PNC Bank - It seemed like a good idea....

...at the time. When choosing a bank for Serenity Computers, I looked at the usual suspects. My current bank Wachovia was in the process of being absorbed by Wells Fargo. And Well's didn't offer any free business checking options. Not having had stellar experiences with them in the past, I nixed them from the contenders list. Next was Chase. While they had no local branches, they had a good rep for being to do everything online, and my experiences with them were good. But while trying to setup an account online (or even get some more info) I ended up with variations of "This service is not available at your location". Well....ok, guess they are cut from the list too. Next up was PNC...close to my house, a big plus - And it seemed you could set everything up online in just a few minutes! A winner!

Not so much. And so begins the string of screw ups culminating in this blog. And it's sad really. All the reps I have spoken to have been friendly, courteous, and for the most part knowledgeable. But PNC's technology infrastructure is so flawed that at this point I'm not even sure how they continue to operate.

And so from the begging - that initial sign up on line did just take about 10 minutes. 10 minutes until you arrive at a screen that says "Thank you very much for signing up for a PNC Business checking account....blah blah blah...please bring the following paperwork into a local PNC branch, and they will complete your account setup". Well that seems kinda weird to me, but this is my first Business checking, I guess they need to do some extra stuff, whatever.

The next day I receive a phone call from a PNC rep. He wanted to thank me for signing up. He also went through all my information again, but said I still had to go into a local branch. But not to worry, it would only take a few minutes because the bulk of the work was already done. Ok that sounds good I guess....whatever.

So the next day I go into my local branch. The woman who helped me was very nice, she spend a few minutes trying to pull up my info - but couldn't find anything. She then started me on some signature paperwork. Then called another branch for a manager to help. After much waiting, and a few calls back and forth, it was decided that I couldn't actually setup a business account at this branch. I would have to go to the 'full' branch just down the road. They were closing at 5 (it was about 4:45 at this point), but if I promised to hurry right there, the manager would wait for me and get me taking care of.

So I went on down the road to the other branch, not hurry too much because at this point I didn't really give a crap. If I got there and they were gone I was finding another bank. But the manager was instead there, and unlocked the door. She was very nice and helpful, and did indeed manage to get my account setup. When I inquired about online access, she said to just go online, and use the pin I had just created for the account. If that didn't work, she assured me, a pin would be mailed to my address in 5-7 days. Ok......

Naturally, my pin indeed did NOT work. So I patiently (read - not patiently at all) waited for this mythical pin to arrive. After too weeks I'd had enough and called them up. I managed to get a rep on the phone who agreed after some badgering to give me a pin over the phone. After trying for 20 minutes with the rep on the phone to setup the account, no dice. Finally he gave up, and said maybe I had to wait for the pin to come in the mail. Whatever, fine.

A couple days later it finally arrived! And it didn't work. Another phone call, another pin giving over the phone which also didn't work. "Was I using my social or my business EIN on the setup screen?" My EIN I assured the rep. "Try your social" he says. But I setup the account with my EIN....whatever... I tried it. Didn't work. "I'm going to send you ANOTHER pin, you should receive it in 5-7 days". YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FRIKKIN KIDDING ME.

Another week goes by, I finally got another mailer with a pin. Naturally, it didn't work either. Another phone call, another rep. This guy seems to know a thing or two luckily. After a couple of new pin attempts over the phone, and resetting my account - success! Online access! Something I had taken so for granted with all my other banks. It was mine at last. I was finally free to view balances, pay bills and bask in the glory of the slow trickle of money into my checking account.

All was well for over two months. Then came a day when I noticed a sign declaring "Deposit your checks from your mobile phone!" At last! Technology I had seen with Chase, but had thus far been denied to PNC customers. I quickly went online to PNC sites to see how to get this ball rolling. No information to be found anywhere. Perplexed, I thought to myself "well maybe it's in their mobile app, and I just need an update!" Searching in the Android market place, it seems I had the most up to date version (already months old itself). Getting frustrated, I did some quick googling. It didn't take long to learn that check depositing from the PNC Droid App was coming sometime...maybe. But it was available now with the Virtual Wallet App. What the hell? Whatever, I'll just download that and be set. A quick search and I had the app downloaded and installed. At last! No more making trips to the bank to make deposits! The holy grail of banking!

