The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

As is typical for me around this time of year, I've been spending a lot of time with family around the holidays. My brother, sister-in-law, and niece will be flying this way around Christmas, and as always, I'm incredibly excited to see them. While I love my niece dearly, however, I was quite thankful she wasn't with my family and I on Thanksgiving. When it comes to family, I consider myself very lucky. Sure, there always appears to be some unnecessary drama, not to mention a couple of individuals whom have all been alienated themselves from the rest of the family. What family isn't a little dysfunctional, though? When we're together, chances are we're talking, laughing, eating, drinking, and having a good time. While we find a way to make the diverse mix of constants work together, however, the wild cards are always the cousins' boyfriends/girlfriends, and last month, one such individual prompted me to say thanks for my niece to not be potentially placed ...

It humors me when a person is so bored, they'll interrupt another by asking the obvious in the hope that it will spark a conversation. For example, if I'm working on something, and a person asks me, "Are you working?," I think to myself, "No. I'm just pretending to type on the computer to avoid conversations like this one." When I'm writing and a person asks, "Are you writing something?," I want to say, "No, I'm just trying to appear busy by scribbling words on a page." I don't know anybody who likes to be interrupted while they're working, especially if they're in a work-like zone. However, it's doubly infuriating if the interruption isn't a necessary one and has the sole purpose of attempting to relieve the interrupter of his or her boredom. It's nice for others to showcase interest in what one is doing, but not while we're actually doing it. At dinner or a coffee shop, it would be welcome...

I really hate filing complaints against waiters. They hardly get paid anything and rely on tips to make any kind of money. I filed a complaint one time against a bartender, because I was told by a buddy of mine that well drinks were half off, so when the bartender charged me $5, I simply said, "I thought wells were half off tonight." He replied and I quote, "Do you have a vagina?" Not believing what I had just heard, I said, "What?" He repeated himself, "Do you have a vagina?" Keep in mind, I didn't know this guy and it was my first time at this particular bar. So, I filed a complaint and was rewarded very nicely in an attempt to persuade me to give the bar another chance. I did one time to make use of the certificates, but felt no need to go back after that. I thought it was a very nice gesture, but still didn't convince me to go there much. I believe that's the only time I've filed a complaint and I'd have to say i...