Wednesday, November 9, 2005

My Spokesman, Captain Kirk

Last night, on Boston Legal, William Shatner, playing Denny Crain, an egocentric excentric who got himself into trouble, and then out of it, all in the same episode, said something that expressed my own situation. Earlier yesterday I had substituted as chairman of the resident's committee at the old folks home.

I ran the meeting, not with an iron hand, but with a closed mouth. I let the spouters and the ranters entangle themselves in parlimentry fol-de-rol and sat silently. When they had spewed themselves dry it was quiet.  They looked at me and said, "Well, what are you waitin for?"

I said, "Waiting for a motion."  Nobody said anything, so I said, "Meeting adjourned."  I rolled out.  There was a stunned silence, then they exploded. Now everyone talked, and all at once.

"Nothing happened", "We didn't DO anything", "The reason I voted ....".  I said, "Don't tell me, the meeting is over."

I am in the doghouse with the residents, and I think it is hilarious.  I hid out in my room for the rest of the day. I got more interest in our committee in fifteen minutes than they have shown in five months. And all by being quiet when they expected bluster and words.

William Shatner, speaking as Denny Crain, said, "It's fun being me."

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I applaud your tactics, Captain Kirk aka Chuck! Silence can be a most powerful statement when wielded correctly. Good for you!

Anonymous said...

I love it, Chuck!  Good for you.  I'll have to remember that when I get caught with a tangling crowd.  Blessings, Penny

Anonymous said...

lol ya sometimes silence can speak volumes.

Anonymous said...

LOL you are so bad but it got their attention:)

Deb

Anonymous said...

Good Show, Mate!!  Jackie

Anonymous said...

Good for you Chuck...........as the old saying goes...........You are full of the old Nick. Hugs, Bambi

Anonymous said...

Wonderful journal!! I am reader 10,096, I think, but I will come back again!
http://journals.aol.com/hillareeday/Serendipity

Anonymous said...

And I like you being you.  Loved the way you handled that meeting! LOL!  I've been reading your journal off and on for a couple of weeks and we are so much alike and unalike!  I too, am living in an "old folks home" (Assisted Living) but I'm the youngest one here (63).  You are a retired teacher and I went to a teachers college and have lots of friends who teach.  I worked 25 yrs for Social Security.  I'm a military brat - USAF from 1942 to 1967.  So have been a few places.  
Am in this lovely home because I was born with mild cerebral palsy and did ok until about the time I retired and my legs just gave out and I had to go to a wheelchair full time.  And lastly I an old Trekker!
Annie from TX