The Essence of Time

As I look across this empty room

The walls of time surround me

At times the walls are far apart

Enabling me to breathe deeply

Inhaling, exhaling, relaxed, being at peace

Setting my own pace, creating a groove of harmony and warmth

Easing in and zoning out

This is my favorite time

Other times, the walls constrict

Becoming consuming, No time

My time is not my own

Moving to a different pace, the pace of others captured

Unable to breathe, smothered slowly

So as to see all that is being taken away from me

This is my least favorite time

The happy medium........

Hmmmm, It's possible, I suppose

A shared time

Alittle bit of what I want

Mixed with alittle bit of what others want

What good is unused time anyway?

Shared time, What a concept!

I'll have to try that sometime

When I have more time.....

No Respect for OPP

This morning, as I was leaving to go to McDonalds and get my large orange juice and large coffee, I noticed something strange. The gate was opened leading to my carport. Also, the gate beside my side door to my house was opened. This tells me that someone decided to use my yard as a short cut to get to wherever they were going. I initially had a fence put up to not only prevent that from happening, but also so that my dogs could roam free in the yard. I even took a precautionary measure by using small padlocks to lock all three gates to keep the children in the neighborhood from letting my dogs out of the yard. My dogs are small, you see, and they love attention from anyone so naturally they would come out if someone opened the gates. The main gate leading to the carport is normally never locked unless the dogs are outside. The 2 side gates, one on each side of the house, are always kept padlocked. Now, here's my problem. Whoever decided to cut through my yard, left the main gate wide open and managed to open the side gate, even though it had a padlock on it, and of course they left that one opened too. I'm assuming that whoever cut through was either being chased or in a hurry or just ignorant to the fact that the gate was locked for a reason. It's obvious that they had some trouble opening the side gate since it's not very easy to lift the latch with a lock on it. I wonder why they didn't just jump the fence. I guess that was too easy or they wern't in shape for such a strenous move. Now, I'm going to have to have someone come out and take a look at the gates to make sure that nothing is bent or broken and get a better padlock. I guess I'll have to buy some "Keep Out" or "No Tresspassing" signs as well. I never wanted to put up signs like that 'cause it seems so unfriendly. I've always had respect for other people's property. Some people just don't think that way I guess. What upsets me most is that if my dogs had been out in the yard, they'd be gone now. I'm sure the person or persons cutting through wouldn't have let 2 little dogs deter them from entering my yard. I normally bring the dogs inside at dark anyway since there are raccoons and other rodents running around at night. Hopefully, when I get the new locks and post the signs on the fence, people will take note. I know some of you will laugh upon this statement, but I have to say that I kinda feel violated. Maybe I should look into getting a tall privacy fence. Naaaaaaaaa, then I'd feel like I was in a prison. I'll just stick with the chainlink and hope that people will start learning how to respect other people's property. I wonder if this weird start to my day has any bearing on how the rest of my day will play out? I guess I'm gonna find out. And the beat goes on........

The Dull day Doldrums

Today is a pretty gloomy day in St. Louis. The rain started pouring down around 2pm. this afternoon. I was wondering when we'd get our fair share of rain. We needed it, although it makes for a lazy day. I'm kinda happy because it gives me another excuse not to do yard work. Of course, when the rain is over, I'll have no more excuses. The grass is going to grow fast so I'll have to get out there and mow. Oh well....

Man, I'm so tired all of a sudden. I was going to take a shower but I think a nice nap is next on the agenda. I'll take a shower when I wake up. Rain makes me so sleepy. I can use the rest anyway. Snooze time! My bed awaits! zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

PLUSES + and MINUSES -

THINGS I'M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO:

1. Going to work.
2. Filling my SUV up at the gas station.
3. Washing and folding clothes.
4. Cooking dinner after working all day.
5. Resolving a descrepency in my checkbook.

