We have one little tiny television with an antenna in our bedroom that is not hooked up to our satellite receiver. So a few months ago, I went online to put myself on the waiting list for the blessed $40.00 coupon from Uncle Sam to buy a converter box. (More out of amusement than anything else. I am finding there are a great many things I do strictly for my own twisted amusement). So, yesterday, my $40.00 government coupons arrived! I got two of the sparkly little credit cards, in fact! I only need one, I don't know why I ordered two. Probably because I am "allowed" two by the government, and like free cheese - by golly if they say I am allowed, move out of the way, sistah - it's as good as MINE.
Along with the sparkly little cards, is a list of retailers that carry the converter boxes. Walmart being first on the list and on my way to somewhere else, I stopped there. They were sold out, but I noticed they were selling them for $49.95. Hmmm - they still want 10.00 of mine? Went to Sears and they have the nerve to charge $59.95. Wow, ballsy, but you have not got my card yet. I proceed to a couple more stores listed, and the same thing - each store has jacked up the price of these converters to whatever will pay their light bill that month apparently.
I opt to fork over an additional 20.00 to a local electronics store but not before standing at the counter for 20 minutes while the scared little man tries to get that sparkly card to work. I was so embarrassed for him, as the line grew behind me, that I walked over and stood in front of the big screen TV displays while he frantically smacked his computer keys. He eventually had to call "someone". Maybe George Bush. This was his deal wasn't it?
As I finally left with my purchase it occured to me that it really is true. When the government is involved in day to day trivialities, things just don't go as smoothly as they could if, say, I was doing this in China - and didn't speak Chinese.
Second - while standing in front of the big screen TV, I realized that Geraldo Rivera's nose is the size of my entire left hand. I hope no one saw me measuring - but I had to know.
2 comments:
I have been and continue to be completely annoyed but the seemingly non stop warning that "THE CONVERSION IS TAKING PLACE". yes I got it - I understand - enough with the little scroll thing across the bottom of the screen etc., etc. I'm sure if there was an out break of Ebola, it wouldn't get this much air time. They want to be sure TV freaks like me don't miss a minute of perfectly stupid programing (the BAD GIRLS CLUB??? come on....and I'm dumb enough to watch it). And P.S. all things get bigger when you smack them with a chair.
I've thought the same thing about the 3 year notification we have had to endure on this thing. That's why I never acted on the coupon for the bedroom TV. Almost like rebellion. BUt then, again, the TV upstairs has several purposes - treadmill entertainment, my morning weather as I get ready for work, and something to keep my mind occupied until I fall asleep. So, I got the coupon. I don't get the channels I think I should be getting though. I haven't decided if I will just let that be or open up another can of worms....
I watched the Bad Girls Club tonight. Spoiler alert- Tiffany and Ailea got their asses sent home finally. I nearly logged onto to Twitter to put my two cents in but then thought..."wait, how old am I???" I should maybe consider yanking out my satellite feed and keeping the little 13 inch TV that gets 3 channels with my new converter box!
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