Example 1:
I was babbling at Mitchell about Freedom Jam, and how they came to my high school, and how cool it was, and how Tom Caffey – of said Freedom Jam – found his name on my blog and emailed me 25 years after the fact to thank me for my support. Mitchell and I were driving, in Rhode Island, and I was so excited about this story – and Mitchell listened, silently. Totally supportive and into it, by the way … but he finally had to speak up. It went like this:
Me: “So … when I was in high school – a ‘rock group’ called Freedom Jam came to an assembly and performed – and for a couple days there was Freedom Jam mania in school – I was all about Freedom Jam!! I was so into it! I featured Freedom Jam in a Diary Friday and whaddya know – Tom Caffey, the keyboardist of Freedom Jam emailed me – and he said …”
Mitchell: (a quick interjection, when he could get a word in edgewise) “Stop saying Freedom Jam.”
Example 2.
Talking with Kate the other night, I said the following phrase, “He needs to make an honest woman out of her” about 5 times. In a row. The phrase was included in almost every sentence I said. Kate listened, patiently, totally involved, whatever, but, like Mitchell before her, she had to speak up.
Me: (for the fifth time) “He needs to make an honest woman out of her!”
Kate: “Please don’t say that again.”
There are probably more examples of this but these are my 2 favorites. I love my friends.
“Stop saying Freedom Jam.”
Like – he couldn’t bear it. If he heard me say those 2 words one more time, his head was going to explode. Also, he said it so calmly and quietly. Not like he was pleading or exasperated. Just a calm quiet order. “Stop saying Freedom Jam.”
sheila,
your sense of humor about those loving but firm shutdowns is a breath of fresh air.
hope all is splendid!
happy happy ny!
I am guffawing! Happy happy ’08. Hope you’re getting to do something fun tonight. Movies when you’ve returned.
Bill – hahahaha I know. Firm but loving.
Oh, and it goes both ways. If Mitchell ever says the words “fin de siecle” to me (and believe it or not, it comes up quite a bit in his conversation), I always have to say, “Don’t ever say those words to me again. Thanks.”
Happy new year! Hope 2008 is just as “enchanted” as 2007 has been for you. yuk yuk
Ted – We have to rent Red River and watch it together – you haven’t seen it, right?? I have to see it with you – Clift’s debut!!
hahahahahahaha….the reality is Freedom Jam and the Fin de Siecles is the name of my new ska band…im hoping brendan will sing lead..how are u with a tambourine?
Another catchphrase you had going was “we’re Irish.” Really? You’re not just Canadian?
So, you and your sisters were sleeping in the same bed? “we’re Irish.”
You guys had a good Christmas? “we’re Irish.”
Sheila, how are you? “We’re IRISH!”
hahahahaha It explains everything!! Actually, a couple days ago Siobhan reminded me that once she was describing to me a problem she was having – and my response was, my advice to her was, “You need to pretend it didn’t happen and repress it like any normal Irish person.”
hahahahaha But seriously. It’s awesome advice, Irish or not!
Shut up, Sheila.
Mitchell – a SKA band!! hahahaha of course it’s a ska band with a name like Freedom Jam and the Fin de Siecles.
Re: your advice to Siobhan
Hmmm…. Maybe that explains why I drive my mother nuts. That Irish repression gene didn’t find it’s way into my DNA.
Hot headed? Yup.
Opinionated? Sure.
Self-righteous? Uh-uh.
Guilt Ridden? Why, I am sure I personally nailed the Lord to the cross MYSELF….
But repreress a feeling or a thought? Whoa- I would be sooooooooooooooooo much better for this world if I could learn that skill!!!
Happy New Year, Sheila! Can’t wait to see you!!
Red River it is, Red. Let’s try to do it in the next two weeks while I have time off!
Beth – HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Thank God you don’t repress!! That way I know if I’m messing up in my life – you’re gonna be right there to tell me what you think. It’s a great quality! We can’t ALL be in total denial!
I have adopted Mitchell’s “Stop Saying” phrase into my world now. I say it to everyone. It always works, and I’m sorry…..is always funny.
That…and “Wowee.”