Comments on: Chinatown bus: pray for us

by: Becky

Fri, 04 Mar 2005 20:44:15 +0000

Those busses rule! If the DC–>Philly–>NYC busses looked like that, I would’ve tried them years ago.

Suzette, you have done your bloggerly duty by warning us about the busses. And I agree–when I encounter them on the highway, I stay far away. However, they do get you to New York pretty damn quickly.

by: very metal

Fri, 04 Mar 2005 18:52:58 +0000

I like to imagine that these Chinese buses you speak of look something like this — maybe that’s just the “magical realist” in me.

by: Suzette

Fri, 04 Mar 2005 00:20:47 +0000

Never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined that YOU would be a passenger on my sworn enemy, the Chinese gambling bus. Have I not written enough about the perils of sharing the road with these careless brutes? Did you not read my woeful tales of seeking out the safe harbor of the berm to avoid having my car being mashed by a Chinese bus? And still, you got on one. Brave woman.

by: Martha (jinzi)

Wed, 02 Mar 2005 04:46:39 +0000

Can you have them look at the usage for the same month last year? I’m trying to remember what it was I read recently that made me think the gas company in your area was being investigated for fraudulent charges.

Now I feel the need to Google. Maybe I was dreaming.

We did have a similar situation here in Jersey a year ago with the gas in a secondary dwelling and couldn’t get a history because it was too new. Turned out that when a neighbor had called to get their service switched on, the meter numbers had been reversed on the accounts accidentally and we were being charged for their apartment. They had more space, it was their primary dwelling, etc.

Food for thought?

by: Clair

Mon, 28 Feb 2005 19:11:27 +0000

As a test, try turning your heat off for a month and see what your bill is. You’ll want to do it now because the rates change at the end of winter.

by: Becky

Mon, 28 Feb 2005 18:55:53 +0000

Yeah, I know there’s a problem with the gas (especially since I put the thermostat to 50 before work), but neither PGW nor my landlord will believe me. It’s frustrating to have to take their word that everything is configured as they say it is.

Now that I’ve survived the Chinatown bus adventure, perhaps I should start kicking some landlord ass.

by: Glenn

Mon, 28 Feb 2005 18:22:45 +0000

I have to agree with everyone else Becky.
Unless you keep your apartment at 95 degrees 24/7 there is no reason your gas bill should be that high. That is insane.

by: Raul

Sun, 27 Feb 2005 21:51:41 +0000

$277!!! Our last bill was for $215 for a 2500 sqft house. Plus we have a gas stove and dryer. I guess Philly gas is better than Reading gas.

by: Jen

Sun, 27 Feb 2005 04:35:55 +0000

I should add that the $380 bill was from heating a house, not an apartment so you should probably get your shit straightened out. We’ve been living off of space heaters sicne that bill and our electric bill hasn’t been anywhere NEAR our gas bills, which are still too high for my liking.

by: Becky

Sat, 26 Feb 2005 13:31:58 +0000

Scott–I thought $277 was way too much too. I’ve long suspected that the house meter is running on my bill, though the landlord denies it. However, when Jen said that she got a $380 bill I thought, “well, maybe this is normal.” Jen lives in Georgia, so I think she wins for most outrageous gas bill.

Dragonballyee, I envy your low bills, but there’s nothing like cooking with gas. Sam is doing some serious cooking for $65.

Thanks for the confession, Sam–I am laughing my ass off. At the risk of upsetting Viggo, Jude, and Max…sometimes men make me mad enough to at least consider the possibility of broadening the field. However, $277 is too expensive to switch. My neighbor told me that all it takes is a few drinks, really.