What pissed you off today?

[jingle.boy]

Spring Breaker's in Florida.  Like, seriously!?!?!?

[lonestar]

Spring Breaker's in Florida.  Like, seriously!?!?!?

Not to be outdone, 3500 people in france gathered dressed as Smurfs to break a world record.

[jingle.boy]

Spring Breaker's in Florida.  Like, seriously!?!?!?

Not to be outdone, 3500 people in france gathered dressed as Smurfs to break a world record.

Yeah, someone linked that video in the Corona thread a couple weeks back.  Hell it might have been only a week ago.  The NBA "suspending" the season feels like it was a lifetime ago - not 9 days.

[lordxizor]

Why is it that the people lowest on the totem pole at work are always the first to complain about tiny things? Yet I step in when I shouldn't have to, pick up other's slack, and help out wherever necessary without saying a word of complaint to anyone. Heaven forbid you had to empty a slightly fuller garbage can than normal. Better get your manager involved. Good grief...

[King Postwhore]

Why is it that the people lowest on the totem pole at work are always the first to complain about tiny things? Yet I step in when I shouldn't have to, pick up other's slack, and help out wherever necessary without saying a word of complaint to anyone. Heaven forbid you had to empty a slightly fuller garbage can than normal. Better get your manager involved. Good grief...

We live in the "not my job" world these days.

[ReaperKK]

Spring Breaker's in Florida.  Like, seriously!?!?!?

After growing up and living in Florida for 90% of my life this is the least surprising thing.

[Stadler]

Why is it that the people lowest on the totem pole at work are always the first to complain about tiny things? Yet I step in when I shouldn't have to, pick up other's slack, and help out wherever necessary without saying a word of complaint to anyone. Heaven forbid you had to empty a slightly fuller garbage can than normal. Better get your manager involved. Good grief...

I've written about this in the past and usually get a fair number of eye-rolls, but there is truth in this.  It's a give and take, of course (the manager has to make sure that it's not skewed too far in the OTHER direction) but for me, "not my job" basically means "I don't want my job anymore" and in my experience that's usually the outcome, at some point.   I lost my job in the Great Recession of 2008, and in the turmoil following I had an epiphany that I've maintained ever since:  I want to be the guy in my organization that my boss goes to when he has no idea what needs to be done, or when there is no clear path forward.  Basically, the guy that does the jobs after someone else says "not my job".

[Indiscipline]

Why is it that the people lowest on the totem pole at work are always the first to complain about tiny things? Yet I step in when I shouldn't have to, pick up other's slack, and help out wherever necessary without saying a word of complaint to anyone. Heaven forbid you had to empty a slightly fuller garbage can than normal. Better get your manager involved. Good grief...

In my line of work you only have two reply options towards your director/conductor/producer: "Yes" and "Yessir".

[DragonAttack]

Spring Breaker's in Florida.  Like, seriously!?!?!?

Their governor has been acting like the mayor of Amity Island throughout this.  Same with the store owners.  Oh, beaches will be closed the 23rd.  Yet another 'close the barn doors after the cows get out' response.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBShN8qT4lk

This ain't the 80s, dudes!

[jingle.boy]

I think it was in the 'happy' thread the other day that I referenced reaching out to my father and brother - who I've been estranged from.... haven't spoken a single word to my brother in 3 years; no communication with my father for 2.5, and even before that it was very strained with them each off and on for well over a decade.  So, in light of world events, what better time to extend an olive branch?

I sent them each a text message expressing my hope that they and their family were all safe and healthy, and coping thru everything as best as possible in these times and "Please know that we are thinking of you".

Actual responses:
Father - "So nice to hear from you.  We are doing well.  Being very careful with minimal to no outside contact.  Hope you and the family are well also.  Thanks for reaching out"
Brother - "Oh... a blast from the past.  Thanks for reaching out.  We're all ok.  Hope you guys are all doing well.  Keep safe!"

That's it.

