Serial Killer Update

I have not seen the toll booth guy. I have no idea where he is. I'm kind of disappointed because my ego had me truly convinced that he was in love with me. What's up with that?

Kind of anti-climactic don't you think?

Drama? Tragedy? Comedy?

It seems that in the midst of every personal crisis there is comic relief. My thoughts have been so preoccupied with the hurricane that I didn't realize how funny things were until I had a moment to slow down. Here's a brief recap.

I started my job last Monday and have tried to meet new people where I work. I was in the lunchroom two days ago and there were two guys talking about reading. I introduced myself and chimed in the conversation.....sort of. I think I said something like, "Gee, that's a big book."

That was it. Then I left.

I guess I didn't make the highly intellectual impression I was hoping for. So typical.

Then this morning I walked out to my car, hit the button on my key chain to unlock my doors and nothing happened. I looked down and realized I had my husband's spare keys. In my rush I grabbed the wrong ones. I was locked out. Great.

I was panicking because I had been late the day before due to "livestock on the turnpike"....seriously.

I called my husband but he was already at work. He couldn't get back to the house in time to let me in. I was going to be late again. So I did what any respectable girl would do.....I broke into the house.

I walked through my back yard in 3 inch pumps, my heels sinking in the dirt with each step. I took the scraper from the BBQ grill and cut the screen on the kitchen window (luckily it was unlocked so technically I may not have been breaking in), opened the window, and climbed through it across the kitchen table in my $300.00 suit (don't worry honey, it was on sale).

But I was on time for work.

I don't know. I just found all of this funny. It seems no matter how professional, smart, together and accomplished I try to be I will always remain a klutz who is perpetually goofy. Guess there could be worse things.....

Hurricane Katrina

I wanted to talk about so many other things today, but I have been sucker punched by Hurricane Katrina.

Not even 2 years ago I lived in Ocean Springs, MS. It's about 4 miles east of Biloxi. I worked in Biloxi only 2 blocks off of Highway 90 which is the road that runs directly along the coast. I don't have any family there but I do have some friends.

I don't know how they faired. All I can hope is that they are safe. I am assuming their entire lives have changed.

This post isn't about a pity party for me because I have everything to be thankful for. I have a roof over my head, a job to pay the bills and my family will be here with me tonight, safe.

I can't imagine the devastation of losing your home, your job, your car, all of your personal belongings and maybe even your loved ones. The damage is so extreme that I'm sure we won't even know the total effects for days or weeks.....or even longer.

I see at this as a wake up call for all of us to once again take a look at what's important in our lives. It's so easy to forget. There are moments in time when we take heed.....September 11th, the tsunami, war in Iraq, and other catastrophic events.

I'm going to try once again to appreciate what I have daily and be thankful for the little things. The smile of my child, the joy of seeing a friend, the comfort of my home.

I urge all of you to give to the relief effort. Even if it's only $5. I'm going to donate. I don't know how much, it's never enough.....I'm not even sure what it will do, but at least I am taking some action and not doing nothing.

I hope you are all safe.

Toll Booth Serial Killer?

I was on my way to work on Friday and a somewhat strange thing occured. I was about to go through the toll plaza on the turnpike when they guy working in the lane to the left of the one I was going through waved at me. I though that maybe he thought I was someone he knew.

I waved back. Just to be nice, right?

Then as I pulled up to pay I noticed him looking through the booth I was by and he was staring at me. And it wasn't a, "Hi, oops I thought you were my aunt or somebody" stare. It was a, "I want to see you naked stare."

Now, I consider myself good looking, but I do drive a minivan with two very noticable car seats in the second row. And I am 34. And this guy looked about 20.

It was really, really creepy. Not the kind of, "Ewww, some gross guy likes me" creepy, but more of a, "Uh oh, I might have a serial killer stalking me soon" kind of creepy.

I wonder if he'll be in my lane tomorrow. I'll let you know.

