What do the Big Ten Network and the Minnesota Twins have to do with each other, you ask? The question is very appropriate. Absolutely nothing. However, two things happened to me this week. The Big Ten Network came to Preston, and Kay and I attended the last appearance of the Detroit Tigers in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

I got an e-mail from Dave Phillips with a press release from Mediacom announcing that the Big Ten Network had come to southeastern Minnesota. “Oh happy day.” As some of you may remember, I wrote a nasty article about Mediacom over half a year ago about its failure to make good on its promise to provide its subscribers with the Big Ten Network. So I was really pleased at Dave’s e-mail. It has been mentioned to me that maybe my article helped the network to arrive. I doubt it, but in any case I was happy to have it happen.

I turned to the Big Ten Network expecting it to be displayed in all its glory on channel 75. Nothing! I called Mediacom and was told that installation was in process — implying that I should be patient. OK, I understood that, thanked the nice lady and sat back to wait, bringing up channel 75 from time to time. Still, nothing! Then I received a statement from Mediacom increasing my yearly cost by around $60. Five dollars a month increase from an already high cost of close to $800 dollars a year. Folks, my bill was edging up toward $1,000 a year. They explained that the increase was due to their increased costs which included the Big Ten Network. What Big Ten Network?

With steam coming out of my ears, I again called Mediacom. A lady by the name of Sue answered. I explained my problem, not very nicely for I expected a run around. Sue took it all in, asked a few questions and in a very nice way asked me to hold for a bit. I went to the kitchen to get an apple and a sandwich, expecting to spend the noon hour with a phone in my hand. NO! Sue was back in a short time telling me that Preston had the Big Ten Network.

We reasoned that my not receiving the Big Ten Network might be in my sets’ programming. We went through various permutations with my set. Still, no Big Ten Network. I admitted that I had a malfunctioning remote. And we went through other tricks of the trade, but without a good functioning remote, were not able to accomplish our mission, for this was what it had become to me and I think to Sue. She then asked what day we would be available to see a Mediacom serviceman. We settled on a Tuesday and sure enough he showed up bright and early on Tuesday. Agreed with me that I had a lousy remote, and through the magic of knowing what he was doing, brought the Big Ten Network into my home. There it was and I am now able to bring the Golden Gophers into my living room. It is well worth the $5 a month.

I want to thank Sue of Waseca, for her patience and good humor. She reacted very well to my problem, not only for helping me technically, but also to my original bad temper. She went the extra mile and I now have the Big Ten Network and it is very much appreciated.

We went up to see the Minnesota Twins lose the most important game of the season to date. We had gotten lucky, winning the tickets at the Preston Foods drawing. Thank you Preston Foods and it’s not your fault I picked the wrong game. The trip was fun and maybe next time we go, the Twins will win. Maybe a playoff game. I doubt it, but maybe.