Terms and Conditions

"I believe that you should gravitate to people who are doing productive and positive things with their lives."
-Nadia Comaneci
Romanian Gymnast
and Winner of 3 Olympic Gold Medals, Summer 1976

Twenty-five years ago today:

December 9, 1986
Tuesday

It's 'Back to School'…or 'Back to Work' (same thing).

Our 'Delinquent' Pac Bell Directory Accounts were selected and distributed between all of us (myself, Rhoda, Paul, Lily). I received nine accounts. My primary focus is on San Mateo and San Mateo North County Yellow Page books right now. The close for new Advertising for those books is January 15, 1987. During my break I wrote some work-related notes for myself:

I find that evaluating a delinquent account can take me anywhere from five to fifteen minutes; whereby, it is very difficult to adhere to this daily schedule. It is especially difficult when I am in the middle of a complex account that advertises in many directories. I have to check each half hour as to whether I am open for incoming calls (or closed to research and make outgoing calls).


Yesterday, I noticed Lily and Paul were the only two required to be open for incoming calls, yet they were both making outgoing calls! I have decided to simply remain open for incoming calls 'whenever' I am at my desk, so I don't have to worry about whether I should be open or not. I sometimes wonder if maybe we should all be open for incoming calls since our unit is so small at this time.


One customer owes $2000 and complained to me.
The customer said, "I lost business this year because a competitor put in a bigger ad with false advertising!"
I explained, "We are not at liberty to discuss what type of ad your competitors are placing."
He asked, "Well…could I get an adjustment to compensate?"
"That's not likely."
"I see."
"I must refer you to the Advertising Order Contract Terms and Conditions page."
I believe he is going to pay now.


I find many customers give reasons and excuses for why they cannot pay. We can easily respond by referring to our Advertising Contract 'Terms and Conditions'.  I have written up an 'easy to read' terms and conditions form. I hope this will help. I've made copies to give to my cohorts.

I made it to my Patelco Credit Union and managed to withdraw twenty-dollars. I have decided to start doing all of my banking with them for the time being. I plan to close my Great Western Account for good.

Carla Guzman may go to Los Angeles. She has a "beau" there.
Carla confided with me, "Michael, he makes me think about settling down…you know…marriage."

I made it to the gym. I saw Kurt (Steve Green's buddy).
I asked, "Hey, how is Steve doing?"
"Oh, he's been studying like crazy."

Mark Landreth pulled a 'no show' at the gym tonight. Kathy Ortega appeared.
I telephoned Mark later.
"Yo Mark, you missed out. Kathy was at the gym tonight!"
"Oh…Whoa!"
"Well, I have to tell you…I went out with that blond girl, Eileen. She's onlynineteen."
"A baby…"
"Yeah," I said, thinking that Mark was cool.
I heard Mark eating.
"What are you eating?"
"Ah...just a TV dinner."
I was hungry.  I had hoped we could 'eat out' together.

I called Mike Miller to see about going to Lung Kong for Chinese Food to fulfill my craving.
Mike said, "Oh…well, I already ate at Pacific Fresh."

I tried calling my sister-in-law, Sherri, to see if she had eaten dinner yet. I forgot that my brother, John, had the night off from his bartending duties. They were watching 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer' while Ashley was slowly falling asleep.

I wrote out about twelve Christmas Cards to get my mind away from my hunger pangs. There was some 'Circus of the Stars' show on television that I tried to watch with the corner of my eye. By 10:20PM I was in bed.

This Friday night Eileen and I will be going to get-together again. I am looking forward to it.

For some reason an old flame crossed my mind: CHAD. I think it's because Mike Miller had mentioned him.
Mike said, "I was just wondering about him because I haven't seen him at Chabot lately."
I thought to myself, "I ought to discuss 'in detail' my relationship with Chad to Mike."
I think I will.   How would he react?

And another old flame crossed my mind: AMY PLATT.I wonder what the latest happenings are with her. And what is going on with STEPH REDDING? She doesn't even know I work for Pac Bell Yellow Pages now. I informed her on her Christmas Card.

I worked out well tonight.  I will be harder on myself this coming Wednesday (I trust).
I blurted in a sportsmanship way to Mark, "See you on Wednesday!"

I can't believe this True Crime story I heard about. Some guy went out and bought eight rolls of toilet paper. Two days later all of the rolls of toilet paper were gone. The guy accused his brother, took out a gun and killed his brother based on the missing toilet paper! That's ridiculous when one realizes what other people get so stressed out about.

"My Aunt in Knoxville would bring newspapers up, which we used for toilet paper. Before we used it we'd look at the pictures."
-Dolly Parton