"Did you ever see an unhappy horse? Did you ever see a bird that had the blues? One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress other birds and horses." --Dale Carnegie
I've read this quote at work upwards of 50 times over the last year. It appears in many of the edits I do. And it bothers me every time I read it. Could he have chosen a worse example than birds? I mean, is there another animal out there that is so obviously out there to impress others of its kind?
(Please watch the above video because it's one of my favorite things in the whole world.)
With that introduction, I'll tell you that I saw a peacock in the cafeteria today. Not a real peacock. But you'll get the picture.
I was waiting for my sandwich to cook. A young man went from the salad bar to the deli and kindof smirked at me when he did. I'm quite happy with my husband, who is the handsomest bird I've ever seen, so I could really care less about this smirking fool. And I think that it will help you to know that he was dressed fairly nicely, had slightly longish hair, and walked about with a smugness that was bigger than his short stature.
As he waited in the deli line, he did something most unexpected. He stood up on one foot and did a full 360 degree spin. In line. At the deli. Wow. Even then, he wasn't done displaying. He reached up to the sky. Then he bent over completely in half to grab his ankles (!). Then up again, and he jumped a little. Then he pranced in place for a few moments.
I actually left the cafeteria before the show was over, but men like him really make me wonder. According to Dale Carnegie, he must not be happy. Only, maybe he is happy because he's acting like a bird, and no one's ever seen an unhappy bird. It confuses me. I'm happy that I got a humble guy. Even though he's got lots that he should boast about.
What displays have you seen?
10 comments:
I don't usually post about the classes I teach, but I get a front-row seat for some interesting displays. I'm teaching some students from last quarter and there are two girls and a guy who have an interesting dynamic going on.
I'm really sad that I missed Mr. Peacock.
I've seen that clip before on Planet Earth. I like the narrator on your clip better than Sigourney Weaver.
As for peacock displays, I mostly see them from prospective missionaries trying to preen in their suits.
I saw a guy try to flirt with a cashier at Albertsons once. He took his Starbucks coffee drink (you know the cold ones that they sell with the bottled drinks?) and shook it really hard like he was sooooo smooth. Trouble is... he had already unscrewed the lid. So he shook Mocha Latte all over himself and his immediate vicinity. It was spectacular.
He did not get a date.
I wish you would have stayed to see what his point was! How funny! And I completely agree with you about the quote. The clip was hilarious.
Oh wait.. I forgot to mention what displays I've noticed. For a long time on the corner of 4th S and 12th W in orem, there were a bunch of "Sweet Bros" who lived in the junker house there. Peter and I loved driving by to see which one was out without his shirt on, basking in the March sun. What kind of guy tries to get a tan... a tan in March???
I *love* that clip. I laughed so hard the first time I watched it. Strongly recommend getting Planet Earth, btw.
He was a gay peacock. I don't think straight ones would behave that way.
Granted, he wasn't a real horse but I'm pretty sure that "Black
Beauty" was bummed when he had to be a work horse...that is, if I'm remembering the book right.
This reminds of I guess what would be an atypically showy peahen. She was trying to impress my roommate by reaching up to the ceiling in a short shirt that didn't cover her stomach. She just kept talking about how she could "almost reach the ceiling." I was saying I can almost reach my uvula.
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