An Argument ISN'T Just A Contradiction

[LoisB]

The Argument Sketch

The Cast (in order of appearance.)
M= Man looking for an argument
R= Receptionist
Q= Abuser
A= Arguer (John Cleese)
C= Complainer (Eric Idle)
H= Head Hitter


M: Ah. I'd like to have an argument, please.
R: Certainly sir. Have you been here before?
M: No, I haven't, this is my first time.
R: I see. Well, do you want to have just one argument, or were you thinking of taking a course?
M: Well, what is the cost?
R: Well, It's one pound for a five minute argument, but only eight pounds for a course of ten.
M: Well, I think it would be best if I perhaps started off with just the one and then see how it goes.
R: Fine. Well, I'll see who's free at the moment.
Pause
R: Mr. DeBakey's free, but he's a little bit conciliatory.
Ahh yes, Try Mr. Barnard; room 12.
M: Thank you.

(Walks down the hall. Opens door.)

Q: WHAT DO YOU WANT?
M: Well, I was told outside that...
Q: Don't give me that, you snotty-faced heap of parrot droppings!
M: What?
Q: Shut your festering gob, you tit! Your type really makes me puke, you vacuous, coffee-nosed, maloderous, pervert!!!
M: Look, I CAME HERE FOR AN ARGUMENT, I'm not going to just stand...!!
Q: OH, oh I'm sorry, but this is abuse.
M: Oh, I see, well, that explains it.
Q: Ah yes, you want room 12A, Just along the corridor.
M: Oh, Thank you very much. Sorry.
Q: Not at all.
M: Thank You.
(Under his breath) Stupid git!!

(Walk down the corridor)
M: (Knock)
A: Come in.
M: Ah, Is this the right room for an argument?
A: I told you once.
M: No you haven't.
A: Yes I have.
M: When?
A: Just now.
M: No you didn't.
A: Yes I did.
M: You didn't
A: I did!
M: You didn't!
A: I'm telling you I did!
M: You did not!!
A: Oh, I'm sorry, just one moment. Is this a five minute argument or the full half hour?
M: Oh, just the five minutes.
A: Ah, thank you. Anyway, I did.
M: You most certainly did not.
A: Look, let's get this thing clear; I quite definitely told you.
M: No you did not.
A: Yes I did.
M: No you didn't.
A: Yes I did.
M: No you didn't.
A: Yes I did.
M: No you didn't.
A: Yes I did.
M: You didn't.
A: Did.
M: Oh look, this isn't an argument.
A: Yes it is.
M: No it isn't. It's just contradiction.
A: No it isn't.
M: It is!
A: It is not.
M: Look, you just contradicted me.
A: I did not.
M: Oh you did!!
A: No, no, no.
M: You did just then.
A: Nonsense!
M: Oh, this is futile!
A: No it isn't.
M: I came here for a good argument.
A: No you didn't; no, you came here for an argument.
M: An argument isn't just contradiction.
A: It can be.
M: No it can't. An argument is a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition.
A: No it isn't.
M: Yes it is! It's not just contradiction.
A: Look, if I argue with you, I must take up a contrary position.
M: Yes, but that's not just saying 'No it isn't.'
A: Yes it is!
M: No it isn't!

A: Yes it is!
M: Argument is an intellectual process. Contradiction is just the automatic gainsaying of any statement the other person makes.
(short pause)
A: No it isn't.
M: It is.
A: Not at all.
M: Now look.
A: (Rings bell) Good Morning.
M: What?
A: That's it. Good morning.
M: I was just getting interested.
A: Sorry, the five minutes is up.
M: That was never five minutes!
A: I'm afraid it was.
M: It wasn't.
Pause
A: I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to argue anymore.
M: What?!
A: If you want me to go on arguing, you'll have to pay for another five minutes.
M: Yes, but that was never five minutes, just now. Oh come on!
A: (Hums)
M: Look, this is ridiculous.
A: I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to argue unless you've paid!
M: Oh, all right.
(pays money)
A: Thank you.
short pause
M: Well?
A: Well what?
M: That wasn't really five minutes, just now.
A: I told you, I'm not allowed to argue unless you've paid.
M: I just paid!
A: No you didn't.
M: I DID!
A: No you didn't.
M: Look, I don't want to argue about that.
A: Well, you didn't pay.
M: Aha. If I didn't pay, why are you arguing? I Got you!
A: No you haven't.
M: Yes I have. If you're arguing, I must have paid.
A: Not necessarily. I could be arguing in my spare time.
M: Oh I've had enough of this.
A: No you haven't.
M: Oh Shut up.

