The impudent girl simply said, "NO!" whenever her grandmother told her to do (or not to do) something. The grandmother even said, "Stop saying 'no' to me," and the girl pouted, rolled her eyes, and shouted "NO!"

This girl was probably 12. We're not talking about a 2 year old, although the description certainly would fit a feisty toddler.

Now, I'm sensitive to special-needs and know that sometimes people who look older might not have the same social skills or behavioral aptitude as someone else their own age, but I really super-doubt that was the case here. No, it was a spoiled-brat who kept doing whatever she pleased while her grandmother just stood there meekly telling her what to do.

Not so long thereafter, the boys and I went to the animation studio at zeum (check out the video they made!) Since a lot of kids had Veterans Day off today, the museum was packed. There was a wait to create our clay characters, so we put our names on a list.

Once our names were called, we went to a table to make our clay figures. Soon thereafter, we moved to an empty camera and started filming. A sign above the camera stated that when the studio is busy, animators must take no more than 15 minutes to create their video. No problem.

Less than five minutes after we started, we got to a point where Splig had to make a decision. I sat at the computer while he thought a bit. He needed a wire, and was trying to figure out how to attach his clay ball to it. He needed my attention, but unfortunately, someone else wanted it first.

A lady thrust her body in front of my chair, crossing her arms. "Are you done yet? My kids need to go."

I was shocked. We had just started!

"Um, no. We've been here less than five minutes."

"Well, MY kids want to go. They've been waiting a long time. Who said YOU could film?"

"Um, -ma'am- we've been at the computer less than 5 minutes. The camera was empty, and a staff member set us up to create a new video. We'll be off in less than fifteen minutes."

"Well, WHEN?"

"As soon as we're done. It will be less than fifteen minutes." I was not happy that she was arguing with me when I could have been helping the boys with the animation. Instead, this "discussion" was eating up our time.

"EXACTLY HOW MANY MORE MINUTES? MY KIDS NEED TO KNOW!"

I was totally shocked, so snapped, "Oh, so you want us to just leave so that your kids can take over the space even though my kids aren't done? Your kids are THAT important?" My eyes were on fire. I tried to burn her. I'm usually a nice person, but why should I be less valuable than her?

The lady turned up her nose and exclaimed, "I've just been WAITING SO LONG!" and huffed and puffed and stomped away.

A staff member came up and told me, "Take as long as you like," but I still felt an angry knot in my stomach. After all, I knew the Important Lady would be watching me to snatch the camera as soon as we were done. I don't appreciate working under pressure.

Soon thereafter, the boys finished their animation and I urged them to move to a different room, far away from The Precious Subjects and Mother Superior. We went out to lunch - I imbibed in a much-needed beer - and then I sat outside as the boys played on the playground. It was a gorgeous day with fabulous views of the city. I tried to just breathe, enjoying the scenery and forgetting about Mrs. Self-Important.

Fortunately, the day ended on a high-note with beautiful city-views at sunset. I'm just glad there was no waiting list to gawk at the pretty street lights.