Don....thanks for bringing this topic up. It's not really "off-topic" as it DOES relate to musicians in this way.

I remember back in grammar school a teacher told us something like "always be aware of what's happening in the world at all times, because ANYTHING and EVERYTHING will eventually affect YOU."

In my neck of the woods here, it's what you described and more. So much more, I can't get anything done in any given day because people, not doing their job right (or not doing it at all), are becoming major obstacles. Heck, I called my telephone company to discuss my account and was told "all Customer Service agents are busy helping other customers. If you choose to hold, the "wait time" is appx 1 hour and 23 minutes."

It's no wonder I can't learn "walking bass".......can't concentrate with stuff like this happening all the time!

I'd really like to hear what's going on in other parts of the country......maybe I'm living in a fantasy world, thinking when I finally move away from here, I'll encounter competent service people again!