One Hungry Arse Town II

I'm a morning person. I start each day at 4am, give thanks for my health and a new day. I am usually in a great mood. Then, a few hours later I leave the house.

It's bright and sunny here today. I walked along enjoying the sun when I noticed a folded ten dollar bill on the ground. I picked it up, and looked behind and in front of me for the possible loser 😉. There was no one on that side of the street. Across the street were only cars parked at a fast food restaurant. I put the bill in my pocket.

I walked about a block and a half further on the same street. A silver SUV pulled up to the curb next to me. The front passenger, a very light-skinned black man beckoned me with his index finger. As a rule I never approach a strange vehicle for any reason. I asked, "Yeah"? The driver then leaned forward and said "Dat money you picked up is mines." Money? When you lose money don't you usually say the amount like, "I lost ten dollars" instead of "Dat money"?

I side-eyed them with the entire left side of my face. "I want my money! How you think I know you found it if I ain't seed you pick it up," the angry driver yelled? Eventhough, my brain screamed "Don't say it," I still told them "I don't believe you."

At this point, one of the ominous passengers in the back unlocked his door, while saying, "I'll take care of dis!" I thought "Seriously, God, this is how it ends? I am to be pummeled by four 30-ish dudes over $10.00?" The front passenger dude seemed to be playing good cop to the driver, and offered a sympathetic half smile.

"I want my money," the driver demanded, still not saying how much. The empath tilted his head to the right. I took the money from my pocket, mentally debating whether to hand it over. Yes, it was only ten bucks, but goddammit people such. Four grown men who were most likely at the fast food joint saw me pick something up, and figured it was money, then decided to get it, and beat me for it if necessary. It turns my stomach to think that people have lives that small.

I extended my arm forward with the money in hand. The good cop while still half smiling, extended his arm as far as he could. He gave me a look as to say "How rude." He stepped from the vehicle and took the money. He smiled and wished me good luck.

Randomness from the past 24 hours...

#1. Actual weirdness at the pharmacy:

Random Man: I'm here to pick up two prescriptions for my wife, Deloris Smith. It should be two different crazy pills.

Pharm. Asst.: (Stares uncomfortably and then turns to search for the prescriptions)

Random Man: There should be two.

Pharm. Asst.: Sir, I don't see any prescriptions for crazy pills under that name. I did find these two, but they aren't crazy pills.

Random Man: Okay, I will just take these then. She can call about the other stuff.

Pharm. Asst.: That's fine.

I was next and wanted so badly to ask for my crazy nasal spray prescription, but I chickened out, and the pharmacist didn't look to be in a good mood.

#2. Thrift store weirdness:

Yesterday, a guy in the thrift store asked the cashier if they had any Christmas lights. She told him that they did not, and suggested that he try Walmart. "They have cheap ones there," she shared. The man looked at the floor for several seconds, and then confessed "I'm not welcome at Walmarts [sic] any more... Not something I did, but I lent my car..."

*Very awkward pause.

"Well, how about the Dollar Tree, I think I saw some... " The man looked down again.

#3. It's nice to be nice:

I know nothing of women's footwear. I crossed paths with a very stunningly elegant woman, she wore amazing burnished silver shoes. It was obvious that she had taken great care in essembling her outfit. Everything about her flowed a silvery dance.

"Now, that's a pair of shoes," I told her! She stopped and looked down as if their beauty were a surprise to her as well. She beamed as she thanked me. I may have made her day.

I should add, I did not stop nor break my stride for fear of her response. The news has trained me to fear complimenting people. I do it anyway. ❤

#4. Let it go:

I have decided to let it go therefore, I will leave out the details. I will say that we have become a nation of petty bullies. I yelled at someone today that had decided I was fair game to flex their stupid on. "SHUT THE F' UP," I told him. I seriously hate that that was the only effective solution for ending a ridiculous exchange that should never have happened. People?

Going Bump In The Night

I have dust and mold allergies so, you can imagine how this time of year can be problematic. The great side effect of forced heat are recycled particulates. I have a couple prescription nasal sprays, in addition to over-the-counter allergy meds. Not being able to breathe properly at times makes you tired. In addition to the allergies, and a full day, I was exhausted, and fell asleep around nine-thirty.

I just woke up completely mummied, encased in sheets and my comforter. As if that wasn't strange enough, as I awoke at the very end of the bed,  I could feel my neck tightly constrained by the bedding.  I guess that I started to choke, tried to stand, and then flailed myself against a 5' tall loaded bookcase at the end of the bed. I fully awoke from the sound and weight of half of the bookcase's contents falling on me.

