Sorry, I just gotta vent. The last two months...

[Guaranteed]

Jesus.

It all started about two months ago when I broke my leg. I only briefly mentioned it here in the Lounge, don't know how many of you remember it. Anyway, that meant three weeks being couch-ridden and another three being nearly so. No insurance. Cost my girlfriend and I about $600.00. Not easy when I'm unemployed and in school. And my leg still hurts. Oh, we thought we'd paid it a month ago. Turns out, we actually didn't! $450.00 still due. Yay!

In the meantime, stress started piling up because I had to find an internship. Sending out tons of resumes, trying to find a gig as a paralegal. Interviewing with crutches. Finally got one, paying zero dollars an hour, a couple weeks ago (to be fair, it's working in legal aid, which truly is where I wanted to be- I'm actually thankful).

Taking four classes. Two very important tests, and then four MASSIVE projects in the last two weeks. I've finished three at this point, the last being due Tuesday morning. These have been eating up practically all of my time.

Then, last week my car broke down. The temperature gauge pinned on hot. Trying to make it to a mechanic, it started smoking from under the hood and the tailpipe on the freeway and stalled totally as I got off the offramp. Dead as a doornail. Tow truck. Mechanic thought it might just be a cracked head, but he had to take it down. Oh, no, it was a piston. Ruined, and the cylinder wall was scored. Bye-bye engine. Bye-bye car. I bid it adieu this morning at the mechanic. That was *sad.* Hey, only cost me 360 some-odd dollars, even though I left without a car. Guess it could have been worse! But now we have to buy a new car! NEW car. Wanted a Prius, but we fell a few months short in saving up. Now we get a Hyundai. Gotta figure how I'm gonna haggle with this salesman.

My girlfriends cats have been shitting, pissing and puking all over the house. A few months ago we got them a top-of-the-line couple-hundred dollar automatic litter box. But apparently my emptying it every other day just isn't good enough for the female felines in the house, so they go in the corners. My girlfriend blames this on me. My two boys aren't having any problems, though. Funny.

I've got my summer tuition coming up. ANOTHER $360. Remember, I don't have a job. Apparently my girlfriend's mother has been hassling her about me, too, because she's been paying for everything.

The house is a mess and my sister and mother are coming from California to visit in two weeks. Internship starts June 6th. I need new clothes.

I think my teeth are deteriorating. I had quit smoking, but then I started up again because of all this shit.

Oh, yeah, and the Bush Administration and this country are just getting worse. Nuclear option, unreported memos, John Bolton, 250 dead in Iraq.

And I've been so unhappy that I don't think I've been treating my girlfriend as well as I should be. She's unhappy when I'm unhappy. I checked the oil in her car this morning, and it was 2 1/2!!! quarts down. 3 3/4 quart engine. I was pretty angry with her about it.

I'm gaining weight, too, partially due to my leg being messed up.

God DAMN. Things have just been so bad. Driving home this morning I started getting this bad feeling that something really HORRIBLE was going to happen, too. All of this has at least been dealable, but it's got to lighten up at some point.

Alright. Thanks for listening.

[RandomKoolzip]

1. My advice:

Now is the time to start doing LOTS of heroin.

[Guaranteed]

7. That would be the smart thing to do,

if I could afford it. :P

[Bouncy Ball]

9. Well instead of spending $360 on tuition you

could just shoot it into your veins?

RKZ is always helpful, his advice is the best!

;-)

[Guaranteed]

33. You know, there's always armed robbery.

:P

j/k Agent Mike, seriously.

[Willy Lee]

2. Maybe something fantastic will happen?

I sure hope so. I ain't religous or anything, but I do believe the Great Trickster never throws something in our path that we can't handle. Really. You'll do OK!!!

And I truly hope there is something absolutely amazing for you right around the corner...

[Guaranteed]

8. That's the other possibility.

I should seriously go buy a lottery ticket. This shit's gotta balance out.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Sorry for the hardships

Wish you lived here.. I could easily help you find a good paying internship here...in fact...you might wanna post that request...I know there are a couple lawyers here on Du that worked for HUGE firms...unless you wanna just let that part be.

Anyway..sorry about all the difficulties. :hug:

[Guaranteed]

10. Thanks!

We're actually hoping to move back to CA sometime in the near future if my girlfriend can get transferred to San Diego.

Thanks, NSMA.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. If that happens, do let me know

Given what I know about your intellect, I'd be happy to help you get some interviews...the rest is up to you :D

[Guaranteed]

44. Way ahead of ya.

Actually thought of you months ago. ;)

[Bouncy Ball]

4. Holy shit.

That IS a lot to deal with. Damn, you need a karmic break and fast.

:hug:

Wish there was more I could do, seriously. You're a great guy and I've always liked reading your posts. You deserve better than this.

Let's see, the cats. I really don't know what to do about that, BUT there are a lot of really experienced cat people here who will probably help you.

(The puking, though, even my well litter trained cat pukes in various places, I think it's part of the territory.)

