Running in Place
Bureaucratic Follies: two hours in, over and OUT!24 total reviews
Comment from Sanku
That was real torture.making you wait for two hrs? It would have been kinder to ask you to ring after two hrs or send a mail? I am not sure how these things work there .Here we always hear that In US Govt systems are so helpful unlike India so on and so forth..
Take care and Keep your peace
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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That was real torture.making you wait for two hrs? It would have been kinder to ask you to ring after two hrs or send a mail? I am not sure how these things work there .Here we always hear that In US Govt systems are so helpful unlike India so on and so forth..
Take care and Keep your peace
Comment Written 23-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I try to find humor where I can--otherwise, I eke out gratification from my tale of woe!
I tried once this morning. After going through the menu--the voice says call again later, then disconnects. Fortunately, I don't turn 65 until 2/17 and there's a 3-month post-b-day window.
Comment from robyn corum
Liz,
And that is when you filled the bathtub with nice, bubbly water, got a precious glass of champagne, slit both wrists and the, "Goodbye, Cruel world!" Note.
Right?
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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Liz,
And that is when you filled the bathtub with nice, bubbly water, got a precious glass of champagne, slit both wrists and the, "Goodbye, Cruel world!" Note.
Right?
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I tried once this morning. After going through the menu--the voice says call again later, then disconnects. Fortunately, I don't turn 65 until 2/17 and there's a 3-month post-b-day window.
I keep another phone on the charger and swap them--but it disconnects without warning so I lose the call. I ordered a new phone today on Amazon!
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Liz
Talking to the bureaucracy is how they intentionally keep you from getting what you want. I have found the more I talk the less they listen. It's really hard to believe that, but it's true. If you have a bad connection and they don't understand you they never get to the end of the page If you speak very clearly and have a good connection they never get to the end of the page.
Robert
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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Liz
Talking to the bureaucracy is how they intentionally keep you from getting what you want. I have found the more I talk the less they listen. It's really hard to believe that, but it's true. If you have a bad connection and they don't understand you they never get to the end of the page If you speak very clearly and have a good connection they never get to the end of the page.
Robert
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I tried once this morning. After going through the menu--the voice says call again later, then disconnects. Fortunately, I don't turn 65 until 2/17 and there's a 3-month post-b-day window.
I keep another phone on the charger and swap them--but it disconnects without warning so I lose the call. I ordered a new phone today on Amazon!
Comment from Wendy G
How extremely frustrating! Isn't that always the way! Technology can be a wonderful aid, but also very annoying. I hope that you managed to sort it all out.
Wendy
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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How extremely frustrating! Isn't that always the way! Technology can be a wonderful aid, but also very annoying. I hope that you managed to sort it all out.
Wendy
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I tried once this morning. After going through the menu--the voice says call again later, then disconnects. Fortunately, I don't turn 65 until 2/17 and there's a 3-month post-b-day window.
I keep another phone on the charger and swap them--but it disconnects without warning so I lose the call. I ordered a new phone today on Amazon!
Comment from Judy Lawless
Oh my goodness, Liz, what a frustrating time you had! I guess the lesson there is plug in your phone near a chair while you wait. I was trying to order something today and it wouldn't accept my postal code! Sometimes our town doesn't exist in the system for some reason. I had to have the parcel sent elsewhere after I'd exhausted all other options.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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Oh my goodness, Liz, what a frustrating time you had! I guess the lesson there is plug in your phone near a chair while you wait. I was trying to order something today and it wouldn't accept my postal code! Sometimes our town doesn't exist in the system for some reason. I had to have the parcel sent elsewhere after I'd exhausted all other options.
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I tried once this morning. After going through the menu--the voice says call again later, then disconnects. Fortunately, I don't turn 65 until 2/17 and there's a 3-month post-b-day window.
I keep another phone on the charger and swap them--but it disconnects without warning so I lose the call.
I keep another phone on the charger and swap them--but it disconnects without warning so I lose the call.
Comment from Monica Chaddick
Isn't that just about right? Of course, the phone died. When you do get an actual person, they never know a damn thing, anyway. I started seeing a therapist today to deal with my grief and depression. She suggested that I join a group called Griefshare, which I have been a member of for the past 7 weeks.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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Isn't that just about right? Of course, the phone died. When you do get an actual person, they never know a damn thing, anyway. I started seeing a therapist today to deal with my grief and depression. She suggested that I join a group called Griefshare, which I have been a member of for the past 7 weeks.
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I tried once this morning. After going through the menu--the voice says call again later, then disconnects. Fortunately, I don't turn 65 until 2/17 and there's a 3-month post-b-day window.
I keep another phone on the charger and swap them--but it disconnects without warning so I lose the call. I ordered a new phone today on Amazon!
Good luck with Griefshare!
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Seems like a catch 22 situation, Liz. I despise being put on hold an waiting and waiting and . . . Next time I have to call a number such as what you described where the likelihood that I'll be put on hold, I'll have a sack lunch on my table. I'm happy you got your internet back. I hope you were able to charge your phone and call them back. You did a great job expressing your thoughts and feelings. I believe many will agree with you.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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Seems like a catch 22 situation, Liz. I despise being put on hold an waiting and waiting and . . . Next time I have to call a number such as what you described where the likelihood that I'll be put on hold, I'll have a sack lunch on my table. I'm happy you got your internet back. I hope you were able to charge your phone and call them back. You did a great job expressing your thoughts and feelings. I believe many will agree with you.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I tried once this morning. After going through the menu--the voice says call again later, then disconnects. Fortunately, I don't turn 65 until 2/17 and there's a 3-month post-b-day window.
