We had to let Harry go, today. It was unfortunate, but we really had no choice.
I had come in to the shop to hand out work orders, and there he was, sitting stock-still with his coffee cup an inch from his mouth. I asked him what the problem was, and there was no answer...So I touched his arm. It was stone.
The other mechanics just sat there quietly, looking nervous. One of them had petrified, and they knew that the same thing could - and probably would, given time - happen to them.
I called human resources to ask if this was an OSHA reportable incident, and I was told that there was a lot of this going around. Between bills and lack of job security, loved ones overseas in a couple of senseless wars, health insurance, and all the other nutjobbery attendant to the post-American century, people are just failing to cope. They just sit down and calcify.
Anyway, I was given my instructions, and I made the calls.
An hour later, a truck pulled up from the granite counter-top contractor on the West side, and they loaded Harry up and drove away. It reminded me of a scene from an old novel, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
And the other mechanics? Why, I've never seen them work so hard.
Or Kill Me.
I thought Harry was the one who wandered off into the desert and was never seen again. But we musn't rely on my memory, somehow things are being deleted without my permission.
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 05:20:29 PM
I thought Harry was the one who wandered off into the desert and was never seen again.
Well, we assume that's what happened. His wrenches were just lying there, and people don't just vanish.
We'll see him again when they finally finish that pretty cobble stone street in the suburbs.
He'll support future generations, if only their feet.
~Planeswalker
shedding the chill from his bones
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 05:21:24 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 05:20:29 PM
I thought Harry was the one who wandered off into the desert and was never seen again.
Well, we assume that's what happened. His wrenches were just lying there, and people don't just vanish.
I'm about ready to go look for him. I want to go out with a rattlesnake in each hand and a coyote in my teeth.
I thought this was just a side effect of all the TUMS. It's starting with my face, which is kind of useful. People just assume you're unimpressed, percieving their bullshit, or a cop. Then I realized the res tof me was following suit. Like I'm some sort of golem only animated by enthusiasm, and I'm loosing that. I hear people all day. Stories, complaints, problems, and after awhile it's exhausting no matter who it is.
Small problem, I tell msyelf. I'm in a pretty secure place, I'm lucky. I get done with the people and try to come up with the will to work on somethign quietly myself, and there's nothing for that either. I jsut want to sit there and STOP for awhile. Let my brain relax and stop, watching the skyline if I can get a clear view. I'll always start again, eventually, hopefully before everything has moved on.
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 06:03:31 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 05:21:24 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 05:20:29 PM
I thought Harry was the one who wandered off into the desert and was never seen again.
Well, we assume that's what happened. His wrenches were just lying there, and people don't just vanish.
I'm about ready to go look for him. I want to go out with a rattlesnake in each hand and a coyote in my teeth.
Just try boppin' a couple of wrenches on a steel work table, you know, just play a peppy little number like they used to play on the radio, back in the good old days of HUAC and polio kids smiling at you from the mirror above their iron lungs, when everyone knew their place and people beat their families in the privacy of their own home, like decent people ought to do. When kids went off to fight commies and if they came back a little broken, well, that's the price of Glory™.
Just play that tune until you find the right note, yeah?
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 06:24:59 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 06:03:31 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 05:21:24 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 05:20:29 PM
I thought Harry was the one who wandered off into the desert and was never seen again.
Well, we assume that's what happened. His wrenches were just lying there, and people don't just vanish.
I'm about ready to go look for him. I want to go out with a rattlesnake in each hand and a coyote in my teeth.
Just try boppin' a couple of wrenches on a steel work table, you know, just play a peppy little number like they used to play on the radio, back in the good old days of HUAC and polio kids smiling at you from the mirror above their iron lungs, when everyone knew their place and people beat their families in the privacy of their own home, like decent people ought to do. When kids went off to fight commies and if they came back a little broken, well, that's the price of Glory™.
Just play that tune until you find the right note, yeah?
Somewhere, somehow, all the music died. Now it's just an empty shell of a time that has passed into myth. I can't find the beat.
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 06:27:16 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 06:24:59 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 06:03:31 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 05:21:24 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 05:20:29 PM
I thought Harry was the one who wandered off into the desert and was never seen again.
Well, we assume that's what happened. His wrenches were just lying there, and people don't just vanish.
I'm about ready to go look for him. I want to go out with a rattlesnake in each hand and a coyote in my teeth.
Just try boppin' a couple of wrenches on a steel work table, you know, just play a peppy little number like they used to play on the radio, back in the good old days of HUAC and polio kids smiling at you from the mirror above their iron lungs, when everyone knew their place and people beat their families in the privacy of their own home, like decent people ought to do. When kids went off to fight commies and if they came back a little broken, well, that's the price of Glory™.
Just play that tune until you find the right note, yeah?
