Crappiest Company Since Yugo

I have had a fun time screwing with my Internet connection, since lightning blew it out about a day ago. Lightning hits here all the time, but for some reason, one blast managed to turn off my PC while I was using it (with a battery backup and surge protector), kill the onboard network adapters, and destroy my ancient Zenith TV, which was on a surge strip and not even turned on.

Go figure.

It didn't even hit near here. It apparently hit something related to FPL's crappy, third-world power grid, and I guess the juice came here over the AC hookup.

I called Bellsouth about a million times, and they told me all sorts of wrong crap. Finally I decided to give up and go with new adapter cards. Right now I'm on a wireless connection, because my wireless card is fine. It's just the adapters built into the motherboard that are gone. And in the device window in Control Panel, it says they're just fine. Thanks again, Mr. Gates, for your wonderful, trouble-free software.

I also have to order a new TV. I guess that's not so bad. I got this one in 1994. I really loved it. The picture was fine, and it still looked good with the other furniture. I assume that the problem is fatal; I'm not willing to pay a huge fee to find out. Not for a TV that has a market value of $25.

Time for a small flat-panel for the bedroom, I guess. Will it have a convenient alarm function like my old TV? I'll bet not. I'll really miss that.

Arrgh. Now I have to sift through TV reviews. Kill me now. Please.

Last night Mike treated me to dinner at Shula's steak house. He said he wanted to try their 48-ounce Portherhouse. It's roughly the size and shape of a human head. He had no trouble with it, although he looked a little green when we left. I had the tiny 32-ounce prime rib, and we were both too macho to turn down Key lime pie.

I don't recommend Shula's. It wasn't horrible, but every other steakhouse I've been to in Miami is better. Even Christy's, which is mediocre. And my own steaks are on a whole other plane.

Mike's steak--the meat alone--was 85 bucks. They gave him a little certificate to fill out, making him a member of the 48-ounce club. I wouldn't be surprised if he pulled over and booted on the way home.

Time to get my TV/adapter problems fixed for good. Programming will resume later.