Nice Louse, Nobody Home

November 13th, 2007 at 09:46pm Michael Conniff 2

Something's been happening here in the valley lately, and I'm doing my best not to take it personally.

What's been happening is that people are just not showing up, and I don't know why.

I know, I know--it's probably me, probably this strange notion I have that people should actually show up when they say they're going to show up. Or maybe it's the natural aversion of others to yours truly. That would explain it, too.

Let's take today for example. I had a meeting set up for mid-afternoon with somebody. He blew me off, but then he had blown me off before, and the one time he did not blow me off he was late.

Or what about this: a few days ago, a responsible young man, a real estate agent, blew me off without even a peep. Then I heard nothing for days. Finally he called and said: "Oh man I was crushed that day."

Yeah, me too. He said he would "chase me down." I haven't heard from him and don't expect to.

The same week there was a woman who blew me off, the head of the nonprofit. Well, she didn't blow me off exactly because she understands the corporate world. But there I was at Poppycock's when the phone rang. It was her assistant saying her boss was blowing me off--telling me that she wasn't coming at precisely the moment she was supposed to appear.

I probably should not take all of this personally or at least write a diatribe about how I seem to be the person who always shows up, even when the rest of them don't. But I think it's more than that. I think it's something in the water or at least the flouride. I think people come to Aspen or hereabouts and they believe the rules that govern their conduct somehow change.

I actually think that alcohol has a lot to do with it, and maybe drugs do, too. I know of two marriages all but ruined by alcohol in the last year, and one of the couples was supposed to come over once for Christmas. She came on Christmas, all right--seven hours late.

I wish I had something profound to make out of this, some point that would sound at noon every day like the vestigial siren in downtown Aspen. But the best I can do is to say without fear of contradiction that the rules actually don't change because you happen to be in a beautiful place that renders you lucky to be alive. In fact, the rules don't change at all. Rules are rules, even if you don't remember them any more.

The next person who blows me off does so at their own risk.

Entry Filed under: Aspen, Colorado, Business, People, Pitkin County, United Post

13 Comments Add your own

1. Wharf Rat | November 14th, 2007 at 2:48 pm

We enjoyed your presence at the blogger's BBQ, so it probably isn't a natural aversion of others to yours truly.
2. Mitch.Mulhall | November 14th, 2007 at 9:49 pm

[We enjoyed your presence at the blogger's BBQ, so it probably isn't a natural aversion of others to yours truly.]

Wharf… You’ve been lurking… So Michael showed up? See, I knew trying to hide my nocturnal incontinence would come at a steep cost.

[I think people come to Aspen or hereabouts and they believe the rules that govern their conduct somehow change.]

Michael… Maybe the lady who blew you off at Poppycock’s (isn’t there some kind of FCC rule against typing that phrase?) just took delivery of an alpaca shipment, financed with her cheating boyfriend’s 401k money. She was busy, Ptolemy.

But you're right... It’s all about basic human courtesy.

Cheers,
3. Wharf Rat | November 14th, 2007 at 11:44 pm

I lurk, therefore I virtually am. You know I can't pass up commentary on all things hypocritical. Don't they have daipers or drugs for nocturnal incontinence?
4. Michael Conniff | November 15th, 2007 at 5:08 am

Incontinence awaits me but I don't give a shit.

Best, Michael!
5. Mitch.Mulhall | November 15th, 2007 at 7:45 am

I should have known that reference would be missed. Remember:

The girls who wouldn't spend the night were usually the ones who wet the bed.
~Reckless G, It happened again... NO KIDDING

, June 9, 2007

Cheers,
6. Edward Troy | November 15th, 2007 at 3:52 pm

Michael,

you are not perfect regarding this issue, I am from back East, living here trying to develop and run 2 businesses, with a social, domestic, athletic life and blah blah blah, I have invited you for a beer and to meet my girlfriend, her son (my family) and you said you were going to call me, even repeating it on air. But you haven't.

