You wouldn't think it would be that challenging, recording a temporary voice mailbox greeting. I wanted to let people know I'd be out of the office, especially since I'm expecting two very important calls. So, I dial into my company's voice mail system, access my mailbox, and navigate the option menus until I've reached the "Temporary Greeting" menu. Time to record 25 seconds of pithy, professional instructions on where I'm at and when I'll be back. Take 1: "Hi, you've reached the voice mail box of Brian Kagy in (my department). I'll be out of the office on.... Monday.... errrr.... April.... what day is it?" Damnit. It's the 29th but, being all of 27 years old, my memory cannot be expected to retrieve arcane bits of data like that on demand. So I'll have to try again. Take 2: "Hi, you've reached the voice mail box of Brian Kagy in (my department). I will be out of the office on Monday, May... er, April 29th... if you need... wait. Sh*t." OK, that was frustrating. Mind just sort of went off the rails there. Surely the third time's the charm. Take 3: "Hi, you've reached the voice box of... voice mail box of Brian Kagy in.... ah hell." WTF is going on? I can't even speak three lousy sentences without tripping over my own tongue? I'm starting to think perhaps I hurt my head during my last mountain biking adventure. Must.... soldier... on. Take 4: "Hi, you've reached the voice mail box of Brian Kagy in (my department). I'm not here.... now.... I'm out. Of the office. Today. Monday April 5th. I mean 29th. Oh for Chrissakes..." That's it. I'm an imbecile and can't do anything right. Someone, put me out of my misery. Take 5: "I'M NOT HERE. I LEFT AND I'M NEVER COMING BACK. AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH. That is all."
I like to taunt the people I work with when they're doing theirs. Hiccup really loudly, feign a sneeze, throw a piece of paper, a banana, or a Palm... good times. If they don't get it the first time, they won't get it until the tenth.
I have the very same issue, fear not! You are not alone. I usually say several four letter words, then go back and listen to what I recorded, and it makes me laugh. Then I have an ever harder time recording a greeting. Good times.
I hate recording those things. I always get to work before just about everybody else, so I record it then when nobody's there to laugh at me. I usually take about 5 or 6 tries before nailing it.
You might try writing it down first and then reading it? Though I've had plenty of trouble with those things (I let my wife do it when I can -- she's nicer to listen to talk than I am anyhow), I've never had to resort to reading. But, I'm not 27 either. It might be just the thing for you, BK.
