Voicemail. It’s a love-hate relationship for me. Most days I love it. It allows me to screen my calls (“Yeah. I’ll call you back. Riiiiight.”), let irate clients blow off their steam before I talk to them in person (“I am so sorry you feel that way. Is there anything I can do?”) and it can be replayed over and over and over. (“Hi hun. I was just thinkin’ about you. Call me. Lovin’.”)

I don’t even mind leaving voicemails. I can break bad news with tact (“Sorry. Somewhere along the line we must have lost that check.”), leave vague but professional messages (“Due to compliance regulations we are unable to accommodate your wishes at this time.”) and plan exactly what I am going to say without interruption (“I understand how you were confused by this, but unfortunately it is not something we can do.”)

Today I HATE it. I have several people I have been playing phone-tag with (not nearly as fun as it sounds) and it is really starting to get on my nerves. All I need to do is actually TALK to these two people and I can go home for the day. That’s it. Then I can start my weekend. But nooooooo. I keep getting their damn voicemail. Urgggh.

On the other hand, voicemail is waaaaay better than that goddamn busy signal.