Flashback # 23,218

Yesterday, as I was walking home in the snow, I was thinking about the
times I was in Germany. I think cause of all of the snow, I thought
about this one time.

Like I had said before, I was part of a crew of guys, 3 of us all
together, that was selling hashish to all the militray installations in
Germany. And, some airforce bases too. These guys were making so much
money, that they were spending it on some crazy things. One of those
things was a 7 bedroom house, 3 floors.

I had a 30 day leave, but I wasn't going any place, I was just gonna
hang around the barracks. But these guys bought this house, with nothing
to put in it. It was the middle of winter, and they asked me, since I
wasn't going anywhere, would I hang out there.

Since there was 3 floors I confined myself just to one floor and one
room. TV and a heater, that's all I needed. The tv shows were all in
german, and I knew a little. What I did to entertain myself? I got
high.

That's all I did for my vacation, eat, sleep, get high. It was relaxing
as all hell too.
--michaelchappell

Some People

The other day, I was at the laundry. People come in selling all types of
things. Guy comes in with a Alienware laptop, selling for $150, told him
hold on to it. He says he needs the money. I told him he can get almost
$500 for it, but he says no one will pay that much. Anyway, I talked him
into holding on to it. Its work about 3K, straight up.

He said he needs a job, but don't know where to look. Knows nothing
about computers or going online. So, I give him classes. The fool is
only worried about gangster rap, videos and shit like that. He has no
internet connection at home, but picks up a wireless signal. I show him
what to do.

He has an ipod touch, so he downloads itunes, it was working, but now it
isn't. He's bugging out, saying I did something to it. Mind you, I was
nowhere near his laptop when he downloaded and installed itunes, but he
blames me. Last night was the straw that broke the camels back, I went
off. His mother, which he still lives @ home says that I'm right. He
needs to find a job with his lazy ass, and listen to what people, grown
people tell him.

He calls me today saying that he really needs my help. I'm willing to
help, but only help I'm supplying is as in a job search. He says he
needs his music more than a job. It all falls on deaf ears. So either
you accept my help in looking for a job, or nothing. Or...you can sell
me the laptop for 100 dollars.

Sorry, but he pushed my last nerves.
--michaelchappell

Schooling Part 2

Wanna hear something frightening? A young lady told me that if 2 people
that are applying for the same job, one having GED, and the othe a
college degree, the one with the college degree would get the job. Maybe
5, 6 years ago, yes, that would have happened, but not today it will.
Here's why.

No one has money !! Employers are trying to get by on profits by hiring
the least amount of people, but those same people have to do twice
amount of work. I know of people that have degrees, and have been laid
off, and are still looking for work. Its hard out here. I just tread
that that shitty job that you feel that you're stuck in, is starting to
look better and better each and every day. And, even those jobs, some
people are having t o look over their shoulder every now and then to
make sure that they are able to keep their jobs.

I can't see spending money that I don't have on something that won't
mean anything. Its not like years ago when a college degreee meant
something. A better paying job, a nice house, you know what I mean. I
know of people that are good paying jobs with justa high school diploma.
The job requirement states that you must have a degree, but what they
get by with is having the experience. Of course they shaved a couple of
thousand dollars off their base pay, but hey, at leats they are working.
But those people who went to college, and were in theprocess of paying
off their students loans, are not stuck with a bad credit report cause
they can't find work, and they have fallen behind in their student loan
payments.

That's a heart breaking feeling. Going to school so that you can make
your way of living more comfortable, and then have your feet kicked out
from beneath you. That shit hurts. There's hundreds, if not thousands of
people who are feeling this way. But for some strange reason, people who
lose their jobs, decide to go back to school to further their
educations. Why?

I can't see having another bill added on to the bills I already have
cause I THINK that furthering my education will land me that
job...again. I read in the paper that at The Un employment office, there
are 20 people going after that one job that they have in their job bank.
So, for, lets say 2 jobs, there are 40 people going after that one job.
NOW, that's depressing. A couple of years ago when I was job hunting for
a better paying job than the one I hold now, I was seeing the same group
of people going to the same job interviews, we became friends. We all
had jobs we wanted to get out of. Now, I bet we are glad we didn't just
up and leave our present jobs.

There are certain fields that's always going to need people. What we
should all do is focus on those fields. That's what I'm trying to do
now. But its a problem with that. Employers are hiring people with NO
experience, cause they don't have to pay that experienced worker. This
way thay can train the people themselves. That's what's happening at
where I work at now. And its strange.

