30 Comments
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Corynne Steindler Cirilli's avatar

This really did make me laugh so so hard. It was what I needed today.

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StephSam's avatar

I feel this to the pit of my soul! I never thought to describe the rotating cast of thorns-in-my-side this way, and it is so perfect. Thanks for the chuckle!

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Charlie Connell's avatar

What's the point of having a platform if I don't use it to air personal grievances? Thanks!

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Andy Finley's avatar

Charlie Connell is my spirit animal.

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Charlie Connell's avatar

STOP IT. I'm too midwestern to accept praise like this

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Andy Finley's avatar

Then you’re DEFINITELY my spirit animal. I’m from WI.

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Jane Pratt's avatar

Best first comment ever. And I love you both.

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Sarah Swinwood's avatar

AGREED. Double initials for the WIN!

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Charlie Connell's avatar

Yeah, but I'm a fraud. My real first initial is E....

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Corynne Steindler Cirilli's avatar

I’m a CC too with a different “real” aka given name.

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Jane Pratt's avatar

My best friend and my two biggest AJPT honchos are all CC names (even though Charlie, Mr. "E", cheated his way there partially). And then Sarah Swinwood is like another double C with an extra little flourish below. This must mean something!!

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Jane Pratt's avatar

Wait, wait wait it took me until now for that to sink in. What is your real name??? I've known you for so many years and can only think of you as Corynne. Did I know it and forget?

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Cheryl B Werber's avatar

I have two work nemesis. But it depends on my mood and if the phone won't stop ringing. Then it wil easily jump into double digits depending on the caller and their apparent inability to read a website or their emails or listen.

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Andy Finley's avatar

Remember, if we don't take care of the customer, maybe they'll stop bothering us.

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Jane Pratt's avatar

HAHAHA I wish I loved you "customers" less so I could implement this too.

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Jasmine Glass's avatar

Andy, I swear AJPT is such a good home for your restaurant essays! They made me laugh so much. The snark is positively delicious. Please consider pitching at least one from the series!

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Jane Pratt's avatar

Thanks for looking out for my best interests, Jasmine! Hey Andy, where is that submission? I'll be checking my email.

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Andy Finley's avatar

I’m still looking for pictures for the painting story, but I’ll go back through the restaurant stories and pick one to send you next week 😉

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Andy Finley's avatar

OK but first things first 😅.

Really looking forward to seeing more of your work here!

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Jasmine Glass's avatar

Andy, I went to share this with you knowing you’d love it, and saw you’d beaten me to the punch and already read AND restacked it. So good right? 😂😂😂

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Andy Finley's avatar

Yeah I’m awake when new posts hit, so I’ll always see it before you do!😅

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Maria Cristina Garcia's avatar

Charlie, I love you. LMAO. When I used to go the YMCA I had a favorite parking spot (the lot couldn't accommodate all the cars) that was far from the entrance. I used to be there before 5 am and it would be there waiting for me. Then this beast started parking there. Ay! How could they! It still gets me riled up. I had to leave the house so early to get my space, but I got it and then sashayed (half asleep) into the gym. I love your writing. This was fabulously funny. It takes my mind off of hating JD & Usha Vance, Musk and the rest of those fascist idiots.

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Charlie Connell's avatar

Oh man, parking lot monsters are some of the most fearsome nemeses! I haven't driven in 20 years and I still remember some of the worst ones. (Thank you so much!)

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Jane Pratt's avatar

Your comments make me laugh so hard that my dogs get alarmed. I love that you call them "this beast"! Will you please please consider writing something for AJPT sometime? Either that or just keep writing your amazing comments. We love them!

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Maria Cristina Garcia's avatar

LOL. I can see the dogs right now. Love you back, Sister Jane. Mos def with the comments. <3

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Jane Pratt's avatar

Awesome! Let's keep these dogs on their toes

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PJ McNerney's avatar

“Punisher” really should be a diagnostic category in the DSM-6. It’s a public health crisis.

This was a great read!

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Jasmine Glass's avatar

First thing I did upon waking is read this. Burst out laughing from the headline/hook line, and didn’t stop there. 🤣 This is brilliant!

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Charlie Connell's avatar

Thank you!!!

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Jane's avatar

God this was good! I was waiting for you to announce what video game this was. Realizing this was real made me cheer for you internally. Also wondering if you’ve read Notes from the Underground. Totally different and sadly tortured relationship to the nemesis but this reminded me of his grand plan to best the nemesis and then the nemesis doesn’t even notice. It’s so unsatisfying to read and be like no, please don’t do it and he just keeps failing you. I’m glad you get to win, love to experience the vicarious Schadenfreude and it is a much more satisfying read that way 😊 If you haven’t read it I have a feeling you’d appreciate it.

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