Cedar City Complications

Today marks the one week anniversary of my residency here in Cedar City, Utah. The rose colored glasses have come off and the true nature of this small town has emerged, unfortunately. I have been at the mercy of several workers because I had hoped to have them do some work around my house. What I have found, however, are people that do not return your phone calls, people that overcharge you for things when they see you have a BMW, and people who believe that because you are a single woman, you can't do anything yourself. Here's some things I have had to deal with and my responses to them:

1. The County Trash People: All of my things would not fit into my newly recovered polycart (I mean, I just moved in, obviously I will have a lot of trash). They left everything that was not in the polycart. I'm calling them tomorrow and making them come back. We'll see how that goes.

2. The Electrician: The electrician came over and stated he could hook a tv up in my bathroom. He said he would be over Tuesday afternoon. He never did. Not only that, he never returned my phone call! Listen, Mr. Electrician, you must change your voice mail message ... you do NOT return every phone call. I've decided i'm taking my tv to school since I have cable in my office. I suspect he decided not to come over when I stated I wanted to know the price prior to him completing the work.

3. The Post Office: I did receive my key. However, it was completed the next day, but nobody called me back to tell me the key was there, after I was told they would call me when it was ready.

4. Bresnan Cable Burier: I am pretty sure it is not a good idea to put a cable next to the electricity cable ... but then again, it's not my job to know. Pretty sure it is your job. And yes, I know it's hot, and i'm sorry they don't pay you enough (both things were mentioned to my mom to message back to me by the digger man), but really, it isn't my problem.

And, last but NOT least ....

5. The Landscaper: It's funny how people tell you how quickly they can get started on a job and then once they have your money, they suddenly keep putting you off and not showing up to do the work. My grass was supposed to be in on Friday. They haven't shown up to work after every day showing up to my house promising me they would be there the following day. But, today, was the last straw. 8am came and went. No landscaper. More importantly, no phone call. So, naturally, I called them. No answer. He called back, but didn't leave a message. When I arrived home and found that no work was done and no explanation, I called him ... told him I was stopping payment on my check and that his services were no longer needed. Of course, he called me back several times, each time with a new excuse. He stated he would start on Tuesday. That would be one week after he stated it would be completed. No thank you, I will do it myself and save myself $680.

I don't feel that I am being unreasonable, but I have been put to the side and taken advantage of too many times. All I want is a little communication. All I want is for people to do what they say they are going to do. I suppose I am not making any friends in this small town, but I am tired of people not doing what they say they are doing. Therefore, I made an example out of the landscaper. Cedar City, you will not be taking advantage of me anymore.

In other news, I have amazing neighbors. One of my neighbors is a retired flight attendant with American Airlines. This is her summer house. She brought me the most amazing flowers. She also informed me that the devil birds are about to have babies and when they leave the nest, she is removing it so they don't come back next year. So long, devil birds!