We hired a young lady to work in the deli, who has less than a year in
The United States, and, this is her first job. The job requires her to
close the deli at night by herself, while cleaning and waiting on
customers. The deli manager and I, with me mostly, trained her. She's
very good, and does the job well. This was after 3 weeks with both the
manager and I working without a day off. Now we are doing the same thing
for another young lady, but its harder with her. She has experience
working in a fast food place.

All in all, things and with working in America are changing. Right now,
it doesn't look like its going to get better any time sooner.
--michaelchappell

I'm Just Trying To Figure All of This Out

Why do people who live here in NYC, think that there are better and even
more job opportunties elswhere ? NYC is the Capitol of the WORLD !! It
all starts and ends here in this great city.

'Oh, I'm moving to Atlanta cause there are more jobs there'. I doubt
that very much. A lady friend of mine, in fact, 3 of them live in
Atlanta. They ask me what's the deal with all these female New Yorkers
moving down here? They come down here expecting the world, and then they
run back to NYC with their tails between there legs. Even the guys too.
I've been told that its hard down there. They say that yeah, the cost of
living is lower than NYC, but jobs are hard to come by also. Finding
aplace to live is cheap, but the prices are rising also there too.

In short, I would stick out my stay here in NYC if I were people. Moving
to another state without having a job there first is a very bad move.
--michaelchappell

True Blood, this show rocks. Can't wait til the 3rd season starts

Valentine's Day...and More ?

I've notice something. Bear ith me here, I am about to ramble on about
some things. Valentine's Day for one. I have one person who I gave, give
my heart to, she's an ex girlfriend. I don't care what goes on in my
life, she has my heart. Try to understand what I mean about this.

Take a person who knows nothing of the world, city, other than what she
reads in the newspaper. This same woman, has never has had a boyfriend
before. Never until she met me. Yes, she was a virgin. We grew up
together so to speak. I met her in 1995 I think. We know each other
inside out.

We both know that a card or a gift could never represent the friendship
that we have, so there is no use in even trying to buy one for one
another. A simple phone call is all that is needed. We both live our
lives, but at least one, twice a week, we hear each others voices. If
not a phone call, I try at least once a week to go and see her, but
haven't in about 2 months. Emails fly back and forth between both of us
each and EVERY DAY.

She decided to cut her hair, emailed me a picture hoping that I would
like it. I did, but I want it even shorter. She said she will think
about it next yearabout this time. She told me she loved the way that I
love, loved her, it feels good, and she has, had something to look
forward to when she wakes up in the morning. Misses me so much, she is
willing to come to me on friday after work and stay to sunday mid day,
even though I work on weekends. But we are not a couple.

She wants more than just a boyfriend, she wants a husband, a mate for
life and I'm the one. I told her I'm not ready for marriage and never
will be, she says its okay that I don't want her, but I do. I'm selfish,
I just have to look out for myself only, I'm use to doing just that.
Another person might be stressful, and I might just 'disappear', you
know how men do. But I don't want to hurt her.

Soon, I'm getting a 2 bedroom basement apartment, cheap 600 a month
brand new. She will get a key, to come and go as she pleases. She
already has the key to my heart.
--michaelchappell

A Flashback.

Was just standing there reading The Sunday's New York Times. Its a n
insteresting paper to read on lazy Sundays, with about 8 to 12 inches
outside, with the woman who loves you and you love her. Its nice and
warm, toasty inside. Sunday Morning is on the tv...(screeech !!). Nope,
I'm at work, and people can't make up their freakin mind about what they
want, and....

No, no let me get back to the article I seen in the newspaper. The
Metropolitan section, F,Y,I, article. Question was asked, which school
in New York City has the largest auditorium? I knew this without even
thinking about it, Brooklyn Techincal High School. Built in 1934, seats
3,104. Has a FULL stage AND orchestra pit. BT HS is fourth largest
auditorium in the city. I was in there at one time.

In Jr. High School, I took the test for that school, and for Art &
Design HS. Didn't get into BT, but got into A & D...cool
--michaelchappell

Assholes, Assholes In Brooklyn

Disclaimer...NOT EVERYONE FROM BROOKLYN IS LIKE THIS. YOU KNOW WHO YOU
ARE.

