Comments on: Secret phrases for secret agents doing things secret agent style!

By: Case Officer Mac

Case Officer Mac — Thu, 17 May 2012 03:28:32 +0000

Super secret-ish spy stuff. Meeting in dark, back alleys. Conducting clandestine operations. Hoping the phone line isn’t tapped, but if it is, that they can’t break your code.

Too funny.

My oldest daughter sometimes has, er… issues with using the phone–both ways–placing or receiving calls. I had to laugh when I came across your article here, so I sent it to her.

By: Sticky Note Evangelism

Sticky Note Evangelism — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 05:20:12 +0000

[...] Fix the Fourth – Write the reminders in code. (This is adaptation of one of Havi Brooks’ techniques for getting through hard phone calls.) [...]

By: One Tiny Thing Thursday, #14 Again with the Phone « The Social Caterpillar

One Tiny Thing Thursday, #14 Again with the Phone « The Social Caterpillar — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:03:54 +0000

[...] I greatly appreciate being able to work in my *own* space. Perhaps I’ll experiment with code words. The thought makes me a bit giggly, which is a good [...]

By: Judy

Judy — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 16:19:42 +0000

So LOVE this, Havi. Used it this morning to make a call and it worked (YAY!). Thanks much for making all us phone-a-phobics know we’re not alone!

By: Paulita

Paulita — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 03:21:12 +0000

I love the idea of hiding in a closet while making calls. Whew!

By: Eve

Eve — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:20:41 +0000

I just used secret spy tactics to get past a fear of bumping into colleagues in the kitchen while making breakfast (I’m stressed this morning and making conversation, moving around other people in confined spaces, answering questions about my eating habits and being looked at are not appealing to me.)

There’s a hidden camera in the kitchen, and making a bowl of bran flakes and a mug of camomile tea is my secret signal to my contact to infiltrate the building disguised as a delivery man!

Thanks, Havi, I’m a lot less hungry right now because of you :)

By: claire

claire — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 00:47:39 +0000

Nope, not remotely the only one.

Sort of thought, “Ooooooohhhhh,” when I read “phone sabbatical.” That’s the stuff.

In many respects I’m there already… except for pesky appointment-making. Kind of laughed when I read the getting a trim call only because I bypass that one by rolling the dice with walk-in joints.

Love that the secret agent approach worked for you.

By: Leela

Leela — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:55:42 +0000

I have odd phonaphobia. Sometimes I get scared to call anyone. Mostly I get scared to call strangers. I love my clients and I love talking with them on the phone. I love my sweetie and love talking with her on the phone. I detest calling strangers to make things like doctor appointments. And I love the idea of being a secret spy. Like the days when I sleep in something that COULD be Outside The House clothes and decide in a rebellious morning to just Keep Wearing It. It’s my secret pajama disguise. No one knows it’s pajamas but I’m all cozy and warm inside.

By: Leila Lloyd-Evelyn

Leila Lloyd-Evelyn — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:19:52 +0000

Oh my goodness this is good! I realised I get really scared, to the point that I never want to make those calls, about finding a workshop space. It’s different making calls for other people, bosses etc but a whole different ball game when it’s for me.

Fabulous!

By: Winnie

Winnie — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 06:11:21 +0000

Hi Havi & fellow secret intelligence,

Because of my work, I make a lot of phone calls. I admit that some calls are NO PROBLEMO, and then other calls inexplicably become… the PITS O’ DOOM, where I’m convinced that I will suffer an agonizing death if I fall in (ie: make the call) and thus avoid at all costs.

So wow… lovelovelove the idea of the spy method. I’m drawing hearts on all my spy cards with invisible ink, dusting off my fedora from my closet, and adjusting the heel on my shoephone.

Havi, I discovered your blog recently and have been addicted to it for the past month…your words have touched me to pieces. And I just want to say: keep up the good work, GO GO GADGET-SELMA!… and muchos gracias to you (and all the spy-folks).