tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post3506920589402865916..comments2024-01-16T17:40:13.951-05:00Comments on Somewhere in NJ: PerspectiveLauraHinNJhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-71307655789031498092007-07-02T21:58:00.000-05:002007-07-02T21:58:00.000-05:00SGN: I'm good at leaving this stuff behind at the ...SGN: I'm good at leaving this stuff behind at the end of the day. My students and their issues are another story.<BR/><BR/>The rules are pretty complicated, but it comes down to that the young mother had been screwing up for years and had had lots of help when she was homeless in the past. Now that she is *ready* for the help and other services, she's already used up the time allowed.<BR/><BR/>Bunnygirl: This work always makes me glad for what I have.<BR/><BR/>Pablo: I look the same as the profile pic - just a few years older and more wrinkly!<BR/><BR/>Jennifer: The grass is always greener (when it grows on someone else's head).<BR/><BR/>;-)<BR/><BR/>Jayne: You are totally right. Only, the rules seem to allow certain groups of people to make the same mistakes many more times than the rest.<BR/><BR/>I don't make the rules though.<BR/><BR/>Ruth: You got it. We're a last resort. I'm surprised by the number of people who walk away from the offer of a clean bed because the motel or shelter doesn't meet their standards.<BR/><BR/>???<BR/><BR/>Liza: We'll see. I haven't been at it long. It makes denying people health insurance seem easier than I remember.<BR/><BR/>Laurie: I should get it cut that often because it feels so nice when it's freshly cut, but I'm too lazy!<BR/><BR/>KGMom: Waves sound lovely compared to the frizz I have most days!<BR/><BR/>Lynne: Thanks.<BR/><BR/>FC: In theory I agree, but sometimes I think people's lives fall all apart at once through no fault of their own and then they find drugs/alcohol. Those people probably are deserving of a hand out of the mess, I think, so long as they'll take it.<BR/><BR/>Delia: Yea - you'd have to resist that urge to hand out money. Really, it's not about the money. Some people need to learn life skills or a whole other lifestyle before more money will do them any good.<BR/><BR/>I blew my hair straight every day through high school - what a chore! It's good to finally embrace the curly!<BR/><BR/>;-)LauraHinNJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08329387562570495570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-44836812979396577972007-07-02T15:37:00.000-05:002007-07-02T15:37:00.000-05:00I'm with Susan--why does Drunk and Disorderly Guy ...I'm with Susan--why does Drunk and Disorderly Guy get a motel but In Recovery Lady gets probably nothing? I tell you--I could never do your job. I'd end up slipping everyone a twenty, go broke, then end up applying for aid myself. I have never understood the need for drugs or that much booze, but who am I to judge? <BR/><BR/>I'm right there with you on the curly hair--straight-haired people are always pawing at my curly hair (which I try to blow-dry straight except on humid days when it's just no use) and ooh-ing and ah-ing. Ugh! I'd trade for straight hair any day!dguzmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01811101661607351661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-31589878583029091632007-07-02T12:08:00.000-05:002007-07-02T12:08:00.000-05:00It's good work you do, but I confess I save most o...It's good work you do, but I confess I save most of my compassion for the innocents.<BR/><BR/>Adults who choose to wreck their lives through the use of alcohol and other addictive drugs are at the the bottom of my compassion list.<BR/><BR/>It's a good thing YOU are out there.R.Powershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04905593499136090763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-65325723650671760682007-07-01T18:04:00.000-05:002007-07-01T18:04:00.000-05:00My hair is stick straight- I'll trade!!Really, th...My hair is stick straight- I'll trade!!<BR/><BR/>Really, though, I don't know how you handle the frustrations of your job. I appreciate that you do it.Lynne at Hasty Brookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09187035706322695138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-6833608161564461832007-06-30T20:54:00.000-05:002007-06-30T20:54:00.000-05:00I am with you on the hair. Mine waves, not curls....I am with you on the hair. Mine waves, not curls. So when I look at straight dos and want one, my hairdresser says--ahem--remember the wave. Oh right.