Slackers

We've all known quite a few of them. Everywhere we go, they are present. Back in school, they're the parasites who copied your homework, who looked at your answers during examinations. They're not the ones who do it once or twice out of desperation. They're the ones who do so regularly, because they believe that exerting even a little effort is a waste of precious energy. Why do things the hard way, when there's an easier way? They don't mind moving forward at the expense of others.

I once thought such behavior stayed in schools... because people who lived through life that way have no place in a professional setting--- they would get left behind. When I was in residency, there were people who hardly exerted any effort, they don't do their work properly. Some get caught and get reprimanded. Some, however go unnoticed because they know who's strings to pull, their sweet words cover up their numerous shortcomings. Our superiors think they're doing a good job, when in truth they're doing a horrible job. I'm not saying I'm doing a perfect job... weariness and fatigue has caught up with me dozens of times. I too am guilty of several "disappearing acts" because I got too tired and i could hardly function properly. But some people make up certain excuses when in truth they're just taking a break for no valid reason, out having fun while their co workers are left with the tasks they've left behind. I've grown to hate such people who only think of themselves. As if the words "sorry" and "it won't happen again" would always work. People get numb to those words when said in habitual succession. As if saying sweet nothings and giving treats could make people forget. Their effects are also diminished when done habitually. I hate continuously covering for their asses. If they fucked up once or twice, it's fine. Exposing them wouldn't do much good. you'd be labeled as jealous, insecure, bitter... if they do such a good job of covering their shortcomings, you could even be labeled a liar.

You'd expect that as people mature, their work ethics would become better. Some people, however find it difficult to change. Such behavior has become completely entwined with their personality and total worth as a person. They're destined to be scums for life.

Just last week our schedule was thrown in disarray. Two people just suddenly backed out of work, even when they agreed to the schedule for the month of March. All of a sudden, we were two men short. That means we had to go on more duties. It's fine since we earn more money, but what if we already had plans for those days? The other guy even decided to go on a sudden vacation without warning. How unprofessional is that?! If they were planning on something, shouldn't they have said something when we were making our schedule last month to avoid sudden conflicts? If they thought the work was too much, shouldn't they at least finish the work they've agreed upon and just opt out next month, since we haven't set our April schedule yet? if they thought they didn't like the work, they never should have agreed in the first place. Never mind if they found it hard to say NO to the consultant who hired us. They should have told the truth that they didn't like to work there in the first place. That would have saved us a lot of trouble. And they still have the gall to smile, acting like chums, not even apologizing indirectly, as if they've caused no trouble at all. Can't they take a hint? Could they really be that dense?!

I guess I already know the answer. Sure they are dense. They may notice the hints we're giving, but they couldn't possibly care less.

A person would have to be really numb to keep on living his life as a slacker.

One Year Older

After what i referred to as my "worst birthday ever" last year, I was pretty sure my birthday this year would be better. After all, I'm not asking for much. i just want a day free from problems and hassles. That's not too much to ask for, right? I don't really care about the celebrating part. To have dinner with family and a few friends has become mandatory, so I just go with the flow--- my family believes there should be a gathering on birthdays, because another year in one's life is something we should be thankful for, therefore it should be celebrated with the people closest to one's heart.

When I checked the calendar a few weeks ago, i was surprised to see that my birthday fell on a holy week this year. On a Maundy Thursday to be exact. Bummer. So much for the drinking session I was hoping to have after dinner. I figured all bars would be closed. And even if there would be a bar open (probably owned by a non catholic), I figured most of my friends wouldn't like to be drinking on a holy thursday. It just isn't much fun drinking alone. Plus all those holy week traditions that I'm practically forced to do by my overly religious grandparents would probably put me in a bad mood.

But surprise, surprise! it didn't turn out bad. We found a restaurant that was open. And it had a bar! And even though some of my close friends weren't able to come--- can't get out of their family's holy week tradition was the number one excuse, the second being on duty at the hospital... the right people came. Although there were moments when this one girl became incredibly annoying that it almost ruined my evening, which she does every so often to the point that I already got used to it... I still keep on wondering to this day why we have been friends all these years despite her attributes that a lot of people (including me) have grown to despise. And that instance earlier in the evening when another explosive argument almost happened, when my dad kept insisting that I go to the church and pray for a few minutes just to say thanks, even when we were running late and it was the restaurant's policy to cancel reservations after a 20 minute waiting period... and that second on the brink of another heated argument for the night with him in the parking lot... But overall, it was a nice evening. Although I didn't get drunk to the point of ecstasy, I did get to drink. LOL. But most importantly, I got to reconnect with a few friends that I haven't seen for a while.

The worst part? When i got home. I checked my emails, and I received computer generated messages from several services that I subscribed to. Happy 28th birthday, they said. Woooooohoooooo. I suddenly felt old. Funny how just one digit can make that big difference. At 27 I still felt so young. At 28, I feel that I'm no longer young. When my dad was 28, he already had 4 kids. Heck, when my dad was 28, I was already 8 years old. In two short years, I'll be saying goodbye to my carefree years of being a 20-something. In just two short years, I'd look pathetic acting like the way I'm acting now. I need to start planning, I need to have some stability--- but how can I when my future is still clouded in uncertainty, when I still don't know which direction to take? Who wants to grow old anyway, when living a carefree life with little responsibility is so much easier? It's okay to live life with such a perspective as a young adult, but I can't really refer to myself as a young adult anymore. Never mind the fact that I still have no stable job, never mind the fact that I still live with my parents. I am getting old. Everyone gets older, it's inevitable. Living a carefree life as one approaches his thirties is shameful, if not downright pathetic. The journey through life is a journey we must continuously travel. There are no stop overs. Even when we grow weary, we have to move on. To think otherwise would be somewhat delusional. Unlike some people i know who refer to themselves as perennial 20 somethings, who chose to live a life with no worries and responsibilities, I feel that it's better to look down the road and plan for the rigorous journey ahead.

I guess it's about time I start acting my age.