Pardon me while I whine. It's hot and I'm crabby.
It has been a non-stop week. Work-wise, I've been doing a juggling act, and I was successful, got everything done on time, cleared my slate completely for the weekend. Interspersed with an unusually large amount of work was shopping for John's birthday present and baking John's birthday brownies (from scratch). The former is no easy feat, since the man is very particular about his likes and dislikes (but aren't we all, really) and he hates gift cards. (How do y'all feel about gift cards? Me, I love them, both giving and receiving. It's not about laziness or thoughtlessness; it's about ensuring that people get exactly what they want.) I made it to all my workouts, I ran every necessary errand, I dotted every freaking i and crossed every t. I went and got a mammogram and a flu shot. I even ran like a maniac this afternoon in 98-degree heat because my parking meter was about to run out. I could have left my car in the bank lot (free) and snuck away to do my other errands in the vicinity, but no, I'm too honest for that! Meh.
When you're a kid and you do things well, you get a gold star or ice cream or some damn thing to say "Hey, good for you!" But when you are a Responsible Adult, no one gives you a gold star -- you're just doing what you're supposed to do.
Most of the time, I don't think about that. Sometimes, though, I just want that fucking gold star. Not literally -- you know what I mean, right? Sometimes, being responsible is thankless. And it especially pisses me off when I see others around me being IRresponsible, and I think to myself, "Why do I bother?"
So I guess now is the time I'm supposed to do something nice for myself, like get a pedicure or a massage. Screw that -- that would mean going outside again. Some (probably many) of you would suggest a "good girl" spanking. But as most of you know by now, I totally don't get that dynamic and my whole attitude about it is "What's the point??"
Or perhaps I should just get a regular spanking for whining. Screw that, too -- it's my blog and I'll whine if I want to. :-Þ
While I'm on a roll, it's only October 3 and already, if I see one more Halloween ad with gross, decomposing zombies, I'm going to hurl. Whoever writes those uber-annoying Sprint commercials (the latest: a bunch of women in a restaurant shrieking excitedly about their iPhone plan and shattering every glass in the place) should be shot. And to the people at the gym who insist on jabbering away on their phones in their outdoor voices while they're on the machines next to me, this one's for you:
All apologies to one of my favorite movies, but really, it needed to be said.
Ah... the tension is ebbing a bit. Now I'm going to shower and get ready to leave for the weekend, brave the Friday night traffic, and celebrate my sweetie's birthday with him. And I will be very, very sweet. Promise.
Have a good weekend, y'all.
Omg, that Mary Poppins pic just cracked me up on the bus. :)
ReplyDeleteRich -- I had a laugh-out-loud moment myself, when I first saw this!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous -- LOL! Aww, thank you.
Hi Erica -- That Mary Poppins pic is hilarious, it made me LOL :-) You are too funny. I bet your brownies are very YUMMY :-) I Love chocolate and gift cards. Wishing you and John a GREAT weekend :-) Please tell John I said Happy Birthday. Much Love and hugs from naughty girl Jade
ReplyDeleteJade -- I hope the brownies will be good! :-) The batter tasted good, anyway.
ReplyDeleteI give you a gold star, how's that? Feel better? I hope you have a Great weekend!
ReplyDeleteKB -- where did you find it? Anonymous gave ALL of them to me earlier! :-D
ReplyDeleteI was given one earlier in the week and I was going to share! :-) But now since you have so many I'll keep it for myself.
DeleteWhile it is a little early for Halloween ads, it is REALLY early for Christmas commercials, which have already begun (and I am one who thoroughly loves the holidays). Commercials advertising that Christmas movies will begin on that channel on Oct. 31st started last month. Way too early.
ReplyDeleteWhat folks back east can't understand is how horrid it is with our heat. It reached 102 here today, with 104 predicted for tomorrow. You might be able to bake John's next batch of brownies outside!
Pam
Pam -- yes! I saw those Xmas movies ads (on the Hallmark Channel, right?). AAAGGHH!
ReplyDeleteFor me, good girl spankings mean a nice long session with the heavy cane. I turn into jello after one of those sessions!
ReplyDeleteI know you are venting and you sound totally stressed, but your post made me smile and I agree on so many points! (I too love giving and getting giftcards- the man, not so much- why??)
ReplyDeleteI think you deserve a beer, or a glass of wine, or even a milkshake! Do it! Who cares about gold stars? Get something yummy :)
I love gift cards. They're nicer to receive than cash - at least the giver put a little thought into the store or service, and I won't spend it on groceries or put it in the bank. I enjoy being able to buy whatever I want with the card.
ReplyDeleteWe are actually planning an early Christmas for family who will be going out of the country shortly. Would you believe Christmas coupled with Canadian Thanksgiving, on the same weekend? Way too early to shop for special presents. It's gift cards all round!
Hugs,
Hermione
Erica in my humble opinion, you deserve to have a gold star, because of your blog. You have always made it entertaining, and worthwhile reading. And most important, we receive a new one every few days. That tells me you are RESPONSIBLE. By the way did you see the recent movie, of how Walt Disney got the rights from the author of MARY POPPINS to make this musical film. As for Mary Poppins herself, I would have loved to have taken her bloomers down, and spank her bare bottom. XXX Luv ya
ReplyDeleteAnd you have a great birthday!
ReplyDeleteAnd here is an ice-cream, with chocolate topping (indeed, no capital intended) for all you efforts.
Jen -- ye gods. Nope, nothing "good" about that for me! :-)
ReplyDeleteCasey -- inviting people to laugh along with me and my griping is part of what releases my stress, so thank you. :-) And tonight -- John's birthday dinner, definitely getting something delicious!
Hermione -- there are gift cards for just about everything and every place now, and I love getting them! I have one for Target that's waiting to be spent.
Six -- I didn't see that movie, but I know it wasn't historically accurate. And thanks for the kind words. :-)
MrJ -- ice cream sounds wonderful right now, since it's over 100 degrees outside!
Love that Mary Poppins pic. That just about typifies my thoughts on a Friday afternoon at work after a week of dealing with all kinds of assholes. There are very few instances of anyone telling you - hey good job OR you really helped me a lot OR sentiments of that type. We have a monthly awards thing that recognizes folks for extra special things they did at work. I have received them and they do make you feel good for a little while, but the fact is that very few people receive them and most are shat upon repeatedly for mistakes they make. It is very ufortunate and it does result in poor morale. I do think that spankings are definitely in order. Too bad we did not have spanking police and we could have them go visit some of the bad people who tick us off and give them a good spanking. The world might be a better place.
ReplyDeleteBaxter
Hope you enjoyed your weekend and celebrating John's birthday, hope you stayed cool in the oppressive heat you guys are having out there.
ReplyDeleteBaxter -- many bosses are not known for giving kudos. I had one, years ago, who never praised anyone. When confronted about this, his answer was, "I pay you, don't I? What more do you want?" (sigh)
ReplyDeleteKB -- we did, thanks!
Erica, I hope you both had a wonderful weekend! Please tell John that I hope he had a great birthday!
ReplyDeleteJay -- thanks, sweetie.
ReplyDeleteTerrific post and I agree, I now flip off the station showing that I phone commercial...as for spoon full of sugar, agree especially after seeing the moving that told the back story....great post my dear.
ReplyDeleteAlways
Ron