Everybody was kung-fu fighting

Well as par for the course, I'm in the family doghouse until the next family function. No I didn't make it to the lecture and lunch sponsored by the church ladies. The day before the event, the Pontiac that refuses to die decides to have a heart attack in the local mall parking lot. It was resurrected by the mechanics who work miracles. But Fred didn't feel that it drivable for the hour plus ride out to the boonie burbs. So I called the day before to send my regrets on voice-mail. Apparently I wasn't the only no-show at their table. Starlabelle's mother-in-law, Crystal, failed to grace her presence as well.

I was rewarded accordingly for not attending. Ethel had a massive toothache attack on lecture morning. It was the kind of pain that affected her jaw. I spent the entire day running around getting her over the counter meds and Anbesol type products. I was refreshing ice packs and checking her temperature in case we had to go to the emergency room. This situation could have been avoided had she gone to get her tooth repaired as was suggested by the dentist. She blew it off and she didn't like that I wasn't sympathetic enough. I know she's not going to change but come on now. Preventative medicine works for a reason.

On Sunday, the obligatory recap came from Aunt Imogene via voicemail. Apparently Lulubelle and Starlabelle won second place for their centerpiece design. She added what a shame I missed all of the fun and not to send a check. Ethel and I thought the other had sent the check in to Starlabelle. I will be spending some time at Hallmark today for " the sorry I'm a fuckup" card. But there's part of me that doesn't think I should have to. I know the afternoon would have been spent answering embarrassing questions peppered from Starlabelle and Lulubelle. Imogene has taught them well how to spin it so it doesn't appear that they are being intrusive when certain subjects arise. I've come to the point in my life where I don't see the need to put myself in situations where I know I'm going to be the butt of jokes. Yes I have my flaws and I've made plenty of mistakes but I don't need to be reminded of them in public. Furthermore, when I try to verbally defend myself, I'm accused of being defensive and sensitive.

In further adventures of the getaway car, I finally was able to get Fred to a place to finish filling out the paperwork. He was so pissed about the ticket there was no talking to him without there being a huge blowup. Of course it was my fault that the insurance company didn't get the paperwork. Luckily the customer service rep is a sweet lady and she was able to help me answer some of the questions that I didn't understand. The funny part was when I went to go find the local Fed-Ex office. Apparently it moved across the street from where it was originally. As I was pulling out of the parking lot and muttering under my breath about trying to figure out where to go. When I was about to turn onto the main street, there was the big Fed-Ex/Kinko's sign staring me in the face. After I take Fred to sign off on paperwork on Monday it's going to take another 14 business days to get the getaway car back. I'm still going to feel creepy driving this thing. Maybe I can smudge it with some sage.

Apparently I still have it going on customer service wise, I was able to convince the supervisor at Dishland to send my parents replacement pieces without a creditcard. I reminded him that my parents were loyal customers for over 8 years with their original equipment. Also they had spread the word and encouraged others to use their service without receiving any financial compensation. WTF is this thing about having to hold onto the number as a deposit just in case we don't return the receiver? Uh yeah I'm going to let you hold onto my credit card number until the end of time. In the age of identity theft and hackers no company is immune from having files stolen.

Speaking of companies, no blog is safe. The Chicago Tribune ran a story about people who had been punished for speaking less than highly about the place that gave them a paycheck. It is unfortunate that it has come to this. Even when names have never been mentioned. There is a false sense of expectation that we all leave our worries at the door when we get to work. Unless it's work that is causing our worry. No longer are employees allowed to speak their peace to HR about their concerns. It's even worse when co-workers choose to become the gossip-mongers and twist the knife in your back just enough for you to feel the sting after the fact. More than once I have recruited people who I thought were my friends to work at my place of employment at the time. These same people turn around and just screwed me out of the workplace. Talking behind my back, causing drama, and using my name in situations that I was never involved with was my payment for trying to be a good friend. Thanks but no thanks. Karma and God know what you did and you will be punished accordingly.