Not Annoying Enough?
Here, put one of these endangered wildlife ringtones on your mobile phone. Or, if you want to be an endangered human being, put one of these on your phone and then sit next to me.
On a more positive note, I've had some success in the past couple of weeks quieting down assholes shouting into cell phones with the line:
"Excuse me, but your cell phone call is getting in the way of my quiet enjoyment of my breakfast."
Who can argue with the quiet enjoyment of one's breakfast? Well, I'm sure I'll encounter him and her in the next several days. Or, maybe I already have.
Sunday, Lena and I were at our local Hippie Haus of Coffee when an aging psychologist and his aging wife came in with their (gasp!) young child; apparently a miracle of fertility science, since the sell-by date on the lady's eggs must have come and gone sometime during the Reagan administration.
What is it about parents that makes them incapable of hearing the constant Plonk! Plonk! Plonk! and little singing voices of their child’s video game, and/or incapable of understanding that other people may not find these sound effects desirable additions to their attempt to think, converse with a friend, or read a book?
Well, in these parents' defense, maybe they left their Miracle Ears home on the dresser.
Or perhaps they were the child's grandparents?
Patrick at January 2, 2007 1:52 AM
I've seen this guy for a number of years, and pass by their house sometimes. I'm pretty sure it's theirs. They also acted more like parents (distracted from their kid) than grandparents, who generally act more attentive.
Amy Alkon at January 2, 2007 1:55 AM
I used to bring kid books with me whenever I went to informal, i.e. non-business, meetings. Some nitwit is sure to show up with a kid and no quiet entertainment. I haven't had to entertain a kid on a plane in a while, but I usually have cartoons on my computer. I may bring a couple of storybooks next time I go anywhere, just in case. Heaven know I don't mind reading aloud.
Just not TOO loud.
xoxo
Deirdre B. at January 2, 2007 3:36 AM
Deidre, if I believed in god, I'd nominate you for sainthood.
Amy Alkon at January 2, 2007 5:27 AM
I've met the guy before too. Is he a psychologist? I thought he taught classes on substance abuse at a community college, or something like that.
Lena at January 2, 2007 6:21 AM
Y'know what's great about little kids, though?
Tell me.
Crid at January 2, 2007 6:27 AM
Hey Cridland-- c'mere and I'll read you a story.
Deirdre B. at January 2, 2007 7:34 AM
A lifesaver for us when travelling with our son is a portable DVD player with *headphones*. Even though DH and I have developed the parental tune-out skill (the Thomas the Tank Engine song is only charming for the first dozen or so times you hear it), we fully understand that most people around us appreciate children of the "seen but not heard" variety.
deja pseu at January 2, 2007 9:17 AM
Recent decades have brought so many stunning advances in pharmacology and anesthesia... Can't we just take the little peckers down with a dart gun?
In public, I mean. Airports, restaurants.
Crid at January 2, 2007 12:39 PM
Hey, when he was a toddler we used to give him a dose of Benadryl right before getting on the plane (with dr's approval, of course). Knocked him right out.
deja pseu at January 2, 2007 1:09 PM
Hey Cridland-- c'mere and I'll read you a story.
Deirdre, what a cool answer. (My definition of quick-wittedness: "The retort that comes into my mind on the way home..." ;-)
Happy new year everybody!
Rainer at January 2, 2007 1:53 PM
It's a con, she's gonna punish, you can see it in her eyes.
> My definition of quick-wittedness:
France bores, but had I a blog, it would be called l'esprit d'escalier.
Crid at January 2, 2007 2:19 PM
"France bores, but had I a blog, it would be called l'esprit d'escalier."
Merde...I was gonna say that!
Jody Tresidder at January 2, 2007 2:45 PM
It's a con, she's gonna punish, you can see it in her eyes.
Yes, but it's the punishment you asked for last time.
In the spirit of the staircase,
Deirdre B.
Deirdre B. at January 2, 2007 2:58 PM
Ooh, I like the dart gun idea.
And Lean, I think he's a psychologist...or something. He told me once, long ago, in the days before he was accompanied by the wife and loud sprog.
Amy Alkon at January 2, 2007 4:02 PM
>...and loud sprog.
Nice to see you picking up a bit o' good British slang.
Stu "El Inglés" Harris at January 2, 2007 4:51 PM
I pick up a lot of things.
Oops. Perhaps that's best kept to myself.
Amy Alkon at January 2, 2007 5:06 PM
Ooh, I like the dart gun idea.
As long as we can also use it on the loud and obnoxious adult assclowns.
deja pseu at January 2, 2007 6:57 PM
No!
Crid at January 2, 2007 7:39 PM
Deja pseu writes: As long as we can also use it on the loud and obnoxious adult assclowns.
Be sure to increase the dosage of anesthesia in relation to the adults greater size. You may need to use several darts to bring it down.
Patrick at January 3, 2007 1:45 AM
I'm seriously considering importation of a pygmy with a blowgun.
Hmmm, Craigslist?
Amy Alkon at January 3, 2007 9:37 AM
I need money !
porn at April 9, 2007 9:04 AM
I need money !
porn at April 9, 2007 9:22 AM
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