Free Cable

When we moved from Waterloo to Cedar Rapids seven years ago, we called the local Mediacom outlet and said that we wanted the "basic, basic" cable package. It gives us good reception, plus all the shopping channels, TBS, WGN ... the very basics. It costs $12 a month, $10 seven years ago.

After installation, we realized that we were getting tons of channels. Michelle was in heaven -- the Food Channel, HGTV, and the History channel all just a click away. After a month or so of this, we called the company and told them we were getting all these stations, and that we better not be billed for them, because we didn't ask for them. Mediacom's response was that they needed to get a filter in place, and that they would soon.

They did, after several months, and many of the channels disappeared. But we still were receiving more than we should, and it never changed again.

Well, when we moved to Marion three weeks ago, we called Mediacom and asked for the "basic, basic" cable package like we had before. Guess what stations we're getting? Yep, the Food Channel, HGTV, and the History channel.

It's obvious what's going on here. Mediacom gives you free cable for awhile in hopes that you'll get hooked, then when they take away "Yan Can Cook" you'll be outraged and buy the more expensive package. Well, it ain't gonna work in our house.

But in the meanwhile, we're enjoying lots of free cable. I'm trying to record to DVD all the children's holiday specials so we can watch them in future years whenever we like, and not be slaves to programming. Tonight is my absolute favorite from my own childhood -- "The Year Without a Santa Claus." It features the "Heatmeister" and "Snowmeister," children of Mother Nature who think they're all that, and more.

Don't call tonight between 6-8 ... I'm tied up.