Patience Is A Virtue, by Tatiana – In The Mix #27

August 13, 2009 Tatiana EL-Khouri 5 Comments

I am extraordinarily patient, provided I get my own way in the end.

– Margaret Thatcher

I asked MOTU was he mad about the haters who attacked him over The Black Panel. He said, “Nah, too small throw it back.” If that was so, I asked why he responded in the first place. To which he replied, “ I always defend my position and never let anyone get away with just talking smack about me. Besides love me or hate me everyone’s talking about me.”

Next year he said he was going to put all loud mouth comedians on The Black Panel and sing ‘Mammy.’ “F**k them if they can’t take a joke.”

Frankly I don’t know if he’s serious because when I asked him why would he do that he said, “Because I can.”

He’s already planning next’s years panel and he is doing so with the patience of a saint.

Most people have no idea just how deep Michael’s relationships and powerbase are. I’m amazed at what kind of deals he pulls off and the kind of people he rolls with. At Comic Con a few weeks ago, Stan Lee and he sat talking for about an hour about how they used to have lunch almost everyday when Stan was at Marvel Productions and Michael had a development deal at Showtime, both companies were in the same building.

I had NO idea that he knew Stan Lee like THAT, nor did I know he had a deal at Showtime. Until I read his post yesterday, I had no idea the full list of comics and comic book universes he’s had a hand in creating. Quite frankly from working directly with him, I’ve noticed people either love him or hate him, people think he’s brilliant or an A-hole. I wondered how he could let people think he’s the latter and he said, “Let them, that way they won’t see me coming.”

As much as I’m sure he would love it this is not a fluff piece on MOTU. I’m simply amazed as his patience.

Something I’m still trying to get a handle on is patience. I’m really not the most patient person and that’s an understatement! Don’t get me wrong I can wait for most things but things which bug me, I can’t wait for those situations to be resolved.

I know as a professional artist, things don’t happen immediately. A good piece of art is like a fine meal; sometimes it takes a while to live up to its full potential. I love Disneyland; I can wait to go. I love to eat; most times I can wait for dinner but sometimes I get a little irritable when I haven’t eaten. However I simply find it very difficult to wait when there is a person or situation that is causing me an issue. I once worked with an organization where hours would go by debating a point and no solution was made. Most times the solution was to table the issue until the next meeting, where yet again no solution was made. This drove me absolutely insane. I wanted to scream, Make a decision. But I didn’t. My patience was really tested, when I would offer solutions and it would be ignored or sidestepped as if I never said it. I made up my mind to leave the organization but the timing was wrong for me to do so. I still had work to do and regardless of how I feel, I’m not shucking my responsibilities.

Every day, every moment, every hour, I dreaded any interaction with the group. I asked MOTU if he had ever been in a situation where he had to stay when he wanted to leave. His answer was absolutely. He continued by saying its part of the business of doing business. He said some other stuff. Let’s just say most of it had to do with I told you so and I’ll leave it at that!

Here’s what I realized all on my own. I am a professional artist. If sometimes I have to deal with clients or situations in which I need a little bit more patience, I think I can do that. The outcome in the long run will most likely help my work.

In fact during those times when I had to supplement my income, I think I’ve learned that no matter how annoying a situation or a person is, my professionalism must be evident. I no longer feel the room closing in on me when I’m dealing with an unpleasant situation. Well I should say I no longer feel the room closing in on me as much.

I’m still working on my patience. But the desire for me to reach across the table and body slam some annoying passive aggressive tool has almost disappeared. I’m not a 100% but I’ve gotten better. If anyone out there has any tried and true methods, I’d like to hear about them.

I’ve got to go now my sister is getting on my nerves.