Speaking of reality checks...

Sometimes I think I'm living in a sit-com. My life could well be a plot from the contemptible "Everybody Loves Raymond" lately.

This exact conversation never took place, as such. It is an amalgam, partly true, partly exaggerated, partly fictional. But the spirit is true. Horribly, horribly true.

Me: Hey, guess what, I won a Tin Duck for Carnies on the weekend!
Them: That's nice. What's a Tin Duck?
Me: It's an award, given out at Swancon.
Them: That's lovely. Do you get any money?
Me: Uh... no, just a trophy.
Them: Well, that's something at least, a gold trophy.
Me: Uh... it's not gold.
Them: Silver?
Me: No...
Them: Oh, of course. Tin.
Me: No, it's see-through.
Them: Oh, crystal?
Me: Uh...
Them: Glass?
Me: Plastic.
Them: Oh. Well, congratulations on winning it. It must be nice to know your novel's the best in Australia.
Me: Uh, actually, it's Western Australia only.
Them: Oh. I see.
Me: Yeah.
Them: Well, never mind, dear. I'm sure you'll do better next time.

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!