October 25, 2010

In my last post I discussed an RSVP to my wedding that read as follows:

Dear E.S. and Faustus,

Thank you for your invitation. As you know we are Catholic and we believe in our religion and its teaching. We will not be able to accept but want you to know we love you very much and wish the very best for you always.

Love,

G. & Y.

Here is the reply I sent (on handmade Nepalese paper, no less):

Dear G. and Y.,

Thank you so much for your kind note. We understand why you can’t attend. We felt our wedding wouldn’t be a true celebration, however, without you, so we made donations in your honor to Freedom to Marry and to SNAP, the Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priests.

We hope you’re well and we look forward to seeing you some time soon.

Sincerely yours,

Faustus and E.S.

Sometimes even I am impressed by my evil genius.

(Let this be a lesson, by the by, that etiquette is neither “stupid rules about which fork to use” nor “just about making people feel comfortable.” Dinnerware and social lubrication do indeed find themselves under the umbrella of etiquette, but they are joined there by techniques for smiling sweetly at your enemies as you cut their hearts out.)

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21 Responses to In my last post I discussed an RSVP to my wedding that read

  1. Sparky says:

    Your evil genius isn’t the only reason I love you, but it’s a significant one.

    Reply
  2. Kim says:

    MAGNIFICENT! As a recently and happily married gay man, I’m shocked anyone would RSVP like this to you…and am very pleased at your response.

    Reply
  3. Sparky, I’m blushing.

    Kim, they were E.S.’s obnoxious alcoholic cousins, so it’s no less than one might expect, alas. But I’m still mighty pleased with myself.

    Reply
  4. Robin says:

    1. Brilliant. And brilliant that you were ale to turn their age-old ignorance around to such a delightfully hilarious end.

    2. So happy for you. Congrats!

    Reply
  5. Convivia says:

    I have never wondered why I love you, but if I ever did, this would remind me why.

    Reply
  6. Mel says:

    Oooh, we so should have done that for the fundie in-laws who boycotted our wedding. At least they’ve made some effort to make nice since, but they’ll never shine like David’s godparents (his aunt & uncle who stood in when his parents refused) and cousins. Love them to pieces.

    Reply
  7. Jason says:

    It’s amazing how fearless you are.

    Reply
  8. Frank says:

    If I didn’t love you before, I do now. Brilliant!

    Reply
  9. Robin, thank you!

    Convivia, I bow.

    Mel, I’m kind of hoping to alienate these folks for good–she’s also the one who read my book and called everybody in the family to gossip about how scandalous it was that E.S. was dating a stripper.

    Jason, I’m honored that you think so but it’s very easy to be fearless through the US Postal Service.

    Frank, thank you!

    Reply
  10. Joshua K. says:

    Okay, that’s just brilliant. I really hope you let us know what they say (if they even respond).

    Reply
  11. Rebecca says:

    Hands down – you win! Congrats!

    Reply
  12. Super-genius, indeed!! I’m very impressed! All you need now is a zombie army and an efficient right-hand-person to coordinate, and you’ll be able to take over the world! (and have ALL the Oreo ice cream cake to yourself)

    Reply
  13. Lenny says:

    Ich glaube ich liebe Dich…
    Sollte das mit E.S. nix werden, sag Bescheid. Ich krieg schon ein Visum für dich (und ich glaube du würdest großartig in Lederhosen aussehen).

    Herzliche Glückwünsche noch aus Deutschland =)

    Reply
  14. Josh, I absolutely will.

    Rebecca, thank you.

    Stever, that’s right–and you won’t get ANY.

    Lennert, get the visa anyway, and we’ll see what we can work out. I can say I looked very cute in Lederhosen at nine, but as you know some fifteen years have passed since then and I can’t promise anything now.

    Reply
  15. Kieran says:

    Hi, just started reading your blog and have to say your response to the RSVP was awesome! Congratulations on your nuptial!

    Reply
  16. Kieran, thank you so much!

    Reply
  17. Willym says:

    Bloody brilliant and the height of good taste and politeness.

    And congratulations on the nuptials – I am assuming you will be wearing white.

    Reply
  18. Convivia says:

    she’s also the one who read my book and called everybody in the family to gossip about how scandalous it was that E.S. was dating a stripper.

    I’m going to assume that’s just a misspelling of AWESOME.

    Reply
  19. Truly inspired. I’d love to see the expressions on their faces when they get that. The words “gaping maw” come to mind

    Reply
  20. anne marie in philly says:

    I LOVE IT! pure genius!

    Reply
  21. Frank Simmons says:

    I Love it, Love it, Love it…Evil Genius indeed!!!

    Reply

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