Solutions

So...

Today, the DirecTV guy came to move my service.  They've got a moving package that includes installing in your new location so long as you've got (a) your Genie box and (b) a TV.  I brought both back from South Carolina with me.

So, the guy shows up in the window that he was supposed to.  I'm on the first floor, and I specifically wanted to be facing South as that's where the satellite is.  It's all line of sight....if you can see the satellite you can get signal.  If there's something in the way...like a building, or a fence, or a tree...you can't.  Pretty simple.

When I signed for my lease yesterday I signed a half dozen addendums.  One said that I'd inspect for bed bugs within the first x number of days and if I didn't contact them then any that showed up would be my own fault and I'd be responsible.  Another had to do with pets.  Another had to do with...well...satellite TV dishes.  There was a deposit involved.

Anyway, I digress.  So, I live in this one bedroom apartment with a little patio.  And, a tree.  Well...the tree turned out to be a problem.  The guy said that it was in the way.  He ran some initial tests and the readings from 2 satellites needed to be over 90.  Well, the readings from one was in the 80's, and the there was absolutely no reading from the other.  Not good.

So, I told him to go about what he needed to do to put the satellite dish on a pole in the ground, pointing in the right direction.  He was very limited in what he could do with regards to where it got mounted, or anything having to do with the tree.  I told him that I'd take care of the tree.

As he was doing his work, I came out and started to climb the tree.  It's not all that big of a tree and it wasn't long before I was within reach of the offending branches.  The problem wasn't with the entire tree - it was with a few specific branches that needed some "pruning".  So, I was there to do the pruning.

He said he'd never seen a woman climb into a tree like that before.  I told him I was unique...that I was a problem solver...and that if the tree was the problem that I'd solve it.  Before long I was pulling back branches and he was measuring the signal.  And - damn if we didn't get above 90 on ALL the readings.

He seemed appropriately impressed.  But, as I tried to explain to him, it's all about finding solutions.  When all I've got to rely on is me - I need to find solutions.  So, I do.

Today was furniture moving day.  I spent part of the week buying various bits of furniture on Craigslist but now that I've got both time and keys to my apartment today I went to pick it up.  I've actually already got more furniture in this apartment than I do in my place in South Carolina.  Like, a dining room table.  And a bedroom set (with no mattress, tho).  I actually like the way it's all coming together.  But, as usually happens while you fill an empty apartment with furniture you get a true sense of how small (or large) it is.

My last trip of the day involved a couch and a dresser.  Both were too big and heavy for me to move by myself and the potential for rain was making me nervous.  So, I stood in the parking lot of the apartment complex waiting to ask the first guy who happened to come by if he'd help me.  It wasn't a couple of minutes before some young studly guy heading to his car took pity on me and helped me carry them into my place.  He was very nice.  Again....problem solved.

Little by little....I'm getting settled.  In a way it's a little unnerving because this makes the third place in the country where I've got "stuff".  I've done this before, and it took a while to subsequently consolidate it all back to only 2 places.  Regardless - I'm doing what needs to be done.  And, I'm looking forward to heading back to Charleston for a visit in a couple of weeks.

Until then - there's still more unpacking to do, and things I need.  I'm pooped from the expenditure today - both emotionally and physically.  I could have been asleep an hour and a half ago but we watched a fascinating show on CNN that kept me awake.  But now, as I type this, I've taken a shower and I'm about to fade into bed.  It has been a long day.  I suspect that tomorrow will be similarly long and draining, with more problems that need solutions.