THINGS I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO:

1. Leaving work.
2. No lawn work tonight.
3. A nice long, hot shower.
4. Baked chicken with steamed veggies.
5. A balanced checkbook.

AND AT DAYS END:

A deep, relaxing, comatose sleep......

Meet the Meat Biz

Today, I started to write about one of my jobs, my part-time job, just to give you an idea about what I do for a living. I had a full paragraph and started thinking, "Maybe I shouldn't." I've been hearing so much about people being fired because they write about their jobs and I don't want to be one of those people. It's a shame really when you think about it. It's almost like having no freedom of speech. I wasn't going to write anything negative, I just simply wanted to talk about it. I was going to explain some details and good points I enjoy about it, but at the same time, I don't want to offend my other place of employment so, I guess I'd better not. Call me paranoid.....

I can say this. I have alot of interaction with the public, and dealing with the public can have it's ups and downs. Consumers are the most important part of keeping a business going so their happiness is the primary goal. I'm pretty good with customers, even the ones that are having a bad day and seem to be looking to lash out at someone. I just treat them as I would want to be treated, with kindness. The majority of the time, they walk away with a smile but there are those times when you just can't make them happy. You can't please everyone. Although I try.

All in all it pays the bills so I'm not complaining. It also helps that I enjoy what I do. I guess I should after 18 years of doing it. Sometimes I sit back and think of the many changes I've seen in the years of the retail meat industry. I often hear the veteran journeyman meatcutters, who've been in the business for 30+ years, talking about the past. The way things used to be. How the many different changes over the years are affecting the success of the industry.

For instance; Hanging beef, which was a thing of the past when I came aboard, was the primary way that meat was brought into the stores and processed. I can only imagine the amount of hard work and sweat that the employees put in to process meat products for consumption. Now, most meat comes in cases or boxes, (boxed beef,pork etc...) already cut and cry-o-vac sealed in sections(chuck, rib, shortloin, round etc...) It still requires the hands of a skilled professional journeyman meatcutter to cut the meat into steaks, roasts, chops etc....And the boxes of meat are pretty heavy at times, sometimes 80+ lbs. I have great respect for these men and women. It is not an easy job as so many think. TRUST ME!!

I do wish that consumers were more educated when shopping for meat. It would be a tremendous help. Many times, customers want something special cut, we'll say for instance, some steaks. That's not a problem. The problem is that when a customer asks for something, they don't realize the procedure that has to happen in order to get what they want. Many times people are very impatient and expect you to walk into the cutting room and come right back out within 5 mins. with their order. I don't blame the consumer because they simply do not know what actions have to be taken in order to serve them. That's why I always suggest that they finish their shopping and come back.
I've noticed that alot of people learn most of their cooking skills from watching different cooking shows. I enjoy watching them as well and learn many great recipes and time saving tips. There's only a couple things I disagree with on these shows. First, let me say this, The chefs/cooks hosting the many different shows are very skillful and have a great deal of knowledge in their respected field. And the consumers who watch the shows are hanging on to every word, making their lists for the grocery stores. This is where the problems begin. I guess you can call it a lack of communication maybe. Anyway, every so often a customer will come in to the store and ask for a steak to be cut a certain number of inches thick. They also want it to weigh a certain amount. This is something that is normally just not feasible. A steak can be cut 2 or 3 inches thick, or however you want it, but it's next to impossible to get that same steak to weigh say.....1 or 1 1/2 lbs. There's simply no such animal. Don't get me wrong, I'm not knockin' the chefs, it's just that when a recipe is created, everything needs to be tested to make sure that it can actually be done. Perhaps a more in depth class involving meat cutting procedures is in order for the culinary arts. Just a suggestion......don't shoot me.

Okay, so I wound up talking alittle bit about the work environment that surrounds me....big deal. And now I'm gonna have some breakfast. hmmmmmmmm maybe some steak and eggs...ha-ha.

By Jove, I think she's got it!

