The guy was probably in his 30s, nice-looking, with a lovely head of thick dark red hair. He was wearing a sweater. It had to be 90° outside, and he had on a heavy cardigan over his knit sport shirt. I said, "I can help you when you are ready." He said, "I'm not finished looking yet!" Like I should have known that. He was snippy and supercilious, so I had to ask about the sweater. "Is our cool snap getting to you?" He had an outrageous Brooklyn (maybe) accent. "No," he said, "it's just freezing where I work." Then, THEN, he had the temerity to ask, "Do you guys have a Dell discount?" I told him politely that we do not.
I get eternally fed up with people asking for a Dell discount. Dell, as a corporation, gets huge tax cuts as an incentive for them to stay here, and every home builder, mortgage company and mover gives discounts to Dell employees. They pay very little in property taxes and fill our overcrowded schools.
The SOB didn't even leave a tip.
Just remember, karma. It'll come back to him.
ReplyDeleteI confess, Ronni, I don't even know where you work. Where did this happen? What a twerp. Tho' I will say, "It's freezing where I work" followed by letting is slip that he works for Dell? To me that equals "I'm a miserable lout just like everyone who works at Dell."
ReplyDeleteOkay, maybe not everyone, but I've heard that Dell is a sweatshop (haha) for the most part.
Not that I don't *completely* agree w/ you about the "Dell Discount" crap. It irritates me, too.
And I hate people who don't tip. Bahhhhstahhhhds.
Jooley, I work for Thundercloud Subs part time, and A Cut Above Costumes part time.
ReplyDeleteI say, go out to Dell and fill out a job application. It's a new world we're living in. The stock market's up, Dell's not so bad. They make computers. Love you, Ronni, and I mean it.
ReplyDeleteHey, if he works at Dell and they are doing oh so well financially, why on God's Green Earth would the idiot NEED a discount?
ReplyDeleteHe could always go to McDonald's and eat off the dollar menu.
Idiot.
P.S. Anonymous: Please take the fast train to hell and on the way? You fill out an application for Dell, allrighty then?
No shit, they make computers. I'm typing on one!
ReplyDeleteSee, the problem is, the job at A Cut Above Costumes is doing what I would have done if I had figured out what I wanted to do when I was still young enough to do it.
In other words, even with a degree, this is what I would be doing. Maybe getting paid more for it, but, what the hell? I've been doing the same thing for nothing but the love of it, for 20 years.
It seems to be sort of a miracle, getting paid to do what I love. It has never happened to me before, and I can't give that up to work for the Corporation.
If I have to spend a few hours a week sucking up to people who can afford to spend $8 for a California Club with chips and a drink, to get a $.15 tip, so be it.
"Thirty-one days ago, my life changed. Forever. In the blink of an eye. I still have not actually grasped the enormity of that."
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty enormous, alright.
"All the legal and financial aspects aside, there is a huge, gaping hole that will probably never heal."
It won't, but you can go on and move forward into your life after a piece of your heart has been cut out. There are other chambers in your heart that are full, with love for your children, your friends, and for you. Your heart is not a perfect heart shaped heart, anymore. It's a little lopsided, now that that huge chunk has been zapped. But, when you think about it, you still love him, even though he's gone. You still love him. And that love you hold for him never has to die. It doesn't. You can still love him. It's okay. All you have to do is accept the fact that there will be no new experiences or memories made together, here, on planet Earth.
"I wake up at night, gasping for breath because I realize that, not only is he not there beside me, but he will never be."
This is the worst pain you've described, here. It is the worst. I've been there. For whatever it's worth, and I don't mean to sound cold, but you'll get used to it. This is what they're talking about when they say time heals all wounds. The length of time between the time you realize that he is not there beside you and the time you realize he never will be becomes shorter with time.
"I feel as if I shall never be whole again."
You are what you are. Your life is what it is. What happened, happened. I'm not sure what whole means. Maybe I should say I never knew what if felt like to feel whole. I've always thought of myself as a poor dumbfu*k, plopped out into this world, and expected to survive, on my own. So, I don't know what "wholeness" means. Maybe somebody else can help you with this one.
"No shit, they make computers. I'm typing on one!"
ReplyDeleteYeah, and this is the industry that has moved to Round Rock.
"See, the problem is, the job at A Cut Above Costumes is doing what I would have done if I had figured out what I wanted to do when I was still young enough to do it."
Yeah, I get it. But that was then, and this is now.
"In other words, even with a degree, this is what I would be doing. Maybe getting paid more for it, but, what the hell? I've been doing the same thing for nothing but the love of it, for 20 years."
Yeah, what the Hell. Go apply. Get a job. Maybe Dell has a costume design department. Find out.
"It seems to be sort of a miracle, getting paid to do what I love. It has never happened to me before,"
Yes it was a dream.
" and I can't give that up to work for the Corporation."
If you can find another way to make that lifestyle continue, I'm all for it, but if you can't, let it go.
"If I have to spend a few hours a week sucking up to people who can afford to spend $8 for a California Club with chips and a drink, to get a $.15 tip, so be it."
Is that enough?
Gee, why would Ronni take advice from someone who's afraid to leave their name? "Is that enough?" It is if it makes her happy. Life isn't about money. Unfortunately money is only important when you don't have it. Keep doing what makes you happy. God will see that it works out.
ReplyDeleteI am not going to work at Dell. Period. I can make it on what I make.
