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!
