Anonymous...

Dear Anonymous,
Some people say things to your face... others only have the strength to say things behind your back. Either is fine with me.
What I'm confused by, is the type of person who lacks the character to put a name on their opinion, information or accusations.
I share my thoughts, opinions, observations, short stories, personal challenges and much more on an open blog.  I've been doing so for over two years.
If you look back through past entries, you will see that I'm very open about my proudest achievements and most venerable moments alike.
It's safe to say that I've never written anything "anonymously."  My feeling is, if you can't stand behind the words you are saying, maybe you shouldn't be saying them...
Clearly not everyone feels the same way...
I suppose in certain instances; domestic abuse, child safety and witnessing a mob crime you might not want your name attached to the police report for personal safety.
Otherwise, I think it's just lame to attack someone namelessly~
I wrote a post a few days ago about an old friend who is no longer my friend.  I didn't mention their name because, just like posting anonymously, I think publicly bashing is unnecessary. (Until now.)
The point of my blog entry: Enjoy Your Facebook Friends was not to "get back" at an old friend.  It was to release my feelings and move on.  Which is why I started blogging in the first place.
So when I received an "anonymous" reply to my post from the "friend" in question, it only solidified my original feelings:
Some people have the balls to say one thing to your face...
...and another "anonymously."
Here is a post on my public "Wall" of Facebook from the former friend written one year earlier...



























And here is the "anonymous" downfall of our friendship just over a year later...

I will go on the record to say that I am so THANKFUL to have this delusional, self-centered, split personality, raging lunatic out of my life.  You want to act like the hero publicly and bash me "anonymously?" Too funny!
Yours Truly,
Matthew Shaffer

CRAZYNUTBALLSCUCKOO!

Isn't it strange when you have a relationship with a person who is impossible to like?

It seems no matter how hard you try to connect with them or understand their point of view, you just feel like shaking them from side to side while screaming at the top of your lungs:

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? WHY DO YOU MAKE EVERYTHING SO COMPLICATED FOR EVERYONE! NO ONE EVEN LIKES YOU, BUT WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO GET ALONG WITH YOU BECAUSE WE KNOW DEEP DOWN YOU CANNOT BE THIS IMPOSSIBLE!"

Until you realize that there are just some people who don't "get it" ...Life. What's worse is that they probably never will! No matter how hard you try to engage, disengage, react or not react, kill them with kindness or smother them with tough love, they remain utterly COMPLICATED.

There are very few people on this planet that I've interacted with that cause this reaction in me.

Obviously the easy choice is to break all ties- however it becomes harder to do so if you didn't realize the person was CRAZYNUTBALLSCUCKOO until you were already invested in the project or relationship...

I'm not a difficult person. I enjoy everyday of my life. I smile. I have a kick ass time. I work hard to make solid connections with people. I do my best to be a good person on a daily basis...

So it pisses me off when I'm forced to deal with someone who hasn't figured out their issues in life- and make their problems my problems!

I've decided that when dealing with these people from this point forward, whenever the conversation starts to go south (with the most serious face I can muster up) I'm going to start speaking to them in tongues!

Like my grandma always says, "The best way to communicate with people is in the language they understand."

I'm fighting crazy with crazy!

Done With Crazy.

It's official, I'm done with crazy people.
This week I endured the craziness for the last time, at least by choice.
Let's be honest, we all suffer from a little bit of the crazy, some just take it to epic proportions.
So I'm making a vow to myself not to engage with people who think they can do or say whatever they want without facing consequences.
No matter how great the job sounds. No matter how much the job pays. No matter how many time the "friend" promises they've changed.
The only thing that separates me from the crazy people in my life, is my ability to walk away from their drama and move on with my life.
Goodbye crazy!

Are You Out Of Your Mind?

I love when people insult me.
Tell me to "Fuck Off!"
Threaten me.
Call me an asshole.
Accuse me of taking advantage of our "friendship."
And then ask me to recommend a colleague as my replacement.
Yes, that's exactly what I'm going to do...
Submit someone else to your erratic behavior.
Not a chance!

"Crazy People" are Making Me Crazy!

Sure, I'm a self-confessed type "A" personality with a touch of self-diagnosed OCD; Add a half a dash of Italian blood- and you'll see that I am passionate, emotional and yes... from time to time a bit fiery! Albeit, I consider myself a fairly rational, fun-loving, idealistic yet grounded person...

Nevertheless, I have come to accept that there is something in me that attracts CRAZY like a rock star to a blond bombshell with big boobs! This magnetic force that pulls the crazy people toward me is something that I've learned to deal with and even somewhat accept. I used to believe that I sought it out as a challenge or a fun adventure. However, as I grow older I've discovered that even when I immediately recognize the crazy energy upon an introduction and distance myself, the "crazy" instantly attaches itself to me with a force stronger than the gravitational pull!

I don't enjoy the energy or emotions that I experience while dealing with and (attempting to) rationalize with these crazy people. I have spent the past fourteen years of my adult life working on my inner foundation: What triggers me. Why do I react a specific way? How do I maintain integrity without losing my temper or allowing emotion to dictate action.

I'm in an industry where emotion, passion and artistic personalities collide- It's to be expected that everyone who lives their life the way artist do has a dash of "crazy" in them... Why else would we continue to submit our self to constant rejection, judgment and uncertainty. Still, there is a fine line between what is "normal" and delusional!

So I'm stating to the world that I can no longer maintain friendships or connections with:

People who lie about lying.

People who scream in my face about someone else.

People who do whatever they need to get ahead.

People who blame others for their crazy outbursts.

People who flip on a dime; one minute they're singing your praise and the next they're bashing you.

People who think it's "okay" to say whatever they want and then walk away. Or worse, stay and scream without listening to whatever emotions the other party may be feeling.

People who have no accountability.

People who are unaware of their behavior and what others think of it.

So there you have it. I know that I've pretty much ruled out working again in this town... Nevertheless- I can no longer sacrifice my sanity for a friendship or a job- No matter how great they may be during the "good" moments.

In the end, it ALWAYS ends with a bang... (and not the good kind!)

I refuse to go "crazy" dealing with crazy people!