Job Interview – my response to HR…

Yesterday was an interesting flashback into my life 20 years ago. I have lived on the fringes of society for the past twenty years and to be honest, I am quite comfortable with fringe, nomadic, gypsy life. Thank you for being so kind – I know that I am pretty rough around the edges. I sometimes think I have been away too long.
To quote Merton,
“Only the man who has had to face despair is really convinced that he needs mercy. Those who do not want mercy never seek it. It is better to find God on the threshold of despair than to risk our lives in a complacency that has never felt the need of forgiveness. A life that is without problems may literally be more hopeless than one that always verges on despair.”
I have found that I can not live a life of quiet desperation. Society today places so much emphasis on material wealth and so much is derived from job, social standing, vehicle, address….I am who I am because of my last twenty years. I know that no one can understand why I am happy but I know I have to be me for my son Jake.
So, I am being honest with you…a factory job horrifies me because it is everything that I left behind. I am in no way judging anyone working a factory job but I know I could never work in that environment. I have led an exceptional life. Emerson speaks of Experience in his wonderful essay American Scholar – he defines man as… “An individual may live in either of two states. In one, the busy, “divided” or “degenerate” state, he does not “possess himself” but identifies with his occupation or a monotonous action; in the other, “right” state, he is elevated to “Man”, at one with all mankind.” While I have not achieved “one with all” I have a bank account of experience that is quite full and a material bank account that is empty.
Finally Merton –
“No matter how ruined man and his world may seem to be, and no matter how terrible man’s despair may become, as long as he continues to be a man his very humanity continues to tell him that life has a meaning.”

― Dr. Seuss – “Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is you-er than you. Shout aloud, I am glad to be what I am. Thank goodness I’m not a ham, or a clam, or a dusty old jar of gooseberry jam. I am what I am, what a great thing to be. If I say so myself, happy everyday to me!”

One of my favorite western cow towns, I look forward to our sojourn here yearly. From Cadillac Ranch to great food – Amarillo rocks.

We always paint our names on a caddy! Jake loves running around all the spray cans.

This year our booth at the civic center was a bit lean on product.

I had the craziest customer insult me this year. I’m selling wine slushy and she came up looking for a sample. Realizing she was sipping a wine slushy and loving it – she promptly informed me “you are going to hell”. I was a bit taken aback and asked her what religion she was – “INTERDENOMINATIONAL” her reply…I looked at her and said…oh ya cant make up your mind huh? She stalked off to insult the beard grooming guy because he was wearing a Trump tshirt.

I bought one cause that is funny! Yes, people were offended by his shirt.

Slow show but camped fully hooked up at an RV park – loved the sauna and whirlpool. I could get used to this life.

Our left and right media know so little about real people – real America. Coming out of Montgomery, Alabama last night – I was still contemplating the city seal.

It seemed to define oxymoronic- I asked my customers both black, white, liberal and conservative to explain it. Some stated it was covertly racist and some explained it was “how far we have come as a city”. This in a state that bans interracial marriage. This is still the “old south”. I was loved, hugged and greeted with “brother” (or maybe it was my wine slushies) by both races. From the black guy selling guys underwear at a a women’s event – (I bought five pair) – to the kind white lady selling pearl broaches and necklaces – the city was full of kindness and love.

Rolling out of Bikes, Blues, and BBQ’s, I reflected on the eclectic makeup of clean preppy bikers mixed with rough “real” ironbutts. The bikes were loud and the crowd was drinking filled with a conservative ethos.

The coffee guy and I joked about the “Christian Bikers”.

They did not tip the coffee guy ever! They were dressed like wannabe Hells Angel’s and I figured the two rival gangs would battle it out over freewill versus predestination.

But the bikes were loud and awesome and Jake just ran around saying “dat dat dat” so excited to be one of the bikers.

America is eclectic and great despite our differences.

Hot Springs, Arkansas was hot. This is the only show I have ever asked someone to leave my booth. A politician walked up spouting double talk. I politely listened as she extolled how we need to invest in education and elderly healthcare. I agreed and asked how she felt about my own concerns. Our military and the second amendment- she stated we needed to cut the military, cut military benefits, reign in the VA benefits and guns should be confiscated. I was polite – with an edge in my voice – when I asked her to please leave my booth. I did not argue, did not loot, pillage, or bash. But all my customers cheered and bought more slushy!

Rodney King said it best as he was being beaten by police so many years ago ” can we all get along?”

Yep, Rodney – we can!

The review online for Dripping Springs in Las Cruces New Mexico said – “primitive”. Hooked!

I love boondocking (no power, no water, no fee). Short stint on a one lane dirt road and bam setting up camp. I also love the fact that there is good singletrack for my fat bike. Surly Pugsley makes an awesome fatties fit fine – fat bike. I’m fat and getting back in shape with this generously forgiving bike is plain cool. Oh wait, I told Katrinda that I bought it to ride Jake around in his wagon. Well, dual purpose is best put your Surly to the test.

Pug is forgiving and while some bemoan the weight of 4″ tires and say it wallows…This bike is plush like a full suspension mountain bike.

High desert, 4864 on the altimeter! This is the nomad life I love. Just remember at 90 degrees it is a dry heat.

I climb for a mile over 1000 feet slogging through sand and RIP the trail back home to Jake waiting on the front carpet…good life….blessed and thankful.

Goodnight…