Friday, November 4, 2005

Whatever Happened to Survival of the Fittest?

I was a divorced, fulltime working parent. I raised my children alone from the time they were seven and four and a half.

Somehow I did something right as a parent, and I have two competent, responsible, successful daughters to show for it.

Which brings me to my point -- the son of two long married, devoted, churchgoing parents, whose nincompoopness [his] has left me dazed and confused.

I asked this kid, who works at the production house where I do a lot of editing, to make me a CD for a friend that has all his favorite tunes on it. As technology goes this is a no freaking brainer. But I didn't want to do it myself, so I asked someone who should be able to do it in his sleep.

I made a point of saying I'd pay the buck for each tune he had to download.


I gave him a list of songs and the groups that sing them. I also gave him a list of names of artists without any specific songs. But later that day, I decided not to use any of the artists on the second list. So I told him not to worry about them. Just do the songs by the bands on the original list.  

That was three weeks ago.

Two days ago I called to see how it was coming. Remember he had three weeks.

Oh, I didn't know what you wanted to do with these other artists. You didn't tell me which songs of theirs you wanted to use.

Well, if you'll remember, I said we weren't going to worry about that second list. Asswipe.

Uh, I also have to pay to download some of these tunes, you know.

If you'll remember again, I told you I would cover your expenses, dildo breath.

So it takes him a day. He calls and says I can pick up the CD the next time I'm downtown.

Because he FINALLY got the job done, I asked him what I owe. He says I owe him nothing, because it didn't take him much time. But I insisted on paying him for his time. Not a princely sum, but anything was more than he was expecting.

I picked up the CD this afternoon and he has a playlist printed so I can tell easily what the tracks are. Very nice. The list includes the track number, the song, the artist, and the length of the cut.

I put the CD in so I could to listen to it while I drove home. 

The first thing I noticed was that the CD didn't slide into the holder very easily, because the label he put on it is too thick -- and so unnecessary, since I have a playlist.


The first track is a group I've heard of, but I don't know very well. My initial thought is that they sound a lot like Metallica. And then I realize it IS Metallica. The second song is supposed to be Metallica, but it's Brooks and Dunn, which is supposed to be the fourth song. The cut that was supposed to be Patsy Cline is Journey. And on and on and on. Nothing on the playlist matches what's playing.

And the fourteenth and final tune is not on any list anywhere.

I am so looking forward to the phone call I'm going to make tomorrow morning.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

And all you had to do was call me...<sigh>


*can we IXNAY the Halloweeney Colors yet?  My eyes are bleeding.

kisskiss**

andi

Anonymous said...

I follow what Andi said...you should have called me...my very capable ten year old would have had that to you in a jiff...no bs. ;)  C.  http://journals.aol.com/gdireneoe/thedailies

Anonymous said...

Morning Mrs L - I would like to listen into your phone call...I bet that will be an ear-basher...lol....Ally

Anonymous said...

I third what Andi said...I have i-tunes I can burn a CD *sigh*

No doubt you'll rip this kid a new arsehole on the phone tomorrow!

~Kris

Anonymous said...

This guy can tie his own shoelaces right ?
I burn so many cd's my computer "bert" could knock one together from memory alone without my help so whats this guys problem ?
Too much exposure to vdu emissions ?
Dont suppose you could record the call as an audio entry hehe x

Anonymous said...

Have you ever thought that maybe he just doesn't like you?   Anne

Anonymous said...

Go Mrs L!!
Love Sam xXx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/misscarberry/NoLongerSweetSixteen

Anonymous said...

Makes you wonder what he does on his job? Inept to say the least. Sandi

Anonymous said...

My 10 year old could have done that job for you in her sleep!

Have you ever noticed how a very high ratio of serial killers come from "respectable" homes?

Tilly
http://journals.aol.co.uk/tillysweetchops/Adventuresofadesperatelyfathouse/

Anonymous said...

Hats off to you for raising two fine daughters. There is no higher compliment. Well, unless it's something about your awesome rack at 62. Woo hoo! Now that is what I call survival!

Anonymous said...

Uh oh.

Anonymous said...

Mrs. L
My hat's off to you on the fine job raising the daughters.  I wish them every success in life.  Next time you need a CD like that, send me the play list.  I may be retired from my former life in production, but I can still do that stuff in my sleep.  I would not want to be on the recieving end of THAT phone call, LOL!
Sam

Anonymous said...

My biggest pet peeve is incompetence. Give him hell, Mrs. L!!!!

~Jaime
jaimechase.com