By Doug “Uncola” Lynn via TheBurningPlatform.com
Having an interest in a small paratransit company, I wanted to help out the employees there this summer. Pre-covid there were 25 drivers and, post-covid, they are down to less than 15 people – some of whom have been working 60+ hours a week, at $12 an hour, helping to transport the elderly, the sick, and the handicapped, to get from here to there.
Last week, I was asked to help move a quadriplegic (via stretcher) from the hospital to a long-term care facility. Now, this one was one angry young guy who kept swearing at the nurses who were trying to help him. He yelled at a lady on the elevator and he was quite an assh*le to me in the transport vehicle as well. But, after some time, he realized I wasn’t his enemy. Turns out he was shot by his girlfriend last fall and he’s been paralyzed since. He’s not from this area and has no family. He’s a guy with zero self-actualization, no hope, and all he wants now is a cigarette and to die.
On another trip, it was an elderly woman being transported by stretcher. We were taking her from the hospital to the nursing home to stay. As another driver drove, I sat in the back jumpseat as it is the usual procedure for one person to keep an eye on the client and administer first aid if necessary.
On the way, she said the doctor wouldn’t let her stay at home by herself anymore.
Intuitively perceiving she still had her sense of humor, I replied: “Well you know what they say…”
“What?”, she asked.
“Life is what happens when we’re busy making other plans”.
She looked over my way and gave me a wry smile.
When we arrived at the nursing home, the other driver took the paperwork inside while I waited with the lady in the rig. I opened up the side and back doors under the shade of the entrance canopy and, as a result, we were enveloped by the summer breeze. It felt good.
She looked over at me and said: “I can’t believe this is where I’m ending up”.
She seemed frightened and her daughter and grandson had not arrived yet. So I replied that I’ve seen a lot worse places … and that this particular place looked downright luxurious.
She replied: “Yeah, and at least I’ll be warm and safe here”.
Although that wasn’t the response I expected, because the temperature outside was 90+ degrees, I just looked at her, smiled, and softly said: “You might just have fun, you know, I hear they have dances here every night.”
She laughed out loud this time.
Obviously, I could write parallels with these experiences, tying them to America’s downfall, medical tyranny, survival, helplessness, and retaining a positive attitude in the face of dire circumstances, OR I could just go get some other stuff done.
Or, instead, I could merely say this: Enjoy the little gratitudes every day because, when we blink, we might miss them.
Accordingly, sometimes late at night, I will watch videos of this guy below (see videos below). Not sure how the YouTube algorithm landed him on my device, but it has become sort of a guilty pleasure of mine at the end of things.
He is originally from Lithuania and usually wears cheerful, bright-colored shirts. Not sure where the videos take place, but the palm fronds and casual dress of the bystanders indicate a vacation spot likely in Florida or southern California maybe.
As the guy performs, his wife, or another helper, will film as the crowd gathers like moths air-dancing at night, around a light. Although some of the videos seem slightly contrived, and, perhaps even rehearsed, the guy’s attitude is infectious and his talents are undeniable. In fact, I’d be hard-pressed to find a better guitar player anywhere – and, from my layman’s perspective, he approaches Hendrix, Page, Clapton, or Prince on that particular instrument; even if some you may disagree (at the very least see the top vid below from the 5:20 to 6:07 minutes mark and, especially, the bottom vid from the 1:44 to 3:44 mark).
Though he acknowledges he isn’t the best singer, he gets the job done. And, quite often, he is only too willing to share his microphone with any of the onlookers on any given night.
In my opinion, his technological audio savvy paired to his natural musical virtuosity and guitar artistry, could likely fill larger venues and draw bigger crowds. But, instead, he just does his thing and seems to genuinely enjoy people while performing for them.
For me, it’s a reminder to light that candle and let the light shine. The darkness won’t overcome it; at least, not for long.
Enjoying the bystanders while performing for them:
And, sometimes, surprising voices step up to sing:
Go ahead vote me down, call me names, whatever …. but I find that video distasteful, disrespectful and sacrilegious. Yeah, I do.
Who gives a fuck, besides you & maybe GCP?
Okey Dokie Artichokie !!
Actually, FIVE people agree with me, so far.
I suppose the movie was an exercise in sardonic irony. Maybe it is, in the end, cursing the darkness while pretending to light a candle. Surely, any particular perspectives depend upon the eyes of the beholder
No it wasn’t/isn’t sardonic.
