The venting place

[Tuxie]

Everybody needs a place to vent at times, this is the place to do it. It can be about anything, not necessarily just love related. I'll start it off...

I work at a place that has NO respect for employees.. well, other than the fact that they give us a place to work. I've worked there for 27+ years. It seems like over the past 7 or 8 years, employees have been subjected to hourly cut backs... wage reductions... and basically getting screwed. Now, all that being said... this has left me in quite the bad spot financially. All this has taken it's toll on me. It's wearing thin on me... bordering on depression. Hopefully, me being able to vent here will help some. I'm thinking of seeking some help with some counselling, for my emotional well-being. :(

[Davey Crockett]

Well Tuxguy you are not alone. I have seen my fair share of employers who simply do not care about it's employees. They think of them like disposable items and only care about their bottom line profits. It is a shame there are so many companies like this. Companies cut back hours and wages and then you see managers driving around in brand new cars and executives with smiles on their faces! Totally sucks.

Counseling has helped me and has gotten me out of many lows in my life where I might not have been able to do it alone. Also talking to my girlfriend has also helped out a lot and she is FREE!

You are a great graphics designer, (I don't know how much time you have on your hands) but there are many people who supplement their income by doing website design projects on their own at sites such as Sitepoint.com and elance.com.

[EC]

Speaking of employment and how unhappy people can be at their workplaces, just a word of advice, don't take it home with you.

[mashmac]

It would be great I you could not take it home with you. Unfortunately when finances are crucial, you have to. Counseling is great because this kind of situation puts you in a spot where you lose confidence and start doubting your capacities. And you start sinking thinking you are not competent. I have/am still in counseling and frankly would not be able to cope without it.
I am a great believer in seeking support or help for situations I am not an expert at.


So you need to regroup, regain control and venture out there to find what else you can do. So much easier said than done when you are at such a low point.

Courage Tuxguy, it will work out as long as you are able to believe in yourself again. So please promise you will try and come back to talk about it. And as EC mentioned - there is someone in your life that will love you no matter what - Taxgirl. So you are already so much better off then most because she is/will be there for you especially now. And it is now that you need her more than ever, Now when it all seems so grim.

[EC]

Just how much are you spending on counsellings? Financial problem sucks, money talk in relationship is also crap!

[Tuxie]

EC - I haven't started any counselling yet... so in answer to your question, nothing. When/if I do start any counselling, it will probably be through my church. More than likely, little or no charge.

All - Thanks for your answers and the support. :)

[EC]

No worries Tuxguy, well, let's all vent :)

I am annoyed that no matter where we work there's always politics and backstabbing in workplaces. I sometimes find it demoralizing and not very motivating, not healthy for productivity especially when there are clashes in people in the same team.

On the other hand, sometimes I feel that it give competitiveness and used as an aggressive way to get to the top fast. One way or the other, I do get annoyed with politics and believe strongly that working hard and working smart is the way to go rather than stepping on others.

There are always people that will jump up and down and run to the boss at every single errors someone make. What do you guys feel about this? Just the way things go these days and just go with the flow?

[Tuxie]

No worries Tuxguy, well, let's all vent :)

I am annoyed that no matter where we work there's always politics and backstabbing in workplaces. I sometimes find it demoralizing and not very motivating, not healthy for productivity especially when there are clashes in people in the same team.

On the other hand, sometimes I feel that it give competitiveness and used as an aggressive way to get to the top fast. One way or the other, I do get annoyed with politics and believe strongly that working hard and working smart is the way to go rather than stepping on others.

There are always people that will jump up and down and run to the boss at every single errors someone make. What do you guys feel about this? Just the way things go these days and just go with the flow?
A lot of this goes along with the atmosphere of the workplace. I don't know if this is your situation or not EC, but most people tend to 'nit-pick' when they're not happy with their work situation... I know I do. I guess it's our way of 'lashing back' when we feel mistreated and the like.

If you have real concerns about it, maybe you could possibly take it to a supervisor or a member of management? Chin up... :)

[Penguin_Woman]

Boy, do I have some venting to do today. Well, first my internet went down. I have cable internet. I got it because it's fast, and I thought reliable. Seems I was wrong.

So I call my cable company and try to talk to tech support, I get told that because of "unusually high call volume"...I couldn't speak to anyone. So I mess with my modem some more trying to make it work, but getting nowhere.
I finally get through to someone. they seem very unsure...there may be an outage, maybe not. Asked me to unplug m modem and plug it back in. when that failed they said they'd send someone out, but firstavailable time was Thursday.

I was pretty ticked off. But I hoped it would resolve itself (it only sorta did. I dunno how long I'll be on.) So, I still don't know what to expect.

Then, a couple days ago on Tuesday, my apartment complex put up a note by the mailboxes saying they were shutting the water off Tuesday at 8 a.m weather permitting. If not, then they'd do it Wednesday. Wednesday, they put up a note saying it'd be Thursday at 8 a.m. So, I prepared. I saved water in whatever I could find. By Thursday afternoon, I figured it wasn't going to happen or it did already.

Then this afternoon, I go to turn on the facet...no water they shut it off without warning...after I dumped out all my water. (I have only a little bit). So now I'm left with no water and wonky internet.

I should count my blessings though. I've a wonderful man I love, nice weather, food in the fridge and a roof over my head. So, I guess I'm not doin' too bad. :)

[Tuxie]

We've always wanted this to be a place where we all can feel free to 'voice' our feelings and opinions. I guess this applies to Admins too...

As most of you know.. when Tuxette and I first came here, this was a 'ghost forum'. I think we had one or two members that would stop by every so often to post, but certainly not on a regular basis. It was our hope that we could turn ATLF into a nice place to come ask questions about love and life in general. For a short while, I thought we were doing an excellent job at it. But lately IMHO, we seem to be drifting away from that. Some here seem more interested in chatting and flirting now than giving advice. As I said to aussie a few weeks back... it's not the size of the number of posts you have, it's how you use them. Some seem more interested in the total number of posts they have instead of giving advice anymore.

Most of the reason I've been absent from the forums is because of my new workplace. Because of the way it's set up, I just can't spend anytime at all online like I used to. But... another reason is that I just can't seem to get motivated to even get back here (ATLF). I'm not exactly sure why that is. It might be the constant straying off topics... then, some of you like to 'make light' of the whole issue. I dunno... I guess it just seems like organized chaos to me lately. I tried to give you guys a thread, just for talking about anything and everything under the sun. But that doesn't seem to be working.

See.. Admins are human too. We get frustrated. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.

[mashmac]

I see why you would think that and I am one of those guilty of fluff
And I haven't had "love/romance/serious" issues on my mind. And flirting?
Think I flirted enough for a lifetime.

When I first got here, I was not doing well. And that's an understatement.

Now - I've moved on. Still so delighted I did. I am back in control of myself or my emotions or most of both. Certainly I don't want to allow "emotions" to drive me. Think I've packed in enough on that front.

I do enjoy answering but don't have much to ask. Or seldom.

I do remember the ghost days and how it helped me to heal.

That was about 400 of my posts ago...! (Who is counting? :) )

Still, I keep on coming back.
And yes, I wonder - what is the point. I am not sure anymore. Not sure at all.

[Tuxie]

Still, I keep on coming back.
And yes, I wonder - what is the point. I am not sure anymore. Not sure at all.

Why you would keep coming back? Well... I'd like to think we've all made some difference in each others lives, touched each other emotionally in some small way. Even.... made friends on here. Sometimes I wonder if that's the reason behind all the chattiness... that we feel comfortable with each other. I suppose some of that is not only acceptable, but encouraged. But, to me, it just seems like we've sort of 'gone astray' just a bit. I sometimes feel offended that I even hafta defend this whole 'going off topic' stance. I get the feeling like I'm the 'bad guy' or... I'm the 'downer'. Now I understand why another Admin at another forum usta get defensive about going OT. She'd say stuff like... Don't you guys use any IM programs? Maybe you guys need to do your chatting on there.

