Saturday, May 17, 2008
Bullying
I don't know if I've seen a more powerful video. No matter how many times I watch it, I can't watch it without crying. The focus is at the teenage level but that's hardly the only people it happens too. These words from my ex is a prime example:
My ex: actually lanie take off your clothes and stand in front of the mirror and say to your self what the #*@! does any man see in this
My ex: you should be happy if even one man in your life find's that attractive
My ex: better yet check out the latest penthouse #*@!
Those are fairly "soft" words/comments from him than what he normally has to say. I'd say he's just being mean because he's my ex, but I've listened to that from him for 18 years - just about as long as I've known him.
The power of words is HUGE. Change your words people, change your words. Talk about something else. Is there really any good reason for spreading hate and hurting others? Why do we do it? Is it really "natural" as the one student in the video stated?
And the students, the kids, is really why I cry. I find myself in a situation where we need to live in a not so good side of town and my boys attend a *very* rough school - there are no other schools they can go to instead in the area. The school year is almost done but my boys have learned very, very fast they *need* to be "tough" and "bad" or they are going to be picked on, bullied and beat up nearly every single day. I'm not going to name the school but this particular problem is rampant. The children at this school of one of two options: Live and attend school in fear, or be as bad as the next guy. It is the hardest thing in the world as a parent to be afraid to send your child to school - yet are required to by law.
I don't know how many times my children have come home beat up. Or refuse to leave the school without an adult escort in order to save themselves from being beaten up. Once they learned this is how this school is they went with option #2 ...to be as bad as the next guy. To do anything else is to make yourself an even greater target for bullying. "Telling" is the *last* things my boys want to do! They have told, involved the police and have seen what happens. Almost nothing. Not until the bullies involved become extreme with their bullying. It takes the extreme bullying before the offenders are removed from the school or before they are charged with anything.
That charging other kids is another issue all it's own in this city/province. It floors me that it is up to my 13 year old son if any legal action is going to be taken, not me! He's not capable of making that decision. Left up to him he is going to say "do nothing" because to do anything else is going to bring more bullying on him - and he's right! So bullying goes on rampant. The school itself says there is not a "gang issue" in the school - all the *students* at the school know better. So does the staff, they just won't admit it.
Where and when and how did being so bad become so damn cool?!
I wish their school would try something like the students in this video did. I wish they would do *something* - *anything*.
I asked the boys to watch the video with me. I spoke them in much more detail at the abuse I have suffered at their dad's hand (as far as I'm concerned they are old enough to know the truth and that women - or those abused - often eventually *will* fight back - if they are lucky enough to feel strong enough). I've spoken about all the different ways I've handled in the past and that ultimately only one works: standing up to him and letting him know he can't do that - and charging the hell outta him every time he tried. I got tired of the threat that he will kill me and adopted an attitude of bring it on. I'm still standing. Still breathing. I'm not dead.
My boys have moved away from also doing bullying - as that was their first line of defense - that 2nd option I mentioned. They still won't report the bullying - they did at the beginning of the year and don't want to go through that again, and I don't blame them. I was quite disappointed in them to see them take on the role of bullier - but luckily that got stopped fast! They know better know - that there is some place between the two - and it might be tough to find it, but that's where you need to be.
If nothing else, I hope the video you watched touched you in some way and even if you only stop for a moment to consider how you might change your own behavior or what you can do to help diminish bullying ...then this post was worth it.
I'm as good as you and you're as good as me and that's that. End of story.
Lanie
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Been a few days!
Hey, been a few days since I had anything to say here. I guess I was in a little bit of a "funk" - I don't know, guess that's what I call it when it isn't an all out depression.
The guys in my life have been a bit of a 'bother' lately. My ex figured that when I didn't throw him in jail when I easily could have that it meant there was "something" left between us and that we should give things a try again and I didn't look forward to that fight, but I had to have it. For someone who doesn't like to hear "no" from me all the time he should change his questions or quit askin' the same one all the time! lol ...it would help :P
Anyway, the reason why I opted to request that he not do jail time? Cuz then who's gonna pay for his kids!?! He has responsibilities to take care of that affects 3 people in this house - that's why he's not in jail. Not because I "forgive" him for being an ass or think that I was wrong to call the police in the first place. Call me up freaking and threatening to kill me if I don't do what you want? I have a right to call the police. Especially when in the past the threat of violence as gone past a threat and become a fact. Why would I go back??? It was hell to get out of in the first place! Once it was good an over I knew I'd never be back so that I'd never have to try and get out again. Why do abusive men think their woman *want* to be back? Where do they get that idea from? For the poor woman who goes back, often with claims of great love ...my heart goes out to them cuz it's not that they *want* to go back ...for those women, the choice is gone.
So...I have another question - why do people (yes, people, because I've seen women do this too) think attempting to hurt someone or make them feel bad about themselves is the way to motivate them around to what you want?
For example:
My ex: actually lanie take off your clothes and stand in front of the mirror and say to your self what the #*@! does any man see in this
My ex: you should be happy if even one man in your life find's that attractive
My ex: better yet check out the latest penthouse #*@!
Of course, he's the "one man" I should be happy with! Yeah right - this sounds like something I'd be so damn happy with! And well, I kinda delight in being able to provide him a list of guys who like what they see :P ...not that I do, I don't even respond to such things ...oh but I could, lol
There is a guy that does impress me a whole heck of a lot that I'd love to work things out with that I was supposed to see on Thursday - and oh how I'd been looking forward to that for oh so very many reasons, each one he knows ;) Thursday didn't work out tho and that was a real bummer. He's got this shit going on his life that is a constant interference and as patient as I try to be, it's just getting hard.
In the end the one guy that is there - *always* - for all my happy and sad moments is the one who I love to no fuckin' end, but it hardly matters cuz he's a million miles away from me *sigh*.
