Ever met someone you don't like?
You "get off on the wrong foot" with this person. You just don't click. You were in a bad mood that day. Maybe they were in a bad mood that day. Whatever the reason, you just don't like each other.
We don't have to like everyone. We should all just be nice to everyone.
I really do like people. All people. All shapes and sizes: young and old (although my patience with the extremities of those age groups, well, could be better). Sometimes, though, it's okay if you don't get along with someone. You don't need to be friends. Just be nice. Understand we all different interests.
OR
We might actually have the same interests. We might love the same kids. Love the same man. Have the same passions. We don't "click", but I bet we have a lot in common. Jealously is a powerful controller of attitude.
What if we had the chance to meet that person again? When things were different? We are more mature. The geek gets the jock. The person is whom was married when you met them, is now single? You get a do-over? Can you really start over? Try again?
One of my closest friends, we didn't like each other when we met. We met in college. We only met once. It was a disaster. Honestly, I can say that is not usually the case with the people I meet. We did run into each other a few months later. It didn't go any better.
The memory of our meeting had long faded. In fact, probably would have never thought about the meeting again. Except I have a scar on my chin from the night we had met in college.
Back story: The story isn't really exciting, the scar makes it sound exciting. Basically, I was in the car with four girls, and when I went to get out of the back seat of her car, my foot caught on the drivers side seat belt (back when they weren't attached to the wall) and my chin ate it into the pavement. Ouch. There were no stitches. I couldn't have even told you her name.
Nine or so years after that first meeting:
I'm at the Denver International Airport with my then 4 month old son to pick up Carolyn. I know most people don't like babies around (think fussy), so I looked around. I found a woman with an infant. I sat next to her. She was waiting for her parents to arrive on the same plane.
Yes, the same woman I had gone to college with. Living in Denver. The one whom I didn't like. She didn't like me either. Only, it took us about 6 months to realize we had met. Then not only had we met each other, we had to remember we didn't like each other. Ha.
Duncan was 4 months old. Mason (her son) was 6 months old. The boys are 15 now. She moved back to Houston several years ago. We talk every day. I can't imagine my life without her.
We met under different circumstances.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Airfares
Airline fares are actually more fickle than me.
I'm an airfare junkie. Where can I go? How cheaply can I get there? Can I get there cheaper? Seriously. Is there an addiction group out there for airfare junkies? I seriously check airfares on a daily basis.
Only lately, I haven't checked them at all. Money has been tight. I need to ignore my addiction. I can still belong to the club. Still drink wine. Just not allowed to look at airfare sights. Who knew? Who knew that THIS would be my addiction.
Is it sorta gambling? Risk taking? Without having to actually take a risk? Goes to me having commitment issues. I'm not spending any money. It's not illegal. In fact, it's not even immoral. It's just a habit.
Every morning, I check fares. It does play to my favor. I went to Dallas in October - $109 round-trip. Seriously.
Airfares to Kona? Today, they went up. The first time we went - I paid $600 for me. $450 for the boys. I thought that was an AWESOME deal.
Today? $900. Last summer? $1200. I used miles last summer. Next summer? $900. Our flight home last summer was empty. Economics. I guess once you make the bottom line, it actually costs you more to take more people.
My thoughts: The first summer: Everything was supposed to happen. And, it did. So much went into getting us all to the same place at the same time. I SO believe this. It was SO darn cheap (relatively)
As the boys said to me "Mom, you do realize this story has nothing to do with anything but us meeting Lily, don't you? That's what this story is really about". (meaning the boys and Lily. Not me)
Okay, if you say so. Now, we have to play the airfare games. One airfare at a time. Getting us to the place we need to be.
I'm an airfare junkie. Where can I go? How cheaply can I get there? Can I get there cheaper? Seriously. Is there an addiction group out there for airfare junkies? I seriously check airfares on a daily basis.
Only lately, I haven't checked them at all. Money has been tight. I need to ignore my addiction. I can still belong to the club. Still drink wine. Just not allowed to look at airfare sights. Who knew? Who knew that THIS would be my addiction.
Is it sorta gambling? Risk taking? Without having to actually take a risk? Goes to me having commitment issues. I'm not spending any money. It's not illegal. In fact, it's not even immoral. It's just a habit.
Every morning, I check fares. It does play to my favor. I went to Dallas in October - $109 round-trip. Seriously.
Airfares to Kona? Today, they went up. The first time we went - I paid $600 for me. $450 for the boys. I thought that was an AWESOME deal.
Today? $900. Last summer? $1200. I used miles last summer. Next summer? $900. Our flight home last summer was empty. Economics. I guess once you make the bottom line, it actually costs you more to take more people.
