While the above would not make a catchy (these days) title for a book, it does describe a recent experience I had. Some of you may have heard about the recent repair of the San Francisco Bay bridge that went Kuput? Wonders of wonders, no one was serious hurt (read, no real lawsuit). Yes I am being cynical these days. Seriously I am glad no one was hurt. I am also glad the politicos of Oakland and San Francisco are now finally listening to the Engineering crew when they said (during Labor Day Weekend) We need more time to fix the crack! There is no one article that states this little "spat" but was the gist of what I got from reading at the time of the discovery of the crack. Everyone is playing nice to the cammeras of course. Still that not what THIS blog is about.

Its about ME and MY experinece in related the the bridge being tied up. I had already had a twelve hour day at school and wanted to get home. Only to see signs saying Bay Bridge Close, seek alternate bridges. Well that does not do me any good simply because I do not have a row boat berth somewhere to row home. Even if I did, I would be dangerous with all the frieght ship travels around the waters where I live. A tiny tow boat would be a tossed leaf to those manmonth things. Plus, my arms would be tired two blocks out I am sure. Texting between my oldest son and I seem to confirm the worst. There was no way, no how back to the Island. Hotels in the City do not come cheap, those that are more affordable (noted not affordable, simply more affordable!) are in areas I would not frequent and certainly not park my car! Or go to sleep without worry of drug bust gone bad and bullets flying through the air etc. etc. (Did that once as a kid when my Parents thought they got a good deal at a hotel, only to find out just what kind of motel it was.... ).

Driving around the area of SF on a tank becoming empty and not helping the atmosphere, I drove to where I thought I might find my husband stranded. Only to find out he DID make it to the Island. I was relieved for him, but jelous. The bus was able to get through. That when it occured to me, if the bus can get to TI, then maybe they will also allow drivers from T.I. to get home too? It was not the first time I was grateful I have an updated I.D. / Driver's Licsense. You be surprise how many people don't bother, or simply can not get to DMV to get it done. I drove up to what was the on ramp from Labor Day, there stood a cop, and I nervous (always nervous around cops, that me, no reason, I am not guilty of anything, just the nerves around gun powered law thats all). I got out my DL when he started signing to me. I almost dropped my DL I was so surprised. He signed to me before I had a chance to inform him I could not hear. His skills were not native, but clear and ernest in wanting to communicate. He explained there was a long line and maybe in an hour CHP (California Highway Patrol) would escort us to T.I.). After some more driving around (no left turns and all that in San Francisco) I got myself situated to settle for the duration of the wait. The line inched forward for a bit as I am guessing some people left the line for parts unknown. Then suddenly after about an hour the line really began to move, and the cop who signed to me, all young and ernest was directing the traffic. I waved back at him with a big smile and he smile back with a wave also. That made the bad situation all the more tolerable. So for those of you in public service who take the time to learn signs, THANK YOU! You might not see us out there that offten, but trust me, when you do meet us, we don't forget your efforts! And he took what was a frighteing time for me and made it so much easier.

I got home, to the arms of my beloved.
Nancy Louise

In our Thursday newspaper section, in Dear Abby was an article about mental illness. I usually give it little notice, but not this time, and second because my husband quite literally stuck it under my nose and said, I really think you want to respond to this. Dear Abby.

WORKERS MUST SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE ABOUT DISRUPTIVE WOMAN

Is the title about a woman who is hearing voices while on the job. The boss response to complaining and uneasy co-workers is "Just be quiet and everything will be fine" is not what the co-workers need. Dear Abby also says that the woman is off her medication etc. To see the full article, please go to the link. Below is my sharp response.

Dear Abby in response to
"Our Co-worker hears voices in her head." San Francisco Chronicle and SFGate.com, Thursday October 22, 2009 edition

I am afraid your broad stroked answer may have caused more damage than good. You were right to say "Just Be Quiet" was not a good response. Someone does need to find out if the woman has some issues with her medication. She may not be off her medication, but need adjustment if the job has cause some additional stressful situations for her. Someone needs to be her friend on the job. Its not fair that the co-workers have been put into this position, and the boss is not doing the right thing to push it under the rug. So I would suggest Uneasy in Ohio be proactive and talk to the woman, maybe look up mental health services to see if there are any training workshops for how to deal with this on the job. At the same time, also make sure things stay safe for all concern even if the boss is not doing her job.  Is it more work? Yes, but in the end you could have a very grateful and diligent worker grateful for another chance. Mental Illness like any illness is a complicated disease and to say that someone is off their medication (and imply irresponsibility in the same breath) is to show your ignorance of the situation.

