Friday, October 22, 2010

Geronimo!!!

I’ve had the same performance evaluation for the last 15 years. Clients think you’re amazing. You can take those projects going down in the tubes, beat them into submission and get them out the door. But……perhaps you’re a teeny tiny bit impatient, please don’t hit me. I used to skulk back to my veal fattening pen and try and be more “sensitive” to my fellow worker bees. What would eventually happen is I would reach to point where my head would detonate like a ticking time bomb.

A few years ago I finally had a Kumbaya with my supervisor about what makes a successful project manager. I told him, “Look, the same personality that makes you pick me to do the dirty, ugly projects is the same thing that makes me a little more ummmm …….direct.” Here I gave an example. If the plane was going down in flames, do you want to be with that person over there wringing their hands or me, who’s saying, People, this way, put on your parachutes. Don’t be a hater.




Here is a little pumpkin recipe in honor of the upcoming Halloween holiday.

Pumpkin Soup
¼ cup butter
½ yellow onion finely minced
1 clove garlic minced
1 teaspoon curry
1/8 teaspoon coriander
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
½ teaspoon salt
3 cups chicken broth
16 ounces solid pack pumpkin
1 cup half and half
Green onions diced for garnish

Sauté onion and garlic in butter until soft. Add curry, coriander, red pepper and salt and cook for 1 minute. Add broth and boil gently for 15 minutes. Stir in pumpkin and half and half. Cook for 5 minutes. Serve with sour cream and sliced green onions. I know you’re thinking pumpkin? Should I garnish this with whipped cream? This doesn’t take anything like pumpkin pie and if you like squash you’ll love this soup.

I have an issue with personal space. Early in my career when I was a lowly designer, there was a guy at the office that would always give my arm a squeeze and say, “Hey girl how are you doing today. “ His voice reminded me of a 1-900 service. With a few reviews under my belt I was striving for the easy going co worker they wanted me to display.

I made several attempts at getting him out of my little bubble. Really, please don’t touch me, I don’t like. No really it makes me uncomfortable. Don’t you think girl is maybe a little sexist? One day after a particularly colicky baby night I snapped. Dude, take your hand off me, and I haven’t been a girl since I had my period when I was twelve. If that isn’t direct enough I don’t know what is.

10 comments:

rachel... said...

JINX on the pumpkin recipes today! Sounds good to me, you know I love pumpkin!

Also, I think direct is good. But I'll try and stay on your good side. ;)

Ca88andra said...

Just found your blog and absolutely have to follow anyone who is also having difficulties working out what to cook for dinner!

BAMAZED Resources said...

What more can you ask for... humor, intelligence and great recipes all in one place!? Thanks, Mrs. Tuna.

Missy said...

Pumkin Soup! Sounds great!

Unknown said...

Bet that co worker thought twice about touching others after that. Direct is the best way to fast and easy results. Way better than having to jump through hoops and hope the other person finally gets it.

Stephanie said...

At this point in my life I now tel people I don;'t like them in my space. I may make a bit of a joke about it...but I still tell them. Funny what I won't pout up with as I "age" :)

Mrs. Tuna said...

Now that I'm a little "older" too I exude that my warp shields are up and haven't experienced to many piggies in some time. The difficulty with working with all men is when you come off strong they decide you are a b*tch. I can live with it and being direct keeps them from jerking my chain

Mrs4444 said...

That's really funny. Seriously.

The recipe sounds wonderful! I once cooked a stew inside a pumpkin; it was heavenly, scooping out hunks of pumpkin with the rest. Yummm

This would be a perfect Friday Fragments post, you know; you should link up on Friday! :)

I Wonder Wye said...

I'm with ya. Lead, follow, or get out of the f---ng way...

pugsx4 said...

Wow I know exactly what you mean. I finally got beaten into submission at my last job lasting almost 9 years. I never could suffer fools gladly.
I worked and saved as much money as possible then said FU to the Corp world.

Just found your blog and am enjoying going back and reading your posts.
Thanks, Kim