Changing cellphone carriers

A word of unsolicited advice to everyone...

Everyone and their mother is going to try to change their carrier on Nov. 24th.

Don't be one of them.

Wait a week, a month, a few months, for the dust to settle.

First of all, for I'd guess about a week afterwards, customer service will be putting you on hold for HOURS to get through. Even if they bring some extra folks on for the duration, I doubt they'll all be able to accomodate the calls.

Second of all, networks get overloaded. If everyone shifts to the same network, it will no longer be a worthwhile network. Wait for the dust to settle and then reevaluate your options. Otherwise its a total potshoot whether you'll end up with good service/reception/etc.

Feel free to correct, contradict, etc. in the comments. I'm interested in hearing suggestions/corrections etc., even though I won't be switching since my contract expires June 5th anyway and I might as well wait and NOT pay a $175 fee.

a cell carrier poll!

Everyone should go fill out the poll on cellphone carriers in joedecker's livejournal. It's short, sweet, and might help us all better understand what is happening on November 24th.

News

For those who have been frustrated by statistical difficulties which make it difficult to tell if HIV can be contracted via oral sex:
Researchers Discover the Mouth's Defenses Against AIDS. This discovery may help prevent the contraction of AIDS in the future, to the point where we may be able to have sex with HIV+ people and not worry about it, if I understand the discovery's potential properly.

Using your nose to tell if you are about to develop schizophrenia.

Artery walls are discovered to be a source for stem cells.

The sponge which may cure you of cancer a deacade from now has been found at last.
A quote: "A chemical produced within the sponge, which has not yet been given an official name, has proven in one test of cancer-fighting potential to be about 400 times more potent than Taxol®, a widely used treatment for breast and other forms of cancer. As important, preliminary experiments have also shown the compound to be fairly non-toxic to normal cells."
The way they got the sponge necessary to pursue research is interesting. Worth the read.

It turns out the asteroid Hermes is actually TWO asteroids orbiting each other.

I'm thinking of calling this in to review for the newsletter.

And don't I just wish SF had the brilliance NYC is showing in doing this.

Do you care? I've never done this news linking thing like this before. Do any of you care? Were these all interesting? Mostly interesting? Mostly boring?

Pressing reset

Sometimes when I'm feeling a little down or depressed for no good reason, I take a short nap. Not because I'm tired, but because it can be the equivalent of pressing "reset" for me. You know... maybe this time I won't wake up on the wrong side of the bed.

Sometimes, though, work or other obligations make this a non-viable option. How do you press reset in those situations? Thanks in advance for any responses!