I Don't Drive Truck

Tuesday, December 19, 2006 | comments (13)
On the way to Dallas I met an older guy who was heading to Puerto Vallarta with his wife for the holidays. Evidently, when you're retired you can do that sort of thing.

We exchanged opinions about which DC-area airport is the best (DCA), which airline has the most legroom (American), and places to go in Texas (there's only one - Austin).

Anyway, I immediately liked him because he had a way with language. At one point, he told me that he used to 'drive truck' for a living. I had never heard this profession put this way - as an action. In singular. He didn't say, 'I was a truck driver' or 'I drove trucks.' It was 'drive truck.' Right on. I got you, brother. I used to give a similar response my first three years out of college: 'I tend bar.' For some reason I didn't like saying, 'I'm a bartender.' Because in the end, are we ever just that? I hate being identified by my job. It's much better to state your profession as an action - as something that you do. Not something that you are.

So from now on, I develop web. Oh, and write nonsense. Kinda makes me wish I were a heart surgeon. Then I would fix heart.

What do you do?

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Comments

Much not.

Posted by Kbee on Dec 19, 2006 at 3:21:58 PM
Ha that's great. I'm pretty much the same as you actually.

Posted by Sweet on Dec 19, 2006 at 3:22:41 PM
I think you are on to something larger here. Like seriously. I think you could write a book on this. Oh and I guess engineer sound. That, my friend, I am in to.

And I love your new URC (upper right corner) picture.

Posted by Laundro on Dec 19, 2006 at 4:46:14 PM
Thanks!

Posted by Rothko on Dec 19, 2006 at 5:51:59 PM
amazing. did he have a thick accent?

i market internet. a far cry from my childhood dream of deliver couch.

Posted by cocoricamo on Dec 20, 2006 at 8:22:24 AM
simply, i push button.

Posted by j on Dec 20, 2006 at 9:20:39 AM
I ... uh ...

press flesh.

Actually in my case, I prefer to identify as a massage therapist. Is it OK?

Posted by Reya Mellicker on Dec 20, 2006 at 9:29:58 AM
Sure. That one's kind of hard to state as an action and still get the full range of the profession. I also like your title of 'body worker.'

Posted by Rothko on Dec 20, 2006 at 10:45:29 AM
I write tech.

Posted by Arjewtino on Dec 20, 2006 at 2:53:03 PM
i'd like to change mine to mash knob.

Posted by j on Dec 21, 2006 at 12:27:29 PM
I sell retirement

Posted by Pablo on Dec 22, 2006 at 1:50:51 AM
I translate Japanese. Hmmm...not so interesting. That's actually what I usually say.

Posted by Mitch on Dec 22, 2006 at 7:21:35 PM
I make music oh and fix copiers too...lol

Posted by george aka nattysoul on Jan 03, 2007 at 6:52:50 PM
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