Monthly Archives: October 2008

So as you probably read before, today I went to a music shop where a grumpy old man complained about the younger generation not giving respect.  He showed me respect by telling me that, and I told him I learn in work hard because it’s how I respect my parents, mentors, and influences.  I pass on what they’ve taught me.

Later in the night, as my cab dropped me off, I quickly told him about my company, gave him a sticker, and showed him how our love symbol works.

I then asked him where he was from.  “India,” he said.  “Preem” immediately came out of my mouth when I shook his hand.

Bam! my head hits the front seat as his quickly shifted the car into Park.  She gives me a stare of astonishment and a smile full of surprise and happiness.

Why?

I knew his language.  Actually, I know how to say the best word in any language- Love.

He told me he’d put the sticker on the taxi and even asked for more to give away.  His graciousness was a result of me showing him respect on his terms, in his language.  We parted ways in happiness, in Zamforia, the perfect moment motivated and created by love and respect.  The moment transcended all barriers, social class, color and culture.

Moral: Say Love through your actions and show respect.  Be cool.

This is a football calzone:

And this is my last night in Milwaukee!  See ya

And just when I thought it couldn’t get more interesting….

“All men have the staff of life (referring the male reproductive organ). It’s only natural that we put the BAM! into a women!  Or you over there (pointing to me) can put the ZAM! into her special thing.  (Yes, he referenced the ZAM! sticker I had just given him.)” –The music store owner I just met.

I could tell you my first 2 hours around Milwaukee were stagnant and wasted.  Or I could tell you that a music store owner of 78 years attempted to kick me out of his store before I even walk in, then sat me down for a 2 hour conversation ranging from how my generation is disrespectful to life, marriage, and business to music to women and sex.  (Near the end I sat in astonishment).  I am a great listener, it’s my biggest fault yet biggest quality.  Sometimes I listen to you so deeply that I analyze what your saying too much and stop listening to you.

Almost immediately after I met this grumpy old man, I told him he was the greatest character I have ever met in real life.  Soon after that, I started taking notes.  Here are some quotes from the man himself:

• “Shut up!’ he says to the kid next to me somehow failing to buy a drumset, “Look at my sign over there!

Please

Ask

Listen

Learn

So Shut Up!

• A man turns a girl into a lady and a lady into a woman.
• A long life isn’t defined by age, years, or expierence.  It is defined by humor and music.
• One reason we are now in this environmental epidemic and financial shit hole again (he was in the Great Depression) is because your generation is spoiled and has no respect.  Mommy and Daddy buy kid an expensive car which they destroy, giving more and more money to insurance companies and car manufacturers.  But in the first place, goddamn American wants a fucking car so we are tormented with pollution.  Fuck that kid anyways
• The only people that should have the chance to vote are the ones that have W2 forms. (People are obsessed with voting around here.  You can actually vote weeks before ‘Election Day”)

And the big Kahoonah-

• “Jonathan, this needs to be your mentality- YOU ARE THE MAN!  If you can conceive and believe, you can achieve.  You need to know EVERYTHING.  If you don’t know something, go to the fucking library and learn it!”

And just when I couldn’t imagine my trip could get better!