Inner Voices and Characters

I don’t really mean to do this but it just happens.

I am practicing a song called “Ponies” written by Jeffery Bullock. The first time I heard the song John Denver was singing it. The most famous version of the song (as I found out years later) was done by Michael Martin Murphy.

There is a line in the song that goes:

“And he says, ‘Ponies…now ponies don’t you worry. I have not come to steal your fire away. I want to fly with you across the sunrise. Discover what begin each shining day.”

Pretty words. Except that when I have recorded myself singing this in the past, I didn’t like what I heard. I am much better at hitting the notes but the feeling is not there.

So, as I was listening to a play-back of me singing this song, this is what happened in my head:


“It’s a song called Ponies. It’s pretty much the best song ever written about the greatest animal ever. Ya wanna hear it?”





“Sure. Sing it for me.”







“O.K….(singing) .....'I want to fly with you across the sunrise…..Discover what begins each shining day.”.




Silence.


“Did you like it?”






“You don’t sound like you want to fly.”








Silence


“Damnit!”






So, I am working on it and it is getting much better.

More and more I get this guy in my head instead:








Once again...Roy Rogers to the rescue.

July 22nd, 2006, was designated as National Day of the Cowboy! To read the text of the bill that was passed take a look here. People often ask, "Why did they have the National Day of the Cowboy on a Saturday and not on a Monday so we could all get a three-day weekend?"

Good question.

Reason being is that cows don't care what day it is. If the rest of us got a three-day weekend, the cowboy would still be working. So, it is in that spirit that if the cowboy has to work on the day honoring them it should be on a Saturday. Also, it should be on a Sunday because that is the day most cowboys would go to church. So, that is why it isn't on a Monday: there should be no special exceptions for the rest of us. I am just kidding...sort of.

History has been odd for the cowboy. Thanks to the singing silver-screen cowboys like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Rex Allen and others, the depiction of cowboys has been largely defined as heros that not only are examples of truth, honor and respect but cowboys we also attractive men and a talented musician and vocalist.

Of course, the myth and the truth has always blurred quite a but in the movies.
Being a cowboy was, and still is, just plain old hard work with a level of subtle and sophisticated knowledge that would baffle most with college degrees. The glamour we attribute to the cowboy life is often hindsight based on history or Hollywood.

That is, unless, you get to see a cowboy working first-hand. There is a reason why the cowboy has become one of the most enduring symbols of what is true about America. When you see cowboys working, it is then that this symbol takes on new strength, brilliance and meaning.

When you look around the world people may not wear our flag so much but they proudly will wear a cowboy hat.

There's a good reason for that.

July 22nd, 2006, was designated as National Day of the Cowboy! To read the text of the bill that was passed take a look here.

People often ask, "Why did they have the National Day of the Cowboy on a Saturday and not on a Monday so we could all get a three-day weekend?"

Good question.

Reason being is that cows don't care what day it is. If the rest of us got a three-day weekend, the cowboy would still be working. So, it is in that spirit that if the cowboy has to work on the day honoring them it should be on a Saturday. Also, it should be on a Sunday because that is the day most cowboys would go to church. So, that is why it isn't on a Monday: there should be no special exceptions for the rest of us. I am just kidding...sort of.

History has been odd for the cowboy. Thanks to the singing silver-screen cowboys like Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Rex Allen and others, the depiction of cowboys has been largely defined as heros that not only are examples of truth, honor and respect but cowboys we also attractive men and a talented musician and vocalist.

Of course, the myth and the truth has always blurred quite a but in the movies.

Being a cowboy was, and still is, just plain old hard work with a level of subtle and sophisticated knowledge that would baffle most with college degrees. The glamour we attribute to the cowboy life is often hindsight based on history or Hollywood.

That is, unless, you get to see a cowboy working first-hand. There is a reason why the cowboy has become one of the most enduring symbols of what is true about America. When you see cowboys working, it is then that this symbol takes on new strength, brilliance and meaning.

When you look around the world people may not wear our flag so much but they proudly will wear a cowboy hat. There's a good reason for that.

Oh! Where Was I?

The old job is now a thing of the past. A few days ago I called into the department that I used to work in...as a customer this time! I reached someone in India. The lady was cordial but I ended up having to repeat myself many times and dumb-down my request. I got put on hold 3 times for a simple request. I found the whole thing ironic. I also found out first-hand why customers I had personally talked to complained so much about our support in India.

I got a customer service survey via e-mail and I gave them a piece of my mind. I was very professional with my viewpoint but just very, very honest. Basically, I said that if you can't communicate clearly with your customers you should find something else to do. That goes for anyone...no matter where they live.

Some would say that it is not fair that we were out-sourced and downsized. Maybe not fair to the customers that may get what they think is poorer service. But at the same time no one complains when they don't have to pay more for the same services.

But to say all this is unfair? What in the world does it have to do with being fair? A business is out to make money. I get it. Nothing personal.

As I found out and have heard many times over now: In this job market it is not a case of IF you will get laid off but WHEN. And to be ready.

So, I had better beef up my life-raft (i.e. bank account, savings, resume on file, marketable skills) this time around. It's much more fun than grabbing my Linus blanket and hiding in a corner.