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Jun. 14th, 2006 02:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tammaiyaAnd when I woke up, I went, that's not ice, that's east!
But anyway. Now we move on to me being angry about shonky trading practices!
Today I discovered why my internet speed is so SHITEFUL. Rohan found an internet speedtest when he got sick of waiting for the Herald site to load on his laptop. The laptop speed came up at just over ONE HUNDRED, which isn't even that much better than dialup. We thought, okay, maybe it's the router? (Although the main pc is always pretty crappy too, for broadband.) We test the pc, we get... two hundred.
...................., we say. Rohan says, hey, I knew your internet was crap but I didn't know it was THAT crap. Isn't your connection supposed to be 512?
I'm like, uh... maybe? So we check out my ISP. The package we're supposedly on... no longer exists. Wtfbbq!!!1eleventy, we exclaim, and ring up grapevine, who is like, yeah, your package got nixed, but as long as you stay on it you can keep it. Which is good news, because for the same price I'd get half the download per month otherwise. As for speed, it's the same as whatever Transact gives, apparently.
So, stage two: to Transact!
Going to the website yielded no results, because once again, the package I thought we were on apparently DIDN'T EXIST. The lowest package was $60 for 1000. O-KAY. As Rohan said, if my connection is 1mbps, it was running at LESS THAN 1/4 of its maximum capacity. There was no way to find out online what my package supposedly was or what we were paying, so Rohan rang up Transact (and spent forever on hold, chatted to the guy about last night's soccer and had to ring dad to get him to authorise both Rohan and I on the account before ringing back) and meanwhile I checked his laptop straight through the transact box to see if it was the router. (No, still only hitting about 200.)
When trannsact would FINALLY talk to us, they were like, oh, you're on a package that doesn't exist anymore. 256kpbs.
................., we said.
And how much are we paying? asked Rohan.
$60, we were told.
&*(#$&%(*#$&!!!!11
Are there any DIFFERENCES, compared to the currently existing package of the SAME PRICE? Minor differences to the phone. Most of which are also improvements.
So basically, we have been overpaying Transact for months. If it were just dad, or someone like him, without anyone like Rohan around... they can tell it's slow, but probably won't be able to figure out why. And I'm really angry, because that is shonky. They have a responsibility to inform existing customers of changes like this. We've been getting a package worth a quarter of what we should have been getting.
We're going to 'upgrade', without changing the amount we're paying at all. Dad says that after my exams I should write them an email-- it's misleading and deceptive conduct under s 52 of the Trade Practices Act, something I studied in Contracts last year. It'll be good practice, mum says. I... despite what people maybe think, I have very low self-confidence and when it comes to certain things I'm painfully shy and timid, so the thought scares me, but I really am pissed off and I don't think they should be allowed to do that kind of thing. We figured it out, but what about other customers? So... I guess if mum and dad don't do it so I have to do it myself, I will. Maybe.
While I've got the rant tag attached, the ACT civil union laws got disallowed by the Federal Government today. Bastards. Last hope is the Senate. We'd need all of Labour, all of the Greens, and 2 Liberals to cross the floor. We've got 1 Liberal crossing the floor and chances are that we'll get all of Labour and the Green. So... we'll see, I suppose.
And now, for the requisite video game babble.
I have a NEW DEFINITION OF HELL. The Tower of Druaga is horrible. HORRIBLE, I tell you. Not in the same way that the Morlia Gallery in Tales of Phantasia was horrible; Morlia Gallery was more like being bombarded by battle after battle and eventually being killed on the 20th level, which. Which was nasty and drove me insane, and at least once you've got a pattern it's actually quite hard to die or even deplete your TP/HP very much at all in the Tower of Druaga, but. But it didn't take that long to get down to the lower levels, even considering the random encounters. The Tower of Druaga is SIXTY. FUCKING. LEVELS.
