I've been on the Do Not Call List (DNCL) since there has been such a list. After my divorce, my number has changed three times and the first thing I've done each time, is register my new number. I even request to be put on the DNCL of the companies I do subscribe to ----> if I want something, I'll call them.

So, in the last couple of months, I've gotten three solicitation calls, the first of which I reported. When I told the woman that I was on the list, she stated that her company checks daily, apologized and hung up. Before double checking to make sure my number was still on the list, I reported them, thinking it was an excuse. Since then, the two companies that called, one just minutes ago, stated the same thing.

Now, I don't like solicitation calls, especially the ones who argue with you when you tell them you're not interested, I remember them from the days before the DNCL. I was always polite when first declining an offer, but when pressed, can rival the best at being rude.

I'm starting to wonder if there's a glitch in the DNCL system because I seriously doubt these companies want to face fines. But then, it is sales, so who knows?

Now, for the most annoying calls I've received recently, my wonderful natural gas company...

It started one morning when I was getting ready to go to my daughter's house to help her do some painting. My nephew, who is currently staying with me, was parked in the driveway and I, in the garage. I can angle around his car when he's back far enough. This particular morning, I didn't get the angle right and had to cut it pretty sharp. The gas meter is just outside of the garage door and when I cleared the door, cut it a bit too sharp and bumped the meter. I got out to look at it and all I could see was a bit of a scrape, no damage and no smell of gas. But since my house is the only thing I actually own, and it contained not only my dog, but my sleeping nephew, I decided to err on the side of caution and call the gas company to have someone come and check it out.

A very polite gentleman was here within 15 minutes, checked everything out, told me it was fine and left, a smile on his face the whole time. Can I say I couldn't have been more satisfied with the service call?

Fast forward two weeks... It was a long day at work and I couldn't wait to get home and relax. I wasn't in the door 10 minutes when my phone rang. It was a survey company and they wanted to ask me about my recent service call, just a few questions. It started out with a rating scale of one to ten and the questions were about the company, not the service call. I told the man that I didn't really have an opinion about the company, they provided a service and if I'd had problems, they would have heard from me, but I'm not wasting my time singing the praises of a company that provides me with a necessary utility. He said he had to ask the questions anyway. I was getting annoyed.

Then he started asking another series of questions with a different rating scale and I told him to answer middle of the road all the way through for the company and at the top of the scale for the service call. At this point, I told him I was annoyed. He apologized and continued his questions. Before hanging up, I apologized for giving him a hard time, I realize he's doing his job, but the call was unnecessary bothersome and annoying.

Four days later, I got a call from a survey company, doing a survey on the survey company that did the survey for the gas company!! I kid you NOT!

I think maybe my number is now on a TRUE do not call list. This one has my phone number plastered across my picture, plastered to a dart board!

When I signed up for the DNCL, I meant it, damn it!