Somewhere, somehow, all the music died. Now it's just an empty shell of a time that has passed into myth. I can't find the beat.
Concentrate more. Harry found it. Or the coyotes got him. Nasty little brutes, when the pack gets big enough.
Quote from: Richter on February 07, 2011, 06:15:55 PM
I thought this was just a side effect of all the TUMS. It's starting with my face, which is kind of useful. People just assume you're unimpressed, percieving their bullshit, or a cop. Then I realized the res tof me was following suit. Like I'm some sort of golem only animated by enthusiasm, and I'm loosing that. I hear people all day. Stories, complaints, problems, and after awhile it's exhausting no matter who it is.
Small problem, I tell msyelf. I'm in a pretty secure place, I'm lucky. I get done with the people and try to come up with the will to work on somethign quietly myself, and there's nothing for that either. I jsut want to sit there and STOP for awhile. Let my brain relax and stop, watching the skyline if I can get a clear view. I'll always start again, eventually, hopefully before everything has moved on.
They make a pill for that.
They make a pill for
everything.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 06:36:28 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 06:27:16 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 06:24:59 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 06:03:31 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 05:21:24 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 05:20:29 PM
I thought Harry was the one who wandered off into the desert and was never seen again.
Well, we assume that's what happened. His wrenches were just lying there, and people don't just vanish.
I'm about ready to go look for him. I want to go out with a rattlesnake in each hand and a coyote in my teeth.
Just try boppin' a couple of wrenches on a steel work table, you know, just play a peppy little number like they used to play on the radio, back in the good old days of HUAC and polio kids smiling at you from the mirror above their iron lungs, when everyone knew their place and people beat their families in the privacy of their own home, like decent people ought to do. When kids went off to fight commies and if they came back a little broken, well, that's the price of Glory™.
Just play that tune until you find the right note, yeah?
Somewhere, somehow, all the music died. Now it's just an empty shell of a time that has passed into myth. I can't find the beat.
Concentrate more. Harry found it. Or the coyotes got him. Nasty little brutes, when the pack gets big enough.
You are right about the coyotes. Cowardly bastards alone or in small groups, but vicious enough with plenty of numbers.
Concentrate? My doctor has done all she can to make sure that doesn't happen. By numbing my body she has also numbed my brain.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 06:38:42 PM
Quote from: Richter on February 07, 2011, 06:15:55 PM
I thought this was just a side effect of all the TUMS. It's starting with my face, which is kind of useful. People just assume you're unimpressed, percieving their bullshit, or a cop. Then I realized the res tof me was following suit. Like I'm some sort of golem only animated by enthusiasm, and I'm loosing that. I hear people all day. Stories, complaints, problems, and after awhile it's exhausting no matter who it is.
Small problem, I tell msyelf. I'm in a pretty secure place, I'm lucky. I get done with the people and try to come up with the will to work on somethign quietly myself, and there's nothing for that either. I jsut want to sit there and STOP for awhile. Let my brain relax and stop, watching the skyline if I can get a clear view. I'll always start again, eventually, hopefully before everything has moved on.
They make a pill for that.
They make a pill for everything.
Reminds me of what Bishop said.
"I can be re-worked, but I'll never be top of the line again. I'd rather be nothing."
Some people, seeing Harry like that might be tempted to slip him a pill or three. HR would REQUIRE it, at threat of cutting his family's benefits. Or hook up the cables and jump in some "motivation". Having him taken away to Knacker and Sons Countertops...well... Let's just say I'll never look at puddingstone the same again.
Some days, the idea of just stopping sounds just too good.
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 07:17:15 PM
Some days, the idea of just stopping sounds just too good.
Yes, it certainly does.
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 07:17:15 PM
Some days, the idea of just stopping sounds just too good.
Yeah, I'm gonna stop here for a second, catch my breath.
I'll get moving again. Soon.
It feels like this.
(http://www.innventia.com/upload/Edge/Product%20images/desert_web2.jpg)
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 07:52:17 PM
It feels like this.
(http://www.innventia.com/upload/Edge/Product%20images/desert_web2.jpg)
Almost. Only, colder.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 07:46:45 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 07:17:15 PM
Some days, the idea of just stopping sounds just too good.
Yeah, I'm gonna stop here for a second, catch my breath.
I'll get moving again. Soon.
OK. You'd better be back at your work station in 10 minutes though or you'll be written up for excessive use of break time though.
Harry was probably better than any of us. At least he had the balls to stop.
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:02:13 PM
Harry was probably better than any of us. At least he had the balls to stop.
Any damn fool can stop. It's not admirable, it's just something that happens when people have too great a load to bear. And when you stop too long, or too quickly, you can't get going again.
My point. I have failed to express it.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:03:48 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:02:13 PM
Harry was probably better than any of us. At least he had the balls to stop.
