Funny Lines From My Friends – No. 4
So …
There are still a lot of attorney buddies around here that I haven’t yet seen …
Or had the chance to toss out an ‘hola‘.
Though earlier today I was making my way back from court when I saw one of the attorneys in our circle of attorney friends …
A really kewl, funny guy that went to law school with Shaft and I.
In the past we’ve …
Hung out,
Golfed,
And mocked people.
Though in all fairness, he really didn’t do much of the mocking, that’s sort of my area of practice.
I’d seen him numerous times before I returned to my home court a few weeks ago,
Having ridden up the elevator with him in our parking garage more than once.
He never recognized me.
Anyways,
Last week he called Shaft after hearing the news and expressed his support …
Along with some good tidings and all,
Which was totally nice to hear.
So today …
When I saw him approaching me on the sidewalk,
I figured I’d make sure he recognized me …
“Hey !” I tossed his way, flashing the patented Amy-smile.
“Hi,” he responded with his own, even more friendly, big smile. However, he clearly had that look of non-recognition.
“Hey !” I said again with considerably more more emphasis on the “H” and staring him down while I prolonged the “eyyyyyyy“.
“HiiiiiIIIIIIIIIII !” He stuttered out, finally realizing who in the dork I was and expanding his friendly smile even more.
So we chatted briefly there on the sidewalk, where he reaffirmed his support and stated he was glad I was staying around …
And I gave him some grief for failing to recognize me the past few months when we ran into each other.
Of course, he deferred fault by asserting that I don’t look anything like I did before and gave me some nice compliments along the way.
Then as we were parting so he could make his way to court,
He uttered the totally amusing, funny line which got him mentioned here at AmyNews.com:
“Amy, I’m really happy for you and am so glad you’re finally happy. You look great … which is good, because frankly, those last few months, Joe was just looking really weird !“
Joe?
Maybe Amy looked a little the worse for wear at the time (three weeks out of surgery), (see above), but Joe? Is dead.
Long live Amy.
She rocks.
ghf
Who’s Joe???
How many times do you have to hear that Joe is gone?
THERE IS NO JOE!
‘Kenna
Yes, Joe did look a little freaky there near the end! And Amy, I’ve told you a down times – nobody is going to see Joe, you look so different! Your presentation is great!
Thank you for reminding us of that Tyler !
I’ll be thinking of you and please keep us updated.
I wish people were not so hung up on appearance. I was in Hot Springs, Virginia last weekend, attending a rather boring political workshop. On Saturday evening I had stopped by a local convenience store to pick up a few things before heading back to the hotel. There was a man loitering by the check-out counter. He wore tattered clothes, an old military raincoat and a knitted cap pulled far down over one side of his face.
Because of my background, I noticed the man’s injuries right away as those attributed to having part of one’s face shot away by a high velocity bullet. The red and cream colored scars that man so desperately tried to hide were probably gained in defense of our country either in Iraq or Afghanistan.
After a few moments of warming himself inside the store, the scarred man left. As I approached the counter, the lady there was having an active conversation with two other patrons, all of whom were clucking about how “creepy” that guy was, and how he was always around town making everyone feel uncomfortable.
I felt like slapping some sense into all of them, but restrained myself. I casually mentioned to the group that the fellow who had just been there was very likely a combat veteran who had been brutally scarred in battle. I told them that it was always an honor for me to meet men who had fought for our country and urged them to make a special effort to befriend that gentleman the next time that they saw him.
The change in the facial expressions of the other patrons was remarkable. They had never considered anything beyond the ugliness of the man’s appearance. One man offered that he had a cousin who had lost a leg in Vietnam, while another lady mentioned that her son was currently in Afghanistan.
Our society is so pathetically wedded to our perception of beauty. It is shameful how badly we ostracize those deemed to be ugly or creepy. Our literature is full of stories conseling against our prejudiced behavior, yet we always seem to continue making the same errors from our past; judging the book by its cover.
I urge all who read this to make a special effort to look into the eyes of those whom you would typically shun, especially during this Christmas season, and try and see beyond whatever scars, disfigurement or old age that you see on the outer shell of a person. Earnestly give to them the kindness that you typically give to the most beautiful and treasured among your friends. Your kindness will be returned to you ten fold and your goodwill may be the only kindness and warmth that these otherwise shunned citizens have felt in years.
I will be in Iraq in February. Should I return, scarred and with pieces missing, I will be prepared to be shunned by my fellow Americans; to be seen as “creepy” and to be avoided. However, I hope that at least a few of you will heed my words and will encourage our fellow citizens to work hard to see past the outer shell and to confer goodwill on everyone, even those of us who are deemed too old, ugly or disfigured.
Shalom,
Rabbi Tyler
I had and continue to have in many ways, so little self-confidence in my presentation, that it totally surprises me when people don’t see Joe as soon as they see me.
About two months before I transitioned I ran into someone I hadn’t seen in the six years years since high school. My beard was gone and I’d been on hormones six months. He babbled I looked to him as if I was five years younger than when he’d last seen me. He hadn’t been a good friend. It didn’t bother me to part with a smile and leave him bewildered.
I didn’t meet him, but I did get a snapshot of what was happening.
And Amy, Joe looked kinda wierd in July.