Junk Mail for the 21st Century

I was reading a post by Yoda and got to thinking more about a subject that drives me crazy.

Junk mail.

I can remember as a kid wanting to receive letters. My parents used to always say how getting mail wasn't as great as it seemed. You were usually either getting a bill or junk mail. Once I got a little older I started getting mail. First it was Jr. Miss Beauty Pageant flyers. Then it was America's Top Student's books. Then it was credit card applications. Then Pulisher's clearing house found me.

Eventually I moved out, got my own place and my own phone. Then the telemarketers started. There was no do not call list back then.

Then the age of computers dawned and email began. Then junk mail in email form got it's own name....SPAM. Then there were pop-ups.

I can't watch television without commercials or rent a DVD without being forced to watch a promo for another movie. Advertisements are everywhere. Playhouse Disney is even sponsored by McDonalds.

I thought maybe, just maybe I could find one creative outlet where I could enjoy myself without ads or junk mail. No one to barge in and taint my happy place.

Nope.

Here's a small example of what I have received in the comments section of my blog recently....

Buy Moissinite. You'll love it.
Check out my Tanzinite website.
Hey love your blog....here's 6000 words on the timber industry.

....and they just keep coming.

Here's a small piece of advice for those of you who post ads on the comments section of my blog.

1. Don't try to get on my good side by essentially saying, "I like your blog now buy something from me."
2. No one wants to be Spammed on their own site.
3. It's rude.

Who knew I was such a bitch? Oh yeah, everyone.

That's all I have for now. Rant over.

Milestones

August has been an interesting month.

I reached over 100 posts and over 5000 visits to my blog,
I lost a job and found a job,
I am finally using my Master's degree and getting paid for it,
and....

My 3 year old has learned to explain things like an adult.

I got home from work today and my husband informed me that Charlie bit someone at school today. This happens from time to time and we are continually reminding Charlie that biting is unacceptable. He tends to only do it when he is really upset. I think he does it when he gets frustrated and doesn't know how to express his emotion.

My husband told me that he talked to Charlie about biting.

My husband said, "Charlie, you know you're not supposed to bite, right?"

"I know, Daddy," Charlie replied.

"Then why did you do it?" my husband asked.

Charlie sat on my husband's lap, looked him in the eye and said, "Look Daddy. I'm going to explain it to you. You see sometimes when you're little you bite people....and when you're big, you don't."

That was it.

Makes perfect sense to me. ;)

Writer - Unblocked

I haven't written much in the past few weeks. Things have been really chaotic as you can tell if you read the blog regularly. I thought I didn't have anything to say, but I realized that I did....I just had lost my way to say it. I'll explain.

I had a routine with my blogging. I would get to work around 7am. The office would be deserted and dark. I would get a cup of coffee and in the darkness turn on my computer screen. Then in the few stolen minutes of the morning I would pour out my thoughts and turn it into a daily entry that I hoped would be entertaining and informative. I didn't realize that this was like therapy to me until I lost my job. When I lost my job I lost my routine. I lost the quiet and the calmness of the morning.

I had much more time to write in the last few weeks, but I didn't have the routine. I didn't have the atmosphere and familiar environment. I realized that I had a lot to say still as I was lying in bed one night and realized I was reviewing what I would write the next morning, except there would be no next morning at my job to go to. So I didn't write.

But now I have a new job. Even though I am not blogging there (it's still a little too new to do that...give it a few weeks) I still feel like now I can write again. I didn't realize how much my job loss affected me. I really felt betrayed by the people I worked with. I felt like they threw me away like I didn't matter and I didn't have anything to offer.

But now I have a new job.....and what a job it is!

Today was my first day. Let me give you a comparison. I came from a cubicle environment at the job I left. There were gray felt walls, commercial grade carpet, motivational posters, and cranky, complaining staff. When I walked into my new office....that's right...I have an office....I was blown away.