I fired up the app, entered in my PNC username. Next came the expected security question screen to register my device. It asked for my mother's middle name. Great! An easy one! I hate the ambiguous security questions that you have to rack your brain to remember how you answered them. I quickly typed it in only to be chastised that I had answered incorrectly. Bull! I tried it again, no joy. Ok, maybe I had made a mistake at put in my mother's maiden name, I could see myself doing that. Typed that in, no joy. Maybe no caps? Rejected. Your username has been suspended. SERIOUSLY!?!?

Quickly switching to my laptop, I found my username had indeed be suspended. An email that arrived at the same time confirmed it, and assured me I could access this notice securely via the my PNC message center once I logged into my account? "How the frik am I supposed to do that if my account is suspended!!!?!?" seemed to on the nose so I instead dialed the number on screen in a rage. The auto prompts asked for my username, which I entered. "That is incorrect" said the infuriating computer voice. "Lets try something else, please enter your social" - a few seconds of furious typing - "I'm sorry, your account has been suspended" - NO SHIT - "Let me connect you to a representative who can help you".

Said representative proceeded to ask me for my username, which I told her.
"That isn't correct, it is usually your social", she told me.
"What? Why would it be my social? I've always used the same username!" I replied, starting to lose it.
"Oh wait, it seems you have never completed your account setup and security questions." she declared.
"How can that be?", I asked.
She then proceeded to tell me, "My records show you have never created an online account."
"WHAT?!?! I've been using it for two months!!!!!"
"Is there another signer on your account?" She calmly inquired.
"NO, there isn't. And I'm sure you can clearly see that from YOUR RECORDS.", I replied.
"Well it seems you have never had an account, we are going to have to send you a pin in the mail, it will arrive in 5-7 days."
I KILL YOUUUUUUU!!!!!!!

Popping the question

After almost two years of dating, I decided I had waiting long enough and proposed to Joan. After calling me an asshole (cause she thought I was kidding, but the ring finally convinced her), and after she stopped crying (eventually) - she said yes! I've never considered myself a commitment-phobe, but it was one of the hardest things I've ever done. But afterwards, several months worth of tension and stress just melted away. I didn't realized how much I was worrying over the decision, but now that it's done I feel completely happy and relaxed again - it's awesome! Of course within five minutes the news had gone viral over FB and chaos ensued, but it's all good.

Countdown to the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim!

The most complicated trip I have been involved in planning, hands down. But all the arrangements are made, and I can't believe how close it is! Pumped!





....time until The Red Fox, Landseer and I embark on what is sure to be the trip of a lifetime.

Amazon Kindle Review

Ok, maybe it's doesn't quite fall into the category of outdoor gear, but I drag this thing with me everywhere now. It's even light and compact enough to go on back country trips (just keep it dry!)


Some basic info about Amazon's Kindle
, in case you aren't familiar with it:

- It is a true 'ebook', not a portable computer or tablet
- Uses 'liquid ink' technology, not an traditional LCD or OLED display
- Can hold thousands of books
- Connects through either a free 3G connection or through Wifi to download content
- Battery life of about a month! (with wireless turned off)
- You can read it in direct sunlight! (even with polarized shades on)
- You get books from Amazon (literally hundreds of thousands of books available)

This review covers the new version of the Kindle, which is basically just a little faster and also sports a more streamlined look then the original. Amazon has also added 'ad supported' models for a cheaper price tag that will display Amazon ad's instead of the random artist portraits etc from the original. A small price to pay to save ~$50 I would say.

In a nutshell, I love the Kindle. I use it for exactly what it's intended for, reading books. This isn't for browsing the internet or checking your email. It is quite literally an electronic translation of a paper book. The advantages of this very specific purpose are many. As I listed above, the screen is truly electronic paper, you can read it in bright light just like it was a paper book (try that with your iPad). This means you will need a light source when reading in a dark room (or outdoors at night) just like a real book. The other huge bonus of this design - the battery lasts almost forever. You can forget to charge this thing for up to a month and still be able to read. If you totally forget that it's actually an electronic device and the battery dies completely - don't worry, you can fully charge it in about 45 minutes.

Content is pulled down from Amazon either through the free 3G service or through a Wifi connection. The Wifi only models are a bit cheaper, and totally fine if you don't absolutely have to be able to download books anywhere anytime.

Extra bonus - you can download a free Kindle book reader for just about anything, your PC, Mac, droid, Blackberry etc etc. At present time Amazon lets you download one book on up to five different devices. So you can even do some limited sharing with your friends using a little creativity (I will go into detail about this another time). And even better, all your devices will automatically sync to your current page! I regularly bounce between reading on my Kindle, Droid Smartphone, and Kindle for PC on my laptop. It's almost too easy.

