August 31, 2022, will mark the one year anniversary of my little brother's transition from the Church Militant to the Church Triumphant. I should probably state that I have another little brother through my father, but the one who passed away is the one with whom I shared a womb and upbringing. And in that upbringing, we cultivated our roles of big sister and little brother.
I've created this memorial reel. It will get better over the years: I hope to clean up the pictures and not have so many dupes, maybe make the transitions between songs a bit better. But words can't express what it's like to lose a younger sibling, so I'm just sharing some pics of him with some music that is significant to me when I think of him. I've done my best with the attributions, but if tech doesn't like them, you can see the names of the songs. They are
Lion's version of "If I would have known;
"If I Would Have Known" by Kyle Hume; and the one and only
"I Shall Wear A Crown" by Yolanda Deberry, and First Church "The City."
I should end this post on a positive note, and I believe he's doing better in Eternity than his last few months on Earth in Chronos Time. I still can't process the fact that I was at his funeral and not the other way around.
Oh, well. In one of these years, I'll make a happier reel celebrating him. This is where I am right now.
Today I was privileged to attend the Richard Greenberg play “Take
Me Out.” Other than the Radio City
Christmas Show (which isn’t Broadway proper), I don’t usually do Broadway
unless the ticket is comped, I’m treated, or it’s something I’ve really wanted to
see. In 40 years living in NYC, I may have paid to see Avenue Q; Starlight Express; Fela; maybe the 2nd time
I saw Lion King, and that’s about it. My tastes and pocketbook generally tend
towards Off or Off-Off-Broadway rather than Broadway proper.
ANYway, I was privileged to attend "Take Me Out." The primary reason I went was the leaked nude photos of Jesse Williams, but it was a
delightful experience and I’m so glad I went. Phones had to be turned off and
put into locked pouches, so I wrote my observations. Here they are, in the order in which they
popped into my head:
My seat was on the 6th row, and it
was a small theatre.The people in the
first row could reach out and touch the stage; my 6th row seat felt
like it was about a car length away from the stage.
From before they let us in, through lights down,
I was locking eyes and smiling with every black female I saw.Also noted the number of older white people (normal
theater crowd; I wonder if the leaks impacted their attendance at all) and the
number of single males of all demographics in attendance.
They made a big deal out of it, but I was not impressed
with the security measures to keep you from taking pictures.They did partner with this group called Yondr
to lock up your phones, and they said there was a camera facing the audience to
detect people trying to take pictures, but anybody who’s reasonably technical
and who doesn’t mind sexually violating the cast members (no pun intended)
could do it.PLUS, even though they said
they would not accept phone tix, that you HAD to print them, folks showed up
with tix on their phones, so they scanned them and then made them turn the phones
off and lock them up.They also said no
large bags, but one woman had just come to the theater directly from the
airport and she had a carryon rolling bag.They went through it, but they let her in.Again, I think it’s sexual exploitation to
film naked people without their consent, EVEN IF they’re naked on a Broadway
stage, but if someone were intent on doing it, it didn’t seem to me that it
would have been that hard.
SMH.The
theatre is down the block from Virgil’s and the parking garage is across the
street from a BonChon.I was supposed to
have gone to Orchard Street to check this black-owned vegan ice cream joint,
but that’s gonna have to wait another day.Thought I’d check out Virgil’s because Dinosaur has kinda turned me off
with their high prices and small portions (plus Stephen doesn’t work there any more);
Virgil’s was just as bad.Stuff is high.
While in the theater, I thought it was kind of
nice not having the phone.I had to
force myself to write which is slower than texting, but preferable to making a
FB post for every random thought I have.
