***STABBITY!***

!@#%^$#DE#!

I can get this archaic TV to momentarily show the VHS info on the screen -- then, dead. Does not respond to the VHS controller or the cable controller. Can't press the buttons on the machine -- no response. Can't eject the tape -- can't play the tape.

STABBITY*STABBITY*STABBITY*

I was planning on using Netflix to console me if DVR turned out to be too expensive in this market (I see why sparkylibrarian and madspark do without the TV portion) but the TV, unused for 7.5 years, sounds like a 747 taking off when I use it with the DVD player. Now, it may be the DVD player -- but that's only 15 months old, and since I need to turn off the TV separately from the cable, there's a distinct hum that remains if I forget to turn the actual set off.

And the fifteen year old who said I needed a switcher box did not leave any instructions. AND it was not my imagination -- Time-Warner no longer gives even a Quick Start sheet with its equipment. This reminds me of how we went around and around trying to explain to cable that we had bought an old house that had NEVER been wired for cable. They were like "It's under control" until the installation guy shows up and says: "You've never had cable?" We did not have a stroke explaining -- that guy, at least, had brains, apologized for their idiocy, and came back four days later with time to wire the place.

A friend just got cable for the first time. She called installation because she was only getting 8 channels. The guy showed up, took the controller and flicked a few buttons, found a menu and said: "It's on antenna, that's the problem." Before he left, he gave her the info that tells her which stations are what, etc., etc..

I am jealous. She has DOCUMENTATION. I hate reading on-line help almost as much as I hate writing it.

I really wanted to see PERSUASION tonight.

There. I feel better.

Poke poke poke. Stab Stab Stab.

Zzzzzzzz.