Today I worked off frustrations in the community garden. I am surprised at how much time it took me to admit the truth to myself -- that I need to apologize to the dog Jughead for insulting him in his own home. I weeded the arugula, mesclun and sunflower patches before finally conceding that there was no way around this fact.
I visited Rebecca's this afternoon, at 2:30 p.m., and knocked on her door bearing gifts of a dog bone and a chewy toy -- a small, fabric simulacrum of a squirrel which squeaks when bitten. (Please see attached Expense Report and Reimbursement Request.)
Rebecca answered the door in a harried condition, still dressed in her pajamas, and with her hair sticking out in various directions. Her eyes were red. Behind her I saw her apartment was in great disarray. She thanked me for the gifts and announced that she was leaving the next day to work on a humanitarian mission in Haiti, an island nation in the Atlantic that was just struck by a 7.0-scale earthquake. She informed me that she will be gone for at least six weeks.
Again, I am surprised at the eagerness of humans, Rebecca in particular, to lend support and aid to others at the slightest provocation, regardless of their lack of qualifications. I would expect that in a serious rescue effort, she would be in the way. However, as I am "skating on thin ice" with my sole informant, I decided not to question her actions.
"Who will watch Jughead while you are gone?"
"Oh. Oh, that's very nice of you, Sander, but Lester has already volunteered to take him."
Lester. The man who washes cars, who was subject to the foulest humiliation an animal can inflict, is going to care for said animal. For six weeks. I confess, I do not understand this in the least.
There was no time to request a hold on her mail, so Rebecca has asked me if I would mind retrieving it for her on a weekly basis. I said I had no problem doing this, and could do so daily. She said daily would not be necessary. Then she thanked me again for the dog gifts and returned to her travel preparations.
I have no plans for the remainder of my evening. The previous owner of my home was a member of an organization called the Screen Actors Guild. This Guild -- I do not yet know what they build -- occasionally sends entertainment items to the house. Perhaps as a bonus to members?
Today I received a copy of a film called "Precious". This film declares, "Life is hard. Life is short. Life is painful. Life is rich. Life is....Precious."
I believe it is what they call a "documentary". I will watch it now in the hopes of learning something about the inner lives of human beings who live in the United States and are of African descent.
Travels, observations and experiences from my time among the humans. Transmitted daily (almost). Contact: zerbeda19763@gmail.com Twitter: @zerbeda19763
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
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"Skating on thin ice"? Why is this remark encased in quotation marks? And I had not realized that the climate in your locale has shifted to tundra-like conditions. Could this be part of that "global warming" phenomenon of which so much of the planet's philosophical efforts were devoted during that period in their history?
ReplyDelete- Meteorologist Grglml 02134
Field Researcher Zerbeda 19763, in my own researches I have found traces of this Screen Actors Guild, though nothing of incontrovertible fact. One rumored aspect of their work was to build computer-generated characters, sometimes known as "avatars", for display upon large projection-style screens. Can you imagine the lavish, needless complexity and expense that entailed in comparison to simply recording visual data? I would greatly appreciate a duplicate of the documentary you received to further my own researches for my qualification board hearings.
ReplyDelete- Metadata Analyst Orrhacx 13820
MG 02134,
ReplyDelete"Skating on thin ice" is a human verbal expression known as an idiom. Humans, being visual creatures, often refer to symbolic imagery to give expression to complex thoughts or feelings. In this case, "skating on thin ice" means, roughly, "doing something foolish or dangerous", or "taking a substantial risk". The phrase references, specifically, the widely-recognized danger of crossing thin ice, as it may shatter under one's body weight and lead to death by drowning.
This expression is also synonymous with the human idiom, "pushing your luck". This means, to willingly enter into a delicate situation where one's presence or actions may not be welcome.
If a human were to say to me, "You are skating on a thin ice," or "You are pushing your luck," both expressions are a warning and mean the same thing: "Zerbeda 19763, you are testing my ability to trust you and tolerate your presence. Right now you are safe, socially, but if you proceed in this direction, very soon you may not be. Proceed with caution."
My research reveals that "skating on thin ice" is not a new expression indicative of recent climate change. Its usage in written documents can be traced back at least 200 years, to various novels from the British Isles, where frozen bodies of water are common in winter, and ice skating and fishing are both recreational and food-procuring activities for humans.
MAO 13820,
ReplyDeleteOf course I have heard of this "avatar" phenomenon. It is currently receiving much news as it is new technology at this moment in time.
I agree, it seems wasteful according to our standards. But keep in mind, humans are not known for their restraint. Indeed, the more wasteful a human is, the more power he or she can claim within his or her social or professional sphere. The same rule seems to apply to issues of taste, volume and coherence, particularly in the entertainment industry.
I have seen the large-screen projection in question - its title is "Avatar", perhaps because it is the first of its kind. I have many thoughts on this cultural event that I will save for a future report.
In the meantime I will gladly send you a duplicate of "Precious", though I humbly request you not share this item with other field operatives or informants when traveling on Earth.
Warnings on the disc indicate that the Screen Actors Guild may fine me or send me to prison for creating unlawful copies. Though this may be an idle threat, I do not yet know of their full reach and power. As a social scientist it is in my best interest to remain unobtrusive.