:talking to myself (again):

7.27.2005

Random Acts of Kindness

* I now realize that I had a post with the same heading. One bad thing about chemo is 'chemo brain'. I can remember someone's name that I met 30 years ago, but I couldn't tell you what I had for breakfast and one night I forgot how to spell one of kids name.
-at least I think he was my kid, he's still hanging around the house.


I seem to be on a new trend. I have been trying to practice RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) on a weekly basis if not more. They seem to be tied in with my chemo days too. Today, I paid for a woman's bus fare. I asked if she would mind if I paid for her (she may have thought I said do you want to get laid ~ha-ha) and she looked surprised and said 'sure' (maybe she meant the other thing?). I said that I try to something nice for someone that I don't know. A Random Acts of Kindness if you will. I didn't even engage her in conversation (which means I didn't make her talk to me). She tapped me on my shoulder when she was leaving the bus and she told me that I really made her day. That made mine too. The cost? 15 seconds of my time, the desire and courage to ask her (being that I look like I'd been beaten with cactus) and $2. Another time I was in the city, I tried to buy a cop breakfast, but they declined. Last week, I saw some hikers that were hiking the Appalacian trail and I stopped and got them some bottles of cold water. I've also bought cookies for a co-worker because she seemed to be having a rough day. I think her daughters had her up early and there is some guy at work that is always bothering her. Another time on my way to Gilda's, I bought a homeless man a sandwich and a water. I also always will give up my seat on a bus or subway to a woman. It amazes me how many times I see these young healthy looking young men (in their 20's) who do not offer their seat to a woman. It really annoys me. I want to grab them by their shirt collars, and punk slap the shit out of them, and then I want to take my knee and drive it right into their.. But I regress. And last week, the same day I gave the hikers some water, I stopped at McDonalds (I know, gross) and noticed that there was one of those little souped up, low ridin, spoilerladen, hot paintjobbin, cars that many of the young folk are driving these days. And you know what? He was parked right in front of McDonalds, taking up two parking spots apparently so no one would touch his precious little stupid car. So, being the mature, caring, RAK kind of guy I've become, when I came out with my cheese burger and fries, I proceeded to drive my car right behind his, open my cheese burger, remove a pickle (with ketchup) and gently fling it onto his back window. I wish I had my camera with me. The landing was perfect, the pale green complimented his purple car....
Oh, where was I?
Ah yes, Random Acts of Kindness.
I try to do them all of the time.
I love to see how people react, they don't expect it.

Mean People Suck!
(and so do people who take up 2 parking spaces)

8 Comments:

  • I would love to see that pickle photo. You need to carry your camera with you.

    Yes. We need to get this RAK thing going again. There is too much pain and rudeness in the world. I think I'll try to do RAK, too.

    By Blogger fugusashi, At July 27, 2005 10:09 PM  

  • Pickle flinger! What a nice man you are. I wish there were more of your kind.

    By Blogger Wendy, At July 28, 2005 1:27 AM  

  • You're awesome, Phil.

    By Blogger mr. schprock, At July 28, 2005 9:51 AM  

  • A man with a walker got on the bus ahead of me the other day and no one offered him a seat. I gave many people the stinkeye and put a pox on all their houses. When someone finally stood up (to exit, not out of kindness), I made sure no one got to the seat before the guy who needed it.

    I echo Mr. Schprock's sentiment!

    By Blogger Chloe, At July 28, 2005 12:53 PM  

  • That's great Chloe. I think it's a reflection of the times. I grew up (or was born) in the late 50's. It was a different would. You wouldn't mouth off to your folks, or teachers, or anyone older than you
    (except a sibling, of course)

    -Just for the record,
    I'm not 'Born Again' or a Jesus Freak*

    *not that there's anything wrong with that...

    By Blogger :phil:, At July 28, 2005 1:21 PM  

  • You are my hero for the day!

    Mean people DO suck and deserve all the pickle throwing in the world.

    I too practice RAK--well I did. Then honestly, I began to get my feelings hurt when people looked at me as if I were growing another head . . . being on my first cup of jo, I can't remember the details, but I've had a couple RAKs blow up in my face . . . if these thoughts surface, I'll come back--

    I know I just totally holding you in suspense . . .

    By Blogger SquirrleyMojo, At July 31, 2005 9:44 AM  

  • I'm on the edge of my seat....
    I'm always afraid people will think I'm either mental, or some kind of Jesus freak. I don't know what is worse ;-)

    By Blogger :phil:, At July 31, 2005 10:36 AM  

  • What a great post Phil. You are killing me with the pickle thing! Ha, at least he knew that someone noticed him that day!!!

    By Blogger Lillee, At August 22, 2005 12:43 PM  

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