HERE TO HELP

We’re already well into the new year, but some folks haven’t yet declared resolutions for the coming months. Sometimes these individuals work so hard that they fail to get around to setting new personal goals. Other people believe themselves to be perfect and, therefore, see no reason to change. For those without direction for the coming year, I want to be of service; following are some suggestions for self-improvement work. No one needs to thank me for compiling the list because I know how appreciative he or she will be.

First, folks might choose to work on correctly using the pronouns of the English language. As I’ve preached before, the use of “I” after a preposition is a sure sign that a person is deficient in his

understanding of the English language. Some might ask, “What is a preposition?” Such words as “for,” “between,” “with,” and “from” are examples of that part of speech. During the use of a prepositional phrase, I can give an easy way to decide when to use “I” or “me.” In the sentence, “The other students can eat after you and I,” determine if the “I” is correct by using it by itself: “The other students can eat after I.” Try another one: “The gifts were for you and I.” Does it sound correct to say, “The gift was for I?” If the answer is “no,” replace “I” with “me.” See how simple choosing and using the correct pronoun can be?

I suggest that some drivers work on their skills. Perhaps some folks who pilot cars along the Interstates will choose to drive a bit closer to the speed limit. The rest of us who share the highway

will feel safer if speeders refrain from hitting 90 mph. A few drivers might work on their driving manners. That means they don’t tailgate others who are driving the speed limit; it also might mean they stop zooming down the right lane and then swerving in front of a line of cars in the passing lane.

Here’s another suggestion for a goal. Let’s have people resolve from now on to cover their mouths when they sneeze or cough. I’ve seen plenty of high school students lean back and then sneeze in the classroom. They make no effort to cover the sneeze, and it rockets plenty of yucky stuff into the air. Others cough as if they are ill with distemper. These ill ones rarely cover their mouths, so any terrible things are aimed at the closest individuals. Before long, an entire office or classroom is filled with sick folks. Simple acts can prevent others from being infected.

I watched a commercial on television the other night. A dad and daughter were on a camping trip, and for breakfast, the dad was eating a bowl of cereal. That seemed odd in itself, but what I noticed most was the way the man ate. He held his spoon and shoveled the food into his mouth. Too many

people use spoons and forks in a similar way. If I’d tried to “shovel” my food during a meal when I was a child, my mother would have corrected such an action with kick in the pants or smack to the side of my head. Maybe folks could visit YouTube to learn the proper way to hold a fork, spoon, and knife.

These are just a few suggestions for folks who haven’t had time to develop resolutions. They are simple ones to work on and require minimal effort. Not only will individuals feel a sense of accomplishment but others also will appreciate the change in behaviors. As I said earlier, no one needs to thank me for making these recommendations; it’s the least I can do to help others with whom I share this world. I’m here to help.

WHOLE LOT OF CHANGES GOING ON

I’m sometimes awed by the differences that exist in this world compared to the one that existed just ten years ago. That’s how long ago it has been since I retired from the teaching.  I swore when I left that I would never return, another instance where I’ve had to eat my words. So much has changed in the world in which we live, and sometimes I feel as if I don’t belong.

Cell phones are like cockroaches. They are everywhere, but unlike the bugs, kids can’t keep their hands off them. Even when I give instructions to put them away, students sneak them out. The new earbuds can be hidden behind long hair so that students can listen to music. Their thumbs glide across the screen as they send text messages to fellow students, parents, or sweethearts.

The last year I taught, few students had phones. They weren’t allowed to be out during school, and if they were, teachers confiscated them and turned them into the office. On the second offense, parents had to come to school to pick up the phones from the office. Continued violations could lead to the phones being taken for the rest of the term. Students have tablets now. They are streamlined and lightweight; kids can easily carry them in book packs. Unlimited space is available for storing documents, videos, and games, and simple thumb drives offer more space than older computers ever had. Smart boards are used in classrooms and can project notes from a teacher, videos, and sound.

When I left teaching, computers were bulky. The towers sat on the floors or on desk tops. The

machine took up most of the desk. Only the most fortunate people owned laptops. As for teaching, classrooms were just being equipped with whiteboards to replace chalkboards. Perhaps one or two special teachers had primitive smart boards. Projecting things required an overhead projector, and the bulb blinded teachers and burned out quickly. Grades were stored in gradebooks and then transferred to computer programs that demanded too much work.

Doors are locked everywhere in schools. Security is tight with good reason. Too many attacks on children occur each year, and those who would do harm many times come from the outside. Schools practice lockdowns, and students know exactly what to do during those dry runs.

We had a couple of fire drills and a tornado drill each year. The windows shades were opened, and

the classroom doors were unlocked. School wasn’t the first choice to visit daily for kids, but at least is was a safer environment. Sure, fist fights occurred, and every so often, classrooms were under lockdown as the police brought in dogs to search locker bays and cars for drugs. However, the daily fear of an attack didn’t exist.

What does console me is the fact that high school students haven’t changed all that much. They still enjoy the time they have with friends. Many of them arrive at school half asleep and grunt at each other or parents who drop them off at the front door. The snarls on their faces remain as they enter classrooms. Teens still roll their eyes at adults when they tell corny jokes or come up with clever puns. During class breaks and lunches, those sleepy-eyed, ill-tempered beings transform into happy, energetic folks who seem to thrive off contact with their peers.

