Last week was enchanting. Work went just wonderfully and I finally feel as though I am getting into the groove of my new place of work. My crew made many accomplishments over the last couple of weeks and for that I am grateful. I couldn't be more proud of everyone at 176 that has been and will continue to be apart of the 176 transformation. You guys are awesome.
On Thursday of last week, the management teams from the Pittsburgh districts got together for a company outing. About 20 of us went bowling and Jesse had his record bowling score of 40. Yep, 40. Maranol nearly bowled a ball into the next lane AND popped a bottle of champagne in the bowling alley that was otherwise filled with adult men in a bowling league. If we played "what didn't belong," it would have been us. But, we had a blast. I am thankful to have a job that has surrounded me with such great people over the last two years.
On Saturday evening, some of these same friends and I went out in the city and danced the night away in a club with a tremendous amount of falling confetti and old rap songs. At any rate, an incident that took place on Saturday is what inspired me to write this very blog. As we were walking along East Carson Street around 12:30a.m., a heavily intoxicated man stopped me.
Stranger: Excuse me.
Me: Yes? (thinking that one of my friends had dropped something on the sidewalk)
Stranger: Do you want to have sex with me?
Me: Oh? No thank you.
Stranger: I make tall babies.
Me: I'm sure I would also. No thank you, though.
Stranger: We could make basketball players.
TJ: Hey man, stop talking to her.
Stranger: Okay dude. Fuck off.
But after this happened I couldn't help but think, has this idiot used this same pick up line on other occasions and has it ever worked on an unsuspecting and heavily intoxicated female on the south side? Here are the conclusions that I have arrived at based only on the knowledge that I have of the situation. A. Even if this man was so drunk that he had his stomach pumped shortly after participating in this conversation with me, there is absolutely no excuse for ever talking to another human being like that EVER. And B. If any girl has ever talked to or slept with this man, they have no respect for themselves whatsoever.
But, it's not just this guy or any girl who has given him the time of day.
We all know people that continuously allow others to take advantage of them. Here is a little tip for anyone who allows themselves to be treated like a doormat: No one will ever respect you until you respect yourself. If you set low expectations for yourself, no one will ever strive to give you what you truly deserve. If you consistently make bad decisions, date an absolute moron, or hangout with a group of people that no one respects, then do not expect people to respect you the way that you deserve to be respected. The people that you surround yourself with have a direct correlation with the way that people perceive you. Don't forget that.
My advice to you?
Surround yourself with good people. People like TJ. Whenever an idiot bothers you, the TJ's of the world will be sure that they leave you alone.
Listen to your parents. If they don't like your friends; there is probably a very good reason for that. When I was younger, my parents couldn't stand one of my friends. After a few years, I saw that their perception of my friend was absolutely correct. She was a shit friend with a horrendous attitude.
Set high expectations for your quality of life. Don't settle for anything less than you deserve, because you deserve the absolute best of everything. You'll have to believe me on this one until you have a moment of realization.
Above all else, remember who you are and what you stand for. If you don't stand for something you will fall for absolutely anything. Set goals for yourself and achieve them. Stand by your beliefs. Know who you are with absolutely no help from anyone else. And, most importantly, don't allow anyone else to taint your beliefs.
Here's to respecting yourself and allowing others to follow suit,
Have a fantastic week!
Xoxo <3
