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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Difficult relatives
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cliffdweller
Shipmate
# 13338
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Posted
Reading on, I see several shippies did me one better. Ah, would that I had known about the Oxfam toilet back in the day...
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"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid." -Frederick Buechner
Posts: 11242 | From: a small canyon overlooking the city | Registered: Jan 2008
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fausto
Shipmate
# 13737
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Doublethink.:
I'd buy them this.
Will they put a plaque on it naming the honoree if you give them another £5? If so, my gift list this year is getting longer already.
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"Truth did not come into the world naked, but it came in types and images. The world will not receive truth in any other way." Gospel of Philip, Logion 72
Posts: 407 | From: Boston, Mass. | Registered: May 2008
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marzipan
Shipmate
# 9442
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Posted
please don't follow this example and give your DR antifreeze for Christmas!
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formerly cheesymarzipan.
Now containing 50% less cheese
Posts: 917 | From: nowhere in particular | Registered: May 2005
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mark_in_manchester
not waving, but...
# 15978
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Posted
Actually, antifreeze (along with soap-on-a-rope - probably Brute) was, in my youth, the kind of gift for the man-you-don't-really-want-to-spend-much-money-on. And since this year it's topical... ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
But - my DR lives with another R who I care about, and on whom the DR has often been known to (in moodiness, thankfully not in violence) take out their frustration. So, perhaps...'nothing' is safest, since it might just leave them feeling superior, which they like.
I like the toilet / goat option, but I don't know where it might end up. There again, Cliffdweller's idea of sending something in the kids' names has something going for it.
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"We are punished by our sins, not for them" - Elbert Hubbard
(so good, I wanted to see it after my posts and not only after those of shipmate JBohn from whom I stole it)
Posts: 1596 | Registered: Oct 2010
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
There's also the old trick of giving a subscription to or membership in something the recipient wouldn't like. I know of situations where it was very hard for the recipient to drop the subscription/membership.
Of course, you have to consider possible consequences. And whether the recipient might return the favor...
(NOT seriously recommending it.)
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Beenster
Shipmate
# 242
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Posted
Special thanks go GK.
So, Regarding La Madre, I won't be joining her at xmas. She is taken care of with my odious brother, and she will be happy. She declares she is not looking forward to Christmas this year. She has said that for the last x years. I do feel a responsibility to visit her at some point.
I've really thought long and hard, I struggle with conscience and overcoming expectations more than anything else. The bridges are well and truly burnt. I've two options - either a mobile phone battery charger - something I think is fab. Or a crappy little candle. Both these options cost £6. I think that equates to 30 mins of work after tax and insurance.
I do like the idea of membership of some org. In that way, I could support a charity - eg RSPB.
I'm actually really looking forward to Christmas. I will be recovering from minor surgery on my sinuses - something I'm really anxious about and my holiday has had to be ditched. I've not told my mother about this - I don't want her involved in the process. But I can watch movies in peace, may be go for a walk, eat what I want when I want ... I've got a couple of invites both of which I will likely refuse. I know I won't be feeling great but I can be utterly selfish.
Posts: 1885 | Registered: May 2001
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Fineline
Shipmate
# 12143
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by cliffdweller:
I never actually got the nerve to do this, but I did entertain myself with the notion of buying some very appropriate gift from one of those "alternative Christmas marts" that allows you to buy livestock for a needy family in the developing world in the name of your, um, *dear relative*. Options I considered: a turkey, a swine, or half a donkey (and we all know which half it would be...)
I have done this with unpleasant family members who are always ungrateful for whatever I get them. I just got goats, through Oxfam - it wasn't supposed to be a dig at them, but just that I didn't want to waste my money on something they'd look down on when I could use it to help people who would really benefit. And my relatives can't complain about this kind of present, because that would make them look uncharitable. It was a good choice - I should do it again this year.
Posts: 2375 | From: England | Registered: Dec 2006
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
Do Oxfam have the gifts available all year? I'd like to give a composting toilet to commemorate the Feb 2011 quake that took out my sanitation. There is nothing like not having a toilet or running water to bring home how much I took them for granted.
Huia
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Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
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Posted
Yes Oxfam do gifts all year around but there is also Toilet Twinning.
