Social....ish? in BookThree: Flight Log 2016

Today was a district court day. So… I spent several hours in court doing nothing. But then… my life in this job is largely spent doing nothing. But I did enjoy speaking with other humans… a part of this job that happens rarely and leads to increased job satisfaction. I was able to discuss politics (I am now convinced that every person in this town is voting for Trump; and the reason every one of them gives is “The Muslims”); and the history of Sino-Japanese conflicts. We discussed literature and authors. Sonofabitch… the desperation for a fulfilling adult conversation… is this what new mothers experience?

Ultimately, talks turned to clients and issues. And it is 100% affirmed… this county is filled to overflowing with “that kind” of person… which is to say… the people who drink, toke, and meth as their entertainment… then go out in public under the influence… and make their once “Personal” choice into a “Public” choice, necessitating government involvement. If we could simply put these people in a “Substance Abusers Oasis” where they stay in a locked Assisted Living Home and drink, toke, meth themselves to death without ever hassling others… I’d be for it. I no longer give a shit what these people do, I simply wish (and need) them to do it in the privacy of their own homes. Honestly. Give your children up for adoption; keep a consistent food/toilet source open; and drink yourselves to death without assaulting, stealing, trespassing, or disturbing the peace.

So… again… I wonder if Assistant County Attorney is right for me. A hard thing to determine when I’m getting the feedback that I get about this place from other attorneys. As, while all places have issues and repeat offenders, few places are so quick to declare “nothing can be done” and few are so content at providing so little. Alas, alack, and move on.

I still scour the interwebs for job prospects. I still sit with my silent phone that hasn’t rung. I still manage to fix my eyes upon the hope of a better tomorrow while slogging through a dismal today.

Interesting Cinema Connections:
(1)

I’ve always had a special bond with The Matrix but almost 100% of it was that special Outsider Wearing Black Into Digital Worlds connection. However… this area has given me a unique insight into Agent Smith. While, obviously, he does believe that his people are superior to The Humans, there could be the argument that such a perspective is born from how alien and strange The Humans are to His People. What we have always been comfortable with is preferred or, in our words, better… therefore, what makes us uncomfortable is not preferred or “worse.” As Agent Smith is unwilling to contemplate that Humans may like their world just fine in The Matrix; his superiority is established (and in his mind proven) beyond any reasonable doubt. THAT isn’t really my particular insight. MY insight, and new connection with the character, begins after that understanding. Once you work past the Superiority Issues… Agent Smith is relatable (at least to me). He is someone from a different world, essentially trapped in a world he finds uncomfortable and offensive… but there IS a way out, a way that he can get home. Hell, when you phrase it like that, there are many movies where that is the Hero’s motivation. Trapped someone difficult, looking for a way home?

(2) SPOILERS IF you haven’t seen the movie CHINATOWN, these videos will spoil it for you.

Because… I’ve developed some of the attitude. “What do you do about Crime and Prosecution in your county?” As little as possible. “Aren’t you upset that you keep getting cut off at the knees by the Board and the Sheriff?” Forget about it, it’s Tiny Town.

To cap that off poetically… State Auditors were all over the County Today trying to uncover how fouled up the County Auditor has made things. Of course, my Boss is completely on the County Auditor’s side because “she didn’t mean to make such a mess.” Well, yeah, she may have done it accidentally… but it is a huge problem that fucks with the county’s finances for the last 6 years and will likely have lasting effects.

As little as possible. It’s Chinatown. Yup.