Sometimes you think the world is out to wind you up.

Other times you know for certain.

I submitted a ticket to one of my main software suppliers on Monday around lunchtime. There is  a set of accounts with a deadline of the following Monday and it needs bringing forward from the old software to the new version. It’s just slightly out of the ordinary but, once I get a reply, should be able to get it done no problem.

By Wednesday lunchtime and I’ve not had a response I’m getting a bit more edgy – it’s a challenge time-wise because of the short time between year end and the date of the meeting approving the accounts but this is the fourth year we’ve dealt with them so (other than the statutory accounts) the assignment gets done because we make it done.

I decide to try phoning the support line to try and chase matters along. OVER 35 MINUTES on the bl00dy phone – it’s a software supplier, for fkkk’s sake, not HMRC! – for someone to take my details and say they will escalate it to the manager’s attention.

Oh, forgot to mention, I’m supposed to be having an extended weekend as I’ve a surgical operation next Tuesday and it would be good if I was relaxed beforehand if possible.

This lunchtime – it’s now nearly 72 hours since logging the problem and, following yesterday’s encounter, no one’s phoned me back – and I’m on the phone to my account manager who promises to go talk to the support manager and phone me back after 15.00. It’s now 16.30 and I’m about to phone again. But his phone line is engaged.

Question – is it just me or have the dial tones changed lately? I’m sure the tone I just got used to mean the line concerned was disconnected. It did the same earlier but got the normal ring tone at the third attempt.

Got through to an answer phone this time. It’s not helping my blood pressure.

Nearly an hour later and still no communication.

Nothing else for it. Have to phone the client.

Have spoken, apologised profusely and agreed the way forward. It’s not like the work has not been done. It’s only the statutory nonsense to keep the Charity Commission happy and confuse the trustees at the AGM. It’s just that it has to be done so do it we will. Just not today and maybe not until after my operation.

Which will mean more “stuff” waiting until after recuperation and more pressure to get back in harness before I really ought.

S’life.