I understand, Zuzu, The power and phones go out here all of the time. I lived all over the world, but never had problems like this. Living in this town is like living in a third world country You may want to get a water cooler that takes some filters or at least fill some extra bottles of water from time to time, just in case. I have a PUR water cooler and like it a lot. Also, make sure you have a phone that doesn't take electricity. Sometimes the phones are still on when the power goes out. A cell phone may not help. When the power goes out here, the cell phones have trouble getting a signal, but I live in the mountains. One Christmas, we had an ice storm and the poser went out. I had to finish Christmas dinner on the bbq. The worst part is that I know it will. Dead/dying/fallen trees are overhanging the power lines throughout the county. The power companies do no preventative maintenance, they wait for outages - unless town governments or companies complain. For example, the trees near the hospital and university are no where near the power lines. Guess where I want to move....
We also get frequent boil water advisories and don't have mail delivery. If I had only known in advance, I wouldn't have moved here. I moved here following an auto accident and still don't drive, so phone/internet outages are a BIG problem. (Same for you, I am sure). The area is inhabited by people who have lived here all of their lives. Most don't use computers, are never seen with a book or newspaper, and have never been to either New York City or Philadelphia even though each is 1-2 hours away, depending on traffic. Of course, they complain when the store is out of beer or the cable goes out. I am shocked at how many people are missing teeth. A friend was hiring secretaries and had numerous applicants with high school diplomas (legitimate ones, she checked) who couldn't read and have never used a computer. I admit it would be hard to use a computer without reading, but how do you expect to get a job as a secretary in a law firm without either skill? Unfortunately, these people seem to work elsewhere and vote for the mayors, etc. IThe "things have always been this way and it was good enough for my parents" attitude reigns supreme.
It is changing as people move/retire here from urban areas, but slowly. It is an odd part of the universe which I regret entering and am working to exit. Again, hard to do when you don't drive. I have to be sure that I send in all work early, just in case. Same with online coursework. Don't get me started on the postal delivery. I sent so many things "return receipt" that I should get a discount. Each month, I have to make sure that all my bills arrive so that I don't accidentally forget one. (I estimate about 10% of my mail gets lost.) People outside this area don't understand "the power was down/the phones aren't working/I sent it last week". It is 2010.
I started going to chamber of commerce meetings in town -the only ones I can walk to. They were ringing their hands about businesses leaving town and the difficulty attracting new business. I gave them an earful. They obviously never considered utilities a problem. The good-for-nothing-I-am-helping-his-first-challenge-in-years-get-elected mayor had the balls to say "why don't you call the electric company sweetie", exact words. I said, " I already have, honeybunch, and written to them and the utilities commision, but they would be more likely to do something with a letter from the mayor. I'll even write the letter for you to sign, or better yet, draw up a petition from the entire town council" Yes, 2010 in Delaware Water Gap, PA, the town that time forgot.
In the meantime, a day with phone/power/running water that doesn't need to be boiled first is a good day!
A friend who used to work/commute to NYC and recently retired is running for mayor. This is the first time in a long time that someone else ran. I would love for someone "not from here" to win. I am not sure if the problem in town is corruption or stupidity or both but she is neither.
Sorry for the rant. Today is Monday, follow up day. I had track the mail and call the UPS guy AGAIN to pick up the modem damaged in the storm in MAY that took until July to be fixed so that the phone company will take the charge off my bill. Today, I feel like I am the only person in the state trying to get things done. Perhaps the only person, period, because I keep talking to machines. Good thing I checked, I didn't receive my electric bill, yet, so I checked it online and notified the post office and requested a duplicate bill from the electric company. I am hoping that filling out lost mail forms will get the attention of the main office so I am keeping track of things that don't arrive. Getting to be a long list. I even had to contact the postal police when prescriptions went missing, twice in a row. One of my prescriptions was on a "controlled substance" list. Aren't they all controlled? Yikes.
I'll try to calm down now, until next Monday.
Time to go outside and plug in the leaf blower. (Love that electricity). I'll take my frustrations out on the black walnut leaves.