I still don’t miss the routine of teaching. Burn out came after 30 years, and I’m just not interested in going back to the daily grind. Still, I can enjoy reacting with kids in small amounts. Their excitement, energy, and love of life always make me feel a little younger and livelier.  I only wish I understood the new things that they consider parts of daily life.

COMCAST RUN AROUND

Everyone is wary of monopolies. They set the rules by which we must play, and if we don’t like it, that’s tough. The larger the bite from the consumer pie a corporation takes, the less power customers have to combat poor service or outrageous pricing. I had another run in with one of those businesses the week before Christmas.

Amy and I had decided to have an Internet connection installed in our condo in Gallatin. I contacted customer service to set up an appointment. As soon as the phone call went through, troubles began. I  

spoke with an individual who lived in another country. The woman struggled with the English language, and that caused the entire situation to last twice as long.

I explained to the woman that we would not be at the condo until the following Saturday. She replied that she’d checked the address already and that it was pre—wired and the signal was strong there. She further told me that I could purchase my own modem and install it myself, thereby avoiding an installation fee.

I thought that all was settled until the next day when I received notice from UPS that a package was to be delivered at the condo by Thursday. Immediately, I called Comcast to have them stop the shipment since no one would be there to accept it until Saturday. Another representative who also spoke only broken English argued with me about the delivery until I told her that that I wanted to speak with a supervisor. She told me that I would have to wait up to an hour, so I hung up.

Upon arrival at our place in Gallatin, I discovered that our neighbor had taken the UPS package in because it was left leaning on a locked gate on the patio. I began the process of installation and followed the instructions given. Then, I called Comcast and gave the confirmation number that would have the Internet connected. After several tries, a third person from customer service, yes yet another individual who struggled with the English language, told me that a problem existed and that I would need to schedule a service technician’s call. He then told me that not only was the first available appointment on December 31 but that Comcast also would charge me $60.00. I asked what the charge was for, and he told me that it was for a “failed self-installation.”

That angered me, especially since I relied on the information from the company that the signal was up and running and ready for installation. After more arguing, I told the individual on the other end of the phone to cancel the appointment and order. He informed me that a charge would be placed for doing that. I exploded,

“You are charging me for cancelling service on an order where no service was provided!”

I eventually spoke with supervisor who was polite but offered no relief. So, we spent the holidays with no Internet nor cable. Oh, we survived, but that’s not the point. I placed an order with a company

and expected to receive the services for which I’d contracted. Instead, I received no services, no assistance, and no remedy. Comcast will try to charge me for something; I’m sure of that much. However, I will not pay that bill. What is even sadder to me is the fact that I’ve been a Comcast customer for more than 20 years.

I would drop Comcast and the services it provides right now except that changing my email address will be an impossible task. I am waiting for Verizon to complete its fiber optics installation, and then I will tell Comcast that they can forever kiss my…foot! Until then, I’ll take books to Gallatin or find some restaurant that airs games. Still, I’m so disgusted with dealing with companies that don’t care and customer service reps who can’t provide help because they don’t speak the language well enough.

LESSONS LEARNED

The New Year is here. I have listened to talk show hosts spout their resolutions for the coming months. I’ve read plenty of the same thing on social media sites. Well, I’m not promising anything to myself. Instead, I’m going to follow the lead Reverend Larry Dial presented during his sermon on Sunday. My goal is to try to remember what I’ve learned over the past year.

First, I learned that I can once again live in the same house with someone other than my dear wife. My son Dallas returned to Knoxville after 15 years in Chattanooga. He decided a job change was in order and found a position and opportunity with an excellent company.

For now, he’s living with us. Little by little, Dallas is emptying his condo in Chattanooga, and before long, the place will be ready for the market. Dallas will then find his own new home. Until then, he will stay here with his dog Harvey. I am working on patience and flexibility, although my son might say I’m more invested in griping and demanding.

Another lesson deals with Amy’s job. The last few years have been a roller coaster for her. She’s worked temporary jobs and permanent ones, but until now, they’ve been poor fits for her. Now she is with a company that values her skills and experience. I’ve witnessed just how much life’s pressures ease when Amy is comfortable in her work. She is a happier and more grateful person. I know now just how important it is to me that my best friend’s life is in good shape.

I’ve also learned to adapt to my own work situation. For a year and a half, I taught English at a vocational school. The job ended when those in charge axed the program. So, I returned to substitute teaching. Yes, I know at one time I declared I’d never take such a job, but I’ve found many advantages. Among them are the abilities to set my own work schedule and work sites. The best thing about the job is that I’ve made new friends at the schools where I work. In fact, they’ve welcomed me and made me feel as if I were one of them.

In 2018, I learned a hard lesson. I’m not able to do what I used to do. That means I can’t work outside all day without being exhausted. Now, I’m good for about a half a day before places start to ache rest is required. Projects take much longer to complete, and I’m not nearly so “picky” about the little things involved in them. Of more interest are such things as sitting by the pool, reading a book, or zoning out while watching the television.

One thing I have re-learned is that God is certainly good. Through all the ups and downs of life, He is there just waiting for relationship. The good lord has led Amy and me through some of the toughest times in our 44-year marriage. On occasion, I’ve been madder than a hornet with Him, but that hasn’t kept God from keeping me safe and leading me in the direction that is best for my life. I realize even more than before that the more faith I have, the more my life aligns itself with positive things and experiences. It’s comforting.

I am curious what this year will teach me. My job is to be alert and receptive to those lessons and to understand the importance of them. I suppose I’m saying that all of life is filled with teaching moments, but they click only when we open our minds and hearts to them.