his clothing like the tears on the cheeks of a grieving mother. This would be his sixth year of the hunt and with the confidence of a quarterback on Super Bowl Sunday with under a minute to play and a 28 point lead he knew this was the day.

The bird had been spotted just hours before in the same location as previous years and this time there was no doubt that Thanksgiving dinner was going to include one very large, very tender and having some experience with said bird, very cunning turkey. His mouth was watering just from the thought of his first bite, now only hours away. There was movement in the brush.

As he looked down the barrel and rotated the M60 on its tripod he had a clear view of the grass field and there he was. Fortunately it was early because after cleaning the hunter soon to be chef thought it was going to be like 5-6 hours cooking time. The bird was huge and in seconds would be riding home in the back of his 4X4. Then he thought…no I’ll strap him to the hood for all to see.

He let out with a quick three round burst, feathers flew, one more burst to make sure, more feathers; the field was silent. The hunter could only hear his own shallow breathing and the whisper of the breeze across the feathers as they were slowly drifting back to earth. He rose from his perch, and slowly and methodically folded the tripod, brought his weapon to safe and harnessed it to his back.

There was an air of pride, a little spring to his step, only slightly noticeable rise in his chest as he cantered over to the area where most certainly lay the year’s most cherished of meals, this was not just dinner, this was Thanksgiving Dinner.

The bed of feathers got heavier as he got closer, he could taste victory as well as a thick slice of juicy, tender breast. He stopped, looked down at the carcass that lay before him and realized he had found an extremely expensive, custom made decoy he had purchased last year. Having been unable to locate it last year after the hunt and having little time before the markets closed he had abandon his search. He carefully lifted what was left of his terrific idea…it worked for ducks. He released his grip of the remains, totally un-recognizable; it appeared it took all six rounds including the one tracer round.

As he slowly made his way back to his truck, now destined for the market, he could hear in the distance what could only be described as the most guttural and sarcastic “Gobble, gobble” he had ever heard and then he thought, knowing full well it couldn’t be, he heard a deep belly chuckle. No way, way!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Double Standards...could be.

I recently received this via e-mail. I did not like some of the insinuations and language so I did some editing. But based on what I could find via internet research there seems to be a high degree of truth to the statements and accusations of non-response by those named. If I have offended, sorry.


This does not just apply to Iowa, but the whole area that borders the mighty Mississippi River.
If all of this is truth…and it appears to be…it is truly sad.

After Katrina, the media blamed the lack of response on the Bush administration's dislike of black people.

Can we then conclude from the lack of media coverage and response by the Obama administration that it doesn’t like the people affected by this disaster?
Where are the Hollywood celebrities holding telethons asking for help in restoring Iowa and North Dakota and helping the folks affected by the floods?
Where is good old Michael Moore?
Why is the media NOT asking the tough questions about why the federal government hasn't solved this problem? ......Asking where the FEMA trucks and trailers and food services are?
Why isn't the Federal government moving Iowa people into free hotels in Chicago and Minneapolis?
When will Spike Lee say that the Federal government blew up the levees that failed in Des Moines?
Where are Sean Penn, Bono, and the Dixie Chicks?
Where are all the looters stealing high-end tennis shoes, cases of beer and television sets?
When will we hear Governor Chet Culver say that he wants to rebuild a 'vanilla' Iowa ... because that's what God wants?
Where is the hysterical 24/7 media coverage complete with reports of shootings at rescuers, of rapes and murder?
Where are all the people screaming that Barack Obama hates white, rural people?
Where are Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, Oprah, and Ray Coniff Jr?
How come you will never hear about the Iowa flooding ever again?
Where are the government bail-out vouchers?
The government debit cards?
More people died in these floods than from Katrina...how come the media doesn't report that? There must be a big difference between the value of the people along the Mississippi and in Iowa than the value of the people of Louisiana.

Liberal control of the media means a liberal control of the country. But that is just me. It has been sometime since I have been this frustrated with our government. At the same time this is what makes the country great…that would be the strength of the backbone of its people that stands and fights, rolls up their sleeves, rebuilds, and takes the actions necessary to move forward…without whining and looking for handouts. Don’t for one minute think that different cultures, religions, ethnic heritage and political beliefs don’t exist along the banks of the Mississippi and in Iowa. That is what America is, everywhere. But they don’t call this the Heartland because they are whiners. Whiners did not make this country great…they will and have only weakened it.

What promted this...I haven't heard a thing on the networks about the devastation in these areas for sometime. A little while ago there was a story about the approaching Katrina Anniversary. Give me a break.

Testimonial to: Virginia Hearing Consultants

Virginia Hearing Consultants,
Dr. Theresa Bartlett, et al.

Before I begin my humble attempt of proclaiming excellent, professional, courteous, and a sincere concern for my hearing health regarding the service at VHC; I just wanted to make a few comments. Well more like disagreements to Dr. Bartlett’s, somewhat selfish statement…”If I have to hear it so should you.” Okay maybe not exactly those words but close enough.

First and foremost let me say that my lovely bride of some 40 plus years is in total agreement with Dr. Bartlett. So if in fact this were an argument I have already lost. So I am not arguing but just stating an opinion that may in fact not be consistent with my wife’s or the doctors. My wife asked, “What’s new?”

I do appreciate the fact that my neighbors no longer ask me to turn the TV down…that’s cool.

I’m not sure about the very loud and annoying click, click, click, click when I use the turn signals in my car. Now I understand why so many people change lanes without signaling. The audible warning that I have not yet hooked my seat belt…wasted engineering, the flashing light was annoying enough.

Oh yea, and the battery life. I hadn’t even had the first set of batteries in for three days when the “warning sound” went off. So I changed batteries. I was able to retrieve them later when I was informed that was the “refrigerator door open alarm” I was hearing. Somewhat confused…I had never heard it but I always knew the door was open, heck the light was on.

Oh for future reference, if you have a patient that plays the drums. WARNING: Remove hearing aids prior to playing or practice. And what is this with this constant clicking of the keys on my keyboard, totally unnecessary.

Have you heard this, well you may have, wind chill; you know that thing that makes it colder than what it actually is when the wind blows cold air. I’ve felt it before, but the other day on the golf course I got to hear it, not necessary. Speaking of golf, there is a sound when my Putter makes contact with the little white dimpled thing. How unique. I knew there was when I hit with the Driver but I thought the “P” was silent. That’s a (fě-ne-tik) reference.

Another thing, why is it necessary for paper to crinkle so loudly? Apparently I am supposed to hear water boil. I thought that is what the steam was for. And whose idea was it to put squeakers in my dogs toys, and why?

Two other things, I don’t need to hear the home phone…that is what voicemail is for; and the door bell. I don’t share in their religious beliefs and I don’t want to buy what they are selling. I had no idea we got that many visitors and phone calls during the day. In my little “Man Cave” over the garage that was two things I had never heard. The door bell scared the heck out of me. Thought someone was breaking in.

I could go on; the list at this point is pretty extensive and growing daily. So let me just say at VHC you are going to get excellent, professional, courteous, service and a staff that has a sincere concern for your hearing health. Oh yea…this opinion won’t change even after I get the bill. Something I’m sure if sound was applied to it would be as loud as the crashing waters of Niagara Falls. The sound that is replicated when a toilet flushes, also unnecessary.

P.S. Just for the record…I don’t know what you did for my wife but she has finally stopped mumbling.