My cable went out about an hour ago. Minor irritation, really, since the internet is still up and I was just able to trick OnDemand into working.

What's annoying is that their telephone customer service seems to be all about the unbelievably dead silence while waiting for a customer service agent, which is taking forever. I've called in three times now. The first time, I thought I'd been disconnected. The second lasted about thirty minutes, and I decided to hang up.

The third I ended after five, because I didn't want to hang on for another thirty. And the silence was really starting to get to me.

Note to Comcast: silence = bad. I don't like it from my cable, and I don't want to hear it while I'm on hold.

Also, think about getting National Geographic HD. That might make up for the eerie silent hold.

I think I'd be a bit more upset about this if it weren't for all the really nice things they've given me this year. Here's a list:

• TNT HD, just in time for Nightmares and Dreamscapes. And the HD is also OnDemand.
• Free older episodes of NCIS OnDemand
• Starz and Encore HD OnDemand
• Somehow, magically, more room on my DVR for HD shows
• Free episodes of the new seasons of CSI [including Miami and NY], Numbers, and Jericho OnDemand, as soon as the next day after they've aired.
• Those free episodes I just mentioned? The original CSI is also available for free in HD.

All very much of the good.