Keepin' it Classy?

For those of you who were wondering, Levi Johnston says he will keep his Playgirl spread "classy." Call me crazy, but that statement could appear under the definition of "oxymoron" in Webster's. Really, in the words of Motley Crue, don't go away mad, Levi, just go away!

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/10/23/2009-10-23_sarah_palin.html

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Tipping Point

My friend Lisa started this one.  She asked if you tip the people at Sonic, and that got me going.  My answer is no, I do not.  So I push the button and I place my order.  Do I owe more because the food is brought to my car, rather than handed over a counter or out the window to me?  I don't think so.  I appreciate it, but it's the way the business is operated.  What is the alternative?  Are they going the extra mile for me? No, they are simply doing their jobs. If they don't like coming out to the car they should find another job. BTW, I can count on one hand how many times I have ever dined at Sonic, so I am not an expert by any means.


At the risk of sounding like a cheap grouch, I will say that I hate the whole concept of tipping. I hate that a tip is considered part of the cost of a service.  I wonder when and how that happened?  I hate that I am made happy by the wait staff getting my order right and refilling my drink without being asked.  Silly me, I expect great service every time I purchase something.  I once heard a guy at a seminar speaking about customer service, and he said that excellent service is just normal.  That's how people look at it, it's what they expect. It takes extraordinary service to wow people.  I don't know what it says about me, but I honestly (really!) try to go the extra mile for people every day.  If I am asked a question, I find the answer or direct them to someone who does know. If I perform a task, I try my best to do it well.  I strive to be polite and considerate of others, and it ain't always easy.  I would say that I am not very good at this, because no one ever pats me on the back, but, then again, I just said that it's what I expect.  I am sure people expect the same from me.


I tip. I tip very well for good service from a server.  And when I do, I always think of how that person just made more in that hour than I do.  Would I want that job, though?  Absolutely not.  I tip my hairdresser, even though she owns the salon. I generally tip when I receive any service.  But, I must admit that there are some things I skip out on.  I don't tip the paper delivery guy (I probably should, then maybe I would get a dry paper), because how else is the paper going to get to me?  Is he going out of his way for me?  Believe me, he isn't.  I tip cab drivers but I don't like it.  What's that all about? I am giving him money for what reason? Because he drove me like he was supposed to?  Oh, and the bellhops at a hotel, and the guys who hail a cab for you out front; is it just me, or is that what they are there to do?? And the tip jar at a bar - yes, my beer bottle was uncapped just the right way. Here's a buck...


On the other hand, I have witnessed "bucking the dancer," where ladies put dollar bills in the guy dancer's g-string.  That I can understand! Worth every penny, too...

Precious

My friend Julie recently reunited two lost dogs with their owner, and it made me think about the ugly little dog who showed up at our house one time. We live in the country and one day a very peculiar-looking mutt appeared at mealtime, with Bells, Daisy and Buster. The poor thing was homely, to put it kindly. He hung around for a while and I eventually decided to put a found ad in the paper (I worked there, so why not?) When I went to place the ad, I couldn't think of how to describe the dog; I wanted to say "Ugly little dog with very long body and extremely short legs," but that didn't seem right. In the end I described him as a small dog with an orange collar, and gave the nearest road. Really, the orange collar was the nicest thing I could say about him. Low and behold, we received a phone call one night shortly thereafter. I could hear Steve talking to the woman on the other end, describing the dog. He, too, struggled for the right words, but eventually said, yes, he thought that might be her lost dog. Maybe.

Now, the whole time the dog was here, I was obsessed with his name. It just bothered me not to know it, and I couldn't imagine what it could be. Fred or something along those lines, surely. And, I also can't stand the thought of changing a dog's name. I mean, how would you like it if, after a lifetime of being "Sandy," people were suddenly calling you "Molly"? I figure if that happens the dog will always be looking around for "Sandy" and never come when called "Molly"! Plus, she will know how dumb you are, calling her by some other name! Really, life is hard enough without man-made identity crises.  

Anyway, after a few minutes of conversation, Steve told the lady on the phone to hang on, and he went to the door to call the dog. I couldn't wait; finally, I was going to learn the dog's name. "What's his name, what's his name??" I asked. Ignoring me, Steve opened the door and yelled out..."Precious!''  

I couldn't believe it. PRECIOUS??!! You must be kidding me! That fugly dog was named PRECIOUS?? Well, in spite of my disbelief, that little sucker perked right up and acted like he sure was "Precious". Steve returned to the phone and told the lady that he thought maybe it was her dog. A little while later, a car pulled into the driveway, and the door opened. "Precious," a voice called out, and ole Precious went running, right to the car! He hopped in, we waved, they waved, and they were gone.  

Yet one more reminder to never judge a book by its cover. Or, in this case, a long-bodied mutt with really short legs. He was precious, you know.

Overwhelmed

Overwhelm -   to surge over and submerge; engulf

When I think of the word "overwhelm" I always imagine myself treading water, barely keeping my head above it, and then a wave crashing over me, and suddenly, I am in danger. I am in danger of drowning, and I feel the panic and despair very near. That is how I often picture my life, treading water, legs moving constantly in an effort to stay afloat, yet not gaining any ground, barely keeping my head above the weight of the water.  You can do a whole lot of work beneath the surface, and some of us are better than others at letting the effort show. Just look at synchronized swimmers. They look so beautiful, smiles on their faces, arms outstretched, moving as one. But, under the surface their feet and legs are stretched taught, working to not only keep their upper bodies out of the water but to also move in the same directions, at the same time.  Amazing.

I feel overwhelmed these days, in danger of drowning. At the same time, I know that my worries are infinitesimal, compared to what others suffer. I was thinking about it all, and I looked in the Bible for some verses I could meditate on. Here are some I like best:

Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 NIV

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6 New Living Translation

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So do not worry about tomorrow;

for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34 New American Standard Bible

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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

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Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him."

Daniel 2:20-22

And others:

“Your own pain is involuntary; you feel overwhelmed and have no control. When feeling the pain of others, there is an element of discomfort, but there also is a level of stability because you are voluntarily accepting pain. It gives you a sense of confidence.”

Tenzin Gyatso, The 14th Dalai Lama

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“If I could tell the world just one thing it would be we're all okay, and not to worry cause worry is wasteful and useless in times like these. I won't be made useless, wont be idle with despair, I will gather myself around my faith, lights the darkness most fear.”

Jewel

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“God will not suffer man to have a knowledge of things to come; for if he had prescience of his prosperity, he would be careless; and if understanding of his adversity, he would be despairing and senseless”

Saint Augustine

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“Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.”

Abraham Lincoln

I feel better already.