I so so so would like to...'s topics - tribe.net

....blow up that car

AverageAmerican — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:52:02 GMT

driving down the street blaring his Polka music.

posted in I so so so would like to... - 2 replies

..know where the hell Marie is

pokalope — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:32:48 GMT

Why o' why have you forsaken us Marie?

where o' where
has sweet Marie gone
Where o' where can she be?

posted in I so so so would like to... - 8 replies

Say Thanks

AfricaPaul — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:03:18 GMT

You guys are the greatest! I love it here and plan to stay. Hard to believe its been three years since I dragged my ass back from Chad and to my first meeting....then it was 90? or 110 in 90 and back to Chad. Without all of you I wouldn't have made it through there, and you are still here keeping me centered when I get off the beam a bit. Glad I have someplace to hang my oversized hat! Take care and thanks again. This program is the greatest!

posted in I so so so would like to... - 2 replies

Invite everyone to tune into Nat Geo Monday night at 9pm EDT...

AfricaPaul — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:13:49 GMT

my film is on...best part is I got the opportunity to do this through someone in the program...promises? Maybe...just really a great experience for me...sad at times of course-its not a pretty story for my character....but there is also the success of those who escaped and trying to portray the best parts of a person I never knew....

posted in I so so so would like to... - 0 replies

More on "the move"

AfricaPaul — Tue, 06 May 2008 05:16:08 GMT

So I jumped at the chance to join another school when the opportunity came....

I was tired of the 45 minute commute, sometimes an hour through African traffic jams and even though it was a bit less money than I had been offered, the chance to be close to work (one mile) and to expand my horizons careerwise were enough to get me to leap before I looked.

Where I landed was in the middle of a dysfunctional alcoholic's worldview where up is down, down is up, and if you question anything you are branded as a "troubemaker".....

Without the folks in AA there...one of my imaginary friends Anjali and a few others in Kampala I'm not sure I would have survived with any of my dignity intact. My part of this is unrealistic expectations...the rest is just getting out of a bad situation and starting out fresh.

Having tried my best to manage the professional difficulties and humble myself as much as possible to try and aviod confrontation when necessary was not easy, but I did it to try and make things work and to evaluate whether things were really the way I saw them. As the year progessed I found myself physically ill from the stress of dealing with such unreasonable people and the pressure to just go along when I wanted to stand up and say what was right. After my trip to London and reassurance from the best doctors that my problem although acute was not life-threatening, I decided that I had to stand up and take my lumps right or wrong and live with the consequences.

Add to this the fact that our dog Cookie, who has been with us since 2000, was diagnosed with bone cancer, and despite my objections, had her leg amputated at the local veterinary college. They did a fair job, but I knew in a house with tile floors and steps throughout that her quality of life would be greatly diminished. We had to put her to sleep on New Year's Eve day. It broke both of our hearts, but the disagreement over what should be done was a constant reminder of how from my point of view things were not getting any better in the current situation.

Meanwhile, the problems at work would subside and then build up again. Classic drama in an alcoholic play. Deflection of responsibility for failure, hostile meetings several times a week and not a chance in hell of the next right thing being done on behalf of the students or staff.

After my Mom's visit, and the trip to India for professional coursework there was one thing that could have kept me there to keep fighting the good fight...some of my students wanted to have a softball team, and having coached a team to the National Championship -ok a bit grandiose there were only four teams-ha ha- I thought it would be fun to coach the girls at the other school and help build their program. Once again, promises made-none kept, so I withdrew my offer of coaching a team (no place for them to practice because of a lack of effort, disingenuous discussions etc).

The final straw was receiving an email from the management rubbing my nose in their decision to require ties for all male staff when women can wear open toed shoes and sleeveless apparel to work. (its balls hot there with no AC in the classrooms). It had been a bone of contention all year when after I had signed my contract they announced the "dress code" at a meeting of staff in the first week. I told the director then, and put it in writing that this was a "dealbreaker." But it became a source of embarrassment for them because the few other males on staff, mostly Africans, went along with it without question. There were a host of other issues, but the primary one was the double-standard....and the fact that they were bullies. I hate bullies.

Part of my teaching assignment this year was "non-violent confrontation and protest." My classes learned about Ghandi, MLK, Solidarity, Chilean Resistance to Pinochet, Danish resistance to the Nazis etc. And yet I was supposed to sit quietly by as this gestapo group ran roughshod over the other staff and neglected the students.....?