I was thinking of maybe refreshing my POF profile and finding a 'summer friend.' I don't want to spend this summer sitting around wishing I had someone to do something with - ya know? Last summer was a bummed out summer ...I don't want another one this year.
We'll see.
Anyway, that catches things up -- been "away" dealing with the men in my life ;)
Lanie
The guys in my life have been a bit of a 'bother' lately. My ex figured that when I didn't throw him in jail when I easily could have that it meant there was "something" left between us and that we should give things a try again and I didn't look forward to that fight, but I had to have it. For someone who doesn't like to hear "no" from me all the time he should change his questions or quit askin' the same one all the time! lol ...it would help :P
Anyway, the reason why I opted to request that he not do jail time? Cuz then who's gonna pay for his kids!?! He has responsibilities to take care of that affects 3 people in this house - that's why he's not in jail. Not because I "forgive" him for being an ass or think that I was wrong to call the police in the first place. Call me up freaking and threatening to kill me if I don't do what you want? I have a right to call the police. Especially when in the past the threat of violence as gone past a threat and become a fact. Why would I go back??? It was hell to get out of in the first place! Once it was good an over I knew I'd never be back so that I'd never have to try and get out again. Why do abusive men think their woman *want* to be back? Where do they get that idea from? For the poor woman who goes back, often with claims of great love ...my heart goes out to them cuz it's not that they *want* to go back ...for those women, the choice is gone.
So...I have another question - why do people (yes, people, because I've seen women do this too) think attempting to hurt someone or make them feel bad about themselves is the way to motivate them around to what you want?
For example:
My ex: actually lanie take off your clothes and stand in front of the mirror and say to your self what the #*@! does any man see in this
My ex: you should be happy if even one man in your life find's that attractive
My ex: better yet check out the latest penthouse #*@!
Of course, he's the "one man" I should be happy with! Yeah right - this sounds like something I'd be so damn happy with! And well, I kinda delight in being able to provide him a list of guys who like what they see :P ...not that I do, I don't even respond to such things ...oh but I could, lol
There is a guy that does impress me a whole heck of a lot that I'd love to work things out with that I was supposed to see on Thursday - and oh how I'd been looking forward to that for oh so very many reasons, each one he knows ;) Thursday didn't work out tho and that was a real bummer. He's got this shit going on his life that is a constant interference and as patient as I try to be, it's just getting hard.
In the end the one guy that is there - *always* - for all my happy and sad moments is the one who I love to no fuckin' end, but it hardly matters cuz he's a million miles away from me *sigh*.
I was thinking of maybe refreshing my POF profile and finding a 'summer friend.' I don't want to spend this summer sitting around wishing I had someone to do something with - ya know? Last summer was a bummed out summer ...I don't want another one this year.
We'll see.
Anyway, that catches things up -- been "away" dealing with the men in my life ;)
Lanie
Monday, May 5, 2008
It's 6:00am
What the fuck am I doing up??? ...not only that, I've been up awhile! I woke up from a soar back *sigh* and so laying down just isn't doing it for me. So here I am up way early this fine Monday morning. Wonder what the weather is gonna be like. The other day, I think it was just yesterday - I noticed that it sounded like it was raining and turned and looked out the window and everything was white!! It didn't stay but jeez, it's May already and I'm totally, 100% sick of the snow and cold.
Hmmm, it's not looking that bad actually. Well, except this minute, -7c. High of 14c though, and then 18c tomorrow - but not sunny, but then sunny the rest of the week with highs 13c-15c. Normal is a high of 17c. Guess it's not too bad, and it's great cuz no where does it say more snow! lol
So, I had a *great* week-end. Ok I had a great Friday night and spent the rest of the week end kinda working that drunk off ;) Was my Auntie's 60th. Oh and in attending this party I got my first experience at karoke. That's as either a person in the audience or on stage. He he. Ok ok, I wasn't *that* brave to be on stage ...but I did cuz all us "kids" (ha ha ...not one under 35) got up on stage to do Auntie's favorite song, Me & Bobby McGee. She loved it, she cried, he he.
Amazing woman with a heart of gold and I hope there's tons and tons of birthdays in her future yet.
Anyway, I decided I was buying her shooters all night long and well of course I couldn't let her drink them alone so I had to have one every time too - oh my lord but we drank, lol ...I gotta say my body is so not used to doing that to myself. Every time I do head and out and drink a bit too much (it seriously is not that often) it takes me a couple of days to get over it!
My ex wants me back. He's trying so hardcore. I feel bad for him. We've gone way past that point of "trying again." Or, I guess I should say that I have. A long time ago. I *hate* how much he makes me have to tell him "no." It's constant and I just wish he could understand that I don't wanna fight so do try to maintain a friendship, but in doing that he always sees "more" there than what I'm giving him. I don't like the idea of having to completely ignore him. We have three sons we are raising. Teenage sons. I *need* his help! But, why does that always have to equate to some sort of "us" that he always turns into a proper "us" like we are together and to hell with anyone else I might be seeing.
Never mind who I might be seeing even ...I like to classify myself as "single but my heart it taken" lol ...except it ain't no laughing matter. It's hard and lonely to be very in love with someone you can't have. I guess, really, we (me and my ex) are going through similar feelings, just towards different people. I don't get to be with the one I love cuz lives 10,000 miles away from me. So, I try to move on. It's not easy. And some how my ex equates this to me wanting him. I'm never going back to him - life was hell. He can change and change and change and it won't matter. The core parts of him, like of anyone, don't change - and I don't like him. I don't want the same things as him. I don't value the same things as him. Seems like besides kids we have next to nothing in common.
Some how, I don't think it's going to sink in with him until I'm involved in a relationship that is in his face. He knows I'm quite serious about my Aussie. He knows there's someone else right here in the city too. Yeah, it's way so complicated ...when it could be simple if only people could just live where they want.
