How does one little incident turn into such a big hullabaloo? It was no big deal. The tickets were paid for and none of the money came out of my pocket. Of course I wondered where they were. They are always pushing me to make sure I don’t leave them. Yes, I called each of them to see where they were. Yes, I went to their doors and knocked to try and find them. Yes, I searched around the usual places they hang out without finding them. Yes, I went and sat on the front porch waiting for departure time where three others joined me and I told them what I was doing. Now it is all my fault.
The first I heard of my sins was when Kiki knocked on my door to tell me I had told her the tickets were for tonight. She got the from the phone message that she only listened to this morning. Actually I never told them anything. I gave each a written notice with all the details before they ever gave me money for the Cinderella tickets. Can we use the tickets for tonight? No, they were reserved seats and they were for Friday night. Did I try to get the money back? No. Why? Because it is not their responsibility to make sure we get seats for a show because we did not come on the night assigned. But we thought it was tonight, not last night. If you want to go over and explain your thinking, be my guest. I doubt it would be persuasive. Besides, tonight is closing night and it will be packed. It was three quarters full on Friday. So you are not going to give my money back? No, I am not. Well, I’ll get even someway. You’re welcome to try but I have no idea why I am responsible for your inability to track your own plans. Well, Maria wanted to go out, so I went along. Maybe you should think for yourself and tell her you had plans. She didn’t say anything about the plans. So now it’s also her fault. Kiki, I love you, but just accept the fact that you made a mistake and missed the performance. YOU MADE THE MISTAKE. No one made that for you. The money was spent and it is not coming back. Accept it.
I expected Maria to come next, but I didn’t see her until I went to do my laundry at about 5:00. As I usually do, I worked on the puzzle while my clothes were washing. She came out of her room and began by telling me she had come to talk to me but I didn’t answer the door. She guessed I was gone. Actually I had gone back to bed. For some reason I was tired. Leslie came out and invited me to have supper with her, Maria and Kiki. I agreed. It was at the dinner table that I faced new and improved accusations. You told everyone how mad you were about us not being there. If they said I was mad, that was their interpretation. It was your money and your choice. My concern was how long should I wait for you to return. Well, Chas said… (Who knows what – to the best of my knowledge it sounded nothing like anything I had said … I don’t know what his spin was. Then Gail said … (again, she said what? I doubted it). Oh well! They made it perfectly clear that they missed the show because it was my fault. Hummmm! No wonder I’m tired. I had no reason to be mad at them. I did try to explain that I was not mad, but Chas said… and Gail said… I get it. The truth is not what I said it was but how it was interpreted and then how you reinterpreted the interpretation. Got that. A perfect example of gossip at work!
I had supper, left to get my laundry and escaped to my apartment. I think I’ll try to find some violent movie with car crashes, gunfights, fistfights, explosions and other assorted mayhem. It will help me release my aggression. I will atone for my sins at a later date — after I figure out what I atone for.
Showing posts with label Gossip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gossip. Show all posts
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
THE PLOT THICKENS
“You’re not much. You’ve lost your muchness.” So said the Mad Hatter to Alice in Tim Burton’s production of Alice In Wonderland. I love the line. I admit I don’t know exactly what the muchness is that I have lost, but it feels important. I have lost plenty of other things over the years; muchness has to be one of them. But maybe not!
As best I could tell from the context Alice had lost of little bit of what made Alice, Alice. Not so much her physical being, but that was part of it. She was exceptional large at this point in the story. The Hatter had seen her small enough to stuff in a teapot (he even made a little dress for her), and like a giant — how she appeared at this point. What seems to have changed for the moment was a degree of confidence, or boldness, or confidence in who she was.
Muchness seems to be flying out the window today as word finally began to spread that our Maintenance man and his wife the manager are leaving. Gail and I decided to say nothing. Of the women in the other building who knew one is gone for the weekend and the other is with family. That only leaves Chas. Gail and I were making little side bets on when he would let the news fly. When his muchness would leave.
Frankly, we both lost. There was a gathering of about 20 folks for a special dinner last night and neither of us could believe we would get through the night without the gossip flying around the room. We were both prepared to be shocked. What? They’re leaving? When? Did they get fired? Did they quite? Well, I have been expecting it for some time. We all knew they weren’t happy. I will be sorry to see them go. I like them a lot. Low and behold, the room was silent on the subject.
I was away for the day for the birthday of granddaughter #2. I could here voices as I returned. The loudest was of Maria and Chas. They were rather animated. I had a suspicion the cat was out of the bag. It may have only escaped a bit. They were actually playing dominos. I wandered over to the puzzle table. Gail wasn’t playing so she joined me. I mouthed the words, “Do they know?” She nodded her head yes.
