You know, considering how many people complain about the rudeness of young people, you'd think someone would at least make note of the abiding rudeness of middle-aged people. Yes, fine, you've made it into your Forties and Fifties and you feel secure in your lifestyle. Yes, you have problems too. And yes, maybe you make more money than the guy working at the fish counter in Thrifty's, which you no doubt take secret pleasure in. You've worked hard, I'm sure, to get where you are. But there is no excuse to be rude and condescending to someone just because they work at a supermarket (or anywhere). Pay attention when they ask questions of you about what you'd like. Don't sit there and complain about how none of the salmon fillets are thin enough and blatantly ignore the man while he shows you options. Don't sit there and lord yourself over him because you have some gaudy, "designer" coat that probably cost too much money. He's probably been on his feet all day and has a lot of people lining up behind you (because you think you're the only one in the world). He has problems of his own. Age does not bring with it an excuse to ignore social expectations. Be polite.
Michelle gave me a copy of Beyond the Limits by Ranulph Fiennes, which details his life as an explorer and examines the adventures that he's been on. With colour photographs. I'm looking forward to reading it. Ian McEwan's Atonement is going well, it's done something the other books this semester haven't - consistently held my interest. Strong narrative voice and an interesting style hold me to it.
Last night: dinner at Hime Sushi with Michelle, Christian, Michael, and Michael's Uncle Ron; afterward, we went for drinks at Syn. The commentary was fast and vicious as we tore apart Syn's lackluster offerings. Michelle ordered a cranbery long island ice tea - which sounds like a great idea - but it ended up tasting like Clamato because the idiot bartender decided to use the same shaker twice without washing it. Mine tasted like Kool-Aid rather than Raspberry Stoli. Doesn't make sense. The waitress was good, though, very attentive and replaced Michelle's drink with a fresh one very fast, so it wasn't hideous. They've only been open for a few weeks, so we'll give them some time. Afterward I went home with Michael and he took care of me and my sore throat. He listened to me have a meltdown about all the issues and madnesses going on in my life right now. I feel better for having expressed my frustrations and hearing him talk about his. I remarked to Christian today that everybody's going crazy right now and something needs to change for everyone. I suggest massive electromagnetic changes to tweak our temporal lobes, but as if that's going to happen anytime soon--
Tonight's agenda: finish up the last two Elitia segments as best I can and send them off. See if maybe they can't be bothered to give me some feedback so that I can make any changes and revisions that they need. I'm also going to finish the Tedford story's first draft so that it can be photocopied and distributed to the workshop next week.
Comments (15)
yes. change is iminent. trying to be a student artist and an artist at the same time is the most claustrophobic experience of my life. And I grew up in small towns.
I spent hours on the floor today totally bored and unwilling to do anthing about it, except walk around for 2.5 hours and then buy a six pack of Hermannator. let's get drunk. It may not be a change, but for a few hours, it feels like something's gonna change.
Posted by matt | November 9, 2004 8:24 PM
Posted on November 9, 2004 20:24
Gee, and I was just going to use the black arts to invoke Big Naughty Evil.
Posted by ben | November 9, 2004 9:07 PM
Posted on November 9, 2004 21:07
I'll invoke a big naughty something.
On mothers everywhere.
Posted by m | November 10, 2004 12:41 AM
Posted on November 10, 2004 00:41
Do you ever feel a broken mirror? I keep looking over at Ganesha and he just stares with his one tusk broken off and in his hand. I need to get my gods drunk once in a while.
Posted by ben | November 10, 2004 12:44 AM
Posted on November 10, 2004 00:44
It's a custom in many places that you pour booze out before you drink it. Cubans pour rum on their patios when they crack the bottle or tetra-pack (yes, they have tetra-packs of rum there). In Compton you pour some Malt Liquor onto the pavement for the dead homies.
If Ganesh stares at you, there's definitely a reason, though it could be as simple as, "Hey, you're not Indian." Or, "Whoah."
Or it could be as complex as, "I am soooo thirsty," or, "I was thinking about Einstein AND Eisenstein the other day, and it BLEW my mind. Gerry, Geery, are you there? Abu?
Posted by m | November 10, 2004 1:10 AM
Posted on November 10, 2004 01:10
Ganesh has always been one of my favourite of all gods. There's something about Elephants. They deserve the capilatization.
Posted by m | November 10, 2004 1:11 AM
Posted on November 10, 2004 01:11
haha. "capiLaTization." erm. Actually, it means, "Ye who know, know it dyslexic." (sp?)
Posted by m | November 10, 2004 1:16 AM
Posted on November 10, 2004 01:16
Me too. That's why he's sitting on my desk helping me open a few doors. Story's rough draft is done. Don't know how I feel about it. Nobody died, which is always a good thing.
Is it wrong when I think about them like they're people?
Posted by ben | November 10, 2004 1:17 AM
Posted on November 10, 2004 01:17
my god! what were my parents thinking placing a visually impaired dyslexic child without a high-aptitude for institutions into French Immersion for ten years!
Posted by m | November 10, 2004 1:17 AM
Posted on November 10, 2004 01:17
I think a god would be humbled to be addressed as a regular person.
Posted by m | November 10, 2004 1:18 AM
Posted on November 10, 2004 01:18
If everybody was dyslexic, Leonardo Da Vinci wouldn't have been able to get away with anything.
Posted by ben | November 10, 2004 1:19 AM
Posted on November 10, 2004 01:19
I think he thinks about ME like I'm a regular person. He doesn't judge me when I rock out.
Posted by ben | November 10, 2004 1:20 AM
Posted on November 10, 2004 01:20
rockin' out is the best. it's so true.
Posted by m | November 10, 2004 1:36 AM
Posted on November 10, 2004 01:36
Amen on the ignorant middle-aged syndrome.
Amen on the revelation of collective madness.
Amen.
Posted by Jason | November 10, 2004 6:06 PM
Posted on November 10, 2004 18:06
Well, I'm pretty sure it can't possibly last forever. At point we've got to have some clarity.
I don't CARE if I'm in denial. :)
Posted by ben | November 11, 2004 12:07 AM
Posted on November 11, 2004 00:07