Well, nothing's changing today. I think I will grab my shower now and start this Monday.
Lanie
Hmmm, it's not looking that bad actually. Well, except this minute, -7c. High of 14c though, and then 18c tomorrow - but not sunny, but then sunny the rest of the week with highs 13c-15c. Normal is a high of 17c. Guess it's not too bad, and it's great cuz no where does it say more snow! lol
So, I had a *great* week-end. Ok I had a great Friday night and spent the rest of the week end kinda working that drunk off ;) Was my Auntie's 60th. Oh and in attending this party I got my first experience at karoke. That's as either a person in the audience or on stage. He he. Ok ok, I wasn't *that* brave to be on stage ...but I did cuz all us "kids" (ha ha ...not one under 35) got up on stage to do Auntie's favorite song, Me & Bobby McGee. She loved it, she cried, he he.
Amazing woman with a heart of gold and I hope there's tons and tons of birthdays in her future yet.
Anyway, I decided I was buying her shooters all night long and well of course I couldn't let her drink them alone so I had to have one every time too - oh my lord but we drank, lol ...I gotta say my body is so not used to doing that to myself. Every time I do head and out and drink a bit too much (it seriously is not that often) it takes me a couple of days to get over it!
My ex wants me back. He's trying so hardcore. I feel bad for him. We've gone way past that point of "trying again." Or, I guess I should say that I have. A long time ago. I *hate* how much he makes me have to tell him "no." It's constant and I just wish he could understand that I don't wanna fight so do try to maintain a friendship, but in doing that he always sees "more" there than what I'm giving him. I don't like the idea of having to completely ignore him. We have three sons we are raising. Teenage sons. I *need* his help! But, why does that always have to equate to some sort of "us" that he always turns into a proper "us" like we are together and to hell with anyone else I might be seeing.
Never mind who I might be seeing even ...I like to classify myself as "single but my heart it taken" lol ...except it ain't no laughing matter. It's hard and lonely to be very in love with someone you can't have. I guess, really, we (me and my ex) are going through similar feelings, just towards different people. I don't get to be with the one I love cuz lives 10,000 miles away from me. So, I try to move on. It's not easy. And some how my ex equates this to me wanting him. I'm never going back to him - life was hell. He can change and change and change and it won't matter. The core parts of him, like of anyone, don't change - and I don't like him. I don't want the same things as him. I don't value the same things as him. Seems like besides kids we have next to nothing in common.
Some how, I don't think it's going to sink in with him until I'm involved in a relationship that is in his face. He knows I'm quite serious about my Aussie. He knows there's someone else right here in the city too. Yeah, it's way so complicated ...when it could be simple if only people could just live where they want.
Well, nothing's changing today. I think I will grab my shower now and start this Monday.
Lanie
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Diggin' . . .
So, there I am, sitting down to enjoy a burger and fries in a food court while having to wait for a prescription to be filled at the drugstore. Along comes a guy justa diggin' like crazy in his nose, ffs. Talk about away to make sure I lose my appetite. Doesn't anyone have manners any more? Just like I ever told my boys when they were little, if they gotta pick their nose they needed to do so privately lol ...I mean everyone knows a booger gets stuck sometimes but the average person doesn't go diggin' to get it in the middle of some place where everyone is eating - ugh.
It was gorgeous out yesterday - beautiful. Today is only a high of 13 but I'm pretty sure the forecast is for more great weather though. Anyway, I was wearing some of my summer clothes yesterday - a top that shows a *lot* of cleavage, he he. It's always interesting to watch the people - obviously mostly men, but not just. I mean you can't look at me and not see my tits - whether I cover them up or not. 50DDD is just really, really hard to hide! ha ha ...but when I wear something like that I know I'm askin' for and going to get extra attention ;) Unlike my neice who dresses in such a fashion as a matter of daily course yet who is silly enough to think only the guys she wants to look are gonna look and gets mad at anyone else who can't take their eyes off her chest - me, I don't care, I expect it. And I just love how a guy handles getting caught lookin'.
It's sad to say but most men, if contact is made, they're all chicken, lol. They'll look away. Some, just smile, nod the head, wink or whatever. Or if it's appropriate or possible they will wanna chit-chat and try and get my number. Mostly, like 90% of the time they look away. Well that's what happened with this one guy - he couldn't help but look ...saw me notice him looking so looked away and a second later he's looking again and I happened to catch it and well fuck was he ever blushing the 2nd time around of being caught ...so there he is hurrying up and not looking now and me, I'm sitting there laughing, right out loud.
Man ...they're just tits guys lol, just tits. All right, I don't mind the looks. I honestly don't blame ya ;) Just, enjoy your glance and settle down!
Lanie
It was gorgeous out yesterday - beautiful. Today is only a high of 13 but I'm pretty sure the forecast is for more great weather though. Anyway, I was wearing some of my summer clothes yesterday - a top that shows a *lot* of cleavage, he he. It's always interesting to watch the people - obviously mostly men, but not just. I mean you can't look at me and not see my tits - whether I cover them up or not. 50DDD is just really, really hard to hide! ha ha ...but when I wear something like that I know I'm askin' for and going to get extra attention ;) Unlike my neice who dresses in such a fashion as a matter of daily course yet who is silly enough to think only the guys she wants to look are gonna look and gets mad at anyone else who can't take their eyes off her chest - me, I don't care, I expect it. And I just love how a guy handles getting caught lookin'.
It's sad to say but most men, if contact is made, they're all chicken, lol. They'll look away. Some, just smile, nod the head, wink or whatever. Or if it's appropriate or possible they will wanna chit-chat and try and get my number. Mostly, like 90% of the time they look away. Well that's what happened with this one guy - he couldn't help but look ...saw me notice him looking so looked away and a second later he's looking again and I happened to catch it and well fuck was he ever blushing the 2nd time around of being caught ...so there he is hurrying up and not looking now and me, I'm sitting there laughing, right out loud.
