Something in the Aire

It is different. It doesn’t feel right. Things just seem odd?

Maybe the change of season. One day it is sweaters and the next day shorts. More than enough clouds and plenty of rain so when the sun shines, everything grows overnight. Rock on the porch one evening and hide under the blankets the next night.

With that noted, there are other things. The delivery trucks are not coming around? Normally there is a parade of trucks riding up and down the street leaving brown boxes on everyone’s doorstep. There is also no food delivery? Did the neighborhood decide to eat out after the pandemic? Are people learning to cook? The sound of construction has died down. There is not the sounds of ladders and hammers (except for the house that is being replaced at the end of the block). Maybe everyone used up their savings preparing their property to sell with the increased assessments? Even the sound of the lawnmowers and blowers only come on Wednesday.

The city came by early in the year, dug a hole at the end of the block, filled it in and left without any warning or announcement. They came back, dug up the hole again, filled in the new hole and then left. The only reason I noticed was they blocked off the street and left a pile of gravel in the alley to climb over. They also put a bump at the top of the hill to slow down speeders. I try to ride in off hours to avoid speeders. My city taxes did pay for a nice resurface of a rough ride side street. A city truck came through the alley cutting branches that lean over to get in the way of the trash pickup. Did get a message about leaves cluttering the street, but my neighbor took care of all the pickup.

Speaking of the city, and why something funky is going on, I noticed there was a water leak at my meter. A pool of water but not blocking the walkway. Of course, I did my civic duty to call the city to register the problem and request a fix. A few more calls as reminders and wait. The water bill hasn’t spiked, but when it all dries out, I’ll get another assessment of my water usage.

Another weird instance has been my request for some home repairs. A month ago, I used the same company to replace my steps, but now they seem to have forgotten me. Several e-mails with detail instructions and attached photos and no replies. Phone calls and no replies. Finally got through to a voice who seemed a bit confused and over whelmed. An estimate and date were agreed on and I’ll wait, and see?

Then there was this bazaar order from an old used and reliable prime-time product purchase online and deliver the next day service. I browse the network (the same as you) not really needing something but just shopping. I check musical instrument sites (as if I needed another one) and compare notes on tone woods and bracing. I order essentials like underwear and socks to avoid going to Target and being followed by security. It is also a solution for heavy bulky items not readily carried on a bicycle. There track record has been outstanding until….

I see these guitar finger picks.

Add to cart and confirm credit card number and expect a small package by the end of the month. Tracking the order, there was a delay and an apology for being late and then ‘the package has been lost’. Wha?

So back online (as we do to waste our time) and cancel the order for a refund.

I’ve ordered many items from speaker wire to audio receivers to sink washers without any problems, so I thought this must have been a fluke.

Why was this item so unique?

These were guitar finger picks that look like a paperclip retwisted to fit a finger. Most finger picks are like extended fingernails that pluck the strings like claws. There are thousands of different guitar picks on the market. Each has their own versatility and qualities. Guitar players have their preference, like baseball players have a favorite bat.

So, I decided to try again.

Another order, another wait, another delay. What was so difficult in getting this product delivered to my house?

Emails to the manufacturer and delivery company, followed by online customer service to finally a voice on the phone. The final solution seemed to refund my payment and an email that stated the problem was being investigated. Well, that’s that.

I sit on the porch watching the trees dance to a cold front moving in. I check my junk mail and there is this package?

 

Then the ice cream truck rolled by.

The yard still needs trimming. The neighbor is moving. Tummy Temple has again become a mundane daily visit to acquire tasteless substance. Still need to go to phone store to find out why my phone drops service and why my bill is so expensive?

5/4/2024