So as I sit here writing a new post for the first time in several months, it is raining. I have a lit cigarette and a cold beer. I am staring at the night sky, seeing the fat drops of spring rain pass the street light across from my concrete porch. My evening work schedule has finally turned me nocturnal, and the fighting of various call center germs and what have you have kept me spending more time recovering than doing non-work or non-work things than I want to. But you know whose fault that is? Mine. Not yours, not the system, not the sea (who happens to be a cruel mistress.)
I can totally take ownership for my own actions and their results. I am lazy, I prefer the learning to the doing, and I never like staying any one job, school, relationship too long. As a result I don't have the resume, the contacts, the leads, and the other advantages I would have if my work ethic applied to grades, networking, or anything work related after I clock out of the office. This is the bed I have made for myself, and while it is not where I would 100% choose myself to be I can see why I am here and accept it. (On cigarette #2 for those of you counting at home.)
Why do I bring all of this up now? Well basically I work a customer service job, but the place I work is pretty lax and for the most part the calls are easy as can be. The problem comes from those calls that aren't. People will be people. Which means they want easy fixes that require no work for them. More importantly they want solutions that do not require paying for past mistakes. Which is wonderful, except that physics is a bitch and there are no free lunches children.
The most painful of these encounters are the ones where there is something that is far outside my expertise in fixing. This can be something such as computer drivers not installed correctly so our service wont work, or that using a work computer that has us blocked and wanting me to push a button to work around that. Or it could be something as complicated as home network settings combined with home theater setups using surround sound systems and multimedia streaming boxes. Fixing this blind, over the phone, with equipment we don't make, service, or even have trouble shooting guides for. I am sorry, but I don't know what is inside that nameless box you got when it fell of a truck is.
People have always wanted easy outs. And no one likes paying a specialist money to fix something. Sad but true. I know that's how I am. Yet I am willing to admit when I need someone better, and if I ask an expert and he tells me I need a specialist and points me in the right direction that's ok too. Better that than him taking a stab at it and making it even worse.
This goes on to other aspects of life. Several people I know (and out of decency and forgetfulness will not name) have ruined solid relationships by looking for the quick fix now and not the ownership of the fuck up. Careers have been lost, cars that could have been saved become scrapped, roofs collapsed in, bridges fall, yadda yadda yadda.
Ok maybe I've ranted long enough, in summary just man up, own it, learn from it, move forward, and dont ask for majikal fixes. Be big enough to know that you totally fucked it up royally and you will have to rebuild. And please, dont blame me for your mistakes. I have enough of my own to keep me busy.
