I have this thing where I need to whang on you with a tire iron.

[substitute]

There should be a word for this phenomenon, and perhaps there is.

I am making a complicated point, telling a joke, or relating a story that illustrates some new idea. It's hard to get across, and after I make my point or tell my story, the other person doesn't seem to get it. Finally, my conversational partner brightens up and fully comprehends the big idea. Then, he or she informs me happily of the complicated point or the reason for hilarity or the moral of the story, in a thoughtful but triumphant way. Clearly I hadn't thought this quite through, but my story does lead to an interesting spot, had I only seen it!

It makes me want to kill people, with a shovel.

Comments

[fattmike.livejournal.com]

I called it "Working with Stephen", but since we last worked together over 15 years ago, it's not like I keep grudges or anything.

Me at 9AM == I think we should do this, this way.
Him at 9AM == Nope, can't work that way. We have to do it this way.
Me at 9:05AM == Fine, Stephen. (mutters to self that for once I'm not going to argue, let it be a waste of a day, after all, he IS The Boss)
Me == wastes a few hours, goes to lunch, returns from lunch, continues performing ridiculous task.
Him at 2PM == I was thinking, maybe the best way to do it is THIS way.
Me at 2PM == Stephen, good idea. I agree that would be best.
Me to self == Stephen, don't you recall that this was the way that wouldn't work because *I* suggested it at 9AM?????

Rinse and repeat.