Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Calling all haters

It's a hot look AND absorbent!
You know, there are just some weeks when you need to stay in bed. Or at the very least, at home with the lights off and the curtains drawn.

This was one of those weeks for me. But I didn't take my own advice and hunker down.Sigh.

Here's the deal:  I pride myself on saying what I think, standing up for what I believe in and looking out for my kids.  I am outspoken and passionate. I expect a lot from those around me--especially those who are involved in my kids' lives.  I am strong in my beliefs and I don't take much crap.  And sometimes (most times)  I make too much noise about things that annoy or aggravate me. 

BUT....

I am also very involved and contribute in any way I can to whatever we are involved in.  I am conscious of those around me and am active in my community and school.  I attend meetings and participate. I try to stay abreast of things that are happening and get involved when there needs to be change.  When everyone else is afraid to say what needs to be said, I am the one they look to when the voice needs to be heard. I am the voice. And everyone loves that about me when I'm on their side. Not so much when I'm not.

That voice gets me in trouble a lot.  And it got me in trouble again this week. It is these times that I need to just dig a hole and hold out until the smoke clears.

It's hard to be the voice because with it,  you also get the "label"--you are a pain, a troublemaker, intimidating, unlikeable. There are folks out there who don't want to be told what is wrong and that we need to fix it.  They don't want to hear what my thoughts are. They don't want you to do anything other than tell them that their world is rainbows, butterflies, and unicorns--and I'm not that sorta gal. 

So, this week brought me jilted stars and wonky vibes, bringing all those who light torches on my behalf marching towards my door.  Oh, it was ugly.  I swear there was a call on Facebook to line up if you hate Lin Kautz.  Wow. It was not a good week.  And all those who smiled quietly as I rampaged on, quickly found their voices.....all at the same time. And used them. On me. This week.

Yeah, it was great.

As I'm digging my hole, laying low, and keeping my head out of the line of fire, I find myself clinging to good friends and trying to maintain my sense of humor.  I'm trying to remember to laugh hard, ignore the haters, and know that there will be another day when more than just Joe likes me again. 

Well, unless I have too many Bloody Mary's and stuff a paper towel roll in my shirt again--that's sure to win folks back again, right? 

25 comments:

Catherine said...

Oh my stars girl ~ you always make me laugh! Well ~ hopefully those 'haters' settle down and you can ease back out of your hole. We enjoy you too much so don't stay down there too long. ;)

xo Catherine

Grace said...

You - hunker down? Nah...You're right - everyone probably does depend on you to lead the charge - Chin up, chest out - You got it.

Diane Cayton-Hakey said...

Bah! I say speaking your mind is a good thing. Let the nay-sayers say what they will. I get in trouble sometimes too and get accused of having no compassion, but sometimes telling people the truth, well.... they just don't want to hear it, do they... I say tough! Hold your head high, Girl.

Jean said...

The haters will hate someone else tomorrow So...have another drink and roll of paper towels and forget about those with zero taste. JMHO :-)

Secondary Roads said...

I hope the next week is an improvement on this one.

vanilla said...

How goes the verse? "This above all to thine own self be true
And it must follow as the night the day
Thoughcanst not then be false to any man."

Hang in there!

Kathy said...

I can guarantee you there are more people quietly cheering for you and thanking God Almighty that someone else is shakin' things up. the haters may be vocal, but they're outnumbered is my guess.

I used to work with a woman who reminds me of you. She always said what was on the minds of others, but who were too afraid to speak up. She spoke for us and didn't care if she caught heat. I loved her full-steam-ahead attitude and learned a little from her how to pull it off.

I admire you for sticking to your guns. And I admire you for posting a picture of yourself with TP jammed under your shirt. You. Are. My. Hero.

Rock on, sister. Fight the good fight.

Bossy Betty said...

Glad you stay "abreast" of all the issues. Looks like you are doing a good job. Don't worry about those others. They should be able to listen to you and respond appropriately. Ah, school/work/politics. There's nothing like it. Bleech.

Shieldmaiden96 said...

I sincerely think there is some kind of disturbance in the force this week; lots of conflict of this nature both in my life and in my wider circle. Whether people appreciate your voice or not right now, the truth is, organizations depend on the 'voices' to evolve and change. It is rarely fun or pretty. But oh, so necessary. Hang in there.

Patty Woodland said...

What did I miss.
Hey. Say what you feel.
They aren't really your friends if they can't have civil discourse

Diana - FreeStyleMama said...

Talk about keeping abreast!!

Don't shy away from being that mama bear!!!!

I LUV ya!

Mary Ann said...

Don't worry Lin we have all been there...well me anyway...don't change for anybody because you are the best:)

Hot Rocks said...

Well it certainly looks like you are keeping "abreast" of the situation! LOL!. I have always admired people whoe speak their mind and say it how it really is. My best girlfriend is like that. Not sure what got you into trouble, but just let it slide, a new week is just around the corner!

