Wednesday, June 15, 2011

It's Not Rocket Science... until it is

My disposition is such that I prefer getting along with others.

I’m not adversarial by nature.

I enjoy good working relationships, and I like for everyone involved to feel that they’re carrying their weight.

But I’m also impatient.

My verbal skills are equaled by my mathematical skills, and beyond that, I’m a mega-organizer. I don’t sweat the small stuff because I’ve got the small stuff under control.

So I sometimes have problems when other people sweat the small stuff.

Or, when they can’t figure out how to organize a project.

… It’s been more than a few years since I’ve held a staff job, but I recall a phrase I’d utter at times, while managing one of those jobs: It’s not rocket science!

Mind you, I’d never make this statement directly to a co-worker. Rather, I’d think it. I’d think it silently. I’d think it profoundly.

Perhaps I was being a little too inflexible. Too impatient.

(Perhaps there’s a reason I’m better off self-employed.)

… But then, there was that moment. That first movie I rented after leaving my husband and settling into the one-bedroom where I currently dwell.

Apollo 13.

I sat alone on my brand new, divorced-woman couch.

I hit the Play button.

I watched.

And about twenty minutes into the movie, I missed my husband.

Because, were he there, I would have turned to him, and I would have said, “What the fuck is going on?”

I’m not saying he could have answered that question, but at least he would have been there to be as dumbfounded as I was.

Because Apollo 13 was rocket science.

And that is something I will never understand.

7 comments:

Sioux Roslawski said...

Katie---I am SO with you. Someone was recently talking about Tesla inventing an "AC dynamo" and my eyes started glazing over. However, unlike you, I'm like that with math as well. I enjoyed Apollo 13, but just fastforwarded through the scientific parts, which meant the movie lasted 7 minutes. (Just kidding!)

Theresa Milstein said...

It is nice to share those moments with someone.

Since I'm not great with science or math, there's a lot I don't understand!

Jules said...

OMG, LOL I'm sorry but the concept off just asking, "what the F**K?" had me laughing ice tea threw my nose.

But hey, it was rocket science preformed with "Oh please work and where is the duct tape." Thanks for the laugh, I needed it! :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

cj Schlottman said...

Katie! I'm delighted that your book is on Kindle! I am telling all my friends.

As to this precious post, it's really strange how we can miss someone we can't get along with. It's kind of like missing a toothache. You made me smile with this one.

Namaste..........cj

Lisa Ricard Claro said...

Hi Katie - I'll have your book on my Kindle before week's end. :) Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the email notification.

Your post got me laughing. I'm envious that your math skills rock...I wish mine did!

Lazarus said...

I'm sure you're better off on your own Katie, all things work out for the best, that's what my mother always used to say... Very impressed that your math skills equal your considerable verbal/writing skills, that's a rare feat!

Samantha Vérant said...

I'm married to a rocket scientist. Seriously. Um, help?