Creating Boundaries and Weeding

This year is about growth for me.  For so many years I have remained in the same stuck pattern that has not served me well over the course of my life thus far.  Granted, I was so busy working, going to school, raising kids, etc., that I was too preoccupied to notice the detrimental patterns that I allowed to take place.

I always put myself last on the list.  Giving to others became habit.  It was an easy habit for me as I am generous by nature.  The danger was that I gave myself away in the process to those who were not really interested in my well-being.  I was taken advantage of.  Big time.

I accepted lies as truths because dealing with the truth was just too painful.  I trusted others when they did not deserve my trust.  I did not want to believe that the person looking at me so convincingly in the eye was lying through his/her teeth.  I put worth into words about myself that were designed to deflate my self-esteem.  I was a feast for the kind of folk who wanted something for nothing, and I only played into their self-serving hand.  The sick part was that I would feel guilty if I declined their wants. 

Did I recognize the 'takers' and stop them in their tracks?  No.  I thought that if I gave just a little bit more I would finally get the ever elusive nod of their acceptance.  I thought that if I went the extra mile I would be worthy of their attention and approval.  I thought that if I forgave them 'just one more time' they would come around. 

The 'takers' know this, and they are like predators out there looking for their next victim like a vampire.  They will suck you dry and then move on to the next unsuspecting soul. 

2013 is about changing all of that.  It's my turn to receive -- just a little bit.  No, I'm not going to feel guilty about it, either.  Weeding toxic people and situations out of my life and creating boundaries is easier said than done.  I'm practicing. 

The goal is that I won't need this bitchy blog anymore.  All my resentment I'm holding will have been released. 

We need JOBS!!!!!!!

WE NEED JOBS seems to be the mantra of the nation.  Ok.  Fine.  Employers need people who actually want to work. 

What I'm about to describe is a true story.  In Richmond, California, which is described as 'ghetto' by some, has a large delivery service company operating there with a distribution center located within city limits. Translation = lots of jobs WITH BENEFITS and DECENT PAY. 

LOCAL JOBS FOR LOCAL PEOPLE seems to be the en vogue battle cry as of late.  We've all heard that whine from local labor leaders.  Hiring local puts money back into the local economy, or so they say.  Local hire eliminates unemployment and poverty, or so the clueless do-gooders claim. 

How about this?  Despite the fact that this large delivery service pays decent wages and benefits, they have a hard time in Richmond having drivers show up to work.  Richmond employees call in sick, they don't call in at all, slip on a banana peel and file permanent disability, etc.  The Richmond center has to transfer in employees from other areas in the Bay Area to cover Richmond, which is CRYING for businesses to give their people jobs and lift them out of poverty.  

Uh..... you got offered a job.... you did not show up.  This isn't rocket science, but if you don't show up for your job, chances are it will piss your employer off and you will get fired.  Now you want welfare and have the audacity to cry poor mouth and whine for more benefits at taxpayer expense? 

Stay in your ghetto.  We tried.  You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.  Don't come looking to me for more welfare money for your 14 kids, either. 

Facebook: Popularity Contest for the Unpopular

Like I need any more reasons to hate the most popular app some college kid created to degrade the chicks who refused to date him. The irony is that the most prominent users now on Facebook are bored wives on Prozac. 

Most of the general population (i.e., bored moms on Prozac and the bored/underemployed) think they "need" Facebook to be visible in this day and age.  You don't.  You only look like a needy, pathetic ass if you're fishing for "likes" on your business or latest money-making scheme endeavor. 

No, I don't want to see pics of your company manager's 44th birthday where she has posted a pic of herself licking a phallic-shaped-something with flames.  So professional -- not.  No, I don't want to see your frat-party-wannabe drinking contest pics posted, either.  You are waaaaaaaaay past the age where this was once thought remotely cool.  Now you look like a pathetic dork who tries to look like a gangster downing shots with other drunk ass-wipes along with those in the background with their hats turned backwards and making duck lips at the camera. 

Yeah, you're bad...... sooooooooo bad.

Take One For The Team: Mortgage Tax Deduction

Yeah, I'm willing to eliminate the mortgage tax deduction.  Yes, it would be a financial hit to me personally.  However, in return I would want some sort of financial accountability from the government (local, state, and federal) that they were actually spending money on worthy causes rather than spending on their cronies (Michael Allen cough, cough).   Taxes are wasted by giving $ on unchallenged contracts/jobs, an all expense paid trip to the Bahamas to observe Tiger Butterflies that may immigrate here in 2055, unchecked credit card expenses, and padding their own retirement accounts and voting themselves raises while others are suffering cuts.

Put your money where your mouth is, government.  You want more?  Of course the government does.  The government is an insatiable beast.  Government wants us as taxpayers to fork over more?    Of course they do.

Hint to top government officials:  You bleed first, then we will believe you.   Lead by example.

Yeah..... I see you scurrying under the rock trying to avoid this topic. 

California Central Valley: Angry and Bitter

....wait....that's MY job to be angry, bitter and spew hatred.  Who are the people in the California Central Valley and why are they so flipping angry?

This past weekend I went to Fresno to watch the Fresno Monsters, which is the local hockey team.  I did the drive down I-5, cut over on 152 through Los Banos, then did the jaunt south on 99.  It was a learning experience I will never forget. 

