Start Dreaming
It was a habit of mine to chat with cab drivers even after working on group projects for eight consecutive hours in my university’s library or after a long day of walking all over Chicago with a handful of shopping bags strung on my arms before heading back to Kuwait for Christmas. I heard bountiful stories from these mysterious men who seemed more like a musty version of Sinbad rather than retired, usually obese bums who wanted to collect just enough money for another unfortunate round of poker at the downtown casino that was as interesting as a neutered dog’s flaccid penis. They casually spoke of tales about being held at gunpoint by an unknown hoodlum who was labeled as a serial stalker of drivers working night shifts to a woman in labor in the backseat with her cervix five inches open. Apart from asking my usual and self-entertaining inquiry of “What was the strangest thing that has ever happened to you?” I occasionally asked the cab drivers about their own personal achievements prior to their mobile job as well as other goals they have in mind.
”Oh, I used to teach History in an Ivy League university.”
I frowned, confused and thrown off by his unreasonable response. After a few minutes, I found out that the man driving me had a PhD in History and Philosophy, used to teach the former at the university he mentioned for two decades before deciding, in his own words, “I’ve always wanted to be a cab driver.” And he happily did it.
The thing is, when you reach the uber-saturated peak of your career, when you’ve given it your all and you’ve shown people what you are capable of, there’s nothing else for you to prove. You’re a master of your field and when you reach that pinnacle with a cluster of people staring at you in awe, you can simply do anything you please. You can, in other words, Be Anything.
MP3's...
Edith Piaf - Le Chant du Pirate
Blue Foundation - As I Moved On (Run Jeremy Band - Trentemoller Remix)
Portishead - It's a Fire
Pete Rock - To Each His Own (Instrumental)
Pete Rock - Til I Retire
Mint Royale - Show Me
at 7:38 AM
7 Comments
That's so inspiring... just shows that there's no specific "up" when it comes to choosing ur career..
In his opinion, he's been going up the career ladder, from Ivy League doc to cab driver..
It's all a point of view..
Great post, thanks :*
Taxicab confessional playlist...
Nine Inch Nails - Beside You in Time
White Zombie - Blood, Milk and Sky
Dropkick Murphys - Skinhead on the MTBA
Soundgarden - Outshined
Jesus and Mary Chain - Never Understand
U2 - Stay
Prince - Little Nikki
Rick James - Moon Child
Kool Keith AKA Dr Doooom - Apartment 223
Kingpin Skinny Pimp - 1 life 2 live
Luther Vandross - My Favourite Things
LEN - Man of the year
etc.
The way I see it, regardless of how high the rank is, people eventually reach a point in their lives, especially at an older age, where they would rather just settle down from all the hussle of their professional lives and do something they enjoy.
If you think about it, being a cab driver is the ideal form of career for men at that age because he gets to meet people everyday, share information and enjoy his life in a relaxed manner.
I don't think you have to necessarily achieve all in order to feel you're ready to 'be anything'. I think it's more like you reach an age where you feel life is just too short not to be anything.
be anything......u like:)
swair: well, it's more of a life change than a career one...i don't know, when he said it he seemed relieved and confident...and then we started chatting about history :)
holla: im going to get my hands on your music collection one day :P
sushi: very well said :) i agree :))
kila: in time inshallah :)
Hello there. I liked this post. It made me stop for a moment and actually think. Honestly though? I enjoy reading most of your posts. No, make that all of 'em, but I rarely comment cuz I've got nothing to say lol Mostly, I enjoy reading your posts because they're so well-written (mashalla and all). It's refreshing :) (God, how many people did I just offend haha) That said, don't worry, I'm not sucking up, and no I don't need a favor lol Just thought you should know, is all. Take care, yeah? Laters!
d&g: Thanks, I really appreciate it :) And I too like reading what you come up with because it's so original and it's impossible to tear myself away from your posts (that you publish once in a blue moon!). Personally, I would like to write more like this. I enjoy such verbal vomit. I just wish I can talk out of my ass for a living. And I think you would too (!) :P~
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