[LoisB]

Had to REVISE the GOALS!! I've achieved a sub-goal :-) She points out...grinning her A$$ off!!!!

Goals:

1. Put God's Will First. Trust God. Focus on each day as it comes and Take Joy! from each day.
2. Take care of my health (mental and physical).
3. Give my kids the things and time they deserve.
4. Face Each Day's Tasks HONESTLY and Pro-actively. Keep up my ToDo list of things to tackle today and in the near future.
5. Enjoy the contentment with my life that comes from working on the first four goals: travel, fun, friends, family...TAKE JOY!

Specific Sub-Goals:
Create a spending plan which allows for comfortable lifestyle and leads to becoming debt-free.
Earn at least $60,000 per year by December, 2015...or sooner.

Old Thread:

http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2497030&page=1

[LoisB]

I can't believe how exhausted I am.

I think getting the "bonus" talk from my editor meant, for me, permission to relax a bit. I have been a bundle of nerves and anxiety. It's like I've been holding my breath since I got here.

Now, I feel like, ok...Heather, BREATHE!! IT'S GOING TO BE OK!!

Little Heather is still a bit all over the place with What if this? and What if that???

We are going to take it easy today and breathe and relax.

Leaning into God today.

[job]

Stress and anxiety can do you in no matter how strong you are. You will need to find some outlets to relieve the stress and find your center to help calm down the anxiety.

Your editor most likely sensed what was going on w/you and he is very much aware of how it is when the new kid on the block is trying to prove himself worthy of the position. Heather, I think you can finally breath and know that you are being recognized for your good work. You've been there almost a month and your stress level has been on high alert. Time to drop it down a bit because things are going well and your editor is pleased w/your work.

So, what's on the Halloween agenda? Are you and the kids going to any functions in town for Halloween? I'm sure there are some activities that would be good for all of you to participate in this weekend.

Everything is going to work out.

[Matt165]

Hey Heather!
Wow, just think how very lucky you are to have a job where you can set your own schedule! Where you are seen as an asset and your opinions are valued! You are really doing great and I'm with Job...time to breathe!

[LoisB]

Received a package in the mail from Smokey. My first thought, "What's he up to? Why is he being nice? Something wicked this way comes."

It was the insurance card, dental info, vision info...all the stuff he mentioned he needed my address for in those texts...

No mention of the cat.

The dead cat.

At the end..."I hope our job is going well. Take care...Smokey"

I was already feeling a bit anxious because I hadn't heard from him. He's planning evil. PURE E.V.I.L.

Just joking. The package of nice stuff just threw me a bit.

[kml]

Lolol - he's kinda mystified that you're out there living this new life, his Plan B evaporated on him and he's getting exactly what he thought he wanted. You're no longer fitting into the box he had put you in and if you're not that person anymore, what does that mean about HIM?

I get those kinds of emails occasionally - I'm pretty sure my ex would love to hear more about my current life but I don't indulge him. He lost the right to hear about me and my FABULOUS new life.

[LoisB]

Cool. He's mystified. I hope that's the case.

I AM pretty mystifying.

Makes me so nervous when he is actually helpful. Very outta character. Of course, it's all information I coulda used a few months ago and already had...not sure why my moving meant he needed to mail this stuff now? Maybe he's put it aside for months...with the intention of visiting D12 and just never built up the balls to do it.

Whatev.

Turned in the school lunches for next week. I have a feature to write tomorrow and I've been called to the main office for some dumb meeting. Bummer. It's going to be a busy one.

D12 wants to watch Hocus Pocus and eat popcorn for Halloween. D20 wants to drive to Lake Placid again, without the lab, and drink coffee and eat chocolate. I think we may do both!

[Ggrass]

Mine is always trying to be "nice" pa nice rolls eyes. If you don't agree to his way, then your the problem.

[beatrice]

I think they are always trying to reel us back in. In some part of their mind we are still 'there' parked, like a piece of gum!

When we act independently and (gasp) get a life it throws them. If they are wrong abut anything there is always the risk they have been wrong about everything, and most of the people in MLC have to be right about everything.

I wonder if he is expecting brownie points for this?

You are doing amazingly, having crawled out from under the wreckage (takes awhile)