Pardon me, I'm stressed
The countdown is on. All the things that I've been putting off (or didn't know I had to do) are crashing down around me. And on top of all this, I'm sick (as demonstrated by my lack of updates). But never fear, right? This is the digital age and we can do everything on-line now. I should be able to order my new phone line, cable tv, broadband internet, etc., and set-up my utilities with just a few clicks of the mouse. Then let's get started!
Telephone: while I'm still a little unsure about my need for a land-line, I've decided to get one to start all the same. The $55 connection charge is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Check out the company website... poke around a bit... finally find where I'm supposed to apply for a new line. Fill out the first screen - okay. Fill out the second screen - do I allow a credit check? Do I have to? Of course it doesn't say... okay, fine. Whatever. Third screen - driver's license and credit card number? Let me get my wall... wait a second. This isn't a secure site! They're asking for all this information and it's not even secure?! Screw this! There is a brick-and-mortar just around the corner.
Cable/Internet: these guys send me eMail coupons each month; should be no problem. Get in, find the link right away, and now... oh, “Check for Availability” that's probably a good idea. Click-click goes the new address (look up my new postal code... again) and - not recognized?! You provide service just a few blocks away, that much I know. The development (or at least my street) is complete within a matter of weeks now. Update your database!! Do I even try to see if it'll let me apply for internet access when it doesn't recognize my street? Nope. Another brick-and-mortar around the other corner, and since I'm already going out now...
Utilities: Yeah, right. Next!
So, what have I/we learned from all this?
I could go on, but now I'm just ranting. (Can you tell I'm starting to stress a little?)
Let me try to end on a high note here. The reality of everything is that, somehow, all of this will be sorted out in the next couple of weeks. And, with any luck, this should be my last day home sick and tomorrow I can be super-productive and start checking these things off my list. Despite the way it sounds above, some of these really are five minute drives around the corner; a few phone calls will clear the rest up. More than anything, maybe I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening!
With any luck, I'll be back in a few days to update you on everything that I've accomplished. Wish me (and the employees at the phone/cable stores) luck!
Telephone: while I'm still a little unsure about my need for a land-line, I've decided to get one to start all the same. The $55 connection charge is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Check out the company website... poke around a bit... finally find where I'm supposed to apply for a new line. Fill out the first screen - okay. Fill out the second screen - do I allow a credit check? Do I have to? Of course it doesn't say... okay, fine. Whatever. Third screen - driver's license and credit card number? Let me get my wall... wait a second. This isn't a secure site! They're asking for all this information and it's not even secure?! Screw this! There is a brick-and-mortar just around the corner.
Cable/Internet: these guys send me eMail coupons each month; should be no problem. Get in, find the link right away, and now... oh, “Check for Availability” that's probably a good idea. Click-click goes the new address (look up my new postal code... again) and - not recognized?! You provide service just a few blocks away, that much I know. The development (or at least my street) is complete within a matter of weeks now. Update your database!! Do I even try to see if it'll let me apply for internet access when it doesn't recognize my street? Nope. Another brick-and-mortar around the other corner, and since I'm already going out now...
Utilities: Yeah, right. Next!
So, what have I/we learned from all this?
- I don't have a clue about what I need to do in the next two weeks;
- Being sick just before your house closes really sucks;
- I have a few short trips to make... and for their sake, I hope I run into understanding employees;
- My builder has pissed me off my not being more helpful or communicative in this last month (they couldn't even confirm my closing date for me last week!);
- The bank happened to put the wrong interest rate on the papers they sent me... luckily I caught it and saved myself a sum in the “five-figures” range over the life of my mortgage;
I could go on, but now I'm just ranting. (Can you tell I'm starting to stress a little?)
Let me try to end on a high note here. The reality of everything is that, somehow, all of this will be sorted out in the next couple of weeks. And, with any luck, this should be my last day home sick and tomorrow I can be super-productive and start checking these things off my list. Despite the way it sounds above, some of these really are five minute drives around the corner; a few phone calls will clear the rest up. More than anything, maybe I just needed to vent. Thanks for listening!
With any luck, I'll be back in a few days to update you on everything that I've accomplished. Wish me (and the employees at the phone/cable stores) luck!
