the thin line between optimism and delusion…

I apologize for dropping off the face of the earth – Christmas happened, then my computer at home broke, then I went to new orleans, and now I’m back at work.  My laptop is still broken.  Sad. 

Overall I’ve hand an amazing couple of weeks.  Very tired.  And it is really cold here. 

But I didn’t want y’all to think that something bad happened to me.  I’m still here, in mostly one piece. 

I am really looking forward to 2008.  I have a good feeling about it.  You might say I’m optimistic. 

No other real news.  I’m here, loving coffee and a fuzzy headed dog named Briscoe who runs into walls and likes to lick windows.

Happy 2008!   

I’m sitting on my couch.  I still have on my long coat.  I need to get up, change clothes, wash my dirtball dog, wash about ten loads of laundry, change the sheets on my bed, unload the dishwasher, brush my hair, put lights on the christmas tree, write some checks, turn the heat on, clean my room, take the trash out, and when it comes down to it, wash my car and clean my bathroom. 

But all I really want to do is go drink beer and eat cheese dip somewhere.   

Kate and I ate lunch at chik fil a yesterday.  And there was a man sitting a few booths away from us who was on his cell phone.  He was very loud.  These are the things we learned from his numerous conversations:

1.  His dad died, was traveling home from funeral. 

2.  His piece of junk car broke down. 

3.  His name was Steve (no last name, never told anyone on the phone his last name).

4.  His wife’s name was Stephanie. 

5.  Stephanie was pregnant. 

6.  He and Stephanie had spent two nights in a hotel waiting for car to be fixed, and car repair cost $640. 

7.  He was out of money and 900 miles from home. 

8.  He had two children at home who needed to be picked up from somewhere.  Two boys, ages 9 and 11.  He called Elaine, said his name was Steve, asked her to pick up the boys, told her she could stay at their house, then had to tell Elaine the boys ages. Sorry, that is sketch.    

9.  Stephanie had stopped eating because they didn’t have any money.  She was in the car because she was upset. 

10.  He called Pastor David, asked him to pray for them and God Bless.   

11.  Needed someone to western union him some money. 

Honestly, it was the most transparent scam I have ever seen.  And the worst part about it?  Some sweet older man went up to him and gave him money.  And after he gave him money Steve made like six more phone calls instead of going outside to check on poor pregnant starving Stephanie.

Want to know when he did finally leave?  When I went to tell the manager to keep an eye on him.  Want to know what "Stephanie" was doing outside?  Smoking a cigarette.  Did she look pregnant?  Nope.   

Now, I don’t want to seem like a heartless bitch, because I do believe that desperate people do desperate things.  And this guy probably really was desperate.  But it really makes me irate when people prey on the sympathies of good hearted people in the name of being a down and out Christian.  Lots of people patronize chik fil a because of it’s Christian values (i.e. not open on Sundays, their kids meals normally include bible stories) and this guy was taking advantage of the it. 

I know that people do get stuck in situations where they run out of money on the road and have to rely on the kindness of others.   Life can hit you hard sometimes.  People like "Steve" make it very difficult to help the people who really need help. 

Sorry for the rant.  More happy posts soon.