More pet peeves...can you tell this is Hubby talkin'?

More pet peeves. Can you tell this is Hubby posting? Interestingly enough, the older I get, the more frustrated I get. Somehow...somewhere...it appears I've picked up some type of people in my life. And alot of these folks  (in their own way) are "Time Vampires". 

Now I don't mean some sci-fi thing like time travelling blood suckers. But somehow, I seem to have attracted a host of people who are willing to waste my time. Now it could be that I used to be unaware of it. But it actually seems that this particular type is more common. How does this manifest?

As an example, let's say I witnessed something interesting today. I draw conclusions about the sequence of events (perhaps an interesting discussion between two people, or maybe how someone get's treated in a grocery store). 

I tell someone "Oh my goodness! I've got to tell you about this! I saw an interesting interaction between two people at Albertson's that completely showed one's disdain of the other!"

Them: "Meh. Are you sure? Maybe they were friends or something..."

Now what did we see here? I give a short (1 sentence description with 2 sentences showing my surprise initially) introduction to what I want to say...the story. Before the story is told, this..."person" (and I put that in quotes to avoid the profanity formula... <final_insult> = <animal> + <verb> + <waste product>) has already dismissed what I said. So I witness something they didn't. Before I can divulge details, they're telling me I'm wrong. Its actually amazing how common this occurs to me now...I'd say MULTIPLE times a day, across multiple sources.

Now it could be I'm of below average intelligence, and I'm just surrounded by these pinnacles of genius. It could be. But normally I'm pretty honest with myself. When I believe someone is an expert in an area where I'm not, I'm more interested in LEARNING from them. I firmly believe people are smart, just in different ways. People specialize. A musician will show insights into their craft. A painter in theirs. An automechanic in theirs. A mother in theirs. etc. etc. 

So I started this post off describing "Time Vampires", but my description/example is about someone who dismissed what I had to say. How is that a time waster? Because then, when push comes to shove, these people make uninformed choices that affect me. 

Now I know a bit about computers. Before you ask me to troubleshoot your computer, let me point you to where I learned most of what I know. Its a secret website called Google. It does something called "searching". I'll harp on this later and bore you to tears with my endless complaining. Man, I woulda made a great mother-in-law. Anyway...

Someone will ask me to help fix their computer. They're a friend. I say okay because they're my friend. I troubleshoot a problem. I ask if they want to know how, and they make all kinda blustery excuses about how they don't know anything about computers. I (in all my genius) find the error (after they show me what's wrong)...google it...and try to fix it based on what the fix recommendations are in google (OH MY!). Eventually it get's fixed. Bloody amazing, right? From prior experiences doing this, I ask if they'd like me to do something I recommend to help them. They say no (despite me being the acknowledged expert here). I mention again, that its something I recommend. They say no. Okay. I leave. A few days later, they ask for my help because they encounter the problem that would have been fixed, had they just listened to me. I drop by and fix it for them. They have THEIR friends over (not mine), and then VOLUNTEER my services to them because fixing computers is something I just enjoy doing (which I don't). 

Can you count how many time wasters are in here? This is the type of person who dismisses what I have to say, based on a VERY small understanding of what's going on.

1) When I offer to show them how to google (yeah...simple, right? And they KNOW how to google too) for the answers, they say they don't know about computers. Which is really saying "I don't want to learn how to do this, because its work. YOU do it because I'm lazy.".

2) I make a recommendation on something they have ACKNOWLEDGED I know more about, but don't want to do it. This means I may have to deal with their problem later. This get's really fun because if I say "Had you listened to me..." then its all passed off as "Yeah yeah yeah...I know! You told me so!". If I refuse, then I'm being petty right? "Oh, you're not going to help me because I didn't listen to you?". Yeah yeah yeah...

3) They volunteer my services to others. Because somehow they don't understand that PLAYING on a computer...and FIXING a computer...are 2 different things. People who PLAY on a computer, usually have to do a lot of FIXING to get it to do what they need. That's how they pick up a few things. Just because I may choose to spend a couple hours a week as "Dragor! Master 38th level mage in the realm of Dark Cardiff" does NOT mean I enjoy trying to install the print drivers you deleted when you swapped printers. Nor does my excitement at finding the "Sword of Heroes" and watching my character destroy a room full of orcs in ANY way equate to enjoyment of hooking up your home theater system. 

For the record, my example above is something that's happened to me (with ALL 3 time wasting occurances) 3 times so far. 

So now...when I state something, and someone wants to tell me their contrary opinion (without having heard what I had to say, or witnessing the actual event that I'm talking about...), I say "Okay...you're right." And now what happens? They're offended, because they saw how easily I gave up without giving deep thought to their amazing insight. And what I do I think? I go back to my profanity formula...give a few variations in my head. And smile. Because what did they really want? They wanted to argue. They wanted to waste your time. 

Now I'm not talking about someone who has experience with this, listens to what I say, and then offers suggestions or possible alternatives. I >LOVE< that. Finding other ways to look at something? Oh, that's bloody genius. I'm talking about folks who DON'T know what they're talking about, who want to tell you you're wrong. Oh my. And somehow, I seem to have attracted a bunch. And I can't get away from them (work, neighbors, friends of friends, friends, family, etc.). Hm. I'll have to search my pocket for bacon or something, and plant it elsewhere so they'll bug someone else. Or maybe...just maybe...I'll learn to shut the heck up. After all...that's what this blog is for right? I get uninterupted talk time? OHHHHH...precious! My precious...

Anyway...this particular post was a bit rambling. I've had a few weeks away from venting. So many swirling experiences and emotions to put up...running thither and yon. I'm going to say this was a stream of consciousness type of post...which is a classy way of saying "I didn't go back and proof-read it, so it may jump around a bit". 

So I apologize to you, my dearest blog reader (I assume I have an audience of 1...). Without your gentle ear, parental nodding, and comfort...I would just go bloody mad. So it is you...my dearest blog reader...to whom I say, thank you. Feel comforted in knowing that WHOEVER says you're a bad listener, or says anything ill of you... well they're just <profanity formula>. Because know that in hearing my rambling, you've shown restraint, great intellect, and if I may say so...incredibly good looks. That's right. When you put up with me, it means you're probably good looking too, on top of smart, sweet, and wonderful. So eff everyone else. :)

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[Dad]

Huh?