And you have to do random crazy shit on each level to get the treasure chest to appear. Some levels you get a different treasure on the second time through. And when I say random crazy shit, I exaggerate not. It's like, break this wall here, touch the door without the key, and kill the red knight. YEAH. If you mess up that's just too bad, you can't redo it and you just have to go through the tower again, because you can't go down levels, only up them. And it's arcade-ish with annoying arcade music that makes you TWITCH and it took me THREE HOURS
Three hours, that is, to get to level 59, to be missing one of the 3 rods I need to beat the boss, to be zapped back down to level 40 and run through the last 19 levels again, and to finally finish the tower. Three hours that do not include previous attempts where I got fed up and zapped out of there or had to turn off so zapped out of there and one noteable occasion on which I had to stand there and watch myself get killed because I didn't equip with a non-elemental weapon before starting a fight with the Quox and I couldn't hurt it and you can't run away from battles in the Tower. Urrrgh. And I have to go through it again in a vain attempt to either pick up the treasure chests I screwed up getting on previous attempts or to pick up treasure you can only get on the second round through.
And yes, I have a walkthrough. You'd have to be crazy to try it without one. It's the "extra dungeon"; I could go beat the last boss now if I wanted to, but I'm obsessive. When I near the end of an RPG I have to go find a walkthrough and do all the extra stuff, though I try not to touch them before then. (Which is why I unnecessarily killed Marie's husband. D'OH.) As an aside, the walkthrough I'm using is Japanese because there's no complete Tower of Druaga walkthrough in English. I'm getting much more comfortable about using the Japanese area of the intarweb, which is useful.
On the bright side, with the Tower of Druaga, you get STACK loads of experience. I got over 38,000 for beating Druaga on level 59, and he wasn't even that hard. I've gone up enough levels that Rutee and Philia learned their final spells, even. <3 (Well, Athwaite and Clemente did. Same dif, since I never swap the Swordians they have equipped around, really.)
Whoos 2 am. More me being a dork about Sukisyo with Mari and Becky! You should read if only for the insight into Mari and my relationship, ie the bit where she throws pencil cases at my head. ... *DUCKS*
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
wow, Sora is amazingly less dumb if you choose to run up three flights of stairs instead of four. Like, you end up on the fourth floor ANYWAY, after he sees there's no one on the third floor, but it's different from there. Instead of being all, *CHASE!* with Ran being all, *GLARE!*, he stands there quietly and starts to wonder if Nao had anything to do with his fall.
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
and I'm like, give the boy a cookie! GOOD SORA!
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
Though I don't know if the room scene later will change, because that's where he asked why Nao was up there in the other scenario. Thinking about it... the fact that he bought the club activities thing after Nao GLARED AT HIM WITH WEIRD RED EYES and RAN AWAY is just... amazingly, amazingly dumb. XD Assuming he doesn't say something and then Nao runs away, he can only be less dumb in this scenario.
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
Even if the room scene goes the same way.
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
And he continues to be... vaguely logical. he's discounting Nao being involved, but for actual REASONS-- he doesn't have the strength to push me off, and anyway he only just transferred here.
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
it's amazing what one less flight of stairs does for Sora's IQ. Maybe the pain made him stupider than usual.
... though, that doesn't excuse him for being an airhead when they're back in the dorms...
Minami_Kaya says:
perhaps three is his lucky number
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
*dies* always possible.
~~
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
Oooh. I like this scenario much better than the fourth floor scenario. Instead of Ran being like, RAR! *runs away*, we have Sora staring at Nao unnoticed and then hauling off to grab Nao when he suddenly tries to jump. Interesting! Plus, more pretty pictures!
Minami_Kaya says:
yeay prettiness
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
I like crazy-like-Sora!Nao better than evil-I-hang-around-where-you-fell-off-a-building-and-glare-at-you!Ran, on reflection.
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
he's cute when he's freaked out and worried like that. less sekritly I AM OUT TO GET YOU -ish.
Minami_Kaya says:
Though you become quite an affectionate Ran fan after a while. You just fall for him
Minami_Kaya says:
but yes Nao`s just cute
Minami_Kaya says:
when he`s being Nao
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
hee. It's not so much the Nao/Ran distinction as the Nao going spacey and throwing himself out the window like Sora did.