I think they really didn't realize that I could and actually would quit. Most of the teachers there are new, away from home for the first time and inexperienced. He who knows nothing complains about nothing. But after I put in my letter of resignation....as a reply to their email, I gave them two weeks notice and planned to prepare my students for my departure.

I also wrote a five page memo to the school board and chairman (he owns the school and the board is just a rubber stamp) with 25 points documented over the course of the year regarding the negligence and unprofessionalism of the management. I gave it directly to the principal and agreed to meet the following day after he read it. The following day he and the one who sent the email were to meet me to discuss it. He started rambling on about how this was unprofessional blah blah, and I asked if he had read the memo. I was there to offer evidence regarding the 25 points and to plan for my exit. He said he hadn't read all of it....I excused myself as I had a class to teach. When I returned later in the day their tact changed and they said they couldn't replace me and that i had a duty to my students to stay. I told him I could no longer work under these conditions and that I was leaving. My decision was final.

That was on Wednesday. Nothing further happened that week. Monday I had scheduled my one of my classes to do a dramatic presentation for the school That morning I received a note that the director wanted to see me. He presented me with a letter from a lawyer threatening to haul me into a Ugandan court for damages of three months salary as per the contract if I left before giving three months notice. As the contract had already been voided due to the school's not providing some of the benefits specified in the contract I told him I had every right to break it, and by the way I have diplomatic immunity....and I'm leaving the country. At that point I told him my professional association with your school is over and I am leaving now. I packed my classroom stuff and left.

So that is the end of it. My wife was not happy with my decision. But, after the week ended she understood my point of view in a better way. Two other staff have since quit, one is leaving in a few weeks when her dental work is done, and several others who wanted to stay have been blackballed and (purged) from the school. I also received reports from some of my collegues that he spoke at length behind my back after I left to the staff and threatened to fire anyone who spoke about it. He also said it was because my wife and I are getting divorced (not the case) and other innacuracies about my situation.

I thought that was the end of it. When I got to the US one of my oldest and dearest collegues, who also happens to be one of my best references (we coached soccer together back in the 90's) is now an assistant principal who I will probably be working for in the fall. This guy had the audacity to write a scathing letter (very convenient absent of facts) about me to him and one of my other references. Both of them know me as someone who is very professional and great at what I do. He gave me a copy of it and then said he couldn't believe someone would stoop to that level.

"some are sicker than others....."

There but by the grace of God go I...

Maybe that's the scariest part of all of this. I could see myself in him...another 20 years drinking and I could be that old, bitter, gin sodden shell of a man who doesn't understand why people don't revere him like they used to....

So there it is...the short version-

Thanks for listening. Love you guys! And without this program I'd probably be drunk, a murderer, or worse...his best drinking buddy!

posted in I so so so would like to... - 7 replies

newbie

Marie — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:00:20 GMT

We have one. I hereby dare him to post!

posted in I so so so would like to... - 19 replies

...squeeze my wife's ex husbands balls until his eyes pop out!

Bendm — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:17:45 GMT

He and his new wife are so OCD and anal. Has anyone heard of celebrating a child's half birthday? What a bunch of yuppie shit... These kids already get enough from both sets of parents(excessively) to the point that I feel my wife tries to compete and keep up out of guilt. They have deeper pockets and buy their love, we give it. The boy hates the stepmom, says his dad never does anything with him, and disclosed that he has Christmas presents from '06 in his closet that he has never taken out of the box. I'm sickened!

posted in I so so so would like to... - 13 replies

.......be an arson

AverageAmerican — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:30:43 GMT

why is it?
is this the standard now?
DOES THIS HAPPEN TO EVERYONE?

what happened the last time you took your car to have it worked on?

sorry you forgot your vaseline?

posted in I so so so would like to... - 2 replies

(&(&#*# (^&#)$ (&#%$(& ^&_$

pokalope — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 21:19:28 GMT

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted in I so so so would like to... - 12 replies

....understand.

pokalope — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 20:37:32 GMT

Can someone please explain to me, why?

posted in I so so so would like to... - 8 replies

like to bring.....

AverageAmerican — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 19:29:47 GMT

whirled peas to everyone on the planet.

but alas, I cannot.

