Professional

Today i had an epiphany that i, in no way, exude professionalism.

whatever subjective characteristics comprise this ideal, i lack them.

maybe it's the lack of difficulty in the jobs i have.
or maybe it's the boredom i'm driven into that forces me to explore ways of entertaining myself.
or it might even be that i don't give a fuck.
possibly a combination of some or all of those.

but either way, if someone was to intently watch me in my daily duties at either job, anyone with any authority would fire my ass,
or at least give me a stern talking to.

at fred meyer its not so bad. i just try to not cashier and come up with some of the lamest, yet effective excuses to do so.

but at the pool, i have any lack of discretion.
i play with the kids.
i run. i let them run.
horseplay is not in my vocabulary unless its completely dangerous.
i've come to realize that i only yell at kids under two circumstances:

1) i have the tarps on the pool and they want to go under.
that's a big no-no.
possible asphixiation is no fun. and besides, i don't want to get wet in order to save them.

2) if i happen to chase them into the weight room from the pool when they're all wet, i will yell at them to walk.
with just wet feet i've eaten shit on those mats too many times to unnecessarily watch a kid do so.

so the pool is rather like a playground. anything goes.
balls are always flying past my head from any number of kids in the pool.
i don't think i really have any authority. i'm basically one of them yet slightly larger and a bit more agile.

i kind of like it though. when i'm playing with the kids on the deck, balls flying everywhere, or noodles being used as swords, people in the hot tub take notice.
we entertain them while they soak their weary bones.
it's almost like being a gladiator.
although i guess at any moment i could beat those kids down, it's just like professional wrestling. i have to let them have their day.
otherwise, what would be the fun in playing?

so. any public pool's lifeguard would probably have their jaw drop to the ground if they saw what i do, but hey, i'm there for 6 and a half hours in one sitting.
what the hell else am i going to do when they won't let me read?!

i talk to patrons too.
today i realized just how many patrons i know. not to mention what i know about them.
i was talking to a guy who only knows patrons by their physical characteristics.
on three seperate accounts i came up with their name and occupation with a single, short description of their appearance.
damn. maybe i've been there too long.
but the people are really cool.

it's amazing the type of diversity that you can fit in under one roof.
going back to the roman theme, the place almost reminds me of a Roman bath.
i guess it would mostly be the rich who frequented the place, but still the diversity of trades would be immense.
it's a very good place to meet people.
fuck bars.
(ok. i didn't mean that, but i bet it's easier there. the only limiting factor is the amount of hot people that go there.)