*sigh* I dunno... mebbe I'll be thinking clearer about it in a few days. Mebbe not...

[Penguin_Woman]

I understand my love. It is hard...I wanna be the cool, fun Admin...but sometimes we gotta be the bad guy, I guess. It sucks....but such is life I guess

[~Teej~]

World of Warcraft banned my account for no reason on Sunday and I have sent various emails asking for an explanation and they won't reply.

I don't know what I have done.

I am more than a little annoyed :mad:

[Penguin_Woman]

I'm sorry, Meerkat. Is there a phone number you can call maybe?

[~Teej~]

I have looked for one and I can't find it.

None of my friends can understand why they have done it either :confused:

[mashmac]

excuse my ignorance meerkat but who has banned you and why?

[aussiecoffee007]

oh i can get the WOW number if you want, sean had to call for something or other at one point, do you want me to?

[~Teej~]

oh i can get the WOW number if you want, sean had to call for something or other at one point, do you want me to?

Yes please Aussie that would be awesome :D

[aussiecoffee007]

hey meerkat sean wants to know what your server is.

[~Teej~]

Burning Steppes :D

[**Sapphire**]

I have a rant. Why do many people have to be ignorant? Don't they know they are NOT the only 1's on the road, taking public transportation, shopping, etc.?

As I was coming home from work I swear to you all if 1 more person walked into me, pushed me, basically acted like they were the only 1's that existed I was going to snap on them!! :mad:

[aussiecoffee007]

i totally know what you mean. i was drivign in LA adn it was impossible like alwyas and this guy--high i think--cuts into the center turn lane, into the other side of the road, and just drives like ten blocks at full speed. i was so mad, its like, do you think we like traffic? do you think youre just better than the laws and better than us?!

[**Sapphire**]

It's crazy isn't it Aussie? I see people doing some CRAZY stuff driving everyday, it amazes me how many of them haven't gotten into a bad car accident. They don't even have common courtesy for pedestrians crossing the road ways, practically run you over.

[**Sapphire**]

Here's a new vent from me for today. Why do people in real life & online feel the need to play games? I don't get it, why can't they be themselves? Ugh...those childish people really get to me! :mad:

[~Teej~]

Been getting ready to go to a friends wedding and one of my nans gold earrings that she brought me has pinged out of the box and is now in my bathroom somewhere.

I cannot find it as much as I look....To make matters worse I put my rats in here as they were noisy last night and I couldn't sleep...I have searched the cage and I can't find it in there...I just have to pray they don't eat it.

:(

[**Sapphire**]

Ut oh meerkat, I hope 1 of them didn't swallow the earring. Although if 1 did, in a couple days you should get it back! OH YUCK! :eek: :D

[aussiecoffee007]

what do you mean sapphire? what with children playing games on the internet... what experiences have you had?

[**Sapphire**]

Aussie it's actually adults that play the head games with me. I have had my fair share of people "pretend" to be nice, friendly or even a friend to me, only to turn around & talk badly about me. So basically that rant that day was about someone that I had found out was playing head games with me. :mad: :(

[aussiecoffee007]

oh that really sucks, this whole internet thing can be a drag at times

[~Teej~]

Every post is showing up as read..

I haven't read anything..

Stupid work internet..

How will I know which are the new threads without looking at all of them :(

[**Sapphire**]

Teej, are you sure it's your work internet? Or did you by chance click "all read" in your profile or something?


Ok my rant for the day...why does work have to change? Can't they keep things the same...I liked the old way of doing my work. :mad: :(

[Riggs]

Aussie it's actually adults that play the head games with me. I have had my fair share of people "pretend" to be nice, friendly or even a friend to me, only to turn around & talk badly about me. So basically that rant that day was about someone that I had found out was playing head games with me. :mad: :(

You know.. I 've had that happen to me too.

[~Teej~]

No it's the work internet. It keeps going down so it kicks me out the forum...seems to be better today but we'll see

[Pink]

I need to vent a little.. So my boss at work is a real pain. We have a total of 4 women that work in the office so we've all gotten very close over the years. I've been working here for a little over 4 years and have had no complaints up until now.

My boss got married December of last year. You'd think I'd be happy, but he didn't tell us until April of this year. He hid it from everyone including his family and friends. ANYWAY he decided to bring his new wife into the office to work part time. She wanted to take over right away and be the office manager. My current manager has had numerous arguments with her to put her in her place.

SO now she lies to my boss (her husband) on all the employees here. I don't know if she's done it to me yet because I haven't heard anything. All of this drama is making me want to leave. I love my job, but I hate her. THANK GOD she is pregnant and will be out within the next 3 to 4 months. Ok, done ranting. :)

[**Sapphire**]

I agree that wasn't right at all stoner, geez!

Pink, I think the best thing here is to do your best to wait her out until she goes on leave. After the baby is born, she will hopefully be so busy with her new baby she won't come back to work.

I have a little vent, why do we always have to do so much work on the weekends? Better yet, why do we have to work so much during the week & only have 2 days off? I could so easily work the weekends & have the week days off. I can just imagine all the house things I could get done if it was reversed.

[Pink]

Pink, I think the best thing here is to do your best to wait her out until she goes on leave. After the baby is born, she will hopefully be so busy with her new baby she won't come back to work.

Yeah, I think I'll do that. She's already talking about having a live-in nanny to take care of the baby so she can come back early. :rolleyes: We'll see.

[stoner]

this whole internet thing can be a drag at times

Sad, but true ...

On a brighter note, I'm glad that I had found the ATLF. I could be wrong at times, but at least, my mistakes are brought to my immediate attention in the most polite and respectful manner.

Back to topic, I'm getting discouraged with my employment status. :( The changes that were implemented, in writing, was supposed to be working in my favor. In practice, however, that ain't the case ...

Last month, the powers-that-be decided to dissolve my classroom. In turn, I became a per session employee - working on a contractual basis - where I could either shadow a child if he/she is in an integrated classroom, or provide home-based special instruction on a 1:1 basis. On the good side of things, I'm pretty much an independent contractor, where I am my own boss and can work at my own pace.

On the bad side of things, I still have yet to receive one phone call from the agency, to pair me up with a child to work with, thus leaving me in limbo. In the beginning, I didn't mind the free time, but as the weeks progressed, I'm now feeling very restless, bored and depressed. I feel employed and unemployed at the same time.

The past two weeks, I'd been making phone calls and faxing my resumes, but that too seems to be getting nowhere. I had been in a couple of interviews, but I still have yet to be offered a job ... I don't know what to say right, now except that I'm feeling so down.

[**Sapphire**]

I'm sorry to hear of the trying time you are going through right now stoner. It's hard, but keep on trucking by sending out your resume & going on interviews, something will come up soon for you. I'm not sure, but does Monster.com have teaching position type jobs posted? If they do, that's a great job site to look up jobs & to also post your resume. If you haven't maybe have a look at the site.

My rant for the day is why does work have to be so hard, long & drawn out? I'm leaving for home in about an hour & I can't wait.

[**Sapphire**]

Ok I have a little vent for today.

Why do we have to work so much during the week? My weekends are mostly spent playing "catch up" with the house work & doing other things that we never have time for during the week. 1 weekend I would love to have it to myself, nothing extra to do.

[stoner]

I have to vent as well ...

A consumer/client just recently decided to cancel on me for good this morning. Last week, the mother canceled out because her daughter was very sick. Today, the mother dropped the bombshell that she does not need my services any longer, and that having a male teacher working with her daughter was making her feel uncomfortable. How convenient, and the sad part is that I don't blame her.

Besides teaching, I am in a profession that is supposed to protect the wellness of children. Unfortunately, it only takes one sexual pervert to do the unimaginable, and it's more than enough to make our vocation look very bad. In my case being a man, it makes the situation even harder for me to find parents that will trust me with their children. This really sucks! :(

[~Teej~]

Thats really sad Stoner, I am sorry to hear that :( I hope on the other hand that your new job is still going well.

