gement: (Default)
gement ([personal profile] gement) wrote2011-12-20 04:34 pm

(no subject)

I've been wrestling with anxiety and unproductivity at work for almost 2 weeks now. Points for me, I'm in communication with my boss about it.

47 unread voicemails is too many, even for me. I need to get a handle on this "checking my voicemail more often than three times a year" thing.

In better news, I made it to Vancouver BC this weekend on the train and also got about 6000 words of transcribing of my writing done. So those are good things.

[identity profile] randomdreams.livejournal.com 2011-12-21 01:30 am (UTC)(link)
That's about how often I check my voicemail too. It's an obstinate, slow, picky system and as much as I can, I just ignore it.

[identity profile] stolen-tea.livejournal.com 2011-12-21 02:31 am (UTC)(link)
Google Voice! Voicemail becomes email, delivered to your inbox, with hilarious transcriptions.

[identity profile] caladri.livejournal.com 2011-12-21 05:18 am (UTC)(link)
+1

[identity profile] ilmarinen.livejournal.com 2011-12-21 07:12 am (UTC)(link)
Can one port a phone number to Google Voice?

[identity profile] stolen-tea.livejournal.com 2011-12-21 05:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes! There is a $20 charge for porting, but it actually makes me more comfortable with the potential longevity of the service to know that Google is making money off of it. ;)

If you want to port a mobile number, it can be done on the web. Although I haven't tried this, because I somehow am still attached to the notion of being able to get phone calls without them going through Google's servers.

If you want to port a landline, it's impossible directly, but what you can do is port your landline number to a $10.95 T-Mobile prepaid SIM, and then a few days later port that to Google Plus. (It is convenient to have a friend with a spare old GSM phone lying around.)

The other thing you can do, which is free, conceptually simple, and which I was originally referring to, is set up Google Voice as the voice mail provider for your existing cell phone service. Phone calls go first to your cell phone (as normal), and if you don't pick up, they get sent to Google's answering service. Which can then be configured to send you an email or text message or whatever. And you can still call it up like a 20th century voicemail service. All your phone numbers and bills remain the same.

(Yes, I just got through doing this...)

[identity profile] gement.livejournal.com 2011-12-21 06:34 pm (UTC)(link)
THanks. So have I now. It doesn't help the back 48, and the message J just left me which was perfectly clear and grammatical could not provide a transcription, but it's a start.

[identity profile] littlemystories.livejournal.com 2011-12-22 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Would you like an hour or two of transcription service of the backlog for Chrismas? I can find time on Saturday.

[identity profile] gement.livejournal.com 2011-12-22 04:27 pm (UTC)(link)
My humble thanks for the offer. I think I would feel too silly to accept, but I really appreciate it, especially as you're much busier than I am.

If you or anyone reading this has an hour of in-person "open your damn mail and put stamps on these bills," on the other hand, it would be deeply appreciated.
Edited 2011-12-22 16:29 (UTC)