reception data
While at work this evening, I discovered that Erin hurt herself (dislocated shoulder) while at work Friday night. Once my shift ended, I took a bus and then transferred to Main Street North to go visit her. I hear about her dislocation experience in more detail and then we caught up, since our paths haven’t crossed lately as much as should be desired or demanded. I left her place around 12:15 am, I suppose it was.
Starting my walk back to campus, easily a 20-minute expedition, I began building a midnight craving for ice cream. Our conversation, too, had inspired the sympathetic urges common to appear when you’re discussing the many questions that plague you day in and day out. So ice cream seemed appropriate. I started towards Wendy’s. When I arrived, the lobby area was locked but the drive-thru was still available. I walked up to it and waited for a car to get through. I read a sign at the menu area saying if you are unable to use the communicator then please go directly to the window. Thus, I waited for 4 cars for a total of about 8 minutes. When I got to the window I said I just wanted to order a Frosty. The guy said he couldn’t accept walk throughs (walk thru’s?). I then mentioned the sign on the menu board. He said it didn’t exist. I shrugged and walked off. Service these days.
I then went towards Taco Bell because I recall seeing commercials while in the gym that highlighted how late Taco Bell was open. Well, both their lobby and drive-thru were closed. Figures. They can have their microwaved menu, for all I care (which is very little, might I add).
At this point, there wasn’t much option left. But I saw a McDonald’s sign nearby. I’ve never eaten there, but my steps were pointed in the general direction of a red-yellow glow emanating from behind a few trees oh-so-many yards off. Frankly, apart from a few Subway stops and one Taco Bell visit eons ago, I’ve not stopped for fast food while in Blacksburg. But I wanted ice cream. So, there I went, towards the golden arches.
I was about to walk around their drive-thru when I randomly decided to take a shot at their doors. And, what luck!, they were unlocked and open. As I turned the corner to the counter, the manager was there and appeared somewhat shocked to see me; in-house customers must be rare in the wee hours of a fledgling Monday morning. His surprise weened quickly, however, and turned into a smile and greeting. I expected to grab something and go, heading back to that shell of a dorm room. I ordered two apple pies.
The manager asked if I wanted to try an a’la mode apple pie. He provided a brief description of the entree and I smiled at the thought of more sugar and sweets, so I relented and went for that choice. He also asked if I wanted to have it there. I was about to say no, but my determination was fading, as well as my strength both mental and physical, so I relented again. An apple pie a’la mode for me in a McDonald’s.
I sat my bag down on a stool and grabbed some water. A minute later, the manager came out from behind the counter area promenading with a container of true eye candy. Since I am no regular customer to houses of this sort of food goods, I have no idea whether that was the typical portion for the apple pie a’la mode, but let me point out that for $1.67, it was gigantic. He provided a spoon, napkins, and another pleasantry for me to enjoy. I thanked him graciously and sat down with my meal. And I started to think.
Much of my basis for detesting the larger corporations that feed on American ignornace is due to their targetted and over-ambitious desire to tap that very source for all its worth. My loathing is particularly emphasized when that desire to reap great corporate wealth crosses bounds of ethical taste or regulation. So, as a consumer, for what I’m worth, I take action against those companies. Specifically, my aims are Wal-Mart, Starbucks, and McDonald’s. What do I do? Not go there; just plain avoid them as much as I can afford. I have more recent fervor for despising Starbucks since they have begun Wal-Mart-esque practices to tear apart infant unions that threaten to affect some of their corporate-promoting policies. Therefore, I stop feeding the beasts and also encourage others to do the same if they feel the same way that I do.
But as I sat there, I began to contemplate the ramified effects of those practices. To take on a big corporation and win would imply that many people lose their jobs. Those at the top of those companies would leave without too many bruises, but those supporting themself by a few threads at the bottom of that ladder would likely hit bottom for a while. Then, the activist in me points out that though evil is sometimes supported by a buffer of innocence, the core that creates momentum for the entity always rages in the dark interiors - no sugar-coating can truly cover something bitter and brutal.
The experience with my apple pie a’la mode was great, precisely what I needed tonight. But the experience with my apple pie a’la mode in the McDonald’s setting and my racing, thrashing brain full of contradictions was too much. The rest of my walk back was noticeably colder than getting there. Some of that is due to the ice cream, yes; but I’m positive that I was losing a great deal more of my body heat out of the brain cell collisions and garbling that was going on upstairs.
On an unrelated note, when you get a chance, read this. I loved it.