Thursday, August 20, 2009

Poetry In Motion

Every once in a while an opportunity presents itself and we just can’t pass it up. Such an opportunity presented itself to me this morning. I am always polite and courteous to people, and I get along well with the people at work, and the people in my strata community. The incident with the head of the Strata Council sort of threw me for a loop. Yesterday I received an e-mail from the Property Manager apologizing for the misinformation from the head of the Strata Council, and signed “kindest personal regards”. She said she was not going to deposit my cheque for $50.00, since the situation had been handled so poorly, she had been misinformed by the head of the Strata Council, and I had acted I good faith. Wow! That made me feel good.

This morning my opportunity presented itself. The head of the Strata Council and I were in the elevator together.

Me: “Good morning.”

She: (slitty-eyed) “Good morning.”

Me: “Are you driving to work today?”

She: “Yes, why?”

Me: “Well, I thought since you are now the High Priestess of the Strata Coven, you would be flying on your broom today.”

As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I was shocked. It was as if they had a life of their own. Was that really me? Did I say that? Well, apparently I did. And you know what? It felt good. It reminded me of a scene in “You’ve Got Mail”.

Kathleen Kelly: "I just had a breakthrough."

Joe Fox: "What is it?"

Kathleen Kelly: "I have you to thank for it. For the first time in my life, when confronted with a horrible, insensitive person, I knew exactly what I wanted to say and I said it."

Joe Fox: "I think you have the gift for it. It was a perfect blend of poetry and meanness."

The elevator stopped on the ground floor, I got out and left her there, slack-jawed.

I'm glad I did it. I have zero respect for people like her. Well, I guess I know whom not to ask if and when I need my plants watered.

34 comments:

Land of shimp said...

Ha! Hey, it's better to put it out there that you know she's as likely to slither as she is to walk.

At least she'll know better than to try and feign her sweet-as-pie persona with you again.

Essentially, she had that coming, by a lot.

Jo said...

Alane, you know, the words just popped out of my mouth, as if they had a life of their own. *sigh* And yes, she did have that coming, and perhaps the Property Manager will be "onto" her now too.

Patty said...

Ha!Ha!, love it, so glad you had a come back line for the witch. Glad the person that is over her, knows what's going on, perhaps there will be some changes made.

The Bug said...

Hip hip hooray! I can never think of gems like that in a timely manner - & I'm too chicken to spout them even if I could. Good for you!

Land of shimp said...

Alane, you know, the words just popped out of my mouth, as if they had a life of their own. *sigh*

I think I understand why that might be, Jo. Remember the post you made and then removed, as you went out to search for the sunshine? The main thing you felt?

I think the reasons the words had a life of their own had to do with that. You needed to let that woman know that she hadn't altered your view of the world, and that far more importantly, you weren't afraid of her.

That's why I think they came flying out of your mouth, you needed to know that some petty tyrants attempts to control you both began and stopped with her, and her alone.

Just my theory. In other words, you rock :-)

Stephen Leach said...

That's creepy. I'm currently listening to Defying Gravity!!!!!!!!!!!
Well done you. Exactly what I'd do, and people like that deserve.

Charles Gramlich said...

Saying that would have brightened my day. I need to get my courage up more!

Charles Gramlich said...

Be like Jo. That should be everyone's motto. :)

Alissa Grosso said...

I'd say that was a nice resolution to the whole situation. Perhaps she will think twice about messing with you again.

DUTA said...

With people like this one, it's never finished, unless you can find a way to make her move from the building.

Jennifer D said...

I thought of that scene in "you've got mail" as soon as I read your words about her broom! Ha Ha. Love it, I always wish I could do that. I think of what to say long after that fact.

lovelyprism said...

Omg Jo! LOL I can't believe you actually said that out loud! That took some guts. I would have surely thought it, but I don't know if I would have had the courage to say it. Sometimes I do, sometimes it escapes me lol. Good for you!

Lay said...

That is an opportunity that we all want to take sooo often but rarely get to! Hooray for you getting to seize yours! She deserved it!

Essie said...

Ha! Haaa!HAAAAaaaaaa! Haaaa! Haaaa!

Oh Yeah!!! Way to go girl! See, you've got a little *F-you* in you. I knew you would get her. Good move paying that $50.00. The right things happen eventually to good people...we just have to wait longer than the mean ones, and that fine you paid totally exposed that witch, and showed what a nice person you are, and good tenant (or condo owner?).

I like what Land of shimp said too. No fakey fakey here lady, Jo is onto you!

PurestGreen said...

*hive five*

Well done!

Katy said...

Wow. What a great way to start the day!

I'm really glad to hear your check will not be cashed. Here is hoping Su-Maries day of heading up the coven are over.

Country Girl said...

Good Lord, Josie! This is not like you. But you know what? I am liking it! I think it's great.

Now I have to search for Strata in your former posts. I missed this. Perhaps it happened while I was away this month.

Anonymous said...

PERFECT!!

And I agree with Charles G: Be like Jo. Yep, that's my motto now! :-)

Carl said...

Slam Dunk

Leslie: said...

Oh my gosh! I'm SO glad the words came at the appropriate moment. I bet she felt yay high, especially since she had been told by higher-ups that she was in the wrong. Bet she was hoping you'd not find out.

robert said...

Respect!

the walking man said...

Oh yes you did! Best chuckle of the day. Best petard hoist of the month in strong contention for the best of 2009!

Avril Fleur said...

Good one JO!!! Love it! She deserved it and she also deserves to know exactly how you feel about her after she gave you the shaft!! Sometimes we just HAVE to stand up for ourselves if we are to retain any shred of basic human dignity.

SparkleFarkel said...

BRAVO! (Click HERE)

Anonymous said...

Good for you!! Score one for the nice people of the world who take it and take it until they can't take it anymore. You just get filled up to the gills with it and the psyche takes over and does what needs to be done to preserve your own sanity! From now on if you see her picture her riding her broom and laugh out loud so she can see and hear you, then walk away with head held high!!

Miranda said...

I am giving you a HIGH FIVE! For that. Wonderful. And I can totally see thinking of "You've got Mail" right after too! I would have done the same thing! I'm glad that the property manager didn't cash your check that was the right thing to do. I'm glad you took the high road on that! But its also good to get a low jab in every once in a while!

Kathy's Klothesline said...

You go, girl! I love it when it all comes together spontaneously and I have it all ready and get the chance to deliver. Perfect!

Mariana Soffer said...

Well done jo, I completely agree that you should claim for things that are not right and should be, we all should indeed, but many time we make the mistake of not doing that either cause we are too polite (I can be) or cause we do not dare to confront other people but the worst is cause you do not care about things (the people who do this should also be reprimended indeed)
You made me smile with your tale, cause I imagine you as an extremely nice person, that you must be.
Take care

Firefly the Travel Guy said...

YAY! GOOD FOR YOU! I just read it out loud to my whole office and they applauded you for doing so. Well done.

Katalyst Ofmine said...

Good for you! I absolutely LOVE it!

Anonymous said...

AWESOME!!

Jeannette StG said...

Good for you, Jo! You have a way with words - scratch that - your words have a way with you:) Wish I would have been there at that moment!

Cedar said...

HEH...that's funny.

Paula Slade said...

Getting the check back with the note was the "cake" but your elevator comment was the perfect (forgive the pun) "iceing." I'm happy for you Jo - she had it coming!! Good for you!!!