Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl

So, as much as I say I don't, I really do.

Guilty pleasure.

Mind you, I don't really share the gossip, so is it okay if I listen but don't spread it around?

Right... so here's the scoop...

A person that I know is getting divorced.  Her hubby cheated, and then left her for the Floozy.  Now, Floozy was Wife's bestie, but now it's all broken... unless Wife needs something, wants to know something, or wants them to know something. 

Anyway, Hubby has now offered Wife a settlement.  Very generous it is too.  He explained that since they are business partners, he will work on three 'columns' in his accounting.  

Column 1                           Column 2                              Column 3

Wife's Salary                      All their living expenses           Hubby's Salary

Now, maybe that's fair, maybe it isn't.  That isn't the actual point here.  Wife's salary actually equals their joint earnings when they were still together.  Hubby's salary is the same too.  So, for arguments sake, let's put in a figure to illustrate it for clarity's sake.... She is drawing R40k, he is drawing R40k plus their expenses (home loan, petrol, car payments, maid, utilities, groceries, cell phones, internet, etc etc) are being paid from the company.  Essentially, her salary is now pocket money.  

So, her big concerns were as follows:

"If the kids (meaning her 14 yr old daughter) needs something, like clothes, is that supposed to come out of my portion?"  (read this with a tone of disbelief and horror)

"If I take the kids out for an ice-cream or for supper, who exactly is going to be paying for that???"

"I want to take the kids away for the weekend.  It's going to cost R5k.  I think we should both take that as extra from the company account, you can use your R5k to take the kids away another time."

Really?  What sort of planet are you from where R40k a month - clear and free with no expenses - is not enough to live on??  For any of you who aren't aware, the average salary here is around R10 - 15k and most families can live on it.  Not terribly well, granted, but that's the way it is.  A single person could do well with that.  

But wait, it gets better.  Wife thinks that since Floozy also works and earns a salary, Wife should be entitled to that much more since it now means that Hubby and Floozy are a two income family and Wife is not!!!!

Although I don't believe she should be trying to get Hubby back - he is over it all and moving on with Floozy anyway - I'd really expected a 25 year marriage to warrant more distress than just concern over her loss of luxury.  Wife was the one that was howling about how much she loved him and wanted him back, no matter what.  

Wimmin!!!  Go figure!! 

Friend? Yeah, right?

I don't have many close friends, and tend to keep my true thoughts and feelings to myself most of the time.  This isn't dishonest, I just chose not to open up to those I don't trust.  Burned too many times?  Yes, of course.

My best friend (from the age of about 6 or 7) and I sort of drifted apart around the age of 14, and maintained a cordial relationship after that.  We went our own way, got married, had kids, and about 3 years ago we bumped into each other in the supermarket. 

It was one of those : "Oh my gaaaaawd haven't seen you for years how are you?  Kids?  You had boys right?  How's work?  take my number and call me when you can?  gotta dash. lovely seeing you."  Of course we didn't call.  Then I got an invite to a party she was having, but couldn't attend.  We didn't see each other again until about 12 months ago, then suddenly we clicked again.  It was as if we had never been apart.  Truly good friends.  We speak almost daily, otherwise mail or text.  We see each other at least once a week.

I had another friend.  She was young (which may explain this) but we also had clicked.  We worked together and socialised.  I shared with her and she shared with me.  She had a level of maturity that was not in line with her age.  After I left my job in December, things tapered off gradually.  I called her, she was busy.  I msn'd her, she was busy.  I texted her, she was busy.  Eventually, she popped around to visit, I went for 'family dinner' a couple of times.  One day I decided to ask her why she didn't ever call or text or mail me unless I initiated the contact.  She got angry and claimed I only contact her when i want something, such as the money she owed me, or information about work. 

Naturally this didn't sit well, so I took the time to tell her a few truths and we ended on an angry note.  I decided I was done and really not interested in resuming the relationship.  Until.....

Tuesday I got mail from her -  in my Hotmail account, in my telkomsa account, and a text!  All the same... an invitation to her birthday 'party'.  Now I am really not even keen to reply, let alone attend. 

Yes, I am stubborn.  In my defense, I chose to no longer put up with other peoples shit.  I have enough in my own life without having to deal with others unhappy attitudes and negative vibes.  I made the choice to end that relationship, and won't be trying to ressurect it again. 

Thoughts?