Jengie
[ 30. November 2015, 05:29: Message edited by: Jengie jon ]
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"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
Posts: 20894 | From: city of steel, butterflies and rainbows | Registered: May 2001
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L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
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Posted
My hellish cousin (about whom I have written on the Aging Parents thread) has written to his mother demanding that he be invited to spend Christmas with her.
On the face of it all well and good - except that she'd already accepted an invitation to go somewhere else to be with other relatives.
I anticipate another round of unpleasantness.
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Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
Posts: 4950 | From: somewhere in England... | Registered: Sep 2012
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
Beenster--
Wishing you all the best!
By any chance, are you familiar with the radio show "A Prairie Home Companion"? It's kind of old-timey, with a variety of music, skits, and the ever-popular weekly update on the fictional Lake Woebegon.
One of the regular offerings is a phone call between Duane and his extremely dysfunctional, manipulative mom. Gives me a chance to both vent and chuckle. ![[Biased]](wink.gif)
You can listen to last weekend's episode here. (Look for "Mom" in the right-hand nav bar.)
You can also read the script for that and other episodes here. But I strongly suggest you listen to at least one episode, so you have the actress's portrayal in your head. She's very, very good.
![[Devil]](graemlins/devil.gif)
ETA: BTW, the "GK" in the script is host Garrison Keillor, not me.
[ 30. November 2015, 23:27: Message edited by: Golden Key ]
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
L'Organist--
Given his previous behavior, she might want to change the locks or get a house sitter...or borrow a guard dog.
IMHO, she should keep to her own plans.
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Golden Key:
L'Organist--
Given his previous behavior, she might want to change the locks or get a house sitter...or borrow a guard dog.
IMHO, she should keep to her own plans.
Beat me to it - though haven't the locks already been changed? Difficult to arrange a house-sitter for that day, though, and one ready to call the police if necessary. And difficult to relax with the other relatives if dreading the call about her home. Tricky.
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
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Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
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Posted
Tell him she has made other plans, mentioning how grateful she was that her neighbours were paying such attention on the occasion when he came last time, and leaving gaps in the information which allow him to deduce that she will be next door, or they have been tipped off to call the police again, without actually saying so.
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
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L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
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Posted
Yes, locks were changed after his last visit.
New windows have been installed to replace those on the ground floor which were not double glazed and now all the ground floor windows have locks.
As luck would have it an alarm system is being installed at the beginning of next week so that should solve that one. And at the same time an electric mechanism is going onto the gate so that can be set to locked as well.
In the meantime, the family the aunt is going to spend Christmas with have bitten the bullet and written inviting him to spend the day with them (I think they may even have offered a bed for the night) so he has the option of being with his mother if he wishes.
I had an irate call asking if it was me but wa able to say, hand on heart, that if he cared to cast his mind to what I do for a living he'd realise that this year, as for the past 40, I'll be in church or in my own home, with my children, not away.
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Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
Posts: 4950 | From: somewhere in England... | Registered: Sep 2012
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cliffdweller
Shipmate
# 13338
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
In the meantime, the family the aunt is going to spend Christmas with have bitten the bullet and written inviting him to spend the day with them (I think they may even have offered a bed for the night) so he has the option of being with his mother if he wishes.
Are we allowed in hell to offer a ![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif) for the unutterably kind/ courageously Christ-like/ ridiculously naive family who made this offer?
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"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid." -Frederick Buechner
Posts: 11242 | From: a small canyon overlooking the city | Registered: Jan 2008
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
I would, just en passant, mention the new alarm system, window locks etc. If this can be phrased as "I know you've been worried about dear Mum's security and you will be so pleased to hear that..." so much the better.
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Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
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Posted
Make sure he doesn't contact the alarm firm or the police and claim that he is the keyholder who should be contacted in case of a problem. (Though he probably won't want to add to whatever is on record after last time.)
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
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Amanda B. Reckondwythe
Dressed for Church
# 5521
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Penny S:
Make sure he doesn't contact the alarm firm or the police and claim that he is the keyholder who should be contacted in case of a problem.
What kind of alarm firm would take someone's word for that? Surely the authorized keyholder(s) would know a password, passphrase or other security precaution.
