Ms. Smarty Pants Know It All

We hear about bad things all the time. This time, I want to tell about something good.

I was trying to get another map onto someone else’s TomTom device in preparation for her overseas trip. The system was not working. (I do want to say that TomTom’s website and their proprietary Home applications suck. They make me glad that I have another company’s GPS unit.)

But the good news is that their customer service team is great. Sure I had to call four separate times and spent hours on the phone, but that makes me all the more qualified to report my experience.

The call center is located in New York state somewhere. Thank goodness for that because while I’m all for everyone earning a living everywhere, I can’t even imagine trying to get the solutions to my problems through someone in India.

Everyone I spoke to was courteous, calm, and professional. To top it all off, no one tried to disconnect me or pass me off without giving me something tangible to do.

When I think of the frustrated drivers and glitchy technology that they have to deal with on every call, I’m amazed at the level of service I received. I know I couldn’t do as well.

So good job, TomTom customer service. Tell the programmers to get the software to work as well as you do.

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Here are my favorite reads from the past week:

• Banning To Kill a Mockingbird? I have to think that people who challenge this book have never actually read it. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of those rare, magical work out there. It grows with every rereading.
• Rick Bayless’s look behind the scenes of the Top Chef Masters finale.
• Dogs are as smart as a 2.5 year-old child. I don’t doubt that completely, but just how did they get a dog to tell them what 5-3 is?

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Project Runway

• Good to have it back, although three and a half hours of it felt like a really long night.
• I still liked Uli’s designs on the All-Star Challenge. I thought she should have taken the final runway judging of her season too. Who knew I’m apparently into flow-y, print-y, Miami-esque clothing? On other people of course.
• It’s nice that Bunim/Murray isn’t trying to change things at all. Replicate away!
• I did think that the lack of focus on the models were a missed opportunity for the original show. I’ll have to see if the girls are interesting enough to hold their own half hour.

Top Chef Las Vegas

• $15000 Quick Fire bonus prize? Wow.
• It’s a large group of cheftestants but most of them seem like they can cook. I’m looking forward to this season.

Top Chef Masters

• I wouldn’t consider myself a foodie, but man did I want to be a part of that dinner table. Everything looked amazing.
• I probably should get down to Topolobampo and try that magical Bayless mole sauce.

Castle

• Another Dr. Horrible is in the works.
• Ok, I did make an entry for Castle just so I could mention the Dr. Horrible part. But, I do think the ongoing Heat Wave novel is a smart promotional effort for the show.

Psych—Just watch this show. It’s fun, quick witted, and entertaining.

True Blood

• When the boyfriend tried to watch an episode with me, I realized just how dense of a mythology they managed to build within a single season.
• I don’t think anyone likes Maryann. I don’t like her either. But man—Michelle Forbes is good isn’t she?
• Every time I start to get bored, the show spins things around and makes me interested again. I wouldn’t say that it’s a great show, but it certainly keeps me coming back for what happens next.

Tags: TV by Ms. SP
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