Life: It's A Love / Hate Sort Of Thing

I have had a lot to love about my life recently, but there are a couple of things that I have really hated recently as well.  And since I am almost positive that I am not the only one feeling this way, I am going to share the things that have really bugged me lately.

1.  The News 
This is what I heard on the news the other day at work in the course of 10 minutes.

• 3 college students killed in a car crash (that wasn't their fault) and two more remain hospitalized.
• The final shooting victims of the Chardon shootings will be laid to rest this week.
• Gas prices are on the rise and are likely only to continue to go higher.
• A 10 year old boy died after the gun his 13 year old brother was handling went off, shooting him in the stomach.  The 10 year old is dead and the 13 year old will likely face time in juvenile detention for involuntary manslaughter.

Are you feeling depressed yet?  I know I was!  And that was after just 10 minutes.  This is why, when I can control it, I don't even watch the news.  Most of the stories are either fear based or just down right depressing.

2.  The Elections
How many times have you received a political call over the last week?  I'd say I was receiving about 5 a day.  Here is what I want to know:

• Why don't political calls fall under the "Do Not Call List"?  If I don't want telemarketers calling me I certainly don't want politicians calling me!
• Why do they have to call more than once a day?  Anything beyond that is harassment as far as I'm concerned.
• Why don't I have the option to talk to an actual person?  All of the call were recordings.  There was never any option to talk to a real, live, living, breathing, human being.  Therefore, I never even had the chance to tell them that I think their candidate is a weenie and to STOP calling!  (I, of course, would have said it nicely!)

All I have to say is, I'm glad the primaries are over and I don't have to worry about them calling anymore...at least until about October.

3.  Charities
My husband and I give money where and when we can to our church and to various charities.  There are certain charities that we give faithfully to each year.  The one thing that we ask of them is that they only call once a year.  Here are the problems I have had lately:

• These problem charities (2 specifically) call several times a day when they want money.  It's been up to 8 times a day and at all hours of the day.  Seriously, again, anything more than once is just plain old harassment.
• They automatically assume that we will be sending them money again when we do finally speak to them.  I realize we have continued to support these charities, but don't just assume we will be sending you money.  That bugs me.
• They will outright lie to your face, just to get you send money to them.  The one I talked to the other day said, "We know that you asked to only be called once a drive, and we honored that.  We are starting a new drive.  You have been so gracious in the past to donate to us and we appreciate it.  We will go ahead and send out the envelope for this drive to you."
  So I said, "I believe what we asked is that we only be called once a year and I have already given to you for this year."
  "No ma'am.  We just started the drive for 2012.  You have not given to us."
  I'm sitting there thinking:  Grrrrr.  Don't tell me what I have and have not done.  I keep record of these things.  I know I have already given for this year.  So unless someone lied to me the last time and told me it was for 2012 when it wasn't (the donation was given in 2011), just so I would send you guys more money, then I have already given to you for this year.  Either way, you aren't getting anymore money.  And if you are going to continue to harass me, tell me I'm wrong, and lie to me, then I won't send you money anymore and just ask that you call me never again!  I instead said politely:  "I'm sorry, but when I donated the last time, I was told it was for the 2012 drive.  I have already given for this year so please don't contact me again until the 2013 drive begins."
  Then she just hung up on me.  I was perfectly nice to her and she was totally rude.  Seems to me you'd be a bit nicer to people you want money from in the future!

I know charities do a lot of good and it feels good to give money to people and support causes, but I don't want to do it if I'm being treated rudely and being lied to!

But that's just life isn't it.  Not everything is going to be sunshine and roses.  Venting has made me feel worlds better and hopefully has made you feel like you aren't alone if you have been in the same boat I have been in lately.

Sincerely,
The Grouch