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"I take prayer too seriously to use it as an excuse for avoiding work and responsibility." -- The Revd Martin Luther King Jr.
Posts: 10542 | From: The Great Southwest | Registered: Feb 2004
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L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
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Posted
Don't worry - all taken care of: the aunt's GP and solicitor have briefed the local constabulary and the alarm firm are also aware there are family "differences".
The neighbours meanwhile have been wonderful since he was there effing and blinding and have taken to popping in to check the aunt is OK - so they too are on-board and know (a) she will be away, and (b) that anything he says is likely to be a crock of s**t.
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Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
Posts: 4950 | From: somewhere in England... | Registered: Sep 2012
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Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
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Posted
Continuing to think deviously - have a cage on the inside of the letter box (or block it temporarily) and make sure there's nothing about outside flammable.
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
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Brenda Clough
Shipmate
# 18061
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Posted
Oh very good, a sensible thought. There are no vulnerable bits in the front garden, are there? Statuary, flower pots...
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Science fiction and fantasy writer with a Patreon page
Posts: 6378 | From: Washington DC | Registered: Mar 2014
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cliffdweller
Shipmate
# 13338
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
Don't worry - all taken care of: the aunt's GP and solicitor have briefed the local constabulary and the alarm firm are also aware there are family "differences".
The neighbours meanwhile have been wonderful since he was there effing and blinding and have taken to popping in to check the aunt is OK - so they too are on-board and know (a) she will be away, and (b) that anything he says is likely to be a crock of s**t.
Now I'm wishing I could send a nice bottle of bubbly (or sherry or whatever it is you folks cross-pond imbibe this time of year) to both the neighbors and to the long-suffering family.
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"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid." -Frederick Buechner
Posts: 11242 | From: a small canyon overlooking the city | Registered: Jan 2008
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Penny S
Shipmate
# 14768
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Brenda Clough:
Oh very good, a sensible thought. There are no vulnerable bits in the front garden, are there? Statuary, flower pots...
Double glazing tends to be resistant to damage - why people need special hammers to get out in the case of fire. Some people up the road had two windows and the door attacked on Halloween (no knocking first, just smashing), and they only got through the first layer.
Posts: 5833 | Registered: May 2009
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
Quarantine sign on each door?
Good to hear about all the measures taken, though I'm not sure inviting the guy to where his mom will be is a good idea.
Maybe invite some bikers to the party? Not necessarily Hell's Angels types, unless the people know some that can play nicely for Christmas. But maybe the recreational bikers who *look* really bad-ass. And park their bikes very visibly.
Just sayin'. ![[Two face]](graemlins/scot_twoface.gif)
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Beenster
Shipmate
# 242
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by L'organist:
In the meantime, the family the aunt is going to spend Christmas with have bitten the bullet and written inviting him to spend the day with them (I think they may even have offered a bed for the night) so he has the option of being with his mother if he wishes.
I had an irate call asking if it was me but wa able to say, hand on heart, that if he cared to cast his mind to what I do for a living he'd realise that this year, as for the past 40, I'll be in church or in my own home, with my children, not away.
Killed with kindness. How touching. And he's cornered with that. What a nice family your aunt has struck up with. Somehow, I'm warmed.
Posts: 1885 | Registered: May 2001
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L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
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Posted
Thanks for all that.
Don't worry about my cousin and family where the aunt will be: if her charmless son turns up there's a 6'3" amazon just dying to have a go at him ever since he once tried to put his hand up her skirt...
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Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
Posts: 4950 | From: somewhere in England... | Registered: Sep 2012
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
![[Snigger]](graemlins/snigger.gif)
{Hums theme from "Xena, Warrior Princess" TV series.}
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Beenster
Shipmate
# 242
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Posted
I've wimped with the present buying activity. the sods are getting vouchers. I thought about sending them an already purchased candle but then that meant effort of wrapping and posting.
I'm choosing the path of least resistance.
the path of honesty and integrity would mean they would get an invoice for all counselling - but I am just enjoying that thought for myself rather than inflict it.
Posts: 1885 | Registered: May 2001
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mark_in_manchester
not waving, but...
