Insane People: Part 1

Me: Thank you for calling *Name of company omitted so I’m not destroyed by the wrath of HQ*, my name is Laura, may I please have the phone number associated with the account?

Customer: *In a super fast manner that not even the Flash could decipher* 123456789 OR it could be 987654321 (Actual phone number may vary)

Me: I’m sorry, could you please say the first number again, I don’t think I got it all.

Customer: *In a super slow, super loud, super exasperated tone* 1….2…..3……4…….5…..6 SIGH 7…..8…..9…..

Me: Thank you, what can I do for you tonight?

Customer: I can’t connect to the internet.

Me: I’m so sorry that you are having trouble, would you be able to please unplug the modem for me?

Customer: *Yelling* I have to put the phone down.

Me: Ok.

Customer *Walks away* *Picks the phone back up* I can’t find the plug what is it? (I describe the plug) *Walks away* *Picks phone back up* I still can’t find the plug…. (this went on 2 – 3 more times.)

Call was disconnected.

I call them back. Husband Answers.

Husband: Ok I unplugged it and it still won’t connect.

Call was disconnected.

I call them back. Husband Answers.

Me: Ok I’m sorry about that, could you make sure the cords are tight?

Call was disconnected.

I call them back. Customer answers.

Me: Hello, I’m sorry that the call was disconnected.

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

Silence.

Me: Hello, are you able to hear me?

Customer: YES I CAN HEAR YOU, YES I CAN HEAR YOU. I CAN HEAR YOU. I CAN HEAR YOU SPEAK I CAN HEAR YOU. I CAN  HEAR YOU YES YOU HAVE GOT TO SPEAK I CAN HEAR YOU I CAN HEAR YOU I CAN HEAR YOU I CAN HEAR YOU I CAN HEAR YOU I CAN HEAR YOU I CAN HEAR YOU FOR THE LOVE OF GOD SPEAK I CAN HEAR YOU.

(It’s kind of hard to speak with you yelling… but I didn’t say that)

Me: Ok it looks like we need to set up for a tech to come to your house and take a look at your equipment.

Customer: GET ME YOUR SUPERVISOR.

Me: I am the supervisor.

Customer: I DON’T CARE GET ME WHOEVER IS ABOVE YOU.

 

….Okie Dokie….

It’s All About the Money

I filled out my fafsa (application for financial assistance for college) after talking with some very rude customer service representatives over at the fafsa website.

I think I screwed up, big time. When it comes to college at least. I know I’ve whined about it before, but honestly for the last 2 years I have just felt like I’ve been drifting through life without a purpose. And maybe I should just forget my two degrees and go find a career without them. I think it might be the near $100,000 debt I’ve collected myself after 8 years of college that has stopped me from out and out giving up on it all together.

Also the fact that I’m only 6 classes away from two degrees (an associates and a bachelors of fine arts) might have something to do with it.

I ran out of financial aid 2 years ago (Spring 2010 semester was the last I attended) and they keep telling me that if I pay interest on the parent loan my mom took out for me that I could reinstate my financial aid… but I just can’t shake the feeling that I’m being lied to. I say that, because I was told this LAST year, and I got a big whopping zilch for financial aid then. That was after I paid $331 on the parent plus loan for 9 months, like I was told to do. They promised me if I paid those 9 months I’d get my financial aid back, but I didn’t.

So I talked to them again this year, two freaking rude people I might add. All I asked was if it actually true that I can get more financial aid after having paid off part of the parent loan I had. One told me, “financial aid is done one way, there can be no confusion.” OK jerk-wad I was just asking 1 question – can I in fact get financial aid again? If you think I’m dumb for being confused, keep it to yourself and answer my question. Which I again asked.

He said, and I quote, “1. Fill out your Fafsa”

I let him go.

I have no time for rude people. So I got a second guy, who was a little better but then it turned sour too when he said “it just says you MAY have reached your limit”, he emphasized the “may” and again making me feel dumb.

So moral of the story is…I still don’t know. I’m not hoping too much, but damn it would be great if after 10 years of being out of high school I could somehow manage to finish college.

Damn you Film School for being so expensive! I’m about to start a Send-Laura-Back-To-College-Fund-Raiser.