Reviews from

Friends on the Lop-side

Go-to guy gets got good!

22 total reviews 
Comment from Father Flaps
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hi Liz,
I wonder what Linda would say if Dan had mailed her a bill for (say) $700 after (say) month four of no contact? She didn't need him anymore.
Poor Dan allowed himself to be a rug. He might have guessed she wasn't about to pay him after (say) week three. If you become a doormat, people are going to step on you. And Linda was a stepper. She loved her new apartment, and the extra money in her bank account more than a "friendship" with Dan. She is a user. She takes advantage of others. I'm sure Dan wasn't the only one she'd treated this way.
There are names for her kind... freeloader, leech, parasite, moocher, sponger, scrounger, barnacle, bum, bloodsucker.
Then again, though, Dan asked for it. We can't throw all the dirt at Linda. He did have an ulterior motive. He didn't like to eat alone. He craved the company of a woman. He dreamed of actually having Linda as a permanent part of his life. He was "motivated". There are names for him as well... chump, a mark, patsy, pigeon, sap, pushover, sitting duck, sucker, boob, blockhead, lunkhead, fool.
I bet he'd run to her as soon as she called him up to invite him to a party... after 8 months! He's that lonely. And forgiving.
Nicely penned! I'm sure you must know Dan and Linda very well.
Hugs,
Kimbob

 Comment Written 26-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 10-Nov-2022
    Thankssssss! Sorry for the tardy response. The real-life Dan --based on my friend Scott-- didn't get a dime, though he hadn't asked or expected to be paid.

    Linda--Karen--remains an unrepentant user. Much worse was when she wormed her way into his house for "a few days" that turned out to be 2-plus months--she caused havoc.
Comment from Shirley McLain
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

It will be interesting to see what develops between these two people. You did a great job as usual so I didn't see any errors. Enjoy your Sunday evening. Shirley

 Comment Written 23-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 10-Nov-2022
    Nice to see you, Shirley! Sorry for the tardy response. The real-life Dan --based on my friend Scott-- didn't get a dime, though he hadn't asked or expected to be paid.

    Linda--Karen--remains an unrepentant user. Much worse was when she wormed her way into his house for "a few days" that turned out to be 2-plus months--she caused havoc.
Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante
Excellent
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Thanks for a well-told story, and a cautionary tale--not that I would ever aspire to be a handyman (handy-woman doesn't sound so good, for some reason--handy person?), but in general, your story brings to life the downside of human nature. Last night I had a very disturbing conversation with my "BFF" in which she was as persnickety as a ticked-off Chihuahua and left me asking myself, "What just happened?"
Your well-told story, in the form of a script about Dan and Linda, is outrageous! Sometimes human nature just stinks. I'm sorry I'm out of sixes, because it's so well written.
I love your sense of humor. I loved:
"Linda at this point, considering she doubtless needed a big break from the ape-ish-half of the species, ..."
Ape-ish, how apropos to her ex! And I don't know if you DELIBERATELY intended the subtle joke there at the end, but I thought her choice of colors was most fitting: "whipped marshmallow"! Poor Dan. I've never seen men in this way (even before I got married), but he actually sounds like he'd be what is commonly referred to as "a good catch." Fortunately for him, Linda's not fishing.

 Comment Written 22-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 10-Nov-2022
    Nice to see you! Sorry for the tardy response. The real-life Dan --based on my friend Scott-- didn't get a dime, though he hadn't asked or expected to be paid.

    Linda--Karen--remains an unrepentant user. Much worse was when she wormed her way into his house for "a few days" that turned out to be 2-plus months--she caused havoc.

    Indeed, Whipped Marshmallow was intended as you assumed.
reply by Mary Kay Bonfante on 19-Nov-2022
    Thank you, Liz, it's good to see you, too! Sorry I haven't answered your email--things got a little crazy here, culminating in a "cold" I got, that turned out to be Covid. I got it the first time in 2020
reply by Mary Kay Bonfante on 19-Nov-2022
    As I was saying (before I accidentally hit the "Save" button), when I got Covid in 2020, I don't remember the sore throat being this bad. It makes it painful to cough, which I still have to do sometimes.
    Well, no sense bemoaning my troubles. I hope you and your family are doing well. God bless you!
    Love, Mary Kay
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
Excellent
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Some people ae so horrible it beggars belief. But Dan really should have put a bill in. Friendship is no excuse for bad business. I hope he won't let himself be put on a second time. Kate xx

 Comment Written 22-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 10-Nov-2022
    Hi, Kate. Sorry for the tardy response. The real-life Dan --based on my friend Scott-- didn't get a dime, though he hadn't asked or expected to be paid.

