"very satisfied" makes me think of a letter of recommendation by a grumpy ex-boss

Perfect, wsieb. No way could I have put it better (and I haven't ) !

Oh, and much respect to BY & MG, as you two also managed to put my vague feeling that something was rotten in the state of Denmark into words.

I hereby (re)turn my coat and retract my acceptance of "very satisfied". [stubborn-e]