Responsible versus responsibility

For the longest time now, at work, I have been responsible for the quality issues at the DC.  Not that the WH Lead would allow me to do my job to the best of my abilities, or that he would assist me in the endeavor (because there were many instances where he handicapped my efforts whenever possible - and several of the Material Handlers have said as much).

Timeline is this:
I was hired in January 2018 -
worked under the Quality Manager (trained by and directed to perform basic menial tasks...he wanted an admin, basically).  He was pleasantly surprised that I trained easily and accomplished tasks quickly, correctly, and efficiently.  Our WH Director assigned other duties and short-range tasks to keep me busy, and because I was more than capable (she knew I would do the work and keep it to myself).

He (QM) was wooed to another facility in June 2018 -
He attempted to take over the impossible task of managing a systemic collapse at his 'new' facility assignment, while also pseudo-watching the goings on and questions that arose at our location.

By July -
we were basically on our own, borrowing moments of his time and attention that his new bosses begrudgingly spared.  I was not prepared for the everyday issues that popped up (beyond my scope) because he refused to share information or impart training that could have helped mitigate problems at a low level.  However, I managed to chronicle and respond to Sales, CSRs, management and our suppliers, to keep communication moving and prevent material returns from building up and containment issues from becoming stagnant.  Again, this was all while trying to work against the wall of opposition from the WH Lead.

August arrived -
and I was tackling problems that were, at first, understandable and easy to keep track of.  Unless a PPAP or Material Cert request popped up, or some absolutely technical debacle cropped up (which I would steer towards our Engineering staff and former Quality Mgr), I was doing well - given the circumstances.  Our WH Director was supportive and proactive, and she sought to understand my role and functions (as she met with the Quality Manager and myself to better define my tasks and abilities in his absence).  She wanted to delegate more responsibility my way, which was fine.  All of that would require some training and direction (again, which I was ok with), but the training and hand-off of responsibility would never come.

September thru December -
came and went; no movement was made in finding a replacement for the QM role (mostly because he didn't want to replace himself).  We had our year-end inventory, which I was not included in, and then enjoyed a pleasant holiday break.

Also somehow, through this same time period, the WH Lead was allowing an alarming number of mis-pulled and mislabeled materials to leave the facility.  These growing issues greatly annoyed our customers and resulted in a lot of fees, returns, and 8D situations.  He was told to watch the one very responsible party in his shipping crew creating the bulk of trouble, but never did.  This would become a very unmanageable situation for him because he refused to take responsibility.  His 'fix' would become my new task - 95% of my new workload for the coming year.

January 2019 -
Upon the return to activities in the new year, our DC Director made the announcement she would be retiring - which, I guess, she did every year.  No one held their breath, but her attitude did seem lighter in some respects and more fretful in others.  Her most immediate goal was to work with our former QM (my now non-boss) to find his replacement at the DC.

Sometime late in January A-dude joined the team as a year-long temp Quality Manager.  If he proved himself, he would be hired the following year.  If not, well...

Things went from worse-than-bad to WTH?! at breakneck speed.  By the time A-dude showed up, I had already been 100% inspecting every effing labeling job leaving the WH.  Every label on EVERY package.  Add that monumental chore to the other tasks of my own that I could now not even get to, and you have a big problem growing.  Then there was the added strife of training A-dude (trying to train, that is).

He was a man dressed in Teflon and stale-smelling clothing, doused in too much old cologne.  Not only did he smell (literally), he stank at his job, too.  He wouldn't learn because his MO was to find others to do his work for him.  I figured it out early, and after a lot of wasted time trying to repeatedly show him how to use our AX system, I opted to remove myself from his workforce and use the 100% verifications as my salvation.  Besides that, he was not my responsibility.  He could learn to sink or swim another way.

Over time, he and the WH Lead tried to join forces in an effort to remove me from my position.  I had the support of those who knew my work and my capabilities, and would not let them park 'the bus' they were driving on me, but that didn't prevent the work situation from becoming a cluster "f."

December -
A-dude was a waste of money and time, and it only took the company ten months to figure that out.  In between, our lovely Director did retire (mid-year) and was replaced by another female figurehead.  My new Quality boss began shadowing - and cleverly questioning - A-dude to learn the scope (and status) of all the customer issues, and let me know I was not alone.  By...

