maggie said:
How on earth do people stay so calm and composed????
Stay focused. Zero in on what you have to do and don't give a damn what the other guy is doing.
Today: DOL, Department of licensing, had to get a new driver's license becuase I'm moving. There's (50) people in there speaking [10] different languages. You walk up to some ____ state worker, tell him what you want and he hands you a ticket. You go sit down in filthy plastic chairs facing the counter waiting for your number to be called. When your (#) is called you deal with another _____ state worker with your back to all the people waiting behind you, so you know they're looking at your ass, and they are, because I was - there's nothing else to look at.
Then you stand in front of a camera and have your mug shot taken while everyone is watching. Then you wait again in filthy chairs till they print out your license. To leave you have to walk by everyone waiting in line and sitting in the filthy chairs or leaning against the wall.
Then I had to go to the first of (two) post offices to get a PO Box, because mail is stolen in my neighborhood regularly. So again, _____ worker, (2) pieces of identification of which I only had (one). So I had to leave the counter and go back to my car to get my registration. Then I went back in line and spent (10) minutes learning how to operate a PO Box.
Then I had to go to the 'main' post office and wait behind some guy who was complaining that if they didn't get "dey check", the government would take all their sh:t. Whatever, the boy left without his 'paypuh', so I guess the 'man' is taking all his sh:t as I write. I had to fill out (two) changes of address cards and while doing so another fellow came in trying to claim a package, but had no identification with him.
It sucked and I felt like I needed a shower after being in those places.
Tommorrow it's the cable company, the phone company and the landlord. It's all going to suck. But none of it is optional. I have to do it. If I don't do it, it won't get done, so I absolutely have to do it.
There was some guy in the DOL with different-colored food stains down the front of his t-shirt and no one commented on it.
(6) months ago I would've driven by my barber (5 or 6) times till no other people were in the shop so I could get my hair cut without anyone watching. I'm tired of living like that. It's time to change. I hope others can be inspired as well.