Modern Man

Why is our culture so afraid of sex? Why is our culture so interested in violence? What is wrong with our priorities? We as a people are in serious trouble. The world seems to be falling apart around us.

Watch the news some time. What do the cover. War. Terrorism. Murders. Rapes. Car jackings. Kidnappings. Child abuse.

The most popular television shows and movies are based on the same things. But try to show a naked body on TV, especially a male body, or show a couple having sex. Unless it’s a rape, no way Jose.

We are terrified of sex, nudity yet we glorify violence and outlaws. Some of the most recognized names in American history are criminals. Butch and Sundance. Jesse James. Charles Manson. The list goes on and on.

At the same time we wonder why our society has gone off track. We can’t see the forest for the trees.

Yesterday I read about a man being trampled to death by a crowd trying to get inside a Walmart. When they were asked to leave, many of them refused because, “they had been standing in line  for hours.”

A man lost his life, and their only concern was to get a good deal on cheap crap. We have made life cheap and disposable and we wonder why the country/world is in the condition it’s in.

The meek will inherit the earth because the aggressive will kill one another.

Each of us can make a difference. Stop supporting wars. Stop supporting violence on TV, movies and video games. Stop being prudish about nudity and sex. Teach love, not hate. Stop watching the media until they tell us something good. Slow down, smell a flower. Watch a sunset. Walk in the rain. Make a snow Angel.

The world doesn’t have to be such a frightening , violent place. It’s up to us to change it.

This week a friend of mine found out that she is loosing her job. So is everyone she works with. The business is closing at the end of this week.

If it’s not bad enough that she is out of a job right before the holidays with only a weeks notice, the way she found out is a bonus.

As she was leaving work one night, the gentleman that owns the business next door, stopped her in the elevator. He told her that he shouldn’t be saying anything because the contract with the lease, but wanted to make sure he spoke with her before she went looking someplace else, and he offered her a job with his business. He is taking over the space she works in to expand his business.

My friend gives him a funny look. There was a brief silence.

Then it clicked for both of them. My friend had not been told that her business was closing.

Come to find out, her boss knew he was going to close the store for the last six to eight months. Possibly even before she was hired. He wasn’t going to tell them. They would have all come in to work after the Thanksgiving Holiday to find a note on the door and that their place of employment was gone.

She went to work the next day and started talking with her boss. Dropping hints, asking questions. Trying to see just how far they were going to take it. Her boss finally admitted what was going on. Reluctantly. He then had the nerve to whine and moan about how terrible this was. For him.

There was absolutely no concern for any of the employees. It was all about his loss. His pain. How sad this all was for him.

He has other businesses.  He is still a multi-millionaire. His life wont change in the slightest.

I was way more upset than my friend was. In the end, she is just happy to be away from the jerk, and she was offered a job so she could keep working without even changing desks when all is said and done. If she wants to.

I would love to tell you all who this jackass is but he’s the type that would sue me over it. So I only get to pass along the story of self indulgence, greed and asshatery.

Happy frekin holidays!

If you are an employer. No matter what kind of business. No matter what your financial status. There is a right way and a wrong way to treat other human beings. Just in case you aren’t sure which is which. The above, was the wrong way.

There is much change in our lives. Not our, as in, all people. I mean our, as in my family. Well there is in every ones  lives too…I digress.

We move a lot. Personally I think this last time was number 26 in the last 25 years. The numbers change (give or take a move here or a year there) depending on when I’m telling the story.

Along with the many moves, usually comes many jobs. I’ve had about 13 jobs in that amount of time. Many over lapped, for years. Some only lasted a few months.

I have always said that I enjoy doing new things. Meeting new people. Learning new things. Going new places. Life’s an adventure.

This week, I am supposed to start yet another job.  It has everything for me. I get to be out and about in the city. Going new places.  Meeting new people. Learning new things. And then, I get to write about it all, and it gets published online and in a regional magazine.

For the last two months I have been interviewing. Looking for something different to do with my life. The art world I knew is still a bitter taste that I am eager to put behind me. It’s become indistinguishable  from things like car sales or Costco. No offense intended.

About one month ago, I found my dream job. Dream! Job!(I can’t say more) Except for the fact they are not really looking for help. I’m not really qualified for the position. Even if I got it, I would have years of study and learning to get slightly proficient………..I’ve interviewed twice via phone and conference calls. Interviewed in person, once in Laguna and once in Palm Desert. Been asked to take some online evaluation…………I want it really bad.

As bad as I want it, I have been dragging my feet in regards to this other position. Which has actually been offered to me. I can start immediately.

I really want the other position. But when it comes down to it, I have sort of been unemployed for about six months. It’s time to get back to work. An income of some sort.

It’s funny. I’m not really qualified for the position that I was offered either. But, I start this week.