Somebody gimme a good comeback

[trisherina]

Perhaps you may have divined this through consulting your Tarot, but I have had a very rough past few weeks. Today I was given the opportunity to attend an event with my family tomorrow by someone who offered to cover for me -- though the way the rules go, it'll cost the organization twice what they would have paid me. No one seemed to have a problem with this, and the one person who has any actual authority in these matters encouraged me to take the time and forget about it.

I really appreciate the opportunity to go. I anticipate that one individual will point out to me that it was expensive to replace me, though. We have a long and generally friendly history.

Normally, under these circumstances, I would forget about my request, but I have made just one too many concessions to the workplace lately, and I was at my limit. My "friend" will know that this is uncharacteristic for me -- making it all the more likely that she will feel compelled to bring it up.

I am wondering what I will say when she does. My range of responses right now ranges from the homicidal to... well, help me out.

[madasacutsnake]

Muhahaha.....I'll be back

[sparticle]

Originally posted by trisherina
Perhaps you may have divined this through consulting your Tarot, but I have had a very rough past few weeks. Today I was given the opportunity to attend an event with my family tomorrow by someone who offered to cover for me -- though the way the rules go, it'll cost the organization twice what they would have paid me. No one seemed to have a problem with this, and the one person who has any actual authority in these matters encouraged me to take the time and forget about it.

I really appreciate the opportunity to go. I anticipate that one individual will point out to me that it was expensive to replace me, though. We have a long and generally friendly history.

Normally, under these circumstances, I would forget about my request, but I have made just one too many concessions to the workplace lately, and I was at my limit. My "friend" will know that this is uncharacteristic for me -- making it all the more likely that she will feel compelled to bring it up.

I am wondering what I will say when she does. My range of responses right now ranges from the homicidal to... well, help me out.

Possible responses:

1. Serious.

Puzzled smile. "Why?" Or "What makes you ask?"

"Well, the boss and I seem to have worked it out well. Is there a problem?"


2. Smartass.

"I know. Aren't they lucky I'm such a bargain at regular rates?"

"I wasn't gone Saturday." (accompanied by patronizing/suspicious look, as in, "Are you okay?")

"You should see what Rat Man has to pay the woman who replaces me when I'm at work."

"It's okay. I donated eight quarts to the blood bank over a month's time to make up for it. Next year we're going to Europe for a month -- I'm starting the iron supplements now."

"What "pay"? You mean, you people get MONEY for doing this?"

"The only professional women I know of who discuss salaries with co-workers stand on streetcorners to earn the money."

"Think what it would cost them if I died! They could never afford to replace me, so I guess I'll live forever."

Naturally, my smartass responses outnumber the serious ones. You probably won't want to use any of them, but thinking of them might give you a smile while you're explaining to Nosey Poke that you were busy having fun with your family for a change.

[trisherina]

Originally posted by sparticle
"It's okay. I donated eight quarts to the blood bank over a month's time to make up for it. Next year we're going to Europe for a month -- I'm starting the iron supplements now."

"What "pay"? You mean, you people get MONEY for doing this?"

"The only professional women I know of who discuss salaries with co-workers stand on streetcorners to earn the money."

"Think what it would cost them if I died! They could never afford to replace me, so I guess I'll live forever."

The choices! The choices! I really like the blood bank one, but I'm not sure I could actually say it without laughing.

[zenbabe]

hahahaha!

"You should see what Rat Man has to pay the woman who replaces me when I'm at work."


I dare you!!!

[trisherina]

Daring, eh. That's serious.

[nycwriters]

Do what you need to do.

Deal with what happens after.

Be you. Fvck the rest of them.

[trisherina]

I'm thinking today that it probably won't be worth it.

[sparticle]

Originally posted by trisherina
I'm thinking today that it probably won't be worth it.

Awwwww, no! Go! You deserve some family time!

[Avalon]

go Trish!

Do not let some petty individual keep you from doing something you obviously want and deserve to do. Time is fleeting; work will still be there but this event is a one of a kind. Our families are aging and changing and someday, some of those at this gathering will no longer be able to attend. And even if it is just you and the immediate Rats, Miss Rat is going to remember that you went to be with her. Better that than her remembering you worked instead.
Don't stay home and then regret that you didn't go.

[trisherina]

Oh, I'm going. It's the continuous nagging guilt that makes it less worthwhile, argh.

[trisherina]

We had a really great time. I managed to snap out of it and let family win the all-star battle for my time b/w work, school, and them for a change. Thanks for tolerating my enormous neuroticism; I actually dreamed getting into a screaming match about this. Gah! Life's too short!

[sparticle]

I am so glad to hear you enjoyed yourself.

Today Mr. Husband and I went on a leisurely five-mile walk that took the better part of the afternoon. We usually don't take the time. It's the best time we've had together in ages.

It's almost always worth it. Nobody ever reflects in their old age that they wish they'd spent more time at work! (at least, not most of us -- )

[trisherina]

And nobody ever says at your funeral: "Damn, but her attendance record was impeccable."

[madasacutsnake]

I bought a T-shirt with this on. You can borrow it if you like.