Take a media blackout. You've got enough on your plate without worrying about all that other stuff.

I feel you on the tuition, it's a killer. Graduate school tuition in Texas is apparently, by new state law, 1 1/2 times the rate of undergrad tuition. Yay!

Are you working on a bachelors?

Check your PM.

Oh and hey when things get REALLY stressful and piled up like that for me, I cut out ALL unnecessary bullshit and just focus on survival until things get better. I focus on getting enough sleep, taking a multivitamin if I have it, just simple things, anything I can do just to make it day to day.

[Guaranteed]

16. LOL I've been drinking, too, more than I should be.

I've been up since 5PM yesterday. Actually drinking a rum and Coke now, gonna get to sleep soon.

"Gandhi" is waiting for me in the DVD player when I finally get around to going to bed.

[Bouncy Ball]

18. No, no, no, no, don't watch that!

Watch something funny, something fluffy.

And try to curb the drinking, throw that money in a tuition fund!

:hug:

[redqueen]

5. Awww, man... I'm so sorry...

glad your health is basically ok... but man alive that's a lot of BS.

Why a NEW car? I think the pretty-much-new ones people trade in are a much better deal. I bought my car new and it's the last time I'll ever do that.

As for the cats... man do I hear you. Have you told her about the cat training thingy to get them to use the bathroom? I mean... that would suck if your fancy schmancy cat litter box became obsolete... but anything would be better than that smell. :(

Hope all this crap is leading up to something good... sounds like you could really use it.

:pals:

[Bouncy Ball]

6. You gave me two ideas:

1. Can you do SOMETHING with the old car with the busted engine? Get anything out of it?

2. Try putting out the old-fashioned kind of litter box, too. They might just be freaked out by the new kind. In fact, I bet that's it.

[redqueen]

12. ALL HAIL REDQUEEN.

I AM THE IDEA GIVER!

WORSHIP ME!

[Bouncy Ball]

15. YAY!!! I BOW TO YOUR SUPERIOR IDEA-GIVING SKILLS!

:applause:

[Guaranteed]

25. You're always very sharp.

One of the sharpest here.

You, underpants and jpgray. :)

[redqueen]

35. Oh, go on...

:blush:

But seriously... would you like to join my new religion?

I have to come up with a snappy name for it... I'm going to firm up the details this weekend.

[Guaranteed]

23. Well, we've looked at used ones.

The Hyundais we're looking at are under 10 grand. 10 year/100,000 powertrain warranty, too. Basically, we're just looking to make an investment and try to get as many miles out of it as we can. Gonna have to teach my girlfriend to drive a stick, though.

Should be fun. :) I remember when I learned....

[redqueen]

40. Oh yeah...

I forgot about those awesome warranties.

hehehe... have fun listening to her grinding those gears!

[Shell Beau]

11. When it rains, it pours. You'll get

through it. Everything will work out. In the mean time, try to be happy about what is good in your life, hopefully that will outweigh the bad. O8)

[Guaranteed]

28. Yeah, I'm trying my best to look at the bright side, here.

It doesn't do any good to get bogged down in this shit. And, like I said, when I'm feeling this shitty it transfers over to my S.O., and she gets depressed, too. That's the worst.

[Heidi]

14. How about this . . .

The weekend starts this evening. How about if all of us who care about BullGooseLoony, and others in similar situations, light one little candle and send some light his way this weekend? I've been there, and others did the same for me. Can't hurt, can it?

[Bouncy Ball]

17. Hey that's a spectacular idea.

I'll do it!

Sending BGL goooood vibes!

[Heidi]

19. I'm set up.

Just bought 12 new 10-inch, cream-colored tapers last week and haven't burned one yet. I'll throw in some lotus incense for good measure.

Who else is in?

[Bouncy Ball]

21. Should I start a new thread?

"Light a candle for BullGooseLooney"

[Heidi]

24. Go for it. (nt)

[redqueen]

22. I'm in!

It'll have to wait a few more hours, but I'm in. :)

[Heidi]

26. Excellent.

A few hours don't matter. We've got all weekend to send BGL some light.

[Guaranteed]

36. LOL

Alright, send pictures. :)

[Heidi]

52. Stop LOL'ing!

I've got a vibe thing going for you, a candle is burning and the room is thick with the smoke of lotus incense. Your LOL'ing is ruining the vibe. :rofl:

[Bouncy Ball]

29. BullGooseLooney almost infected me with his mojo just now.

I'm working out of my house today so I just went to get a candle and a lighter and I found our long lighter, but it was out of fuel so I looked in a kitchen drawer and found something that reminded me of something sad I had forgotten about, then I felt really sad, but then I found another lighter and found a candle, but that lighter wouldn't work and finally I found a third one and lit it but I was getting a bit worried for a second.

Chanting for BGL now.

[Guaranteed]

37. Man, the shit spreads.

I'm sorry folks. :)

[Bouncy Ball]

38. LOL that's ok!

I'm not sad anymore, so it's all good! I have TWO candles lit up for you. One won't stay lit, though. I think it's the bad mojo of your girlfriend's cats!

