No new drama to report - so sorry for the lack of juicy details.
I hope to be drama free for the remainder of 2008. :)
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Crying on birthdays
My dad turns 60 on Valentine's day. His wife, Martha, has decided to throw him a surprise birthday party in Eugene. She called and left me a message about it this past weekend. Bubba was with me when I received the call, "what the hell does she want?"
Now, I'm sure you're wondering about the back ground. Here's the short sweet answer - there's a huge rift between Bubba and my dad and Martha. Basically both think their relationships with me are inadequate, therefore sticking me in the middle and making me choose -husband or dad? Lame, huh. Anyways, guess who I choose? Hubby.
That was the condensed version. And it all plays into the current drama. Martha expects "the daughters" to whisk down to Oregon for the day, which unfortunately happens to be V-day as well, and spend it with them because my dad is sentimental. Um, not to be selfish, but when's the last time my dad spent a birthday with me? I can't recall a single one in my twenties, let alone very few teenage years. Not to mention all of the contact we have. It makes perfect sense - he sends me all of his email forwards of Republican jokes and I hop right on a plan when his wife beckons. Wow - that sounds harsh, but it's really quite upsetting.
Martha even went as far as to contact my mom. Can you say shit is the fan and drama is getting out of control?!? Martha definitely has the ability to put all sorts of feeling in a blender, pulse them a few beats and then turn it on high and leave it going, pureeing your heart and soul to a bloody pulp.
I feel bad - in a way, which I'm pretty sure was her intention with leaving me several voice mails. But more notice maybe might have worked - and possibly not having the celebration midweek when it's a 10 hour drive? I would drive across the planet for my mom - but when your father is alienated and distant, and hates your hubby... well, I know, I'm not being a selfless daughter.
I'm 100% positive more drama will follow - stay tuned....
Now, I'm sure you're wondering about the back ground. Here's the short sweet answer - there's a huge rift between Bubba and my dad and Martha. Basically both think their relationships with me are inadequate, therefore sticking me in the middle and making me choose -husband or dad? Lame, huh. Anyways, guess who I choose? Hubby.
That was the condensed version. And it all plays into the current drama. Martha expects "the daughters" to whisk down to Oregon for the day, which unfortunately happens to be V-day as well, and spend it with them because my dad is sentimental. Um, not to be selfish, but when's the last time my dad spent a birthday with me? I can't recall a single one in my twenties, let alone very few teenage years. Not to mention all of the contact we have. It makes perfect sense - he sends me all of his email forwards of Republican jokes and I hop right on a plan when his wife beckons. Wow - that sounds harsh, but it's really quite upsetting.
Martha even went as far as to contact my mom. Can you say shit is the fan and drama is getting out of control?!? Martha definitely has the ability to put all sorts of feeling in a blender, pulse them a few beats and then turn it on high and leave it going, pureeing your heart and soul to a bloody pulp.
I feel bad - in a way, which I'm pretty sure was her intention with leaving me several voice mails. But more notice maybe might have worked - and possibly not having the celebration midweek when it's a 10 hour drive? I would drive across the planet for my mom - but when your father is alienated and distant, and hates your hubby... well, I know, I'm not being a selfless daughter.
I'm 100% positive more drama will follow - stay tuned....
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Just had a scare
Thought someone might have identified me through another link somewhere else - and I erased a post just in case it led back to me. You can never be too careful.
"Don't mettle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Pretty much sums that one up.
Am I a spineless wonder or am I just trying to tone down the drama in my life? I'm toning baby, boy am I toning. It's too small a world not to.
"Don't mettle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup."
Pretty much sums that one up.
Am I a spineless wonder or am I just trying to tone down the drama in my life? I'm toning baby, boy am I toning. It's too small a world not to.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Bunny Boiler
Riding on a local race circuit is fun. It is FUN. I repeat. It Is FUN!
It should be nothing more. What is wrong with people??
(Names of people, companies, stores changed to protect the – innocent and stupid.)
Recently I quit the Generic Corporation cycling team to race with another more competitive team next year.
It did NOT go over well with the "team captain" who I also thought was my friend. She took It personally, made It all about her and how I had betrayed our friendship. All because I wanted to race on another team.
This Isn't the Olympics, right?
Anyway, below is a brief account of what just went down:
Barbie asks If I'm available for "coffee" yesterday and I say of course. I meet w/ her late in the afternoon which Immediately Is suspect but I give her the benefit of the doubt. So we sit down and she says, the reason I wanted to meet with you is two-fold. One aspect is from a friendship perspective and the other is from a team captain perspective.