Man ...they're just tits guys lol, just tits. All right, I don't mind the looks. I honestly don't blame ya ;) Just, enjoy your glance and settle down!
Lanie
Monday, April 28, 2008
WoW
World of Warcraft.
Yes, I like to get online and play games and a friend got me started on WoW. Speak of the devil and he shall appear, ha ha ha. The friend ;)
Anyway, I love the game, much better than the one I was playing before it - which I mastered and was just leveling and resetting for no good reason (nothing gained) other than recognition on the top players lists, lol. WoW is more challenging so that's good - and bad, cuz it's easy to spend waaaay too much time playing once I get started! Which is almost daily, lol. But ya know, I had to go and pick like the hardest character!! A priest(ess). Anyway ...I was looking around online for advice on how best to play and level the priest because in-game to call me a "noob" is more than appropriate! ha ha ha ...I don't even know/understand the lingo (it's taking much longer than the other game to catch on to that) and so I sound so incredibly noob - and people tend to just make fun of you then rather than answering your questions :/ ...and if they do answer? I don't get the answer anyway - I don't understand the lingo. Or more like I don't understand the acronyms.
So because it's hard for anyone to help me, even just with information, I decide to look around online for help. Well, fuck me - I still don't get the damn lingo! Ha ha ha. On the other hand there are simpler explainations around but they're so basic and I am beyond that (I think!). So I end up at these places where what the write/say is just like a foreign language already, lol, thus, not much help! I don't know, I'm just on my own here ;)
Guess, I need to learn the lingo and accronyms before anything else.
Well...I'm off to play anyway :P
Lanie
Yes, I like to get online and play games and a friend got me started on WoW. Speak of the devil and he shall appear, ha ha ha. The friend ;)
Anyway, I love the game, much better than the one I was playing before it - which I mastered and was just leveling and resetting for no good reason (nothing gained) other than recognition on the top players lists, lol. WoW is more challenging so that's good - and bad, cuz it's easy to spend waaaay too much time playing once I get started! Which is almost daily, lol. But ya know, I had to go and pick like the hardest character!! A priest(ess). Anyway ...I was looking around online for advice on how best to play and level the priest because in-game to call me a "noob" is more than appropriate! ha ha ha ...I don't even know/understand the lingo (it's taking much longer than the other game to catch on to that) and so I sound so incredibly noob - and people tend to just make fun of you then rather than answering your questions :/ ...and if they do answer? I don't get the answer anyway - I don't understand the lingo. Or more like I don't understand the acronyms.
So because it's hard for anyone to help me, even just with information, I decide to look around online for help. Well, fuck me - I still don't get the damn lingo! Ha ha ha. On the other hand there are simpler explainations around but they're so basic and I am beyond that (I think!). So I end up at these places where what the write/say is just like a foreign language already, lol, thus, not much help! I don't know, I'm just on my own here ;)
Guess, I need to learn the lingo and accronyms before anything else.
Well...I'm off to play anyway :P
Lanie
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Customer Service
I'm watching a show, which is actually quite funny (maybe cuz it can never happen to me, lol) ...maybe it's called "Violation" I'm not sure. But it's a reality show of everything with parking tickets ...from giving the tickets, to boot police, the tow companies, and of course, getting your car back. It's the getting the car back - that's the part that would kill me. A long time in all lines and there are lines to go through, not just one. And when it's cuz some one didn't do what they were supposed to, or get what they were supposed to bring or whatever - you gotta leave and go back to the end of the line.
So the story goes. So my job goes. And this is a serious pet peeve of mine now that I've been doing this six years. I process applications. I check to make sure each one is complete. If it's complete I check to see if it meets the qualifications for our assistance. If they do, I take care of that process too. That's the quick version of what I do.
Now, on a good day, meaning the applications are complete and I can actually process them, I get a *lot* accomplished. But you know what? That's just not how it goes. Ok, I just want to say right up, I'm not talking about people who have difficulty reading or understanding and I love the ones that ask if they can come down and have me help them. That works the best.
Just also still remember to bring all the required documentation and payment with you, too.
I often get asked if it's ok if they bring partial applications. "Yes you can, and I will hold it here until you get (whatever may be missing)." "You can't get started with processing it?" "No, I'm sorry, I can't." Or, "Can I fax it?" "If you're paying by visa, otherwise I will hold it until I receive payment." "You can't process it ahead of time?" "No, you haven't yet paid for that service." Or when they know the information being asked but don't have the documents and more or less want me to take their word for it, ha ha ha - where can you get away with that pray tell?
We do run a program that offers financial aid so we are often talking about low-income families where money is a struggle. We do *everything* in our power to help them - they just have to come up with a mininum $25 and that's going to get them anywhere from $200 - $1,050 to help pay for something that is indeed very beneficial for their children, but a non-essential. It's neither food, nor clothing, nor shelter. But there's just some things that are good for all kids, not just those whose parents can afford it.
I just don't wanna tie my job to my site, that's why there's no identifable information and as broad in description as I can be about exactly what service is being provided. Most of my other jobs have to some degree involved some customer service which would be affected by what I'm saying, but none like this one. And by educated, trained people too! They are social workers and what not, people to assist families and even they will try to push applications missing pertainent information.
Anyway, the point I want to make is ...want your application processed in the fastest amount of time? I can have it all finalized on my end within 24 hours. And back from the other end, in most cases, within a day or two. So within 2-4 days it can be all over and done with - with applicants not having to do anything else but their application - the rest is on me when the financial aid is granted. Done, end of story.
