Screamin like a banshee-- my anger management post

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So I was lucky enough to have two guest posts by two lovely ladies last week (here and here) on the subject of anger management, as inspired by Meatloaf's maniacal meltdown on Celebrity Apprentice.

It was scary to watch Meat react with such excessive rage over something so miniscule, even though I'm sure dealing with Gary Busey is no easy task, I was kind of shocked to see it all play out. Meatloaf accused Busey of stealing the items he bought at an art supply store, though actually Meat's missing items were later discovered under a bench.

The Loaf really lashed out, his neck veins bulging and his face turning beet red. I was really embarrassed for him, I felt empathy because I have been that raving lunatic before. And I'm not proud of it.

I sometimes get mad about really dumb things (and reading the news makes me mad about really dumb things that happen every day in this world). I blame it on being a redhead. Gingers are naturally predisposed to a fiery personality, or at least that's how I've written off my temper in the past.

I've always been argumentative, but it's only when something crazy goes down (like the time some drunk old woman spat beer in my face at a taqueria) or when I'm very familiar with someone that I really let my nostrils flare up. Take my father, for example. He is just like me (or is it, I am just like him?). He likes to debate and argue and he always thinks he's right.

Whenever we got into an argument about something, it would amplify and we would yell and in the end we would both have to apologize because we both let it get out of control. Since moving out, I'm glad my dad and I can get along better. It's just tough having two of those strong, argumentative types in the same household.

These days, my bitchy side doesn't show itself too often, unless I find myself in a situation where someone is acting like a complete assh*le (like the guy on the LA freeway who threw coins at our car, and I must say I yelled and shook my fist right back at him).

Though sometimes I really surprise myself. For example, I don't like it when I have to repeat myself because I feel like it means you weren't listening. This is such a pet peeve of mine, but I am working on it, believe me.

An example of letting a bad temper take over me happened the other day, when I asked Ben if he could help me with something on the computer. He was leaning over me and told me to go to the "Finder." I told him I was already in the Finder. Then he told me to go to the Finder, again, and I repeated that I was already in the Finder and pointed to the Finder window.

I guess he wanted me to click on it with him standing right there because he told me a third time to go to the Finder, and I guess I raised my voice that time when I told him I was already in the Finder. I'm not perfect, please don't judge me.

I said before that I'm working on it, and I really do mean that. I always apologize if I have a little outburst (except when I'm dealing with turds on the freeway or intoxicated old hags), and being the little self-analyzing head-case that I am I have taken to reading up on anger management and finding solutions to dealing with the problem.

The Mayo Clinic's website had some suggestions on how to best manage anger, but provided nothing more ground-breaking than taking a time-out and refraining from making sarcastic remarks. Ooookay.

Though the suggestions seemed rather obvious, I think it serves a purpose to read them over and reflect on how I can react better the next time I notice my blood pressure rising. Removing myself from the situation really does help, as does taking a little walk and getting some fresh air.

Also, I think understanding the reasons why I get angry and realizing when it's happening are big issues I need to work on. But I've admitted the problem to myself and I won't blame it on the color of my hair (though scientists do say that redheads are more sensitive to pain, which doesn't really explain the seven tattoos I have), and I'm admitting it to the world, so that's already half of the problem. Now to put those breathing exercises into practice...

Let's chat about anger here. How do you deal with it?