The Continuing Saga of the Home Phone/Internet

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

We got up on Monday morning with one thing in mind: Get Phone and Internet!  Over the weekend my neighbor, Frank, told me about the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) a service for people who are having issues with the phone company.  We walked over to Telstra in the shopping center and talked with the girl who has been “helping” us with our service.  I told her that I intended to call the TIO and she thought it would be a great thing to do.  I don’t know why she didn’t mention it to us but that’s beside the point.

I called the TIO and they gave me a case number and had me describe the problem.  The man told me that I may be entitled to a “Customer Service Satisfaction Entitlement” basically they have to pay me for every day they don’t provide service without a valid reason.  He then gave me the number for the senior customer service agent at Telstra.  I called them and told them my case number with the TIO.  That really seemed to get their attention.  I was assured the issue would be dealt with in two days.  We’ll see.  I’m not holding my breath, though I do feel as if I’ve gotten the ball rolling.

Aside from that, the last two days have been pretty uneventful.  I sent my résumé out for a bunch of jobs.  Most of them were in solar and a few in the automotive world.  The job market seems to be good here right now.  Though I’ve been told most places are on Holiday from now until new years.  So I really wasn’t expecting much right away.

The job that called the other day didn’t pan out and the only other jobs I’ve heard from have been “thanks but no thanks”.  Today we went over to the art museum and when we were getting ready to head home my phone rang.  It was a Honda Dealership on the north side wanting to interview me for a parts desk job.  So I have a job interview in the morning at eleven in Nundah, about five train stops north of home.  Wish me luck.  I need work.  I feel pretty confident that I’m more than qualified for the position so I don’t even feel nervous.  I know auto parts.

When we got home, Melisa invited us over for dinner.  Andrew is out of town for work for a couple of nights and we entertained the kids and chatted with her for a while.  She cooked a lovely quiche, salad, and cookies & cream ice cream for dessert, yummers. She also let me use her computer to check my route to the job and also let me iron my shirt and slacks so I don’t look like a crumpled fool at the interview. They are such sweet neighbors and the kids are adorable.  I’m not looking forward to wearing long pants, but the temp is supposed to top out at 26 tomorrow.  Today got up to 33, really hot.

That’s about it for today kids.  I’m a little hyper about the interview and I’ll be sure to post what happens.

Some observations for today:

-The top prize on “Deal or No Deal” in Australia is 200k.

-“The office” started tonight, a whole season behind.

-Thomas (the 6 year old that lives next door) calls “Paul Newman Ranch Dressing” cowboy sauce because of the cowboy hat on the label. So cute!

- My computer won’t play DVDs that are region coded for Australia.  We spotted a DVD player at Kmart for $40.  I might buy it if I get that job tomorrow.