A New Lifestyle

I have had a newspaper subscription to the Lubbock Avalanche Journal  http://lubbockonline.com/ since I do not know when.  I had a subscription when it was an AM and PM newspaper. One of the things that I found so endearing about Lisenby was that he read the newspaper, front to back, and when it was an AM and PM newspaper, he did that twice a day.

Last year, when I received my subscription renewal notice, I was hesitant to renew:  The cost per year had increased by about $16.  Not bad, but the newspaper quality had so decreased I was not sure it was worth it:  the spell checking and proof reading was bad, the information was sometimes inaccurate, and the sports reporting was frequently inaccurate, including about sports game time and location information. I am a big sports fan, and relied on the newspaper for information about event times and broadcast information.  Sometimes, the announcements they printed about community events were confusing (this week, next week, when?).

But, I renewed.  Because, among other reasons, I used the newspaper as liner under three kitty litter pans, and also under the cat food and water dishes in the kitchen.  Well, I have decided I could purchase lined table clothes, cut them to size, and use them for the same purpose. Because, when I received the invoice for the renewal of the subscription for the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, the price went up from about $130 a year to about $180 a year.  This was much more than I thought the yearly subscription was worth.

I did not renew.  I continued to receive the newspaper.  I received a second renewal invoice, and I did not renew, but I continued to receive the newspaper.  Finally, I called the newspaper and told them I was not going to renew, but they were continuing to send me the newspaper.  I suppose I could have indefinitely received the newspaper, had I not called them. But I felt as if I was receiving the newspaper under false pretenses. 

So, now, I am having to develop a new lifestyle:  I do access the Lubbock Avalanche Journal on line.  I am watching more TV news, especially local news programs. I am accessing daily puzzles on line vs. in the newspaper. I am having to search and research community activities and events.

In the morning, as get ready for work, I am feeling unsettled.  I do not have a newspaper to flip through. Some mornings, I do get on line and check some things out. Some mornings, I do not. 

So, I am a creature of habit, and my habit has been drastically disrupted.  I am having to find a new equilibrium for my new lifestyle.