Friday, May 23, 2008

Freak target


Why oh why are they so drawn to me?! Besides the kid in the grocery store the other day, who really was creepy by the way, (after reading my post I think I just sound mean, but it really was weird I tell ya!), there was another, even more freaky, lady in my class last night at the library.

So there I was in the free! Excel class last night, and the teacher started making small talk about how far technology has come and he talked about a company that can put a computer chip in you so your car and house doors will unlock as you come up to them. Then he mentioned how there's a company that has come up with the idea to computer chip your child so if they are ever lost or abducted you could find exactly where they were. Just offhandedly I said, "Hey, sign me up for that!" Man, I never would have said that if I knew the wrath that I would bring upon myself for that casual statement. So there's this tall skinny black lady in front of me who makes some comment that I didn't fully hear about "the mark of the beast". I giggled a little because I thought she was making a joke, but no. It turns out she was talking to me and when I giggled she spun around in her chair and goes, "You shouldn't be laughing! I'm serious! You better quit your laughing because what you don't know CAN hurt you!"

Whoa. I was a little shocked and had to say, "What? I didn't even really hear what you said at first. What?"

Then she says, still deathly serious, "That's the mark of the beast! You better go read Revelations before you go and do that to your kid! Do you go to church? Read Revelations! What you don't know can hurt you!"

And seriously internet, I wish you could just hear her whole freak out. I don't feel like I can get across with mere typing the tone in which she approached me. My only response was, "Yes, I go to church, but I really don't want to get into this discussion with you right now." Holy crap! I realize that lots of people are seriously focused on the "mark of the beast" and have different beliefs about what that actually is, but, again, HOLY CRAP! Are you seriously going to make a scene with me in this little library computer class because I made a flippant remark about keeping tabs on my kids?!

She had it out for me after that. The guy I was sitting next to was telling me how he was tired and was going to head home and go straight to bed after class. I told him that I was probably going to do the same since my son had kept me up the night before because he was sick with strep throat. At the end of class she turned around again for another attack. "Did I hear you say that you had strep throat?!" "No," I said, "my son has strep throat." Then she goes, "Well! I sure wish you would have told me that to begin with! I have to go to work tomorrow and I don't need to be sick! Just cause it's your son doesn't mean you're not a carrier of it!" At that point I didn't even know what to say to her. I didn't want to start anything, because we've got part 2 of class together next week, so I just said "oh, I'm sorry about that," which I totally kicked myself afterward for giving any hint of an apology to her, but it's always easier to think later of what you should or should not have said.
I'll go in prepared next week though. I'm actually hoping we sit in the same spots and that she tries to say something else to me. (And yes I know that's wrong. I shouldn't go looking for conflict.) Maybe I'll get over it by next week and decide to be nice. But maybe not. I really just want to say something very snarky back to her so she doesn't think she can just say anything she wants to me. I'm not one to be pushed around.
On the upside, I did learn the basics of Excel, for free!, and I'm looking forward to class (the learning part) next week.






9 comments:

meleah said...

I went to HEB the other day and was wondering if I would end up with "your" checker.
I am sorry this lady went off on you. Things like that really shake me up, I never know how to handle them.

Bart said...

I LOVE Excel. Did you learn any cool tricks or were you too busy startin' fights with inflammatory comments and such?

Kristi said...

I think you should kill her with kindness. Take one of those respiratory masks for her!

Sheen Family said...

I'm sure if you're anything like me - you drove home thinking of a million things you could have said to her!! Better to keep quiet I guess!! Although I would have guessed you to be the one with the quick comeback that shut her up!

Sheyenne said...

Hey Meleah, thanks for stopping by to comment! I'm glad I don't get too shaken up by it, just a little shocked that people can be that bold with no provocation.

Bart, I didn't learn any cool tricks because it was a beginner's class. Yes, I actually am the one person on Earth who doesn't know how to use that program yet! It wjust me and crazy woman and the old ladies in there.

Jessica, it wasn't completely that I couldn't think of something to say (although I thought of a million much better things on the way home and later that night), but I really did have to weigh my options with having to see her next week, being in front of a crowd, and also, the ever-pestering question in my mind, "What would Jesus do?" I try to tell myself that even Jesus would lay the smackdown on this lady, but that just never really flies. However, maybe he wouldn't mind if I irritated her just a little bit. Even he had a little temper after all- you know, flipping money changers tables and all that...
Kristi- if only I could be THAT bold. I'm not quite that brave to just show up and mock her. I really need to give her the chance to say something else to me before I can justify being outright snotty. But definitely a good idea! Maybe I'll keep one in my purse to pull out if she asks me about my current health status. I could tell her I'm showing symptoms of bird flu.

Jeannie said...

Dude... I'll teach you Excel, skip the library and come on over!!!! :)

Robin said...

I used to work in a public library (not RR and not with the customers, thankfully) but some patrons can be downright scary and unsafe even. The library is not just a secure, quiet place to read anymore. I actually prefer to waste money and trees and just buy my books instead.

Tammy said...

Well I guess I am the only one who likes a good fight. People like that want control and to intimadate. So I like to give them a run for there money. But that's just me that's how I role.

Unknown said...

Wow, she needs slapped.