Month: August 24, 2011

I recently got a text that asked if I was still recording and my initial thought was, “Music? Other people’s music? My own?” Hours later I realized the question was likely about the recorder that’s in my pocket 24 hours a day.

I’m not the only one who forgets, though. I have conversations all the time that probably wouldn’t happen if the person thought about it. This is good for the project, good for my potential career as a blackmailer of poor people, maybe not so good for people who confide in me. Don’t worry, I won’t put anything about that growth on your foot in my songs.

“I’m not trying to be sexist but guys can go whenever they want while girls gotta finish up early.”

This was the conversation I picked up today between two guys outside of City College. Interpret it however you like but what they were talking about starting college late. There were numerous other contradictions spoken (ie. “Yeah, no more partying for me; I’ve been taking school seriously. I’ll talk to you later though, I’m already late for class.”) but this is the one that caught my attention because it has the potential to do the most damage.

When people start sentences off with this type of disclaimer, it almost always seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy. This guy may have thought that he pre-emptively cleared himself of accusations of sexism but he still said something sexist. It makes me wonder how often this is used by people who are too naive to realize what they’re saying and how often it’s used to preface something that can honestly be taken multiple ways without context. I guess I’ll find out.

Being an asshole that is.

Yesterday I recorded my co-worker being unnecessarily berated by a customer. This person was buying a set of headphones and discovered that the price was wrong at the register. My co-worker immediately checked, found that the tag was expired, and explained how she was still going to give the customer the discounted price. He then proceeded to verbally attack her as if she was trying to trick him. She repeatedly explained how crazy he was being but he insisted on complaining, even telling my manager that we had a “dummy” working for us.

Obviously, this guy had an extreme case of paranoia and/or an inferiority complex. It made me wonder what he would think if I played the recording back for him. How often is someone recorded while being a dick? I don’t think I’ve ever listened to myself being an asshole; would being continued by such a thing be enough to force a change in bad behavior? It’s not like anyone is rationalizing being an asshole–it’s more of a knee-jerk thing. I’m curious to see if I’ll become a better person once I started sifting through a year of my own personal communications.