Things that piss me off - Pt. XIII

• Motivational-type people who post incessant daily updates and happenings dripping with overly-positive personal affirmations and testimonials; to the point it makes you want to barf. Yo, there's a reason these people post like this ad nauseum; and it has nothing to do with YOUR lack of success. It has to do with them being afraid of their insecurities; in addition to their overly-inflated egos and disproportionate senses of self-importance.

• That love has become like shooting a game of darts; i.e. sometimes you gotta find satisfaction in the uncertainty of fighting hard for a game you're in the middle of, rather than focusing on the bullseye you scored in a previous game which you lost.

• That I still tend to ignore my mail box.

• That if fate would have it, there are those who would insist that other miscreants who had capitalized on my (previous) good nature, would continue to be able to do so; and that all the pressure would remain on me instead of them. Get a mother fuckin' job, you worthless leeching dirtbag cockroach.

• That sometimes I just have to mind my own business, when my conscience tells me I shouldn't.

• Lip service.

• That in attempting to rightfully protect my own valid feelings, I have to constantly be reminded to consider the feelings of others which aren't necessarily in line with mine. I'm getting too old for this nice guy shit; I'm more like that carton of milk that's now 7 days past its purchase date. I may be seemingly delicious today; but tomorrow I'll be sour and curdled. Drink up now, or throw me away.

• That my mother is stubborn, and won't take her meds. It's like watching a female version of me, 30 years from now.

• That we live in a society where the family unit has become so fragmented, that it's perfectly normal to send our aging elders into "rest homes", instead of caring for them as they had cared for us. Look at Asia and the Middle East. No rest homes; just intact families who depend on each other till the end.

• Animals posing as humans, who can only manage to obtain off the blood, sweat and tears of others.

• That nowadays, even a great love is seemingly nothing more than the prospect of a near-perfect game; and means absolutely nothing unless it goes the distance for the win. How do you think Harvey Haddix felt?

• Men without honor.

　
　
More of the moronic on the way...
Dub'

Things that piss me off - Pt. XII

• Billing and accounting practices of independent auto sales and repair shops.

• Care-facility workers for the elderly, who in an effort to make their job easier and more convenient, would intentionally mislead and confuse a stroke victim. I'm serious; this shit happens more than you would ever even think.

• Cracking the screen on my Blackberry, after working my Texas Hold Em' chip count up to over 8 million dollars.

• Making your own way home 30 miles from the airport on a Saturday night, when the person you anticipated would have no problem picking you up, is perfectly comfortable watching other friends of thiers sing karaoke instead.

• Those who carelessly cast aside a valued investment, in favor of an obvious bad investment; and then insist on wanting their original investment back after they go bust on the new one. Yo, it's an unfortunate situation, it really is; but apparently you got what you bargained for. Quit whining.

• That's there's always *one member* within a band of musician's who takes it upon himself to needlessly make it harder on everyone.

• That before the social networking phenomenon, it was somehow perfectly normal to go 30 years without seeing or hearing from extended family members.

• What happens to the mind of a parent, after they've suffered a stroke.

• That I couldn't stay longer in Oklahoma. Despite the reasons I went there, I was really beginning to like it there.

• That the half-retarded, blow-hard, wanna-be thug, man-child next door still thinks that the empty threats which continue to come out of his big mouth somehow intimidate me. And while we're on the subject, why are you still so concerned with what you would think I do with my ass? That's all you seem to talk about. Can you say *obsessed*? Closet-case much?

• Those who would think they can sell me on some ludicrous idea that being considered second best is somehow acceptable. Don't piss down my back, and then tell me it's raining. Mama raised a fool; not a damn fool.

　
　
Stay tuned; always more to come...
Dub'

Things that piss me off - Pt. XI

• The airline and travel industry; more specifically the price gouging for otherwise inexpensive and nominal services. You goin' somewhere? It'll cost you 40 bucks if you wanna bring your luggage along too. Hungry? 10 bucks, and we'll let you eat this little stale sandwich so you don't starve while trapped in our flying tube. Need to check your email? That'll cost you 13 bucks.

• Cell phone plans that reward unknown prospects, by inducing them with anywhere from a $35 - $99 dollar phone to sign up; but force reliable long-term established customers to cough up anywhere from $250 - $600 for the same phones when they finally need one.

• And while I'm on the subject of cell phone service providers, I find it quite ironic that a billion dollar industry that relies on high tech satellite communications, can't even so much as figure out how to get their customer service people to communicate properly with their customers. I mean, really now. Ya'll should be leading the way when it comes down to the topic of effective business communication.

