Cable vs. DSL

Yesterday, I had internet connection installed in my house. It was a choice between 2 providers in our area- Optimum Online or Verizon DSL. A decision made after months of deliberation.

So I called the customer service centers of these 2 providers. First I called Verizon using the number I saw on a tv commercial, and discovered that the DSL service itself is cheaper than cable internet. Just under $30 if I sign up for 1 year. But they say I needed to have a land line telephone, which I don't have. (I'm not even sure if that's really needed because I remember a friend telling me that back in the Philippines, DSL service can be installed independent of the telephone line) So that's around another $15 to $20 that I will be spending on top of the DSL fee for the basic phone line. See, here's the thing. We don't want a land line in our house because everyone's usually out, and we all have cellphones. A land line telephone is redundant.

It was tougher to get through to Cablevision (since they have a whole range of products they want to sell, including Triple Play (bundled package that includes cable tv, internet access and land line telephone) for around $100. (Though I think recently, Verizon came out with its own version (with DirecTV).)) I had to go to their website. And they called me. Here's their deal. The service (for Optimum online only) will cost $30 for 6 months, and it will be $44.95 thereafter.

So I asked around, and found many of my friends who believed Optimum is actually faster than DSL. I factored that into my decision.

In the long run, DSL might be cheaper IF I had a land line phone. But I'm philosophically opposed to paying for something that I don't really need nor use.

So here I am, writing my first blog from home with my really fast Internet connection from Optimum Online. :)

Portland

Last January 6 to 15, I went to Portland, Oregon, and I fell in love with the city. In a different sense. It’s different from New York. It’s clean and well-planned, and things move just a bit slower. People take their time while walking, greeting each other, not rushing from one place to another. And everyone seems to have some close affinity with nature (no styrofoam cups for me...). It was just great!

A mere 30 minutes could take one from downtown to forests and mountains and waterfalls.

1. The Grotto is one of the most peaceful places I’ve ever been in. The meditation room is so quiet and comfortable. They have these really comfortable couches and a wide window with a panoramic view of Oregon – Plains, Mountains, Skies, and the occasional plane that takes off from the Portland Airport (which, by the way is another great thing about Portland – they have this really lovely airport)
2. Crown Point and Chanticleer Point (vistas along the old highway) offer beautiful views of the gorge, the river, and Washington State just across are great picnic places. The sights were only so breathtaking.
3. Multnomah Falls was a fun trek. It’s one of the tallest year-round waterfalls in the US. There’s the mist from the waterfalls that’s just everywhere as I walked in the area. It’s almost magical.
4. Powell Books is one of the greatest places in the world! I was like a child in a candy store. It was bigger than I had imagined. They have these rooms labeled by color (red, gold, yellow, purple, pearl, and so forth) I literally got lost inside, and spent 2 whole days of my visit immersing myself with the books. One particularly interesting thing that I noted were the mini-reviews by the bookstore staff (hand-crafted and posted on the shelves). They buy books, and they have a rare book collection (pearl room). It’s simply book-lover’s paradise. And the Coffee’s good.
5. Gardens – Chinese Garden, Japanese Garden, Rose Test Garden. I have to come here during springtime to see Portland in bloom.
6. Galleries in the Pearl District are great! There’s this gallery with works by Rodin, Matisse and Picasso. It really was something!
7. Mount Tabor was another wonderful trek – trees and all. And there’s a view of Portland and Mount Hood. It’s a great place for a wide range of activities like biking, jogging, dog walking, etc. 8. No Sales Tax!

I’m sure there’s more. I didn’t really get to explore much yet. I really wanted to go to the zoo, the coast, Mount Hood, etc. I’m looking forward to coming back.

Thanks Tita Yvette, Tito Don and Manang Dina!

2nd Month Anniversary

Today marks my second month in the US.

I'm still looking for work. :)

That was easy!

I woke up this morning without any idea what a blog is or what it's for.

Now I have one! And I'm writing my first post. Cool!

(Now, I have to figure out some sort of content... he. he.)