You know those days when you can't do anything, when you're so lethargic, you can barely hold your
eyelids open, let alone a viable conversation?
I've been feeling that way today.
I wondered why. And then I
remembered. Yesterday.
In the morning, I performed a favorite gig: Urban Legends, 6th
grade, Hill Country Middle School,
last day of school. You couldn't find a
more frenzied bunch of kids but it was fun.
Tired but pleased, I came home to find Tile-guy at the door, ready to
replace the tiles on the master bathroom wall around the tub. A new tub was put in a year ago but it was
faulty; Home Depot gave a refund but didn't want to know about
removal of said tub. A second new tub
was bought; different plumbers had just taken out the first new one and put in this
second. Tile-guy took one look at the
newly installed tub and said, "Crooked." He pulled out an enormous level, set it down. "Crooked both ways. Call your tub-guy." He went to lunch. Tub-guy came back and got out his level, a
much smaller one, set it down. "Straight,"
he said. Actually, it wasn't straight;
it was off just a tiny bit. "Make no
difference," he said. "Is
fine. Call Tile-guy back." Then he pointed out that, although the tub box claimed the second tub was the same size as the first, it wasn't. He measured it and was right -- 1" shorter. "Tile-guy
problem," he said. I forced him to
wait while I called and insisted Tile-guy come talk to Tub-guy. Did I mention that Tub-guy is Latino with
only a little English? Disgruntled, he waited
on the toilet seat (lid down).
Tile-guy came back, fully armed with his huge level. Smiling (patronizing), he showed Tub-guy
where he was going wrong. Tub-guy, ashamed of his small level, pointed out the problem as he saw it, showing
Tile-guy how to do his job. Tile-guy
said: "Raise the tub an inch!"
Tub-guy said: "Use tile-guy skill!" After 15 minutes, I shouted, "Stop! Act like grown-ups! Sort it out!" Actually, I said, "Tub-guy, cheat the bath
up a little. Tile-guy, cheat the tile
application a little. Now play
nice." Tile guy said he'd return in
the morning and left. Tub-guy raised the tub
and left. Everyone was really unhappy. I was exhausted.
I then spent 90 minutes investigating a good price and
booking my plane ticket to UK
only to find an Expedia computer error in the booking. I called Expedia to cancel the first booking
and book a second. Nice lady. Indian.
In India. Neither of us could understand a word the
other said. An hour and a half later, it
was done...3 hours to book 1 flight. I
now await the refund...
By this time, it was 7:00.
A little disgruntled myself and as I'd missed tea-time, I went straight
to the gin. Drink in hand, I sat
down to unwind. A hippily-clad young
lady walked to my door with a clipboard.
Please, no! I can't talk to
anyone else, I just can't. But she was
working and I was resting so I felt bad.
She wanted to talk about Walmart recycling electronics which I totally
support so I smiled, took a breath, signed her petition, thanked her for
working when I was resting.
Before I'd had time to take another sip, I saw my
across-the-street neighbor pull into my driveway. NO, NO, NO!!!
Go away, I can't talk...I can't communicate...I can't... But he beckoned me to come out to his
van. I tried to make my house-mate go but the neighbor shook his head and pointed at me. I smiled -- honestly, more of a grimace -- took a deep breath, grabbed my
G&T (I wasn't going without it this time!) and went outside. I was ready to slap him but he reached into
his van and pulled out...an gigantic bunch of flowers. His van was full of flowers. He'd been doing some work at a flower shop
and they'd given him all their leftovers which would otherwise be tossed. He gave me enough to fill three
vases which surround me as I write: gladioli, daisies, carnations. And so I learn, for the trillionth time: Never
give up on your day! NEVER give up on
your day! It can get better in a moment!
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