“Always behind the power curve.”
May 21st 2007
Karen RoseMy Life As A Plebe
I had this boss once. He was not a nice man. He was manipulative and mean and cruel and routinely made me cry. (I cried in the privacy of my office, of course. Well, most of the time.) He was a Very Bad Boss.
But one thing he said has stuck with me all this time. He’d say: “You’re always behind the power curve.” For him, this meant - you’re always late, always in a rush. My group at the time had one of the highest productivity rates in the business. We got done what needed to be done and what didn’t get done was usually not that important. My mean boss got the kudos for our good performance in the form of stock options and bonuses. GRRRRRR…..
But I digress. Instead of saying, “Wow, look what you’ve accomplished in a short time with too few people,” he’d say, “You’re always behind the power curve” like that was a bad thing, and I’d hang my head in shame. And usually cry later.
But now, given the benefit of years of experience, I think, “Is being behind the power curve such a bad thing?”
I started thinking about this with the Fashion Disaster Blog a few weeks ago. I realized that I really never wore the fashions until after they were fashionable. But that meant I could get the clothes on sale at the end of the season. Ah-hah. Behind the power curve = money saved. I like this…
I never watch TV shows when they’re popular and current. Case in point - I discovered Stargate SG-1 just last year -and devoured all the episodes on DVD ex post facto. I’m still not quite caught up, so I’ll just wait for the show to end this year and go buy all the DVD’s when they come out later.
My newest TV discovery came from my oldest daughter who kept saying “Mom watch this show with me” - she had the pilot on DVD. I kept saying “When I finish the book.” So recently, when I whisked my just finished (WOOT!) mss off, I sat down to snuggle with my kid and watch DEAD LIKE ME. Oh my gosh, I haven’t laughed so hard in years. And because I’m behind the power curve, now I can go to the store and buy all the episodes and devour them too. I don’t have to wait for next season. Ha. Behind the power curve = no need to delay my gratification. I really like this …
Perhaps I’m just viewing my world through rose-colored glasses, but hey, let me, okay? I did finish my mss a few days late, so I’m behind the power curve on all the things that piled up in the meantime. I’ve got edits to do, reader mail to answer, and a new proposal to write. I’ll get it all done, I promise!
But first I think I’ll cuddle up with my daughter and watch a few more episodes of our new favorite ex post facto TV show.
So are you always with the times? Always surfing the crest of the power curve? Or are you always a little behind? What have you enjoyed AFTER it was tres chic?
46 Comments »
46 Responses to ““Always behind the power curve.””
Julia London on 21 May 2007 at 8:29 am #
What is this show, Dead Like Me?
I once had a mean, nasty, cruel boss who I think liked to make subordinates cry. Actually, I have had two. They will get what is coming to them someday.
I don’t think I am behind the power curve. I think I usually ride that wave.
Nicole Jordan on 21 May 2007 at 8:51 am #
In most things I am so far behind the power curve its not funny! Julia dances on the waves — of fashion, of slang — that she’s become my role model. But it takes me forever to figure what’s happening in that part of the world.
Except TV. I subscribe to TV Guide, so I almost always know what’s happening there. I usually tape the new shows I’m interested in and watch one, maybe two episodes. If it hasn’t caught me by then, then I zap ‘em.
I’ve got a question about slang for you goddesses who are ahead of the slang curve. What does “jump the shark” mean? TV Guide has a regular sidebar about it, so I think I’ve figured it out, but I want to make sure cause I’m thinking of blogging about it sometime soon. Wouldn’t want to have egg all over my face if I’ve misread the meaning!
And I’m really sorry about your mean boss, Karen! The only silver lining is that he probably made you a better boss and teacher cause you know how you DON’T want to be treated.
NicoleJ
ladydawgfan on 21 May 2007 at 8:57 am #
Nicole, I can explain about “jump the shark.” In TV slang, it means the episode when a TV show has obviously run out of ideas so they are stretching their credibility and should have quit while they were ahead. This came about years ago towards the end run of “Happy Days,” when on one episode, they actually had Fonzie on water skis jumping a tank of sharks for whatever reason. Shortly after that episode ran, the show was cancelled, hence the term, “Jump the Shark.”