<BR/>Other people envy my hair, but I would like it to be straight, just once.KGMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05165941950953938943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-17217737760569630272007-06-30T20:11:00.000-05:002007-06-30T20:11:00.000-05:00I just couldn't do what you do. I'm not strong en...I just couldn't do what you do. I'm not strong enough. <BR/><BR/>And congrats on the haircut. I had mine done too...once every 6 or so weeks, the darn stuff grows like a weed and it's curly enough to drive me nuts when it gets to a certain length.dmmgmfmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09872482306885344135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-77308443927673872722007-06-30T10:51:00.000-05:002007-06-30T10:51:00.000-05:00What a week, Laura. Wow! Glad you were able to g...What a week, Laura. Wow! Glad you were able to get a haircut and relax a little. <BR/><BR/>Your examples are heartwrenching. I admire you for being able to do what you do!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02776482696203224923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-66943876610816872342007-06-30T07:49:00.000-05:002007-06-30T07:49:00.000-05:00People make bad choices all the time and it is imp...People make bad choices all the time and it is impossible to fix their problems for them. Many have burned their bridges by the time you see them. I feel badly when innocent children are added to the mix. For all those you cannot help, I am sure there are more that you can support.<BR/>ruthRuthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15892804871759397018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-10127633248934517102007-06-30T06:47:00.000-05:002007-06-30T06:47:00.000-05:00I understand Laura, I really do. I see people eve...I understand Laura, I really do. I see people every day as well that just choose not to participate in getting better, and so you have to help the ones you can and let it go. Truly, we have the best intentions, but we can't grab it for someone. They have to want it and reach out. There is too much need to try and convince someone to take what is being offered. The thing is we see them over and over again doing the same things and expecting a different outcome. That's what gets frustrating. What part of "if you don't do XXX, nothing changes" do they not get?<BR/><BR/>And, as for the hair, mine is spaghetti straight and I'd trade you in a heartbeat! :c)Jaynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14057094040409159429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-67167302268267505312007-06-30T06:05:00.000-05:002007-06-30T06:05:00.000-05:00There are many jobs that I am grateful other peopl...There are many jobs that I am grateful other people do: school teacher, tax preparer, nurse, etc... I could not do what you do. I admire you that you can do it.<BR/><BR/>As for the hair: my brother and sister both got thick auburn hair. I got fine, straight, light brown hair... and it doesn't behave. Why is it that curly-headed folks want straight hair and straight-haired folks want curly hair?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-80506761898336618582007-06-30T04:30:00.000-05:002007-06-30T04:30:00.000-05:00I could never do all that you do daily. Only in sm...I could never do all that you do daily. Only in small doses could I not get burned out or frustrated.<BR/><BR/>I think we should get to see a photo of your new hair. Who's with me on this?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-52715559502054833452007-06-30T00:34:00.000-05:002007-06-30T00:34:00.000-05:00Wow. I don't think I've got the fortitude to see ...Wow. I don't think I've got the fortitude to see that sort of thing every day, but I admire you for it and I'm grateful to you for sharing. I've had a very stressful week and it looks like there are a few more to come, but it's mostly good stress with favorable outcomes at the end.<BR/><BR/>I need to keep that perspective at times like this. Thanks! :-)Ann (bunnygirl)https://www.blogger.com/profile/04938134750150653386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18784445.post-52398231053790402512007-06-29T22:52:00.000-05:002007-06-29T22:52:00.000-05:00How do you do it, Laura? Can you truly put it dow...How do you do it, Laura? Can you truly put it down at the end of the day? What made me crazy about some of your examples is that the people who aren't belligerent can't get help? So, what's the criteria for getting help? One guy is a drunk and you were able to put him up in a hotel, but a young mother trying to kick a bad drug habit can't get help?<BR/>What made me laugh at was your "Shirley Temple on crack". <BR/>Amen to that! I get a haircut twice a year, too. But I don't think I've ever looked like a crackhead Shirley Temple.Susan Gets Nativehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00216170589750418861noreply@blogger.com