First Impression Deception (Drunken Chatty Charlie)

I could tell from a few steps away that he was in a very "happy" place. Then, when he turned in to our row, he gave a little wiggle to prove that point to me. He reeked of booze and BO and talked non-stop, and all I could thing was "this is who I have to sit beside for two hours?!" I couldn't believe they'd let someone so obviously drunk on the plane and as he started chatting me up about where he had been, where he was going, someone he met in the terminal, blah, blah, blah. I started thinking of ways that I could graciously exit the conversation and ignore him.

A few minutes later, the pilot made a vague announcement about how he could only start one engine so we'd have to do an air start. This makes me freak out. I'm picturing us halfway in the air and then starting the second engine, which of course would fail, plunging us to our ultimate doom.

Then something extraordinary happened. Drunk Man started to explain what was happening and it was only the engine that ran the generator that starts the motor to run the auxiliary services. He went through the procedures item by item and as we approached each procedure, he turned out to be right. That's when it hit me how often my first impression of others gets me into trouble and how later some people I really dislike end up being great friends and how others I've really liked turn out to be, well, not so much friends. Apparently, I never really learn to stop pre-judging people.

He also gave me a good tidbit or two - one was to count the rows of seats to the exit door in case of an "emergency landing". "Three rows and hang a right", he said. Bet I do that on every flight now. Yup, Drunken Chatty Charlie is the one person I'd like beside me if the plane goes down.

Maybe he thinks I’m flirting with him – and if so, why doesn’t he like it?

Day 1
Me: “Good morning”
Random Guy on the Street: Mumbles something incoherent – I assumed “good morning” but now I think maybe “FO”

Day 2
Me: “Good morning”
RGotS: Shrugs, mutters, keeps walking

Day 3
RGotS: Sees me coming, stiffens his back, looks forward, braces himself
Me: “Good morning”
RGotS: Not even a flinch, stares straight forward

WTF?

Making Peace with Drivers - the commute experience

I have enjoyed walking to work for nearly one month now. I love the sights, sounds, smells, and feel of walking to work. Generally, it puts me in a really good mood.

I have only one issue (today, that is). Have you ever tried to communicate with someone in a vehicle while you're walking? Try it some day. It is nearly impossible to see into a vehicle window when someone is flying by you. One exception - when someone is stopped and has their window open. Drivers are usually in such a hurry that they forget basic things like stopping at crosswalks, watching for pedestrians, etc. You may say that because you're a driver, you have another version of the story. Yes, I get it. I too am a driver (and a damn good one at that). I am now, however, a ped-driver - I do both. So, I think I am uniquely qualified to say STOP AT THE CROSSWALKS YOU IDIOTS. I do understand that sometimes you don't see people, the lights aren't working, and various other excuses that I myself have been known to utter a time or two. But when for nearly one month everyone (with the exception of one cyclist) drives through the crosswalk that you cross twice daily, it becomes a pain in the ass.

Yesterday as I headed out the door, I could feel something different in the air. As I walked I noticed, yes, it was the actual feel of "peace" in commuter travel. I had one man even apologize through his open window for driving up a little too far and blocking about 10% of the walking lane. Wow. I told him it was fine and I was ok as long as he didn't hit me. He laughed like it was the most hilarious thing he'd ever heard (no accounting for sense of humour, I suppose). Drivers were courteously letting other drivers merge, there was actual signalling happening. It was a miracle. My test was coming up on how good the day actually was, though. THE CROSSWALK. As I approached, I could feel myself tensing up. The anticipation of the event was building. I stopped at the crosswalk. One car passed. Two cars passed. The third car stopped and let me cross. I gave a quick wave and smile to the woman that I could barely see in the windshield and was off. For one brief, shining moment, all the world was right.

Then again, don't get me started on the walk home. I was just about hit by a car turning left as I walked through a just changed "don't walk" sign. Don't really know whose fault it was but as a ped-driver, I'm sure it wasn't me.

The Suit That John Made Me Buy

I have a new job where I feel I have to make a good impression on high-ranking people so I decided I needed to purchase a new kick-a%# suit for my first out-of-town meetings this week.

I went to a new store and instantly fell in love - with the clothes, of course; with John, most definitely! John was the kind of salesperson one dreams about. Attentive, helpful, knew exactly what would fit my body type. Sigh.

John made me try on a $550 suit. Teenflo. I have never tried on anything that has felt as good. John extolled the virtues of the suit. "You can wear the jacket with jeans or over a cute little white sundress. You can wear it with tall brown, tan, or black boots OR stilettos would look really hot with it. It fits you like a glove, I love the detail on it. . ." and on and on and on. I have never spent that much money on a suit. I figured $500 would cover the suit and a new pair of shoes.

John made me buy the suit. Rather, John sold the suit. I think all salespeople should be brought into a boutique store to see how it's done. Those salespeople who score 0 in communication skills and anticipating needs should see how a real man sells a woman clothing.

The best thing about my purchase is that John has me so convinced that I feel absolutely no guilt. Now THAT'S a salesperson!