Nancy said...

What'd you do this time?!? You know, I'm seriously with you though. I have always stood fast by the truth and thought it better to tell others what's really up than to hold my tongue. And I've lost a good line of all-too-sensitive friends over the years too. I say, if you can't take it, then why are you even alive??? Doesn't the truth make us better?

BumbleVee said...

I'm all for telling it like it is ...and I too am in trouble plenty of times for opening my mouth and doing so.... it'll either blow over or something good might even come of it...or not.... but, somehow we do survive hey? And ...good for you not just sitting there saying nothing or not being involved. At least you have an opinion .... better than just being a follower.

hugs, V>

Ann said...

Well there may be some haters out there right now but I bet deep down they envy your boob job that some would pay thousands for.

BeadedTail said...

I can't imagine what you did to result in all that but I bet it'll be forgotten soon and everyone will like you just like Joe and all of us do!

Daisy said...

What Kathy said!

silverthoughts2 said...

Ugh yeah, definitely does not sound like a very good week at all. But good for you for always standing up for yourself and your kids, in the long run that's what matters...not what everyone else things and says about you.

Lin said...

Catherine--I've got to change my evil ways, I guess. :(

Grace--I'm tired, Grace. You have to really advocate for your kid in schools nowadays and I'm tired of the battle. And God forbid you say something bad about a teacher...! I have one year left--pray I make it without getting killed.

Diane--I have an opinion and folks don't like that. What's funny is that I'm saying what people already know, but we aren't supposed to verbalize. Sometimes I'm just tired of being me with this big mouth.

Jean--You are right. It's just my turn this week. Tough week though.

Chuck--Yeah, me too!

Vanilla--Yeah, but I don't think that means I can tell people what I think of them, does it? Aw man, I'm not making many friends this week.

Kathy--I'm battling the school and I know that I have kids, parents, teachers and staff who are thinking and saying what I verbalized--but I'm the "bad guy." Most times I don't care what folks think, but then there are times when I'm just tired of the fight. Thanks for your encouragement and nice words. I'm glad you enjoyed my super cool, super absorbent new chest! :O

Betty--I not only got on some last nerves, but apparently I was dancing on them too. Uh oh. Maybe I went too far? Ugh.

Shieldmaiden--Thank you, my friend. Those are the words I needed to hear. That is exactly what I said when I was called on the carpet--we can all stand and shake pom-pons, but that isn't going to make things better. Sometimes we have to be honest and admit there is a LOT of work to be done. Kill the messenger, right? I hope the universe quits with the negative waves.

Patty--It's not friends--it's the school. They don't like that I'm verbal about bad teachers and administrators who favor certain races. It's ugly, but it's TRUE. Truth hurts, you know?

Diana--Thanks, pally! That's two!

Mary Ann--It's good to see that I've got a lot of people here like me. I don't feel quite so alone and I don't see the torches tonight. :)

Lin said...

Hot Rocks--Sometimes when you say what you think, folks don't like that a whole lot. I'm pretty outspoken so it comes to bite me in the butt. It's one of those weeks.

Nancy--School. I sad some things about a teacher, the principal and administration and it got back to them. Not that I care--it's just that they are pretty miffed at me right now. You know--God forbid you say something about a teacher in public. Ooooh, that does not go over big. Whatever. Truth hurts--but with the union, they can't get rid of the losers and they know it.

Bumblevee--It's good to know that other folks get it like I do, but it still hurts, you know? I wonder how the followers feel? I guess I won't ever know. ;)

Ann--Yeah! Those are the best, most absorbent boobs EVER! :)

Beaded Tail--I'm not sure it's so bad, but it just feels that way right now. This too shall pass and I'll be ready for another battle another day. :)

Daisy--And don't be eyeing my paper towel chest! I know how you kitties like to claw toilet paper rolls! :P That's all I need right about now.

Silver--I know, but sometimes it just gets to you, you know? It's not fun being the bad guy all the time. :(

Silver--

paul s said...

you have curious Lin since i know a little about what goes on at ABS , just take a deep breath and release one big SHUT THE HELL UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Veronica Lee said...

But that's what we love about you - your forwardness. That's a quality I wish I had.

Rock on, Lin!

Lin said...

Paul--Well, someone sorta told me that same phrase this week--but not exactly those words. And he wasn't somewhat kidding, unlike me when I use that phrase. Folks don't like it when you stick up for yourself or point out what they already know is wrong. Oh, Paul, you know me--always in hot water. ;)

Veronica--You gotta have tough skin, Veronica. And some days, my skin isn't tough enough for what I dish out. (Let me know when the torches blow out, okay? Hee! Hee!)

Sharkbytes said...

It's an interesting look, but I think you may have just a little too much support there. Hard to see to tie your shoes, you know.