ReplyDeleteTo me, there are more important things than making a ton of money. If I can get by doing what I am, I will. If I need more money, I'll try and find something part time that pays better than Thundercloud.
I will not give up the costume design.
I say if Ronni can make it happen, good for her!
ReplyDeleteAll I want is for Ronni to be happy.
BTW, I'm not sure what you mean by "that lifestyle." My husband was a middle school theater teacher. It's not as if our "lifestyle" were opulent.
ReplyDeleteI wrote a lot of stuff. Can't remember where I said,
ReplyDelete"BTW, I'm not sure what you mean by "that lifestyle." My husband was a middle school theater teacher. It's not as if our "lifestyle" were opulent."
I apologize. I think Ronni is okay, and not in need of your$$$$$$$. No need to send in money. Ronni is okay, and perfectly capable of taking care of herself.
Dear, sweet, Anonymous;
ReplyDeleteIf you truly only wish for Ronni to be happy, then kindly stop with the condescending, dismissive, annoying, negative, "life is all a black cloud now forever and ever" posts.
Of course Ronni is facing horrendous difficulties emotionally and logistically at the moment. While it must be overwhelming and even suffocating at times, it is a transitory state. Particularly the financial, legal and logistical aspects.
While one needs empathy and many shoulders to cry on in her situation, one does not need to be accosted by the anonymous spawn of Debbie Downer and Hardluck Schleprock.
And I think we are all fairly certain that there is no f'ing way Dell has a costume design department. The knowing absurdity of making that statement is offensive.
What is lacking in your life or your psyche that you need to persist in this endeavor? While once maddening, it is becoming sad. Clearly you are the one in need of advice on how to live your life.
Ronni, while I certainly do not know you well at all, I thoroughly enjoyed the one time we met and I think about you often and keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
"What is lacking in your life or your psyche that you need to persist in this endeavor? While once maddening, it is becoming sad. Clearly you are the one in need of advice on how to live your life."
ReplyDeleteI've always thought there was a human thread connecting us all. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe you are superior to me. Maybe you know better than I. I will not infringe upon your time, because you are far better informed than i upon the workings of life, I should just fade out, and learn it on my own time, God's time, not your time because you are too important and busy to explain it all, not that God would not want you to share it with me, right now, the meaning of it all, since you know the answer to it all. I guess God has you tied up on a more important mission than explaining it all to me. I guess God is okay with you insulting me like you have.
"And I think we are all fairly certain that there is no f'ing way Dell has a costume design department." I know Francis Ford Coppola does. I know George Lucas does. You may be right that Dell doesn't. I've never looked into it. It might be nice if they had one.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, It is a great pity that God is not doing a better job for world peace.
ReplyDeleteI'd be really surprised if his attention is focused on each and every living specimen on earth. actually, I think that is delusional.
Seems to me he has his mighty hands full causing natural and unnatural disasters.
Oh, so what, I'm not religious. You, on the other hand, get your kicks, spouting off about God, while stalking and antagonising someone in pain.
Your God has not taught you much, Anonymous. Neither has he taught you about the courage of you convictions, or you wouldn't be "Anonymous". Ack, what's the use...!
George Lukas and other Hollywood types have costume designers lining up outside their doors. Withe their degrees in their hands. I am a 58-year-old woman who never figured out what she wanted to do with her life until the past year or so. I'm a very lucky person to be making any sort of money doing what I love to do. Millions never have that in their lives. It's not much money, but, when Jim's retirement benefits are all straightened out, it will be enough to live on.
ReplyDeleteWorking for The Corporation is not for me. I wouldn't last a year, even if they would hire me at my age.
I have a niche here. Why would I leave the town I have lived in for 30 years in pursuit of Hollywood glamour? At 58?
I don't think so.
Anonymous, you have previously threatened to go away because my friends are hurting your feelings. If you could possibly bring yourself to do so, I think that might be for the best.
Anonymous is either bi-polar and off her meds, trolling places that don't appreciate her verbage, or she's posting drunk. Take your pick.
ReplyDeleteRonni, you are so lucky to be doing something you love and making money while doin so. How many of us can say that? Designing costumes now is probably something that is helping you keep your sanity while trying to get through all this.
Here's an idea. Since this is Ronni's blog and therefor by and about RONNI, how about we focus on her rather than the needy, sadly misguided and unwanted rantings of an anonymous poster?
ReplyDeleteThis is not about YOU, Anonymous. Not about your feelings, your desires for enlightenment or your desire to pass on what you evidently (and incorrectly) believe to be helpful advice. If your need for the drama is so great, start your own blog. Leave Ronni's to her.
Good golly. This is way off the current track, but can I just say that I always tip $1 when I go to Thundercloud? I love that place. They make the BEST subs, and they always have the coolest people working behind the counter. Why are people so cheap as to not toss a little toward the person who makes their sandwich? Geesh.
ReplyDeleteHey, Ronni, do you work at the one next door to the taco joint where the snake was tossed through the drivethru window?? Do you know the woman who adopted same snake? Good for her! What a story!!
Ronni, I hope you got the card I sent you.
ReplyDeleteI must get a paper to see Mandie. Yes, I know her, and she is wonderful, in a bug-jumping nutz sort of way.
ReplyDeleteCG, I did get your card, and a "thank you" card should be winging its way to you shortly. Thank you so much!