Technological Advances

We are canceling our cable television. Max is crushed. He'll get over it, but he is pouting.

I can't seem to articulate to him that the usage does not justify the cost. We don't watch all that much TV really, compared to most households anyway.

If Max is sitting in front of the TV, he is generally playing video games or watching a movie. OR (which is why tears are being shed) Saturday morning cartoons. Max is at that transitional age, where he still wants to be a kid while society is pressuring him to grow up. That and is body is not giving him many options to "growing up" because he is growing up, straight up to the sky. Did I mention he has Man Feet now? ew. They are gigantic and his toe nails are sort of icky. Understand that I did not grow up with a man in my house, so I still find them to be quite odd. He has also become quite veiny and sinewy, he looks more and more like his father every day. Which isn't a bad thing, luckily for Max. In spite of the inability for his parents to get along (or one PARENT specifically-achem) Max hit the lottery in the looks/body type gene pool. He's always going to be tall, blonde and blue eyed and while his temperment now maybe a little erratic, he is a generally sweet boy and I suspect he will be a wonderful kind and thoughtful man. After he gets done being insane.

Back to topic. The TV. I'm sick of it. It's such a waste of my energy and when I sit in front of it I am rarely paying attention if it's not the Soprano's or some movie I am sucked into. If I am watching actual television, I feel like it is sucking me in. Plus, I just can't wrap my head around the idea that I should pay the fee fed by a monopolized industry for a whole 2 or 3 channels that I actually enjoy, one being PBS which is standard network television to begin with.

grrrr.

When I called to cancel, they acted like I'd committed a mortal sin and would now rot in hell. They begged, pleaded, tried to reason and rationalize why I should continue my subscription. I was warned about the higher cost of my internet cable connection now that I'd be Discontinuing service. The threats continued as a long list of NEW service fees and taxes were explained to me, because I was Discontinuing Service. Finally, I was briefed on the very HIGH cost of Reinstating Service and that my current bundle package price would not be guaranteed.

I spent almost 30 minutes on the phone trying to Discontinue Service. I was essentially manhandled, a customer of 10+ years now and I was HARASSED because I opted out of the cable television service. I kept the freaking cable connection ya freaking hyenias! I cannot wait to finally cross Comcast off of my list of debits each month, especially after what they charged us to simply MOVE our service and the fight that ensued by my attempts to Discontinue Service. Clearly there will be retribution for such a crime.

Other current thoughts...I am convinced that we are facing very sad and scary times. It only seems to get worse and my fear of nuclear war is compounded almost daily by the reports of testing scheduled to begin June 2nd, 2006 in Nevada; the ongoing 'talks' with Iran; gas prices and this general sense of utter dread that slams me in the face every time I open a newspaper, watch CSPan, surf the internet or even allow myself to think through the potential outcomes of our current political climate. If I allow my mind to wander onto subject like the health of our Mother Earth, the rapid melting of the sea ice in Alaska or the feeling like I am such a hyprocit for contributing every day to the death of the only planet we have, I find myself in tears and falling apart. I have great fears at the moment for Max's generation. I just feel fearful in general and I'm not sure what to do except keep informed and make attempts to help where I can. If I think about it to much, I fear I'd end up hiding out in the dark somewhere, talking to myself and eating crayons.

Certainly all hope cannot be lost?

Sarah's Site Reccomendation:

http://www.tenbyten.org/10x10.html