I keep another phone on the charger and swap them--but it disconnects without warning so I lose the call. I ordered a new phone today on Amazon!
Comment from BethShelby
I know the feeling I have many days like that. Today, I was told the Bank at which I was trying to renew a CD had a 25minute wait and to stay on the to speak to a representative. Every two minutes they came on the line to assure me my call was importart and please continue to hold. When the 25 exprired without a representative answering, a dial tone came on alerting me they had hung up.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I know the feeling I have many days like that. Today, I was told the Bank at which I was trying to renew a CD had a 25minute wait and to stay on the to speak to a representative. Every two minutes they came on the line to assure me my call was importart and please continue to hold. When the 25 exprired without a representative answering, a dial tone came on alerting me they had hung up.
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I tried once this morning. After going through the menu--the voice says call again later, then disconnects. Fortunately, I don't turn 65 until 2/17 and there's a 3-month post-b-day window.
I keep another phone on the charger and swap them--but it disconnects without warning so I lose the call. I ordered a new phone today on Amazon!
Comment from Spitfire
exertion-opening manila envelope: I love these examples of yours. Dealing with the red tape is the worst. Wait until someone dies. No time to mourn with all the 'stuff' you need to take care of, the government offices you have to notify. Yikes! What an ending. That wouldn't happen with a landline. Maybe there's something not so good about cell phones after all.
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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exertion-opening manila envelope: I love these examples of yours. Dealing with the red tape is the worst. Wait until someone dies. No time to mourn with all the 'stuff' you need to take care of, the government offices you have to notify. Yikes! What an ending. That wouldn't happen with a landline. Maybe there's something not so good about cell phones after all.
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
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I tried once this morning. After going through the menu--the voice says call again later, then disconnects. Fortunately, I don't turn 65 until 2/17 and there's a 3-month post-b-day window.
Mine is a landline!
I keep another phone on the charger and swap them--but it disconnects without warning so I lose the call. I ordered a new phone today on Amazon!
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It's a bitch to get through to medicare and social security. Can you make an appointment and go the office? That's what I finally did when I had to do all the red tape after hubby passed.
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Office closed on account of corona.
Comment from Jay Squires
Certainly, a person less slothful than me [I love it when this happens! "slothful than I." Ah-ha! I found one! "Slothful than I"!]
I got booted out of StoryLand, consequential to the crash of Comcast. [What! What!]
I patiently explained to IT that I don't have a Medicare number because I am not presently enrolled in Medicare, [I wish you could hear me laughing!]
As I was explaining how he/she/they could "assist me today," my phone died, having run out of charge after two hours on standby. [OH MY GOD! This shouldn't be funny. I truly hope you got some resolution. Why didn't you have medicare all along?]
reply by the author on 23-Nov-2021
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Certainly, a person less slothful than me [I love it when this happens! "slothful than I." Ah-ha! I found one! "Slothful than I"!]
I got booted out of StoryLand, consequential to the crash of Comcast. [What! What!]
I patiently explained to IT that I don't have a Medicare number because I am not presently enrolled in Medicare, [I wish you could hear me laughing!]
As I was explaining how he/she/they could "assist me today," my phone died, having run out of charge after two hours on standby. [OH MY GOD! This shouldn't be funny. I truly hope you got some resolution. Why didn't you have medicare all along?]
Comment Written 22-Nov-2021
reply by the author on 23-Nov-2021
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I'm not 65 yet!
As to "more than I"--I'm well aware of that rule, but it's too stilted for the style of this piece--just like most of us say "hi--It's me" versus "Hello, it is I." Besides, some sources accept the subjective case on the grounds that "than" is a preposition. Of course, the safe way is to add "AM" after I--which I'd do if I submit this to Raffaella!
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https://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/than_I_me_than_he_him.htm
Should you write "than I" or "than me"?
"John is taller than me" and "John is taller than I" are both correct. However, some of your readers might think that "John is taller than me" is wrong (even though it sounds natural), and some of your readers might think that "John is taller than I" sounds pretentious. The safest option is to expand the sentence after the "than." For example:
John is taller than I am.
(This construction will satisfy all your readers and remove any ambiguity (more on ambiguity below).)
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I think that American grammar is evolving through some horrendous changes, Liz. "Than" or "as" signals the comparative to me, and always will compare subject case to subject case, not subject to object. I took too many whacks on the knuckles (figuratively) from Mrs. Bain to care whether right is pretentious. After I've drilled into my head, and the rhythm of my language, the way something is correctly said, I hear/feel a definite clang whenever it is misused. I was fully aware, though, that you knew what was correct usage when I left my friendly jibe, just as I knew that "me" is accepted in informal speech, and will no doubt be fully embraced by formal writing before long. I think we are siblings in our grammatical pretentiousness. I pray you will raise high the banner with me decrying the use of the plural "they" to replace the "him or "her". That's my final hold out! When you have a minute, or five, read my Medium article: https://tinyurl.com/3m7kwxr9. It says it all.
Jay
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I will! Meantime, as to your point, you will doubtless be as shocked as me--oops, I mean, as shocked as I--by the following:
In Strunk's 1979 edition to the Elements of Style, page 78:
Would you write "The worst tennis player around here is I" or "The worst tennis player around here is me"? The first is good grammar; the second is good judgment--although the "me" may not do in all contexts.
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And I'm with you all the way on quashing the singular THEY-- though the transgender population will surely object.
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I'm off to read your article. Last month, GiaB published my piece "In Defense of the M-Word" where I bemoan the abhorrent trend of "overcorrection" as seen in such atrocities as "give it to he and I.