Piece of Work

I’m a Jimmy Buffet fan. Normally I like most of his music. I bought a Jimmy Buffet CD several months back, that unbeknownst to me, were country songs and duets with country singers. I’m not much of a country music fan (Sorry Keith). Actually, I really don’t care for the CD. However, there is a song by Toby Keith and Jimmy Buffet that I can really relate too. It’s called “Piece of Work”. It’s about guy who feels...well…I’ll just let a couple of verses speak for itself.

I’m a piece of work, I’m iron and lace
I’m shy, I’m right up in your face
I’m dumfounded, stubborn as an ass,
Sharp as an arrow in a pile glass.
I’m a sweetheart, genius, reckless jerk.
Lord, have mercy. I’m a piece of work.

And…

I'm wicked, holy, full on fake
Best known for my big mistakes
I’m zen wise, peaceful, gone berserk
Good God almighty. What a piece of work.

Like I said, I can really relate to this song. Let me say that in our house the term “Piece of Work” is not necessarily what you would consider a term of endearment. Actually, we use it to describe someone who is usually a full-on disaster. Someone who doesn’t have a clue and that we just can’t figure out. “What’s up with (fill in the blank)? She’s a real Piece of Work isn’t she?” or “Why did (fill in the blank again) do such a boneheaded thing? What a Piece of Work!”

However, like the guy in this song I find myself feeling the same way. I am amazed at what a walking, talking, contradiction in terms I can be. How one minute I can be singing a song, happy as a clam and then I can stub my toe on the bedpost and cuss like an alter boy. Or how I can exercise extreme patience with "big things" and then lose it over the "smallest thing". How I can read a story that will just break my heart and bring me to tears, then I’ll turnaround and waste 3 hours watching something completely stupid on TV. My personal favorite is when I think of the human condition and feel compassion and empathy for my fellow man and then turn around and give the finger to the guy who just cut me off in traffic. Don’t misunderstand me: I’m not uncomfortable with who I am. I’m just amazed at who I can be. Good, Bad or Indifferent…I can be a Piece of Work.

I guess what all this simply means is that I am who I am. I’ve long since come to terms with who I am and am very comfortable in my own skin. I’m simply a dude whose natural side can get the best of him at times. Again, don’t misunderstand this is not a complaint, but what I am capable of doing does surprise me at times. I guess that’s the part I'm okay with - being real. Well at least as real as I know how to be. And in the pursuit of being real, I realize that…

I’m a piece of work, I’m a love sick boy
Cloth cap, caviar and corduroy
All over the map, just lost in space
With a filthy mind and a choirboy’s face
Heels up, head down, straight on through
Watch out woman, I’m a get to you
I’m a gladiator with a mind to irk…

I’ll see you later, I’m a Piece of Work.