More Wits End Drama

Yes, I know I haven't written in a while.  Well, I'm here now & you better be prepared.  I have a lot to share so that means you better go potty, get drinks & snacks & find a comfy seat.

First, the reason for my lack of blogging, is that even right grammatically?  Whatever, I don't care.  Anywho, I haven't written much because I GOT A JOB!!!  That's right folks, I have a job.  It's pretty great too.  I can't tell you too much, yeah, it's secretive but I'm working for the Army.  Anyone who knows me in real life knows how I have a "thing" for men in uniform.  I feel my reward for having the 13 months from hell that wreaked havoc on my self esteem & worth & affected some of my relationships was this job.  I work with great people.  I'm appreciated and told that every day.  People are actually happy to have me working with them!!!  Currently I'm waiting on my security clearance and stuff, but that's why I haven't written cuz I'm way too busy doing the Army.

It's been very busy at Wits End.  About a month ago someone stole one of my license plates.  Yes, someone stole one of my plates, off the back of my car.  Assholes.  The night it happened, new neighbors moved into Baby Momma's apartment.  It happened sometime late Friday night into Saturday & I noticed it Saturday afternoon.  Awesome.  So I reported it to the local police & got a report number.  I had to go to the DMV come Monday morning because, well, I also had a stolen plate on my car.  Great.  Monday came & I got it taken care of.   Fast forward two weeks ahead......the cops were here for the 3rd time in 2 days, I will get to that.....& I was outside.  The one cop asked where I lived & I told him & he asked if it was my plate stolen.  I told him it was.  Well, it was found on a car that morning!  Can you believe it?!?!?!  I knew it didn't fall off like it was suggested to me.  Eventually I spoke with the State Trooper who made the discovery & my stolen plate was on a stolen vehicle & there was another stolen plate inside the vehicle!!!  Justice prevails!  They made one arrest & were looking for 3 more suspects.

As for the police.....our friend, the Conspiracy Theorist (CT) was especially active.  Yelling at the cops, the cops were yelling at him.  In one week, they were here 7 times in 6 days.  Nice.  His "girlfriend" showed up one night, needing her medication.  She was outside yelling to him to let her come up, she was cold, homeless, been sleeping in the woods......blah blah blah.  He was yelling at her he didn't want her there, she was begging....so I called the police.  Someone had already called before me so they were already on their way.  They argued, the police were banging on his door, she was crying....and this is a Tuesday night.  The police keep asking her if she has someone to call, anywhere she can go....she's cold, hungry....we learn she's picking cigarette butts up off the side of the road to smoke.  She is one effing hot mess.  So the one police officer calls a shelter or something for her.  She begs for charity/pity.  She has the nerve to tell the woman on the phone she is afraid of CT.  For reals.  I almost yelled out my window to call her out on that bullshit, she was just begging to stay the night with CT.  Oh, during this time, I was standing in my bedroom window with the lights out & window opening listening to the whole thing.  Eventually that drama ended & we all heaved a collective sigh of relief.

Now I can't quite remember if I ever mentioned the MOTY (Mother of the Year).  She lives at the other end of the building & has 3 kids, 9 year old girl, 5 year old girl & 2 year old boy.  The 9 year old is always watching & in charge of the 2 little ones.  ALWAYS!!!  The little boy is constantly running to the road, playing near the road, playing in the parking lots.  The frequently play on the steps to the basement which are on my side of the building.  The live way at the other end.  The basement floods & comes up the stairs.  Tell me, what decent parent allows their children to play out of eyesight?  Once, an old neighbor made a comment to the 9 year old asking where the mom was, that the 2 year old shouldn't be talking to CT & the mom had the nerve to leave a note on her door saying she didn't understand how was it was to be a single working mom.  Bullshit, she isn't single & doesn't work.  We all had called the office so much, they finally spoke with the mom & she left in tears.  Faker faker stinker baker.

Columbus Day weekend, that Friday, I was off of work.  I had an errand to run & when I walked out my door, I watched the little 2 year old boy run to the road.  Behind him running was another little neighbor boy & girl, the 9 year old & 5 year old.  As I drove by I didn't see any vehicles belonging to the parents.  So I called the office & they told me I should call the police.  So I did when I got home.  I went outside to wait for the officer & the 9 year old road her bike by me & I asked who was home watching her.  She said her mom. I told her I saw the 2 year old running to the road.  The little neighbor girl also riding her bike, who is probably about 7, said they were watching him.  I told them it's not their job to be in charge & watch the 2 year old, their job was to be little kids & have fun.  So the cop got there & I filled him in on the whole thing, how the rest of us feel, how we've complained.  He went & spoke with the mom, he said the kids look taken care of: clean clothes & fed.  I didn't hide the fact that it was me that called.  He even said he wished there were more concerned citizens like me.  Yes, I've made a conscious choice not to have children but that doesn't mean I don't have compassion or care.  Well, I struck a harsh chord with the mom.

