[Magdalen] Need to blow off steam

[James Oppenheimer]

Just smile broadly at her and tell her, "Thank you so much for thinking of
me!  It was so nice of you to ask, and I would love to, but it's just
impossible."

Repeat as needed.  If an when Fraulein Bulldozer says, "But why is it
impossible?" just repeat the same wording.

If she keeps asking, you just keep repeating.  But after about three or
four repetitions, she should taper off.

The key is never explain. Never never ever ever.  If you ever try to
explain, they will come up with a way to circumvent your explanation, and
besides, this is simpler, avoids lying, and is a lot less work.



James W. Oppenheimer
*“If you have a chance to accomplish something that will make things better
for people coming behind you, and you don’t do it, you're wasting your time
on this Earth.”  -- *Roberto Clemente

On Sun, Oct 26, 2014 at 1:52 PM, Molly Wolf <lupa at kos.net> wrote:

> I made the mistake of attending Worship Committee after church this
> morning.  Once again, a (tact-challenged, abrasive, good-hearted but
> overwhelming) member of my parish has tried to strong-arm me into joining
> the choir.    Her view is that people with good strong singing voices ought
> to be in red robes in the chancel pews "supporting the music ministry."  I
> have done choir for years and years, having been strong-armed from the age
> of 11 up, and I am much happier in the pews.
>
> I should add that the lady in question is the sort to say "well, get over
> it!" when confronted with another's imperfect reality.  She is English, of
> the bracing persuasion.
>
> Remind me to stay off of all parish committees.  I love being an Anglican,
> but church drives me absolutely loopy.
>
> Molly
>
> The man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no
> other way. -- Mark Twain