What's he on about now?

In case the articles, essays and opinions throughtout this site just weren't enough for you, here's my online diary (a.k.a. 'blog'). It's as close as you'll come to the inside of my head, so don't say I didn't warn you
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   Wednesday, January 22, 2003

A TORONTO TRADITION: BITCHING ABOUT THE CABLE COMPANY

I didn't pay the cable bill last month because, hey, it's Christmas, but Rogers has decided to make me a New Year's resolution. After budgeting payments this Friday for both the telephone and cable bills, I was surprised to come home a few nights ago and find a note taped to my door informing me that someone from Rogers will come to my apartment tomorrow to "collect the full payment." I phoned up the cable monopoly and asked if that someone was named Rocco or Vinnie. I suggested paying $50 right away and the other half Friday. In the most bored tone I've heard since Ben Stein, the woman said, "The minimum payment is $57.61, sir." I laughed and asked how they arrived at such a precise number. "That is the minimum payment, sir," she replied.

I like dealing with the telephone company better. Ever since phone service was deregulated and companies like Sprint were allowed a slice of the pie, Bell has been little-girl sweet with me. They call just to see how I'm doing. They ask what they can do to serve me better. Rogers charges me an extra $8 a month for one channel I enjoy and 15 others I never ever glance at.

It's bizarre to me that our mail is taken care of by a fairly-well-run government company, while cable television is controlled by an entity straight out of Terry Gilliam's Brazil, and telephone service -- which I consider the most necessary of the three -- can be provided by virtually anyone with access to the wires. Doesn't seem fair. At any rate, I'll have to borrow a concrete drill -- it's the only way I'll be able to install the inevitable satellite dish.

Labels: Trawna