Taking a break from the tube

Matthew is busy switching back and forth between about 3 or 40 football games, so I will use this opportunity to write. So yes, we got our dish back. But not without more drama.

On the good side, we called Dish Network again and they were nice enough to replace our dish for free! They just set it up like we had moved. We didn't even have to pay for the pole, which they usually charge for.

The day the dude came to install the Dish was the first time in a week that I had seen the guy who has been working on the decks. So I asked him if he saw anybody messing with our Dish last Friday. He sheepishly said "ORP". (the management company) He doesn't work for ORP directly, but they are paying him to fix all the decks. So he quickly added "But you didn't hear that from me". No problem.

I immediately went inside and called ORP. I talked to some girl named Michelle and ended up in a screaming match with her over the semantics of "stealing" vs "taking or removing something that belongs to someone else". I told her we had permission from Whitney (the other property manager) to install the Dish. She told me that Whitney does not have the authority to give that permission. Whatever. That's not my problem. She said she would talk to Whitney and call me back later.

5pm quickly approached and no call. It is very rare that someone from ORP will call you back. If you don't get someone on your first call, you might as well forget it. But lo and behold, Whitney called at 5pm. Matthew answered the phone and spoke with her for about 20 minutes. They were both very calm, which is a good thing because it would have been a different story had I answered the phone. Matthew is so diplomatic and patient. I do love him for being every thing I am not.

Whitney informed us that Rob (the guy who had Matthew's truck towed) and Doug (the guy who cussed out the old ladies at our last meeting) called ORP and DEMANDED the Dish be removed. Whitney told them that there is an FCC regulation that states a COA board cannot prevent someone from having a Dish. (good to know) They then said that we had the wires attached to the building, which is against regulations and therefore they are justified in removing the Dish. Whitney had to go along with that. ORP is paid and employed by the COA board. Now, the only reason we attached the wires to the building was to keep them out of the way of the lawnmowers. But whatever. We will take them down. Matthew even offered to bury them. ( the wires, not the board members)

So...as of right now we have TV and I can once again get my Pacey fix every day. They better not start messing with it again. GOOD SHOWS are about to start. Survivor. Carnivale. Angel.

This morning I went to my orientation at Kings Island. Typical safety video stuff. But I got my ID and every thing is taken care of. I wonder if they contacted Delta at all. For employment verification. I kind of doubt it, but I would be interested to know just what information they were given. I am really looking forward to working FearFest. It should be a lot of fun. Matthew is totally bummed that he won't get to.

I also Volunteered to work Tall Stacks in October. I have never been to it before, but it will give me something to do during the day. Matthew being gone all month is going to really suck.

I picked up some books at the library to start planning our trip. Yes the Germany trip that was supposed to happen last year is going to happen in 2004. I will either go in February or late March. I know Feb will be cold and snowy, but that could be very pretty. I am just concerned about transportation hassles and the possibility of some things being closed. I am also extending the trip from 11 days to about 17. Adding a side trip to Prague and spending more time in the Alsace region of France. The trip is all mapped out, I just have to change the dates. I don't think I am going to book any hotels in advance this time. I will just carry a list of a few in each town and find something when we get there.