How things work in Ireland

I was just going to update you on my quest for some internet connectivity and give you yet another lame excuse as to why I am not posting ... and I still really am going to do that ... but it is going to be in the format of a cautionary tale about one woman's attempts at getting wired in this country.

When last we met, Pog had just lost her lifeline, aka her internet connection, when greedy bastard put up yet another apartment block and made homeless some pretty nice, unassuming horses, I am sure. The knock on effect was that Pog can not enjoy most of the activities she is accustomed to doing during the day (and evening) because it relies on an online experience. This is sad, yes, but it is the truth.

So, ok, Pog, suck it up and figure out what to do next. The groovy wireless broadband is gone. I am back to a landline situation provided by some unscrupulous telco company. (Did I mention I work for a Telco company? I am certified to talk about their puppy-torturing activities.)

So, I call my own company, in hopes at getting an employee discount. Here is how it goes:

Customer Service Rep (guy who works in my building on the 2nd floor): "What is your phone number?"

Pog: "I don't have one."
CSR: "You need one"
Pog: "Can you give me one?"
CSR: "No, you need an account with [previous monopoly but they control all the wires, like AT&T]
Pog: "Can you do that for me?"
CSR: "Hold on."

Transfer #1. 20 minutes on hold. No music

CSR2: "Can I help you"
Pog: blah, blah, blah, blah
CSR2: "We can do that but it may take 10 days?"
Pog: "10 Days to get broadband!?!"
CSR2: "No, 10 days to get a phone line. Shall I continue"
Pog: "I suppose..."
CSR2: "Hold please."

Transfer #2. 15 minutes. No music

CSR3: "Ok, we can schedule this for you on such and such a date. How will we bill you?"
Pog: "Well, I am an employee and need the employee discount."
CSR3: "I can't handle the employee discount in my system. Hold please."

Transfer #3. 25 minutes. No music

Ok - well you get it. I am not kidding about not even having a hope in hell for this being sorted before Christmas which means I have to post during work hours in the office. This is almost an impossible task since I am so busy when I am in the office, having cups of tea, catching up on all the gossip, going to lunch and packing up early to go for pints. Ugh.

Back in the States in a few weeks. Looking forward to a good read of y'all.

BTW - I was transfered 5 times before I got off the phone and I have to call back to actually place my order for broadband once the phone gets set up. Jesus, Mary and Joseph as they say in this neck of the woods. And it is going to cost me a tremendous amount of money but hell, you know, when you have the monkey on your back, it needs to be fed.