Claudia Dain on 21 May 2007 at 9:16 am #
Karen, I can’t help it. The Mom in me can’t talk cute and light when I want to simultaneously slug your thug of a boss and wrap you in my arms and coo, “Don’t listen to him. You’re NOT behind the power curve (whatever that’s supposed to mean).”
I’ve had bosses like that. Two of them, separate jobs, one was a woman, one was a man, one was in business, one was in education…apparently mean bosses spawn widely in nature. They need to become endangered. Immediately would be good.
Karen Rose on 21 May 2007 at 9:35 am #
Well, shoot, y’all. I’m touched you want to slug my mean boss. It did teach me what not to be in a boss. Unfortunately, there are lots of mean bosses out there :-(.
Julia - DEAD LIKE ME is a Showtime produced show about this girl who gets killed about 15 minutes into the first episode when the Russian spacestation falls from orbit and a rogue toilet seat smacks her going 200+ mph. She becomes a Grim Reaper and works for Mandy Patinkin who is the boss of a group of Grim Reapers that work Seattle. Their job is to take the souls of the people who are about to die violently before they die. It sounds gruesome but it is hilariously dark humor.
You can rent the shows at blockbuster. I got season one for Mother’s Day!
cookeemama on 21 May 2007 at 9:38 am #
ladydawgfan, Thanks for the explanation on “jump the shark”. I have been wondering also. Heck, I’m so far behind the curve that I’m still wondering what a “gonzo journalist” is. When I see that, I can only think of the muppet character of Gonzo.
There was a time when I cared about being behind the curve. But that was long ago. Nowadays, I still say “cool” and “neato”. Sometimes I even say “kewl”. My 16-yr old granddaughter thinks it’s hilarious.
Julia London on 21 May 2007 at 9:53 am #
I don’t have showtime!!! I want Dead Like me now and The Tudors.
Nicole, you make me smile. You’re fly, girl — you just don’t know it.
Cail on 21 May 2007 at 10:00 am #
Julia, you can get Dead Like Me now… netflix will be your best friend if you sign up… As for Tudors, its great, trashy, and steamy. you must watch it. plus Jonthan Rhys Meyers is HOT.
KMB25 on 21 May 2007 at 10:10 am #
Hmmm…I’d like to think that I keep up with the power curve…but let’s face it. I’m jus wayt too busy to care about certain things. So I guess that puts me squarely behind it…with lots of other people! At least I’m not alone there.
I do try to keep up fashion-wise though…if only for some of the stage outfits I wear at shows. Although, I really need to go shopping for this summer!!! (and therein enters the money issue…ughhh).
I’ve never had a boss like you describe, Karen, but then I’ve never had a high-powered job like that. I’ve only ever been a musician…but people who are rude and hard to work with don’t work much in my business.
~Kim
Caren Crane on 21 May 2007 at 10:34 am #
I lag far behind the power curve in most aspects of life. I really don’t care for trendy fashions. I like to watch trends for a while, observe people wearing horrible fashion disasters (so I can avoid them), then pick something more classic that looks similar to the trendy thing but won’t be out of fashion next month.
TV? Don’t watch it. I did, however, watch all of ‘Sex and the City’ on dvd. I have ‘House’ coming soon, thanks to Claudia’s raving about it. I will definitely have to check out ‘Dead Like Me’. Sounds like my kind of show!
I do, however, subscribe to Entertainment Weekly so I don’t fall desperately behind the times. I know all the drama on American Idol and all the hype on the new movies. I may not *see* the movies for months or years, but I know all the dirt on them.
Karen Rose on 21 May 2007 at 10:58 am #
I don’t have Showtime either, but I like having the DVD’s better.
My other new passion is Heroes. I saw my daughter watching it on the computer and watched a few episodes and now I’m hooked. Hiro Nakamura is SO CUTE! And Peter Petrelli is my idea of a real hero.
I’m trying to catch up so that I can see the season finale with everyone else, but that’s not going to happen, so now I’m just trying to catch up so that I can start the next season with everyone else.
FYI - if you don’t know this, you can watch all the Heroes episodes on NBC.com. As if you didn’t have enough distractions in your life!
Claudia Dain on 21 May 2007 at 11:37 am #
Karen, I got hooked on Heroes because my son was hooked on it. It’s “our” show. LOL
I’m love hearing that you love Peter Petrelli as much as I do. He is *exactly* my idea of a real hero. My son, bless him, thinks Clare is the heart and soul of the show. He’s got it bad for Clare! Well, I guess it’s allowed.