Tell me a single scene where TLoB states, or strongly implies, “doing the right thing is entirely meaningless.”
Definition of sardonic
OK, where is it disdainful or scornful?
M,
Is Eric Idle saving you from your sins? Mockery.
Like I said, M, “depends upon the eyes of the beholder”.
Stucky, that only shows us you didn’t get the main message of ‘The Name of the Rose.’
(I do however confer that in this context LHG’s video choice makes very little sense.)
Stop with all the intellectual masturbation, overthinking everything, & look at the bright side. Irony is funny. Not very difficult to see if’n it’s kept simple.
It’s extra funny when you are not realizing I’m actually advocating simplicity here.
Let me spell it out for you.
Main message from ‘The Name of the Rose’:
If you are not allowed to laugh at [certain] things anymore, you are living in a society sliding towards totalitarianism.
And back to you posting that TLoB video:
The video is funny, buy as an answer to finer points that Uncola made in his article, it is an ill fitting sledgehammer response. IMO.
Nobody gives a fuck what you think even less than they do Stucky. WTF is Name of the Rose? The clip is from Life of Brian. Stop stroking yourself. You might get some on all of us.
Judging from the 30 down votes you got …. from just 4 posts …
… and my 95 up votes (you do know how to add, right?)
… I would say it’s YOU nobody gives a fuck about.
LOL, loser.
Jesus H. Christ approves ( don’t ask how Auntie knows)
On a roll, Unc.
Open those floodgates.
Outstanding musician. I have a pretty good looper set-up, but his set invokes jam envy.
Truth.
His music is great! Thanks for sharing this. I’m a new fan!
That Dance Monkey request reminded me of a dance routine set to that little ditty. Done in high heels no less….
That might be worthy to post on SUNDAY MORNING CLASSICS.
NOT!!!
And are we posting on Sunday Morning Classics? Why, no, we aren’t. Admit it, you had impure thoughts, didn’t you?
Right to die!!
The nation passes laws which allows killing those who do not want to die (fetus), but gives a big FU to those who want to die. This is bullshit.
There ARE things worse than death. Being a paraplegic is one (at least for me.) And, also, being a Libtard.
I have told both my wife and my son that if I ever get to the point they want to put me in a home, to take me to Key West and tell me to swim to Cuba. I would rather be. shark food than end my life in one of those homes.
Same here, man. Except I’m eating a bullet. Getting eaten by sharks sounds slow and painful.
I figure I would drown before getting eaten. I have heard that drowning is not that bad once you take that first gulp of water.
I heard it was quite painful, but maybe that is if it is seawater — I don’t know
I did “drown proofing” in the military. They literally hold you under until you inhale water and go lights out, then they revive you. I went 3rd. No way i could watch 40 people go through it and not freak out. Once you take that first inhale of water you go unconcious quick, but you cant make yourself do it. You will fight it. Thats the worst part. The anticipation.
Takes a long time to die from lead poisoning.
Quality vs. quantity. If life is one long series of misery and pain and no relief in sight, then bye-bye. I know folk who stock pile pills and when ready, they swallow them with brandy or other spirits.
The old joke about the POW’s in a camp offered their choice of death comes to mind. The Colonel says he wants a firing squad, the lieutenant wants to be hung. Finally they get to the private and he says “if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to drink and screw myself to death.”
Bada Bing, Bada Boom
You’re on a roll Mr. Uncola, keep up the good work.
You’re supposed to drink the whole gallon of paint at one time, not chew on dry flakes for 53 yrs.
🤣
I’ve said that when I know I’m about to the end, I’m taking a bang bang item and going on a one way hike into the forest. My wife didn’t like that. My mom’s side of the family is just wired that way. It was dreadful to watch her die over just a bit more than a month in a hospital bed of small cell lung .cancer
I think I could stand being a paraplegic, but going completely blind likely would be it for me.
Judging from your posts …. you ARE blind.
Bada Boom! Bada Bing!!
Only because your posts had me use too much eye bleach
I agree. I have often stated it’s the quality of life that is more important than the quantity. Bedridden in a nursing home is not a life. It only continues the transfer of wealth upward.
Who the fuck does this Gestapo doctor think he is?? If she’s not senile he should have ZERO authority over where she stays! I hope there’s more to the story than “the doctor said”. Gawd, I’m staring to loathe great swaths of the medical profession.
