Offshore call centers

Today I called Amazon.com's call center about a payment that did not go through. I was trying to buy some personal medical equipment with my FSA card.

The service rep was well-mannered, spoke great English with a hint of an Indian accent, and seemed to know his way through things. That is, until he told me that my FSA debit card payment was being rejected by the bank and I should call the bank.

This was confusing for me, because I did not get my FSA card through a bank, but rather through my benefits provider. I asked him if he knew what an FSA card was, and all he could say generically is that "sir, I am sorry we do not have that information". When I asked why the payment could be rejected, he first said, "there must be insufficient funds in your account" - so I logged on and confirmed that I did have the funds to cover it. Then he said, "they must suspect some kind of fraud" - seriously? On Amazon.com?

After a follow up call to my FSA provider, it turns out it is because Amazon's store code is not a medical supplies provider store code, and the FSA card can only be used with FSA approved vendors.

Two things for Amazon - one, get on the program with FSA cards. You could get a lot of business that way. Number two, when you get on board with FSA, make sure your offshore service agents are as well.

The Outside Track

One thing that makes me most uncomfortable about corporate life is that someone else believes they know what's best for you and determines your future. Yes, it's your boss, and your boss' boss, and so on. Not that I have a bad boss - but sometimes I wonder if my career is being limited by the lens they see me through or their own agenda.

Which is why being my own boss appeals so much to me. To advance on the merit of my own abilities, and not through the restrictions of an organization that seeks to exploit while reassuring with words like "career path" and "being ready for the next level".

Still, being your own boss isn't easy. Which is why most of us work for someone else. It's often easier thought than done.

July 28 2009 - Swam a few laps after many years

Today I went to the pool of the Westin Convention Center here in Pittsburgh, and swam a few laps in their not-so-official-size pool. Still, it was more than a workout for me. I found myself trying to catch my breath at the end of every lap, beginning with lap #5. It has been a while and I hope I can get back to my former physical condition.

I also realized today how much junk I eat. Travelling always does a number on me, as I tend to eat foods that are convenient, but not necessarily healthy. In terms of junk, today I downed 2 cans of softdrink, 1 bottle of softdrink, 2 Kit Kats, a Spumoni ice cream, and a lemon pound cake. Ok, the lemon pound cake was breakfast. Scratch that. Coupled with a heavy lunch and heavy dinner, however, I probably ate more calories than I actually needed.

Why do I do this to myself? Intellectually, I know it is because during grad school I turned to junk food for comfort and stress relief. It has become an addiction of mine, just as some people are addicted to alcohol and nicotine (to which thankfully I am not). During the heat of the moment, on a stressful work day, however, the endorphins to be had from consuming a bar of chocolate is simply too tempting to resist.

How does one get away from finding comfort in food?

PS - I did about 7,800 steps today, according to my pedometer.

... will make your skin orange!

Honestly, I didn't know why I started this blog. It seemed like a good idea to put my ideas out there on the web, for anyone to see. Perhaps I thought it would help my family stay connected with the ins and outs of my life. But then there's Facebook for that. Perhaps I thought there would an outlet for the various random thoughts that go through my head. But that would make my blog incoherent.

Now I have a purpose. Perhaps, if I blog about my health choices each day, I will be more conscious of my decisions and my overall health will gradually improve. Let's see!