Warning The World

My friend Zoe uses the following quote by yours truly as her sig.file:

"The world at large needs to learn not to fuck with a pissed off TurboTramp."

I don't think the world is listening yet.

I'm crossing the parking lot on my way to the latest in an endless round of doctor's appointments this morning when the heel of my pump gets caught in a grate and snaps. $@%$#%^@&$!!!!!! Ah well, what's a girl to do? So I stuck the heel of the other shoe into the grate, shimmied a bit, and presto - a brand new pair of serviceable flats to get me through the day. I feel like I'm living in a Mentos commercial.

Exiting said office after the appointment I'm startled to hear a loud "Yo-Yo Bay-bee" and I turn to see a crotch-at-knees-pants-wearing little gutterpunk leering at me proudly and making the ever so classy come-on signal involving his fingers in a V and his tongue. Insolent little shit. With narrowed eyes I marched up to him, snapped my fingers, pointed at the bench beside him and barked out "Sit".

He sat.

Dumbfounded.

As I got back to my car I laughingly said "Good boy" over my shoulder before I got in and drove off.

On my way back to work I'm stopped at a red light. As I'm glancing around I accidentally catch the eye of the guy in the pick up truck beside me and, I shit you not, he does the same tongue/fingers thing at me. What in the name of Christ is wrong with the dangly-bit carriers in Canada today?!? I throw him the most disdainful look I can manage, which unbelievably only serves to inspire his tongue to new acrobatic heights between his fingers. My eyes narrow yet again. I put the car in park. I open the door and start to get out. His eyes widen. He makes a sudden right hand turn and drives off.

Pussy.

So let this serve as my public service announcement to the world. The Interrogator is fightin' mad these days. There is no other cheek left to turn. Which is not to say I have any intention of being an outright bitch to those who don't deserve it - that's just not in my nature. But if anyone thinks I'm gonna suffer any more shit with a smile they're in for some serious fucking disappointment. [1]

This isn't about emasculation - it's about empowerment. It's about acknowledging myself as a worthwhile human being who deserves better than the behaviour she's been accepting from others lately. It's about respecting myself enough to draw the line, and having the strength to back up that conviction when someone crosses that line.

I will not put my needs on hold any longer for those who are incapable of taking responsibility for themselves and their actions.

I will not shed another tear over those who have proven themselves to be false.

I will not waste a single, precious second thinking about those who are incapable of thinking about anything but themselves.

And I will not allow anyone to treat me as anything less than the goddess I am dammit.

Let the world beware.

[1] My favourite line in Mallrats.