Thread "Rant, Moan and Rave - 2010 edition" in forum "Comic Talk and General Discussion *"

Posted at 9:10AM, Oct. 20, 2010

I was at someone's house the other day conducting a social assessment, and I came to a point in the interview where I asked the gentleman if he had any hopes or fears for his children or their futures, and he replied he had only one fear; me. Not me specifically, but child services.

And now I know what I'm going to be for Haloween. I'm going as myself. Nothing is more terrifying to parents than a knock on the door from one of us.

Greatest idea ever.

Posted at 1:10PM, Oct. 20, 2010

I was at someone's house the other day conducting a social assessment, and I came to a point in the interview where I asked the gentleman if he had any hopes or fears for his children or their futures, and he replied he had only one fear; me. Not me specifically, but child services.

And now I know what I'm going to be for Haloween. I'm going as myself. Nothing is more terrifying to parents than a knock on the door from one of us.

I have had some "fun" with social services.

My eldest started school last year and we had a lot of problems. To lay some basics, my son is very intelligent, strong willed and active. In preschool he got on very well but he did play a bit too rough for some other kids liking, when he started school it was initially fine. After the first term he went full time and the class got bigger and after a few weeks his behaviour started to change. At first it was only at school and to be honest I had a hard time believing what the teacher was saying he was doing, after a while he started behaving differently at home, becoming moody and argumentative, it became a big issue with social services getting involved and behavioural experts etc.

My son told me that another child would hit him first and that he was the only one getting in trouble so he got angry because he wasn't being treated fairly. When I mentioned this to the teacher they said they watched him like a hawk and that every time it was him starting trouble and that he was attacking staff and many refused to deal with him as they were scared of being hurt.
So believing the teachers we and various professionals could think of to curb his behaviour, little success. The first social worker involved seemed happy enough with our parenting and offered a bit of support before passing the case back to the school. A few months later another social worker gets involved and suggested we have a parenting assessment and classes. When I said no she tried forcing us into it by accusing us of neglect and abuse twisting things that had happened or been said to imply we were a danger to our children. One that stuck in my mind was after she had visited my daughters preschool and spoken to the staff there. The main carer/teacher/whatevertheycallthem pointed out that she is a lovely and happy girl and that when she is collected she is always clearly pleased to see mummy or daddy but cries that it is time to go. The social worker turned round and claimed it was because she was scared to go home to an abusive father. Also when discussing my sons behaviour I mentioned how it started at school and that once he had hit me, the next visit she goes on to say how Dylan is always attacking us and his siblings.
So we had to attend a child protection conference where we made it very clear that we were very angry at how badly the social worker has handled things. We were lucky enough to be able to over hear the social worker getting a severe bollocking in the next room while we waited. we were lucky that one of the other social workers we had see previously and the organisers from preschool who know us and our children quite well spoke up in support of us.
Still with my sons behaviour there has been more involvement from social services, which has been great in some ways and recent events have been vindicating. We had regular visits from another social worker who saw no problems with us or our parenting and even stated that he found my son to be a cheerful and friendly child and has completely dismissed the other social workers assessment and discontinued their involvement shortly after the new school year. The reason for that being my sons behaviour has completely turned around with a new teacher.

It turns out that all the things I suggested last year that the previous teacher dismissed out of hand were spot on. So had the other teacher listened to me and my son we may have avoided the whole mess.
Parent teacher meeting today, turns out my son is not only behaving well but top of the class. That made me feel so much better, she couldn't say enough good things about him.

Posted at 2:10PM, Oct. 20, 2010

Mom was watching wifeswap last night and there was this family from AZ, apparently the kids go outside and hit rocks with golf clubs for fun. God, that was the stupidest shit i've ever seen. It's like will ferral wrote that families script(i'm hoping it was scripted).

Gonna hang out with my friend in an hour but i'm worried he's in a cult. O_O From the little he's told me it sounds like one of those cults started by wackjobs who think they're the reincarnation of a messiah.

Posted at 5:10PM, Oct. 20, 2010

TENNIS IS OVER. YUSSS GUITAR SOLO.

Yesterday was literally the coldest day and naturally the last match had to be so long and dramatic. Tennis is such a dramatic sport, seriously. Someone had to give me a blanket because I was getting frickin hypothermia fo relll. Best part: "You need some body fat, girlfriend." Thank you, girl who's been dieting since August despite being perfectly thin. I'm sure that's a compliment coming from you.

I've been raped by American history everyday since school started. APUSH, man. I'm kind of regretting seeing all the national monuments and historical stuff before getting into high school. I feel like NOW is when I'd really appreciate it, now that I actually have a firm grasp of what the hell was going on. Oh well, one of the many benefits of being from Philly, you're introduced to your history early on.

MY DAD GAVE ME ONE OF HIS FOUNTAIN PENS, OMG. That's such an honor, he doesn't usually give me things that are sentimental to him unless it's a religious book or a vat of holy water (I have four. FOUR.) It's so much fun to write with. Now if only my handwriting wasn't horrible.

