I've been a loyal Speakeasy DSL customer since forever. But when I went to the support site to see about increasing the speed on our line, I discovered they've decided to concentrate on business users. While I do use DSL for my business (natch), their rates are way more than I want to pay. So I signed up for Verizon DSL - theoretically, way more bandwidth at less cost than what we're paying Speakeasy now.

As part of signing up, I had an online chat with Online Support Dude, who assured me, twice, that Speakeasy and Verizon service could co-exist on the same line until I was happy with the latter and canceled the former.

Yeah, right. Yesterday, around 9 a.m. our DSL service went dead. Didn't think much of it (usually, just means we have to reset the modem), went off to a meeting downtown, where I got e-mail from Verizon congratulating me on selecting them and notifying me that my Verizon DSL service had been turned on (oh, and by the way, the billing meter was now running). Only problem: They hadn't sent out the new modem (it's now supposedly on its way). So now we have no Internet service, but are paying Verizon for the privilege (I'm typing this at Select Cafe in Roslindale, which, granted, is my satellite office anyway; will move my car so I don't get a ticket, then head for the Roslindale BPL).

So I haven't even started using Verizon DSL yet, and I'm already grumpy. Not a good sign.

The Globe updates us on the deal between the state and CSX to move freight operations from Allston to Worcester and for the state to take over the tracks between here and there.

Among the interesting tidbits: State officials say the deal could mean Worcester service from North Station. And Harvard, which techically owns the land under the Allston yards, will be able to develop the land - or just let it sit there until surrounding neighbors get old and die.

This just in from one of our Dorchester correspondents: If you live along Neponset Avenue near St. Ann's and own a young, slender black cat, but it seems to be missing, you might want to check with the Emmerson Animal Hospital - our correspondent reports the cat, which had a collar but no tag, was hit by a car and that her boyfriend, who spotted the injured kitty, picked it up and brought it to the vet.