She said, I've had time to think about everything (And I'm thinking oh, good. She's come to her senses) and I really feel betrayed by you. You betrayed me. Because you were my friend you got things on the team that others did not. (This is absolutely FALSE! But even if it wasn’t, what type of friend keeps tabs on things they do for their friends??) Couching an insult, she goes on to say, I understand not everyone is meant to be a leader. Not everyone knows how to set an example. (Not sure what therapist told her to say that. But I was seriously trying not to laugh.)
This whole round of conversation is really just a repeat of a previous conversation, where I get called names and she climbs up higher on her pedestal of quicksand – so I am extremely uninterested.
I think that about sums it up - there was more said but that’s the gist of it. I don't say a word and she hates it. So she says is there anything you want to say? I said, no not really. Nothing for me has changed. I am still operating from the same place I was when we talked last - a place of distinct separation of friendship and team stuff. We were friends. I thought you were funny and enjoyed hanging out with you. We don't do that now. That is your choice.
She was not pleased with my response - not sure what she was expecting.
Then she moves on to the second phase of the conversation (which was really the ONLY reason she wanted to meet with me.) She slides some photocopied thing across the table - something written up in some two-bit Generic Corporation newspaper or something and says, have you ever read this?
I read it and it says something about Generic Corporation employees can't sell Generic Corporation stuff for profit, etc. I was unimpressed and slid the paper back and said so?
She explodes with; you've NEVER read this before????!! Like it’s some kind of manifest that all employees have read and hold sacred - kind of like, thou shalt not kill. Whatever.
Then she goes on to say, it has come to my attention that a Generic Corporation kit was for sale at Sporting Good Store. I said, yep, I went and sold my old kit a couple weeks ago. Just like I did LAST year and It wasn't a problem! She goes on to say, I called the store and they described you perfectly. To which I say, so what? I just told you I sold it. What's your point?
She says, It Is ILLEGAL for you to sell that kit. WHY did you sell it? And I said, the same reason everyone else does - because kits are expensive and I use the money to go toward another kit. At this point she is quaking and she went on and on about how wrong it was etc. Basically she made me out to be some kind of criminal who knowingly sold stolen goods to Sporting Good Store.
I just looked at her blankly and said, what do you want me to do about it Barbie? And her response was, I want you to go to the store and buy it back. I looked her dead in the eye and said, no, I'm not doing that.
Ok. Then her head really does explode and she is shaking. I said, did I or anyone else on this team sign something that said we wouldn't re-sell these kits? I don't think so. I'm not going to buy it back. She said, well then you are going to have to talk to Asset Management and believe me, you DON'T want to do that.
At this point I'm thinking, you know what, you just backed the wrong person into a corner and also, I think you're bluffing. I'm calling your bluff. And I said, oh really? Who do I need to call? She says, oh they will call YOU. And you and your manager will have to meet with them. And this has nothing to do with your manager does it? I said, no, it doesn't. Who do I meet with?
To which she responds, look, I am trying to give you the nice girl way out. I will give you some time to think It over. You really don't want to go down this road. You have put me in a very, very bad position and I do NOT appreciate it.
I said, well Barbie, you see, I am taking you out of that position. I will handle this myself. Who do I call? She forks over the name. And before I leave I say, you know Barbie, it's very interesting how you tend to make everything about YOU. When I quit the team it was all about YOU. And now this kit thing is all about YOU.
I left the conference room and promptly called the Asset Manager contact - left him voicemail and went home. Then I rang a coworker who knew all about it and went and drank Guinness!!!
The next morning I called the Asset Management guy again and he was friendly as could be and said come on down. Here is the result of that:
Before I even began explaining the situation he said, let me just tell you there is no need for anxiety.
So I gave him the facts and he said there are NO legal parameters around this kind of thing - that I broke no laws and did nothing wrong. He said, you paid $500 for a kit and got $90 back when you re-sold it and that explains intent as well.
He then went on to say that after speaking with Barbie it seemed that she has an emotional attachment to this thing and so I enlightened him by saying yes she does and the reason is because I quit the team this year. Well, I could virtually hear all his cogs clicking into place and then he said, oh, I understand now.
Also he went on to say that Barbie said she feels HURT seeing the Generic Corporation logo being sold in a USED clothing store. Holy crap!! HAVE SOME MORE KOOL-AID, BARBIE! -- And oh by the way, nice way to lay it on thick. Unfortunately it didn't work - now the guy just thinks you're crazy.
