Two minutes of break for every ten? That sounds like a dream.

Since the help desk got it's new phone system, we no longer have the short "wrap up" period between calls. You're done with a call? Here's another.

Oh, and starting soon, we are going to have to follow step-by-step instructions on how to proceed in fixing things. Things that after four years I can often fix much faster without having to consult a list.

Oh, and they are thinking of implementing guarantees on phone response and repair times.

All of which sound wonderful if we didn't have to deal with 99 percent of all repairs and replacements over the phone, dealing with people with wildly varying skills.

DC, I feel your pain. "Follow the script or we take off points." "That adds time to the whole call!" "Well, use the script and work more efficiently then." Mutter mutter.

Happy Anniversary to Seska and The Girl!

When I have to call tech support I try and let the person know, yes I have done x, y, and z. Also give them a clue as to my level of expertise. Sometimes it shortens the call, other times they clearly have a script that must be followed. I'm talking about you, Dell.

You know what's really nice to do, after not being able to for almost a week? Take a warm shower.

Re: DC's Grammar Nazi link. The dude's from Somerville.

And apparently he's also been banned from national parks and fined $3000 for "defacing" a sign at the Grand Canyon.

That's awful, Daisy Jane. I hope you can find some way to get there.

Don't know if UK and Ireland has that custom, where MPs would do that for non-influential citizen.

Our MPs will intervene in certain matters, but would probably consider a passport thing outside of their remit. But since we live in the UK and The Girl is an Irish national, the MP could only help if he had ties to Irish politicans. It's an avenue we could try if we got desperate, though.

Take a warm shower.

Did I miss a post about your hot water going out? Glad to hear it's back on!

We'll still go, just 5 months after we planned. I'm trying to look at it as, "More time to plan! More time to save money!" rather than postponement.

On the plus side, it means we'll make this [link]

Did I miss a post about your hot water going out? Glad to hear it's back on!

I don't think we actually posted about it. But last Wednesday, when I was trying to wash some dishes, the water just was not as hot as it should have been, so Daniel went down to the basement to see if it was the fuse or what, on the water heater. It wasn't a fuse or circuit breaker. And it wasn't ... anything Daniel could repair on his own. We ended up buying a new one. I've got to go to work so maybe he will fill in details.

Mildly freaking out over here due to my insane decision to try to go back to school for a phd. Also I just walked for 20 minutes in 95deg heat to catch a train to meet an old professor for coffee and I am dripping. Obvious brain fail today.