Standing on a makeshift stage in the elementary school cafeteria, I smelled sour milk and heavy-duty bleach as parents took turns yelling at me about everything I was doing wrong.
Dr Rabbi Teacher Principal CEO idea man, you know just what to do in this crazy help needing world. Not without your copilot of course. Another cool cool story, thank YOU for sharing.
Part of my career was as an art teacher in a private, chi-chi (sp?) boys’, 1-9 grade, day school. They wore ties and jackets and were ready to commute at the drop of a hat. The activity for that day was painting and color mixing, one of my favorite things to do. I explained primary, secondary, tertiary colors. Then I went into middle tones where you muddy colors and keep adding until you get what you want. I was an oil painter which explains my enthusiasm, but I can assure you we had no oils. Poster paints in gallon jugs was medium of choice. I hauled a gallon off the shelf and said, “Are ya ready?” I was delighted to see anticipation in their eyes. Poster paints settle, most of the pigment is at the bottom. When I hauled the gallon from the shelf, I gave it a mighty shake. A purple geyser exploded from the jug and hit the wall.
The boys had a big laugh.
As for me, I’ll stick with primary colors, possibly secondary. But it was venturing into tertiary colors that sweetened the tweed and tied boys’ coup, for which I am humbled and a little bit smarter.
I recall a project from the mid 90’s where a small group of us fully grasped the importance and magnitude of what we trying to accomplish, while senior management did not share our vision. Rather than debate our position purely with emotion, we surveyed our key customers as well as some early supporters and got testimonials from them. We then presented these stories and examples, along with our strategic plan, which helped get our campaign approved.
Thank you for sharing. I have enjoyed reading your articles as they are open, honest, and tell it as it is. I have had moments such as this, where I am hopeful about my ideas and plan, that I think will be successful - only to be told it sucks. It is the most humbling and frightening feeling. However when I take the small chair moment, humble myself and admit to my mistakes, apologies, and sincerely show and make the effort of correcting the situation, people are more understanding, or at least some of them, lol.
Thanks for sharing Mei. I so agree with your "humbling and frightening" turn of phrase. And let's hear it for those who are understanding of our mistakes.
I ran my own art-based after school program for many years. You have a writer’s talent for scene-setting, irony and humor, but , from my POV, it’s at the expense of believability. The little chair metaphor was effective, getting there was “a long walk.” But I do have a little chair moment to share.
Dr Rabbi Teacher Principal CEO idea man, you know just what to do in this crazy help needing world. Not without your copilot of course. Another cool cool story, thank YOU for sharing.
How did it turn out, the project/mission?
Wonderful and insightful. Sometimes, sitting in the smallest chairs allows us to make the biggest impact.
Part of my career was as an art teacher in a private, chi-chi (sp?) boys’, 1-9 grade, day school. They wore ties and jackets and were ready to commute at the drop of a hat. The activity for that day was painting and color mixing, one of my favorite things to do. I explained primary, secondary, tertiary colors. Then I went into middle tones where you muddy colors and keep adding until you get what you want. I was an oil painter which explains my enthusiasm, but I can assure you we had no oils. Poster paints in gallon jugs was medium of choice. I hauled a gallon off the shelf and said, “Are ya ready?” I was delighted to see anticipation in their eyes. Poster paints settle, most of the pigment is at the bottom. When I hauled the gallon from the shelf, I gave it a mighty shake. A purple geyser exploded from the jug and hit the wall.
The boys had a big laugh.
As for me, I’ll stick with primary colors, possibly secondary. But it was venturing into tertiary colors that sweetened the tweed and tied boys’ coup, for which I am humbled and a little bit smarter.
I recall a project from the mid 90’s where a small group of us fully grasped the importance and magnitude of what we trying to accomplish, while senior management did not share our vision. Rather than debate our position purely with emotion, we surveyed our key customers as well as some early supporters and got testimonials from them. We then presented these stories and examples, along with our strategic plan, which helped get our campaign approved.
Thank you for sharing. I have enjoyed reading your articles as they are open, honest, and tell it as it is. I have had moments such as this, where I am hopeful about my ideas and plan, that I think will be successful - only to be told it sucks. It is the most humbling and frightening feeling. However when I take the small chair moment, humble myself and admit to my mistakes, apologies, and sincerely show and make the effort of correcting the situation, people are more understanding, or at least some of them, lol.
Thanks for sharing Mei. I so agree with your "humbling and frightening" turn of phrase. And let's hear it for those who are understanding of our mistakes.
I ran my own art-based after school program for many years. You have a writer’s talent for scene-setting, irony and humor, but , from my POV, it’s at the expense of believability. The little chair metaphor was effective, getting there was “a long walk.” But I do have a little chair moment to share.