And speaking of things that piss me off... I really hate having to deal with companies that fuck something up.  Case in point, my phone service.  I have an annual plan, meaning I pay a flat rate for unlimited calls.  My renewal was up in November, so they rebilled me for the annual fee.

And then they did it again this month!

When I discovered this, I called them up, politely explained their error, and the guy apologized and said they'd get a credit issued right away.

And they did.  But it wasn't for the full amount.  It was short about seventy bucks.

Second call.  Explained to the girl what had happened.  "Oh, but you were issued a refund, sir..."

"Yes, but for the wrong amount."

"Well, you weren't given the full amount because you've been using the service for four months."

"Yes, but I haven't been using two services, have I?"

"Oh.  Right.  Okay, I'll get that submitted and we'll take care of it."

Later the same day, I receive an email from them saying that I would not be getting a refund because they essentially stretched out the date of my next renewal until next March, so they kept the payment for those four months and refunded the rest.

Yesterday's call was not polite.  Nor was it actually rude, either, because I know it's not the customer service people who're fucking with me, but their accounting department.  And I did c/s work for five years, so I know how it feels to receive calls like mine.

But this time I explained to them that their solution was unacceptable to me, and that they were going to refund that seventy bucks, or they were going to lose me as a customer.

And today's email apologized for the oversight and promised a speedy refund.

And I'm sure it will be.

So... lots and lots of traffic to these pages due to my submission of World Happy Face Day to the MindSay News.  Way cool.  Of course, in a few days, they'll all be gone, never to visit again.  Just like the hordes of people who flock to this page on those occasions where I've had a "top blog."  A few keep coming back, but not most.  And that's okay.

"K" was really jazzed when I told her how much I've been promoting WHFD.  I called her Wednesday night and we chatted for a bit, but she was about to go out to dinner with a friend (to celebrate WHFD, of course), so it was a short conversation.

I'd really like to see her again.  Maybe when my schedule slows down a bit.


The past couple weeks at work have been totally crazy.  But the worst will soon be over.  Sunday, I fly down to Riverside for the Symposium.  Monday is the board meeting; Tuesday the Symposium itself.  Wednesday, back in the office, to crank out a board packet of info for Boss B.  And then I can relax for a four-day weekend.

Well, it won't all be relaxing, as I'll be at the Elk Grove Fine Arts Festival all day on Saturday the 31st.  But other than that, it'll be relaxing.