Happy New Year, one and all! Many of you probably enjoyed some great office parties over the holidays. The best part for me includes the reports of all the holiday pranks and cranks. These are the best stories I heard this party season. Now that2009 has had themercy to end,we are ushering in a hopeful New Year…but some of the folks in these stories will be living down 2009 until NEXT January rolls around.
The Deranged Exchange:
At one party in West Hollywood, gifts were exchanged. Unfortunately, the host accidentally placed a few of the adult gag gifts in the children’s gift bag. One confused young boy received a glamorous doll from Santa. Unfortunately, it was actually a man-doll…in drag.
In spite of the parents’ coaxing, the child refused to trade the gift for another – he loved his new he-she, complete with removable wig and glittering eye shadow. The parents, who were usually very good natured, demanded a check for damages from the host. The host, embarrassed and apologetic, was at a loss for words. After an awkward moment, the father grinned and explained that the cash was to ensure the child’s recovery from the trauma – either therapy…or make-up lessons.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Another West Hollywood party-goer reportedly parked at a curb in a red zone…close to a hydrant. He left a note on his windshield that said, “If you are thinking of writing a ticket, please have some holiday cheer. It’s Christmas, and there is no place to park anywhere within walking distance.” An hour later, someone ran into the party and yelled, “Patrick, you’re getting a ticket.”
Patrick ran out to confront the West Hollywood Parking Gestapo. “Come on, man,” he moaned. “Don’t you have any holiday spirit? I guess you didn’t read my message.”
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“Of course I read it,” replied the Parking Officer. “I found the note, but I couldn’t find a gift from you anywhere. It seemsto me that you are the one with no Christmas spirit. I, on the other hand, have a gift for you.” With that, hetore the ticket off the pad and handed Patrick the ticket. He then climbed into his vehicle and yelled, “Merry Christmas, man – and thanks for the cheer!”
Spicy and Dicey
One Beverly Hills hostess was throwing a party for her real estate office. She was running late, so she asked her husband to set out the egg nog, add some nutmeg, and set out the punch cups. The party was in full swing when she heard whispers from the patio. “Don’t drink the egg nog,” someone whispered, “you’ll gag.”
Horrified, she ran to the punch bowl, poured a glass of egg nog and took a swallow.
Immediately she spit it back into the glass. She hurried to the kitchen to question her husband. There on the counter was the empty carton of egg nog. Next to it were the spices andthe Southern Comfort her husband had used for flavoring. She couldn’t find the nutmeg…but she did find a large jar of Trader Joe’s Ground Paprika.
Her “Gag Nog” has been the office joke all week. She is now offering to write down the recipe on an airsick bag for all those who want to add some spice to their holidays.
Those Who Boast Are Toast
I heard a satisfying story about a guy in a different office who was bragging about his fabulous earnings in 2009 with no regard to those who fared less successfully. I was told that the more he drank, the more boastful he became. When he was in full gear, he announced his purchase of a new Porsche which he had parked outside on the street. Several agents dutifully went out to admire it, although his boasting had become thicker than a porterhouse, but a lot less palatable.
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They all admired the car of course, but they were offended that he was taking two spots in an area near the beach where there is very limited parking. When someone subtly suggested that he move over, he refused, pointing out that his car was nicer than the other cars and he didn’t want his doors dinged.
Later that night when he left the party, he received his comeuppance. His car had been moved and was now horizontally parked across the two spots, with cars closely parked on each side blocking him in. The group of guys had actually LIFTED his car to turn it sideways. They were standing behind a wall howling with laughter when one called out, “Hey Barry, next year you better make enough money to buy a Hummer – they ‘re too heavy to move!”
Quick Quip and Guacamole Dip
My favorite tale occurred when a friend of mine named Jan went to a party hosted by another agent. Mexican food was being served, and apparently the home was very crowded. She was trying to slip past a group of guests when she lost her balance and fell backwards onto a chair. Unfortunately, a male co-worker was sitting in the chair holding a full plate of food.
When she struggled to her feet, she realized she had a Mexican buffet on her booty. As she wiped the mashed food off with her hand, she noticed the mess on the front of the gentleman’s pants. She also noticed his shocked expression. Gesturing to the remainder of the dinner in his lap, Jan smiled and said, “Is that a burrito in your lap… or are you just happy to see me?”
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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In this article:humor, Real Estate, Realtors
Written ByGwen Banta
I wear several hats: My mink fedora real estate hat belongs to Sotheby’s International Realty on the world famous Sunset Strip. I’M not world famous, but I've garnered a few Top Producer credits along the way. I also wear a coonskin writer's cap with an arrow through it, having written a few novels and screenplays and scored a few awards there, too. (The arrow was from a tasteless critic.) My sequined turban is my thespian hat for my roles on stage, and in film and television, Dahling. You can check me out in all my infamy at LinkedIn, LAhomesite.com, SherlockOfHomes, IMDB or you can shoot arrows at my head via email. I can take it.
18 Comments
18 Comments
January 1, 2010 at 1:31 pm
HAHAHAHAHA “is that a burrito on your lap?” HAHAHAHA awesome.
Thanks for sharing the hilarity, Hollywood sure is exciting!
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January 2, 2010 at 9:21 am
Hilarious Gwen! In my younger days, I participated in just such a car-lifting feat myself – brought back some great memories!
Hope you have an absolutely wonderful year! I anxiously look forward to 52 more Gwenisms in 2010 !
Navy Chief, Navy Pride
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January 2, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Thanks, Lani – I sure hope you and Benn are doing well. have a very Happy, healthy New year, and beware of sitting on flying burritos 🙂
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January 2, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Hey Joe, were you in the West Hollywood vicinity this Christmas? There was a lot of pranking going on, and there were vague reports of “a Georgia accent.” Who else could come up with such capers? The pranksters must have been Loomer Enthusiasts who studied at the feet of the Master of Disaster. Happy new Year!
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January 5, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Missy, that husband must be a graduate of the Gwen Banta School of the Culinary Artless!
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