[Tony]

yes that is sad stoner I hope more work comes your way soon
its the bad guys that blow it for the good guys mate its not your fault.

[stoner]

Just an update ... the mother called me again to reiterate what she had already told me the day before. This time, in addition to telling her that it was o.k., I spoke up with somewhat of an angrier tone.

I told her that she could have said "no" to me from the very beginning -- at least before I started providing services to her daughter. I declined two clients prior to taking her case, to be able to accommodate her daughter's needs. And now with her telling me that she no longer needed my services, those two previous offers no longer existed. Now I'm stuck with 3 1/2 hours in my morning schedule with absolutely nothing to do, and no child to work with. *sigh*

Was I wrong "blasting out" the way that I just did?

[T12am]

I could login to xanga but it shows up as an error.. I'm very angry.

[**Sapphire**]

What is the problem with public transportation these days? It hardly ever seems to be on time.

I take a train & bus to & from work each day. Yesterday when I left for home, my train was almost a 1/2 hour late, then my bus was just about the same amount of time late. I left work at 3pm & didnt' get home until about 4:50pm...UGH...I hate public trans sometimes. :rant:

[~Teej~]

I hate it all the time...that is why I cycle to work these days to make sure that I am there on time..otherwise I would always end up being late..They really need to sort it out..

[**Sapphire**]

Are you close enough to your work to cycle there? If you are, your lucky hun. I'm too far away from work to do that. If we had a car I still wouldn't drive down to this area, there are hardly no places to park & the parking lots charge a whole lot of money to park your car each day. :eek:

[T12am]

I am sad... THIS much..

:(

[T12am]

Being sick sucks...:rant:

[**Sapphire**]

I'm sorry that you aren't feeling well T12am. I hope you get well soon hun! :)

[Pink]

:rant::rant: OK! I have to rant!

So, I'm sure most of you have read about my work situation and how much I hate it. Well it hasn't gotten any better. The only good thing about it is the boss's wife will be out for a few months because she's due in December. NOW I'm having a problem with another employee.

We'll call her Stacy. Stacy has a very short temper and treats our patients horribly. We've had so many complaints about her and now a few doctor's won't even refer to us anymore because of her nasty attitude. My boss wants the manager to fire her this week, which is fine by me. I never liked her anyway, but now he wants ME to cover her position and do my regular work on top of it. Her position is what I did when I first started. It would be so much extra work and stress, and he said no to a raise. I don't think I can take this much longer before I explode. :mad:

Sorry if that was long.. I just had to get it off my chest. :(

[Tony]

its ok to have a rant Pink please don't be sorry for you post being long

I would agree that Stacy needs to go.

I do not think its fair for your boss to expect you to take on more of a work load with out some of incentive for you.

but then again you have enough on your plate now without more added to it.

would a talk with you boss help any regarding the extra work load ?

[Pink]

I'm going to see him tomorrow so hopefully we can get something worked out. He's such a stubborn and hard headed man! I want to quit so bad, but I need to have another full time job lined up before I do. I have some debt to pay off! :eek:

[Tony]

that is a poor boss Pink
Tell him straight that the extra pressure of the work should not be put on your shoulders
alone.

I would say to him how do you expect me to do my normal work now with the extra work as well.

[Pink]

I will show him who is boss! :p Thanks for the advice. :)

[~Teej~]

Yes I agree with Tony..Tell him what for Pink

[**Sapphire**]

I agree with Tony too Pink. He needs to realize that you can't do 2 people's work, especially with no money compensation.

Do you have any vaction time? If so I would suggest looking for a job in your spare time. Monster.com is a great place to post your resume & also look for a job in the field you are interested in or want to try out.

Good luck hun & let us know how it's going.

[T12am]

My phone is busted... I am just angry that it is!!!

[Pink]

No, Sapphire, I don't have anymore vacation time. :( I used it all this year! lol Starting in January I'll have 2 weeks so I think I'll take a few days then.

Today he never showed up. My manager says he's coming in Thursday so I guess I just have to wait until then.

[**Sapphire**]

My phone is busted... I am just angry that it is!!!

Oh no that isn't good hun. Broken phones are pretty expensive. Maybe you can get it fixed?

No, Sapphire, I don't have anymore vacation time. :( I used it all this year! lol Starting in January I'll have 2 weeks so I think I'll take a few days then.

Today he never showed up. My manager says he's coming in Thursday so I guess I just have to wait until then.

If you can then wait until you have your vacation time back & if you decide you can start looking for a new job. You give him hell on Thursday girl!

[T12am]

I'm getting a new phone this weekend.. the Mogul by Sprint.. it's a waste of $$ but hopefully I'll learn to take care of my things. I've had the PPC for 2 years already and it has been thrown, dropped, kicked, stepped on, sat on, and I remember my daughter throwing it down a flight of stairs.. surprised it lasted this long!

I am very sleepy.. just took my meds.. will sleep soon.

[Pink]

Update on my work situation.

I got to talk to my boss and he asked me to take over the last girl's job and I do get a raise for it. I don't really mind it so far, but I almost feel like I'm being demoted or something. I did this job when I first started 4 years ago. I still do my billing, but I know it's going to get further and further behind. I think I'm going to wait it out until January so I can take off 3 or 4 days and hunt for a new job. So stressful. :(

[T12am]

Update on my work situation.

I got to talk to my boss and he asked me to take over the last girl's job and I do get a raise for it. I don't really mind it so far, but I almost feel like I'm being demoted or something. I did this job when I first started 4 years ago. I still do my billing, but I know it's going to get further and further behind. I think I'm going to wait it out until January so I can take off 3 or 4 days and hunt for a new job. So stressful. :(

Keep a smile on your face and make the most of it, Pink.. :)

I don't have any vents for today.. I guess that's a good thing. I just feel sad, not mad.

[**Sapphire**]

I agree with T12am Pink, you have less than a month to go until you get your vacation, stick it out until then & then get yourself something better hun.

I have a vent today, the SNOW!! We didn't get as much as some areas around here, but it still was a pain to get to work earlier today. I left for work at 6am so stores & stuff hadn't shoveled. It's fun to try to walk over big snow banks getting off & on the bus & train TRYING to get to work. Of course I'm being VERY SARCASTIC about the fun part! 1 good thing though is it could have been much worse & I have had to go to work in worse, so I'm happy it wasn't really bad.

[Pink]

Another rant.. :rant:

Alright. Here we go again. :rolleyes: My boss is now wanting me to do a 3 person job. I just can't handle it anymore. I told him I am looking for a new job because of the stress. I guess I'm just tired of working in a place where no one cares. They do not care about their employees at all.

Oh and starting January 1st we will no longer have health insurance. They are taking it away because it's too costly for them. I'm just adding that to my list of problems. Today I'm going to apply at a few places on my lunch break. I'm also looking into school and maybe take a few classes a week.

[Tony]

Pink I think your Boss is a very unfair person. :rant:
do you have a Union Rep you can talk to about this ?

I would not work for a Boss like that ( thats just me though ):nono:
as for no health insurance I would give my notice in there and then. :cool:

I also see work place safety issues there as well with all the work this Boss wants you to do.

so in a way I am ranting with you :thumb:

[Pink]

Thanks. :) What's a union rep? Maybe it's called something different here. lol I've talked to my manager and there isn't anything she can do either. She wants to leave also because he's throwing a bunch of stuff in her lap too. And I have to have insurance. That's a must!

[Tony]

A Union Representative is an organization that will fight for workers rights.

A Delegation member for workers rights

does that help you at all ?

[Pink]

Oh I see! I'll have to check that out. Thanks!

[**Sapphire**]

I don't know how I missed this thread, I must be slipping.

Pink I'm sorry about the continued troubles you are having on your job hun. I think you telling your boss of your intentions to leave & to start looking now is the best thing.

