Grumbles

Just had to install a new version of MSN messenger, since my comp wouldnt let me use my old one. It now has a new layout, which is far worse, in the 'lets miniaturise everything so no-one can see it'-a la-mobile keys, which is very annoying. There was nothing wrong with my old version, so I dont see why I should be forced to upgrade it. In fact, I find it very suspicious that I have to updgrade it.

Brings to mind the couple of episodes I've had with cold colding recently. Orange (my network) phoned me up with desperate corporate fervour to ensure my continued custum by offering new packages. Whilst I resent cold-calling, the lady who had the luck to be calling was quite understanding. I in no uncertain terms stated that I didnt want a phone upgrade; mine works fine, and I find it a disgrace that so many upgrades get offered, creating the current mountain of mobile phone waste we currently see and fostering a disposable culture (when not everything can be replaced by buying a new one). This assertion of mine meant that I could not make any changes to my plan; it was impossible for this company to offer me a new service (that's service, not product) without forcing a new phone on me. How ridiculous; surely it would save them both postage and a handset by not sending me this. So bascially it was dropped, what I secretly had hoped in the first place.

This didnt stop me receiving a second call a few weeks later to the same purpose. But I'm getting the hang of dealing with them and was very polite and firm in rejecting all offers. It's a total destruction of everybody's karma that poor people are forced to call as part of their work, causing we the call-receivers to feel inately bad at having to be rude to get them off the line! The worst tale yet to come was a cold call on my home landline from an unascertained mobile phone company (I never was told which), who called me to ask if I was satisfied with my mobile package. I replied yes, and then told them upon asking that I wasnt prepared to tell them how much I paid for my mobile bill (how rude!). And then asked them how they knew I had a mobile phone; I then said that I didnt. In amongst the entire sales pitch, I had to the keep clearly stating that I didnt want their service; hanging up is so bad.....

I have to indicate here, bloggardes, that all should point-blank refuse to enter discussions with cold-call selling. Economics tells us that they only keep doing it because it is to some extent profitable; hence they must be making some kind of sale in this manner. Hence a blanket refusal will be the only retort that will be understood; if the selling technique doesnt work, it'll stop. I live in hope. But sometimes I feel like ringing up all these people to ask whether they'd like to buy some lovely hand-drawn art by myself for display in their offices, or if they could use a dancing clown for their board meeting (i.e. me). But that's my vindictive nature.

Back to today; set build half accomplished, owing to a booking cock-up and the hall caretakers booking in a kids party for this afternoon, so we packed up at half three. Rest of day has been spent trogging and nearly overflowing the bathtub. Now watching one of those crap programmes about some kids who need a good arse-beating, in the dock this week are an American family (who else) with six boys, who the mother home-schools. Now I've not been paying so much attention to know if there's a reason for that, but....six kids? Have these people not heard about over-population and dwindling global resources? Contraception, people, it's there for a reason, the clue is in the name......that's gonna be one messy and god-awful smelly household in a few years once puberty kicks in for them all, one year after another.....bejaysus.......

Full to the brim with rice this evening. Tomorrow will be spent doing quite a bit of cooking, to whit; lasagne, some banana bread, and a small ham. I'm looking forward to it. Also to do is the laundry, lots of it, much less fun.