Wednesday 18 July 2012

45 degrees


Hello….

Yup still on the blog-break.

It will re-start right after this post.

This post is a ‘couldn’t help but post’ post.

It is a cry for help.

I know most of you must be thinking[judging by the title ie] that I'm writing to talk about the horrible weather out here.

Yeah well the weather is terrible but I have a more pressing problem for which I need a solution.

And who else can I turn to but all of you kind people!!!!!!

Usually I'd phone a friend but since the problem is just about that, so I have no go but to ask you for help. 

I’m not much of a phone person but once or twice or thrice or four or five times a week I get a few calls from family/friends/relatives/acquaintances/ex-colleagues/old neighbours/church members who want latest updates on what’s going on this side of town.

That’s right, they all call me on their own free will.

Mostly they call whenever they think they are unlikely to be disturbed. Like, when they know they have a bit of free time before the next meeting or during their lunch hour or when their boss is out for the next 2 hours. Because you see, once the call is made, it is a known fact  that both parties will not get off the phone for the next 40 minutes at the very least. Only a fire or a fire drill can have the power to interrupt. Actually until a few days back we didn’t think a fire drill could affect the length of our conversation but we were forced to face the bitter truth;-o.

In short I’m so interesting that the other party can’t bear to keep the phone down.

In short they call me when they are free. And expect to be occupied for the next hour.

But that doesn’t mean I am free, right??????

Ofcourse I'm not free. You all are aware, I hold an important position in a non-profit organisation where work never ends. In my field one work leads to another. Even before I finish a job and dream about stretching my tired arms 2 more jobs are jostling to catch my eye. And if it’s not a job it’s about maintaining peace among the members in my team. Oh yes a volatile bunch I tell u. And if it’s not the team there are external factors knocking on my door, I meant figuratively ofcourse.

Right and all of you know I’m sooo busy that I took a blog break I had no wish to take. See if that’s not proof then what else is????

So as I was saying, the problem is that I hate to tell them I’m busy. I simply can’t be mean to a nice person who called me to ask how I was and want the minutes on what’s going on in my life. And I also want to know what they’ve been upto. So I try hard to fit the call inspite of my busy schedule.

I promise myself my work will not suffer.

So I place the cordless close to the ear, sort of tilt my head sideways in a 45 degrees angle, wedge the instrument between head and neck and talk.

And do my work.

And chatter away.

And do my work.

Everything is good initially.

But after 15-20 minutes it begins to hurt.

My neck, it begins to hurt.

Then I have to stop half-way the work I am doing, hold the phone with my hand for sometime and converse.

Time is ticking.

Work is pending.

Deadlines have to be met.

When the head and neck finish their rotating exercises I put the cordless back in place. But after 15 minutes the shoulder and neck starts hurting again.

You get my problem right.

Sometimes I put it on speaker but the person on the other side gets uncomfortable as soon they realise they are on speaker. And also I cannot move around freely if it is on speaker because they can’t hear me as clearly if I turn away even for a second and that moment is lost.

Momentum is everything in these situations. An ill-placed pause, a funny tapping noise from inside the phone, an unexpected doorbell ring can make the news-giver clam up and the moment is then lost forever.

Damn, damn damn then keeps echoing in the head the whole day.

Residing in the Gulf and if one is a homemaker, it is an isolated life. One is forced to stay indoors for many reasons. The blistering heat being one of them. The lack of a DL could be another. Nobody wants to hire you the biggest. Like I said, the reasons are many. So these telephone calls are actually blessings in disguise. They distract us from our mundane routine and make us aware of the problems which the rest of the population face. We forget our worries for the moment to focus on a comrade’s concerns. We get an opportunity to offer our valuable advice and many a time help them see a new perspective. We feel worthy. The reverse works too. By the end of a conversation there is a lightness in the heart, a lift in the spirits and bonus the house is sparkling clean the scheduled work for the day is completed and one never felt like one was working all the while.

Which brings me back to my problem. I’m getting a pain in the neck holding the cordless in the crick of my neck and I want a solution.

Now according to me a Bluetooth is the answer; the wireless technology seems like the perfect solution to all my problems.

