PhoneMistress (sm)

I am a little under the weather so my parents sent me a care package.  Note to parents with adult children, no matter the age your children love care packages.  My parents sent theirs via Peapod because they know there are certain things I will never buy such as products from Big Pharma.

Well, today I received Vicks Vapor Rub, grape flavored Dimetapp and Robitussin.  All the weapons my Mommy used when I was a kid.  Here’s the strange thing my parents included cans of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle soup.  Now that’s love.  My parents are so concerned that they wanted to send items that they trusted.  I popped open a can of Campbell’s, did not have to read the instructions, everyone knows you empty the can and refill it with water.

The soup was surprisingly good.  You should know that when I am well I make my own chicken soup …from a chicken …you know from scratch.  So, when I say Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup was good, it was damn good.

One of these bottles of death, cough medicine or nasal decongestant, is bound to put me to sleep.  Let’s see I have plenty of blankets and tissue.  The television is on WETA Kids.  Oh, how I love Cookie Monster.  My dad remembered my favorite cookies so I am ready.

Be well, my friends.

Last month I went online and requested a coupon for a DTV converter box.  I requested the coupon the first or second week of December and was advised that I should get my coupon by January 13th.  So, I asked my parents, if they wanted a coupon.  They said no.  I asked if they were sure because if a tornado comes though and the cable is out you will not be able to simply plug in the television when the electricity kicks in.  You need a converter box.  You know how parents are.

Well, this weekend, they changed their minds.  They want a coupon and I being the dutiful daughter went to the DTV2009 site and signed them up for 2 coupons.  Guess what?  The government program funding these coupons ran out of money.

It’s not a big deal.  I went down to Circuit City to purchase 3 or 4 boxes.  They’re out.  So is Best Buy, Radio Shack.  Desperate I actually walked into a Walmart.  They had a wait-list shorter than the rest.

So, I checked on the last two televisions I purchased.  It took me longer to find the toll-free numbers for Sharp and Panasonic than it took for them to tell me that both televisions did not have a digital tuner.  Which is great.  I paid several hundred dollars for two sets that will not work past February 17th and I am not entirely clear as to when a converter box will be available.

By the way when did televisions become so complicated?  The customer service representative over at Panasonic could have been speaking Chinese.  What is a tube television?  When I was growing up TVs came in two types - color and black and white.  Can I can get a black and white television with a digital tuner?  Do they even make black & white TVs anymore?

Now I am not one to wait until the last minute.  What stumped me was the advertising from the DTV folks.  It sounded like they were going to flip a switch on February 17th so there wasn’t any incentive to do anything early, right?  Wrong.  I got it backwards.  In actuality the “switch” is already on.  On February 17th they are simply going to turn off everybody else.

I suppose I could go out and get one of those digital televisions or get cable or not.  Thankfully The News Hour with Jim Lehrer is available on the web so I’m good until the next act of G-d.  When does the tornado season start?

So, far the year has proven to be quite interesting.  I wish everyone health and happiness in the New Year.

On a personal note, I have decided to pursue another advanced degree and have made a commitment to use this property in an effort to improve my writing skills and basically keep track of my interests outside of my businesses.

A few months ago I found out a friend who was very close to my heart was literally leading a double life.  Through a series of missteps and very bad decisions that friend irrevocably changed our friendship.  It saddens me greatly that my friend made a series of choices that were ultimately ‘deal breakers’.

In my industry I handle a great deal of bad press specifically how my business breaks apart families.  What tears a family apart is not a nebulous outside entity but the bonds or lack thereof within.

I have a simple rule: never lie to me.  I realize that we are all human and we may be tempted to tell a lie or two every now and again.  Therefore the corollary to my simple rule is: if you are caught in a lie tell the truth and all will be forgiven.

Every thing happens for a reason. Forgiveness is one of the teachings that until now has escaped me.  This situation with my friend has afforded me that understanding. Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been different.  As my memory is long and accurate, both a blessing and a curse, despite the lack of honesty, I forgive, but I will never forget.  Never.