What’s on the iPod: Demons by Imagine Dragons
It’s Friday already? It’s been an intense week, not in terms of workload or clients, but in terms of how many strangely good and bad things have occurred/are occurring. I’d call this my Things That Make My Head Explode post, but there were too many really good things, and I don’t want to leave them out.
Let’s alternate:
The Bad: Entitled drivers. Tell me — did they change the rules of the road without advertising it? Since when is it A) perfectly acceptable for someone making a left into your own right turn to do so first and B) to give you hell for not knowing he was about to cut you off? And is anyone ever going to enforce that no-passing-on-the-shoulder rule? I nearly got creamed just by being patient and waiting behind a turning car. The moment I accelerated, there was another car whose driver hit that horn and shouted like hell. Last I looked, it wasn’t me doing the stupid shit, buddy.
The Good: Experts with no egos. My first botany walk I was nervous, but these people put me at ease quickly. And they cheered me on whenever I identified something. They made it easy for me to learn and to enjoy the experience.
The Bad: Insecure punks. When is it ever cool to taunt a cancer victim wearing a headscarf to cover her hair loss? Sadly, my cousin encountered some punk in Walmart who brought her to tears. He’s to be pitied because when Karma comes back around, his is going to be brutal.
The Good: A beautiful movie. It’s about acceptance and embracing the weirdness and flaws in all of us — The Perks of Being a Wallflower was a surprisingly fantastic movie, one that leaves you feeling happy as you leave the movie.
The Bad: Technology. Yesterday’s tax webinar would have been terrific if not for the technology glitches that started with the wrong dial-in numbers, completely altered interface that meant we couldn’t use our slide presentation, and a loud echo on the presenter’s side that had everyone hearing him twice, and not in a good way. Even with those glitches, it was a good webinar, but I’ll admit my focus was way off.
The Good: Community spirit. Today starts the two-day celebration around the annual Firebird Festival. The bird they’re burning this year, like many years, is a stunning piece of art (see the picture above). Tonight, a parade, and tomorrow the town celebrates with hot chocolate, music performances at many of the music venues (and outside, as well), and my favorite part — the funnel cake truck. I don’t often get one because they’re so bad for you, but just knowing you can get one in December is a treat.
The Bad: Clients and their legal counsel. If you’ve signed the contract and you don’t want to pay, hauling out your attorney isn’t going to get you out of that commitment. And for the measly amount you’re arguing about, you’re wasting six times that just to fight it. And you know who you are. How about paying for the work you’d asked for instead of waiting five months and then responding with attorneys?
The Good: Wonderful clients. It’s telling how wonderful some of them are when I’m willing to cut my fee and walk through fire for them because of how great they are to work with. One in particular is just a gem, and I thank my lucky stars she’s part of my orbit.
The Bad: Writers with bad intentions. I’ve come across two in my career who made it difficult to work. One did so by creating in-fighting among the writing community, and the other by stealing blog posts, reworking existing articles, trumping other writers’ efforts, and painting a jolly, sugar-wouldn’t-melt-in-my-mouth persona that’s all show. Even two bad apples can spoil it for the rest of us, yet cohesion in our community is so important. I’ve seen when things go sour publicly. No one wins.
The Good: Writer friends who make a difference. One walks for breast cancer awareness every year. Another creates a welcome community on her blog. Yet another promotes the hell out of his friends’ blogs and successes. Unselfish, good people (like you) are abundant in this community. I thank the heavens for them, and you, every day.
What are your bad and good this week?
Good: Fellow writers, family, and friends.
Bad: Students who think they shouldn't have to pay to take class, can be late on everything and unreliable, and that there are no consequences.
It's been a VERY intense two weeks for me, but there has definitely been some good.
Good: Appreciative client very graciously complements the long-term ghostwriting project I completed for him, and immediately requested proposal and contract for new project to start January.
Bad: Client who wants me to perform writing miracles without providing me the information I need (as we discussed and agreed on) to do my job.
Good: Awesome writer friends that allow me to vent and offer honest sincere, practical advice I need.
Hope you have a great weekend, Lori. 🙂
Good stuff.
Your cousin should take comfort knowing she has more strength that the silly little punk ever will. Probably more than he can even imagine. You so need to make her a pink sock monkey after the holidays!
Bad: A certain late payer who got his final notice today.
Good: Fun articles to work on.
Better: This great community of fellow writers.
Bad: New downspouts were poorly located (one was on the front facade, another near power lines, and the other two were tripping hazards, one of which emptied onto the driveway – imagine the ice!) and a feature window looked crappy after the siding went up.
Good: Dedicated contractor who got the gutter guys' boss out to re-do the downspouts, and rounded up his most experienced siding team to re-do the window properly. They spent about 4 hours on it today and will be back Monday to finish it off.
Bad: Sister's severe dizzy spells, especially knowing the particular type of cancer she had 13 years ago loves to spread to the brain.
Good: A full week of waiting for the results of several tests, yesterday she learned there were no signs of cancer or other serious issues. Uncovering which of two possibilities is causing the problems will take a little more testing, but both conditions are treatable.
Good: Writer buddies who understand when you haven't been around – even when they are saying nice things about you on their blog. 😉
Bad: Getting tired of vision problems while knowing it could be so much worse
Good: A sense of humor though all the echoing 🙂
Bad: Technology that ain't all it's cracked up to be
Prayers and good vibes for better vision, Cathy. One more hurdle you'll get over, I'm sure.
Oh, technology. Don't get me started! LOL