Today marked a milestone in my life. I sent my first fax. I think I may have actually sent my first fax when my Dad had the office, but this was completely independently, using the old fax machine that’s been in a pile of things to go to onto eBay for months. What made the whole experience more executive was that it was international too.
Thinking I am above the con merchants and rip off artists in the domain trade, and needing to purchase a ‘.it’ (Italian) domain name, I decided to dodge the UK vendors who sell at £30 a year, and instead go direct to the people at the top. The Italians.
Sure enough Italian domain names are considerably cheaper if you purchase them from Italians. However, not being particularly versed in Italian (wish it though I may), the process is certainly made more complicated by:
- The half translated ‘English’ versions of the Italian domain websites
- The requirement to supply tax numbers
- The need to make at least two international faxes
- The fact that the Altavista Babelfish translator ultimately turns any sensible block of text into an incoherent torrent of abuse to the delight of the foreign recipient
Therefore when things started to get hazy in the sign up process, I resorted to what creatives do best, I drew a picture, and it actually worked. The guy at support sent me a picture back. Is this the future of global communication? Has today, the day I used a technology that reminds me of the era of the American Psycho, also heralded the beginning of a universal language?
Clearly not.
But it was fun anyway, and the buzz of excitement is still lingering while I try and work out if my money has simply disappeared into an faceless Italian coffer, or I’ve made sufficiently few cock-ups that I’ve actually managed to purchase the damned domain in question.
In other news… I met up with Will last night. It’s been the best part of six months since I last saw him, but it sounds like things are going well for him. It’s the first time I’ve been out for a drink with a mate in over three weeks, as things have been very busy and with travels coming up, a scaled economy have been critical to paying for flights and visas and things.
That is why today I am going to London again. Probably a bad idea for the wallet, but I’ve not seen Swanny or Duffy for a month, and Irish Johnny is off the China for a year in a week, it’s only fair I make an effort.
Once again, a very brief trip. I may try and make a couple of visits while I’m down, but this is s strictly one-night affair as I can’t afford the money or the time London so quickly eats away.
For the benefit of anyone who wants to travel London from Brum (and surrounding stations) on the cheap, Chiltern Railways do a fantastic off peak saver that costs £15 open return for 30 days, with no need to book. It’s £9.90 with a railcard, and called ‘Just 15’. They also have just launched singles to London (and other destinations all over) for £5 (book in advance by mobile or by email). Worth knowing if you do some travelling around the country.
Right, preparations ahoy.