January thru June 2020 -
I was once again working with, and I still am, our new Quality Manager - and what a difference. [happy sigh]

Now we're doing it during the Covid era, but we are working as a team, and it's been better.

Of course we have a long way to go but at least we are getting there together.  We have tackled a big learning curve and become a good team.  She has given me knowledge and responsibility, and I try to back her up where I can.  She knows she can count on me, and routinely throws things my way - and this has proven her trust in my ability, which I am grateful for.

There's still a lot to do, but it doesn't feel insurmountable any longer.

Another year around the sun completed

There, there's that finished and I'm still here. Nyah-nyah.

Heartache and grief didn't kill me.
This Covid19 thingy is out there, so time will tell; 'til then, still ticking.
Elusive employers & a lack of interviews hasn't kept me from breathing.
Driving alongside absolute idiots in cars on I-75 daily - still here.
Last May's heart episode - and subsequent double concussion - HA!
Shed pounds; found more; lost others; holding my own.
Survived the horror of a would-be Quality Engineer. Buh-bye.

The morning is evaporating quickly, so I must get up and move on with this day.  Even though I will still be here when it is finished, the time will be lost.

What a difference a week makes

I spent last weekend at work. 

Yup, you read that right - "at work"! 

I know, I know.  Who does that, right?  You spend five days in a row getting out of bed, (usually) disappointed at the prospect for the next nine-plus hours - unless you have *a job that brings you joy and satisfaction, and friendships that keep you encouraged throughout your hours and years together.  

Side note: I have actually had *that in two jobs over my lifetime (but if you know me, you would know that this is not a good average, as I have had too many jobs over my lifetime...and pauses in between for life's intrusions and national economic setbacks), so I know it can happen.

At any rate, I am not at work this weekend, even though the enticement of a real hourly wage (read as overtime pay - woohoo!) would've been enough to have me return for another round of labeling. 

No, last week I signed up to help relabel product on Saturday because the advent of 8 hours of OT pay was going to be a welcome boon towards outstanding obligations.  And then [insert ominous musical notes here] we were sent home hours early, but asked if we wanted to work Sunday for five to six hours (AT DOUBLE TIME)!  No idiot turns that down, right?

This idiot didn't.

Sunday, we were once again sent home hours early, so our expectations were not met.  Yes, we had several hours of extra pay - very nice - but when management asks folks to be at the building at 6AM (or even 7AM), for a forecast period of time, and then changes the day and monetary expectations drastically...well, that's not cool.  The whole thing about actually being there early (when you are only just normally getting up to begin with) is one thing - and yes, it was my choice to go in Saturday, but the understanding was the time/pay was for 8 hours.

You think twice about ignoring an extra-early wake-up call for a mere four hours.  Trust me.

Today, Karl and I have dental obligations, and I have an additional medical 'date' (which I rescheduled to help last weekend), and didn't feel like trying to reschedule any of it again, so I avoided rising to an early alarm.  Nope, I just let the two ding-a-lings perform their usual shenanigans at 5AM....BUT, I didn't have to dress and drive - and that's the difference a week makes.

OK, Mother Nature...keep it up

No, seriously - don't stop.  I like drizzle now and then, and no hot temps.

Summer can stay permanently in the wings as far as I am concerned.

To the rest of you warm weather weirdos...tough nuts!

Oh, yeah - and another little thing

Apparently, the person formerly known as my 'dad' passed away January 10, 2017.

Who knew?  [shoulder shrug]

What are you celebrating... and why?

Shouldn't it always be a time of love?
Especially now, when you've saved up all year for this season of joy, your patience and generous spirit should be overflowing, boundless, and capable of a little more tolerance - at the very least.

Where's the love?

I am having a hard time wrapping my head around why it is people feel the need to be overwhelmingly territorial / hostile / possessive / ready to pick a fight over a simple greeting shared at this time of year?

I'm not understanding why it is that humans are coming unglued over someone's choice to say "happy holidays" or "season's greetings" in place of "merry Christmas." It's not a contest or a challenge. It's not meant to disparage your faith or communal spirit, so WHY take it personally? I really don't get it; what a silly thing to get your ' 'murican' panties in a twist over.