I'm thinking your boss wants to cut corners by having current employees doing work that he probably should be hiring new employees for, not right at all!

[Pink]

Yeah, he does need to hire new people, but he's so cheap! And his wife also thinks it's a bad idea so she controls him. I have to get out of this place. :(

[Tony]

for once I have to vent
I rang my mother last night and as we talked she told me a story about my youngest Nephew who is 21.
Well he and a mate went out to a party they got slightly intoxicated so they decided to walk home at 4am as they were walking home happy and laughing my nephew and his mate passed one house on there way home and around 20 young blokes came out of the house swinging a Baseball bat.
My nephew revived some bad injury's and was admitted to hospital.
why attack two guys for walking passed a house at 4am

to use a baseball bat and with so many blokes is nothing short of being a coward
I don't know as yet if the police are involved or not but I sure hope so.

big boys huh ?

[**Sapphire**]

Oh my Tony! I'm soo sorry to hear about this, I do hope that your nephew is better soon. I also do hope that the police get involved, something needs to be done about those rotten scum bags that hurt him :mad:

[Tony]

thanks Sapphire
I hope the police are onto this.
I almost use stronger words for the rotten scum bags.

my only hope now is when my nephew is well again that he and his mate don't go looking for them.

[**Sapphire**]

Do you have any updates on your Nephew Tony?

Ok I have a little vent...why do I have to be at work today? I just found out that our business phone lines all 3 of the different numbers that go to our office are all down, all any of us calling in & anybody else customers or not get is constant ringing. We can't even check our voicemails if we have any to check. So, I ask again, WHY ARE WE HERE TODAY?? Many of us won't be able to get any work done as they use the phones either to take or make calls, so this day will go on even slower than I originally thought. :(:nono:

[Pink]

Do you think they might let you guys go home early? Sounds like theres no point in being there.

[**Sapphire**]

They just may Pink, the only problem is if they do, the most they will let us go home is 2 hours early than our normal leave time. So I normally leave at 3pm so I would get to leave at 1pm. Well I still have a good portion of the day to sit here & not be very busy.

[Tony]

I would put that to your boss Sapphire

oh boy I forgot about my Nephew an update where do I start
ok he never went to the police he and his mate want revenge
I talked to him about that but I don't think he listened to me..

I was chatting to my mother about my nephew and my mum has said to me that my nephew has a bad drinking problem
also my mum told me my nephew got into another fight with 2 bouncers in a night club
the 2 bouncers added to the lumps on his head.. stupid kid....
he was drunk and the bouncers asked him to leave and he did not want to go so the bouncers picked him up and thou him out head first...

being young and drunk does not pay some times lol
I would say my nephew needs help badly before worse happens to him
there is a long story as to why he drinks the way he does..
in short his mother tried to OD on pills and he found his mother...( that was 12 months ago )
he failed at school failed to get in the Army and at the moment he is lost

[**Sapphire**]

I'm sorry to hear about your nephew going through such rough times right now.

Does he have anybody to talk to about how he is feeling? Maybe someone could help him to see the right path to take.

[Tony]

I don't think he does Sapphire
my mum has tried to talk to him he has said to her that he doe not have a problem

[**Sapphire**]

That's very sad Tony. I'm afraid that he may have to hit "rock bottom" before he realizes he does have a problem. That's never a good thing, but if he won't listen to your mom & he also won't acknowledge he has a problem, no amount of anybody else telling him will make him see. Very sad.:(

[Tony]

I may get the chance to talk to him soon Sapphire I might be able to pull a few strings and get him some help.
I can understand what he is going through but he is destroying himself
there is alot more to life than feeling and doing what he is doing
young and stupid at 21
I have to get him to care about his own life and get over what had happened

[**Sapphire**]

Good Tony, I hope that you can get him some help so he can see he is going down a very destructive path.

[Tony]

Yeah I need to talk to him myself to see what he wants out of life
I know finding his mother like that was the start of it all.

I will just have to put aside that he is my nephew for a while
I had retired from all this bit I think its needed

[~Teej~]

Good luck Tony...I think he is very lucky to have you looking out for him...I don't think his mum was thinking when she OD'd

[Tony]

thanks Teej
his mum has left a few times making up story's as to where she was she has told us all that her marriage to my brother was a waste of 30 years
she has stated that she would OD again if things don't change.

we have had her looked at as well but they say she is fine... figure that one out

[~Teej~]

If she is that unhappy with him why does she stay?...I just don't understand some people

[Tony]

good question Teej
its like this mate
my brother is a bricklayer my father was a bricklayer
we all built my mum and dads house years ago then my Father and brother built my Brothers house.

my mother is 82 years old now my brother is the eldest and with being Dutch my brother believes with being the eldest son when mum passes on he will inherit my mum and dad house... ( he wont )

now with my sister inlaw I see two things here my sister inlaw wants to divorce my brother and get half of that
the second is if my sister inlaw waits a bit longer for my mum to pass on she thinks she will get more......

what they both don't know is my mum changed her will and also gave power of Attorney to me and my brother so my brother can not do anything without involving me greedy person every thing she sees she wants
the best part with her is if any of her so called friends visit her she gives them a gift for coming over
like paying to keep her so called friends

she is also a woman that one can not please

[**Sapphire**]

Very sad Tony that your sister in law is like that. I don't get why people have to covet other people's belongings. I will never understand jealousy & greed in people, it's very sad.:(

[~Teej~]

Do you think she may be using the overdose to get attention? Maybe she didn't mean to go so far last time and now she uses it to get things she wants?

[Tony]

I agree with you there Sapphire
another thing what is hard to take is since my father has passed away my brother and sister inlaw have tried to be boss over my mother.

what my brother and sister inlaw does does not bother me in the slightest so long as they treat my mother with what she deserves that is respect

the worst part about my brother he can not see what his wife is trying to do
they both need to go to the butcher and get about 10 pounds of brains then look out lol

[Tony]

sorry Teej I posted then without looking

my sister inlaw wanted to die ( why because no one loves her )
she has also said that she will do it again..

I don't understand why as she has every thing she could want but its not enough

my sister inlaw has tried to upset the family alot of times
he eldest son was kicked out of home because they did not like his girl friend
that involved AVO,s police and every thing to try and stop my sister inlaw
my sister inlaw got my mother involved in that also
when my sister in laws eldest son gf was just about to give birth to there second child my sister inlaw told the gf of her elders son I hope your baby is born dead..

now no one has the power to do that but it happened the baby was born deceased

this is what my sister inlaw is like

this is all so very sad
I am the only one in my family that has the power to deal with all this for my mothers sake
good thing I am a strong person
as you may not know the last time I went on the spirit to visit my mother
she asked me to come over because she had given up on life all because of the way she has been treated
plus her health is very poor.

[stoner]

That is very sad indeed Tony ... I guess some lessons are best learned on their own, and unfortunately regrets often comes into sight when it's too late, the damage has been done, and change is almost irreversible.

What really makes me sad is that the person(s) involved, almost always, think that they're the good guys/gals. That there's nothing wrong with them, and that they're merely innocent "victims" of society that had branded them with a bad rep.

Advice can only be given so much, and in the end, it's still up to the person whether to heed it or ignore it altogether. In the here and now, personally, I can only give my share of advice and hope that he/she will make the right decision...

just my .02 cents

[stoner]

I have a vent of my own and what a way to start the year 2008 ... :rant:

I was giving my wife a ride to work today, when the "check engine" light came on. For a while there, I thought it would only be temporary and then it would die off. But on the return trip back home, the car started to lose power that I had to start stepping on the gas pedal harder just to accelerate and maintain speed. This was happening right on the Interstate and was very thankful that I still managed to get home...

As of this writing, I dropped the car off at the dealer overnight, to have it serviced first thing in the morning. I just hope the repairs won't cost me an arm and a leg. I think this will be the first and very last Korean-made car (Kia Optima) I'll ever own. Sure it look stylish and the ride is quite comfy, but in the three years of owning this piece of s*** with four wheels, it has made more trips to the repair shop than the other cars I've owned (both past and present).

