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 Still Calling the Shots
I am still having a ball with a recent development in my personality. I have started telling people exactly what I think when I am thinking it (when they are, pardon my French, jackasses). I have gotten over, for the most part, my constant need to have everyone LIKE me. I figure if someone is already disrespecting me, why in the world do I want their liking. Respect is much more important. I figure that the least you can do for yourself when a person treats you questionably is to stand up for yourself. With a firm but calm tone, express your point of view and close the subject. For too long, I have NOT done this and then gone home to be upset on my own while the hurt festers inside of me. VERY refreshing.

This weekend my chorale will be performing a VERY difficult work by Stravinsky. Half of the choir has quit because they either didn't like it or didn't think they could do it. Sad, but true. I am absolutely eating it up. I am so proud of myself for spending the extra time to work on this piece and perform it correctly when so many said (and continue to say) that it couldn't be done. What personal victory. I am genuinely excited. In fact, I think I will write to our director and tell him about my excitement. He needs to know that some of us are not bailing and do not hate this selection.

On the homefront, I have finally heard from my beloved childhood friend. As expected, she did have some very strong reasons for having gone missing for a bit. My patience is renewed, even though we haven't had the time between us to set a time to have a long talk on the phone. It will happen soon, and how wonderful it will be to hear her voice and how she responds to me and vice versa. It will be like finding an old teddy bear in the attic and feeling the flood of comfort that always came with that furry friend as a sick or scared child. We did not have a perfecct childhood, but we had the best times together and were so close. In these 27 years, we have only had three major arguments that I can think of. Can't wait to get moving. Now, do remind me of this fresh optimism the next time I get impatient.

Finally, I have been really annoyed, lately (and by "lately" I mean this morning and yesterday afternoon) by e-mails from my former mother-in-law. At first, I thought she just needed an ear, but now I see that I am in the middle of her relaying information that makes her family seem more sympathetic that they seemed in the past. My ex-husband has stopped communicating with them and I am now the touch point for them and the kids. Not a problem, except, despite my position of not being the middle man (which I expressed to her up front) I am now hearing explanations of how things went down when we were married and who caused what to happen. I may have been in the dark about some of it, but they still did and said some things to really hurt me. I have pushed that all aside and now she is dragging it back up to explain to herself what is happening to their relationship. I am sorry for her, as a mother, but just now I was even reminded of a college friend who shut me out of her life (except when she was preaching at me for being a bad Christian) when I started my divorce rolling. Heck, I don't need to hear about this garbage. If I wasn't sure that leaving Rochester was good choice eleven years ago, well I am POSITIVE now. What a bunch of mess. That part of my life is, officially, dead. I will bring with me a handful of real friends and stop being notalgic about things that deliver me to the doorstep of heartache and the betrayal of former friends. SCREW THAT! Pardon me, but it makes me somewhat mad.

I pray for a better day to unfold. It has started out pretty crappy.





    Posted by aliceclaudel on 2008-11-12 10:34:30 | Rating: | Views: 114
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Yes, I hope your day gets better too. Although your blog has negative overtones from what is going on in your life you appear to be a positive person - that is a good thing.

Nice blog... Have a good day!
Posted by  Java  on 2008-11-12 11:45:47 
  
Hey, I'm in North Carolina too, just moved from Raleigh to Clayton!

It's good that you are comfortable in telling people what you think and not holding back, and I hope your evening is better than the beginning of your day. Take care! :-)
Posted by  Superlativity  on 2008-11-12 18:45:48 
  
Hey, Barb... Sorry for my absence; I had to do some recovery after a second eye surgery in a week. I'm glad to see you being more assertive; it IS good for you. And not only does it feel good to care for yourself, but others find it attractive, as well. I didn't realize Stravinsky had any chorale music - I researched it, and sure enough! Very similar to J.S. Bach or Handel, in that what I found was large and full sounding, if you follow me - what piece are you performing?

I'm really glad for ya regarding reacquainting with your friend. That clearly means alot to you. And this ex-mother-in-law thing - she seems to need to drag you down to feel good herself. Get away from that kind of person! I see you doing all the right things to move forward towards a happier life - keep up the good work, my friend.

John



Posted by  nsemn8r  on 2008-11-14 00:52:28 
  
Thanks, John!!! I hope you are recovering well.

We will be performing "Les Noces." It usually goes along with a short, modern ballet, but tomorrow we will be doing it on our own. Look it up on YouTube. It is REAL interesting. You'll either think it's way cool, or plug your ears immediately.

As always, I truly appreciate your support.

Best wishes for a good day!
Posted by  aliceclaudel  on 2008-11-14 10:40:53 
  
Oh, wow - T'MORROW!!! Best wishes, Barb! Make us proud! (I'm sure you'll do fine). I youtubed the 'Les Noces' - other than a few moments of dissonance (common with Stravinsky), I LOVED the piece! Sounds much like the type of music played on our local classical station (the only radio I listen to), KUSC of the USC campus. It DOES sound challenging! I've got mixed feelings towards ballet - some I love, some I can do without. But this looks/sounds like my style.

John

Posted by  nsemn8r  on 2008-11-14 11:13:10 
  
Glad you liked it. Too bad you can't be there in person :)
Posted by  aliceclaudel  on 2008-11-14 12:49:38 
  
yay for the chorale piece!
boo for the MIL thing. that sucks.

this afternoon, I burned a box of notes and other memorabilia I had saved from my first year at RWC. It felt so good to burn the past! Yes, I read through every piece of paper first, and did have some fond memories from it, but it's all stuff I had forgotten. And, I really enjoyed burning it.

I find I don't need my past friendships to help me know who I am today. I hope you begin feel the same. You're wonderful as you are, who you are. If people from the past want to condemn you, screw them.
Posted by  wRitErsbLock77  on 2008-11-18 19:31:02 
  
Thanks, Rachel!!! I have been thinking about you this week and hoping that we could chat again.

I am finding that I much happier without certain people in my life. Leaving Facebook was a good start. Now I just pick the people I think are awesome to stay in touch with :)

I hope that you are well. I need to get to your blog more often!
Posted by  aliceclaudel  on 2008-11-18 22:40:16 
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aliceclaudel
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