# 15978
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Posted
My wife chose the present for my DR, and it's going to be sent from the kids. So...I guess that's that then!
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"We are punished by our sins, not for them" - Elbert Hubbard
(so good, I wanted to see it after my posts and not only after those of shipmate JBohn from whom I stole it)
Posts: 1596 | Registered: Oct 2010
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Ian Climacus
Liturgical Slattern
# 944
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Posted
Late, but had to post this somewhere.
quote:
Originally posted by mark_in_manchester:
What to buy for Christmas for the difficult relative in your life; ...
A charity Christmas album?
[ 16. December 2015, 05:51: Message edited by: Ian Climacus ]
Posts: 7800 | From: On the border | Registered: Jul 2001
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Jane R
Shipmate
# 331
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Posted
Beenster: quote:
I do like the idea of membership of some org. In that way, I could support a charity - eg RSPB.
My not-particularly-difficult-parents always have National Trust membership for their birthdays from us. But they actually *like* it, and wouldn't buy it for themselves but do use their cards throughout the year.
I got my youngest sister a 'Year of Soap' this year, but she will think it's funny (and I did get her something else as well). Someone you are not on good terms with would probably take it as a deadly insult.
Posts: 3958 | From: Jorvik | Registered: May 2001
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
My MIL was a very difficult woman to buy for. Actually, I make that a very difficult woman. She liked teatowels with a calendar printed on them as she got double use from them. A calendar and then a teatowel. Very miserly she was, sorry, thrifty.
I found a great teatowel one year. It did not impress but she needed the calendar so she put it on the wall. The slogan above the calendar said, "Happiness is where we find it, not where we look for it." ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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Beenster
Shipmate
# 242
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Posted
I've posted the frickin presents and what disappoints me is the amount of brain power that I spent on this. The money is the money, and that's somewhat academic but the amount of my brain space these two dicks have used - well that's something you can't put a price on.
Lesson learnt. Next year it will be a short sharp decision and I will move on.
Posts: 1885 | Registered: May 2001
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ian Climacus:
Late, but had to post this somewhere.
A charity Christmas album?
That is a definite improvement on so much of the commercial crap being broadcast in the supermarkets and malls here. This year the upbeat version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town is everywhere and it's horrible. I'm tempted to run amok with one of those pink plastic water pistols that look like submachine guns. A couple of squirts into the speakers should shut them up - if only I were a better shot
Huia
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Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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JonahMan
Shipmate
# 12126
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Huia:
I'm tempted to run amok with one of those pink plastic water pistols that look like submachine guns. A couple of squirts into the speakers should shut them up - if only I were a better shot
Huia
You might like to get some tips here:
The Night Santa Went Crazy
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Thank God for the aged
And old age itself, and illness and the grave
For when you're old, or ill and particularly in the coffin
It's no trouble to behave
Posts: 914 | From: Planet Zog | Registered: Dec 2006
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
Thought of something: depending on the relative's musical tastes, the duets album of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. It is wonderful. Cole Porter, swing, etc. If the relative likes one of the singers, they probably don't aren't very familiar with the other. So you can educate them a bit, give them some pleasure, and quietly chuckle to yourself.
It is a really good, feel-good album. I knew TB's music; but I wasn't exactly interested in LG's, though I did see a really good interview with her and liked her. But I came across their special on PBS, and fell in love with their sound. FWIW.
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Lothlorien:
My MIL was a very difficult woman to buy for. Actually, I make that a very difficult woman. She liked teatowels with a calendar printed on them as she got double use from them. A calendar and then a teatowel. Very miserly she was, sorry, thrifty.
I found a great teatowel one year. It did not impress but she needed the calendar so she put it on the wall. The slogan above the calendar said, "Happiness is where we find it, not where we look for it."
Just FYI: not to in any way minimize any of what you said; but when and where I grew up, those calendars were popular.
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
And your choice of calendar was great.
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
If you need a bit of relief from your difficult relatives, try a dose of James Thurber's story, "The Night The Bed Fell". Hilarious, crazy-relative antics. Includes some of JT's own illustrations, and there's even an audio version! One of my favorite stories ever.
