The System Couldn't B More Flawed

Right now, I'm sitting in the cold, hallway of our flat building. Our internet isn't working, and won't be until "who knows when." So, I found an open wireless network - giving me access to communicate for now. Never mind the odd looks I'm getting as neighbors go up and down the stairs. In short, the whole internet connection system here in Munich is completely flawed, "back-ass backwards," and a giant pain in my left cheek (I'd venture even to say my right as well).

A technician arrived today from T-Com. For starters, I specifically asked for someone who could speak English as I knew solving the problem wouldn't be easy. Not only did he not speak my native tongue (which is fine, I get it, I'm in Germany), but he studdered. I'm not against studdering, but it doesn't help the communication efforts. After disconnecting all of our equipment, he tells me the router is broken. I need to get a new one. After minutes of going back and forth, with me asking, "Then what?", I got on the phone to T-Com and had them speak to him. Afterwards, they spoke to me. I need a new router. Then, someone is going to have to come back out and connect it. We make an appointment for Friday. Frustrated beyond belief, I say goodbye to the technician as my blood pressure builds. "There has to be an easier way," I thought.

So, I call back T-Com and ask if I can go pick one up at the T-Com store, come home, and connect myself. "Do you have the code?" they ask. Code? I guess I need a code to "launch" the internet. And since it was "launched" six months ago, by a company who set up our net and phone, I couldn't tell you what or where the code is - which means I need a new code. Of course, this little fact wasn't communicated to me on the phone. So if I wouldn't have asked about it, the technician would have arrived on Friday, after my new router arrived in the mail tomorrow, to try and make it all work. But as it's clear now, it wouldn't without this code that's floating around lost (probably in the pocket of the homeless man who we found sleeping on my summer lounge chair in the basement). Now I need a new code sent to me (which could take two or three days to arrive via post).

I thought the Germans were efficient. Today's three ring circus only makes me believe their ability to get the job done and done right has evolved to the point of now everything is difficult. First the French, now the Germans. Get me out of here!