rhetorical

I added this post to my blog on July 5. Since then, I deleted the post from my blog and shredded my vision board.

A few months ago I created this dream board that includes pictures of swimmers, a runner, women with long natural hair, and couples who are seemingly happy with each other. I wanted a visual reminder of what was possible. I hoped that the dream board would encourage me to train for a marathon, take swimming lessons, and become more optimistic about the possibility of having a healthy, committed, monogamous, romantic relationship.

Since I completed the vision board, I’ve run father than I have ever run before, signed up to complete the San Francisco Marathon on July 26, 2009, and done a lot of reflecting on my current and previous relationships. I’ve also looked online to see where I might take swimming lessons this summer. My hair has grown a bit, too.

I still have a ways to go before everything pictured on the board manifests in my life. However, posting the board here and writing about it may be just the nudge I need to reevaluate my commitment to running farther and faster, growing my hair longer, learning how to swim, and cultivating a healthy romantic relationship.

I have great respect for anyone who has ever completed a marathon. No matter how fast or how slow.

Today I wanted to cross the finish line of the San Francisco Marathon. I wanted to get my race medal. (It can also be used as a coaster.) However, I had no desire to actually do/run miles 14-26.2.

So what did I do? Three things. I decided to suck it up. I discarded any expectations for finishing within any particular time. (I originally wanted to finish in 4h45m or at least under 5h.) And, I worked on enjoying the view, my fellow competitors, and the fact that the marathon is a challenge. A challenge that I could appreciate as much while doing it as after it was over.

Here’s what I want:

To be appropriately compensated for my final week of work and unused vacation time by August 7, 2009.

Here’s how I want to get it:
I want someone to easily calculate the amount of money my employer owes me and to process my final paycheck without incident.

My commitment:
I looked up my final time sheet online and noticed an error. I called my supervisor to inquire about the error on my final time sheet and to ask about unused vacation time. I called the payroll clerk and left a message about the error and the vacation time. I’ll allow my supervisor and the payroll clerk time to correct the error. I’ll check online by August 5 to see if my vacation balances and time sheet have been adjusted. I’ll call my supervisor and payroll clerk again if the issue isn’t resolved by August 5.