Photo: Unsplash We Side Trip by Embalse Del Neusa, Colombia
I made a mistake, again. Let me tell you about it!
My first major mistake was on Superbowl Sunday in February of 2015, I parked and blocked a driveway. My car was towed, and it took the City of New York and me a week to find the missing automobile. Here’s a link for this blogpost:
Last Thursday the gas for my stove was turned off for non-payment. I can’t cook or roast in my beautiful stove/oven. Let me explain what I was thinking:
This is my first experience living in a co-operative building. I mistakenly thought the co-op paid my (stove) gas bill as they pay my heating gas, which is included in the monthly maintenance fees. The prior occupant, who was a tenant (who was responsible for the stove gas), lived in the apartment for many years. Heating bills were mailed and received, but I disregarded them. I was told that her affairs were being handled by someone in charge; not to pay attention to her mail.
To restore the gas service, I am required to open a new account, which means proving my identity and residence. (This was because of the large, unpaid balance on the old account, which is now locked.)
The response from the energy company was inconsistent. There were helpful agents, yet the departments are separate, and information gets lost. A trip to the field office to present my documents was the turning point, getting through the stalled communication due to boiler-plate emails.
I am responsible for having my stove gas turned off but if feels so odd that I’m in this predicament due to non-payment. As a habit I pay my bills on time, even several days early.
I closed on the apartment in the summer of 2022, and of course, I plan to pay for my usage from that date. Awaiting my gas service to be restored on Thursday of this week, I’ve played/studied the microwave, even boiled buckwheat noodles with vegetables. Scrambled eggs will be my next recipe.
I’m in this position because of an overdue balance. What’s an energy company to do? They turn off the gas supply! The saving grace is that it’s my opportunity to learn the microwave. This is my latest spiritual challenge: to remain calm and compassionate with myself and others – so that the situation does not get heated. (Yes a pun on words.)
Speak with you soon,
Love & Peace,
Linda