Too bad, I'm currently making payments on a Subaru that I purchased as a b'day present to my wife last September. When it's all paid for in three years, I'll purchase another Subaru, and get rid of this Kia junk once and for all ... I just might end up paying someone just to get it off my driveway. :mad:

[Tony]

thanks for your input there stoner I value that mate
there are some big problems with my brother and his wife so long they keep my mother out of all the problems I can live with that.
My Mother is still trying to cope with my Fathers Death he has been gone for almost 4 years.
it is very sad for my mother as she feels all alone.
---------------------------------------------------

Sorry to hear about you car mate :(
the sad thing these days nothing is made like it used to be :(
one would expect better for the layout for a new car. :)

have you contacted the makers of Kia ?
I think myself they have sold you a lemon and I would try to get them to replace your car. :idea:
how can you rely on a car like that :eek:

[stoner]

I had contacted the manufacturer in the past, but they did nothing about my problem with this car.

During the first 2.5 months of ownership of this car three years ago, I was so convinced that I had a lemon.
- cruise control was inoperable; the car exhibited thrusting-like jerky movements (it was so bad that it felt as if there was a couple making out in the backseat!); the check engine light went on; the seat belt light would occasionally go on and simultaneously chime ...

But it turned out that the dealership's service department where I purchased the automobile didn't know how to fix it. They literally replaced the entire cruise control unit after three visits; replaced the air sensor but the thrusting, jerky movements continued; and they had absolutely no idea how to fix the others, because they were unable to reproduce the problem.

When I took it to another dealership, they were happy to work on my car despite not purchasing it from them. They succeeded where the other dealer failed. They addressed the problems immediately and most was fixed during its first visit. For example, the cruise was indeed replaced but the other dealer forgot to add the fuse, thus it was inoperable. :mad:

There were occasions when it had to make additional visits, because parts had to be ordered - throttle sensor for the jerky movements, parts for the seatbelt, etc.

Since then, it never gave me much problems ... until recently. In the beginning, it made trips to the shop mainly for preventive maintenance purposes (e.g. oil change; brake pads; tire rotations; 7.5k, 15k, 30k, 60k mile maintenance). The only major problem it had two years ago was that the horn stopped working, but that was immediately fixed and covered by the warranty.

Recently, it felt as if history is coming back again. Starting last September, it had its 60k mile maintenance and the timing belt was replaced. Two months later, the airbag light turned on. Last December, brake work was done on all 4 wheels (rotors and pads) so it could pass the state inspection. And tonight, the check engine light turned on again. *sigh*

Tomorrow, I will be expecting a phone call from the dealer about the check engine light, and I hope it's not going to be very serious. Thankfully (so far), they've been able to acknowledge the problem and address it accordingly, but the repairs have been costing me too much. :( Like I said, this car has made more trips to the repair shop than the other cars that I own(ed).

This is definitely going to be my first and last Korean car ... no more Kia (or Hyundai) for me.

[Tony]

I don't know how far you want to take this mate
I would go public about the car and its makers
that is very poor service from the manufacturer
its not right that you are the one that has to pay for a all this work.
I know most services like tune ups etc etc have to be paid for but with what you are going through is just not right

[**Sapphire**]

I hope too that your family keeps your mom out of things Tony, it's not right putting her in the middle of their problems. She has enough to deal with & doesn't need the added drama that your sister in law brings on HERSELF!

Stoner, so sorry to hear about your car, my father had a lemon like that in a GMC car he purchased a while back. The file on the repairs for that car had to have been huge he had it in the shop so darn much. It's sad to think that new cars are having so many problems, new cars shouldn't have these problems, but poor craftsmanship is the reason why a new car isn't so "new".

Have you ever checked into the "lemon laws" for cars stoner? I think your car has a good case to be 1 & to maybe have something done about it.

[stoner]

Thanks Tony and Sapphire ... your encouraging words does help me turn the other cheek and downplay my transportation issues.

I did look at lemon laws, but my car does not fit the definition ...

A lemon is defined by a car having a specific problem that is both verified and confirmed by the dealership's service dept., but unable to fix after five attempts to resolve the issue. With regards to my car, the dealer has been able to confirm the problem and fix it the first time around, and sometimes on its second trip to the shop if parts need to be special ordered.

I'm just thankful that I found this dealership that knows what they're doing, for they succeeded where the dealership where I purchased this piece of crap car from failed. Honestly though, it's really not a bad car for it is a very comfy ride every time I get behind the wheel. Prior to the purchase of my wife's Subaru last year, this Kia provided my wife and me with a lot of our out-of-town trips. Pretty much, my wife and I traveled a lot of great distances with this car, in addition to my daily commutes related to my job ... (one reason why the car has over 66k miles in just three years). But with its not-so-great record of making frequent trips to the repair shop, considering that it's only 3 years old and purchased brand new at that time -- as opposed to being in the driveway when I need it -- I swear that I will never purchase one again. The other cars I owned in the past hardly ever went through the 3.75k, 7.5k, 15k, 30k and 60k mile maintenance recommended by the manufacturer, and they never gave me problems.

I guess you're right Tony ... they don't make cars the way they used to ...

Back when I was a teenager, I would pop open the hood, and the engine block is revealed right in front of me ... these days, all I see are wires before I can even have a good glance at the engine. LOL Since when did cars got treated like humans, as the tech use the word "diagnostic" or "diagnosis" when determining its problem(s)?

[Tony]

Yeah stoner I know what you mean when I was a teenager I could and repair or replace the motor myself
I could still change a motor but don't ask me where all them wires go lol
to complicated for me now a days

[aussiecoffee007]

to vent--
I JUST WISH GUYS WOULD TELL YOU HOW THEY FEEL
its so frustrating, they tell you one thing do another or vice versa or do crazy stuff or ignore you one second and not the next
AND EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE
and you wish you could just shake them by the shoulders and say, WHAT DO YOU WANT???

[~Teej~]

Yeah guys are rubbish Aussie they are so not worth our time and effort.

[stoner]

whoa! wait there for a minute ... we may not be perfect, but not 'all' guys are jerks

back to my automobile rant ...

I picked up my car this morning. The so-called emissions canister was replaced, and was greeted with a $247 repair bill, which I end up paying. I drove it to work; went on my usual route and noticed nothing suspicious about it. After I finished providing my service to my 2nd to the last child for the evening, I noticed that both headlights were busted! :rant: At this time of the year, 7:15 p.m. is pretty dark around these parts!

I was so mad driving my car with the blinkers on, and had to rely on the streetlights for night vision. About a mile down the road, I spotted an auto parts store ... thankfully, they were open and I purchased the replacement bulbs. When I was about to replace them bulbs, I realized that it was dark and couldn't see a darn thing. So I end up going back to the store to purchase a flashlight. The flashlight was pretty reasonable - $1.99 - but the batteries cost me an additional 4 bucks! :mad:

Eventually, I got both bulbs replaced; the headlights were back on and managed to drive to my next child's home, so I can provide my services. I showed up 1/2 hour late, and end up finishing my job 1/2 hour later. By then, my cell phone was ringing off the hook -- it was my wife, who decided not to drive to work today, wondering what the heck will I be done with my job so I could pick her up.

This happens to be one of my worst days ever .... *sigh*

[**Sapphire**]

Aussie some guys can be a pain in the you know where. Take some time to rant & heal, then you will be ok.

Thank you for the definition of the lemon laws stoner, I didn't know that. I thought it might be something along the lines of how many times you take the car in for services that shouldn't be happening so much or so frequently...ugh...I wonder how many cars pass the lemon law then.

I'm also sorry that your car was still a bit of a pain yesterday. Good thing you were able to get headlights, that would have not be a safe drive for you going to your next childs house. Not only that you might have been stopped by the police & got a hefty ticket for it. I know it was a pain to get the bulbs & spend more money, but I bet the ticket would have cost much more.