Speaking of random thoughts:if you weigh over 300 or so, and you have a
seat that’s NOT on the aisle, maybe try coming to the venue early so a whole
row of people doesn’t have to move.OTOH, even though I wasn’t on the row with the large late people, because
I know I like to book aisle seats, I should maybe wait til I see a lot of folk
seated before I sit down.The cool thing
about going to events solo is when I do it at the last minute and find two
seats on the aisle, if I take the aisle seat, there’s often a good chance the
other one will remain empty! I thought that until 2:08 today…
Before I went to the theater, I made a post where
I worried that maybe Jesse Williams would have been distressed by all the publicity
and there would have been an understudy for today’s show.Y’all, my stomach literally flipped when I
sat down, opened my Playbill, and there was an insert saying the role of DAVEY
BATTLE would be played by Ryan Broussard.I had to actually read through the Playbill til I found the credits and
saw that Jesse Williams was playing a character by the name of Darren Lemming
(Broussard was also the understudy for Darren Lemming).The takeaway for me is that I have to stop
with those negative projections.At this
point, it was about 1:56, 1:57, and all seats in my row were filled except the
one beside me and at the other end of the row where there was also a single
woman on the end and an empty seat beside her.
Writing before the play started, I noted that I
probably was not close enough to get hit with the water from the shower scenes,
but wold probably be able to smell the soap (and sure enough, when the players
were putting on lotion and/or liniment, I could smell it!Or at least, I thought I could…)At this point it was exactly 2:00, and though
I had not seen the lights blink yet, thought I would put my writing away.
At 2:03, the seat beside me was taken.Another black female.Very pleasant, though we both had a purpose
and it wasn’t chatting up strangers.
Intermission was at exactly 3 pm.I don’t know if it was the excitement, the
sprinklings of full-frontal nudity here and there, or the locked electronics, but
I found myself much more engaged in this show than in most Broadway plays.
The second act began with a half dozen nude men
on stage in a shower scene.They were
white, Latinx, Asian, and ... no disrespect to his white side, but I’m
comfortable calling Jesse Williams a black man.I heard a clip where Charlemagne tha god stated that Jesse’s appendage
had to be a prosthesis.I ain’t no
expert, but I inspected as much as I could, since I saw a lot more than I had
expected to see – just about ALL these fellas were blessed, so I found myself
looking to see if prostheses were used.It’s technically possible, I guess, but they all looked natural to
me.By the time of this scene, though,
you were actually as interested in the character development as in their
anatomy.
This was probably more fun than going to the gym
or being at the pool.Jesse Williams’
body is as impressive as his eyes, but his acting talent overshadows it
all.There are scenes in which the only
thing you see is a tear or ten rolling down his face.And I have never watched “Modern Family,” but
if I can see more of Jesse Tyler Ferguson, then I will do that.He was A-MAY-ZING!!!
Finally, if you like baseball, sports, NYC culture,
NYC Sports culture, all in an LGBTQI-celebrating environment, then you’ll enjoy
this play.And if you enjoy
well-developed human bodies (all male in this case), you will also enjoy this
play.I came home and immediately
started searching 2nd Stage.Had
I been able to find an available front row seat on a date when I’m in town, I would gladly
have purchased it.Unfortunately, the
theater is quickly selling out:there
are only a handful of Orchestra level seats left for the whole season (ends on
6.11); on one day I saw half of the mezzanine level was empty, but there are
precious few orchestra seats left, and none closer than where I sat today,
which was Row F.It was a delightful
experience, I’m glad I went, and I am not above being a groupie and going to
stand outside the rear exit doors for one showing.Probably won’t, but it’s a thought…
Haven’t said anything about the content of the
play.It’s a coming out story:Jesse Williams is this star athlete, a
biracial guy who’s never known want and whose embrace of the privilege bestowed
upon him always lives somewhere between simple facts and self-serving
vanity.But such a strong character is
necessary, since the play essentially chronicles the reactions of everyone
around him; the resulting messy drama is the play.As we get through that messy drama, though,
we do it with wit and wisdom and incredible views into the world of
professional athletes as well as members of the LGBTQ family.With or without nudity, if I had a chance to
sit in the first 5 rows, I would see it again in a heartbeat!!!
In general, I liked Google. After today's interaction, I'm not so sure. I screenshotted the conversation as it became more and more frustratingly bizarre.
I was going to make the racist comment that when I dial the 646 number I get people who understand more than when I dial the worldwide toll free number, but you don't dial in to chat support.
In their defense, though, I'm going to say that maybe the support people in this thread do not speak English as a second language, but maybe as a third or fourth language. That still would not account for their sending me all around the Googlesphere, though....