And of course, there are a myriad of accessories available. You can customize your Kindle with a fancy cover. I keep mine protected with a simple leather cover. Though there are fancier ones with built in lights like this one: Kindle Lighted Cover (Fits 6" Display, Latest Generation Kindle) Charging is done with a standard micro usb cable. So charging from your laptop on the go is a snap, or with a portable USB charger.

My original Kindle has operated without flaw from day one, and I really expect it to live forever. The buttons all feel solid still, and the screen is very robust.

The only con I have ever encountered - getting harassed by flight attendants during take off and landing. They will insist you 'turn off' your Kindle, even after you inform them that it doesn't 'turn off'. (You can turn off the wireless connection, that's it). Even after you explain it to them, then will still demand you shut it off. So I just flip the cover closed, wait till they walk away, then continue reading. As an alternative, you can ask them to turn it off for you, and watch their dumbfounded expression as they push the standby button with no effect. Good times.

2010: The Year in Review

It was a pretty crazy one for me, and easily blew away 2009 and all the years before. Started a relationship with an awesome girl in early January, so far I haven't scared her off! Did the Polar Bear Plunge on my 30th birthday with my new friends from BSOM (E2P2!!!). We all managed to keep our lives and all our limbs despite the entire event being shutdown due to the cold - AFTER we had all plunged. This of course all happened right in the middle of Snowmageddon, during which The Bat Mobile earned it's hefty car payment.

From Snowmageddon Dec 2009 - Feb 2010

I cemented my position at the Sleep Lab. While far from my dream job it is a lot less travel and more money, so two steps in the right direction. This freed up time and funds for me to get outdoors again, doing the things I love. Biking, Hiking, Kayaking, evening running again. Camped out in the Outerbanks during a rainstorm, and then hit the beach when the weather finally broke. The Batmobile again gets a workout hauling people and gear out on the beach.


Went on several epic hiking/camping adventures, including the incredible adventure to Capital Reef National Park in Utah with my former college roommate and a hilarious group of guys. Also hit trails all over Maryland I had never experienced before, went to Skyline drive for more hiking with my girl and the next week back to the same area for another overnight backpacking trip in the gorgeous George Washington National Forest where we nearly froze to death at night.

From Capitol Reef Expedition

The entire year was definitely a roller coaster, lots of time spend with friends and family, lots of new friends made. A gazillion dollars spent on outdoor gear, gas and air travel. It was worth every penny, and I hope to fill 2011 with even more epic adventures. Just need to find a way to work less and get paid the same or more......

Even when I wasn't on some crazy adventure I was hardly bored. Every week there was always something going on. It really felt like the year just flew by. In the midst of everything else my girlfriend officially moved in. E2P2 graduated from BSOM and closed out the year with the marriage of two awesome people on New Year's Eve. I don't even know what to expect from 2011, but it will be hard to top last year!

Running again

Since treating it with kid gloves hasn't been helping my knee to get back to it's old self, I've been taking it in the other direction. Hiking again has been a big help, but not enough. So I started hitting the pavement and the treadmill. It was brutal to get running again, but I figure it's either gonna get stronger or totally explode so I can just get a replacement. I'm up to running 3 miles without having to stop, and so far it hasn't falling apart. Gonna go for more distance this week and see how it goes.

Calvert Cliffs on New Year's Eve

On the way to a New Years Eve wedding, my girlfriend and I decided to stop by Calvert Cliffs for a quick hike. Southern Maryland had gotten quite a bit more snow than we did in the 'Dena.  We parked the Forester in an icy space, I grabbed my trusty Maxpedition Versipack
and off we went. The weather was surprisingly warm (at least in comparison) so the trails were a mix of wet sand, mud, melting ice and slush.  I hadn't been here since I was a kid, so it was a fun flash back.  As time was pretty limited, we took the Red trail (the shortest route) to the beach.  We passed a surprising number of people and families for as cold and messy the trails were.

From Drop Box

From Drop Box

Part of the trail looked incredibly desolate. The marshy areas of the park were still frozen solid. So it made for an interesting hike. The Red Trail is a pretty easy walk, minimal elevation gain unless you explore the side trails along the way. We made it to the beach, and spent some time exploring. Got lucky and found one sharks tooth that the scavengers ahead of us had missed.  The sea breeze on the beach started to freeze us to the bone after awhile, so we headed back into the woods a made good time to the car.  Overall, it was the perfect short hike, and we made it to the wedding with time to spare.


View Calvert Cliffs in a larger map