Caren, I love House, you know I do, but some people just can’t go there. I hope you don’t think I’m seriously twisted for my devotion to the guy. Well, not more twisted than you already know I am. It’s always about the degree of twistedness, right?
Ronlyn on 21 May 2007 at 12:19 pm #
I’m sort of middle of the road…except at work. Maybe it’s just because I’m frantically trying to get everything done before this baby arrives, but I’m pretty on top of things here. Now, at home? I don’t have a crib mattress or a place for this baby to sleep yet as his room is full of boxes. I joke he’ll sleep in the dresser drawer when he arrives. I’m constantly discovering TV shows in their 3rd season and I have no clue aobut what’s fashionable.
Cail on 21 May 2007 at 12:24 pm #
Ronlyn, my grandmother always loves to tell me about the trip to London that my parents took me on as an infant. They had me sleeping in one of the dresser drawers. Hey, I turned out ok
Incidnetly, i’m usually pretty much on top of things.
dbrown3400 on 21 May 2007 at 12:29 pm #
I’m behind the times on many things but somehow stay even on others, esp. new television shows. I don’t give many shows a fair chance, dropping out after a couple weeks or so. I was behind two seasons of Grey’s Anatomy before my daughter convinced me to watch (it was opposite CSI) but after the Meredith drowning bit, I lost interest. The people I work with tend to discuss one or two shows ad infinitum, and neither of those is House or other shows I watch.
Claudia - I agree with you that House is twisted, but although the plots tend to become repetitive, who cares? The show has Hugh Laurie. I use my DVR to try new shows or will get DVDs to catch up on some of the shows y’all have raved about - Lost, Heroes (although Heroes shows repeats on Sci-Fi Channel), and others. I wait for movies on DVD as well.
Donna - tbc
RachelG on 21 May 2007 at 12:35 pm #
CSI Miami. I watch the older episodes on cable. Don’t know why, but I don’t watch network TV. Also watch the Six Feet Under marathon on Bravo.
Rachel
Karen Rose on 21 May 2007 at 12:43 pm #
I like House, too. He’s such jerk but his blue eyes are gorgeous. My friend hates the show, says she can’t get by all the medical inaccuracies. I just think Hugh Laurie and the guy that plays the Aussie are cute.
I like Claire and Hiro and Peter the best on Heroes. I just saw the episode where they show Claire’s biological father and didn’t expect that!
When I was a kid my mom would always say “I could write that show” because it would always end predictably. Perhaps that’s because my parents watched predictable shows! But it’s true - so many times I can guess the ending. When I see a show that takes me by surprise, that’s valuable! I finally get sucked in and stop being a writer and just an “enjoyer”.
DebMarlowe on 21 May 2007 at 12:49 pm #
I think your boss was full of it. You were the one with the power–the drive, the motivation, the work ethic. All he had was the position. Now, thankfully, you can put all that to work for you–and for us, the lucky readers who get to lurk in your imagination!
zambonigirl on 21 May 2007 at 1:32 pm #
I’m actually usually pretty “up to date” with TV shows. I watched the very first episode of CSI the very first time it aired, on a Friday night, and I knew it would be a great hit if only it wasn’t on in the Friday Night Slot Of Death. Same thing with Heroes, though I was excited about the fact that it premiered on a Monday night, and I knew it would do well. There are two shows that I watch faithfully that I missed the premiers of-House (didn’t get into it until the second season, so I have the first season on DVD), and Good Eats. I have not bought the GE DVD’s yet, but I really need to plan on getting them. It combines everything I love-cooking, theatrics, and geekery.
What I’m behind on is technology for some reason. I’ve only recently bought an ipod, and when DVD players first took over the nation, I held fast to my VHS. About two weeks ago, I finally jumped on the digital cable bandwagon. I don’t know if I’m going to keep it, though, because I really miss my old pal, the TiVo.
Claudia Dain on 21 May 2007 at 2:06 pm #
Now that i’ve calmed down some about that “behind the power curve” crack (moron), I can say that I’m pretty far behind the curve on technology. Waaaay behind, actually. I never need the latest and greatest (and most expensive). I like to wait until all the bugs are worked out and the price plummets. Ipod? Not yet.