He let me know that when he received my voicemail he promptly called Barbie and let her know that he and I would be taking care of this. There was no need for any further involvement on her part.
Anyway, he was a really nice guy - rides bikes a little - showed me a map of where he rode in France, etc.
END of STORY.
Seriously, WTF??
What a bunny boiler.
It should be nothing more. What is wrong with people??
(Names of people, companies, stores changed to protect the – innocent and stupid.)
Recently I quit the Generic Corporation cycling team to race with another more competitive team next year.
It did NOT go over well with the "team captain" who I also thought was my friend. She took It personally, made It all about her and how I had betrayed our friendship. All because I wanted to race on another team.
This Isn't the Olympics, right?
Anyway, below is a brief account of what just went down:
Barbie asks If I'm available for "coffee" yesterday and I say of course. I meet w/ her late in the afternoon which Immediately Is suspect but I give her the benefit of the doubt. So we sit down and she says, the reason I wanted to meet with you is two-fold. One aspect is from a friendship perspective and the other is from a team captain perspective.
She said, I've had time to think about everything (And I'm thinking oh, good. She's come to her senses) and I really feel betrayed by you. You betrayed me. Because you were my friend you got things on the team that others did not. (This is absolutely FALSE! But even if it wasn’t, what type of friend keeps tabs on things they do for their friends??) Couching an insult, she goes on to say, I understand not everyone is meant to be a leader. Not everyone knows how to set an example. (Not sure what therapist told her to say that. But I was seriously trying not to laugh.)
This whole round of conversation is really just a repeat of a previous conversation, where I get called names and she climbs up higher on her pedestal of quicksand – so I am extremely uninterested.
I think that about sums it up - there was more said but that’s the gist of it. I don't say a word and she hates it. So she says is there anything you want to say? I said, no not really. Nothing for me has changed. I am still operating from the same place I was when we talked last - a place of distinct separation of friendship and team stuff. We were friends. I thought you were funny and enjoyed hanging out with you. We don't do that now. That is your choice.
She was not pleased with my response - not sure what she was expecting.
Then she moves on to the second phase of the conversation (which was really the ONLY reason she wanted to meet with me.) She slides some photocopied thing across the table - something written up in some two-bit Generic Corporation newspaper or something and says, have you ever read this?
I read it and it says something about Generic Corporation employees can't sell Generic Corporation stuff for profit, etc. I was unimpressed and slid the paper back and said so?
She explodes with; you've NEVER read this before????!! Like it’s some kind of manifest that all employees have read and hold sacred - kind of like, thou shalt not kill. Whatever.
Then she goes on to say, it has come to my attention that a Generic Corporation kit was for sale at Sporting Good Store. I said, yep, I went and sold my old kit a couple weeks ago. Just like I did LAST year and It wasn't a problem! She goes on to say, I called the store and they described you perfectly. To which I say, so what? I just told you I sold it. What's your point?
She says, It Is ILLEGAL for you to sell that kit. WHY did you sell it? And I said, the same reason everyone else does - because kits are expensive and I use the money to go toward another kit. At this point she is quaking and she went on and on about how wrong it was etc. Basically she made me out to be some kind of criminal who knowingly sold stolen goods to Sporting Good Store.
I just looked at her blankly and said, what do you want me to do about it Barbie? And her response was, I want you to go to the store and buy it back. I looked her dead in the eye and said, no, I'm not doing that.
Ok. Then her head really does explode and she is shaking. I said, did I or anyone else on this team sign something that said we wouldn't re-sell these kits? I don't think so. I'm not going to buy it back. She said, well then you are going to have to talk to Asset Management and believe me, you DON'T want to do that.
At this point I'm thinking, you know what, you just backed the wrong person into a corner and also, I think you're bluffing. I'm calling your bluff. And I said, oh really? Who do I need to call? She says, oh they will call YOU. And you and your manager will have to meet with them. And this has nothing to do with your manager does it? I said, no, it doesn't. Who do I meet with?
To which she responds, look, I am trying to give you the nice girl way out. I will give you some time to think It over. You really don't want to go down this road. You have put me in a very, very bad position and I do NOT appreciate it.
I said, well Barbie, you see, I am taking you out of that position. I will handle this myself. Who do I call? She forks over the name. And before I leave I say, you know Barbie, it's very interesting how you tend to make everything about YOU. When I quit the team it was all about YOU. And now this kit thing is all about YOU.
