hi, this is claire...

Claire is the virtual service representative that I cannot stand! You've all met her before. She's the virtual woman every company uses to cut costs and think they can pacify customers with. Here's the deal. You call company X with a problem and instead of being able to talk to a real person with flesh and blood, you get Claire. She acts all sweet and polite claiming she can help you. But she can't. You end up pressing every key imaginable on your phone in the hopes you hit the secret magic code to disable Claire.

I called Charter Communications today to add a modem to my order in Athens. Claire tried to help me fix my broken modem (that was what Claire deduced was my problem-a broken modem). She must be a mind reader too. I tried to explain to Claire that I did not have a broken modem nor did I even have a modem but she wouldn't listen. After several attempts of pressing the zero button, Claire finally acknowledged she was unable to assist me and would connect me with someone.

Thank you Jesus.

Apparently, there is a web site out there that gives you the prompts to access a customer service representative at several companies without the pain of Claire, menus, or any other annoying sequences. Check it out here. How fitting the name of the web site is Get Human. Yea. Claire. Take that.

A pretty low-key day. I feel like I am now in limbo. My Cube was picked up today and is en route to Athens. Hopefully it arrives in one piece and nothing breaks. Fingers crossed! Until then, it's just me, the sofa, and a duffel bag for the next few days...

Cheers.