Minami_Kaya says:
well yes.
Nao`s just a very cute person
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
because he seemed more evil in the first scenario. I know he's not really any more or less evil depending on things I do now, but hey. XD
Minami_Kaya says:
well yes the end is inevitable
Minami_Kaya says:
unless that is you change the end
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
which you can do in the game, unlike the books
Minami_Kaya says:
and like, run off with Matsuri or something
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
but it's presumably rigged toward the book ending
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
... you know
Minami_Kaya says:
<- you can`t
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
I'm ALMOST TEMPTED.
you can't? awww.
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
why not? you can run off with Shinichirou.
Minami_Kaya says:
not in the first game
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
oh. ahaha.
Minami_Kaya says:
you have a friend end
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
pffft, friend end.
Minami_Kaya says:
in which Nao and Matsuri and Sora are like, frienzies
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
that is not what Sukisyo is for.
*looks shifty*
Minami_Kaya says:
but you get no Matsuri Ed until I think, the last game
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
huh, okay.
like I said, I want Sora/Nao, and yet I am WEIRDLY TEMPTED by Matsuri/Sora. Sora/Matsuri? No, Matsuri is too evil. Matsuri/Sora.
Minami_Kaya says:
I`m still under the curse of airheaded main characters being seme so yes
Minami_Kaya says:
but I`m not a Matsuri shipper
Minami_Kaya says:
in that way
Minami_Kaya says:
he`s just...gorgeous
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
I'm not really, either. I'm just like one of those little children who touches the hot stove. It's like, you shouldn't do this. But you CAN. So you're like, ooh!
not that I'm intending to equate Matsuri/Sora with a bad burn, but hey. XD
Minami_Kaya says:
Matsuri`s like that temptation that just shouldn`t happen, but can`t help washywashying over because Matsuri`s just beautiful
Minami_Kaya says:
to me that is what he is
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
it's the POSSIBILITY that taunts me. If there was no possibility of making Sora end up with Matsuri in the game it's not like I'd write it instead.
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
Becky: <---got the friend ending the first couple of times
Becky: <---then promptly cheated to get the Minato/Sora ending
Kattaiya: *snigger*
Becky: The Minato/Sora ending was AWESOME.
Becky: It's like the most ridiculous, over-the-top thing EVER. I loved it.
Minami_Kaya says:
...oh my
Minami_Kaya says:
I don`t really remember what it`d be like
Minami_Kaya says:
but well Minato`s scary
Minami_Kaya says:
so I can`t go near him
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
I'll... find out. for you. maybe. There's too much temptation to do stupid stuff in this game. XD
Minami_Kaya says:
Shin`s not as scary
Minami_Kaya says:
but Minato...eww...Minato
Minami_Kaya says:
If I`m ever going to do Minato it`s to get the Minato harem Ed just to see Minato and his harem
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
there's a harem end? *giggle*
Minami_Kaya says:
not in the first game
Minami_Kaya says:
but there is later
Minami_Kaya says:
and yes Minato has a harem in his school
Minami_Kaya says:
who knows why
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
*cracks up*
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
that. that is awesome. in a terrifying way.
Minami_Kaya says:
but really I want to see it just to see Matsuri there
Minami_Kaya says:
because y`know...there`s the tempation to see Matsuri in a dodgy pairing of some sort
Minami_Kaya says:
because when you get the Matsuri end I think it`s very very platonic
Minami_Kaya says:
because tiz Matsuri
Minami_Kaya says:
UNLESS you see the Minato harem Ed in which you get to see him be gorgeous and clothesless
Minami_Kaya says:
though well it`s not that dodgy I don`t think
Minami_Kaya says:
because it`s like a spinoffEd from the Minato/Sora Ed
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
eeeeheee heeeeeee
Minami_Kaya says:
so it should be mostly Minato and Sora
Minami_Kaya says:
but hey Matsuri
Minami_Kaya says:
Minato also has slain Nana and Nao
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
*is not surprised*
Minami_Kaya says:
and who knows who else
Minami_Kaya says:
but Matsuri
Minami_Kaya says:
...*cough* I`ll shut up
~~
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
meanwhile, cute freaked out Nao has run away, only in a less evil way, and Sora has compared him to a rabbit.
