Stuff That Drives Me To Drink...so I do

     I realize that I have been "musing" from Cork but I have not been Amusing. I'll give it a try with some of the things that drive me absolutely crazy; I bet you'll see some of your favorites. First let's start with bodily functions. Number one on my list is spitting. I have to ask, why? Those who spit, and you know who you are, really make me want to throw up. You may be very nice people otherwise but this habit of yours is utterly disgusting. I have the ghastly misfortune of working with a great number of spitters. After ten minutes at the smoking area I start looking around for pieces of lung on the ground. One of the great fortunes of living in America is that you will find tissues wherever you go. It's ok to use them. If money is a problem, I would be happy to buy you some tissues if the spitting ceases. And really, if you have to cough that much, maybe it's time to stop visiting the smoking area.
     Following closely behind spitting is open-mouth-chewing. God gave you lips for a reason; use them. Aren't you people afraid the food will fall out of your mouth?  Sometimes I sit at the table in the breakroom, quite nicely enjoying some solitude, when all of a sudden an infamous open-mouth-chewer (OMC) will plop down at the table with a big basket of chips and salsa. I have to go. I mean I just have to get up and leave. Once I got up and walked around the corner to the other side of the room only to walk into a grown man clipping his finger nails right next to another lunch table. Again, I must ask, why? We have locker rooms. And I think it's a safe bet that we all have nail clippers at home. Put them next to your bathroom sink, along side the tissues, and use them both. For the love of God, you're adults! I do, however  believe I work with children with pituitary disorders; young minds in large bodies. Which brings me to one of my greatest frustrations; 12 year old supervisors on power trips.
     I have a couple of supervisors, one in particular, that were not yet born when I graduated high school. When he first started, I noticed while I was training him that he had no beard; not even one little stubble. He played the game and when we got a new manager who wanted young boys with pliable minds (Hitler liked that, too), he became my boss. I know more about my job than he'll ever forget. I don't begrudge anyone for wanting to move up in the company regardless of his age but I just can't sit still while a little boy micro-manages me and everyone in his path just for the sake of flexing his managerial muscle. I find this so annoying  due to the fact that he contributes nothing productive. The managerial hierarchy at my place of employment is based on the age old "Good-Old-Boys-Network(GOBN). We have three supervisors who are women, one Hispanic male, and a black guy; just enough to keep it legal. A friend of mine used to work with us. She was pleaded with almost daily from the day she started to become a supervisor; she's black. They would have killed two birds with one stone if they had convinced her; she wisely declined.
     Well, now that I have strayed off the amusing trail I will close for now. Next time I'll elaborate more on my company and perhaps racism; huh, another chance to kill two birds with one stone.

Sandy: The Bright Spot

     Superstorm Sandy devastated the people on the east coast; especially those in New Jersey. People have died and homes were destroyed; literally razed right to the ground. I am a weather buff and followed the storm closely. Once I was able to ascertain that my family in New England was ok, I watched those not as fortunate  return to empty lots that once contained their homes. My heart goes out to them all. They have my compassion and sympathy but I cannot even comprehend what they are feeling.
     With the election so near, it was a nice surprise to see two opposing politicians unite for the good of the people who elected them to their positions. President Obama took control as a leader should and did what all politicians should do more often; cut through the red tape to get results. Governor Christie has done a remarkable job and made it quite clear that he had an urgent job to do and didn't "give a damn about politics." I applaud you, Governor. You gave President Obama the recognition he earned; I imagine much to the chagrin of your party. You prioritized. People had nothing but the clothes on their backs and needed someone to turn to and you did the job.
     I hope, naive as I am, that this is a trend we will see continue; leaders who get the job done without politics. Christie is correct; he was elected to that office by the very people who are now in dire need of his assistance. My dad told me when I was very young, "believe half of what you read in the paper and none of what you hear from a politician." In this one instance, this very brief moment in time, I believe Governor Christie. I may not believe what he says tomorrow but I believed him this week. Thank you for giving me this brief moment, Mr. Christie. It may not come along again for quite some time but in the midst of disaster you became a leader and forgot about being a politician. I am 3000 miles away from Jersey but the Governor helped me this week, too.
     Now, let's all do what we can to help the people who have lost so much. Let's not forget the now homeless pets. They will need food. The Red Cross had to cancel several blood drives in the area and needs blood. Let's all step up and do what we can to help. Thanks.