Just Another Social Media Liar

I can’t stop listening to this song because it speaks to parts and pieces of me that demand my attention.

A week from now many of my classmates will gather to celebrate our 30th high school reunion and since this tune reaches back to those days it is possible they may play it.

The live version is pretty good of the song is pretty good, but so is the whole album. It was one of the first I owned on CD.

Play Money For Nothing now and see how many young people ask why Sting sings “I want my MTV.”

Just Another Social Media Liar

They called me bitter and angry and told me this affected my perspective and made it impossible for me to see clearly.

I told them they may be right about those things but they haven’t impacted my ability to see what is obvious or prevented me from understanding the how and why of it all.

They are just another social media liar posting tales and stories that provide a fragment of what their lives are really like.

And while I don’t wish them ill I do wish them courage and the ability not to try to bullshit themselves or us.

“You wear me out. You are way too intense and I can’t take it.”

I smiled when I heard that because it was honest and I appreciate that kind of honesty.

“I am who I am. Love me or don’t love me. Ask me to change what I am capable of changing but don’t push for the impossible. It is like asking me to wish for wings. I can wish but it is not going to happen.

Confession Time

I got a bunch of negative feedback about comments I have made about the Kleptocrat-In-Chief and his dopey family.

I anticipate getting some more because the featured picture doesn’t present the POTUS in a favorable light.

Part of me doesn’t care about that any more than I care about being told I am too intense.

Love me for who I am and not who you want me to be.

Don’t like my politics?

Don’t read or give me a factual and coherent argument for why I shouldn’t be concerned that a incompetent buffoon has taken control of the country.

Tell me why his children are given unfettered access and control to influence things they shouldn’t have.

Don’t tell me that I am upset because I am a hater. Don’t tell me I am rooting for him to fail because one of the best things I could think of happening would be to proven wrong about him.

Except I see no reason to anticipate that happening.

Guy tells me that I shouldn’t be upset about Ivanka at the G20 Summit and I ask him if he will let me operate on him.

“Josh, that is not the same. She is well read and educated.”

“I am better read than most people you know, good with my hands and willing to cut your chest open as long as I can keep the computer and phone close by.”

“Josh, that is ridiculous. You are talking about my life.”

“Right, the president and his family have no influence upon our lives. Glad you think it is cool to let them operate on us. So smart you are.”

Words Spoke & Left Unspoken

The final billing department of the utility service I used called me on July 3 to make sure I knew I needed to pay them on July 7.

It was the third call and since I had never missed a payment I was mildly irked.

But the real source of my irritation came from being asked to identify myself.

Utility Company: Can I speak with Josh Wilner?

Me: This is Josh.

Utility Company: Sir, can you please identify yourself.

Me: I just said my name.

Utility Company: Can you give me your name, address where service took place, your telephone number and the last four digits of your social security.

Me: I give him the address and telephone number and tell him I prefer not to give him the last four digits of my social.

Utility Company: Sir, if you don’t identify yourself I can’t tell you why I am calling.

Me: You called me. I told you my name and gave you what you are asking for. Believe me no ID theft is going to offer to pay my bill for.

Utility Company: Sir, you have to give me the information I asked for.

Me: I don’t have to give you anything and I don’t have to listen to someone lecture me. You guys called the other day and now you are calling again. The due date hasn’t passed, this is harassment. It ends now.

Utility Company: I can call you everyday.

Me: No, you can’t. Give me your supervisor.

Utility Company: Did you say you want a supervisor?

Me: Yes.

Utility Company: Why?

Me: Because you’re unprofessional and we’re done speaking. The recording of this conversation should make a good training tool.

Utility Company: Hi, this is so and so. I am a supervisor.

Me: Can you please offer identification that proves you are a supervisor?

Utility Company: I just told you that I am a supervisor.

Me: Sorry, that is not enough. I need identification.

Utility Company: Sir, I told you I am a supervisor. That should be enough. What else do you need?

Me: The last four digits of your social security….

****

Sadly there isn’t any need to exaggerate or manipulate that conversation. It was ridiculous.

If the first guy hadn’t been an obnoxious ass it would have been done and over with in moments, but that demanding tone ticked me off.

Some people watch their mouth because they are afraid of the consequences but I rarely fear the consequences.

Doesn’t mean I never think before I speak or that I never say anything stupid because I am only human.

But it does mean sometimes I think about what I am going to say and figure, “what the hell. Let’s see what happens.”

Saying Goodbye

I came across a couple of quotes about goodbye that caught my eye and feel like they might have a place here.

“The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected. Maybe they always have been and will be. Maybe we’ve lived a thousand lives before this one and in each of them we’ve found each other. And maybe each time, we’ve been forced apart for the same reasons. That means that this goodbye is both a goodbye for the past ten thousand years and a prelude to what will come.”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

and

“Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting.”
― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

I am not a big fan of goodbyes, not sure when or how it happened, I just know it is.

Goodbye is a word I generally use with strangers and people I don’t care about.

If you are important to me it is probably not a word I’ll use with you.

I am pretty sure I didn’t say goodbye to anyone either time I left for Texas. I know for certain I intentionally didn’t use it when I left Texas in 2013 either.

Maybe it is because I am a kid at heart or maybe it is something else.

I just don’t like the word. I prefer so long or see you later.

Hell, if I like you and say goodbye I am probably getting close to cutting ties.

Reminds me, I need to get together with some of you for a drink or a meal. Not sure when or where, but it needs to happen.

And with that I have used up my free time and must return to the salt mines to do laundry, clean and get organized.

Or hit the gym.