Our applications don't really ask for a whole lot of information. But we do need to verify the family ID and size, and we do have to see the financial picture of the home in order to determine if there is an acceptable need for our services or not. (Because theirs a lot of reasons a family might be broke and in need of assistance, but because you were in Disney Land or just bought a new car, well those reasons aren't something we'll consider.) We also need the applications for the actual service that they are getting help with paying for. Unfortunately, we can't afford 100% s support but every family gets 70% - 90% help with the cost. So, it's still a real good deal. Along with these two applications we need to know and see documented the gross income for the previous year. Family ID. And the fee. That's it. It's the financial document that gets most people. But for some it could be anything to everything.
Let me bottom line what happens with an incomplete or questionable (information doesn't make sense) application. There's two piles on my desk. Complete Applications and Incomeplete/Problem applications. I do complete applications only until their done - as I mentioned before, I like to turn my applications around in a day. If it's so busy I can't even finish the complete ones ...6 hours of my 7 hour day is spent on those. One hour out of my 7 hour day is spent on the rest ...and well, you can only get through a few. The ones just outright missing info get a letter listing what all needs to be sent in and filed away. I don't follow up on them. I leave that onus on the parents. I'm a pro at unique situations though and helping those parents through and I'm mor than happy to help those who simply have difficulty with the application. But to send it in to me not done? Pointless. 100% pointless. I can't do anything with it. Argue with me all you want. Fact remains, I don't have the information required to qualify or disqualify you so - what do you want me to do? Ya know?
Can't complete it? Call the people who it's going to and see what the options are - there are almost always options.
Ok ...he he, that's my pet peeve about having to "process" something and people just not understanding the colossal waste of time it is. Maybe the admin fee would be lower than what it is for everyone if people just followed direction or got assitance so that there was never a "problem" application ...ya know?
Lanie
So the story goes. So my job goes. And this is a serious pet peeve of mine now that I've been doing this six years. I process applications. I check to make sure each one is complete. If it's complete I check to see if it meets the qualifications for our assistance. If they do, I take care of that process too. That's the quick version of what I do.
Now, on a good day, meaning the applications are complete and I can actually process them, I get a *lot* accomplished. But you know what? That's just not how it goes. Ok, I just want to say right up, I'm not talking about people who have difficulty reading or understanding and I love the ones that ask if they can come down and have me help them. That works the best.
Just also still remember to bring all the required documentation and payment with you, too.
I often get asked if it's ok if they bring partial applications. "Yes you can, and I will hold it here until you get (whatever may be missing)." "You can't get started with processing it?" "No, I'm sorry, I can't." Or, "Can I fax it?" "If you're paying by visa, otherwise I will hold it until I receive payment." "You can't process it ahead of time?" "No, you haven't yet paid for that service." Or when they know the information being asked but don't have the documents and more or less want me to take their word for it, ha ha ha - where can you get away with that pray tell?
We do run a program that offers financial aid so we are often talking about low-income families where money is a struggle. We do *everything* in our power to help them - they just have to come up with a mininum $25 and that's going to get them anywhere from $200 - $1,050 to help pay for something that is indeed very beneficial for their children, but a non-essential. It's neither food, nor clothing, nor shelter. But there's just some things that are good for all kids, not just those whose parents can afford it.
I just don't wanna tie my job to my site, that's why there's no identifable information and as broad in description as I can be about exactly what service is being provided. Most of my other jobs have to some degree involved some customer service which would be affected by what I'm saying, but none like this one. And by educated, trained people too! They are social workers and what not, people to assist families and even they will try to push applications missing pertainent information.
Anyway, the point I want to make is ...want your application processed in the fastest amount of time? I can have it all finalized on my end within 24 hours. And back from the other end, in most cases, within a day or two. So within 2-4 days it can be all over and done with - with applicants not having to do anything else but their application - the rest is on me when the financial aid is granted. Done, end of story.
Our applications don't really ask for a whole lot of information. But we do need to verify the family ID and size, and we do have to see the financial picture of the home in order to determine if there is an acceptable need for our services or not. (Because theirs a lot of reasons a family might be broke and in need of assistance, but because you were in Disney Land or just bought a new car, well those reasons aren't something we'll consider.) We also need the applications for the actual service that they are getting help with paying for. Unfortunately, we can't afford 100% s support but every family gets 70% - 90% help with the cost. So, it's still a real good deal. Along with these two applications we need to know and see documented the gross income for the previous year. Family ID. And the fee. That's it. It's the financial document that gets most people. But for some it could be anything to everything.
Let me bottom line what happens with an incomplete or questionable (information doesn't make sense) application. There's two piles on my desk. Complete Applications and Incomeplete/Problem applications. I do complete applications only until their done - as I mentioned before, I like to turn my applications around in a day. If it's so busy I can't even finish the complete ones ...6 hours of my 7 hour day is spent on those. One hour out of my 7 hour day is spent on the rest ...and well, you can only get through a few. The ones just outright missing info get a letter listing what all needs to be sent in and filed away. I don't follow up on them. I leave that onus on the parents. I'm a pro at unique situations though and helping those parents through and I'm mor than happy to help those who simply have difficulty with the application. But to send it in to me not done? Pointless. 100% pointless. I can't do anything with it. Argue with me all you want. Fact remains, I don't have the information required to qualify or disqualify you so - what do you want me to do? Ya know?
Can't complete it? Call the people who it's going to and see what the options are - there are almost always options.
Ok ...he he, that's my pet peeve about having to "process" something and people just not understanding the colossal waste of time it is. Maybe the admin fee would be lower than what it is for everyone if people just followed direction or got assitance so that there was never a "problem" application ...ya know?
Lanie
Yes it's cold out.
Yes we got a bunch of snow and ice, rain - got it all ;) ...supposedly things should warm up again a bit ...still not as warm as usual *sigh* - I so seriously need to move some place warmer!!! ha ha ha
It's been a few days since I wrote but I supposed not too much has been going on. My ex turned 50 on Friday so we did the birthday thing on Thursday. We ended up having a very interesting family argument about being prejudice. My ex says he's not. Yeah ok, lol. But he picked up with the boys and you know ...I gotta say, you can sure tell they were raised by me and not him. (That's actually good in many respects.) If he had his way my boys would be believing because they are "white" they are entitled for - hmmm, well I guess "more." Or that white people have more rights or something. What he kept going on about was he wasn't his right to start his day at school saying the Lord's prayer. Ok ...um, he's 50 ha ha ha ...he doesn't see the inside of school any more!
