The other day, I was talking with a co-worker about a customer who came in one evening while I was in the middle of closing the dept. The customer was looking to have a large amount of steaks cut with a specific thickness. At the time, I apologized to the customer and told him I couldn't do it because the cutting room was cleaned and, furthermore, the dept was technically closed because it was after 9 p.m. As I told this story to my co-worker, he nodded and then said, " I would have cut the order for him." This caught my attention.
"Really?" I asked. He nodded again. "It wouldn't have taken that long and I like cutting besides." He answered. I was stunned into silence. My co-worker took that to mean our conversation was over and walked away.
The rest of my shift I thought on what he had said. Combined with other small details I knew about him I came to the realization that my co-worker had complete job satisfaction. The idea was novel and I had a hard time believing it so I asked him outright. "Yeah," he said. "I like cutting meat, the hours are guaranteed, the customers are generally nice and for the most part, I like my co-workers." I was silent again, but not from shock this time, but jealousy.
I struggled to think of the jobs I'd worked and if any of them gave me complete satisfaction. I thought of three, two in within journalism, one in education, but as I thought of each, a single fact reminded me that while these jobs were great, they did not offer complete satisfaction. Not enough hours, tumultuous workplace, unpaid. There was always something.
While I am envious of my co-worker, his situation give me some hope. Perhaps there is an ideal job out there for everyone. I haven't found mine yet, but I will.
Jul 17, 2012
Jul 4, 2012
Jun 14, 2012
My Mom, the Goddess
My mother's birthday was a few days ago and I thought it appropriate to reflect on the effect my mother has had in my life. After careful consideration I came to a startling realization. My mother might be a goddess. I know, it sounds strange to me too, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Bare with me, dear reader, while I make my case.
My mother is like Isis, the Egyptian goddess who was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife (right, Dad?) Besides the obvious, I must thank my mother for raising me and instilling in me a set of traditional values that have guided me and still guide me to this day. If that is not the ideal of motherhood then I don't know what is. Let me not fail to mention that she has done that job twice. My sister is every bit the strong young woman she is due to our mother's influence. A job well done as a mother might not be enough to convince someone of my mothers "other-worldliness" but there is more.
She is also like Mars, or Ares, depending on which side of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea you live. In this role, she fights for and defends those that are important to her with a ferocity that is unmatched. I recall a time in elememtary school when I watched her, with awe, dress down a teacher who complained to her that I, as a fourth grader, was leaving the class without permission and inciting other students to do the same (even at the age of nine I was a leader of, well, children). I remember being both frightened and excited to watch my mother defend me. The excitement because she was ready to protect me from any and all accusations. Frightening, because I knew later that evening her wrath would be upon me for my poor behavior. It was. With aspects of Isis and Mars already discovered, a third couldn't be far behind, right?
Finally, my mother is like Apollo, or more specifically, the Oracle at Delphi, a human imbued with Apollo's gifts of prophecy. There are countless myths that involve heroes consulting the Oracle for advice about their quest and learning crucial information that helped them succeed. There are just as many stories of others seeking wisdom from the Oracle and misinterpreting or outright ignoring what she says to their detriment. I'd like to say that I fall squarely in the first group but I've spent plenty of time in the latter. I'm just happy and blessed that my mother continues to offer sage counsel. It took me a couple years but I'm starting to understand.
My mother is my personal goddess. I love you and wish you many more happy birthdays.
My mother is like Isis, the Egyptian goddess who was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife (right, Dad?) Besides the obvious, I must thank my mother for raising me and instilling in me a set of traditional values that have guided me and still guide me to this day. If that is not the ideal of motherhood then I don't know what is. Let me not fail to mention that she has done that job twice. My sister is every bit the strong young woman she is due to our mother's influence. A job well done as a mother might not be enough to convince someone of my mothers "other-worldliness" but there is more.
She is also like Mars, or Ares, depending on which side of the Adriatic and Ionian Sea you live. In this role, she fights for and defends those that are important to her with a ferocity that is unmatched. I recall a time in elememtary school when I watched her, with awe, dress down a teacher who complained to her that I, as a fourth grader, was leaving the class without permission and inciting other students to do the same (even at the age of nine I was a leader of, well, children). I remember being both frightened and excited to watch my mother defend me. The excitement because she was ready to protect me from any and all accusations. Frightening, because I knew later that evening her wrath would be upon me for my poor behavior. It was. With aspects of Isis and Mars already discovered, a third couldn't be far behind, right?
Finally, my mother is like Apollo, or more specifically, the Oracle at Delphi, a human imbued with Apollo's gifts of prophecy. There are countless myths that involve heroes consulting the Oracle for advice about their quest and learning crucial information that helped them succeed. There are just as many stories of others seeking wisdom from the Oracle and misinterpreting or outright ignoring what she says to their detriment. I'd like to say that I fall squarely in the first group but I've spent plenty of time in the latter. I'm just happy and blessed that my mother continues to offer sage counsel. It took me a couple years but I'm starting to understand.
