Donut Trigger

I was triggered earlier...

Triggered! One Summer in college, I worked at a factory that made the fillings for donuts (Yes, there's a cheap joke in there.) There were giant bubbling caldrons, and half of the day I stood with a hundred pound bag of sugar on my shoulder, slowly pouring into the vat. The permanently angry lifer would yell at me and call me made up curse words, if I got tired and poured the sugar too slowly or too quickly he would get really loud. Each day, the mean old fat dude would call me names and threaten to toss me into the boiling nauseating vat. Like clockwork, the bell would sound for lunch, which was also my reprieve.

The afternoons were spent downstairs, where a pipeline pumped the sugary ooze into plastic bags. I had to grab the hot bags as the machine sealed them, (like an old Lucy episode) and fill boxes for shipment. We weren't given gloves, and every opportunity was taken to remind us of how much they hated college boys. I still hate donuts. 🤓

I Actually Only Drink Decaf...

Randomness from Wednesday and Thursday...

- Insider Tip: If you ask people "Do you want to hear a funny story?" they will never decline. This might be useful in delivering bad news, breaking up, firings, or even actual jokes. 🤓

- Hey cool dudes, clearing your nasal passages, and spitting over a garbage can indoors (even in a public place,) is well beneath you. If it isn't, try harder. I hate being made to feel like someone's repressed maiden aunt. 🙄

- I just saw an undergrad male with a Top Knot Bun literally sticking from the top of his head. He was telling a young lady "I am literally a perfectionist!" 🙄

- Students who take public transportation here are given specific bus passes for the nearest routes two and from their respective homes. This is to prevent them from skipping school and "riding the rails" all day.

Earlier a student boarded my bus with the wrong routed pass. He was belligerent and refused to get off of the bus when politely told by the driver. The kid just stood there shouting "I ain't gettin' off," as if it made him correct; while holding up the other passengers. The driver turned off the engine, and I imagine was about to summon the police, which I also imagine was policy.

A random stranger came forward, and asked if she could pay for the kid. She did, and the kid thanked her, but went to the back of the bus still cursing about being right.

My first thought was that, this woman was much kinder than myself. Actually, she wasn't, because the kid learned nothing.

- If I were a much lower life-form, I might offer #metoo re-branding consultations, but you can't smack or vomit on clients.

Seriously, are power and sexual misconduct cousins?

- The sin isn't in not knowing.
The sin is in not Googling.

- A child asked me earlier "If people drink the blood at church, then why are they afraid of vampires?" Other than "That's brilliant," I didn't have an answer.

- Tomorrow's Friday...

Thanks, Universe!

Wednesday, the universe was busy making me smile, and or shake my head.

#1.
Ever have those elusive grocery items that you keep forgetting to purchase? In my case, I have been out of eggs for two weeks. I've ignored phone reminders, and tossed away slips of paper. This afternoon I went to #Wegmans, and left triumphant! Mission accomplished, but not before the next few instances...

#2.
I guess that I have that kind of face? A thirty-ish dude in the grocery store, held me up extolling the virtues of grape jelly. He was obviously heavily medicated. While I admit that I wished that I could snap my fingers and disappear, I am glad that I could not. Who knows, this may have been his only human contact in a week. Sixty seconds that was good for both of us really.

#3.
Two year old: Mommy, what time is it?

Humorless, Mean mom: Why you gotta know? You gotta go somewhere?

TYO: I have to go to work.

HMM: I wish you did have some work to go to!

TYO: Well...

Poor kid. 😕

#4.
Why me? An attractive very fit, 50-ish woman in running gear sidled up her cart next to mine in Wegmans. I was trying to decide between Almond Milk and Fat Free Milk so, it took a second to notice her. When I looked over at her, she smiled and said "This is the stuff you need, 100% Chocolate Milk!" #WorstpickuplineEVER then opened the container and took an unhealthy swig, and smiled. I awkwardly said that she had caught me at the wrong life stage. "Chocolate Milk or Milky Way bars is always great," she added.  She then waited for my answer.

"Everything in moderation. Have a nice day." She smiled, and fortunately took the queue.

I am getting better at losing people. 😛

#5.
From Tuesday, while at another store...

One of my biggest pet-peeves is when store clerks make an error, and then act as if you are a jerk for not going along with things. My total was $9.27, and I presented $9.00 in coupons. The cashier told me that my total was $9.26 after the discounts. After calling an assistant manager and a manager for help, they re-rang things four more times. I was patient and apologetic. I thanked them at the end, and they all glared as if they wished they could throat punch me, as the cashier took my 26¢.

I didn't have the heart or time to tell them that one of my two items was actually missed marked. My cost actually should have been -73¢. 😂

Two Local Marketing Tales...

It's 90°F here and sunny. Nevertheless, I still wanted my long Sunday walk.

Just a couple blocks away at a corner house, a middle-aged woman was having a garage sale. I continued a half block West, and decided to go to the sale. There weren't any cars or people there so, I thought that it might be the neighborly thing to do. It is odd that in all these years, I have never seen this woman or anyone who lives in this house.

As I approached, the woman was arranging items on a table with her back to me. Smiling, I was about to greet her. She glanced in my direction from the corner of her eye for a brief second. No hello, nor acknowledgement of any kind. Still smiling my awkward smile, I looked about. Being an "expert" at sales, I noticed immediately that nothing was tagged. This is an obvious sign that the seller will haggle and overcharge, if you let them. The stuff was crap! I had half a mind to make my way up the hill, and grab several garbage bags for her. She offered basement stored mildued ripped upholstered chairs, and other furniture items that some might mistake as antiques, rather than just stinky junk.