[Guaranteed]

31. LOL with my luck someone would burn down their house.

:P

Nah, you guys don't have to do that. I'll be heading to bed soon anyway. Couldn't enjoy it.

Preciate the thought, though. Thanks :hug:

[Bouncy Ball]

32. Too late.

[Bouncy Ball]

34. ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x3246231

[NorthernSpy]

20. that all sucks

For your teeth, have you tried chewing sugarless gum? Since your teeth rely on minerals in saliva to keep their enamel in good repair, they can deteriorate due to dry mouth (which smoking causes, and which can be ameliorated somewhat by chewing something). Also, gum that is sweetened with polyols (such as xylitol) can prevent decay-causing bacteria from metabolizing any sugars that are in your mouth (thus raising the ph of your mouth and slowing the demineralization of your teeth).

I know that this addresses only one of your current difficulties. Might help a little bit even so?

[Guaranteed]

39. My S.O., internship and teeth are probably

the three most important things here.

Not sure which order they go in, though. :P

Thanks for the tip.

Been using that Soniccare ($70 at Walgreens). Girlfriend's getting her roots planed soon, too. Had to get that.

[crispini]

27. Well, here's a hug:

:hug:

[Guaranteed]

41. Thanks

:hug: :)

[flvegan]

30. I can at least help with the cat issue...

You need more than 1 snazzy litterbox. You have 4 cats I see. You should have at least 2 litterboxes (they don't both have to be snazzy). They tend to do that if they don't have either 1. enough clean litter, or 2. privacy of some sort.

If you lived in Florida (I know, it'd be even worse) I could definitely hook you up on the paralegal front. Our firm can use a good mind, and the big boss is a big dem.

Sorry 'bout the rest. Waaaaay too much to deal with.

It could be worse, though. You have a good girl by your side, your health (mostly), etc. Nothing horrible is going to happen. It's time for the upswing.

[Guaranteed]

42. Yeah, I think it's that the girls hate the boys so much

(they're constantly hissing at and fighting with them when the boys want to play) that they have trouble going in the same box with them.

[uppityperson]

43. Get a mullett, everytime you look in a mirror you'll laugh

That always does it for me. (mommy why did you shave your head/dye your hair bright red? so I can laugh whenever I see my reflection sweety)

[Guaranteed]

45. ROFL that's an awesome idea

Oh, did I mention my hairline's starting to recede? I'm turning 26 at the end of this month.

I look older though, now, at least. When I'm not wearing a hat they don't card me anymore.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

46. Multiple cats often like multiple litter boxes

You probably need more than one. The boys may be scaring the girls away from "their" box, or the girls are just fussy and don't want to share.

Here's some advice about multiple cat needs from Tidy Cats:
http://tidycats.com/GetPage.aspx?ContentID=113&MenuItemID=51&COID=32

I'm really sorry you've been dealt such a bad hand lately. I know how that goes. Today I got some really good news for the first time in months and months of illness, debt and and other badness. So when I'm done with the good luck, I'll pass it on to you. :hi:

[davsand]

47. George came thru?

Good for you-- and glad to hear it! It may not pay, but he's worth it, IMO.

As for the cats, yep, multiple litter boxes would be my first suggestion, plus, I'd put foil down in the corners where the kitties are peeing. They dislike the feel of foil...

I do want to urge you to see if they are peeing blood or anything--usually a cat is pretty good about using the box unless it is either a stress thing with other cats or else a bladder infection. If they are whimpering when they go or the pee looks dark you might want to consider a trip to the vet.

On a brighter note, however, I think it is probably a social thing because usually it is a male cat that will develop urinary tract issues first.

As for the car thing, the best I can offer is that learning to drive a stick is a lot easier here in the flatlands than it would be out in the Bay Area with all those hills. If you don't want the stress of having to learn from the girlfriend, come see me. I learned to drive on a stick. We'll learn the way I did--stoked to the gills with a six-pack on the seat next to us!

:evilgrin:

Things will get better very soon--I just bet you!


Laura

[Guaranteed]

49. Yes he did.

:D

I'm excited.

[GreenPartyVoter]

48. Dang, buddy! *hugs* I am gaining weight too. This admin

stresses me the heck out!

Hope that your life starts heading back up hill again really soon!

*hugs*

[fudge stripe cookays]

50. The other DUers....

Have given you some good hints etc for kitty matters and whatnot.

Until you can get the litterbox situation shored up, try some of this stuff from the pet store.

It's calld "Simple Solution", and it has special enzymes in it to help combat that piquant aroma of cat piss that we all know and love.

Our Oreo got sick about 2 years ago and wouldn't move out from under my desk. She couldn't make it to the litterbox either, so everything ended up under there.

SS does more to combat odor and stains than anything else I've found. Good luck to you. Hope things get better!

:hi: FSC

[Wilber_Stool]

51. Ladies and gentlemen, take my advice,

pull down your pants and slide on the ice