I do tend to jump on fashion trends slightly forward of the surge, but only if they work for me. No full and floaty ankle length skirts for me. No Ugg boots with my bathing suit. No running bra in place of an actual shirt.
Hey, a woman’s got to know her limitations.
Julie on 21 May 2007 at 2:13 pm #
I’m so behind the times times that usually whatever the trend is it’s gone out and come back again. Oh well. And I know what you mean about mean bosses when I was a receptionist I had a boss who would threaten to shoot me. Needless to say I didn’t stay there long.
Karen when will David get his own story?
ladydawgfan on 21 May 2007 at 2:13 pm #
I don’t know if I am so much behind the times as I am just not into what is popular at the moment. For example, I tried watching Friends when it was all the rage. I thought it was boring and juvenile and couldn’t understand the big deal. Same thing with Beverly Hills 90210, Sex and the City, The Office, Desperate Housewives, and other “watercooler shows.” I just don’t get what the big deal is.
Frankly, I think it is okay to be behind the times, especially technologically. With modern technology, you can get cell phones that do everything but vacuum and make toast. My cell phone doesn’t even download ringtones, but it does everything else I need it to do. I don’t feel deprived. Another example: when portable DVD players first came out, they were more than $1000. I paid less than $70 for mine. So who won THAT race???
Karen Rose on 21 May 2007 at 2:34 pm #
Ladydawgfan - I’m with you. With the exception of Windows Vista, I’m perfectly content to let others work the kinks out of modern technology and bring the price down! I didn’t have a choice on Vista - it came with my machine. I’ve considered reinstalling XP, but it’s a pain in the butt and at this point I’m getting used to it and figuring out how to get around the hassles.
Deb Marlowe - he was full of it and everybody knew it. I always thought they put him over me because they knew I could still perform even with a bad boss, which pissed me off then and now. They should have just fired him, but at his level, it was probably easier for the brass to just put him where he could do the “least damage.”
Julie - David will get his story! For those of you who haven’t read my books, David Hunter is a recurring character who’s been dealt a lot of angst - by me. I’ve got another book to write, then it’s David’s turn! But next up is Vito’s story - DIE FOR ME in Sept.
Suzanne Enoch on 21 May 2007 at 2:40 pm #
I’ve never even seen the power curve.*g*
I did catch the very first episode of “Stargate SG1″ back when it aired on Showtime, and haven’t missed an episode since.
And I bought a 42″ plasma TV four years ago when I first bought my new house. Sometimes being behind the curve is good — that TV cost me $7500, whereas today it would be less than half that.
Okay, I take back my first statement. I’m on the WRONG power curve. *g*
Sabrina Jeffries on 21 May 2007 at 2:44 pm #
I am always behind the times, mostly because I never have time to do anything like shop, read magazines, or watch movies. I do watch TV, mostly because it’s there when I sit down to eat lunch or dinner. I am WAY behind on fashion, but that’s what I have Caren and Claudia for, who tell me when I am off the grid. Thank God.
I always seem to like the shows no one else cares about. My favorites (aside from all the Law and Orders, which I don’t think I’m alone in) are Cold Case, Without a Trace, Two and a Half Men, Studio 60, and the Sopranos. At least half have been on the verge of cancellation or widely believed to have jumped the shark. Friends and Sex and the City were two of my alltime faves, and I just got hooked on Charmed (how many years after it originally aired?). I generally end up seeing an episode or two of the new ones, but the ones people rave about usually do nothing for me (Lost, House, Buffy, X Files). So I get hooked on shows that then get cancelled. Sigh.
Sabrina Jeffries on 21 May 2007 at 2:48 pm #
As for technology, I was one of the last to have a cell phone or an Ipod, I bought a Mac simply because I needed a new laptop and didn’t want to deal with the new Vista, and we switched to DVDs over videos years after everyone else, when we discovered we couldn’t get videos for rent anymore. Since we have a tendency to glom onto the most unpopular format (we had a betamax and a CPM operating system when those became defunct), that’s probably a good thing. I even buy cereals that disappear once I’m hooked on them!
Marketers should use me for what NOT to market. If I like it, it’s toast. Sigh.
wildgirlyonder on 21 May 2007 at 2:51 pm #
Well, while your former boss must have been a pig, I can give you the definition of “Behind the power curve”. It can be a very BAD place to be.
