There is a pattern emerging lately. I used to be the computer go to girl round these parts, but my ON has affected my vision to the point that I am no longer comfortable stariing at computer screens all day. I found a very nice young man who is willing to take on my clients, and even makes house calls. While he isnt free, he has agreed to a sliding scale for those over 65 or disabled.

As each old customer has been in my path lately, I have been handing out his card, and telling them that next time, they need to call him to fix thier machine, that I am no longer able to help. Each one starts out by saying "oh I heard about your eye sight and that is horrible, tell me what is going on." (good start, yeah?) and as you start to explain it, they interupt you, walk on what you are saying, and trample on your story to tell you about aunt suzie or what happened to them, or start talking about other subjects that are completely far off from either computers, or vision/health issues.

I have been caring for these folks for about 5 years and have listened to some wild stories, and I am attentive, caring and interested, but it just seems that when it comes my turn to talk no one cares! I am easily dismissed, and quickly talked over.

Makes me wonder how many pretended to care simply to get free help, and how many really appreciated it, or how many are just plain old angry at me that now they have to pay for services after 5 years of either free or extremely low cost HOME visits!

The last client today is a retired preacher man, and he books cruises around the world for next to nothing because he is the ships pastor. (its his JOBto listen, no?) so, when he showed to pick up his wifes computer he was polite and said some silly coment about his ears and my eyes...then made a segway into his own health. He directly asked me what was going on with my eyes, and I started to answer, but he kept cutting me off, so I said "ah..there are just tired. its time for me to retire in full, and travel." That seems to be the only answer anyone wants to hear. They all want to tell me THEIR bad news, but dont want to listen to mine!

meh...im done anyway. This was my next to last client to turn over, so...I guess I shall seek out people that care about ME and not about my computer wiz skills. My rich neighbor is quite miffed at me for not even wanting to talk about her machine. NO NO NO! tell it to the new guy please. I cant help you.

Sigh...Anyone else feel like they are a sounding board for others, but when it comes to your turn, it gets skipped?