I usually check my e-mail first thing in the morning. Today, I opened my account to find a nasty little message from someone threatening me with legal action for posting some of their personal photos to my account.
First off, I have no idea who this person is, or to what account they are referring to. The missive notes a URL that takes me to a photo-sharing site called Picasa, but not to any alleged appropriated photos. I do not have an album with Picasa but some photos from my blog are listed there. Probably because of Blooger and Google having some connection.
The bottom line is - someone has just too much time on there hands. To expend the kind of energy, time and thought to such a silly game is beyond me.
Get your ass out of your chair, stop staring at the blinking icon and tear yourself away from the desk. Go out into the sun. It may do you some good. While your at it, get a life.
I don't respond well to threats.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Response or Reaction
No matter where I go - there I am. I didn't really understand what that sentence meant until today. Now I understand that my knee-jerk reactions - those unfortunate slips of the pen and tongue - are always just brewing beneath the surface.
Today was a perfect example. I made the mistake of thinking that all professionals act in a professional manner. Not so. Just because a person is proficient does not necessarily make them a professional. Nor does it mean that they act in a professional manner. Let me explain.
I was invited to the weekly luncheon of the Rotary Club to hear our district's House Representative speak. He opened the meeting in a light-hearted, upbeat manner, relating information about new budgets, the upcoming election and his ending tenure as House Representative. When the session was over, I asked a few questions about an issue not discussed.
A reporter from the other weekly newspaper in my town was standing by waiting to take photos. As I had not yet composed a shot, I allowed her to take the lead and pose her shot. Not wanting the same shot, I hung back. This is where the fun starts.
Not liking, nor wanting the posed shot - I waited until the representative had begun a conversation with another man and attempted to take that shot. It was a more natural shot and would have complemented a segment of his speech I found interesting. However, the reporter had other ideas.
She stood up and told me not to take the same shot as her. I raised my camera to take the shot as the men were starting to move - when she stood in front of my camera and told me not to shoot "her group."
Somehow I had missed the part where she got dibs on camera angles and the "group." And I guess she missed the Rotary four-way test that was above her head.
But who am I to judge?
Now this where reaction meets response. In another life, I probably would have snarled a "f%#* off" and pushed past her to get the shot - in turn making myself look as unprofessional as she did. Instead, I smiled, thanked her, turned around and walked away. You see, it was the response versus the reaction.
I no longer need to lower myself to the standards of those around me. Instead of reacting to the remarks or behaviors of another, I can respond - in a sane, mature fashion. In other words, I took the high road, though it may have cost me as I am still out a photo.
Yet, I have to look at my part. I could have tried to explain that I didn't want her shot, that I was just trying to get a shot - any shot. But in a cinderblock-walled room, there is limited opportunity for good shots. I could have tried to get another angle or wait for a few moments and approached the representative again. But, to be honest, I felt like I had been slapped. Quite frankly, it took me by surprise and I was knocked off my game. But that's OK - I only make mistakes once, now.
It's probably good that this was just a small gathering with an outgoing political figure. I can learn how to be prepared for this kind of thing - as I know it will happen again. Like when the G'ville Sun stole my eagle story. I had to learn that even an editor can stab you in the back, so it's best not to trust anyone too far.
But - and this is a big but - here in Small Town people tend to be a bit more polite and civil. They exhibit the true southern gentility the South is known for. And to treat others, especially someone who is a guest rudely is the height of bad taste. By not reacting to her ugly behavior, I forego the same anger, stress, hurt or fear that she obviously has to bear. I get to maintain the quality of my life, and for that I am truly grateful.
Perhaps I'll join the Rotary. Or maybe the Kiwanis - The Golden Rule might be easier to remember than a four-way test.
Peace, my friends.
Today was a perfect example. I made the mistake of thinking that all professionals act in a professional manner. Not so. Just because a person is proficient does not necessarily make them a professional. Nor does it mean that they act in a professional manner. Let me explain.
I was invited to the weekly luncheon of the Rotary Club to hear our district's House Representative speak. He opened the meeting in a light-hearted, upbeat manner, relating information about new budgets, the upcoming election and his ending tenure as House Representative. When the session was over, I asked a few questions about an issue not discussed.
A reporter from the other weekly newspaper in my town was standing by waiting to take photos. As I had not yet composed a shot, I allowed her to take the lead and pose her shot. Not wanting the same shot, I hung back. This is where the fun starts.
Not liking, nor wanting the posed shot - I waited until the representative had begun a conversation with another man and attempted to take that shot. It was a more natural shot and would have complemented a segment of his speech I found interesting. However, the reporter had other ideas.
She stood up and told me not to take the same shot as her. I raised my camera to take the shot as the men were starting to move - when she stood in front of my camera and told me not to shoot "her group."
