Standard Procedure

I've just spent the last two weeks on the phone with my home phone/internet provider.
They can't connect my phone.
They can't explain why, but they can charge me for it all.

"So why am I paying $59.95 for a contract I'm already in?"
"Oh, it's standard procedure"
"What's the procedure?"
"We need you to pay us the contract fee before we sign you into a contract"
"I've been in a contract for two years, why do I need to sign a new one?"
"Standard procedure."

"My phone doesn't have a dial tone. Is this normal?"
"Yes, that's perfectly normal"
"Then how do I call the number you're asking me to enter if I have no dial tone?"
"We'll have to send someone to look at it. This will cost $139.95."
"I thought you said no dial tone was normal?"
"Yes, it is."
"Then why do I need to pay to have it looked at?!"
"It's a standard procedure."

And it continued like this....

...Until I went to The Department of Fair Trading...
Who couldn't help me.
But they gave me the number of the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman, with whom I had a great chat with.
I explained how frustrating the whole ordeal had been and we had a good laugh at it all.
He took down everything, told me how many codes had been breeched and gave me a reference number to call Dodo and quote to them. He then gave me their direct complaints number and sent me on my way.

The complaints man at Dodo wasn't as cheerful.

"How did you get this direct number??"
"Telecommunications Ombudsman."
"Oooo... The big scary ombudsman! Do you have a reference number so that I can see the complaint??"
"yep, it's 12453....."
"......."


"...oh... May I put you on hold for a minute please?"



The story ends with my contracts being cancelled at my request and three months worth of home phone and internet payments being refunded to my bank account.

So it turns out, the system works.

My hatred for Dodo is bigger than their womanising, badly drawn mascot.

Assets

Just finished the Tentacle Threads magazine ad.
I'm kinda happy with it, but not ecstatic.
I miss illustrating. I should probably do it a little more.

Beninie

I have a new beanie.
You want it.

Juliet

I love Julia Gillard and was soooo... happy to hear that she was becoming the new Prime Minister!
I nearly cried in her speech.
I also sent her a "congratulations and Good Luck" card. I hope she liked it.
I wish I could take her out to dinner one evening.
I would wear my new pretty silk dress that I don't own yet.
We could go out to somewhere near her work. I'd imagine she wouldn't have much time, she's a very busy woman.
Then we could compare items on the menu and talk about how we hate being called "Ranga", because calling people names on account of their hair colour is just another form of racism. She'll probably tell me that she was called "Bluey" as a kid and doesn't mind that and I'll agree. I never really minded being called "Bluey" too much either.
I guess afterwards, we'll have a glass of wine and chat for a bit, then I'll invite her back to my hotel room for more drinks but she'll decline because she has to get back to work.
I'll understand.

He's good for it

My seventeen year old brother has just finished his first week of work at the local abattoir.

His first pay arrived in the bank yesterday and he now sees himself as a member of high society.

His weekly shopping list was as follows:

1x4 pk Red Bull energy drink

1x4 pk Mother energy drink

1x crtn Longbeach "rich" cigarettes

1x KFC Wicked Wings value pack

Today I went over to visit. He was wearing mum's scarf as a cravat under his dressing gown.