Night Thoughts

October, 2006

The Sweetest Revenge

Even in a place like San Diego—the 7th largest city in the nation—it can be difficult to find a meal after 10 p.m. My husband, Rich, who works that late, occasionally without time for dinner, knows all of the places within a few miles of our home where he can get a bite to eat after he finishes “the daily miracle,” as he calls the publication he edits.

Among that selection, one is a stand out because it has an appetizer menu a mile long (he doesn’t usually want a full meal at that hour) and it’s right on his way, less than a mile from our house. Since he rediscovered this restaurant several years ago, he’s become particularly good friends with one of the employees, Brad, as have I. Brad even came to our wedding. (He was the one in the sparkly Elton John suit, if you were there.)

Brad is one of those guys who knows a little (and sometimes much more) about a lot of things, which makes him a great conversationalist. In his 13 years at Rich’s late-night haunt, Brad developed quite a following of regular people, but he’s also served his share of celebrities and sports figures. Because San Diego’s football and (until recently) baseball stadium is not far from the restaurant, sports officials regularly stopped by, and they all knew Brad.

Earlier this year, Brad developed a shoulder injury from repetitive motion in his job. He ended up on medical leave for months as he sought treatment and therapy. Finally, two months ago, he was released to return to work.

What did the owner say? “Welcome back, Brad.” “We’ve missed you.” “So many people have asked about you.”

Nah.

Instead, he told Brad, “You cost us a lot of money while you were gone.” And then said the only shift available was four hours on Sunday evenings—not the best time to make money in the restaurant business.

But Brad, who’s 50 with a wife and two sons, hung in there. The owner wouldn’t promise anything, yet he alluded to additional shifts if Brad would wait it out.

Although the employer clearly was not showing Brad much loyalty, Brad’s integrity was stronger than that guy's unfaithfulness toward him. So Brad waited. He eagerly snapped up shifts offered by vacationing employees and helped out when people were sick.

Still, he was not scheduled for any more than his single four-hour shift. The owner’s hollow excuses and mistreatment wore Brad down. So, reluctantly and with what I think was a great deal of anxiety, he began to put out feelers for other opportunities.

After a few weeks, Brad heard about an established restaurant in a funky midtown neighborhood that needed someone to head up their new late-night dining service. It sounded like a potentially good fit.

But leaving his home base after 13 years was not a no-brainer for Brad. He would be launching a new endeavor in an unknown environment—a make or break situation. Should he take the chance or would it be better to play it safe and hold tight for that promise of more shifts? What would you do?

Brad made the leap. On Wednesday, he started his new gig. Rich and I stopped in to see him. He looked a bit disoriented as he sorted out where to find supplies and how to work the cash register, but I sensed a real spirit change in him. The uncertainty anyone would have in a new job was there for sure, but underneath that thin layer, satisfaction shone through. He was excited to be on an adventure.

I’ve watched Brad progress through this experience with a sense of déja vu. When my job of 10 years ended last year, my former employer—who didn’t bother to shake my hand on my last day—led me to believe I would have future work with the company. When that didn’t pan out, I surveyed my options and, like Brad, chose the most dangerous path, which in my field is freelancing. But also like Brad, I’ve been told I ooze a different kind of self-satisfaction these days.

Scripture says vengeance lies in the hands of the Lord. Well, I can’t speak for Brad but I will admit I was feeling pretty vengeful (and guilty about it) when my loyalties were walked on. Then it occurred to me that this whole thing had a purpose. By getting kicked in the pants, I was forced to seek my bliss. And now I think I’ve found it—and I’m hoping Brad has, too.

So instead of vengeance, I have one word for my former employer: thanks.

(Memo to God: Do what you need to do about that vengeance thing—I’m staying out of it!)

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October 28, 2006 | 0 Comments | View or add comments
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The Wow Report

Who do you think said the following?

“I love my Church, and I'm a Catholic who was raised by intellectuals, who were very devout. I was raised to believe that you could question the Church and still be a Catholic. What is worthy of satire is the misuse of religion for destructive or political gains. That's totally different from the Word, the blood, the body and the Christ. His kingdom is not of this earth.”

I’ll give you three guesses...anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Try Stephen Colbert. Yes, THAT Stephen Colbert, the one on Comedy Central with his show “The Colbert Report” (pronounced col-BEAR re-POR).

I will admit I have a crush on Stephen Colbert in a “gee, I wish I were that smart” kind of way. If you haven’t seen it, his show is sort of a parody on those big-time news programs. At the top of the show, he gives dramatic teasers about the day’s stories from his huge, brightly lit studio desk, which is shaped in a C. When he leaves his desk to interview guests, he stops in front of the audience and bows dramatically, then raises his hands in self-admiration while they wildly applause, whistle and hollar. And laugh.

