You Get Two Seconds

We have a regular phone in the office at work, with multiple lines, and a receiver for slamming a phone. I get the opportunity most days, while in the office, to slam the phone down on telemarketers or robo-calls.

I'm fair with my answering. Everyone gets two seconds. With telemarketers, I have the satisfaction of knowing they're wasting their time, and need to move on. With robo-calls, the lack of a request is the tell-tale that notifies me of a computer generated call.

With robo-calls, if you announce the name of the company again, someone will pick up the phone, or a recorded message will start, so I never say the company name but once.

I've startled people before that either were distracted, or intimidated when I answered. They use up their two seconds without responding, so I hang up. They usually call right back, but I've heard some wait awhile before calling again, in the hope someone else will answer.

When the secretary answers the phone, she has a unique way of dealing with telemarketers. When the ask for someone, she puts them on hold, and lets them wait for a long, long time. If they're still there, when she finally returns and replies: "They're not answering their page. Would you like to leave a message?" they usually respond with "No, I'll call back later." or hang up.

I worked as a telemarketer years ago, while between jobs. It was brutal, and hard to not let being jerked around by people to become personal. Maybe that's why I wasn't a good telemarketer. Those that were, had thick skins, ignored those that slammed the phone, and immediately dialed another number. I'm guessing they made a living doing what they do. With me, expecting a decent paycheck was futile. If I did get orders, most of them were people using bogus credit card numbers to have their fun with telemarketers.

So, I understand how it's tough job to be a telemarketer, but still know slamming the phone is the best way of just getting rid of them. If they're good, they'll just go on. If not, they'll need Xanax and blood pressure medication.

We'll, I'll Be

I was driving with my wife along a back road, when we spotted a different bird. Large, appearing as many of the water birds found locally, and behaving much like geese.

I've been told these birds appear, but never have I've seen one. I told my wife what I surmised the birds to be: Sandhill Cranes. She found them on her phone, and it revealed I was right.

They're amazing. Standing around 5 feet high, they flock like geese; constantly moving away from automobiles too close to where they're feeding. What they were feeding on is beyond me, but they were in a rice field harvested last season. I assume it was either new shoots growing in the wet field, or crayfish that start leaving their winter burro.

We watched for a few seconds, and then moved on. The birds stayed far away, and dawdling only made them mover further.

There's a hunting season on the bird. Considering their size, only one will feed a family. Me? I don't think so. They're too magnificent to watch, and it would take drastic circumstances to shoot one for food.

The Same Things Over and Over

I have little confidence the problem with federal law enforcement will be handled correctly. Those needing to be punished most will either receive a hand slap, or allowed to retire without any responsibility for their actions. That, and the bureaucrats ruining lives with administrative abuse will skate without being held accountable. Otherwise, it's more of the same, and the belief in justice fades away.

We Bought Some Pizza Dough

Last week, my wife and I bought some pizza dough, while grocery shopping. Yesterday, we bought some fresh mozzarella, a good sauce in a jar, and pepperoni. Today, I fabricated a homemade pizza, which smells really, really good.

I can't wait. 

It was good, but my exuberance led to too many toppings, which led to more of a pan pizza. Since we like it a little thinner, with a crispier crust, next time will be adjusted to accommodate. 

Another Brainwashed Hollywood Bimbo

Mayim Bailik decided to join those willing to throw away common sense for the Progressive theory of subjugation. Since I liked her show, which is now on the never watch list, may her chains of servitude be light, and she one day realize she traded liberty for notoriety.

Dumbass!