Not Only Deaf--Today I Was Mute

Every now and then I feel sorry for myself.

I had a meeting today up in Northbrook and I knew I couldn't make it up there.  So after I dropped the oldest kiddo off at football camp, I headed to the nearest Panera Bread to set up the laptop and call into the meeting. After several attempts to connect to the WIFI, I finally settled back to make the call.

The first attempt at calling the conference number via a text relay service resulted in a message:  "The number appears not to be located in the U.S."  I tried again, same message.

I got off the AOL IM and switched to a web-based application.  Finally, the number and the passcode went through.

I announced myself and sat back to watch the conversations.   Using text relay is not my favorite way to call into meetings, as the operator often has a difficult time keeping up with the conversations.  Sure enough, I was seeing summaries and snippets of conversations.  People forgot to identify themselves so sometimes I didn't know who was talking.  I reminded everyone to slow down and indentify themselves.

The meeting was a frustrating one to say the least.  I found myself trying to interrupt and get a word in edgewise, but it wasn't happening.  Finally, I asked the operator, "Are you voicing for me?"

"No," was the response. "It's the policy of conference calls to place the call on mute."

I could feel my ears start to steam. 

Mute-- I was on MUTE the whole time.  Not a word that I said was conveyed to anyone at the meeting.

I wanted to scream.