That weak passive aggressive bitch had the nerve to yell out her window from behind her curtains at me.  I was out walking my Hailey girl, talking with my downstairs neighbor & I took Hailey off her leash to come in at my stoop.  She yelled "be careful, someone might call the cops".  Really.  And in front of my neighbor.  Dumb C U Next Tuesday.  Then a couple of days later, I was going out to the store & the 9 year old was by the road getting the mail.  She yelled "don't worry 9 year old, I'm watching you".  Ass.  It wasn't until I was out with my dog & she was out with her dog & 2 girls that she didn't say a word.  She wouldn't even walk near me.  HAHAHAHAHA Douche.  Funny thing, the cops were here those bunch of times the week after, I bet she shit a brick, especially when she saw me talking with them a couple of times!!!

I don't think I did anything wrong.  In fact, she's been better about watching her kids.....except that one time I went outside & I saw the 2 year old running to the road with a trail of kids behind him.  I know the 9 year old saw me looking.  LOL!  Those kids haven't played on our side of the building or the steps.  By default I may have made her a more watchful parent.  The cop told me she was lucky I called them instead of DYFS (Division of Youth & Family Services).

So that is what has been going on here.  Have you missed me???

:)

Wits End wits end

I'm so damn annoyed.  This whole not having a job, not being able to find a job is getting on my last nerve.  On Monday I will be unemployed for 13 months.  It's been awful & is really taking it's toll on my self esteem.

I have done everything the state of NJ has suggested: I took computer classes to brush up or add on to my skills, I volunteer, I've reconsidered what I'm worth (monetarily) and dropped down what I would ask for in pay.  What else is there for me to do?  It's even been suggested that I omit things on my resume, but I refuse to do that.  That's like lying.  What if someone investigates my background?  I won't do that.

I even signed up with two temp agencies.  One I signed up with almost a year ago.  In April I contacted my "account manager" to ask why I haven't heard anything in almost 6 months and gave her my updated resume.  She told me that there weren't any employers looking for my set of skills.  Really? Today I emailed her again, since I haven't heard from her once.  What's the effing point of having an "account manager" at a temp agency for?  Good thing I didn't have to pay her because her ass would be so fired.

A couple of weeks ago I had an interview for a job I was really interested in.  It was local & only part time, but I felt good about it.  I thought the interview went well.  I found it odd that she kept asking me if I was bitter and resentful about things at my old job, the manner they went about in laying me off.  I told her I wasn't and I'm not.  Ultimately business is business.  Life moves forward, it's a waste of energy to hold on to something like that.  She also told me that she would let me know, either way, her decision with me, to which I was thankful.  She asked me to email her 3 references, which I did.  I also sent a hand written thank you note at the suggestion of a friend.  The job was to be part time in August with the potential to become full time.  Today is September 1st.  I haven't heard from her by phone or email.  Thanks a lot.

That's the thing, applying for most jobs is now anonymous.  So I can't follow up.  Then I never hear anything. It's crap, it really is & I'm tired of it.  I'm an awesome employee.  I'm well rounded and organized.  I have superior organization and multitasking skills.  I have an excellent personality & can fit in anywhere but most of all I want to work and do a good job.  I'm not a schlub employee.  I have 10 years of office experience.  I like to learn new things.  I'm a team player.  Do you know how hard it is not to sound desperate in a job interview?  Do you know how hard it is to not beg in a cover letter to please, just give me an interview so I can tell you how much of an asset I would be to a company?

This whole not working has taking a toll on my self esteem, that I now have trouble selling myself, even to me.   I'm tired of hearing how "everything is for a reason", "something great is out there", "it will get better" and all the other typical cliche stuff that is said.  That doesn't help me pay my rent or pay my utilities.  If I didn't have my mom, I probably would have been evicted from my apartment a few months ago.  I get paid every 2 weeks from unemployment & that one payment isn't enough to cover my rent.  Sometimes I wish I had a second bedroom so I could find a room mate (not ideal for me, I don't want a room mate) but it would help a lot.  So I'm stuck in this alone.

