So, this government shutdown? Yeah. There are many ways this sucks, but let’s get to another “little” one that I have found this week.

Have you noticed you have been getting more and more calls from telemarketers lately?

Well I have.

I have a whole post going up in a couple of weeks dealing with one of these calls (don’t worry, it’s funny).

I just received my fifth one of the day, today. I had all ready heard about a time share, solar power, carpet cleaning and refinancing. So, I thought to myself, What the heck is going on?

Am I not on the “do not call list” anymore?

This was prompted when yet another telemarketer called me to talk to me about solar power.

This is how the conversation went:

“Hello.”

“Hi, Mrs. So and So, this is Dan from Generic-Something-With-Sun-In-Its-Name Solar Power. How are you doing today?”

“Good.” I breathed. Why is this happening to me today? I secretly thought.

“Ma’am, I want to talk to you about something-something program guaranteed to save you money.”

I replied, “I’m sorry. I’m not interested. Could you please take me off of your calling list.”

“Sure. Can I ask why?”

“I am just not interested. Please take my name off of your calling list.”

“But, ma’am, this solar program could save you money.”

I said, “This is the third time I am asking you to remove my name from your calling list. I do not have anything more to say.”

He snarked, “Why? Am I bothering you?”

To which I cringed. But I am nothing if not honest. So, I replied, “Well, actually, yes you are.”

He took a deep breath and before he hung up loudly on me, he yelled, “FINE. IF SAVING MONEY BOTHERS YOU…”

This is when I decided to check the “Do not call registry.”

Because although these types of calls are torture fun, it would be rather nice to not dread answering the phone.

I went to the do-not-call website. And yes, you can guess where this is going… IT’S SHUTDOWN!

Now the government shutdown is invading my bedroom. I am feeling its effects through the irritated strangers breathing in my ear.

My phone has been taken hostage. When is this going to end?

I am beginning to acquire a twitch with each ring of the phone…

Maybe I do need that timeshare.

This was written in response to the Daily Post’s Weekly Writing Challenge: Living History.