I felt somewhat of a wimp on Monday, as it was a cooler start in the Morning. Samantha arrived at my house, feeling a little sorry for herself, as she had a sore throat and the beginnings of a cold. I think the more likely cause is not an aeroplane journey, but the 'burning the candle at both ends' way of life she lives after deplaning in Vegas. Sleep, it appears, is a precious commodity and only available in short supply! However, that is her blog and not mine; the word blog being used instead of life! Swimming was an option but not a good one in my opinion. It was just above seventy degrees and I was not feeling brave. Samantha and the dog walked part way with me, and I finished the circuit alone, arriving back at the office wondering whether a swim in the cooler, brisker temperatures, would have been better than a brisk walk in the slightly warmer conditions.
"Your core trust is significantly impacted", said the caller, when I answered the phone to what was obviously a solicitation. It was the 'mapping' service, who call at least three times a day, and insinuate that information 'on line' about my company is inaccurate. Once satisfied that I was the person for whom they are asking, (and that is a game in itself,) they continued to tell me that my 'listing' has discrepancies and this is affecting my 'core trust', and people are constantly calling to report this issue, and they (the caller) are sure that this was of concern to me. "Well. No. I can't confirm nor deny, as I do not know to what you refer. Firstly, what is a core trust, and secondly, whom are people, and whom are they constantly calling?" Silence. "Are they calling you?" I could hear some shuffling, and the question as to whom she was speaking was once again posed. I neither confirmed nor denied that I was the owner of the company, merely answering, "How can I help you?" It appears that the 'core trust' question was a little harder to answer than the 'whom are they calling'? Apparently, they, whomever they are, are calling me. "You are the only people who call me about this", I said, and then asked if she required my professional services. Did she need some papers served? "Oh no. But your core trust is significantly impacted". Again, "What is my core trust ?" Again, silence! "I think I shall send you a postcard explaining it", she said, at last. "I think that is a good idea", said I!
The day continued with some more solicitation calls, most of which were recordings, and fortunately, no more mention of my ailing core!
Once again, Tuesday was beautiful. I went swimming at lunchtime and whilst the water was slightly cooler than of late, it was very refreshing. However, I did experience a slight cramp, or what is also known as a side stitch. Perhaps it was my core having no trust in my choice of exercise. I dismissed the prognosis! I felt invigorated, and ready to face the afternoon. The weather had threatened to break over the weekend, but the signs of rain and colder temperatures were being pushed back every day.
Samantha left early to take her dad and Debra to the airport. On the one hand, I think she was going to miss her dad's companion, but on the other she was looking forward to having her house back. Routine has more 'pros' than 'cons' in my opinion, but then I make that perfectly clear on a regular basis!Some weeks bring forth more solicitation calls than others. I have not yet worked out whether there is a pattern, for example, leading up to holidays, or school terms, etc., or whether all 'scammers' (and I use the phrase specifically, as there are, I am sure, some legitimate 'telemarketers' out there!) take their vacations at the same time. Perhaps they go on 'scammers' holidays, or perhaps they don't. Perhaps they all get to the 'meeting point' and realise they have also been a victim! However, perhaps I am over thinking! This week all had come out of hibernation and were feeling refreshed and renewed! "Hey, you are harder to reach than the top of Mount Everest!" came the recording. "Have you ever tried to get to the top of Mount Everest?" I asked the recording. "This is......", he continued. "You haven't answered my question", I continued. Why I was messing with a recording has yet to be determined. Perhaps it is a symptom of my impacted core trust! Sorry, my significantly impacted core trust! I put the phone down.
