finally, just plain weird

Yesterday was good, then bad, then good, and finally, just plain weird. I was rather thrilled to discover that the Hank III CD is available online and at less than retail. According to what the link suggests, it ships within 24 hours. To think, I spent weeks pouring through various stores to find this same CD — and I paid full retail. Same for Robert Earl Keen’s Live #2, perhaps one of his best albums — his live stuff always sounds better than slick, studio productions. You know what I liked hearing yesterday? “Sure, no problem, we can process credit cards for you, and it will be a lot cheaper than your current company.” That, “Sure, no problem,” comment was good news indeed. Then, McLeod Communications, the people who bought Caprock Communications, who were my phone company — and saved me $400 in one year — called. I tried to get DSL through them last November [& Dec. & Jan. & Feb.] That’s more than 90 days. So, I switched back to the Mother Ship, SW Bell. Hook up is due in 10 days. But calls requesting information were never returned from Caprock (now McLeod), and I got an extra [erroneous] bill for my Nov. & Dec. phone bill in February — again — along with a service disconnect notice. It was paid on time. And 40 minutes on hold while waiting to find out it was their mistake. A little problem or two is understandable. A long string of problems means me and my business go elsewhere. And was I fair? More than fair. I’d like to think I don’t pick on anyone, except certain signs, but even that varies by the planets’ positions. I did go by the Convention Center and fetch my pass for the week’s festivities, but I’m afraid I’ll be missing all the alcohol abuse. Had a brush with fame, but even that was momentary, and I won’t bother with the details, but it was another one of those fabulous Sag women. I do know it’s going to be a strange few weeks. Overheard in line to get my badge, “Hey, send me an e–mail to confirm that the e–mail didn’t go through.” Yes indeed, strange times — I was wearing, more as a joke, a KISS T-shirt. Off to work this morning.