Book of Jamez

55 y/o malcontent, something of a writer

Author: Jamez

  • Ped Xing

  • Working Man

    “I get up at 7, yeah and I go to work at 9. Got no time for living, yes I’m working all the time” – Rush

    Working a temp job with the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders), basic administrative stuff. They have had bad experiences in the past with temps, I hear about it constantly. Seem like nice enough people, the location is good, and I love my cubicle.

    I’m also working part time at Olsson’s Books on 7th and E Streets NW. Loads of fun for me, I guess pretending to be nice to people is not so bad after all. Seriously, it is nice to hang out and ring people up behind the register, and I’ve only had a few real weirdos in the store.

    So, I’m looking for a permanent job, the NAHB job is only 4 days a week. I’ll keep you all posted here.

    “I guess that’s why they call me, they call me the working man. Well they call me the working man, I guess that’s what I am.” – Rush

  • A Real Boy

    All Q ever wanted was a real boy, he sits in the window pane watching the little boys toss a ball or frisbee, running about here and there. If he glances back inside he sees me in front of the PC or TV lost in some fantasy world.

    He’ll drag a string or cat nip toy to me and “MEOW” loudly. I’ll bring down a hand to pet him, but he’s learned to be far enough back that I have to tear my eyes from the screen to find him. He’ll “MEOW” again, the toy strategically placed in front of him, he even motions to it with his eyes. I’ll promise to play with him later, or tomorrow and focus my attention back to my fun.

    He may try one more “MEOW” or jump on the desk, sprawling right in the perimeter of the keyboard or mouse pad. His tail whips about, deliberately aiming for the keyboard or mouse as he knows one keystroke with his tail grabs my attention faster than twelve “MEOWS”.

    Mostly, he sits on the window ledge; eyes darting this way and that, dreaming of the little boy he always wanted.

  • Choosing Battles

    Our President could be spending his time, energy and influence on getting our troops home safely from a war that he started erroneously. Instead, he and the GOP have decided the most important thing for them to focus on is discrimination and ways to encourage hate across the country.

    How can same sex marriage be primary on an agenda when brave men and women of our country are losing their lives EVERY DAY. How is the private lives of people who love one another more important that saving lives of an American soldier?

    Do our soldiers mean that little to you Mr. President? Are they just one more sacrifice in your vast agenda? Do you care so little for freedom, love and life that you have to focus on ways to ignite this blaze of hate in our country?

    Figure out what’s important here… Sure this got you elected, but don’t you think the lives of American’s in danger every day, because of your decisions and lies, should be first on your list?

  • Brass Button

    I’m lost in the pattern of the buttons; brass buttons embedded in the arm of the couch, eyes glued to them. I do figure eights, running my fingers through the space in-between. The couch is otherwise non-descript; brown and tepid it mirrors the room. The dark brown paneling with deer heads and coat of arms absorb the couch into them, making it less noticeable.

    I cannot sink further into the cushions, as they are firm and uncomfortable. The noise around me distant, the light from the picture window barely noticeable but I know its coming. My discomfort grows and I start to fidget, the noise becomes voices the light blocked out by moving figures in my vision.

    I don’t want to see it, I cannot bear to hear it.

    Escape. Not possible.

    I stare out the window, the snow glitters like stars the cold is almost visible. The noise becomes screams and flesh impacting. The light is dotted with spatters of blood, the couch is my only escape.

    Figure eights with tarnished brass buttons.

  • One Year Later

    Jamez in the life has been online now for one year. I created this space as a place to post when my regular spot crashed, but it has since become an entity of its own.

    I hope you’ve enjoyed the posts over the last year, and that you will continue to read up and comment when you feel the need.

    Jamez

  • Do you believe in freedom of speech?

    I do. I believe in freedom of all kinds, I was raised in a country based on freedom as our guiding principle – today it’s harder to see this freedom. In my country it should be perfectly acceptable to say, print, believe in, sing, wear …. anything that I may want in order to express myself.

    Taking The Long Way, the Dixie Chicks new album is what you’ve come to expect from the Chick’s: good music and lyrics that make you think, love, and feel… these songs come alive and repeat themselves in your head the whole day. With guest artists like John Mayer and Bonnie Rait this CD is, in my humble opinion, the best CD to date that the Dixie Chicks have released.

