Saturday, December 30, 2006

The Laser Blues

This is not the "Glimpse" of the 5 part story I mentioned in the former post, that will be available soon though. For now, however, I feel I need to vent a little. And what better place to do it than on a blog right? Sure. Good. Okay.
Now, don't be scared, I'm not going to go off on a ranting spree here...I've just got a few things to get off my chest, and share with you. Will you indulge me? I hope so.
You might and might not know that I run and program a laser for my day job. I cut out steel parts for companies like Case/New Holland, Clipper, Alstom and various other big name jumbos. Said steel parts are then either cut with saws or bent with press-brakes and then finally welded together and painted, so on and so forth. I have no problem with the work. No matter how dirty and rough it can get. I don't even mind having to re-program parts because the flucking engineers are lazy fluckers. What I do mind and what I do have a problem with is the pay, of course, the six twelve hour days in a row and management's absurdly stupid ideas for the future of the company.
So, as my title proclaims, I have the Laser Blues. I feel like I'm going nowhere, and fast. I write to alleviate this feeling, among others, which is the reason for this post. Writing, for me at least, is an escape hatch from this world and all its stresses, all its fluckery, one might say. And I find I have to write a lot while I'm at work, on breaks of course, which I only get three ten minutes breaks during my 12 hour days. I write at work to still the frustration, to sort of heal myself as I blunder on through another long day. Writing is healing, in my opinion. Granted most that comes out of me while at work is very grim indeed, but what of that? At least I'm not roaming the place with a loaded 12 gauge shot gun or something, a thing I'd never do in the first place, and blasting my troubles away. Instead I blast my characters in these grim stories away. I take out all my pain on them, in other words. Okay, the place I work really isn't as bad as I make it out to be here, but it helps to prove a point. Writing is healing, writing is a tool for the mind to cope with everything else in this scary world. And besides, if done right, it can be an awakening. Something to make you want to get up in the morning, and want to finish that short story, or novel or whatever it is that you write. For me it helps me to stick it out at work for another loathsome day.
Writing can help you live, by God. Not every one is a writer, but everyone can write if they try, that is my belief. Anyone can write. Some have more talent at it than others, but anyone can jot down how they feel or what's pissing them off that certain day or just go on a ranting splurge. Whatever you choose, writing it down, or in my case, writing a story down that pertains to what's happening but never really stated, can help you.
Writing is healing...and healing is always good. Always...

8 comments:

Charles P. Zaglanis said...

Ah, that takes me back. When I started doing machine tool electrical I was working seven days, 96 hours a week on the night shift. It was a hell of a shock to the system because I had prviously worked retail and was lucky to get in 40 a week.

I agree that writing is a balm to the soul. In my stories, I've beat up people I couldn't touch and healed people I couldn't save. Catharsis is a good thing in my book.

Lucas Pederson said...

Right on Chuck! Working in the metal fabrication field hurts both the body and over time (i've seen this) hurt the soul. But what can you do, right? The money pays the bills and on goath life. (Sigh)

Eddie said...

Wow, I'm taken aback by the kind words you said and I thank you deeply. I try to be as honest as I can and remain true to who I really am.

I also must say that I sympathize with your feelings of tedium at your job. Writing soothes the frick out of me and it pacifies my frustrations in the field I'm in. Working with the mentally disabled has it's rewards, but sometimes I feel it's a bit catchy... LOL.

Writing stimulates me, and I can clearly see by your writing that it's one of your passions. You rock bro...

Thanks again

LoveRundle said...

I enjoy writing for the same reasons. I tend to write more when I'm stressed. I think it is a healthy coping method.

Happy New Years.

Susan Miller said...

I agree with you and am always greeted with a roll of the eyes when I suggest to people they should write. Although they may have spent an hour ranting to me about how miserable their life is, are literate and have access to pen and paper, they respond with, "I can't write."

Every once in a while someone does take the advice and then shows me what they've written. It never fails that I am able to note an incredible attitude change and a person proud of a product.

It is highly addictive, and I consider it one of my best addictions.

Lucas Pederson said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Lucas Pederson said...

Thank you all for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with me on this issue. And of course for you kind words.
It's hard to write when no one around you understands why you write in the first place. They come up with phrases like: "Why don't you just stop this writing stuff and focus on the job you have?" or the ever popular "Don't quit your day job." These peve me to no end. But I take them and continue on with my writing. If I stop I fear so will my spirit. Keep writing all of you, keep living. Hope you all have a creatively bright New Year!!

Stewart Sternberg (half of L.P. Styles) said...

Why must work be dehumanizing? Because it is hard to screw over another human, or someone we truly see as part of our family.