My thoughts: The first summer: Everything was supposed to happen. And, it did. So much went into getting us all to the same place at the same time. I SO believe this. It was SO darn cheap (relatively)
As the boys said to me "Mom, you do realize this story has nothing to do with anything but us meeting Lily, don't you? That's what this story is really about". (meaning the boys and Lily. Not me)
Okay, if you say so. Now, we have to play the airfare games. One airfare at a time. Getting us to the place we need to be.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Accountability
I have an accountability partner.
We are both self-employed. Originally, we met once a week. There is a spreadsheet with what we need to accomplish by our next meeting. For over 3 years, we met once a week. Yes, we would cancel. Yes, we postpone. Then of course, I went to Hawaii for a month.
How hard is being accountable? Actually, harder than you would think.
It does not matter to anyone if I close a deal or not. It only really matter because I have to pay my bills. Believe it or not, that's just not enough motivation. It is work. It is a job. I have to do it.
Our spreadsheet has personal goals and work goals. We review what we did. What we are going to do before the next meeting. You are allowed to move something to the following week. Or even set the goal stating something will be accomplished in a month. Only you can only move it once. If you want to move it again, there is a reason you aren't doing it. What can we change about it?
I make lists for myself all the time. They don't always get done. It doesn't matter. When I have someone to report back to, I get it done. Or we figure out why we don't get it done.
Upon returning from Hawaii this year, we never started back up. We both took breaks. We've both just been working. Surviving not thriving. Our meetings help us thrive.
Plus, I miss Michele. We were both much more productive when we meet.
We meet again starting this Wednesday. The first time we met to start our "Accountability Meetings", well, the goal was to to get there. Step One.
This time we know we can get there. We have to come with a starting point for 2013. Our goals for the year. It's up to each of us to help the other achieve those goals.
I better get busy - I don't have my list ready. Hard to accomplish something if you don't know what it is.
PS. - I read a blog and I love what she wrote about 2012+1...... the year of The Library Although, I'll spend it in the library in Kona.
We are both self-employed. Originally, we met once a week. There is a spreadsheet with what we need to accomplish by our next meeting. For over 3 years, we met once a week. Yes, we would cancel. Yes, we postpone. Then of course, I went to Hawaii for a month.
How hard is being accountable? Actually, harder than you would think.
It does not matter to anyone if I close a deal or not. It only really matter because I have to pay my bills. Believe it or not, that's just not enough motivation. It is work. It is a job. I have to do it.
Our spreadsheet has personal goals and work goals. We review what we did. What we are going to do before the next meeting. You are allowed to move something to the following week. Or even set the goal stating something will be accomplished in a month. Only you can only move it once. If you want to move it again, there is a reason you aren't doing it. What can we change about it?
I make lists for myself all the time. They don't always get done. It doesn't matter. When I have someone to report back to, I get it done. Or we figure out why we don't get it done.
Upon returning from Hawaii this year, we never started back up. We both took breaks. We've both just been working. Surviving not thriving. Our meetings help us thrive.
Plus, I miss Michele. We were both much more productive when we meet.
We meet again starting this Wednesday. The first time we met to start our "Accountability Meetings", well, the goal was to to get there. Step One.
This time we know we can get there. We have to come with a starting point for 2013. Our goals for the year. It's up to each of us to help the other achieve those goals.
I better get busy - I don't have my list ready. Hard to accomplish something if you don't know what it is.
PS. - I read a blog and I love what she wrote about 2012+1...... the year of The Library Although, I'll spend it in the library in Kona.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Warning: Changes ahead
Going to generalize here for a second: no one likes unexpected changes. It turns us upside down. Everyone. You included. Yes, we can think something is great, if I change. Just you, please don't change, it turns the rest of us upside down.
Now, I don't really expect us all to live worrying about others lives. Just expect if someone else changes, you have no control of it. Damn it.
Okay, so I'm going to change the format of this blog. There will be search capability. There will be tags (which means I might show up in search engines). Also, there will be some advertising.
I'm going to tackle this writing thing. I'm ready. I can't wait. It's scary. I'm scared. I'm not ready for comments. Praise? Yes. The critics? I'm going to try......
Help me through this next phase. Just hang on. As usual, it's going to be worth the ride. It always is......
Now, I don't really expect us all to live worrying about others lives. Just expect if someone else changes, you have no control of it. Damn it.
Okay, so I'm going to change the format of this blog. There will be search capability. There will be tags (which means I might show up in search engines). Also, there will be some advertising.
I'm going to tackle this writing thing. I'm ready. I can't wait. It's scary. I'm scared. I'm not ready for comments. Praise? Yes. The critics? I'm going to try......
Help me through this next phase. Just hang on. As usual, it's going to be worth the ride. It always is......
