Trying not to be annoyed

Saw the touring company of the musical Ghost with my friend Barb. Before the curtain we met for dinner at an upscale restaurant. She was 15 minutes late, as usual, and spent even more time than usual staring at her phone. She was constantly checking her email and even set up a meeting, while I was sitting there.

I kept trying to start a conversation but she'd give me short answers or lose her train of thought as she went back to her smartphone. Finally, I gave up and stared out the window.

I know she'd had a bad day, trying to meet a client deadline while saddled with a mutinous art director. I know she'd had a bad week, with the plumbing at their office so unreliable that she and her employees had to run across the street to a hotel whenever they had to pee. I know she's had a bad month, battling the flu.

But still, it pissed me off.

We see each other about once/month. It would be nice if she could feign interest in me when I'm sitting in front of her.

But I know that's not fair. There has never been a time when I've needed Barb that she hasn't come through for me. Not once in 20 years.

So I just have to accept the good with the bad with my theater buddy. Just as I have to learn to be more accepting of everyone. It's OK to be annoyed with people when they're annoying, and she was, but I must keep it in perspective.

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