Chump Gene

My dad has never emailed me in my life. I did some real estate investigation work for him, and he replied with the following:

At any rate, I feel better knowing that I've earned my own way in life and what I have is due to my own talents and perseverance.
And I was nice and concerned for old [name omitted] just because I have the chump gene.

And I wonder where I get not only my work ethic but also my amazing ability to do good things and not get the good back in equal amounts. Or maybe I just have the amazing ability to be a total martyr, or at least think I am when really I'm not (much like my pops). I truly am becoming my parents.

I've had this feeling the past week like I'm in some group project, where I'm the one doing all the work because I have minimal faith in my partners to do what they say. I've been super micro-managing and control-freaky at work and it's making me nuts. Thank god for that vacation coming up.

I spoke with both my aunt in CA and my dad last night on the phone, totaling over an hour of talk time. In the end both said I sounded happier than I have in ages, and they were really proud of me for getting my life in order and for having good things happening to me. What good things you ask?

1. Getting a study I'm doing at work into the annual ALA conference
2. Vacation next week
3. Negotiating a new lease with my landlord that includes 0 rent increase

I think they are mostly right. I am doing pretty damn well for the most part, which is why I'm irritated that I'm being cranky lately. Part of the crankitude probably results from me skipping my meds for three days. Whoops.

Conclusion? Life is going pretty good, I just need a serious attitude adjustment which I think will come when I get out of town for a week.