I haven't been online here at the house since the 20th. I got this little snotty letter from the phone gestapo about being over my 3k minute limit for free usage and how it was my responsibility to keep track of it. Well....I have been keeping up with it and according to my records, I still have 2 1/2 hours left.

I don't know what kind of people they're used to dealing with over there, but they need to control themselves. I swear, I think they purposely look for the snottiest (is that a word?) people and put them on the front lines. Did I tell you how they treated me when I went to sign up for phone service? I can't remember...

Anyway, I went in and got the 3rd degree. (Remember ~ all I wanted was phone service, not an upper level security job in the government...) They wanted to know where I lived; what kind of house it was, whether it was owned or rented, how many lived here, how many would use the phone, my social security number, everyone else's SS number that would be using the phone, my mother's name ~ and maiden name...you get the picture. I ended up walking out. I went back later and took C.M. with me (I wanted a witness this time) and was treated somewhat humanely, although they still had the attitude that I was out to rip them off.

I really wish I could change my phone service. BellSouth service ends just 5 minutes down the road, but due to the monopoly NorthCentral has here ~ it's near impossible to switch. I'd still have to 'rent' the lines from NorthCentral in order to get BellSouth service and the fees, at last inquiry were incredible. (The fact that they would do that in the first place is incredible too.)

O.k...o.k...I guess that's enough ranting about the phone gestapo for now. Come Monday, it looks as if I'm going to have to go and settle this whole thing ~ I'm not going to get charged for something I haven't used. Look out, Gestapo ~ don't make the Ice Queen come out.