Life of Brian

Way back in May/June when I was smacked with high blood pressure and the doctors couldn’t find a medical cause, I decided to take advantage of my company’s free counseling service to see if there might be a stress induced component to my problem. After my initial interview it was determined that I had a stress inducing boss and I should keep a journal of my stress inducing incidents and what my response was and what it should have been. I also needed to replace my rapidly declining cycling (because of a different medical problem) with a different form of exercise. As it turned out, because of scheduling conflicts and the consoler’s inability to operate her Outlook calendar, a couple of appointments were missed, so I never went back.

Two weeks ago as part of the counseling services quality program, I got a call asking how I felt about their services. I told them that they were definitely sub-par, the advice given made sense, but the level of commitment to keeping appointments left a lot to be desired. Two days later I got a call from the Head of Patient Services. He told me he was sorry I felt that way and if I was still interested I could be set up to see another counselor. I thought, what the heck, it doesn’t cost anything, go for it.

This evening I had my session with a different counselor. We chatted for an hour and he came to the conclusion that I was having trouble dealing with the fact that I was getting old. I should learn to deal with this, considering the alternative and he gave me a sheet of paper with some relaxation breathing exercises and if I ever needed to talk he gave me his card. You’re dismissed.

Now that I look back on these counselors and their diagnoses, whose problems are we dealing with? The first felt I had boss issues, I don’t think there is a big issue between myself and my boss, he is a lazy asshole and everyone knows it but himself (this is a universal truth and not just my problem.) So is it hers? She is a female and she is non-white. She kept a very messy office and obviously had no idea how to handle and set up appointments. Is her boss on her case a lot? Counselor #2 is in his early 40’s and his 19 year-old daughter recently presented him with a grand baby. I don’t feel I have a problem with my getting older, but does he?

Here is the final twist. Did my different reactions and responses to the different counselors cause each one to come to their different conclusions?

Watched about half of an NFL football game on TV this afternoon. It’s Thanksgiving, so I felt it was expected of me. Saw the latest loser version of a Dr. Pepper commercial with some sort of Buddy Holly/early rock ‘n’ roll thing that was absolutely without any redeeming qualities. Who were they expecting to appeal to with that? They ought to take a cue from the beer ads, those are funny as well as populated with young, hip twenty-somethings we all wish we were.

…always seem so long. By Tuesday it seemed like I’d been there long enough for it to be Thursday. Which if you look at it, was just about right because today was Wednesday, but really Friday because it was the last day of the work week.