:(

posted in I so so so would like to... - 32 replies

find out what happend to ODAT

Marie — Fri, 04 May 2007 19:20:21 GMT

WTF happened to ODAT?

posted in I so so so would like to... - 18 replies

I am wondering...

Saul — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:29:24 GMT

Rember that kid that started " Pay It Forward, What ever happened to him and what positive things have you heard about " Pay It Forward"?

What other Ideas have you heard in this same genre?

posted in I so so so would like to... - 3 replies

say Thanks!

AfricaPaul — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 08:02:52 GMT

To my HP and all the wonderful people here who have helped keep me sober in far away places. You are all an inspiration to me and a great comfort whenever I get down and out. I look forward to meeting some of you in person someday. Perhaps in August when I'm home in the Bay Area for a while. Two years! Now I can start working on my other issues...at least the ones I can let go of.....someday.

posted in I so so so would like to... - 1 reply

For Bev...

Bendm — Wed, 16 May 2007 11:00:16 GMT

http://www.sfmuseum.org/hist10/rivera.html

posted in I so so so would like to... - 1 reply

....find Morty and get me one of them clickers,

Mon, 14 May 2007 14:30:02 GMT

and fast forward to a new room. This hallway is getting small.

posted in I so so so would like to... - 1 reply

move on

belles_slot — Sat, 03 Mar 2007 18:55:32 GMT

in my life. Fuck! For the past 6 years it's like I've been wandering around trying to figure out what this place is? It's as if I woke up to a world where my personality evaporated and I can't get "it". What gives? Any suggestions?

posted in I so so so would like to... - 10 replies

..like to drive my car off a cliff.

Wed, 29 Nov 2006 20:16:35 GMT

No, not with me in it. [at least not today]
the damn tranny is toast again. 96k miles and it is having itz third tranny installed.
and right at xmas time.

see, if i drove it off a cliff, i'd tell the Ins. Co. it was stolen and i could get bluebook.
not much but at least it would be something. heck, i'd apply those funds to my divorce lawyer.

~ i think i better re-think this....

posted in I so so so would like to... - 12 replies

...like to fly to Florida

Sat, 07 Apr 2007 18:24:10 GMT

and wrestle me a gator, amongst other things

posted in I so so so would like to... - 4 replies

....figure out women....

AfricaPaul — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 15:32:02 GMT

no wonder I'm crazy! Been a rough few weeks relationship-wise...

trying to keep my side of the street clean..

shit keeps blowing across the road....

nobody seems to see it but me....

glad I have a place to come and share it....

posted in I so so so would like to... - 8 replies

Wish you all a Happy Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanza, New Year, Eid or whatever!

AfricaPaul — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 12:45:22 GMT

Just wanted to mention that I hope you all have a great holiday season. I'm quite grateful you are all here. Even when I'm in a sh-- mood I can log in here from anywhere and get a lift to my day! Having a connection with all of you, as remote as it may be, is a great asset in my life and something I have always looked forward to as I have moved along in this adventure. 06' has been a year of change for me. Good change, I think...Just trying to figure out what I'm morphing into sometimes. In any case, thanks again for being my bedrock-you guys rule! (There was a topic here in between all of the gushing-CHANGE in 06')

posted in I so so so would like to... - 4 replies

hear how the fondue party went

Marie — Thu, 23 Nov 2006 18:02:15 GMT

so, are you married cheezy? what's her name, brie? details pls.

posted in I so so so would like to... - 2 replies

....mount

Wed, 22 Nov 2006 16:27:10 GMT

a cannon on the hood of my car and remove those found unworthy to travel our highways.

posted in I so so so would like to... - 6 replies

SCREAM.............

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:45:37 GMT

posted in I so so so would like to... - 1 reply

...like to know what time it is.

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 20:37:49 GMT

While proudly showing off his new apartment to friends late one night, the drunk led the way to his bedroom where there was a big brass gong.

"What's that big brass gong for?" one of the guests asked. "Why, that's the talking clock" the man replied. "How does it work?" "Watch", the man said, giving it an ear-shattering pound with a hammer.

Suddenly, someone on the other side of the wall screamed, "For fuck sake, you wanker, it's 2am in the fucking morning!!"

posted in I so so so would like to... - 7 replies

....extend the day

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 16:33:11 GMT

With all the things that have to get done in 24 hours, I am falling behind day after day. I think 36 hours would be good. I dont care if itz dark, that's why God invented lights. Oh, and this would also extend the weekends. Shall I start a petition?