Posted at 7:10PM, Oct. 20, 2010

GAH! Friday, although it isn't confirmed yet (I'll find out somewhere within the next 9 hours), we're most likely getting a 12 hour shift. Cause our line is late with production and they can't make it a working Saturday (the entire company has it off except for the people sorting out the inventory and stuff)… Now, the position I work on right now isn't that heavy physically as the one I was on before, but man, 12 hours on feet, with only two short breaks (20 and 10 minutes). Uhg.

Anyway, have to get ready for work so I'm cutting this short.

The worst thing it's first shift and not the second one. Second 12hour shift equals night shift + overtime, so it pays quite well, whereas this… will not :P

*is gone*

Posted at 7:10PM, Oct. 20, 2010

Just made a nice slice through the middle finger. So I am sitting here applying direct pressure with a tissue. About time I cut myself I put in new blades over a week ago and hadn't drawn blood yet though my left forefinger has ten slices in it that didn't draw blood.

Wow, I just typed all that with one hand and have caps too. Makes me wonder what is keeping the rest of the world from being able to do that. lol!

Posted at 8:10PM, Oct. 20, 2010

My dad and little sister have this running thing where whenever I'm out, they make it looks as though stuffed animals have been using my room. Usually they just put my stuffed hippo in my chair with my headphones on.

Today I came home to a note that said "Happy Hippo had a sleepover with some friends, hope that's okay!"

My little sister spent like an hour cutting up pickles, making me a peanut butter and banana and chocolate chip sandwich, and setting up those guys with cards, my ipod, snacks, etc.

I have the best little sister. : )

Posted at 8:10PM, Oct. 20, 2010

Wow, I just typed all that with one hand and have caps too. Makes me wonder what is keeping the rest of the world from being able to do that. lol!

Oh, believe me, the rest of the world can do that too ;)
Think about it…

Today I came home to a note that said "Happy Hippo had a sleepover with some friends, hope that's okay!"

hahahaha, you family rules!

Posted at 8:10PM, Oct. 20, 2010

@Hippie
That is so cute!

————

so i bought a discounted blu-ray player today, which was kinda stupid because i do not have an HD tv…I was seduced by the discount ;-;

Posted at 9:10PM, Oct. 20, 2010

A lot.

Wow. It's certainly not like that here, or at least not my department. We're only involved if there is an accusation that someone is being hurt or neglected by a parent. Regardless of what they tell us at training sessions about trying to save these perfectly dysfunctional families, we don't have the money or manpower to try to fix every little thing wrong with everybody. Our number one priority is ensuring the children's safety; analyzing individual personal issues, arguments, issues aren't our concern.

School social workers however are another matter, trying to save the world one child at a time and making a royal mess of everyone's life and my job in the process. Every now and again we get one of those cases like you see on TV where everything is just a matter of asking the right question and seeing the right specialist… but trying to save everyone is something left for idealists and dreamers.

The average turnover rate for new employees in this state is 3 months. Anyone who lasts longer than that has typically been broken of any high minded idealism, especially if they, like me, do investigations. But yeah, sorry for what you went through. A lot of people don't listen to parents who, all things aside, know their kids better than anyone.

Posted at 11:10PM, Oct. 20, 2010

We met some really nice and understanding social workers, they were really helpful when my wife had post natal depression, but all it took to cause all that chaos was one pompous old school teacher who can't control a four year old and a recent graduate who assumes all parents are evil.
Had this irish guy who was the last one involved who basically said he could see it is all BS but as we ended up in this position we might as well make the most of it. My son now gets extra funding for educational support as he is certified as gifted. As in actually gifted not a polite way of saying he's backwards.

Posted at 4:10PM, Oct. 21, 2010

Wow it is flooded outside. It's not even raining hard, just grey, murky and the rain hasn't let up since this morning.
…this must be what being in the UK feels like.

Posted at 4:10PM, Oct. 21, 2010

I fucking hate David Cameron.

Posted at 8:10PM, Oct. 21, 2010

So mom brought home this freezing starving dog(skin and bones starving) and it's on the back porch. It's very cute though. I got alarmed when it's tag said "rabie" but the dog responded really well when i called it that >_> It looked like it was etched in with a knife so i'm hoping "rah-bee" is just its name.

No other identification on it, i'm guessing it got out of its pen and got lost since there don't seem to be any other signs of abuse. We're taking it to the humane society tomorrow.

Posted at 9:10PM, Oct. 21, 2010

@skullbie

That sounds a bit like how my dog was found…he had a tag that said "Bud Beer" on it. That's why his name is Buddy.

—

Went out with friends for the first time in ages tonight, to the corn maze. I'm sick(when I woke up this morning I had no voice) but I decided I should go anyways cos it would be good for me. I had a really good time, and even went through the Haunted Forest without getting freaked out(I am very easily scared). But now I feel terrible, like I barely have the energy to type. Don't really want to go to bed though, because I know I won't be able to sleep.
My throat is so sore. : (

Posted at 10:10PM, Oct. 21, 2010

What in the world is a "corn maze" …sounds like a tautology to me.

Crazy North Americans.

———–
I'm buggered. just over 3 hours sleep last night, less than 5 hours the night before… I need some rest.