If you feel it's a slap to your Christianity to be greeted in a pleasant and alternate way - other than hearing "merry Christmas" - why not practice the time-honored Jesus method of returning the love and say, "thank you, and to you as well." Heck, even "thank you, and merry Christmas to you," would work.

Do you truly believe a rebuke over civility from one human to another is in order simply because you didn't hear your particular turn of holiday phrase?

Think of it this way: perhaps the person who just offended *your* delicate senses is attempting an overarching greeting so-as not to inadvertently exclude anyone else from enjoying their own festivus train of thought.

Hanukkah.
Kwanzaa.
Boxing Day.
Ōmisoka.
Christmas.
St. Lucia Day
Three Kings Day.
Diwali.

Keep in mind the world is a lot smaller than it used to be, but we are all still one race - the human race. Let's act like that matters.

Peace and joy, people. Peace and joy ~

Life as you know it, or life as you make it?

I have lately been absent from doing one of the things I absolutely love to do.  In fact, I've been so delinquent in taking part in one of my most favorite activities that you might think I'd given it up completely.

Well, no, I haven't.  I haven't given anything up, but I think I have nearly - almost completely - given up on... myself.

Can I trouble you for a moment to truly cogitate over that last line.  Really read the words and ponder over the differences between the first and second pieces of that statement.  You might think that that's a difference without distinction - or you may even believe there to be no difference at all - but you  know you would be wrong.

Yep, dead wrong.

In fact, I had almost convinced myself that my writing didn't matter to anyone else, so I needn't waste my time to communicate my thoughts or feelings, my musings or daily highlights, my opinions and aspirations, my successes and disappointments.  Myself.  My words.  I am lost without my words.  I am no one and nowhere without my words.

So whether anyone else reads them, whether I am communicating with the silence of the stars or flecks of dust in the sunshine, or somehow, amazingly with another human, I will write - and the words will be mine.  And if I am doing little more than saving my thoughts for myself to read years from now, so that I might remember that I did ultimately survive a horribly defeating time in my life, well then, that's enough of a reason for speaking my piece.

My words; I may couch them at times, or I may brazenly lay it all on the line.  However the spirit moves me or the winds carry me day by day, I am entitled to express myself.  Mainly, I will speak my mind and empty my heart, because to to be less than I am, to say less than I am able, to slip into silent corners and molder away is not really my style.  It shouldn't be anyone's style.  I should never have allowed myself to become less than I was meant to be.

I am a child of the most high God, and I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

I am back, and I will not be silenced.  No telling how often or infrequently, but there will be words.

What is it about life?

Along the way from where you entered your life and where it comes to an end, I hope you:

• find/found reasons to appreciate your family
• accumulate(d) friends and amass(ed) memories 
• enjoy(ed) the unbridled, no-strings love of a pet - hopefully more than once in your lifetime
• learn(ed) what you needed to know (and used it well) 
• strive/strove to remain curious and open to all of life's lessons
• stand/stood up for someone incapable of standing up for themselves
• experience(d) a protective guiding force of your own when it is/was most needed
• own(ed) a completely comfortable pair of shoes, jeans, and an over-sized sweater
• teach/taught yourself a skill, and then pass(ed) it down to another eager student
• excel(led) at something you enjoy(ed)
• understand/understood the power of belief and prayer
• practice(d) patience, kindness, empathy, teaching, giving and receiving, sharing
• share(d) the road and drive/drove like a citizen of a larger community... and not a total asshole
• share(d) a secret 'family' recipe
• share(d) your crayons
• share(d) happiness
• share(d) yourself
• find/found contentment
• love(d); found love, gave love, received love, enjoyed love, learned from love

These are some of the things I wish for you. 

Go and live your life, and peace be with you ~

Decisions

Gee, we humans make an awful lot of decisions in a day, don't we?  Some of us have to make decisions minute by minute, and when you are driving, well.... it's goes without saying.  Suffice to say, life is a decision-making roulette wheel.

