A challenge to our enthusiasm

Last Sunday provided a challenge to our enthusiasm for this London adventure.

The day began with snow, which dashed our hopes of a warm, sunny, springlike day. True, it didn't rain - and the park looked beautiful from our windows - but we saw it as a step backwards in our progress toward warm, welcoming weather here in April. (The weather has much more of an impact on us because we walk and 'tube' or 'bus' everywhere.)

We were hoping to set up the broadband service for our computers. We had received the box with the router - and we were excited about getting it set up on the new desk that had just been delivered. We had already received two letters from Sky, the service provider, 1) confirming that we had ordered the broadband service- and that they would, in fact, deliver it, and 2) giving us the required key numbers. (Up to now, we have been hitchhiking on a neighborhood wireless network that does not require a password.)

We would soon discover, however, that two letters from Sky were just the beginning. We had two more communications to go. Both arrived this week - an email and a phone message - and we STILL don't have the service yet. They keep giving us one more step to take. (This is one example of the 'process' that Carl refers to as taking priority over product in the workplace.)

Anyway, while we were putting the computer and the router in place, we realized that the phone cord included in our package from Sky was too short -- we needed a longer one. St. John's Wood High Street does not have a hardware/housewares store, but we optimistically decided to ask in some of the smaller stores if they carried the cords we needed. Nobody did, of course.

It was at that point, we realized we would have to get on a bus and ride up to Finchley Road to buy this simple cord to install our new router.

It was then that we both agreed we REALLY missed our car - and said to each other, "It's time to go home!"


Of course, we took the bus and purchased our cord, then we stopped off and had dinner before we returned home. And the day ended on a positive note.


PS I received yet another message yesterday from Sky telling me that today is our 'Activation Day.' Perhaps this is it.......