Stream of Unselfconsciousness

[willtruncheon]

Comments

[warriorbard63]

I feel your pain. I recall having a conversation after a larp event with several people, among whom were a college teacher, a computer programmer and a med student. When they heard "prison guard", several in that circle looked as if they'd suddenly stepped in something unpleasant, while others looked slightly afraid, and one actually got a little too excited at the prospect. A job's a job. It's not the person. Labels suck. >sigh

[sothe]

Yup, I get the same reaction! When in a group of folks... (I tend to hang out with well educated artists, writers, poets, editors and such these days, as I am no longer actively Larping) and someone asks what i do for a living, and I say "I drive a fork-lift", the conversation does indeed slow down somewhat, and a few people drift away eventually. I guess cause I don't look like a fat old guy who drinks too much and dosen't shave, I am not up to their high expectations of what a fork-lift driver should be like

[dharklady]

Ha I face a slightly different problem where I say I am a theater lighting director for a concert hall and people just blink at me most of the time. But it's true. Our society loves labels and stereotypes. I'm in Kath's boat where Larping has really helped me be aware of my own and have (hopefully) gotten better about them.

[hariyos]

And you say, "I'm a mover," and everyone listening says "Oh..." in the same tone they'd use if you told them you were a child molester, and conversation grinds to a halt. Because suddenly, your choice of profession lowers your IQ by thirty points.

I just put down an offer on a house. Is it bad that I don't feel bad moving because I have a friend who's a mover, and I plan on calling him and asking to pay him to move me? I really hope that's not in the same category as looking at you like you're trash, because I don't think that.

By the way, we need to talk, because I am actually dead serious about the above. Like, I'm calling you right now.

[willtruncheon]

Shit, well, I guess you did call, and I wasn't there for whatever reason, according to caller ID. I'd be honored to move you and the bride. Let's talk about it, and we'll work out dates and such. Is it better for me to call you, or you to call me? My schedule is spotty, but I'm usually around by 8:30 most nights.

[willtruncheon]

Thanks Dan. Dude, is it hard to be so cool? Because you make it look easy.