And it just keeps getting weirder all the time

The furor over my misguided email has died down quite a bit, but the problem defined by it still exists, and slightly more exacerbated because of my email. I give a heavy sigh, shrug my shoulders a bit, and then move on. One of the nicer things about the whole incident is the demonstration of support by the rest of Board for me, and my leadership. It doesn't help that it has (potentially) cost us a good volunteer Treasurer.

Work today started off encouragingly enough, and then quickly started swirling around the bowl...

My first session was attended by one (1, un, uno) person. Although we had a good time, and he was suitably impressed by the efforts of the programming team, it is always disheartening when there is only one. As one of my co-workers pointed out, however, I am still getting paid, the company is still billing me out at the usual rate, and it is the client's loss, not ours. Still, self-esteem and all that...

I then tried to confirm my haircut this afternoon with my favourite stylist to discover that they somehow misplaced my appointment, and no, they just can't fit me in today; how 'bout tomorrow at the same time?

I was then made aware of an email (that I am refusing to open and read, for the moment) from a client who is apologizing for leaving us with the wrong impression. After a strategy session on Tuesday, we talked through what the potential role was for me/our company, and we came up blank... everything was basically handled, and being corralled by an 'a-type' lady, and quite competently. Now they are saying that the impression was a mistake, and that they require quite a bit of 'backfill' on an organizational-get-the-manuals-and-the-paperwork-done level. And I had taken the opportunity, based on the impression we were given, to fill my calendar with other outstanding client work.

And now I am sitting in the training room waiting for my next session attendees. They are, at this moment, 14 minutes late... all of 'em. Even the remote access/netmeeting registrants are not logging in. Now, to be entirely fair, there are only two of them scheduled for the afternoon, but nevertheless, that's still 100% no shows! Its at times like these that I despair of the client's ability to motivate their staff, or to at least 'market' the training I provide in a way that makes it as appealing and exciting as I work so hard to make it.

And another heavy sigh...

What a mess!

Well, have I ever made a mess!

Last evening, when I couldn't get my mind to close down enough to let me sleep, I fired up my laptop and built a rather nasty email... and while it calmed my mind enough for me to sleep, it also took enough of my focus that I a) didn't notice that the 'automatically connect' function on the wireless card automatically connected, and b) that I did not save it as a draft as intended, but rather fired it off into the void... where it has been richoceting all bloody day!

The sentiments in the email were correct, but the way I crafted it was inappropriate. It has resulted in the wrong person resigning from the Board... and its got me completely on the defensive.

Bloody hell!

Midsummer's plus six...

Now, before any of you bright bunnies out there examine this photo too closely and decide to take issue with it, let me just say that it was NOT taken at the soltice... in fact it was taken in September of 2005... but I was looking for an excuse to get a picture into the blog, and hey... midsummer's eve presented itself.

I must admit that I am not being as conscientious about posts to this blog as I had originally intended. Its sorta like starting an exercise program or a diet... you always have really good intentions, but, well, life gets in the way... you're too busy this week, or the day was really rough and you'd rather just flop and comfort yourself with something unhealthy but satisfying...

But we have decided to do a number of 'healthy' and satisfying things lately... such as purchasing a hot tub (what a brilliant investment!), restructuring our lingering debt (why did we wait so long?), consciously reducing the amount of time we watch tv (funny, but I don't really miss it much), and cutting loose a really annoying person who called herself a 'friend' (by far the most satisfying of the bunch).

Next on the agenda are any one of a number of things, not the least of which is to try to dedicate time to this blog...

...although I haven't really been paying much attention to the wider world of late. Focussing inward is important, as well as being aware of what damage the world is doing to itself. So, as part of the focusing inward, I think that I'm going to try to examine my "Short List" (see the previous post) one item at a time...

Enjoy the day...