Vinnie called me yesterday morning. She's 83. She told me. Immediately after telling me her name. Oh, and so much more.
(Edit as I write this: I do not mean to be cruel as the post below may sound. She was a dear woman, but it was just funny)
It went something like this.
Brad: Thank you for calling XXXXXX this is Brad.
Vinnie: Oh Hello, this is Vinnie XXXXXX and my thermostat has a blinking red light.
Brad: (quickly checking to see if she's a customer) Well Ma'am have we been out to your place before?
Vinnie: Oh no, I live alone.
Brad: Um, (?) Vinnie? What kind of heat do you have?
Vinnie: What was your name?
Brad: Brad
Vinnie: Oh, do you work on heaters?
Brad: Yes Ma'am. What kind of heater do you have?
Vinnie: Oh I have heat it's just the thermostat is blinking a red light. Do you think it will explode?
Brad: No, No dear. there are plenty of safety switches to prevent that. Do you have a gas furnace?
Vinnie: No, no their heaters.
Brad: Base board heaters?
Vinnie: Yes, yes
Brad: Vinnie can you tell what the brand name is on the thermostat?
Vinnie: Oh,...I don't know. I have sores on my foot on the leg where the knee don't work. I'm taking four antibiotics a day.
Brad: I'm so sorry, is there heat coming out of the unit?
Vinnie: I've lived in this house for 43 years. My brother built it in 1963. It's on California Avenue across from the Rite-Aid. Do you know West Seattle? I'm right
Brad: I know it a littl...
Vinnie:across from the Rite-Aid
Brad: Vinnie are you cold?
Vinnie: Oh no dear, I live alone. I'm fine but the light is flashing on the thermostat.
Brad: Vinnie I wouldn't worry about that if your warm. If you get cold you call me back.
Vinnie: Oh yes dear I'll call you back after my nap. My brother built this house in 1963 it's almost 3800 square feet and is really a lovely home. You know he died at 63 from stomach cancer but he left me this home it's the green one next to the sandstone house.
Brad: (To himself: Good God when is this gonna end)
Vinnie: What was your name?
Brad: Brad.
Vinnie: Do you work on heaters?
Brad: Yes dear, call me later.
Haven't heard from Vinnie today. Should I worry?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Vinnie
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27 comments:
Another day in the life of someone who deals with the public. We old folks do have problems, Brad. My red light is blinking, too. Do you think it will explode? I think its blinking morse code. Do you know morse code, Brad? Who are the little gray men with big eyes looking in my window, Brad? Brad, Brad. . .are you there, Brad?
Sorry, it's been one of those days and I'm so tired that I'm silly.
I say: Live Silly.
You can't take yourself seriously.
lol@mary !
and vinnie--
could it have been a prank call brad? hmm kinda wonder.
but really, if it wasn't i guess it's kinda sad really. well, underneath the comedy of it .
well.. you know , i have rats in my attic brad-- do you think they might explode? they've been eating poisoned sunflower seeds ... they might die. should i worry? or just go to slep? it's way past my bedtime.
i hear something in my bathroom. do you think it's my cat? could it be a rat? maybe i should call you. do you know where i live?
ok. bye bye.
oh hey-- by the way-- do you realize that i cannot see these dammn word verification things? and after 9 pm.. it gets worse by the minute-- and just so ya know-- it's after 1130 pm now-- so that means i am especially blind-- and very tiahd. so am liable to have to post this comment a multitude of times. should i be afraid?
maybe you should come post it for me?
Okay, this was way too funny. I don't mean to laugh at someone else's expense but sometimes these small life experiences give an odd chuckle!
I'm at my most serious when I'm joking....
Oh how many times I have had this very conversation, not about heaters of course, but cars. I always get frustrated too, but I also marvel at how lonely these people must be.
It's funny and it's sad. And also, a huge pain in the ass. :)
You are such a doll, most people are just down right rude to older people.......
Oh, poor dear. You were very kind to be so patient with her. Did you get her phone number?
Ring her back. You know you won't rest till you do!
Hi uncle Brad,
I've finally logged on for my Saturday morning trip to Seattle only to read through and discover you had been broken in to. OMG! You have been on my mind and now I know why. It's such an invasice thing being broken in to, that pisses me off more than them taking stuff. You know, they look at your stuff and poor poor Bear!! (Although I've heard that goldies will actually assist robbers as they're such people lovers!!) Ah mate - that bloody sucks. Thinking of you and hope you're ok and Jay too. Love Miss P
PS Loved the conversation with Vinnie. Oldies are hilarious.
Maybe she was just lonely and wanted someone to talk to. You were kind to be so patient with her.
Thank you brad for your kind words on my blog!
Hi Brad:
I have thought about Vinnie today. I read this post yesterday and just couldn't take my mind off of her, and that conversation you had. Being as difficult as the communication was, you demonstrated a lot of caring--more than most in your situation would have--and that is great insight into your character.
Honored to "virtually" be getting to know you. Be well--and keep warm!
I love Vinnie! Or did she mean to say, Minnie?
Do you have caller id? If so, and you believe in this sorta thing, balance out your karma of good and call her on monday. If not, just attribute it to her being lonesome..
I betcha she has a phone book and a rotary dill telie. :L)
Starbucks changed their logo again!!! Brown and the legs are back and spread! :)
Always,
Elizabeth
You are probably the kindest person she has talked to in a long time. If she can remember where you are, she'll probably call back again. Poor lady. :(
love u sweets,
fiwa
I was just checking for a new post from you, and I got to looking at the manstump AGAIN. I just wanted to tell you that it really, really cracks me up.
Have a really great weekend, Brad!
You handled this well.
Now that I know where she lives, I feel like we should go and check on her.
Bring her a cake and tea and just chat with her. I bet she has some stories to tell and it would be a hoot.
Found you at Mother of this Lot. Just wanted to say I loved this post! Poor old thing!
We have a "Vinnie" that calls often...I'm usually the lucky one that gets the call. She's VERY old and needy and to top it off...she cries. I always feel so bad talking to her.....its this big heart of mine.
i'm going to be like vinnie one day. in fact i may just call every day for the company.
Just checking on my Bradley.
You were very kind to keep up the conversation. Mary and Soul's comments had me tearing up. If I wasn't so tired, I'd ask you a few questions I have about my blinking light. I just put a piece of masking tape over it so it wouldn't distract me. I don't think it will explode.
Come see me....I have something for you....come and get it!
When I worked at the cable company there were a couple of older folk who would call just to hear a friendly voice. Even if it was a strained friendly voice.
You were a dear to talk with her. Even if you don't know where she lives. You know, across from Rite Aid??
Oh that is so precious. I love you to death!!!!
Brad, OH Brad...where are you?
Just checking in on ya... :)
That is hilarious! I may need to come up there and meet Vinnie!
dude, this is the funniest thang that i have ever read. you have the patience of job.
i think that i would rather teach gangbangers with those little ankle restriction bracelets every day than deal with vinnie.
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