Archive for the ‘Life’ Category

A Rant About Womans Day Magazine

September 27th, 2010 imjustagoyle

A few months ago I was contacted by a reporter from Woman’s Day Magazine. She wanted to talk to me about JobShouts for an upcoming article about Social Networks and job searching. We spoke for about 45 minutes; she asked lots of questions. Although I’ve never been a big fan of the magazine, I was happy to oblige. Any press is good press!

The reporter said the article would be in the October issue and that I may receive a verification of source phone call from the editor. I didn’t receive any such call, but never thought twice about it since she used the word “may”.  Months came and went and finally the October issue of Womans Day was on the news stands. I saw it as I was checking out at the grocery and grabbed a copy to take home.

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that we hadn’t been included! Not only did I get snubbed, I paid $3 to find out I’d been snubbed. That’s not nice.

So now I’m just going to say this and get it off of my chest:

Woman’s Day: You perpetuate the stereotypes of women. You pretend to talk about “important things” like business. Your articles are short and lack substance, full of useless bits of information, sweepstakes and bad recipes. In case you haven’t noticed, women have evolved and are now actively involved in the workforce. We have greater goals than deciding what’s for dinner and which diaper to use for our infants. I am one of those women. You continue to demonstrate to me that you have no regard for what’s really going on in my life (as a WOMAN) or what my time is worth. No wonder your readership is plummeting. You could have chosen to feature a WOMAN-OWNED job site in that article, but instead you decided the 2 MALE-OWNED sites were the only ones worth mentioning.

Get a clue!

/rant

Posted in Life Tags: , , 7 Comments »

Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say

September 8th, 2010 imjustagoyle

Ever since I can remember, I have encountered people in life who are less than honest about things because they are afraid of telling me something disappointing. What this leads to, of course, is the discovery that what they told me in order to “protect my feelings” was a lie – which is even worse than the original response they should have given. The only difference is, they don’t have to face it by actually speaking the truth. Instead, they “cover up” with an excuse, or even worse, avoid you altogether.

Here’s an example:

Jane: “Hey Dick, want to go to the movies Friday night?”

Dick: “Sure! I’ll pick you up at 8!”

8 pm Friday night comes and goes and Dick doesn’t show up. Why? Because Dick was afraid to tell Jane that he wasn’t interested. So instead he agreed to the date and then didn’t go. He figures he doesn’t have to deal with it directly, because now he’ll just avoid Jane rather than fess up.

Lame.

Listen – you create an image of yourself with every interaction. By telling me what you think I want to hear instead of the truth, you’ve created the image (in my mind) that you’re a coward and a liar. Once you’ve created this impression it’s really hard to shake – and if you think that people don’t talk about these things…. well you’re in for a surprise.

It takes great courage to deliver news that someone doesn’t want to hear. Don’t be a Dick.

Posted in Life 8 Comments »

Time Heals (and so do puppy kisses)

July 26th, 2010 imjustagoyle

When Duchess passed away suddenly last month, I thought there was no way I could consider getting another dog anytime soon. My heart was so broken that I didn’t think I could muster the love that another animal would need just yet. Funny thing though, when you’re an animal person like me, missing one puts the rest of life off balance.

Our other dog, Bear, was experiencing separation anxiety from the loss. My kids were insistent upon another dog, not only to help them heal but to serve as a partner to Bear. I decided that Duchess wouldn’t want any of us to be lonely. It was then we began searching for a Boxer to rescue.

After much research, a few visits and a stroke of luck, we happened upon the perfect rescue for us. Her name was Gracie. We are Gracie’s 3rd home in her short life of only 5 months. Her first owner was an old man who bought her when his wife died. He wanted her for companionship, so that he wouldn’t have to be alone. Unfortunately, the association in his housing complex didn’t approve of the dog and gave him an ultimatum – either the dog would have to go or he would have to go. A very nice, single woman adopted Gracie from the old man with the best of intentions. Unfortunately, she worked a lot of hours and lived in an apartment. She felt Gracie would do better with a family that had more time and a yard for her to run in.

I swore I wasn’t going to get a puppy. I just couldn’t resist this face!