Oh, crap. This thread is about lighting candles. So solly.
I really enjoyed the videos!! Made me smile.
Actually, Stuck, I was thinking it was something the lady’s daughter may have told her in order to facilitate the move. I mean, if the doctor says it, well, it’s final. Ya know?
By the way, when you asked me on that other thread last week to write about something positive; something about other things going on in life besides the doom – this is the article I had in mind.
However, when I started writing it I fell back into my old ways and the Morlock article was the result.
So, in a way, I guess this piece is sort of in addendum to that one.
Doug. This guy has popped up on my YT suggestions, too. He is extremely talented and it appears he really enjoys what he is doing.
commenters here all seem to get the same YT recommendations. (NO, it’s not because we have similar thoughts, tastes, interests)
I assumed it is because I am always listening to 80’s & prior music when using the YT.
Once in a while I click on the trending section and regret it. A lot of woke and retarded stuff is what’s trending.
Good stuff Doug. It’s at St. Armands circle on Lido Key off of Sarasota, FL. The statue, there’s a bunch there, and the restaurant in the background confirmed it. The guy is talented. You’re spot on, enjoy everyday because despite what’s happening there’s always something good going on.
Addendum in the Second video the Street sign says St. Armands Circle
Thanks, Doc, for putting the puzzle pieces together. If I ever got down that way I would probably stop by and make a request.
HEY — FLIM FLAM!
See what I mean? There’s my Down Voting pal, doing their thing. hahahaha, what a maroon!
“When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.”
Chief Tecumseh
I don’t think I have ever heard that monkey song, but I can tell it sucks big time. But what this guy did in recreating it in terms of a backing track, and then overlaying an awesome Eddie V-esque solo on top of it, was sublime. He has some real talent…
You suggested Florida or California as the location. I thought of Sarasota, FL as I lived there for a bit and it looked familiar — so I looked up “Les Ciseaux” (sign in the background) on Swisscows, as I don’t use google, and sure enough it is a spa on St. Armand’s Key in Sarasota…
You have great posts, Unc — very thought provoking and/or otherwise containing little gems like this; thanks for this and all your previous articles…
Lately, you have picked it up a notch, Doug.. Very good, and tasteful. Thanks..
Surprised no one has pointed out the $12 an hour the workers get paid. If I had written that in one of my articles people would have come out of the woodwork to crucify me, as I am in some circles considered an evil mercenary greedy bastard.
I would not, and did not, own or was ever part of a business that paid at that level, ever, even going back to the 1970s and 80s. It is not wrong, or immoral, or anything like that to pay them market wages, be that $3 or $5 or $12. And owning and running a business and taking risks and providing jobs of any kind is a good thing. I just didn’t want to be involved in a business, either as an employee or as an owner, paying at that level. It was a personal thing.
Some of my employees became millionaires by having steady employment and managing their $50k+ a year wages well. Some are broke as church mice after 30 years. But they had a chance.
Thanks for the story, Unc, and for what you do here.
Hi Llpoh,
There are three services in the area: one paying $10.50 and another $11. The younger drivers who want the hours, are able to pick up time and a half overtime, but most of the drivers are retired and just supplementing their retirement income and working anywhere from 10 to 25 hours a week.
There’s also a lot of downtime as well, sometimes as much as 2 hours during the day between pickups and drop offs whereby the drivers are still getting paid. For example, if someone is taken to a specialty appointment out of town, and has several services lined up in a given day (like labs in the morning, and physical therapy in the afternoon, etc, at the same facility) there are a couple of guys who will go golfing during that time while still getting paid between the appointment drop off and the pickup/return to go home. I know another driver there who likes to watch Netflix movies in the parked vehicle (on her phone) during the longer intervals between runs.
And cot runs (stretcher service) pays another $5 per hour because the company makes more on those. Plus the dispatchers and office staff make more than the drivers.
That all said though, I’m surprised at the quality of people willing to work for that amount per hour. I think it’s primarily because the job draws from a niche (i.e retired) job market made up of older generation people with a good work ethic and a desire to help others. There are credentials and certifications required that are paid for by the company, the work can be physically demanding and sometimes not for the faint of heart, but, at the same time, there’s a satisfaction that comes from serving the clients (and their) families who require the transport service.
