....because I could hear your entire conversation.

Every year, we book a room for the 3rd of July fireworks event at the local horse track. It's a great time because:
A: You're in an air conditioned window room watching horse races in July
B: It's horse races! Fun!
C: After dark is a fabulous fireworks show
D: Most people don't have to work on July 4th, so nobody really cares that they're out late

This year July 3rd falls on a Saturday. Even better! Even better for my friends, my company is paying for everyone. (you know, the one that I own- - tee hee)

So I called a couple of weeks ago to book the event. I was told that I had to wait until June 15th. OK, fine. I called at 9am (when they open) on June 15th and was told that I'd have to wait until today (June 19th).

I called today and the gal said that they're all booked up. I said, "how can that be? You just started taking reservations this morning 1/2 hour ago." Her reply was that the phones have been very busy.

I wasn't going to stop there. I said, "are you SURE you're booked up for "x" room?"

Dummy: "You mean the restaurant?"
Me: No, it's the big room on the 4th floor all the way over to the left. They do a buffet
Dummy: "That's the restaurant, we do a buffet on special days" How big is your group?
Me: 30, and I've never had a problem booking this in the past.
Dummy: OK, let me check with my supervisor.

The dummy didn't put the phone on hold so I heard the entire conversation. Things like, "What do we tell people who were told that they couldn't book until today?" "Tell them that our computers are down and we'll call them back later" More dumb questions and more dumb answers that I heard. der...

So she came back on and said that someone would call me back. I said "I also wanted a race named after my company".

Light bulb goes on in dummy's head: OH- THAT room! You need to talk to group sales. They're not here today. I'll have them call you.

So, tick tock. It's not fun trying to plan an event less than two weeks away not knowing if I'll get the room. I can't really invite people to something I don't have booked, yet I don't want to book a bunch of 'seats' and have them paid for and empty.

Nothing I can do about it but remain calm. Hopefully by mentioning that I wanted to pay for advertising will get me somewhere.