I pulled up to the takeout window at my local Tim Hortons coffee shop this morning, as I do most days, and the attendant handed me a large coffee and asked for $1.40. That wasn't what I was expecting. I was taken aback somewhat as the staff there is usually very efficient. I usually order an extra large coffee and a raisin biscuit, the price of which is $2.30. I told the attendant that she had the wrong order. As she looked at me with confusion, I realized that it was my fault, not hers. I had driven right past the speaker box where one places an order and now that I was at the takeout window they thought I was the driver of the car behind me.
I had been lost in thought. I was on auto-pilot. My inattentiveness had caused me to skip an important step in my daily ritual and now, with considerable embarrassment, I realized that I must seem completely discombobulated to the attendant.
The attendant treated my apparent confusion with good humour. I got my coffee and my raisin biscuit. Not every lack of focus, however, ends as well.
That's life. So ist das Leben. We coast along, expecting to make it through each successive day without too many complications. Sometimes the universe unfolds as it should. Sometimes not.
I will be sure to pay more attention tomorrow.
Oops.
ReplyDeleteEwwwwww...Sucks!
ReplyDeleteThen there's the other side of the equation, on which I seem to be at work.
You're the attendant in an endless line of customers on "auto-pilot".
I've developed a number of phrases for it:
Circling prior to take-off.
Moving at the speed of bureaucracy.
Aggie overdrive.
Trust me - If YOU don't waste your time, someone else will waste it FOR you!
"If YOU don't waste your time, someone else will waste it FOR you!"
ReplyDeleteHow true. Gotta remember that one!
Are you in menopause?
ReplyDelete'Cause listen to my story:
I called the automatic banking service for my balance which seemed remarkably low. Certainly, much lower than I remembered. Knowing that I've been in the classroom for most of September, and not at Tiffany's, I stopped at the bank on my home for work.
Fortunately, I did not get irate when I asked for my balance and where each withdrawal was made because "Someone is using my debit card!" I said.
Oops. Each time that was explained to me then became clear.
Apparently the someone was Me. Menopausal, forgetful, embarrassing Me.
So, where did the money go, Bellezza? Shoes and perfume, right? In my case, I think that I'm just scatter-brained.
ReplyDeleteIt sucks getting old.
ReplyDeleteHow did you know?!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I have certain rituals I go through - like always always ALWAYS putting my bank card back into its sheath after using the ATM, but oddities like having a niece or nephew in the car, or the phone ringing can throw me out of my routine and make me unusually ditzy. Still, I try to recover quickly and try not to seem too much of an airhead, with varied success.
ReplyDeletehoosierboy: I like to think of myself as an antique, something that gets more valuable with age. You're right though, getting old sucks.
ReplyDeletebellezza: I have been paying attention!
phlegmfatale: I had to chuckle at your response because the point you make was driven home to me this morning. I was p.o.'d at my son this morning because he was being a typical teenage boy and when I dropped him off at school I headed off in exactly the wrong direction from where my first appointment was. I then had to drive four or five unnecessary miles to correct my mistake. I wonder if my wife would let me hire a young, comely assistant who would always make sure I was wherever I was supposed to be, on time, and fully prepared. Probably not.
Welcome to my world. LOL! I like to blame it on my chiari condition, but my children keep reminding me, "Mom, you were like that before!"
ReplyDeleteOh, two of my Fair Maidens just got back from Panama. One has blogged about it. Check it out when you get a chance... http://dreamingamongsttheclouds.blogspot.com/
Sounds like your daughters had a great time in Panama. That will be an experience that they will remember and treasure for a long time. Your daughter writes well and seems like a charming and well-balanced young woman. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteUh, we is owed a post.
ReplyDeletePlus you're missing out on my gripping presidential series, daaahling!
I just had a quick look at your blog phlegmfatale, and damn that presidential series looks fascinating. And I saw something about high-heeled shoes. Yummy. Not for me, of course, but attached to a well-turned female ankle.
ReplyDeleteJust as soon as I get back from an appointment I'm going to catch up with your posts. It will help cheer me up. We just got six inches of snow dumped on us last night. Yuck.
Sieg, you're still kickin', right?
ReplyDeleteHaven't heard from you for awhile, so I thought I'd drop a line. With the pretty-much imminent (s)election of "our lord and saviour" Barack Obama, the reinstatement of the Unfairness Dogma and Political inCorrectness looming on the horizon, you may wish to say your piece ASAP, while such liberties are still unregulated.
Yep, I'm still kicking, Ted. Just really snowed under with work. I intend to get back to pontification when I can. I will be watching Tuesday's election with much interest.
ReplyDelete