Solomons, MD - Lost Verizon

"We never stop working for you". At least that's what they claim -- until they do, in fact, decide to stop working for you. The other day Kevin noticed that our Verizon broadband card (that gives us fast internet access anywhere we get a cell phone signal) had stopped working. He called customer service to see if they could fix it and was transferred to the fraud department where a very angry, very rude woman informed him that the service had been discontinued because he had "violated the terms of service". Kevin politely asked how the terms had been violated, and approximately when, and what specifically he had done. Rude lady then snapped back that Verizon did not have to tell him any specifics, only that he had violated the terms and that he'd been cut off and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it. Kevin was appalled at her attitude, and told her so, but she still would not give out any details. So if anyone was considering using Verizon broadband cards: buyer beware! Apparently they have an unadvertised usage limit on their 'Unlimited' broadband service that we exceeded. We do still have the cell phone service, and whenever we are near wi-fi we will have internet access, but the days of surfing the internet from remote anchorages are gone. Sigh.

Today UPS delivered two huge packages for us -- our new folding bikes. They are pretty neat -- they fold right in half and the handlebars fold down as well to make a neat little package. They don't look like your average ten-speed, but they get the job done. We took them out of the boxes, made a few adjustments, and took off for the grocery store. It's nice to have a new way of getting around. Kevin found the perfect place to store them, they both fit right in front of the genset with room to spare.