...hmmm no replies. must be alot of "angrier poets" here on jsh..

Tonite I was at a bar in NYC to film a friend's show. I arrived earlier
than expected, and there was a "poetry reading" wrapping up. Since, I'm
starting to appreciate and enjoy "live" performance s, I figured I'd get
a drink, sit back and suck up the atmosphere.

The room was packed with eager Poet Lovers! Wall to wall with people of
all persuasions. Ppl even standing, and flowing out into the corridor.
This is gonna be great!

Scruffy poet #1 stands up to read. Young guy, scruffy. He is a little
shy, a little timid. He reads haltingly from his papers. One line, two
lines, three lines. End. He waits for applause. Then he begins another
masterpiece: eight lines of meaningless drivel. He explains himself,
"...I wrote that last night when, i was, like, really wasted. it says
alot i think". Sure. EE Cummings would be proud.

Ok, maybe just a newbie. The next scruffy guy stands up to read his
stuff. He announces that he's started his own publishing company, and
even produces his own "books", that you can buy after the show. He holds
one up for all of us to envy - stapled laser-printed pages. He reads his
poetry. Sigh. I think he is the room-mate of Scruffy. They're on the
same wavelength.

This guys wraps up. Another, another, another. I need another beer. How
much longer? Do I have enough money to outlast the drivel-assault?

Dont get me wrong - I'm no poetry snob. I appreciate good writing by
anyone, of any sort, and will readily admit I'm not a poetry-fan. But, I
know good form when I hear it. I know something meaningful and
purposeful, even if its abstract or opaque. None was to be found tonite!
Just a room full of friends-of-friends who would dare not say that their
friend sucks because that friend would have to say that they suck... its
an incestuous insecurity game.

The Reading was to last until 10pm. It went to 10:30, 11:00 - what the
h3ll?? It made no attempt to wrap up. My friend's show was now 90
minutes late - and they were getting ansy. Eventually the bar's
management came over and told the Poetry folks to wrap up. So they
stopped yapping at the mics, and stood round socializing. Honestly, most
were wasted on ecstacy or similar - most were dopey and hazy eyed. In a
few minutes the Mgmnt told them that they actually had to "vacate the
room so that the next show could set up". And then they got pissed, and
started belly-aching, whinning that they had to "leave their spots", and
so-on.

They stormed out with sour faces.

Ah, the Angry Poet Society. Welcome to New York.

Wow. I took away a different perspective: If I see RedAngel in her SUV,
I'm gonna run.

<grin>

Hi Red!

I dont think there is such a thing as the "holy spirit". To me, if the
will of God is in motion, I might recognize *that* as a "holy spirit",
but, for me, it doesnt work.

-Mike

Anyone else have this sort of experience with such 'hard-core' types?
anyone else visit the grand canyon park?

Last weekend I flew out to Vegas for my brother's wedding. On a whim we
three brothers decided to camp out at the Grand Canyon. So, we ran to
walmart bought sleeping bags & tents, then drove 400 miles out to the
Canyon. Even brought the kids!

Of course we arrived an hour after sunset. It was dark. So we used the
car headlights to illuminate our camping spot while setting up the
tents. It was 8:30. Within a few minutes a neighbor walks over, "hey
guys, could you kill the lights please - they're very distracting". I
replied "...just setting up the tents, we'll kill them in 15min - that
ok?"
She made a face, a sigh, "...I guess 15min will be ok" and huffed off.
I'm glad she is SOMEONE ELSE's problem. Jeeez what attitude.

Tents up, lights off, small fire started, we sit around and talk. I mean
talk - not yelling, not howling, no radio, no party - just talking. Talk
about work, friends, family and so-on. Its 10:30. Someone walks over and
shines a flash light at us. "Hey guys, its Quiet Time here in the park.
We are awaking at 3:30 for a hike tommorow, and you're keeping us
awake."

WTF? Honestly, we weren't loud. I know what "loud" is - I have three
kids, and they were asleep. Still, we didnt protest, we politely said
"oh ok, didnt realize we were causing a problem - we'll quiet it down"
But, Mr. Flashlight wouldnt let it go at that. He slid into a lecture
about his long trek to the park, his serious committment to this 'hike',
the seriousness of the "Quiet Time". I quipped "...you should have gone
to the Park for the Deaf then. Good night"

There were a couple more incidents of "hardcore" campers the next
morning over various things. Good lord, I've never met so many
disconnected "recreational campers" before.

However, the Grand Canyon was AWESOME to behold. Stunning. Well worth
the drive & boneheaded campers. Certainly recommended!

I never had a problem with tomatoes and hamsters. never caused any
problems - in fact a little onion and tartar sauce and them little
bite-sized rats are quite tasty. pop'em in the microwave for 30 seconds
and you go a marshmallow like snack to chew on.