On hold with them again, as $99.00 is $99.00. I'm publishing the blog and sending them the link. Still no confidence in them, though....
Google Support
You’re connected with agent Hermi.
12:59
PM
H
Welcome to Google Support. My name is Hermi. How are you today?
Hermi · 12:59 PM
Hi, Hemi -- I'm fine. How are you?
1:00 PM
H
I am glad to know, you are doing fine, Cassandra.
I am doing good too, thanks for asking.
In case you need to refer to this chat interaction in the
future, please take note of the following ID 2-REDACTED.
Hermi · 1:01 PM
contactng you today because of this issue:
was running out of storage space on my nonprofit account. Called on 10.25 and spoke with Irvin, who assisted me on adding storage.
Unfortunately, it was added to the wrong account. We found that out today and
Arvin assistged me in adding storage to the correct account. But I had to
cancel the storage on the incorrect account (the admin account). And I am
contacting you today requesting a refund. Will provide payment and invoice
details in just a minute.
Subscription Payment Sent
October 25, 2021 at 8:30:11 AM PDTTransaction ID: THERE IS A TX ID IN ORIGN
Payment Status: COMPLETED
Gross amount
-$99.99 USD
Invoice REDACTED INV ID
1:03 PM
H
I see that you are concerned about the Storage subscription.
Hermi · 1:03 PM
um, yes. I just wrote the details in the chat message above.
Would you like for me to copy them again for you?
1:03 PM
H
May I know if you are referring to Google One subscription?
Hermi · 1:03 PM
No. Not Google one. Adding drive storage to a google for
nonprofits account. contactng you today because of this issue:
was running out of storage space on my nonprofit account. Called on 10.25 and spoke with Irvin, who assisted me on adding storage.
Unfortunately, it was added to the wrong account. We found that out today and
Arvin assistged me in adding storage to the correct account. But I had to
cancel the storage on the incorrect account (the admin account). And I am
contacting you today requesting a refund. Will provide payment and invoice
details in just a minute.
Subscription Payment Sent
October 25, 2021 at 8:30:11 AM PDTTransaction ID: REDACTED
Payment Status: COMPLETED
Gross amount
-$99.99 USD
Invoice REDACTED
1:04 PM
H
Can you please help me with the transaction ID?
Hermi · 1:05 PM
Sure. This is the third time i am sending it to you, but:
Transaction ID: (REDACTED)
'Subscription Payment Sent
October 25, 2021 at 8:30:11 AM PDT
Transaction ID: REDACTED
Payment Status: COMPLETED
Gross amount
-$99.99 USD
Invoice REDACTED
1:05 PM
H
Let me check if the drive team is available to assist you.
Hermi · 1:06 PM
The drive team sent me to you!!!
1:06 PM
H
Just to set your expectations, you have reached the chat support
of Google Pay related issues only.
Hermi · 1:07 PM
So who do I go to to get a refund of something paid through
Google Pay?
1:07 PM
H
I am positive the drive team should be able to help you.
(NOTE HERE HE SAYS "I AM POSITIVE THE DRIVE TEAM SHOULD BE ABLE TO HELP YOU.")
Hermi · 1:07 PM
So interesting that Google can have me enable Google pay to add
storage to the wrong account, but can't help me to correct the issue?
As I said, the drive team just sent me to you. It seems no one
wants to be responsible?
1:08 PM
H
I am sorry, but my scope of support is limited and we support only
Google Pay payments which includes, tap and pay payments and sending and
receiving funds.
Hermi · 1:09 PM
Understood. What would be helpful then, instead of a litany of
what you can't do, would be for you to go ahead and give me the drive team
contact info. Is that possible?
1:10 PM
H
Let me check and send you to them directly.
Please give me 3-5 minutes here.
Hermi · 1:11 PM
many thanks, Hemi.
sure. No problem.
1:11 PM
H
Thank you.
Hermi · 1:11 PM
You’re connected with agent Melody.
1:14
PM
Hermi left the chat.
1:14
PM
M
Hello Cassandra.
Please give me a minute to read the previous conversation.
Melody · 1:15 PM
Hi, Melody --
Hope this finds you well. Apologies if I seem a bit terse, but I've been
dealing with Google for over an hour now and am a bit tired.
