wahlee | Dec. 19th, 2007

I have a real update percolating in my brain, but I need to take some pictures before I can post it. So it'll have to wait.

In the meantime, though, there's work stuff!

First off, Oldies are lovely. Did you know that Oldies are lovely? They are. I don't think we'll be changing the channel in January. Which makes me so happy.

Another thing that makes me happy? We're getting a NEW COPIER. It's replacing one that was state-of-the-art, in about 1998. It was apparently found in the building when we first moved in (the building had been completely vacant for several years) along with two others that were in worse shape. Between the three copiers, they managed to make one working machine. But they don't make parts for it any more, and 2 1/2 years later, it's time for it to go. And there was much rejoicing in the office, because it was the crappiest piece of crap copier EVER. When it was working well, the copies had approximately the same quality as you got on the machine at the public library that hadn't been serviced for a year. Anyway, our copier died its final death today, and we're getting a new one delivered this afternoon. We're leasing it, so the toner and everything will be taken care of.

It's ridiculous to feel this happy about office equipment.

On the other hand, there are annoyances. We've got a company van, and the warranty has expired. We've been getting at least 4 calls a day for the past month, trying to make us extend it. Not actual people, mind; just recordings. I've already had 4 calls today, and it's not even lunchtime yet. Pressing the appropriate button to remove us from their calling list just seems to increase the frequency of the calls. And then there are the calls where there's no one there. I get about 10 of those per day.

Then there are the calls like one I just got:

Me: "[Place of Employment], this is Emily, how can I. . .
Some Guy: *talking over me* Yes, is Evan there?
Me: *couldn't hear him 'cause he was talking over my spiel (which takes no more than 4 seconds)* "I'm sorry, who were you calling?"
Some Guy: Can I talk to Evan?
Me: "I'm sorry, we don't have anyone here by that name."
Some Guy: "What company is this?"
Me: *You'd have known this if you hadn't interrupted me* "This is [Place of Employment]"
Some Guy: "Oh, okay. I must have had the wrong number."
Me: "Thanks for calling."
Some Guy: *hangs up*

Now, this sort of thing happens often. We've got several lines, you see, and I don't know all of the numbers for them. Sometimes we get calls for individuals, sometimes for other places of business, sometimes for former clients that had us listed as their address and then didn't pay their bills, and since I don't have all 6 of the numbers that ring to my line memorized, I can't tell them what exactly they have wrong. Usually, it ends here. Today, it didn't. A couple of minutes later, I get this:

Me: "[Place of Employment], this is Emily, how can I help you?"
Same Guy: "So this place doesn't do anything with radiators?"
Me: "No, Sir. We're an eating disorder clinic."
Same Guy: "Oh. Well, I guess this is the wrong number then!"
Me: "Yes, it is. Thanks for calling."
Same Guy: *hangs up*

You'd think that'd be the end of it, but it wasn't. About a minute later, the phone rings again.

Me: "[Place of Employment], this is Emily, how can I help you?"
Same Guy: "You might be getting another call after this, because they keep insisting this is the number I'm supposed to call."
Me: "Okay. Thank you?"
Same Guy: *hangs up*

Haven't heard back. I wonder if he figured out where he went wrong yet. . .