Bonitaseventus

Arin Gilbert

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Sometimes Upgrades Aren't Too Helpful

I just spent the last 20 minutes attempting to find my blog. I could log in- that wasn't the problem. I could also read my blog. What I couldn't do was edit! Something quite important when you have a blog. So, what did I do, I searched for how I might access the old preview of my blog. And, am now happily typing away in the old format (ah, the joys of consistency... at least of certin things).

Happy Holidays!

I am currently at the Albuquerque International Sunport Airport, awaiting a flight to Dallas. In Dallas I will connect with another flight and head up to JFK.

What has this person -me- been doing the last couple weeks??? Hosting a friend of mine who I met in Guatemala, but is originally from Israel. We spent a couple days around Santa Fe, I drove her through parts of Northern New Mexico, and have secretively been attempting to have her depart from what she knows -Judaism- and begin following a more streamlined belief -primarily Christmas. It was all going quite well, until Santa never visited her door... Ok, so I'm being a bit obnoxious, and am completely kidding. We did have an enjoyable period of time, and she was amazed, and perplexed at the amount of stuff we do in the states during Christmas- for one thing, it was her first time seeing a Christmas tree up close.

I'll be meeting in in New York, where we will continue the whirlwind tour.

I hope everyone is well, and having a wonderful holiday.

Arin

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Finally, a Response

Dear Mr. Gilbert :

Thank you for contacting me regarding the mail process in my office. I appreciate your taking the time to write and share your views.

I know how important it is that constituents receive a thorough and quick response from me and my office works to respond to all inquiries by New Mexicans within two weeks. My mail records show that I have not received any of your previous emails. I the future, I recommend that you include your name and New Mexico address to ensure that you receive a response. I appreciate constituents informing me of their interests and concerns and I would encourage you to keep in touch.

Again, thank you for writing. Please do hesitate to contact me again regarding this or any other issue of importance to you and your community.


Sincerely,

JEFF BINGAMAN
United States Senator



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And, my response...


Dear Senator Bingaman,

Thank you for your response. I appreciate you looking into the
situation. As I'd mentioned before, my main concern was the overall
lack of response I'd received from your office. I can appreciate that
your office is extraordinarily busy, and may not have time to respond
to every piece of correspondence that comes your way. Though, what I
became alarmed with was the total lack of response to any of my
correspondence.

I do appreciate you taking the time with a follow-up to my last
message. And, as I mentioned, I did not expect a response on
everything I've sent. It was just a little concerning that with the 6
or so pieces that I'd sent (both e-mail and regular mail) I'd never
received any reply.

I am unsure as to why my previous messages never made it to your
attention, though, I will ensure that I include my address next time I
send an E-mail (Previously, I only mentioned the fact that I was a
registered voter from NM. Another possibility, as for why you weren't
able to find the other e-mail is that I sent it from another of my
accounts); but as for postal mailings, I did include all contact
information.

Again, as I'd mentioned in my precious message, and suggested when
speaking with someone in your office several months back, implementing
some form of auto-response system to acknowledge the receipt of an
e-mail, might be helpful. When sending you an e-mail, receiving even
the most generic auto response like "Thank you for your message, we
appreciate everything that comes our way..." would be helpful.

Once again, I appreciate your reply and I hope you, your family, and
staff have a wonderful holiday.


Kind Regards,

Arin Gilbert