Saturday, March 29, 2008

Ever Get the Evil Eye?


I saw it through the rear windshield. I'd just parked my car at the shopping center and was reaching for my club. The man stared in furious disbelief. Like I'd made an attempt on his life.
What was wrong, I wondered. Had I run over his foot? Cut him off? Had someone put an inflammatory sticker on my bumper?
I stepped out of the car and he let me have it. At first I couldn't figure out what he was jabbering about but then I pieced it together. He'd "gone out of his way" to park away from other cars (how far? One space.) and I had the audacity to park "in the space right next to him!" (Oh the humanity).
I said I was sorry but I wasn't. What else could I say?
  • "Gee, it's not like your car is that new of fancy"
  • "Oh yes, I did it on purpose just to annoy you."
  • "Worried about your car? You should have walked here. Looks like you could use some exercise"
  • "This makes you upset? Good luck with the world."
Smartass comebacks work great in cartoons and sitcoms. In real life it's a good way to get slapped. No thanks.

7 comments:

Linda Davick said...

I agree. People like that are crazy.

Anonymous said...

oops... meant to say: It's fun to see a painting like this of something gross or terrifying that uses lovely colors.

Anonymous said...

It just makes the day more stressful. I can never think of something to say at the moment. It IS a fun picture.

Ed Mahony said...

I had someone go for me hammer and tongs the other day cause i very lightly (by mistake) touched his car when i opened my car door. No scrach. Nothing. He went bonkers.

But as I always say perhaps he was having a bad day, week, year, whatever. If it hadn't been the me it would have been someone else. Arghhh.

Namowal (Jennifer Bourne) said...

Hi Linda & Stray G,
Thanks for the nice words about the picture. That's one of the fun things about art or writing- we can take obnoxious events and weave them into something fun.
Hi Eamon,
I like the expression "go for me hammer and tongs!" Good one. Sorry to hear you were the recipient. Cars make some people nuts. They act like the things are holy extensions of themselves. Accidentally tap one (or get close) and you've committed blasphemy.

Anonymous said...

Namowal, about when you say: "Cars make some people nuts. They act like the things are holy extensions of themselves. Accidentally tap one (or get close) and you've committed blasphemy." ...that's why it has been such a relief in so many ways to now drive the Ford Nebulous that we bought w/ credit card. Who cares what happens to it? We love it.

booda baby said...

Yah and I bet they count on someone else to handle that little world peace problem.

Your 'toon was the best kind of reply.