I always believe you have to hit bottom before you can go back up but I'm not even sure I've hit bottom yet.  I don't even know what my bottom is.  I would like to so I can get the ball rolling.  I'm just very annoyed with this whole ordeal.  I've never been a big prayer, but I pray all the time.  I've asked for signs, I've been listening.  I don't know what to do.

Wits End Drama

So in my building there are 12 apartments total.  The opposite end has some kids.  Two families & the little kids play together, around the whole building, in the lots, whatever.  None of us mind, except there is never any adult supervision.

Now, those of us at the opposite end have talked about that there is never any adult supervision.  Ever.  The oldest girl, who is probably about 9 years old has to watch her little sister who is probably 5ish and her little brother who is 2.  He has a motorized 4 wheeler he rides around.  He's been on the street with it.  My neighbor, Jen, has said several times to the oldest little girl "where's your mom?", "watch your little brother".  I mean, these kids think nothing of saying hi to us or talking to us.  It concerns me with the odd balls that live in this general neighborhood, not just my building.

Now, the mother has a "husband".  We are going to classify "husband" loosely.  We all feel terrible for the oldest little girl, the one who is always in charge.  She's always dragging the garbage out.  Always watching those kids.  She misses the school bus quite often.  It's just not a good deal.  Her dad is not the same dad as the other 2 younger kids.  Last year, the oldest girl mentioned how her mom married the smaller kids father.

On Sunday, Jen saw most of the kids in the back (there are 2 other kids but they live in a different apartment & don't pertain to this story) except the little 2 year old boy was out front talking with the Conspiracy Theorist.  WTF??  So when Jen was walking her dog, she saw the oldest little girl & asked why her mom never comes outside with them & that the little boy was talking to the Conspiracy Theorist.  I guess the oldest girl made a face, like Jen was on to something.  Poor little girl can't even be a little girl.  Jen doesn't remember if she said anything else to the little girl.  I mean neither one of those adults is ever outside sitting on the stoop watching these kids.  What the fuck is wrong with them?

On Monday Jen had a note on her door telling her to mind her business & that the mom is a "single, working mom".  Bull fucking shit.  She's a lazy piece of garbage who is totally fucking up her kids, especially the oldest girl.  Jen said the kids haven't been playing down this way.  It's not like any of us mind.  They like to pet the dogs when we all walk them & they chit chat with us.  I mean, they are little kids.  LITTLE KIDS.  It's just a bad deal & that woman, those people are fucked up.  If something happens to that little boy, that little girl would be messed up more than she probably already is.

Wits End

Most people know I live at Wits End. Literally & sometimes figuratively. Most of the time it's relatively quiet. Sometimes, notsomuch. Last Thursday was one of those times.

It was rainy & cool. I was home with Hailey & the boy watching TV when my doorbell rang. That's weird, I wasn't expecting anyone. So I went down to look through my peephole. Great, it was the Conspiracy Theorist. WTF?? Now, just to note, there are 6 apartments in each building. Every 2 apartments share a main door so there are 6 doors which need keys to get in. None of the doors are keyed the same & for the 2nd time living here I am thankful for that.

My fearless Hailey who normally runs down the stairs with me, is watching from the top. Good girl, way to protect your human. So I open my door & crack the outer door. The Conspiracy Theorist asks to use my phone, he invited a "friend" over but doesn't like him anymore & wants to call the police to have him removed. I told him to tell me his name & I would call the police for him. I shut the doors, lock myself back in & come up to call the police. I don't dial 911, I call the main dispatch number. This is how the conversation went:

Police: Hardyston Dispatch, what's the nature of your call?
Me: Hi, My name is Elizabeth, I live in Carlton Village, in the Stockholm building. My neighbor has a friend over but wants him to leave & he won't. He wanted to use my phone to call you but I'm not comfortable with him or him coming into my apartment so I'm calling for him.
Police: What's your neighbor's name?
Me: John ********
Police: Yeah, I can understand you not being comfortable, we will send someone over.
Me: Thank you, my apartment is 5N if the office needs to speak with me.
Police: Thanks for calling.

Now, the police arrived rather quick for a non 911 call. In the 5 minutes it took for the to get there, the Conspiracy Theorist rang my doorbell again. I told him that I called & they were on their way. Mind you, if there was an emergency, no question, I would call. But the Conspiracy Theorist needs to get better friends or his own phone to handle that crap.