Chas left shortly after I arrived. A few minutes later, Maria came over to report that the couple was leaving. She said she got it from Chas. Can you believe everything he says? No, but I’m sure this is true. I asked no more questions. I wanted to wait for the big news tomorrow. The gathering at coffee break will be large. Word will seep though door and phone lines tonight and many more will want all the details. If the letter is at our door when we wake, there will be lots of speculation. If word is not out yet there will be still be lots of speculation — without any knowledge.
You gotta love it. I live for days like this. It will be better than any soap opera. The tension will build. Anxiety, joy, jubilation, depression, anger. It will all be there. The ending will be open. It really doesn’t matter. This drama will have no ending and the plot will thicken and take many a screwball turn. You can’t write this stuff. It would not be believable. To make a good movie just add murder, the police and maybe a few drugs. The plot is here. Who knows? This might become a good book. I would have to lie a bit, but as far as you know, I’m doing that now. NOT!
As best I could tell from the context Alice had lost of little bit of what made Alice, Alice. Not so much her physical being, but that was part of it. She was exceptional large at this point in the story. The Hatter had seen her small enough to stuff in a teapot (he even made a little dress for her), and like a giant — how she appeared at this point. What seems to have changed for the moment was a degree of confidence, or boldness, or confidence in who she was.
Muchness seems to be flying out the window today as word finally began to spread that our Maintenance man and his wife the manager are leaving. Gail and I decided to say nothing. Of the women in the other building who knew one is gone for the weekend and the other is with family. That only leaves Chas. Gail and I were making little side bets on when he would let the news fly. When his muchness would leave.
Frankly, we both lost. There was a gathering of about 20 folks for a special dinner last night and neither of us could believe we would get through the night without the gossip flying around the room. We were both prepared to be shocked. What? They’re leaving? When? Did they get fired? Did they quite? Well, I have been expecting it for some time. We all knew they weren’t happy. I will be sorry to see them go. I like them a lot. Low and behold, the room was silent on the subject.
I was away for the day for the birthday of granddaughter #2. I could here voices as I returned. The loudest was of Maria and Chas. They were rather animated. I had a suspicion the cat was out of the bag. It may have only escaped a bit. They were actually playing dominos. I wandered over to the puzzle table. Gail wasn’t playing so she joined me. I mouthed the words, “Do they know?” She nodded her head yes.
Chas left shortly after I arrived. A few minutes later, Maria came over to report that the couple was leaving. She said she got it from Chas. Can you believe everything he says? No, but I’m sure this is true. I asked no more questions. I wanted to wait for the big news tomorrow. The gathering at coffee break will be large. Word will seep though door and phone lines tonight and many more will want all the details. If the letter is at our door when we wake, there will be lots of speculation. If word is not out yet there will be still be lots of speculation — without any knowledge.
You gotta love it. I live for days like this. It will be better than any soap opera. The tension will build. Anxiety, joy, jubilation, depression, anger. It will all be there. The ending will be open. It really doesn’t matter. This drama will have no ending and the plot will thicken and take many a screwball turn. You can’t write this stuff. It would not be believable. To make a good movie just add murder, the police and maybe a few drugs. The plot is here. Who knows? This might become a good book. I would have to lie a bit, but as far as you know, I’m doing that now. NOT!
Friday, June 18, 2010
A THREESOME
Have you ever been in a conversation near people who have nothing to do with the conversation, but have plenty to say? We have three women who all feel a need to put their three cents into any conversation whether they know what the topic is or not. They always correct, clarify deny and argue about the subject. Thankfully, I was not involved but sitting on the side trying not to laugh out loud.
Gail was having a pleasant conversation with the maintenance man about the water in our building. Gail lives over me and had asked me if my water tasted funny. As a matter of fact it had. However, I’m not reliable as the last time it tasted funny I had taken it with my pills and if I don’t get my pills all down at one there are two that taste awful. With all the nice flavors out there why can’t we have pills that taste good? I like vanilla, cherry, strawberry and blueberry.
Wayne was explaining that it couldn’t be the pipes as they are all copper. He wondered if was coming from the hot water tank, but it’s the cold water that tastes weird. Dear, dear Clare from building 2 was the first to help the conversation along. No, the pipes are plastic and there is nothing wrong with the water here. Our area is recognized as having the best tasting water in the whole area. Maria said that was two years ago. I only drink bottled water. That should have been the end of her contribution. We really didn’t even need that much. But she continued, it is probably rust in the pipes. It can’t be rust as there is no lead in our water system. Back to Clara, there must be as I get this brownish color coming from my pipes. Maria reminds Clara that we are talking about the other building. Meanwhile, Gail and Wayne cannot get a work in edgewise. Beside, Clara was defending the water a minute ago.
Wayne walked away after telling Clara you are going to have to call that in for repairs.