On Super Bowl Sunday, customer comes and and looks at the ribs that I
made. Says he wants some, about 2 and a half pounds for the super bowl.
I told him, out of the kindness of my heart, I can cook them fresh to be
picked up by him later in the day. He says ok. He comes at 3pm and picks
them up, no problem.

1,2,3, days later he calls the store. Tells me that he gets his ribs
from this place in Brooklyn that's widely known for its ribs. He names
the place, I never heard of it. Tells me he would've got some from
there, but the line is out the door during the Superbowl, so he didn't
place an order with them. Goes on to tell me, their ribs falls off the
bone, and mine were over cooked. He says, he wants me to make good on
it, AND, that he saved 2 pieces of the 2.5 pounds of ribs. Okaaaaaaay,
let the ass chewing begin.

Listen you stupid motherfucker. If that's how they do things in
Brooklyn, that OTHER country, that's not how we as humans do it PERIOD
!! How in the fuck can you eat, lets say 2 and a quarter pounds of spare
ribs and THEN say they they were over cooked? Huh ? AND you did me the
FAVOR of saving two pieces to show to me that they were over cooked. So
where tha fuck is the rest of the so called over cooked ribs, you dumb
fuck you. Then you have the fuckin balls to call my store, and talk to
me, and EXPECT me to make good of what happened. You know that stuff
that's in your eyes when you wake up in the morning? Well it has more
brains than you do. Then you tell me that you will be in next week, so
that you can tell me when to make the ribs for you the FOLLOWING WEEK??
!!

I see why you couldn't get any spare ribs on SuperBowl Sunday, cause you
sir, are an ASSHOLE !! If I were you, I wouldn't show my face up at my
counter, cause what I'm gonna tell you, I WON'T regret.

--michaelchappell

Are You Ready to Be Depressed ?

Lets talk some real shit here people, Social Security. Its that time of
year when they send all working adults their yearly end statements.
These state,ents show all the years you worked, and how much you made.
But what's really important is inside these statements. The part about
what you 'expect' to collect when its time to collect Social Security.

Its like the lottery really. That's shit looks go on paper, lets hope
you live long enou..better yet. Lets hope Social Security is still
around when its your turn to start collecting. I want to collect mine as
soon as possible. I don't care if its hundreds, of even thousands of
dollarss less than what I expect to get when my retirement year rolls
around. With my luck, they will hike the age requirement to colloct
another 2 years. You know why? Cause we Americans, we are living longer.
He says we are living longer. Cause some hotshotin some place we never
heard of decides to write a paper about living longer. Then the
newspapers pick it up, and prints its. Next thing you know Social
Security requirement age is hike another 2 or so years.

Was talking with a schoolteacher about this,.and she said that she has
to go, cause she is depressed now. Hell, where have you been? This just
didn't happen, been in the works for the longest. But hey, what do I
know, I'm just the 800 pound gorilla in the room
--michaelchappell

Its Been a Long Time....

My roommate lappie, laptop was very sick. Notice I said was. I have my
A+ Certification in computer repair, buts its been a long time since I
did any actual REAL computer repair, mine's doesn't need any work done
to it. The thing was Windows Messenger would load, then unload. I figure
a complete comuter wipe, install the operating system, and start all
over.

The problem with a burned coy of an Operating System are many. People,
when they burn a downloaded copy, don't bother to scan for virises. Me
and my dumbass self didn't bother to scan the cd, and wouldn't you know
it, a nasty one was on the cd. First it locked up the laptop, and then
when I did a cold reboot, it went straight to wiping the hard drive
clean. I'm glad I took all of her important stuff off of it and placed
it on my external hard drive before I did anything.

It took some time to put the Operating System on, about 4 hours, but its
running.
--michaelchappell

Grumpy

I have to say this, and its not personal...wait, yes the hell it is.
Women, you wake up grumpy as hell in the morning, and you bring it to my
counter. Its probably cause you went to bed grumpy, but I don't blame
you, I blame your husband or boyfriend, whoever the hell he is to you.

My arms are moving, I'm slicing meat, and a customer is standing there.
What don you think I'm doing, take a guess. Yep, waiting on THAT
customer that's BEFORE you. Then you have the nerve to say, you didn't
know what I was doing. I guess every male you come across in the
morning, is the same male or man that pissed you off last night AND
early this morning cause he woke up still breathing.!!! To top it all
off too, you're CUTE as hell, a ten and 12 even. So why act like that.
--michaelchappell