What are words for?

It's the 5th of July. People have to work after a night of celebration. I have to work. It's wrong. It's cruel. It's torture. I believe we should have an extra day of rest after July 4th to go full force into our jobs. Imagine how employees would feel? They'd respect management so much more. Management would get more from us - the well rested employee.

So since I have nothing to talk about, I'll just ramble on about nothing. You know... I'll just spout out words upon words upon words. A plethora of words. All for the sake of writing.

I used to work for a hospital that had a quote by Rudyard Kipling posted up in an elevator. I wondered why someone would put up a piece of paper with this quote. What did others get from it if they weren't writers? I mean, writers are a different breed of human. The need to write, the need to use words, the need to express oneself through writing means so much more to a writer than say... to a normal, happy human being.

I jest. I make humor in my frustrations. Of course you can be happy as a writer. Just make sure you have a bottle of red next to you at all times.

Back to the quote:

"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." Rudyard Kipling.

I'm assuming that it was a reminder to choose your words carefully - to be cautious when saying that one thing in the hallways, or in the elevator, or in passing patient rooms, that could change a person's attitude, day or even life. Of course, it was a hospital and a senstive area for open conversations.

I think a more powerful quote would be something straight from "The Elements of Style":

Rule 17 states: “Omit needless words.”

But then you'd have to really point out the subtext of what this really means and I'd go as far as posting the following in an elevator in order to get the point across:

Just shut up. You might piss someone off.

At least you wouldn't have to worry about JACHO - The Joint Commission On Accreditation Of Healthcare Organizations.

I'm assuming only healthcare people will get that.

But my point... If you have nothing good to say, shut your mouth. It reminds me of a person I once worked for that had to get the last word in no matter how stupid it was. From made up acronyms to sharing something that she thought might interest you but didn't.

To have the nerve to say something as ridiculous as "H-W-Y-W-E"?

HUH? Yes, my only response... 'huh?'

"How-Was-Your-Week-End"? As if I was supposed to know what she meant.

And I'd be like, shouldn't it be something like H-W-Y-W since weekend is one word?

And she'd be ms. condesending with, "Oh, you're too smart. We can't get anything past you."

Inside I'd be thinking... just shut up. SEE! JUST SHUT UP! Perfect.

And she'd do this all the time. She'd make up acronyms and blurt them out there as if you were supposed to know what she was talking about. Talk about idiots at the workplace.

I completely have gone off on a tagent on Rudyard Kipling's quote.

Month End financials have fried my brain.

"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." Rudyard Kipling.

Yes, powerful.

I like words.

But are they powerful when nobody is listening? If they are lost in a piece of paper under 500 other pages and ten thousand other words? - That's something to ponder.

Finally, here's lyrics from "Missing Persons" who peformed last week in the hit show: "Hit me baby one more time".

"What are words for when no one listens anymore." Words by Missing Persons

Do you hear me? Do you care? Are you listening?

Does it matter?

And that, as they say is... THAT!