I had mentioned last week that we had our new BSNL telephone connection installed. This was the first step to getting an internet connection. It was supposed to come this week and we agreed to “speed” up the process by actually going and picking up the modem ourselves.

Our first visit today was to the ICICI bank in Koramangala to make a demand draft to pay my road tax. The draft did get made, but the tax did not get paid, because our agent was out of town. So, once again, this has been postponed to next week

After a good amount of searching, we finally found the telephone exchange in Koramangala. We picked up the wireless DSL modem and set it up ourselves (not that there is much of setting up to do).

However, we weren’t able to test it until almost two hours later because of the really irritating load shedding we have in Bangalore. Lunch was a simple biryani from “Biryani @ Koramangala”, on which we stuffed ourselves.

We’ve been facing a really irritating problem with the internet, as the connection tends to drop at regular intervals. A restart of the modem fixes it, so I have a feeling the modem isn’t able to take the load of two connections downloading data continuously. We intend to complain on Monday, so lets see how it goes.

This is definitely a great improvement over my GPRS connection that I have been using for so many months.

I may need to work tomorrow, but that I shall come to know in a while. I intend to get some coding done today. My plugins would do well with updates.

A new sign in the Bank Lobby reads:

‘Please note that this Bank is installing new Drive-through ATM machines enabling customers to withdraw cash without leaving their vehicles.

Customers using this new facility are requested to use the procedures outlined below when accessing their accounts.

After months of careful research, MALE & FEMALE Procedures have been developed… Please follow the Appropriate steps for your gender.’

*******************************

MALE PROCEDURE:

1. Drive up to the cash machine.

2. Put down your car window.

3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.

4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.

5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.

6. Put window up.

7. Drive off.

**************************

FEMALE PROCEDURE:

Unfortunately, most of this part is the Truth!!!

1. Drive up to cash machine.

2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.

3. Set parking brake, put the window down.

4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card.

5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up.

6. Attempt to insert card into machine.

7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its excessive distance from the car.

8. Insert card.

9. Re-insert card the right way.

10. Dig through handbag to find diary with your PIN written on the inside back page.

11. Enter PIN.

12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.

13. Enter amount of cash required.

14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.

15. Retrieve cash and receipt.

16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside.

17. Write debit amount in check register and place receipt in back of checkbook.

18. Re-check makeup.

19. Drive forward 2 feet.

20. Reverse back to cash machine. !

21. Retrieve card.

22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided!

23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you.

24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.

25. Redial person on cell phone.

26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.

27. Release Parking Brake.

Received this as a forward. I don’t know how far this is true… but it sure was fun reading!

Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die. This is so priceless, and so easy to see happening, customer service being what it is today.
A lady died this past January, and The Bank billed her for February March for their annual service charges on her credit card, added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance of $0, is now somewhere around $60. A Family Member placed a call to The Bank.

Here is the exchange:

Family Member: “I am calling to tell you she died in January.”
The Bank: “The account was never closed, and the late fees charges still apply.”
Family Member: “Maybe you should turn it over to collections.”
The Bank: “Since it is 2 months past due, it already has been.”
Family Member: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?”
The Bank: “Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureau. Maybe both !”
Family Member: “Do you think God will be mad at her?” (I really liked this part !!!!)
The Bank: “Excuse me?”
Family Member: “Did you just get what I was telling you? The part about her being dead?”
The Bank: “Sir, you’ll have to speak to my supervisor.” !

(Supervisor gets on the phone)

Family Member: “I’m calling to tell you she died in January.”
The Bank: “The account was never closed, so the late fees and charges still apply.” (This must be a phrase taught by The Bank!)
Family Member: “Do you mean you want to collect from her estate?”
The Bank: (stammering) “Are you her lawyer?”
Family Member: “No, I’m her great-nephew.”
The Bank: “Could you fax us a certificate of death?”
Family Member: “Sure.” (fax number is given)

After they get the fax:
The Bank: “Our system just isn’t set up for death. I don’t know what more I can do to help.”
Family Member: “Well, if you figure it out, great ! If not, you could just keep billing her. I really don’t think she will care.”
The Bank: “Well, the late fees charges do still apply.”
(What is wrong with these people??!!)
Family Member: “Would you like her new billing address?”
The Bank: “Yes, that will help.”
Family Member: ” Odessa Memorial Cemetery, Highway 129, Plot Number 69.”
The Bank: “Sir, that is a cemetery!”
Family Member: “What do you do with dead people on YOUR planet?!!

