Work was busy today. We got slammed by some new PC email-based virus. We took down our email server for about an hour, brought it back up only to find the virus still propogating itself via instant messaging. Pretty smart virus. It completely took us by surprise. You should have heard the help desk phone ringing off the hook. "Yes, it's a virus. Delete it. Goodbye." Over and over. It was actually kinda funny from my standpoint. Not a single one of our Macs aided in the propogation of this virus. Again, we missed the bullet. I keep waiting for a nasty Mac virus to come along.
Ok, here's a little problem I've noticed I've been having lately and maybe some of you loyal readers can help me figure out what's wrong with me. When I'm at work and people ask me for advice (should I buy an iMac or a G4 or home? for example) I always have a decisive answer. If there's a matter that needs my opinion at work, I am quick to give my opinion..usually a very strong opinion, too. But when I come home and it comes time for Olivia and I to make simple decisions, I have a problem coming up with a decisive answer:
"Do you want to go out to dinner tonight?"
"I dunno."
"Do you want to go to Wal-Mart with me?"
"Doesn't really matter."
Anybody have any idea what causes this? I mean, I have an idea what might be behind this. I think at work, I don't have a problem being decisive because I don't really care too much about "stepping on toes" so to speak. However, here at home, I'm always trying to be accomodating to everybody else's needs and just want to make sure everybody's happy. In the process, I have trouble deciding which is the best choice. Any advice or ideas how I can become better about this?
Posted by Jeff at December 5, 2001 12:58 AM
Comments
:::how many of you guessed that I'd chime in first? hehe:::
Glad you asked Jeff! :) I think that you may be right in one respect. The other side of the coin is the COMPLETE OPPOSITE.
At work, you're challenged. You're pulled in different directions all hours of the day. You see different people every five minutes. Sure, you may sit down and breathe once in a while, but then you're back up and about again.
At home, you're relaxed. You do whatever you like to do for the remainder of time in the day. You see one person aside from yourself. Sure, you may have friends over or go out to a movie from time to time, but then you're back at home again.
If your issue is with how you act at work, try talking longer, getting more personal, etc. Spend more time learning the reasons why things are the way they are. (but don't spend too long on the microsoft virii. that's boring crap, lemme tell ya.)
If your issue is with how you act at home, it sounds like things are being taken for granted. You know that Walmart will be down the street. You know that Olivia will be there for dinner whenever you want. You know you've got your computer with hobbies and the like ready to toy around with.
My suggestion for both situations is to take a mental vacation. It doesn't need to be major. Get into deeper conversations at work, and try different things to mix up your time a bit at home.
Always avoid taking things for granted. Assuming things will be around tomorrow is the first step towards a great marathon where the only thing on the other side of the finish line is a big hot silver platter of depression and self-loathing. You don't wanna go there. Always live like you won't see another day. The air will seem clearer, the birds will be sweeter-sounding. And you may find yourself smiling more, smooching more, and making more productive uses with your time.
You know... maybe a good Free-for-all Deathmatch out in some hilltop cabin in the middle of nowhere would do it for ya.
...but who would be crazy enough to do that?? :)
Posted by: Brian "call 'em as I see 'em" Korte at December 5, 2001 2:19 AM
Brian, I think that's excellent advice. Thanks!
Posted by: Olivia at December 5, 2001 10:16 AM
you're tapped out, too accommodating at work. when you get home, the last thing you want to do is make a decision. unbeknownst to you, you do attempt to please everyone at work all day. (who's toes have you stepped on?) the work decisions are easy, they are technical, easy to offer an educated opinionated answer... the variables are set. decisions at home have many more variables and emotions attached. by that time of day, you've run out of juice and those weighted questions like "where should we go for dinner" are tough.
