gridlore: Doug looking off camera with a grin (M-16)
Douglas Berry ([personal profile] gridlore) wrote2002-05-21 12:44 pm

I just got Porlocked.

Writing going well, things flowing from brain to screen as they tend to do when I'm in a grove.

Then the phone rings. Now, the only reason I answer it is because I'm expecting a call back from my insurance company. Otherwise, people can speak to the Message Center.

It isn't the insurance people, or Kirsten. It's TimeLife Music.

We used to order CDs through them until it became to much of a financial drain. I tried to explain to the guy that, short of being in labor, he picked the worst possible moment to call me, but he was eager and dense. I hate just hanging up on these folks because I know they are working at slave wages and don't need me slamming the phone in their ear. But finally I practically screamed "I'm a writer who is weeks past a deadline, and I CAN'T AFFORD ANY FUCKING CDS RIGHT NOW!! What part of this has failed to penetrate???" Before he could reply, I killed the connection, and turned back to the computer.

And saw nothing but gibberish. Where I had been writing clean prose, now I couldn't string two sentences together on "My Trip To The Zoo." I moved around, trying different chapters, and got *nothing.*

Goddamn them. I have never regretted my inability to get screaming drunk without dying more than right now. The bastard cost me a day's work.

Like hell will they ever get another dime out of me.

[identity profile] odanu.livejournal.com 2002-05-21 03:01 pm (UTC)(link)
BTDT got the t-shirt, used it to clean the bathtub. Good for you for standing up to rudeness. As for the writing interruption....use the time to do research (aka pleasure reading) for a couple of hours, then plow back in. At least, that helps me sometimes when the wall goes up in front of me.

Maureen
kitsap_charles: (Default)

The magic phrase is...

[personal profile] kitsap_charles 2002-05-21 03:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Please put me on your do-not-call list.

I Am Not A Lawyer, but IIRC, telemarketers must honor this request, and may be sued if they continue calling you.
firecat: damiel from wings of desire tasting blood on his fingers. text "i has a flavor!" (Default)

What Charles said

[personal profile] firecat 2002-05-21 03:56 pm (UTC)(link)
Also, the wage slaves have a quota of calls per hour, and they'd probably rather you hung up than kept them on the line without giving them a sale.