Monday, March 22, 2010

I was gonna be

I was gonna be a dog
I was gonna be a tree
I was gonna be a cowboy
I was gonna be an actor
I was gonna be a writer
I was gonna be a cook
I was gonna be a bartender
I was gonna be a businessman
I was gonna be a husband
I was gonna be a daddy
I was gonna be successful!

I am a sober.
I am a businessman.
I fucked up!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

What to do in the public loo?

As children my brother and I asked my mother a question about the proper way to address the not-so-thrilling task of utilizing public facilities. Try as she did to answer, we were still baffled. To this day I still have a few questions regarding etiquette.

We all know how to act in public but to perform this act in a public environment leaves a lot to be desired. Common sense points us in the direction of sanitation, eye contact between strangers is rarely encouraged, and personal space is generally respected - although the trough seems to be some kind of playground at times. The specific query was about sounds. I don't think I need to go into any great detail, I'll let your imagination play it's own game. Keep in mind that the acoustics in these semi-private walled depositories are much different than those we are used to in the comfort of our own homes. Is it proper to vocally excuse oneself for audible pollution (my brother considered it bragging) or is oral communication considered taboo in this task driven environment? Recently while sitting in a rather large sanitation station, I'd say an 8-10 seater, I was flanked by a couple of guys that had let their conversation follow them into my arena. Their chat was private in nature yet there I was stuck in the middle. Had I had an opinion on the subject at hand would it had been rude for me to make a comment, or should I have considered myself included in the conversation? Association by proximity? If I spot a nice pair of Doc Martin's is it rude to throw out a compliment? These are just a few of the things that pass through my mind as I fumble with the complementary ass gaskets, balance my blackberry on the toilet paper dispenser and hunker down to shoe shop.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Strong Armed By Bank of America

I bank with Bank of America. I was in the bank the other day and overheard a teller charging a customer $16.00 for a transaction that I get for free. This customer was charged because they did not have an account at Bank of America. This is the same transaction that I do at other banks, where I do not have an account and they charge me anywhere from $0.00 to $11.00, depending on which institution I am visiting. Didn't it used to be that banking institutions would offer toasters and desk sets as an incentive to open an account? I briefly spoke with the young manager questioning the thought process behind the fee. His response was, "Makes you happy your with us huh?". Sounds like in order to avoid the problem - the fee - that you have to become part of the problem - the bank-. The incentive now to open an account at Bank of America has changed from, 'Look at what we can offer you.' to, 'Look what we won't take from you." My banking decisions are being made for me. I DO NOT LIKE THIS!!!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Losing momentum

I'm in the process of moving. Well, I think we all are to some degree. But I'm talking about my residence. Moving is never fun and I'm no good at it. Needless to say I'm thrilled. The physical side alone wreaks havoc on my bones. Some of my bones aren't even bones. My artificial hips are taking a toll. Okay that was me bitching. To be honest I have some great friends that are helping me, thanks guys!

I can't wait until this is over and I can settle into my new places. Oh yeah, did I fail to mention that I'm moving from a cottage near downtown Santa Barbara to an apartment uptown and to an apartment in Seattle? This move is kind of a bugger. I'm only bringing stuff to Seattle that I can carry on a plane. I'm not foolish enough to drive over Grant's pass in the winter again. I figure whatever I need I can acquire in my new home. Seattle is where my heart is so it is my home. Ill be spending two weeks a month in Seattle and two weeks a month at work in Santa Barbara. It's not the ideal situation, but its affords me the opportunity to be with the people I love.

I think everyone loses something when they move. I hope I don't lose my momentum.