5:26 a.m. - 2002-12-13
Resumes
I went downtown yesterday to drop off some resumes and to see my chiropractor. It was different. First the bus was delayed because of construction occurring enroute. The driver of one of those big, three section flat-bed trucks couldn't manoeuver the beast into the jobsite because of the tight turn. He spent a few minutes backing up and pulling forward across the street until he could finally move off the main road. Late for the train, of course.
At the station an unusual sight. A single car train (usually there are two or three) with "out of service" in the route window, but with passengers inside. Usually the best way to figure out what's happening is to sit close to the driver. Between their discussion with other passengers and the radio that receives reports from all the other operating busses and headquarters, everything you need to know, and sometimes things you don't want to hear, are all available for your listening pleasure. There were three people in the driver's compartment - one trainer, one trainee, and one senior transit driver - having a very animated discussion. At one point all three stepped outside because they didn't seem to have enough space to illustrate their points with hand signals. Anyway, another transit specialist arrived on the scene and we heard that one of the trains downtown had derailed and that the switching was being done manually - tricky for even experienced staff. I guess they were trying to decide who drove. The senior driver, on arriving at the next station tried to jolly the squished passengers with the comment of "nose to nose and toes to toes; we've only one car - get to know your neighbours well." Most people took it in stride. Finally got downtown about 15 minutes late - not too bad.
As a segue, I don't know what I've done, but I think I've tread on the receptionists' toes at the chiropractors office. Usually we joke back and forth quite a bit, but the last few times the atmosphere has been quite chilly. My bills are all paid and I know I haven't said anything out of line so I can't quite figure it out. The only change has been that I gave the diskette to my chiropractor with the fund-raising spreadsheet so he can proceed with his project. I'm aware that not everyone in the office is fully supportive of that effort, but I don't think that making the process easier for him should put any noses out of joint. I did wonder, at one point in the summer, if he was thinking of giving it up. Maybe I've made him rethink that against the wishes of some of his staffers. The other alternative would be something that happened in an all weekend seminar the staff all attended on running a more efficient office - maybe levity and good client relations aren't deemed compatible or "professional". That wouldn't be the direction of my chiropractor though - he always has a store of amusing anecdotes to tell while he works. Who knows? I can only control my own behavior.
Curious observation. Today and on Saturday, while walking in the malls, the few people present looked tired and harrassed - no holiday spirit or energy present. Normally this time of year, and especially at lunch time, the places are so jammed with shoppers that it takes about three times as long to get to where you're going. I don't know if it's the fear of being in crowded places that has occurred since 9/11/01 or if it's the result of the uncertainty around the Kyoto Protocol and it's effect on economic conditions - it was ratified on Tuesday. Having worked in personnel in the oil patch, I know what kind of money is floating around our city - it certainly isn't a lack of income for those employed in that industry. When number three son was over for dinner on number six son's birthday, I asked how business was at my Dad's store. If any business would feel the lack of cash in the economy it would be a store like my father's where all the items are definitely luxuries. My son said business was booming. Good, but go figure. Anyway, I dropped off the resumes walking in a circle around downtown and then headed home. It was good to be back.
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