I documented an experience I had at work on Thursday, August 29, 2002 on this site. Yesterday, the below letter was printed in a weekly publication.


Letter To The Editor

Dear Editor,

My name is xxx and I am Russian. I read your cover article about The Center’s ED and I want to tell you something about him. What you don’t know of course I had a very difficult situation in my life in 2002 year and I went to our “friendly” Community Center to make appointment for this “gentleman” so I didn’t do it but I got this telephone number and I left a few! Messages about my problem to visit and see him personally, but no way! He was too busy to see me and I met his “AID LADY” who was seeking at me look like I am a spy. Dear writer, I’ll tell you very honestly that I had a big experience about (or with?) bureaucracy in the former Soviet Union, but bureaucracy which I met at Community Center, much much bigger!! So, I will never ever go there anymore.

P.s. Sorry for my English but I’m still learning it!

I AM “AID Lady”

And it just goes to show that if you don’t have both sides of the story, information is VERY misleading.

Happy birthday to my girlfriend-Feb. 28, 2003.

I hope you have a great day, Christina!

I still have Hope.

Aries Horoscope for week of February 27, 2002

Is hope overrated? While it can provide consolation when life is painfully confounding, the Sufi poet Rumi suggested that it may actually get in the way of finding a cure. "When water gets caught in habitual whirlpools," he wrote, "dig a way out through the bottom to the ocean. There is a secret medicine given only to those who hurt so hard they cannot hope. The hopers would feel slighted if they knew." What if Rumi was right, Aries? Speaking on behalf of the astrological omens, I advise you to let hopelessness be your guide in the coming week.

An example of what I deal with all day:

Jennifer, Thank you for your prompt response to my inquiry re: the rate on the room quote. I don't want to come across as 'being difficult' re: the rate for the room I was quoted. That said, since this event is simply a birthday party, I don't see how it would be a 'for profit' event? My understanding of 'for profit' would be, for example, if I were to sell T-shirts at this event saying "JENNIFER IS 50" at a cost of $20/per shirt. Then we would be talking a 'for profit' event no? As I said I by no means am trying to be difficult....at least not on purpose! It's just that there is obviously a huge price difference between the 'profit' vs. 'non profit' rate for the room rentals and I was sure my event would have fallen under the not-for-profit category. What do you think? Thanks again for your time.

Tuesday, 25th February 2003

ARIES
(Mar 21 - Apr 20)
Sometimes you may be down but you are never out. You’ve always got one trick left up your sleeve. Like the proverbial rubber ball, you just keep bouncing back. That’s because in your heart of hearts you are not a quitter – but a heavy-hitter. Right now, you are doing something difficult. You are being brave and bold. Are you possibly going just a bit too far? Perhaps, but then that’s got to be better than not going far enough. You have reason to be immensely proud of all of your recent choices. Stop asking questions that are impossible to answer, just trust that what you know is enough.

More layoffs last week.
When I heard the news I was not at first sure how to react, should I be happy or sad that I was not one of those chosen…
I have resigned myself to do the best and most I can do at work…and will attempt to leave the rest at work.
My health is suffering because of the stress I feel all the time. When I saw my therapist last week, she asked me what is going to happen, meaning something has got to give, and I said I really was not sure but that I felt my body would not be able to handle the amount of stress I was feeling for much longer…
So, for now…I resign myself.

Our Documentary.

We need to start thinking of a film title...

My girlfriend’s birthday is Friday, February 28. Our friend Mark bought us tickets to go to Vegas in order to celebrate.

If you have a chance, please send her an email wishing her a good day.

Happy early birthday wishes to you, Christina!

Monday, 24th February 2003

ARIES
(Mar 21 - Apr 20)
“Dear Jonathan, Some of last week’s Aries forecasts were very doomy. Did someone else write them? Or should I really have stayed in bed?” Tess. Dear Tess, I am sorry. I was just trying to empathise with what looked like an exceptionally challenging astrological outlook. It appears, in your case, that I inadvertently made things worse. It’s always hard to get the balance right when the planets are making your readers extra sensitive. This week, though, you’ll soon be back to your old self. You’ll find things improve radically and rapidly both in your life... and on this page!