Karma

Kindly draw your attention to the June 3, 2009 entry: Creepy or Cool? and/or recall my mention of the uber-precious conference room in my building. …and now, read on, cuz karma’s a bitch.

Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 9:27 AM:
Unfortunately the ________ Room has sustained severe water damage. The leak was found this morning around 8:00AM and the leak continues. The renovation project manager has told us that the room cannot be currently be used, more than likely for several weeks. Water is being extracted from the rug and dehumidifiers are being brought in and will run 24/7.

A true pity. Chuckle, snort.

Comprehension

Am I the only one who doesn’t shampoo twice? The bottle is pretty straightforward. “Apply to wet hair. Rinse. Repeat.” Once is fine, though, right?

That’s beside the point. Point being: following instructions. Take this one, for example: “Tell your doctor if you are taking other medications.”

Do WHAT, now? (Sidebar: I’m not from these parts, but that’s one of my favorite southern phrases. I translate it as a mix of, “I beg your pardon,” “You’ve got to be kidding me,” and, “I don’t think I heard you properly.”)

“Tell your doctor if you are taking other medications.” Every prescription medication ad mentions that sentence amidst the legalese. Really? Do people go to different doctors and not mention, oh, I don’t know: heart condition, asthma, epilepsy, diabetes…whatever reason you might be taking medication. Really?

Remember when McDonald’s was successfully sued by the lady who scalded herself via coffee because the cup didn’t mention that coffee is…hot?? I’m just a little stunned by the lengths that companies have to go to in order to protect themselves from frivolity. Unbelievable.

Did You Get New Glasses?

In January of 2009 I got new eyeglasses. They are Ray Ban RX5136 and have, according to the specs, "dark green" frames.

Not one week has gone by in the past 5 months that someone - and most always it's someone who sees me regularly, mind you - says, "Did you get new glasses?" It happened AGAIN just moments ago.

The specs also say: "Colors in pictures may be slightly different than in the sunlight. Also individual perception of colors may be different."

I suppose it's what I'm wearing of a given day, but...dang.

What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Self-Examination?

I left the office today smiling to myself for the first time in a long time. Physically sloughing off the place. How odd that what made me smile further was think about one of the smartest moves I ever made some years back (2006, in fact), nothing whatsoever to do with work.

People break up - that's life. I heard an interview with (of all people!) Iggy Pop on Fresh Air last week. I'm not a fan, but it was a great interview (go find it on NPR or the Fresh Air site, I ain't linkin' it here). He's plugging a new album, of course, called Préliminaires. One of the songs they talked about specifically was a cover of an Antônio Carlos Jobim song, "How Insensitive." He was saying this song is so blissfully short and says exactly what it needs to say without droning on and on like so many emotional songs do. I'll tell ya: when you feel it and they don't...what can you do, you know?

How insensitive I must have seemed when he told me that he loved me
How unmoved and cold I must have seemed when he told me so sincerely
Why, he must have asked, did I just turn and stare in icy silence
What was I to say? What can you say when a love affair is over
Now he's gone away and I'm alone with a memory of him:
Last look vague and drawn and sad. I see it still. All his heartbreak in that last look.
How, he must have asked, could I just turn and stare in icy silence
What was I to do? What can one do when a love affair is over

"...and I'm alone with a memory of him," by the way, is a good thing. No idea what brought this specifically to mind today, but there you have it. Oh, and I know...the point of this blog is, it's not about me. OK, so today it is.

Creepy or Cool? -- UPDATE

Curiosity got the better of me and I entered The Room (unobserved). It’s a rose IN WATER, IN the carbonated beverage bottle (like a vase). Not the way I pictured it in my mind and perhaps conveyed, like laid out on a tomb. Doesn't change my opinion much.

Creepy or Cool?

Atlanta has a rich history, and speaking of rich -- lots of old money. Let's just say that a deceased benefactor earned plenty via a carbonated beverage . Let's just say that there is a Foundation that bears his last name and that my employer and many other non-profits around the world reap the benefits. Let's just say that a good number of buildings where I work also bear that last name. Let's just say that not only my building but a conference room IN my building bear his name. This conference room may only be reserved for "high-level" meetings -- and trust me, if you're found booking said room and your meeting isn't high-level enough, you will be asked to find another location. Really. I don't cross the threshold, let's just say.

My building was recently renovated and the Foundation Board is coming for a tour today. I went downstairs to the office of Buildings & Construction to prove that though I threatened it, no, I am not wearing daisy dukes, a tube top and rollerskates today (you know, for our esteemed guests).

I learned this: every Monday, a red rose and a bottle of that carbonated beverage are placed beneath his portrait, because that's what they do at the Foundation.

Creepy...or cool?

(Oh, and am I the only one who really wants to know now if said bottle is opened for him, too????)