See-saw

After talking with a girlfriend, I’m reminded how boring complaining really is. I agree and it’s hardly ever unique. Yet once the whining starts, I get sucked in. It’s comfortable there. Complaints are like a comfy overstuffed hand-me-down chair in the corner of a gray bar. Just let me curl up and say nothing. I’ll sip my pint and think too much.

Oddly I haven’t seen that side of me in quite some time. That’s rare for me. Nothing’s wrong in my world and I can’t complain about a thing. I still struggle fitting everything into my schedule, but that’s just me not being able to prioritize.

On the checklist of “happy”, I’ve gotten everything I could want. Devoted and loving dog, stable boyfriend, more friends than ever before, and my house that I love. Why do I ever complain?

I look around and see my family is miserable. I’m sad for them, but it’s not my complaint. My friends are stuck in the same holding patterns and I’m fine finally. I guess that’s how we balance each other out.

Hello Kettle!

I recently started a second job where I do the books for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. While it’s somewhat of a pain in the ass to work more after I get out of the first job, it can also be entertaining. It might be a bit of stretch for me to be working there since they would probably diagnose me as an alcoholic.

I sit at the receptionist desk. This allows me to be privy to both the conversations of people in a waiting room, and to counselors holding group sessions. So far, I’ve learned a few things. First of all, I’m not as mature as I’d like to be. I learned this when they asked if anyone had ever bought something instead of paying a bill. I have done that! Maybe I didn’t buy crack, but I’m sure I’ve bought clothing or CD’s instead of paying a bill.

Secondly, praise yourself for everything you do. Everything, regardless if it’s expected of a normal human being.

This morning a perfect example came up. I was speaking to a counselor regarding her time sheet and she said, “Well I try really hard to be honest on that time sheet. I’m in recovery, so I have to be. I guess I should try and be honest all the time, but now I really have to be.”

Yes, hooray! I will also praise myself for not putting down that I worked 10 more hours than I really did! Superb integrity!

Other inspiring stories I’ve heard include this one:

Patient: I shouldn’t be in here, cause I just smoke pot.
Counselor: So you don’t think that’s a problem? You think there’s not a downside when you decide to do that?
P: NO! It just makes me a little slow. That’s all.
C: So why are you here?
P: I got arrested for buying pot.

Riddle me this

Suppose your relationship with said Boy ends up being rather serious. You go out for your Christmas parties this weekend and have a great time. After all, you use to work at his company so his bosses use to be your boss and you already know everyone there.

Everything is going great until you get this email from his (your prior) main boss:


It was good seeing you at the party. I liked the part when you were kneeling. I could get used to that.

ttfn

After you puke into the nearest garbage pail, what do you do? Do you tell the boy who’s feeling insecure at work and feels as is this boss does not like him? Do you do nothing and pretend it never happened? Do you respond to the email? Why oh why did they guy end it with a “ttfn”! Gross!!!!


Ewwweeee! I need a shower! Let me know your perspective when you have a chance, please. I’ll be trying to master the magic 8 ball on this guy.

So what have we got here?

You are The Empress

Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.

The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents,
beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home
decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.

The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

Please Vote

If you have a minute, would you please vote for the Liberty Mutal Coach of the Year? I know it sounds strange coming from me, however Mack Brown from UT has pledged his donation to the Rise School of Austin.

This is a great school here in Austin for children with special needs. Some of my friend’s children attend the Rise School and we would love to see more funding for them.


width="300" height="60" />Please vote!

Not the golden glove I wish to be

It has come my attention that I am not equipped to deal with personal confrontation. I’m great at the “I’m gonna go windmill on your ass if you don’t get out of my face” when dealing with irate illogical strangers. More to the point, irate illogical strangers with tiny dogs. The problem comes into play when it’s someone that I care about.

I’ve heard the rules to fair fighting speech a million times. I know what I should do and shouldn’t do in order to have a productive conversation that leads to some form of compromise. For some reason I just can’t seem to keep them in my mind when conflict arises with a loved one.

I’m great at seeing the other side. I understand that I need to be more patient, but what do you do when express your feelings and you feel like the other person does nothing but belittle those feelings? I’m at a loss. It seems like I’ve felt this way hundreds of times before when arguing with important people in my life.

I just want them to say, “I can see how you’d feel like that. I don’t want you to feel like that and I’ll try and watch out for that.” When I don’t get that response out of the person, I feel like it turns into a huge order and a fight ensues. I know I’m not blameless in these situations, because they keep happening to me. Obviously, it’s something that I’m doing.

What could it be? Is it that I don’t have a clear goal in mind? Am I expecting too much? Are my expectations getting in the way of reality?

How do you “fight”? Got any tips for success in this area? I could use them. I need to change this part of how I deal with people.

Long Live Willie

There are some people that remind you of family. Maybe they even remind you of a nice uncle you never had, but wish you did.

That’s who Willie is for me. He’s another Grand Dad who happens to roll around town as his own ass kicking force. Sure he’s old and sure he’s just a simple guy, but you can’t help but love the guy. Know anyone else who decided to start running more in there 70’s? Nope. Just Willie.

I got an email today from a friend regarding Willie. It said the following:

“You gotta love Willie. Look at his public statement regarding being caught with a bag of marijuana: ‘It's a good thing I had a bag of Marijuana instead of a bag of spinach. I'd be dead by now."

My thoughts exactly! How can you not love this man?

Oh and I hear you about the music. I do. I understand you’re not a fan of country music, but that’s where you went wrong. Willie isn’t really country music. He’s not quite what I would consider Texas music either, even though he certainly is one of the most influential musicians behind the so-called Texas music movement.

In fact, I can say that I’m not a fan of country music at all. I never have like it and just the thought of someone like Clint Black or Kenny Chesney makes me think that you have to be desperate to listen to that stuff. I just don’t get it and I don’t want to get it.

Willie’s music is pretty far from country. Sure it’s country influenced, but who doesn’t need to hear “Whiskey River” from time to time? And you can’t deny that he’s one of the most talented songwriters of our time. From “Crazy” to “Red Headed Stranger” and “Funny how Time Slips Away”’ the guy is brilliant and uncomplicated. It’s refreshing. If you like Johnny Cash, but hate Willie Nelson I would love to figure out how that’s possible. Please let me know.

If there’s one CD that you have to have, it’s Stardust. I grew up listening to this CD and it still impresses me. His lifestyle and relentless pursuit to still get up there and play his old guitar amazes me. He’s a legend. He’s one of my hero’s. Keep smoking and keep joking, Willie. Here in Austin, we’ll always love you.