Is there any category for talking about legitimate worries/stresses/concerns? Or is it all just "complaining"?

I may have misread Hec, but I got the impression that he was saying that yes, it is all "complaining", literally, but that it isn't necessarily negative? Er. That's what I came away with.

Like being "selfish." Being selfish has been strongly associated with negative connotations, but it's not necessarily negative. Sometimes being selfish is a good and protective and positive thing. But we don't want to call those behaviors selfish because of the negative connotation.

Hec, sorry about the asstastic little league schedule. I know how enthusiatic you are about your involvement with Emmett's league and it just sucks that they screwed you guys over so badly with the scheduling. I hope it's not too rough on your family.

I geeked out about it yesterday and threw it all into a database. One team has 10 weekend games and 8 weeknight games! Those bastards! Most teams have 8 weekend games. My team has 7. Not Fair!

So I've bitched about it. And there seems to be a willingness to make a little reasonable accomodation. I'm going to move our second game which comes in a tight patch of three games in five days, and move it up into the practice week. And I'm taking one of our weeknight games during the really rough patch (7 games in 16 days - that's basically every other day, and most of those are weeknights) and moving it to an open weekend slot.

But putting it in a database let me identify other factors. As it turns out, the guy who scheduled the season gave his team a totally cushy schedule. Whodathunk? My team actually does have the worst schedule on several fronts, but the league Pres also got a shitty schedule with 7 game scheduled on two day intervals. That's the most by far, and is a complete strain on your pitching staff.

Anyway, I can't get it back to last year's reasonable sched, but I can get from Worst Schedule to the median of badness.

Teppy, speaking of...how is your dad? What's up with the pain? Was it probably the Lipitor or what?

Eh. I told him to stop complaining.

Okay, really -- all the tests came back negative for blockage/velveeta/infarction, so the doctor just lowered the Lipitor dose for now and said they'll keep a close eye on the chest pain and his cholesterol level.

He's home now, with a really bad gastrointestinal bug that he picked up in the hospital. It never ends.

Not that I'm complaining.

I may have misread Hec, but I got the impression that he was saying that yes, it is all "complaining", literally, but that it isn't necessarily negative? Er. That's what I came away with.

That is what I meant. I don't expect Teppy to take her frown and turn it upside down. First, of all, I'm not delusional. Second, that would be a hideous rictus of rage and resentment.

Let's complain about Hec!

#1. He bogarts the JZ, Matilda and Emmett love.

Next...

Do you want me to check on a minivan at our Enterprise?

I checked on the website, and it's really spendy. I'm thinking we'd each save more $$ if we got smaller cars cause the gas mileage on the minivans is not so much with the good.

Where are you guys staying?

I dunno. Where are you guys staying?

I don't know. I was looking for it the other day, couldn't find it and then got distracted.

Damn.

That is what I meant. I don't expect Teppy to take her frown and turn it upside down. First, of all, I'm not delusional. Second, that would be a hideous rictus of rage and resentment.

I've always gotten the sense from you, though, that you think it's better to push on past that which causes stress, rather than to coddle/enable/malinger. Am I wrong on that?

But putting it in a database let me identify other factors. As it turns out, the guy who scheduled the season gave his team a totally cushy schedule. Whodathunk? My team actually does have the worst schedule on several fronts, but the league Pres also got a shitty schedule with 7 game scheduled on two day intervals. That's the most by far, and is a complete strain on your pitching staff.

That's a good tool to use to explain to people why you're so pissed. I immediately thought of the pitching schedule when you initially posted about it. DH tells horror stories of kids getting their pitching arms ruined in little league--and that's just crazy. I know it's impossible to offer everyone a great schedule but you need to spread the inconvenience around. I'm sure there's plenty to share.

Okay, really -- all the tests came back negative for blockage/velveeta/infarction, so the doctor just lowered the Lipitor dose for now and said they'll keep a close eye on the chest pain and his cholesterol level.

Good. I know your dark humor is your way of coping, but when I read that he drove himself to the hospital because the ambulance would not go through the drive though, I *may* have laughed out loud.

#1. He bogarts the JZ, Matilda and Emmett love.

Emmett has a lot of love, and his Mom and Matilda get quite a lot of it.

I'm not the number one bogarter of Matilda's love. I get my share, mind, but there are two other people in the house who go after her like she was made of chocolate. It's fun seeing JZ and Emmett bond in their Matilda love. It's first baby love for them, so it's a little different than what I'm experiencing.

And while I have no doubts about my JZ love supply, Matilda does have dibs at the moment.

Thus ends my rebuttal!