Mission Day: 5

Hi there, and welcome back to Colin.Always. on this Friday, December 18, 2009. Today was my day off, and I enjoyed my day by sleeping in until 8:30 am, and then spent the day relaxing, cleaning, doing laundry, and preparing for Christmas.

Christmas. The word alone stirs many emotions within me -and I'm pretty sure most Americans. With that single word emotions of joy, hope, dreams, warmth, and laughter can be stirred within the heart. Yet, with that single word the feelings of stress, worry, anxiety, loneliness, and distance invade the brain.

For me, Christmas is almost a 50/50 split. Don't get me wrong, I L-O-V-E Christmas; I love the music, the time spent with loved ones, the joy of giving myself and things to those who mean the most to me. I also start stressing come mid-August.

I worry that I won't find the perfect gifts for everyone, I worry that I won't have the money to fund my ideas, and I worry about spending time with everyone that I want. I get anxious when it comes to balancing my work and preparing for the holiday. It gets very stressful for me trying to find the time to do all my shopping, do all my wrapping, and still trying to do all the extra stuff that piles up during the season at work.

Christmas is a time when all of creation loses their minds and forgets their manners as well.

Today, during one of my many errands, I had to stop by Ben Franklin -a local craft store- to get some ribbon and stuff for wrapping my presents. I am going very traditional this year, and I'm wrapping all my gifts in butcher paper, and using thick paper-based ribbon to set off each package. I will have to admit they are truly beautiful. Look for my on Facebook to see some pics. I'll post them when I'm done wrapping them all.

Anyways, I stopped by Bread Co. on my way to Ben Franklin to get my daily dose of Ice Tea. I ran in -leaving my car running- checked out and filled my cup and was back to my car in literally less than 4 minutes. Now bare in mind that I did park in an actual parking spot; yet I did leave my car running. So, as I come out to the lot I look both ways before I cross the street -like any good kid would do- and as I looked toward the direction of my car I see an older man standing in front of my car. I thought that maybe someone had hit my SUV and they were waiting till I came out to give me their information, than I thought that maybe someone was just getting into their car next time mine and I was overreacting.

Once I crossed over to my car I quickly learned that the complete opposite was happening. I pulled out my clicker to unlock my car -yes, I can leave my car running without the keys in it- and with the unlock of my car, my horn sounded, and the man standing next to my car turned to see who was coming toward him.

Without hesitation, without a split second, and without a single question, this guy starts screaming at me.

WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING LEAVING YOUR CAR RUNNING?
Excuse me?" I stated calmly.
WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST LEAVE YOUR CAR RUNNING ALL DAMN DAY WHILE YOU RUN ALL OVER TOWN?
Excuse me?" I stated a little less than calm
I DON'T KNOW WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE?!?
Well, my name is Colin Morrow. I'm 25 years old, haven't been screamed at in public since I can't remember when; and I just ran in for less than 5 minutes to get an Iced Tea at Bread Co. Thanks for watching my truck.
I WASN'T WATCHING YOUR CAR TO HELP YOU. I WAS WATCHING YOUR CAR TO SEE WHAT JACK ASS WAS LEAVING THEIR CAR RUNNING FURTHER POLLUTING THE EARTH BECAUSE THEIR TOO DAMN LAZY TO TURN A KEY.
Well, -I said as cool and calm as I have ever been- I appreciate your concern for the environment; but I don't appreciate you screaming at me like I'm a child over something so asinine as me leaving my car that I pay for, running on the gas, that I paid to put in the tank. I drive an SUV, yes, but I don't think me leaving it running for 3 extra minutes made a glacier shrink anywhere.
WELL THATS WHAT YOU....
Sir, I do not know you, and I'm sure you don't remember but I just told you my name was. So I'm going to get into my SUV that is nice and warm still and leave you standing here screaming like an idiot over something as dumb as 3 minutes of emissions from my car. I appreciate your interest and passion in the environment, but screaming to a complete stranger about your thoughts and beliefs is no way to stir feelings of conviction with anyone. So, if you don't mind I'm going to leave now. I hope you have a nice Christmas, and make your resolution for 2010 to stop screaming at people you've never met.

And with that, I got into my SUV -which was quite toasty- shut the door, kicked it in reverse, and made my way -less than 500 feet- to Ben Franklin on the other side of the shopping plaza.

So Day 5 may not count as "meeting" someone, but I definitely learned what he was passionate about. I didn't learn his name -nor do I think I care too- I don't know how old he is or where he is from. What I did learn is that he's passionate about, well...either global warming or air pollution, or air quality, or low emission vehicles, or...well hell; I don't really know what the little bastard was passionate about.

Day 5 was the day I met an ass wipe of a man who -unfortunately- rather just scream about his beliefs before learning where someone is coming from. If I had to guess I would say he was a Southern Baptist (and I can say that because I am one).

So, I'm not sure if this really counts as meeting a new person, but I do know it counts as meeting someone I don't really want to see again...for a while at least.

Thanks for tuning in tonight. This episode is posting a little bit late, and I do apologize. This is Colin.Always. saying: Remember: Just because you're passionate about it doesn't mean everyone else is. You catch more bees with honey than vinegar. So talk nice...not like a flaming ass hole in the middle of a parking lot.