Cavalia USA
145 Pine Haven Shores Rd.  # 1121
Shelburne, Vemont   05482

Michael Thomas Harbuck
130 Anderson Road
Roxboro, North Carolina  27573
773-459-1413
								The 25th of February,  2011

Dear Sir or Madam, 

This is a written response to a warning I recieved on the 8th of February.  

1.  It is unfortunate that I am forced to defend myself in the hereafter, however, I am troubled my the gossip and unfounded accusations which have arisen due to my confrontation with the stable person named Mauricio.  I first encoutered problems with this young man working the tear-down and set-up in San Francisco, where I had worked extra hours by myself to unload the entire 40 foot container due to the delay of the arrival of the stable tent.  During the early hours of the morning on the day of the tent setup, this young man had the audacity to claim that I was not working, and that I was not pulling my weight.  I allowed this to pass as if unnoticed, although I most certainly had dutifully performed my  professional liability for the day.  The offensive and atrocious language used by the young man is a shame to the English language, as well as to the professionability of those around him.  His constant derogatory comments about how the morning crew and others he is working with are not only badgering and provocaroty, but indecent as well due to his profanic vocabulary.   The event which led me to give the young man a rather stern but nonetheless deserved rebuke, occured at the residence house where we are both quartered.  Even though I had been verbally accosted by lude comments toward my work, I had not retaliated until I was provoked by his use of his middle finger towards me with my back turned as to think that I did not see.  However, I had seen the gesture, and out of respect for the young local woman with whom he was with, did not respond to this until I saw him next,  which happed to be at work after his two day pause.  I have lived and  worked in other countries, and have respect when I am a guest is someone else's home. His action did in fact make me angry and I did give him a verbal warning due to the intense provocatory nature of his gesture.  It was and still is my belief that the threat of deportation was justified to the extent that it was very disrespectful to portray himself above the position of guest in my home country.    Twofold, it was intentional to rebuke him in public at work, just as he has done to myself and others.  This young man now has the chore of  earning my respect again, which he may or may not be able to accomplish.  

I do not recognise Ms. Berube's power of witness on this matter, due to her fraternization with Mauricio at his domocile.  

2.  I am very pround to be a member of the Cavalia team, but felt as if I had been intentionally left out of social events which others have been readily invited to.  I understand that it is not obligatory to invite me to a party, and truthfully, I do not frequent bars, clubs, and restaurants, and would more than likely decline any such invitations.  However, I am at a loss to undestand the said actions and comments which I have supposed to have said or done.  Expressing my opinion on drinking and negative lifestyle attributes of some is done for concern and out of experience rather than in a cynical manner in an attempt to make one think before spending someones hard earned salary on something so intangible.   On the 7th of February I happened to go out to purchase some groceries and noticed Julie, Reme, Pascale, and Stephanie coming out the neighboring appartment.  I 	was disappointed that no one had bothered to walk the extra 3 meters to say hello, and or invite me, or to see how I was doing.  All four then boarded the company truck, and went off to thier social engagement, not saying hello, eventhough thay had seen me walking.  I had recently asked the vet tech Maria before this event why is was  that I was not invited to any of the social events, and asked why it seemed as though it was very childish.  Her response was to be an adult, and to understand that there are age and lifestyle differences.  I can accept this answer, and on the following day near the end of the shift while sweeping,  I said, without any mean pretense what soever, that I had seen all of them going to a party, I gave them a compliment, and told them that they had all looked very nice, and that I was mad that they had given no thought to asking me if I would like to join them.  Reme immediately yells in French toward the opposite end to the stables to Julie who was sitting in her office.  She bolted towards us all, accusing me of starting trouble, when I had simply wanted to say that I would have liked to have gone with them.   At this time Louis, the other stableperson began to yell at me in French.  I asked him to translate, and he said that there was no part in Cavalia for a person such as I.  The situation was now inflamed, and everyone began to yell at each other.  I did so yell in German, but not at anyone in particular.  But rather to avoid saying anything negative to anyone.  I left the stable, and later returned to apologise for yelling at Louis, eventhough it was he who had told me that no one cared about me or what I thought.   
Sometimes it is not easy to be an adult, so I apologize for yelling.  Unfortunately, no one felt it necessary to do so to me.  

3.  I work hard, do good work, and work to better myself in the ways which I can.  I will have to leave personal relationships out of work, which will allow me to perform my duties the best I can.  

Sincerely, 

Mr. Michael Thomas Harbuck
Stablehand / Driver