My office is bigger than the entire first floor of my house....seriously. I have a seating area seperate from my desk. My desk is massive and made of a beautiful wood. Everything else is trimmed in marble. There are original paintings on the walls and sculptures on the tables. My boss and I share a private kitchen with a refrigerator stocked just for us. And speaking of my boss. He is soft-spoken and considerate. And according to everyone who works there....that's how he always is. No hidden tyrant or monster that will eventually sneak out.

And the problem with my last job....the one where they promised me that I would get to work on all kinds of HR projects and get experience. Well at my new job I am the benefits administrator.....just me. It's my job.

So there you go....it's been a good first day. I feel complete again. I feel that I have worth and am appreciated.

And the block is gone....I can write again.

So all in all I guess it's been a good day.

Phwew!

I have no idea why my blog was gone for a day. I went to the blogger page and republished the entire thing and there it was....so I guess all is well. *Big Sigh*

So Anyway....

I haven't posted much lately. I guess that's because I really don't have much to complain about....and I think that's where most of my material comes from. I have my new job that starts Monday. I'm making more money, the boss seems to be cool, and it's in a really nice office, etc. Maybe something will go really horrible so I'll have something funny to relay to you....I can only hope.

The kids are good. Not doing anything to crazy or out of the ordinary. Friends and family are good. No major crisis to report. No one has died or gone to jail.

So I guess all you get is this boring post. But at least it's here.

I promise if nothing interesting happens I will make something up for tomorrow. :)

New Job

It's official.....I am once again employed.

It only took me 48 hours to land a new job. (Well technically 48 hours plus 2 weeks....but I was only unemployed for 48 hours....but who's counting?) I am now the Executive Assistant to the owner of a thriving local construction company. I am not only making 6K more a year, I also have this week off and will still be getting paid from my old job for the first two weeks into my new job. I guess sometimes things work out better than you could even hope for.

Still haven't heard from the old boss. Guess he's just not up to the challenge. Oh well....I suppose I'll have to let that one go. Unless I happen to run into him of course. Then I may just be tempted to say hello....or a few other things. I will leave that up to fate.

I don't have much more to chat about today. I have about 8000 things I'm going to try to get done around the house this week. I suppose I could at least do 1 today.....and leave the other 7999 for later.

Until tomorrow..... :)

Burning Bridges

You should never burn bridges, right? That's what I've always been told. To be honest, I have burned a few in my time. In fact, I have set bombs, used lighter fluid, and laughed maniacally as the flames flew higher and higher. But now, in my mature adult state, I don't do that. Although I sincerely want to.

When boss #1 never had the nerve to say anything about my "dismissal" it really....well, burned me. So I decided to send him an email. I was going to call him, but knowing his great fear of conflict I though a real-time exchange might send him into such a frenzy that he may have to be hospitalized. So here's what I wrote:

Dear Boss #1,

After reviewing the events of the day, I understand why you made the business decision you did regarding my employment. What I don't understand, considering our close working relationship, is why you didn't find it necessary to have some form of personal communication with me regarding this matter.

Regardless, I did enjoy working with you and wish you the best in the future.

Sincerely,
Me

Proud of me aren't you? I took the high road, right? I am a mature and classy person. Well, not so fast. Let me translate what this really means:

Dear Asshole,

After reviewing the events of the day, I now realize that your ex-wife must have gotten your balls in the divorce because you certainly don't have any. Did you really think you wouldn't hear from me again? That I would just go away without letting you know you are a pussy?

Anyway, working with you was okay because I did have a lot of time to surf the internet, but I still wish you a raging STD and I hope it burns when you pee.

Sincerely,
Me

See....not so mature after all!

*Breaking News Update!*

Yes....this is "Breaking News".

I was told that today was my last day by HR Biatch. I will be paid through my notice next month though. Which is good....since I have a second interview tomorrow and will probably be working before then....HA!