Anyway, the argument got heated because I told him as a Canadian I personally would be offended if my boys were forced to have to partake in any religous exercise at school. As I told my ex, there are institutions devoted entirely to worship (um, they're called churches) and *that* is where you can worship in a group and say all the prayers you want. Because, you know, as Canadians we open our doors to immigrants from all over the world and that is going to invite a lot of different culture and religions. No one person's rights are more important than anothers. And the best thing about the free world is that you are free to be who and what you want, wooohooo. All of us. Everyone. Not just my ex :P
That argument almost saw the whole evening in ruins, but eventually 4 out of 5 of us figured it was pointless to say one word more - he thinks he's being robbed something because of every other culture in Canada and that the Canadian way is threatened and there's no changing his mind about that. I left it alone after saying the indian me says by your reasoning you have no more right her than any other white culture and that he should go back to Europe ;)
Lanie
Yes we got a bunch of snow and ice, rain - got it all ;) ...supposedly things should warm up again a bit ...still not as warm as usual *sigh* - I so seriously need to move some place warmer!!! ha ha ha
It's been a few days since I wrote but I supposed not too much has been going on. My ex turned 50 on Friday so we did the birthday thing on Thursday. We ended up having a very interesting family argument about being prejudice. My ex says he's not. Yeah ok, lol. But he picked up with the boys and you know ...I gotta say, you can sure tell they were raised by me and not him. (That's actually good in many respects.) If he had his way my boys would be believing because they are "white" they are entitled for - hmmm, well I guess "more." Or that white people have more rights or something. What he kept going on about was he wasn't his right to start his day at school saying the Lord's prayer. Ok ...um, he's 50 ha ha ha ...he doesn't see the inside of school any more!
Anyway, the argument got heated because I told him as a Canadian I personally would be offended if my boys were forced to have to partake in any religous exercise at school. As I told my ex, there are institutions devoted entirely to worship (um, they're called churches) and *that* is where you can worship in a group and say all the prayers you want. Because, you know, as Canadians we open our doors to immigrants from all over the world and that is going to invite a lot of different culture and religions. No one person's rights are more important than anothers. And the best thing about the free world is that you are free to be who and what you want, wooohooo. All of us. Everyone. Not just my ex :P
That argument almost saw the whole evening in ruins, but eventually 4 out of 5 of us figured it was pointless to say one word more - he thinks he's being robbed something because of every other culture in Canada and that the Canadian way is threatened and there's no changing his mind about that. I left it alone after saying the indian me says by your reasoning you have no more right her than any other white culture and that he should go back to Europe ;)
Lanie
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Winter storm warning? WTF????
Like I do every morning before I head out I check the weather and fuck me if they aren't saying we got a storm coming. We should expect heavy snow, freezing rain and rain. He he he, ok can't go too wrong with that forecast, got it all covered there!
I hope it just rains, no snow ...blah, I'm so done with snow even if it would just melt the next day.
Anyway...I'm not gonna be late for work today!! Well, if I leave instead of doing this ;)
Lanie
I hope it just rains, no snow ...blah, I'm so done with snow even if it would just melt the next day.
Anyway...I'm not gonna be late for work today!! Well, if I leave instead of doing this ;)
Lanie
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Close call...
I left work today and one look out to the west and I could see a storm a-coming. Black, dark clouds amoungst the rest of them. Sweeping clouds, the kind you can tell are raining - and not nicely at that. So instead of going to my nearby busstop I walked 3 blocks to the express stop where all the busses stop and even if I didn't get on a bus before it started to rain where I was, at least at the express busstop there's a bus shelter - enclosed of course. I never knew they weren't all enclosed shelters until I left my city and widened my horizons a little - ok a lot lol - when I went to Australia. Their's aren't enclosed, only shaded. Can tell different things matter in different places. Anyway ...if it did rain I'd at least have shelter from it. Cuz it wasn't just gonna rain, it was gonna fuckin' rain lol
All the way walking to the other stop I was checking behind me, it was moving fast. So, so did I, lol. Large, Plus Size, BBW ...whatever you want to call it, even it's mean like "fat" - when it's time, when I gotta, damn I can move ;) Anyway, I made it to the stop before the rainstorm did. But I still had to wait for a bus. Not too long though, not even 5 minutes I'm sure. Was an express bus so good thing I didn't stay where I was waiting for the regular bus, pissed off as I watched an express go by ;)
Just as I was stepping onto the bus, the wind that came a minute ago invited lightening and thunder and then the rain ...but I was on the bus, woohoo lol
Instead of getting off and transferring to my next bus at the beginning of downtown I stayed on and rode through, transferring at the other end - hoping to out do, pass, get away from the rainstorm ...I guess I really wasn't in any mood to be drenched, lol It worked out fairly well ...it was raining at the next stop ....but just lightly, barely. And there was a big, warm! shelter so no need to be in any rain and it looked like the worst was over, heading north the sun was shining in partly cloudy skies. I saw that it did rain there too...my son says it came down pretty good, but I missed it all - on both sides of it :)
Now, I actually like it cuz spring rain, it's refreshing rain and things are getting green out there. The buds are just starting on the trees and the grass is so green even so the snow has probably been fully gone only a couple of weeks at best. And actually temperatures will get cool enough at night this week that we just may get snow. Of course, none of it will stay, but it will still come down. But yeah ...spring has taken hold ...this is, by far, my most favorite time of year, spring in April and May :)