Guess they didn't really want to grab that olive branch.  At least they replied ?

Just reinforces that blood =/= family.  Several of you around here are closer to what I consider family than these two.

[gmillerdrake]

Glad they replied Chad, maybe it’s just a ‘baby steps’ scenario. The responses sounded cordial so that’s good. I’d take it as a good first contact and then maybe reach out again in a bit. See how that goes from there? Or you might be surprise by one of them reaching out to you here coming up?

No matter what.....I wish you well and hope you can mend those relationships or at least cultivate them to a point where it’s not toxic. Good luck bro

[Phoenix87x]

I think it was in the 'happy' thread the other day that I referenced reaching out to my father and brother - who I've been estranged from.... haven't spoken a single word to my brother in 3 years; no communication with my father for 2.5, and even before that it was very strained with them each off and on for well over a decade.  So, in light of world events, what better time to extend an olive branch?

I sent them each a text message expressing my hope that they and their family were all safe and healthy, and coping thru everything as best as possible in these times and "Please know that we are thinking of you".

Actual responses:
Father - "So nice to hear from you.  We are doing well.  Being very careful with minimal to no outside contact.  Hope you and the family are well also.  Thanks for reaching out"
Brother - "Oh... a blast from the past.  Thanks for reaching out.  We're all ok.  Hope you guys are all doing well.  Keep safe!"

That's it.

Guess they didn't really want to grab that olive branch.  At least they replied ?

Just reinforces that blood =/= family.  Several of you around here are closer to what I consider family than these two.

Man, that sucks.

I have a similar situation with my uncle (who is like a brother). After a falling out and shaky make up years ago, Any correspondence now is pretty rare and always very quick/short 

And my Father... well, he doesn't care if I'm alive or dead and never has, so there's that 

But I totally agree, blood =/= family

[King Postwhore]

I think it was in the 'happy' thread the other day that I referenced reaching out to my father and brother - who I've been estranged from.... haven't spoken a single word to my brother in 3 years; no communication with my father for 2.5, and even before that it was very strained with them each off and on for well over a decade.  So, in light of world events, what better time to extend an olive branch?

I sent them each a text message expressing my hope that they and their family were all safe and healthy, and coping thru everything as best as possible in these times and "Please know that we are thinking of you".

Actual responses:
Father - "So nice to hear from you.  We are doing well.  Being very careful with minimal to no outside contact.  Hope you and the family are well also.  Thanks for reaching out"
Brother - "Oh... a blast from the past.  Thanks for reaching out.  We're all ok.  Hope you guys are all doing well.  Keep safe!"

That's it.

Guess they didn't really want to grab that olive branch.  At least they replied ?

Just reinforces that blood =/= family.  Several of you around here are closer to what I consider family than these two.

I got your back my brother. 

[Indiscipline]

I think it was in the 'happy' thread the other day that I referenced reaching out to my father and brother - who I've been estranged from.... haven't spoken a single word to my brother in 3 years; no communication with my father for 2.5, and even before that it was very strained with them each off and on for well over a decade.  So, in light of world events, what better time to extend an olive branch?

I sent them each a text message expressing my hope that they and their family were all safe and healthy, and coping thru everything as best as possible in these times and "Please know that we are thinking of you".

Actual responses:
Father - "So nice to hear from you.  We are doing well.  Being very careful with minimal to no outside contact.  Hope you and the family are well also.  Thanks for reaching out"
Brother - "Oh... a blast from the past.  Thanks for reaching out.  We're all ok.  Hope you guys are all doing well.  Keep safe!"

That's it.

Guess they didn't really want to grab that olive branch.  At least they replied ?

Just reinforces that blood =/= family.  Several of you around here are closer to what I consider family than these two.

There's a door ajar, don't shut it!

[TAC]

Exactly.

