Reviews from

A Fly on the Wall

Viewing comments for Chapter 23 "On...Being a Realtor"
A journal musings and assessments about situations

31 total reviews 
Comment from Write Right Writer
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Rachelle...

I don't award six star-ratings easily (perhaps just once or twice a month). But "On... Being a Realtor" is truly exceptional humor.

In terms of a review, all I have to offer is a wide array of laughter ranging from spontaneous smiles, to audible chuckles, to hearty laughter, to knee-slapping, eye-watering, ugly-faced howls of hilarity.

Nearly every paragraph moves the narrative forward and most are filled-to-the-brim with quality humor. Laugh aloud (LOL) stand outs include:
- Shoot. Me. Now.
- ...finally been let off a malfunctioning carnival ride
where I'd been hanging upside down for a decade
- Ah-OO-ga! Abort mission! screams my Little Voice
- ...the equivalent of a can of Spam with wheels
- Competitive Me has suddenly become hungry for a
trifecta.
- I freeze every part of my body except my eyelids.
Those I blink again and again and again because...
- Even the coven of alcoholics has turned for a
better view.
- They nod wordlessly with terrified, unblinking
eyes. PTSD therapy sessions are definitely in their
near future.

Bottom Line: I am not aware of anyone who can write comedy like this, Rachelle. You are the new and improved reincarnation of Erma Bombeck for a 21st century audience. Congrats!

Great story. Exceptional humor. Well done. Keep the laughs coming.

Blessings...

Curt (WRW)

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2022


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2022
    Omigoodness! This is the ULTIMATE compliment since Erma was my all-time favorite humorist. I read every one of her books. What I loved about her was that although she was hilarious, she was also quite tender. So thank you for such generous words in this review, and for the extra star, as well. Very, very much appreciated.
reply by Write Right Writer on 27-Sep-2022
    You are most welcome, my friend. The generous words and the extra star are well deserved. I've read many/most of Erma's books as well. And my tribute is sincere. She may have ruled the last century, but YOU are the 21st century queen of written comedy!
Comment from Thomas Blanks
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I learned early in life what kind of person realtors were. After my parents passed, I was selling the house. It had two window air conditioners. Since they were not listed as going with the house, the realtor for a couple wanting to buy the house asked me how much I wanted for them... buying them away from his own clients to put in his rental properties. They were PISSED!

 Comment Written 27-Sep-2022


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2022
    Ugh. No excuse for that!
Comment from Douglas Goff
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I like your mind. You are a thinker.

This is a 47 word run on sentence. Break that sucker up:

When the tax laws were simplified, my accountant-husband, Bobby, worried that a majority of his clients would begin preparing their own returns, and he would be left to wander the streets with a haunted look in his eyes, palms extended, begging for scraps of food from strangers.

This is a fantastic line:
My husband has his PhD in Hyperbolic Worry.

Teacher in the last paragraph shouldn't be capitalized. It distracts from your point and makes the reader wonder if they missed something.

My wife is a realtor, so this is right up my alley as I know the lingo. Very nice read. Keep up the great work!

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2022


reply by the author on 27-Sep-2022
    Thanks very much for your help and suggestions; always appreciated!
reply by Douglas Goff on 27-Sep-2022
    It?s hard to critique one of the best writers on the site. But, I had to fill up at 150 and maybe one of my nonsensical suggestions was good. Have an awesome week!
reply by the author on 27-Sep-2022
    Oh, now you're sweet-talkin'!! Thank you for starting the day off so nicely!! You have an awesome week, too. xo
reply by the author on 27-Sep-2022
    And I made the changes you suggested. You were totally right-on-the-money with both, and I thank you.
reply by Douglas Goff on 27-Sep-2022
    Awesome. Thanks for keeping us entertained!
Comment from Tpa
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

It's apparent that you had made the choice of returning to teaching. Realty seemed to give you an adventure you never expected. You made that shared experience humorous and a delight to read.

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2022


reply by the author on 26-Sep-2022
    I never left teaching, actually; I just made time to add real estate sales into the mix. And although I was so more-than-ready to leave this summer, my license renewal came up before I finished with a listing I had. So I am now on the hook for at least another two years. Stay tuned for more adventures!!! And thanks for the review. It was terrific. I enjoyed it a lot. xo
Comment from Mrs. KT
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

Hello, Rachelle,
What an experience!
And an experience that you share with readers with aplomb!
I think it would be fascinating to be a realtor.
Correction.
I thought it would be until I read your unnerving experiences!
Love your sense of humor and progression of thoughts.

Thank you for sharing!
diane

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2022


reply by the author on 26-Sep-2022
    HAHAHAH!! Perfectly put, Diane! On the outside, it does SEEM like it would be quite the fabulous job. But then, so does working in an ice cream store until you spend a shift or two there.

