Tonight's experience was so embarrassing. So...here's the long-ish story. I used to have an iPhone. Bought it on August 17, 2007 and sorta lovingly enjoyed it until October 28, 2008. It revolutionized my life. It redefined my "I can't live without _________" list. Kinda like when you buy that first car with electric windows...you can never own another manual roll-up window. I just can't live without my integrated email, calendars, contacts, web browsing, and POPSUGAR on my cell phone.

The iPhone love affair was destroyed though by my problems with AT&T cell service. It was non-existent. I had to walk into the backyard to send text messages. The phone wouldn't ring. At one point, the diagnostics confirmed that the phone had dropped 54% of my calls. It sucked as a phone.

Enter the Verizon Blackberry Storm...a great change for me. Back on Verizon's network, I can once again make and receive phone calls. I can still get my POPSUGAR, emails, etc. The lone problem in this whole thing has been my home computer is a Mac. Blackberry devices are far more friendly with PCs. :(

After spending ridiculous amounts of time trying to get my Storm to sync, I finally gave up and called customer service at Verizon tonight. I was in a fairly foul mood since this cell phone saga has raged on for over a year...and I am desperate to have it all resolved. Verizon Sue promptly (and nicely) told me that she would transfer me to the Blackberry-specific technical support people. Verizon Sue told me it would be about 15 minutes.

7 minutes pass...Sue tells me it will be "just a bit longer"
15 minutes pass...nothing
20 minutes pass...nothing
30 minutes pass...

I am now going insane listening to the hold music. I have it on speaker phone, waiting. Finally after 42 minutes on hold...I *SCREAM* at the phone "PICK UP ALREADY!!! DAMN IT, PLEASE PICK UP ALREADY. I am going insane here. For the love of God, please answer! UGHHHHHH." There might have even been some swearing in there...hard to remember, but I did let loose a lot of frustration.

That's when I heard Verizon Sue say (in the kindest voice) "I'm so sorry the wait is so long. I understand your frustration." Ummmm...she heard me?! I was on hold, I thought it was safe to scream and swear at the phone. I thought I was alone. BUT, nooooo...apparently the good customer service places have voice-activation and can detect when you try to talk to them *even while on hold*. I have learned a lesson. Watch my manners even while on-hold listening to elevator music. As a punishment, I will share a photo of myself (something I usually hate doing). Taken by one of my 4 year old clients one day recently... (P.S. The Blackberry people did fix the problem and I am soooo happy now!!!)