Saturday, April 24, 2010

Strange goodbyes

Sarah McLachlan's "I will remember you" is playing in the background.

Sarah: I will remember you
Me: Don't Cry. I'll be back soon.
Sarah: Will you remember me?
Coworker: Oh god. I hope so.
Me: It's just going to be a couple weeks.
Coworker: The more you say this, the less convinced I am.
Me: Everything is going to be alright.
Coworker: [sarcastically] Oh, that makes me feel a whole lot better.

Sarah: Weep not for the memories...

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Liberal interpretations

Me: It's all falling apart.
Coworker: What is?
Me: This whole situation. The angry customers. It's all going to pot.
Coworker: What do we do?
Me: I have a plan; divide and conquer. We'll divy up the work. You do your thing and I'll do mine. We'll meet each other on the other side.
Coworker: Ok.
Me: You take Customer A. They have 140 dispensers. I need you to fix them. All of them. You have until Friday.
Coworker: [laughing nervously] Uh...are you serious?
Me: [ignoring the question] I will take Customers B and C. They have 10,000 dispensers. I have to have an answer for them by tomorrow. So that's it. That's the plan. Let's do it. I'll see you on Friday.
Coworker: Wait. I have a question.
Me: Yes?
Coworker: Are we allowed to help each other?
Me: [Stares blankly]
Coworker: In other words, can you help me out with this?
Me: What do you think?
Coworker: You have no choice.
Me: [exhales deeply] This must be my penance.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Thinly veiled

Me: [Whistling the tune of "Every breath you take" by the Police]
Coworker: I don't like that song anymore.
Me: You still remember that?
Coworker: Yes.




Flashback to over a year ago. It is only a few weeks after the coworker started working/training under me. I am driving him home in my car. The song comes on the radio.

Coworker: Oh. I like this song.
Me: Yeah? Sting?
Coworker: Yes. It's a good song.
Me: [singing]

♪ Every breath you take ♫
♪ and every move you make ♫
♪ Every bond you break ♫
♪ Every step you take, ♫

I'll be watching you

Coworker: [Nervous laughter]

Me: [more menacingly]
♪ Every single day ♫
♪ and every word you say ♫
♪ Every game you play ♫
♪ Every night you stay, I'll be watching you ♫

Coworker: Oh god.
Me: Wait, here comes the good part.


[with gusto]
♪ Oh can't you see you belong to me? ♫
♪ How my poor heart aches with every step you take ♫

Coworker: [laughter, followed by silence]

Me: [continuing singing]
♪ Every move you make and every vow you break ♫
♪ Every smile you fake ♫
♪ Every claim you stake, I'll be watching you ♫

Coworker: I don't think I like this song anymore.
Both: [laughter]
Me: Yeah, this is a pretty ridiculous song out of context. I guess it's pretty bad even in context.




Back to the present
The whistling has stopped. Both are working in silence for a few minutes.


Me: S?
Coworker: Yes Alban.
Me: You belong to me.
Coworker: I know.

Monday, April 19, 2010

High hopes

Me: Come with me.
Coworker: Where are we going?
Me: We're going outside to have a fistfight.
Coworker: A what?
Me: A duel. To the death. Using only our fists.
Coworker: Oh my.
Me: Are you ready to kill me? Are you ready to take my life?
Coworker: Um.. I don't think so.
Me: Well get ready. This does not end until someone dies.
Coworker: Why are we fighting?
Me: The winner will get all of this.
Coworker: All of what?
Me: This. My job. All of it. It'll be a big promotion for you.
Coworker: So I can die slowly?
Me: Yes.
Coworker: Forget the duel. Just kill me now.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

I usually keep my mouth shut

But I'm getting tired of hearing Christians complain about healthcare and taking care of the poor. I also usually try to pick my battles wisely... arguing with a friend of a friend over the internet is not my idea of a wise investment of time or effort.

I guess that makes me 0 for 2 today.

Friday, April 9, 2010

It's been awhile

Today, I share music. And the more I listen to this, the more I want to hear it again.

The talent is obvious. Many people have it; it's what you do with it that sets you apart. She's not just a performer, she feels her music. She means what she sings. That's how a performance is done, with all your heart and all your being.

I think that is one of the main reasons why dancing is so enjoyable to me. Dancing is nothing less than becoming a part of the song, to allow it to flow through you and to be incorporated into the music. It is more than a physical expression of song, it is allowing your heart to fully embody the music and then moving in rhythm and flow of the phrases.

Ritardando. Crescendo. Con fuoco. Staccato! Oh yes.





Music is the mediator between the spiritual and sensual life.