Talking with Fucktards, Part 2

Then we went on to my old friends, United Fucking Useless Utilities. Again, I’d called them two weeks ago to inform them of the new address, and the date I’d be moving. I’d had to call them, because their poxy bastard online piece-of-shit form for “helping” to make moving house less stressful won’t accept dates in the future. So instead I have to call them, and tell them I’m moving. Another quarter of an hour on the phone. Competence just doesn’t come into it with utilities companies.

Anyway, I get to the new house, and lo and behold, they’ve managed to do it right. A bill for a small outstanding amount – the difference between places because of different rateable values, or somesuch. It’s less than a tenner, that’s fine – about what I’d expected.

Last night, however, I get home to another bill from UU, this time addressed to “the occupier”. Dated four days after the correct bill I got sent out, and for the full amount of a year’s water rates. So, check the account number – What the fuck?!?, it’s the same account number as the one they’ve sent out in my name. Yup, it’s time for another phone call, find out what the feck they’re playing at – last time there was a cock-up like this, it took me 2½ years to sort out – I’m not going through that shit again

Yes, Hello, I’m calling because I’ve received two bills on the same property, on the same account number, and I’m just trying to find out what’s going on.
*bored voice*OK, when did you move in?
12th September
Well, the two must’ve got crossed in the post.
But the one to “occupier” was sent four days after the correct one
Yeah, they must’ve got crossed in the system. It wouldn’t have known you were there yet, would it?
*deep breath*No, the correct one was sent out before the incorrect one. So you’d got my account details, and then another bill’s been sent out on the same customer reference
Yeah, they must’ve crossed in the system. (And I must be in a fucking timewarp) So one’s got your name on it, and the other one hasn’t, right?
Yes
Well, there you go then. No worries.*Click*

NOT the most helpful fuckhead on Earth – I called them back, and finally ended up speaking to someone who understood. The problem’s now been dealt with, and hopefully the little gimp will be getting a bollocking for being useless, rude, and a complete cunt. I doubt it though – with an attitude like that, he’ll probably be getting promoted to manager within the month.

Pre-Raphaelite

Somehow, it doesn’t come as a particular shock to know that Lord Lloyd-Webber collects Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite paintings, some of which are currently on loan as part of an exhibition. Personally, I’ve always loathed these horrendously sentimental and twee paintings – the subject matter is enough to induce mass vomiting, although I can’t help but admire the technique, the accuracy with which the non-human pieces of each painting are portrayed.

If you want a look at some of the collection, it’s visible here. Just remember to pack a puke bucket first.

Nominate your local grot-hole

I suspect that they could end up being busy, but according to this piece in the Guardian there is now a search going on for the most wasted piece of space/ground in the UK.

Wastedspace.org.uk is the place to go to place your nominations (and I don’t think they’ll accept “Coventry” or “Milton Keynes” as an example of wasted space, but hell, it’s worth a go) and to get more information. Oh, and someone’s already nominated the Millenium Dome. *Grin*

Broadband

Having moved, I’ve been back on the joys of a 56k dial-up for internet access, instead of the ADSL I’ve been used to for the last 18 months. It’s quite a shock to the system, and in honesty I hadn’t appreciated how much I’d got used to broadband until it was no longer there. Anyway, I’ve now sorted out getting the ADSL installed again at the new address, and it’ll be done by the end of the month. (I could have done it faster, but I need the account from the old place to be uninstalled from my phone line first, or something) Already I’m counting the days. Sad, isn’t it?

Updates

No, my missive to el Presidente Blair hasn’t been put up on FuckThankyoutony.com – now there’s a shocker.

However, the cheque I wrote out to “The extortionists at Manchester Glass” has been cashed with no problem whatsoever. And D4D™ is now 32nd(ish) in Google for the search phrase “Manchester Glass”. With luck that’ll just keep on going up – when it’s in the top ten I’ll be happy.

Read the License

Via Cryptogram comes an interesting piece about the License Agreements Dell put on their computers. You have to press a key to say you’ve read the license agreement, but there are no available copies to read. Admittedly, most people just click ‘OK’ and get past it – but then you’ve legally accpeted responsibility for whatever’s in the agreement that you haven’t read.

The better agreements are inside the software packs, and once the seal has been broken on the packaging, you’re deemed to have read the license that’s – um – inside the packaging. Don’t you just love lawyers and their language?

Matrix IMAX

Further to comments here about Friday being “International ‘Talk Like A Pirate’ Day“, I suspect I may have a couple of problems with it. The main one being that on that day I’m off to see Matrix Reloaded on the IMAX screen at Manchester’s Filmworks. A combination of Neo and piracy may be a very bad combination for the world around me. *Grin*