Whatever else you were, you’ve always been a storyteller. The fake Scottish kid was a story that you made up and then acted it out in real life. I was a short order cook at a lunch and breakfast place in Estes Park, Colorado when I was 19. I lied and told them I could cook, and I sort of got away with it. Before that I was a bus boy and dishwasher at a 24 hour pancake house in Brockton, Massachusetts. Restaurant work is shitty work, but the people are often incredibly decent, especially since they generally are pretty poor themselves, and often funny or interesting. The quality of the people is what makes life bearable in those jobs. And there is a feeling of satisfaction when you get through a major rush and get everybody fed and get them all out the door and get the place cleaned up, it’s like you fought a battle together. I don’t miss any of that, but the stress and psychological misery of much of the other parts of my working life is actually worse in many ways. Also, restaurant work, you get home, you clean up, and it’s done. You don’t carry the weight and worry of it with you all the time.
I never went back and I don't remember enough to try even if I wanted to track them down. Honestly, I paraphrased half that memory because I remember the overall experience but not necessarily every little detail
The movie is worth the watch, but I think you’d be better off reading the book--specifically the original version that has one final chapter left out of the first U.S. publishing (and subsequently the movie).
If you get the chance to watch it do it, Kubrick was seriously a genius (he is a personal hero of mine) and at the end of it all you realize you can't change someone no matter how much you try. You are who you will be no matter what.
Nowadays, it's called Starbucking around. When I was driving over-the-road, I would stop at WH for a cheap but edible meal much better than the regular fast food garbage. Great story.
I ken ye were a weirdo, didna expect ta be the same clan of weirdo 🍻 The days without slipping into an accent are few and far between for me... Also suddenly craving Waffle House... 🤤
A few years back there were rumors of a fake Irishman (or “bludy hai paitch pixie”, as I would say) working at an Irish-themed bar in my town. It drew a fair amount of local interest, including a few newspaper articles. I have no idea why he perpetrated such a hoax, but maybe he was a huge fan of The Boondock Saints. I can’t imagine being a fake Irish bartender leads to vast riches
BTW, Rob Roy is far superior to Braveheat in the “fighting men in kilts” movie category. “Honor is a man’s gift to himself”
Whatever else you were, you’ve always been a storyteller. The fake Scottish kid was a story that you made up and then acted it out in real life. I was a short order cook at a lunch and breakfast place in Estes Park, Colorado when I was 19. I lied and told them I could cook, and I sort of got away with it. Before that I was a bus boy and dishwasher at a 24 hour pancake house in Brockton, Massachusetts. Restaurant work is shitty work, but the people are often incredibly decent, especially since they generally are pretty poor themselves, and often funny or interesting. The quality of the people is what makes life bearable in those jobs. And there is a feeling of satisfaction when you get through a major rush and get everybody fed and get them all out the door and get the place cleaned up, it’s like you fought a battle together. I don’t miss any of that, but the stress and psychological misery of much of the other parts of my working life is actually worse in many ways. Also, restaurant work, you get home, you clean up, and it’s done. You don’t carry the weight and worry of it with you all the time.
Another great story. You are on a roll!
This did not disappoint! Awesome people.
They really were
You were blessed in that mess for sure. Have you ever tracked them down? The owner was awesome.
I never went back and I don't remember enough to try even if I wanted to track them down. Honestly, I paraphrased half that memory because I remember the overall experience but not necessarily every little detail
You were quite the rascal. I bet you have a lot of unique experiences.
Just like how someone can work towards and choose a quiet and secluded life, so too is the opposite true if that's your aim.
I was a bit of a rascal in my youth but pale in comparison. I'd rather stay the straight and narrow these days and am blessed to wake up everyday.
Love Waffle House. Cheese eggs with raisin toast. 😋. Great story.
The game of survival takes many paths. God put you on one & now look where you are. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
LMFAO funny as f**k! Yeah the games people play in the Game of Life.
Your teen game reminds me of Malcolm McDowell and his gang of Droogs in Clockwork Orange.
I'm aware of it because it's a cult classic but I've never actually seen it. Don't judge me too harshly
It’s worth watching, Ride.
It was ahead of its time and shows incarceration indeed…
Me an ex-con judge another real ex-convict with conviction?
Nada I respect You J. Coleman.
If you get past the first 30 minutes of the movie, which is pretty twisted, the rest of it is profound.
I watched it at a party one time. The freaky ass goth people liked the debauchery and what not. They missed the entire point of the movie. 😂🤣
I think I might have to track it down and give it a watch. I'm sure that Amazon channel thing has it
The movie is worth the watch, but I think you’d be better off reading the book--specifically the original version that has one final chapter left out of the first U.S. publishing (and subsequently the movie).
Good looking out
If you get the chance to watch it do it, Kubrick was seriously a genius (he is a personal hero of mine) and at the end of it all you realize you can't change someone no matter how much you try. You are who you will be no matter what.
How is it our paths can be so different, but your stories are so relatable?
Great story! New subscriber here. Your life is a bestseller I’m thinking.
Thank ya darlin'
Nowadays, it's called Starbucking around. When I was driving over-the-road, I would stop at WH for a cheap but edible meal much better than the regular fast food garbage. Great story.
We clearly have frequented different Waffle Houses if your experience could be defined as “edible”.
Hey, be nice. I dropped very little of what I was cooking.
In retrospect it wasn’t that it was inedible it was more what it did to you after you ate it that was the issue.
How you gonna be ready for post apocalypse food if you're not practicing at a Waffle House now?
If post apocalypse cooking is like Waffle House it will be like the Oregon Trail...you have died of dysentery.
If this isn’t storytelling at its greatest, what is…
I appreciate that
Haha!! You’re the Harry Crews of up north 😎. Great read
I had to look that name up. You mean the writer?
Yes
Thank you
You win.
I always do even when I don't 😎
May the Good Lord take a liking to you, as many of us here in Substack have.
That's a good one, J.
Of all accents, you picked Scottish? I can do some, but that's nae one I could pull off.
Funny.
That movie put it into my head. I used to practice saying "worm"- W'rm, over and over to get into the mode before walking in each time.
Came back. Glad I did. Lovely chunk of memory.
I ken ye were a weirdo, didna expect ta be the same clan of weirdo 🍻 The days without slipping into an accent are few and far between for me... Also suddenly craving Waffle House... 🤤
A few years back there were rumors of a fake Irishman (or “bludy hai paitch pixie”, as I would say) working at an Irish-themed bar in my town. It drew a fair amount of local interest, including a few newspaper articles. I have no idea why he perpetrated such a hoax, but maybe he was a huge fan of The Boondock Saints. I can’t imagine being a fake Irish bartender leads to vast riches
BTW, Rob Roy is far superior to Braveheat in the “fighting men in kilts” movie category. “Honor is a man’s gift to himself”
https://youtu.be/g28pOEo0OKE?si=WSwI-B0i__bgSBhG
A natural born survivor and entertainer. Brilliant story Justin. Keep them coming 💪😂