Why was it thet in years gone by, much of the time was wasted doing nothing, maybe I should have been busier then as to be ahead of the tasks I face today.

posted in I so so so would like to... - 10 replies

not like to be Sid

NoMoHawk — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 08:47:55 GMT

cause then I would be dead dead dead and today I am ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!

posted in I so so so would like to... - 3 replies

Nipples

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 16:43:36 GMT

mine are piecred with large gauge bar-bells [i forget the gauge size] when itz cold outside i dont even feel the difference. strange uh?

oh, and itz sandys fault for starting this thread

posted in I so so so would like to... - 21 replies

at this campout...

Mon, 09 Oct 2006 05:03:38 GMT

the first night was a bitch session. anyone that offerd a solution was going to do the dishes for the remaing 2 nights. at first i was a bit surprised but as we whet on i discovered i wasnt alone. eveyone had stuff to complain about.

i would so so so like to have a place to dump. problem is, the fu(ken solution runs thru my brain constantly. my bitch sessions are short lived.

i guess bitching about this is ludicris.
SO WHAT! ITZ MY BITCH.

so there,

~gawd i love to whine and moan about things.

BAH!!!!!

posted in I so so so would like to... - 12 replies

finish something.

Marie — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 02:57:40 GMT

Anything.

posted in I so so so would like to... - 4 replies

be a sea otter

Marie — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 15:36:49 GMT

down at big sur, on my back, having a little meal of fresh clams.

posted in I so so so would like to... - 7 replies

get out of the rut

gypsydaze — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 06:37:23 GMT

i am being a sloth. i hate my hovel and am slowly painting w/out remanants laying around. idid walk 4 miles AFTER talking to maddie's dad for 1.5 hrs. on the phone. felt i had to not choose to. david keeps coming by, he did get 90 days, but i am still his life line, as it turns out, ron's. i am such a caretaker, compassionate ice queen.
i fought all week with systems, the vets, medicare, medical, the pharmacy. so sick of being sick and can't hold a job i dont want anyway.
i would love to do like line editing but am so far out of the education loop these days.
i need under the table money bad and i would come up to frisco. i would love to visit the hippie town of the dead. lot of good times there.
i feel mid age an lost. had that self pity conversation with ron, but he's a pill junkie thanks to the vets who don't seem to realize for 6 yrs. they have been scripting him like norcos, 4-6 a day. then he runs out mid month and drinks and benzos the rest. what a gd mess. ok, this was maddies venture to know her dad. now it's in my lap.
and tho i can never be with him his blood is my baby.

hey on a happy thought..saw the new scorcese movie, the departed. i really liked it. alot. for a change. also, little miss sunshine and half nelson are worth the money.

so how do we change it. we got the dont use shit down. we get the program and do our share. but when rubber meets the road, it is easy for me to lose the odat perspective.

alie, there are many days i don't get out of bed. so when will it pass, when i get off my ass. but i feel stuck. oh well.
love your dear.

posted in I so so so would like to... - 9 replies

...an Astronaut

NoMoHawk — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 03:49:18 GMT

Just think I could float above the earth soking up the beauty of earth and the stars and I would be healthy too.

I so so so would like to...'s topics - tribe.net

....blow up that car

..know where the hell Marie is

Say Thanks

Invite everyone to tune into Nat Geo Monday night at 9pm EDT...

More on "the move"

newbie

...squeeze my wife's ex husbands balls until his eyes pop out!

.......be an arson

(*&(&*#*# (*^&#)$* (&#%$(& ^&_$

....understand.

like to bring.....

find out what happend to ODAT

I am wondering...

say Thanks!

For Bev...

....find Morty and get me one of them clickers,

move on

..like to drive my car off a cliff.

...like to fly to Florida

....figure out women....

Wish you all a Happy Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanza, New Year, Eid or whatever!

hear how the fondue party went

....mount

SCREAM.............

...like to know what time it is.

....extend the day

not like to be Sid

Nipples

at this campout...

finish something.

be a sea otter

get out of the rut

...an Astronaut

I would so so like to

(&(&#*# (^&#)$ (&#%$(& ^&_$