Laugh Out Loud- PG 13 Part 3

So along with the book "Eat, Pray, Love" I thought it would be fun to actually eat. pray. and love.

Eat: I asked the girls to each bring a bit of their favorite recipe to share.

Pray: One of the girls in the group practices mediation daily and I asked if she would lead us in a short and simply mediation.

Love: Bring an unwrapped toy to donate to a children's charity.

Most of the girls respond with wonderful enthusiasm.  That a book club like this was exactly what they were looking for.  Which worked out well, because, it was my book club and this is how I roll.

Shannon, yeah, not so much.  She decides that after the last email "confrontation" that a better route might be to have someone else do her dirty work.  In walks Anne.

Now Ann is young.  A graduate student with a boyfriend.  Which is of course why Shannon chose her...I said Shannon was crazy, not stupid.  

Anne emails me this:

I really love this book club and everything that you're doing for it! 

I wasn't sure how to write this though, and I really don't want you to take it the wrong way. I think that your ideas on how to add to the theme of the book are wonderful, It would be really great if in the future you could make them seem like a more optional activity. 

For this month, I'm a student and I really can't afford to bring a toy, it's hard enough for me to buy necessities for myself. I love doing community service and donating time and wish I could afford extras right now, but I can't. Meditation is not my thing and I am hesitant about going this month because I don't want to seem like an outsider for those two reasons. 

I'm afraid I'm going to come off as cheap. Again I think that they're good ideas, but I (and some others I've talked to) think it would be great to have people who want to meditate come at a certain time and those who don't come 15 minutes later or something. I'm really not trying to step on any toes or seem bitchy/prudish/whatever. I'm happy to bring food and wine and talk about the book and socialize, I look forward to it. Do you mind making the other stuff seem a little more optional in the future?

Again, thanks for everything you do. I've really enjoyed getting to know you and all of the other women in the group.
See you Monday,
Anne

First of all, after the age of 18, isn't everything outside of death and taxes optional?  Do I strike you all as the kind of person that would DEMAND mediation and charity for children?

And, Anne, is apparently so broke that she can't bring a small toy for a child in need, but food AND wine...no problem.  Also notice how she has spoken to "others members".  Yeah , don't start trying the gang mentality on me, I will take all three of you suckers on at once.  

This has got Shannon written ALL over it.

I respond to Anne:

As far as the meditation goes, we are talking like 5 minutes of quiet breathing... that's it. Many of us don't get a minute of time to ourselves, just wanted to provide the opportunity for a new experience.

While I am happy to make it clear that everything is optional, I will probably continue suggesting things to go along with the book, as for me, that is what the "fun" part of "Books, Wine and Fun" is all about.

I must tell you that your comment about other members (I'm guessing Joy and Shannon) feeling the same really didn't sit well with me. No one likes to feel as though their ideas have been discussed in a negative context.

So now it's out in the open that I know Shannon (Joy is somewhat of an innocent bystander taken hostage by Shannon) is behind it all.  I have full confidence that my response will be forwarded to Shannon.  And it is.

What happens next proved to be somewhat unbelievable.  As, while I have known all kinds of crazy in my 33 years, Shannon is truly a world class nut.  And, I have the emails to prove it. 

Here is just a teaser:

This little excerpt comes from Shannon's final (Thank God) email:

I don't want to feel like I have to walk on eggshells with you or scared that if I say something you will throw me out of the bookclub which is exactly what you have done...that's why I spoke with a few people over this past week to get advice from them on how to handle approaching you and talking to you.

Oh, and BTW, this chick, has met me once.  Once.  For an hour.  C.R.A.Z.Y

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