Using my US Cellular mobile device, I call CenturyLink. John in Wyoming answers, runs diagnostic protocols on both lines, determines there is a problem. Reports no solution available in Wyoming. "You need a service call," he reports, "in your area, the schedule is booked out several days."
Despite my pleas for faster response time, given the nature of my business, the first available window of time is four days away: noon to five.
Fast forward: At 11:55 AM on designated day, Jimmy John's Freaky Fast delivery car skids to a stop in the parking lot. I'm watching because I'm hungry; this means I see the CenturyLink van arrive.
I pay for and then devour my rare roast beef with avocado sauce unwich. Twenty minutes later, a tall bearded CenturyLink tech finally arrives in my office scratching his head: "There are no phone lines in this suite!"
He uses his mobile to call another tech. While we wait for his backup, his personal investigation begins. He demolishes my desktop, knocking over Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo's picture. He dislocates ceiling tiles which stir up dusty pink bits of insulation which cling to every surface.
When his even more bearded, shorter in stature, longer in hair, side kick stomps in, I snatch the above image as they venture next door.
The situation called for mindfulness and I did what I could. They did what they could. The lines were restored.
Gathering up equipment, the tall man confided to me his afternoon consisted of twelve troubleshooting calls like this one and that he was tired. He said, "Two more years til retirement - can't mess up now."
He looked stressed. As he assured me he would have to bill me, he said he would do what he could to keep the price down; "but there's only so much I can do."
The good news is that I didn't get totally stressed out. I was able to find some compassion for his situation. I took an observer role which helped me stay somewhat detached and not soak up his anxiety.
Does the Twenty-first Century challenge you? Please share with us by replying to this email or going to the blog.
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
Yes it's challenging! We had so many problems this past year with service with cox, next month our price goes up with them so switching to someone else, not sure. But technology drives me crazy sometimes. It's great when it works but seems like most of the time there's something wrong. And doing everything online for job search sucked also, you would have to fill so many times your past jobs even though you sent them a resume with it!
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