Politically what?
Some people think that all I have ever done is fly. Not true. For 20 years I was an Air Traffic Controller. For 15 years I was a fire fighter. For 12 years I was a Fire department dispatcher. Intermixed with all that I have tended bar at a real popular pizza joint, tended bar at a very upscale steak house and served beer and shots at a down and ugly dive. Worked as a roofer laying down hot tar in the middle of August. Sold new and used cars. I even managed to build, program and repair circuit boards.
These were adventures all. I learned a lot from these experiences. Some of what I learned has served me well in other adventures. Other things...well. You have all heard the expression "that's is more information than I really needed".
When I was a controller at Stapleton International, one of the things that was popular among controllers was "trolling through the terminal". We would take our breaks and walk through the terminal. Some of the freakiest people inhabited the airport terminal during the wee small hours of the morning. The man with a monkey stands out in my mind. He was a "hippie" type. Long hair (unwashed), black full beard, dirty farmer overalls and a greasy black hat. Sitting on top of this hat was an ugly, mean tempered monkey. That monkey would hiss and spit at anybody who got too close to his companion who would just sit calmly and let him rant.
Now the guys on my crew were never a bunch to pass up an opportunity to stir the pot. Ramon would hiss and spit right back at that stupid critter until it got so agitated that his owners hat would go flying, the monkey would rush Ramon until he hit the end of his chain. Then Ramon would dodge to his left, then his right, then his left....you get the point. The chain would be a tangled up, the owner would struggle like crazy to control his "pet" and Ramon would just walk calmly away like nothing has ever happened. Cruel? Maybe. Mean? yup. Funny? You bet. Could it happen today? No way. Why? Because number one, some animal rights activist would have the hippie locked up for having a monkey on a chain. Then they would sue Ramon for cruelty to animals (monkey AND hippie) and Number two, 14 waiting passengers would complain that Ramon was acting in a manner that was not "politically correct" They would point and screech, like Donal Sutherland in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers".
"Political Incorrect Political Incorrect Political Incorrect"
Political Correctness. Politically Correct. Two phrases and attitudes that drive me right up the padded wall. They are pushed by people who are so arrogant, self important, so self serving that they are hell bent to force their will on everybody else who doesn't think and act exactly like they do. Or the way they think you should act or think. You must speak a certain way. You cannot use the "F" word, the "G" word, the "C" word, the "N" word. pick a letter, there are 26 that you can't use.
What ever happened to "live and let live?". What ever happened to living life fun? There are wackos and weirdos amongst us and they are fun. Once in a while an adventure comes along but is ignored because of being politically incorrect. Not so back in the good old days. So I will continue to post my memories of days gone by and will definately be POLITICALLY INCORRECT
Stay tuned.
These were adventures all. I learned a lot from these experiences. Some of what I learned has served me well in other adventures. Other things...well. You have all heard the expression "that's is more information than I really needed".
When I was a controller at Stapleton International, one of the things that was popular among controllers was "trolling through the terminal". We would take our breaks and walk through the terminal. Some of the freakiest people inhabited the airport terminal during the wee small hours of the morning. The man with a monkey stands out in my mind. He was a "hippie" type. Long hair (unwashed), black full beard, dirty farmer overalls and a greasy black hat. Sitting on top of this hat was an ugly, mean tempered monkey. That monkey would hiss and spit at anybody who got too close to his companion who would just sit calmly and let him rant.
Now the guys on my crew were never a bunch to pass up an opportunity to stir the pot. Ramon would hiss and spit right back at that stupid critter until it got so agitated that his owners hat would go flying, the monkey would rush Ramon until he hit the end of his chain. Then Ramon would dodge to his left, then his right, then his left....you get the point. The chain would be a tangled up, the owner would struggle like crazy to control his "pet" and Ramon would just walk calmly away like nothing has ever happened. Cruel? Maybe. Mean? yup. Funny? You bet. Could it happen today? No way. Why? Because number one, some animal rights activist would have the hippie locked up for having a monkey on a chain. Then they would sue Ramon for cruelty to animals (monkey AND hippie) and Number two, 14 waiting passengers would complain that Ramon was acting in a manner that was not "politically correct" They would point and screech, like Donal Sutherland in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers".
"Political Incorrect Political Incorrect Political Incorrect"
Political Correctness. Politically Correct. Two phrases and attitudes that drive me right up the padded wall. They are pushed by people who are so arrogant, self important, so self serving that they are hell bent to force their will on everybody else who doesn't think and act exactly like they do. Or the way they think you should act or think. You must speak a certain way. You cannot use the "F" word, the "G" word, the "C" word, the "N" word. pick a letter, there are 26 that you can't use.
What ever happened to "live and let live?". What ever happened to living life fun? There are wackos and weirdos amongst us and they are fun. Once in a while an adventure comes along but is ignored because of being politically incorrect. Not so back in the good old days. So I will continue to post my memories of days gone by and will definately be POLITICALLY INCORRECT
Stay tuned.
posted by Rob | 6:48 PM
5 Comments:
Right on! I'm with you all the way!
So glad to see you writing again!
How can I be married to you for more than 29 years and not know this monkey story? And maybe when you get home this evening you can tell me what the "G" word is. I've been hearing that expression on the news a lot lately. Peter Fonda referred to it on Fox News last night. I haven't got a clue.
It ain't easy being married to a politically incorrect man, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
xoxoxo
One thing I would never accuse you of is being politically correct.
I looked up "politically correct"... it says that it is "language, ideas, policies, or behavior seeking to minimize offense." Sounds like walking on eggshells to me! I'm not one to "stir the pot", but sometimes things do need to be said, or done, regardless of the "offense" they cause.
By the way, I loved the "up the padded wall" comment. So NOT politically correct. Whatever! It was funny!
Amen, my W.S.V.I.C., brother, amen.
A.U.a.M.I.B.F.A.,
AQ
I certainly would like to know what those initials mean. But then, maybe I really don't.
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