Nancy Louise

Need more soldiers and we have over crowded prisons....

There are not enough volunteers signing up to serve in the military right now.
There are too many people in jails right now...
hummm
What if some of the people now in Prison were given the opportunity to serve?

Those in Prison for non-violent crimes make up the majority of the people doing time. I have no idea of the ACLU would ever go with this, especially since the majority of prisoners are of color which is a real problem with society as well. Still, bear with me a bit.

We would have the Marines develop a special unit for those incoming. Why Marines? They have the toughest training, the longest boot camp, and know how to modify people regardless of backgrounds. This information comes from knowing a Marine. There is also the fact that those enrolled will get an education, the number one reason many are in Prison. Now, this is the deal.

1. Those who chose to serve will have to serve four tours minimum of service. When on break, they will be only allowed on base and not out running around. After three tours they will get two things.
a. for those with exemplary service, their records wiped clean and they can start fresh once they finish their service.
b. for those who served, they have served their time and are allowed to go free.
c. Psychological services are also provided and much needed, which would also give them changes in social behaviors for after they leave.
d. They will not be "getting off easy" because they are putting their life on the line to redeem themselves.

Why I think this might work is that it would be a choice they make, it would be conditional on their behavior. They would get structure, education, and a method of support when they leave. They would gain a "family" that not a gang or "the hood". For those that wiped out of Marines, they would go back to Prison to serve the rest of their time. I am guessing most would do anything to keep their butts in line to become free.

Comments??
Nancy Louise

It is not just soldiers that have fought and died, but many American Civilians have too. I was surprised to find out the high number of people who have died or been injured as a results of serving as civilians in Iran or Afghanistan. T. Christian Miller has written an article highlighting at least one couple's experience with this and I highly recommend the reading. 

Perhaps a few of those who are under the age of twenty might still be alive. The United States of America, Canada, would still be here. The Federal of Latin America will be new, still crushing some of the old regimes left over from drug cartels. Union of European States will number about 63 and include even the Middle East. The World Population will be about 3 Billion after a series of sever earth quakes, tsunami  and resulting droughts through out Africa and much of the equator kill off much of humanity and animals. By united and conserving power, countries find way to survive and keep civilization going. Technology is green and is the only kind allowed. The Earth is slowly beginning to heal but till take several hundred years to return to 1980 levels. In the meantime, sunscreen is a must and is a part of everyone's daily diet like vitamines. Poverty of education has been largely eradicated because of the march of communicative technology. The human desire to learn out weigh the human desire for greed and power. Plus when so many were starving and thristy, it was hard to wage a war. Religion is still around, but no one dare says to fight in the name of their God or they will be killed on sight. Human bodies when dead are now bio mass and used for energy. Funerals are no more, and memorial services have gone digital instead. We are finally on the Moon, it was needed, as our world seemed to be dying at the time, and space was the only way we might survive. Now that we are out there, it seems a good idea to keep going.

Personal Property is still something people own, but no one really lives on their land anymore, its all given over to growing food and other resources. Most people now live in the cities and in skyscrapers. Others are hired like rangers to live on mobile stations that rove and keep track of the land to spot toxic build ups, trouble spots, and of course, illegal drug growth. The adverage human life span is now 135 years, male and female. People are given choices to have a normal life span (75 - 80 years) and children, or extended life span and mental capatity to continue to be a contributor until well into their late 120's in exchange for sterlization. There is an unbalance in more men chosing not to have children than women, but eventually it evens out. All Church, Temple, and other faiths decry this movment, but are unable to stop it. By the end of the century, the population has dropped to a more managable 2 billion people.

Violence is still going on, drugs are still sold, people still do stupid things, and war skirmishes still go on. Humanity continues to grow, and the Church, it still moves, grows, and waits. Thus was, my dream....

Nancy Louise