So we must be twins :p:

[I am a farmer's wife]

A cow orker with a tendency to say completely inappropriate things. I can hang with the big dogs, but when this person starts also snapping at me and others, and actually whispers to the higher-ups that some of us are not pulling our weight when everyone knows the opposite is the case...I wonder if it's time to file a report. I would not be the first or last to do so in this case. There is too much back-stabbing going on, and I feel a need to CMA.

Sad it should come to that, but what would you think about racial comments (it works both ways) and sexist comments? I can play the game too, but when this person THEN goes running around badmouthing others with his own unwarranted and made-up allegations (again, not just me, I've heard about these things since I've been here but never made it my business until it became my business) why shouldn't I make a report? Document, document, document.

This job is stressful enough with the understaffing. Certainly stressful enough without people saying mean things and then shooting arrows at your back. I guess I need to grow a spine and report it.

Report it.

If you don't report it, it didn't happen.

Seconded.

Thirded

I am really irritated to the point of rage today. As some of you may recall, I'm trying to get off disability. Well, first the lady from voc-rehab told me that due to budget cuts, I have been put on a waiting list, and she has no idea when my name will come up, if ever. So, then I noticed an announcement for a job assistance program for the 55+ crowd, and I called them. Due to budget cuts, they will put me on a waiting list, and they have no idea when my name will come up - if ever.

Is there an echo in here?

So here we are with the economy straining at the leash to jump into another major recession and all state and federal job assistance programs have been cut, and stuff like food stamps and housing are next up on the block. Thank you ever so much Tea Bag assholes! :mad:

@Anon: You could put strychnine in the guacamole...

I finally go to the dentist tomorrow to have at least one tooth pulled. My teeth are in terrible shape because I couldn't afford to go the dentist. Now I have discovered a low income dental clinic which is good, but I think every tooth in the left side of my mouth is probably a goner. I wonder how many they can pull at one time. :thepain:

oh poor Sam :(

I second that. Teeth. What a pain in the mouth! :(

I am sorry, Sam! I have the same problem. Left side a disaster with one or two teeth that probably need yanked out. I hope you are able to salvage your teeth and that it isn't too painful for you.

Thanks, everyone! I have a question about this entire procedure, but I don't think it belongs here - maybe Health?

My audio card completely bit the dust this afternoon. I have a script coming tomorrow. Fuckity fuck.

Do you have, like, an old Fostex 4-track casette recorder in the back of your closet?

I have a G3 Mac from 1998. Which is most likely what I'll be using until I get my laptop fixed.

Sam, I'll be praying for you. The whole situation sucks. If it gets too bad, you can come live at the old sewage lagoon with me.

Now here's my crap for the day. We had a tough court (heavy docket). A man scheduled for trial on public drunkeness came to court intoxicated. Really you say? Well that was the small part. What capped it off the drunk SOB came over to me and started rubbing my belly. In what little bit of that pickled would he ever think it is ok to come to court drunk and rub on the police chief's belly.

Yes there was one hell of a fight! Turns out the bastard had 3 knives on him. Yes he is still alive. He'll make an appearance before the judge on Monday

Are you okay, Sarge? You weren't cut, were you? Btw, I hope you have some sense of humor at the moment, but I got a hilarious image while reading your post. Imagine a drunkard walking over to rub your tummy! :lol: :lol:

He'll make an appearance before the judge on Monday

after he gets out of the Hospital ??

I guess he thought I was a panda too. LOL. Lordy, the story has spread all over the county. Geez. Why do I get all the nuts? Anyway, I didn't get hurt. The knives were in his pockets and he never pulled them out. The guy's street name is "Bull" and before alcoholism took its toll, he was quite stout. Remember, I'm a good size ole boy, hence the name Big Sarge. He came up on the short end of the stick. I guess I kind of "squished him".

No, no, "used reasonable force to control the situation. Your honour."

I presume the guy is a wayyy gone alcoholic, can't help himself. He doesn't sound mean, just really messed up.

never a good idea to show up to court drunk.

glad you're ok sarge. It could've gone either way.

With the benefit of hindsight it IS a funny story. I LOL'd.
The reality was probably way different.

Glad you're safe.

What's the charge for this one? Pandaring? :lol:

I slay me.

It is a funny story!

I have been trying to figure out a way to charge him witha sex crime. I can imagine the headlines, "Man Convicted of Fondling Police Chief in Courtroom".

So true IM. Everybody thinks I'm a big lovable panda.You can rub my belly anytime!

Hey! Keep that belly for overseas females only!

Grandad's nurse is very worried about him.
She worked with Mum years back, when she was a student and Mum was picking up extra money as a cleaner.
From what she's said, Mum doesn't think Grandad will get through his current illness.

