Shit

A bunch of us at the office today spent several minutes crouching at Ryan's window, watching a crazy, shirtless jerk in a van drive around our building. Just moments before, one of my co-workers had seen him screaming at his girlfriend. He then pulled out a pistol. My co-worker freaked out and called 911.

Less than a block away from where this scary confrontation took place, kids were trick-or-treating at local downtown businesses.

Neither, thanks

Every day I tell myself not to spend money. Conserve, save, don't give it away for God's sake. Today, I even brought my own lunch to work--Amy Chan's instant miso soup--and ate in relative peace. Then my co-workers came around asking if I wanted to join them for lunch, and even though I'd already eaten, I was like, What the hell, I could use a break from this place. Next thing you know I'm sipping Dr. Pepper out of a plastic cup and picking at an over-sized plate of chili cheese fries. I ended up paying $7 -something for that meal that I didn't really need.

Then again, I learned a valuable lesson. Chili cheese fries is perhaps the only dish you can order in this state without the waitress asking, "Red or green?"

But maybe it was just this particular restaurant slacking off. I'm sure there are other restaurants where even the chili cheese fries aren't safe from red or green chile.

Phew

Chris and I escaped serious injury last night, when a huge ass SUV ran a red light and almost T-boned us in an intersection. Chris stomped on the gas, but our car barely accelerated. So now I have to go get the transmission fluid changed. And, the asshole driver actually had the nerve to honk at us.

How far we come

There were some major fuck-ups at work today (fortunately none of it my fault) and my co-workers are in considering mutiny against some of the management. It's all they talked about over dinner tonight: how much this one particular manager sucked and how we should all confront our boss to make him do something about it.

I found myself trying to be the positive voice, pointing out that managers have a tough job too, especially when they are basically the same age and experience level as most of their underlings.

Still, the idea of me-- Me!-- being positive. About work. Is too, too funny. When I came home and told Chris about it, the irony dawned on me and I almost laughed out loud. Just a year ago, I was the biggest complainer about work.

Positive my ass. I think I'm becoming a hypocrite. Don't tell any of my co-workers.

I guess I like my current boss better than my old one and ditto most of my co-workers. Doesn't make for much interesting blogging though, does it?

Boy, do I need a financial advisor right now. I'm horrible at budgeting. It's frightening. I'm going to go read a book now.

dumpster diving

the bums crawling through dumpsters of cast-offs from the thrift stores.
i always imagine as i walk by them to get to my building, that they will turn and approach me, dirty needles spilling like darts from their pants pockets.
and my key will get stuck in the door like it always does when i want to get in quickly.
at all hours of the day and night there are people at the dumpsters, pawing, clawing, crawling right in and loading up busted up cars with the loot.
druggies with mental health problems.

i am so focused on my disgust on them it hasn't occurred to me before how lucky i am to walk by them, go inside, be warm and safe.

this town is all black and white, stark contrasts.