i basically feel as though i am on hold on the phone, yet i am online, trying to be patient with a verizon high speed "chat representative" as i set up DSL service for my father. his 7-year old CPU finally went kaput this week and i am delighted that it will serve as an impetus to free him from the dilatory "speed" of dial-up. ironically, the rate at which this person (is it really a person? or a bot?) is responding to my problem is similar in molasses-like pace.

today was nuts. todd and zane share the same birthday, so today was the big joint birthday extravaganza, complete with sport-themed decorations, two ice cream birthday cakes, a million presents, and a seemingly equal amount of guests over, almost of all of whom were todd's family. zane doesn't really have friends here yet, which i am desperate to have change for his own well-being. he's not shy, per se, but seems to keep to himself and is a bit socially awkward when it comes to children his own age. i wonder if this comes from living with grandparents or being an only child, probably a combination of the two amongst other things.

augh. my verizon online chat just concluded. here it is in its entirety:

We are routing you to a chat representative. Thank you for contacting our Verizon High Speed Internet department. Your average wait time is 19 seconds.
You are now chatting with Adam.
Adam: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. How can I help you experience the cutting-edge technology of our High Speed Internet?
you: i have entered the address for service, including the state (VA) but am receiving the message: " Please enter a valid state for installation address. The installation address state must match the state to which the telephone number belongs."
Adam: Do you already have Verizon local service?
you: no
you: is this service still available to me? i went through it at the beginning specifying that i do not have verizon phone service.
Adam: You will need to enter the exact information that is mentioned on your phone bill.
you: i have done so, but am still receiving the same error about the state.
Adam: I'm sorry you're having difficulty. Occasionally, we experience intermittent outages. Please try ordering on line again in a few hours.
Adam: I'm sorry, but I am unable to assist you with this issue. To speak with a representative who can help you, please call (866) 993-9998.