Any damn fool can stop. It's not admirable, it's just something that happens when people have too great a load to bear. And when you stop too long, or too quickly, you can't get going again.
My point. I have failed to express it.
I've tried to stop. Something won't let me.
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:04:55 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:03:48 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:02:13 PM
Harry was probably better than any of us. At least he had the balls to stop.
Any damn fool can stop. It's not admirable, it's just something that happens when people have too great a load to bear. And when you stop too long, or too quickly, you can't get going again.
My point. I have failed to express it.
I've tried to stop. Something won't let me.
That would be your self-respect.
The fact that someone is going the wrong direction is not a reason to stop, it's a reason to change direction. If you're going through hell,
you keep going, because stopping just leaves you in hell.
The four Harry works (3 rants, 1 pic) were descriptions of what happens when a man breaks, not a description of behavior to emulate.
Nah, you expressed it just fine. Just caught at least me in a mood, that's all.
I'm still moving, and I don't intend to stop anytime soon, but some days the thought of just being able to sit, stare, and, above all, for pity's sake, stop THINKING...
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:13:22 PM
Nah, you expressed it just fine. Just caught at least me in a mood, that's all.
I'm still moving, and I don't intend to stop anytime soon, but some days the thought of just being able to sit, stare, and, above all, for pity's sake, stop THINKING...
http://teaparty.org
These guys can help!
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:08:37 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:04:55 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:03:48 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:02:13 PM
Harry was probably better than any of us. At least he had the balls to stop.
Any damn fool can stop. It's not admirable, it's just something that happens when people have too great a load to bear. And when you stop too long, or too quickly, you can't get going again.
My point. I have failed to express it.
I've tried to stop. Something won't let me.
That would be your self-respect.
The fact that someone is going the wrong direction is not a reason to stop, it's a reason to change direction. If you're going through hell, you keep going, because stopping just leaves you in hell.
The four Harry works (3 rants, 1 pic) were descriptions of what happens when a man breaks, not a description of behavior to emulate.
Oh, I get it. Just a bad day I guess.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:14:08 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:13:22 PM
Nah, you expressed it just fine. Just caught at least me in a mood, that's all.
I'm still moving, and I don't intend to stop anytime soon, but some days the thought of just being able to sit, stare, and, above all, for pity's sake, stop THINKING...
http://teaparty.org
These guys can help!
I WOULD like to start again, eventually, not have my brain dribble out my ears.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:03:48 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:02:13 PM
Harry was probably better than any of us. At least he had the balls to stop.
Any damn fool can stop. It's not admirable, it's just something that happens when people have too great a load to bear. And when you stop too long, or too quickly, you can't get going again.
My point. I have failed to express it.
Gotcha. I missed the distinction; controlled stop vs. stop due to failure of components. :sad: I've always gotten the sentiment in life of wondering what exactly I'm running towards. Rush around in school for good grades, rush to college, rush to the job; sentiment wise, stopping came to ym mind as less about failing, more about deciding where I'm ignoring pervailing sense of urgency.
Quote from: Richter on February 07, 2011, 08:26:54 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:03:48 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:02:13 PM
Harry was probably better than any of us. At least he had the balls to stop.
Any damn fool can stop. It's not admirable, it's just something that happens when people have too great a load to bear. And when you stop too long, or too quickly, you can't get going again.
My point. I have failed to express it.
Gotcha. I missed the distinction; controlled stop vs. stop due to failure of components. :sad: I've always gotten the sentiment in life of wondering what exactly I'm running towards. Rush around in school for good grades, rush to college, rush to the job; sentiment wise, stopping came to ym mind as less about failing, more about deciding where I'm ignoring pervailing sense of urgency.
Again, if you're moving in the wrong direction, change direction, don't stop moving.
Or you may wind up as a counter top.
Quote from: Richter on February 07, 2011, 08:26:54 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:03:48 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:02:13 PM
Harry was probably better than any of us. At least he had the balls to stop.
Any damn fool can stop. It's not admirable, it's just something that happens when people have too great a load to bear. And when you stop too long, or too quickly, you can't get going again.
My point. I have failed to express it.
Gotcha. I missed the distinction; controlled stop vs. stop due to failure of components. :sad: I've always gotten the sentiment in life of wondering what exactly I'm running towards. Rush around in school for good grades, rush to college, rush to the job; sentiment wise, stopping came to ym mind as less about failing, more about deciding where I'm ignoring pervailing sense of urgency.
You're running too fast when you stop seeing the landscape. If all you're seeing is "good grades," "college," "job," you're missing the good parts.
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:31:04 PM
Quote from: Richter on February 07, 2011, 08:26:54 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:03:48 PM
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:02:13 PM
Harry was probably better than any of us. At least he had the balls to stop.
