Lions & Tigers & Bears…Oh my!
By Amy | February 19, 2010
The journey through the forrest is scarier by the day my friends. Harsh realities to chew on. Well, my last blog has created quite a stir. Lots of folks telling me they appreciate my candor and for sharing the experiences we go through during this journey (btw, thank you!), yet you’ll always have some that don’t quite appreciate and/or understand your intentions.
Today I specifically had someone tell me point blank: “I’m asking you to stop blogging because it isn’t good business”. I believe the comment was triggered from the “half ass, highly paid professional…” portion of the prior blog. In actuality, I was not referencing this paragraph towards any specific person, yet it did make me ponder it a bit further when brought to my attention. If one were to have taken offense to the statement maybe they should question their own ethics because if you do your job with good intentions and honesty I don’t believe I would’ve presumed it were myself being discussed.
Also, I was told that because of the honest writing put out there we have already lost a few customers (again, from this presumption). I’m sorry that I am not a person who can brush things under the rug and pretend my emotions do not exist. The entire purpose of this blog is to document real experiences, to inspire others to go for things they dream of doing, while making them aware of how harsh realities on the road less traveled can be. Don’t you think this is a major problem with society? Why aren’t we “allowed” to express how we feel without being treated as a rebellious, unruly nuisance?
I’m going to leave the rest of what occurred today (except to say WOW) alone giving respect to the one who also flat out said they have “never believed we have what it takes to make this thing happen”. I’m pretty certain that one -I don’t really do so well with people telling me what to do and two – I love to prove naysayers wrong (I’m pretty sure you’re reading this and God bless you regardless).
As I did mention in the conversation I had earlier, I am telling the truth (good or bad) while being certain to put a positive lesson learned from any negative experiences, which is all one can do to get through guaranteed trials in life with any bit of sanity. I know some of you were still concerned from the last blog since I gave quite a few examples (thanks again for the flowers Hal & Wonda!), but it is my process. Get mad, get glad, get over it.
My emotions from earlier today leave me thinking of the Wizard of Oz. Isn’t it interesting that it all was really based upon chasing a dream, being confronted by mean witches trying to prevent you from getting to the Emerald City where you think the wizard can solve everything? Finally, you get in only to be disappointed by the smoke and fog of deception. However, you then realize that only within yourself is the capability of courage, a heart, a brain, and the ability to believe in yourself even if others don’t.
As I write this sitting behind our “curtain” and finding complete irony in doing so, I ponder this: “If happy little bluebirds fly – beyond the rainbow…” Then why, oh why can’t I? (Remember: If you think you can – you can; If you think you can’t – you’re right!)
And, finally – there’s no place like our new home that will greet you with enlightened and honest hospitality minus the smoke and fog with just a few more clicks of our heels.
Sincerely,
Your still blogging friend – the “Grape Oz” (momma calls me that :0)
You Get What You Get…
By Amy | February 1, 2010
“You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit” Unknown (has to be a teacher)
My son LOVES to share this quote from his teacher, which I’m certain he hears quite frequently in school. Well, sorry to say that rainbows and butterflies are out the window today and I pretty much threw myself a fit of a seven year old this morning. If you aren’t in the mood for my candid emotion of “pissed off” I suggest you read no further.
It takes a lot to bring me out of the optimistic, clear blue skies, horses with horns, fairy tale, everything in the world is great no matter what’s thrown at me attitude. Well, I think once it piles and piles you eventually have to snap like that damn camel and throw yourself an over-the-top pity party. What set me off?
It’s a fantastic feeling to look up your bank account and see that some jack ass vendor didn’t do as you asked and processed your order on the wrong account, hence causing major havoc on your “budget”. This unleashed quite a few things I suppress on a daily basis to keep pushing on. Maybe if I share a bit of them with you, I’ll get rid of them for good because I truly am a person who must get things off of my chest or it’ll keep festering. Enjoy the following bitch session:
We have been chasing this flippin’ space next door for FOUR YEARS! Did you hear me? In the interim of being screwed over in the first place on it we have witnessed the following: Greedy ass, highly recommended “professionals” who are completely pompus and incompetent having to be asked to do what they say they’ll do and then stick you with a bill for half a mortgage with zip results. I wish I could get away with being half ass and highly paid. This is considered “doing things the right way”, according to your local education system advisors.
Oh, and Mr. Banker can pretty much kiss my hind end too. I have NEVER felt so treated like a child by an industry in my life. Guess what? You can call and simply say, “NO” cuz last time I checked we are GROWN. I’ll tell you this – when we ever get to the point of not needing the money and you start showing your face talking about how you can “help us”, I will promptly tell you to hit the door, jack!
What else? How could I forget…Dear Local Government,
I am incredibly thankful to you for steadily increasing “sin taxes” to help with the very irresponsible decisions that have been made over the years on your end. The few, many locally owned, establishments that sell adult beverages really appreciate you continuing to allow the big boxes off scott-free. How do we have a higher tax rate than Chicago?! Rather than making complete since to simply hike the regular sales tax across the board, which the math pretty much speaks for itself – please continue to stick it to us little guys (no offense to our friends there, but it is what it is). Our customers love to tell us how they’ll drive to another town for a lessor tax rate.
Also, I have great affinity to the “ticket nazi’s” that continue to stalk myself and our customers. It made my day when a private detective delivered papers to my HOME explaining that my car will be towed, sold, and I may possibly be taken to court over $200 in fines. Great way to revitalize a downtown, wouldn’t you say?
What else? Mmmm…to the lovely salespeople that continue to disrupt my every effort at accomplishing something on a daily basis. You will begin to see the “provoked me” because I have HAD it! Kills me how when we are the ones “buying” from them and should be considered their valued customer (I think the word is respect), they continue to try and SELL you when you ask them specifically to follow the procedure. Yeah, buddy – keep coming in unannounced, consider me stupid, and see how much product you’ll move here.
Ahhhhh…yes, I almost forgot. If you don’t like your job, find another one. Quit taking your pissy attitude out on us. I swear – if I get one more smart remark or dirty look from the guys working on our space I will plum lose it! Kill um with kindness, right? We have SO tried. “How are you?”…”That looks really nice, you did a great job!”…nope. Never have I heard of a man who is being paid to do his occupation say the F Bomb to a lady (mind you!) of whom the space is being developed for just because she had asked for something a certain way and they didn’t want to do it. Luckily, I wasn’t in the room when that happened because I would’ve had to ask him what the F*#( his problem is. Is this an “I hate women” thing? I dare you to do it again.
Enough of this, suck it up already, Amy! I told you I’d be telling the tale as it really plays out. Truth is stranger than fiction and baby, let me tell you, there is some tough truths to learn in this adventure. However…I realize it is all part of it. “Nothing is simple, but who wants nothing?” as the great Donald says. I also recalled today what a fellow downtown business owner said to me when we first came down here…”You might as well be a bitch now, because you’ll certainly become one whether you want to or not.” Well said, my friend.
Nah…I know we are all capable or that inner “pink label wine” that we sell (which is why we sell so much of it!). At the end of the fit, you come back to realize that you are tested to fall or become stronger. I refuse to give into the pessimism attempting to crack my faith and choose to still be a better person in spite of feeling chased by doom and gloom which wants you to act like a child when faced with adversity.
Here’s to kicking and screaming, wiping the tears, and picking the crayons back up to finish the masterpiece.
I’m back. Thanks for listening.
Amy