I've had a lot of stress lately. I'm sure you have been watching the general economy - the falling indicators - the rising unemployment - etc. I'm sure it's giving us all stress. Yesterday the current state budget revenue forecast was released - and I'm sure you saw that we are down by about $1.3 billion - and it is going to get worse. I've managed an $80 million hole in my billion dollar budget since June of 2007 - and now with only about 6 months left in the period - I've got to try to squeeze out another $15 million in cuts between now and June 3oth. Add to that - huge cuts in the next budget building effort - nearing the 100s of millions possibly - and it creates a lot of stress. I have found myself lately secretly coveting the jobs of people working at Subway, or the gas station, or the guy who picks up our trash and recycle. At the end of the day I doubt he carries his work home with him. I suspect he isn't waking up in the middle of the night worried about a decision he made earlier that day. "Welcome to Walmart" has a really nice to ring to it.
Tonight I came home from a full day of awful meetings - and the house was full of teenagers - friends of Max getting ready for the Powder Tuff Volleyball game, our friend Suzi and her kids (since Ron is in Germany on business) and all our kids. Gina had made Cafe Rio Pork (great recipe) and everyone was finished. I was late - from the great day I had. The kitchen looked like it had suffered a terrorist attack - and all of them were walking out the door - to games, pack meeting, Enrichment night, etc. So after putting my cold plate together - and eating alone at the kitchen table - I tackled the kitchen cleanup. Now you are wondering what this has to do with stress right? Well - we have this cupboard that has all our Tupperware, and lots of other crap etc. in it. You have to bend over, find the container - and then search in vain for the right lid. All the while everything else is falling out of the cupboard - and you find out the container you used DOESN'T HAVE A LID ANYMORE! So there I was - pulling out with great force ALL OF THE TUPPERWARE - and THROWING IT ALL ON THE FLOOR - in a total Tupperware temper tantrum. And that is when I decided I probably have a little too much stress. I guess it is a good thing we don't have a dog.
Eventually, I gained control, reordered the Tupperware. And did the dishes. I actually enjoyed washing the dishes. In a job where much of what you do is esoteric and sitting in meetings - and trying to look like you know what your doing - there is something gratifying about just doing the dishes. It may be the only productive thing I've done today. And that probably includes writing this post.
9 comments:
I think the tupperware cupboard is an ideal place to take out stress. It *IS* a fairly durable product. Temper tantrums arent always cute or smart... but sometimes it does just make you feel better to kick something, especially if it doesn't break and you don't hurt yourself in the process.
Love to you!
Thankfully NO DOG, KIDS GONE,WHEW!!!!
Sorry to hear about the stress, its all over, everyone I know, is at least in the back of their mind, is worried. If not about their job, but how affected they are going to be, before this all shakes out. I get nervous at the end of each quarter, wondering if they are going to keep my service center open. It is what it is, just hanging on for the ride.
Sorry about the stress. At certain times in my career, I've envied waitresses who can leave work at the restaurant. As far as the Tupperware goes...it's got a lifetime guarantee. One of the better guarantees around at the moment.
Looking forward to seeing Moog tomorrow. Sorry Max3 had a birthday party. Would have been fun seeing y'all. xoxo
That's why I quit my job, I just haven't gotten around to getting the sandwich artist or pump jockey job yet. If all else fails, I can alway fall back on acting. If Ben Affleck can make it with how terrible he is, anyone can do it.
PUH-LEESE. Let's get real. You don't think those people at subway or the guy that pumps your gas doesn't have stress in his job? First of all, he's worried he's going to get to KEEP his job, how he's going to make ends meet on minimum wage, what happens if the kids get sick cuz there's no insurance, holidays coming up.
We are all quite well compensated for whatever stress we have in our jobx.
I agree we are all compensated. However, it would be nice to be stressed over something that only has to do with your family....rather than something that effects the lives of many others.... I am assuming that is what Max was referring to. I know that is what I was referring to. Having a 9-5 job is a different kind of stress than working the 14-16 hour days I sometimes do with parent conferences, correcting papers, school meetings--pto,parent nights, school board meetings. Then there's the summer classes and time I spend in my classroom --basically giving my time to the district. It's different than leaving work at work.
I don't want to start a virtual arguement with you but I have to tell you how much i disagree with you. you are on salary and that's part of what you are paid for ... you tacitly agreed to work those hours and to do those things in order to become successful at what you do (and to make the money you do).
Those 9 to 5'ers (and did I detect a note of snobbery in your "tone" when you were talking about them?) are struggling just to survive .... and to have the things that you take for granted: money in the bank, a roof, health insurance, etc.
Remember when you were working at the potato factory? You weren't impacting anybody's life but your own and your family's then and I bet if you thought hard enough you'd remember just how stressful your life was.
All I'm saying is not to discount the greeter at Wal-Marts feelings, just because that's how they make their money.
I likewise don't want to continue a virtual argument...but I always wonder how one 'detects' tone in an email or a comment on a blog. (Something that I have discussed with others so it's interesting to have come up here.) I think the only tone one truly detects is projected by feelings inside the reader not necessarily the feelings or intent of the writer. Believe me when I say I take nothing for granted about my situation. I recognize the struggle to survive only too well without a hint of snobbery.
Sometimes, (it would appear) that arguments can start for different reasons. Could it be arguing for the just the sake of arguing? A misunderstanding? Or is it a difference of opinion? I for one have always thought that it is better to agree to disagree, than to ruffle feathers. As far as my job goes, I work hard to keep my business going, thus ensuring I have a good customer base, which translates to continued operation. However what I do, or do not do impacts only me. Any decisions I make will not impact countless others, and I am so glad I don't have to be in that position. Also, just because some one chooses to work for a salary rather than hourly wage, does not mean they tacitly agreed to work 60 to 80 hour weeks. Well that is 'nuff said.
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