my own drum

Most of my friends call me a fool for doing what I do. For the last 5 years I have been a friend to a small family business, providing them with some valuable computer and technology services. As a friend I've provided this work for a mere token of its real value. We are talking far less than a minimum living wage. In fact, without support from the family I could not provide these services. They provide electricity for my motorhome so I can stay warm in the winter. They provide meals, sometimes. And so I figure it's a good trade for both of us, I don't have any bills to pay and they get pretty good service.

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Last year that all began to change. The owner of the company was jailed, and is now in prison. Now I'm left to deal with the wife and children still at home. Unfortunately for all of us, the owner was the go-between for myself and the family. I dealt with him on all issues. To make matters worse, the oldest daughter has taken up a campaign of hatred tward me, and is spreading her campaign throughout the household. It's gotten to the point that I'm not even comfortable in that house.

So what am I writing about. It appears that one issue the 'family' has with me is my anger. Sure, I'm a redhead, and I know how to vent. And that's what I do, vent. I don't hold malice for anyone, I just want things to get done in this business, and shouting has been an effective tool that has always worked. Until it was my turn to shout. I've been vilified for it. I've been told I need Anger Management. I've been labeled a racist (the family is latino, I'm not) But what I haven't seen is respect for the work that I continue to do, day after day.

I'm nearing the end of my rope with this situation. Lesser men would have already fled. Smarter men cetainly would have left long ago. Anyway, I'm still here, and I'm trying to be productive. It's difficult to plan any strategy with someone who has no concept of what we are doing. But I am still trying.

However, I am also attempting to rectify the whole 'family' situation. Something new is my Meals Calendar. It's very simple. I have a calendar like grid and anytime someone from my 'family' actually extend an invitation for any meal, I make note of that on my Meal Calendar. Since the meal situation was fully discussed last summer, I plan to use this calendar to point out where I believe some dificiencies lie in our arrangement, and hopefully I can convey that with a few simple and reasonable changes my anger management won't be much of an issue.