Oh, rats!
From the age of six (maybe even earlier) to this day, I’ve had what I’ve deemed a “Propensity For Incidents”. I typically did not plan said incidents but rather, in many cases, I didn’t look before I leaped. I’ve chronicled many of them in short story form, and they can be read on this blog. I’ll list a few at the end of this piece. The most recent incident might possibly be a case of karma—if you believe in such a thing—but I’m going to go with APFI.
We recently bought a used house, and we’re repainting prior to moving in. We hired a painter to do all but the garage, and I’m still working on my phase of the project. We had several other things we wanted to do, and we turned to Tracey and Sean (daughter and SIL) for contractor recommendations. Sean grew up here, and Tracey has lived here since they got married twenty some years ago. Their advice has been spot-on!
The most recent request for advice was for a wood flooring contractor, and so I sent a text to Tracey. My typical texts to her regarding contractors were complete questions like, “Do you know a good plumber?” This time, however, my text was brief (I thought I was being hip you see) and it read, “Wood floors?” Her answer was, “??”. My response to that was a comment about blondes, and a complete sentence as to my need for a wood flooring contractor. She replied with a name and phone number, which, despite my use of smiley faces in the blonde comment, I perceived to be a terse response.
So! I went back to my garage painting, and APFI (or maybe it was karma) followed me. I grabbed a can of paint, shook it up, and popped the lid off. Then… I saw a squirrel. Not really, but, you see, another of my propensities is one which causes me to go from one task (or more) while in the middle of another. I call it multi-tasking, but Sherry calls it squirrel chasing.
After completing my squirrel chasing, I returned to my primary task—painting—but failed to remember an important detail; when I’d seen the squirrel, I’d set the lid “loosely” on top of the paint can. So, when I grabbed the can of paint and gave it a good shaking, paint went everywhere! But mostly… all over me. After a thorough cleanup job, I put the lid securely on the can of paint, put it away, and then went out to the patio, where I sat and watched squirrels play in the yard.
I should have let the painter do the garage too.
Here are some samples of my APFI:
https://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/08/20/22-holes-in-one-tire-3/
https://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/22-holes-in-one-tire-4/
https://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/go-get-the-drew-twins/
https://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/05/11/go-get-the-drew-twins/
https://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/tothleth-in-tekthath/
https://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/way-over-the-line/
https://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/05/30/it-was-suh-weet/
https://charleslmashburn.wordpress.com/2011/05/29/eeeyeent-eenk/
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Gary said
That sounds like the Charley I knew when growing up except he never grew up!
charlesmashburn said
Well, sure he did, Gary. You just ain’t paying attention.