I left the conference room and promptly called the Asset Manager contact - left him voicemail and went home. Then I rang a coworker who knew all about it and went and drank Guinness!!!
The next morning I called the Asset Management guy again and he was friendly as could be and said come on down. Here is the result of that:
Before I even began explaining the situation he said, let me just tell you there is no need for anxiety.
So I gave him the facts and he said there are NO legal parameters around this kind of thing - that I broke no laws and did nothing wrong. He said, you paid $500 for a kit and got $90 back when you re-sold it and that explains intent as well.
He then went on to say that after speaking with Barbie it seemed that she has an emotional attachment to this thing and so I enlightened him by saying yes she does and the reason is because I quit the team this year. Well, I could virtually hear all his cogs clicking into place and then he said, oh, I understand now.
Also he went on to say that Barbie said she feels HURT seeing the Generic Corporation logo being sold in a USED clothing store. Holy crap!! HAVE SOME MORE KOOL-AID, BARBIE! -- And oh by the way, nice way to lay it on thick. Unfortunately it didn't work - now the guy just thinks you're crazy.
He let me know that when he received my voicemail he promptly called Barbie and let her know that he and I would be taking care of this. There was no need for any further involvement on her part.
Anyway, he was a really nice guy - rides bikes a little - showed me a map of where he rode in France, etc.
END of STORY.
Seriously, WTF??
What a bunny boiler.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
WTF?
I just visited an old forum haunt I used to frequent when I first started pedaling. It was fun - a lot of the women who contribute are new to two wheeled adventures - some are very experienced, but not many are racers and like to beat their bodies up. Those who do seem to rise to an awe-inspiring level and are given lots of encouragement by other posters to share their stories and knowledge. It's a great thing for cyber space but at the same time, where's the reality in the situation?
It reminds me of Kip from Napoleon Dynamite. "You're just mad because I've been chatting with babes all day!"
Good for the people who have some how managed to find a way to bridge their social woes and can find other people to chat with. But in all reality - are they really serious and can you really find peace and harmony over the web?
Take E. for instance. She started racing a year after I did and subscribed to the same forum. Suddenly she was thrust to the top of the cyber-space ladder and is a guru on all things related to bikes. I found her submitting comments to my light hearted stories about her experiences and how Shimano Ultegra brake levers and shifters help to have lube applied, etc. etc. Ok, well maybe she finds it worthwhile to submit this type of information, but seriously! Who gives a shit?
Ok, that sounded a little harsh, I'll admit. Good for E. for finding a way to connect to the world. Out of curiosity I visited the forum today and queried her posts. She's a frequent flier with over 1,800 posts to date. Um... NERD!
Maybe I'm missing the boat on this...
It reminds me of Kip from Napoleon Dynamite. "You're just mad because I've been chatting with babes all day!"
Good for the people who have some how managed to find a way to bridge their social woes and can find other people to chat with. But in all reality - are they really serious and can you really find peace and harmony over the web?
Take E. for instance. She started racing a year after I did and subscribed to the same forum. Suddenly she was thrust to the top of the cyber-space ladder and is a guru on all things related to bikes. I found her submitting comments to my light hearted stories about her experiences and how Shimano Ultegra brake levers and shifters help to have lube applied, etc. etc. Ok, well maybe she finds it worthwhile to submit this type of information, but seriously! Who gives a shit?
Ok, that sounded a little harsh, I'll admit. Good for E. for finding a way to connect to the world. Out of curiosity I visited the forum today and queried her posts. She's a frequent flier with over 1,800 posts to date. Um... NERD!
Maybe I'm missing the boat on this...
Thursday, October 25, 2007
One way street.
My little sister is 6 years my junior and the baby of the family. As a result she has been taken care of her whole life and hasn't had to deal with some of the trivial things the rest of the world deals with. She's nearing 24 years old and still lives with my mom, going back to school for her second art degree, and in constant search for a boyfriend. She's talented, beautiful, smart - yet can be entirely selfish.
Today is just a small example of this behavior. A little background - I've been trying to get her to do something - go to the gym, climbing, drive down to Oregon to visit family, etc - and she's bailed on me each and every time. Yesterday I noticed she was wearing a nice pair of slacks - and I looked this morning for another pair I had that were identical to hers. Then I asked her about them earlier today and she said they're hers, but funny they were super long on her and were dragging on the ground more than before. I thought maybe those are mine - mixed up in the laundry from when our basement flooded and we used my mom's laundry for a week or so. She said she might find time to check later.
