came from a LOL meme, but made me feel more sappy than anything.

• sniff*

Since contemplating in (e:theecarey,47659), I decided and I've got cable now. The super basic plan of broadcast channels. Every single station 2 through 23, plus 95, 98 & 99. $5/mo for 12 months, then $9/mo thereafter. The stations through the 50's almost come in, I almost want to tweak it somehow. Sort of seeing Comedy Central is a tease.

I kinda barked at the TW guy today. I had made the appointment for them to turn the cable on today. My apartment is cable ready and other than needing to turn it on outside, I did not see a reason for anyone to come inside. I had asked questions pertaining to this matter before confirming my order. I was told that it would not be necessary for anyone to come in as long as the tv produced a picture once the cable was turned on outside. If it was anything other than broadcast, they would need to come in and check everything. I was happy to hear this, as I did not want to round up my two super curious felines and lock them up, nor move their food bowls, water bowls or food container out from the doorway leading to the basement. I go down there on occasion, and although it doesn't require any real effort, I just didn't want to do all this prep work just for someone to may or may not have to come in. Also, my cats would fly down those stairs in search of adventure upon opening that door (hence my needing to lock them up, etc). Once told that no one had to come in, I didn't bother to do anything.

Forward to cable guy ringing my doorbell.

He proceeds to come in and take off his shoes.

I proceed to question his actions, leading to him saying that he needs to check the wires, etc. I understand that TW wants to make sure everything is up to standard as this helps them to cut out time and effort on potential problems, but I had done my homework, asked the questions, know how old my wires are, where they go and when the last they had broadcast and digital coursing through them, and was therefor adamant against him coming in. I told him what questions I had asked and what responses I received. He then called TW and received the same answer, "go turn it on outside, and only then if there is a problem will you need to go in".

exactly, you go outside and do your thing, and I will stay inside and do my thing. wires and cables aren't all that complicated especially a simple one in this case.

All the while he was doing just that, I tucked my cats away into the bedroom, moved the food bowls, water bowls and food container away from the door...

just in case.. hahaha

so there is not a whole lot going on on tv during the day. I have never watched a day time soap opera, and I never intend to- even though it appears to be the only thing on mid-day. Yikes..

But I am sure to find something as background when I am working on things, and want something more lively than a dvd or music.

made me think of, "dyslexics untie!" when I wrote the title. It was almost hard not to write, "untie". I think I read it that way now!

anyway, a friend pointed me in the direction of a site geared towards book lovers. It is a virtual bookshelf!


actually, it is more than that. It is a place to write reviews, blog, socialize, discover new books, read reviews, exchange ideas, etc.

I 'eat' so many books that it is easy to lose track of what I have read, when and what the book was about, author, etc. I don't know why I hadn't thought of it before recently to start writing down what I read. I made this decision a couple of months ago, and have been since tracking my books on a piece of paper. I remembered a lot of books from 2008, so I jotted down those as well. I may remember a couple dozen from 2007, but not likely all of them. The two years or so prior to that, I won't remember much, or even I read anything much outside of school texts. So, 2008 will be my start date. But why oh why didn't I start when I was, say, four?? haha That would have been awesome.

for me.

So, this Shelfari looks fun. I like the idea of having a virtual shelf, and share what I have read with others. I imagine that I would be able to find even the most obscure of books and topics that I have read, and to find other people who have read things that I have and/or things I will want to read. It is great to get new ideas for what to read or be introduced to authors and bios I may never have come across otherwise. I'm glad to say that I'll read anything, pretty much, so it should prove to be a positive addition to my life.

Now to go take a close look at this site. If not this one, then there are sure to be more out there that will suit my purpose, needs, wants, nerd cravings.

enjoy the 'heat wave', peeps!

I don't have cable. I haven't in some time.

Well, actually, I had it turned off back in 2005 when I realized that I never have time to watch it (I was a few classes into my Masters at that time pkus f/t work), and it was pointless to pay for something I didn't use anymore.

This led me to calling Adelphia, and having them turn it off.

Forward to the cable guy knocking on my door and retrieving the cable box (this was prearranged, since I lived far from drop off station). Before he left, he said something to the effect of, "in case you didn't know, if you hook your cable into the back of the tv, you will continue to have cable until someone comes along and turns it off at the street'.

