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May 23, 2007
Connected (again)
I finally have the internet and cable at my new abode. Thank goodness... I'm not sure I could've taken much more disconnectedness without going batty.
I guess I didn't realize how much I relied on the internet for my news, entertainment, and communication until I was actually forced to pack up my laptop, get in my car, drive about five minutes, buy a coffee or Jones' soda (to patronize Panera because I'm not a jerk who just uses the free internet without giving business, no matter how broke I am), and agree to terms and conditions of use. To say that I rely on this connection is an understatement... plus with gas at over $3.11 here driving to use the internet is an extra expense I don't care to endure.
Since the cable guy came this morning and hooked up my television I've had an interesting time trying to figure everything out. Now, let's get one thing straight: Karissa is not an ardent TV watcher. Perhaps it's out of loneliness or the need for another true connection to the world, but I've had the stupid box on a variety of channels all day.
And I've never had so many channels either! Not even when I lived with my parents.(Hold up--that was weird to say in past tense. I guess that's the first time that thought came together as a reality for me... strange.) Yesterday I called the company (which shall remain nameless since I'm not about to endorse something) and I asked more questions about what I'd be getting and how much it would cost. I took notes when I called initially, but I was confused about what my bill would be. Yesterday the lady told me it'd be one price. When the guy hooked things up today I asked him about it and he told me another. I insisted that he ask someone since I didn't want the "whole shebang" if it was going to cost darn near my whole paycheck. I seriously don't watch that much television... And what I do watch is usually on the reasonably boring side of entertaining anyway.
The guy called and, since the lady screwed up and told me the wrong thing yesterday (and it should've cost me more than she said), they're giving me what they said it'd be PLUS two premium channels for free since the customer is always right. (I have the price and free channels locked in for a year, too, so nothing will change.)Yeah, that's right... I'm the customer this time around.
So now I have over 200 channels for my itty bitty 13" screen and a crazy remote control that I'm trying to learn how to operate. It's digital cable, so it has the little menu channel-chooser thing that I can hardly read from this distance on my tiny TV. It's going to have to work, though. I'm not buying a bigger box... besides, then I'd have to also buy a DVD player since my TV has one built in. The instructions for the remote are going to stay next to the solitary chair I have in my living room for the time being. (Yeah we couldn't get the couch into my place when I moved, remember? So I only have my little chair and ottoman... better than nothing, though, especially since my dog is very good at spotting and chasing bugs she finds around. She's already scouted a silver fish, spider, and pincher bug (yeah, not the scientific name, I know. Do I look concerned?). But no worries--I had the exterminator in today, too. Mwhaha.)
I'm grateful for the 20' ethernet cord I had from my dorm room, too, since the modem has to be near the TV (since it's cable internet). If I used the little ethernet cord that came with the modem I'd be sitting on my TV just to check my email. I'll probably invest in a wireless router shortly since I hate being chained to one spot with my laptop. (That's the whole point of having a laptop, I've always thought--mobility. And for someone like me who doesn't like staying in the same place all day and night, it's a good thing.) Once I get that taken care of I'll be working and playing online whenever and wherever I want. I'd like to pursue the little postage stamp yard I have with a lawn chair and wifi...
Posted by KarissaKilgore at May 23, 2007 7:55 PM
Comments
CONGRATS on getting cable... if anything, it's good for movies and even, sometimes, news. If you have a DVR built in, your world is about to radically change!
Don't apologize for television if you get into it; you're too smart to allow it to control you. And it's not as idiotic as some folks would have you believe: Some critics are even arguing that TV now has some of the best writing right now, whereas movies are becoming more and more, well, empty and exploitative. It's just too bad that everything on tv is going through its season finale this month.
Thanks for the e-card recently, as well as your grad gathering -- and congratulations on a successful move! Enjoy the independent living! -- Dr. A.
Posted by: Michael Arnzen at May 24, 2007 10:24 AM