Invalid Number

[Ring!]

Me: Hello?

Caller: Is this Twice?

Me: Yes. [Check Caller ID. It's my OB/GYN Office]

Caller: Hello Twice. This is Nellie at OB/GYN Office. We just got the payment you sent in. I need to verify the credit card number as I seem to be missing some of the numbers.

Me: O.K. But, let me call you back so I know who I'm giving the number to.

Caller: Oh, sure, I'm at extension XXXX

[Call OB/GYN office. Wait on hold five minutes. Explain I need to talk to billing. Wait to be transferred. Get disconnected. Call back. Etc. Eventually talk to Nellie.]

Me: Sorry it took a little while, the phones must be busy there.

Nellie: No problem.

Me: The number is 1234 5678 9101 1121

Nellie: That is the number I have here. It says it is invalid.

Me: What?

Nellie: I must be missing some numbers.

Me: Let's check them.

[Nellie reads them back to me]

Me: Yes, that is right.

Nellie: But that number comes back invalid.

Me: Is the expiration date wrong?

Nellie: No, I didn't even get that far, it just says invalid number when I entered it. So that is why I thought I must be missing some numbers.

Me: I don't know what to tell you, we've had this number for years. I do not have it wrong, and we used the card 20 minutes ago. Did you enter the type of card as Visa?

Nellie: No, we don't have to enter the type, the system figures it out and it just said invalid number when I entered it. And the number I tried before calling you is the same as the number you just gave me.

Me: Um...

Nellie: Well how about this. Would you like me to try to put it in again?

Things I learned while grading one of my final exams

1. "Larger wavelengths have trouble fitting through photomultiplier tubes."

2. "One advantage of X-ray [technique] is that is uses X-rays."

On Books and Shoes

I met my honor's class for the last time today and gave them each a science-related general interest book for summer reading. Among the books I handed out: Bright Earth by Philip Ball (to the Art major), Critical Mass by the same author (to the student interested in nuclear issues and politics), Cities in the Wilderness by Bruce Babbitt (to the student interested in sustainability), and Oxygen (the play) by Carl Djerassi and Roald Hoffmann (to the theater major).

I do this occasionally for non-majors in small (<10 students) classes when I've enjoyed their enthusiasm (and I think they will read and enjoy them). I also give books as graduation presents to our majors. Total cost for the non-major class: $105.73. (Paperbacks, nothing fancy.) I figure I bought these and these for myself recently for no defensible reason^*, so what is $106 to support lifelong learning in science?

 

 

^*Other than my obsession with Reebok Freestyle hitops which I've been wearing for 25 years.

Things I forgot to do today

1) Wash my hair

2) Show up for a review session that I scheduled for 11 a.m.

3) Buy cooking oil

Not really what I was expecting

Dalton: Here you go!

Me: What?

Dalton: Take this!

Me: Uh O.K. What is it?

Dalton: [Hands me a booger]

Me: Ew!

Some numbers from a weekend wedding

Number of days between finding out about Dr. H's brother's wedding and the wedding itself: 20

Number of times this wedding has been scheduled: 2

Number of times this wedding has been canceled: 1

Number of times we have purchased plane tickets for this wedding: 2

Hours spent this weekend engaged in air transit with two children under four: 16

Minutes children slept during this time (combined total): 6

Minutes required to check into hotel room at 2 a.m. Saturday morning: 35

Hours spent driving in rental car with two or more children under four: 5

Number of children of mine who are girls: 1

Number of children of mine who wore dresses to the wedding: 2

Hours spent away from home this weekend: 46

Number of suitcases arriving home with us: 0