What a way to start the day...

This morning a minor dusting of snow was waiting for me on my truck, but nothing too bad. I just started it up, while the dog wandered around the yard sniffing, and then I went back inside to check the email real quick. After a few minutes the truck was all clear, and so I hopped in and started off. It was then that I realized how close to the "E" the ole gas gauge was! No problem, plenty of time to whip it into the gas station for a fill up. It wasn't until I had the truck refueled and replaced the nozzle that I realized I had a problem. I reached to my right rear pants pocket to get my wallet out. Huh, that's odd. Probably in my truck seat or some such silliness. No, no such luck there buddy. Then, it really hits me, 'I gots no moneys and the lady behind the register's gonna want paid!' Ah hell... no time like the present march on in and tell 'em what's up.

So, I muster up the sad puppy dog eyes as I head through the door. The bleary eyed clerk who's been there all night, glances up from her register and a fresh stack of powerball winning numbers. Okay, here we go. "Uh, hi ma'am (emphasizing the southern drawl a bit, and flashing the baby-blues) I seem to have a problem, I don't have my wallet." Sheesh, the sound of my own voice, do I really sound like that big of an idiot? Prolly. I have an instant thought, that I should offer up some sort of collateral that I'll come back to pay. I grab for my cell phone and hold it out to her, and explain that I just live about 5 minutes away and I'll be right back. Without hesitation, the clerk takes my phone and just smiles an impossibly kind smile for this hour of the morning, and says simply, "it could happen to anyone dear, it's okay." Wow, that was easy, almost pleasant. So, obviously I head home as quickly as possible, feeling like a complete idiot, and when I get there, yeah of course there's my wallet right on the dresser where I left it. And of course, I startle Big Red who is still getting ready for work, and have to relay the morning's story. She laughed... I rolled my eyes, and headed back out. I get back to the gas station, same clerk, same smile, and she takes my card and says, "so just the gas... and a phone right?" She winks, I blush, she finishes up and hands me my receipt and phone. "You have a good day hon," she says... and as bad as it started and as horrid as the typical bullshit at work was, you know... I remember a smile and kindness and understanding from earlier in the day, and it made it all just a little bit more bearable.

There are still a few decent people still in the world... and I met one of them this morning. There may be hope for the human race after all.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Oh yeah... it's a lot like that.

Here I am, fresh back from vacation, once again working for "the man." I've been quickly refitted with the requisite chains and bindings. I can already feel my jaw slacking, and my back beginning to hunch over from the labor of it all. And for Pete's sake, I have a damned office job. How can so much shit get piled back on in a single morning. Not to mention I'm still trying to catch up on the emails from while I was away that were upwards of 400 total. Admittedly, that's low compared to what normally greets me on a return.

I've already heard Laura comment that she's ready to go back to Myrtle Beach and grab a bottle of Jack Daniels for the trip to drown the sorrows. In the picture above, I think she's one of the shadowy figures in the back. I feel like the 3rd in line. The guy in the front bears a striking resemblance to online moniker "Short Stacked Shamus." Hmmmm, go figure. Thankfully Shamus is generally a little more upbeat.

Anyway, work is here and about what I expected. I'm hoping to catch up with JR and Frank today to see how their trips to Tri-State Racetrack and Casino turned out. I'm hoping if nothing else that I can get in a couple of SNG's at some point in the next coupla days to quench the poker thirst.

Over vacation I read quite a bit. I want to recommend the author Christopher Moore to each of you. I devoured two of his books You Suck: A Love Story and Practical Demonkeeping over vacation. I even dropped him an email as appreciation and admiration of his writing, to which I got a response. How cool was that! Anyway, if you haven't done so before, check him out. His twisted wit and story telling were just right up my alley, hope you find him that way too. Right now, I'm indulging in a Jimmy Buffett novel trying to get my "island chill" on with A Salty Piece of Land trying to combat the drudgery of the workweek.

OHHH, and as a side note. I want to thank the nameless faceless person who found my wallet last night outside the restaurant and took it to the manager. Yup, I lost my wallet and didn't even know it, when I get a call from the Eagles Lodge of all things. Turns out the manager found my Eagles membership card and called them to have them get in touch with me to inform me that they had my wallet!?! Whatever, I was glad of it. To top it off, all the cash, id's, credit cards, and dust bunnies were all still present and accounted for. So whoever you were, thanks a lot pal! There are still a few good people out there in the world. My faith in humanity is renewed again.

Regards,

cheer_dad