I miss what I thought we were going to have.
- unknown
Personnel Officer: So whaddya want to hack for, Bickle?
Travis Bickle: I can't sleep nights.
Personnel Officer : There's porno theaters for that.
Travis Bickle : Yeah, I know, I tried that.
Personnel Officer : So now what do you do?
Travis Bickle : I ride around most nights - subways, buses - but you know, if I'm gonna do that I might as well get paid for it.
I keep getting the worst cab drivers. Am I the only one who thinks that a big part of a cab driver's job is to know where things are? I dont' even know how this happens, because I know that they have to pass tests proving they know their way around the city, but I can't count the number of times I have gotten into a cab and given an address only to have the cab driver ask me where it is. Today the driver (who's name and cab number I was sorely tempted to post) handed me the map book when I didn't know exactly where my destination was located.
Hmmm. Now that I've written that down it all just seems petty. I was incensed at the time, but now that I think about it, I suppose it's a better solution than having him try to read the map while driving, or waiting to start driving until he looks it up in the Perly's.
Okay, so maybe I just need to take a chill pill...
You talkin' to me?
I owe Gary Hewson a huge debt. Gary taught me, in a lot of ways, what it means to be happy. That's quite a tall order, yes? I used to work with Gary, and whenever anyone asked how Gary was doing, he'd say things like, "If I were any better I'd have to be two people!" This made me retch a bit, truth be told, because I was a cynic (or wanted to be because it was cool to be cynical), and because I was certain it was a lie, even if it was a polite and charming lie. Eventually I started to realize, though, that even if it wasn't always true when Gary said it, it generally was. Gary was actually a happy guy. Until that point, I don't think I really understood that people could be happy, you know, like as a continuous state. Moments of happiness, sure, but a lifetime of happiness?
I think that really, what I learned from Gary is that happiness can be like good posture. My cynical sneering was like slouching against a wall with a cigarette. Kind of romantic for a youth, but not very attractive in an adult. And like standing up straight, happiness could be chosen, could be learned, could be habitualized.
Today when I was asked at work how I was doing, I answered, "Terrific!" It was true, too.
Thanks Gary.
Oh, and I got new glasses today:
The girls asked why I bought "old man" glasses. I think I want my money back.
Ah well, at least I'll be one of those happy senile old men...
Suddenly fey.ca is a political forum... :)
The first presidential debate between George W. Bush and John Kerry, held at the University of Miami on September 30, is available right now, for free, at http://www.audible.com/emails/debates/.
Audible will also offer the remaining three debates -- two presidential and one vice presidential -- shortly after their television broadcasts on October 5, 8, and 13.