Lost that Bet

Remember the saga of the bedroom blinds?

Cheap to begin with and now old, worn, falling apart, I’d sent a request to management in early September for replacement blinds. The request, as is the Tyrant’s modus operandi, was ignored, never even acknowledged.

After following up five times, only to continue to be ignored, I set about (90 days later) trying to install new blinds my own self when, not minutes after I returned with the wrong size, plus not the verticals I preferred purchased blinds, Head Maintenance Guy showed up to measure the window for blinds.

Commenter Barbara had said on that post, "We should have one of those office games where you bet on when someone is going to do something - like have a baby. Let's bet on when the blinds do actually get installed. I'm sorry but I'm just suspicious of that crew".

I’d replied, "I'm putting my bet in as before Thanksgiving".

It occurred to me yesterday that I'd lost that bet. Thanksgiving has come, gone and still no blinds.

Not above being petty, I began hatching a plan. Actually, a two-fold plan.

One part of the plan was that I’m pretty sure I’ll win the Christmas Patio Contest. Whereupon I’ll get a call from the Tyrant telling me which Place — 1st, 2nd, or 3rd.

I actually don’t care about winning a cheap trophy I probably won’t keep around to clutter up the place. I want my damn blinds replaced. So, I was not going to answer the phone when he called, AND I was not going to return his call.

This would force the Tyrant to come knock on my door, all full of himself, to tell me I was a winner; at which time I was going to escort him in to see the condition of the blinds in the bedroom and regurgitate the saga of requests and reminders.

The other part of the plan was to also spur Head Maintenance Guy (HMG) into action by attacking his manhood — insinuating to his face that he's not his own man, can’t do anything without the Tyrant’s approval. Which was probably true, but would make him mad enough to do the right thing regardless.

Counting on eventually running into HMG while he was out and about on the property, I’d approach and ask, "Did you order those blinds, or did ________ (the Tyrant) not LET you order them?"

Returning from the Pain Cave yesterday, stopping at the mail center, who did I run into but HMG.

"Hey, did _____ (the Tyrant) let …" and before I could get the rest out, he said, "I was just gonna put up your blinds. Will you be home to let me in?"

Of course, I replied "Yes, I’m heading upstairs now".

It appears that whenever I am deep in thought about the Tyrant and HMG, and begin plotting how to pivot around them, my thought is followed with HMG showing up.

Am I picking up his thought that he's preparing to get whatever it is done OR is he picking up my thought that I'm at my wits end?

Too bad I can't think into being some winning lottery numbers.

At any rate, Low and behold …

Before

After

It’s a Christmas Miracle!!!

I STILL plan to NOT take the Tyrant’s call, make him have to come knock on the door.

Why? 

Because, like I said, I’m not above being petty and it will please me to ignore and inconvenience him.

The neighbor with the “come and get me red light district theme” — the neighbor who placed 2nd in the Halloween contest, has added lights to her patio that flash green, then blue, then …. Guess what! … more red. LOL.

She's also added stuff around her door.

Her decorations are a festival of lights ... colorful, but not exactly attractive or well thought out.

She's trying too hard.

The neighbor that lives above her doesn’t seem much interested in decorating for Christmas, but did at least put up a Christmas flag.

Jan, our painted rock neighbor’s patio is one of my favorites — simple but elegant.

The 1st Place Halloween winner — the resident who’d put up a skeleton, creepy doll, etc., has decorated her patio for Christmas, but whatever is there is not visible after the sun goes down. Her patio was dark, so I’ll have to check it out during daylight hours.

I'm off this morning to get the booster shot, and a fresh clear of whiteout vaccine card.