All along the roadway were:  Blown out tires, trash, tumbleweeds, taco shops, bail bonds, cash advances with no credit needed, furniture rental places, rummage sales at the corner of intersections, barred windows, immigration lawyer billboards, car accident lawyers that 'se hable espanol', citrus groves, cars on blocks in the front yard, dilapidated farms (for the hired hands for sure), millionaire farms (for the masters), and angry, home-made political signs aimed at what appears to be anybody with a democratic tendency.

It appears these people have a lot in common with Texas as the women over 40 wore bling on their fat asses thinking their bleach-blonde hair was attractive.  They also had rhinestones around their 'mercan'  made car license plate brackets.  Oh, and don't forget to kneel and THANK JESUS for all of our blessings!  You are so BLESSED and LOVED and INCLUDED unless you're a Mexican slave.  Then you are shit.

It was also confirmed by the car at Starbucks with a Texas license plate that blasted Obama as an idiot and championed the secession of Texas from the union.  Please, Texas, hurry up and secede.  Where can I sign the petition to get rid of them? 


The icing on the cake was a sign on Hwy 152 that read, "I want my products made in America, including our president."

Sure.  Fuck you as you drive to WalMart to get your shit made in China.  Fuck you as you use Mexican slaves to do your shit work for you.  

The republican party has become America's embarrassment -- much like the deep south.  Yeah, you really do look that stupid to the rest of the world. 

I'm Gonna Pop Some Tags

True.  The real crime is $50 for a t-shirt.  That's getting swindled and pimped.  Reuse, recycle, and be (bleeping) hip! 

Moonlighting in State Government

Just when I think the Santa Rosa Press Democrat is nothing more than bird cage liner....along comes a commentary about moonlighting in the California State Government.  Maybe the Press Democrat staff are reading my dumb-ass blog.  Whatever.

I've been telling you all for years that politicians don't give one ***k about you.  All they want is to make it to the next rung on the state political ladder where they rake in a salary/pension/benefits and only PRETEND to care about you. 

Look at this photo of a slick dick-head.  Michael Allen lost a local election recently.  He really does not give a _____ about you.  He got "appointed" to a state job that pays a living wage (which he SAYS he lobbies for).

Michael Allen is the epitome of everything that is WRONG with government.  He says he's for the working guy when all he really cares about are his own political appointments and status. 

Hint to Michael Allen:  take your cheesy game show host smile down to Southern California or where ever people are influenced by bright, shiny objects. 

Now the cry that California is broke and we need to PAY MORE TAXES.  Look at above photo and refuse.  This ass has been milking the system and will continue to do so until we SAY NO!!!!!!

This Time for Africa

Ok, so I'm not the only white chick who dances like a black one.  Love Shakira.  This time for Africa.  

Tax Season

It's tax season....again.  Seems like yesterday I was trying to think of so many ways to justify keeping my own money as the government do-nothing tit suckers want to claim it all.  Whatever.  That's not the rant I'm going to go off on today.

This year I've resigned from being everybody's free tax preparer.  See, I have a natural talent for bookkeeping, organizing financial data, and having the patience to deal with the ungodly tax code that makes sense to none. 

Pseudo-friends want to take advantage of my generous nature by making the call to tell me how much they love me.....and will I please help them with their taxes.  I have not heard from these people since last tax season.  Never a call, note in the mail, note, anything asking how I'm doing... nothing..since last year.  Now I get the annual call saying that I'm the most awesome person on earth and will I please help them do their taxes.  They want something for nothing. 

Sorry, pseudo-friends, not this year.  I grew tired of you spending your time pursuing your FUN interests while I took care of learning how to deal with the unglamours, nitty-gritty, time-consuming, boring part of being a responsible adult.  You think I *like* doing this shit?  I hate it.  I'd love to pursue fun interests myself, but managing my adult responsibililites has left me little time.  So, while you play, travel, etc.,  and now you turn around and want me to donate what little free time I have to organize your crap and bail you out FOR FREE?

I don't think so. 

Superbowl Sunday

Another Superbowl Sunday.  I kind of like it.  It really is a national holiday, whether it's formally recognized or not.  Superbowl Sunday and New Years have become my favorite holidays.  Why?  Because neither are centered around somebody suffering and/or dying for religious or political reasons.  Neither are centered around long-standing family traditions when you'd actually rather watch paint dry.  I feel kind of guilty having a BBQ on Memorial Day as we should be paying homage to the people who died so we can openly hate this country.

Anyway, Superbowl Sunday and New Years are not centered around the over commercialized gift buying frenzy, either.  It's about getting together with people you LIKE having wonderful food, and the center of attention is aimed at the television.  It's the perfect holiday for men because they do not need to apologize for separating themselves away at parties to sneak into the family room to watch sports.  It's expected.   You can engage in conversation -- or not -- by pretending to be mesmerized by the last instant replay.  Mild gambling adds to the fun by chipping in a couple bucks for football squares. 

Nobody is expecting a sit-down dinner with grandma's china and best linens.  Nobody is slaving away in the kitchen trying to time the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, etc., so they all are done at the same time.  Nobody is forced to sit at the kiddy table.  Nobody is forced to stay all day or give up precious vacation time to attend.  Nobody is expected to show up dressed for a night at the opera. 

Food, fun, and no expectations.