It's Gonna Be One of Them Days

[teddy_radiator]

In light of all of the horrors we are seeing on the news in Japan, I hate to poor mouth, but if you could, send up a little thought and prayer today. It's gonna be hard, and tomorrow's gonna be worse. Sorry to be such a downer on a Friday, but I sure could use your good vibes today, my friends...

I had such a rotten St. Paddy's Day I'm almost tempted to swear off them. Lunchtime was so busy I couldn't catch my breath, causing me to make all sorts of mistakes which ticked off customers,  I screwed up our calendar, causing a double booking, which meant I had to cancel one, which meant I got literally cursed out over the phone, sent a nasty email telling me what a hideous person I am, and that they were going to personally see to it that I lost my business because of this SNAFU. It is an empty threat, but by the end of the day, I just wanted to crawl into a hole.

The Hubs, being British, insisted we go out to St. Paddy's, which meant that on top of everything else, I get to sit around sipping cokes while everyone else around me gets comfortably numb and I get to watch them.

Yes, I know I'm feeling sorry for myself, and I am. I'm just a little discouraged. Thanks as always for letting me rant. I hope it doesn't seem like everytime you hear from me I'm bitching about something. It sure feels like it to me right now

I know I have so much to be thankful for. I'm just feeling a little blue today. I'm begging in advance for forgiveness. I just don't want to face the world today.

Comments

[dickgloucester.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a bloody horrible day, hun, and you have every right to moan about it. I'm sorry work was chaotic, and that some customers were so ill-mannered towards you, and that you had to watch everyone else having a good time. No fun.

Now you have to think of something nice to do for yourself. *hugs*

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Yep, I'll do something, I'm sure. Thanks so much for the sympathetic ear.

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

One of the best ways to handle people's anger and criticism is to agree with them and expand upon it to a ridiculous extreme. If you are berating yourself worse than they are, it kind of deflates their sails and forces them into the position of defending you.

For instance:

Them: You ruined the day for me! I will see to it you lose your business!

You: You're absolutely right! I am detestable! I deserve to be homeless and penniless... my children destitute! I'm a horrible person! *added bonus if you can cry on cue!*

Them: Now... wait a minute.... It's just lunch, let's not get carried away here....

You: What can I ever do to make this right for you?

Them: Tell you what. How about a free lunch when we DO come in?

You: Done!

.......Aaaaand scene!

At least that's a possible scenario. Whenever you defend yourself, you force the other person to attack. When you attack yourself, it confuses them and their only option is to defend you.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

When I wrote back, I did humble myself to the extreme. I told her I was deeply ashamed of myself. We have never made a mistake like this in the almost 3 years we've been in business. I offered to take a huge discount off the entire meal, and I told them I totally understood why they would be furious with me. I was myself. I was very truthful and said it was a screw up on my part, and I had no excuse except that I was human and made mistakes. I didn't defend myself at all. I just stood there and let them beat me up. It meant they felt better, but it still bothers me I made such a big mistake.

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

We all make mistakes, Sweetie. That's why we're human instead of divine. (I myself am merely phenomenal). Mistakes are how we learn... and you know what? I'll bet you won't make THAT mistake again. Next time it will be an entirely new one! :D

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Phenomenal? That doesn't begin to cover it!

Yeah, I know. I hate making mistakes. I'm by no means a perfectionist, but I do hate screwing up so badly. This time Sunday, it will all be over, and I will be heading to the studio to finish recording, and that will hopefully be much more fun than tomorrow. I can console myself in knowing that this, too, shall pass.

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

Paul and I went out to dinner to celebrate my birthday last night, since he had off then and not today. One of the few fine dining restaurants is in a nearby college town. A college town. On St. Patrick's Day. Aaaaand... the bars had been open since 6am.

Now, we have been watching a series about zombies called The Walking Dead. The resemblance of the students to the zombies was uncanny! (Except for the rotting flesh!) The glazed expression. The shuffling, uncertain gait. The ichorous vomit. And they ALL were wearing green t-shirts. We were much amused, and spent the evening pretending to avoid the zombies. It was much more fun than joining them in a drinking binge, and I'll bet that today they WISH someone had beaten in their brains with a shovel.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

It was overall a very lackluster night - went to our local - crap band playing way too loud. Went to the Irish pub, full of oiks. In the end, I just pleaded to go home. Way too dull to stick around sober.

On a lighter note, the Hubs has purchased two bottles of wine, and is giving me that look, so I just might be up on the weekend! ;)

[condwiramurs.livejournal.com]

*hug*

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetie. It is much appreciated.

[morethansirius.livejournal.com]

What a thoroughly rotten day! Have a virtual eclair. You need it! No calories, no guilt.

I hate it when people go off the deep end when someone makes a simple mistake. You didn't plot out ways to ruin their occasion. If it had been me, I'd have been asking about alternate times and dates or if you could cater to a different location or something so you could still do my party, not screaming like a banshee and threatening you so you'd never want my business again. Sheesh!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Well, it happens, and I messed up. I told them I was totally in the wrong and that I'd offer them a discount to reschedule, but the damage was done.

Thank you for the eclair - I love them! And thanks for the support. It helps - believe me, it helps.

[droxy.livejournal.com]

Everybody fucks up. But on the bright side you were busy.

I didn't drink anything on st. paddy's except coffee, diet soda, and water.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Good thing, too. We were DEAD today. It was beautiful, everyone was hungover, and we didn't make enough to cover replacing the microwave that DIED today. Grrr...