    Linda--Karen--remains an unrepentant user. Much worse was when she wormed her way into his house for "a few days" that turned out to be 2-plus months--she caused havoc.
Comment from T B Botts
Excellent
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Hello Liz,
your genius is showing. Well done gal. This was really entertaining. I'm sorry to hear that it was based on a real life situation. I can understand perfectly though. I've been sucked in to a situation or two that was kind of one sided. It's always best to have an understanding of what is expected before any work takes place, but I also know that you don't want to appear to be a jerk when you're trying to help someone whom you feel is in worse shape than you. Sometimes we have to learn the hard way. Thanks for sharing this.
Have a blessed evening.
Tom

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 10-Nov-2022
    Hello Tom! Sorry for the tardy response. The real-life Dan --based on my friend Scott-- didn't get a dime, though he hadn't asked or expected to be paid.

    Linda--Karen--remains an unrepentant user. Much worse was when she wormed her way into his house for "a few days" that turned out to be 2-plus months--she caused havoc.
Comment from Ric Myworld
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

The inner motivations of a story can sometimes not be as fun and entertaining as the fiascos themselves. We just have to hope the stories are about others and not us. LOL. Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 10-Nov-2022
    Hi, Ric! Sorry for the tardy response. The real-life Dan --based on my friend Scott-- didn't get a dime, though he hadn't asked or expected to be paid.

    Linda--Karen--remains an unrepentant user. Much worse was when she wormed her way into his house for "a few days" that turned out to be 2-plus months--she caused havoc.
reply by Ric Myworld on 11-Nov-2022
    I think I remember something about that adventure. LOL. Hope all is well in your world!
Comment from Judy Lawless
Excellent
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I can't imagine Dan not discussing the cost with Linda before he began instead of assuming she'd figure it out from his card. If she didn't have much money, I could see her hoping he'd do it as a "friend" though. When I was poor and single, I asked a lot of favours from my brother and neighbours to get repairs done. lol I hope Dan had the sense to turn her down when she called again. Great story, well written, Liz.

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 10-Nov-2022
    Hi Judy. Sorry for the tardy response. The real-life Dan --based on my friend Scott-- didn't get a dime, though he hadn't asked or expected to be paid.

    Linda--Karen--remains an unrepentant user. Much worse was when she wormed her way into his house for "a few days" that turned out to be 2-plus months--she caused havoc.
reply by Judy Lawless on 11-Nov-2022
    Hi, Liz. Good to hear from you. I?m sure life just got in the way. No worries. I?m planning to not renew my premium membership when it comes due sometime this month, but I?ll still be reading posts whenever I can.
Comment from damommy
Excellent
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She was just using poor Dan. I've known people like that. All taking and no giving. Poor Dan. I can imagine he was very hurt, but surely in the true version of the story, he didn't take back up with her if she ever did call.

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 10-Nov-2022
    Hi Yvonne! Sorry for the tardy response. The real-life Dan --based on my friend Scott-- didn't get a dime, though he hadn't asked or expected to be paid.

    Linda--Karen--remains an unrepentant user. Much worse was when she wormed her way into his house for "a few days" that turned out to be 2-plus months--she caused havoc.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Another one of your posts I missed the first time around. How horrible. I am glad I caught it this time. So Linda wasn't such a nice person, on the inside. My heart goes out to Dan. Thank you for re-posting this.

My disgruntled oil burner resigned forthwith In support of the traitorous trio. (in??)

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 10-Nov-2022
    Sorry for the tardy response. The real-life Dan --based on my friend Scott-- didn't get a dime, though he hadn't asked or expected to be paid.

    Linda--Karen--remains an unrepentant user. Much worse was when she wormed her way into his house for "a few days" that turned out to be 2-plus months--she caused havoc.

    As to typos--as a non-paying member, I'm unable to edit text.
Comment from Wendy G
Excellent
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My goodness! Poor Dan. I hope he won't do the painting for her. How mean- spirited she is to use him like that. I enjoyed your well -written story, but feel saddened that it was based on reality.
Wendy

 Comment Written 21-Oct-2022


reply by the author on 21-Oct-2022
    The real-life Dan --based on Scott!-- didn't get a dime either; Linda remains an unrepentant user. Much worse was when she wormed her way into his house for "a few days" that turned out to be 2-plus months--she caused havoc.
reply by Wendy G on 21-Oct-2022
    Ah I remember that one. I wondered if it was Scott.