Post-Shower

While I was in the shower, I heard something drop to the floor. This was my view of the bathroom when I stepped out of the shower.

Oh, Tulip!

First, notice the bottle which had been on the sink. Obviously, I didn't put it high enough on the shelves (my bad). 

What is not shown are the two small pads that fell behind the toilet.

I am starting to believe my cat is bored.

#boredcat

#boredkitty

#boredTulip

#destructivekitty

#destructivecat

 

Brightspeed...NOT!

Monday

I THOUGHT I disconnected my home phone with Brightspeed today at 10am. I took down the 3 phones which will go in a yard sale. After my conversation to do that, I got a text message from Brightspeed that they're coming on Friday. 

I'm on the phone now with BS (2nd time today) and the rep told me the date on HIS end was tomorrow. They don't know their shit from Shinola. Then he said they'll get me up and running with a totally reliable service. I couldn't let that go unanswered (like you have so far, right). I don't want phone service; the lack of service between 5/18 and now proves I can live without it.

Still on hold with BS; they'll charge me $10 for support.

The service ticket is marked as PENDING so my printer can't be connected. 

Current rep (I think it's the 6th rep so far - I'm losing count) Eric is checking, but he's not tech support (that department transferred me to customer care). I'm so tired of every rep asking me for my name/address/phone number associated with the account/cell phone/zip code...

I could just scream! 

The notes that tech support wrote can't be seen by customer service.

Eric transferred me to (Tech Support) who's the 2nd person making me check the modem (living room) and the printer (in the office). I'm certainly getting my steps in. Tulip is confused by all these trips. She's probably napping. I envy my cat..

In theory, the Internet has connected, but the printer still is not.

To be continued. The second phone call lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes.

AAUUHH!

Since I have to have lunch and go to the senior center for a 1:00 class, I agreed to take a phone call from John after 3. He had not called me, and I was past dealing with the company's incompetence.

The joy will continue. Happy happy joy joy....

If Brightspeed comes to your area, RUN!

Tuesday

I copied the above screed to my family. My sister asked if I checked with anyone about how they liked Brightspeed (I did). Did I check for complaints online, particularly with the Better Business Bureau?

When I saw the BBB up-to-the-minute comments, I realized that was what I should have done first. Everyone complained about their service, and quoted the meaningless corporate mantra, "It will be done within 24-48 hours." 

I should add, "No worries." And the first rep I spoke with used my name in every single sentence as he tried to upsell me. I was tired of hearing my name and had to talk over him to say, "Stop! I'm not interested in that option."

I added my experience to the BBB page which includes the fact that three individual teams came out to dig a trench in my landlord's lot, Each team had their own ideas about where to dig. Also, the fact my home telephone has not worked since 5/18...the date of installation.

* * *

Then I called Spectrum to restore their services (except for home phone). They will send me a new router and cable box. On Friday, I'll put the new kit in. Then I'll head to the Spectrum store, pick out a free replacement phone and return Spectrum's old equipment. On the way to Garner, I'll drop Brightspeed's equipment with the RMA# I was given for the extender BS had sent me (for the low, low charge of $10 per month). 

Also on Friday, I need to call Brightspeed to stop the $10 monthly Customer Service charge. That was another thing: their Billing Department seems to cause major headaches. I noticed that they charged me for Voice service (non-working phone aside).

Anti-MAGA Fears

My level of anxiety is shrink-worthy. But I didn't share my fears with the doctor yesterday.

• What if Trump sics his MAGA militias on everyone?

• What if the rest of the world bombs the USA? Trump has been goading everyone with his insanity. HE would deserve it, not the whole country.

Yes, I know I sound like a conspiracy theorist. I sent in an essay for the 250th Year celebration, but the judge asked me to tone it down. I did not. Sometime in the near future, I can compare my fears stated in that essay with the awful future reality*. We'll see how close my catastrophizing came to reality.

         Trump may be waiting for Memorial Day or Independence Day to unleash his demons. 

People who know me well are aware that I have a border personality disorder. While it's usually subtle . . . need I say more?

My opening statement is in black and white.

My fears are expressed in blue.

Red: more not unreasonable fears.

Justification in gray.

*Everything has been awful so far. Trump is sure to do much worse.

#Trumpianaxiety

#whentheothershoedrops

Tulip's Shenanigans

Tulip remains curious about the world about her.

In the office, she regularly separates the AT&T telephone from its base. Lately, I've wondered if I should keep the home phone. Cell service has gotten so much better than when I first moved to rural North Carolina. I'll come back to that issue in a month or two.

I should have taken an earlier photo of Tulip when she was sleeping on and in my HP printer. Her back feet were inside the paper tray. I worried that she would find herself stuck when she awoke. I worried for nothing.

The office is where I've accumulated piles of The Stuff I want to sell in the Endless Yard Sale in June. I won't be ready. I've sold the toaster oven and the cedar chest. What else would be safe to get rid of?

I'm worried about two things: 

• What if I don't find alternate housing in the near future? 
• Am I selling The Stuff too soon that I'll regret it?

#Tuplip+telephone

#Tulipphonehome

My plate is full...

And Tulip's is full as well. 

I've been spending more time at the Benson Center for Active Aging (BCAA) these past few weeks. It's left me with less time for writing.

Two or three classes follow the writing classes I lead. On Tuesdays, there is Cardio Drumming. I've been going on Wednesdays to learn about stained glass making. After that class, there are games to play, so that's another two hours... Repeat on the third Friday of the month.

😺

Tulip is up to her old tricks. Yesterday she pawed my plastic bin of medicines off the counter. She is a PRO at grabbing my attention. At least none of the pill bottles fell out.

Her latest thing is dumping full bowls of food onto the floor, almost simultaneously with my bestowing her food onto her table. She immediately demands more food.

When I talk on the telephone, Tulip sprints to the kitchen to paw at the clean dishes; then she inspects the dirty ones. In between, she'll overturn whatever is neglected on tabletops.

#fullplates

#toddlercat

#alexanderpopadinphoto