Jesse

Jesse is a pompous ass. 

I started working with, and around him, almost 40 years ago. I doubt we’ll meet again unless hell freezes over near a tattoo parlor.

Some relationships just aren’t meant to be pleasant.

One afternoon, his wife panicked because the music coming out of the iPad we were using to film rehearsal was tied to her iPad at home. Apparently Ray didn’t use one so  he was unaware of how to turn it off.

Over the phone, I calmly instructed,  “Hold the power and home button down together”. I am a bit of a tech head so people tend to listen to me.

I was being kind, encouraging, and patient. “When you turn it back on it will have been disconnected.Take your time, just try again. The button has an indent.”

I spoke in a you-got-this tone.

Inside I had another conversation going on.

Oh boy, he’s going to feel like such an idiot. I need to stay unconnected to the outcome. I can’t  get too excited because I’ve successfully (and remotely) showed him once and for all what a dunce he is.

I was successful with the tech issue but not due to my instructions. I toggled the blue tooth on and off.

Later that day I was working on mom’s iPad and froze. She had an older model. The one with a home button.  Newer models use the power and volume button. I was giving Jesse completely incorrect instructions. I felt sick.

I haven’t laid eyes on him in six years but I feel pangs of guilt and contrition when I think how I relished  in his  inadequacy for 45 seconds. 

A part of me knows to let this go, like a leaf on a stream or a passing cloud. The other part of me wants to wrap myself up so tightly, ensuring I never do it again. 

Then I remember, it doesn’t have to be that extreme.

This is just another example of a lesson well learned. 

I may not be the best technician or the kindest person but I can be close.