The day started with the “happy Christmas” wishes from customer service of AOL Team:
We have discovered, that as from yesterday our mail server has been included into “blacklist” of AOL…and without warning too (which is normally NOT how these things done in civilised world)
Having navigated through Indian call-centre hell, we’ve got through to "Bruce" in the US, who identified himself as an AOL Level 1 Postmaster. He was only able to confirm the blacklisting and raise a case ID before transferring the call.
The call was taken over by "Julia" who introduced herself as an AOL Level 2 Postmaster. Again, the blacklisting was confirmed, and this time a ticket ID was raised (don't ask me what the difference between a case and a ticket is). "Julia" was unable to offer any explanation as to why we have been blacklisted without any notification of spam complaints.
The ticket will wait for 3-5 business days before being assigned (to a Level 3 postmaster?!) and will then take an additional 10 business days for potential resolution. AOL wishes us all "happy holidays", which is nice. (c’mon, really, why would someone want to receive any e-mails during their vacation?!)
Other “little hardships” through the day not worth whining, but sure enough have added to the rottenness of a day.
And finally, driving back home, I’ve got right in the middle of a traffic jam…well, it wasn’t even a "jam", buit a pretty dense marmalade. For 2 hours and 15 minutes. What are the options for someone, sitting in such a jam-up?
Play with switching Off and On engine (off – to save resources, on – to run the heater to warm up chilly salon.)
Listen to the radio with conveniently appropriate program, featured political news and various talks instead of music.
Critically observe self in the mirror for about 20 min trying to spot as many defects as possible.
Flirt with the driver from the parallel lane for a while until his lane started to move faster then yours.
Read all the signs on the back of the lorry in front, including number plate.
Read all the signs backwards. Including number plate.
Memorise as many of the backwards signs as possible. (got only few still stuck in memory: nosinned, nelg, worrab, skcurt)
Oh, well, I guess, there could be much more various things to do when stuck in traffic. And guess, I’ve got to keep something for amusement in my car, just for such occasions.
Naturally, the only music begging to be heard today – Final Cut, Pink Floyd…
In my rear view mirror the sun is going down sinking behind bridges in the road and I think of all the good things that we have left undone and I suffer premonitions confirm suspicions of the holocaust to come…