No, I never would have thought to do that, figuring it would have been cut off immediately.

So I did this.

and had cable.

For like three years.

Until the new TW came along and did their giant neighborhood sweep.

I had called Adelphia on two occasions. Twice to to remind them that I had turned the cable off and I was still receiving cable, and would not accept a bill if one came to me.

Anyway, I did watch more tv once finished with Masters and all that, so when it was finally turned off, I felt the absence; but not enough to do anything about it. I never even bothered to get an antenna (or converter box), because it really doesn't matter whether I have it or not.

...except when I want a little background noise other than music or a movie. So, when an offer from TW came in recently for a basic cable package of $5/mo, I am kind of tempted. Likely a 1 year contract/offer? Do I, don't I? I have to find out more, before I do anything. This is still not a necessity in my life.

but it might be nice.

what is even on tv anymore? I wonder what is considered, "basic"- likely the local channels?


Happy Friday!

Blogging. Public. (often)Personal. Informative.
Incriminating?

I usually write as I think. Not too concerned with spelling, grammar or flow of thought. My writing is usually for me, even with the awareness that there is an audience somewhere, it isn't enough to edit anything of what or how I write. Only once here do I recall making a post private after ranting, blowing off steam about family and religion. For various reasons, I couldn't keep it "out there" for long. However, most everything else is out there for good, for better or worse in any form that I present it. If I were more conscientious of what I wrote I would either not write at all or I would be more productive and acclaimed. But I am neither, and I just sit somewhere in the middle, fluctuating in my style, voice, content, basic English writing ability and presentation. Often my writing aim is vacillating between the effects of buckshot and that of a sharpshooter.

Only recently have I really wondered about who reads my stuff and more specifically, who among my family and close friends, if any? I never really put it out there where I write, but this past year or so, I have added visible links to some of the places I write or mentioned it in conversations, or showed them something on my laptop. Have they checked it out beyond that? Would I be made to know if they had? Would I care? Do I?

There are a lot of journals out there. Over time, I have written at estrip (obviously), at two of my LiveJournal accounts, two Myspace accounts and a blogspot/blogger account. Facebook format (and all that it is, sorry) annoyed me too much, and the old Friendster format has long been abandoned, although blogs still exist there (I've been lazy in removing them, or bothering to log in). Pen/Paper journals are not included as part of this discuss, but there are many of them, tucked away). Those sites that I listed are the main ones, anyways, for longer random write-ups. Then there are the less regular yet more specific posts at political, art, theater, writing and book oriented sites. It is weird, when on occasion someone has stumbled upon a blog, or when they have intentionally sought it out, to be made aware of it. I used to have estrip distinctly linked to many of the other blog place and/or social network sites- which was good and bad. Good for some readership in general, (and the ensuing comments, private messages etc), bad for the 'stalkerishness' of some readers I came to know about. Due to the increasing of the latter, and the location and familiarization of the context of this blog (and site in general), I took down the link. That was awhile ago, and a lot of those issues have simmered down, respectively. A lot of readers still find me here (via related and unrelated searches), but it is with good intent. Maybe now I can re link again.

I happened to be in a conversation today with my mom that benefited from my showing her some pictures and accompanying write up from a few old posts. This made me realize that she has not been privy to my writing world, well, not my blog world, anyways. Not in the way that reading to her/showing her would allow. So in contemplating all this, it is what brings me to writing this post today. It is one thing to wonder about who reads your stuff quite another to know for sure, and how that makes me feel. It isn't bad nor good, just kind of weird. The known difference between fluid conversation and interaction and those that are electronically 'set in stone' and limited in personal nuance.

The writings in this blog from the past year and a half have been topical; nothing too deep or revealing. It is the first 2 years that has much more depth, reflection and insight into me. Still an insignificant snapshot compared to all that it there, all that I 'contain', but still a view inside nonetheless.

In hindsight, it really doesn't matter who reads what. It is humbling to know that people do, especially those that do so on purpose. (thank you)

I'd like to pull more of my writing into one accessible spot- something that anyone can read, if they choose. Something that is easier for even myself to look back on, refer to, track and make mental notes on.

We do a lot of living 'out there'
but we have a lot of it documented right 'here'.

Happy Wednesday, folks.