It’s been a while I’ve done so much in a single day.

Awoke a little past 9am. Wanted to sleep more but I had an errand to run.

Was really zonked in the afternoon so took a short nap before heading off to Our Lady of Victories Church, Mahim for a funeral mass.

Met up with the Mouse after that. Sat at Biona’s for a while. Their service sucks! I went up to the counter and asked that guy if I would be served today or not.

I guess they have a very laid back and lazy attitude towards their customers. Definitely not a place to go to for “fast food”!

We also dropped in at Melody‘s home after that. She shouldn’t be grumbling for a long time hopefully What do you say Mel?

Am home now. The weekend begins. Study continues…

We set out yesterday yet again to buy the XAT Forms. This is my third trip and this time we decided to not bother going to the Dadar SBI, because we found the one at Mahim.

Got stuck in horrible traffic on the way there. And if the traffic wasn’t bad enough, the heat was killing. Could actually feel my skin getting burnt by the sun

We were able to reach the bank only a little before noon. And thank God for ACs!

Spent more than one and a half hour there filling up and collecting eight forms! They should give us a discount for bulk purchases

Next stop was the Bank of Baroda in Vile Parle to pick up forms for MDI. Things were much faster here.

By the end of this we ended up spending more than Rs.10000! :O
Money well used?

We were already famished and so dropped in at the McDonald’s closeby.

By the time we got back home, it was already past 4pm. Not to mention we were also totally exhausted.

Atleast the first step in the process has been completed. Now begins the next, filling and sending!

Imagine travelling all the way from Andheri to Dadar only to find that once again the forms for XAT are not available!
This time, they are out of stock!

The last time it was because their freaking computers were not working. I can’t believe how banks can be like this…
Then again, maybe I can! X(

Anyway, did go to another branch to pick up forms for IMT.

Stopped over at McDonalds in The Hub for a quick bite before coming home.

Have to make another trip yet again. It sure can get very irritating!

This past week has been rather tiring and in some ways busy. That has been pretty much the case since Dad came down

Anjali came over on Monday morning for a bit of CAT studing, while in the evening I had to go for choir practice. We have been learning a few new hymns and the different parts for some old ones.

Tuesday was uneventful, but Wednesday made up for it.

Now that I am at home, my sleep patterns have changed drastically. I seldom go to sleep before 2am and unfortunately I have to get up before 8am!

Wednesday was no different. We had to go to three banks and so was ready before 10am. Set off first to HDFC bank in the area. I don’t really like the bank policies of HDFC, but I will admit their customer service is a lot better than most banks I have seen.
Have decided to keep my account with them only because of this. Then again… you never know!

Next stop was to Union Bank. Being the festival of Ganpati, they had puja in the morning (or so I assume) and so we got modak.

All our bank gallivanting lasted for more than three hours. Reached home mid afternoon and managed to get two hours of sleep before going for mass in the evening for the Novena.

Mass was great . A lot of us turned up and the singing was quite good.

Forgot to mention that I gave my bike for servicing in the afternoon because the engine seems to be heating up. Found out that the back wheel was jammed resulting in extra pressure on the engine. So got the bike serviced and picked it up after mass.

However, I don’t think the problem seems to have been solved because today the engine heated up again. Will have to get him to look into it tomorrow.

Today we once again set off for the Mahim clinic in the morning. Stopped over at my other grandmom‘s place in Khar inthe morning and then we headed off once again back there.

Had to wait for the report (which we didn’t get in the end) and so to kill time we paid a visit to OM in Sunmill Compound in Parel.
Picked up a few good Praise and Worship VCDs and DVDs.

Have finally got down to blogging today.

Have a few articles that I plan on writing about. Do keep reading.