Hi Don!

Hello to anybody else who's reading this.

I took a job with the Transportation Security folks (USA, for those outside the united 50 on this side of the world - - And a special **THANK YOU** to all NON- Americans for not being AS- er, . . . . . difficult. You know what security is about. We're still hoping we're isolated from the need, and that all 'this' is just over reaction . . .).

Anyway,

I've been trying to integrate the various facets of my persona fora very long time. What I get from others is definitely opposed to my view of myself.

I seem to have a choice of "occupations" I could pursue, and perform with some excellence. Training and education is just the "dues" to be paid. No sweat. (What I mean is that I've discovered a bunch of stuff that, if I want to, I could do it.)

Yeah, yeah, it sounds like some boasting - - Tough! It aint! I'd just like to find that activity that sparks my passion. I want the thing that I can do, everyday, 15 hours or so everyday, and never feel like I'm working, or that feels like I must satisfy some "rule" or "need" in somebody else to believe I'm fulfilling it. And I need to feel like what I'm doing is useful, both to me and to others.

So, this job was so different from any other experience I've had, both in tasks and in structure, that I thought I might get a clue about who I REALLY am, and why God has me here.

And I DID! (BTW, this particular job aint it. It falls in the category of "in the meantime.")

Jeez!

I know now, without a shadow of doubt, that I'm a "people person."

Trite phrase to be sure, but accurate. I'm approaching airline passengers everyday - - some with issues, others with attitudes and a few stomp down 'yo-mama-shoulda-beat-yo-ass-long-time-ago' idiots - - and when they leave me, they're smiling, thanking me, and commenting on how much they appreciate what "we're" doing. (WE aint all doing it. I provoked the comment. But what the hell.)

I'm writing these experiences down, and I'm annotating my observations with stuff that's happened to me in the past, and finding correlations to these new experiences.

To be honest, all that recording is for me. And a good bit of my motivation for doing so is just the act of doing it . . .

I want to analyze all that stuff and finally put together what that "thing" is that makes me believe I'm not a "people person" (gimme my damn computer and leave me alone!), and all that stuff that points in the opposite direction.

My inclination is to keep writing, and I will. You guys just won't get to read it, yet!

Had to say hello, Don, and to you Dien, this is my first stop when I fire up the old modem.

And I didn't forget you Boyd. Hope all is well . . .

Marye