Lately, I have been making an effort to notice the humor in my every day life.

Sometimes it is a little more obvious than other times.

Someone asked me if I staged this picture. All of you who have cats can laugh with me about that idea.

Other times, finding the humor is a little more of a challenge.

A couple of months ago, my car radio started malfunctioning so the dealership ordered me a new one. They installed the radio into the car and mentioned to me that I needed to call Sirius to switch the service to the new radio.

Right away, I recognized the potential for disaster. I remembered my long and painful conversation with Sirius when I set up the account.

Knowing from the previous experience what information was needed, I retrieved the number off the new radio and made the call.

Of course I first went through about five minutes of a combination of choosing options and being on hold.

Eventually a representative answered and gave me his name as Alex. I am pretty certain that is not his real name.

Alex and I then proceeded to have a forty-five minute discussion.

Alex: To whom am I speaking?

Me: LeeAnn.

Alex: Leon, how can I help you?

[This was my first indication that this was not going to go well. I plowed forward regardless.]

Me: Alex, I have a Volkswagen and the dealer replaced my radio as the old one was defective. I now need to transfer my Sirius radio from the old radio to the new one.

Alex: Ok Leon, what is the radio id number for the old radio?

Me: I don’t know, I don’t have it.

Alex: Where is it?

Me: Uh, I guess at the dealership.

Alex: Ok, so you got a new car, Leon?

Me: No, Alex, I got a new radio.

[At this point, the simultaneous internal dialogue with myself starts. Hold it together Leon. Do NOT lose your temper.]

Alex: What kind is it?

Me: The car or the radio?

Alex: The car.

Me: A Volkswagen.

Alex: Oh ok, where is the Volkswagen?

[I start looking for the nearest wall to bang Leon’s head against.]

Me: In my garage …

Alex: Can you tell me the id number for the radio that was first in the Volkswagen?

Me: I have the id number for the new radio, but not the old one. Can’t you get that from my account?

Alex: Well Leon, I am looking at your account now. Why do you have two Sirius radios on your account?

Me: Uh … because my husband has one as well.

Alex: Oh, very good. Well do you drive the Ford?

Me: No, I drive the Volkswagen. My husband drives the Ford.

[Inexplicably, I become annoyed with my husband.]

Alex: Leon, do you know the radio id number for the Ford?

Me: No, I do not. Don’t your records show what the radio id number for the radio that was in the Volkswagen is?  I distinctly remember having to give that information when I set up the account.

Alex: Yes, but I just wanted to make sure, Leon.

[Leon recognizes the need to wave the white flag.]

Me: Alex, you know, I have changed my mind. Can you please just cancel this order instead of transferring it?

Alex: Ok, but I have to send you to another person for that. Before I do, though, may I ask for the reason for canceling?

Me: Yes, Alex. … I don’t really listen to the radio.

The end result?

Leon felt I felt pretty good about myself and laughed the rest of the week about the exchange.

The humor is there in all of our lives; sometimes you just have to look for it.