Deep breaths, deep breaths. Just let me have a second to vent about something, ok? This is so cliched, but I really hate hate hate it when you’re in a meeting, or any sort of discussion (via email in this most recent case), and you have to say something ten times, in ten different ways, before someone finally hears it. Then someone else says it in another way (possibly the way you said it the first time) and then everyone says, “Oh, yeah, that makes sense. Good thought.” And this, of course, is directed at the person who just regurgitated whatever it was you said in the first place.
UPDATE (not that anyone has read this anyway): Another thing that sucks about being on the board of directors of the union is having to disagree with your friends. I just had a friend/member of the union come to me with a question about her work schedule and I clearly gave her an answer she did not like and she stormed out of here with a terse, “Thanks.”
life and puppies 
😦 These board duties really seem to be a headache – how did you get on the board, and can you get off?
One more year. I ran for the Board because I didn’t like the previous incarnations of it — they mainly appeared to be looking out for the more senior members, not communicating well, etc. It’s a two-year term and I’m more than half way done! Hooray! In other words, the whole thing is totally my own fault and doing.
I hate being on boards — it just doesn’t suit my personality. I remember being on the board of Richmond Choral Society and sitting through an hour discussion about why postage costs had gone up by $20, whether the mailing list could be scaled back, etc. It went on so long that I was dying to just slap a $20 down on the table and pay for the extra postage myself — just to end the discussion! I totally feel your pain . ..
OMG. I totally know that feeling. In so many ways. At my last neighborhood ass’n meeting, for which I’m the stupid treasurer, there was a 30-minute discussion on why they were going to pay for ice this year (because they felt bad about having had it donated in the past). No one was even disagreeing, but it kept going and going. I couldn’t understand it. Finally, in an effort to end my misery, I pointed out that they had raised the price of soda by a quarter, so that would probably offset the ice payment anyway. This did not, of course, end it but prompted an explanation of the increase in the price of soda.
I think I have a serious masochistic streak. Must end board involvement. New Years Res 2010.
I’m holding you to that resolution. It’s so crazy-making to be on boards or in committees. People always waste time getting stuck on the most inane minutia and the big issues end u staying unresolved. I hate it, and I hate it for you. Oh yeah, and having to re-phrase again and again, only to have the initial point made by someone else pretty much makes me want to punch someone. Unfortunately you were dealing with it via e-mail, which did not give you that option.
C’mon Kate, you work for the government – you know you love long, unproductive meetings! 😉
Excellent resolution! I have a horrible habit of getting myself off of boards before my term is up so I was going to make a resolution to stick to my commitments . . . but not making them in the first place is even better! Genius!!
Wanted to see if using another e-mail address gives me a better character . . .
Yes! I think I’ll use that one from now on . . . blue squiggle guy is definitely better than weird bunny bug . . .
Can’t wait to see you very soon! Also, you should read my friend Luisa’s wildly successful blog, http://wednesdaychef.typepad.com/ before meeting her next week. I think you’ll hit it off!
you’ll be at the same table — so study up! 😉
Same table! Oh NO! The pressure. Plus, I have nothing to wear and my Nordstrom shipment is nowhere to be found. Aaron’s going to look super dapper, though, so I may just hide behind him.
G, I am SO bad about quitting things before my time is up, too. I tried to make the commitment to myself not to do that anymore, ie not get involved in the first place, but I failed miserably.
Sara, what’s so funny is that in my job, we have about three meetings a year. Maybe. And that’s just because I’m on the habeas team. Otherwise, it’d be one. In all of the gov jobs I’ve had, we almost never ever have meetings. I know that’s not the stereotype of gov and I certainly know that that’s not other folks’ experience, but it’s been mine. So I think that’s why it’s even harder for me — I’m just not accustomed to it. 🙂
Wow. Lucky! Actually, I guess I don’t have a ton, either, but I’ve heard some stories….