I was given several reasons for my early "termination"....all of which I threw back in the HR Biatch's face as unsubstantiated until finally her boss (via conference call) apologized and said that they were just looking for someone different to "represent" my ex-Boss #1's office. (Whatever!) Which I said was fine.....I don't care about you letting me go, I'm even fine with getting paid for not working, truly.....just don't try to make up stuff about me.

And by the way....Boss #1 never had the balls to contact me.

So now I am writing you all from the comfort of my own home. I just got back from a 3 martini lunch and am going to take a well-deserved nap!

Ta ta :)

Updates

Update from the job hunting front:

I am going on my fourth interview on Thursday. That is my fourth first interview (if that makes sense). I haven’t gotten to the second interview round yet. Of course I suppose this is really good since my job hunt has only been officially in motion for 10 days. I haven’t been really interested in any of the jobs I’ve interviewed for thus far, although I do have high hopes for tomorrow’s opportunity. We shall see.

Update about HR Biatch and Boss #1:

HR Biatch and Boss #1 have still failed to give me any information about my continued employment with this fine organization I work for. Of course they did both find time to take a vacation. Hope they enjoy themselves knowing they have a job to come back to. I, on the other hand, not taking anything for granted, will continue the job search.

Update about Ginormous, Uncaring and Frustrating Credit Card Company:

I received my super secret letter in the mail yesterday. I opened it in anxious anticipation waiting for it to spill the yet undiscovered reason for my credit woes. Just as I suspected. They shut the account down due to a five day, one time in three years delinquency which was paid off. Bastards. I’m not even going to call them back. I’m just paying off the balance and closing the account. May your headsets cause unsightly permanent wrinkles on your collective faces!

Update about my crime fighting 3 year old:

While Charlie is an extremely funny child and can be a joy to be around, he can also be very sullen and moody (hmmm….where does that come from???). I brought some Power Ranger’s gloves home for him and was excited imagining him fighting crime as he pretended to morph into a giant robot or a car or a dinosaur. He looked at the gloves, looked at me, twisted up his face, threw the gloves on the floor, threw himself on the floor and said, “I’m mad. You didn’t buy me the dinothunder ones!” Some days are better than others.

So now you are updated.

Mall Commando

Several people have told me that the stories about Charlie are funny and I appreciate it. I wish I could take more credit, but I am just humbly relaying the antics of a VERY hyper 3 year old. I wish I could put streaming video on here of the things he does, but alas I am not technically inclined and I never seem to be able to catch the hilarity when it is first-run.

But…..I do have another story.

On Sunday my husband and I took the kids to the mall. We spent most of the day window shopping and made a few select purchases. To get back to the car we cut through Strawbridge’s….we needed to use the elevator due to the massive double stroller we have. By this time Charlie was tired of the stroller and decided he wanted to walk. Dad was pushing Matthew, Charlie was following him, and I was pulling up the rear lugging a giant print that I had purchased for the living room.

As we were walking through the busy department store Charlie suddenly stopped. With legs flailing, arms flapping and body gyrating he shouted at the top of his lungs, “Power Rangers S.P.D. Emergency!” Everyone in a 20 foot radius stopped to stare. After he was done shouting he crouched down, pointed his right arm out, pulled his left arm to his chest and proceeded to shoot all the laughing shoppers in a volley of machine gun fire.

I was laughing so hard I nearly dropped the print.

I Will Destroy You!

My husband and I decided to go out to dinner with our boys on Friday night. As we were leaving the house Charlie, my 3 year old, asked me for a fruit snack. I figured we probably wouldn’t be eating for at least an hour so a fruit snack would be okay. He’d be happy and subsequently, I’d be happy.

While we were waiting for the hostess to get our table ready I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation of a husband and wife at a nearby table. They were with their two young children. The husband looked at the wife and exclaimed, “I just don’t understand it! What kind of mother gives their child a fruit snack before dinner?”

