Hi John's wife! And thanks for your note.
(Note: I thought about emailing the following to you, but my comments here are really being offered to others too, so in case this may be of benefit to some others, I'm replying to your post here. I hope this is ok. As an aside, I tend to make these philosophical types of posts from time to time, but I really try not to make them in Factory To Customer (FTC) threads, so I hope you, Mica, and everyone else will not get too upset with me. I'm just hoping that it's helpful. I would much rather be looking at pretty pictures of Alembics in FTC threads!)
Yes, frustration is .. well .. frustrating. It's like when my internet connection goes down; I call the ISP service number, and I'm connected with a person who really doesn't speak English fluently and who doesn't really understand the problem .. he's just reading from a basic troubleshooting flowchart that someone else prepared. And I have found that to the degree I let this frustrate me, to the degree I get angry, it is to that same degree that I am ruining my day, that I am making myself miserable. I have found that in dealing with ISP call centers, being frustrated doesn't solve the problem, it just makes my day worse. I have found that my chances of solving a problem with my internet connection are enhanced when I can approach the problem with a calm state of mind. It isn't easy; and I used this example because for me call centers seem to most easily and quickly cause an emotional response. So I do understand the frustration; it's a natural response to a problem.
When we feel frustration arise, it seems to me that rather than acting on the frustration, that instead, it is more effective to acknowledge the feeling of frustration, knowing that it is a natural reaction, let it subside, and then return to addressing the problem. It just feels better, and the day progresses better, and the relationships we have with those around us are more fun.
There are lots of things in life, tons of things, that frustrate us, anger us, annoy us, hurt us, tear at and break our hearts, and they happen seemingly all the time. Being human can be tough. And we only have a short time to live on this planet. To the degree that we can recongize frustration and let it go, rather than let it control or shape our actions or reactions, to that degree we will enhance the quality of the experience of being human on planet earth. Each moment we draw breath is precious. As we are able to let go of frustration and anger, we are more able to appreciate this very moment we breath.
Of course there is the saying that the sqeaky wheel gets the grease; and expressing one's frustration is being a sqeaky wheel. However, there are other ways of being the sqeaky wheel.
Again, I understand your frustration, and I do not find it unreasonable. It is understandable and natural to be frustrated. As I said in my email to John, I've known and observed Mica for a good while now, and it is my observation that she really cares about her customers. She tends to go out of her way to solve problems and make us feel like family. There are always lots of instruments in process in the shop, and there are always lots of issues and problems of various sizes to deal with. There are tons of email, faxes, posts to this board, and telephone calls. And from my vantage point, she tends to handle all with an open heart, and a calm manner. And while your frustration is understandable, in my view, Mica is not intentionally trying to make your life miserable. And my guess is that you hold the same view. My guess is that you know that she wants to help to solve your problem; but that you're just trying to get her attention. And trying to get her attention is ok. And you should continue to do so. But again, in my view, if you can begin to let go of the frustration when it arises, you'll feel better. Life will be more enjoyable.
But that's just my view. I certainly understand that others may disagree. I'm just tring to help in my own limited way.
Again, I really believe that Mica wants to help every Alembic owner with every problem they may have. So keep being a squeaky wheel and keep working the problem. And breath. Life is short and precious; and when you think about it, it's really quite amazing. Enjoy every moment.
(And thanks again for the note. I think it's wonderful that you are jumping in here to help your husband in this way. That's really cool!)
