Don't Mess With Me

There are a few phrases that just make my blood boil, make me want to turn and irrationally yell at whomever has just uttered those words. One of them is one I heard many times today - Don't take it personally. Don't take it personally??? Really??? When it affects me, it is personal. When it affects someone I love, it is personal. When it affects someone I respect, it is personal. I know I am not in a position to change rules, policies, et cetera in all areas of my life, but that doesn't mean I have to like them. I tend to be one of those people that quickly jumps up on my soapbox to defend my views or defend others (yeah, if you know me well, this fact comes as no surprise).  I happen to like my soapbox, finding it therapeutic to get worked up something, let out my frustrations, thoughts, emotions, and then stomp down and try to move on with my day. It is my adult version of throwing a toddleresque temper tantrum if you will. 


Today just happened to be one of those days that started with frustration, that continued with frustration, a day during which all little things seemed to annoy the hell out of me. Now before you say, whaaaa, whaaaa, stop whining, stop and think. We all have these days, and if you can't admit that you do, you are lying. I have the right to be frustrated with the world and in the end, the world will probably thank me for letting this frustration out today, rather than holding on to it and exploding in a not-so-pretty mess of frustration at the end of the week. In short, don't mess with me when I am already upset. 


What am I REALLY upset about? I'd rather not say, as I need to maintain personal and professional composure and save face. Most people who saw me today did not really see me, but rather my friend Molly, Molly Sunshine. Many of you know Molly well and perhaps even receive Molly as a visitor during you days we well. She is a lovely friend, the one who you hear coming out of my mouth when I say I am "Fine, just FINE!" Molly is the one who allows me to smile when I want to scowl, to answer the phone pleasantly when I want to just ignore the ringing or say "What do you want now?" Molly is a necessary part of my work day when I am frustrated. I am glad that she is there and I am sure my co-workers would agree, probably even suggesting that she continue to hang around until I can get my attitude in check. 


I try not to use this blog to just rant about things that upset or anger me, but today is one of those days. Perhaps it is more of several days of little frustrations all built up, then set in motion by one bigger one from today. Either way, I am aware of the fact that I am not the most pleasant person to be around today. My apologies. Perhaps tomorrow I will be back to being the ray of sunshine that you all have come to love. So, early to bed with hopes of letting sleep clear my mind and put me back on an even playing field. I just have to remind myself that it's just life and things could be worse... but honestly, I am glad they're not. I might just wring Molly's little neck....


What frustrates you and how do you handle it? Suggestions?

Hello, Goodbye...

When you start a new job, you never know who you will meet, what types of people will cross your path. When I started my current job, I was nervous, not knowing if there were people in my department that I would get along with. A simple thing, but much like a kid at a new school, I wondered, who will I eat lunch with? Yes, a very simple thing, your lunch break, but in the working world, it seems to mean as much as it does when you are a kid in the cafeteria. I quickly found people in my office who were nice, genuinely sweet people. I found out who was the most helpful, who had all the office gossip, who you could vent with when having a rough day. Slowly, some of these people also started to become my friends and being “the new girl” didn’t seem so bad. No matter how long you are at a job, we all know that you are “the new person” until someone else starts.

Lucky for me, I was only “the new girl” in my office for a month, then Lisa started. I knew she was cool when I first met her, and although her first week was a crazy busy one (not to mention that she had the worst cold/sinus icky thing ever), I knew she would not only be a wonderful asset to our team, but that we would get along great. Lisa is one of those people who always seems to be able to make you laugh and always has a smile on her face, even when she is stressed out. As the two new members on our team, we stuck together quite often, helping one another balance as we learned the ropes of the membership world. She helped me run a Daisy troop of 15 very energetic Kindergartners last year and I in turn helped her run a Brownie troop of 18 very chatty and opinionated 2nd and 3rd graders. We had fun, stressed a little, and learned a lot.

Lisa had a big year, not only did she have her new job at GS, but she also got engaged, planned a wedding and got married. Several of us went to the wedding and had a great time celebrating the happiness of our co-worker and friend. Along with a few other ladies, Lisa has become a friend as well as someone I work with. She is pretty much just awesome. Well, today is what we (as an inside joke) would call a sad face with tear. It’s Lisa’s last day. I am super excited for her, as her new job is something in the field she studied and is an amazing opportunity for her. As a co-worker, I am sad, but as a friend, I am happy. I will definitely miss her around the office.

So, I am definitely in a down and somewhat mopey mood today. I will be handling one additional service area for a while, until someone new starts and takes over those areas, but the additional work doesn’t bother me. I see it as an opportunity to show what I can do, to make the transition as between Membership Specialists as easy as possible for our volunteers. Also, I like a challenge! Today is a sad face with tear kind of a day. At least there is a 3 day weekend to look forward to! A change in the office is never easy for me, as I tend to get attached to the people I spend so many hours with every day. Change is good, right? Yeah, sure. Fine. Really, fine. Here's to a change that is hopefully positive for everyone in some way. Lisa, my friend, I'll miss you!