Travelling across town to Joe on Wednesday was quite quick. The traffic was light, for which I was grateful. I had prepared my dinner and was delighted with my latest culinary delight, a chocolate terrine. It would remain to be seen whether this delicacy would come out of the pan in one piece, and taste delicious. I anticipated success, but then it would be counter productive not to! Joe was busy, but we had time to chat after he had finished his shift. It was warm, and the fans were all on 'full'. My mother had told me that she had turned on the central heating as it was chilly and damp. I told her that I never thought I would say I was envious of those conditions! The summer may have been slightly later in putting in an appearance, but it was certainly in no hurry to leave. I thought I would help a little by having my nails painted with the newest 'fall' colours. The dark blue, mustard yellow and smattering of golden leaves did little to subdue the temperatures as they soared into the higher nineties by lunchtime.
The water was at a perfect temperature on Wednesday evening, despite the sun setting behind the trees. I was so grateful for the extra day, despite the yearning for a cooler day. I could have sat and snoozed in the warmth of the late afternoon, but instead I returned to the condo and set about my kitchen duties. The terrine was amazing, even if I do say so myself. Perhaps I should give credit to the recipe writer, and exceptional instructions, to which I deviated little! Of course I deviated a little! Perhaps that has something to do with my 'SICT'. I had occasion to call a court clerk on Thursday, to see if a document had been issued. My first attempt was answered by a recorded message. I did not leave a message to the message, but called again, wondering whether I had made a mistake. The second call got me through to the correct number. The document was ready and it had been placed 'on the wall'. They would update their website and were sorry for the inconvenience of me having to call to check. The conversation was most congenial, and we both relayed a hope that each other should "Have a good rest of the day"! In fact, she hoped that "Y'all have a good rest of the day". I understood that she meant me all. I suppose that depended on my SICT!
About an hour later I received another call. "Y'all called me", said the voice, after I had given my usual salutation, which included a "Good afternoon", and the name of the company. I shouted to 'them'all' in the office, and no one had called this person. Then I realised whom he was. I asked him if he was calling from a certain number, and he reluctantly confirmed. I explained that I had indeed called, and I had mis-dialed when calling the court. Considering our company name comprises the words 'Civil Process Agency', it is little wonder that people get a little perturbed when receiving a call from us, when they have no reason to assume they are going to be sued, or called to be a witness in a civil suit! The relief was enormous. He thanked me, almost profusely, and his genuine wish that 'me'all' should have a good rest of the day was without a doubt, one the most expressive I have ever encountered!
One phenomenon I have yet to resolve is why, when Samantha does not swim, but joins me poolside, that the resistance to get into a somewhat colder pool is 'mind over matter'. I jumped into the water, and as I submerged myself, I shrieked as it was significantly colder than yesterday. "Mind over matter", she said when I shouted it was freezing. It was not actually freezing, but it felt so. I completed my laps, and was glad I did, as the temperatures really were going to drop overnight. There had been a slight deviation in the actual figure, but it was going to get cold.
"Hello, this is John. Is....", and I cannot begin to tell you the name for which they asked, as both first and last consisted of about six syllables each. "No. You have the wrong number", I said, quite politely. "Oh I am sorry ma'am", came the reply. "May I have your name?" This was new. "No. " I said, a little more sternly, and put down the phone. I had considered asking, "Why?" but I knew this would lead to some fictitious reason why it was relevant. The display on my phone quite often will reveal a name, rather than 'Private Caller', or 'Toll free number', so I have to answer in the same way I would a genuine call. Likewise the latter two displays are quite often courthouses or Sheriffs' offices, so screening before answering is not an option. Occasionally, I get someone telling me they are calling from "The State of Texas", and it is succeeded by a governmental office name, or regulator. Other times, it is simply someone scamming. I have to screen calls after picking up!
The temperature dropped around four o'clock in the morning on Friday. It dipped from a ninety eight high to eighty, and continued to plummet, until at around midday it was forty nine! I wore a jacket but needed a coat as well. Swimming was not an option! Walking was with ponchos, as it was raining. The wind-chill factor made it feel like 43, and below! The drop we had been waiting for came with a vengeance.