I was going to copy it in for you, but thanks!!
1:16 PM
M
I understand. I apologize if this will take much of your time.
But please allow me to read your conversation before your were transferred to
me.
Melody · 1:17 PM
No worries! You're fine!
1:17 PM
M
Thanks for waiting.
I read that you are requesting for a refund with your non-profit
account.
Is that correct?
Melody · 1:20 PM
yes, because I added drive storage.
Google (Irvin) helped me, but the storage got added to the admin account
instead of my user account
So I am asking for that $99.00 to be credited (I bought it again for the
correct account this morning, because the guy couldn't transfer it to a new
user)
No, Ma'am. This is for c****y@***.org, my nonprofit user
account (I also have a gmail admin account in the domain)
The guy who helped me SHOWED me that we were adding it to the user account; we
think that because I have so many Google accounts, maybe Google got confused?
The same way I came here for c****y@**** and Google kicked you to c********y@gmail, we thnk Google got confused.
1:23 PM
M
Thank you for your clarification. Currently it shows that you
are contacting with the account c*********y@gmail.com which has an active Google One
subscription.
We do not have access to view other accounts aside to the one
you used to contact us.
Melody · 1:27 PM
No, Ma'am. I have been going around in circles with Google and
it's so frustrating. Not sure how you got to c*********y@gmail, as we have been using cgperry@163council
ALL MORNING. This is another exmple of Google making changes, not the user.
So how do you suggest I go about resolving this issue?
1:28 PM
M
Since the issue is with the nonprofit account, you need to our
You need to contact our Google Workspace Support that handles
non profit accounts using the account concerned.
Are you contacting us using a computers browser or phone?
Melody · 1:30 PM
SMH. I will, but I started with Google Workspace support, who
pawned me off on someone else who told me they couldn't help me but GUARANTEED
me that you could and now you say you can't and are sending me back to the
people I started with. Can you please send me the transcript of this
correspondence? I am using a browser.
1:30 PM
M
Okay, since you are an active Google One member, let me connect
you to Google One Support if they have option to connect you with the
NOn-profit accounts. Please give me few minutes to connect you with them.
Melody · 1:33 PM
appreciate your help, Melody
1:33 PM
M
Welcome. Kindly wait for a while.
Melody · 1:34 PM
You’re connected with agent Sophie.
1:35
PM
will do. FTR, I started this process telling the guy I had a
12:00 appointment. We ended at 12:30, I took 20 minutes to meet my appointment,
and have been talking to Google support ever since. And now, two hours later,
Google support is sending me back around in a circle to where I first started.
It's more than a little frustrating.
1:35 PM
Melody left the chat.
1:36
PM
S
Thank you for contacting Google Support, my name is Sophie.
In case you need to refer to this chat interaction in the
future, please take note of this case ID:REDACTED. Am I speaking with
Cassandra?
Sophie · 1:37 PM
Hi, Sophie. yes, I am Cassandra.
How are you today? I'm totally frustrated as Google has been sending me around
in circles for the last TWO HOURS.
I am seeking a refund for a purchase to a NONPROFIT Google Workspace account.
Are you the correct person to help?
1:38 PM
S
Hi Cassandra, I do apologize for the inconvenience. I understand
you want to have refunds for the Google Workspace account.
May I know if you remember setting up an account for that?
Sophie · 1:40 PM
what do you mean? We have a whole company with Google Workspace
accounts.
1:40 PM
S
Oh I see, thank you for that information.
May I ask if you have an Admin or your the Administrator of the
Domain?
Sophie · 1:41 PM
I am the admin and also use gmailadmin as the admin account. One
of the issues is that the first time I added storage, it got added to the
gmailadmin account, even though the guy who helped me VERIFIED that it was
added to my user account, c*****y@1********l.org
1:42 PM
S
Also, may I know what is the email we are going to work on for
me to check?
Sophie · 1:42 PM
c******y@1*******l.org
1:42 PM
S
Oh I see, thanks for that information.
Let me check my resources for that. Can you please give me 2-3
minutes please?
Sophie · 1:43 PM
absolutely. Thank you.
1:43 PM
S
Thank you, please stay connected.
