MetaChat - what a wake-up

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16 July 2008

what a wake-up I'm sitting here in my pyjamas→[More:] Woke to a new message from my mother, telling me that my sister was in trouble and needed URGENT (her caps) help - she's on holiday in Thailand.

Mum's in another timezone too- so she had sent the text at 1am, and I didn't wake up. so now it's 7am, and I'm trying to get in contact with them all - find out what the fuck happened, and they're all fobbing me off because they're tired.

What I *think* happened, was that Jen had her money stolen, but she's got her passport and other documents safe, so it was just cash and an australian sim card that she said was lost.

I hate it when people start screaming URGENT URGENT URGENT at you, but won't really give you the information you need when you drop everything and run to them, because it's slightly inconvenient.

Dammit - I could still be hitting the snooze button.

post by: jonathanstrange at: 16:16 | 9 comments

I agree -- and besides, WTF? did they think YOU could do?

posted by lleachie 16 July | 16:19

Apparently mum wanted me to send her some money - it's even more confusing because the friend she's over there with, Annabelle, has the same nickname as me, Belinda... so Jen refers to us BOTH as Bel.

Bel2 - namely not me - lent her some money, so she's ok, but didn't have bank details or anything to give me so I can give her the money back.

She won't say what happened - except "it's a long story, I'll tell you when I see you". She sounded upset on the phone, but wouldn't talk, so I have no way of knowing what she's done, or how she really is.

And I have to get up now, go to work, and I'd really rather be in bed.

posted by jonathanstrange 16 July | 16:31

You seem so calm, because I'd be pretty pissed off. Especially as they leave a horrifying message, and won't tell you the details. I hope everything is okay with your sister.

posted by redvixen 16 July | 17:49

To tired to be anything else - mainly as it isn't CALM - more zonked. Also - I managed to speak to her, and, as she isn't in any immediate danger, I've decided I'm to tired to care.

posted by jonathanstrange 16 July | 18:44

stay cool.

you're All too tired it seems... to discuss the issue: the reason for the Urgent call,
can you see it¿
time to start communicating, Damn it./

Long distance phone rates are generally cheap and if it's a bloody emergency, then spend the nickel and tell me WTH is going on AND what can I do to help.
The short version...

I've experienced the same and more though...
turned out to be bullshit, to have some, go way cross country to find out there is NO 'URGENT ++' as described at all, save the emotional manipulation, thanks.

Good to hear it was not life threatening for your sister.

posted by alicesshoe 16 July | 22:17

The last time I pulled out an "Urgent" card, my man borrowed a car and drove me from Copenhagen to Luleå without barely stopping for a wee (it took twelve or thirteen hours). It was also the last time I saw my grandfather so hey, I called a proper urgent.

posted by dabitch 17 July | 07:47

My grandmother gave me an "urgent" the other day. I had all sorts of fears... mom snapped and did something rash, someone was in the hospital, someone was dead.
nope.
when i finally got her on the phone hours later "want to go to the chinese buffet with me and your uncle john tomorrow?"

posted by kellydamnit 17 July | 10:56

My mom pulled an URGENT card (on the phone) once after a loose-lipped and ignorant (not to mention mistaken) x-ray tech pointed out the shadows on her liver and said they were cancer.

I felt so miserable that day that a tear still springs to my eye just thinking about it, even though it was a long time ago and a total false alarm. Now there's a big lump in my throat. I think I need to go take a walk. Jesus.

If you knew my mom you'd feel the same way.

posted by Hugh Janus 17 July | 11:08

Hey, I'm up and worried, so I figured you'd want to be awake and worried, too. Right?

posted by theora55 17 July | 16:30

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