Learning to Play the Blame Game

I’m quickly learning that most people in this life (or at least in this city) have no problem ducking out on responsibility. Whereas I have grown to acknowledge my assigned “workload” and take responsibility for my actions, many others are only comfortable passing the blame onto the people around them. Playing dumb is an art for these people. Laziness is a way of life, and unfortunately tolerated.

It’s definitely official. I care too much, and I’ve GOT to work on that. Overwhelming aggravation is an understatement when dealing with these apathetic crack babies, and I need to re-evaluate my position on the world-at-large immediately.

I’ve got to learn to care less and relax more at work, and to do the opposite when I escape from the salt mines. Whereas my professional life finally seems to be evolving into something palatable (aside from having to deal with lazy mo-fos), my social (and more specifically love) life has been taking a hit. Fact: I don’t make near enough to have my nights interrupted by disturbing dreams of missed deadlines and uncaught typos. And I’m way too young not to not take advantage of all the extracurricular activities this city has too offer, especially during the summer!

I seem to be in the midst of internal karma warfare (aka homeostasis). Just as my professional life seems to be getting on the right track (or at least A track), my personal life seems to have jumped the tracks completely. I’m sure I’m exaggerating, and it might seem that I’m passing the blame off on karma, but maybe this is just me trying to adapt to my surroundings!

Life is a headache. Accountability is bullshit. Cynicism still rules. Dignity is overrated. Karma is, and will forever be, a bitch to be reckoned with! I blame the universe. It owes me a break. If I don’t get one soon there’s going to be a mental health problem.

I’m just sayin…

Commentary

What is to follow is a commentary on how I spent a weekend on a mountain to personally celebrate the surmounted, proverbial mountain in my professional life. If you’re confused, give me 5 minutes!

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It was an amazing time, lack of pretentiousness and all the things that sometimes make the City (and civilization in general) unbearable (and at the same time annoyingly convenient). Six guys (that all just happen to prefer dudes) headed north to the city of Beacon, New York to enter the woods for a holiday weekend of escape and adventure, knowing not what lay ahead of them.

The comfort factor among the group was immediate, the testosterone levels were at an all time high, and the beauty of thoughtful immaturity was vastly evident. Friendships were fostered by proximity and a brotherhood was formed out of Smores and multiple games of Truth or Dare.

(Aside: shout-out to Senor Frisky for making this trip happen & including me!)

Malouf’s Mountain is an ideal getaway for city slickers that don’t drive, don’t take cold showers, and most certainly do not do “primitive”. All the ingredients were there for an idyllic way to celebrate my long-overdue promotion to Jr. Project Manager at work.

It became official late on Thursday (before the 4-day weekend). It took me taking my assertiveness to a whole new level, and it’s a good thing for me. This evolutionary landmark is something I desperately needed in my life and the coming weeks should be telling. The coming weeks will be my chance to prove that the right decision was made, by both parties. There is uncertainty surely to follow, mainly due to the volatile nature of the advertising business. Whereas my previous position (held for a solid 20 months) came with a comfortable amount of job security, I must now be constantly prepared (and on the lookout) for the repercussions of the shifting sands of unpredictable accounts and office politics.

It’s not easy to submerge yourself in the woods for a weekend, where the ground is your bed and hots dogs are the norm. It’s even harder to return to reality after pushing yourself out of (what you thought was) your comfort zone. It comes down to this: adaptation leads to uneasiness and I must embrace the uncertainty that is upon me.

For sometime now at work, I have tried to be all things to all people. But not even God has been able to accomplish that feat, so I’m not sure why I even tried to in the first place. With this promotion, I have been put in a position where I have the ability to do good work and do things right. That’s a good feeling.

And although I’m not nearly in love with the process, I believe the experience and relationships will be well worth the bullshit & (more often than I care to admit) 12-hour days.

Here’s to advertising, project management, and the fine people at Malouf’s Mountain for all holding a special place in my heart!

And I’d like to dedicate Brad Paisley’s (I’d Like To Check You For) Ticks to my boys around the campfire. Jenga forever!

The End.

And now a word from our sponsor...

A brief description from the website for Malouf’s Mountain Sunset Camp:

On the North-Western slopes of the Fishkill Ridge, named by the Dutch settlers for the teeming waters of the creek at its foothills, lives a place where the mountain serves up the comforts of food, drink and sheltered rest under a canopy of white oak and tulip trees.
It's a place where the smoky aroma of cooking fires mingles with the living perfume of sweet birch, spicebush and sassafras.

Where fresh young springs tumble down ravines, over moss-bearded granite boulders, and the sound of every footstep is lost in the leaf song of the forest.

Welcome to Malouf's Mountain Sunset Camp, a fully-catered forest camping resort for hikers. Here, highland trails begin or end with your choice of fresh meals delivered to your private haven, with sleeping platforms crafted into the mountainside, and your every material need anticipated and provided. All you need carry in is a sleeping bag and walking stick. Custom tents are now available.

It's worth a check-out!