So I request the better-half to get me a Bluetooth. He was ok with the idea until he found out I wanted it for the landline. Well ofcourse I want it for the landline. Local calls are free only on the landline, why else will I ask for one???? He looked at me funny. Like as if I live with my head up in the clouds. Like as if I don’t know what’s going on around me. Like how this woman would have survived out in the real world if I hadn’t married her.

I on the other hand am thinking more practically. More realistically. I’m thinking maybe he doesn't have the answer. He’s like that you know…hates to admit he doesn’t have the solution to everything. He launches into some technical jargon to explain rattle me. In the beginning it used to be terribly confusing. But after 13 yrs I can see through it all. I smile at him kindly and pat him to indicate I understand. 

I have more important things to do.....

Like googling for neck exercises. 

Like finding time to write a post when I’m so unbelievably busy.

And actively searching for a solution before I reach this stage[It's not my fault if I come across funny pics like these when I'm researching for solutions]-->


You understand right, and will help, won’t You?????

71 comments:

  1. haa haa...i had good laugh after reading your post..and totally apt pic for your situation..
    well I cant advice you for neck problem..but definitely can say..GET WELL REALLY SOON :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Huh I'm not sick yet.....I'm asking for solutions from all of U so that I don't get sick....hmmmmphh. I've heard of ek ka khushi, doosre ka dard here tho its opposite;-P.

      Delete
  2. OMG...
    That was super cool...
    Loved it!!1

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Locomente my dear let me tell u....neck pain is never super cool....it's a lot of err...pain. Or were u talking about something else;-P????

      Delete
  3. LOLOL..of course it's not your fault for finding just the apt pics..:-)
    but bluetooth for a landline???? :-0 *goes away shaking her head*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Huh whats wrong with bluetooth for a landline...from where I stand it is a perfectly reasonable to make. If a mobile connection can have one why can't a landline. *[not to be outdone]Nancy walks away SHAKING her head & rolling her eyes*

      Delete
  4. Hmmmmm.....
    hmmmmmmmmmmm........
    Neck replacement?
    *runs away*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Errr....brilliant....absolutely brilliant Smita*Nancy pats Smita's back awkwardly & walks away feeling terrible for Smita's husband*

      Delete
  5. And yes like Uma, bluetooth for a landline???? :-0 *goes away shaking her head*

    ReplyDelete
  6. As usual, you have tickled that funny bone. No wonder people are talking so long....But, why blue tooth? Why not a cordless phone with a headset?? I have heard there are a few such models with Panasonic. Not sure, though! Perhaps, we can search and sort out?

    PS: Can I have your number, please???:P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cordless phone come with headsets??? Really???
      I've come to a point I'll take even this.
      Err....it is wireless right???
      About the number...be very careful what u wish for, seriously I'm protecting ur interests here;-P.

      Delete
  7. Main 'zandu balm' hui ... darling tere liye..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmmmmphhhh.....if u r genuinely giving me suggestions, please to be more clear and in good manglish please, thank U.

      Delete
    2. Zandu balm ഇടണം എന്ന്.

      Delete
    3. Huh...apply Zandu balm on who???
      I seriously hope u are not insinuating that u need to apply ZB after reading the post.

      U rude girl, I hereby ban u from my page....SO THERE!!!!!*Nancy is totally fed upto the neck with all these mean girls who waltz in and say rude things about her predicament & post*;-S

      Delete
    4. My dear Nancy, I was saying that you need to apply Zandu Balm, for any neck related ailment you may have as specified in the post above. :-)

      Delete
    5. Arrey baba...I knw wht u meant, ur 1st darling comment had me in splits, I was just pulling ur leg in return;-D

      Delete
    6. Oho we should have smileys in the comment section henceforth..! I am unable to read the tone of speech ! I thought you actually banned me from the page (which is impossible for u to do :D)
      Or did I lose my sense of humor..or am I just getting old and weird !

      Delete
    7. Yeah thts my cheif grouse with blogger...no smileys to express 'pheelings';-/. But here's a clue.....most of my comments come with smileys...now look at the eyes, if they are winking;-/[even tho the mouth is a frown] that means......that means....tht totally means Zandu balm darling tere;-D

      Delete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If u hadn't commented on my previous post I wd have just chucked this comment into spam u knw;-D.
      Just kidding, thanks for the links Venkat;-D!!!!

