Tube Boob

I finally went online to register for one of those government coupons for the digital converter box for my TV.  It's not that old of a television - in terms of actual age - but still only has coaxial cable in/output...  I may as well have to use stone tools and instructions in cuneiform to hook the damn thing up.

I'd looked at just getting a new TV - I've been very fortunate that in all my years of living away from home that I have never had to buy my own TV, so maybe it's time for me to be a big girl and just suck it up and buy my very own TV.  Buuut... post-vacation I figured it's better to just spend less.  So I got the coupon, got the box...

And I'm ready to throw it, my TV and myself out the damn window.

Of course I'm only two floors up so I'd be left alive, injured and without anything to watch while recovering in a body cast.  So it's just not worth it.

I've also been transferring computer info from the old to the new all morning.  I've been up since 7:30 working on these two items - the TV and the PC - and it's almost 1.  Where has my day gone? 

I just tried to pop in a movie but I can't watch it without this damned converter box not working, unless I re-connect my other, non-digital converter (which allows a newer DVD/VCR to connect to a coaxial TV), and if I touch another cable, remote or battery-operated ANYTHING this morning... my apartment may end up in flaming rubble.

On my way to sit shiva yesterday for a friend whose father passed away very suddenly last Tuesday (so, yes, things could be far worse), I got a call from a director who got my name from a mutual friend, who needs someone to fill a role in a show.  I called her back immediately saying I was heading to a shiva and would not be available to talk, but said she can leave details or try me tomorrow... and I never heard back.  Yet, anyway.  I will of course try again, but... I dunno, I have a feeling... I hate this roller-coaster... but fingers-crossed, anyway...

What I really want is to kick back with some cocoa and my Hot Fuzz DVD... but that may be impossible today.  Argh.  Isn't technology supposed to be easier?

--Susan Atwood

PS: Don't break your old cathode-ray tube TVs & computer monitors or just throw them away - they contain mercury.  Find out how to recycle them, insted.

Comments

[evelyn]

I broke down and bundled my internet, cable, phone, and cell phone for much less than it would have cost to get any two of those on their own. Then, the nice men in uniforms show up and do it all for you. :) That, alone, was worth the money and the stress-free experience of it all. It was either that or kill my TV.

[susan]

Hmmm... the "nice men in uniforms" part is very persuasive... ;)

[Nicole J. Butler]

Girl!! I just went through this. I ended up taking the converter box and all 3 brand new antennas (antennae?) back to the store and getting DIRECTV. I haven't had cable in over years and really didn't want or need it, but it seemed to be the only way to get my TV to work and keep my sanity.

[susan]

So frustrating. I mean, I got the box all hooked up ok, but the "menu" screen never appears to direct me how to set the channels. I called the company, he walked me through the set-up again (TV to TV - check. Antenna to antenna - check. Not that hard) and also told me how to "reset" the box, and it STILL won't show me the menu screen. I think it's all a big scam to force you to buy a new TV. Although my parents (go figure) got both of theirs to work... :(

Sad face.