Estimated Reading Time: 3 min, 30 sec
...Except for Cable Onda, which canceled Thursday's Internet Fix
Hopeful I am, because the ISP committed to coming today, on Friday. Let's just iron out the stability issues I experience when broadcasting and stay postive... !
In the meantime....here is the short version of the post:
- Carpets installed
- Desks delivered
- Office prepped
- Studio readied
Carpets installed
This was the easy bit. Equipping the naked office with audio foam took a few hours of fun-time, creating in a space I can operate in. What an exciting day - in many respects.
Here is the office naked - And here she is, with carpets being delivered and installed. It's a lovely carpet. I also got transparent protector lining for the chair for carpet protection.
Desks Delivered
No, no, no. It's wasn't a normal delivery. I paid for the order and expected the desks and chairs to arrive between 1 and 4 pm yesterday. It wasn't as simple as it sounds though.
High Security Compound
It wouldn't be Panamá if we didn't experience some unexpected and unnecessary complications. Panamanians are lovely people. But thinking out of the box and deciding is not one of most popular characteristics I am observing. Panamá exists within a process-driven environment with strong hierarchical status-quo within an organization or group.
I received a few deliveries since I took possession of 21 D. Security however doesn't seem to be predictable. Some visitors they let through, others, like my desk delivery guys, even with an invoice, are denied access. It's nice to be safe, but for heaven's sake - an invoice with my name and Condo number is not let through? I had to got through the administrative supervisor office to grant them access to the building.
There are rules in place in Panamanian society that may take getting some used to. I arrived here 19 days ago, and it will take time to learn the ropes here.
Tally so far:
Now, desks and chairs are delivered, unwrapped, washed and put into the office. Nice!
Carpet, desks, chairs: Check!
Pay!
While the delivery guy is keen for me to know his name, he finally revealed the eagerness for his quest to communicate: He wanted to get paid - in cash. Darn, I thought I had paid in store. Not so.
Note to self: Treble check agreements made in store and clarify even I have no doubt!
Things are man-made complicated here - more than they need to be, in my humble view. Then again, I am an ops guy - ask 
Internet...
Just as I am entering the elevator to fetch the cash for the delivery guy, a call comes in. It's Cable Onda. In perfect Spanish, the lady says: We will not come today. We come tomorrow. It's 3:32 PM.
I am getting annoyed. What about the CHAOS Show? I need the internet fixed today - not on the day of the broadcast.
Pay delivery --> rush back upstairs and --> get on the phone with Customer Service.
This time, I am asking for a supervisor - who explained that work stopped and someone will be there tomorrow.
My blood is boiling, but I keep calm but firmly make my point. The serious man on the other end commits to send his best team by 9 AM, today. Cross fingers... I am a spontaneous guy - but boy, I also like to be prepared.
I get a breather, and move the broadcast equipment into the office, connect --> test. So far so good. It's comfy. I like my new work space. It suits me.
Audio Beautification
But the audio still echoes - too much for broadcast. Just as well I invested in acoustic foam - and I had a blast putting these up. The result is amazing - a much more professional audio quality - and I am double checking with @thebugIq, who confirms that everything sounds better. Still, I need to put up padding on the ceiling. No time to head west to the audio store to get more pads... But it sounds so much better that the dining area, which I can now use for dining again. It is lovely!
I hope you join me today - if Internet fix goes well on Jane's CHAOS show at 7 Central. Also, at 4 Central it's Frequency Waves 432. We are playing Latino music - to celebrate my arrival here in Panamá.
A cab driver gave me that little flag. He also gifted me a special souvenir: A Balboa Quarter. It's the same shape and form as a USD quarter, only in Spanish, and with the Panamanian flag embossed: In color.
I love my new office/studio/work station. A few more things will be added, such as studio monitors for audio production and a 34" curve monitor for multi tasking. A synth - and I need to put the Jackson and VG99 up for easy reach.
Read more from my life in Panamá - I love it, despite some minor annoyances. It beats being conned by unlawful state powers of E.U. statists, who love cronie socialism. Do that, without me.
Wishing all of you a lovely weekend and please check out MSP Waves radio for super shows this weekend and throughout the week.
Proud Supporter of PAL and the - The Minnow SupportProject
Christopher "The Hat" Hatfield
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