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Thursday
October 9, 2008 Do elections bring out the WORST in people?Filed under: ASI Canada Or, maybe it’s just me? This morning I suddenly realized I’ve been a little cranky lately, some might say “what do you mean lately?” I’m not known for being a warm and fuzzy person. While I admit I am really not all that friendly, I’ve always been an introvert and when in a large group of people tend to stick close to my friends because that’s my comfort level – I don’t think I’m really what they refer to a female dog as. I do have a reputation in the industry for being a little tough but then most of the women I know that have a rougher exterior often get the same name I get. I don’t think we’re all that bad, honestly in my case it’s because I take everything in life extremely seriously. I take my work responsibilities very seriously which is why I’m a workaholic. I take my family responsibilities especially seriously which can drive my daughters crazy. I still, even though they are adults, monitor every part of their life. I start to worry half an hour before they are due home (ok I worry the minute they leave). I was actively involved in our Association and sat on the Board of the Ontario Chapter and boy did that create havoc in the industry, felt sorry for all of my suppliers back in those days. It was unfortunate that they were often the recipients of negative feedback about things I had done or said, but I think they’ve all forgiven me by now! I was actively involved in a political party for a long time and worked in a couple of elections. I worked day and night for what I believed in, knocked on more doors than anyone else in the riding association, even got the girls to come out with me to help. Probably best that I moved, I’m not sure how many of the neighbors liked me either! So, what’s my point with all this? This morning I got up early to drop the dog’s off for a bath at a new place and had to wait while they did up all this what I felt was useless paperwork. I had already given them all this stuff on the phone when I booked the appointment. Because I had just finished doing some trade shows I had taken down the barrier that keeps the dogs in the back of the truck and all I could think of was if they are in the back seat I’m going to…(you can fill in this part). So, I said I’m going to get the dogs and walked out while they were in the middle of doing the paperwork, this guy comes out and says you have to wait until we finish the paperwork before you can bring them in. And, yes you guessed it – my response was pretty rude! As I drove away later I said to myself what is your problem? It’s not his fault you were too lazy to put the barrier back up in the truck. It’s not his fault your dogs are aggressive and don’t like other dogs! It’s not his fault they make you fill in all these forms even though they asked you all these questions on the phone and then didn’t fill in the information. And it’s most certainly not his fault that you’re cranky lately – although he was a little short with me as well. I’ll tell you what I believe is making me more cranky than normal, it’s the election! I listened to all the debates and at the end of each one I was angry over what I had listened too. The back and forth, the mud slinging, the not answering the questions that were actually asked but going back to party stand or trying to get a shot back at the last person’s response to a previous question. Back and forth, back and forth all the while my temper is getting the best of me. I start shouting at the TV (as if it’s going to help). I can’t let go even when the debate is finished, I sit there and stew over what I heard and what I disagreed with. I go to bed thinking about it and worrying about what is going to happen, I get up the next day and start thinking about it all over again. I read the paper during the day, listen the news before bed, everything is about the election and most, if not all, of it is negative press. And, here’s something to think about, no matter what party any of us supports we tend to support their philosophy strongly. So, we also tend to strongly oppose the philosophy of the other primary party, which draws out all kinds of negative feelings that we take with us. We take it to work, we take it home and we have it with us during much of our interaction with each other on a daily basis. All of this negativity is bound to have an affect on the way we interact with each other, we can try and say it doesn’t but I truly believe it does. Or, maybe it is just me? I’ve had enough! I’m going to vote next week and accept the outcome and hope for the best. I am going to stop reading the paper, everything that could be covered has already been written about. I’m not going to watch any more coverage on the TV – I’m going to change the channel. And I’m going to apologize to the guy I snapped at this morning! We are fast approaching Thanksgiving Day and the last long weekend of the year and I’m going think about all the things I am thankful for. I am thankful for the love of my daughters who, although I am very tough to live with, are my reason for living! I am thankful for my friends who put up with all my idiosyncrasies and are still my friends. I am thankful for all the suppliers and distributors in this industry that have supported me throughout the years, even though I know at times I tested their patience with me. And I am thankful that ASI came along when they did and provided me an opportunity to continue working in an industry I love, which allows me to serve my clients with better products and services than our little company could ever have dreamed about providing. I have much to be thankful for, so let me take this opportunity to say – take some time during the upcoming weekend to reflect on the things that give you pleasure and provide meaning to your life. And, I would like to extend my very best wishes for a Happy and Safe Holiday with your family & friends. Leslie Oesen 2 CommentsLeave a Comment |
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Hello Leslie.
Thank you for sharing your story and making me laugh this morning. Way to go!
As long as I’ve know you “that B word” has never entered my mind, matter of fact you’re the type of person when asked a question you actually answer it and do it well…..BABE that’s the word right?
I agree with you regarding the elections and the candidates.. They’re all LIARS!
No matter what they say and what they do, they always pass the buck and the blame.
Sounds familiar in our industry too.
For once why can’t a Leader actually find a solution to problems instead of covering them up bandaid style. If we did what they get away with we would be in jail stamping out licence plates with no pensions!
As for the other matter, maybe you’re eating too many things with sugar or fiber lately as Dr. Phil would say.
My Grand father use to say (old Armenian saying)
Translation:
If you can’t have fun going through life, get off the wheel!
Have a stellar weekend
Dear Leslie
My father told me once and I remember it to this day.
Son he said if politic was good for the peoples it would be illegal.