What has the Cable Guy Have that I Don't?

[jonestavern]

it was a fairly decent day out, unusual for around here this spring
Just breezy enough to keep down the mosquitoes &, we in this family know that means our satellite fed TV will begin with that all too familiar
"Searching for Signal" mantra it begins with any type of steady breeze, rain or snow!

So frequent over the 6 years we've had the dish, it has become a family byword
Yes, "Searching for Signal" has become a catch phrase hereabouts

After deciding the trees across the way have always been a problem (the dish installer was a real piece of work a whole other story )--ta da!
my industrious DH decides to move the dish up about 1 1/2 feet.

Does it.

I go to the Dish Pointing bit of the menu--which used to be so easy with PegSat. We get a reading of 69 to 70 for peak & signal both. However, still no TV picture.
We check all connections & do the on/off/on bit with the Dish box--no go.
Re-read the Troubleshooting guide for Dish box & DirectTV...
re-do connection check & perform on/off/on ritual, moment of silence...
No sucess
Desperately, we contemplate Heimlich Manouver, however, cannot decide where to apply the 'hug'. Will hold this action in reserve for Cable Guy.

Call DirectTV, very nice person. We go to the help channels & she works with us from there-

No go
No picture
No cable service in town
No regular reception-
No appointment for 3 weeks!

Just staring in to the mindlessly blank, unrelenting silent abyss of our new Sony TV

I can hear the freakiing clock tick!
The soft snoring of the dog, the crickets AAAUUUUGGGGHHHHH!

So what has the cable guy got that DH can't fix our link to the outside world???
Yes, experience, er.. well..hmmm...

Seriously, my industrious, never-let-the-dust-settle-on-him DH will be fiddling with this yet, so I need to point him & the dish in the right direction!

Despite the regular outage of our electronic pacifier, I have not grown fond of being alone with my own thoughts, communing with the family or taking refuge in over zealous house cleaning or become addicted to exercise.

Just bustling about the house, I like the presence of the television- senselessly chattering away like a much loved, doddering, relative.

Help! I missed the View/Star Jones thing due to weather, missed 'Hex' due to misplaced enthusiasm for DIY projects!
How will I cope w/o HGTV or CSPAN's Book Review? No Boston Legal re-runs? No Red Sox? No History Channel or The Oblongs?

Is there anything we can do besides wait the 3 weeks???
Will I survive 3 weeks sans Tube?
Will we be forced to visit helpless friends & family, wresting away the remote & madly tuning in to endless versions of 'Cracking the DaVinci Code' &
ancient re-runs of LHOTP (Little House on the Prairie), the Food channel's Ina Garten's bare feet?


Silently, picturelessly suffering~
Jean

 

[jonestavern]

oh yes, I am shamelessly...

BUMPING!

Jean

 

[TLinden16]

Oh no. The Jones Tavern familly have no TV. That means the three of them will spend the next three weeks bumping this thread.

Maybe we should push up the canobie lake park meet

 

[jonestavern]

...and just 'bumping' in general, Karen!
Yep, that is just how TV starved Mr & Mrs Jonestavern are!

DS17 just left the room to get sick

It's a really nice day out--but isn't it time for Paula's Home Cooking?

Now does anyone know if CLP has TVs????

Jean & Christopher

 

[jonestavern]

Yes, it is July 11 & TV situation has improved., somewhat.

Now we get 5 or 6 stations in the daytime, if it isn't raining or windy or after sundown This is with expanded cable

Busy bee Dh moved the dish back down to its original spot, so I can get Food channel, one history channel, CNN & the Soap Opera channel ( )ABC, CBS, NBC, east coast feeds, only pixilates at night!
Why oh Why am I getting the Soap Opera Channel? Please Mr Cable Guy, WDW is on Travel Channel tonite

Cable guy due week after next--the dish should be outmoded by then

On the other hand we've gained more family togetherness~
Yes, we are more closely bonded with our dog, Zippy, who seems to find us more of a chore than ever.

Each time I bring out the Boggle game everyone flees!
When DS17 brings out the LOTR Risk game DH & I run--we can't take the string of defeats!

We swat bats as a family, now.
Living in an old house, bat swatting, while frequent, was more of a solo effort. Now we all join in for the sport. DH can bat one right out the window & into the great outdoors, where we feel the little beasties would be much more happy!

We've re-watched our POTC DVD again studiously paying far too much attention to details in order to cypher POTC2.
Yeah, way toooo much attention, I mean taking notes-

We've decided we're gonna think of the pixilation as a flickering fire--you know a cozy hearthside

We live in a small rural town. No TV reception, the radio doesn't come in well either.
We're right across from the only General Store, so now I know who eats a liquid lunch there & when the fresh egg deliveries are due

Cocktail time, anyone?
Mine is a red dubonnet with a twist & a pixilated CNN!

so the CLP thing is this Saturday & Sunday, Karen?

Not looking for perfection, Just give me reception,
Jean

 

[hlbtimes2]

Have you tried unplugging the box and replugging it? Some times that will reset it. We have to do that to ours now and then. It will take a few minutes to reload after you cut the power.

 

[jonestavern]

Have you tried unplugging the box and replugging it? Some times that will reset it. We have to do that to ours now and then. It will take a few minutes to reload after you cut the power.

Yes, we have performed this ritual with religious fervor & with the devotion of true addicts--many times, on many days
And still the entertainment gods refuse to smile upon us

We have not tried vigourous, half-clad dancing--perhaps...

Off to see if it works---I'll have the dog try it first--after all, we do live on Main Street!!
Jean