Almost immediately her dogs started to bark wildly from the inside of the house. They barked and strained to get out. Still, she did not acknowledge me, but told the dogs to "Quit barking," after a few minutes.

I continued to look about wondering if I would be acknowledged. I was so glad my self-esteem wasn't wrapped up in this situation. The writer in me always wants to actually see the wrecked train. The entire time she puttered in the same spot with her back to me. I got bored and strolled off, but not without noticing her hubby's used undershirts. I can't image that naked people in the Artic would be interested. From across the street, I turned to look back. She looked blankly angry; like someone who's always angry. I smiled, and wondered if she had ever heard of marketing.

About a mile further down, a tall handsome grinning man, jogged across the street. He rushed right up to me and the conversation follows:

Man: Hey, how are you doing today?
Me: Pretty well (I didn't stop walking)
Man: Hey, can I talk to you for a second?
Me: No
Man: (Both chuckling and grinning) Oh, come on, man. A brotha can't even talk to you?
Me: No, no he can't (Smiling)
Man: I just wanted to talk to you about my gospel CD. It's meant to uplift you when you are down. All I am asking is that you take one free of charge, and give it a listen.
Me: No, thank you.
Man: (Still exuberant AF) Man, ah man, you won't even take a free CD that is meant to uplift you?
Me: Okay. How could I say no?
Man: Here you go. My name's Mel, and yours?
Me: Douglass, and thank you, Mel.
Man: (Shakes my hand firmly) Give that a listen, and have a great day!

Mel probably could teach salesmanship and marketing.

UPDATE: Apparently, the woman's sale failed. I just passed by and most of her junk has been pushed to the curb for the garbage truck. 

Do The Right Thing (s)...

Two tales from my day...

#1.
I stopped by the little corner store near the hospital. Ahead of me in line was a father (roughly my age), and his late twenties son. The father, who I have never seen before sneered at me, and tilted his head to the side, indicating to the son that he should look back.

The son looked directly at me. He seemed embarrassed. He waited for me at the door, held it, smiled, and wished me a great day. He was overcompensating for his dad.

We all know right from wrong. It doesn't take any great courage to make good choices towards others, we have just got to want to be good people.

#2.
Three blocks away from the house, I noticed a face down unopened envelope in the middle of the street. There were no people about. The envelope contained the paycheck of someone I've never heard of before. The address was over a mile away. I could see "Pay to the order of:," at the edge of the envelope's window.

Neighbor-lady was sitting out as I walked by, so I asked if she would take me to the envelope's address. She said that she was "Always up for an adventure." We found the street, which was 🎲-y. As we parked in front of the house, I jokingly begged her to not take off and leave me, in that screaming like a school girl was about I the energy I have left today.

Weirdness. There was a big "Apartment For Rent," sign in the window. No one lived there. What to do?  What to do?

I wrote "Moved. Return to sender," on the envelope and dropped it in a mailbox.

This was actually more exciting as it unfolded. 😛

Kids these days?

My doctor's office has moved since my last appointment. The swanky new professional building is huge. I arrived early to check in, and asked the receptionist for direction. She told me that the young volunteer seated next to me would escort me to the doctor's office.

The volunteer appeared to be 15 or 16 years old, very pale, with maybe a permanently confused facial expression. I tried to make small talk on our journey, but she wasn't having it.

After navigating a maze of corridors, we took the elevator. I smiled awkwardly, but this volunteer child of the corn, just stared as if to say "You're really kinda creepy, aren't you?"

The elevator doors opened and she stepped out, turning in silence to see if I was following. Again, I offered my "I don't know what the heck is going on," smile. She looked away at the wall. We walked down a long corridor and then she spoke, and pointed at a door. I thanked her, and she quickly walked away without responding.

I reached for the door handle and walked into the room. This wasn't my doctor's office but, rather an employee lounge of some sort. I apologized and I backed out of the room. As I turned from the door, I noticed a reception area. I walked across the hall, and up to the woman sitting there, and confessed that I was lost. She and the woman next to her chuckled as she told me "I would assume so, this is an OB-GYN practice."

Apparently, my doctor's office is at 3-M and not 2-M.

Kids these days...

How to respond to hate?

I was just at Wegmans getting salad fixings for dinner. It's a beautiful sunny 84°F. I was dressed as I often am for these warm days; a button front camp shirt and fitted flat front shorts.

As I reached for a cart, I noticed two very rough looking women in their mid-late twenties. I had never seen them before. Their demeanor, unkempt hair and clothing were odd for this Wegmans location. People don't go to Wegmans looking like crap regardless of socio-economic status, and they looked really bad.

Our eyes met for a split second. The taller and meaner of the two then declared while gesturing towards me "See that! I can't stand that! I hate fucking faggots! I'd slice that motherfucker up in a second."

I didn't respond. I just pretended that it didn't happen. I imagine that if I had said anything at all, I would have been physically attacked. They continued on their way mumbling hate. I entered the store and immediately found Hydroponic Boston Big lettuce.

There is a part of me that says "You don't know where those people came from, what their lives have been or are... They obviously are in pain, and it's not really about you." There is a greater part of me that says "To hell with that theoretical liberal Bullshit! I don't want anyone that filled with hate anywhere near me, or anyone that I care about." People so basic that they verbally fantasize about harm another person just because they are presented differently than themselves may not be worth anyone's time?

It is interesting that many who are liberal or conservative may have definite opinions here, but have never had experiences that I have too many to count. One side wants to save the A-social, and the other wants a gated community from them. The best response probably lies somewhere in the middle. Having experiences like these makes me both afraid and a little ashamed by my response. I really shouldn't be lead to either emotion shopping for dinner.