    “I Hope” the last track on the CD, is filled with wonderful, soulful harmonies that have me swaying and tapping my foot (and of course I sing along).

    “Voice Inside My Head” is a great song about the choices we make, and always thinking that perhaps the one that got away is the one that would have made our life better.

    Even “Not Ready to Make Nice” is a great song with great lyrics and rhythms. Is it a slap in the face to the people that don’t believe in freedom of speech? Maybe a little. Do those people deserve a slap in the face? God damn right they do.

    Buy this album, hell… buy 2. Send one copy to Monkey Boy (a.k.a. George W. Bush), I think he needs to see the truth at least once during his term.

  • Job Seeking

    Suggestions for staffing agencies keep coming to mind, but I’ve only told one agency what they should do to improve their services. Here are some common items that would make the process better for all parties:

    • Standardize and computerize forms. It’s 2006 people, all of this can be done on a computer, not only making it easier on the applicant, but also making the data more accessible and searchable for Employers.
    • Computer peripherals need upgrading. An applicant should have non-sticky keyboards, a smooth flow (optical preferred) mouse, and a decent work station from which to test.
    • Consolidate test information. Three of the agencies I’ve applied to this week had the exact same tests. My scores were relatively the same, this is wasting my time and yours, talk to one another.
    • Don’t call me every day to ask me if you can send out my resume… That’s why I came to you in the first place: So you could find me a job.
    • Be friendly to prospective clients. Whether they are job seekers or employers, treat them with the same level of respect you would like to receive. Only one agency had a truly rude receptionist, but all of them should be aware of the impression they set for your company.

    I’m done ranting now, time to look for more jobs.

  • Dismal Waitress

    Mary Lou Adell was ugly, probably the ugliest girl in town – or at least she believed. She wasn’t thin enough and her eyes were too big, no boy was ever going to like her the way she was. Every morning she stuffed Kleenex into her bra, hoping no one would notice, but real breasts would have suited her better. Her hair, clothes and smile all of it was just wrong; she was a misfit in this town.

    Not from around these parts, she had arrived one night climbing down from the cab of a semi outside the Dismal Motel. She had been hitchhiking half the night with no luck when Lucy’s rig pulled over. Mary Lou was so relieved at the sight of a woman driving that big rig she felt her whole body relax and she realized she had been clenching her jaw since the rig pulled over. She took a room that night in the Motel a small room, with its own bathroom, a tiny TV, and fridge.

    The very next day she applied to be a waitress at the Dismal Café, and been hired on the spot. It took her a while to learn all the idiosyncrasies in a restaurant; but soon discovered she was a natural. All the town folk were friendly enough, and she got to know a few of them by name and knew before they sat down whether they wanted decaf or regular. The cook, Otis, had the prettiest blue eyes that made her heart pitter-patter, but she was so afraid all she would ever do is look at him. She hoped one day he’d ask her out so she could say yes, but she wasn’t sure she ever could.

    Mary Lou was torn, she was drawn to handsome rugged men, and yet if they got to close she would tremble in fear; panic would rise from the soles of her feet and occasionally cause anxiety attacks. She knew this fear came from her father; he had instilled an unnatural reaction to men over the last ten years. Just thinking about her dad brought to mind memories she would rather forget; she could feel his sweaty hand clenched against her mouth, keeping her from crying out.

    It had been almost a year, and she still lived in the Motel her money very cautiously kept, every penny saved that could be. She never knew when she might have to leave, at any moment she could be found. Not knowing what would happen if she was found, just knowing she wanted to be able to get away if she could.

    Dismal was a nice place to stay, for now; tomorrow is another day.

  • Unofficial National Plan

    President Bush’s plan for securing our nations borders is awe inspiring, and so brilliant it should be applied to all of our nations problems.

    Senior Citizens not signing up for an appropriate Medicare plan? Send in the National Guard.

    Brittney Spears’s child safety seat not the most popular one? Send armed personnel to show her right from wrong.

    The Da Vinci Code a violation of what’s right? Send in our men and women to block the movie from being seen.

    Lawsuits being filed due to the NSA tapping our phone lines? Send in Dick Cheney with his shotgun.

    If it’s not being done to our liking, lets send in the troops and make it all better. This is the new strategy for our great nation.