Die Flippers

Dschinghis Khan’s “Moskau”was lumped in with “Rasputin” in YouTube algorithms. That must have been how it happened back in 2018. Thanks to an absurd late 80s song by a Slovenian band and a taste in music that’s literally inexplicable, searching for “Moskau” mixes led to a song by a German band whose lead singer was clearly an older Justin Trudeau from an alternate dimension, and a slight period in your life where you were gravitating to love songs.

German isn’t a beautiful sounding language, but there was something so lovely about this music; the music itself was unique in bombastic tenderness in a way you couldn’t explain with any other combination of words, and the words – whatever they were – sung with undeniable talent… whatever… it’s okay to like odd things. 😂

The discovery coincided with you taking charge of inventory work at the place you were at, which meant that they mentally merged., as “at the time” things always do.

Two of the techs come in one day and hear. Paused, and asked “Is this German?” Without missing a beat, you deadpanned… “Well yeah; doing inventory, so German love songs of the early 90’s” with a completely straight face as if he ought to know the music schedule.

They didn’t know if you were joking, and TBH, you didn’t either. Either way gives a laugh, and you’ve long since passed the threshold to care what others thought about things you like. That tech thought you were weird though. Probably doesn’t miss working with you. They couldn’t tell when you were joking thanks to the deadpan humor. A few of them finally figured out that if they couldn’t tell, it didn’t matter, and when it wasn’t time for joking, you weren’t.

Several Flippers songs were named for women, likely past lives of the singers. Two of them must have dated separate women both named Angelina, because they have two completely different songs, each named “Angelina”.

Or maybe two of them had a thing with the same woman and each got a song out of it. lol who knows. There’s got to be a few funny stories behind that. Literally who knows.

If there’s anything that irks you on these trips, it’s when the on-site guys pull the speakers out and blare standard fare classic rock as as if they had to prove they were so freaking normal to each other.

Union guys in Pennsylvania… swandagoodness they loved their AC/DC and you’ve heard “Thunderstruck” enough now. They honestly seemed to come off the assembly line themselves. Music taste. Overall demeanor. Personality.

Nah, that’s not being fair. They eventually mellowed out once they realized you were there to help them blast thru their deadlines and leave. You weren’t trying to take their jerbs. You wanted them to freaking keep them and look smart for bringing you on board. Meh. Yankees.

You wanted to jam Malaika while cutting shelves so loud they’d never get the earworm out.😂 Passive aggressive isn’t you though. Never has been. Active aggressive is more fun. Smile. Eye contact. Nothing subtle. Yes, I’m doing this on purpose. Turn your crap down or you’re getting both Angelinas.😂

Your own crew last time were talking Migos; rapper that sang “Bad and Boujee” and it was almost like a need for ‘badass approved’ music. They wouldn’t figure out where they wanted to eat and the clock was ticking while you were driving. Like Clark Griswold, you said you needed consensus or the music would hurt. No consensus. Okay. Anna May Remix of y’all’s beloved guy until we have a solution. With singing along.

So, Culver’s was fine. 😂 And the team leader was laughing and singing along too. Your crews are so much more fun than the locals. Pennsylvania hardhat hive mind wouldn’t have survived.😂

Grrr…something has you salty this trip. North Dakota’s alright. Been in colder, but not to work. Even further from the Sea than Nebraska, so this is the new “peak inland” spot.

Worried? Maybe. Arms still haven’t fully recovered. Lots on the horizon to be concerned about. Things you’d be far more riled up about if you had kids to worry about. Understandings of what’s coming down the pipe economically and geopolitically.

The utter lack of seriousness and wisdom of populations across the West, not just America. Prevalence of Non-survival-based values. Geopolitical train wrecks coming, and generations of strong men have created the world we’re about to enter. 20-year old boys are starting to wonder if they’re going to be sent into a war by girls who voted the way Taylor Swift told them to, etc. Most likely not, but the divide between people having to deal with the consequences of those who have no idea what consequences are will be the theme of the year at some point; we are a species that apparently just has to learn the hard way.

Lol like you yourself aren’t just as bad. No one’s immune.😂

Freshwater Lake Michigan looms below. Closing in on O’Hare. Brief connection to Fargo. Then it’s rural North Dakota. Hours to get to hotel. 65 minutes across overly straight roads to the site every day.

You won’t be driving. So no threatening the crew with music scarring if they burn clock trying to decide where to have lunch.😔 Bring the Bible. Lots of time to read all about Romans.