Once Again

Why is it that nothing can ever be simple?  Absolutely nothing!  Last week the UGI guys came and jack hammered the pavement in order to replace it.  Okay, fine.  Been waiting MONTHS for them to show up.

However, they left it torn up all weekend.  Which meant my bottom step, which had been repaired nicely and firmly about a year ago, was left unsupported.  Yep, you guessed it.  It cracked and is now about to crumble again.

They came Monday and did sidewalk.  They filled in a tiny bit beneath my step.  Not the whole thing.  Not under the corner below the crack.  And not very well in the portion they did patch haphazardly. 

This morning as I was off to do errands the gentlemen were there finishing up.  So I asked them about my step.  Instantly I was informed it’s not their problem, it had been patched before.  Well, yes, it had been.  But until they messed with it last week it was just fine.  Sturdy, uncracked and going to stay that way.  Now, as it is, if it makes it until winter water will get in, freeze and expand and then the whole corner will break off.

We left it this morning with the worker bees needing to consult their supervisor.  Yeah, as expected no one showed up the rest of the day.  Tomorrow I will call UGI and argue some more.

As I asked why can nothing ever be simple?  

Always Something

Last January the local gas company decided it was my block’s turn to have all the meters moved outside.  On the coldest day of the year, during the middle of the week so I had to use up a vacation day, they came and spent eight hours relocating mine.  That entailed leaving the doors and windows open to dissipate the gas that escaped during the process.  They insisted it wasn’t much but it smelled awful and strong so I wasn’t taking any chances no matter how frigid it got.

Since then the pavements have remained mangled which has allowed water to seep in where it hadn’t before.  The end result?  My basement is damp.  Very damp.  The paint is crumbling off the street-side wall due the moisture.

Three weeks ago they came and broke up the sidewalks even more.  Of course there have been torrential downpours several times during those weeks.

Yesterday I came home to find this.  Can’t get to my front door without using my neighbor’s steps which don’t really line up with mine.  Can’t get through the alleyway to my back door.  Although that’s okay since using it would trigger the alarm which is not necessarily a bad thing, to remind the area that I have one but it’s a nuisance discussing why it went off with the monitoring company.

And I should mention that it’s been raining off and on the past twenty-four hours, making my neighbor’s steps very slippery.  If I suddenly vanish check the cement out front, I’ll probably be embedded in it.  That is if it ever stops pouring long enough for them to come and replace it.

Happy weekend, all!

The Best Laid Plans

The local gas company has decided it’s best to relocate all the gas meters to the outside of the house.  Not to be paranoid but just think of all the potential scenarios an overactive imagination such as mine can come up with.

I received the notice stating they were about to begin work in my block on Monday.  Oh goody.  Tuesday the various colors of paint appeared indicating which lines are where.  Wednesday the no parking signs were lining the street when I got home.  Today as I drove up the street, I saw a man tapping on my door so after Howie was parked we chatted.

Yes, I stated that I would prefer them not to blow up my house and they promised to do their best not to.  Then we discussed when they would be repositioning my meter.  Monday. Morning.  They will try to have it completed in half a day but can’t guarantee it.  So I need to use at least a partial vacation day for this nonsense.  I suppose overall they believe it will make things safer since they are replacing ancient pipes as they go not to mention the added benefit of ease of meter reading.  Let’s hope they’re right but if I suddenly vanish you’ll know that their best wasn’t quite good enough.

On a lighter note, they left the digger right out front which, as I see it, give me free reign to poke around.

Simple

I cam home today to an orange notice on my door. It was from the local gas company. It seems they wish to come and inspect my gas lines and meter. You see, my bills are significantly less than other years and they are concerned.

Very nice of them to worry and yes, I will be calling for an appointment. The whole natural gas infrastructure in this part of the country is old and decaying. I’m happy to come let them make sure that my little corner of the world is safe.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it is unnecessary. I can tell them why my bill is so low. It’s been very warm here this winter which means I haven’t felt the need to turn on the heat. It’s set at 53 and hasn’t come on by itself more than a handful of times.

No heat = no natural gas usage = a very inexpensive bill.