Bear was a bit apprehensive about his new pal, but after just a few short hours they were running around playing like they’d been missing each other all along. Gracie adjusted nicely to a big, noisy, chaotic house with kids and other animals she’d never even seen before. Per her Boxer nature, she has become my shadow. She has also brought laughter and love to our home along with her wagging nub. All is right with our world again. While no dog could ever replace Duchess, I’m quite sure she would approve of the one we picked to help us move on.  ♥ ♥ ♥

Posted in Life, Pets and Animals Tags: , , , 2 Comments »

RIP Duchess – You Were So Much More than Just a Dog

June 15th, 2010 imjustagoyle

This past Saturday, I lost my best friend; my loyal canine companion of more than 10 years, Duchess.

It happened suddenly – right in front of us at the dinner table. Unfortunately, baby girl witnessed it too. We can only speculate what took her life but we suspect it was cardiomyopathy or perhaps a stroke. She was standing there and suddenly she fell over – her legs went up in the air and she was flailing around trying to get up. Mike bent down to her and calmed her – she lay on her side and let out the most gut wrenching moan. Baby girl was crying and asking “what’s wrong with Duchess?” I rushed baby girl to her room as she had already seen more than a little girl should. She was crying, asking if Duchess was going to be ok. I calmed her down while I hugged her talked to her for a minute. I told her I didn’t know, that Duchess was old and it might be her time. I didn’t want to give baby girl unrealistic expectations and I wasn’t sure what to expect when I walked out of her room. I turned on her TV and told her to lie down and watch TV for just a few minutes while I checked on Duchess.

When I saw Mike giving her CPR, my heart broke. I rushed to her but it was too late. She was already gone. Mike tried for several minutes to revive her, but her tongue was hanging out – her heart had stopped. My beautiful, scrunchy-faced, nub-wagging Boxer was gone. The immediate pain I felt was immense – I could hardly breathe. I cradled her on the floor, kissing her face and sobbing.

Until that moment I had no idea how painful losing her would be. She was my first dog. The pain of losing her was almost too much to bear; it felt like I had just lost a person. It still feels that way.

As I sift through the pictures and videos of her now, it eases some of my sadness. Grief still comes in waves, followed by tears I can’t seem to hold back. “They” say it’s normal. I wonder if my life will ever be “normal” again. I know that in time my pain will fade, but I am forever changed by her “chewbacca” whine and silly demeanor. She turned this cat-loving girl into a proud Boxer momma. She was loyal, playful, goofy and stubborn. She also loved my children like they were her own. I couldn’t have asked for a better companion or friend. She was vibrant and youthful, even up until the end of her short 10 1/2 years.

RIP Duchess. I’m going to miss you more than words can express.
My heart is full with your memories.

Posted in Life, Pets and Animals Tags: , , , , 8 Comments »

Memorial Day Should Be Every Day

June 1st, 2010 imjustagoyle

I’ve never known anyone that was actively enlisted in the military. At least, not in my immediate circle of friends, family or loved ones. It’s hard for me to imagine how difficult it must be to say goodbye to someone you love as they ship off to war or some foreign country of civil unrest. Even harder to imagine is the grief of those that lose their loved ones by the same accord.

Throughout history there have been wars and civil unrest all over the world – yet since the unionization of our country there have been countless men and women willing to defend not only the freedom of our own land but the freedom of others as well. The astounding courage and passion it must take to believe in your country and all of its people that you don’t even know so much that you are willing to risk your own life defending it… That’s honor. That’s more honor than I will ever know or possess in my life.

It’s a “holiday” 1 day a year, but Memorial Day should be every day, really. I see so many homeless men and women who once stood proud and defended their country. It makes me incredibly sad to see that society regards them as nothing more than panhandlers. Young soldiers are coming home from Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan with life crippling injuries. They lay in hospitals, hooked to machines – so many will never recover to a normal life. They did this for you. For me. Nothing I’ll ever do could express how grateful I am for that.  I can’t help them all; not alone. I can talk about it here though and encourage you to give and help however you can. Even if your life has never been touched by someone in the military, you owe your existence in this country to people you’ve never met. Do something to thank them.

Posted in Life Tags: , 4 Comments »
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