Thursday, November 04, 2004
What A Dark Week
As weeks go, this has not been one of the best. Between Lion having issues with CSB and Bush winning the election, wearing black doesn't seem like a bad idea. The election has been a hot topic for the past 9 months. It ended up splitting the country even more than the Iraq war. I tried to keep abreast of the canidates' position on things, but in the end, Bush has so messed up the past 4 years that I'd have voted for Roger Rabbit. In the end that mentality is probably what did in Kerry. "Anyone But Bush" isn't a good place to run a campaign from. It was good enough for me because I believed that Kerry couldn't do any worse and had only up to go. For many Americans that wasn't enough. Bush campaigned well and got out there and said what he believd. Kerry did, but then didn't. As a Democrat, I have a general idea where he stands, but I'd have like some definative statements. The American public seemed to feel the same way. I wanted rid of Bush more than I wanted the definative statements, unfortunatly Kerry fell short of 3 million more citizens sharing my thoughts.
Bush today said to the 55 million people who didn't vote for him, to get behind and support him. He also said that he'd reach out to those that share his beliefs. Sorry, but I'm one of those 55 million that voted against Bush and I don't share his beliefs. I'm not going to get behind him, I'm going to stand in his path as much as I can. For someone who says he is a uniter, again, his declaration that if you don't share his beliefs then he's not going to reach out to you, isn't a very uniting in sentiment.
Bush has a Republican White House, Senate, Congress and 29 of 50 govenors. He says he's got a plan for Iraq and other issues. Well he gets 2 years with his co-horts to fix things. If he fails, he can't blame the Democrats, they aren't the majority. I hope that we aren't doomed to repeat history and have the next 4 years be as bad as the previous.
As the election results are darkening spirits, Lion decides to finally press the issue of commitment amongst the CSB squad. Lion has had issues with this since he joined. We practice one day a week for 4 hours. Lion having cheered in college is used to practice 5 days a week for 2 hours each day. That's great when in college and you can schedule your life much easier, but as an adult with a job and other activities, this kind of schedule isn't readily possible. Even having one extra practice during the week can be tough.
In addition to time commitment, Lion has issues with performance commitment. On Sunday one of the flyers bailed on every stunt routine during the Halloween parade. When the flyer bails, the bases look bad too because its our responsibility to get the flyer in the air. The audience doesn't know that the flyer controls things as much as the bases, they just feel the bases screwed up. Since the Lion was part of this stunt group, he feels embarrased. I was part of the group too. The flyer completely bailed everytime. This is nothing new. This flyer is a prima donna and doesn't fight for anything. If the slightest thing is wrong, she bails. Glinda is another flyer. She fights for everything and we love her for that. It makes her and the bases look good. Usually what happens is if the flyer is having to fight for something, its 99% guaranteed the bases below are fighting also. Cheerleading is a team sport. Everyone has to work together to make it happen. Our Halloween flyer wasn't working with her bases.
Lion and I have been talking this week about what he'd like to see change. On Sunday, we are having a team meeting instead of practice. The purpose of the meeting is to plan for next year's season and start making changes to improve the abilities of the squad. Lion has waited until now to address his issues because he feels Big Red has been more concerned about the upcoming performance than improving the squad. I can see that, but at the same time, waiting 3 months before addressing something is a long time. Lion shared with me his ideas/thoughts on Tuesday. Basically he wants to change the squad into a college/All-star level squad overnight. Tryouts will be very intense, commitment to a performance schedule 6 months out required, and mulitiple practices each week required. Should you not agree with any of this, the door is to the left.
Big Red set up CSB to be a community squad who's purpose was to raise money for charities dealing with life threatening diseases. The money would be raised during performances of cheerleading routines. Big Red stated in the tryout letter that he'd rather have 2 people really committed to raising money with no experience and having fun than 20 College/All-Star cheerleaders with experience, talent and big attitudes. Lion doesn't agree with that. He wants to put cheerleading even with raising money, if not in front of it.
I've spent the past 3 days dealing with him, trying to get him to realize that the changes he wants are not what CSB stands for or should stand for. I'd like to see the squad improve, but I know the framework I have to deal with. I'm trying to do it within that framework. Lion wants to build a new framework. Currently the VC is all for working hard and meeting at gymnastics for extra workout time. Once Cheetah opens, I'll be working out on my own to improve. The VC is made up of 6 people. There are currently 18 active cheerleaders. That means 1/3 of the squad is already on his side and willing to take the next steps. Instead of working and focusing on those 6 and what we can do, Lion wants 18 or nothing. Working with the 6 is working within the current framework, 18 is a new framework.
I've come close, no I have, lost my cool during the past 3 days. I'm very close to kicking Lion off the squad myself and I don't have that ability, yet I'd do it anyway. He's been very hard headed and when he talks to Big Red about his ideas, Big Red is going to like it even less than I do. Lion's attitude about the squad is starting to affect me and I don't want that kind of negativity around me. Tin Man said he try talking to Lion. I hope Tin Man has more success. At the moment I almost want Lion to quit. His stunting ability and what he can teach the VC and the squad is the biggest reason why I'm not pushing him out the door. Our friendship is strained right now and that's my fault as much as his. I just can't support what he's advocating and his lack of trying to understand the current situation.
Between Lion and Bush, it has been a dark, dark week for me. An all black wardrobe is starting to appeal to me. It would enable to have my outside match my inside.