Any damn fool can stop. It's not admirable, it's just something that happens when people have too great a load to bear. And when you stop too long, or too quickly, you can't get going again.
My point. I have failed to express it.
Gotcha. I missed the distinction; controlled stop vs. stop due to failure of components. :sad: I've always gotten the sentiment in life of wondering what exactly I'm running towards. Rush around in school for good grades, rush to college, rush to the job; sentiment wise, stopping came to ym mind as less about failing, more about deciding where I'm ignoring pervailing sense of urgency.
You're running too fast when you stop seeing the landscape. If all you're seeing is "good grades," "college," "job," you're missing the good parts.
I like this new person.
Me too.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:40:37 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:39:56 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:32:42 PM
I like this new person.
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:37:03 PM
Me too.
Thanks, both of you. I'm gonna like it here just fine, I think.
People we like usually meet bad ends.
Like Payne. :x
I suppose it might be a mercy that I'm new and have no idea what happened to Payne, then.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:40:37 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:39:56 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:32:42 PM
I like this new person.
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:37:03 PM
Me too.
Thanks, both of you. I'm gonna like it here just fine, I think.
People we like usually meet bad ends.
Like Payne. :x
Shhhh. No scaring the n00b.
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:43:18 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:40:37 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:39:56 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:32:42 PM
I like this new person.
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:37:03 PM
Me too.
Thanks, both of you. I'm gonna like it here just fine, I think.
People we like usually meet bad ends.
Like Payne. :x
I suppose it might be a mercy that I'm new and have no idea what happened to Payne, then.
Yes, it was entirely too gruesome for words.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:43:54 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:43:18 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:40:37 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:39:56 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:32:42 PM
I like this new person.
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:37:03 PM
Me too.
Thanks, both of you. I'm gonna like it here just fine, I think.
People we like usually meet bad ends.
Like Payne. :x
I suppose it might be a mercy that I'm new and have no idea what happened to Payne, then.
Yes, it was entirely too gruesome for words.
Dammit, now I'm going to have to rummage through the history and find out.
Or make something up, which might be more entertaining.
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:47:36 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:43:54 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:43:18 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:40:37 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:39:56 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:32:42 PM
I like this new person.
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:37:03 PM
Me too.
Thanks, both of you. I'm gonna like it here just fine, I think.
People we like usually meet bad ends.
Like Payne. :x
I suppose it might be a mercy that I'm new and have no idea what happened to Payne, then.
Yes, it was entirely too gruesome for words.
Dammit, now I'm going to have to rummage through the history and find out.
Or make something up, which might be more entertaining.
Nigel got him. :x
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:48:05 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:47:36 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:43:54 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:43:18 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:40:37 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:39:56 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:32:42 PM
I like this new person.
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:37:03 PM
Me too.
Thanks, both of you. I'm gonna like it here just fine, I think.
People we like usually meet bad ends.
Like Payne. :x
I suppose it might be a mercy that I'm new and have no idea what happened to Payne, then.
Yes, it was entirely too gruesome for words.
Dammit, now I'm going to have to rummage through the history and find out.
Or make something up, which might be more entertaining.
Nigel got him. :x
Tells me zip, other than a name to pop into the fiction.
I don't know Nigel, either...
Hm, could be a "knocked over the head, duct-taped, drugged, and handed over to Rick Santorum for use in a depraved GoP "fundraising" event...
Right now the rest of the board is in total shock that Roger and I both like a n00b. It should wear off in a week or so.
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:50:16 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:48:05 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:47:36 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:43:54 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:43:18 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:40:37 PM
Quote from: Luna on February 07, 2011, 08:39:56 PM
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on February 07, 2011, 08:32:42 PM
I like this new person.
Quote from: Charley Brown on February 07, 2011, 08:37:03 PM
Me too.
Thanks, both of you. I'm gonna like it here just fine, I think.
People we like usually meet bad ends.
Like Payne. :x
I suppose it might be a mercy that I'm new and have no idea what happened to Payne, then.
Yes, it was entirely too gruesome for words.
Dammit, now I'm going to have to rummage through the history and find out.
Or make something up, which might be more entertaining.
Nigel got him. :x
Tells me zip, other than a name to pop into the fiction.
I don't know Nigel, either...
Hm, could be a "knocked over the head, duct-taped, drugged, and handed over to Rick Santorum for use in a depraved GoP "fundraising" event...
Nigel posts here on occasion. She's a horrible bastard from Portland, Oregon, that beats the mortal shit out of 2/3rds of everyone she meets. How she has remained at liberty is a mystery to us all...In any SANE society, she'd be handed over to cannibal hipsters...But we live in America, and so her hideous excesses are for some reason tolerated.
She is who become Kali.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD on February 07, 2011, 09:16:20 PM
She is who become Kali.
This is a documented fact.
I'll dig up the link when I get home.