Do You Want Scorn With That?

Most people, I think, would consider me to be a pretty nice guy--polite, respectful, attentive. Just maybe not some of my customers in the bookselling world. Especially at the holiday madness time of year. A body, or at least this body, can only take so many obscure questions shouted out when I'm in the middle of gift wrapping a book for an impatient yuppie. Sometimes the professional facade cracks, the defensive smartass emerges, and innocent blood is spilled. I come off looking like an asshole and my store earns a reputation for rudeness. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's been happening for nearly two decades. I laugh about it and I feel guilty. Some people love me, some people want to throw coffee in my face (but put a lid on it in my store, please! You think these books are liquid proof?)

Thank heavens for Al Green, Albert Ayler and other artists whose first names begin with "A" (Al "Pistol Packin' Mama" Dexter, Aaron Neville) who've come up on the iPod over the past two days--especially ecstatic Albert Alyler. Holy man, listen to "Spirits Rejoice" or "Live in Greenwich Village" and imagine the rapture of your choosing. I think I'll make the song "Spirits Rejoice" my funeral march music. The funeral may be coming sooner than later if I can't keep my tart tongue quiet.