MetaChat - I'm feeling foul.

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21 November 2005

I'm feeling foul. →[More:]I just found out that since I had used up my vacation and sicktime (my vacation was when I found out about my sickness, ironically), I'm not going to get any compensation for the time I was incapacitated, as if I went off for a long weekend in Vegas or something. I'm hating life. Times like this I wish I was still a bookstore clerk in a suburban strip mall living in my parents attic. I feel like getting really drunk and beating up happy people.

post by: jonmc at: 13:41 | 51 comments

Yesterday, I felt really happy, so I beat up drunks, paving your karmic way to punching those grinning devils.

Seriously, that sucks. I'd find a small fire in my wastebasket if I were you.

posted by Hugh Janus 21 November | 13:46

Why did you think you were going to get paid for it if you had used up all of your leave time? Not to sound unsympathetic or anything, because losing a week's worth of pay has to hurt.

posted by iconomy 21 November | 13:48

Or...two weeks. Three?

posted by iconomy 21 November | 13:50

I figured there'd be some way to work it out. It's not like I just ran off. I checked into short term disability, but in New York that has a 7-day waiting period and I only was out 8 days, so it's not worth the aggravation. The HR lady seemed annoyed with me for even inquiring. Whether they're being jerks or I simply screwed up, or it's just bad luck, I still feel miserable about it all.

posted by jonmc 21 November | 13:51

HR people tend to be annoyed whenever they're called upon to do their job.

posted by Hugh Janus 21 November | 13:54

That's poopy.

I feel for you.

posted by Specklet 21 November | 13:55

I think you should definitely look more into short term disability, and to hell with her and her crappy attitude. Really, you know? That's what she's there for.

I wonder what they would have said if you'd asked about it before you went into the hospital?

posted by iconomy 21 November | 13:57

my 35th birthday is a week from Sunday, too. This is a fine how-do-ya-do. 35 five years on this planet and I'm still running around in circles with my ass on fire.

Life is a fucking pain in the ass.

posted by jonmc 21 November | 14:08

You know what jon, if you ask us all really nicely I'm sure we can all come up with lots of other irritating inquiries for your favorite HR person. That'd make you feel better!

Maybe you should sell your stones on eBay like William Shatner.

posted by dodgygeezer 21 November | 14:18

That really sucks, Jon. I'm sorry to hear it.

It's bullshit, really.

posted by Lola_G 21 November | 14:29

For God's sake man, just one thread below there's a video of a chimp washing a cat. That's not gonna help your financial woes or HR karma, but it's gotta count for something.

35 five years on this planet and I'm still running around in circles with my ass on fire.

As I get older I keep waiting for everything to come together. After 39 years I'm starting to think it never really does. I think all you do is learn to deal with it better.

posted by Slack-a-gogo 21 November | 14:30

Come to the meet-up on Saturday and I will buy you some drinks. If I could, I would buy you drinks until you came out even but then I am one poor drunk ass.

I'll make sure to have butt cleavage again if that would cheer you up! (What I wouldn't do for a friend.)

posted by Lola_G 21 November | 14:32

Or is it would do?

Either way, there can be butt cleavage but only if it is punk rock butt cleavage.

posted by Lola_G 21 November | 14:33

jonmc, I'm kinda sorta feeling like iconomy, but then I also hate most people who work in HR departments. Tell you what, set your ass on fire at work (accidentally, of course) and then get disability that way. Make sure it becomes enflamed (rather than inflamed, of course) right in front of the entire HR department.

Seriously, sympathies and commiserations. I'll start drinking for and to you now.

posted by WolfDaddy 21 November | 14:37

I'm sorry, man. Stinks, truly.

I don't think I got paid for my time out with my gall bladder, back in the day, either. (Back when I worked, that is.)

posted by bunnyfire 21 November | 14:38

The butt cleavage offer is nice, but I'm too broke and aggravated to do anything right now, except wallow in despair.

posted by jonmc 21 November | 14:47

Ack, that sucks jon.

Are you in a "misery loves company" mood? Cos I am on hour 26 without sleep, and feeling... not so fine.

Or are you in a "wants to be cheered up" mood? In which case... I got nothing. I could dance a little bit in the lab? Send you dancey vibes?

