I have fallen into assuming sheep I see in such situations are probably wolves until proven otherwise.
7 Likes
I don’t disagree at all. It pains me deeply though that it was done by those who profess to “do the Lord’s work”.
History is replete with examples of how someone with a conscience can be perceived as a threat by those who would wish to hold tightly to power. History rarely ends the lesson there though, and I’ve gotten the general impression that eventually karma comes back around to the buffet for seconds. My consolation is that those who would most benefit from remembering this are the ones least likely to bother to do so.
Yes, that’s a little smug, but I think the record stands up to scrutiny.
It’s funny how growing up the mantra of “always do the right thing, no matter what” was thoroughly embedded into my brain. Yet in my adult experience, doing so has directly cost me two jobs and indirectly helped to shorten another, all of which were in “ministries”. I wouldn’t do it differently if given the chance to go back in time, but there are a lot of days where it seems to me that there is a distinct imbalance between the good and bad in the world, and not in a favorable way.
I remind myself that such is probably not the case at all, but instead is a matter of where I’m choosing to focus my attention. But sometimes it’s hard to look away from that and find the good that is all around me. Unemployment offers me an opportunity to catch my breath, and walk around in nature, and do some volunteering in my community, so I think refocusing will happen very soon. But in the meantime that’s a hell of a monster to have to extract from your brain.
And yes, I share that hope. Thank you.
I don’t just want to be able to pay the bills and put food on the table, I want to make a difference somewhere, and I remain hopeful that there are places in which to do all of that without becoming conflicted. Going forward, they won’t be evangelical though. I think I’ve finally learned that lesson. O.o
7 Likes
You’re not wrong to operate on that basis. I’m sitting on that bench now myself.
5 Likes
Dropped my camera last week (a leica!). The shutter button is getting progressively harder to push.
And- I was checking out a John Deere tractor for spring, and noticed a small oil leak at the crankshaft. Seal change did not help. I started tearing in, and it is a bad $5.00 bearing on the crankshaft. I had to remove and disassemble the engine, to get at the stupid bearing. Now I have pistons and all sorts of engine parts laid out neatly on my shop floor, waiting for the bearing, and new gaskets to put it all back together. And the bearing failed way before it should have.
12 Likes
If you’re not already reading Fred Clark’s blog Slacktivist (coined before it became a term of derision), I’d recommend it. He walks the walk: not ALL Evangelicals are wolves.
As for being honorable at work: the thing to do is pay attention during the hiring process to the actual (not claimed) values of the organization and the people you would be working with and under. If they’re the type to see honesty and integrity as weaknesses, someone like you will be abused.
Don’t change yourself: change the type of organization you work for.
9 Likes
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve heard of it, but never got around to checking it out. It’s now on my “you’ve got unexpected spare time so get caught up on reading” short list.
6 Likes
Dang. That kind of thing is a pain in the ass. Hope the new bearing lasts for at least its rated lifespan for you.
5 Likes
Having heard your story, I don’t know about ‘fuck today’, but do you mind if I give a hearty ‘fuck them’?
Because seriously, I’m sorry to hear all that, and fuck them, most sincerely.
14 Likes
While I might refrain from saying that myself (at least until the checks clear and I’m fully detached from them), far be it from me to ever discourage a fellow BBS happy mutant from speaking their mind clearly and succinctly. I support free speech 1000% !!!
8 Likes
Your image choice, not mine, but again far be it from me to discourage your free exercise of speech! My support for that right is unwavering. And yes, proportionately, I’d say it looks just about right. Rusty nails only enhance the look, and I’d encourage any spares to be driven partially into the utility pole prior to any off-label applications. You know, for balance and aesthetics and such.
7 Likes
I would like to observe that, while I am still a drama tornado, I haven’t had a Fuck Today in months.
I almost had one on Monday, but instead I wrote in my journal. Which I keep in my manbag. Fuck today, a manbag isn’t a purse!! 
Challenges still loom, but this thread has ironically given me the perspective to say, “well, today is pretty dumb, but it isn’t a Fuck Today”.
20 Likes
I understand completely.
7 Likes
#ARGH ARGH ARGH
(sorry. my week in office was not the best. nah, strike that. it was horrible.)
15 Likes
This sucks! Sorry to hear that. Hopefully, you’ll find something better soon!
7 Likes
@renke Very well put, good fellow. (hope it improves)
5 Likes
Honestly, it should last forever. But this engine is made for John Deere by Kawasaki, and it is a sad piece of work. I already had the engine apart once to replace the plastic timing gear. Someone thought it would be a good idea to put plastic parts inside of an internal combustion engine. At least the replacement parts are properly made. To me, it is annoying, and a waste of time. Most people would probably not have the tools, experience, or workspace to do the job themselves, so they would have to send it to the dealership, and waste thousands of dollars on parts that should have outlasted the tractor. It is pitiful.
5 Likes
Plastic? On the inside? Good grief. It’s one thing to cheapen kitchen stand-mixers by switching to a plastic gear set, it’s very much a different thing to put plastic gears inside a sealed assembly that’s got that much thermal energy being generated adjacent to it… What could possibly go wrong??? That’s beyond dumb.
4 Likes
This past fall, I was really busy and forgot to get my flu shot.
My SO got sick, and so I travelled out tuesday night to take care of her. I started coughing on the way, but anyways, I made her some lovely chicken soup.
Wednesday was when the fever hit me like a truck. 102.3. Thursday it got up to 102.8, then went down to 100.3. I thought I might be through it.
Woke up this morning back up at 101.9, and feeling miserable again.
13 Likes
To add to the OT frustration, I keep checking the tracking number I was given, hoping that perhaps today will actually be the day that they give the shipment to UPS. I hate it when I go to the trouble of purchasing from someone based on their estimated shipping time, paying extra for two day shipping, then they wait a week or more before shipping it. It is a tractor part. When people order tractor parts, they are always in a hurry.
2 Likes
