Make Your Words Be Sweet . . . .

When I was in college a long, long, long time ago - you know - before Al Gore had invented the Internet and a phone was something you had to walk to, not carry around - I had an interesting friend in the dorm named Frank.  He loved sleeping in, and on the way to our history class, he had me rap on his door, as that meant he had ten minutes to be there.  As a result, Frank was never late to class.  In return, if I had to miss a class, he would copy his notes for me.  I have to admit, I censored Frank's notes, as he actually wrote them faster than Dr. Peters gave them out, and put in a good deal of profanities.  Needless to say, Frank's notes were . . . well, interesting.

My favorite memory of Frank was the day Dr. Peters had a test for us.  Being the history whiz he was, Frank of course was going to ace it.  This was one of those computerized tests, with the cards that required a number two pencil.  Dr. Peters had extra pencils for anyone who had forgotten theirs.  Close to half the class went up to borrow one as Frank muttered about the irresponsibility of these people.  I pointed out they were your typical college students, and he replied, "Not in my book." 

Frank then started burrowing into his briefcase and going deeper . . . and deeper . . . and deeper.  You guessed it.  He was the last person to go up and borrow a pencil from Dr. Peters.  As he came back, not saying a word, he looked at me, as I had the giggles by now.  Sitting down, he simply muttered under his breath, "Shut up." 

Five minutes into the test, it was a killer.  I couldn't help it.  I started snickering.  Frank very loudly muttered, "Shut up!"  No one could figure out why I was laughing during the test, and Dr. Peters thought I'd lost it.  Well, this went on throughout the test, and Frank never forgave me.  From then on, every time I'd knock on his door, I'd shout, "Remember your pencil!"  I almost gave him a pack of a dozen pencils for Christmas, but I honestly thought he'd stab me with them.  As a matter of fact, he almost forgot his pencil for his next test.  (I did, and Frank had to loan me one.  He couldn't give me a hard time, as I didn't give the others a hard time.  I was merely serving as Frank's conscience.)

It's just like the line about us observing the splinter in a person's eye when we have a two by four in our own.  Poor Frank went through an awful lot due to one little pencil and a few choice comments.  I don't know if he remembers that story, but if he does, I like to think he's a history teacher, and lets his students know when they take a computerized test, "If you ever want to criticize anyone for forgetting anything, don't.  You'll be in their shoes soon enough."


Frank learned something that day, and so did I.  I got a good laugh as well.

I'm Confused

I worked in retail for seventeen years, and with each hiring, I was told, "You pull a no-call, no-show, we will assume you've quit." 
That always made sense to me, and the two times I've done that, it's been due to a mix-up on my schedule.  Thankfully, my bosses had a feeling something was awry, especially when the following day, I showed up for work . . . on my day off.  Each time, they laughed, then sent me home, telling me they hoped I enjoyed the extra day off.  In short, they knew I wasn't the type person to pull that stunt.

The politicians of today, I have to admit, are a different matter.  You see, I was the person who followed the rules.  These are the people who set the rules.  While at two differing jobs, I pulled a no-call, no show one time, these people have done it over the space of two weeks.  Were that me or you, we'd be fired.  I guess being an elected official has its advantages.  Remind me next election to run for an office.  I don't care what it is!  I want to see what it's like to be paid to not show up.

Some time ago, one of our state legislators was asked - on television - "Why did you run?"  His answer?  "I couldn't find a job."  Now, at first thought, that's disgusting.  At closer examination, you have to admire his honesty.  He didn't give any bushwah about wanting to serve his constituents, or thinking he was better than the person who was in office.  No, he wanted the pay.  I don't blame him, but those who voted for him.

If we want to avoid the fiascoes that are going on in the states that have runaway legislators who are shouting "You aren't playing my way, so I'm running to Mommy!," then we need to start researching now.  I know . . . the nest elections aren't until November of next year.  But we plan trips longer than we research candidates, and the impact they leave on us is longer than the memories of the trips.

Start researching those whom you think are potential candidates.  Otherwise, be quiet about not liking those in office.  Your ballot is a God-given right that many have fought and died for.  Use it or lose it, but know who you're casting it for.