Scenes from last week ... case closed, on my way to law school, employer gonna help pay for it ...

Employer announced I would now work every Saturday and Sunday until hell freezes over. No exceptions for actually having interests outside of the job ... and I could have been full time during the regular work week, they just insisted on the weekend thing.

Well, I guess sassing state officials and getting away with it ruins you for corporate abuse. I told them they didn't have to employ me and I didn't have to work there and I wouldn't work that schedule. I've worked every weekend and holiday for just a little short of two years already.

They granted me a short reprieve until Labor Day, and I am expected to work the holiday. I asked several times for weeks now to be granted one weekend day off per week with no answer.

Notice of resignation goes in tomorrow. Problem solved.

I went to the school to drop out of class this semester. The school helped me get funding for both this semester and next semester. Problem solved.

Bought my first three books today. After I recovered from sticker shock on used books, I made the mistake of reading one page in each while I waited in line. My hyperventilation worried the kids. I announced that I would drop out. I'm old. I'm tired. I'm only going to law school out of revenge ... I could back off and pray for the offending parties to die of leprosy. Unfortunately, I was next in line. The checker is a friend of mine even older than I am, and she's going back this semester too. And the teenager behind me was just holding books for her mom, who is around my age. What could I do?

Then we went to school open house. The moron kid who made the false allegations to DHS followed us around. The home-decorated t-shirt read: I HATE MYSELF AND I HATE YOU. The note he passed my kid was four pages of suicide/blood/cutting/pill-popping bullshit.

I mean, sure, I had my share of teenage angst, but what is wrong with kids today?

Anyway, the note is a gold mine. I have a legal duty to report the kid as a self-endangered child, with a handwritten, signed confession of suicidal intentions as evidence.

I must obey the law... Problem solved? How long do they hold nuts for observation these days? >;)

-- Anonymous, August 12, 2002

Answers

Good heavens! It's not an easy life, is it? Great on the note, though. And you are making several copies to distribute to various trusted friends and safe places, right? Perhaps even with a statement, witnessed and notarized somewhere on the first sheet (so copy a letter size onto legal for the necessary space), that the following is a true and correct copy of the original. Maybe even on every sheet, just for absolute security and no-question-about-itness.

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2002

What does the mule think about all this?

You don't have to be in law school to begin studying family law.

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2002

{{{{{helen}}}}}

Is there any way possible to show that note to the school officials? Maybe the school nurse? Surely they can do SOMETHING about this kid, before he hurts either himself or your child.

I'd be showing that note to everyone that had eyes that could see.

Hope things turn around and you get some chance to enjoy life soon.

apoc

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2002

when the authorities show up at his house with the straight jacket, make sure they know to look for that shirt, too.

Congrats on going back to school! I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[Just as an idea, you might consider carrying around one of those little disposable cameras, in case you see that kid again in that shirt. A photo would be priceless.

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2002