Mother’s Day is always difficult. Since losing my mom I have found it difficult to enjoy the day. For the sake of my kids I try hard to grin and bear it.

Dealing with being fired isn’t helping. It has devastated me more than I could have ever imagined. Everybody says not to let it define me, but I can’t help but do that. Any good thing I’ve accomplished in my life has been negated by this one act. I have never felt so worthless. Self-esteem and confidence have completely disappeared.

The attorney I spoke to told me that everyone should be fired at least once so you can learn it’s not the end of the world. When do I learn that? Because right now it does feel like the end of the world.

awayfromearth:

I’m not going to ask you to stop whatever you’re doing and reblog this. But it would mean a lot if you did. This says so much…

This weekend I went to Palm Springs to celebrate my birthday and get some R and R.  Everything was going well until Sunday when it was time for the massage I had booked.  When to pay with my debit card.  DECLINED.

Embarrassing.  Luckily I had another card to use and I decided that I would deal with it later.   I continued to enjoy my day and my hubby’s card FROM THE SAME ACCOUNT was working fine so I didn’t think more about it. 

And then yesterday we did some shopping. Ok, I did some shopping but hubby did get a few things.  I tried using my card again.  This time as a debit card, complete with PIN.  Again, declined.  So now I call.  But I can’t get ahold of anyone because it’s a holiday and the service center is closed.

I was fortunate that I have two accounts with Bank of America.  I went online and transferred money to my other account and used that card without incident.  However..what if I hadn’t had that other account?  What would I have done if I was low on gas or needed cash for an emergency? 

This isn’t the first time this has occurred.  Over the summer while on vacation it occurred.  I was still in the same state I live in and tried to rent a fishing boat.  Declined.  It was 7am in the morning so I called the service center.  They then proceeded to ask me every question except what color panties I was wearing and then told me I had to talk to the ATM department to get the block lifted.  So, they transferred me. 

TO A DEPARTMENT THAT DIDN’T OPEN FOR ANOTHER TWO HOURS. 

This morning I marched into my local branch ticked off.  I explained to the person “helping” me that this was unacceptable.  She tells me it’s because of suspiciious activity. What suspicious activity?  She then proceeds to cite some of the electronic, ACH, and online purchases on my account.  Apparently that 6.99 charge from a wireless company was a cause for concern.  WHAT?

She then explains to me that it’s for my protection.  And this is the point I really want to argue.  It is not for my protection.  It’s for THEIR PROTECTION.  Because if your account is somehow compromised Bank of America doesn’t hold you liable for the losses. 

I explained to the representative that I really didn’t need their protection.  I have alerts set up. I get emails and texts if my balance falls below a certain amount, I get notified of every transaction made on the phone or online.   I also get alerts when a certain amount has been spent over a threshold that I have specified.  I have all the protection I need.

Also, I have had my account compromised.  Someone did steal my card number and used it on the other side of the country.  The thieves used it three times, however the third time I received an alert because it was over the threshold I had set.  I called the bank before they even called me to tell me about the suspicious activity. 

Not only that, but surely they can see I log into online banking every single day?  Surely they can see that I’m more than aware of what’s going on with my account.

You might say, ‘but Diva, is it such a big deal to call and let them know when you’re going out of town?’  Why yes it is.  I was two hours away for the love of Pete.  Also, recently when I traveled through Oregon, Washington, and Canada I did call them ahead of time.  This is how that went -

BOFA - Ok, we need your account number

Me - replied with information

BofA - and your mother’s maiden name

Me - replied with information

BofA - your social security number

Me - replied with information

BofA - the last check you wrote

Me - who still writes checks?  Oh yes, one to my trainer.

BofA - the last ATM transaction

Me - Withdrawal of $200

BofA - Okay, we’ve noted your account however we can’t guarantee this will prevent a block on your card.

WTH?

So the bank representative this morning proceeds to tell me there is nothing she can do.  I respond that I’m prepared to take my business across the parking lot to another bank.  She tells me that I can certainly do that if I so wish.  I ask her “what would I have done if I didn’t have another card this weekend?”  She replies “well, it’s lucky you have another card.”  WHAT?

So I stand up and prepare to leave.  I say to her “there isn’t anyone here that can help me with this, someone in charge?”  Her response “no ma’am, there’s nothing we can do.”  So I raise my voice - “so you are ok with me withdrawing all my money and taking it to another bank?”

By now, everyone is looking.  I’m pissed and I don’t care who knows it.  I grab my purse and prepare to walk out.  At this time the manager has noticed that there is an issue.  I pass her on my out and she asks if there is a problem.  And as loud as I can without screaming I say “yes, your bank lacks customer service and I’m tired of it.”

And then I walked out.

And now we have five accounts at CHASE.

Just an added note - the representative asked me if I called the Bank and then argued with me about it being closed.

The bank is to call me when they have a concern over “suspicious” activity, they didn’t.

My husband has had our account with Bank of America SINCE 1981.

oakmonster:

Throw that old Natalie Portman’s rap video out the mother fuckin’ window, yo!

Tonight is the last night of my journey. By this time tomorrow I will be home. Ten days and approximately 3000 miles later I can’t help but contemplate my journey.

When I left home ten days ago I had assumed I would spend a lot of time on my trip thinking about stuff that I needed to resolve. I didn’t do that at all. Without meaning to I put all that stuff on hold. Perhaps that explains the tight muscles, stiff neck, and several nights of insomnia?

Or maybe I’ve finally learned that it is okay if not everything is fixed right away. Maybe I have learned that it is okay if I don’t know what decision to make.

I am normally a very impulsive person. I don’t like loose ends. I like quick decisions that are implemented immediately. I like having my ducks in a row.

Maybe this part of me is changing. I don’t think that is a bad thing at all.

Walked a couple miles today on a trail that runs through the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve

Since I have been traveling this week I wanted to be proactive and contact my bank so that I didn’t have a problem using my card.  This recently occurred while I was on our camping trip and it was very annoying. 

On Monday, while on the road I called the bank.  After I entered my account number I was able to speak to a representative.  I then had to answer the following questions to prove that I was me -

my driver’s license number

my mother’s maiden name (BTW…having lost my mom - I hate this question)

my last ATM transaction

the last check I wrote that cleared the bank

After all of that they were fairly sure I was who I said I was.  I advised them of how long I was going to be gone and where I was going.

After all of that they told me they would note the account but there were still no guarantees that my card wouldn’t get locked.

WTF?

oakmonster:

Wrong! Everybody knows Lincoln always looks behind him because he’s a vampire hunter. Duh.

If we talk in IM, and you’re logged on, I don’t think I should have to start our conversation with “are you here” because you’re afraid that someone will see our conversation.  Especially if we don’t have conversations that you should be worried about.  So if I IM you to tell you about a dream I had and you were in it don’t text me all upset and worried.  Dude, I dreamed I had a dinner party and you were there with about twenty other people.  Good Lord.  Why do you assume I’m coming on to you?  Ugh.