Inhale. Exhale. Breate In. Breathe Out. Today I discovered the true art of diplomacy and how to remain calm. I confess, I am blonde. I am described by others as 'outspoken, diplomatic, ditzy, and at times -- a time bomb.' Yes, it is true, I've never been described as 'shy.' I do speak my mind, and when someone really ticks me off, let's just say, there are two "B's in my name." I'll leave that for you, the reader, to decide.
Last Monday, at exactly 12:58p.m. my e-mail system was migrated thru BellSouth/At&T/Yahoo. Big mistake! As you know, I am a writer. Writers function best via e-mail -- that is how much of our correspondence is done. Last month while on a business trip my blackjack phone wasn't working properly so I visited an At&T store inquiring about the infamous Blackberry. I felt like I was the only writer in America who didn't own a Blackberry, so I chose to treat myself, thinking I could always retrieve e-mail via the Blackberry. Last Monday crippled me. I went online to retrieve e-mail and wasn't able to locate the website, nor open anything. The frustration continued to build. When my husband came home from work, I asked him to help me. I gave him my passwords and left the room.
Let me share the scenarios of our relationship a bit. My husband is a Vietnam Veteran who suffers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) -- that is, unless you ask the VA. They still decline his condition. They should move in with him! My husband doesn't understand my outspoken, gregarious personality and when he works on my computer -- he becomes a Jekyll & Hyde personality, and I become Julia Sugarbaker! The two are like oil and water -- we do not exactly mix. So, while my husband typed on my computer system, I stood in the doorway watching him. His fingers moved on the keyboard like Charlie Brown at the piano! Moments later, he looked my way and his stare said everything I needed to hear -- without any words. And so, I waited, in anticipation that I would hear him shout for me to come read e-mail. It didn't happen. We called AT&T, only to be placed on hold for over one hour, listening to music until we placed the phone in speaker mode. PTSD kicked in, so I left the room.
The scenarios could continue. I checked my Blackberry in anticipation of receiving e-mail. NOTHING! I was expecting four assignments from an editor. Since I could not retrieve e-mail, I phoned her, leaving a voice mail message, then I faxed a detailed synopsis of my 'migration with AT&T.' I was under the impression birds migrated, not e-mail systems.
OK. I confess, I am blonde and a bit ditzy, but when it comes to computers, I thought I was pretty savvy. Duh. I suppose not!
Hours passed. No e-mail. The next morning, Mr. Blackberry and I embraced, only to be rejected again. I'm a writer. I'm accustomed to rejections! I called AT&T, only to be told there was nothing they could do since the system was in the 'migration mode.' I'm beginning to hate that description. I needed to give the migration at least 48 hours! Gosh, in 48 hours I could be in route to the moon. Well, maybe not, but my frustration was certainly ready to reach the moon and beyond!
Flash forward to March 6 -- still no e-mail. Phil arrived home that date and the first words from his lips are, "Are you getting e-mail?"
I didn't say a word, but the look on my face said it all. "Give me AT&T's number again.
"I should know it by heart now." I said. "Important phone numbers are usually embedded in my brain."
Phil snarls at me, encourages me to give him the number and leave the room. I know this scenario well. Our worst fights have occured over the computer.
Off I go, to check my Blackberry again. By now, I no longer want to embrace it. I want to shout, scream, or say a few colorful words. I bite my tongue and walk away.
That evening -- rejoice. The migration is done and I can retrieve e-mail. I check it, squealing like a child, only to realize the e-mails from the editor are not on my system. My Blackberry is still rejecting me, so off we go to the local AT&T store. They know us almost intimately now, but to make a long story short, they suggested deleting my e-mail accounts and re-adding them again.
Their suggestion worked. Mr. Blackberry and I are now embracing again. E-mail has returned!
This morning, I chose to contact AT&T billing to see what could be done to accommodate me and my frustration. I was on hold from 9:47 a.m. until 10:22 -- getting transferred to four customer service reps. I chose to be diplomatic and not allow my frustration to show. I inhaled. Exhaled. Breathed in. Breathed Out. It worked! AT&T has some of the most amazing customer service reps in the world. They are always courteous, apologetic and kind. My needs were met and I will receive a portion of a credit on my phone bill. Last night my husband received a notice from AT&T, they plan to do some form of an upgrade within the next few weeks. At this rate, if I have additional headaches, I'll not need to pay AT&T for a while. AT&T I hope your improvements, upgrades work and we can remain professional. As for migration, I don't like that word anymore!
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