Then she came in and asked me what I was doing later today. Thinking she might ask me to go to the gym or something - I got my hopes up. But no, she wants me to install her fenders and tune up her bike. I told her I'd do it if she brings my pants back. Then she stormed off in a huff. "Geez!" I can't believe, like, someone would, like, make me do something for them when I just, like, asked them to do something for me! This is a one way street!
I love my sister but she can be self centered at times and likes to push people away. It's not fun to be around someone like that so when they start asking for favors without reciprocating .... I mean, I know she's my sister and all... but something has got to give every now and then.
Today is just a small example of this behavior. A little background - I've been trying to get her to do something - go to the gym, climbing, drive down to Oregon to visit family, etc - and she's bailed on me each and every time. Yesterday I noticed she was wearing a nice pair of slacks - and I looked this morning for another pair I had that were identical to hers. Then I asked her about them earlier today and she said they're hers, but funny they were super long on her and were dragging on the ground more than before. I thought maybe those are mine - mixed up in the laundry from when our basement flooded and we used my mom's laundry for a week or so. She said she might find time to check later.
Then she came in and asked me what I was doing later today. Thinking she might ask me to go to the gym or something - I got my hopes up. But no, she wants me to install her fenders and tune up her bike. I told her I'd do it if she brings my pants back. Then she stormed off in a huff. "Geez!" I can't believe, like, someone would, like, make me do something for them when I just, like, asked them to do something for me! This is a one way street!
I love my sister but she can be self centered at times and likes to push people away. It's not fun to be around someone like that so when they start asking for favors without reciprocating .... I mean, I know she's my sister and all... but something has got to give every now and then.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Caution: the following story is not fictional!
I met Angela three years ago during my first year of cycling. She was helping the leader, Joyce, develop a women's cycling team. She was very inspiring - especially to someone like me, who was super eager to learn everything and anything about the sport. Angela had gotten into the sport later in life, similar to me, and had run with it from the gun. Three years later she was on a pro cycling team and attending NRC events. I thought she was amazing.
Well as it turns out, over the next three years of my cycling adventure, I would find out more than I wanted to know about Angela. At first I didn't see that she would use people to better herself in any way she could - I thought she was genuine and was in it for the affect you can have on new comers. But then as time passed, and the rumor mill of the peloton grew, so did Angela's reputation. I got straight up first degree burns from this a couple of times - as did other people who fell into her spider web of me, me, me talk.
The reason I bring this up - out of the blue she contacted me yesterday. She keeps a blog as well and I regularly check it to see what she's up to lately. As far as I knew she was gone to Europe and was going to be there a while. Funny, I received an email from her. Here's what it said:
What's up? How are ya? Jeremy said he saw you last friday. Were you racing? How is it going? Are you racing this week?
I have a huge favor, if you have time. I am wondering if you would be able to help me w/ timing. I am doing a 3k effort on Wed and need lap times. I'd like to do it before everyone shows up for racing.
I'd be happy to burn some of those WC Cds in retrun for this great favor!!! And, I'd be happy to return the favor any time.
Well, let me know what you think, I hope it's not asking too much.
Later Tater
Innocent enough - but I did not fail victim to her prey. Simply put, I'm busy today and don't want to make an unnecessary trip to the track. Sorry Charley, but it's time you found another sucker.
Well as it turns out, over the next three years of my cycling adventure, I would find out more than I wanted to know about Angela. At first I didn't see that she would use people to better herself in any way she could - I thought she was genuine and was in it for the affect you can have on new comers. But then as time passed, and the rumor mill of the peloton grew, so did Angela's reputation. I got straight up first degree burns from this a couple of times - as did other people who fell into her spider web of me, me, me talk.
The reason I bring this up - out of the blue she contacted me yesterday. She keeps a blog as well and I regularly check it to see what she's up to lately. As far as I knew she was gone to Europe and was going to be there a while. Funny, I received an email from her. Here's what it said:
What's up? How are ya? Jeremy said he saw you last friday. Were you racing? How is it going? Are you racing this week?
I have a huge favor, if you have time. I am wondering if you would be able to help me w/ timing. I am doing a 3k effort on Wed and need lap times. I'd like to do it before everyone shows up for racing.
I'd be happy to burn some of those WC Cds in retrun for this great favor!!! And, I'd be happy to return the favor any time.
Well, let me know what you think, I hope it's not asking too much.
Later Tater
Innocent enough - but I did not fail victim to her prey. Simply put, I'm busy today and don't want to make an unnecessary trip to the track. Sorry Charley, but it's time you found another sucker.
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