Cutting Sheets Of Scrap Paper.

the other day I went to the neighborhood bicycle shop, mccully bicycle to return/exchange a taillight. so rarely do I go into the storefront -opting for the warehouse instead- that I actually had a receipt for my purchase. bearing in mind how great the employees of mccully bicycle warehouse are it was quite a shock how terrible the service was at the store.

the store employee was busy cutting sheets of scrap paper when I approached him. I inquired if I would be able to exchange my pseudo functioning taillight for another one of the same.

the store employee asked, "why would you want the same light?"

I replied that it was the brightest taillight I had ever owned. and that the taillight was less then two months old but this past week I had noticed that it would shut down on mid-travel.

the store employee kept cutting sheets of scrap paper and did not look up once. he explained in his most condescending voice, "maybe you just ride harder then the light was made for."

he then proceeded to list all the possible reason for a taillight to cease functioning. I stopped him and said, "that's great. but what can I do about my current situation?"

the store employee said, "I guess I could give you small discount for another light. but I cannot exchange since it is past fourteen days. besides why would you want the same light?"


...all this while not looking up once. cutting sheets of scrap paper.

Little Oriental Children.

my younger cousin in taiwan is getting married. apparently his future wife is already with child. what the world needs, another oriental child.

of course my mother was elated by this. and promptly asked when she would have a grand child of her own. my sister -medical school student- is a lost cause. apparently it falls upon me to prolong the family lineage.

sometimes I think my mother is losing her marbles. I was the guy who abruptly dropped out of graduate school moved to new mexico. moved back to honolulu and was not gainfully employed for almost a year (depleting any amount of savings I had lingering). there is no possible way I could ever be a capable parent.

also, the world does not need another oriental child. really.