In an airplane, there are different points of power. If you pitch the nose up, you go slower because there is more drag (think of sticking your hand out a window perpendicular to the ground vs having it parallel to the ground. With it parallel to the ground it goes faster). You can go faster like this if you add power, but you can only go as fast as your engine can produce power. Eventually you can’t add any more power, and you have to lower the nose or stall. While there is a technical explanation, stalling is when the airplane stops flying and starts falling out of the sky. The graph of this is a curve.
It isn’t terrible to get behind the power curve when your flying over flat terrain with 6,000 feet between you and the ground. But close to the ground or coming up on a mountain-you’ve got trouble!
KMB25 on 21 May 2007 at 3:13 pm #
Karen, I’m so excited about Vito’s story coming out! I actually just finished Count to Ten…I made myself wait because I wanted to read the story in order, so I had to get through the earlier books first. They are FABULOUS!!
I, like Julie, can’t wait for David’s story either
He’s definitely been dealt a difficult hand…mmm..but firefighters are yummy so I’m excited that he changed careers!! 
~Kim
Nicole Jordan on 21 May 2007 at 3:14 pm #
LadyDF!! Thanks so much for the explanation of “jump the shark.” That makes a lot of sense now. And now I’ll know what I’m talking about if I use the term in a blog, *G*
And WildGY…. great explantion about power curve. You must fly your own planes??
I’m really honored to be “fly,” Julia…. er whatever that means, lol. Is that like cool and down? And if I’m fly, does the mean I can keep up with WildGY’s power curves?
NicoleJ
Suzanne Enoch on 21 May 2007 at 3:20 pm #
OMG, Sabrina, I think we’re twins. I finally discovered “Charmed” about six months ago, on re-runs. And “Studio 60″ was just so clever I knew it was doomed to cancellation, but I couldn’t help falling for it, anyway. Same with “Veronica Mars”. I keep waiting to hear the bell toll for that one.
zambonigirl on 21 May 2007 at 3:43 pm #
Oooh, I know something else that I’ve discovered after a whole bunch of really awesome people already made it fab-this blog! I’ve been reading Sabrina Jeffries’ books for ages, but only thought about searching for her on the web last week.
Another cool website that everyone but me has discovered is stuffonmycat.com. That place rocks my totally outdated rainbow-striped toe socks.
Karen Rose on 21 May 2007 at 4:18 pm #
Sabrina, I just got hooked on Charmed last year, after it was cancelled, so you’re not alone there!
I have to be careful what I get hooked on. I can’t be hooked on too many shows at once or I would get nothing done. Or, not that I’ve EVER done this - I’d have to sneak my shows when nobody was home and then return the DVD where I found it and act like I’d never seen it when it was time for the family to watch it. Not that I’ve ever done that.
OHHHH, I’m busted. I did that and DH got annoyed with me. When I’d finish my pages for the day I’d sneak an SG-1. I thought if I could see the episode where Daniel Jackson dies, I could sob uncontrollably in private and be stoic when watching with the family, but I cried both times.
Karen Rose on 21 May 2007 at 4:47 pm #
Kim (KMB25) - Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying the books
As for David changing jobs, his job isn’t all that’s changing in his life. And that’s all I’m gonna say except that he is one yummy firefighter!
Ann in IL on 21 May 2007 at 4:57 pm #
Karen Rose
Ann in IL on 21 May 2007 at 5:03 pm #
Oops……….
as I was going to say……….
I worked for one of those bosses. It was retail, and he gave us a mathematical formula to project sales and therefore the man hours needed to produce the expected goals set by the “corporate office”. Well, let me tell you, we were all salaried and wound up working 20-30 hrs a week for free because of this man. He ALWAYS had a big bonus Then we found out that he had altered the company numbers so HE looked good while we worked our keesters off. Long story short - he got his. He is still with the company, but he’s a stockboy now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ‘nuf said
Judy F on 21 May 2007 at 5:16 pm #
I am so behind the curve I have to skim the blog…. BUt I did catch David, Karen did you say David. You know Melissa and myself have hounded you for years for his story.
I have had bosses like that, you come up with a great idea or concept and they put you off and a few days later you hear about a wonderful idea the boss has. grrrr.