Dixie arrived to add her wonderful insights. The water here is terrible. Too many chemicals! Everything is old and falling apart. I would be surprised if roots haven’t split the pipes and dirt is in our system. And another adds her laundry is not always clean. I think that may have everything to do with how you wash them and not the water at all. It went on and Dixie, Clara and Maria continued to raise their voices and interrupt each other without solving a thing.
Meanwhile Gail and Wayne hook up, go to check her apartment and the problem is dirt in the filter at the end of the tap. He changed it and all is well. I ended up changing my own. I have some maintenance skills.
I went back about an hour later and the three buttinski’s are still at each other. I didn’t stay.
We had a picnic on our front porch today, as it was National Picnic Day. Naturally it was almost too cold to be out there. Picnics are to be pleasant enjoyable little gathering so I pretended it was a beautiful day and did not wear a sweatshirt. I was proud of my self. I lasted thirty minutes before the shivering got sever and the teeth chattering was interrupting the conversation and my shaking looked like palsy. This was a no host event. I know what that means. Maria will take charge. When I arrived she is directing people to get chairs, set up her TV trays and spread out along the railing. I got dirty looks because I wasn’t there earlier. I was on time, but not ahead of time. It was obvious she wanted to be the center of the conversation and all activities. She sat in the center where all could hear She was loud, talking so much and telling so many stories little conversations were developing on the fringes of the gathering. That only caused her to repeat her stories because everyone did not hear her the first time. She brought extra food for those who came with nothing. Since everyone brought her own she was busy trying to force her food on other. The great thing about extra food was Janet brought the best desserts. Everyone raved about the butterscotch squares and not one comments in the celery and chips. I knew I had to be gone before the end.
Maybe I was shaking from the shenanigans and not the cold. I went and had a nap. These days wear me out.
Gail was having a pleasant conversation with the maintenance man about the water in our building. Gail lives over me and had asked me if my water tasted funny. As a matter of fact it had. However, I’m not reliable as the last time it tasted funny I had taken it with my pills and if I don’t get my pills all down at one there are two that taste awful. With all the nice flavors out there why can’t we have pills that taste good? I like vanilla, cherry, strawberry and blueberry.
Wayne was explaining that it couldn’t be the pipes as they are all copper. He wondered if was coming from the hot water tank, but it’s the cold water that tastes weird. Dear, dear Clare from building 2 was the first to help the conversation along. No, the pipes are plastic and there is nothing wrong with the water here. Our area is recognized as having the best tasting water in the whole area. Maria said that was two years ago. I only drink bottled water. That should have been the end of her contribution. We really didn’t even need that much. But she continued, it is probably rust in the pipes. It can’t be rust as there is no lead in our water system. Back to Clara, there must be as I get this brownish color coming from my pipes. Maria reminds Clara that we are talking about the other building. Meanwhile, Gail and Wayne cannot get a work in edgewise. Beside, Clara was defending the water a minute ago.
Wayne walked away after telling Clara you are going to have to call that in for repairs.
Dixie arrived to add her wonderful insights. The water here is terrible. Too many chemicals! Everything is old and falling apart. I would be surprised if roots haven’t split the pipes and dirt is in our system. And another adds her laundry is not always clean. I think that may have everything to do with how you wash them and not the water at all. It went on and Dixie, Clara and Maria continued to raise their voices and interrupt each other without solving a thing.
Meanwhile Gail and Wayne hook up, go to check her apartment and the problem is dirt in the filter at the end of the tap. He changed it and all is well. I ended up changing my own. I have some maintenance skills.
I went back about an hour later and the three buttinski’s are still at each other. I didn’t stay.
We had a picnic on our front porch today, as it was National Picnic Day. Naturally it was almost too cold to be out there. Picnics are to be pleasant enjoyable little gathering so I pretended it was a beautiful day and did not wear a sweatshirt. I was proud of my self. I lasted thirty minutes before the shivering got sever and the teeth chattering was interrupting the conversation and my shaking looked like palsy. This was a no host event. I know what that means. Maria will take charge. When I arrived she is directing people to get chairs, set up her TV trays and spread out along the railing. I got dirty looks because I wasn’t there earlier. I was on time, but not ahead of time. It was obvious she wanted to be the center of the conversation and all activities. She sat in the center where all could hear She was loud, talking so much and telling so many stories little conversations were developing on the fringes of the gathering. That only caused her to repeat her stories because everyone did not hear her the first time. She brought extra food for those who came with nothing. Since everyone brought her own she was busy trying to force her food on other. The great thing about extra food was Janet brought the best desserts. Everyone raved about the butterscotch squares and not one comments in the celery and chips. I knew I had to be gone before the end.
Maybe I was shaking from the shenanigans and not the cold. I went and had a nap. These days wear me out.
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