June 25, 2025
I’m better at it than I used to be, but that’s not really
saying much.
I used to make a self-deprecating joke, “I am a
creature……of habit.” The pause was, of course the intended joke. But the base
statement was truth. I am a creature of habit, and have been since—well, I don't
recall when my routines and habits became so germane to my psyche, but it’s
been a very long-standing state of being for me.
I realized, just this past Monday, that I’m slightly better
at coping when I am aware ahead of time that there is a strong possibility,
bordering on probability, that my daily routine might be disrupted. But only slightly
better.
I received an email last week informing me of “work
that would be taking place in my neighbourhood” that was intended to give me a “more
efficient, more satisfying internet/television experience.” And that to that
end, beginning Monday, this work would commence. This work would, of course, possibly
cause a few minor, temporary, interruptions. And they apologized, in advance,
of any inconvenience involved.
Then, on Sunday, I received a “robocall”, which I only
answered because I recognized the number was that of my internet/television provider.
The automated voice on this call reminded me that I could expect service
interruptions the next day between 8 am and 4 pm. And that they were
very sorry (again) for any inconvenience this might cause.
So, I was ready.
And I did all right on Monday morning when, at about
11 am, after I had completed most of my morning routine, the internet and television
service, between one breath and the next, was no longer available. I could still use my writing program. It was
only the back-up service I couldn’t use and that would be temporary.
The services came back up for about a half hour, early
afternoon. I used that time to go back to my acrostic puzzle site, reload the puzzle
I had been working on, and complete it—earning a “very slow rating” but that’s
better than an “incomplete” one. And, I did that just in time because I no sooner
received the grade than my service was down once more.
Because I am one who tends to always take others—be they
friends, strangers, or internet provider robocalls—at their word, I didn’t
worry. After all, it would be 4pm in about an hour and a half. And that call specifically
cited an 8 am to 4 pm window.
Well, 4 pm came and went. As did 4:30 and then 5.
Still no service. So, I decided to call the internet provider. (This is where
my ‘handling the change in routine ok’ began to break down.)
During the first call I placed, the automated system
recognized me and offered me options. If I wanted more information about the
current disruption in my area, I could select “1”. I did. Then I was informed that I could
easily get the latest info about service interruptions by going on line to “www.company
name.com/service interruptions.”
Why, I thought, what a relief! I’ll do that right now!
Oh, wait….I have no internet connection because it is currently disrupted.
I hung up, and then after stewing for a moment or two,
tried again. The next option I chose was to receive a text to my cell phone
detailing the information I sought (mobile devices were not affected by the
interruptions). I opted for that. The text included a link that I could then not
access because, hello, no internet was not available!
I knew that if I could just get in touch with an
actual, live human being, I could ask a couple of questions and hopefully get
some actual, live answers.
On my third attempt, I did indeed manage to do just
that. After being on hold for about twenty minutes, I was put through to a
real, live human being.
After he took my identifying information, he asked me
to wait, and he would do a thorough search as to the current status of
the work in progress and tell me everything.
And what he told me, while not what I expected to
hear, surprisingly helped me to get over myself and decide I was just going to
do what I could while I could do it, period.
The work, you see, was slated not just for that day—Monday,
June 23. It was for a three-day span of time, beginning with Monday and scheduled
to end on Wednesday, June 25th at about 5 pm. (Or thereabouts.)
After another question—"since I’m to possibly be
without my internet/tv for three whole days, I certainly hope I will see a
credit for the time on my next bill”—the call ended and I was, well, maybe not
happy, but definitely informed.
And since I did take note of the gentleman’s name with
whom I spoke, I am equipped to chase down that credit for three days usage,
should it not appear on the next bill.
If you’re able to read this today—Wednesday, June 25th—you’ll
know I’m coping. Which is really all I, or anyone for that matter, can ask of
themselves.
Love,
Morgan
http://www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury
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