Rodent Regatta

I’m always amazed in traffic or in a check-out line or at the bank when someone goes nuts because they feel they’re being inconvenienced. We see people from time to time who appear willing and excited to make a scene wherever they are. Invariably, I get the feeling that they somehow think they are more important than others standing in line. Trust me, the blowhard in line at the bank is no more important that the laborer trying to make Friday’s deposit. I don’t care how many zeros of difference exist between their two checks.

Then, out of the blue, you read words like this:

My God, people can be vile. I hate to realize sometimes how naive I can be, how I can still be surprised at someones ability to put the screws to their fellow man – er, person – for reasons so petty you couldnt find them with an electron microscope. One silly minor person sets her jaw, decides to show someone whats what, and the effect cascades through the lives of half a dozen other people.

But you know what they say: everytime a door closes, another one opens. So make sure when you close it, your tormentors foot is caught twixt door and frame. And slam it shut. Hard.

James Lileks
The Bleat
June 25, 2003

I have no idea what might be going on there. He said, ”Why yes, I am being oblique, and I will remain so until things shake out.” Let’s hope this isn’t devastating to him. Let’s also hope it isn’t devastating to us.

Here’s another example of getting blindsided and a way to handle it. We’re wishing Todd and Robyn well, whatever their decisions. I have a hunch they’ll ultimately weather this storm and prosper. Read this follow-up and you’ll see how traumatic these things can be.

We’re at or nearing a turning point in this country. We’re going to need one another again. We’re going to have to be really good at things that others need us to be good at. Start honing a skill that you find so exciting that you can’t imagine being paid to do it. That’s when you’ll find that perfect niche!