January 8, 2016. A Ride in the Park or A Rant in the Park.

January 8,  2016.  A Ride in the Park or A Rant in the Park.  We awoke to a park shrouded in fog this morning.  The fog was supposed to dissipate by noon, but it lingered all day.  Fog notwithstanding, we decided to bike the park today.  I snapped a few pictures of places you may recall seeing before.  Or, maybe you don't.  In any event, none require comment from me. 

But, that's not today's story.  Today's story is about the newspaper we subscribe to at home.  I put a vacation hold on the paper while we were spending a week in Colorado.  We returned home Saturday and found six newspapers in our drive.  Now, ask yourself, what do six newspapers in a driveway mean?  To me, it means the homeowners are not there.  Otherwise, they would have picked up the newspapers, right?  And, if I were a home intruder, I would intrude a home which is unoccupied rather than one where I might encounter a homeowner. 

I was unhappy at the cussing level.  This isn't the first time this has happened.  Our vacation holds have been messed up a half-dozen times.  So, on Sunday, I called the circulation desk to reinforce the hold.  Monday, Casey told us another paper was on our drive.  I called the circulation desk again and cancelled a newspaper I have read for 45 years.  I requested a refund of the prepaid subscription fee.  I was assured that the paper would be cancelled immediately.  Yesterday, Casey said there were two more papers in the drive. 

I called again yesterday.  I spoke very plainly to "Joe" at the circulation desk which is evidently located in Pakistan.  I firmly announced that I wanted my subscription cancelled.  I wanted him to transmit that information to the distribution center.  And, I wanted him to call me back to confirm all that had been done.  Joe said he would do that, I think.  I say, "I think" because Joe had a pretty thick accent.  As of tonight, Joe hasn't called be back to confirm anything. 

So, this morning, I got a text from Casey which said, simply, "Another day, another paper."  I went online to the customer service department of the newspaper.  I wrote essentially the same message I had orally communicated to Joe.  As of this evening, I haven't had a response from customer service.  Casey will drive by the house again in the morning.  I'm gonna guess there will be a newspaper in the drive. 

There have been many occasions over the last 45 years that I didn't get a newspaper when I wanted one.  Now, when I don't want one, I can't get them to stop throwing it.  I don't think the battle is over yet.  However, eventually, they will stop the paper.  It may be when I don't pay the next bill, but they will stop. I am sure of it.  In the meantime, if you'd like nearly two weeks of newspapers, check with Casey.