Just Relaxed Blog

Tag: communication proble

  • The Great Phone Number Mix-Up of 2023 (And Why I Keep Getting Called ‘Brenda’)

    The Great Phone Number Mix-Up of 2023 (And Why I Keep Getting Called ‘Brenda’)





    The Great Phone Number Mix-Up of 2023 (And Why I Keep Getting Called ‘Brenda’)

    The Case of the Missing Pizza

    “Hi, is Brenda there?” the voice on the other end chirped. I glanced at my phone. Wrong number? Nope, this was definitely my number. “Uh, you’ve got the wrong number,” I responded, a little confused. “There’s no Brenda here.” The voice on the other end gave a confused sound, mumbled an apology, and hung up.

    No big deal, right? Wrong numbers happen. Except, this one didn’t seem to want to stay wrong. Over the next few days, the calls kept coming. “Hey Brenda, it’s your hairdresser, confirming your appointment tomorrow?” “Brenda, your prescription is ready!” And my personal favorite, “Brenda! Where’s the pizza? I’m starving!”

    Brenda (And Get My Phone Back)

    This was getting ridiculous. I mean, I love pizza as much as the next person, but I draw the line at being responsible for someone else’s pepperoni cravings. I decided to take matters into my own hands. I started by answering the phone with, “Brenda’s phone, who’s this?” hoping to piece together the mystery.

    Turns out, “Brenda” was having a pretty interesting life. She was apparently a hairdresser herself (awkward!), had a dog named Sparky, and a serious online shopping addiction, judging by the sheer volume of delivery notifications I was getting. This was more information than I ever wanted to know about a stranger, but it did give me an idea.

    The Wrong Number That Was Actually Right

    I decided to use my newfound knowledge of Brenda’s life to track her down online. After all, how many hairdressers named Brenda with a dog named Sparky could there be in my city? Turns out, not that many. I found a likely candidate on social media and sent her a message.

    “Hi Brenda, I think we might have a phone number mix-up…” I typed, feeling ridiculous. To my surprise, she responded almost immediately. It turned out, Brenda had just switched phone carriers and somehow, in a cosmic comedy of errors, we’d ended up with each other’s numbers.

    We had a good laugh about the situation (and her online shopping habits). She promised to contact her phone company and get things sorted. In the meantime, we agreed to act as each other’s personal assistants, relaying messages and even intercepting the occasional pizza delivery.

  • My Love-Hate Relationship with Voice Notes (and Why I Still Send Them)

    My Love-Hate Relationship with Voice Notes (and Why I Still Send Them)

    My Love-Hate Relationship with Voice Notes (and Why I Still Send Them)

    The Day Voice Notes Almost Ruined My Life (It Wasn’t That Serious)

    Picture this: I’m elbow-deep in a bag of chips, engrossed in the latest true crime documentary, when my phone buzzes. It’s a voice note from my best friend. “Ooh,” I think, “juicy gossip!” I press play, expecting a thrilling tale of romantic mishaps or workplace drama. Instead, I’m subjected to three minutes of incoherent rambling about a sale at the grocery store. Don’t get me wrong, I love my friend, but three minutes of my life I’ll never get back! That, my friends, is the double-edged sword of the voice note.

    Voice Notes: The Good, the Bad, and the Hilarious

    We’ve all been there. Sometimes, a voice note is a godsend. Need to relay a long, complicated story on the go? Voice note! Want to share your excitement about finding the perfect avocado at the supermarket? Voice note! However, like any powerful tool, it can be misused.

    Take, for instance, the time my dad sent me a voice note instead of just answering my question. “Hey Dad,” I texted, “what’s the wifi password again?” What followed was a 47-second audio odyssey, complete with dramatic pauses and heavy breathing, as he navigated to the router and read the password out loud…one agonizing…character…at…a…time.

    And then there’s the infamous “accidental voice note.” We’ve all sent them (or been on the receiving end). Those snippets of background noise, muffled conversations, or worse – embarrassing singing – that make you want to disappear into the floor. Yes, voice notes can be a minefield of awkwardness.

    Why I Still Hit “Send” on That Voice Note

    So, why, you ask, do I subject myself and others to this emotional rollercoaster? Well, despite their pitfalls, I can’t deny the appeal of voice notes. Here’s why:

    • They’re personal: Hearing someone’s voice adds a level of warmth and connection that text just can’t replicate. It’s like a mini-conversation, without the pressure of real-time responses.
    • They’re efficient (sometimes): Let’s be honest, typing is so last century. Sometimes, it’s just faster and easier to blurt out your thoughts into the void (er, I mean, to your friend).
    • They’re entertaining: Let’s face it, some of my most hilarious conversations have been immortalized in voice note form. From silly accents to dramatic retellings, they’re like little audio time capsules of laughter.