Sure beats buying a half-chicken.

Yeah - we were stunned. I would have returned it, and I do go out of my
way when a peice of mail arrives that isnt mine.

I sincerly hope that no christian is elected into office. Why?

I sincerely hope that some of you would regard me as a christian - so
I'm not "anti-christian" in any sense. Fact is that politicians have to
lie to keep their jobs. Its a "must have" trait. I dont want any further
slander against christians from an oppurtunist president.

just makes a mockery of the majority of good-hearted ppl who beleive.

Anyone here attend a Quaker service? I'm curious to visit one. When I
was in high-school we were taught that Quakers were "extremists". Only
afterwards did I learn they were "extremely" pacifist.

Its all about spin.

I partially agree with Adventure. Jesus didnt free "me", nor "you" - he
only completed the Law. The JEWS were freed from the Law of Sin (as
expressed by Paul in Romans and Galatians).

I disagree w/ Adventure on a small point: There is no free-will. All the
events that lead to the birth of Jesus - from the meetings of Mary's
Great-Grandparents and all the events that lead to his birth being a
fullfillment - each action was all in the grand scheme of things. And
projecting forward, there is nothing any of us can do to alter the
moment that Jesus returns - so there is no freewill.

And I strongly agree with his statement "One cannot give another what
they all ready possess." Freedom, Forgiveness, Life - these are OURS,
and we have the power to GIVE them. These are the divine gifts that
elevate us above the angels.

"Creationist are always out there to pollute the minds of free thinkers"

I disagree. I'm one of them "creationists", I'm happy to explain
Evolution to my children, I encourage them to participate in Science
class. I expect them to comply with school teachings in Biology and Life
Sciences.

I teach them, as I explain here in these threads, the subtle difference
between observing Natural Selection in Action, versus, the interesting
idea that it can be projected backwards towards fossil records.

They think Dinosaurs are cool. They think ppl descended from primates.
Thats fine. I imagine eventually one or two of them will agree with me,
maybe not.

That to me is *the* definition of a 'free thinker', and quite a contrary
example to your statement.

Jess,

I'm starting to see it your way!

-Mike

My youngest brother Matt is getting married next week. He's in his early
20s, and has done remarkably well for himself. He's come a long way from
being a punk-kid to a hard-working dedicated "hubby to be". They're
struggling financially to put the wedding together, and have really
pulled off quite a feat so far. At the risk of being tacky, I decided it
was probably a good idea to send my wedding-gift "early" so that they
could use it to relieve money worries. I know, I been there.

Seemed the best thing to do was fed-ex the money ($500) to him. Sure,
sure, I know, there are other ways, but, having cash "right now" is alot
better than having a check to deposit, to clear... I wrote a nice card
to them, put the money in a nice wedding-envelope, and sent it via
fed-ex. I know better, but, well, I chose Next day delivery & Required
Direct Signature. Done. I got my tracking number, and I saw that
everything went perfectly well. Package delivered 10am this morning. All
goodness.

We were chatting this morning, and he was flaming angry with Fed-Ex.
Why? They had ordered several wedding items, and they were "delivered"
this morning, at least according to Fed-Ex. The fed-ex ppl were telling
him "it was delivered. end of story. driver said he left it at your
door." and were not helping him hunt down where/who/when all this
happened.

Wait - you didnt get my delivery either?
Your delivery? You sent me something?
I'll call you back Matt.

Now I call FedEx. Ask what the story was. I explain that the package was
"delivered" but not received. They tell me it was. We review the address
several times. "But, Ma'am, my receipt says 'Direct Signature Required'
and you dont have a signature. The item was not delivered. Please call
the driver and ask him to explain where he left it."
"Oh no sir, we dont do that. We'll set up a tracking issue..."

Wait - this is for a wedding. Just ask the driver where it was
deposited. Thats all - I'm sure he left it somewhere not-obvious.

All day I got bounced through various levels of "Customer Service", each
one insisted that the package was delivered correctly. Each one verified
the address. They apologized for the "oversight" in the signature, but,
rest assured, it was delivered.

No, no it was not. No signature, and my brother most definately doesnt
have it!

Sorry sir, our records indicate it was delivered correctly. You wish to
file a claims then?

No, just call the driver. Please. Thats all. We just want to know where
he put it.

We cant do that sir. Hold please, I'll transfer you to Claims.

Working the phones and emails from both the East and West Coast, we
spoke with the local fed-ex station mgr. That person was very beligerent
that we had the nerve to call and politely want to know where the
package was deposited. "CALL CLAIMS!"

