Goin Hoosier: Episode 2

I was going to write about the differences between drivers in California and Indiana, but I got sideswiped by a bad customer service experience. When we decided to move from California to Indianapolis, we knew we would have to change banks. Since we wanted to deal with a stable national bank, we chose Chase. We we're treated really well on the day we arrived to open our checking account. It seemed like a nice place. But, apparently, that was only the demo.

So when we deposited our first paycheck, yes a regular paycheck, into the account there was a week-long hold put on it. When noticed it a few days later and I inquired at the bank. I was told that deposits are often put on hold after they leave the teller. The branch has no control over it. In fact, it says on the deposit slip, "Further review may result in delayed availability of this deposit." In short no one takes responsibility for the flow of money. The teller tells me to talk to a banker; the banker says sorry, but it's on the deposit slip. So who's responsible? No one at the branch, apparently. Catch 22. Remember that?

Seems like it kind of check kiting in reverse. Since so much banking happens electronically, why does it take a week or two to clear a check? Could it be because they float our money and make interest on it while waiting for the check to "clear?" Maybe I'm being paranoid, which is different than paranormal, but that' s another discussion. Bottom line, they've got it and they're not giving it up and there's no one we can talk to, so that's that.

Okay, so this is this: to the New Accounts team at Chase in Indy...we're going to continue to do the majority of our banking with our old bank, since we pay most bills on line anyway. Our old bank, which I won't mention by name so as not to show favoritism, would tell me -- at the window -- if there was a hold, and for how long. Hmmmm.

Think about it Chase Bank. It's called customer service. It's more than just a demo.

Goin Hoosier: Episode 1

It started one morning in May. My lovely wife, Lisa, stood crouched over me as I slept. I know this because she was standing over when I opened my eyes. I blinked a few times and she said, "I've got a job opportunity. It's in Indianapolis." "Indiana?" I queried. She nodded.

Indiana. I knew only a few things about Indiana. For one, as a child growing up in a suburb south of Chicago, I knew that Indiana was where you could got to buy fireworks. For another, the Music Man, starring Robert Preston, and Indiana were synonymous, in my mind anyway; with "capital T" that rhymes with "P" that stands for "pool." Thirdly, one cannot forget the Indianapolis 500; as a young boy it was my earnest wish to be killed in a racing accident at the Indy 500. So there you have it. My sum knowledge, at that time, of Indiana. And since then of course, there's John Mellencamp -- does he still use the Cougar name --Mr. Hometown Homebred Indiana.

"Don't worry," I said, reassuringly. "Something else will come up."

As long-time residents of the San Francisco Bay Area, we cringed at the thought of leaving, and for Indiana, of all places. So as it was doomed to be, in June we left for our first exploratory trip to Indianapolis, the cultural center and capitol of the state, and location of the job. We were surprised to find, early on, a place called the Corner Wine Bar. Being from California -- at least long-term transplants -- wine is essential tour well-being. I mean, lets face it, San Francisco is almost a European sub-state. Well, San Franciscans, and Northern Californians in general, like to think of ourselves -- themselves -- that way. So finding that we could get good wine in Indiana was a BIG plus. We had dinner there one night, watched a goose hang out the fire station across the street, and ate a delicious meal and drank good wine at a comfortably warm outdoor table. It was almost like we could live there, I mean, here. One big question loomed: was all this for real or was it just the demo?

Goin Hoosier Indi-Facts:
1. Would you be surprised to learn that the National Organization of Women held its 2009 National Convention in Indianapolis?

2. Bouchercon, the quintessential mystery writer's and reader's annual convention is taking place where?! Indianapolis! My friend and fellow writer, Cara Black, author of the Aimee Leduc detective novels, will be there.

3. And lets face it: every time President Obama wants to make a point and take it to the masses, he goes to Indiana.