It's the hap, happiest season of all!

I'm making a concerted effort to be more zen lately.  You know, 'tis the season and such.

On Friday morning, I was walking to the subway when I noticed the pale sun peeking out from behind a misty cloud.  It was so pretty.  This was going to be a good day, I could just feel it!

I started to cross the street but only made it about half way.  You see, there was an elderly woman behind the wheel of a car and she was doing something...strange.  She was inching her car forward, then back, then forward again.  In the middle of the road.  Obviously she was performing some sort of mystical automotive experiment. 

For a second I thought I could outwit the old lady and make a mad dash for the sidewalk, but then thought better of it.  I didn't want to become a statistic so close to Christmas, did I?

At last the old gal pulled away and I began to cross, but instantly I noticed the maroon minivan at the stop sign to the right wasn't going to let me.  "Oh, can't I just go?"  I whimpered.

I crossed the street, mumbling to myself.  "That was scary," I said to nobody in particular.

Wait a minute, the maroon minivan was slowing down.  The middle aged man inside was smiling, but I couldn't understand what he was saying.  "What?" I asked, half smiling myself.  I assumed he was saying something about the elderly old bitty and her reckless driving antics.  He drove away.

Four seconds later I realized what he'd actually said: "I don't take orders from nobody."

What the?  No, seriously, what the?

OK, I get it, I'm wanting to be zen and the only way to truly become zen is to sigh peacefully in the face of asininity.  I could do that, couldn't I? 

(Peaceful sigh.)  What the eff?  (Deep cleansing breath.)  Ya, ya, the sun looks pretty.

While on the subway, I pondered for a moment about what kind of a person would feel the need to pull over like that.  In a minivan, for Pete's sake!  (Who is Pete, by the way?  I've always wondered.)

But what would inspire someone to do that?  Was this man mental?  Did he have a family, a wife, a career?  I wanted to beat him. 

My inner voice of reason took over:  OK, that's enough, now.  I know, I know, I was there too, but you can't let something as silly as this ruin your day. 

Fine! 

I ended up having a nice day, actually.  I ordered the penne ala grecca from Angelo's for lunch, so that was a plus.  Even better, I got a bunch of bargains while shopping after work.  Initially I'd been Christmas shopping for other people, but somehow the only person I ended up buying anything for was myself. 

My last stop of the evening was Express.  I needed a top to go with my new wide leg silvery jeans.  Ooooh.  I spotted a short sleeved high necked sweater in soft gray.  At $59.95 it didn't really qualify as a steal, but it was a lovely little sweater. 

The thing was, when the girl behind the register rang me up, the sweater came out to be $69.95.  Hmmm?  I must've been tired, because I could've sworn the sweater was less than that.  I told the girl so.

"Ya," she sheepishly answered me.  "We really need to rip the tags off these."  She handed me my receipt.

"Oh, so the sweater really is $59 instead of $69?  Because the tag said $59, right?"  Now I was confused.

The girl elaborated: "Well, the price is actually $69.95, but the tags say $59.95.  That's a mistake, though, it's not the real price."

What the?

My tone was polite:  "Isn't there something you can do about it?  Because when I picked up the sweater the price tag said $59."

"No, sorry" the girl smiled. 

"Seriously?"  I asked, posing my question as benignly as possible. 

"Well, let me see" she said, and asked the blond boy ringing next to her.

Blondie looked like he'd been born annoyed.  "Ya, no, the sweaters are $69, the tag is wrong."

"Yes, but the tag is still attached to the sweater..." I started.  We're these people for reals?

"I'm sorry," the girl whispered as she gave me my bag.

"Oh, it's ok..."  I began to walk away, aware that this was exactly the sort of thing that would piss me off in the wee hours of the morning.  When I heard them call someone over to remove all the tags from the sweaters I realized I'd have to be a big girl and get my frigging ten bucks back.  It was the principle of the matter.

Balancing the three heavy bags I was already holding, I walked over to the rack and chose a sweater.  All of the tags still said $59.95. 

This was going to be awkward.  I smiled politely.  "Seriously, I really think you should give me the refund.  This tag is wrong and it's still on every sweater."

The blond haired boy got nastier.  Maybe his Spring Awakening audition hadn't gone so well that morning.  "Fine!"  He spat.  "Just give it to her!"   

You'd think I'd been asking him to donate a kidney or something.  The girl took the next customer as I waited.  Blondie also continued to take customers, and I continued to wait.  I was so zen.

When the girl finally refunded me my lousy ten bucks, I said, "thank you, I really appreciate it."

She said nothing.  I'm glad to report she had the greasiest hair ever.  It was just awful.  Way too much product.  At least I have that to hold onto.

How has your holiday shopping been going, Dear Reader?  Run into any dickheads at the mall lately?  I hope not.  Truly I do. 

xoxo 

Comments

[Weinerdog]

It makes me feel really good that you bought yourself stuff!
I bought the best boots for myself on Sat!
Christmas shopping is hard!

[The Odd Broad]

It's SO hard, especially with the crowds, yet somehow I find shopping for myself so easy!!

Where did you get your boots? I'm looking for new ones, too, actually...

[Jen]

Sah, I moved to online purchasing.....it's dangerous...plus stuff just shows up on your door. I did go out today and purchased a tree and decor...all on sale!

[Karen]

I'm so proud of you for going back and getting your ten bucks. No, really. If the tag says it's that price they are required by law to give it to you no matter how much this little twinkie throws his hissy fit.
I choose to shop on-line too.
(I feel like such a mom for telling you that, by the way.)

[The Odd Broad]

I'm taking your advice, Jen- online shopping will be much more convenient. And less stressful. The stores are so crowded it's ridiculous! I'm already addicted to ordering my groceries online- which is something I never thought I'd do. There's something so comforting about not having to lug grocery bags home... xoxo

Kar-Bear, it's so funny you say that...Marianne said the exact same thing! She was so pissed when I told her how they acted. Great Aquarians think alike! xoxo

[Weinerdog]

I got my boots at DSW.

They've got a great selection, I had a hard time choosing.

If you go, try anything you like on in the men's department, the women's is like a war zone!!!