Sunday, November 26, 2006

This could take months. MONTHS!

I do not understand the new rules of MLB free agency. And I really don't have to. Except for this one thing: Greg Maddux may not land with another team until January.

I don't care for this.

If he can't return to me and the Cubs, I'd like him to stay with the Dodgers. I'm used to seeing him in blue. But wherever he ends up, I want him to end up there SOON. The one scenario I cannot accept is his retirement. That's why I want him to sign with someone now, so I can quit awfulizing about the prospect of a Professor-free season.

Feeling more than a little guilty

The art director I am paired with most often is unraveling. Her husband is having a prolonged and dramatic midlife crisis, she's allowing him to tap dance on her, and it's interfering with her work.

This has been going on for months now. She can't focus. I have to continually remind her of what is due and when. I also have to remind her that if she does indeed find herself a woman alone, she will need this job more than ever. Before she can get down to work, we have to discuss it all ad nauseum. She leaves work early to go to therapy. Worst of all, she cries all the time.

This is the part I find the most embarrassing. I do not cry in public. I do not understand people who do. I simply cannot abide the messy vulnerability and don't feel it belongs in the office. Every time this AD and I have an episode, I either call my best friend or email my oldest friend. This soap opera has been going on so long, and it's taken so many twists and turns, that her life has become material for my monologues.

Which, I find, makes me a hideous bitch. For the art director got me a very thoughtful birthday gift* and a card that practically canonizes me. She says I'm a "loving, beautiful friend" and she appreciates my support. Ouch.

So tomorrow I shall try to be more patient with her. I can't let my work suffer because of her problems, but there has to be a way to balance my responsibility to my client with a little more humanity.


*Frango Mints, which I love but can only be purchased at Macy's, a store I cannot enter for important sociopolitical/religious reasons -- they took over Marshall Field's and they have the nads to use a Lennon/McCartney song on their Christmas commercials.


http://onegalsmusings.blogspot.com/2006/10/no-more-tears.html

Point. Click. Give.

I love, love, love toy drives.

In this consumer culture, which we all participate in to a certain extent (Black Friday, anyone?), we should take a moment to stop and think of how all the commercials and flyers and catalogs and promotions effect kids. Especially underprivileged kids. How do they feel when Santa comes through for everyone else, but not them? Does it have an impact on their self esteem? On their dreams for the future?

I'm a big fan of the Today Show Toy Drive because it makes doing the right thing soooo easy! They have chosen the children's charities, they have selected a variety of books and clothes and toys, they have partnered with Amazon.com so you can pick out a gift and have it delivered directly to the Today Show Toy Drive. All I had to invest was a few minutes and $13, and now a kid is going to get the Disney Chicken Little soundtrack for Christmas.

If you've got a few minutes and a few dollars, I encourage you to do the same.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15381058/