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Show Thursday, April 29, 1999 The Daily Utah Chronicle - 21 Leave Me Alone $sBf Rick fay RCK MORTENSEN RED Magazine Columnist It was one of those concerts that exposed the crying needs of my psyche, filled them and left me purged, satisfied and more able to cope. At the end of Ralph Matson and Eugene Watanabe's rendition of the Prokofiev Violin Sonata, I was thinking, "If the world can produce such beautiful music, perhaps it's worthwhile." Just as I was getting up to leave, an elderly lady sitting next to me said "It's not their fault, it's just a bad composition." No words could have done justice to my indignation. It wasn't that her opinion differed from mine, or even that she had the effrontery to express it to a virtual stranger. It was the way she said it; like she took it for granted that I felt the same way she did. At intermission, she had seen my notebook and said "Are you learning a lot, or are you a critic?" I said "both" and then she asked what I thought of the concert. I almost said "Read my review tomorrow," but instead I told her I'd enjoyed the Mozart. ly m it Apparently, that was enough to establish us as kindred spirits. It reminded me of a time several years ago when I was just off my mission. I had been enrolled in a class for about two weeks, and hadn't really talked to anyone. A fairly attractive young lady approached me and said "I know I don't know you very well, but can I set you up?" This girl was assuming I was a) straight, b) unattached c) des- perately looking to meet someone d) the type of person who would enjoy whatever she and her friend had planned e) the type of person who would enjoy the company of her friend and f) safe. Call me egotistical, but I like to think I'm more special than that. I guess I should have been flattered, but I just felt weird. This girl was assuming I was a) straight, b) unattached c) desperately looking to meet someone d) the type of person who would enjoy whatever she and her friend had planned e) the type of person who would enjoy the company of her friend c hOftMi W , 'q gerous; Ted Bundy looked like a nice man, and Arthur Gary Bishop served an IDS mission. In many cases, assuming that everyone sees the world the same way is a deliberate attempt to maintain a dying status quo. People shut out what doesn't fit into their paradigm. If the elderly woman had been more open minded, she would have perhaps noticed the thundering standing ovation and the tears on some patrons' cheeks and concluded that at least some of the patrons didn't share her view of the Prokofiev. Perhaps my would-b- e matchmaker was so afraid to face the fact that some people may not connect with her group of friends, that she zealously guarded an image of the world as an absurdly friendly place. Assumptions can also be dangerous to those on the receiving end. Policemen guard their self-imag- as defenders of public so safety zealously that they frequently beat people who disagree with that paradigm. Even so, people have a right to their assumptions; it's not my place to control people's right to think. It's only when they interfere with my right to be left alone that I get testy. mm Fg Bill Getting a year's worth of stuff into a car is like trying to sack. You've crammed cram 10 pounds into a enough for a while. Give yourself a break. Call Ryder and truck it - at the right price. , and f ) safe. Call me egotistical, but I like to think I'm more special than that. Assumptions like the ones this young lady made devalue individuality and the ability for human beings to connect with certain people in a real way. Assumptions could also be dan- HYPER TRS www.yellowtruck.com not include Coupon only applicable to basic rate of truck rental, which docs taxes, fuel and optional items. One coupon per rental. Coupon subject to truck availability and Ryder Moving Services standard rental requirements. Coupon expires December 31, 2000. a Coupon not valid with any other offer, discount or promotion. Discount One-Wa- a Off Local Moves y Moves Ryder' is a registered trademark of Ryder System, Inc. and is used under license. discount on rates screen. 2. Enter Coupon I.D. on payment screen. Attach to rental agreement and send in with weekly report. RA Number Note to Dealer: 1. Enter I. NCO30 e Become a Plasma Donor AND EARN UP TO $150 PER MONTH Who Needs Plasma? Hemophiliacs, bum victims, transplant and cardiovascular patients who receive products made from the plasma of donors like you. Earn at least $150 per month. Professional medical facility and staff for your safety. Donors inactive for 60 days, or new donors, receive $100 for your first 4 consecutive donations in 14 days. Offer expires April 30th. BE A PLASMA DONOR.. .BECAUSE LIFE IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS For more information 7 call 363-769- Sera-Te- c Biologicals 609 S. State St, S.L.C., UT. $4111 |