• Getting dealt a crappy hand when you've got the small blind.

• Getting dealt a crappy hand when you've got the small blind, and nobody raises.

• Height bigots, and those who make fun of short men.

• Intellectual dishonesty.

• Lost luggage. Why always me?

• Seriously thin-skinned people who wouldn't know a real problem, if it came up and slapped them in the face.

• Medical care providers for the elderly, who approach their jobs as if it's just another job to do. It's not. When you're trying to get a skeptical elderly patient to take all those different meds, why don't you take a brief moment out of your hectic day to actually explain WHAT those meds are for, and WHY it's important they take them? Getting all flustered and huffy because an otherwise unaware elderly person has their own will isn't getting the proper message across. The elderly often require additional care; which takes more time and effort than most of us. Just take a breath, relax, and explain. There… now everybody feels better.

• While we're on the subject, why do you continually give my mother bland meal selections (which she continually voices her displeasure, to no apparent avail so far), while at the same time giving a big bowl of spicy chili to the elderly lady at her table who suffered her third heart attack? Which of you Einstein's there is the dietician?

　
Still on my trip to the mid-west; I guarantee more to come soon.
　
Dub'

Things That Piss Me Off - Pt. X

• Half-measures of anything.

• Hospital social workers.

• Losing to people who have no honor.

• Obamacare. Now that I see what it really means to my elderly mother on Medicare.

• Office politics.

• Overly-conspicuous red herrings ("hey everybody, look over there!"), and those who resort to them.

• People who demand immediate answers for things that aren't otherwise imminently required, and don't seem to understand what it means when others prioritize; and then resort to going over your head when they're not given top priority.

• Saint Frances Hospital, in Tulsa Oklahoma. "Obamacare" at its worst. Or is that "finest"?

• Self-imposed withdrawal and alienation. Used to be you just had to meet somebody to make a connection. Now it seems the more people you meet, the fewer prospects there appear to be.

• That in order to simply be taken seriously by those who would otherwise cast aside my opinions, I must at times resort to stinging forthrightness.

• Those who carelessly tread on others, then object as to the length of ongoing tensions their actions had created in the first place. The bigger the pond, the more significant the ripples.

• Those who preach to others about accountability; then would have us all overlook the significance as to the impact their subsequent bad choices had on everyone else.

• Transparently thin and ever-changing rationales that wreak of bullshit; and whose purveyors would have you think are valid reasons.

• Trying to cut through red tape during real emergencies.

• Women who keep me tucked away, like I'm a dirty little secret. What? Am I a vibrator, or something?

I'll be traveling this coming week; I'm certain that will provide no shortage of fodder for the 11th installment of TTPMO.


Dub'

Every Path Has Its Puddle

Bittersweet the barren path which leaves us cast away, than those traversed in turpitude by those maligning prey.

Don't dig your grave with knife and fork; your own, especially.  Can't trust the world; must look within yourselves, specifically.

A camel's nose within a tent; his body follows suit.  Intrusiveness allowed within destroys; there's no dispute.

Adorning demons within silk; they're demons nonetheless.  It's the evil which resides in them which has you now possessed.

A new broom brought in, sweeping clean; I know I'd let you down.  But electives pinned-down afterwards weren't why I'd lost my crown.

Stolen fruit, the sweetest thing; picked ripely from a tree which others cared for tenderly.  In gardens, there's no fee.

The devil looks after his own, while in your eyes I'm stained.  The devils's own now stands adorned.  I naked; garbed in pain.

The wish is father to the thought; creating thine own cause.  No comfort found in rationales, long after one withdraws.

It takes all sorts to make a world, I'd thought I knew my place; but never thought the sorts I'd chose would lead me to disgrace.

One of these days means none at all; "shall pass" remains unclear.  Will never happen quite that way; shall shoulder it for years.

Anytime still means no time; shan't happen, know it's true.  Beguiled paths adorned with hope, believed in hitherto.

Blood will out, just give it time; true nature will surprise.  Like bubbles submerged forcefully; eventually, they rise.

The die is cast, or so you've said while claiming no control of choices which are volunteered; forsaking now a soul.

Best to lose a saddle now, rather than the horse; an unseen path is what remains.  Are hearts filled with remorse?

Yet half a loaf is better than - none; or so we're told.  Please pardon my ingratitude; all that's left is mold.

All things grow with time - 'cept grief.  But I don't believe that's so.  Perhaps more time is what I need; my path will help me know.

The rains in spring bring forth the blooms; unpleasant, though today.  Tomorrow just extends the cold which winter brings my way.