[stoner]

A lemon car also falls along the lines of the service dept. addressing the issue and doing something about it; it will be alright for a while, but then after a certain amount of time the problem(s) come back again, and the motorist end up making a return trip to the shop for the exact same reason as the previous visit. After about 4 to 5 trips to the shop for the same reason, then it's time to make the call to an attorney who will handle the case. :)

I'll be taking the same car to work again (about 15 minutes from now), and hopefully there'll be no more problems.

[Tony]

I hope your car goes ok for you now stoner :thumb:

[T12am]

It is raining over here.. I am venting off frustrations for the stupid drivers on the road..

I didn't get a chance to read recent replies but hope that your nephew won't get into any more trouble, Tony and Pink.. hope that you get out of your sticky work situation soon..

[Tony]

I have one hell of a vent now
as you all know I am over here to see my mother for her birthday.
this is a long story so I will try to keep it short
as my mother is on her own ( dad passes away 4 years ago ) mum decided to give my brother and I Power of Attorney ( in case )
I was at my brothers house 2 days ago ( I could not post any thing about this as I was angry ) anyway I was out side my brother came to me with his wife and tried to tell me that my mother should not be on her own as she is not safe, she also forgets things,does not know what she is doing and a very grumpy old B***H.
also my mother has given a few family heirlooms to a very close relative
( but before my mother had done that she had asked me if I would mind )
I said to mum if that was her wish to do so I am fine with that.
well my brother said to me that my mother was wrong doing that ( he does not know my mother talked that over with me first )
my brothers wife stuck her nose into it all with saying all my mothers things should go to me and my brother and not anyone else.

Now what my brother said to me I let my mother know ( as he is wrong )
he tried to plant in my head that mum is going nuts...

my mother has also told me she will not have any more birthdays she feels in her heart she had had enough and she wants to go to my Father

My mother and I are going to see my mums Lawyer tomorrow to talk all about what I have here in this post.

down right sad
my mother is a wonderful Lady
she should be loved and treated well and not for what she has got.

I am hurt and discussed at my brother and sister inlaw that they can even think of doing this to my mother

[**Sapphire**]

That is just plain horrible Tony of your brother & sister in law to do to your mother & also to try to do to you. What is wrong with those 2? Good for you & your mom going to the lawyer & getting things taken care of Tony.

All I can say about your brother & sister in law is in the end they will get their Karma for being nasty, greedy human beings. :mad:

[Tony]

I almost typed alot worse Sapphire I had to hold myself here
I will update this after we see the lawyer tomorrow.
its sad to see an elderly Lady treated like this by her own son and his wife.

with me, my mother comes first I don't care about what she has got.

[~Teej~]

They sound like evil people Tony.
Is there not a way that your mum can be closer to you so she wouldn't have to rely on your brother?.
How is your nephew Tony?.Have you seen him?.

[Tony]

I have had a talk about that with my mother Teej but she has said she id done traveling

I had a good talk with my nephew I also tried to talk to him
he has revenge in his mind
but health wise he is coming along good he still has

[~Teej~]

That is good Tony I am glad that your Nephew is doing okay

It's a shame that your mother won't move closer to you..I think it would be good for her to be closer to you rather than having to rely on your brother for comfort.

[Tony]

My Mother and I went and seen the lawyer he talked to my mother first then called me into his office and I was told that my brother can not do any thing to my mother without my ok.
so if I do not agree with my brother on what he wants to do for my mother he can not do a thing.

the good news what ever he may be thinking on doing he wont get away with it

I think thats great.

[**Sapphire**]

That is good news Tony! Good to see that your brother doesn't have any kind of powers, he doesn't need to have any kind of say so whatever.

[Pink]

:rant: Today I'm not ranting about my job because I'm even more angry about Desperate Housewives! :p It's not coming on anymore for a while and the last episode aired Sunday. :(:(

[Pink]

So here we go again. :rolleyes:

Last night my manager called me at home and told me the doctors (my bosses) came in and had a meeting. The took each employee in the office at a time. They both questioned them about my manager and I. Everyone knows her and I are close, but we'd never do anything to mess up our jobs. Heck, we've been here the longest out of anyone else here so we must be doing something right!

So she told me that they were asking things like, "Have you ever seen them clock each other in? Or do they cover for each other?" What gives?!?! We did nothing wrong. The entire time I've been here no one has ever brought this up until my boss's wife came along. :mad: She hates my manager and so I'm guessing she hates me as well. I just don't understand. They have talked to everyone BUT my manager and I. So not fair!

[**Sapphire**]

Yeah that's not very nice at all Pink hun. Something tells me that your boss's wife might be finding ways to get your manager in trouble as well as possibly you. Have you had the time to start looking for a new job hun?

[Pink]

Yeah, she's a very shady person and it's her way or no way. I put in a few applications, but most of everyone is hiring seasonal only. :( I got a call though and I'm going to do a phone interview today. Yay! :D

[Tony]

I hope things go well for you Pink with a new job
I would be one of the types to go to the top and tell them to stick there job

[Pink]

Thank you. :) I hope it works out. Yea, I've had about enough of it. I've held my tongue long enough, but then I remember.. What goes around comes around.

[~Teej~]

Oh best of luck Pink..I really hope it goes well

[Pink]

So I just got off the phone and I think it went well. :) She was really nice and has scheduled me for an interview next week. :whoo:

[Tony]

awesome Pink please keep us updated :)
good luck :thumb:

[**Sapphire**]

How did I miss this? So Pink do tell us how your interview went hun, I can't wait to hear! Best of luck to you! :)

[Pink]

It went well. :) It's a sales position so she asked me a lot of "what if" questions and wanted to see how familiar I was with computer software. She was really nice and I can't wait for my final interview. When I go in I have to take a typing test and do a few practice calls. :)

[**Sapphire**]

Very good Pink, I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you hun! :thumb::)

[~Teej~]

As will I, I really want you to get it

[Pink]

Thanks guys!!! :grouphug:

[Tony]

yeah I hope you get the job as well Pink :)
I have every thing crossed for you mate :thumb:

[Pink]

It went great! I'm so excited! :D I was really nervous, but the lady was super sweet. After the interview we talked for almost an hour sharing stories and what not. :) I think I got it. Hopefully she'll call and offer me the job. :whoo:

[**Sapphire**]

Very good Pink, hey this is something else we can PARTAY about! :whoo: Best of luck to you!

[Pink]

Thank you! :D:D

[Tony]

that is good news Pink fingers crossed for you mate :thumb:

[stoner]

Way to go Pink! It's a good thing that someone is heading towards the right track! :thumb:

I'm not even sure about my current situation, as I just went through a very "rough" weekend.

First, my computer crashed on me. :( Luckily, after several hours of fiddling with it, I managed to save a lot my personal files. And then, I was left with no other choice, but to format the entire hard drive, and then reinstall everything. The process took nearly my entire Saturday, with some breaks in between. :juggle:

The second worst thing that happened had a lot to do with my stupidity. :rant: As many of you know, I have a medical condition known as diverticulitis. For two days, there's something in my system that needs to get out, but I'd been having such a great difficulty with it everytime I take a trip to the restroom. To make a long story short, fearing for my health and wellness, I took matters on my own and "forced" it out by taking a nice dosage or fiber and laxatives. The problem was that I overdid it! :eek: When I finally managed to get it out of my system, I got more than what I asked for ... :jaw: (let's leave it at that!)

And then, my father-in-law was rushed to the ER late Saturday night for arrhythmia. My mother-in-law called my wife and I, and discovered him unconscious, barely breathing, and with little to no pulse. When he gained consciousness, he was throwing up ... by then the ambulance had arrived. He was later admitted, where the doctors are currently conducting tests and monitoring his progress. It was anticipated that he should be discharged today, but the physician decided not to. While he may be showing signs that he's in good health, his heart however, is telling a different story.

