Tuesday, November 07, 2006

Mobile madness......

MY MOBILE PHONE NUMBER HAS CHANGED. (well, it has been 10 years). I will be sending a message shortly. Please don't feel put out if you don't get a message, it does not mean i don't love you any more, it just means that I've lost your number. My other phone is beyond use, so I did lose quite a few up to date numbers.

There are two ways to get the new number:
1. The old number is still connected to a spare handset, please text to it leaving your name .
2. alternatively e-mail me and I'll sent it back.

Yes, there is a story about this one, are you sitting comfortably?

So, there I was on a friday afternoon, minding my own business setting up for the Giants game against the Basingstoke Bison when my phone rang. I was carrying a sound desk at the time and therefore was unable to answer before the answering service kicked in. I picked up my walk into more of a run, set down the apparatus and grabbed my phone from my pocket. To my intense frustration the phone's display did a criss-cross-tartan-firework-display-type-thing, and then faded to black. I've seen this before, it occurs sometimes when the phone's battery expires mid operation. Being the boy scout that I am i grabbed the phone charger from my kit and plugged it in. Nothing. I tried re-starting the phone a few times but it only got as far as the nokia logo, then the tartan fireworks again.

This day had been filled with technical difficulties. The ranged from the password for my work e-mail not being complex enough and being a little more than patronised by the help desk staff about what a 'complex password policy' was, getting a puncture in one of my car tires and my apple laptop having a bit of a seizure. I don't usually do this, but i saw red. My phone was launched across the odyssey and landed in 3 different pieces. That felt good.

Below is a 'Crimewatch' style reconstruction, using actual places (the Odyssey Arena - where is happened) as a reference!

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

I gathered up the phone and put it back together, tried turning it on and guess what? (this is the part where people usually say "Oh, did it work then!?") NO! i broke it more.

The screen was now not registering at all, but the keys were lighting up. Bonus.

I panicked. I've had my mobile switched on and strapped to my side constantly for the last few years, suddenly i was no longer contactable. That was an odd anxiety. I called Jo and let her know but i didn't really know anyone else's number so...

The game went on and we won, it was a fine evening, finished off with some pizza at sarah's.

The next day i went to beg forgiveness at the orange shop. This was not a pleasant experience. I will put it in script form. Here is how the conversation went between 'Orange Bimbo Girl (OBG)' and Me.

ME: Um, hello......
OBG: *finishes reading article, glances up* Hi.
ME: Hi, I was wondering if you could help me, my handset is broken and I was wondering what I need to do to get another one.
OBG: *sighs* do you have insurance?
ME: I'm not sure, if i give you my number can you check?
OBG: *sighs* ok *saunters over to counter* Whats your number?
ME: (gives number)
OBG: *tappa tappa tappa, pauses* You don't have any insurance.
ME: OK..... so what are my options?
OBG: *sighs* Well you could register for emergency insurance... then you could claim the accident *starts making conversation with other bimbo*.
ME: *kinda annoyed that she's not really paying attention*I kinda need a new handset right away....
OBG: I'm not really sure what we can do....... *while half making in jokes with her other bimbo* you can buy another handset for 100 pounds.
ME: *tries to contain shock* ok, i'll get back to you then.
OBG: *didn't react continues to chat with other bimbo*

I was a little furious. Not at the fact that I'd have to pay money, but just the sheer rudness and uninterested-ness of the orange staff. I've been their customer for 9/10 years.

I marched down to phones 4 you down the mall a little. In 25 minutes they offered the phone I wanted, offerred me the money to pay off my orange contract and gave me the phone for free. I got the Nokia N93, which is the first entry level mobile phone video camera. I am overly pleased with it, though it is a bit short on battery life.

Its now early in the morning. This post has gone on long enough, so in summary:

•Orange phone shop people are unhelpful and rude.
•Phones 4 u people are quite nice
•i like cake

Goodnight
M

3 comments:

Timothy Paul said...

Well said my friend...I like cake too!

Anonymous said...

Indeed! Let us all eat cake!

erm... *cough*

sharmani said...

Happy Belated Birthday, Matt! Hope it was all you wished for and may the year ahead bring with it happiness, peace, joy, love and all that jazz!