… outside family and household members.
This was the task presented the LBC by our esteemed compadre Paul, known as Blackwatertown. You can find him among the members of the Loose Bloggers Consortium on the right.
I wanted to play it absolutely honestly and absolutely straight, so I have waited until I had the actual three. But, the situation was just a programming situation at work, migrating a database I’ve developed for a very large property management company over the past 16 years to a SQL Server. That isn’t very interesting even if you know technically what I’m referring to!
I spoke with a database administrator who has the same car mechanic that I do, a young woman that I work with in development of a cash management program for them and a young guy who is the head of their networking group.
I returned yesterday evening thinking this was not an interesting bunch. Then I corrected this to the realization that they are vital young people, quite interesting in person that I just know too little about to write anything of interest.
Such is the practical world, isn’t it? So often, we know people at a social layer that is, by proper choice, only about 3 centimeters deep. We move much of our day through a world of shallow acquaintance.
That’s good. Otherwise, I’m certain nothing would ever get done. But, every so often there is a hint of the depths …
But, it is my delight to welcome a great friend I did meet through work about 30 years ago, the shackman. We reconnected after all these years via Facebook, I believe. What a delight, for sometimes those shallow associations turn into oh so much more!
Indeed Fossil - sometimes they do and was that not a diverse group in that Computer Center? Orange Mike - the devote of Bagwan Shre Rajneesh (sp?), Jim Kelso - with whom I'd worked at Sears (he peddled Allstate Insurance), Mark Stout, Lou Bangert and big Jerry. Yep - reconnecting has been great. One of these days we'll split a bottle of good single malt.
ReplyDeleteWow! You bring back memories!
DeleteRemember peddling computers to Sonny Barger and the Hell's Angels? Remember our tech in the back that could activate an acoustic modem by whistling at just the right pitch?
Were You and Shackman 'fiddlydiddlydo' experts like my friend @conoro seen here on the the Sugru video on Boing Boing. http://dlvr.it/1k5cYL His kids are stars and as wonderful as he and his wife. We have Father's day tomorrow and this video was a gift for a fiddlydiddlydo dad. (I love that word!)
DeleteConrad was our instructor and I was a salesman. Yep - Sonny Bargewr was my best cash sale (around $5,000 or so) - he walked in and asked for me - Stout about had a heart attack - first oiver the sale and then over who he was. The Angel's VP - Cisco - was a regular in one of my Oakland stores - he used to hand ouyt and talk electronics., Cisco's day job back then was a lighting technicioan and part time actor in Hollywood. He was typecast as a thug usually - LOL _ and sent Sonny to me. Remember how our local delivery service was somewhat hesitant to make the delivery? That was a fun, funny day - one of many.
DeleteYes, those were interesting and exciting days. The store shackman and I worked out of was just a 5 min. walk from my house. It is now a military recruitment center.
Deleteshackman, I used to ask the "boys" why they always paid in cash and they said that otherwise, the authorities always confiscated their funds. They learned to program in Assembly Language of all the damned things while they were in prison. If you are programming anything in Assembler, you are quite bright and simultaneously dumb enough to be doing it in Assembler unless nothing else would do it. They never told me what they were programming.
And, now I need to get some Sugru! I was unaware of its existence.
My first order arrived yesterday. I learned about it from @conoro, he is forever twittering about new uses he has for it. I have seen Elly use it and have a job in mind for next week.
DeleteWell,at least you are being productive! So many of my phone conversations are just too time consuming and keep me from doing what needs to be done.
ReplyDeleteIf it's a customer or work associate, the clock is usually on. I'm as bad as a lawyer.
Delete3 centimeters deep, luv it. You have a great way with words, consort.
ReplyDeleteBlessings - Maxi
Consort? Love that!
DeleteNow that Maxi has sorted out her car problem, may be she is prowling for a consort! Royals can be unpredictable you know!
DeleteCuz, I hope we go deeper than 3 centimetres.
ReplyDeleteGM, beauty is only skin deep, but you and me? We're to the bone!
DeleteTwo LBC bloggers who appear and disappear, Anu and Ashok, strictly in alphabetic order, are people that I met in flesh after getting to know them somewhat via the blog world and email/telephony/IM. I was not disappointed. I have met you, Grannymar and Shackman over the skype gadget and have not been disappointed. I do look forward to meeting all of you in the flesh one of these days, Inshallah!
ReplyDeleteIt would be marvelous, Rummuser!
DeleteIndeed it would!
DeleteSo true---we know many people but very little about them. However, in India it is quite customary to get all the personal details pat within 5 minutes of meeting--where they come from, married, single etc., siblings, interests. All these questions are put forth and answered with little discomfort---very naturally. It is not being inquisitive, just showing a personal interest in a person. And if the person is an eligible person--marriage I mean--then our minds automatically go click, click, click...like your database...and think of matches from suitable families that can be considered, recommended!!
ReplyDeleteWomen are the best at learning these things in our culture, Padmum. And I actually know quite a few things picked up quickly from these people. But, our relationships still have no depth.
DeleteAha - an interesting insight from Padmum about the mental database.
ReplyDeleteAre you married, Paul? How many siblings do you have? Do you smoke? Are any of your limbs in a compromised state and have you been fully innoculated for contagious diseases?
DeleteAnd Happy Father's Day in case you have a secret stash of kids! :-)
Yes, 5, no, no, partially.
DeleteAnd I'll add your wishes to theirs.