Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead!

That's right. I took Loose Earlobe Lady DOWN. I can put up with a surprising amount of shit from people. At a certain point though, I snap. And snap I did this week, even though it was a slow snap (if there is such a thing).

First there was Tuesday night. I ran a few errands after work, and was walking home that night, when I walked right past LEL and Cat Lady. LEL met my eyes, then looked through me, then looked away. Granted, I'm not the friendliest person in the world, but I'll smile hello at anyone I know, whether or not I like them. It's gut instinct for me.

Then Wednesday happened. A call came in for the Cowboy that he wasn't available for, and I went to ask Tunafish if he could take the call. LEL was in Tuna's office, and when I stood in the doorway and apologized for interrupting before launching into my question, LEL shot me a dirty look that could freeze hot water. It hit me so hard that it rendered me speechless for a second.

That was when I snapped. When you interfere with my ability to do my job, something's going to change. I asked LEL if I could speak with her for a moment. She said she was busy. I said that was fine, and asked her to let me know when she had a few minutes before the end of the day. Five minutes later she came up to me. I walked us into an empty conference room and closed the door. My opening like was something like this:

"I have no idea what I could have possibly done to deserve the outrageously blatant hostile glare you gave me in Tuna's office, but it must have been absolutely horrible."

I kept going in that direction for a few minutes, until I could see LEL looking guilty. We talked for about twenty-five minutes. Here are the highlights:
• LEL apologized.
• LEL said she was glad I confronted her.
• LEL admitted to being passive-aggressive.
• LEL said she thought she deserved my respect because she's older than I am (I disagree).
• LEL claimed that I try to make her look badly in front of people higher-up than we are. (I don't.)
• LEL didn't like me because as I walk in each morning, I don't say "good morning" to her. I pointed out to her that as I walk in, I walk past about eight people, and I don't say anything to any of them. But when I'm sitting at MY desk, and people walk past me, I DO say good morning to them.
• LEL admitted to being superficial.

The upshot of our whole talk is that we agreed to put the past in the past, she will be more understanding of the fact that I'm not a morning person, and I will try to say good morning to her. Insert multiple eyerolls here.

But you know what? All I have to do is make it a point to say good morning to this bitch, and in return I stop getting dirty looks, eyerolls, and major attitude. So good fucking morning, bitch. I'll still laugh every time you spill your Diet Coke. I'll just do it quietly now.