Good-bye winter, hello summer :D
Oh and it's Earth Day here in Canada - around the world? I don't know. But anyway, they were talking about it on the radio today and the dj says something like if everyone in North America flushed one time less each day, we'd save billions. Of water? Of dollars? Both I guess ...anyway, I laughed figuring my family certainly did its share! All boys - seat always up, toilet never flushed lol ...guess it's a good thing! Now instead of being all pissed off when I see it I can say, "Good job!" and be proud! ha ha ha
Lanie
All the way walking to the other stop I was checking behind me, it was moving fast. So, so did I, lol. Large, Plus Size, BBW ...whatever you want to call it, even it's mean like "fat" - when it's time, when I gotta, damn I can move ;) Anyway, I made it to the stop before the rainstorm did. But I still had to wait for a bus. Not too long though, not even 5 minutes I'm sure. Was an express bus so good thing I didn't stay where I was waiting for the regular bus, pissed off as I watched an express go by ;)
Just as I was stepping onto the bus, the wind that came a minute ago invited lightening and thunder and then the rain ...but I was on the bus, woohoo lol
Instead of getting off and transferring to my next bus at the beginning of downtown I stayed on and rode through, transferring at the other end - hoping to out do, pass, get away from the rainstorm ...I guess I really wasn't in any mood to be drenched, lol It worked out fairly well ...it was raining at the next stop ....but just lightly, barely. And there was a big, warm! shelter so no need to be in any rain and it looked like the worst was over, heading north the sun was shining in partly cloudy skies. I saw that it did rain there too...my son says it came down pretty good, but I missed it all - on both sides of it :)
Now, I actually like it cuz spring rain, it's refreshing rain and things are getting green out there. The buds are just starting on the trees and the grass is so green even so the snow has probably been fully gone only a couple of weeks at best. And actually temperatures will get cool enough at night this week that we just may get snow. Of course, none of it will stay, but it will still come down. But yeah ...spring has taken hold ...this is, by far, my most favorite time of year, spring in April and May :)
Good-bye winter, hello summer :D
Oh and it's Earth Day here in Canada - around the world? I don't know. But anyway, they were talking about it on the radio today and the dj says something like if everyone in North America flushed one time less each day, we'd save billions. Of water? Of dollars? Both I guess ...anyway, I laughed figuring my family certainly did its share! All boys - seat always up, toilet never flushed lol ...guess it's a good thing! Now instead of being all pissed off when I see it I can say, "Good job!" and be proud! ha ha ha
Lanie
Monday, April 21, 2008
Well, the rainy day turned out to not be too bad :) First of all, it wasn't "cold & miserable" - just rainy. And it smelled so good and I love that it settles all the sand-dust outta the air and even washes some of the sand from winter away - those street cleaners are busy at it, but a good rain does a great job for free ;)
Not that that matters. *Frowns*. I can't count the number of times - today included - the city workers are out watering city plants - um, in the rain ha ha ha ...waste my tax dollars already cuz there's just so damn much to go around! :P
Oh ...and on the funny end of things ...I was coming home from work today and had to stop at the grocery store. As I was going in there was an older lady trying to come out the automatic out door. Well, I had to giggle because I could see her waving at the door and I wondered what the hell she was doing - trying to get the door to "see" her and open. Here's a hint - it opens for my 5 year old - waving won't help unless it manages to get in front of the sensors lol ...a guy came up behind her and then the door opened ...all she needed to do was take a step back for the sensor to detect her. It was a funny sight to see - someone waving at a door, ha ha ha.
That's my oh so interesting look at things today ;)
Lanie
Oooops, I don't have a 5 yr old, ha ha ha ...but they all used to be 5 and the doors opened for them - trust me it was one of their favorite games ;)
Not that that matters. *Frowns*. I can't count the number of times - today included - the city workers are out watering city plants - um, in the rain ha ha ha ...waste my tax dollars already cuz there's just so damn much to go around! :P
Oh ...and on the funny end of things ...I was coming home from work today and had to stop at the grocery store. As I was going in there was an older lady trying to come out the automatic out door. Well, I had to giggle because I could see her waving at the door and I wondered what the hell she was doing - trying to get the door to "see" her and open. Here's a hint - it opens for my 5 year old - waving won't help unless it manages to get in front of the sensors lol ...a guy came up behind her and then the door opened ...all she needed to do was take a step back for the sensor to detect her. It was a funny sight to see - someone waving at a door, ha ha ha.
That's my oh so interesting look at things today ;)
Lanie
Oooops, I don't have a 5 yr old, ha ha ha ...but they all used to be 5 and the doors opened for them - trust me it was one of their favorite games ;)
Blah, it's Monday
I'm just waiting on my phone to finish charging and then I'm outta here. It's gonna be a long day. I had so much trouble sleeping last night - doesn't seem like there was any single point where I was all out asleep. Resting seems like the most I did last night.
You say you love me and you need me in your life
But we are not together and I don't know why
No other woman's gonna love you like I do
Cuz I'm the one that's gonna make you feel real fine
He he, that is so stuck going through my head - it's catchy lol
It's cold again. It was nice all week last week with it getting up to 20c or whatever on Friday and Saturday - started cooling down yesterday. Now it just looks miserable and rainy. However ...rain? Wooohooo - wash some of this winter mess away. The sand omg. Every year. It turns to such a dust, light enough to be in the air not just on the street and damn that sure affects my breathing. Anyway, with it being cooler I bet I hear a couple of comments of "What did you do for the summer?" or "Enjoy summer?" ha ha ...like the 2 days are all we are going to get. Summer's short enough no matter what here! lol ...people like to say there are two seasons ...winter and construction. Too damn true.