Just over a year ago I decided to go into blogging hibernation with this blog.  I have two others that I regularly write in, and since there was/is no readership on this blog I figured, "why not."  This was the first of my forays into blogging, and I hated the thought of eliminating all of the work and words that had been committed to e-paper, so I simply walked away for a while.

I hoped the time away would have helped me keep from sharing the absolute bitterness I was feeling in nearly all aspects of my life at the time.  And so it did.

Am I any less bitter?  Oh, probably not.
However, I am feeling more akin to the description I originally posted for the blog so many years ago.
I am feeling more in control and less frazzled than I have for a long time - and that's a good thing.
I feel more likely to share and (hopefully) less likely to 'vent' than I would have a year ago.

I posted once or twice from around June, and then again back in October, and realized there was still an overriding element of anger in what it was that compelled me to pen an entry.... so I stopped and took another step back.  Life had become a nemesis.

Deep breath.

So here's me, blogging once more.  It most likely won't be lots of stuff, and most definitely won't be every day, but it will be something.  If you have a curiosity about the sewing/quilting activities, you can make your way to one or both of these bloggy-type addresses:
 1) for Crazy Quilting only - www.bethsmadasahatter.blogspot.com  and
 2) for traditional block quilting updates - www.truenorthquilter.blogspot.com

I carry on at those two sites about quilting simply because anyone who loves quilting will want to be there, and some folks who have read here in the past had been critical of "quilting stuff" showing up in my everyday life/words.  Well, hey! Gee I am so sorry my interests got in the way of you reading about my life, but....thpbt!  Pardon me while I snicker at your idiocracy.

'nuff said.

Those other two blogs are full of happiness and accomplishment from the last year (and more), but if you can't handle that sort of happiness, by all means stay here. [laughing at your folly, you grumpy person out there]  This year was full enough of things to catch up on, and over time, some of it will be revealed - but much of it will fall by the wayside, and that is OK, too.  At least, it's OK with me.  I lived through it, and I know what happened.  The automotive world has their 'big three', and so do I. Mine are work, family, and other stuff.  I guess that's enough to look forward to, eh?

Anyhow, lots of stuff needs doing, and I haven't a moment to spare, so let's not dawdle here.  I will be back in a day or two to begin the recap, and if you're good, Santa will leave you a cookie or two for the new year.

Glad we're all back - this feels like a good decision.  Enjoy your day :v)

The word "get" has got to go

What is with the ignorance of people using the English language?

I have a lot of pet peeves.  This I know and, well....whatever.

However, I feel compelled to tell the universe how I feel regarding the lack of ability (within the general population) to correctly use the English language in an intelligent and thoughtful way. Let's face it, embrace it, and erase it - the funk of the grammatically lazy, that is. When did mediocrity become the norm?

Has anyone else even noticed that the practice of intelligent speaking has truly taken a nose dive over the last 10-20 years.  'I mean', just listen to us!

• Lazy speech patterns
• The overuse of words in sentences taking the place of "um" and "uh" and the rest - specifically the words "like" and "so", and the phrase "I mean"....when the speaker hasn't even said anything of note requiring clarification
• Saying "hashtag" to bring an air of importance to some trivial subject matter
• Inventing other uses for a word(s), when it isn't necessary, to get the meaning across; i.e. - a "life hack" is NOT the same as a tip or shortcut or a unique solution share
• The needless (and stupid) use of certain other words to shortcut the need for inserting a little grey matter into the conversation - which is why I am here today

This is a bit of text, taken from something I read online this morning, and if you can't see the issue without prompting, then you need to return to third or forth grade - PRONTO!

This is how routine affects us; absorbs us from the inside until we get consumed by it and get comfortable with repetitive patterns and accept changes along the way.

Seriously?!

Let's try this:
"...absorbs us from the inside until we are consumed by it and become comfortable with repetitive patterns..."

Quite frankly, there are a small number of ways that sentence could have been better constructed, but it wasn't.  Don't even get me started on the poor punctuation. [slow burn]

Sadly, the lazy and improper use of language is becoming more disappointing with every passing year.  The word "get" has found its way into most sentences any more, when so many other perfectly suited words would do a much better job communicating, informing, and delivering content.  What are we so afraid of that we can't even hire people to type up news stories on television for our 'talking heads' to say in front of a camera?  Or, are our newscasters presenting the news in a rogue fashion, and they themselves can't construct a proper sentence?

