Where did the exclamation, “just watch me” originate? Almost any older politically interested Canadian will recall former Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau’s response uttered when asked how far he would go in dealing with the 1970 October Crisis in Montreal. Indeed, he went so far as to invoke the War Measures Act.
My recent crisis is not the caliber of the Quebec crisis but is has been a somewhat frustrating experience for me. My wrist watch was failing and I was coaxing it along without much success. Time was passing. Therefore, on a recent shopping excursion, I spotted a reasonably priced watch. “Aha”, I exclaimed. “Just what I’m looking for”. I picked the neatly boxed watch from the shelf and approached the saleslady. Smiling, she slipped my treasure from the box and handed it to me. “Oh”, I lamented, “The band is much too large. Can you adjust it here?” She gave me the weary eye and replied, “Yes, but, but ….”, as more dollars danced before me. Then she began the process, using what looked like a hammer affair and little nail-like pieces of metal. Out popped one link, 2 links, finally 6 links and a clasp to finish the bracelet. “Bravo!” I breathed as she fastened the sparkling new watch to my slim wrist.
However, the watch story continued at bedtime, when I attempted to remove my timepiece. My wrist began to turn from pink to red as I pressed, pulled and yanked to release the clasp that held the watch captive to my arm. Amidst the struggle, those famous words “Just watch me”, came to mind. Will this mean the amputation of my hand? Ouch! My thumb nails are protesting. Will I get to bed tonight? Finally the clasp released. Will I be able to wear this watch tomorrow? A final question arose in my mind, “Have you heard about an expansion band?” I’m determined to get one tomorrow. Just watch me!!!!
Eileen Foran, CSJ