Every time I hear you mention the great Crystal Logan from the Aspen Institute, I am reminded of how Lee Bycell invited me to participate in the Great Ideas Seminar that you have done. Last year it was allegedly cancelled, there was supposed to be another one this last April, that I was then supposed to be in. Miss Logan claimed to have sent me an email with details about it --she didn't. Most people have a word describing this misrepresentation, so do I. What ever the BS "reason" for this despicable failure, it is BS. She can't return my inquiries, because she can't show me where, when, or if she had ever contacted me. Just like you have for your real estate agent -- I have no expectations of her.

So you can still make good on your promise, even if untimely. I have a sixteen year old, who was very disappointed in this situation, his mother also stopped listening to you, because of this. I am holding the fort in this house for you and enjoy our radio talk. I also appreciate that you are not seeking to cut me off as quickly as you have in the past when I felt you were giving some of your callers a little more love -- even with ridiculous ideas, to which they are entitled.
sincerely, without rancor
7. Michael Conniff | November 15th, 2007 at 8:07 pm

Ed, if I were running this blog I'd delete this post and call you offline. But a public flogging deserves a public response.

I'd love to have a beer with you any time, though mine must be nonalcoholic (imported preferably). It was my misperception that your message about wanting to talk had to do with publicity for your girlfriend's court case. You never said anything different so I misunderstood.

As for Cristal, I will happily follow up and see what she can do. I can't speak for her so no promises there. I do want you to know that I've had you in mind for a discussion group I'm helping to put together of all persuasions. You are, after all, the liberal gladiator. I'll keep you posted on that one, too. If it happens you're in and I think you'll enjoy it.

I'm sorry feelings were hurt but I can't fix a hurt I didn't know about. My admiration for what I know of your life is unbounded, as you know from listening on the radio. I could not make it more clear--your self-education in particular, your commitment to the causes you believe in.

Yes, my life is busy with a capital Z--I'm working at 5 AM and I'm working at 8 PM--but I also seem to have far more time than other people I know, with or without kids. (I'm an empty-nester and so is my fiancee.) So let's talk and heal the wounds I hope. From the sound of things I'm buying.

Best, Michael!

PS I would say this in my defense: saying let's get together and never setting a day or time is very different in my world than setting a day and a time and a place and then not showing up. A distinction with a difference, I hope.
8. Mike McGarry | November 16th, 2007 at 7:15 am

More to the point is people who DO NOT DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY WILL DO. When we are all stripped nacked, with not even our personas to hide behind, the only question is, "Did you do what you said you would do?" That is, are you the person you say you are. In life and love, that really is the only thing that counts. Indeed, if there is a Heaven and a Hell (and a Pergatory) after death, you can bet that will be the question you are asked when you try to crash the Heavenly Gates.

Ans so it is.
9. alpha6 | November 16th, 2007 at 9:18 am

Well, I gotta tell you nothing pisses me off more then someone showing up late. I was always taught that if you are on time your late, so I always show up early. Not so up at all, then I better be getting a funeral announcement because that's the only excuse for not making a meeting in my book...that you were dead!

I long ago figured out that if someone thinks their time is more valuable then yours then they are not someone I am willing to deal with, no matter what the deal.

Hey Michael, this "discussion group"...is it going to be a left wing, liberal, commie type group or can normal thinking people like myself and Mulhall participate? : )
10. Wharf Rat | November 16th, 2007 at 10:01 am

Please refer to Mitch's link posted above (clever reference, Mitch--you're right I missed that one):

Jimbob Jumpback's Honkey Tonk Hoedown, June, 2007.

RSVP:

Bee Jon
Mitch
Reck
Wharf
Ed
Judy
Star Eagle
I-Con
Shiner Bock
Guacamole
Flammable Materials

No Shows:

I-Con

Shows:

Everyone Else

Another day, another con. Cost of Dell Computer--$1,500. Cost of Comcast internet access--$50. Cost of Aspen Post registration--free. Observing contradictions of Con Man--priceless!
11. Michael Conniff | November 16th, 2007 at 10:34 am

Catching me in contradictions!!! What fun!!!

I DID show up--24 hours late. Jimbob will back me up. And since nobody put a time limit on the expiration of the party, I think that technically I'm in compliance with the rules of non-Con-Man-contradiction.