Heee.
Minami_Kaya says:
Datto no gotoku (speedy like one)
Minami_Kaya says:
~
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
I am reminded of Nana's kaitou outfit. Nao TAKES AFTER MUMMY.
No, actually:
ウサギみてえに脅えた目をしてそのまま廊下を走りだした
(With eyes like a frightened rabbit, he ran off down the corridor.)
Minami_Kaya says:
Nao gets things thaught by mummy
Minami_Kaya says:
thaught...???
Minami_Kaya says:
taught
Minami_Kaya says:
in a doujin I have there was a `cute` scene
Minami_Kaya says:
Sora and Shin talk about detective things together
Shin: I`ll teach these techniques to you
Minami_Kaya says:
Sora: great!
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
*cacks* somehow I can tell where this is going, I think.
Minami_Kaya says:
Nana and Nao are talking
Nana: and this is how you throw a plate when your partner comes home late drunk
nao: this...this angle? like this?
Minami_Kaya says:
Shin and Sora: ..............................
Minami_Kaya says:
Shin: I`ll teach you how to dodge plates...right away
Sora...yes please...
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
*GIGGLE*
Minami_Kaya says:
It went something like that
Minami_Kaya says:
I just couldn`t help but to think...
Minami_Kaya says:
traditions get passed on
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
... and I can't help but think of certain people throwing maths books/sneakers/pencil cases at certain other people. *laugh*
Minami_Kaya says:
I didn`t inherit it
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
now next time you throw something at me you can be like "OH NOEZ! I AM ACTING LIKE NANA!"
*amused*
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
(and/or Nao)
Minami_Kaya says:
Nana just smiles
Minami_Kaya says:
Nao`s violent
Minami_Kaya says:
I will ... splice and be doubly scary
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
yeah, I'd agree with that
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
*edges away*
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
I suppose I should just be thankful I'm not like Sora as well as Shin, because being that much of an airhead wouldn't be great for my life expectancy.
... I think. I hope.
Minami_Kaya says:
...yeah...you`ll start jumping off school buildings
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
or enraging Nao.
You.
Nao!you.
Minami_Kaya says:
and then start making lame excuses about seeing me later and go investigate your suicide attempts
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
*collapses with laughter* yeah. yeah. sorry. and then you'll be hanging around my attempted suicide spot being like, hi.
and I'll be like, ??? hay thar this is a coincidence!
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
but when you put it like that
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
jeez, Sora's a lame boyfriend
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
he'd rather think about jumping off a building than be with Nao.
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
I'm starting to understand why Nao is a little pissed off with him, really. XD
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
"Date with Nao, investigating suicide attempts... uh... at least the window can't throw plates at me..."
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
Becky: I dunno... the lack of plate throwing is actually pretty smart, if you ask me. XD
Kattaiya: yeah, but maybe Nao wouldn't throw the plates in the first place if Sora wasn't brushing him off for a date with his suicide bid. Maybe Sora is simply ENSURING that plates are a part of his near future. :x
Kattaiya: Unless, y'know, he jumps again.
I miss you like the deserts miss the rain says:
Kattaiya: But then Nao might just throw plates at him on general principle.
Kattaiya: "YOU SELFISH BASTARD, GOING AND COMMITTING SUICIDE BEFORE I COULD GET PROPER REVENGE ON YOU >O"
Becky: *laughs* Sunao would totally think that, yes.
Minami_Kaya says:
rage
and so Sora`s destiny is filled with plate thrownness
~~
Kattaiya: ... Oh, Sora, even when you're being less dumb you're still so. Slow. It takes you this long to be like "zomgx0rz what was that guy up to? And hay, isn't this where I fell?"
OH WHAT A COINCIDENCE. he almost JUMPED OUT THE WINDOW where I FELL OUT THE WINDOW.
isn't that strange? la.
Becky: Oh, poor Sora. So not with the quick thinking.
LE SPAM~.
