Q Madness . . . Throws Up Hands :)

[paul1927]

I've known Michelle for years, which is why in an emergency I let her stay with me for a few days. During her brief stay she repeatedly said she was crazy about my cooking (on the Q). I assumed she was just be very polite because she isn't a foodie typically.

So, she keeps asking when I'm going to invite her over for some grilled chicken (on the Q) and that she really wants to come over next time I'm cooking. (I cook all the time on the Q, btw.) Basically, I didn't really want to have her over because she isn't very reliable and worse she won't call to give notice that she is on some other mission.

Finally, I say OK it would be nice if you really want to come over we can have dinner. I didn't expect her to show even though she kept saying that I was the greatest cook in the world. Dinner (it was delicious, imo) came and went and of course there was NO Michelle or even a call from her until almost 2 hours after dinner. She had pulled into my driveway and wanted take out! I say NO that wouldn't be alright. She demands to know why. I explain that she was 2 hours late and that I ate most of her portion and gave what I couldn't finish to the neighbor kid (he is also crazy about my cooking.)

End of story: She goes into a rage saying that I had NO right to give her chicken away. She even called me back about 20 minutes later saying that what I had done was very mean and then she hung up when I offered to buy her take out from her favorite restaurant (Popeye's, they have deep fried chicken). The neighbor kid is sure she will call me back after she gets over her mad; for the chicken. lol

I'm hoping she just forgets my number and address.

[Farmer John]

Thank you! You just gave me my laugh for the day!

[Conodo12]

Was that Michelle or "Sybil"

[paul1927]

Thank you! You just gave me my laugh for the day!

Glad you found it amusing.

[paul1927]

Was that Michelle or "Sybil"

She use to be the sweetest person, but some of her behaviour I don't even recognize. The neighbor kid (He's 17 now--hard to believe) felt it was his duty to have a sit down chat with me about her (as he said "man to man"). Yes, she was that difficult.

About now the best thing about her is that she thinks I'm the world's greatest chef. If she wasn't dead broke (think food stamps), then I'd try and sell her one of Dennis's Qs and I think it would be a real easy sale.

[trish]

paul....change your phone number...she sounds like a lunatic. Actually, when I hear always out of money and personality change, I think substance abuse.

Anyone narcisstic enough to invite herself to dinner, show up two hours late without phone call and demand her food is not a friend. Don't let yourself be abused that way, you deserve common courtesy. She consistently treats you that way which is indicative she is exceptionally self-centered and abusing your friendship.

You are far too kind for her.

[paul1927]

Hi Trish,

If it is substance abuse, then I would think she should be hitting bottom very soon. I was afraid she was suffering from some type of mental problem and felt guilty that I wasn't doing more to be supportive. Didn't think drugs at all because she always trys to quit smoking and hates being addicted and complains it is too expensive.

Even when she was super sweet, she distrusted people giving her help. It is sort of funny she could be helpful and that is just normal, but as a recipient of help it set off all manner of alarms for her. So, I was aware there was a chance she would react negatively to my help, but didn't have a clue as to how harsh it would be.

If I thought that I could make a real difference, then I know I could take a lot more from her. And, sometimes people need just a little help or even a lot help to get back on their feet. I remember people who helped me at different points in my life and I've never forgotten. It isn't like I could give her a lot of help anyway, but sometimes just a little does a lot of good.

It wasn't very upsetting because I actually expected the craziness. My main thought after the second phone call was I hoped there is someone else looking out for her. She does have a close female friend that provides a lot of emotional support so that may be enough.

[paul1927]

I made an incorrect assumption that because she didn't like being addicted to cigarettes that she wouldn't follow the same path with other drugs. That doesn't make much sense now that I think about it. Her change of personality was dramatic and although she had money problems in the past it wasn't anything serious. She just liked to spend more than she makes. Also, her money problems seemed explainable. You get a huge bill here and huge bill there and then lose some income and before you know it you have serious financial problems. She isn't mistreating her close female friend from what I could so she still has some control.

I keep remembering the old her and the old her wasn't that long ago. I blamed her changed personality on stress and she even said that was why she hadn't been her normal sweet self. It is scary that a person can change so much so quickly. And, the people that I know that have just recently met her just see all the negatives as if she was always like that.

O well, I will try and think more positive thoughts like how fantastic Dennis' Q is.