Flourish in Progress

Every Monday, I’m picking from the list of Things to Do, Places to Go, Possible Acts that Help and Possible Fun to Have. It’s a list I made before The Project started, and I’m still adding to it. If you have suggestions, please feel free to throw them my way. I’m calling the list my Monday Dares, as I get overwhelmed just looking at the words “challenge” or “goal.”

This week: I will stop tricking my child.

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT try to get your point across by throwing in slang. Does it sound hip? Does it add a little punch to your retorts? Does it make up for all those years of looking uncool in the schoolyard? Sure, but only if used properly.

I have limitations.

Am I going to open that jar of sweet midget pickles on my first attempt? Probably not.
Am I going to remember to pick up my kid from school every day? Probably not.
Am I going to use “true dat,” “owned,” and “to’ up” correctly in the heat of the moment? Probably not.

Tuesday afternoon, my car notified me that I had approximately 10 miles left before I would need to get out and start walking. I drove to the gas station down the street.

Just as I was about to pull into the only available pump, an older man in a silver Porsche (top down, of course) careened in from nowhere and took my spot. No, the spot didn’t have my name on it, but I was only 10 feet away and clearly aiming for it. Gas station etiquette, people. It’s what separates us from the animals.

I parked uncomfortably close to his car, got out, and calmly but firmly stated, “Excuse me, SIR, you took my spot. I’m not going to ask you to move, but next time, have a little courtesy.”

Old Man’s reply? “You look sweet.”

That’s Old Man Code for “bless your heart,” right?

By this time, he had already started pumping, so I walked a little closer.

Me: You think you just owned me by taking this spot, but you can’t own me. You can’t even rent me.

Old Man: That makes no sense.

Me: Be glad I’m such a lady, or your face would be to’ up right now. True dat.

Old Man: Who the FUCK are you trying to channel right now? It’s not working for you.

Then, he stopped paying attention to me and finished pumping his gas. I went back to my car and waited… ’cause I still needed gas.

An Old Man schooled me in slang and I got owned.<—I’m pretty sure I used my slang correctly there.

From a lifetime of Uncool…to Fool, thanks for sharing my journey with me this week.
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Look guys, I think we need to do some kind of roll call. If you participated in this week’s “Be aggressive” pledge, please respond below with at least a brief “Here” so I know you’re still out in the free world. If I don’t hear from you, I’m going to take it as a sign that we need to organize a bailout.
photo via knockknock.biz