(Come to think of it, at the age of around 9 I remember being sent to the infant class for the rest of the morning for standing up, walking across the classroom, and whispering something I thought was funny to my friend. The teacher was not impressed, and I think that was both the first and last time I ever misbehaved in class.)
On rare but treasured occasions inspiration can strike and I think of something funny to say. Even more rarely this can happen at exactly the right moment to say it. Unfortunately my sense of humour (think Inbetweeners, early Woody Allen, Monty Python, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, Big Bang Theory, also quite a lot of filth) can get me into trouble.
Writing amusing responses to Facebook posts can be easier because you can think about it for a while. Or not...
On April 25 one of my Facebook friends posted a message which immediately triggered what I thought would be a witty response.
Now I did think twice before typing it, since it was more than a little facetious and could possibly have been regarded as risque. And the friend in question was a young lady who I knew had a sense of humour, but who I didn't know that well. In fact it wasn't till the evening that I went back, typed the response, thought again (finger over the 'Enter' key), and finally ('what the hell') sent.
3 am and I'm suddenly awake. Instantly I know exactly why I've woken up. What seemed like playful banter last night now seems totally inappropriate ...almost borderline stalking. What a fool I am! Had I over-stepped the mark? Was she shocked? What will her other Facebook friends think? Am I now marked as an unfeeling sexist predator? Has she already unfriended me?
I know what I have to do. I have to get online and delete my comment without delay!
I slowly and quietly slip out of bed, hoping not to wake C (how the **** would I explain this?!), pick up my laptop on the way to the door, and carefully make my way downstairs in the dark. I get to the kitchen and run a drink of water while the laptop is booting up (that'll work as a cover story). Then straight to Facebook, scroll down to where I need to be...
...to find she's 'liked' what I put! Phew!
Back to bed - only to find I can't sleep for the words, many of which you have just read, chasing themselves around my head. At least C didn't wake up! (And it will, with any luck, be months before she gets around to reading this, if at all.)
10/8/14 - in serious trouble for this. So decided to clarify. Here is what Sarah posted:
ReplyDelete"There are well recognised fashions from every decade and when we look back at the 2010s, what will we have? Draw on eyebrows, messy/bouffant/both 'updos' and bloody jeggings (often sans knickers). Oh the absolute shame."
And here is my comment:
"Sans knickers?! Now you tell us!"
There! It wasn't THAT bad, was it, C?