good article, too depressing to comment on.

Today I was on the phone with my bank, trying to get some relief. They were trying to get a payment out of me on a high interest debt account and I told the dude, "I don't know, man. I mean, I get an unemployment check and if I can cover it this week, I will; if not, you'll freeze my account and I'll eat beans until my next check, which will definitely be enough... but still I'm just revolving, right? Like, I pay so much a month and it just goes towards interest and fees, right?"

The guy could tell I was desperate, I know he could hear the fear and hopelessness in my voice, so he asked, "Well, you say you're on a fixed income? How much do you make a month?" I told him and he said they can change it so I will pay less than half what I was paying every month, with no interest or fees, all payments on the principle, so I can clear the debt in five years (as opposed to never). Then he asked, "So you would classify your situation as 'hardship?'"

I responded, "Well, yeah, in a manner of speaking," and he said, "Understatement of the year, sorry, I have to ask that. Hold on, let me make sure you're eligible for this program," and he put me on hold, and I shit you not, Bessie Smith came blaring through the receiver:

"NO-O-O-O-BODY KNO-OWS YOU! WHEN YOU'RE DO-O-O-OWN AND O-O-OUT!"

And by the time the guy got back on the phone to tell me I was all squared away and that I'd be getting a call in a couple of days to formalize the deal, I was just about crying with laughter. I told him about the fine selection of hold music, and he said, "Damn, who chooses that shit? Sorry, man."

I said, "No way man, you just made my day."

Some days life bludgeons you a little less than it did the day before; some days it downright tickles.

It's great that you're able to see the humour in a situation like that HJ. It's how you keep life liveable.

But still; hardship. Man, that's tough. I wish you veel sterkte (lit. a lot of strength).

The bank just called to tell me they rejected my relief request, no reason given; then they demanded the original payment. When I said, "Oh, this is terrible," she said, "It's only a credit card, sir." You have no idea what you're talking about, you creep.

Being beaten down like this is really starting to wear on my nerves. I think I'm gonna puke.