I got a notice from the gas company that I needed to have my indoor meter checked. I needed to call and schedule an appointment prior to the end of May – or my gas would be cut off.<\/p>\n
I was cross about the threat – and then worried when I misplaced the notice and phone number before I called. I got a second notice, made an appointment with the most disengaged customer service I’ve even encountered, and planned to be at home on the day of the appointment. Which was yesterday – from 4 to 8 pm.<\/p>\n
I left work a little early so I’d be there in case they actually showed up at the beginning of the window – and started waiting.<\/p>\n
At 6:20, I finally got the automated call that they were on their way over. At 6:30 the technician arrived. I met him at the door and escorted him to the basement with the well lit and cleared path to the meter.<\/p>\n
He had a box with a sensor wand on the end that he waved around the meter for about 45 seconds before he declared it done. I walked him back upstairs and he was on his way.<\/p>\n
So, 2 and a 1\/2 hours of waiting (could have been much more, i guess) and then 45 seconds of actual work. Is this really the best system for this? Really?<\/p>\n
Sigh.<\/p>\n
——————————–<\/p>\n
Thunder(cat) has been enjoying the open windows and the increased duties as a neighborhood watcher. He’s been a bit more playful and I decided to give him a treat. About 2 minutes after he scarfed it down and determined that he wasn’t getting a second one, I found him in the living room trying to turn himself inside out.<\/p>\n
Now, having a cat as a room-mate involves a certain amount of vomit. I accept that it happens – either food or hairball (thankfully, those are rare), but something about that tiny treat did not sit well with him and he put his whole body into throwing that up – along with perhaps everything he’d ever eaten.<\/p>\n
It looked really painful and was a horrible sound, but once he got that treat up he was pretty much okay. I cleaned up the mess and although he doesn’t know it yet – that was his last treat.<\/p>\n
Sorry, bro.<\/p>\n
———————-<\/p>\n
I have decided that databases are dumb. They mostly work when you are trying to catalog things – like books or widgets – but they have trouble with the very changeable human element.<\/p>\n
I’ve been getting letters from the Human Right Campaign at my house – with Jeff’s name on them. I’d let my membership lapse a while back and somehow their database mixed my address with Jeff’s name.<\/p>\n
It’s not a big deal, I guess, but it makes me a little sad every time one of these come in. Today, I went to their website and tried to find a form that would match the situation and failing that – finally tracked down an email address.<\/p>\n
I sent the note, got the automated “we’re working on it” response, and moved on.<\/p>\n
Again.<\/p>\n
I still think about him often and it doesn’t hurt so much anymore – just, you know, kinda sad.<\/p>\n
Once this mailing list is cleared up I’ll consider renewing my membership again. I kinda doubt the effectiveness of the organization, but it seems like the thing to do.<\/p>\n
—————-<\/p>\n
Time to get some dinner and run some errands. And maybe sit outside and read if the wind settles down.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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