So for the entire weekend ... between bathrooms, computer reboots, and running errands from my home and the hospital, I'm just so tired and beat ...

[Tony]

best wishes go to you all stoner :)
I hope and pray all goes well :thumb:
my thoughts are with you mate :)

[~Teej~]

Oh Stoner what an awful time you are having..
You need to give yourself a few moments of TLC
Hope things improve for you soon

[**Sapphire**]

Oh my stoner, I'm so sorry to hear of all the problems you are going through right now hun.

I will be keeping you & your father in law in my good thoughts daily.

Please keep us posted on how you & he are doing, ok?

[Pink]

Wow, stoner! I'm sorry you had to go through this. My computer crashed also over the weekend (:() so I know how aggrivating that is. :rant: I hope you get better, hun. I hope the FIL gets better as well!

http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/Talea79/Smilies/hug.gif

[stoner]

My heartfelt "thank you" for all the concerns - Tony, Teej, Sapphire and Pink - I truly appreciate all of them. :)

I agree with you Pink. While it's not the first time the computer crashed on me, just going through the process is just so aggravating. On a good note, my PC is doing alright now. Actually it's performing even better (and surprisingly faster) now than it has ever been. But at the expense of losing a considerable amount of files ... but that's life I guess, and it's time to move on ... :o

As for my health and wellness, I'll just pay a little bit more attention to the foods I eat. My doctor had repeatedly recommended a high fiber diet, but there were also numerous times when I deviated from it. What I did overdosing on laxatives last Saturday (it was my first too!) was just plain dumb on my part, and I'll be a little bit more careful henceforth.

The father in law was finally discharged from the hospital. Since I could not afford to take another time off from work, my wife decided to take the day off, and picked up her dad. The doctor claimed that while he may appear and feel healthy, his heart unfortunately was telling a different story. Last I spoke to him, he's being scheduled to go under the knife to have some kind of a monitor (pacemaker I think?) installed in his heart.

[Tony]

I was not going to post this but what the Hell
Today I am very angry hurt and upset..
here is the reason as to why I feel this way.
I ring my mother every night without fail last night I got a very quick phone call from my mother son ring me back please so I done just that.
When my mother picked up the phone she was a mess my mother told me she went to visit my brother yesterday and she took her little dog with her as well.

My brother has 3 dogs my brother has an Australian Terrier and it attacked my mothers little baby poor mum told me what happened as my brothers Aussie Terrier had attacked mums dog before my brother and youngest Nephew promised not to let the two dogs together outside again well they did and now mums poor little dog is at the vet fighting for its life.........
The Aussie Terrier attacked my mothers Chihuahua for the second time

My mum will find out today at 11 am if her dog is alive I told my mum I will ring her at 11.30.

For my mothers sake I hope her little baby survives mum is very upset as her dog is all she has at home.

[~Teej~]

I really hope the dog is okay Tony...How stupid of your brother to do that..his dog shouldn't have been out of his sight :( I really hope her dog pulls through okay

[Tony]

thanks Teej
I will find out soon..
I hope for my mothers sake her dog will be ok

[Tony]

well I just received a phone call from my youngest nephew he is with my mother right now as the little dog died...

I also talked to my mother she is devastated I must admit hearing my mother like that so am I...

my mum is crying and so am I..

[Tony]

I would just Like to Thank one of the ATLF members for there SUPPORT this morning
I wont name the member but its awesome to know that the ATLF members have a HEART OF GOLD

:hug: :kiss: thank you with all my heart :thumb:

[**Sapphire**]

well I just received a phone call from my youngest nephew he is with my mother right now as the little dog died...

I also talked to my mother she is devastated I must admit hearing my mother like that so am I...

my mum is crying and so am I..

Oh Tony, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom's dog mate! :( I will be keeping you all in my good thoughts & you know where I am if you need to chat too mate! (((HUGS TO YOU & YOUR MOM))) :(

[Pink]

I'm sorry, Tony. :kiss: You guys are in my prayers. :)

[Pink]

:rant: Update on my situation...

Well a lot has happened in the last 2 weeks here. We use a certain program at my work for info, and my bosses (Dr and manager) were the only administrators. Well somehow the boss's wife got into his account and changed all of my manager's settings. I have more access to the system than she does and that isn't right. So she asked the Dr about it and he said he would take a look or whatever. So now that she's completely fed up she put in her letter of resignation on Monday. :( I'm really going to miss her.

Now I'm really stressed because I still haven't found a job and I've been passing out my resume left and right! I got a call and I have an interview coming up, but it seems like a dead end. I'm not going to give up, but it's been bothering me for quite some time.

GOOD news is I got health insurance! :) He canceled ours in January and so I got my own. It isn't too expensive either.

[**Sapphire**]

It is a stressful time when you are trying to find another job. Hang in there Pink hun & the right job will come along. Have you tried posting your resume on Monster.com? It's a great place to post your resume, you can even search for a whole lot of jobs in your area.

Good that you got health insurance & it's not that expensive too. That's rare for people that pay their own.

I hope that the things at your job slow up a bit, I know that on top of looking for a job can be extra, crazy stressful.

[Pink]

No, I haven't tried monster, but I will! That's a good idea. Thanks for the tip. :) Yeah, I had to get insurance because I knew that if I didn't have it something would happen. I'd rather be safe than sorry, ya know? I hope things slow down also. :(

[~Teej~]

Yeah monster is a great site..even in the UK..I think maybe I should try using it at some point.

I hope you find a job soon Pink as staying at the place you are really isn't doing you any good :(

[Pink]

I hope so too, Teej. :( It seems like no one is hiring! Most people are getting laid off around here. I'm not going to give up though. I'd even take less pay just so I didn't have to be here.

[Tony]

well I was not going to post this information at all but I thought tonight I would let you all in on a part of my life with what is going on right now

I have been over seeing my Mother for the last week.
I received a phone call from my mother last week my mother rang me with saying she needed me to get here asap that things were not good.

I had a battle to get the money together for the trip over here but i managed to come over as my mother paid for the trip.
I got here fearing the worst.
well I was right my mother looked frail and as soon as she saw me she cried like a baby and said sorry to me...I had an idea at the time but was not to sure what was going on my mother told me she has had Cancer for over 12 months.

I took her to see her local doctor and he was just a shocked as I was for he had no idea either just how bad my mum is.
My mothers doctor said to me that my mother has had this for about 18 months and she never said one word to anyone about a lump or anything.
My mother has advanced Breast Cancer.
Last Friday my mother has blood tests done and a CT Scan.
I saw for the first time just how bad the cancer is.
I was shocked.

To go forward a few days my brothers wife and I went to see a Specialist today about my mothers cancer and treatment with mum of course and my mum does not want Kemo or Radiation Therapy mum has said to me that she has been hurt long enough by my brother and his wife with the way they have treated her since my Father passed away a few years ago that she just wanted things to be over and this is her way out.

well to make a long story even shorter my mum has 2 months to live without treatment... 12 months with treatment.

She maybe having a Biopsy tomorrow to see what sort of cancer this is
she has to see the Specialist next Monday to see what sort of medication she will be having ( tablets )

so this is why I am not online much the last week.

you can look at some of my old posts in this thread to get just an idea of how things have been going for my mother..

[**Sapphire**]

Tony, I'm very sorry to hear about how sick your mom is mate! :( I do hope that she reconsiders & decides to get the treatments.

Your brother & sister-in-law should be whipped for how they have been treating her. They will get theirs in the end, Karma does have a way of getting back to those that are horrible to others.

(((HUGS)))

[Pink]

Tony, your mother and family are in my prayers. I'm so sorry. :( I really do hope she gets treatment and changes her mind. That's horrible that they've been treating her so badly. No one deserves that. I really do wish you all the best, Tony.

