Spending time with a person I hate

[greybeta]

So, shortly after I embarass myself thoroughly on the piano, I get a phone call. Oddly enough, it's the red headed Brigid, my friendly nemesis. I was tempted not to pick the phone, but I did out of politeness.

B: Hey, you should come over to my apartment. Quite a few people are here for my birthday bash. Come on over for a drink!
D2: I don't drink.
B: Daniel, it's my birthday.
D2: Fine, I'll come over, but only because it's your birthday.

I have to explain something. I do hate the red headed Brigid, if only somewhat facetiously. I actually really admire her. She's really smart, can play the piano well, and ain't willing to take crap from no one. It's just that we are diametrically opposed when it comes to religion and politics, which we all know are the dividing lines in America.

So I come over and quickly realize I'm the only guy there. Besides Brigid's roomie, there are three of Brigid's sorority sisters. Liberally minded sorority sisters, at that. I had this sinking feeling that my embarassment this night could only continue.

A half hour after my arrival at the party...

Drunk: You're a f***ing a**hole!
D2: Um, okay.

So, yes, this drunk person whom I have never met in my life just calls me some curse words. I guess I should be less straightforward when dealing with drunks. I just shrugged went to play the piano.

Drunk: No, wait, I've changed my mind. You're not an a**hole, because an a**hole couldn't play the piano so well. A**holes wouldn't care about playing the piano.
D2: Careful, you might be surprised.

More random conversation, wherein I am reminded that the red headed Brigid wore these dreadful dreadlocks her freshman year. Another sorority girl and her boyfriend shows up.

Drunk: Okay, I want to apologize. I think you're a really cool person. You see, the people I think are cool, I call them a**holes. As for real a**holes, I treat them politely.
D2: Well, since I'm an a**hole, I'm going to have to refuse your apology.
Caleb: Oh, he just went old school elementary on ya!
Drunk: [laughs] See, you're so cool, you make old school new school!

Thankfully, the drunk passed out. And it was soon decided that we should go to a bar. Again, the birthday excuse was used to coerce me to go (sigh, I'm too polite sometimes).

So at the bar, the red headed Brigid tells me she's singing at a local Episcopalian church. She invited me come, Hmmmm, I wanted to refuse but I knew what excuse was coming. So I agreed to go in lieu of my normal Sunday excursion to First Baptist.

The service itself was different than your typical Episcopalian service. That's because they were celebrating Black History Month with the remnants of a Black congregration. Apparently, this black bishop (not the chess piece mind you) started preaching a message of "inclusiveness", and shortly thereafter he lost half his church and the church building itself. They were welcomed to use the facilities at Trinity Episcopalian, however, and it has turned out to be a huge boon by mixing fresh blood into the congregration.

I didn't take communion. Instead of holding my hands out to receive the bread, I crossed my arms to receive a blessing. Quite frankly, Baptists don't do communion. We do the Lord's Supper.

My time with the red headed Brigid concluded with lunch and our usual political tiff. She was none too happy to find out that I was planning to apply for a Republican internship this summer. Funny, I'm none too happy that she wants to be a tree hugger.

I had a good time, as I don't get to intelligently discuss religion and politics too often. However, she thinks that the stories I tell in Senate are a waste of time.

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate tree hugging liberals?

Comments

[kmg-365.livejournal.com]

I didn't take communion. Instead of holding my hands out to receive the bread, I crossed my arms to receive a blessing. Quite frankly, Baptists don't do communion. We do the Lord's Supper.

Were it a Catholic church, and not Episcopalian, you wouldn't be allowed to take Communion. :-)

I wonder - are Episcopalian's less strict about that?

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

I believe the Episcopalian church is going through an ecumenical movement towards inclusiveness (which is why they ordain gay ministers).

[kmg-365.livejournal.com]

Some of the Episcopalian churches in our area have "seceeded from the union" over that very issue.

[greybeta.livejournal.com]

The Southern Baptist church "seceded" from the Baptist Church because Southern slaveowners believed God was okay with slavery. I don't think it's a coincidence that Southern Baptists are among the most vocal against gay rights.

[kmg-365.livejournal.com]

Some of the declarations from the Southern Baptist leaders are what caused my wife to eschew Southern Baptist (which is the faith she was raised in, being from the south and all).

Something about a woman's place being in the home, barefoot and pregnant.