Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | May 01, 1999 02:05am | #1

   *
   The trick is to pay the money AFTER the work.

   You must have a lot of faith in mankind to loan $1,500.00 to a drunk.

   By the way, could I borrow a few hundred dollars?

1. 
   Guest_ | May 01, 1999 02:11am | #2

   *Nope, but it makes a good story. Also, I am currently at .15 per pound to move rock. Have more rocks, if I get more time, each pound costs less. More seriously, have seen guys my age go out an try and work like a twenty-something. They have ruined backs, knees, etc. Figured mine were worth at least this much. So, I went for the story.More next week.Dennis

1. 
   Guest_ | May 01, 1999 02:49am | #3

   *Reminds me of a guy I was stationed with in the Army a few years (decades?) back. About 5am one Saturday, there was a knock on the door. My roommate got up and answered the door, and found this nutcase standing there in his uniform. (He wore it24 hours a day) He asked my roommate if he could borrow the small pair of vise-grips he kept in his desk drawer. My roommate produced the vise-grips, and handed them to the guy without asking him what he wanted them for. The guy adjusted the pliers, clamped them on one of his teeth, and snapped it off right there in front of us. Once we recovered from the shock, we asked the guy why he had done that. He said that a dentist had installed a cap on that tooth a few years before. He thought the dentist had installed a transmitter in that tooth, and was tracking him. He didn't want the dentist to track him any longer, so he broke off the tooth.

1. 
   Guest_ | May 01, 1999 03:18am | #4

   *Where's the surprise. This is how most people view most contractors, service people, etc. While they don't see it in their own work (or at least not to the degree you saw), how many times have you had someone tell you they'll be there "next week" and not show, or show a week late. And they always have an excuse, as if that makes it all different.I've been listening to excuses from guys I've been paying for years. When someone actually does something, and makes no excuses, I make him a vice president. It doesn't happen often.SHG

1. 
   Guest_ | May 01, 1999 08:18am | #5

   *Classic schizophrenia delusion. When i was an MRI tech (one of many former lives) at a psych hospital, we had to clear each patient of metal, especially things like aneurysm clips and pacemakers that the machine could destroy. Dozens of times patients asked if the radio in their head would be a problem; we assured them that it was not.At least this a chemical problem that can be treated unlike, say, Jerry Springer.BTW, many antisocial schizophrenics are drawn to the Post Office -- many hours of working alone, undisturbed. Soemtimes this leads to disturbing results.

2. 
   Guest_ | May 01, 1999 02:55pm | #6

   *Schizophrenia and substance abuse are diseases. It's especially hard for a small business person to absorb or carry the expense of someone else's disease.Some of them you encourage and help to find a cure. They're good people and sometimes highly skilled and productive when they're straight. Sometimes that doesn't work out and you ask them to move on. Some of them clearly are beyond help or are too much of a danger to themselves or others to take a chance on.Managing the workforce is part of the package. I got tired of it 15 years ago, sold the business & equipment and got into other things. Sometimes I think that was a good move. Sometimes I miss the 'old days.'

3. 
   Guest_ | May 02, 1999 04:13am | #7

   *What do you mean "WE"?

4. 
   Guest_ | May 02, 1999 04:39am | #8

   *Dennis,

   My congratulations, It's not often that someone in need of help finds it. I'm sure it will work out just fine for both of you.

   My Best. . .

   Joseph FuscoView Image

5. 
   Guest_ | May 03, 1999 01:22am | #9

   *hey, man, andrew, "...many hours working alone, undisturbed...disturbing results." you are describing my working conditions (and results) to a "t" ! - by, er, yb