It's horrifying to know there are horrible English students (with deplorable speaking habits) wending their way through college and gaining accreditation to teach young, pliable minds.  Once youngsters are subjected to these new lazy and improperly speaking teachers, who's left to reverse the damage?  Who will monitor the decline of intelligence and work to reverse it?  There are an equal amount of parents who also speak poorly, so there will be no help for the coming generations of kids to recognize the issues and reverse the trend.

How are we to "life hack" our way out of this trouble?  MacGyver has retired.

Oh, and, PS:
Don't blame your mobile phone (or other electronic device) for messing up a conversation and inadvertently causing issues due to its "spellcheck" feature, if you are the sort of lazy idiot who can't be bothered to even attempt to spell a word correctly - or remember the correct uses for "your", "you're", "their", "they're", and "there" (among others).  But these are matters for another time and place.

I have to laugh

Look at it outside.  Really....look at it!

Sunny, gorgeous blue sky, and yeah, breezy. Gusty, really, but hey - it beats the crap out of yesterday.  Steel grey sky, windy as the ef-word, and that whole rain/snow mix ("snain").

And unbelievably enough, those little trick-or-treaters were out in droves.  DROVES.  More bunches of kids passed by the house last night in the first hour - garbage bags and all over their sad lil' costumes - than have been down this street over the past two...maybe three years combined!

Couldn't even tell you who looked more miserable - the parents standing at the ends of the driveways, escorting the mini demonites, or the actual candy beggars.  Doesn't matter.  I'll just bet the lack of houses giving out candy along our stretch last night sharply curtails what we see bopping down the street next year.

HA!

Oh yeah, it's been a while

This is a carryover from an entry on the quilting blog, as I felt this sort of thing has no place there (I mean, in all fairness I did start the quilting blog to save you all from the banal-ness of quilting - since some people didn't give two hoots about quilting...even if it was what I had been working on).

The verbiage below stems from a misunderstanding that became inflated to Texas-sized proportions, all because someone failed to read....not because I chose to use a word I use on occasion. And by 'occasion', I mean more than ten times a year. Sue me if you don't like my intelligence and my formidable brilliance (and if you embrace your own ignorance).

*   *   *   *   *

[From the quilting blog]

"Why are you picking on Texas?"

Well, I am not picking on the entire state, simply one or two characters living there.  See, if I had named them there would be bigger issues, so I simply mentioned where they lived to make my life easier.  On a networking site (where I created and admin a group for Free Motion Quilting on Domestic machines) this person attempted to post an image which didn't show up - just a generated message that the person posting may not have had permission to post it, or that it may have been removed, or that I didn't have permission to view it.  So I commented that I could not see it, but that my interest was piqued.

Yes, the word of the day, kiddies - "piqued" - started a small firestorm.

Said person did not understand the word "piqued", and upon looking it up found (I'm certain) the two definitions that are standard for the word.  Well, the phrase I used ("...you've piqued my interest.") appears in both physical, hard cover dictionaries and online....but she chose to (mis)interpret my meaning anyhow and write this:  

"I am afraid I don' t understand: Pique: a sudden feeling of annoyance or angel when someone has offended you. How have I offended you? I will remove the picture."

In less than 20 minutes I had returned to my keyboard to look for a response or a plea for assistance to correct the photo issue and to get this person's snapshot loaded to the timeline for all to see. When I saw their response I quickly wrote this, hoping to soothe nerves and calm the overwrought (and semi-ignorant) person:

"Don't take the very literal derogatory/negative connotation, but the more overarching "plucked", "raised", suddenly engaged. How could you annoy my curiosity?

"Attachment Unavailable
This attachment may have been removed or the person who shared it may not have permission to share it with you."

There is no image (at least, I cannot see it), therefore, I am suddenly curious and anxious to see whatever it was that should have posted ~ "

Another member of the group wrote (more than five hours later) that they also could not see the image, and that they were curious.  So, instead of rectifying the problem, this person overreacts to the point of extreme silliness and leaves the group.  Not being happy with this outcome, I wrote a fairly quick note saying:

"I am sorry if you were offended at my comment, which was meant as an explanation as to how I meant the word and not your inference. 

