I know, I've been neglecting my website... You'd think I'd have a year's worth of rant to put here but I don't. It's still the usual. Basically it's a dog-eat-dog world and I'm wearing Alpo panties. Yikes.
With working so much, my website isn't the only thing that's been neglected. I've totally lost any semblence of a social life I had. (Not that there was much of one to begin with).
Things to rant about since August of last year?
The company I worked for for the last 24 years sold the division I was in. Nice.
No 2 weeks notice or anything. Oh, the new company kept me on. I suppose I should be thankful that I at least HAVE a job.
I still have a bit of a stressful work environment. I'm guessing that's problably par for the course for any job though. The job itself isn't all that stressful; it's the people. Funny, it's the same people I've been working for before (yeah, they were kept on too). A lot of people left - unfortunately it was all the cool people.
The one office-mate of mine finally left. I can't tell you how grateful I am for that. I guess I should count those small blessings.
Oh here's a rant for you...
Some stole one of my potted plants from my front porch. Now, what kind of jacked-up loser steals a frikkin' potted plant from someone's front porch??? I know you're thinking, what kind of jacked-up loser CARES that someone stole a potted plant??? Well, first off, my MOM gave it to me. Secondly, I actually kept it ALIVE for over a year (ok, my landlady really took care of it - she does all my yardwork). Thirdly, it looked DAMN good! (That's probably why it got stolen). Crap.
OK, you may have noticed that I just recently threw a Roast for my beloved hubby, Wade. So what is with people who RSVP and don't show up? I can't BELIEVE how many people completely dissed me on this event.
Invitation went out electronically, via E-vite. For those folks I know who do not live at their computer, like I do, I called them and left messages. I did a bit of research online to find out exactly what the expected attendance would be... this was a concern as I had procured a venue and had this event catered. According to my research, approximately 80% of invitees will attend. With this in mind, I gave my catered an estimated figure of 50 attending when I booked the event. Just prior to the event, the caterer called to confirm my number. I checked my RSVP list and let her know it would be more like 45 attending (this was 4 days before the event).
In those 4 days, I received quite a few calls and emails from people who couldn't make it. Several of those were supposed to do roasts. Nice. OK, I'll forgive the person who had a death in the family. But most of these people, I just can't forgive. Not only was I screwed out of the catering part, I was also out a speaker...
The reason we throw parties is NOT to get presents... trust me, you NEVER get enough gifts to offset the cost of the event.... ask anyone that's done a wedding... You have these affairs to get together with friends and have fun!
So, when all is said and done, of the 45 I guaranteed would attend the event.... I had 25 show up. Thanks friends.... Yup.... about a 50% attendance rate. 22 people promised to come and didn't - quite a number were just plain no-shows. A party of 4 called me 2 hrs before the event saying they couldn't attend. One person called me a few days before to say she was supposed to have dinner with her mother. Another couldn't find a sitter (ok, I can understand that).
OK I'm not really as upset as I could be, because the event was FABULOUS despite the rude people. (See my NEWS link). But really.... with friends like these....
Making Your Life Happier
Think of how your actions and words affect those around you. Ask yourself if that is how you would react.
Try reacting to rudeness with kindness. If nothing else, it's funny to see how the rude person responds.
Develop a thick skin. Most of the time, the person insulting you is either dumb or just plain rude. And, most of the time, it isn't worth the confrontation.
Listen to your heart... if you're pissed, it's ok to react. But remember that the confrontation may escalate. Be prepared. And try to react with dignity instead of lowering yourself to vulgarities.
Try to choose the people you come in contact with. Hanging around happy people as much as possible. Limit your time with people who are negative.
Love yourself. If you don't, fix whatever it is you don't love. (This is an on-going process that will last your entire life).
Nuture your relationships. (This is also an on-going process that will last your entire lifetime. - Sheesh this is a lot of WORK!)
Be true. Harbor no ill towards others. When you have no agenda, you have nothing to hide, no lies to tell, no actions to cover up...
Don't do anything you'll regret. Think before you act, and act with good intentions.
OK, these are all good ideas. Good things to live by, but we're by nature prone to behave badly as often as we behave well. It's easier to be good when the times I HAVE to be good are limited and I can prepare for them. (Yes, I often do not go out in public, as I detest dealing with most people.)
I'm quite happy at home, in a place where I choose the people and things that surround me. When I get weary with this happiness, I delve into the masses to remind myself how awful humanity can be at times. Once in a while I discover that humanity isn't so bad, that some people are still kind, and the youth of today are not morons.