As weeks go, this has not been one of the best. Between Lion having issues with CSB and Bush winning the election, wearing black doesn't seem like a bad idea. The election has been a hot topic for the past 9 months. It ended up splitting the country even more than the Iraq war. I tried to keep abreast of the canidates' position on things, but in the end, Bush has so messed up the past 4 years that I'd have voted for Roger Rabbit. In the end that mentality is probably what did in Kerry. "Anyone But Bush" isn't a good place to run a campaign from. It was good enough for me because I believed that Kerry couldn't do any worse and had only up to go. For many Americans that wasn't enough. Bush campaigned well and got out there and said what he believd. Kerry did, but then didn't. As a Democrat, I have a general idea where he stands, but I'd have like some definative statements. The American public seemed to feel the same way. I wanted rid of Bush more than I wanted the definative statements, unfortunatly Kerry fell short of 3 million more citizens sharing my thoughts.
Bush today said to the 55 million people who didn't vote for him, to get behind and support him. He also said that he'd reach out to those that share his beliefs. Sorry, but I'm one of those 55 million that voted against Bush and I don't share his beliefs. I'm not going to get behind him, I'm going to stand in his path as much as I can. For someone who says he is a uniter, again, his declaration that if you don't share his beliefs then he's not going to reach out to you, isn't a very uniting in sentiment.
Bush has a Republican White House, Senate, Congress and 29 of 50 govenors. He says he's got a plan for Iraq and other issues. Well he gets 2 years with his co-horts to fix things. If he fails, he can't blame the Democrats, they aren't the majority. I hope that we aren't doomed to repeat history and have the next 4 years be as bad as the previous.
As the election results are darkening spirits, Lion decides to finally press the issue of commitment amongst the CSB squad. Lion has had issues with this since he joined. We practice one day a week for 4 hours. Lion having cheered in college is used to practice 5 days a week for 2 hours each day. That's great when in college and you can schedule your life much easier, but as an adult with a job and other activities, this kind of schedule isn't readily possible. Even having one extra practice during the week can be tough.
In addition to time commitment, Lion has issues with performance commitment. On Sunday one of the flyers bailed on every stunt routine during the Halloween parade. When the flyer bails, the bases look bad too because its our responsibility to get the flyer in the air. The audience doesn't know that the flyer controls things as much as the bases, they just feel the bases screwed up. Since the Lion was part of this stunt group, he feels embarrased. I was part of the group too. The flyer completely bailed everytime. This is nothing new. This flyer is a prima donna and doesn't fight for anything. If the slightest thing is wrong, she bails. Glinda is another flyer. She fights for everything and we love her for that. It makes her and the bases look good. Usually what happens is if the flyer is having to fight for something, its 99% guaranteed the bases below are fighting also. Cheerleading is a team sport. Everyone has to work together to make it happen. Our Halloween flyer wasn't working with her bases.
Lion and I have been talking this week about what he'd like to see change. On Sunday, we are having a team meeting instead of practice. The purpose of the meeting is to plan for next year's season and start making changes to improve the abilities of the squad. Lion has waited until now to address his issues because he feels Big Red has been more concerned about the upcoming performance than improving the squad. I can see that, but at the same time, waiting 3 months before addressing something is a long time. Lion shared with me his ideas/thoughts on Tuesday. Basically he wants to change the squad into a college/All-star level squad overnight. Tryouts will be very intense, commitment to a performance schedule 6 months out required, and mulitiple practices each week required. Should you not agree with any of this, the door is to the left.
Big Red set up CSB to be a community squad who's purpose was to raise money for charities dealing with life threatening diseases. The money would be raised during performances of cheerleading routines. Big Red stated in the tryout letter that he'd rather have 2 people really committed to raising money with no experience and having fun than 20 College/All-Star cheerleaders with experience, talent and big attitudes. Lion doesn't agree with that. He wants to put cheerleading even with raising money, if not in front of it.
I've spent the past 3 days dealing with him, trying to get him to realize that the changes he wants are not what CSB stands for or should stand for. I'd like to see the squad improve, but I know the framework I have to deal with. I'm trying to do it within that framework. Lion wants to build a new framework. Currently the VC is all for working hard and meeting at gymnastics for extra workout time. Once Cheetah opens, I'll be working out on my own to improve. The VC is made up of 6 people. There are currently 18 active cheerleaders. That means 1/3 of the squad is already on his side and willing to take the next steps. Instead of working and focusing on those 6 and what we can do, Lion wants 18 or nothing. Working with the 6 is working within the current framework, 18 is a new framework.
I've come close, no I have, lost my cool during the past 3 days. I'm very close to kicking Lion off the squad myself and I don't have that ability, yet I'd do it anyway. He's been very hard headed and when he talks to Big Red about his ideas, Big Red is going to like it even less than I do. Lion's attitude about the squad is starting to affect me and I don't want that kind of negativity around me. Tin Man said he try talking to Lion. I hope Tin Man has more success. At the moment I almost want Lion to quit. His stunting ability and what he can teach the VC and the squad is the biggest reason why I'm not pushing him out the door. Our friendship is strained right now and that's my fault as much as his. I just can't support what he's advocating and his lack of trying to understand the current situation.
Between Lion and Bush, it has been a dark, dark week for me. An all black wardrobe is starting to appeal to me. It would enable to have my outside match my inside.
