Emmm-burr-a-sin’
A technician from the alarm company came to the store last night to fix the keypad on our back door. Which I had called in. Which, it turns out, was not actually broken. Apparently my brain was broken. Is broken? Anyway, this is what happened:
Two days ago, I was really busy at work, taking care of lots of big and small tasks and trying to clear as much as I could off the monstrosity of a to-do list that is Retail. I had used back door already, but when I needed to go out again, the keypad wouldn’t work. I put in my code and, not really paying attention like I should, turned my key without looking to see if the alarm had shut off. It hadn’t. As soon as I turned the key, the alarm sounded right in my ear. I kept re-entering my code but it just Would. Not. Work. Darn this thing.
15 alarm-blaring minutes and two phone technicians later, the alarm company finally got it silenced. Well, everything seems to be working now, no problem. Then she carefully explains the proper way to use the keypad/store key combination. I carefully explain to her that I KNOW how to do it. I do it properly every day. I used this door earlier this morning. Properly. This is not a case of user error (My Dear!), this is a keypad issue.
So I do what I need to do, but when I come back inside and attempt to set the alarm, it doesn’t work. The alarm simply refuses to set. Next thing you know, that pulsating sound is filling the air again. Back on the phone. Again. Nothing is working, even on their end. The tech finally gets the alarm cut off, but the keypad won’t respond to my code at all. Okay, she’s sending someone out.
Cut to last night when the technician asks me, “Are you sure you’re using the right code? Because my code is working fine. Do you want to call the alarm company and check?”
So, in my mind, I’m thinking, “You ask me that? You dare? I’ve used this code for 9 months. I’ve had about 20 codes for multiple stores all over this district in the four years I’ve been with this company, including a code to the warehouse. I am somebody who has codes, who does not forget her codes, who has never NOT used the right code.”
What I said was, “Okay.”
My code to this store is the easiest code ever. It’s like RSTT. I used it to key into the building that morning. I used it to unlock the back door mid-day. And somehow, like an hour later, I completely convinced myself that my code was RRST. How does that happen? And I was convinced. I just knew I was keying in the correct code.
Never-mind.
I could feel the blush creeping up my neck and onto my face as I apologized for bringing him out to the store for nothing. “I’m really embarrassed.” He said it happens more than you think, and it even happens to him sometimes. I choose to believe that. Turns out he had to fix something else that was wrong, so I don’t feel entirely terrible.
So, once again I’m writing a post about how I did something stupid, silly, strange, had a brain-freeze, mind stopped working altogether, yes I’m getting old. Circle the one you think applies.
If even one of you complain in the comments about the ink on your screen, then I will not feel alone. (Sturdier Pot Ladies Unite!!)
♦ ♦ ♦
PS: Pithypants, please accept my sincere apologies for getting such a kick out of your magazine swipe. I thought of you that night, and I vowed to never, ever jinx myself like that again by laughing at the foibles of others. Wait, I just pictured it again. Still funny! Oh well, jinxed again – what silly thing am I going to do today?
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Items of Interest:
How quickly we forget… by Pithypants (in which, I am not alone in the short-circuiting brain wires dept.)
Once Upon a Time, I Could Multi-Task. by me (in which, obviously, I can’t)
What are you good at remembering? by seriouslysassymama
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steadily skipping stones 
My senior year of high school I forgot my locker combination over Christmas Break. I had to go to the office and have them look it up, and I got chewed out by the old bag behind the desk. Somehow I simply forgot the entire combination, and all the books I needed were in my locker. I was only 17, so imagine what I’m like now. I completely empathize with your plight.
That’s funny! But that old biddy had no reason to fuss – was it that hard to look up a combination?
I’ve been out of school for about a million years now, and I still occasionally have a stress dream about forgetting where my locker is or the combination. Sometimes it’s about forgetting all of my classes and having no idea where I’m supposed to go. There were a few times in real life when I came out of class and couldn’t remember for a minute where I was meant to go next.
Earlier this week I forgot the initials of my school. That I have been working at for 12 years. Don’t I have a score of T-Shirts with these initials blazed across the chest? Don’t I write these initials or type these initials 200 times a day? Hadn’t I just written the initials on 30 student response hand held units ? Why was I having a hard time recalling these initials when about to write on student response hand held unit number 31?
Unlike you, no one had to know.
Bless you for sharing! I was almost writing the post in my head, even as I was getting over my embarrassment. There are things that just need to be shared – then when other people say, “me too”, you don’t feel so stupid.
I can definitely relate to your example. It’s almost as if your brain has said, “okay, 1 thing too many, I’m taking a break.” Just total blankness.
Mine was more like a brain practical joke.
This happens to me all the time at work with the computer. I am on the computer all day. Data entry,accounts payable,purchase orders, vendor and model maintainence…Sometimes I cannot remember how to do something I have been doing for years. Or where a file is or what a code might be or where something is supposed to be posted.
Feel mighty stupid when I have to ask. Most often once the question is out of my mouth I remember whatever it is. Fortunately the peeps I work for are super nice.
That’s the thing – we’re always thinking and doing so much, multi-tasking, juggling numbers and whatnot. It’s no wonder that our brains revolt every once and a while! But I’m glad the people around you cut you some slack. 🙂
My former boss read my post and called me to tell me I made her feel better. Turns out she had just used her juicer without a cup under it to catch the juice, then put coffee grounds in her coffee maker without a filter. I think we need to slow down.
Poor thing, but I couldn’t help but chuckle. It’s always funny until it happens to you, huh? I think you’re absolutely right, it’s always go, go, go…do ten things at once. We are carrying around a lot of stuff in our heads, and sometimes I wonder if there’s any more room in there.
My step grandma called me to come out and fix her laptop yesterday. She couldn’t get into any of her games. I turned the computer on and clicked on a game and it opened. It’s okay we all have those days. Boy, do we all have those days! See, it just made a fun story to tell! 🙂
That’s funny, and I’ve totally had those moments when something just would NOT work…and then someone else comes along and pushes the button and magically everything is just perfect. Makes me nuts. But it does make for a fun story, you’re right. And I find that makes me feel better to get it out there and laugh at it myself. I’m just thinking that this is maybe my third or fourth post about doing something silly or ridiculous. I don’t know if it’s becoming a pattern for me, or if it’s just more noticeable because I’m writing about it. 🙂
Oh yes. Me too. Recently I have had to reset my facebook password three times. You may have read the post about when I put the passport in a *very* safe place. I’ve loaded the coffee machine with grounds but no water. Also grounds and water but no coffee pot. I have started the washing machine, added the soap and just walked away- no clothes in it, lid full open. Yeah.
Ah yes, passwords are a big one for me, too. I have my computer remember them because I can’t, but then I’m in real trouble if the computer fogets. I don’t drink coffee, but those are things I would do. And the passport thing rang big bells for me, too. I wrote about washing the machine not too long ago. Haha, actually, I think you commented. I’m finding that I’m writing more and more about the silly things I do. But it helps to hear I’m not the only one.
See? I’m even forgetting what forgetful things I’ve done that I’ve already told on myself for.
🙂