My boys are still in bed. They are going to be late for school and end up with detentions. *shrugs* ...it's bullshit and at 13 and 14 if they can't make it to their own beds at night and be some place where I'm not running all over the house to try and wake them up when I gotta get ready to get out of here myself. Obviously I'm not "get ready" at this point. I will call the youngest before I leave, he'll wake up his brother. I'm leaving about a half hour late myself but that's cuz my phone was almost right dead.
Can I live without that phone? He he he, um - no. And that's hilarious because until I got this phone about a year or so ago I'd never had a cell phone. Never thought anything of it either. Never thinking 'oh I wish I had one.' I would tell people that would say I need to move on and get with the times that there's no reason on God's green earth why anyone needs to be able to reach 24/7 that they can't wait until I'm near a phone to call me. The only time I wasn't near a phone was travel time to and from work. It's not like "going out" and being out and about it a real big part of my life.
Then I got a phone. At the time I got it with only one thing in my mind. That it was just one more way to keep in touch and connected to my Australian friend. Now (and in very short order of getting it) I can't be without my phone lol. To call it a "phone" is almost ridiculous. That's pretty much the least of what I use my phone for, lol.
It's a Sony Ericsson, and that right there says it's main purpose to me - music!! lol Second to that would be my portable internet connection ;) And that it keeps track of everything for me. Every scrap piece of paper of any number or note is all wrapped up in that phone - it's my life line. So every day, even if it means I might be late (I won't be, I just try to get in early if I can) I *gotta* wait until my phone is good to go with me.
89% done charging now ...should be good enough.
Later.
Lanie
You say you love me and you need me in your life
But we are not together and I don't know why
No other woman's gonna love you like I do
Cuz I'm the one that's gonna make you feel real fine
He he, that is so stuck going through my head - it's catchy lol
It's cold again. It was nice all week last week with it getting up to 20c or whatever on Friday and Saturday - started cooling down yesterday. Now it just looks miserable and rainy. However ...rain? Wooohooo - wash some of this winter mess away. The sand omg. Every year. It turns to such a dust, light enough to be in the air not just on the street and damn that sure affects my breathing. Anyway, with it being cooler I bet I hear a couple of comments of "What did you do for the summer?" or "Enjoy summer?" ha ha ...like the 2 days are all we are going to get. Summer's short enough no matter what here! lol ...people like to say there are two seasons ...winter and construction. Too damn true.
My boys are still in bed. They are going to be late for school and end up with detentions. *shrugs* ...it's bullshit and at 13 and 14 if they can't make it to their own beds at night and be some place where I'm not running all over the house to try and wake them up when I gotta get ready to get out of here myself. Obviously I'm not "get ready" at this point. I will call the youngest before I leave, he'll wake up his brother. I'm leaving about a half hour late myself but that's cuz my phone was almost right dead.
Can I live without that phone? He he he, um - no. And that's hilarious because until I got this phone about a year or so ago I'd never had a cell phone. Never thought anything of it either. Never thinking 'oh I wish I had one.' I would tell people that would say I need to move on and get with the times that there's no reason on God's green earth why anyone needs to be able to reach 24/7 that they can't wait until I'm near a phone to call me. The only time I wasn't near a phone was travel time to and from work. It's not like "going out" and being out and about it a real big part of my life.
Then I got a phone. At the time I got it with only one thing in my mind. That it was just one more way to keep in touch and connected to my Australian friend. Now (and in very short order of getting it) I can't be without my phone lol. To call it a "phone" is almost ridiculous. That's pretty much the least of what I use my phone for, lol.
It's a Sony Ericsson, and that right there says it's main purpose to me - music!! lol Second to that would be my portable internet connection ;) And that it keeps track of everything for me. Every scrap piece of paper of any number or note is all wrapped up in that phone - it's my life line. So every day, even if it means I might be late (I won't be, I just try to get in early if I can) I *gotta* wait until my phone is good to go with me.
89% done charging now ...should be good enough.
Later.
Lanie
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Another new blog?
He he he...yep, that it is. I keep going around from one place to another to try and find one that I like and does everything I want it to do. The only feature this one is missing for that odd time you want to make a blog entry - but keep it private - can't do that here. Oh well, I guess I just won't say it if it shouldn't be said right?? ;)
So...I have requested the feature to put the adult disclaimer when coming to view my blog. Mostly, I don't want to have to concern myself at all with watching what I post here. Freedom to be me - that's just the way I like it. Of course, my main reason for a "central" place - and it just so happens I've choosen to use a blog site - I guess it covers that part of things where a person can just keep on top of what I'm up to. I do have this "central" place though because I adore the social networks but wow, isn't that a true pain in the ass to be going and trying to update every single social network page??? That's why I'd never use any one of them to keep a blog -- it would just be good for one of them, not all of them.
Anyway, this is a personal blog with a BBW theme, cuz that's what I am :) The whole dating theme? Well, that's just cuz of how much of a flirt I am, so that's the sorta thing I like, he he. One of these days maybe I won't be single and I'd have to tone things down but that day isn't today! :P
So this is my first entry here and just want to say, woohoo to those of you lovin' us BBWs :)
Lanie
So...I have requested the feature to put the adult disclaimer when coming to view my blog. Mostly, I don't want to have to concern myself at all with watching what I post here. Freedom to be me - that's just the way I like it. Of course, my main reason for a "central" place - and it just so happens I've choosen to use a blog site - I guess it covers that part of things where a person can just keep on top of what I'm up to. I do have this "central" place though because I adore the social networks but wow, isn't that a true pain in the ass to be going and trying to update every single social network page??? That's why I'd never use any one of them to keep a blog -- it would just be good for one of them, not all of them.
Anyway, this is a personal blog with a BBW theme, cuz that's what I am :) The whole dating theme? Well, that's just cuz of how much of a flirt I am, so that's the sorta thing I like, he he. One of these days maybe I won't be single and I'd have to tone things down but that day isn't today! :P
So this is my first entry here and just want to say, woohoo to those of you lovin' us BBWs :)
Lanie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
