By Juan C. Ayllon Sometimes, I can be a real knucklehead. But, can't we all? Recently, I received shipment of heavy equipment strapped down on a wooden pallet. Working from home, I was dressed in a Polo shirt, shorts and sandals, and it occurred to me that it just might be a good idea to put on some solid shoes, but I dismissed it. Keeping one foot on a wheel, I tucked the ledge of my hand truck under one end, lifted and began rolling it forward. "Easy-peasy," I thought for a second. A moment later, my smugness vanished, as the 300 lb. load slipped backwards, slamming into the exposed little toe of my right foot! "OWWWWWWW!" [Radio edit], I said, jumping up and down on my left. Ever smash your toe into a bedrail? It felt like that, but worse! Thankfully, I managed to wheel the package safely inside, and although we wondered if there might be a fracture, it turned out to be merely a bad bruise. I limped around a few days and all was better. These days are fraught with tensions of all sorts -- social upheaval, violence, crime, COVID-19, job uncertainties, adapting to protective protocols, and more. There's no shortage of things to be serious and uptight about, no doubt, but why let that color everything? "Recently, I met up with an old friend for dinner. After enjoying a close friendship for over 20 years, we had a falling-out during a season that was particularly stressful for both of us. Fast forward several years, I ran into his wife at work several times and, at her prodding, agreed to this meeting. I figured bygones -- we made our mistakes, learned a few things, and were at a better place to re-connect. Easy-peasy.
I owned up to my end of the fallout and imagined laughing again like old times. "So, what are you going to do different?" he asked, shattering my reverie. Clearly, the fault wasn't one-sided but, looking to move forward, I offered that I'd grown from life's lessons and, as a result, was in a better place. Not so fast, was the general vibe I was getting, and after what felt like a job interview concluded, we did some pleasant catching up. His little girl was a senior in high school and making plans for college and Belle and I were looking forward to our third grandchild next month. Like my smashed toe, I felt all was better. So, it came to some surprise after I suggested meeting up once a month or so, he countered that we think and pray on it. That didn't sit well with me. I know that I can be a bit intense now and again, but I'm an honest, good-hearted man willing to own up to his mistakes and make amends when necessary. And with our history, he should know that. "We're just a couple guys getting together over a couple beers -- I mean, what's so complicated about that?" I told Belle after returning home. "It's not like we're dating!" Unbelievable. [Radio edit] Similarly, when I visit audio enthusiast forums, I am often astonished at how intense and heated people get when discussing a common passion. It's just audio gear and music! We should be having fun and enjoying a nice diversion. But, instead, some people make it so incredibly difficult to have a pleasant visit. News flash, folks: we're just a handful of people in a small niche getting together over a stereo or two. Yours may be bigger or way more expensive than mine. You might have a nuclear engineer's degree and money to burn. Who cares? At the end of the day, why make things more intense than need be? Relax, have a laugh or two, and enjoy, rather than decry, the diversity. Put your feet up and soak in the good! There'll be plenty of angst and acrimony to go round when you return to the world's fray -- trust me on that! Peace out.
3 Comments
Brian Huempfner
8/28/2020 03:19:17 pm
Thank you Juan. I needed that!
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8/28/2020 03:52:39 pm
You're very welcome, Brian! Have a good weekend, my friend.
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Bill Anderson
9/11/2020 10:03:18 pm
Thank you for your thoughts. Especially the part about the differences in what we can afford and how that can bring out snobbery in this hobby. That was one of my worries when I recently joined. But after I read this, I feel so much better, and actually welcome here.
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Juan C. AyllonA writer, artist, educator and owner of Prairie Audio Man Cave, he lives with his wife, Isabel (AKA Belle), and their Goldendoodle, Liam, enjoys listening to high fidelity music and all things hi-fi at their home in the greater Chicagoland area.. Archives
March 2024
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