Triage…
I think once you understand your circumstances might not change you either can change or continue on with the same results that you don’t feel happy about.
A couple of months ago I went to Home Depot to return what amounted to approximately 300lbs of material. I politely waited my turn while the disinterested clerks moved at a glacial pace. I chatted on my headset with Luke, giving a little play by play about the customers ahead of me. I wasn’t stage whispering, nor was I trying to be overheard. I also was not from central casting. I might as well have been the lady in the red dress. I had my sushi cat camera with me, workout tights, some colorful nikes and my “jazzman who doesn’t shoot smack anymore” sunglasses on. I was in a great mood.
The guy helping me was fine, but the rest of the clerks were not, but he was willing to accommodate, he didn’t bear a grudge to anyone in a good mood. I did not have my receipt though, and I did not even have my ID, so we didn’t do the return. I thanked him went on my way, loaded the three hundred pounds back up, went home, got my ID and came back. That’s when it all went south.
To summarize, (which isn’t my way, no sir!), the next return was not good. The clerk who sat next to the clerk who helped me acted like he’d never seen me before and was a total dick. I had my ID, but no receipt or company card and he wouldn’ budge. He hit a key on the register which printed a form receipt that said to contact Home Depot if I wanted help. This is usually where I would have gotten bothered. Something changed in me though. I understood mayhe, or I could see we were in the collective moment of no one giving a shit. So many people seem dissatisfied by their circumstances, but don’t feel responsible for their lot in life. Interacting with the second batch of Home Depot folk, the CSR and his “supervisor” shifted my perspective.
We are the architects of our destiny. Yes, all of our societies have a caste system. Yes, if you’re born under privileged you will have the odds stacked against you. Maybe the worse thing (a rare nod to politics), it’s too bad the conservative party has soiled the narrative of ruggedness and self reliance and making something of yourself in America. Those are some irradiated topics now. Those folks I dealt with the second time though, the highlight of their day was lording over a few people, showing how in that one transaction they had the power to spoil your day. Hm. I am better than that. And in that moment I saw clearly that the last two years were still shitty but I had a lot of shit on my hands from making shit bricks to surround myself with.
I left that second interaction pleased somewhat. Yes. I had three hundred pounds to yet again place in my car and a return effort to make once more and I did. More importantly I was reminded that my life is really just a series of responses.
Technology
- Don’t work on your computer while the electricians are at your house...
- I’m installing a 2TB drive into a eleven year old computer The drive costed $194, the computer costed $149. Crazy town.
Cars
- The miata restoration continues, we’re close. I’m excited, but subdued. The second time back has to always contend with the romance of nostalgia. Nostalgia may be stronger than reality.
- To that end the MR2 restoration is also taking place. I’m a little more comfortable with the MR2 coming back and my relationship being nearly the same, though we are doing some upgrades (stage 2 clutch, suspension, and maybe some airflow action), the experience will be different, though hopefully subtle.
