Dibbs: Why Does This B*tch Keep Calling Me?

I must vent. I went to Glasgow this week for two days to help Little Brother Dibbs prepare for his camp. On my way home my secretary called me to ask some questions about a former student. That's fine, I guess. When I got to my parents' house, I had an email from the same secretary updating me on her conversation with the mother. I told her I would be back to work on Thursday, and I would take care of the matter then. Today...another email from my secretary asking me to call the parent.

Seriously, were these people home-schooled? Everyone knows school personnel don't work in the summer. I'll do what this woman needs, but I certainly won't change my plans for her. I'm sorry she's in a hurry. Not my problem. I have half a mind to call her right now at 11:30, wake her ass up, and tell her what I think. Here is one thing I know: if she calls me one more time, she won't be getting a letter at all. I'm not her shabbes goy.

'Night.

Lola: Near Occasions?

Over glasses of wine and the candlelight ambiance of the Grotto last week, Julep and I engaged in discussions of whether a married person should limit him or herself to interactions only with persons of the opposite sex to whom there is absolutely no attraction. Julep seemed to rest her position on the adage that one would do best by avoiding the “near occasion of sin” and not tempting the fates by delving into interactions with a comely man who is not one’s husband. I, on the other hand, while not so much arguing that one should seek out such interactions, felt that limiting oneself in the possibilities of future friendships or colleagues based squarely on whether said persons do or do not seem to be attractive or particularly engaging, was depressing.

As you know, I am happily married to the man I still consider to be the cutest person I have ever seen, so I am certainly not on the prowl for attractive men with whom to engage in flirtatious friendships. Moreover, I think Governor Sanford acted in a dismal manner, betraying his wife and children, as well as the good people of South Carolina. But I also think he is crazy and narcissistic. As are John Edwards, Newt Gingrich, John McCain, and Eliot Spitzer. A narcissistic personality does not aptly evaluate the consequences of his behaviors and actions on the people who he is supposed to love and protect most in the world. I think that is what should serve as the distinction between them and me…or Julep. Add to the equation that I am also a bit of a prude.

From my current employment, I am scouring my brain to think whether there are any men remotely attractive or engaging with whom I come in contact…and, no. However, I remember from my old law firm days, there were quite a few occasions when I would come in contact with opposing or co-counsel for whom I could totally have developed crushes. According to Julep’s philosophy, though, I would be completely prohibited from a happy-hour cocktail with any of these gentlemen in my current married state, because I would be tiptoeing toward a “near occasion of sin.” Maybe there is a moving goal line as to where each of fears loss of control over personal responsibility versus where biological hormones take total control. But I just don’t think that tabloid-level discussions should serve as a definitive indictment against male-female interaction of the attractive-engaging kind. Nonetheless, I would undoubtedly tell my husband that I was going out for a cocktail after work with a crush-worthy co-worker …if only there were such a thing at this worksite.

Dibbs: My Take on the Issue of the Day

I just read Twinkle's post (on her other blog) about expanded gaming. I admit to mixed feelings about the issue. I just can't imagine slot machines dinging in the hallowed walls of Keeneland. It doesn't seem to go with all those floral arrangements and stone walls.

My Daddy tells me that the reason other tracks are doing better than the ones in Kentucky is because of the slots, so I guess I'll go for it. Churchill has been pretty desolate lately (Night Racing excluded.)

But, I'll tell you my real clincher. It's just like high school geometry. I hate David Williams. David Williams hates expanded gaming. Ergo, I will support expanded gaming to the death.

Julep: This whole thing is really getting sad.

I saw a fuller photo of Maria's building. It is fairly chic. But I am fully in accord with you, Dibbs, on the "re-directing feelings." Maria, back off. I don't think Jenny Sanford is the kind of woman you should cross.

Who else thinks that Maria sent the emails to The State five months ago? My money says Jenny found out about the whole thing and the Gov was tres agoniste; Maria wanted him to leave and be with her, but of course he had not only a wife but a promising career. If she ruined his political career (anonymously, natch), he would be free! free! to leave it all behind him and join her in the Argentine! She couldn't confirm the emails when the paper tried to verify without tipping off the Gov.

I feel bad for the whole Sanford family. Lola, are you reading this? Exhibit A to my point in our conversation the other day* ... they were friends for years before it turned romantic last year. Moral of this story: avoid the near occasion of sin. Don't develop "platonic" friendships with attractive members of the opposite sex once you are married.* That lunch will lead to coffee will lead to long emails when you and your spouse have been struggling and/or distant will lead to the cocktail hour one night when your spouse is out of town and then, you know, things just happened! The heart wants what it wants!



* Just so the record is perfectly clear, our conversation was wholly hypothetical, and grew out of a discussion of the movie He's Just Not That Into You. It is absolutely no reflection on the very happy marriages of Lola and Julep!

** I don't object to platonic friendships that developed before marriage. If you and that person were meant to be, you wouldn't have married your spouse. And I think you can develop truly platonic relationships after marriage, ones in which you truly and honestly feel no giddy tug towards the other person. If you feel that tug, though ... don't think you can sublimate it and be friends, 'cause you're so mature like that. Look down the road, and beware the cocktail hour of doom!

Dibbs: I Found Them!

"Maria" lives here. I think it looks like something we'd see down by Churchill Downs.

These are the emails. I particularly enjoy that he loves her tan lines. And by the way, Maria, you can redirect your feelings toward him. Just stay away.

Hugs.

Dibbs: I Can't Leave Comments...

...so I have to do whole posts. Somehow I don't think the lovely and graceful Mrs. Sanford will be destroying the Governor's Mansion ala Judy. Also, I don't think she wore a tiara in her official photo.

I'm googling those skanky emails right now!

Julep: Forget Tammy Wynette....

Have y'all seen any of this news coverage on the South Carolina governor, his mysterious disappearance for a week and his subsequent revlation about his affair with some woman in Argentina? Crazy stuff, y'all!

I started off paying attention because of the whole SC connection: Gov. Sanford went to both of my institutions of higher education, so I have always been vaguely interested in him although I don't much agree with his politics. But now I have a new hero - or shall I say heroine? Jenny Sanford is the Best Politicial Wife Scorned Evah.

Forget the grinning/ gritting teeth and bearing it (Hillary), or standing next to him at his presser looking shell-shocked while he tearfully apologizes (Silda), or even packing the bags and disappearing back to eastern KY (Judy). This is the kind of public statement I can get behind.