After careful consideration and thought and endless rantings inside of my head, dueling a constant battle, keeping me up day and night, the voices have finally unveiled to me, the reason there are hardly any comments ever made to my blog:

And the answer is in, " The envelope, Please. "

And the answer is.....*DRUMROLL*

Because it's BORRRRRRRRRRRRRRINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!

DUHHHHHHHHHHHH??????????????????? Such is life...... At least I get alittle traffic, * sigh *.... Oh well, with that said, The point I'm trying to make is that there is no point to be made. I can do what I want regardless. I guess the moral could be not to give up. I may just one day put something on here that someone may want to comment on....or....maybe not. I guess it's a good thing I don't rely on this for a living, huh?????????????

So anyway, my day is over. Time to get some sleep, or maybe just a couple winks. Goodnight Internet Peeps!

Dumb Questions??? I wonder.....

1. Why are there locks on the doors of 24 hr. convenience stores?
2. Why do some people ask, "May I ask you a question?" when in fact, that is a question?
3. Why do some people choose to blow their noses in public restaurants rather than excuse themselves from the table and go to a more private setting such as; the restroom?
4. Does anyone ever proceed a flashing yellow light with caution?
5. Why is there handicapped parking at some establishments, but no handicapped entrances?
6. Also, Why are there no restroom stalls wide enough for wheelchairs at these establishments?
7. Why is it that when you hear one lawnmower early in the morning, all of a sudden, you hear several more? It's like "Simon says EVERYONE start mowing your lawn."
8. Why do some people refuse to take a number, but want to be waited on before all of the other people who've taken numbers and been standing in line waiting already?
9. Why is it acceptable for men to stare or gauk at women, but when women stare or gauk at men they're being unlady-like or permiscuous?
10. How much more higher will gas prices soar with the upcoming holiday?
11. And last but not least... How come the Pittsburgh Pirates never play against the Pittsburgh Steelers?---a little girl asked this one, had to put that on.

All in a day's work..aka: welcome to HELL....

Another day shot to hell, or maybe a better way to put it would be: Another day in paradise making it's way to hell, but deflected by the full moon,(must've been a full moon the way people were trippin' out today)and lingering in a suspended limbo preparing you for it's final destination into the flaming depths of Satan's Playground.

Okay, Okay, maybe I'm being alttle melodramatic here...

Today was a very strange day for me though. Maybe not so much the day as the people I came in contact with. No discrimination here, age or gender. Everyone was in the Twilight Zone. On one occasion, I was having a conversation with a lady who seemed to be in a pretty good mood. Half way through our conversation, her tone changed and she seemed to be getting upset. It was as though she were going through some sort of metamorphisis. I would wonder if I said something wrong but my only comment was about how hot it was outside. We were discussing the weather for geez sakes!..Definately heard the Twilight Zone music with her...

Had another person thank me for recomending a dinner idea for him yesterday when in fact, I'd never spoken to him before in my life, nor was I even at that job yesterday to recommend anything to him. Yea, today was strange to say the least.

Then, to make matters worse, there were those who just couldn't seem to make up their minds. I'd be in the middle of getting an order together for them and they'd change their minds, so I'd have to start all over again. I felt like saying, " Here, have another lude!" or "Will you make up your mind already?!" Of course if they did have another lude, they'd have no mind to make up, i guess. Oh well....

To be quite honest, I didn't feel like I was hitting on all cylinders myself either. For one thing, I kept thinking today was Thursday for some reason. It just didn't feel like a Wednessday to me. I also felt alittle sluggish today. I'm wide awake now which is bad 'cause It's nearly 9:30 and I have to get up around 3:30 tomorrow morning. I'm sure by tomorrow afternoon around 4, I'll be wanting to pass out for a 3 or 4 hour nap. I'll have to try not to give into that and find something to do or else my days and nights will really be screwed up. I know what to do....LAUNDRY, WHOOPIE!!!

Hmmmm,another day in Paradise.....