When I first started watching “The Colbert Report” on a friend’s tout, I thought the show was all for fun. Like on “The Daily Show”—where Colbert got his start—this program flashes TV clips and pokes fun at the missteps of politicians and other notables. Also like on “The Daily Show,” Colbert does taped interviews with politicians, resulting in varying degrees of hilarity. (I can’t figure out why politicians agree to be interviewed by him, and then why they take him seriously. They do know he’s a comedian…right?)

But as funny as I think Colbert is with all of the above, he sucker-punches occasionally on topics that aren’t so amusing. For example, one night on an occasional feature he calls Point/Counterpoint, where he argues with himself (you have to be there), he debated embryonic stem cell research. At first the display was comical. But as he continued, I could hear laughter replaced by nervous twitters from the studio audience because his con side was seriously beating down his pro side—with great arguments straight from Christian teaching.

This side of Colbert also can be seen when he interviews authors or celebrities in the last segment of his show. Because he jokes so much of the time, guests are caught off guard when he asks a serious question, albeit with that sweet smirk on his face. I’ve seen him do it again and again—and every time it’s like a shotgun going off. I think I’ve audibly said, “Wow!” at least a dozen times while watching “The Colbert Report.”

Now that I am a Colbert devotee, I wasn’t surprised to see the above quote attributed to him. I’m a big fan of satirists and comics, but I’ve always dreaded those cringing moments when they blast Christianity. Jon Stewart is respectful of Jesus followers most of the time, but Bill Maher is close to joining Penn Jillette in the “I hate Christians” column. And that’s too bad, because Maher has some great things to say about politics and society.

But Colbert…here is a guy who readily admits to teaching Sunday school and loving Christ but can apply his biting humor in a way that not only enlightens others about Christianity, it enlightens Christians about Christianity. He lets Christians laugh without worrying about what’s next, yet he doesn’t coddle us. His stuff is thought-provoking, educational, intense—and still funny. There is nothing like it.

Penn Jillette is a scheduled guest for “The Colbert Report” next week! I get chills just thinking about it. Set your TiVo now.

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October 26, 2006 | 0 Comments | View or add comments
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Random Thoughts...

Get one of Peter Cincotti’s CDs. He’s like Harry Connick, Jr. -- but better.

I don’t like those people who stand in front of the grocery store and want me to sign things. I feel bad saying no, as if I’m too busy and important. It makes me dread the gauntlet just to pick up some bread or milk.

And we all thought the Amish were so out-of-touch! What a lesson on forgiveness they taught us “English” folks. I nominate them to be the spokespeople for Christianity instead of the Jim Dobsons and Pat Robertsons of the world.

How long until some college kids form a rock band called the Dead Yankee Pilots?

Why do people dislike Joy Behar on the The View? She seems to be the most “normal” of that group in my opinion. But if you ask people who they like least on The View, it’s always Joy.

If I’m ever caught doing anything really bad, you can reach me at rehab. Evidently that’s how you clean your slate in this society.

How many former and current generals, politicians, authors, think tank-ers and others need to say the Iraq war needs to stop before someone stops it? President Bush says he will stay with it even if no one agrees with him. Remind me, wasn’t he elected as a representative of the people, or did he become a dictator along the way? I admire his confidence, but at some point one has to acknowledge the advice of those with more wisdom.

Desperate Housewives is so much better this season than last. It makes me wonder as a writer how that show’s writers got back to the cleverness of Season One. Or did they bring in new blood?

Why do young celebrities always have babies so early in their relationships or marriages? I don’t know many people who do that in the “real world.” Does having money allow one to throw caution to the wind? Or do they need that new life to help cement their shaky unions?

I’m glad I found out how disgusting Penn and Teller’s views on Christianity are before I paid money to see their show. I didn’t know about that until recently.

Why isn’t Diet Canada Dry Ginger Ale sold in SoCal when it’s sold everywhere else in the U.S.? My friends have to bootleg it for me from Arizona.

Memo to my Buffalo friends: the next time you ask me how I can deal with not seeing the seasons change every year, I’ll remind you of your early October snowstorm. As I’m sitting on my patio working on my tan.

Esquire is the best magazine. I am amazed at how they can come up with so many interesting topics month after month. It’s allegedly a men’s magazine but I read it cover to cover. I wish they would stop the scantily-clad girl pictures, though.

Ohio State vs. Michigan is going to be the best football game of the season.

I’ve liked every age I’ve been as an adult. And I’m hoping that doesn’t change after the big 4-0 in February!


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October 19, 2006 | 0 Comments | View or add comments
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