I should have held my tongue but I couldn’t. I looked at the father and said, “I’m sorry. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. I just gave my son a fruit snack to eat on the way here.” “See!” the wife said to her husband.

After we sat down our dinner was mostly uneventful, although it did consist of a cancelled order and a re-cooked pizza, but that happens. While we were getting ready to leave, 5 teenage boys sat down at the table across from us.

One of the five boys was of Asian descent. He pointed to our pizza and said, “I’m a foreign exchange student. Can I have your pizza?”

“No.” I replied.

“But you dropped Napalm on my ancestors!” he exclaimed.

“What?”

“Sorry, we have to remind him who won Vietnam.” One of the other boys interjected.

My husband, who was on his cell phone at the time, looked over at the boys. “I don’t know what you’re saying to my wife, but you better show a little respect.”

I began to busy myself with repacking the baby’s diaper bag and gathering up the kids. As I look over, I see my husband bending over very close to one of the boys. He was whispering in his ear. As my husband stands up I see the boy's face. It’s white with terror.

Uh oh.

“What did you say to him?” I asked.

“Well, the punk was mouthing off some more and when I told him to stop he said, ‘I’m really scared’. I figured I’d go for the calm approach”, my husband replied. “I just leaned in very close and softly whispered in his ear, ‘You better be scared because I will f-ing destroy you.’”

“You didn’t!” I exclaimed.

“I did.”

What we didn’t realize was that Charlie was listening to our conversation. On the ride home Charlie shouts from the back seat, “Hey mom!”

“Yeah, baby?” I say.

He balls his fists and holds up his arms like he's flexing his muscles. Through clenched teeth he exclaims, “You better watch it….or I will destroy you!”

5 Question Interview

Josephine sent me these questions. #5 just makes me hang my head in shame.....oh well.


1. If you had a once in a lifetime opportunity to go back in time to say all the things you never did or should have, etc. who would you choose to spend the time with to say those things and/or just enjoy their company? And why? Can be anyone, living/dead, famous/familiar, real/fictitious.

If I could go back I would have to choose to spend the time with my father. He died when I was 20. Looking back I think he would have been surprised at how alike we are….in the good and the bad. I don’t think there is anything I would want to say as far as things I didn’t have the chance to, other than to just tell him that I love him and I accept him for who his is, faults and all. I would just like to share with him who I am today and introduce him to his grandsons.

2. If you were falsely accused of something and had no choice but to go on the run, where would you go and why?

What’s scary is I have thought about this before. I wouldn’t leave the US. I would take on another identity and move to Alaska. I would be Bridget Kelly, former child prodigy pianist who can no longer play due to a terrible trauma, who finds the love of a sexy lumberjacking native Alaskan man who raises Huskies for the Iditarod on the side and heals her with his love. Wait….was that a book?

3. If you were born with a special animal trait, what would it be and from what animal? For example, speed, height, camouflage etc.

I would want the strength of an ant. Then no one would mess with me….HA!

But I suppose this wouldn't be so attractive if I had to have an exoskelton...let me think some more on this.

4. This is an A or B question. If you play an instrument then you can answer question B.

I’ll just answer both…..

A. What kind of an instrument would you like to learn to play and why?

Definitely guitar…..because it’s cool.

B. What type of music do you love to listen to, and what types do you not like and why?

I love to listen to any type of GOOD music. Country, rock and roll, alternative,etc.

I do NOT like to listen to hardcore 'gangsta' rap....sorry....hate it.

5. When was the last time you got all dressed up to go out, where, what did you do, and did you have a good time?

So sad….so very sad…..

I can’t remember the last time I got really dressed up to go out. I guess I would have to go as far back as 2002 when my husband and I were living near Biloxi and went to the casino to see Cats and drank red wine because I was doing sugarbusters and they say you can have red wine and I got sick in the car on the way home. Boy was that fun.

