Reviews from

Running in Place

Bureaucratic Follies: two hours in, over and OUT!

24 total reviews 
Comment from Ric Myworld
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As you've probably figured out by now, I'm reading my inbox backwards. I at first tried to flip over to 80 and review from past to most recent, but every time I reviewed one, I had to flip back over eight pages to get to the next. Nope, don't have that much patience. LOL. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 26-Nov-2021


reply by the author on 26-Nov-2021
    I tried once more on Wednesday 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.
reply by Ric Myworld on 26-Nov-2021
    I had forgotten we share the same birthday. Of course, I seldom remember it even for myself. LOL.
reply by the author on 26-Nov-2021
    Per fanstory blurb--notifications of fan's postings are deleted by the system after three days. That doesn't appear to be the case--I get reviews from people playing catch-up after a week or more. Thanks for being one of them!
Comment from Seshadri_Sreenivasan
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Technology is supposed to improve services, but just the opposite is happening. It is best when it brings people together with exciting and innovative products. But it is so disheartening to learn about the pitfalls. We have no choice but to endure if we can't cure. Sorry to see your plight.Good luck!

 Comment Written 25-Nov-2021


reply by the author on 25-Nov-2021
    I tried once yesterday 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 T B Botts
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Hello Liz,
Talk about a circle jerk, isn't this exactly why we all hate the government so much? It really doesn't have to be this hard. Why are our representatives being paid if we can't get the services that they set up? I can just about guarantee you that, just like government health care, congress isn't subject to the same crap that us lowly constituents are. Let them eat cake! I think its time for a real change in the government- less of it, more efficient, and with term limits in place that can't be changed. Well done gal. I feel for you. Good luck getting what is yours.
Blessings

Tom

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2021


reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
    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 Jumbo J
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Hi Liz,
If this wasn't so tragic and the real life we all live in now... It would be totally laughable. But for most of who know how much our services have been downsized... down-played, and well, screwed up due to all these new-aged fandangled autobots, any frustration and anger is totally understandable.

I actually got anxious for you in my wait for your wait... yes, hoping you were finally going to have a win. But, alas, no, only the chosen few and super lucky have these... smile((((((((.

Guess, that's why I have three extensions and phones in different rooms... so I can change from one to the other when runs out of juice.

Hope you tried again, and this time got through to a real human being who was of great assistance... yeah right!

With our thoughts we create...
a time machine!

Kind regards,
James.

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2021


reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
    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 Mary Vigasin
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I have sympathy for you. I hate those robots that tell you PRESS 1 FOR THIS AND PRESS 2 FOR ...... and so forth. None of which actually addresses why I am calling.
The local senior resource center appear to be clueless with volunteers who are useless.
Sorry you had so much trouble, you seem to be swimming against the tide.
Try again after the holiday. You might have more success.
Regards,
Mary

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2021


reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
    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 Father Flaps
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Isn't it sad, Liz? Try calling a bank if you want to get thoroughly exasperated. At the very least, when "holding" because all operators are presently busy, they could provide some "good" music to listen to!
I love this line,
"I enunciated: "I - want - to - ap-ply - for Med-i-care," after which IT told me to enter my Medicare number." ... (How stupid is that, eh?)
It's like going to the Outpatient at the hospital because you have an exceptional amount of PAIN from an earache. Seven hours later, you're still sitting in the waiting room!!! Duh! ..... "I'm here! I'm here!"
"Running in place" is a suitable title. Sometimes I think they want us to feel like a hamster!
Nicely penned! Love the humor!
Hugs,
Kimbob

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2021


reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
    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 royowen
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I must admit I can relate to your frustration at talking to a mechanical voice, I avoid them like the "plague" but sometimes we don't have a choice, nowhere else to go.
You'd think there'd be somewhere else to go, sometimes it takes a complaint to your congressman? Well done Liz, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2021


reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
    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.
reply by royowen on 25-Nov-2021
    I sympathise
Comment from aryr
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Goodness gracious, Elizabeth your day is not going very well. I can truly understand what you are going through. What a shame? The nightmare of being put on hold, of a robot talking voice that doesn't have a clue, a real person only to have your phone die. Regardless of covid, I truly think I would want to hurt somebody.

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2021


reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
    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.
reply by aryr on 25-Nov-2021
    Good luck with Medicare, Elizabeth and you are so welcome.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
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I applied for medicare on-line a few years ago, when I turned 65. It wasn't that hard. If I can do it, you can too. In January, now that I'm retired, I'm going to attempt to sign up for social security. Teachers, who get teacher retirement don't qualify for social security. But before moving to Texas I paid into social security, so I am going to argue that since I paid into it, I should be able to draw it. We'll see how it goes.

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2021


reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
    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 hope you get the SS due you.
Comment from Nicholas Guay
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Haha god damn, I'm sorry but the serendipitous occurrence of your misfortune has such a sense of despair that it becomes comical. The hopelessness that a government can inflict on someone by way of accidental stupidity has this way of making me laugh. Or maybe it's just your wonderful way of presenting the events and you intended this to be funny? Either way, thanks for whatever it is this story just did to me.

 Comment Written 23-Nov-2021


reply by the author on 24-Nov-2021
    Nice to see you, Nicholas! Thanks for that--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.
reply by Nicholas Guay on 25-Nov-2021
    I've been enjoying your work lately, always helps start the day (despite the occasional despair).
    As a favor to me could you read my flash fiction piece 'Persuasive Purity' and let me know what you think? I'm curious to know what improvements a writer of your caliber would suggest on something like that. Let me add a please because I know you're busy and I would really appreciate the feedback. Thanks either way, bye for now.
reply by the author on 25-Nov-2021
    By now you'll have seen my extensive comments--hope I've been of help.
    Wonderful story!