What do you do when you are on hold? You listen to horrible music interrupted by an announcement that informs you: “All specialists are assisting other customers. Please hold for the next available specialist.” At the beginning of this process I was informed that the average wait time is 50 minutes or more. Thanks Chase. At least Apple lets you choose the music you would like to listen to. (or none – even better.) Too bad Chase’s website doesn’t address my issue.
This is what I am doing on hold. I decided I needed some fortitude so I picked out a nice California Red.(Now this is going to sound like I know what I am talking about.) Nothing too fancy medium of body, not too acidic, but one that will hold up to this drivel I am listening to. You know what I like about the wine I am savoring? It has this beautiful almost pink color that compliments the dark red at the edge of the glass. I would take a picture of it, but I am afraid I will lose my place in line.
This is what I am doing on hold. I am resolving to go back to the poetry course with Billy Collins I bought from Masterclass. I left off during our shut down and I am going to see if I can motivate myself to continue and maybe even complete it. In chapter three he teaches, “There is no chronology involved in poetry. You can go anywhere. You can fly.” I like that. It reminds me of what happens when I try to meditate. My mind is like a poem. It goes anywhere and everywhere and if I am successful slips away to a place deep inside.
This is what I am doing on hold. I am thinking about you and this unplugged blog. Of course, it really isn’t unplugged. It is connected in a hopefully important sense to the wires in my brain and being and to the question of purpose and meaning. I often ask myself: Who am I writing this blog for and why? I always find it interesting that the more “political” I get the more comments I receive. So, I find myself torn between moments like this where we share a slice of life together and causes to which I am committed. But ultimately I’ve decided: this is all about the connections we forge with ourselves and each other. Isn’t everything?
rabbiunplugged 
We can all relate to being placed on hold. It is an amount of time we will never get back. Necessary, but …. wish there was a more efficient system. Live when they give you the choice to hold on or place you in que and call you back without losing your place in line.
Thanks for allowing us to know we are not alone in this situation.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I took several of your comparative religion classes at FAU LLS, and am glad to be able to read your blog. I hope you are in good health.
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Thanks Joy – we are in good health and thanks for reading my blog even after you took Tom and my classes 🙂
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Thank you for sharing your on hold experience. New concept— pour a good glass of something before you dial. Interesting that on hold continues in the same fashion before and during the big “19”. Seems the only thing that can change is the people who are waiting..
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Thanks for another sweet and wise message. Got me right in the kishkas.
Howie
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Thanks for sharing this. I hope you finally got through to Chase and they were able to resolve things after your long wait. When I am on hold, I often deal with emails or try to read something. You are spot on about meditation — as the Buddhists say, I suffer from “Monkey Mind” and find myself all over the lot. Blessings, Tom
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Although your “political” blog posts may garner more comments, Rabbi, anything can be made political. To wit, this logical syllogism:
Our lives are on hold because of the coronavirus.
The coronavirus has been politicized.
Therefore, being on hold is political.
Thanks, as always, for your thoughful words.
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You are good – I wish I thought of that.
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I understand. Lives seem to be on hold. We wait for this to end. All things are political right now. Sad as that is. Thanks for always putting what we feel to paper.
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I hope you got your issue resolved. I have experienced long hold times only to be disconnected. Arrruuuuugghhh.
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Lol! I have 2 calls to make today that I have a sneaky feeling will be time suckers that will frustrate me. Perhaps a glass of wine will help! Or I’ll smile thinking of your blog and how much I enjoy reading it!
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Lol! I have 2 calls to make today that I have a sneaky feeling will be time suckers that will frustrate me. Perhaps a glass of wine will help! Or I’ll smile thinking of your blog and how much I enjoy reading it!
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i wish i had read this prior to my hour long conversation with Microsoft today, and my half hour conversation with Amex over misbilling by Microsoft. the wine may have stopped me from screaming at them, but then again, probably not,. However, i might have felt better about screaming had i had some wine in me.
All this conversation was preceded by 4 hours with Microsoft about a month ago – same topic. then i would have gone through a whole bottle, even red and you know i don’t drink red.
i love Debbie’s political logic above.
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me too – i love Debbie’s interpretation
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Very relatable – Sometimes, I spend so much time in the hallway, I have to decorate!
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Very relatable – Sometimes, I spend so much time in the hallway, I have to decorate!
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Could be a metaphor for the feeling that life is on hold right now. Maybe we should just enjoy the wine rather than whine.
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I love hearing from you, as always. Hope the family is well and staying safe. It is hard to say Shabbat Tova this year. Praying it will get better but not too hopeful, at this moment. Love, Paula
Sent from my iPhone
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I think we are in for the long haul – but it will get better – kicking and screaming it will.
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