[~Teej~]

Me to Tony...Big hugs go to you and your mum...I only hope your brother gets what he deserves...Big hugs mate. :hug:

[Tony]

thank you all for your kind words and Prayers and Support with this struggle

I could not type this last night as I am deeply hurt with all that has been going on with my stupid brother and his knuckle head of a wife..

mum also has cancer on both her Lungs also because of the cancer in her lungs she also has fluid on her lungs also.

mum had a biopsy today to see what drugs may be used to help slow this nasty thing down.
we have also been advise that the drugs may not help as the cancer is so advanced..

As mum has part of her breast bandaged due to the cancer we were also advised today to get a district nurse in to help my mum with the wound.
I have also been organizing that today for her as well.

I will be going home next week and I will be on call with coming back to be with my mum.
Its hard to be in two places at once.
for a change my wife has been really good about me being away for so long.

[**Sapphire**]

I'm so sorry that your mom is going through all this Tony mate. :( I really do hope that the treatments can help her, I will be keeping her & you in my good thoughts daily.

[aussiecoffee007]

im in love with a guy in colombia!!! :((((

[~Teej~]

I think you really need to make a decision soon Aussie :(

[aussiecoffee007]

same but i just dont know how to break it off

[Pink]

*hugs* Tony. I really hope meds will help her.

Sorry about your situation as well, Aussie.


Heres my rant.. More like an update..

Tomorrow is my last day at my job. I am so relieved I can't even begin to describe it. I start my new job in about a week and a half so I'll have a mini vacation. That should be nice. I gave my resignation letter and everything to one of my new manager and she understands everything. I told one of the doctors so far and my manager is supposed to tell the other. I don't really care what he has to say about it because he's such a jerk. I'm out of here!!!!

[**Sapphire**]

Very good Pink! I'm really happy that you got a new job, I also wish you the best with your new job! :thumb:

[~Teej~]

Well done Pink...I hope that things go well for you at your new job :) but I am sure that you will

[stoner]

grrrr..... speaking of road rage!! :rant:

I almost got into a scuffle with a livery cab driver, on my way to work this morning. Here in NYC - unless posted - it's automatic no turn on red. But this bozo driver kept on honking the horn behind me to make me turn right on a red light. On the next block, our cars went side by side and insisted that I could turn on that red light. I simply told him that "he's not the law, so I don't need to listen to him" and that's where it almost got ugly. Luckily I had my cellphone, to which I took a photograph of him, and then added that I was going to report him to the authorities. He sped off in disgust, and nearly sideswiped me.

[**Sapphire**]

grrrr..... speaking of road rage!! :rant:

I almost got into a scuffle with a livery cab driver, on my way to work this morning. Here in NYC - unless posted - it's automatic no turn on red. But this bozo driver kept on honking the horn behind me to make me turn right on a red light. On the next block, our cars went side by side and insisted that I could turn on that red light. I simply told him that "he's not the law, so I don't need to listen to him" and that's where it almost got ugly. Luckily I had my cellphone, to which I took a photograph of him, and then added that I was going to report him to the authorities. He sped off in disgust, and nearly sideswiped me.


Gotta love the cab drivers hun stoner?

I have the same issues when I go to & come home from work each day. I work in the downtown Chicago area & the cabbies, bus drivers & regular drivers are horrible. I don't dare drive downtown, but walking to work from my train station is many times taking my life in my own hands...grrr!!

[stoner]

I'm currently in my sister-in-law's pad, and using her Internet connection. Is it me or is it just the connection? Somehow, it's been veeerrrryyyyy slow. :(

My sis has cable, which is "supposed" to be faster than my dsl connection at home. :o

[~Teej~]

Aww Stoner...not good...things seem to be working fine for me here :( so it may be a problem with her connection

[**Sapphire**]

I have a rant for today.

Why do some people online have to be so dishonest? Found out today that this girl that had a picture in her profile, the picture is not her. I guess a couple other people that knew her & saw this picture found it very familiar, did some investigating & BAM found out it wasn't her.

The picture is of a fairly new female country singer. I guess she thought she would get away with it because the singer is new or something.

Why do people online do things like that? I have since said my piece to her & will not be talking to her anymore. :mad::(

[Pink]

I'm sorry that happened, Sapphire. :( Sometimes people think they can really fool others... Especially on the internet. I've had something similar happen to me before. I met someone online and chatted with them for a bit. We exchanged photos and it turns out the person was a faker the whole time! I was really upset because I wanted to believe they were honest with me. So, in the end I learned my lesson and it's hard for me to trust anyone even though I want to think people have good intentions.

[Tony]

I don't agree with this either its very sad that people are not themselves on the net.
why pretend one is something they are not

a very sad way to treat people

[stoner]

At some point in my past life, while I feel guilty for pretending to be someone I'm not on the Internet, I had limited it to on-line gaming stuff and perhaps a chat line or two. However, once I get to know another person behind the virtual persona, that's when I don't pretend and reveal who I really am. I had been a victim of it as well in the past, and while I find it difficult to open up to someone again, I still hold some faith in the goodness of the few who really have good intentions. :)

[**Sapphire**]

I know we all hold back a little bit of ourselves online, it's for protection purposes. No problems in that, but I think when you get to know someone more & form a bond or friendship is when the truth should come out.

Some people tend to take things online too far until it's way out of control & gets to a point of really hurting someone or more than 1 person.

The other thing I don't get is the backstabbing, I know it happens in real life too. I guess some people online think they can get away with talking badly about someone or just generally being nasty because they think they won't get caught. Little do they know though, they will eventually get caught & it makes it so much worse for the backstabber.

Eh, oh well...I will just tighten up my "not trust" belt a bit more when it comes to getting to know people online. I do have a couple people that I talk to personally that I do truly like & do trust, maybe it's best for now to keep them in my inner circle & enjoy them because they are honest.

[stoner]

Isn't it amazing how one "isolated" incident can be enough to put a bad taste in your mouth over something/someone that you've enjoyed for quite sometime?? Well I can't believe it, but it's happening to me.

I'm quite thankful that Dunkin Donuts now offer their flatbreads as a value combo. While different stores may price them differently, it's been consistent that it comes with iced tea. Even though the temps are getting warmer around my neck of the woods, I'm still not into iced tea that much, so I often request to substitute it for something else. In this case, it's either coffee or hot chocolate.

Anyway, I went to this particular store not-so-far away from my house. I ordered the flat bread as usual, and asked to substitute my drink with coffee instead of iced tea. While the lady behind the counter did just that, she claimed that giving me the combo value price was unacceptable. To make a long story short, she rung up the food and drink as two separate items, and I end up being charged a dollar more than what's posted on the overhead menu sign.

I simply claimed that I'd done this substitution requests in the past, and was not given any hassles. Not just in other stores, but including this one. I also added that the iced tea costs more money than coffee when rung up as a separate item, so I don't understand why the substitution was not possible. The lady behind the counter gave me the cold shoulder treatment instead, and had that angry/threatening look on her face, which was enough to make me feel uncomfortable throughout my stay there. I just paid for the meal and walked out of there without saying anymore.

I still like DD and will still enjoy donuts/sandwiches and a cup 'o joe, but that's one store I will avoid henceforth. Or maybe, perhaps, I should check out the competition once again as it's been a while ... in this case, I wouldn't mind paying Starbucks a visit. :cool:

[**Sapphire**]

Sorry you had to deal with that stoner. It is weird though, I've had the same types of things happen to me before, but at the McDonalds I go to by my work. I guess it's the different people that you get to ring you up, which doesn't make it right.

All the employees should be on the same page when it comes to things like that & prices.

[stoner]

After speaking my mind about the price, I was about to let it go. Pay the food and get the heck out of there, but it's the attitude that got in the best of me. That cold shoulder attitude, plus that threatening/uncomfortable look was more than enough, to avoid the store henceforth. Too bad, as there are a lot of very good employees there.

I'm dissing DD altogether, as I just enjoyed a turkey, cheese and bacon flat bread today. I just purchased it at another store ... this time the employee who served me was very courteous and he did not give me a hassle to substitute the iced tea for a medium cup of joe. :)