My mother is my personal goddess. I love you and wish you many more happy birthdays.
May 17, 2012
Random Thoughts pt. 6- The Mashup
Another mashup post. I've been working a lot recently which is a good thing and in the process have seen and heard a ton of interesting things that alone aren't worth a full post. Still, these thoughts and idea have been rattling around in my head so I figure I ought to share them. Here are a few, in no particular order...
Annoying Radio Spot
I drive a lot. It's Texas, that sort of goes without saying. While in the car, the radio is a primary souce of entertainment. I don't mind radio commercials, I think a lot of them are silly but generally harmless. However, there is one commercial that I cannot stand. It's a for Briggs and Stratton lawn mower parts and it incites a desire to do violence whenever I hear it. The premise is that there is a couple who's lawn mower is broken and because of that, their lawn has become overgrown. Here's the rub: Their neighbors have begun to comment on how tall their grass is with derisive comments. To be fair, I don't own a home or have a lawn to mow. But, when I was younger, one of my chores was to mow the lawn. My family never got calls from our neighbors complaining that our lawn needed to be mowed. If I ever lived in a neighborhood where people called my house to complain about the length of my lawn, face-punching would ensue. That's all I have to say about that!
The Most Interesting Man in the World
I'm not really a fan of Dos Equis beer (sorry Eric!) But I have to commend them on their advirtising campaign because it rocks. Not only have they committed to the idea of this person, but they come out with new and cool ways to describe him every few months. He's like the Chuck Norris of beer. The following are a few of things I've heard about the Most Interesting Man in the World that really tickled me:
- His monkey business is his official business with primates
- He never sweats, not even in a sauna
- He has never joined them because he has always beaten them
- He once warned a psychic
- He has won trophies for his game face alone
Props to Dos Equis, and Heineken USA (the owners of the Dos Equis brand) for coming up with a great marketing tool and keeping it a marketing tool. The opportyuity to let the character overshadow the brand is obvious but you don't see the character in anything but the Dos Equis commercials.
TXU is Hot
I watch a fair amount of TV online and invariably have come across this commercial from TXU Energy. They are usually advirtising lower energy rates as the summer approaches, but I'll be honest, I have a difficult time paying attention their offers. Take a look at this commercial:
My goodness, how hot is that spokeman?!?! The first time I saw him I thought he's got fantastic bone structure... Look at that jawline! I don't know who this guy is and I don't care, but damn, he's a handsome dude!
Just my thoughts, random as always.
Annoying Radio Spot
I drive a lot. It's Texas, that sort of goes without saying. While in the car, the radio is a primary souce of entertainment. I don't mind radio commercials, I think a lot of them are silly but generally harmless. However, there is one commercial that I cannot stand. It's a for Briggs and Stratton lawn mower parts and it incites a desire to do violence whenever I hear it. The premise is that there is a couple who's lawn mower is broken and because of that, their lawn has become overgrown. Here's the rub: Their neighbors have begun to comment on how tall their grass is with derisive comments. To be fair, I don't own a home or have a lawn to mow. But, when I was younger, one of my chores was to mow the lawn. My family never got calls from our neighbors complaining that our lawn needed to be mowed. If I ever lived in a neighborhood where people called my house to complain about the length of my lawn, face-punching would ensue. That's all I have to say about that!
The Most Interesting Man in the World
I'm not really a fan of Dos Equis beer (sorry Eric!) But I have to commend them on their advirtising campaign because it rocks. Not only have they committed to the idea of this person, but they come out with new and cool ways to describe him every few months. He's like the Chuck Norris of beer. The following are a few of things I've heard about the Most Interesting Man in the World that really tickled me:
- His monkey business is his official business with primates
- He never sweats, not even in a sauna
- He has never joined them because he has always beaten them
- He once warned a psychic
- He has won trophies for his game face alone
Props to Dos Equis, and Heineken USA (the owners of the Dos Equis brand) for coming up with a great marketing tool and keeping it a marketing tool. The opportyuity to let the character overshadow the brand is obvious but you don't see the character in anything but the Dos Equis commercials.
TXU is Hot
I watch a fair amount of TV online and invariably have come across this commercial from TXU Energy. They are usually advirtising lower energy rates as the summer approaches, but I'll be honest, I have a difficult time paying attention their offers. Take a look at this commercial:
My goodness, how hot is that spokeman?!?! The first time I saw him I thought he's got fantastic bone structure... Look at that jawline! I don't know who this guy is and I don't care, but damn, he's a handsome dude!
Just my thoughts, random as always.
May 10, 2012
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