My boss now is pretty good, moody as hell. You very seldom hear the things you do right but if you screw up. You hear about it for days. grrr.
MizMacgyver on 21 May 2007 at 5:31 pm #
Well, I was late to SG1, Atlantis, Dead Like Me, Charmed, and Eureka. When I was a kid, I was never in fashion, I was wearing go-go boots and hip huggers a couple of years after the fact, did I care? Nope, always did kind of march to the beat of my own drummer anyway.
Brandy on 21 May 2007 at 7:18 pm #
I’m behind the curve in many things. Fashion because I’m so conservatice, tv because I don’t seem to like the very popular shows (yes, I don’t watch AI or Heroes) and I don’t work outside the home, but keep things running as best I can!
Karen Rose on 21 May 2007 at 7:46 pm #
Brandy, I didn’t think I’d like Heroes either. As a story concept for a network TV show, it’s a little… well, out there. But there’s a charm to the characters that make you cheer for them. It’s well written and well acted - give it a try!
I’m glad I’m not alone in being behind!
Sabrina Jeffries on 21 May 2007 at 7:56 pm #
BTW, zambonigirl, we’re glad you found us!
ArkansasCyndi on 21 May 2007 at 9:22 pm #
Ummm, I meant to post something yesterday, but I kept putting it off. You know how it is.
My hubby taped 22 episodes of Hero this weekend so we could watch them, so yes, we’re a little behind.
We’ve been taping every episode of Star Trek Enterprise and watching them one right after another. It was pretty good.
I’m trying to watch the back episodes of Ugly Betty.
So glad to know there are so many of us behind the power curve
Brandy on 21 May 2007 at 11:47 pm #
I thought the new NBC sho Raines was out there, and I loved it. NBC, the big goobers, canceled it! I did try Heroes, just wasn’t my thing.
KMB25 on 21 May 2007 at 11:59 pm #
My hubby keeps trying to get me to watch Heroes. And I keep trying to tell him that I will, but I need to finish some of the other tv shows that I watch first…like Numbers, and House, and Bones. Ok…so I got really hooked on Bones and the others and since I’m so busy, I just wait for iTunes to put the episodes up and then I watch them when I want. Unfortunately, I’ve just got too many series in the works to start another one! (but now that the semester is done, I’ll have more time this summer to start Heroes from the beginning…and I can then watch the ENTIRE first season in it’s entirety!)
~Kim
MJ on 22 May 2007 at 7:55 am #
I think being ‘behind the curve’ or not teetering at the bleeding edge is a Very Good Strategy. I’m not an early adopter of anything….I like the rest of you to take the risks and work all the bugs out….and the prices to come down… on new technology, etc. THEN I’ll invest my time and money in it. (-;
And because I am TOTALLY hooked on Britcoms, I get them all in DVD long after the fact. I’ve given up on TV these days - figure I can get 10 new books for the cost of the premium cable or satellite I’d need to get anything worth watching….
So yes - call me late, or cautious or whatever.
And I’ve loved Hugh Laurie since his Bertie Wooster days….a bigger contrast in character between Bertie and House I’ve never seen! Very versatile actor and an incredible musician too - he’s actually playing the piano in those Jeeves scenes…
And I teach Management…. a whole course on the importance of treating people WELL. My tiny contribution to trying to improve the world….
flip on 22 May 2007 at 2:57 pm #
Your old boss was awful. I think the whole power thing is the biggest delusion going on today. No matter how powerful you might think that you are, life has a way of throwing curveballs at us all.
Hey I am a baby boomer…..not part of the soon to be 60 babyboomers, I am from the largest wave of boomers, soon to be 50. Which means I have been behind the power curve my entire life.
Hey once I was ahead of the curve. In 1994, a saleman convinced me to buy a new computer with windows. My secretary was ready to kill me. She hated it and wanted to go back to her dos programs. I remember telling her that windows was going to replace dos. She told me, “NO WAY.”
MizMacgyver on 22 May 2007 at 5:01 pm #
flip now you done it! I am even behind the curve on the baby boomer thing, I am past 50 but not near 60 yet, so I am behind the curve on that too!
The thing about your boss Karen is this, there is always someone, somewhere, bigger and badder. You didn’t get to see it but I would bet money he got his in the end.