In closing, I will just add this: for the younger and single male drivers it’s a great way to meet girls, because nurses and CNAs populate all of the facilities. 😉
I’d offer them $13 an hour, but then pay them Canadian. (winks and points to temple)
A friend of our family had a bicycle accident 5 years ago, which left him a quadriplegic at the age of 50. He was the nicest person anyone could meet, always helping neighbors and friends without asking anything in return, moving heavy furniture, cutting down an unwanted tree, etc.
Right after it happened, I tried to put myself in his shoes. I think I would not want to live that way and probably would have seriously contemplated suicide. I ended up sending him a handwritten heartfelt card. I wrote how I can not even begin to fathom how hard it must be to have such a change of your circumstances. I wrote how I imagine it is painful beyond belief to not be able to do the simplest things, like walk, feed yourself, get dressed or scratch your nose.
But then I also wrote that, if you think about it, he can still do most of the things that make life life. All those essential things, like laugh, listen to other people’s stories, speak words of support (or disagreement), taste and smell food and wine, love others etc.
I remembered those things as I had bad days when the whole Corona stupidity started. I am not disabled like that, but it is easy to feel pity for oneself if life as you know it is turned upside down. It turns out that that man´s circumstances have impacted me and my outlook on life substantially. He is still, to this day, the nicest person you could ever meet, quite different from the young man that Doug describes, who appears to have become angry and resentful.
Not being a smart ass …. how do you commit suicide when you’re a quadriplegic? That aspect is why, for me, it’s the worst thing.
I suppose one could refuse to eat or drink. But “they”, those with power over you, can just stick a feeding tube in you.
Svarga,
I suppose there is an acceptance curve at play – perhaps in line with the Kubler-Ross stages of grief. The guy I met was still in the anger stage. Will he progress to full acceptance (and maybe even gratitude for what life he has left) one day ? Because, as Stucky points out above, does he have a choice?
Maybe it’s like that Kung Fu “wisdom” video that was posted here the other day: the value of a vessel is its emptiness within that can be filled. But when we are full of ourselves…. only misery and pain over things that can’t be changed.
They will help you in Switzerland. Not sure how that works in the USA.
It’s Florida. I can’t recall where right now, but I’ve looked it up as I too have seen a few of these videos.
That was awesome. Thanks for posting Doug.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that corporate talent is not unique. There’s a lot of highly talented people out there happily going about their ‘mundane’ lives.
Their is a pile of this sort of thing in our little community. My oldest kid and his friends (many of them) are among them. They write their own music, play in local concerts and events and are preparing to launch EPs into the interweb.
I doubt many, if any any, will ‘go big’ but that’s a less a function of talent than it is of the right connections. And that’s ok. Like the folks in your video, they do it because they love it and it enriches the lives of the people around them.
I can honestly say that we’ve been absolutely blessed to have all of these young people in our lives and I’m not sure that fame or fortune would make their (or our) lives any richer.
Thank you, FM.
You wrote:
Actually, that may be the whole ball game right there
Lately, I’m in more of a ‘curse the darkness’ frame of mind.
A young guy got turned into a quadripeligic half a year ago and is all alone? I can understand him being an asshole.
What is this self-actualization nonsense? (It sounds jewish, and turns out it is.) How is a head attached to a useless body supposed to self-actualize?
“The body is very important. But the mind is more important than the body.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger
‘How is a head attached to a useless body supposed to self-actualize?’
Never will if he doesn’t try. That’s the point of self-actualization. Attitude determines your altitude. So does self pity and Jewphobia.
Biology determines most of your attitude. And I don’t know many animals in nature that thrive after having their neck broken.
“So does self pity and Jewphobia.”
lol wut
Honestly, Anon, I was looking at self-actualization as “to realize“; that is, one’s reality (i.e. truthful circumstances) in relation to oneself and combined with, perhaps, a desire to do better.
The guy is mean to the nurses but they never shot him. They had nothing to do with what happened to him. But they try their best everyday to take care of him.
It’s such an unfortunate situation.
That makes more sense. I’m not sure someone in that position can or should be expected to actualize anything, but I get it.
I have to admit, I could go either way on nurses. There are good ones. There are others that I would cuss out as well, even if I was at their ‘mercy’.
Day of the Pillow, I guess.
I’d rather light up a few rounds rather than curse those that are destroying this country . Every week or so more ammo is delivered . A new Bourbon too .
Practice folks,practice .
Columbia restaurant in the background, could be Siesta Key, FL