I've organized a boy scout trip to a university about 90 miles from home for the kids to earn a variety of merit badges. The trip is tomorrow (January 22).
- Six weeks ago, I arranged for drivers.
- A month ago, I reminded the scouts who signed up and their parents to mark the date on their calendar.
- A week ago, I e-mailed them all again with our specific travel logistics.
- A day ago, I e-mailed them a condensed recap of the same information. I provided my e-mail address and cell number in each message.
Middle Tennessee got a bit of snow last night. I knew it was on its way, and I told everyone I would e-mail, call, send smoke signals, or whatever else it took to communicate any changes in our travel plans. The snow wasn't a big deal, the roads are clear, and all systems are 'go'.
But then I got a call this morning from one of the scouts. Are we still going? Are we car pooling? What time are we meeting? What time are we getting back?
Huh? I told him all that information was sent in multiple e-mails and suggested he and his parents read it. He then gave the phone to his mother who asked me the same questions. So I told her the same thing.
Then I got this response. "Oh, we're over our data limit for our Verizon plan this month. So we're not getting any e-mails for now. That's not the best way to communicate with us." I responded with silence on my end.
She then said she also wanted to go on the trip to look around the campus and visit the engineering building to see if its a school where her kid might want to go. Noble goal I thought - let's see where this goes.
Her: Can I catch a ride there? You know, to look around the campus and all?
TMC: I don't mind your going. However, all seats are accounted for with the 3 drivers I've got. So you'll have to drive separately.
Her: Well, I'm not a snow driver.
TMC: The roads are fine. I was at the office by 7:30 this morning.
Her: But what about there?
TMC: I don't know. I'm not there. I'm here, but I'm certain they are fine - and will be even more so by tomorrow morning.
Her: Well, I really want to go to see if this is a university where my son might want to go.
TMC: As I said, you are welcome to go. I just don't have room for you in our vehicles.
Her: I'm not wanting to go just for fun. I want to go to help us make this important decision about college.
TMC: Time for me to go. I have a meeting to go to...uh, um...right now.
Her: OK. Well, let us know if there are more updates today. Just don't send them by e-mail since we don't have any internet access right now.
TMC: [Click]
Cue Antoine Dodson. She's so dumb. Really dumb. Furreal.
TMC
Oh dear...you handled that with more grace than most people would have!! -Lois
ReplyDeleteWow - I just had a flashback to our boy scout days. Sounds just like our group. I miss the boys, but I don't miss the parents.
ReplyDelete