May 29, 2003
Dear Everyone:
30 years ago today, the “Generic XXX Company of
Fill-In-Blank” hired a very bright college graduate with a
Bachelor of Arts
degree in
Anthropology and a Certificate of Proficiency in
Middle
Eastern Studies. When I
reported for work on
30 years later, I’m still in Records Management. And still waiting for something better to fall into my lap. Time flies when you don’t keep a gun to its head.
30 years means I get six weeks of paid vacation time, so I took last week off. On the weekend, “Jeannie” and I went to a movie. (Those of you who immediately go to the bottom of the Letter to see if there’s a movie review have already figured this out.) Then we dropped her car off at the dealership for a Monday appointment and I took “Jeannie” home.
The plan was that we would go to
“Jeannie” didn’t know which to hate more:
The fact that I was driving too fast, or that I wasn’t driving
fast enough. Once in
Once we knew the deposition would last all day, I left “Jeannie” and did some errands. And since we didn’t know how late the deposition would go, I drove back to the dealership, paid for the work on her car and arranged for it to be parked outside in case they closed before she got back. In time, “Jeannie” called to be picked up and I took her to her car, then went home. In all, I put 200 miles on my car in one day.
On Tuesday, we did make it up to the Factory Outlet stores and did some shopping until I found a set of china that I liked. On Wednesday, I put together a jigsaw puzzle, the ultimate in non-productive relaxation. I also copied several years of backup files from diskettes to my computer, then copied them again on to a CD for “Jeannie”.
The rest of the week is a lazy blur of watching TV and DVDs and reading. I did finally get around to buying some unbleached muslin and putting together a new cover for my patio. “Jeannie” came by on Sunday and helped me wrestle it over the frame and tie it down. Ready for summer.
We also attended the annual San Ramon Wind and Art Festival. I’ve only lived here five years and this was the first time I’ve ever been over to the official city park and community center. We watched some impressive kite flying and wandered through the artists’ booths, which pretty much looked like all the other artists’ booths you see at these things. Proof positive: The Sixties still live.
As for the movie…
The Matrix Reloaded. This is the second installment in what apparently is going to be a trilogy. Keanu Reeves plays Neo, one of only a few humans who realize that they are all living in a virtual reality created by computers to control the human race. Whatever. Lots of spectacular special effects and wooden acting. Big fight scene on the “the Interstate” as portrayed by the Nimitz Freeway here in the Bay Area.
Neo makes a devastating discovery and is forced to choose between Fate and Free Will. Tune in next time to see what happens next. Will there be a Part III? You bet. The kids love this. If you’re not into video games or Keanu Reeves, save your money.
“Alice” says Down With Love is really cute. We’ll find out next Sunday.
Plan subject to change without notice, of course.
Love, as always,
Pete
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