Thanks for patiently waiting, Cassandra. May I ask if you are
the admin of the account as well?
Oh sorry about that, I understand that you are the Admin.
Sophie · 1:46 PM
😁
1:47 PM
S
Since you are the Administrator of the Google Workspace account,
I will highly suggest to contact them directly since my resources is very
limited for Google One.
OK, but TEN MINUTES
AGO, I started this conversation by saying: Hi, Sophie. yes, I am Cassandra.
How are you today? I'm totally frustrated as Google has been sending me around
in circles for the last TWO HOURS.
I am seeking a refund for a purchase to a NONPROFIT Google Workspace account.
Are you the correct person to help?
1:49 PM
S
I understand, Cassandra. I do apologize for the inconvenience.
But since as per verifying that this is a Google Workspace account, they are
the best support team to help.
I understand the time you took to resolve this concern, I do
apologize for that.
Sophie · 1:50 PM
I understand that, Sophie. I just don't understand why you
couldn't have told me that when I asked you ten minutes ago, that's all. It
makes the user feel that you are not listening or not understanding, and that
simply erodes confidence. It's not just you -- the entire team has been this
way. I appreciate your help, and I apologize in advance because I'm copying
this entire thread and making it public.
best regards,
cgp
1:51 PM
S
I do apologize for that, Cassandra. I just want to make sure for
the resolution I want to give you.
Is there anything else I can help you for today?
Sophie · 1:53 PM
ANd i appreciate your efforts, Sophie. Thank you.
I'm good for now.
cgp
bye!
1:53 PM
S
Again I do apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for
your understanding.
It was a pleasure chatting with you, Cassandra. Again, this is
Sophie. Thank you for contacting Google. Bye for now and take care!
Sophie left the chat.
1:56
PM
Thank you for contacting Google One chat support. Your chat
session is now complete.
After some
time on the phone with a guy, I had this
exchange:
Google support
Dwayne
has joined the chat.
9:28 PM
D
Welcome to Google Support. My name is Dwayne. How are
you today?
Dwayne 9:28 PM
I'm incredibly frustrated, Dwayne. DId you receive all that
information I typed inm or must I try to tupe it in again?
9:29 PM
D
Hey, Cassandra! Yes, I see the whole description you have
sent to us, and I am sorry for the inconvenience.
In case you need to refer to this chat interaction in the
future, please take note of the following ID: 8redacted.
Dwayne 9:30 PM
Thank you. Do you see the issue?
9:30 PM
D
I understand that you would like to get the additional storage
worth 99.99 USD canceled, and get a refund.
Is my interpretation correct?
Dwayne 9:31 PM
yes, but there has been confusion between the USER account, c****y
and the ADMIN account, g******in.
I want it removed from the g******in account.
9:32 PM
D
I totally get your point here.
For this concern, I need to get you connected to my colleague
who is more knowledgeable with this and will provide you with the support and
assistance you need which also saves your valuable time.
Dwayne · 9:32 PM
THANK YOU!!!
Специалист Justin присоединился к чату.
9:33 PM
Пользователь Dwayne покинул чат.
9:33 PM
I am so happy somone understands the issue!
9:33 PM
J
Thank you for contacting Google Support, this is Justin. In case
you need to refer to this chat interaction also in the future, please take note
of the following ID: REDACTED.
Am I speaking with Cassandra?
Justin · 9:33 PM
Thanks, Justin. I am Cassandra, and I am the Admin on the
domain.
9:33 PM
J
Hi Cassandra will we be working on this email address, c*****ry@1*****il.org?
Justin · 9:35 PM
Actually, no. Extra storage was finally successfully added to c*****y,
the USER account. Unfortunagely, the first time we added it, it somehow got
applied to the ADMIN account, g******in. THAT is the one, G******IN that we
want the 1 TB storage removed from and money refunded.
9:36 PM
J
I totally understand your concern. I’ll do my best to help you.
If we can’t find a solution, I will collect feedback for our developers and
give you an external resource you might be able to use.
Can I have the email address where you want to cancel the
membership please?
Justin · 9:37 PM
I'm not sure we're on the same page here?