      Delete
    2. Uddi babba, Venkat got angry with me and deleted his comment. I'm sorry Venkat kaan pakadke, please come baaack;-(

      Delete
  9. I hear you Sistah!! We homemakers naturally get trained to handle call centre jobs ...sniff! Are...ignore people who scoff at the idea of a bluetooth for landline...me thinks somewhere in that land called Japan, someone is right now working on your request and soon we will be able to buy a bluetooth for the landline, as well as one to hear the husband too ;)

    Haa for the neck pain...hmm Have you ever tried propping up the head against a wall while you talk over the phone? prop your forehead against the wall and try stretching your toes, legs, hands and whatever flexible body part you have....err at least that way we get some good exercise for the body no? If you are like me and don't like to unnecessarily stress out your body....I suggest you sit in front of a plateful of goodies and keep munching while you talk ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sakshi my dear all these people who are scoffing at my 'bluetooth for landline' idea are the ones who will be returning every 2 days to check whether anybody left solutions. I'll bet my last dollar..err dirham almost everyone will fancy one for themselves;-D.
      Ur exercises for neck pain sound very complicated sweetie, maybe if u showed me....;-D; tho ofcourse just like u I prefer the 2nd option anyday;-P.

      Delete
  10. I see a lot of people at work using wireless headsets like these: http://www.headsetzone.com/cs351.html

    I think it's a good investment!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Cn u pls gimme ur landline no. ?:P :P I hv some 'free' time and want to call u too ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Huh I thought u already had it...I seemed to remember a call from u on a Republic day...to wish me...remember, remember;-D.

      Delete
  12. Ahhhh the female of the species ..... Can never stop talking :)

    By the way did you notice that of all the preceding comments, there was only one comment from a male and, of course, that was the only useful one :):)

    And I'm calling you later today. I have lots of "free" time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ahem...excuse me, that is because we intelligent females who comment here knows that Nancy actually is a brainy species and what she really wants from her blogger friends is to end up with an aching tummy with her dose of humor ;)

      Delete
    2. Aaaah Ramesh u never disappoint my friend...trust u to [try] set the cat among the pigeons;-D.
      U knw, I was the Headmistress of the school in which u were a student.....meaning ofcourse I'm not going to react;-D.
      Will only say this[and mind u only bcoz I care about you]...the keyword is 'Communicate' something the female species are naturally good at & the rest of the species can only stand around and...err I meant watch.

      And I'm looking forward to ur call; most of my friends have left on vacation & I have lots of pending work I so badly want to catch up on. Buahahhaaaaaaaa....

      Delete
    3. Sakshi darling u r the sweetest, standing up for a comrade you've never met. U and mee are same-same all the time, like we can't stand mushy stuff and turn our noses high up in the air when it comes to sweet-sugary stuff. But just this instance here is a quick HUG from me;-D*hope nobody saw sheesh our reputation will be ruined otherwise;-(*.
      And please forgive Ramesh, I can vouch for him. He was just pulling my leg, he's a really nice guy in real life;-D.

      Delete
    4. Awwwwww . N- much bowled over by the kind line. You are a real sport.

      Delete
    5. Awww...now you are embarrassing me esp when I've been so tongue-in-cheek;-D.

      P.s: Err...overall everybody knws right that I'm just pulling ur/their leg*N is a bit worried now*

      Delete
  13. The best solution is to buy a wear a wrist watch. Look at the time when you get a call, and then keep speaking for 15 minutes, after that tell them that you are getting another call and hang up. That's what I do these days! Of course, it's difficult to hang up this way but with practice, it's achievable.

    The second best solution is to buy a Wi-Fi based headset lifter and wireless headsets. Both Plantronics and Jabra have such headsets. It has a range of 100 feet (unlike bluetooth, with limited range) and you can press a button on the headset for the system to physically lift the headset and keep it back from anywhere you are. Of course, you can keep walking throughout the house while you take the call.

    The first option is better. It saves a lot of time. And eliminates unnecessary information.