It's also unfortunate that the misunderstanding of my question (as to where/what your photo was) turned into such a major issue instead of resolution - resulting in you deciding to withdraw from FMQ. Totally unnecessary. 

A few of us were hoping to see your post...an accomplishment, perhaps? Sad to see now we'll never know. 

Best wishes for your FMQ future ~ "

Mind you, only a few weeks earlier we had had an exchange regarding one of her quilt photos I used as a banner image for the group...and everything was fine.  I suppose it was because I used words smaller than two syllables for the most part in our quick exchange (yes, I am feeling a little snarky).  Yet here, in their final response to my completely unnecessary - but sincere - apology, is a rather terse (and somewhat ignorant), and rather disjointed set of non-reasons: 

"What was unfortunate and unnecessary is the use of such a complex word to make such a simple statement. My husband was looking over my shoulder as I read your response and he too did not understand why you chose that word. The words even related to that word are most all questionable. Simply ask where picture was taken or when. Not necessary to risk using a word through a written text that may be interpreted at its original meaning. When that is possible use alternate word that will bring a smile. I enjoyed my time on FMQ. Life is just to short to take a fun picture and complicate it with words most often not used. I had posted the picture of the camping quilt here in this picture a couple days prior. I just enjoy simple time. Simple life. Simple words. No need to spruce it up with complex choices. We dont use that word very often here in Texas. Take Care. God Bless and Best wishes for FMQ."

Seriously?  You added another ignorant person to your hissy-fit-athon, and between the two of you, you still  couldn't see the overreaction factor?  I am not feeling tremendously optimistic about the educational system there in your neck 'o' da' woods, or about the future of reading and comprehension.  To say nothing of the ability to follow a 'bread crumb trail' that totally spells out the misunderstanding of a word with dual meaning(s) - and points you directly at the correct meaning.

And yes, let me not obfuscate, I did (and do) use punctuation and paragraphs - even in Fb!  All text was copied directly from the source (for both parties) and NO instances of substitution or corrections or screwing up (used for you simple Texificans) were applied to this.

You have piqued my curiosity - are all Texicarians so simple and rude, and bullheaded and uncomprehending?  

Time for me to move to Canada - or the UK - where they like words.

Wow and huh

Just over 20,000 page views for 1,300 posts. Not too shabby.

Thank you, friends, strangers, occasional readers, and spammers.

Been gone, but don't suppose ya noticed

I have been a little preoccupied and a little 'could-give-a-sh*t' over the last week or so. It's been a rough summer emotionally - and an eye-opener in so many ways - that sitting down at the keyboard to write seemed pointless.

No one is going to read [whatever], and the even more distressing and disappointing thought is that most readers would simply skim and absorb next to nothing of what I had to say (as apparently they [YOU] have been), and then never comment. So, I resorted to making very trite entries over the last few months.

My friends do occassionally comment (and I thank you most sincerely, you lovely people - all two of you), but by and large, I am disheartened by the readership numbers versus the commentors. I can safely say 98.9% of the comments are nothing but SPAM, and it makes the disappointment that much more palpable day after day.

I don't require the attention to survive, but if I am being honest with myself, I guess I am blown away by the fact that others blog and garner craploads of comments for seemingly no good reason. Quilt bloggers I have seen have many followers, and every entry receives some sort of feedback. What I don't understand is why I don't get anything by way of feedback; no greetings, compliments, criticisms, suggestions, questions, etc. You get the idea.

I get SPAM for the most part. And not even RELEVANT SPAM. It lacks intelligence; it insults my intelligence, and; it wastes my time.

It has also made me curmudgeonly and bitter, and you 98.9% people aren't worth it any more. You will not be allowed to drill in on my psyche and my self worth any more, so don't be surprised if you decide to look in on the blog one day and find you have no access. If you don't care enough to make an effort (even a little bit of one) why the hell should I?

That's right.....YOU SUCK! - you 98.9%. So put that in your bag of thoughtlessness and carry it around for a while. And while you're at it....bite me! If your readership is lost over this entry, as you can plainly tell, it wouldn't matter in the least. What difference would it make at this point?