I'm speaking of an extra 1TB of storage purchased for g******in @1*****.org. I
need to CANCEL that and am requesting a refund.
9:38 PM
J
I do understand that however the account that is verify was a
different account.
And when I tried to enter the other email address there is a pop
up message that the account is not associated with Google account.
Justin · 9:40 PM
I'm not sure I understand what you are saying, but I will tell
you that I have SEVERAL gmail accounts, and I think part of the problem is that
Google switches back and forth.
C****y@1*******l.org -- want to KEEP THE STORAGE.
g******n@1******l.org -- 1TB storage is applied and I would like it cancelled
and refunded. Is it the g*****n or the c****y that says is not part of the
domain?
9:41 PM
J
The email that you provided where you want to cancel and get a
refund is not a google account Cassandra.
Justin · 9:41 PM
You may be typing it incorerectly, Justin. I'll screenshot you
the emails. Give me just a moment.
IBut if It's not a Google account, then how did Google add
storage to it? And how/why did Google take my money if it's not a google
account?
but hold on ill give you a screen shot.
9:42 PM
J
Is this the right email address g*****n@1*****l.org right?
Justin · 9:42 PM
nope. Typo. Put the C after the 3 and before the 0
g******n@1*****il.org
9:43 PM
J
Alright! To verify that I'm talking to an authorized person for
this account, please go to this website: g.co/verify
Sign in, and then it will ask you, Did you contact Google
Support? Choose Yes to verify.
Justin 9:44 PM
omw. Hold on
9:44 PM
J
Sure.
Justin 9:44 PM
So it tells me that Everything looks fine
c*****ry@1******l.org
There aren't any requests to verify it's you. If you're waiting for one,
try refreshing the page.
and now everything's turned to russian?
9:45 PM
J
Please make sure that the account that is sign in is this
account g******n@1*******l.org Cassandra?
Justin 9:45 PM
duh. My bad. Hold on. But why is everything
russian?
9:46 PM
J
Please try to refresh your browser Canssandra?
Justin 9:46 PM
Google verified your account
g*****n@1*****l.org
Still Russian, though ...
9:47 PM
J
Thank you for verifying the account Cassandra.
Justin 9:47 PM
Contact us
Step
How can we help you?
Please indicate your problem.
Example: "How do I change the settings?"
Requires 5 Char.
0/100
Next
Useful resources
How to contact us
No worries.
9:47 PM
J
Upon checking here Cassandra there is no Google One plan
subscribed using the account.
Justin 9:48 PM
Perhaps because we are using Google Workspace? Am I being
punked?
9:48 PM
J
Upon checking here Cassandra the 1 TB has been canceled last
October 25, 2021.
Justin 9:49 PM
It was only purchased on October 25. and canceled today. When
will the refund be issued / authorized?
9:50 PM
J
The refund will take 5-14 business days back the card that you
used in purchasing the membership.
Justin 9:51 PM
OK, just so we're clear, what is this membership you refer to? And
can you give me a transaction number or something regarding that refund?
IT
It's jsut that every time I talk to someone in Google I get a
different answer.
9:52 PM
J
You can use this case ID Cassandra REDACTED.
Justin · 9:52 PM
OK, Justin. And you are sure the refund will be issued?
9:53 PM
J
Yes Cassandra.
Justin · 9:53 PM
Perfect. As I told Eduardo, insanity is defined as doing the
same thing and expecting different results, so I'm not yet hopeful. But we
shall see. I appreciate your efforts.
Will my screen go back to English when we end this chat?
9:54 PM
J
Yes Cassandra.
Is there anything else I can help you with today?
Justin · 9:55 PM
No, thank you. I have zero confidence based on the day I've
wasted in the Googlesphere, but I genuinely hope you are better than many of
your colleagues. We shall see. Thank you for all your assistance.
9:56 PM
J
It was a pleasure chatting with you today. Google loves customer
feedback, so you can also click into a short survey about your overall support
experience at the end of this chat. Thanks again for contacting Google One
Support Team, this is Justin . Stay safe and well, have a great day!
I have zero
confidence in Google at this point. They
gave me the survey, but since it was in Russian… I went in later and clicked on the link
here. It took me to a page in English,
so I posted this blog and gave them the link.
