The Buck Stops HERE!

Weird and junk mail postal deliveries, excallating utility hikes, corrupt internet carriers, and other things that go 'bump' in the night and make ya wanna go postal!

I have a low threshold for pain and aggravation. Can’t help it, I’m just not wired for that shit. I’ll take only so much, and then I’m gonna come out punchin’.

Two days ago, I was so fed up with AT&T ripping me off, I contacted the FCC online, and filed a complaint against ‘em. I don’t wanna wade thru the laborious details here of why I was moved to do this, but suffice it to say, I dropped my TV service back on 11/11/24, and was told by AT&T’s “loyalty” department, I only owed around $68 and some change as the prorated amount for the month. Well, this is far from what occurred thereafter!

The next (paper) billing that came, ‘cause I stopped trusting AT&T years ago not to be highway robbers, was over $223! Again, they charged me for TV service (I’d even sent back my fucking DVR) and I got a “late fee” on top of a service I no longer had. I do just fine with streaming video these days, and I can hack $25 and change per month. It’s not so much about the money for me, it’s the principle! AT&T promises you one fee, and your next billing is congruent… but then goes up 10 - 12 bucks every month thereafter! I’d finally had it with those pricks!

I received a prompt email reply to my complaint yesterday, and a phone call from a “manager” at AT&T today, who took all faux charges off my bill, and assured me I’d only be charged about $25 a month for fiber-optics internet (which they installed a couple months ago). We’ll see. In My world, it ain’t over, ‘till the fat lady sings.

The other complaint I made, was to the The Public Utilities Commision. I have a great (roof) solar system, and my monthly electric usage charges are very minimal in winter… but the “delivery” charges from Southern California Edison are outrageous! Again, I’m not gonna fatigue ya with details, but suffice it to say, I filed a complaint against So Cal Edison. The PUC is currently investigating the matter (they conveyed in a fairly prompt email reply) and will keep me posted, as to how that proceeds.

And another thing… I came home last night after spending hours at a local hospital, when a friend (in Alabama) had his wife call 911 on my behalf, because I seemed a bit off to him, and was repeating myself during our phone call. The ambulance folks did a cursory check, and declared me to be fine (and that’s how I felt). When I called my friend the third time, he said, “Shari, ya need to get checked out. Please call 911, and get yourself some medical attention. I musta done it, though I don’t remember. Again an ambulance arrived, strapped me in and drove me to my local hospital. They did some tests, took my blood and ran a head and neck CT scan. I have an occluded right carotid artery, apparently, but (good news) no brain bleeds, and no sign of stroke (only a possible TIA) due to inadequate blood and oxygen flow (I have naturally low blood pressure).

A bizarre thing is, mail was waiting for me when I arrived back home from my Uber ride. A plastic envelope was addressed to me, middle name included (which was strange) and it came from SLOVAKIA! I opened it, and the contents looked like hash or marijuana~ half a sandwich bag full!

Concerned this might have toxic properties (who knows?) and that others, maybe teenagers might try and smoke the stuff if it came to their house, I called my local Sheriff’s department, which said, “just throw it away.” I called Pasadena Police Department, and they gave me the same advice.

I’m thinkin’, does NOBODY care that this suspicious package arrived at my home, and God only knows how many others?? I then called a number online for The US Postal Department, to report the matter. THEY paid attention. When I got off the phone with ‘em, I called the FBI… I was on a roll, at this point, as a concerned citizen! They also listened and took notes, indicating someone would be by to investigate this odd delivery.

One of these two organizations (I’m thinkin the FBI) sent the Sheriff’s dudes over to investigate the matter. The fellow who examined the baggie and its contents, said it smelled like “dirt,” but to me, it smelled more like an herb of some sort. He then went on Google to see if there were any other exchanges online about this very strange “present” from way outside the US. Sure enough, someone’s sending this stuff out, and the mailing label says “registered mail,” a box is checked that indicates it contains a document, and the description on the label is “scented candle” (far from it, I thought)!

So, friends, it’s been a pretty bizarre 24 hours for me… but if you’re fed up with getting ripped off by your utility companies or internet carriers, there ARE at least, agencies you can take your gripe to, and perhaps that authoritative branch of government ‘might’ do something about the issue! I promise to keep ya posted.

Remember, the squeaky wheel always gets the oil. You’re welcome.