Somehow I had missed the part where she got dibs on camera angles and the "group." And I guess she missed the Rotary four-way test that was above her head.
But who am I to judge?
Now this where reaction meets response. In another life, I probably would have snarled a "f%#* off" and pushed past her to get the shot - in turn making myself look as unprofessional as she did. Instead, I smiled, thanked her, turned around and walked away. You see, it was the response versus the reaction.
I no longer need to lower myself to the standards of those around me. Instead of reacting to the remarks or behaviors of another, I can respond - in a sane, mature fashion. In other words, I took the high road, though it may have cost me as I am still out a photo.
Yet, I have to look at my part. I could have tried to explain that I didn't want her shot, that I was just trying to get a shot - any shot. But in a cinderblock-walled room, there is limited opportunity for good shots. I could have tried to get another angle or wait for a few moments and approached the representative again. But, to be honest, I felt like I had been slapped. Quite frankly, it took me by surprise and I was knocked off my game. But that's OK - I only make mistakes once, now.
It's probably good that this was just a small gathering with an outgoing political figure. I can learn how to be prepared for this kind of thing - as I know it will happen again. Like when the G'ville Sun stole my eagle story. I had to learn that even an editor can stab you in the back, so it's best not to trust anyone too far.
But - and this is a big but - here in Small Town people tend to be a bit more polite and civil. They exhibit the true southern gentility the South is known for. And to treat others, especially someone who is a guest rudely is the height of bad taste. By not reacting to her ugly behavior, I forego the same anger, stress, hurt or fear that she obviously has to bear. I get to maintain the quality of my life, and for that I am truly grateful.
Perhaps I'll join the Rotary. Or maybe the Kiwanis - The Golden Rule might be easier to remember than a four-way test.
Peace, my friends.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Small Town Politics
Politics in a small town is no small matter. And in my small town, it's as serious as big bass in a deep hole.
In my state, unless the county is chartered, the primary elections for state and county office are closed. You can only vote during your party's primary. Fine, so long as each party has a primary election. But when it's a single-party ticket, the one primary becomes universal - meaning that anyone can vote. This was a Constitutional amendment that the people of Florida voted into place back in 1998. However, the lawmakers that drafted the amendment seem to have overlooked something (No! Say it isn't so...)
When there is a write-in candidate, the primary closes and, again, unaffiliated voters are disenfranchised. Loophole or honest oversight - you tell me.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Small Town had a single-party ticket with two evenly matched candidates. Because of state law, the primary became universal and all were set to vote. Then, not one but two write-in candidates threw their hats into the ring. And they are running for House Representative to boot. Not some city council seat or even county commissioners office. Noooooo! These two average Joe's have aspirations for Tallahassee. One couldn't decide if he wanted to run for the county commission seat or the House seat and had to ask one of the key members of the Republican party to download and complete the forms for him. Can you say M-A-N-I-P-U-L-A-T-I-O-N? I knew you could. It seems this was all discussed over the counter of the local gun & pawn shop. (OMG)
Here's the kicker. Because of the closed primary, 67 percent (more than 9,000 registered Democrat, Independent and NAP voters in my county alone) are locked out of the primary. Now I realize that this is only the primary - the general election is still open to all voters. But as I said, in Small Town, politics is taken very seriously. And there are quite a few people up in arms about this. But wait, there is a solution. And we like solutions. It stuffs the whiners nicely.
By changing parties, voters can cast their balloots in the closed primary (for whichever local candidate they chose) and then vote along their own party lines in the general election in November. I don't necessarily advocate changing parties, but sometimes you've got to work the system until the system is working. I am sure our astute lawmakers were thinking along these same lines back in '98 when they tried to fix (??) the system. More importantly, Florida voters need to push the new bunch in Tallahassee to correct this problem. The write-in loophole has to be closed - permanently.
OK, I had to get that out of my system. I'm writing a story that explains, in understandable terms, why such a large number of people can't vote in Small Town this August. I mean, the logic is there only to a certain point, then just kind of drops off. And I like the idea of presenting the solution to the problem. Not an original idea - just passing on the information. That's my job.
But all is well, and I am fortunate to be living in a place where people are so concerned. Voter turnout in my area is something like 89 percent. That's incredible, considering that areas I've lived in with millions of people only had something like 45 percent of voters going to the polls.
So I'll sleep safe tonight, knowing the Small Town folk are going to get a leg up on those who would skew the election. Damn those political hacks. They say change starts with one person. Who will it be? In the words of Edward R. Murrow, "Good night and good luck to you all."