[dharkapparition.livejournal.com]

I'm right there with you on the non drinking while watching others. Rant away dearie.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thanks, babe. This is the best place to find friends who support you. I really don't know what I'd do without y'all.

[tonksinger.livejournal.com]

*hugs* LJ is where people always listen, no matter how big or how small.

St. Paddy's day in Dublin involves me basically barricading myself in my apartment while I listen to the chaos outside. There's broken glass all over the sidewalks.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear. On the bright side, you could work on the next steamy chapter of Paradise Forsaken? hint, hint! Sorry, love, couldn't resist.

I'm bogged down on Chapter 17 of LML and if I don't write something soon, my DahlraMuse is going to start cutting me off.

[tonksinger.livejournal.com]

...

Will you hate me if I say that PF is written up to completionish in 16/17 chapters (which need editing) and the only thing keeping me from posting more regularly is business and laziness and a reluctance to deal with some reviewers (who are definitely not you!)?

*ducks*

And a hatred of coding all the bloody italics.

Maybe tomorrow. :) Or perhaps you'll get a smutty treat instead.

*feeds your muse*

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

You are a dear and I would never hate you. I totally understand. LML is kicking my butt. I know where I want it to go, but getting there..I understand about reviewers. I have one that's getting a little strange on me...just don't reply if your reviewers are getting weird...you have written a gem of a story - just focus on that and ignore the oddballs.

Smutty treats - numm numm numm...DahlraMuse is very happy and patting his tummy... Anything you write will be rich chocolate!!

[laurielover1912.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about your shit day. They happen to us all and it is good to rant. On the whole, the following day is normally an improvement. :-)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Two bottles of cheap wine in the fridge...I can see improvement on the horizon....

thanks hon, for supporting me. It's very much appreciated.

[shiv5468.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a bit of an overreaction on their part, really.

Shit happens. No one died.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Succinctly and deliciously put as always, oh, sage blonde one.

[shiv5468.livejournal.com]

It was something of a mantra amongst my colleagues when I worked at the Evil Empire on big deals for arseholes who shouted a lot.

Followed by, it's not my money ;-)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Well, unfortunately, I can't say that part - it is my money, and I've lost us tons for tomorrow, having to juggle and fix my screw up. But you live and learn..okay, so I live....

[justpinkpastel.livejournal.com]

Sounds horrible. I work in customer service and have to deal with these things all the time. I have developed some thick skin to these things, but sometimes there is a chink in the armour.

I think they need to get off their high horse and realize that everyone makes mistakes. Fortunately, your mistake wasn't a life or death one, so they need to let it go and not make such a big deal about it.

Just move on from it. It's a learning experience and you are only stronger for it. Eat some chocolate, have a few glasses of wine, imagine Severus naked, and forget about the entire incident.

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Sound advice, Pink. I think I'll go and put it into practice after my shower ;)

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Sempralove...

[sandlappershell.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you did everything you could AND more and things happen. Big, big hugs and vibes of serenity your way. Wow, that sorta sounded like those peple on the California psychic commercial...hehe Seriously though, don't beat yourself up about it anymore...you live and learn and become a better person for it!! Loves ya!

[teddyradiator.livejournal.com]

Well, I just console myself with 'this time tomorrow, it'll all be over'...

[majorjune.livejournal.com]

Sending good wishes/vibes/prayers your way...

The Hubs, being British, insisted we go out to St. Paddy's, which meant that on top of everything else, I get to sit around sipping cokes while everyone else around me gets comfortably numb and I get to watch them.

I have a mental block regarding the date of St. Patrick's Day...my brain has March 18th for some reason permanently embedded as the date instead of the 17th.

Early one March when I was in the midst of serious job-searching, I got a call from a headhunter in midtown Manhattan to set up an interview for a job that fit my skills. I looked at my calendar, and suggested the afternoon of the 17th as a good time.

Now you would have thought the headhunter, having his office right across the street from Grand Central Station, would have said something about the date, but he didn't. Maybe he thought I wanted to attend the parade.

I didn't. I'd completely forgotten that not only was the 17th the correct date of St. Patrick's Day, I'd completely forgotten about the large parade that is held in midtown Manhattan that day.

I've done the New-Years-Eve-At-Times-Square thing in the past...twice, in fact. Loads of fun. I'd recommend it to anyone.

I would not recommend NYC's St. Pat's parade to anyone, unless you are a hardcore alcoholic. Even if I didn't have anything else to do that day, I would not have found having to negotiate my way amongst gangs of drunk guys, and having flying bottles miss me by inches while one of NYC's finest stood right next to me and ignored it, enjoyable.

And it's the worst sort of hell when you're trying to get to an invterview on time, and you're dressed in your best business suit and high heels, and no taxis are running because of course the place you're going to for the interview is right on the parade route, so that means you have to walk 20-something city blocks in high heels and 20-something blocks back, and you end up with both feet covered in blisters the size of golf balls...

My father's mother was Orange Irish, and my mother's Dutch relatives, Catholics, to this day will not wear orange because of the religious connotations, so I grew up not being particularly thrilled with St. Pat's day to begin with, because unless you wore a neutral color you were going to piss off some member of the family...

So I usually wear beige, or purple, or black; if someone offers me a green bagel I'll gladly accept, but that's about it for me "celebrating" St. Pat's...