Pathological Needs: The New SearchWarp
Posted: Saturday, September 10, 2011
by Jack H. Schick
An old junior high school teacher of mine called me up, out of the blue. He’d been good friends with my dad through activities with the Boy Scouts. I’d met him a few times since I moved back to town, but had not had any association with him. He invited me to attend an Optimists International Club dinner. The Optimists are a youth service organization, he explained. I felt honored to be invited. If nothing else, it was a free dinner, so I went.
I got suspicious about the door prize later. I think it was rigged to get me to join, which I did. I never won another thing in the entire decade and a half I was a club member. My wife accuses me of being a pathological joiner. I guess she’s right. I think it’s because I have such an arrogant high opinion of myself (I realize I do. I do my best to control it, but can’t help it and have relapses a lot of times). I get fired up over something, figure I know how to straighten it out better than the guy who’s trying to do it, and join the effort.
I was pretty naïve in those days. I was eager to get on this committee and that. I had a desire to show those old teachers that I wasn’t the useless dummy I might have seemed to be in advanced algebra class. It wasn’t too long before I got another call from the old teacher who signed me up. I’d been busy and missed the meeting that week. He told me that I’d been nominated to be an officer. “Really?” I asked. “Which one?” “The top one, President of the club,” he said. I was shocked and honored. I bragged about it to my wife. I told her I didn’t really have any expectations. There were many other long term members who were more qualified. She snickered.
At the next meeting I was a beaming presidential nominee. I’d already thought about some ways I could subtly campaign for votes. I graciously thanked the guys for nominating me. I noticed that at the table with me were: my sixth grade teacher who was now a principal, my seventh grade wood shop teacher, my eighth grade metal shop teacher, my ninth grade algebra teacher, my tenth grade social studies teacher and Pete, a former classmate of mine who was a science teacher at the new junior high. They all had big grins on their faces.
I asked, “Who else is running for President?”
“Just you,” Pete smiled. “You were the only one not at the nominating meeting so, you got it.”
The idea that being president of the club might not be the honor I envisioned finally occurred to me. During the business meeting I made a motion to re-open nominations. It was voted down, with only one dissention, me. The only option was for me to decline my own nomination, but I’d verbally committed over the telephone. My ego wouldn’t permit that, so I began preparing for the office.
My wife also complains that I have a pathological need to be a big cheese (I can’t help it. I’ve tried and tried, but really, I can’t). "When ever you join something, you have to become an officer or something," she griped. It has cost me a lot of extra obligations, time and work, I'll admit. So, having been railroaded in, I served as president of the Quakertown Optimists Club for the next 10 years. I even got conned into (actually, had my ego stroked till I said “yes”), taking on the job as Lieutenant Governor. I got a lot of kidding: “It’s ironic that a guy who always sings the blues is responsible for Optimism for the entire Lehigh Valley.” I can’t say there wasn’t some fun involved. It did make me feel like a big cheese sometimes, but it sure made me think about my psychological problems, too.
At any rate, SearchWarp Story Tellers Group, please forgive me. I couldn’t help it. I’ll do the best that I can to promote, strengthen and perpetuate this outlet for our creative spirits that we all love. I eagerly accept input; as a matter of fact, I require it. A big cheese is made specifically to be eaten up.
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Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)I hear a little of myself in this telling. I too like to get involved and certainly enjoy the big cheese role. But I generally work harder, longer and put more effort into any promises or responsibilities I commit to than anyone else. Your birthday isn't in line with Taurus is it? I'm glad you're on this team. You are accomplished and talented and tell a mean story. Can't wait to see what's next.thanks- I'm a Virgo- which I consider meaningless alchemy.
You're courageous-heroic-undaunted and valiant Jack...and self-confident too- all the qualities needed to take on the responsibility of a position like this. Quite frankly, it scares the hell out of me...the responsibility of it I mean. Not that I haven't had responsibility in my life; I've had a lot of it- that's why it's daunting to me- I know what it is. Fear of failure haunts me- perhaps more than most. I admire your courage-you're scaring me
Know any publishers?nope
After reading your article, I have to ask, what did you wife say when you told her you took on the role as Leader for the group on SW? No worries, I know we Storytellers will be well represented with you as our leader. Thanks for stepping up to the plate!she gave up commenting a couple decades ago. thanks for your support
Ah, Jack. Well, I'm thankful for your pathological needs. At least as much as it applies to SearchWarp.
Though I sometimes disagree with what you write, you've got an ability to lay down words in a logical way that makes sense to people. Beyond sentence structure and grammar, you've got a talent for laying out a story that makes it understandable, and easy to read.
I suspect you can be a great leader in a writers' community if only by setting an example to follow. And you can tell your wife I said so!Thanks, boss.
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