Assessments

People are asking me all the time lately, "Are you okay?"

I say lately, but of course, people have been worried about me for a long time. Well, I am busy now, which is stressful but good. I have a bit of purpose again.

You want to know the truth? I think I am doing great. I ate five cupcakes this morning, and did not feel guilty. On my day off, I slept 13 hours, and told myself I deserved it. I did deserve it, by God. Who is the boss of Curt? Curt, that's who.

I am sure there is nothing original about this post. I remember when I was first arrested, all the assessments, all the questions. The men with red pens and the sympathetic women with funny hats. People asking if you are okay when they really know the answer and just want to find out why. What is wrong???

I would like my epitaph to read, "He was okay."

Maybe not, but it would be nice in the end if that were true. Hopefully, I am getting there.

Little Bit Fancy

The hotel I work at is a little bit fancy. Because it is a little bit fancy, it supplies robes to its patrons. And shampoos and lotions in little bottles. The patron is charged if he or she takes a towel or a robe, that is how precious the thread count is, which is pretty precious, I guess, because on more than one occasion, I have searched for a robe or a towel, and not been able to find it, and then I have to report it to my manager, Jo, short for Joanne.

The robes are white. They have little side pockets. I imagine that they are not funny if someone tries one on in an attempt to be funny. Unless, that person sticks their hands into the side pockets. That would be funny!

Wouldn't that be funny!

Carpe "Diem"

It is crazy to go from not busy at all to very busy. It is nice. It is good to work towards something. It is good to have goals.

I bought some pickling cucumbers yesterday at the flea market. I am going to make bread and butter pickles, and if they turn out well, maybe I will sell jars for supplemental income!

I have to sleep! Tomorrow is a new day!

Buenes "Noches"!

Napes

It is five letters.

A gas station is well lit at night. I guess I never noticed how well lit a gas station is until I started working at one. Not much happens during my shifts, I'm finding, except a few people pulling up and filling their cars with gas and then driving off. Sometimes, someone will buy coffee or use the bathroom. Sometimes, it is a stick of beef jerky.

I read the newspapers. All of them. Because I can and because I used to deliver these newspapers so that other people could read them, but I never looked inside, flipped the pages, smeared inky fingers on tabletops or on coffee mugs or on my face, by accident, haha! If only I had looked inside these bundles earlier! What great pleasure it gives me.

Down.

It's all about the Funnies. Dad never let me read the newspaper, or, maybe I never wanted to read the newspaper. Either way, it doesn't matter because I'm aware of the Funnies now, and that's what's important. That I know about the Funnies. The games. The comics. The crossword puzzles.

A clue is way of getting to know someone.

Neck parts.

Someone walks in that wants to talk, but not necessarily with a stranger. I have worked two shifts and already I can tell who these people are. They possess a nervous kind of energy like a bowling ball without a hole for the thumb, buy vitamin enhanced water, knock before using the bathroom, etc. They come to the register and there I am. Waiting.

I ask: What's a five letter word for neck parts.

In most cases, the response is a: What? Or a: I don't know.

But sometimes the person really gives it some thought, really doesn't want to let me down.

Sometimes, they come up with an answer that fits.

Beauty

I remember once, I was walking Warden and Stella. This was a long time ago, shortly after I had adopted Warden. Warden went into his pre-poop spins but somehow forgot what he was doing or got distracted by a smell and he lifted his leg and went number 1 instead of number 2 and then he just spun a little more and got back into the deuce. It was awkward, and kind of intense. And very beautiful, in its own way.

I guess the point is, sometimes maybe you start something, and maybe you lose your way, but it's important to finish, or try to finish, I think. I think persistence is what makes special people special.

Today, I stocked the minibars at the hotel. It was nice, better than cleaning up after people. The boss said that I did a much better job than the regular minibar stocker, who is blind. I met that person the other day, Melvin, and he was very nice. But I guess he is not a very good minibar stocker.

America, America!

Today, I eat a burger cooked with butter. Today, I drink beer. Today, I watch the fireworks. Happy birthday, America, America!

This Economy

Dogs need food. And shelter. And flea medicine. And heartworm medicine.

These things cost money. And of course, Curt Jimenez has needs too, which also cost money. He can no longer live with his father. He is emotionally spent.

Thus, Curt needed a job. Curt needed to find an employer as desperate as he is.

So now, Curt is working as the rendering plant.

Just kidding.

Curt is now working part-time cleaning hotel rooms.

Also, he is working two midnight shifts at the gas station.

Things are happening!

Fast!