I guess I just need to vent, maybe see if others share my opinions. Probably not? I've been told that I let too many things get to me, thus contributing to my astronomical stress levels.

My office is located in the same building as the local Family Services office. Next door, in fact. About every other day, sometimes more often (it seems to run in spells), someone comes into our office and begins ranting about how their miserable, f'd-up lives to me. It usually takes a few minutes for me to get a word in edgewise, and say, "Next door!" Thing is, the place is clearly marked, even decorated. They have a doorbell, too, and an intercom. This is because they need to keep the door locked for appointments only. I've even been blamed for their problems, and threatened. As yet, I've not had to shoot anyone yet, but I fear it's coming to that.

Are there really this many adults out there that can't take care of themselves? Damn, people, I was taking care of myself when I was 9 years old!

And it's baseball season again, finally!

This really brings out the idiots from their winter hibernation. I get some of the dumbest questions:

"How does this thing work?" (order form, proofread by an 8 year old)

"Can you Photoshop the dirt off my kid's face in the picture?" - pronounced "pitt-chuuur"

"He forgot his shirt. Can you Photoshop that?"

"Can you Photoshop my kid into the group? We missed picture day last week."

Answers?

Well, you fill out the form and put the money in the envelope, and then give it to me. You write your kid's name on it, too.

No, here's a Wet-Wipe. It's free. Use it. Yes, I provide those.

Yes, for a $40 fee.

Yes, for a $50 fee.

Then we have various college students in different fields that require group photos.

"My teeth are yellow." (Yes, dear, they are. So that means they're yellow in your pictures.)

"I don't understand this order form." (Again, verified by an 8 year old.)

"What do you mean, the picture day was last week?"

My favorites are the kids who come up get their photo taken, while eating a blue raspberry snow cone. And nurses who forgot their white shirt, or can't groom themselves.

And are there drunk, smelly rednecks elsewhere? Or do I have them all here? I really need to know.

Why can't food stamps, or the cards now, be programmed to buy soap and shampoo, too? Is this too much to ask? They can buy Doritos and Pepsi, can't they? I get it, low income. Sometimes you get in a jam. I'm all for social programs for those in need, but can we just get those programs to provide 1 bar of soap and 1 stick of Right Guard a month?

I also really need to know how you cannot be bothered to have potty-trained your child by the age of six or up? Yes, we have them here. Injuries or being mentally challenged, I can understand. OK. But really now? My friend V's son has profound cerebral palsy, and he was out of diapers by age 8. Then again, I am beginning to think he's a genius who just can't balance and talk. And speaking of diapers, some programs do help with those. But this isn't meant to be the child's only article of clothing! Or is that just me?

As for kids like Miss V's son, I really do love those kids. They gravitate to me. I had one this year, 11 years old, plays baseball very well, but can't tie his shoes. And what kind of parents just let their autistic 6 year old latch onto me, and hang on my back for 3 teams worth of photos? I thought I was taking that one home with me.

Then again, there's nuts like me who turn a 9 year old loose with a $2,500 camera setup for the game.

I do welcome your thoughts and comments. I am beginning to think that they're out to get me, you know!

You need to get a friend whom lives in Colorado, Alaska, Washington, or California, to send you some good 'ole THC relaxation.

​Yeah, someone I know from CO told me that if anyone SHOULD smoke weed, it's me. Not sure how to take that?!

Would Jack Daniels Black Label, Chevas Regal or Crown Royal be of help?

Sometimes just closing all the windows and screaming at the top of your lungs for several minutes works.

Dave,

Yes, but it scares the dog.

Gandalf,

Alcohol lost its powers a while back. Now all I do is get sick!

Get it off the chest? Posted by my wife's fellow antique dealer:

"In this store, children must be supervised by an adult.

Unsupervised children will be given espresso coffee and a kitten."

-That should do it!

Anyone who deals with the public is going to have similar stories. I always tried to remember that most people are ok and there are some really great people in the mix.

Dave,

Paolo wrote: Fri May 11, 2018 6:29 pm Yes, but it scares the dog.

...

I have recently developed a habit of yelling at my TV if I don't like the news. I mean really vulgar nasty shit that embarrasses me even though I'm alone. . . It's like verbalizing everything I would never say. Really rotten crap and the worst of insults.

One day, I let a friend hear me with the simplest of insults and I must say, I frightened him.

I normally have a soft voice. However, I have discovered that if I'm a little congested and don't want to spend 30 minutes coughing, the word ass-hole in basso-profundo as loud as possible clears the lungs.

I also have told friends that it isn't safe to phone me early in the morning and the few who have mistakenly phoned have discovered that "poking the bear" is never wise.

Worst sin of all is someone psycho-dialing me. That usually has the salutation "If you gotta ask, the answer is NO!" when answered.

It's emotionally satisfying

Paulo, looks like you did a great job getting it off your chest. And ohhhh you are not alone! We all put up with the very things you mentioned often if not on a daily basis at every level.

It's a generational thing I suspect as I have few memories of seeing these lacking of civil respect when we were younger. Ok, to clarify, lets say 40 years ago. But then again that is when folks would have been uncomfortable in the grocery store counting out the food stamps to pay for what they were receiving. Now days society doesn't want to embarrass folks for being the takers and wants to punish those who are the makers and shakers. I am sick of paying for all of the freeloaders personally as they are pretty much the ones of which you have referred. Seems like great minds feed in the same trough.