Hate to dissapoint you by not being quite as disappointing as you'd hoped.

All best, Michael!
12. Wharf Rat | November 16th, 2007 at 11:50 am

I-Con,

It's quite funny that you would continue to mock me when your earnest plea is to "not get conned." Hey, you make the rules in your little fiefdom--I just play by the instructions that come with the package. Can I help it if your ego doesn't allow you to ever admit you're wrong?

According to your post, showing up a day late is grounds for labeling the marriage all but ruined--or perhaps I should infer that you are back to smoking the lettuce. Either way, fear not! My level of disappointment is all I could have hoped for.
13. Edward Troy | November 16th, 2007 at 5:12 pm

Ed, if I were running this blog I'd delete this post and call you offline. But a public flogging deserves a public response.

I'd love to have a beer with you any time, though mine must be nonalcoholic (imported preferably). It was my misperception that your message about wanting to talk had to do with publicity for your girlfriend's court case. You never said anything different so I misunderstood.

As for Cristal, I will happily follow up and see what she can do. I can't speak for her so no promises there. I do want you to know that I've had you in mind for a discussion group I'm helping to put together of all persuasions. You are, after all, the liberal gladiator. I'll keep you posted on that one, too. If it happens you're in and I think you'll enjoy it.

I'm sorry feelings were hurt but I can't fix a hurt I didn't know about. My admiration for what I know of your life is unbounded, as you know from listening on the radio. I could not make it more clear--your self-education in particular, your commitment to the causes you believe in.

Yes, my life is busy with a capital Z--I'm working at 5 AM and I'm working at 8 PM--but I also seem to have far more time than other people I know, with or without kids. (I'm an empty-nester and so is my fiancee.) So let's talk and heal the wounds I hope. From the sound of things I'm buying.

Best, Michael!

PS I would say this in my defense: saying let's get together and never setting a day or time is very different in my world than setting a day and a time and a place and then not showing up. A distinction with a difference, I hope.

Ah the beer! Well as most of the JimBobJumpback attendees will attest, I am not a heavy drinker usually one or none and done. That beer could just as easily be cranberry with a lime! My feelings were not hurt. But I do have a sixteenyear old in the house that thought it was "cool" that I met you and even more cool that you would field questions while I drove him to school -- I was one of those callers. He has some views on the Iraqi war theatre that are disconnected with even the most stalwart apologists for the Bush regime. As many who have listened to our dialogues know, taking it "easy" on that is very difficult for me, since the usual defense is, "someone" in the Bush Admin said it is so and therefore that is reality. Because you are kinder with some of the Bush defenders than I am, he was actually listening to you. I said "you may disagree with me but the "Conman" disagrees with you too!" I told him that I would, "call the Conman up so he could with talk with you and you can go over the reasons you feel the way you do about the war in Iraq." I did and stated that as the reason.

My girlfriend's court case received all the publicity it needed in the print media. I blogged on it to clarify a couple of omissions, and I think it came up once when I called in, but never again until now.

I was disappointed that you didn't call back. His feelings were a blend of disappointment and hurt. His Mom was also disappointed, she is perhaps wisely apolitical, but doesn't want her son going into a war contrived from holecloth.

You have complemented me greatly on your show. I appreciate that. Let that not go unsaid or unwritten. There is nothing Cristal can do to redeem herself in my book, unless she did it without any persuasion or provocation, that could only come from within, otherwise I would see it as tainted goods. I would ask you to not involve yourself unless you must. Again I have no expectations from that quarter. I had hoped that Lee Bycell would have been able to reach me.

There is a distinction, yes. Phone call sometime vs time place not showing not doing. That is unfortunately our Pleasant Valley Sunday. We are a part of it. People not showing, doing, calling, working, paying and delivering sometimes stops us from doing the very same to someone else. It is the initiators of this crap getting paid that deserve our special ire.

No, you don't have to buy. Just pick up the phone. Call your other bloggers and callers too. They with you make your show. You may filibuster, but I can monlogue! Really, no hard feelings. You can email me a convenient time.