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Perception is everything
That truth to that statement always makes me cower with fear and cringe at the thought of destroying what I've built so far.
My reputation always precedes me. There's always a rumor, a story or an anecdote about who I am, what I've done and where I've been. Not all of them are true, of course, but if it gets me a reaction that I know will work to my advantage, who am I do dispel these stories?
One, people actually think that I'm not the maternal/domestic type. I may surprise you by baking the most wonderful apple pie or the chunkiest chocolate chip and walnut cookies you've ever tasted. I can't cook Filipino food to save my life but I can whip up a nice grilled salmon with tarragon sauce and roasted potatoes for you. I actually am maternal - hubby can attest to this. True, at first I couldn't stand to be drooled on (saliva scared the holy bejesus out of me) but now, I let my boys happily chew away at my digits.
Most people also think that I'm an intimidating, hard, calculating and vindictive bitch. Only three of those adjectives are true. I am intimidating, true, only because I have to get the upper hand and take control of the situation. I am vindictive, yes. Only because I have to make sure my ass is covered and I survive anything thrown at me, even if it means I have to bring some idiots down with me. I am a bitch, I will not deny that. I'm just not the pansy, anti-depressant, carebear kind of girl. I'm a realist and I don't subscribe to the thought that people should always be happy. If that were the case, you should be locked up and institutionalized.
I can fake interest and sometimes, feign intelligence. I'm not that well traveled, not that well read, not that cultured as the regular garden variety ladies who lunch. I like reading and I prefer certain authors to others who were required to be read back in high school. I like Neruda because he speaks to me. I like Rilke because he moves me. I like Kundera because he's given me a view that most authors try to fuzz up when you read them. I like them because I like them and not because I'm trying to impress anyone.
Reputation is everything. Guard it with everything you've got. If someone wants to destroy your reputation, find their jugular and bare your fangs, poised to take a bite.
My reputation precedes me. I'm letting it stay that way. I don't need to explain anything to anyone. (Except hubby...love you panget!)
My reputation always precedes me. There's always a rumor, a story or an anecdote about who I am, what I've done and where I've been. Not all of them are true, of course, but if it gets me a reaction that I know will work to my advantage, who am I do dispel these stories?
One, people actually think that I'm not the maternal/domestic type. I may surprise you by baking the most wonderful apple pie or the chunkiest chocolate chip and walnut cookies you've ever tasted. I can't cook Filipino food to save my life but I can whip up a nice grilled salmon with tarragon sauce and roasted potatoes for you. I actually am maternal - hubby can attest to this. True, at first I couldn't stand to be drooled on (saliva scared the holy bejesus out of me) but now, I let my boys happily chew away at my digits.
Most people also think that I'm an intimidating, hard, calculating and vindictive bitch. Only three of those adjectives are true. I am intimidating, true, only because I have to get the upper hand and take control of the situation. I am vindictive, yes. Only because I have to make sure my ass is covered and I survive anything thrown at me, even if it means I have to bring some idiots down with me. I am a bitch, I will not deny that. I'm just not the pansy, anti-depressant, carebear kind of girl. I'm a realist and I don't subscribe to the thought that people should always be happy. If that were the case, you should be locked up and institutionalized.
I can fake interest and sometimes, feign intelligence. I'm not that well traveled, not that well read, not that cultured as the regular garden variety ladies who lunch. I like reading and I prefer certain authors to others who were required to be read back in high school. I like Neruda because he speaks to me. I like Rilke because he moves me. I like Kundera because he's given me a view that most authors try to fuzz up when you read them. I like them because I like them and not because I'm trying to impress anyone.
Reputation is everything. Guard it with everything you've got. If someone wants to destroy your reputation, find their jugular and bare your fangs, poised to take a bite.
My reputation precedes me. I'm letting it stay that way. I don't need to explain anything to anyone. (Except hubby...love you panget!)
