No matter what or how one tries to fly under the radar, they manage to find you!

First, I’m touched by your well wishes – I’m doing much better physically. Emotionally I’m still a little raw and I’m realising I’m angry. I’m not naturally a patient person (even if I’ll do things that will require lots of patience), but I’ve realised that I have no patience when it comes to dealing with stupidity. I don’t know if it’s because I’m angry or what, but since the accident I find I’m being exposed to A LOT of stupidity, in all different fields. Hubby says we’re “moron magnets”… he might be right.

This morning I received a Notice of Assessment from one of our governments. I was wondering what was taking so long for me to get this, since normally with one month or so we receive it. As I’m reading it, I see that they are charging me $8.85 in interests. I keep on reading and can’t help that ball of fury coming up my throat, WTF is wrong this time? I know it’s a small amount, but I paid on time and I think I’m contributing enough to the government funds as is.

I called their information services and was answered by a man with a thick accent. He was somewhat helpful and transferred me to the accounting department. That time I landed on a lady who had one speed (in her tone) and fast it was not. I had to re-explain the situation, re-identify myself to be told they had received my cheque on May 30th. Impossible since I sent my payment with my tax report (my cheque was stapled to it) on April 29th (yes it was close, but it was prior to April 30th). She proceeded to tell me in a very slow fashion (you know the type where you complete their sentences, and not because you’re soul mates?) that I will have to request an inquiry as to why, when, etc. At that point I thanked her and hung up.

I accessed our bank account online to see when that cheque was cashed and if I had messed up and maybe dated it wrong. With a print out in hand, and my postal receipt showing that four envelopes were mailed on April 29th, at the post office I had all the proof I needed, so I called back. This time I landed on a lady with an European French accent, who also transferred me to their accounting department. I explained, again (for the fourth time – can you feel the anger building up? No? It was, trust me!)  what & when things were sent. I’m put on hold for a good fifteen minutes to be told: “You’re right, your cheque was attached to your report and dated April 30th, 2010. It seemed it was entered in our system with a wrong date. I will issue a credit and will send you a statement that your balance for 2009 is in fact at zero.” It will cost me $1.50 in bank charges for seeing that cheque, but it was worth it.

It’s strange to me, to call the same number and to end up with two complete different versions: one I had to prove my innocence and the other where they actually dug a little and saw… Competence is a specie on its way to be extinct… sad but oh so true.