*growl*
Sometimes my neighbors can really piss me off. The worst offender, a guy who can set my blood boiling with one well-placed comment, and who has, on several occasions, succeeded in me removing myself entirely from the conversation, just rang my door bell.
Apparently, 'the gang' are on the lawn, discussing things to be done around the building, and they noticed that there were some things missing from the communal tool shed. Klaus, figuring they might be in my garden since there's been done a lot of work down there, went to check, but apparently didn't think to check MY tool shed. I dunno if he figured I'd have left everything on the lawn. So he couldn't find the clippers they were looking for. Door bell guy then divulged how there had been some guess work about whether, perhaps, my father might have taken these things home with him. By accident, of course. Which pissed me off to no end.
Another thing missing was a big ladder. It usually resides in the furnace room, but that's being used as a storage facility at the moment, and it was hell to get it out through piles of boxes and furniture. Therefore I figured it'd be ok to keep it in my garden, where it would at least be out of the rain, and everyone knew where it was. Klaus was unable to locate that either, as it had apparently turned invisible leaning against on of the posts on my new roof overhang.
Thoroughly pissed off by the allusions of thievery, I went and fetched those two items and put them back. Then I went to hear what was actually said, because door bell guy sure has a way with words. I apologized for the delay in returning the items and thanked them for the loan. Then I calmly explained that my father is fully capable of knowing which things belong to him and which do not, and that he would never take something not belonging to him. Mostly because odds are, he already has 3 at home. Everyone went really defensive, which further confirmed my suspicions that not everything that had been said had been entirely kosher. Door bell guy started explaining to me how, when you borrow something, you should put it back. I apologized for my forgetfulness and started explaining how my father had been working without me and didn't know where to put them back when door bell guy interrupted me to explain that when you borrow something, the proper thing is to put it back. I snapped and slowly said, "I agree. Now, would you like to tell me one more time so you're certain I've understood you?"
The rest of the group told me that was enough, and I agreed and walked away.
I'm not saying I'm innocent in this. The fault is mine and I could've saved myself the grief by just putting the shit back. My bad. I am however saying that there are many ways to get a message across , and by ringing my door bell to dump a pile of shit on my head, they chose the wrong approach. Assholes.
I also submit that when people piss me off, I have a right to let them know. I'm done apologizing for how I feel.