Matt eventually got a CEO on the phone. They were very angry to hear
what had been happening. They promised "heads would roll", and seemed to
make good on threats, as Matt recv'd weasel-apology calls from the nasty
mgr. But, still no package, and still, nobody would simply call the
driver.

An hour ago, (12midnight, East Coast Time), someone knocked on his door.
"Are you Matt?" stood an older person holding a ripped-open FedEx
package. "Sorry I opened it, I thought it was for me - but when I saw
the address on the card inside, I knew it wasnt. I live a few blocks
over that way..." and handed my brother the un-opened wedding-envelope.

What is so wrong with this picture? Why is corporate America so
back-azzwards that the simple little thing of asking the guy "where is
it" is so very difficult, but, they have a up-to-the-minute transaction
log of each phone call we made to inquire about the package that was
incorrectly delivered? And what is with that arrogance that says "We
Delivered it!" when clearly, they did not. Ugh.

Last friday my boss pulls me in. "Hey Mike, listen, you're going on
vacation May 15th to May 22nd right? Well, listen, why dont you extend
it till May 30th?"

"Sure Henry. Whats going on?"

"...and in June, how about you plan for 2 weeks. We're out of money
Mike. Dont know how else to say it. You're a consultant, and so you're
the first to go. If we dont get any business by June 30th, we're all out
of a job. But, if we *do* get at least one of the deals pending, then of
course we will need you very much. We want, and plan, to need you full
time in July and from then on, but, no promises."

Ouch.

Ouch.

I'm feeling kicked in the nuts - been a rough two years. Now this.
Around Wednesday, my roomate, here in the "House of Broken Dreams",
casualy asked, 'so hows things mike?'

"Terrible. Got let go on Friday"

He casually replied 'oh thats too bad' and continued walking by as if
nothing was said. That was irritatingly rude. He continued on into his
room. About 20 minutes later he came back out, and just as casually, he
walked over, handed a peice of paper, "Here is my boss' email, send him
your resume. Can you start next week?"

I thought he was kidding. The next morning at work I typed my resume,
and emailed it to him. Within 30 minutes the HR ppl called, "...got your
resume... when are you available? what salary?" and all that stuff.
Today I had my "initial" screening interview - I was asked a bunch of
C++ technical questions, which I got wrong (havn't used it in 5yrs),
but, in the discussion of why I was wrong it became very clear to the
interviewer that I really knew quite alot, sufficiently so that he said
'ah, its clear that you know what you're talking about even if you got
the details wrong. good enough for me!"

As things stand, I think I'm to interview with the Manager/Boss sometime
tommorow. One door closes... another opens.

This year has been filled with so many "collapses". Relationships,
Finances, Self-Confidence, Friendships, Vehicles, even where I live -
and now even my Job. But, in all of these "collapses", something better
has grown to replace them [well, with one clear exception: No Romance
has appeared]. I'm closer with my family than ever before. I've made
several male-friends, which is a great thing to have, I had forgotten
what it was like to just "hang with the guys" after being married 10
years. I'm broke, but, for the first time in 10yrs nobody is demanding
explanation of where "did yesterday's $10 go?!". I live in a literal
rat-hole [yes, including rats] but, its clean, and orderly. I finally
have pictures that *I* like hanging on my walls...

2007 is a grinding year so far - and the sausage ain't all that bad.
Hows things by you?

Thought it was interesting:

"The Hebrew University of Jerusalem announced on Monday the discovery of
the grave and tomb of Herod the Great, the Roman empire's "King of the
Jews" in ancient Judea.

The University said in a brief statement the discovery was made at
Herodium, where Herod's hilltop fortress palace once stood some 7 miles
from Jerusalem.

Professor Ehud Netzer, from the Department of Archeology at the Hebrew
University, said at a press conference on Tuesday that researchers have
been searching for the grave for over 30 years, and that the discovery
provided a solution to one of the most intriguing mysteries of Israeli
archeology.

The Herodium excavations began in 1972 with assistance from the Society
for the Reclamation of Antiquities. In August 2006, digging began on the
north-eastern slope of the mountain. Monumental steps, six-and-a-half
meters (over 20 feet) wide provided access to the grave. [...]"


http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3397066,00.html

I am trying to change. I want to become more open minded to new ideas,
more assertive to push back against obnoxious insults, more expressive
to explain my thoughts when asked.

A smile so wide my face will fall through it!

Bibby, thats pretty rough! I've been to Montreal many many times over
the last 10+ years and always enjoyed my visits. What did I miss?

Well if someone is driving a nice new car, or have a nice new home, then
surely their prayers were answered. Or so the logic would go.

I see your point, and add to it. I dont pray to ask for anything. Just
thanks for what I got, and most importantly, thanks for what I DONT
have!