[jingle.boy]

Thanks for the encouragement guys, but there’s a lot of history that you guys naturally don’t know. It may seem like an open door, but the nature of the relationships have always been that it’s ALWAYS me that has to not only keep the door open, but be the one to walk thru. It’s not my job to make them care about me and my family. I’ve extended olive branches a number of times over the past 20 years. That’s the extent I can go to at this point. As I said, if they want to grab the other end of that branch, I’m game. They have to want to be part of a relationship too. If not, it’s cool - I've mourned the loss of those relationships already. I can’t/won’t be the only one to make the effort to rekindle them - I’ve been down that road before.

It sucks, but it is what it is.

[Cool Chris]

Seems like you are doing all you reasonably can.

On another note... I feel bad that you gang-bangers don't have a dad, that your mom got knocked up at 16 and has no idea how to raise a boy, that you were smuggled across the border in the dead of night as a baby, that segments of our society convinced women they don't need a man to raise a kid, that you dropped out of junior high because you figured you could make more money pushing dope and pimping out hoes in a year than you would having a real job, that other gangs want to kill you solely based on what color bandanna you wear....

But is it too much to ask for you motherfuckers to not spray paint our neighborhood fence?

[Adami]

Seems like you are doing all you reasonably can.

On another note... I feel bad that you gang-bangers don't have a dad, that your mom got knocked up at 16 and has no idea how to raise a boy, that you were smuggled across the border in the dead of night as a baby, that segments of our society convinced women they don't need a man to raise a kid, that you dropped out of junior high because you figured you could make more money pushing dope and pimping out hoes in a year than you would having a real job, that other gangs want to kill you solely based on what color bandanna you wear....

But is it too much to ask for you motherfuckers to not spray paint our neighborhood fence?

It's called free art bro!

[black_biff_stadler]

~

[Stadler]

Thanks for the encouragement guys, but there’s a lot of history that you guys naturally don’t know. It may seem like an open door, but the nature of the relationships have always been that it’s ALWAYS me that has to not only keep the door open, but be the one to walk thru. It’s not my job to make them care about me and my family. I’ve extended olive branches a number of times over the past 20 years. That’s the extent I can go to at this point. As I said, if they want to grab the other end of that branch, I’m game. They have to want to be part of a relationship too. If not, it’s cool - I've mourned the loss of those relationships already. I can’t/won’t be the only one to make the effort to rekindle them - I’ve been down that road before.

It sucks, but it is what it is.

I'm in no place to judge, but from where I'm sitting, it looks like you've done all you can, and you're at peace.   That's all that really matters.  You're under no obligation to keep exerting psychic energy (i don't mean that all New-Age-y, I just mean emotional effort) for no return and in fact, what seems to be something that is sucking even MORE emotional energy.  I'm with you 100%:  blood doesn't always equal family, no matter how many times Vin Diesel says it. 

You said something to the effect of "now's the time, if there ever was the time", but I think I might offer that "now's the time, if ever was the time, to make sure YOU are in a good place, not adding more stress and more drama to an already over-stressed situation". 

[jingle.boy]

[The Walrus]

@Chad... I feel ya on the family front. Just kind of wish I was able to bury the hatchet before it was too late. I hope you can, too...

[jingle.boy]

@Chad... I feel ya on the family front. Just kind of wish I was able to bury the hatchet before it was too late. I hope you can, too...

I hear ya bro... I can bury my hatchet, but it won't make an ounce of difference if the other two are still carrying theirs around.

 

[TAC]

Chad, I also went through something quite similar with my parents. In a way, it's still happening. To me, I always go back to the fact that I have to live with myself, and my actions. Can I look myself in the mirror with my actions. I call on holidays. I'm simply not going to allow myself to not call. That's not me. I expect myself to do the right thing. Similar to the texts you sent out the other day. I think that's great. I pride myself on being the bigger person, and you can rest assured that you did the bigger person thing.

[gmillerdrake]

My oldest got a text from a couple of his girl friends tonight saying there’s a guy on Snapchat pretending to be him sending dick pics to all the girls in his school. 