In my state, unless the county is chartered, the primary elections for state and county office are closed. You can only vote during your party's primary. Fine, so long as each party has a primary election. But when it's a single-party ticket, the one primary becomes universal - meaning that anyone can vote. This was a Constitutional amendment that the people of Florida voted into place back in 1998. However, the lawmakers that drafted the amendment seem to have overlooked something (No! Say it isn't so...)
When there is a write-in candidate, the primary closes and, again, unaffiliated voters are disenfranchised. Loophole or honest oversight - you tell me.
Just a couple of weeks ago, Small Town had a single-party ticket with two evenly matched candidates. Because of state law, the primary became universal and all were set to vote. Then, not one but two write-in candidates threw their hats into the ring. And they are running for House Representative to boot. Not some city council seat or even county commissioners office. Noooooo! These two average Joe's have aspirations for Tallahassee. One couldn't decide if he wanted to run for the county commission seat or the House seat and had to ask one of the key members of the Republican party to download and complete the forms for him. Can you say M-A-N-I-P-U-L-A-T-I-O-N? I knew you could. It seems this was all discussed over the counter of the local gun & pawn shop. (OMG)
Here's the kicker. Because of the closed primary, 67 percent (more than 9,000 registered Democrat, Independent and NAP voters in my county alone) are locked out of the primary. Now I realize that this is only the primary - the general election is still open to all voters. But as I said, in Small Town, politics is taken very seriously. And there are quite a few people up in arms about this. But wait, there is a solution. And we like solutions. It stuffs the whiners nicely.
By changing parties, voters can cast their balloots in the closed primary (for whichever local candidate they chose) and then vote along their own party lines in the general election in November. I don't necessarily advocate changing parties, but sometimes you've got to work the system until the system is working. I am sure our astute lawmakers were thinking along these same lines back in '98 when they tried to fix (??) the system. More importantly, Florida voters need to push the new bunch in Tallahassee to correct this problem. The write-in loophole has to be closed - permanently.
OK, I had to get that out of my system. I'm writing a story that explains, in understandable terms, why such a large number of people can't vote in Small Town this August. I mean, the logic is there only to a certain point, then just kind of drops off. And I like the idea of presenting the solution to the problem. Not an original idea - just passing on the information. That's my job.
But all is well, and I am fortunate to be living in a place where people are so concerned. Voter turnout in my area is something like 89 percent. That's incredible, considering that areas I've lived in with millions of people only had something like 45 percent of voters going to the polls.
So I'll sleep safe tonight, knowing the Small Town folk are going to get a leg up on those who would skew the election. Damn those political hacks. They say change starts with one person. Who will it be? In the words of Edward R. Murrow, "Good night and good luck to you all."
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
A Just Enough Attitude
Hey there,
It's been a while since my last post, I know. But I have been busy relocating and getting settled at my NEW JOB! YEAHHHHHHHHH, the crowd goes wild! Anyway, yes, I have a new job. Actually, it's a really good job. Which brings me to why I have chosen now to return to the blog.
You see, I am waiting at my desk while the layout guy keys up my last edits and sends the final proof over. It's nearly 6 p.m. and my stomach is growling. And you know what? I am not in the least bit upset. Quite the contrary. I am only too happy to sit at my desk until the job is done.
It is said that if you find a job that you love, you will never work another day in your life. Well, I am here to tell you, I love my job.
WOW. It's actually about 25 hours after I first started this post. There was a nasty storm last night when I first started writing and the power flickered then went out. We had to do the final edit with the lights flashing on and off and some wicked lightning strikes. This is the first opportunity I've had to get back.
But I am glad that the draft was saved.
As I was saying earlier, I really love my job. I've spent the last 45 days or so getting moved and settled, not just into a new home but a new job, new town, new everything.
I also have a new friend. Her name is Jilly Bean and she looks very much like my big guy Buddy. (He lives with his dad now) She was abandoned by a former tenant and has been living outside for some time. I met her when she started stopping by on my way in and out of the house each day. So I invited her in and she has taken over my office. My Gabby has already accepted her, although Mr. Blacks is a bit dubious still. But for the most part we have peaceful co-existance. How I wish that were the case for the rest of the world.
I also have a new friend. Her name is Jilly Bean and she looks very much like my big guy Buddy. (He lives with his dad now) She was abandoned by a former tenant and has been living outside for some time. I met her when she started stopping by on my way in and out of the house each day. So I invited her in and she has taken over my office. My Gabby has already accepted her, although Mr. Blacks is a bit dubious still. But for the most part we have peaceful co-existance. How I wish that were the case for the rest of the world. But life is good. I am working on getting back into my writing, and look forward to getting more acquainted with my new town.
Life is good and we have so much. We have food in the fridge, a roof over our heads and a little money in our pockets. We even have pictures on the walls, jazz on the radio and a few Greenie treats.
God has been really good to us.
So be well and good night from Small Town, USA.
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