Like I said in my profile I'm sorry for not being on the past few days. Our local internet company is just well... Local... And as such for a small town, as I recall they are owned by a private family mostly. Which means in a town like mine there is a LOT of nepitism (sorry for spelling, tired) so if they had a son they probably would just shove the business in his face (or hers if they had a daughter, I don't know the family even after 11 years of living here) even if they 'next in line' child didn't know crap about internet (which is impossible because they practically force internet knowledge here) or business which really sucks. We have families in office at the town hall. We have families working for each other AND with each other at the school. At the fire department. At the police station. It's INSANE. My dad rants and raves about it and I just told him "If it bothers you so damn much how about you run for mayor and fire the asses and get some real macho men in there? Oh WAAAAIIIIT, that's riiiiight! You're not 'native' to this town (I.E: Family hasn't lived in this town from the very beginning, c. 1880 or earlier) so you wouldnt stand a chance. That and not much experience."
But anyway, Avista the other 'local' power company is robbing the county I live in and several adjacent counties blind. Filing claims such as 'Upgrading equipment' and 'hiring secretaries for secretaries of Vice Presidents and so forth'. It's insane over here. I can only dream of how bad it must but for citizens of big cities. But in a small town like mine? The blasted drug store that has been here for a long time, CLOSED. The nearest reliable drug store? 30 miles approx. The town is trying to raise rates on water and sewage and it's going nuts here. With the local internet and phone company not giving good performances and charging anyway, I wish I was 10 again so my dad and I don't have to worry when I'm 18, when I have to pay my own bills and him not getting any benifits to combat the blasted bills. I foolishly suggested to just boycott or have people go on strike at Avista but my dad and I both agreed that that would be stupid beyond belief and that it would never work. For MANY reasons. Losing power and thus internet and other things for a start.
But anyway, done ranting and raving lol. I'm sure it's hella lot worse for a lot of people the globe over. I'm starting to get a glimpse of what people have to deal with, or at least get some shred of idea of how people who are slightly less fortunate than us, have go to through. Well, one thing is good though, least we have the house payed off, and we own it. So if something ever happens to dad I get it and I could rent it out for income. That's one worry out of the way... Hopefully.
By the way, how is the east coast doing Gun? Did that storm hit you hard or did you make it through ok? What's the extent of the damage? Snow is slowly melting over here but only just.