For the fifth consecutive bill, Charter Communications is screwing me over on the price. Some of it is my own fault, I moved houses AND changed some of my services. Here’s a brief rundown.

• Moved houses on May 15
• Downgraded video package
• Started receiving Charter Telephone (for the “triple play”)
• Got a TiVo HD
• Needed a CableCard installed
• Updgraded to HD tier

Take into account that all these items happened on different days, but still, shouldn’t I have had at least 2 bills where I knew what I was getting? My answer is “yes”, Charter’s is “no”.

I’ve been with them 8 years now and I’ve never had this kind of trouble with billing, but they seem hell-bent on screwing me over. And I’ve got AT&T trying to get me into their “quad play” (landline and cell phone service, tv & internet), so Charter shouldn’t be trying to jerk me around, but they are.

Don’t get me started on all the great HD content I’m receiving, because it isn’t there. Outside of sports, you’re stuck with Discovery HD Theatre which repeats everything, Universal HD which is terrible and both of Mark Cuban’s HDNet offerings. As much as I enjoy the news in HD, Poker or cheesecake photo shoots, there just isn’t enough quality programming out there. Once you spend a weekend watching nature shows and your favorite team, you’ve seen it all.

But it can be beautiful and engaging. Heck, it’s still head and shoulders beyond even the best DVD transfer.

I don’t know what I’m going to do. I really hate Charter at the moment, Comcast isn’t available in my area (but would I want it?) and I’m sure I want to get AT&T’s bundle, because then I’ve got satellite, DSL and no TiVo (brand). What’s an entertainment and connectivity junkie to do?

This post is a mess and so am I. I’m going on vacation tomorrow (a week in Mexico) so the blog will be dark. Hopefully my mood and my cable situation will improve upon my return.

Vaya con Dios!