S'il Vous Plaît

As the holiday season is upon us, many people are having parties. I, too, have hosted a couple of gatherings, and, not surprisingly, some things have peeved me.

It is a big peeve when people either a) don't RSVP or b) say they will come and then don't and don't bother to let the host know. Remember that people who are hosting an event need to have fairly firm figures, especially if said event includes food and drink, as ingredients must be purchased. It is a simple courtesy to let people know if you are coming or not. Sure, you may be holding out for some better invitation to come along, but in that case, say you’re not going. If that’s your attitude, you probably won’t be a fun guest anyway.

So respondez s'il vous plaît!

--Curly

Getting Pissed

I know that a lot of young people haven't had much experience drinking and they feel it is exciting to try it out and also that they may need some "liquid courage" as they start university and/or embark on their social lives, but...why do they have to drink to get drunk? Why do I see so many people out on the weekends, throwing up in the streets, acting foolishly and dangerously, and doing things they might likely regret later? Why can't people learn their own limits?

--Curly

A Little Gratitude, Please!

This is a peeve somewhat related to Curly's post here. The new angle is this: When I see that a former classmate, colleague, or teacher has published a book or won a big prize, I'm often moved to write a note congratulating that person. Right away.

But you'd be amazed how often the messages go unanswered, or are answered only after quite a delay. (Or maybe you wouldn't be so amazed. Maybe this is even more common than I realize.)

So here's my message for all those big shots out there: If you're too busy/important to acknowledge little ol' me and my good wishes, you can bet you won't hear from me the next time. (If there is a next time!) So there!

--Prunella

Letting the Cat out of the Bag

I have complained a little before about people stating the obvious. But since I apparently like to complain, I’ll mention it again.

My eyes are a somewhat odd green-hazel-yellow color. I can’t even count the number of times someone has looked at me in shock and said, “Your eyes are yellowish! You look like a cat!”

If only someone could come up with a fresh metaphor! Or if only people didn’t have to point out things that surely, in the course of the decades I’ve been alive, I’ve noticed. It’s not news to me that I have unusual, cat-like eyes; no one’s letting the cat out of the bag, so to speak.

--Curly

Why the Delay?

A piece of writing I expected to see published at the end of the summer/early fall at the latest (it was written and submitted in June) has yet to see the light of day in print. I've followed up a few times with my editor, but I hate the sense that I'm "nagging." I wish the editor would just let the contributors know what is happening. Why the delay? When can we expect to receive the magazine with our work? Will it happen this calendar year?

--Prunella

Clean it up!

Why oh why can’t people clean up after their dogs? It is so disgusting to walk down the street and see slimy piles of dog shit all over the place, and it is annoying to have to watch where you step all the time. If you have a pet, take care of its messes!

--Curly

The Stepford Season

I know I've complained about the Christmas season before, but I can't help bringing it up again.

I was walking downtown on a chilly winter late afternoon and I saw all these Christmas lights and decorations and the streets were filled with blank-eyed people madly buying presents, their arms loaded down with plastic bags, and there was something so depressing about the scene, and its heavy overtones of expectations. We are expected to buy and to feel joy and I wish everything would be calmer and we could just enjoy spending time together without all the pressures of the season.

--Curly

Let's Talk About Sexuality

Someone recently complained that I talk about being bisexual too much. It is pretty common to hear that people don't mind queers, as long as they don't have to listen to them talking about their sexuality or their relationships.

The thing is, though, that since people are assumed to be straight, if those of us who are not don't say anything to the contrary, we just help continue those assumptions, thereby making anything other than heterosexuality seem strange or uncommon. I have no interest in boring people with talk about sexuality or my feelings or anything, but I think we all should have an interest in making others more aware of the incredible variation that exists in human sexuality.

--Curly