"Good afternoon. My name is....". Great! "I bet this is about my core trust", I preempted. This fell on deaf ears. "Is this Dana?" I was scanning a document that I had to send to one of our guys out of state. "Hmm". I said. "Can I confirm....?" With my eyes firmly focused on my screen, my finger on my mouse, and my other hand working my keyboard, I had placed the receiver under my chin, and did not have a spare limb to click off! "How can I help you?" I asked. I was right. SICT. Again! "Yeah? And what is that?" Silence. "What is what, ma'am?" Still scanning, I continued. "What exactly is a core trust and whom are the people that are calling with a concern?" He told me that he was calling as it was imperative (yes, inoperative) that my listings are updated. I wanted to ask what imperative meant, but that would have been mean. "Do you require my services?" No. "Did you find my phone number". Yes. "Do you have my address, and my company details". Yes. "Considering you weren't looking for me, you did a good job of finding me. So....what's wrong with my listings?" My document was good to go! So was my caller, as the click was heard and he presumably went to hound some other unsuspecting person about their SICT issues!
Samantha's phone rang later in the afternoon. She did not answer it. Grant's phone rang too. Samantha received a voicemail saying she had won tickets to Tuesday's meet and greet at the radio station. Grant did not get a message. They tried to call back but got voicemail. I called. "Um yes. I missed a call." I gave Grant's number. "What's the name", said the receptionist. "Grant", I said, most unconvincingly. Wow, is this how a scammer feels when questioned? I doubted it! Grant had been put on the list, and each could bring 'a guest', so it looked like Dana would be alone on Tuesday for a while. However, the weather may heat up by then and I might want to go swimming!
The final call of the afternoon was another recording. However, it was probably the best yet! "Hi, this is not a solicitation. please do not hang up...... I am calling. Hi, this is not a solicitation. please do not hang up...... I am calling. Hi, this is not a solicitation. please do not hang up...... I am calling." I knew it was a solicitation. Sorry Ashley, but you have called before and I have listened to your promotion of the insurance company. Looks like you have got a nasty scratch on your larynx. Or is it on the record? Actually you sound too young to know what a 'scratch on a record' sounds like. I laughed and wondered how long it would be before someone realised there was a problem! Poetic justice, I think!
Saturday started off a wee bit chilly, but warmed up to a balmy seventy two. Samantha and I went on our rounds, something that we have not done for a couple of weeks, and as the weather was not conducive with swimming, we deviated from the norm. I definitely deviated, as I dropped my shopping list, pen, and Costco receipt right at the doorway of the 'liquor' department. "Would you like to try?" Two tequilas and a bourbon later, I left. My daughter was waiting for the comments. "The vegetable tequila tasted like asparagus pee", I remember saying. What I meant to say was that it tasted like the smell of rancid asparagus in mud. No, I have never smelled rancid asparagus in mud, let alone tasted it, but it was all I could think of to describe it. We went to another store. "Are you not saying anything on purpose?" she asked. Of course I was. If I had opened my mouth to say anything I would have said something wholly inappropriate. I know my limits, and despite the small amounts of alcohol consumed, two of the three were tequila, and that is always lethal! My SICT may have been affected, or perhaps cured! Give me a scammer. Any scammer! I was ready to conquer the world! Back at home, I refused to doze, although my brain was craving sleep. Instead, I set about potting, and re potting some plants, and let the cooler fresh air take the brunt of my premature hangover. Yes, I am that much of a light weight! I returned to see the end of a film Dana was watching, and weighed in vocally during every scene. My husband has a lot of patience when it comes to my lack of judgment! He finds it amusing! I am grateful!
The temperatures slowly rose to somewhat bearable and I am currently contemplating going poolside, although I am unsure whether I will actually get in. "Mind over matter" lady is not here to encourage me! She and Edward have just collected Sparks' half-brother, and are bringing him home. Two dogs? How will they cope? How will I cope when left with two quadrupeds? Now that will definitely be ............... another story!
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