I have more faith in his stregnth, but then I haven't seen him for a week or so.
I'm going tomorrow with my bro.

Mum's going tonight after Mass.
She must honestly believe it's bad, because she was there for over an hour this morning, and she doesn't usually visit twice a day.

AND she called my bro and sister AND her brother in Australia.
Seems more serious than the other times she's predicted his death.
But because of all the other times I still can't find it in me to be too worried.

Will let you know.

Oh, your poor Mum, she must be so worried. Thinking good thoughts for youse all.

@ Sarge: maybe he thought it'd give him good luck?

Visiting for a Halloween Party, my neighbor walked into my FiL's house and started rubbing his Buddha statue's belly... It as a weird moment.

Somethng well-intentioned that ended up being a paving stone for satan :(

Grandad's still alive.
I'm happy about it.
I'm just a little weary about my mother's death-watch scares.

She'll be right one day and I'll feel awful.

But there've been approx six that I can remember now (pre-hospital, hospital and care-home) and although I do love him, I don't worry as much now. And when I say death-watch, I mean checking we all have clean funeral clothes, lists of people to contact and the name of the funeral parlour and Chapel of Rest he is registered at, and recommended florist in case she is out of the house.

Even Dad had his doubts. His main worry was that Mum would cancel their weekend away in Peterborough. He's not a heartless man - Grandad has been part of his life for nearly as long as his own Dad by now (partly because thanks to WWII he didn't meet his Dad until he was five). But he has learned that rumours of Grandad's death may have been exaggerated.

Yes, it is really upsetting Mum.
And of course I am being sympathetic.
But I honestly believe this well pass. And he won't. This time.

At least she's sad, not furious, as she is when things simply go wrong.
No screaming, swearing or threats of violence.
Thank goodness.

I'm upset to find good news cluttering up this upset thread. I think. Maybe it makes me happy? Fuck. Where is the I'm confused thread?

Sundae, I'm very glad your Granddad is ok, and that's true for *all* threads.

My budget request just got slammed. No new vehicle & no pay raises, plus have to cut my budget request by almost $100,000. I understand we don't have the money but you can't get blood from a turnip. Damn. I am so, so fucked

For the police gig?

Yes police. It means no new vehicles or equipment. Plus, I have to lay off an officer. The economy is taking a toll on a lot of small towns

ouch. I'm sorry

maybe you can steal some? 1 -- fewer cops means lower likelihood of getting caught. 2 -- you get money. 3 -- increased crime can motivate your budget hawks to grant you more money.

win-win-win.

But BS , I thought you LIKED yer Cruser Hoopty !!!
Hell its Prolly Pretty good Geto Camo By now ;)

Tea Party municipality, eh? Too bad you don't work for those generous-with-everybody-else's-money Democrats. ;)

Some shit heels vandalized our Rod and Gun club. The spray painted some letters on the shooting shack and the main sign. Some initials.

Asswipes. I think we should put up a trail cam, but I doubt they'll be back. Prolly some local knuckle heads drunk for the first time and feeling their oats.

fuck them.

I eradicate any of that tagging I find (in my local area, in a couple houses radius of my house that is, I don't cruise the city with cleaning/sandblasting/overpainting supplies, but that would be a satisfying job, pissing on top of "their markings". fuckers) immediately.

Thats better.

The manager of the Bates Motel - Carmen - just called with the news that her grand daughter has died - at the ripe old age of seventeen. So Carmen needs to leave ASAP to be with her son back East somewhere and attend the funeral.

She asked me to fill in for her at the Bates and of course I said yes. Which means I will be putting in 14 hours a day over the busy labor day weekend starting tomorrow. :greenface

The plus is that I will make some badly needed extra money. But I wish it wouldn't have been at the cost of such tragedy for Carmen. :(

oh ouch, I'm sorry. But at least you'll get some cash in your pocket for more adventurin'

Went to see Grandad on Saturday as Mum was away.
He thought I was Mum.
I mean many people say we look alike, but I did introduce myself clearly. And Mum does not have pink hair.

He is rarely completely in reality now. He listens and responds logically, but not about real events.
He was talking to Mum the other day about the people who came to see him from New Zealand, and how good of them it was to come all that way. He also asks her quite often where she is living now, and how she will be getting home. Mum's lived in this house for 39 years.

He is happy though. When I was there I got him a cup of tea - which he drank half of (in a beaker, through a straw of course) and put a couple of bits of Milky Way on his tongue. He thoroughly enjoyed it. I then massaged his feet, and again he was relaxed and smiling.

So although I doubt he'll go with the drama of previous scares, I think he is slowly slipping away. I know some people can last years without traces of their previous personality, but he is terribly thin, prone to infection and overall quite frail. I can't help thinking that without the desire to hold on, he might well be ready to leave us.