Goddamn, I'm tired.

posted by gaspode 21 November | 14:47

Actually, it's hour 28. Basic arithmetic is the first to go, kids.

posted by gaspode 21 November | 14:48

35 five years on this planet and I'm still running around in circles with my ass on fire.

Precisely what Slack-a-gogo said. If you say you aren't, you're a filthy liar or too hopped up on goofballs to know the difference. On the other hand, I'm only a year and a few weeks older than you, so what the hell do I know? The only thing I've figured out is where to get the best balms for my burnt bum and apply them copiously. I'm figuring I'll have a big laugh about the whole she-bang at the proverbial end of the day.

Nevertheless, jmc, big hugs, man. I mean it. There's no good time for bad news and you've had a load of suckitude to deal with lately.

On preview, hugs to you, too, 'pode.

posted by Frisbee Girl 21 November | 14:49

anybody got any goofballs? That "hopped up," thing sounds good about now.

posted by jonmc 21 November | 14:52

I'm feeling foul too:

Cocksalad! Ringtoss! Shitmuffin!

I'm sorry about that bro. I hate HR people, always have, it's so easy, you know when the Nazis roll around, they'd be at the head of the line to join up, with the forms already filled out. In fact today I hate all suckups, rule obsessed petty tyrants and powertrippers especially hard. Anyone who pretends to have it totally on the ball is lying big time, you ever ride your bike down a big hill and the bike isn't so good and the wheel starts wobbling and you just almost totally wipe out but avoid it and make it through, that's how I feel most of the time.

If you want I could mail her something incredibly foul... Would that help?

Dude I wish I had a goofball sooooo bad. Goofball.

posted by Divine_Wino 21 November | 14:56

Wow. You really are feeling bad. Not that I doubted the sincerity but to turn down free drinks and butt cleavage.

Despair.

I've been there though. Not with the sick time, but when I've not only expected something but counted on it and my employer totally dicks me.

Shitty time of the year too.

posted by Lola_G 21 November | 14:57

/me slaps jonmc's butt in futile attempt to douse flames
/me tries to pretend it was a football butt-slap

posted by stilicho 21 November | 14:58

I just went out for a smoke and saw HR lady getting into a cab. I think I'll go poop on her desk.

stilsho: you nathty man.

*scribbles phone number, goes lingerie shopping*

posted by jonmc 21 November | 15:01

In a moment, I'll have some cheer-up music from the Motor City Mutants. And maybe Blue Öyster Cult (who, as you may know, shared loft space with your beloved Dictators).

posted by klangklangston 21 November | 15:04

I Say Yeah by the Mutants. (I also recommend the previous post of mine, as it cheers me up. But this one's more fun).

posted by klangklangston 21 November | 15:06

and a producer (Sandy Pearlman). No word on whether they shared Patti Smith (either Dharma or Bloom from BOC dated her for a while, I forget which).

posted by jonmc 21 November | 15:06

If it's any consolation I feel like utter crap too. I just closed the door to my office and laid down on the floor. It didn't help. Now I still feel like crap and I probably have dust on my back.

posted by Mr T 21 November | 15:08

All I can find on my computer is Burnin' For You, Godzilla and Don't Fear The Reaper (I have more on cassette, but thought I had more stuff on the ol' HD).

What else would you like from the Mutants? "So American", "Cafe Au Lait", "Coffee", "Happy Weasels"?

posted by klangklangston 21 November | 15:11

you have an office? I share a cube with five other people. Occasionaly we sip from the giant water bottle and then pee in the wood shavings laid out on the floor.

(actually all the cubes here have fabric covered dividers that contain an alarming amount of static electricity. I thought of making a form-fitting bodysuit out of Bounce Dryer Sheets, but never got around to it)

Happy Weasels sound nice.

*gazes listlessly into void*

posted by jonmc 21 November | 15:13

As I get older I keep waiting for everything to come together. After 39 years I'm starting to think it never really does. I think all you do is learn to deal with it better.
Ditto.

Sorry my man; I'm feelin' ya today. I'm pissed as well, have $2 to my name until Friday, and then that check will be gone as well.

