I will never understand how our electric company sets their dates on their bills. One month it's for 28 days, the next it could be for 32 or 33 days. Other utilities are generally for a 30 or 31 day month every month.

Several years ago I worked two years for them, through a temp service as a meter reader.

I could tell you dog stories all day. Some were over enthusiastic, playful furry friends, but most were trying to rip your throat out. Every customer was sent a schedule of when we would be coming, but few adhered to our request to either tie up or put these dogs inside. So I spent time being bitten, scratched and cornered by 'man's best friend'.

Don't get me wrong, I love dogs. It's just that they are protecting their master's home from strangers. I get it. The best defense I learned was to never turn your back on an aggressive animal... that's when they attack.

Oh, and one time I had to drive like a bat outta Hell because a farmer's bull had broken out of it's pen and was bucking like he was in a rodeo and heading right for my company truck.

And once I had to walk past penned wolves. Another time past a caged lion.

So after I've gone 'above and beyond' to make sure these 'forgetful' customers had their meter read accurately, the customers would whine or yell that the meter wasn't read properly and their bill was too high. Or that they couldn't have used so much electricity because they were on vacation for two weeks. Yeah, maybe they forgot to turn off all the lamps, outdoor lights, the refrigerator, microwave, clocks and sometimes the AC.

I averaged about three mistakes per month. This is after reading from 500 to 1,000 meters a day. Not bad, eh?

Well, after two years of being part time, making three dollars less on the hour than full time, and being next in line to be hired full time, I was told that the company was no longer going to hire full time from the temp service - the last two temps to be hired were both fired, so that was ending.

I know I went off on a little rant, so I'll get back to what I was originally griping about.

No one knows why the company (or they won't tell) varies their billing periods. I asked a lot of people while I worked there, from the bottom to the top and no one seemed to know.

Funny the things that pop into your head while paying your current (pun intended) bill today.

I suppose I'll never find out the answer.

And so it goes.

~

After seeing highlights (rather lowlights) of 'The Great Cat Fight of 2020, Part I', I am embarrassed for my whole country.

SMH? No - it makes me want to hide my head.

~

... that no one reads my blog.

It's cool, I rather like being anonymous.

If you could relay one message to your 18 year old self, what would it be?

?

A few years ago, I tried a dating site. Met some local women and did some online chatting.

One of the women stood out a little more than the others and we were getting ready to meet.

BUT

When she asked me to pick her up a '40' and a pack of menthols on my way over, I declined and then deleted my account from the site.

Luckily I know what she looks like in case I ever see her around town.

It was my second unagreeable experience in the web dating scene and I am now retired from trying.

As the Rolling Stones sang it:

"I can't get no satisfaction, I can't get no girly action."

And I'm o.k. with that.

~

A neighbor across the street put a child's car seat and a grass trimmer out by the road. Sign could be read across the street:

FREE

Many young couples walked by, some with children and looked, but no one took the seat.

A young man with tattoos and a knit hat, smoking a cigarette walked up and immediately picked up the trimmer. No problem with that... I figure the trimmer will be put to use.

BUT

Why did he have to kick the child seat?

"It's so nice to be insane, no one asks you to explain." From 'Angie Baby' by Helen Reddy.

I have always been attracted to Latin women. I had a 'friends with benefits' relationship with a hot lady years ago. Too bad she moved away.

There's just something about their dark hair and brown skin that drives me wild in bed.

I love their culture and their music. To this day, the only language I know more than a few words of is Spanish and I sometimes kick myself for not taking the class in school at age 14.

I probably should have moved to California years ago when my sister did. I might be a happier man today.

~

... could someone make so much money for coming up with the idea of putting cardboard people in all of those empty seats at sporting events.

~

People complain about being in quarantine.

In February of '05, we had a major ice storm here that knocked out electricity city wide. My place is total electric, so I had no lights and no heat for 6 1/2 days. By the time I could borrow a kerosene heater from a friend (you couldn't buy one in a 3 county area - all sold out) it was down to 47 degrees inside.

I read by oil lamplight, had flannel sheets on my bed and heated up water on top of the heater for coffee & washing up. I kept food in a cooler. The beer stayed cold... I just put it outside.

Anyone who has been camping knows I (under the conditions) had it pretty good and I made it without complaining.

Anyone who complains to me about being in quarantine when they have all of the comforts of home I just ask them:

"You want a little cheese with that whine?"

~