It's not upsetting me as such, just a reality check.

Stay Strong and Smile for him Kiddo ,
think of the good times

I'm sorry Sundae. :(

My thoughts are with you.

I don't know if it's the day, or my mood, or just burn-out from all the craziness of the past month and a half. But I hate my job. I'm not allowed to say that because I'm lucky to have a job. And I should be forging ahead and trying to get promoted or I'm worthless.

But some days I hate it. To the point where all I want to do is cry. But, that can't happen either.

minkey.... of course you're allowed to say that. denying it is unrealistic, if not an outright lie at times. you show (from what little I can see here) proper judgment about where and to whom you say it... go ahead. I'm jealous, yeah, from a cash flow perspective, but I've filled out my share of FAFSAs. NO. THANKS. I'm glad you have your job, and not me. *shivers*

As for forging ahead, blah blah blah... life work balance. Your life, your balance, and the bird to those who judge you, yourself excluded. Though I doubt (and hope you don't) judge yourself worthless. I don't.

Cry? Why the hell not? Well, you probably have your reasons. Cryin's ok though.

Thanks V, that was very kind.

You are not alone, i.m. I loathe my job, too. I hate the long hours when I do work and the long intervals in between when they have no work for me. I hate getting only minimum wage and never ever overtime, no matter what. I can work a 54 hour week; I can work Christmas day - it doesn't matter. The cheapskate owner pays minimum wage all the same. And when he's not off on some junket, he comes in and micro-manages to the point where I want to hit him with something.

But I'm lucky to have any work at all, given the unemployment around here, and my age and situation. I take out my frustrations by giving people the lowest rates I can. No one EVER pays the standard price when I'm at the desk. Take THAT, Mr. Skinflint Boss! :mad:

Oh, and get this. I will not be receiving a check tomorrow for the full 54 hours I worked. The owner doesn't pay for more than 40 hours a week. So I have to wait until the next check to be paid for my remaining 14 hours. GRRRRRR! Is that even legal?

No, I'm pretty sure not.

No it isn't. I'm 99% sure you are due 14 hours overtime (paid at 1 & 1/2x your normal rate) which would really come out to 21 hours at your regular rate.
There are federal laws about this and many states also have laws, some pretty recent. Contact someone in your state to find out more.
I googled "When do employers have to pay overtime?" and got plenty of good hits.

Trouble is that if I rock the boat, they'll find some excuse to let me go, and then I'll be making $0.00/hr. And we're all in the same boat. The other desk clerk was convinced that there's a law no one could get a raise for two years! I told her no, it was just the owner being an ass. The manager, Carmen, gets a pitiful compensation for all she does - which is considerable. There would be no Bates Motel without her. Carmen stays because she's 63 and afraid she couldn't find other work in the current economic climate. What use are labor laws when workers are afraid to ask that they be enforced?

Welcome to capitalism.

Yeah, society as envisioned by Merc. :eek:

Call your local Gov't regulator. If not, then why have them.

Just an update on the Grandad situation.

Mum went to see him twice yesterday, she thinks these are his final days.
Both times he was curled up in a fetal position, not talking any sense (again, he thought Mum was Nan) and wouldn't accept anything other than a couple of sips of sweet tea.

But then we have been here before. And Mum does tend to assume any time his condition worsens he is about to die. And he has often rallied round.

I know she wants him to die and feels horribly guilty about it. She wants him to die as a mercy of course, not because it will be easier for her. Once he dies she is head of her branch of the family and will feel very lonely.

She's already started drafting letters to the family - she was going through old photos and there is a pile of envelopes addressed right next to me, on the printer.

She's asking my advice about where it is best to hold the service, and worrying that with the new order of service in the Catholic church she will looks like someone who has never been to a Catholic funeral before, and will look like an idiot.

She's also being a right mardy bitch, snapping at Dad and at me and being generally unpleasant. I take a deep breath and remember she thinks she is about to lose her father. And given the state of his decline, she already has of course. This is not about me.

I'll step up to the mark like I did at Nanny's funeral. I think that impressed Mum more than anything I have ever done. With all of my other failings and disappointments, she knows at least she can rely on me to perform as a dutiful daughter. I will display the stiff upper lip that she deems proper, and make funeral sandwiches and circulate with drinks and shake people's hands to thank them for coming and listen with interest to tales from long ago and do a reading in a mellifluous voice.

Sometimes, being disassociated is deemed a more proper response.

Hang in there honey. You're doing her proud.

What Dana said, SG. And yes, you're right, "Sometimes, being disassociated is deemed a more proper response" but do allow yourself to grieve, too. Hugs to you and your mum (even if she doesn't want it!!).

I'm sorry Sundae. You can handle this but, I'll repeat limey, you still need to grieve.