There are plenty of places to go

For some time I have wanted to change our cable package as it includes lots of stuff we do not watch. I wanted to change it to a much cheaper package which also includes lots of stuff we do not watch – but at least it is cheaper. We were currently paying for 275 channels – of which we watch 4.

The problem with doing this is that I have to talk to DIRECTV  - which is one of life’s more excruciating  experiences. I would rather get caught in an elevator with Donald Trump or Carly Fiorina.

No Wait!

It is not actually talking to them which is the problem – it is getting to talk to them because they have a truly baroque and Kafkaesque telephone tree which at any moment may connect to entirely the wrong person or else cast you into the ether and an inky black silence from which there is no way out but to start again.

So anyway after putting it off for a long time I tackled the issue this morning and it took only three transfers and 45 minutes. I am submitting this to the Guinness Book of Records.

While I was waiting I was looking at some old stuff and remembered a few years ago that I got an email from a friend in Australia asking me to read an article in the Australian newspaper.  This is a Murdoch newspaper and I replied to him that if I did this I would have to wash my eyes out with soap and boil my iPad.

He got most offended and even though I apologized for my weird sense of humor – he un-friended  me on Facebook. This was embarrassing as I have never been un-friended before - so I was unsure of the protocol. Anyhow he has never spoken to me again which I think is a bit of an overreaction.

But I read recently that the vast Murdoch empire has bought National Geographic and has laid off 180 staff.  I received a renewal notice last week and put it in the trash as I have no further interest. 

I have seen what he has done to other Murdoch publications including the once respected Wall Street Journal. If I want to read that there is no such thing as climate change I can go to Fox.