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03/09/2003 Archived Entry: "Making my move"

Moving is easy, planning it is more difficult. Today we've stayed at home to get some stuff done. My task this morning was figuring out who has our address, and which ones of those need to get our new one. It's surprising how many companies and government agencies know where I live, what my phone number is, what my cell number is, and even what my email address is. It's also surprising how few places I decide should not be updated. I'm a horrible slave to the system and as much as I'd like to keep that info secret, the services these organizations provide is important to me.

The worst part of all of this is that I am sure even those places that I did not update will eventually be able to track me down anyway. There is just too much information sharing between disparate places.

...I am looking forward to changing my phone number though...maybe the telemarketeers will have to take a break.

Speaking of which...I was once one of them. For about a year I sold 'duct cleaning' over the phone, calling people and interrupting their dinners to prey on their fears of dust, mites and bacteria living in the chambers that supply warmth throughout their house. I gave it up after calling a woman to follow up on a conversation I'd had with her husband, only to find out that between the two calls he'd been killed in a car accident. I still remember the pain and tears in her voice, and the money wasn't worth ever doing that again. I moved on to calling businesses to sell emergency medical oxygen supply canisters for offices, but the drive was gone and I was ending up making two calls a day before I was let go. Months later I tried to work at a charity, begging donations over the phone...I lasted one day before I told them that I couldn't do it. I even told them to keep their money.

I could never do anything similar again, though I no longer fear talking to -anybody- on the phone.

For those who I called: My apologies...I really hate that part of my life.