Although we are definitely a "spiritual and woo-woo" sort of family around here, I have never much gotten into the whole astrology thing. I also know that it is currently Mercury Retrograde which is traditionally associated with the typical SNAFU's of life becoming greater and more intense than normal.
As I have mentioned, Mrs. Denmarkguy currently finds herself in Texas, helping a friend pack up her house and make it ready to put on the market for sale.
Extreme macro close=up of tiny flower
While waiting for a truck to be fixed, she has been going everywhere by Uber... yesterday, the mechanic finally called to say the truck was ready to be picked up.
Meanwhile, aforesaid friend with the house actually lives in the Atlanta, GA area.
So here's what happens (true story!): While Mrs. Denmarkguy is in the Uber on her way to the auto repair shop, she gets a text from her friend (in Atlanta) to the effect of "I'm in a life threatening emergency, please call 911!" Of course, let's remember that Mrs. Denmarkguy isn't at her computer, but in an Uber, somewhere in Central Texas.
So then I get a text from Mrs Denmarkguy, asking me to get a hold of the 911 dispatch in this town in Georgia. Keeping in mind, that I am in Washington state, and Mrs. Denmarkguy is in Texas. Both of which are "many states over" from Georgia.
Of course, the problem is that when you pick up the phone and dial 911, you get your local dispatch. And 911 is not a "network," so the local operator can't just connect you to some other part of the country. And they are not happy you're wasting their time.
So then I'm on the computer, trying to find the police department in this town in Georgia... and the clock is ticking. I figure I'm just going to try for any of the listed numbers that might actually be staffed by a live person rather than an automated answering system. I dream of the day when telephones were answered by people, rather than robots.
Hummingbird, enjoying our feeder
Eventually, I call the "report an accident" number... and actually do get a person. I explain as concisely as I can what's going on (granted, the convolutions of the story are pretty incredible), only to be firmly told that I need to call 911. So then I need to explain the predicament of not being able to call 911 from six states away.
"Well, then your friend needs to call 911, herself!"
Tick-tock, tick-tock...
Very patiently, but very insistently, I agree that's true and I explain that I appreciate that completely, and thank you, but right now WE ARE LOOKING AT A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION and could you just send a patrol car to the location. NOW. And I'll be sure to pass along the helpful message to my friend, at a better time.
And finally, it happens. A car is dispatched.
I can't say that I ever want to deal with something like that, ever again!
Yes, the cops showed up, it was in fact a dangerous situation; but thankfully nobody was hurt. And the violent psychotic daughter — who was off her meds — was "talked off her ledge" by the officers.
All in a day's work, during Mercury Retrograde.
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Created at 190710 23:42 PST
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