Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Grumpy? Me?




Interesting. In a recent post some people commented that they found it difficult to believe I can be grumpy.

Oh, yeah, I can. Believe it.

Apparently I’ve been (unintentionally) misleading readers as to my character since October 2006. It ain’t so sterling.

Just so you know I am not perfect (not even close) here are some of my flaws.


1. I have quite a temper. When it does emerge (thankfully, not too often) it can erupt quickly and loudly. Other times I do a slow burn – simmer – and then erupt. You do not want to be on the receiving end of the latter version.

2. I am quite capable of holding a grudge. Yes, I “forgive those who trespass against me…” but I do not forget. The “grudgee” may never know I am still “grudging.”

3. As do many females, I use the word “fine” when I mean precisely the opposite. I know this is frustrating to any male trying to interpret the female mood. (Guys – some hints. Concentrate on tone of voice, body language, facial expression and the particular circumstances. If the “I’m fine” is accompanied by a shoulder shrug, you’re in trouble.)

4. I swear - which I have previously admitted to. Granted, I do so only in the presence of those who will not faint from shock upon hearing those words come out of my mouth.

5. I will use silence as a weapon. I know this one can be deadly. I don’t even like doing it. I sometimes wonder if reverting to silence is actually a coping mechanism.

6. If you hurt my kids in any way, you will end up dealing with ME. And it won’t be pretty. Of course, my mother-bear-protecting-her-cubs routine occurred more often when they were younger.
I once let loose in a police station.
I’m still amazed they didn’t lock me up.
(Long story, long ago – sorry, no details.)

7. I am frequently underestimated due to that “nice” rep of mine. This works to my advantage. The enemy is caught off guard. (Gotcha!)


Bottom line, I’m human – grumpy times, temper and all.

Appearances are deceiving – in both the “real” and virtual worlds.


*******


Six-Word Memoirs

As promised, I’m posting the memoirs of all those who “played with me.” Thanks for playing!

Mrs. G.: It's Monday morning and I'm happy.

Sherry: strong, spiritual, living an undefeated life

Megan: Learn, grow, teach, mind, worry, smile.

All Mod Cons:
Small Monkeys
Large Speakers
Itchy Feet

Shari: Positive, silly, hope, growth, simple, sharing.

Eileen:
Forgiving past mistakes,
and loving today.

Charlotta-love: Live to the fullest: no regrets.

VE: What the hell was he thinking?

Nomad:
Still.
Trying.
Will.
Make.
Some.
Good.

La La: Do all to stand. Stand firm.

Anonymous: Laugh, learn, lust, live, love, lie (flat).



16 comments:

Sherry said...

Of course you can be grumpy -- you are human. You are like a little speedball dynamo ... I see the calm, quiet "don't notice me but I'm here" Beth -- the very ladylike version. But I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that you can erupt like Vesuvius when necessary -- oh yeah -- I can see that one too!!!

That police station story sounds good -- you go giving it to them - I'll bet they would have finally agreed to anything just to have you leave!! :) I had my own "go" with the boys in blue many years ago -- verbal. We'll swap stories some day over coffee!!

The Guy Who Writes This said...

I wouldn't call you grumpy, but you are set in your ways.

Charlotta-love said...

I'm the calm before the storm as well. If someone upsets me and I turn away to stop talking, oh, beware of my return.

good to know you are normal!

The Author Of This said...

I still don't believe you. I've never known you to be grumpy.

I, however, will remain the most miserable and grumpy bandy legged fish hook on the planet.

So there.

FINE!

Mrs. G. said...

I'm glad to know you have a few flaws. I would have liked to have seen you in that police station!

That guy at the pool better WATCH OUT.

bjkeefe said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
bjkeefe said...

I do not at all consider #6 a flaw.

I suppose if I were your kid, I might occasionally be embarrassed. But outwardly, only.

Beth said...

sherry:
You see me as "ladylike?" I LOVE that!
We'll swap horror stories soon (I hope) over coffee or lunch.

guy:
I think we both know someone else who is set in their ways...
And you once said I was "too careful." Interesting to be analyzed via blogs.

charlotta-love:
I'm going to use your line the next time I do one of my slow simmers/burns. As I walk away, I will say (softly), "Beware of my return."

cheri:
I think we're simply human - I'm just surprised when people don't get a sense of my negative qualities.

amc:
New one! "Bandy legged fish hook."
I'm taking your "Fine" as one of those "harrumph" ones.
(And I'm never grumpy - on my blog.)

mrs. g.:
I was pretty damn loud - but very coherent. Quite the display.

brendan:
Surprisingly (and perhaps I should check this) I don't think I have ever really embarrassed my kids. They "get" me.

Shari said...

I tend to bottle things up a lot. Rarely will I blow up, but shake me up and push me too far, I explode. I'm too wimpy, though. Too much of a people pleaser and peace keeper. That is a big, pressure cooker ready to blow, huh?

Anyway, I have yet to meet anyone who never gets grumpy from time to time.

Princess Pointful said...

They must have clearly missed someone of your epic rants! And that alterego that came out to play once...

Sorry I wasn't a better welcomer when you got back! Things are busy in Princess-land, as always...

oreneta said...

I am so living your image at the top? Who trusted me with all this anyway?

Ya know, I really realy want to hear the police station story, it sounds like a great one. No pressure though...

Beth said...

shari:
It would be much healthier (for both of us) to explode when provoked rather than letting it all simmer. (Still working on that...)

princess pointful:
You have an amazing memory! (That old alter ego, Liz...)

oreneta:
There are many days (most days?) when I feel I am wearing that disguise.
As for that story? I'd have to get permission from the (not guilty) party first!

Anonymous said...

I can relate to all of these and am especially interested in #5 because I have always wondered about why I revert to silence -even though I hate doing it- when I have been royally pissed off. I considered it punishment towards the perpetrator but perhaps, as you said, it is actually a coping mechanism; self preservation. Hmm interesting what makes us tick, isn't it?

As for the six word memoirs, is it too late to contribute mine?

tom boy
that boy
three boys

Okay so 'tomboy' is one word but I need it to be two to make the six words which pretty much sum up my life.

Sornie said...

HEck, everyone can be grumpy. It's all about presenting your grupmtitude in a responsible fashion without alienating everyone aroudn you.

Ed & Jeanne said...

I was going to take those guy tips you wrote about but being a guy...I wasn't paying attention

Beth said...

trish:
Re: #5 - Perhaps we're afraid of unleashing our own anger (fury?) before a cool down period?
Great memoir - and it's okay to use words any way you darn well please!
(Re:#1 - I'm doing a slow burn right now - hence (one of) the reasons for the subject of my next post...)

sornie:
I think I present my "grumptitude" in a very responsible manner. (So far, have alienated very few people.)

ve:
Well, FINE then!