Monday, January 7, 2013
In Deux Time
All in Deux Time. The theme for the year.
I can never go into the year thinking "I need to accomplish....... (fill in the blank)" I have to set goals. As mentioned last year, I put something out there, then some how, I end up right where I'm supposed to be. (Of course, we all do).
I'll recap my year, next time, maybe. I'm better looking forward than back.
This year's theme came along on Saturday. In due time. I was having trouble with the word "due". While I'm great with deadlines, if I "have" to do something, not very good. In fact, I usually go the other way. I DON'T. Or my luck, I would end up with a "Due Date". Not in the library book kind of way. No, "due" is not it.
In Due Time?
In Do Time?
In Dew Time?
For some reason the time theme keeps reappearing (pretty funny saying we don't have clocks around here).
We could go with the "do time". As in, "What am I going to DO this year?" I like that. I can start a list. I'm good at crossing things off the list. Or making lists just to look back at how ridiculous I was being.
Dew Time? Mornings? NOOOO. Used to be a morning person. Like life much better without seeing the "dew".
Deux Time. Double time? Time for two?
I set out in 2012 with the 12 theme, but really it was all about "tri...ing". I tried. I met more than 12 fascinating people and had over 12 moments in life. However, that's not what I meant. Is it ever?
So, this year: "All in Deux Time". Truly, I wrote that. My next thought: "Lord help us all".
Can't imagine what we will "deux" this year........
I can never go into the year thinking "I need to accomplish....... (fill in the blank)" I have to set goals. As mentioned last year, I put something out there, then some how, I end up right where I'm supposed to be. (Of course, we all do).
I'll recap my year, next time, maybe. I'm better looking forward than back.
This year's theme came along on Saturday. In due time. I was having trouble with the word "due". While I'm great with deadlines, if I "have" to do something, not very good. In fact, I usually go the other way. I DON'T. Or my luck, I would end up with a "Due Date". Not in the library book kind of way. No, "due" is not it.
In Due Time?
In Do Time?
In Dew Time?
For some reason the time theme keeps reappearing (pretty funny saying we don't have clocks around here).
We could go with the "do time". As in, "What am I going to DO this year?" I like that. I can start a list. I'm good at crossing things off the list. Or making lists just to look back at how ridiculous I was being.
Dew Time? Mornings? NOOOO. Used to be a morning person. Like life much better without seeing the "dew".
Deux Time. Double time? Time for two?
I set out in 2012 with the 12 theme, but really it was all about "tri...ing". I tried. I met more than 12 fascinating people and had over 12 moments in life. However, that's not what I meant. Is it ever?
So, this year: "All in Deux Time". Truly, I wrote that. My next thought: "Lord help us all".
Can't imagine what we will "deux" this year........
Friday, January 4, 2013
The Ghost in our house
We have a ghost in our house. We think it's a friendly ghost.
This ghost doesn't like clocks. Okay, we don't really like clocks either. That's how we know it's a friendly ghost. The clock in Nolan's room won't stay set. Could be the clock. Could be an electrical problem. We like to blame our ghost.
My laptop will re-boot itself every once in a while. I realize this is normal. It updates itself. Only when my computer updates itself, when it re-starts it plays Bob Marley. And only Bob Marley. Yes, I listen to Pandora, but I shut that down every night. Bob Marley starts playing around 3am. Just when the computer re-boots - not every night.
Our ghost doesn't want to live on a schedule either. The BATTERY OPERATED cube (clock/radio) we have in the kitchen. It's only a couple months old - it stops charging iPhones - it works fine on the devices that only play music.
Can't blame our ghost. We are like our ghost. No wonder it found us.
Of course, the boys tell me the ghost is responsible for the clothes on the floor in their rooms. The unmade beds too. Hmmm..... Not sure I'm believing them.
This ghost doesn't like clocks. Okay, we don't really like clocks either. That's how we know it's a friendly ghost. The clock in Nolan's room won't stay set. Could be the clock. Could be an electrical problem. We like to blame our ghost.
My laptop will re-boot itself every once in a while. I realize this is normal. It updates itself. Only when my computer updates itself, when it re-starts it plays Bob Marley. And only Bob Marley. Yes, I listen to Pandora, but I shut that down every night. Bob Marley starts playing around 3am. Just when the computer re-boots - not every night.
Our ghost doesn't want to live on a schedule either. The BATTERY OPERATED cube (clock/radio) we have in the kitchen. It's only a couple months old - it stops charging iPhones - it works fine on the devices that only play music.
Can't blame our ghost. We are like our ghost. No wonder it found us.
