H is for Hell

Sue was determined we were going to find dates. She came up with the ABC’s of dating. I kid you not. A for ads, B for blind dates, C for chat rooms, D for dating friends of friends, E for eating with singles, F for five minute dates. I finally said – G for Give me a break! I had no intention of being a part of this ridiculous plan of hers anymore.

“Come on, Terry, just once more” she begged. “It is going to be G for great. I have invited several of our old friends for a Get together.’

Although I was determined to ignore her pleas, I finally relented and agreed to join her get together planned for the following Sunday afternoon. It was to be a picnic at a local park. For all of her lamebrain ideas, it seemed fairly innocuous. And, it might actually be fun to see some old friends.

After that I forgot about it. Work’s consumed me lately. I work for a large consulting firm in Organizational and Personnel Development. My clients were usually medium to large companies, with specific personnel needs. There might be a morale problem, a leadership problem, the need to downsize, or to restructure. I have plenty of work these days as it seems like everyone is trying to right size.

This particular week I had a major proposal to complete by Monday for the Marauder Company. They had recently taken over another company and it was my job to advise which staff to retain and in what organizational structure. It was a large account for our firm, and I was thrilled to be given the assignment. But to get the report done, meant I had to spend my evenings in the office, and it looked like the weekend would be lost as well.

Sunday my mobile rang. It was a text from Sue – ‘G for get there for the G-get together at 2.’ I had to laugh. She was certainly determined. I thought it would actually do me some good to get some fresh air, and a few hours away from the office. Finishing up a few details, I headed home to change for the picnic.

As I got to the park, I was surprised to see a large crowd gathering at the picnic area. She seems to have outdone herself this time. Parking, I wandered over towards the group, enjoying the feel of the sunshine on my face as I looked over to see if I recognized a few faces. Suddenly I stopped in horror.

It looked like she had invited all of my ex-boyfriends, dates, and one night stands, all in one place all at one time. Just as I was about to turn and run, Sue grabbed my arm and pulled me over to say hello to Stan, my first “steady” from kindergarten.

As she moved me through the crowd, my face became frozen with a smile, a ready “Hello, how are you? What have you been up to?” My insides were churning, and all I wanted to do was get as far away as possible.

“Terry, you remember Tom. Don’t you?” Tom had been one of those rare moments when Sue and I had actually dated the same person and at the same time. We didn’t realize it until we bumped into him at an art exhibit.

I don’t think I relaxed for a moment as Sue continued to pull me through the social line from hell. I was in a nightmare series of “This is Your Dating Life”. I needed a drink, but when I looked over at the bar, I saw that Darren was the bartender.

I had dated Darren two years ago. We had gone out for about 4 dates when I sent him a text saying that I was leaving town for a family emergency and I would contact him when I could. Of course, I never contacted him again. How could I go over now and get a drink? Was there anyway for me to become invisible?

As if it wasn’t bad enough already, there is Steve Broccoli. His last name isn’t really Broccoli but that was where I met him, at the vegetable stand. It helped distinguish him from Steve Bus, who I met on the bus. I was dating both of them at the same time. It had been years since I had contrived some story not see him again.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, I turned around and came face to face with Stu, the man who had texted me saying his mother was ill and he had to leave town … last week.

“Hello, how are you. What have you been up to?” I said with the smile still plastered on my face.

Sue gave Stu a big hug, grinned at me and said, “Isn’t this the most fun?”

Exonerated

Just this last weekend I went to see the production of Exonerated at Riverside Studios. I thought it was a very powerful production until discussion with others who had also attended the show. They too, felt it was quite good - but apparently it did not speak to them about the difficulty of applying the death penalty. It did not change minds, it did not even seem to cause them to question.

How can you be moved by the execution of an innocent man, the loss of many years on deathrow by 6 others who were later proved innocent, and not even question the use of the death penalty. I guess it is like so much else, the show was speaking to those who already agreed with it.

That same day, the London Times had an article that a Chinese city was going to begin using the death penalty against purse snatchers.

The following day was a story about beginning to give bonuses to Prosecutors who win their cases - pay for performance. This is not the same as paying prosecutors for getting it right.

Where is the logic?