So here's the deal....
If you would like to be interviewed just leave a comment saying "interview me" (and you can throw in some gratuitous complements too) and I'll send you 5 questions. Peace out.

Just Smile and Look Pretty

So I am getting ready to go on my first job interview in almost a year. I am not really nervous (sort of). I have my power suit on, I’m fully qualified for the job, and I feel good. I’m just concerned about my mouth.

Your mouth, you ask?

You see, most people have a mental filter that tells them when to shut up. Mine doesn’t work all the time. And it seems to works more sporadically in times of stress…..like job interviews.

I was once asked during an interview how much I made at my last job. I smiled and replied, “A lot less than you’d have to pay me to work here.”

What??!! Did I just say that? I hear the words coming out of my mouth. I knew they were inappropriate, but I was powerless to stop it.

And then there’s fidgeting.

Don’t touch your hair, Sherri. Stop squirming. Don’t cross your arms. Ugh.

I will be fine though. I’ve only had two very large cups of coffee. I’m sure they’ll understand if I interrupt the interview three times to go to the bathroom, right?

Oh well. I’m sure it will be fine.

I’ll let you know. :)

The Next Open Door

I mentioned the quote “when one door closes another opens” to The Mad Hoosier yesterday and told him that I had a post that relates to that.

Well, here it is.

It’s amazing that when things are their bleakest and you think there is no hope that all of a sudden you realize that you may actually be in a better place. Sometimes it takes a difficult situation to push you to make a change, a change that can better your life, but one which you would have never even tried or considered without the adversity and pain.

As I mentioned in earlier posts I was moving to Florida. Circumstances have presented themselves that are going to make that move unnecessary. I am staying in Pennsylvania. But I gave my notice at my job last Thursday. Dilema? Quandry? Uh…yeah.

So I go to my boss, who I have this wonderful working relationship with, (or so I thought) and ask to keep my job. I didn't think it would be that much of an issue because I wasn’t leaving for another job, I was leaving because I was moving. I figured since they hadn’t even started interviewing candidates and he told me how sorry he would be to see me go that it wouldn’t be a problem, right? Wrong.

He said, “I would love to have you stay, but I would need to know that you are fully engaged and committed.”

Um….okay. I told him I would be.

He said, “I’ll have to think about it, we’ll talk about it more later.”

Um….okay. How much later I wondered?

The next day HRBiatch calls me in her office. “Please close the door”, she says. Uh oh. That’s never good.

Let me preface this by saying that I have only been given positive feedback about my job performance. There has never been any indication that I have been lacking in any area and have actually been pulled aside and praised at times for specific accomplishments.

HRBiatch starts with, “Your boss wanted me to just touch base with you and see where your at right now at what your intentions are.”

Duh. I am not moving and would like to keep my job. As simple as that. Thought we went over this?

Then she says, “You see you represent his office and we have to determine what is best for the company. People already know you were leaving and many know why. It may not look good if we let you stay. We’d be setting a precedence.”

Yeah. But it wasn’t like I left for another job. What about looking at each individual situation and making a decision? Geesh!

Then she says, “You have done an excellent job. There have been no complaints. But I am disappointed in how you let some things go and don’t follow through.”

What!!!??? YOU are disappointed? Huh?

“What do you mean? In what areas?” I ask confused.

“Well, you have really let up on the party planning. It just seems like you got a little frustrated with that,” she said.

I can’t believe this. Party planning? That’s not even part of my job. I went out of my way to organize a few events to build staff morale. She’s pointing out party planning? Why are we having this conversation?

Then she talks about how I am underutilized and that I should really try to take on more projects.

Um….I have a Master’s degree in HR but minimal experience. When HRBiatch hired me she lured me into this position with the promise of all the projects I would get to work on and all the HR experience I would receive. She talked about how it would be a great stepping stone for my career.

I have been asking her for 9 months for projects. I have yet to receive one. This is somehow my fault?

