In my effort to move to greater frugality and to stop some of the rubbish flowing into my home I have been trying to disconnect.

Step 1. Went to website....No you have to phone.

Step 2. Phoned on a sat morning...Staff on hand to help me add new channels, upgrade package to the IQ service etc, etc...However no staff in the 'may I be disconnected area'. Apparently these people need special training and lots of rest.

Step 3. Phoned at 3.20 on this afternoon. Pushed correct buttons then listened to music and Foxtel ads for about ten minutes before a recorded message told me there were no staff in the area.

Step 4. Rephoned back and this time entered buttons for upgrade. Immediately answered by living person. When I explained my predicament was told that that the disconnect dept is open between 9 to 5. "Its only 3.35," I protested....."Oh I mean 9 to 5 in Sydney or Melbourne."     "I thought you were a nationwide company," I retorted..."We are, unless you want to disconnect."  "Obviously...Well why then did I not get a message telling me this before I listened to messages on hold for ten minutes"??  "I will get them to phone you back."   "When?"  "Between 9-5"  "My time or yours?"   "Ours"

Step 5. Declined said offer and will try again when I have some time that fits into their time.

Step 6. Retired to computer and vented my frustation on blog.Step 7. Remembered my pastoral obligations and will look for a suitable biblical prayer for them.....Probably in the imprecatory Psalms...