Since they know he doesn’t have any social media apps/profiles they knew it wasn’t him.....they reported the account and told the person to knock it off. I am livid. So livid I created an account....found the account and sent a sternly worded message. I also reported the account.

I’m thinking its some perv who just wanted to send DP’s to a bunch of little girls. If it turns out to be a student (if they find out who it is) then that student and his/her parents are going to have some words.

I hate the fact this happened to him and that he’s growing up in a world where there’s many ‘new’ ways to be embarrassed and picked on. Not gonna lie....my first instinct and what I ‘want’ to do to this person isn’t very civil or Christian. But....my son and I talked it through and it’ll be alright. Thankfully....the soonest he will be back in school is April 27th....if they even go back this year.

[King Postwhore]

I want to cock punch whoever did that.  I'm so sorry Gary.

[TAC]

That's fucked. How old is your oldest son, Gary?

[gmillerdrake]

That's fucked. How old is your oldest son, Gary?

13. Turns 14 May 2nd

[TAC]

Ooh, that's a tough age.

[gmillerdrake]

I want to cock punch whoever did that.  I'm so sorry Gary.

You and me both Joe. As a parent it just drives home the realization that I can’t protect them all the time.

I’m thankful he has friends that let him know and that reported the account. It’s just a bummer because he was really upset and embarrassed. We had a good talk though but I remember what being a teenager was like. Everything is the ‘end of the world’ and lets face it.....kids are mean.

[wolfking]

I think it was in the 'happy' thread the other day that I referenced reaching out to my father and brother - who I've been estranged from.... haven't spoken a single word to my brother in 3 years; no communication with my father for 2.5, and even before that it was very strained with them each off and on for well over a decade.  So, in light of world events, what better time to extend an olive branch?

I sent them each a text message expressing my hope that they and their family were all safe and healthy, and coping thru everything as best as possible in these times and "Please know that we are thinking of you".

Actual responses:
Father - "So nice to hear from you.  We are doing well.  Being very careful with minimal to no outside contact.  Hope you and the family are well also.  Thanks for reaching out"
Brother - "Oh... a blast from the past.  Thanks for reaching out.  We're all ok.  Hope you guys are all doing well.  Keep safe!"

That's it.

Guess they didn't really want to grab that olive branch.  At least they replied ?

Just reinforces that blood =/= family.  Several of you around here are closer to what I consider family than these two.

I don't see too much wrong with their responses mate considering the circumstances.  What did you expect?  Did you have a next step in mind on what you want to happen?

[King Postwhore]

Got to know the background. I know a little more than most here and history matters in this case.

[TAC]

I don't know any of Chad's background, but for me, I still expect parents to always be the adults in the room. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case in my family.

[jingle.boy]

@ Wolf... wasn't expecting too much from my brother, tbh.  Though, his 'blast from the past' comments was fully intended sarcastically and in a douchebag way.  You'd have to know my brother to get that.  The last conversation we had was not pleasant at all, and at one point attacked the character and behaviour of my (then 16 year old) kids, and we hung up the phone on one another.

As for my father, one would thing that a grandfather would at least ask how his grandkids are doing?  Even a simple 'how are you guys doing' would be some kind of indicator that there might be some interest on his end to rekindle the relationship.  The flat, non-interested replies verify he (and my brother) have no interest.  Which is fine.  As I said, I mourned the loss of those relationships long ago.  My father had abandoned me 3 times in my life (and twice with my wife/kids), and I'm in no hurry to be the one to give him a 4th opportunity.

@ Gary ... Jesus Horatio!  That's fucked up.  I believe a lot of States consider DP's to be child pornography.  Is that the case in MO?

[wolfking]

Yeah, fair enough, that's some great points I probably should have picked up on.  I guessed your brother was being somewhat sarcastic.  You could follow up with an update on how you guys are etc.  But I can see how there was no open questions from both of them to keep things going.