short on time, long on bottom lines
Though this is another post from the day job desk, the title actually serves its purpose this time (describing what this epically short post will be about).
This morning I was thinking of bottom lines, primarily because I was explaining to my cat why she couldn’t accompany me to work (I interpreted her persistent cries at the door as a request to do just that).
Not only would she not follow me to the bus station (this ain’t no cottage stroll, which, I must tell you, she does like to come along for), but she would hate the bus—crying the whole time, people wanting to touch her, etc. Then, what would she do in my office? And what if she got out? And then we’d have to repeat the whole trip to go home. Bottom line: it wouldn’t work.
This conversation (because I’m sure you already know that I explained all of these reasons to Comear out loud while making my breakfast and lunch) inspired me to think about what other bottom lines have come into my life lately and what other ones I can imagine occurring at some point in my life.
Bottom line: if I drink that, I’m going to puke.
That’s a good one. It doesn’t come up too, too often, but when it does it’s a rock solid argument and a bottom line that has saved my own bottom several times.
Bottom line: if I see him/her/them there, I’m going to leave.
This hasn’t been a deal breaker for me in some time (because bottom lines are also sometimes deal breakers), but I remember several times in high school when I said that and I meant it and I acted on it. A bottom line/deal breaker is no empty threat. You may only use it/say it when it is in fact the unavoidable truth or something that you MUST stick to—and really, it’s not even a MUST. It’s a cause-effect, no control over your actions, happening period type of thing.
Bottom line: if you X/Y/Z, it’s over.
Yeah, that’s a biggie. It’s probably a universal bottom line, or at least the template for a universal bottom line. The X, Y, Z will change, they’re subjective, but having a bottom line of knowing when things have gone too far and ACTUALLY quitting when it reaches/passes that point is key. I honestly cannot remember the last time I consciously invoked this one, but sometimes it just happens; you go through the motions without even acknowledging that you are making a cut. I have done this, unfortunately, with a friend or two who got “too busy” to maintain a friendship with me. While that is a topic for another post, all I will say right now is a) if you do this, say you’re too busy or actually are/become too busy to be my friend, it’s over and you are an asshole. Just be honest and say I’m not worth it, or, more accurately, admit you’re an asshole, cause “too busy” is bullshit. Make time. Or fuck off. b) not only is it over, but I will harbour a grudge. And hate you forever.
Wow, so that was an unexpected tangent, but I guess that’s what bottom line discussions bring out in people.
I could probably go on, but bottom line: I need to punch in.
