How to Become Invisible at the Coffee Shop
Step one: Plug your ipod headphones into your laptop computer.
PROBLEM SOLVED!
I’ve recently discovered this simple solution to all of my socializing problems, and by recently, I mean just now. I’m sitting at my local coffee shop (or LCS) using the internets and just happily minding my own business when in walks a prominent figure from my tormented past. This woman was front and center in making my younger years absolutely unbearable. I’ll go ahead and say it. Her name is Mrs. Franseen. As in, I’m younger than her so I’m not allowed to know or use her first name.
Let me start at the beginning. I went to a private school for most of my academic career. We started out at one and then moved to EHCS at the beginning of my 3rd grade year. This school was/is a cult. I may have discussed them on here before, I’m not sure. Mr. Franseen was the school principal and since my sister and I did not attend their church as well as their school, we were outcasts and therefore I became somewhat familiar with his office. When it was time for me to be punished, he would call in his wife to deliver the spankings. Somehow it was inappropriate for him to punish me in that fashion. Probably because he would have enjoyed it. Sick bastard. Needless to say, I was traumatized by this school and the family that ran it and I have yet to get over it. It’s not looking likely to happen either.
I’m not sure that this woman would recognize me as easily as I recognized her when she walked in but I’m not willing to risk it. For all I know, every female student that did not attend their church was administered the same swats that I received at her hand and my face doesn’t stick out to her. I’m OK with that. I’m currently hiding with my headphones on in the hopes that I look very into whatever I’m listening to and should not be disturbed. I’ll do whatever I can to avoid a conversation with this woman. If approached, I might have to cause a scene. If I wasn’t already committed to finishing this download on itunes for the boy, I would have bolted out the back door as soon as she walked in.
SIGH.
Should we point out to your readers that I did not suffer the same fate as you & actually have some fond memories of the people & place?
Comment by The Sister — March 20, 2009 @ 9:11 am
YOU WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!
Comment by admin — March 25, 2009 @ 10:51 am
I mean I’d never send my kid there but I’m not scarred for life. I’m not very good at remembering past wrongs. I know how exasperrated they used to make me. I remember feeling discriminated against but in the end it made me want to try harder to be better just to show them. I think I actually benefitted because of that. I also know my scholastics suffered when I went to public school.
Comment by The Sister — March 25, 2009 @ 11:09 am
My scholastics also suffered from public school but I do blame most of my issues, no, ALL of my issues on that school.
Comment by admin — March 25, 2009 @ 11:28 am
I have found that every person takes on these challenges in a different way. As the sister saw the situation as a way to grow and learn the art of being the best she could be and taking things in stride. Thus creating in her the social skill to thrive and adapt. Unfortunately, the other sister saw it as a barrier she could not break through and thus fitting the wave and lashing out, aka - the trouble maker.
I hope you do. You are a great person and totally deserve to be happy in all situations, especially social.
Eventually, I think you will find a peace with it and learn a great deal
BTW, lets get a drink!
Comment by Angela — April 7, 2009 @ 4:24 pm