Dare to Dream

As I mentioned, Piano Man cancelled on me, so after dropping Bert® at school on Thursday morning, I met Mr. Nascar at our usual place, and we headed up to Sevierville in my car. I was terribly excited because it’s the Festival of Nations going on right now. I missed it last year, and really was looking forward to seeing the Irish Dancing. I warned Mr. Nascar that there was a lot of “cultural” stuff I wanted to do, and told him he was welcome to browse around the park or partake of the rides while I was doing this. He declined and said since we’d come together, we’d do stuff together. I will have to give the man bonus points for that, and for enduring the show without a peep. It was fantastic. I enjoyed every minute of it.

There is something about music that moves me. Not just physically, although often I catch myself bopping to a hot beat, I mean music often can drastically alter my mood. A fun, upbeat song can improve my outlook on life, a sad tune can turn me melancholy. Think about a scary movie, the scary parts are frightening because of the suspenseful music. Sitting in that darkened theatre, hearing the soaring Celtic music, and watching the dancers feet slap, tap, and stomp to the music made me realize that music, in some form is truly a part of every culture. It is the universal language through which we all can communicate.

Take Opera for example. Usually sung in Italian, the majority of us do not understand the words they are saying. Through the music and the visual acting, most can usually get the point of the Opera, if not feel the emotion they are trying to portray. How many times have you heard music, and unconsciously started tapping your feet or fingers to the beat?

After the Irish dancing, we saw traditional Mexican dancing. I was struck by the similarities between the two cultures. Sure the music sounded different. The Irish dancing was infused with drums, violin and guitar, while the Mexican dancing added a new flavour with a trombone and an acordion. At their most primal level, both types of music were just beats with which the dancers could tune their bodies to.

I am amazed by the ability of music to endure through the generations, merge & transform with the changing times and influence of other cultures, and still on occasion touch us to our very souls. American music isn’t ‘American’ at all. Well, it isn’t original. It’s an amazing blend of ethnic diversity, just like this country we live in. Country, Pop, Rap, Hip-hop, Rock…all these types of music wouldn’t be here without the music that came before it, that altered to become what we know today.

Needless to say, I love music. I used to be a violinist, until I decided that wasn’t cool and stopped taking lessons. I hope one day to pass on my love of music to Bert®

I need to pass this award on to some of the people on my blog that I love to read, I check their sites daily for updates:

1. Charlie
2. GuiltySecret, what’s next
3. Awittykitty
4. Cloudy

Each of these bloggers, have an incredible way with words. Their true personalities come alive in their posts. Each has, at one point or another, made me laugh out loud, or feel heartbroken for their pain. These are real people who write about their real lives. These are excellent blogs and I highly recommend you check them out at your first opportunity.

Now for the part about 100. Beginning in February at MyCompany™ they started recording and evaluating our inbound phone calls. The recordings are supposedly random, therefore you’re supposed to be on your best behaviour at all times because there is a chance this call can be recorded for training purposes. Each recorded call captures the voice data, as well as “real time” video of our computer screens. Basically the QA person sees exactly what I would see when on a call. The QA then evaluates our calls based on certain departmental criteria they have deemed could be applicable to any call. For example they have certain things they are looking for if I place an order via the phone. Did I verify the customers contact information, did I use my resources to check availability on the item, and so forth.

During the month of March I had approximately 50 calls recorded. On average 2 a day, sometimes more. 4 of those calls were selected to be evaluated by the QA. There is a possibility to score more than 100% on each of your calls, if you get the bonus point. This months bonus point is using the callers name at least once during the call. On 3 of my 4 calls, I scored 105/100. The 4th call, I missed a step and only received 99.47% when you factor in my bonus question. So yesterday, I get an email letting me know that I had the highest overall average score for evaluations during March, at BOTH of our locations. I was stoked to say the least. They came down and took my picture this morning, they are going to put a little blurb on our internal broadcasting system about my accomplishment. It feels so good to put so much effort into something, and finally be recognized for it. I know deep down I’m good at my job. Sometimes though, you do need that extra little bit of validation.

So all in all I had a terrific day! That’s it for right now. I’m not nearly as long winded as I have been in the past. I really hope to start blogging again regularly as I miss it.

 A man sat down from me in the terminal waiting area. Blonde hair, clean shaven, dressed in an old care-worn business suit. He’s young, probably 5-6 years older than me. He picks a chair 4 spaces down from me. Why? What reasoning is there for that? He plunks a tattered canvas messenger bag on the seat to his right. It is embroidered on the bottom right corner of the flap. A87 it says. Well, hello Mr. A87! As I glanced up at him, I noticed something different, something I found unexpected about him.

The other airport “waiters” were doing all sorts of different things. Most were reading a book, magazine or newspaper. Two were text messaging furiously with their cell phones. One young woman was drinking her crappy airport coffee and picking at her fingernails. So what was so different about Mr. A87 you ask me? Well he’s reading the bible and underlining in a blue pen that he removes from the inside pocket of his coat, passages that either have a deep meaning for him or that he wants to get clarification on at a later date.