I pulled myself from the wreckage coughing furiously. It took me about a half hour to control the coughing.

Nightmare? It couldn't be the disembodied spirits that live here entertaining themselves, they are always so nice to me. 🤓

The Good and The Very Bad

In a world that seems increasing ugly, sad, and cruel, I pray each day that I will be guided to seek and share joy. In what might seem the smallest of ways, we might change another's day or life. I greet strangers, hold doors, help others when I can. If nothing else, I offer the world a smile.

On the bus this morning, I ended up in conversation with a 16 year old couple who have recently moved here from Washington State. They hadn't come together, rather the universe converged their paths. They were a true delight!

Excited, they were on their way to the DMV to apply for learner's permits, and to secure state issued photo IDs. They had their automotive futures all planned out. The young guy took a protective lead. He said that they had done a lot of research, and knew what to look for in used vehicles. He added that used car dealers would probably try to cheat his beautiful friend, but he would be there to make certain that nothing of the sort transpired. Overly modern folks might have dubbed him sexist, but seeing his posture, his serious smile and gallantry made me almost tear. I glanced over for the girl's response. Her dimples and demure smile said it all. We chatted, and laughed as we discussed the ins and outs of the New York State Drivers License process. I pulled the cord for my stop, while making certain that they knew where to get off a couple stops ahead. I wanted to tag along with them for the day they were so much fun.

I successfully ran my errands.

In the rain, I traveled by bus back to the hub in order to transfer onward to campus. At the hub my joyous mood drastically changed. At the university stop a young man in a wheelchair approached. I stepped aside to offer him room. He appeared to be a burn victim. The poor man was without ears, had one leg, where is left eye should have been skin was graphed tightly leaving no appearance of any purpose for that side of his face. His entire head looked raw and light pink. A tall student and others looked down on the man in curious contempt.

Rather than step aside to make way for the driver to lower the ramp for the man, more than a dozen people stood their ground either intentionally ignoring the man, or keeping watch from the corner of their eyes, as if to dare him to try to board before them. I tried to make eye contact with any or all of them. I could not, they were concentrating on being their worst selves. After those "people" boarded, I wedged myself sideways preventing the others (probably a couple dozen people) from getting on the bus. The man then backed his chair away a few feet. I greeted him with a smile and asked if he was going to board? He looked around at the impatient scowling faces and said with a smile "Thank you very much! I think that I will wait inside for the next bus. I don't want to bother people." My heart sank.

Yeah, "Oh the humanity," is about right.

BIZARRO

As I keep saying...
If something really bizarro is to happen, the universe will place me there to at least witness.  About five or six years ago, I would always see a day-pass mental health patient about campus here. He was so drugged up that he often would just drop where he stood, curl into the fetal position, and fall asleep immediately. He was particularly fond of blocking the entrance to the Optometrist office in the little mall at campus. He was otherwise harmless  so, the maintenance man would gently wake him, and he would be on his way.

I felt sorry for the poor fellow, and often went out of my way to greet him. He was always very friendly, but of few words.

Today, I saw him. As we approached he smiled broadly in recognition. As I was about to say "hello," he declared "I SEE YOU TOOK ALL THAT FUCKIN' WEIGHT OFF!" He then let out a huge belly laugh. I smiled like you would when you have no idea what the heck just happened.

In all fairness, I am at least 25 lbs lighter. 😂

Tug-of-war

Yesterday, from the bus window  I could see a downtown bank having some sort of employee appreciation day. There were two teams of roughly a dozen at a Tug-of-war contest, with many others cheering them on. It looked like great fun.

Behind me sat a teenager, he described the struggle as "Some kind of country shit." Other teens and adults agreed with him as they tried to understand.

I remember Tug-of-war being the best part of elementary school gym, as well as my dad's company outings. Are they not allowed anymore? Has our litigious society added it to the list of ready cash actionable causes? "My kid broke his arm and got muddy! Pay up!"

Maybe, they'll watch a YouTube, Tug-of-war video later. It's the same as participating, no?

Irony?

The bus hub security guard; is roughly 30 years old, forty pounds over weight, his polyester pants are about six inches too long, and he always needs a shave. He glares at bus patrons as they come and go as if they were something nasty on his shoe.

Two actual police officers are stationed at the bus hub when the high schools let out. Yesterday, two officers stood talking. The security guard walked past them a couple times. He stared at them, his eyes begging for acknowledgement. On the third pass, both officers finally acknowledged him by glaring as if he was something nasty on their shoes.