I know I said I wouldn't but...

I guess I have a couple of things to say about "Remington Steele"...things that keep popping up as a hmm...

1. It's funny to watch a show where people still have to stop and use pay phones because cells weren't what they are today. Oh sure, there were some car phones but that was about it.

2. How sad is that even in the 80's women still weren't quite as respected as men in the business world. Here we have a smart, capable woman who has to invent a man to front her detective agency in order to get business. I mean, sure this is a fictional show but the fact that it was picked up as a series meant that it was somewhat something people/women could relate to. It wasn't a far-fetched, out of this world concept.

3. Years ago when I used to watch shows that were set in CA, I used to think it was just not a state I'd care to visit (have no interest in "Hollywood" and all that jazz) but after now having been to San Fransisco and San Diego (plus being a person that hates winter more and more every year) I can see the appeal to living in a state that has a nice climate year-round. FL too. No snow. Imagine year-round green grass, trees and flowers and then no bloody snow. There seem to be a lot of nice little towns that have nothing to do with show business -uh, not that I can think of any right this second...


4. I'm really admiring the character of "Laura Holt". While she is attracted to "Remington", she refuses to just give in to her baser urges when it comes to him and their relationship. Now of course, it was written that way otherwise no series, but she stated fairly early on in the series that she wouldn't sleep with him casually. It would happen only if it meant something and there was some kind of commitment between them. She is intelligent, capable and is proud of her independence. In fact, I think she might be one of the original "quirkyalone's". What is a quirkyalone you ask? Well, this is what it is: Quirkyalone noun/adj. A person who has the capacity to enjoy single life (but is not opposed to being in a relationship) and generally prefers to be alone rather than dating for the sake of being in a couple. She's one of the first I've seen on TV who isn't obsessed with getting married and having babies and that's refreshing to see -even if the show is 20+ years old.

5. Speaking of women and this show...Pierce Brosnan's real-life wife, Cassandra Harris, is guest-starring on the episode I'm watching right now and while it's awful to speak poorly of the deceased, she's a terrible actress. Ugh. I'm tempted to just start fast-forward scenes she's in. Meow!

Ah, tomorrow (uh, today) is my "Friday". Yahoo! It's been a long week. Got pissy with one passenger yesterday. Why do I let them push my buttons? I was told once that a person's greatest strength can also be their greatest weakness and I believe that. I really like helping people but if people don't accept what I'm saying (no, I'm sorry, we don't have the space available using only 25,000 miles) and they start bitching and moaning, I get bitchy back and I HATE that. I don't want to be that person who loses their temper and has a bad attitude. This morning, before work, as I was just laying around trying to summon up the energy to get out of bed, I thought to myself that I should make some motivational mini-posters for myself that include "you cannot please all the people all the time"; "I am not responsible for anyone else's thoughts, reactions or feelings" and the little gem "you can't win 'em all". Then I went and listened to that Five Steps/Positive thinking thing and it must have done something to me 'cause today I was just in a really good, happy mood. I tried my best and didn't take on their disappointment like I normally do.

I've been frustrated at the dismal number of calls per hour I take because I just can't help myself in wanting to really just find the best flights I can for these people, for the least amount of money and/or mileage (I'll look at all partners, I'll look at different routes -anything to get these people what they want) so my calls go on and on and on...and I'll feel so bad, take it so personally when I can't accomplish it (I am only doing what I would want someone to do for me -a person who really doesn't have a lot of money and is not just being cheap or miserly with their money or miles -especially when they have a lot and refuse to use more which will get them what they want!...uh, can I really say that with the economy the way it is right now?) but today, as I found myself apologizing repeatedly because what people wanted just wasn't going to happen, something was different. I tried my best and that's all anybody asks for right? I cannot please all the people all the time. I am not responsible for anyone else's thoughts, reactions or feelings and you can't win 'em all.

I've also decided that I'm going to make it kind of a game and everyday I go to work, I'm going to see how I can learn and succeed at finding that fine line between caring/being friendly and being able to say no without feeling like it's all my fault or just go on and on with apologies and excuses. If it ain't gonna happen, end the call and move on. Not tell everyone every little thing they say that I relate to. Cut down on the chit chat and see if I can't still be a great customer service agent but with some backbone and a bit thicker of skin.

You know, I'm so glad I'm doing this blog. I don't even care if anyone reads it (OK, I'm a Leo, that's a fib) I know blogging can be a solitary, self-involved thing to do but I'm enjoying the writing process and being able to put down in words things that circle around my brain and keep from sleeping some nights.