 In other news, I completely lost my mind and joined an online dating website. I think that was one of the dumbest things I have done thus far as a single person. I have to admit that the attention is very flattering. Most of the emails I receive begin something like “Hey beautiful lady.” or “I love your profile, you’re gorgeous.” Then I remember that for most men this is a game. Emails smothered in compliments are more likely to return responses. On the other hand, I occasionally receive one that says “Hey, how’s it going?” I hate those ones as I always feel like I need to draw the other person into conversation. It would be better if they could tell me something about themselves, or ask me to expand on something in my profile.

Often, people misrepresent themselves in their profiles, or say something in an attempt to be witty that ends up making them look foolish. One gentleman started off the subject line of his email saying “Forehead space for rent”. Seriously man, need you forever sear in my brain the fact that you’re in your 30’s with a rapidly receding hair line? I know it might be wrong of me, but I can’t stand to see profiles with spelling or grammatical errors. Note to people crafting an email, or a profile to attract a mate: computer programmers created this wonderful tool called spell check, USE IT! Also, pictures are a big issue. Don’t make a psycho looking face, don’t show a picture where you were stoned and/or drunk, and for goodness sake, show a picture of your actual face, not the back of your head or the side of your face! Geeze, am I really asking for so much?

I have met several people that have contacted me via IM outside the dating site, which has had good and bad aspects as well. A few I have talked to regularly and have asked if we could move on to phone calls. I seem to feel pressured constantly. When can we talk on the phone, when can we meet in person? I hate having to repeat myself, but if I don’t set boundaries and stick with them, I’m no longer in control of the situation. A lot of these guys seem ok, but their eagerness to progress a fledgling relationship with me is a little off-putting. I like the ones who are comfortable getting to know me through the computer first, and willing to take things at my speed. I need to be careful not only for my own safety, but Bert©’s as well.

Unfortunately, one such IM could have had a nasty outcome had I not been as careful as I was. This one guy was sending me messages, and seemed normal at first. Then things turned weird. He started trying to offer me money to fulfill a fantasy of his. He started out offering $2,000. Then it was $5,000. Then it was $5,000 plus a 2003 Jeep in mint condition. The fantasy was that he has always wanted to just come over to some random girls house, have her answer the door, and just start “doing it” (his words, not mine) right away. The first time he suggested it, the answer was no. Each time he upped the ante so to speak, the answer was still no. Finally after 2 days of him messaging me with this crap each time I logged on, I told him politely that I didn’t think this was going to work, wished him the best of luck, and removed him from my messenger list. I received 2 subsequent instant messages from him, threatening me, because I refused him. I was shocked, beyond belief actually. I made sure to set my IM to ignore him, and reported him to the dating site. I was so upset that I was shaking when it was all over. I couldn’t believe someone would actually do that. There is no doubt in my mind, that had I agreed to meet him (which was NEVER an option) I would have been physically harmed in some way. I am so glad for intuition and instinct!

Since my last update Lunch Date Doug and I had several emails fly back and forth. I was very confused by what he was saying, and some of it was rather hurtful. He was making out like he didn’t even want to try and be friends with me. He even had the nerve to say that he didn’t think we had very much in common! I just thought to myself, whatever Webmiss, you don’t need this crap. I just didn’t respond and went about my merry way. About a week later, my phone rang and it was Doug. I was very surprised to have heard from him. We caught up and ended up chatting for about 90 minutes. So much for not having anything in common :P I figure if nothing else, he’ll call every once in awhile and I’ll get to chat with someone outside my normal circle of friends. He has hinted that he has some issues to work out. Well I wish him luck with that endeavor, he can do so without me along for the ride.

My ex-husband called to inform me that his temp position ended. He’s not sure when he’ll be able to find work again, as the job market in BFE Minnesota is in the dumps. He is back home this week for his grandmother’s memorial. I will truly miss that woman. She welcomed me with open arms in to the family and always treated me decently. She was 95 years old, and desperately mourned her husband. It was her time, and I’m sure that she’s happy to be reunited with her husband. I only wish that I could find the type of love that lasts 60 years, like theirs did, and was only marred by the fact that grandpa died and grandma had to remain in her earthly body for 18 years without him. Their marriage was truly an inspiration to me, and I will keep that in the forefront of my mind when next I contemplate getting serious with someone.

I will close this with a challenge that was issued to me, that I would like to pass on to the rest of you. There is a sound track that has been tailor made for the current life you are living. If I were to check it out, what 10-16 songs would be listed? Title & artist please.

 This morning I was more perplexed than normal about Bert©’s couture du jour as it was…well it would probably just be best if I showed you.

I immediately said to her, “Sweetie, your shirt doesn’t match or compliment your pants.” Inside I was mentally smiling and already envisioning this post.
Her response was: “That’s ok, I like it this way.”
I rolled my eyes but figured, what the hell. Half the time I cannot manage to brush the child’s hair before she heads out to door for school, this is just par for the course.

Then she decided to add to the outfit and left the house looking like this:

That truly is her “But Mommy” face. She almost looks like she’s going to start crying. Mean old mommy. Imagine wanting your child to be dressed decently when they leave the house. What could I be thinking?

I love my daughter dearly, but she really has something to learn about dressing for success. Although she did get the idea that a blazer makes the woman, or girl-child in this case.