Damn, it feels good to be back, Chiefs fans.
After a successful and rather painless move to my new stomping grounds–Austin, TX–I had no idea what was in store for me. Congress deals with less red tape than I had to in order to get my effing Internet connected. Us bloggers and Web junkies don’t talk about it all that often, but getting and staying connected to the Net is a royal pain in the ass sometimes. The telecom companies have too much control and too little concern for their customers. And temporarily borrowing Internet from a neighbor isn’t really an option in the days of piracy and viruses. One word: password. Can you blame them?
Instead of going with the local Grande Communications, which I almost did, I went with AT&T in order to lump together my Internet and cell bills and save a few bucks. I had it all set up prior to my move, and I would be online on day one as an Austinite. Although the move sounds smart, it ended up being a big mistake. Really big. In fact, King Carl negotiates more swiftly than AT&T. After one week, 14 telephone calls, two canceled visits, several five-dollar trips to FedEx/Kinko’s to check my e-mail and a shitload of frustration, they finally sent a technician out to tell me, drumroll…THAT THEY COULDN’T HELP ME! So I was back to where I started–with Grande. Luckily, they only took 48 hours to get me hooked up.
48 hours isn’t too bad, but considering what we pay these companies there is typically a serious lack of urgency on their part. And the bigger they are, the worse they treat their customers. Having a laptop is a great option, because you can find free Internet access at lots of coffee shops. In fact, if you are a blogger having a laptop is almost a must. I’m definitely going to get my iBook fixed before the season, because I can’t handle not being connected (we’re called Arrowhead Addict for a reason, baby). Still, lots of coffee shops–ahem, Starbucks–charge an arm and a leg for Internet service. Some of us are lucky enough to live in apartment or condo complexes with free Internet access. Lucky bastards! I think all apartment complexes should do that. It’s all just a pain in the ass.
Oh well, I’m back and just wanted to bitch to other Web addicts and bloggers about being at the mercy of the telecoms, aka the Gods of the Interwebs, something I’m sure you all understand and relate to. Now, back to our Arrowhead Addiction! I can’t tell you how much I missed both the site and interacting with other Chiefs fans. Yes, I was bored without the Interwebs, but more than anything I just missed old A.A.
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Glad to have you back!
Welcome back Adam!
Thanks, guys. I go through withdrawals when I’m away that long!
WHen I recently jumped to MaBell, I had a bitch of a time also. I wanted cell and net together…72 bucks per…not bad. I jumped on it. Free phone (razor) and so forth. So I signed up for the Elite interent, they sent me two routers, and the Razor. When I went into the store to activate the razor, they had free blackjack II’s if you sign for the internet. I managed to get a free blackjack, and eventually got it hooked up after a few hours on the phone with them. Make sure you cancel the voice line on the dsl after its connected folks.
We didn’t miss you at all. Dear god please go away.
You didn’t think I meant that did you?
The internet should be free… bastard a55
I really believe no company is worse than MediaCom, at least you actually got to talk to someone at AT&T.
Nice to have you back bro, even if I do get to talk to on the phone all the time.
welcome to austin. please let me know where the chiefs hang to watch the game. been stuck at shoal creek on lamar with my wife and saints fans.
Yah Adam is going to have to make a Chiefs place down there. Get it going Adam!
Hey Adam! Welcome to A-town… or as the truckers call it “Little Guitar”. Sorry to hear about your AT&T issues – having dsl with them myself I can tell you stories about being slammed with higher rates for the same level of dsl without consent or warning.
You’ll be glad you went with someone else, but in the end you may want to consider a cable modem with Time Warner as they are the fastest and most reliable in Austin by a looooong shot.
There are several other good coffee houses with free WIFI you should check out: “It’s A Grind” @ 41st & Red River, “Epoch” just off North Guadelupe on North Loop, The “Spider House” @ 2908 Fruth St, and all of the “Austin Java” locations.
I hope the rest of your move was easier!
Hey Adam,
I forgot to mention a lot of Austin based Chiefs fans watch the games (when they’re not on the local feed) at Aussies Volley Bar & Grill, 306 Barton Springs Rd as they have the NFL Season Ticket there. Usually there’s at least 8-10 of us there. C’mon down and say hello!
I’ll have Direct TV so I can live blog and such, CMF, but I’m thinking we might have to do an Austin Chiefs kickoff on opening day down there or something. I’ll definitely get down there for a game. Sounds fun.
Thanks for the tips on coffee shops. I think there is an Austin Java up here in the Northwest area, so…
Going to be a great football season here. Looking forward to it!
Definately keep me in the loop for opening day, as long as we’re not booked for a festival out of town I’ll be there! I think Aussies may have free WIFI as well… so if you do the laptop thing you could blog from there as well.