Let's see if you respond to this. I am betting there won't be anything of value, one way or the other, left in the comments any time in the next month. If this is so, then you will have more time on your internet-trolling calendar very soon.

Congratulations.

For you relatives who drop in occasionally

My mom asked me to write a handful of folks (relatives) to let them know how she was doing, and to also inform them that she would be offline and fairly unreachable by phone for a bit.

So I did this.

I was to let them know she wouldn't be jumping to her feet to answer the phone, and that sitting at her PC to correspond would be next to impossible for her (for the foreseeable future). I was to let them know this so they wouldn't be worried or offended or upset should they not receive responses from her in a timely fashion.

Well, I did it in my way, BCC-ing those on the list. It's just what I do (a holdover from my corporate days), and apparently some peoples took this as a personally pointed message - an affront, if you will. Their panties are in a bunch and mom is probably on a couple of poop lists because of it.

Well...I'm sorry!

If you're ticked off, if you're a little honking mad at my messages, well...then blame me, and leave mom out of your nasty little blah, blah, wah, wah sessions. Do what one person did and respond with a nastygram to me. I can handle it, and it's totally my issue anyhow.

But g e e z, try a little understanding and stop taking everything so personally maybe, will ya? The world doesn't revolve around you, because it's too busy in my orbit. [schmarmy sarcasm intended]

People. Go figure.

Somewhere over the last 48 hours I received a comment on the ol' blog (which wasn't your ordinary, everyday SPAM, and which I haven't approved), and it had nothing to do with the posting 'commented' on. 

Nothing to do with me. 

No questions; no suggestions (terse or otherwise) regarding a previous issue I may have posted; no "how-do-you-do" or similar pleasantries. 

Just an invitation.  Yes, I am aware Stevie Nicks said: "Just an invitation would have been just fine," but in this case....it wasn't.

Woo me!  Yes, I used the word "woo."

- - - - Sorry, I seem to have wandered off topic.

Wait, I think I may have misspoken, too.  In fact, this annoying 'comment' was a suggestion - after a fashion.

The non-comment comment said simply: "you are invited to follow my blog" (Yes, I included the punctuation he used.)

Well, I am pretty certain if I wanted to follow a blog I wouldn't have to wait for an invitation.  Most folks would be happy to have others flock to their blog and click on the old "follow" button without having to ask.  But to troll the blogways and willy-nilly tell people "you are invited to follow my blog" without the thoughtfulness of the act of reciprocity, well.....[sputtering and harrumphing]. 

Where's the rationale'?  Where's the touch of friendliness....the human interaction of the suggested transaction?

See, here's the thing -
 If you are already counting several hundred (or thousand) people who 'follow' your blog, and you are inviting someone else to join in, try an email invitation as opposed to a fake comment.  Start a 'conversation' instead of employing the Jehovah's witness tactics and methodology, Steve, and allow those new acquaintances to make their own decisions based on other factors over the course of a few emails. 

Personally, I tend to respond better to a straightforward and honest approach. 

Of course, if you tip-toe and pussyfoot around a subject I tend to 'get' that sort of thing too, but I prefer to get to know someone using a variety of information, and I make my decisions based on a lot of external data.  I shy away from overt BS and those using overt BS.  I make exceptions for friends because, by the time they are friends, you have come to know and understand all of the cues and subtleties (and not-so subtleties) of the friendship dynamic.

By the way, when your reply to my "no thank you" response to your (initial) 'comment' arrived from an alter-email-ego named "Steve Player".....I thought to myself, "case closed!"

Steve PLAYER.  Such an anything-but-Christian nom de plume.

Yes, by all means, share the word of God, but try introducing yourself in a different way.  Hammers and caveman clubs don't get it for me.  Maybe it works on those more simpleminded or less cynical.

"Too"

Too warm too early in the day.
Too humid, which means it's -
Too muggy.  Ugh, uck, eh-ehhhhewww.
Too tired of sitting in this chair...already.
Too-oh-tally going to find something else to do for a bit.
[ ^ too bad if you didn't like the liberties I took with that last one]


;)

Well, maybe if you'd SAY something

"something"




:vP