Low Expectations

Today was management’s Harvest Festival/Costume Contest, described in the flyer as a "Spooktacular Day" from 11am-3pm.

Based on past experiences, I was expecting the festival to be a lot less than spooktacular. So, even though I had a costume prepared, I was leaning towards not being duped yet again into wasting my time with another one of their less than manganous attempts at tossing us residents a bone.

Thinking my time would be better served with catching up on my Creative Memory scrapbooking projects, but curious, I decided to do a drive by. I headed down around 11:05, said a few hellos, took a few photos, snaped a photo of Greedy Grabby at her request, had her take a photo of me, and was back in my unit by 11:25.

The food looked great.

Head Maintenance Man and his new Assistant were behind the kitchen counter and residents lined up to be served piping hot giant pretzels and corn dogs.

On side tables were cupcakes, cookies, popcorn, apple slices, juice, chips, sodas.

It was a great spread ……… unfortunately, nothing my gluten free self could eat, though I was tempted to risk getting sick on one of those giant pretzels.

What tea I caught, just before I left, was about Manager.

While staff was serving, she came in all grumpy like, walked over to the kitchen counter, complained to staff — loud enough that residents heard her, "NOBODY APPRECIATES ME!" Then stormed back to her office.

Guess she wanted us to kiss her substantial arse for throwing us a bone.

That got residents to talking, complaining about how Manager is responsible for the turnover — residents moving in one month, out the next; and that her being mean is why we no longer have a waiting list and now have "now leasing" signs posted all over the front.

At any rate, I did not return for the 12:30 costume contest. So, I have no idea who won, what the prize was — probably gift cards to the market; but very few were in costume during the time I was there.

It’s likely more costumes showed up; but while there, I only saw Di as a Zombie, one of the women who took my seat at bingo dressed as a Witch (go figure), a new resident as ……… I’m not sure, but dressed in a suit, wearing a mask, I'm guessing Phantom of the Opera, Talker wore a monkey mask, Hell on Wheels wore a fancy flowered head thingie, then of course there was Minnie Mouse.

I was undecisive as to wear the ears I’d planned for.

Or the ears the kids gifted me at Disneyland.

I went with the ears I’d planned for.

Minnie’s hands are white gloves that I used a black marker to make the signature three knuckle lines.

I asked two residents, who always wore costumes before, about the lack thereof this year. "Because of HER!" (Manager) they both said.

Interesting that they’d attend, eat the food, but hated Manager so much they drew the line at dressing in costume.

When I asked Dream Lover why no costume, he said "I never wear costumes".

Not true, because he dressed as a Pennywise the scary clown last year, and a Dinosaur the year before.

Whatever.

On the way out, I purposely walked by Manager's office to see if she was sitting there sulking, feeling sorry for her unappreciated self, upset that, for whatever reason, she'd had to throw residents a bone, but saw the blinds drawn so tight, that I couldn't see inside.

I don't think she's comfortable around people enjoying themselves. She a control freak, prefers having people under her thumb — quiet, fearful.

Oh well. Sucks to be her.