Deranged human ? Emotionless machine ? Which would you rather deal with ?

No Satisfaction
A rainy, miserable early morning in London. The weather forecast gets it right, it's just the weather that gets it wrong. A good time to catch up on some much needed sleep then. But thankfully the bank phones and puts pay to my obviously stupid plan. It's an important call.

Bank : "Mr Solaris, this is the ***** Bank. This is an important call about you're account."
Me : ".....mmmmm.. what?"

I make a massive effort to quickly reboot my brain.

Bank : "Your account. We need to ask you some quick questions."

Either I've gone massively over my limit, they've inadvertently posted my statement on MySpace or I've won a financial review and a free bottle of wine. It's none of these.

Bank : "Regarding our service, to you, and your account, are you very satisfied or extremely satisfied ?"

Me : "What..... ?

Bank : "Very satisfied or"(pause)" extremely satisfied ?"

Me : "....? Those are the options"

Bank : "Yes"

Me : "Two options. Both the same ?"

Bank : Silence

Me :"....? This is a ridiculous question."

Bank :"Is it ? Have you had any problems with the service then. ?"

Me : "No, everythings fine, fine"

Bank : "So would you say you were extremely satisfied."

Me : "I'll email you."

Bank :"Sorry we can only do this by phone, are you happy with extremely then (pause) "

I would struggle with this level of conversation wide awake, at this time in the morning I am simultaneously losing the will to live and experiencing rising feelings of violence. I'll turn the tables and cut this short.

Me :"NO. Just put very. Goodbye"

Pissed off and now very awake, like a flash it suddenly dawns on me that I'm probably now one of the "75% of our customers are very satisfied with our service, the other 25% were ...." you guessed it, marketing campaign.

I get up.

Two words -internet banking. Two words-emotionless machines.

Windows is starting up.

It's 9.30.

Normal service will be resumed asap

Star Trek question no.1 - Guess who's not going to make it.

"It's not fair. Why do I have to wear the red shirt."

http://echosphere.net/star_trek_insp/star_trek_insp.html

Video game drought reaches new levels

Welcome to the blog tomorrow people.

So, tumbleweeds continue to roll through Videogameville as the summer continues.

Summer, eh.
Good for- sunshine, trips to the seaside and margaritas.
Bad for - sandals (on anyone), trips to the shops and new video games.

Well, it's been a fine time to go back and replay some gems from the Tomorrow Space extensive vaults but as regards new, rip off the pachaging, press start and be awed games, well this has never been a fine time.

But lurking on the edge of the horizon the hounds are set to be released.

So, without further ado, here's my (is it nearly Autumn yet ?) Top Ten Most Wanted List.
Quite frankly, I can't wait.

1. Nintendo Wii console.
2. Gears of War 360
3. Zelda Twighlight Princess Wii
4. Guitar Hero 2 PS2
5. Harvest Moon DS
6. Zelda Phantom Hourglass DS
7. Dead Rising 360
8. Elite Beat Agents DS
9. Every Extend Extra PSP
10. Super paper Mario Gamecube

Er, are we nearly there yet.........