I happened to walk Hailey, like 2 hours later, in the rain & the police were still here, 2 cop cars. I saw the "friend". He looked dirty & ragged & had a push cart filled with stuff & a pile on the ground. I can only imagine how much beer he offered the Conspiracy Theorist for a place to stay & it wasn't enough so they got into a fight. All of us in the building know the Conspiracy Theorist either stays up all night drinking or starts very early in the morning or just never sobers up. In any event, he always reeks of beer.

If you want to come visit sometime, I can pretty much guarantee you will see something!!!

Elizabeth

SHU

Back when I changed my life around, I moved out of my condo & in with a guy I knew from my old gym. It was strictly platonic. He knew I was not in a good place & offered for me to move in & share his house with him. Ok, seems like a nice enough guy, I said yes. I lasted 2 months, to the day. Between coming home & finding him drunk & blubbering to his psycho pink haired girlfriend who tried to start trouble, it was a lot more than I could handle. Living there forced me to find my current apartment.

I live at Wits End. Literally, can't make this shit up. When I was turning my utilities on, I'd give my address & there would always be a hesitation. Then I would say "that's really my street name" & the person would laugh. Because it's funny, really funny. Jay & I were joking around talking about where I live & we've coined it the SHU Now, if you watch any of the TV shows about being incarcerated, they always show you the inmates who live in the Special Housing Unit or SHU. The SHU buildings tend to have names. My building has a name. I live in the Stockholm House. All the buildings are named for NJ towns. So I now live in the SHU at Wits End.

At the SHU, there are some "fun" characters. There is the "thug" who walks everywhere. My neighbors Jen & Buzz do not find his musical choices appropriate. See the "thug" listens to some racially explicit music & feels the need to sing (out loud) & get down as he's walking. I had to point out that he never seems to have headphones in as he's walking & singing. The "thug" has a kind heart though. One of the girls that also lives in the SHU was playing in the pool one day, fully clothed. She doesn't know how to swim & "thug" offered to teach her. He kept telling her to "surface your legs, you gotta surface your legs, that's how you swim, you surface your legs". I'm thankful there is a lifeguard on duty.

Another fun guy is my neighbor. His name in John but I affectionately refer to him as the conspiracy theorist. He believes the FBI is out to get him. My other neighbor, Linda, said John is harmless, she lets him in to use her phone all the time. She said he served time in federal prison 20 years ago but he's harmless. Yeah, um aren't all people who serve federal prison time harmless? He would frequently go to my other neighbors slider, a young couple with a baby, & constantly ask to use their phone or phone chargers. They finally had to tell him to stop. He's asked for my neighbor Jen to toss him a couple of beers, he's asked both Jay & I for cigarettes. He even asked if he could come up & use my phone. I told him no, I was down walking Hailey because Jay & I were going out. I told him he could use my cell to make a call then. He's a big drinker. Borrows money from who ever he can. Hitch hikes to get around. I don't make eye contact with him. He freaks me out. He sits in the dark on his deck & smokes. When I walk Hailey at night I usually know he is there because I can smell the smoke. When we come back all I ever see is the red embers of the lit cigarette in the dark. Freaky. Total Alfred Hitchcock/Rear Window. I'm hoping to get a picture of him but it's going to have to be done extremely covertly. I don't want to do anything to set him off, you know?

Then there is "baby momma". I'm taking name suggestions for her. She's very bitter & gross, has the worst tattoos all over. I guess her baby daddy left her just before she gave birth. She doesn't hang around the best citizens, her one friend is a junkie. Nice to bring that around a baby. Baby Momma got in my face one day. This is how it went down:

Scene: Baby Momma putting her baby in her car, me walking Hailey

BM: Um, do you think you could pick up your dog poop & stop leaving it under my stairs? Also, stop throwing garbage on my porch It's gross & I have a baby.

Me: The next time you decide to accuse someone of something you better get your facts straight. I pick up after my dog (waving blue poo bags at her) and I don't know who is throwing garbage on your deck.

BM: (Getting a little nicer) Well it's gross & unsanitary.

Me: Call management to handle it, her name is Patty.

BM: It's gross & smells & I don't appreciate it.

Me: Call management, her name is Patty. Do you really want to have altercations with the people you have to share space with? Just call management.

End Scene.

I do have a picture of her. Her outfit that day was more loose than normal. She isn't a small girl & doesn't really dress appropriately. It's hard not to gasp sometimes. Again, remember I'm taking name suggestions for her!!!! The winner gets to come by & meet all the neighbors in person!!!

Welcome to the SHU at Wits End!! Feel free to stop by anytime!!!

Elizabeth