![[Cool]](cool.gif)
[ 24. December 2015, 08:46: Message edited by: Golden Key ]
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Albertus
Shipmate
# 13356
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Posted
Meant to be going up to Mrs A's parents for Christmas- not the most exciting festivities you've ever had, but what we'd planned.
Phone call from them Monday evening- we're not well- colds and arthritis- don't come, we'll be OK on our own. So we change our plans, too late to fix up much else, but quiet day with just the two of us and the dog.
Mrs A rings them up this morning:
Mrs A: how are you?
M-in-l: Oh, we're fine, what are you doing today?
Mrs A: Nothing much, we were meant to be coming up to see you
M-in-l: oh yes...
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
Posts: 6498 | From: Y Sowth | Registered: Jan 2008
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Golden Key
Shipmate
# 1468
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Posted
Somehow, I think a quiet day with the dog will be much more enjoyable. Sorry that happened.
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Blessed Gator, pray for us!
--"Oh bat bladders, do you have to bring common sense into this?" (Dragon, "Jane & the Dragon")
--"Oh, Peace Train, save this country!" (Yusuf/Cat Stevens, "Peace Train")
Posts: 18601 | From: Chilling out in an undisclosed, sincere pumpkin patch. | Registered: Oct 2001
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Albertus
Shipmate
# 13356
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Posted
You're right, it has turned out to be much more enjoyable. A blissfully happy day, just the three of us and Radio 3 (Radio 4 for Jeremy Irons' wonderful readings from Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats). So it was worth being sodded about.
[ 25. December 2015, 20:26: Message edited by: Albertus ]
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My beard is a testament to my masculinity and virility, and demonstrates that I am a real man. Trouble is, bits of quiche sometimes get caught in it.
Posts: 6498 | From: Y Sowth | Registered: Jan 2008
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Louise
Shipmate
# 30
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Posted
I'm being driven absolutely fucking insane by someone watching loud shouty soap operas with the TV volume turned up to deafening levels. It's a wonder I haven't run out into the wilds of Englandshire to escape.
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Now you need never click a Daily Mail link again! Kittenblock replaces Mail links with calming pics of tea and kittens! http://www.teaandkittens.co.uk/ Click under 'other stuff' to find it.
Posts: 6918 | From: Scotland | Registered: May 2001
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Doublethink.
Ship's Foolwise Unperson
# 1984
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Posted
I bought my dad TV headphones this year, he *will* be testing them on match of the day tonight.
Conversely, my gaming headset has meant I could play my new copy of Fallout 4 whilst the rest of my family read their books"
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All political thinking for years past has been vitiated in the same way. People can foresee the future only when it coincides with their own wishes, and the most grossly obvious facts can be ignored when they are unwelcome. George Orwell
Posts: 19219 | From: Erehwon | Registered: Aug 2005
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Louise
Shipmate
# 30
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Posted
I've had it with mine. Fuck it all. I have to be nice till I escape. But I've fucking had it.
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Now you need never click a Daily Mail link again! Kittenblock replaces Mail links with calming pics of tea and kittens! http://www.teaandkittens.co.uk/ Click under 'other stuff' to find it.
Posts: 6918 | From: Scotland | Registered: May 2001
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Palimpsest
Shipmate
# 16772
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Posted
I keep being haunted by the title of a David Foster Wallace essay A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again In your remaining time, figure out the excuses for next year when you can't make it.
(edited to fix bad link - preview psot is your friend - DT HH)
[ 27. December 2015, 11:39: Message edited by: Doc Tor ]
Posts: 2990 | From: Seattle WA. US | Registered: Nov 2011
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L'organist
Shipmate
# 17338
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Posted
Lovely Christmas: just me, the children and the various waifs-and-strays we've accumulated over the past couple of years.
My aged aunt of whom I've written also had a good time staying with a cousin - and her ingrate son was a bit miffed because when he called (c 3.30pm) they were all out for a walk so he got no reply.
But took call from an old chum at midnight whose wife had decided that the evening of Christmas Day, when his parents were staying, was the ideal time to announce she intended leaving him over the New Year weekend ... Timing, as they say, is all.
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Rara temporum felicitate ubi sentire quae velis et quae sentias dicere licet
Posts: 4950 | From: somewhere in England... | Registered: Sep 2012
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