Don't Tread on Me

No taxation without representation, I do declare.

The Backdrop:

I received and paid for my heating bill in these past few days but it turned out to be an exorbitant fee. I have on good word that I was not unjustly charged and that it comes at a fairly standard rate. The only problem in my particular situation is that (a) I have no control over when my heat is turned on or off and (b) the heating in my apartment works poorly and I really don't have heat at all. They could just make a number and I'd be essentially forced to pay it without even having the ability to influence the price.
My thermostat has actually been punched through the wall which coincides with my current predicament. One might wonder why I have not complained to apartment management. Well~ I have!! After inspection and through translation I was told that "There might be a problem with the pipes. We could try and investigate and repair but there is a chance that your apartment might blow up."
As you can imagine, though I don't think I was actually given a choice (nor should I have been), I passed. I sit here now dejected and despaired, a young man of 23 who has no choice but to pay King George's ransom.
A bright note is that it actually got over 60 degrees today - still trying to find out what land I stepped into where this happens. Should come crashing back to reality soon!

Yes, I watched the John Adams series on HBO and yes, it was quite good!