Yesterday morning, I made a quick check of Social Media to make sure that the world did ok without me for a few hours. I only had a few minutes, because I had a very full Saturday. Just as I was getting ready to log off, some one messaged me and said, “Did you know your blog is gone?”
Whaaaaa? My blog was gone? I checked, and they were right – it was gone! In its place I had a dopey message saying that Middle-aged Mormon Man had expired. (Which is strange because I wasn’t even feeling sick. ba-da-bum.)
• At this point, I would like to express my sincere thanks to those of you who reached out to me yesterday to make sure that I was OK, and to check to see if I had really hung it up or not.
I started digging into the problem, went to my IP and contacted tech support via a chat window. I had to wait a half an hour, but that would be shorter than the 45 minute hold time on the phone.
The tech support rep, Gretchen, finally came online, and off we went. We checked this, and that, pointed dns numbers, cleared caches, flushed dns, propagated, etc.
Nothing.
Finally, after about an half-an-hour, the Gretchen stated that she knew what the problem was, and that she had forwarded it to another guy, who had it in his hands and was working on it. She reassured me that “George” would get it fixed shortly.
I waited. Hit reload, nothing. Waited some more. Hit reload, nothing. I am an hour into this already. “Shortly” apparently meant something different to them than to me.
So I contacted my tech support rep again. Suggested that maybe someone check on George to see if he was awake, or playing Candy Crush Saga on Facebook. She said he’s working on it, and that would issue a job ticket “shortly.” I suggested that I could carve a job ticket out of wood in less time than George was taking. She was not amused.
Another hour passed. My EC was about the house being productive, while I sat staring at my laptop, hitting reload – like a chimp waiting for it to trigger a banana to drop onto his keyboard.
Nothing. A mere 2.5 hours into my relationship with Gretchen, and neither of us were happy. It occurred to me that it was time to drop the bomb:
“I would like to escalate my chat to a supervisor.”
Gretchen asked me to wait, and said a supervisor would be with me shortly. I could not tell how she felt about it, but I don’t think she was happy.
A couple of minutes later, a supervisor came on. We discussed the problem, and within about 5 minutes it was fixed. Easy-peasy. I thanked him, reminded him to check George for a pulse, and he was gone.
Gretchen came back on the line and asked if there was anything else she could help me with. I ignored the obvious retort and simply asked, “If the supervisor could fix this issue so quickly, why wasn’t it fixed 3 hours ago?”
Gretchen replied, “The supervisor has authority to do things that I can’t do.”
I stretched my fingers, decided not to engage, and signed off. My morning was gone.
As most of you might know by now, I like to look at my experiences and try to find how they apply to life, and if there are scriptural, and gospel parallels. It didn’t take me long to think of one. It is a familiar story about the Savior, found in Matthew 17:14-21. (A longer, more detailed version is found in Mark 9: 14-29)
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Gustave Doré (1832-1883) “Jesus Healing the Lunatic” |
Loved this. Thanks.
I love the connection between the biblical story and your experience. I am sure it will come to mind next time I need help from a higher power, Probably very soon.
I am glad you sorted out your blog problems.
You make it sound so easy. I really want to do this but can’t make myself.
Oh Emily – I know it isn’t easy. Even in my tiny example it took me hours to even think of that option. The problem is that even though it is hard, nothing is gained by waiting. Be brave, do it, and don’t let any more time be wasted. You will be received with love, whether it be by the Savior, or one of his representatives.
Your comment was just what I needed to read today. I’ve been having some personal struggles and I’d forgotten where I needed to go with them. My personal ‘supervisor’ is waiting for me to bring my problems to him. Thank you.
So glad your blog is back. I checked it three or four times myself thinking maybe the next time it would appear and all would be well. Since I’m not on FB or any other social site, I had no way to let you know it was missing and I missed you. Glad everything is fixed!
Thank you. Another great truth that we need to be reminded of on a regular basis. It is interesting that there are real people behind Blogs, Working diligently to bring us our favorite inspirations or laugh of the day. I wonder if they read any of them. Perhaps you could convert someone in Blogdom and never be aware.
thank you! this has just been on my mind recently — stumbled across this scripture: And he said: Hear ye now, O house of David; is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? how about we go to the person who knows us the best, can help us the most and cares about us more than anyone. kind of one of those face palm moments. thanks for sharing!
great likening!
AuntSue
Thank you for such wisdom. Too often we forget our “Supervisor” is ready to help us.
I just love how you can take everyday experiences and turn them into teaching moments. I learn so much from your blog. Thank you for taking time to write this. (And to deal with tech support as needed…)
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I think sometimes I get frequently get caught up in the “go and do” of the gospel, that I forget there is a higher power I can go to when I need help. Thanks for the reminder.
I’d like to speak with “The Supervisor”….Nice!
Reminds me that we need to look to God so that we might truly live.
btw: I am a professional technical support provider and I can tell you that not all support personnel are created equal.
Awesome
This is a wonderful reminder that I needed this morning, MMM. Thank you! 🙂
What she said.
Great post! Just the reminder I needed today.