Monday Mission 2.42

1. Have you ever felt like you were expected to set a good example for others?

I always feel like I'm a good example to others. I lead. You follow. That is the Way of Things

2. What keeps you on the right path? For example, why do you think you turned out the way you did as opposed to the nut ball sniper out there?

Well this question works from several false assumptions. First of all is the assumption that there is a RIGHT path or a WRONG path. They're the same path. The path IS the destination. If one is looking for the path, one must realise that he/she is already on it. The second false assumption is that the sniper out there is a nut ball. What ever you may think of the sniper, one thing you cannot say is that he/she/it is a nut ball. This individual is definitely of high intelligence and I don't think this person will be caught unless he/she/it chooses to get caught.

3. Sometimes things seem different than they really are. When was the last time you believed something to be one way only to learn you had it all wrong?

Things are seldom the way they appear which is why one must apply critical thinking skills to all situations. There is a reason why we have 5 senses. I'm at a point in life where I am constantly reevaluating old assumptions and old ideas.

4. Can you recall a time when being alert and observant kept you safe?

As a bus driver, being alert and observant is a requirement. And it does keep me safe as well as those around me. The last thing anyone needs is an unobservant bus driver on the road.

5. Who in your personal circle of relationships do you think is smarter than you? Are they smarter in just one area, or overall? How do you feel about that? How do they interact with you?

Absolutely no one in my circle is smarter than me. Well maybe my sister is but not by much.

6. Let's daydream a little: Describe in detail the most perfect lazy day, start to finish.

Any day I get so spend with my family is a perfect day - lazy or otherwise.

7. Are you dressing up for Halloween? If so, what as? If not, how come? What is the most favorite costume you ever had?

I haven't dressed up for Halloween in a long time mostly because I've never had the day off in a long. Samhain to me is a quiet time. I tend to avoid crowds of people then.

BONUS: Come on baby tell me what’s the word?

Well everyone knows that the Bird is the word

Is it Thursday already?

It's a strange thing. The days seem to drag by like dead animals yet at the end of the week, I wonder where the time went. Take today for example. I've only been here in the call center for 4 hours but it seems like 4 weeks. But then I'll wonder where the day went by 11 tonight when I get home.

Thursday Philosophy

Is it better to live a comfortable lie or suffer with the cold brutal truth of reality. I'm talking of course about religious life vs non religious. And religion could be anything at all - not just Christian or Pagan or whatever. I long ago challenged the notion of any sort of "higher power" and accepted existence as it is. Sometimes though I wonder if I really appreciated or understood what it was I challenged. Certainly on the surface it seems the people living a spiritual or religious life sem to be more carefree or worry free. Knowing the truth now, I cannot go back to what I know to be lie. I guess once the illusion is destroyed, you can't go back. This idea is one of the cool things I enjoyed about The Matrix but still the question remains. Would my current reality be different had I simply not questioned the things I did when I was young?

Perhaps then, the solution is to create one's own system to, in the words or J R "Bob" Dobbs, "pull the wool over your own eyes" rather than be caught up in someone else's system. Is the trick then to create a system that is a lie and yet not know it is a lie and therby deceive oneself?

Or not.

Monday Mission 2.41

You may be asking yourself, "Well what happened to 2.40??" Truth is, I just decided to blow it off. I didn't like the questions. So sue me. :-P

1. What's the most expensive meal you've ever eaten? What was the occasion? Was it worth it?

That's a toughie as I'm a big fan of upscale dining. But I think if you included a really good bottle of wine, then the most expensive meal i've eaten would have been 4 years ago at the Dahlia Lounge here in Seattle. It was our (my wife and I) 2nd wedding anniversary and of course it was worth it. Best restaurant in Seattle bar none!

2. What do you like to do when nobody is looking?

Well answering this question would defeat the whole purpose don't you think?

3. What's your special purpose?

Well as I keep telling people all the time....I'm here to help!

4. Do you like Autumn? If so, why? If not, tell me about your favorite season.

Of course I like Autumn! What's not to like about Autumn. Great time of year. The leaves turn color and fall from the trees - it's a time of retrospection and introspection. It's a time to reflect on the past and remember those who have passed away. And of course there's Samhain.

5. Ever recommended a movie to someone only to have them hate it? Which movie? Did you feel uncomfortable about that?

Why yes as a matter of fact. I recommended Fight Club to a friend who just didn't get it and hated it. But I don't feel uncomfortable about it at all. I go on recommending movies.

6. I've had hay fever all day! Sniffles, sneezing, I tell ya, it's awful! Do you have any allergies? Anything that just gets you down for the count?

Sniffles, sneezing. It all sucks! I'm lucky though that I have no known allergies. Well I have none that have been diagnosed at least. But there is one tree that just kicks my ass in the summer and I've only encountered it in Hungary where it's known as the Canadian summer tree. I think it's a kind of dogwood, but it has these white puffy things that release and fill the air with..well..with white puffy things that just get me sneezing and stuffed up and feeling generally miserable. I haven't encountered them in the USA though.

7. Do you like mixed drinks? What is your favorite? As long as we're here how about you order me something too? Just "suprise me!"

I do like mixed drinks. My favorite is the Midori Sour. And since you're in the mood I've decided for you to make you a Green Lizard Cheers!

BONUS: Why do we scream at each other?

Because someone INSISTED on playing that goddamn Prince album in spite of my objections. And you're lucky I only screamed at you, you skinny assed PUNK! Now turn that shit off NOW!

This is what happens when you don't update

Your blog grows cobwebs and things start to rust and then the whole site looks boring and uninteresting - even more so than it was before. This was supposed to be my coworker Jon's last day here at the salt mines known as a call center. I found out upon arriving that they decided to let him go a day early. They said he was "playing phone games" whatever that means. It would have been nice to say so long or something but that's the way it goes. People disappear all the time and you never see them again. One thing I am certain of when my contract mercifully ends in a month or so. (maybe sooner. They like to end people a bit earlier than expected. I suppose it prevents any would be mischief makers from doing anything dastardly on the computer systems). I've made a solemn blood oath that I will never ever work in a call center environment again. EVER. I'll sooner drink from the dick of a goat than return to this type of environment! (come on Bill! Tell us how you REALLY feel!) I think I'm just too old for this type of situation. It sucks that I happen to be skilled at a job that I happen to loathe. But that's also the way it goes sometimes.

Don't insult the bus driver until after you've gotten to your destination

This morning I pulled into my terminal at 6:40 am and was waiting to make my first trip of the morning. So I grabbed my latte and a paper and decided to catch up on things and suddenly I hear this loud angry voice.

"Hey DICKHEAD!"

I glance over and a big burly dude is standing at the door apparently intent on wanting to get aboard.

"Excuse me?" I replied.

"Let me on NOW, DICKHEAD!!" quoth he.

"I'm sorry sir, I don't know anyone by that name. You might want to ask the driver of the next bus, which should be leaving here in about 45 minutes or so. Have a nice day." I said as I pulled away from the curb. So when I returned to my base, I filled out the customary Security Incident form (I get paid 20 minutes for each form I fill out. They take about 3 minutes to complete). Male caucasian, 6 ft 2 large build approached door in threatening manner. For safety, refused to board passenger. Please inform other drivers. Descripition of individual, etc.

I like being a bus driver.

Not sure if this is a good thing or not


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