Posted at 10:10PM, Oct. 21, 2010

Wow, I just typed all that with one hand and have caps too. Makes me wonder what is keeping the rest of the world from being able to do that. lol!
Oh, believe me, the rest of the world can do that too ;)
Think about it…

You're right, only people on the internet can't manage to do that. ;) Their business memorandums are incredible models of terse obfuscation parading as effective communication written in credible Standard Written English but put them on the internet and all pretense at effective keyboarding vanish.

Or it could be that I hang out with too many English teachers. Last business writing course I took I was asked why I wasn't teaching the class. Then I read the crap that passes for business writing and posts on the internet and emails and somewhere an English Teacher dies and a bell rings because that angel of learning just got his/her wings.

If I bought into this whole deity thing god would have it in for those who pay attention to grammar and spelling even when they type with one hand. lol!

— (wildebeasts flying Lancaster bombers over Berlin)

Could you tell I am reading a book on Winston Churchill right now? Max Hastings' latest Winston at War (the American title)

Put a Fortress I on the cover and I just have to read it. I read Hastings' Bomber Command twenty years ago and I had to go out and buy a model of every plane Bomber Command ever flew.

And only a week left before the Caribbean cruise.

Posted at 11:10PM, Oct. 21, 2010

What in the world is a "corn maze" …sounds like a tautology to me.

Crazy North Americans.

———–
I'm buggered. just over 3 hours sleep last night, less than 5 hours the night before… I need some rest.

I don't think you're using "tautology" right…or I'm just dumb…
Anyways, it's not that interesting/crazy. Just a big maze where the walls are stalks of corn. For whatever reason we have two where I live.

Posted at 11:10PM, Oct. 21, 2010

There is a Maize maze near where I live… well in the summer there is.

Posted at 5:10AM, Oct. 22, 2010

In the continuing saga that is the re-do of our kitchen, we were suppose to have the new stove/oven delivered today. This item inspired the entire re-do in the first place because the old oven died. (It's been surprising to learn how much we actually do bake/roast.) But no delivery today. Our sales guy sat on the order and now it won't be arriving until Tuesday. They say.

On another note—if anyone recalls, there was a thread about house guest basics a few weeks ago. Well, the guest who inspired the thread arrives tomorrow.

So, so. we've got a pretty good selection of take-out in the area, but I'm curious about how much more of the plan will not come together.

—
@bravo

hey! hope you and your wife have a great time on the cruise. packed yet?

Posted at 8:10AM, Oct. 22, 2010

I don't think you're using "tautology" right…or I'm just dumb…

Genejoke got it ^_^ - Maize maze

I thought you were saying corn maize, because I don't know how to spell "maize". Pretty sure saying the same thing twice with different words falls under one of the definitions of tautology…

I've had extra sleep but not enough. Due to circumstances I kept being woken up! >:[
Stupid circumstances!

Posted at 10:10AM, Oct. 22, 2010

I've had extra sleep but not enough. Due to circumstances I kept being woken up! >:[
Stupid circumstances!

I am sorry you have circumstances, a woman in your condition should not have to deal with circumstances.

Posted at 12:10PM, Oct. 22, 2010

Talent Show last night.

I didn't win but I wasn't expecting to and the judges were harsher with the guys then the girls.

I mean a girl who started out flat (A girl I know and am friends with too so don't bring that crap in please) and then fixed it at the end (which she DOES have a great voice but STILL) tied with another girl who sang Amazing Grace (ANYONE CAN SING AMAZING GRACE AND SOUND GOOD!).

It was a little irritating because I also got many people who came up to me afterword and told me I did great but my rating was a 9 and an 8.5. I impressed the people that I wanted to though.

Like hopefully that girl I like.

And UPDATE: My sister's on a rampage.
Run to your homes and hide.

I have no clue why but her boyfriend just called a second ago and…at this very second she's calling him.

It could have to do with him or her friend who's dating the same person who keeps emotionally ruining two of her friends.

If she's arguing with Steve well then…I could be out a band and more importantly a bassist. …or bassist less important than band since my sister's still learning and was a last minute addition to it.

……Do I sometimes take things too dramtic or not dramatic at all?

Posted at 1:10PM, Oct. 22, 2010

So the dog lived. We gave it beef broth and this rice/salmon/carrot stuff since it wouldn't drink water. Mom's at the humane society now and i hope they nurse it back to health…

I am seriously running out of storage space in my room. Every time i clean up a section i put more stuff in it ._.

I got a universal remote. It's really cool, i just find the model numbers and type them into the site, then i can use the remote on all my stuff even my computer monitor :O

Posted at 4:10PM, Oct. 22, 2010

Well, we didn't get a 12 hour shift this Friday, nope.

But we WILL get a 12 hour shift ALMOST ALL NEXT WEEK!

Tuesday to Friday. Argh.

12 hours at work, about 3 hours total commute to get to/from work (since I have to catch a special bus and it's nowhere near my place), one hour before leaving for work to get ready for the said work…. that's 16 hours gone! I have 8 hours left for sleep, buying food, eating food, entertainment, relaxing after work, waking up, going to bed, surfing the internet…

oh yeah, I can most likely forget about internet :P