Filters and Chains

How we interact with others directly dictates how they view us. In their perspective is their view of the truth. This is accurate, your intentions are irrelevant in the eyes of others, only their perception of your actions matters to them.

Their perceptions dictate how they filter the things you say and do. Are they being filtered positively or negatively? What has the filters they have in place affected the way they interact with you? What if you are no longer the person they have known? People age, mature, are affected by their environment, and for the most part evolve through out their lives. It is rare for someone to be the same person decade after decade.

Yet the filters people have for you do not always evolve as you do. Some times they evolve reasonably in pace, sometimes very slowly in comparison, sometimes not at all. What do you do in a situation where you are no longer the person others think you are? The decision to show them who you are now, or to exist with the current perspective is one you have to make for yourself.

Changing how others see you is an extremely long and difficult process. I'm talking decades worth of vigilant, consistent action. One digression can potentially whip out years of work. It doesn't even have to be a serious digression depending on the person's mind you want to change. Judgments of others are often harsh and unforgiving.

Sometimes you are chained to the old perceptions and to be honest, most people do not want to change their perceptions. They are very comfortable with their view of the world. To admit change is to admit they are wrong about what they believe. Or perhaps they are experiencing something that makes them feel overwhelmed and to a degree unwilling to try. What do you do then?

It is extremely frustrating to be in a situation where you are chained to an old opinion. It is tiring, mentally draining, and can make you feel like no matter what you do, you are never going to succeed in changing someone's mind. Your voice is never going to be heard for what it is saying, but for what the people filtering you want and don't want to hear. Again this situation is a huge challenge. One that is almost with out end.

Will you decide that it's not worth it after all. To let them think and act as they will and take a fatalistic approach that indeed you are powerless? To "quit" or "give up". Will you forge ahead, and make the best of your digressions, try to minimize them, and to continue to work toward change?

Do you admit defeat, and if so when? I know there are some people in the world I will never forgive or see in a different light with out something earth shattering to prove they are sincere. And yet the potential for a second chance remains, even for them. So do they give up in the face of someone who remembers all to well who they used to be? Or do they produce the earth shattering evidence?

Second chances are something that are precious. Too many people squander them, too many undervalue them, too many are unwilling to give them. Does everyone deserve second chances? I can't answer that. The world and it's people are a quagmire of diversity and danger. A blanket answer is not something that can be given. But if a person is sincere, truly want's the opportunity to change their situation, or the opinion of others, then yes they deserve it.

It is difficult to struggle through the tough times. When you feel alone and like you have no voice. Like no matter what you do, nothing is going to open the minds of those you desire to influence. When reaching out is seen as an attack. Or worse yet, not seen at all.

Sadly the only answer I have is just keep digging deep. If they are worth the effort, faith and hard work will prevail. If not, well that's something you have to decide for yourself.

Going to the Dog Wash

Have you ever tried to blow dry a dog? They don't like it...

Usually when my K9 side kick becomes filthy, I just get into my swimmers and we both hop in the shower. She really hates it, but I find I stay drier if I don't try to stay dry. That being said, I thought I would save myself the hassle of picking all her hair out of my drain, and take her to the "Dog Wash" down the street.

Kija hates baths at the best of times, and usually I just wash her, towel dry her and let her go so she can sulk in her bed and give me dirty looks. Perhaps not the best approach, but it's a system. This time I took her to work with me, and stopped in afterward to give her a scrub. There was the usual pulling against her collar, the passive defiance, the pitifully hard done by looks, but after much effort, she was clean. Sopping wet, but clean. Now I love my dog, but I love my truck too. There was no way she was getting into my nice clean truck with out being dry. There's a reason they don't sell wet dog scented air fresheners.

I towelled her off, and put her up on the grooming stand. I clipped her collar to the tie, and turned on the dryer. WOW! Holy not having any of that Batman! She twisted, and squirmed, and pulled, and scratched, and gave the most pathetic puppy eyes in history. There was fur everywhere, I got soaked, and she refused to even look at me for a couple of hours. Seriously, when she rides in the truck with me, she puts her head on my arm rest and gives snuggles and licks. She got into the truck and promptly turned her butt to me and refused to eat the cookie I bought her.

She wouldn't even look in my direction. I tried to pat her, and she jammed her head down between the seat and the door. I realize collie's are very sensitive (I've had collies all my life) but when they decide to pout, I mean really pout, they could put a spoiled 3 year old to shame. She could have taught advanced classes at the Ukrainian Babba's School of Guilt Trips.

She'll get over it, but not anytime soon. Maybe in a week or so.

Doodie Duty

I've had a very long and trying week. Sparring the gory details, I've cleaned up more human waste from more public places and private residences than I had ever pictured myself doing in a life time.

PEOPLE ARE DISGUSTING!!!!!!!

The week started with a call in emergency service clean up at a private residence Sunday. I still had a migraine (day 4), but was functional enough to go to work. Again, we'll skip the details of the job, but needless to say, dude would never set foot in my house with out having his rear end stapled shut first.

Monday through Thursday had me continuing this trend, be it animal (pet) or people droppings. Wednesday I was called off one job site to go to a couple of storage rooms in an underground parking lot down town where people had been "living". It had me wondering where to flush those rooms, literally. Even my dog has enough manners to take Mr. Hanky out to the snowbank be it -40 or not.

Yesterday was no better. Granted I didn't end up cleaning up the swirling sea monster, but I was scheduled to do a hallway visited by the vomit fairy. As it turned out my truck mount broke down, and that job had to be rescheduled.

The job site I did manage to finish should have taken me about 30 minutes, 45 at the most. It took 5 hours. Mount wouldn't start, when it did get started the water pump blew a fuse, finally got that figured out and bypassed, the pressure line started to freeze up, got that cleared and the vacuum line froze up... twice. Well you get the idea...Not a happy camper.

But a pay cheque's a pay cheque right

new year

on my third day with a migraine. I hope it does not last through tomorrow.