Fuckin' sucks somtimes.

posted by tr33hggr 21 November | 15:18

tr33hugger: enjoying Ladies Man so far?

posted by jonmc 21 November | 15:19

Happy Weasels it is then.

posted by klangklangston 21 November | 15:22

Yup, it speaks much to the "me" of 8 years ago or so. I was a little concerned at first that it was going to turn into a super-egotistical trip a la Brett Easton Ellis, but glad it's not.

It's so freaking honest, and I imagine Price is closer to what really goes on in the minds of many men than even they are willing to admit. You know, moments of "god that's so sexist/mean/whatever . . . but true . . . and I agree!"

posted by tr33hggr 21 November | 15:23

Did you read the scene with the old merchant marine yet? That's one of the best written (and funniest) interludes in contemporary literature.

posted by jonmc 21 November | 15:25

Oh, and it's accessible, which is a definite bonus. I don't need my reading "dumbed down" for me, but there's a simplicity about the way Price writes that allows me to really get in touch with the story and not get hung up on the words, the language. They are secondary to the tale.

On preview - no, not yet. I started it Friday, but we got busy and I was either running around or drunk, making it tough to get any solid reading time in. 5 days off coming after tomorrow though, so I hope to plow through it.

posted by tr33hggr 21 November | 15:27

It's nice to have an office. At another job I got stuck in the break-room. People would come in and microwave disgusting stuff stinking up the room.

But having an office doesn't help get you through an existential crisis.

posted by Mr T 21 November | 15:28

there's a simplicity about the way Price writes that allows me to really get in touch with the story and not get hung up on the words, the language. They are secondary to the tale.

And this from an ex-English grad student.

posted by tr33hggr 21 November | 15:30

there's a simplicity about the way Price writes that allows me to really get in touch with the story and not get hung up on the words

It definitely has a street corner conversationalism to it. You can prctically hear his Bronx accent as you read.

posted by jonmc 21 November | 15:30

Yes, for sure. I imagine my buddy from the Bronx reading this out loud to me.

But, more later as I dig in deeper.

posted by tr33hggr 21 November | 15:57

HR people are generally are the products of an unnatural breeding program between molluscs and demons. So, uh, that makes them Vogans, more or less.

I have no idea what it is that makes them so slow moving and foul tempered. You'd think that all those sickeningly cute pictures of kittens they habitually surround themselves with would make them more cheerful and happy.

posted by loquacious 21 November | 15:58

Actually, this lady looks vaguely MILF/randy soccer mom-ish. I'd never interacted with her before, so I really had no idea what to expect. I had talked to one of her assistants, then a co-worker told me to go straight to the top. I sent an email which she ignored and then knocked on the door of her office. She was annoyed and said that she had "nothing to add," to what her assistants had said.

posted by jonmc 21 November | 16:01

Sounds like time for a disaster party. Nothing like being stuck in the middle of the North Atlantic with a faulty engine, wolfpacks on the prowl and a hold full of loose ammunition rolling around and Pappy Hod telling disaster stories, really funny ones.

Calling Seaman Bodine!

posted by warbaby 21 November | 16:09

This calls for liberal amounts of strategically placed cat urine.

posted by sciurus 21 November | 16:10

Once when I was at work and truly truly having a very very very bad time (this was prediagnosis, and my immediate supervisor was a backstabbing crazymaker) another coworker called me and played me a recording of "smelly cat" over the phone.

It was the nicest thing anyone ever did for me.

Jonmc, consider yourself smellycatted.

posted by bunnyfire 21 November | 16:31

That sucks. : (

posted by sisterhavana 21 November | 17:04

What Slack-a-go-go said (a couple months away from 40 here and often feel similar).

I can flirt with you some more if it'll make you feel better.

posted by matildaben 21 November | 21:17

You wouldn't happen to still have a copy of your insurance stuff around somewhere? That should let you know what's up.

I hope it works out for the better, jon.

posted by deborah 21 November | 21:39

Huh. Next thing, you'll probably want Universal Health Care. What are you, some sort of communist?

posted by warbaby 22 November | 08:58

I can flirt with you some more if it'll make you feel better.

That'd be wonderful, doll.

warbaby, I've been in favor of some sort of National Health Care for a while.

posted by jonmc 22 November | 09:40

Hey Jon, whadja think of the Mutants tracks?

posted by klangklangston 22 November | 17:30

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