It's snowing - big chunky flakes that aren't really sticking but are beautiful. After a week of temperatures in the 70's- it's quite a change.

We're in phase 2 of Spring Things. Dogwoods, hostas, tree leaves, ramps are appearing. Ramps are VERY pungent, lovely leafed bulbs native to these mountains, a cross between onion and garlic. Now, quite the gourmet item - though I can only take them in small quantities - say, included in a sour cream, and walnut omelet. It takes a lot to stand up to them.

Visiting artist Norie was here for three days last week that peaked with another big dinner with grads and others. So far, I've not learned how to relax when we have house guests - and was exhausted, sleeping over 9 hours every night since. Interesting to catch up with someone I knew 25 years ago with a little perspective on our lives.

As for me - grateful! Grateful! Seems every week something gets released, appearances/"reality" are believed a little less, and I feel more open to full spectrum of life.

Still much remaining to do in the semester. Deep breath! Am excited. Art Dept. is buying copies of Dreamweaver, Flash package for Catholicity. Will be able to revamp this site and Sisyphus - hooray! Also (sans software) mind is "dreamweaving" December yoga in South India...,

Metta

Magnolias did turn brown. Weeping cherry is peaking, daffodils still going strong. Red bud and crab apple beginning and signs of life on the dogwood. Lots of rain this spring. It's good for Chuck's mud hole.

The intensity of getting things done at work, preparing for visit from Norie next week, doing afe documents, and a million other things has peaked also! Doing a big dinner again next week - but when am I going to have time to cook for it?

In the midst of all this C finished my taxes and provided me with some information that precipitated the email exchanges below. It's interesting to me for a number of reasons. One is that - at MB's final email, my conditioned reaction was to get mad and respond in kind. It's so tempting to do that because - this is strange to admit - my mind enjoys the argument and winning it. Yikes - it's almost a creative activity.

However, this time was different - I explored allowing MB to be mad and not reacting to his words. (Small piece) of freedom! He has some good points - that are clouded by - beliefs about himself and his job. Of course I never do that!!

It's also interesting because he is not a friend or a colleague. There is nothing to lose (except money, I guess). Anyway here it is.




MB,
-- -- has told me that I paid you $-- in fees this year. This amount puzzles me since I haven't heard from you in several years. In fact I don't even know where your office is in Asheville.

My question today is - given the current financial situation - do you or (company name) have a plan to protect your clients' money? If you don't know or have one - please put me in contact with someone at your branch who does.
Marya



Marya,
I would like to speak with you. Please e-mail me to let me know a good day and time to call you. Thanks.
MB



MB,
I really don't understand what the almost $--- a month fee is paying for in services.

Might be best to turn me over to someone else. Charts and graphs aren't going to cut it.
Marya



Marya,
It is not about charts and graphs. It is about helping you get what you want. There is no one more qualified or experienced than me.

If a qualified physician prescribes a course of treatment for a patient which proves not to work for that patient the most prudent course of action is not to change physicians but to attempt a new course of treatment.

In both cases, it requires communication from both parties in order to achieve the desired outcome.

You say that you have not heard from me in several years. The fact is that when we met on October 18, 2004 to review your holdings and I told you I would contact you the following February for another account review your reply to me was that if we were going to have the same conversation that maybe it would not be worth it to meet.

I subsequently called you on February 8, 2005. I left a voicemail on your cell phone. I invited you to call me to set a review meeting. You did not return my call.

On August 24, 2005 I contacted you via e-mail to invite you to contact me to set a review meeting. Again you did not respond. I was left with the impression that you were content to leave things as they were.

Marya, I will work with you to help you get what you want, whether you want to continue working with me or not. If you are interested, I would be happy to meet with you, with no charts or graphs, to see if we can make things better for you. If you would prefer not to speak with me again I will ask --, my branch manager to select another advisor in my office to contact you. In either case, I wish you all the
best.

Sincerely,
MB



For me it's not really about who called whom when or who said what when. Disputing such things wastes time and reinforces my concerns.

The question is: what is the service I am paying for and what can (name of co.) do to protect my money?

It might be best if I worked with someone else.

Thanks.
Marya



Marya,
I would like the opportunity to meet with you to answer your questions and to suggest to you what we might do differently to meet your needs. I would be happy to come out to Waynesville to meet with you or, if you prefer, you can come to Asheville. If, after meeting with me, you still think that a new advisor is the answer for you I will be happy to introduce you to another advisor in my office. Thanks for your time and consideration.
MB



It's been several emails and I still have no answers -

The question is: what is the service I am paying for and what can (name of company) do to protect my money?

I have no time to meet at this time - (and have no idea where the office is in Asheville.)

Lack of time or not - I would prefer to work with someone else now.

Thanks
Marya,


Marya
I have not tried to answer your questions because it would not be fair to you nor to me to try to do this via e-mail. I have tried to reach you by phone. I have offered to meet with you. I have even offered to drive out to Waynesville to meet with you.

I believe you are fooling yourself to believe that if you just keep changing advisors that somehow things are going to get better for you. The problem is not with the advisor. The problem is that you refuse to take the time needed to establish and maintain a good working relationship with your advisor. When you neglect to return phone calls, ignore invitations to meet and state that you "have no time" you make it impossible for me, or anyone else, to help you.

There is no one more knowledgeable, experienced or dedicated to his clients than I am. Unfortunately, I can only help those who want to be helped.

Best wishes,
MB



I'm so sorry -- (his name). After reading your message, it is clear to me we did not and do not have a good connection (or worse!) Money is business, a very touchy business, and some time ago I lost confidence in you. It's true I no longer wish (to meet) or work with you. It's what I've been saying.

Just for the record - are you refusing to answer my questions unless I agree to meet with you?

Either way, the facts remain - my recent questions are unanswered, and I am very busy. Despite your aversion to email and our poor connection - if you can - please answer and/or put me in contact with someone who can answer -- What is the service I am paying for and what can (company name) do to protect my money given the current economic situation?

As for me, I plan to openly reveal my considerable flaws as a client - which you have outlined above - to my next financial advisor.

Marya Roland