    Thanks for this wonderful, fun review...and for the generous extra star, as well. Very much appreciated. xo
Comment from Michaela Moore
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I, too, hate when I join adults in the gutter. But sometimes, wow...they make it really hard. I hate that I giggled and giggled at your pain. But hopefully, writing this helped you deal with all of that ugly stress because you are too wonderful to feel crushed by this type of career. I so admire the way you put things with words and you brought in dialogue for the most integral scene to show that last piece of crushing straw that broke the camel's back! HA! And then, the idea of the pro and con list heightened this to the most extraordinary ending. I am truly enamored by this book as well as the book I am reading that I bought on Amazon. I will only let myself read one entry at a time because I don't ever want it to end!

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2022


reply by the author on 26-Sep-2022
    Omg. You cannot know how much I love your reviews, sweet friend. Thank you for all you bring to my life. It is enormous. xo
Comment from GWHARGIS
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

I was sweating through that last part with you. Realtors are a special breed. You have to like people, have savvy, keep up with trends and have patience. I have none of those qualities. Are you still in it? Great job with this. I'll pray for you. Next question: as busy as you are, how do you have time to write and review? Again, thoroughly enjoyed this.
Gretchen

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2022


reply by the author on 26-Sep-2022
    I am, sadly, still doing this. It turned out that my license required renewing before this last listing I had closed, so I had no choice but to re-enlist (and it does feel like the armed services, trust me!!) So I'm on the hook for the next two years. Ugh.

    I honestly am a four-hour-a-night sleeper, so that's where I find the time for writing and reviewing.

    Thanks for your delightful review...and the extra star, as well. I always appreciate your generosity. xo
reply by GWHARGIS on 26-Sep-2022
    I get it. You have to do what you do to keep afloat. I am an artist. And a pharmacy tech.
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2022
    Actually, I'm good financially. I'm just doing it to be a supportive wife. Bobby can't do Open Houses during tax season, so he needs me to be able to have his back. But I've gotten a ton of listings unrelated to him, and that's where the aggravation for me lies. I made the 'mistake' of selling those first two properties that had lain dormant for a year-and-a-half, and my broker keeps giving me more clients. I sound like such a BRAT saying it like that, don't I? But, honestly, I really REALLY do not love this gig. The only thing it has going for it is the check at the end...and I don't even "need" it; it's just all it has to offer. Oy. I am such an ingrate! Thank you for letting me rant and embarrass myself here!! xo
reply by GWHARGIS on 26-Sep-2022
    Hey, if your heart ain't in it, it doesn't feel like a reward does it
reply by the author on 26-Sep-2022
    exactly.
Comment from Deniz22
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

The small voice in your head should be heard by you. When I saw your phrase; "apprise her of its quirks" referencing what real realtors would call
"unique features", I knew you were not the right stuff for the job.
I think this article is really an explanation to hubby on why you are not going to continue as the proverbial square peg in the round hole. You're too honest to be a realtor.

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2022


reply by the author on 26-Sep-2022
    Well, sadly, I'm on the hook for two more years because my license was due to expire before the listing I had closed. (sigh) Next time, I'll know to plan better.

    Ordinarily, I'd do anything for my sweet boy, but I think I've about reached my limit with this good deed!!

    Thanks for the understanding review...and the bonus star, too. So very appreciated. xo
reply by Deniz22 on 26-Sep-2022
    :)
Comment from royowen
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

Well, at a guess, I think you may not remain in the real estate game. It sounds like a pretty difficult gig. I sold insurance for four years when I was young, (left a brilliant job to do so) I was very successful for awhile, but the sumptuous lunches and languid liquid got the better of me, and I went back to "working for a living" until I retired, I knew where this was going, beautifully and interestingly written, well done, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2022


reply by the author on 26-Sep-2022
    Wow! You as an insurance agent is a really hard image to grasp!

    I'm on the hook for two more years as an agent because my license was about to expire, and I had a listing that wasn't ready to close yet. I'll be a savvier planner two years from now.

    Thank you for your sweet review.
reply by royowen on 27-Sep-2022
    I?m sure you are.
Comment from Carol Clark2
Excellent
Not yet exceptional. When the exceptional rating is reached this is highlighted

I love the humor in this piece. You've included interesting details about being a realtor and about the unexpected situations that arise. I presume you're no longer pursuing that career. Blessings. Carol

 Comment Written 26-Sep-2022


reply by the author on 26-Sep-2022
    Actually, I am still doing it. The time to renew my license coincided with a closing I still had to complete. (Timing really IS everything in this life!)

    Thanks for your sweet review. I appreciate it very much.