fiction is a form of symbolism, I believe

Sitting in an office area with the air conditioner turned too high, Teagan wanted to reassure herself that she wasn't nervous. The only problem was that Teagan was honest, and therefore couldn't reassure herself she wasn't nervous because in fact she was. She was about to meet the person that could make her or break her, and all she had was the stench of alcohol in her hair and wrinkly clothes from sleeping on the subway.

Looking into the mirror opposite her, she saw many people in the same situation as herself. They looked disorientated, fidgety, and nervous. They looked like they wanted to be anywhere but there, and most importantly they had a gleam of anticipation in their eyes. It was either they would leave the building happy, or leave it in utter disappointment. It was either they went home with a good story to tell or one that they didn't want to tell at all.

Teagan hoped with all hopes her story would be a good one.

"Teagan?" A nice lady in a white uniform called from down the hall, startling Teagan from her train of thought. "You may come in now."

Teagan stood, taking a deep breath. She popped herself an orange tic tac and smoothed out her limp, flat hair. Her eyes came across another's and for a moment they held a connection of understanding, hope, and once again- anticipation.

Teagan turned away and walked towards the lady in white, her steps echoing off the floor. Her heart seemed to be beating loudly, and when she reached the lady it seemed not to beat at all.

"Follow me, please." She followed her down the hall, watching the lady's feet as they squeaked against the linoleum floor. They came across a room- room number 365 and Teagan found herself holding her breath as the lady slowly turned the door knob and opened the door.

Teagan stepped into the room and the first thing she saw was a shock of red hair much like her own- only it was fake. Sitting there was a stern-faced reaching fifty-one lady that would break or make Teagan at that very moment. Her hair was pulled up to frame her face professionally, and her posture was of the loyal kind. Her eyes were quite likes those of a hawk and they followed Teagan's every move, down to the nervous swallow she took.

"It took you long enough," she said coldly. Her eyes darted towards the chairs opposite her.

Teagan sat down to the one closest to the door and looked down at the floor. "I apologize."

"You've been out drinking," she stated, and Teagan ran her hand through her hair once more. "That might be a problem."

"It isn't," Teagan gritted, "I assure you."

"You wouldn't want to end up like your father did," the woman said softly and Teagan noticed the look of sadness that washed over her features.

"I wouldn't even if I could."

The woman nodded before gazing out the window. "It truly has been a long time though, Teagan. I was afraid you wouldn't show up."

"I was, too," Teagan said softly, "I was, too, mother."

Pre-Life Lottery: Did YOU Win?

I bet you've probably heard this before...and if not, then you'll hear it now:

"In life, there are three stages. One, you get an education. Two, you get a job. Three, you retire, and enjoy the rest of your life."

For the most part, that's true. Though they skipped the family part...which I personally believe is just as important as a job...but anyways...

I'm here to talk about the mad dilemma called the salary. Yes, salary. It's the amount of money you get for working your job.

Have you ever, ever realized how totally misguided that term salary is? It's supposed to pay more money to people who work harder, right? Wrong.

Let's compare a doctor (the typical stereotype of a high-paying job...hah! There we go with stereotypes again) and a janitor. The doctor completes his ten or so years of college training, and becomes a doctor. He sits at his office, examines people, gives them prescriptions, and he earns more than $100k a year. Then take a look at the janitor. Though he may not have received as much education, he gets on his knees and scrubs toilets everyday, he stands all day mopping the floor, and nearly dies of inhaling all those toxic fumes. And how much does he get paid? Probably a little more than minimum wage.

Let's stop and review for a sec'. Who's the one whose job nearly kills them everyday? Who's the one whose job requires such physical strength to the point of severe arthritis? Turns out, that's the person who gets paid much less. Much, much less. Hmm, Dirty Jobs anyone? Without these people who do all the tough, gritty work, society and civilization would not be possible--so here's an applaud and grateful standing ovation from the clam *clapclap*.

It seems so unfair sometimes. What are the chances of being born a prince of England? What are the chances you're born homeless? Truth is, it's up to life to decide what path our lives will go down. It’s almost like a lottery. A lottery that takes place before you're born. "*picks a ticket out of a box* Baby #6,748,229,463 is going to be an maid. *picks another ticket* Baby #6,748,229,464 is going to be a millionaire businessman."

It's a sad, sad world out there. But remember this one thing: you can change your life to your heart's content, only if you're determined to steer your life in a more different, positive direction.

"You are the pilot of your own life." [Suite Life of Zack & Cody]

-the clam.

Finer Feelings

Have you ever stopped and tried to appreciate everything around for you? Just for a few seconds maybe? Sometimes it can be difficult to do. Still, everyone should do it every now and then. Just imagine, your job just plain sucks. Your co-workers are terrible, and the pay doesn't match the workload. Yet, I'm sure you can think of a million other jobs that could be much worse. Perhaps your parents are treating you "unfairly". At least they provide shelter and food to you. They really do love (at least, they're supposed to) you, since during the course of your life they've probably spent hundreds of thousands of dollars raising you, maybe more. Imagine what would happen if they kept all that money, maybe they'd be living some adventurously fun, exciting life, carefree.

Still, guess you have the right to whine every once in a while. Sometimes, it shocks me how unappreciative I am. What a hypocrite.

For those of you who love your job, your situation, wherever you're at at the moment, maybe living your dreams, then congrats. Most of the rest of the world is quite envious of you. Hope you can continue doing what you do best, and loving it. Also, for everyone else's sake, let's hope you can actually do your job well (they're are plenty out there who can't...). If they don't realize it, they're probably ignorant, or arrogant...Though, they'd probably go all crazy if you say it (say it ain't so, it's probably your fault, not mine, don't blame me....blahblah).

You Talk Way Too Much (i try to tell myself to shut up more......it has never really worked...)

I always laugh at this, so will you
That's a great show

on the subject of sparta....this is funny too

prs