    Destination Infinity

    PS: Why don't you consider extending your blog break for some more time? :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm disappointed with u DI.....u are slipping, I mean, seriously, do u even read my posts or what??? If u did u wd have never written the first para. Go back and read the part where I mentioned about a moment being lost forever....go back and read abt where I mentioned I hate to be interrupted when I'm speaking with my friends. Err why do I feel like I'm repeating Amitabh Bachchan's dialogues from some movie;-o...this is serious stuff u knw; I asked for help not advice to self-destruct my friends circle;-/.
      Thanks for all the helpful info though, will check them out & let u knw;-D.

      p.s: I hrd this summer was particularly hard on Chennaiates*Nancy hastens to get chilled Sambhaaram for DI*...Hope u get some relief soon;-D.

      Delete
  14. Yep, as people have suggested, there are options such as headsets or bluetooth landline phone adapters... then you can talk forever ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Talk forever;-o....nope no time for that;-D
      Good to see ya Snow:-))!!!!

      Delete
  15. Generally blog waltzed into you blog space today and I was almost like a kid in a candy store. Can you beleive I spent a couple of hours reading your blogs.I loved the way you wrote and there was an instant connect. I have been blogging for ages and I am kind of confined to myself and my post. following one of your tips on commenting and thank you for a lot more on your blog.

    Glad I stepped into your blog and will keep coming back. I almost forgot what your current is post is about i am just assimilating all that i got to read today.. Love, Vincy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww Vincy thank U for the lovely words!!!!
      I'm so glad U set aside your initial reservations & decided to comment:-))!!!

      Delete
  16. Hi nance, not being a phone person myself i have no solutions for you. will e-mail mom too if i could have done that:-) but i am so glad you are having this problem. got to read a wonderful post:-)) seriously, i hope you will get that bluetooth that you deserve.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Email mom;-o...
      Oh well on the other hand ur H must be very pleased with the phone bills;-D

      Delete
  17. My comment will be over the phone. I know you need a practical demo without techincal jargons!! Keep your phone free!!!hahahahahahahahhaahaha!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haaaah for tht u need to make an appointment first;-D

      Delete
  18. Hey Nance... well...thanks to neck.. I mean phone problem that you are baccckkk.. welll I mean I am not happy about the neck.. but I truly truly feel you deserve a bluetooth, on the landline and why not ha..ha..ha...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks girl, thats what I've been telling everybody, I deserve a bluetooth;-D

      Delete
  19. :-) Nice narration there. I agree. I am not a phone person either and most often i am not in the mood to speak rather than being busy. so i simply tell them that i shall call back and that i do, however. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Geee thanks;-D!!!! U knw, I'm just the opposite... when I'm not in the mood I just pick up the phone and call a friend. Everything magically falls into place;-)).

      Delete
  20. Ha ha ha, I totally relate to your post :), I can tell you several neck exercises though :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hmmmmm....I can smell a yoga buff from here;-D.

      Delete
  21. hahaha.. no way !! Fight for your rights ! Demand that landline bluetooth :))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have similar traits[the Aquarius factor] Doc.....ofcourse we don't demand when we can achieve the same thru less forceful means;-D

      Delete
  22. born to be a blogger, nancy! loved ur post..as usual!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Replies
    1. Nope, will not......not until u comment on this post;-/

      Delete
    2. And u can take ur time....I'm no hurry really;-D

      Delete
  24. Ha ha ha, nice try, will not comment until you come really come back :D

    ReplyDelete
  25. communication problems sorted out?? :)

    Belated Onam wishes to you and your family (esp. the little girls)!!! I have a craving for aviyal you know. Sigh, I guess I must try and 'cook' it myself.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not really but almost all friends were on vacation helped....a lot;-P.
      U mentioned avial & I just had to make it...it was good...go on make it, u wont regret it;-D

      Delete
  26. Holidays over, time to get back!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Replies
    1. A relative passed away unexpectedly around that time and it was a shock. I hope yours was good. Good to see ur comment Deepa:-)).

      Delete
  28. just to say hello. not to put any posting pressure or anything:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha...I'm going to take tht at face value and greet u back....good to see u Lan;-D.

      Delete

Thank U for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment:-))!!!