To Be Young, Beautiful and Free
N'AT Pierogi: Part II
Leticia Henry
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Features
Raise your hand if you have ever been told, "You suck!" a million times in a row with hundreds of strangers rising to their feet, cupping their mouths, chanting and pointing at you. I didn't think so.
"You suck, Chester!"
My first pierogi race last Wednesday was a disaster. Leaning over the railings were the angry, scornful faces of men, women and children screaming obscenities and insults because I was way behind the other 'rogies.
Apparently, since the Pirates were losing, fans looked to their favorite pierogi to bring them victory.
I glared up at them through the giant eyeballs of the costume, one of the shoulder straps searing into my neck. I wanted to give them "the finger," but I only had four.
Even worse circumstances awaited me after the race. If a pierogi does not make it to the finish line in under a minute, he or she will be cut on the spot. I ran 5 seconds over the limit. When I returned to the changing rooms, director Dan informed me of my inadequate time and the inflexible MLB policy. I was disappointed and fearful that I would lose my job.
Even though it was just a pierogi race, it was the principle of it that upset me; I do not like to fail. I pleaded with Dan to give me another chance and asked him to fire me if I failed to meet the requirements during my next race at Sunday's game. While he graciously agreed to my proposition, deep down inside I was afraid to try again.
I glumly propped Cheese Chester's fat head on the stand. As I massaged the hickey-like burn that he had left on my neck, it made me wonder, why does failure cause self doubt?
A great amount of our self- esteem depends on the amount of success we achieve in our lives. This is why failure is so personal; it rattles our confidence and wounds our pride.
In competing for jobs, higher positions and even love, the outcome may not always be what we expected. We may spend weeks, months, years or our entire lives working toward a goal; but, despite our time and energy, we may fail again and again on the way.
"You suck, Chester!"
My first pierogi race last Wednesday was a disaster. Leaning over the railings were the angry, scornful faces of men, women and children screaming obscenities and insults because I was way behind the other 'rogies.
Apparently, since the Pirates were losing, fans looked to their favorite pierogi to bring them victory.
I glared up at them through the giant eyeballs of the costume, one of the shoulder straps searing into my neck. I wanted to give them "the finger," but I only had four.
Even worse circumstances awaited me after the race. If a pierogi does not make it to the finish line in under a minute, he or she will be cut on the spot. I ran 5 seconds over the limit. When I returned to the changing rooms, director Dan informed me of my inadequate time and the inflexible MLB policy. I was disappointed and fearful that I would lose my job.
Even though it was just a pierogi race, it was the principle of it that upset me; I do not like to fail. I pleaded with Dan to give me another chance and asked him to fire me if I failed to meet the requirements during my next race at Sunday's game. While he graciously agreed to my proposition, deep down inside I was afraid to try again.
I glumly propped Cheese Chester's fat head on the stand. As I massaged the hickey-like burn that he had left on my neck, it made me wonder, why does failure cause self doubt?
A great amount of our self- esteem depends on the amount of success we achieve in our lives. This is why failure is so personal; it rattles our confidence and wounds our pride.
In competing for jobs, higher positions and even love, the outcome may not always be what we expected. We may spend weeks, months, years or our entire lives working toward a goal; but, despite our time and energy, we may fail again and again on the way.
Be the first to comment on this story