Those who will the end, it's said, shall also will the means.  Time has come for me though now, crossing my ravines.

Facts speak loud, much more than words - uttered all along.  Inspiration; bitter now - you've finally got your song.

With distance great, shall hearts grow fond?  Shall love then remain strong?  A new path traversed in solitude is where I now belong.

Bittersweet as love can be with those whom we depend - upon to treat us lovingly; Lord, save me from my friends.

 

Dub'

Unwritten Codes of Life - Protocols for Men, Pt. I - Public Restrooms

• Discussions are not to be initiated, and conversations are generally to be avoided altogether.

• Eye contact is to be averted; and when standing at the urinal, the head and eyes are to be directed straight ahead at the wall. This is precisely why many establishments now frame the sports page on the wall behind every urinal. Get a clue.

• Stalls are to initially be chosen from the ends, opposite sides first, working inwards towards the middle.

• Unless absolutely necessary, an adjoining stall to one that's already occupied is never chosen.

• Under NO circumstances, are "wide-stances" to be tolerated.

• Courtesy flushes are acceptable. Do not impugn, nor fret over them.

• When two men, from separate paths, eventually make a beeline for the same restroom door, the man not in the lead shall yield by pretending he's actually heading in another direction.

• When you're the only one in the restroom, and you've had ample time to conduct your business accordingly; your time is officially up once somebody else steps into another stall.

• Wash your damn hands. With hot water. And lots of Gojo.

• I don't care if you just washed your damn hands, I ain't shakin' it. Really? As a matter of fact, you shouldn't have even noticed I was in here, if you'd simply paid heed to the eye-contact protocol.

• Under no circumstances, ever, is it acceptable to perform personal surgery in a bathroom stall. Trust me on this one.

　
Questions?
　
　
Dub'

Walking a Tightrope

All these medical issues I’ve been having lately; they’re really beginning to drag me down.  Except for sporadic office visits here and there during the early 90’s, I’ve largely avoided doctors my entire adult life.  I’ve come to now realize why.  Whereas I’d thought I possessed only a simple aversion to them, it turns out I’ve discovered that I have quite an anxiety about this whole doctoring and wellness thing.  Why?  I don’t know; I honestly don’t. It’s perhaps beyond conjecture.  What I do know, is that I constantly find myself alone, in yet another doctors office; who in turn winds up sending me to yet another – before returning back to them.  Most visits I find myself at some point finding it difficult to breathe; even often to the point of tears.  I start to get a little shaky, a little confused; I just want this all to go away.  A big, grown man such as me, driven to tears brought on by anxiety.  What a picture, huh?   All in all, and aside from a few creaks and groans (and headaches, a hiatial hernia, this damn growth in my sinus, skin cancer, peripheral neuropathy, etc. etc. etc.), I’m in fairly decent shape.  Strong as a bull, considering I don’t exercise nearly as much as I should.  Well, I guess I don’t exercise at all (does sex count?).  I guess what I’m trying to say is all this doctoring is driving me nuts.  But I’ve started it, and I’ve never been prone to just up and quitting something.  

I’m currently being seen by 3 physicians; and I’ve got another 3 I’m supposed to schedule appointments with.  To top that off I’ve had this lingering contagion within my knees since December; one that has had me in the emergency room a total of 7 times now I believe, and thrice-weekly visits to a wound specialist at the outset.  Co-pays are starting to kill me; and let’s not overlook the multitude of meds they have me on now.  Let me see… two for migraines, one for pain, one for pain & inflammation, and two antibiotics.  Jesus.  You’d think my casket was already lined up; but damn it, I’m strong, and I don’t want anymore of this.  Tell you one thing, the medical profession has sure come a long way since the late 80’s; but it’s definitely a big business.  And I’m a prime client; everybody in the loop has got their hand out, and I feel like they’re passing me around the table like a Thanksgiving turkey.  Simply put, this is getting depressing.  This is too much for me to concentrate on, and I’m an analyst by trade.  That’s saying something.  I guess it would be nice if I was in the position of having my own personal assistant to coordinate these things for me; but I’m not.  I’m a big boy; but it’s definitely getting me down. 

Since all this has been going on, I’ve found myself scaling back in my social affairs somewhat; perhaps a different story altogether.  So here I am, walking this tightrope of uncertainty.  I’ve got to face it alone; and I’m surrounded.  As I span this tightrope of solitude, I have sickness and depression on either side of me staring me down; while I ease slowly onwards.  I figure if I can make it to the other side, I can leave all three behind me.  I hope…

Dub’