Of course, the boys tell me the ghost is responsible for the clothes on the floor in their rooms. The unmade beds too. Hmmm..... Not sure I'm believing them.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
The bad boy
I've written some about my part-time job.
I'm learning a lot. I'm re-learning the mistakes I made when I owned my own company. What to do. What not to do. Inventory and employees are huge components of any company. I'm NOT a good manager.
Suddenly, I'm running this company. Oh, and I don't like this. He doesn't plan. He says we can do anything. We are going to sell this company. Blah, Blah, Blah.
When I made up my mind to get a part-time job - I was interviewing all over the place. That's not true. I had several phone screens. Three face-to-face interviews, two job offers.
Company #1: There were 7 people, the Owner and the Director of Sales had worked together for 17 or so years. The Owner had gone out on his own about 10 years ago. She went two years later. Casual office out in the industrial area of town.
Company#2" Start-up. Owner is in the USA on an "investment VISA". Everyone has been working together for about a year. Over $1 million in sales since January. Cherry Creek office. (close to home) Casual trendy environment.
Company not even considered: A Market Research company. Hiring technical people. (If you truly get the irony of this company, you know me).
Well, really, only one job offer. The first place was e-mailed. I let them know I had accepted another position. I was REALLY excited about that opportunity. I didn't let the first give me an offer. They got delayed. They wanted me back for a second interview, but the second place gave me an offer first. I jumped. I took the offer immediately.
Something is wrong with me.
I was SO excited about my part-time job in the industrial environment. That's the whole point of a part-time job. I have recruiting. It's faithful. It's loyal. I'm loyal. This part-time job was supposed to get me out of the house. A distraction
Then, well, the bad boy came along. Stock-options. Manufacturing (I get that). An idea. Also an entrepreneaur willing to take a risk. Never mind you that the other guy also took a risk. That was ten years ago or so. Heaven forbid it's actually up and running.
I WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE.
Where did that girl appear from? She was alive for years. She did it all. She's supposed to be gone.
I work - but work doesn't define my life. My kids. My summers in Hawaii define my life. Not some job. That girl left us long time ago.
Friday we had a crazy day. Insane. Packing, shipping, manufacturing. I'm running to the road to meet the trucking company to pull off something that could make or break this company.
Yes, I nicely asked them to come back the next day.
Do I really need this drama in my life???? Really?
No, I don't need this. I do want drama in my life. It always arrives in some shape or form: my boys, guys I like or work. Right now, two are settled down. Two out of three ain't bad....
I'm learning a lot. I'm re-learning the mistakes I made when I owned my own company. What to do. What not to do. Inventory and employees are huge components of any company. I'm NOT a good manager.
Suddenly, I'm running this company. Oh, and I don't like this. He doesn't plan. He says we can do anything. We are going to sell this company. Blah, Blah, Blah.
When I made up my mind to get a part-time job - I was interviewing all over the place. That's not true. I had several phone screens. Three face-to-face interviews, two job offers.
Company #1: There were 7 people, the Owner and the Director of Sales had worked together for 17 or so years. The Owner had gone out on his own about 10 years ago. She went two years later. Casual office out in the industrial area of town.
Company#2" Start-up. Owner is in the USA on an "investment VISA". Everyone has been working together for about a year. Over $1 million in sales since January. Cherry Creek office. (close to home) Casual trendy environment.
Company not even considered: A Market Research company. Hiring technical people. (If you truly get the irony of this company, you know me).
Well, really, only one job offer. The first place was e-mailed. I let them know I had accepted another position. I was REALLY excited about that opportunity. I didn't let the first give me an offer. They got delayed. They wanted me back for a second interview, but the second place gave me an offer first. I jumped. I took the offer immediately.
Something is wrong with me.
I was SO excited about my part-time job in the industrial environment. That's the whole point of a part-time job. I have recruiting. It's faithful. It's loyal. I'm loyal. This part-time job was supposed to get me out of the house. A distraction
Then, well, the bad boy came along. Stock-options. Manufacturing (I get that). An idea. Also an entrepreneaur willing to take a risk. Never mind you that the other guy also took a risk. That was ten years ago or so. Heaven forbid it's actually up and running.
I WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE.
Where did that girl appear from? She was alive for years. She did it all. She's supposed to be gone.
I work - but work doesn't define my life. My kids. My summers in Hawaii define my life. Not some job. That girl left us long time ago.
Friday we had a crazy day. Insane. Packing, shipping, manufacturing. I'm running to the road to meet the trucking company to pull off something that could make or break this company.
Yes, I nicely asked them to come back the next day.
Do I really need this drama in my life???? Really?
No, I don't need this. I do want drama in my life. It always arrives in some shape or form: my boys, guys I like or work. Right now, two are settled down. Two out of three ain't bad....
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