Optimism

All of the telephones in the British Gas call centre department that deal with moving home are broken. All callers receive an engaged tone when they get through, whether they call indirectly (08456070200, option 3, option 3), directly (08456091133) or internally via a call centre operative in another department.

In the past, this sort of thing would cause me to shake my fists at God and curse him for once again hurling obstacles upon my path, before wallowing in a supercilious slurry of self-pity.

However, a comment from Jon Ronson on his radio show has forced a different take on life's impedimenta. He cheerfully stated he was an "optimist- because things conspire to destroy me". This somewhat paradoxical statement required some rationalisation, leading to the conclusion that, yes, things conspire to destroy you, but they inevitably don't. Any hindrance encountered will eventually be surpassed, and there is no point dwelling on a problem which only exists to be overcome.

Hmm... that monstrance doesn't look like it holds water (Honk! Honestly... it was an unintended pun). Perhaps I misheard Mr. Ronson, and should believe the cynical conspiracy theory that it is as near impossible to close your accounts with British gas as it is to get an ISP migration code.