And here's the kicker....

I can even understand that they may want to have an across the board policy that if you give notice that's it...done. That's fine. But all this HR bullshit and subterfuge? Come on. Grow up boss....have the balls to just tell me. You are a "C" level executive. You can't handle a little conflict with your assistant?

And HRBiatch? Come on. You and I know each other personally. Do you really think I believe that you have my best interest at heart when you become an HR robot and lose all signs of humanity right in front of me?

I'm a professional people. Show me a little respect and just lay it out on the table. Pack up the bullshit and move on!

So to end our conversation she mentions that my boss hasn’t decided if I am going to be able to stay but he will let me know when he returns from his vacation on the 15th. Well that’s just 2 weeks before my notice runs out. What do they expect me to do? Wait to hear from then and get dumped and not have a job?

Screw ‘em.

I already have an interview tomorrow for a much better job. I also have leads from 4 agencies and the opportunities are piling up. And the salaries are higher.

So as this door closes I am going to leap through the open one ahead.

Suck it HRBiatch! HA!

Don't Think....We Have Computers For That

It seems that I am more dismayed on a daily basis with the insanity that surrounds us in the world. At this particular moment I am referring to arbitrary rules and regulations; those things that must be considered black or white, right or wrong with no consideration to situations and individuals.

I was reading the post of a fellow blogger and just got irritated. Why should Jeremy not get a promotion that he is qualified for and essentially have to train his own boss just because HR has decided that he can’t get another promotion for a few months? It’s just stupid.

What ever happened to a human being looking at a specific situation, determining what the facts are, exploring the options, weighing the pros and cons and then making an educated decision using deductive reasoning?

I’ll explain why this is so frustrating to me today. Unfortunately, I have been stewing about this since Friday….

I called my credit card company to check my balance and available credit. I didn’t have any concern to think anything would be amiss; I just have several large purchases coming up and wanted to put my mind at ease that everything was in order.

I was shocked when I heard the recorded message that my account was past due. Apparently, my husband had forgotten to make the payment. What’s worse is not only was my account past due…..it was turned off. No available credit. Nothing.

After going through the “press this button” maze I finally ended up with a human on the phone…..in India (but that’s another issue that I won’t tackle today).

Here are the facts:

I have had this account for 3 years.

I have never been late on a payment.

My available credit was $6000.00.

I had a balance of $54.00.

My payment that was due was $15.00.

The account was only 5 days past due.

I was on the phone attempting to rectify the situation and pay off the balance.

Here’s my problem:

Why wouldn’t a company let an account rep look at that situation and go….hey….this truly was a mistake. This person wants to give us money. Let’s take their money and set their account back up.

Nope.

Apparently there is a letter that goes out when your account is turned off. But no human person at the credit card company can tell you about this letter or the details of it. You must receive the letter, read what it says, and call them back.

So here’s the end of my conversation with the nice account rep in India:

Me: So after I read this letter I’m supposed to call you back?

Account Rep: Yes. At that time you can call us back to discuss the details of the letter.

Me: So then I can get my account set back up?

Account Rep: There is no guarantee of that. It depends on what is in the letter.

Me: And why can’t you tell me what is in the letter again?

Account Rep: We have no access to the letter or its contents.

Me: Is there someone, somewhere who wrote this letter? Can I speak to them?

Account Rep: No. There is no one who would have access to this letter or know what is in it.

Me: Um….then how was it written?

They had no answer for me. All I can deduce is that there is some giant credit card company computer making black and white decisions, never considering the gray, which spews out letters and makes our lives hell. I shall call it Hal.

Is it me or is the world just a little more absurd everyday?

Thanks Hal.

Motivational Sayings

To Whoever Wrote:

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger…..

When the going gets tough, the tough get going…..

And my favorite….

You are never given more than you can handle.

Kiss my ass.

From someone who is: not dead, strong, tough, gone and apparently can handle a lot.