Long Time, No Blog

Well, it wasn't by choice. Sadly, the internet provider I chose had problems sending us our 'connection pack'. My first inclination is to rant about Orange's internet service but I will say nothing other than it took Orange (a mobile phone company which offers broadband as well) 4 weeks to get us online.

Things have been very busy as our routine here becomes more clear. I have started work (though only for two days a week until the new year) at Oxford Brookes and the team I work with seem excellent. Ange continues to very much enjoy her work as well. Anna likes her nursery and the other children and seems to be settling in.

There are all sorts of things that need doing, which have occupied much of our free time, as we get established in the new house. The other day Anna and I were on a mission to get a TV license. It's a strange concept to North Americans, to be sure. Thankfully, it isn't based on my ability to actually make sense of and use the TV with the various remotes that are required. The house has a satalite from the previous owner and Britain has a free satalite service appropriately called Freeview(mind you, you pay for a TV license). While there are loads of cool upgrades you can pay for: films, cartoon channels, reality channels and the North American Sports Channel (NASP) which was 'discussed' and despite it showing more than 300 NHL games and nearly every playoff game "we" was decided against it. We might re-discuss when the playoffs roll around.

Anyway, we require this TV license and, after asking a number of Brits, it seems that the Post Office is where one buys a TV license. What one can do at the Post Office is nothing short of amazing. The Post Office is a one-stop interaction point with the national (or federal, if you like) government. In addition to every form you'd ever want and a payment place for all sorts of things, the Post Office offers (this is weird...) bank accounts, credit cards, insurance (house, auto, and life) and a number of other things you would simply never expect from Canada Post.

The downside of the Post Office offering every imagineable service is that there is almost always a lengthy queue. Anna and I braved the queue one afternoon shortly after getting a TV from Dad. Still, the North American in me wanted to reject the all-encompassing role of the Post Office in society, so I meekly approached the post office attendant: "I know this is a post office but people assure me that in addition to needing a license to watch TV, I can get it here at the post office.... ???" The attendent was so nice but regretfully informed me that the Post Office was no longer in the business of selling TV licenses. Perhaps some Senior Post Office person decided it wasn't closely related enough to core business, whereas selling insurance and running bank accounts was...

Regardless, the lady who was helping me was indeed helpful and friendly and directed Anna and I to a nearby petrol (gas) station. Hmmm. The petrol station was a good hike in the drizzle, but we marched over anyway. After waiting in another queue of people waiting to pay for their petrol, we approached the man behind the counter and asked for a TV license. He stared at me kind of blankly. "I was told by the people at the Post Office that this is where you now get television licenses." It turns out the big barrier at this point was going to be the English language. It wasn't really spoken by anyone working at the BP petrol station.

"Need receipt," was all I got from him.

"Right. Well I don't have a receipt at this point as I haven't bought anything." I offered back.

"Need receipt."

"I don't have one..." I was quickly realising that this was going nowhere.

"Need receipt."

As I gave up, slightly annoyed and slightly perplexed. The gentleman behind the counter seemed relieved that he could go back to petrol and junk food transactions. I stood in amongst the crisps and chocolate bars wondering what to do. Finally, I asked someone in line about TV licenses. She was as confused as I was by the receipt thing, but was quick to re-assert that I needed a license to watch TV as the fine for watching without one was significant. She just bought her license online. I thanked her as I silently cursed Orange under my breath and started wandering back home as the darkness of early evening settled and the drizzle continued.

The whole episode took me nearly an hour and half. We watched TV without a license that night and thankfully noone got hurt. Ange bought the license online at work the next day in a matter of minutes. I cursed Orange again.