On Jun 10, 7:42*am, "J. Clarke" > wrote:


Here's my personal take on work vs freedom, a poem I wrote more
than 20 years ago. I was not an actual panhandler but lived a sort of
nomadic life at the time, hanging out in a poolroom and trying to get
by without working. It was easier then than it is now. When you're
the only bum hanging around, you're like a mascot, everybody takes
care of you. Once too many bums overtake an area it gets too
competitive. This poem is about that.

The Panhandler

Things used to be great back 12 years or more
I used to panhandle money - always made a great score
I had a really nice spot in a good part of town
All them generous neighbors used to spread the cash around

Then this thing called recession brought despair to my street
All these panhandling chislers moved in to compete
They were grubby and vulgar and such a disgrace
All them generous neighbors moved away from the place

So discouraged was I with the shuck and the jive
That I tossed in my cup for the old 'nine to five'
Now I work for a wage and the rest of that rot
While those cruds on the corner still stand in my spot

Maybe one day this country will set itself right
All them bums'll get jobs and sleep warm at night
Then at last I'll resign from this 'nine to five' thing******
And return to the corner - where once I was king

Tommy Joe

On Jun 10, 12:23*pm, Landon > wrote:
> On Thu, 9 Jun 2011 22:41:34 -0700 (PDT), Tommy Joe
>
>
>
> > wrote:
> >On Jun 10, 1:23*am, Omelet > wrote:
>
> >> Heh! *For a million bucks, I might be tempted, but not so sure I could
> >> keep it down.
>
> >> Your point is well made tho' since my last two jobs handed me a LOT of
> >> shit with no rewards.
>
> > * *You'll keep it down. *And according to the twilight zone aspect of
> >the situation, there are no strings to the arrangement. *You will not
> >get sick. *You will have no complications arising from the foul
> >ingestion. *I have another question along with the "Would you eat a
> >glass of shit for a million dollars?", and that is, "Would you be
> >willing to lose one leg below the knee for a million dollars?" *This
> >is a tougher decision, but again it must be said that there are no
> >strings attached, no medical complications down the road. *All it will
> >mean is that you will walk with a limp the rest of your life. *I'd
> >take that one in a heart beat. *Think about it - no pain - no
> >complications - *I'm telling you, you'd get used to it in no time.
> >There are plenty of one legged people around who aren't millionaires.
> >Might as well take the cash when you never know that tomorrow you
> >might be in an accident and lose you leg and never get a dime for it.
> >Hell, for enough money I might even sell my head, as long as I could
> >continue breathing out of my neck.
>
> >TJ
>
> So, this glass of human feces, in your "twilight zone" has no health
> effects at all. None. It then becomes a matter of desire for money.
>
> Since I live comfortably and really have no wants, then my answer
> would be no, I still would not consume something that tasted so
> disgusting that it would make anyone vomit.
>
> But then, you say it wouldn't make anyone vomit, so it must not taste
> like shit any more. Would it then taste like caviar? Maybe ground
> beef?
>
> Hahaa, I'm having fun with you. Some people would do almost anything
> for money. I'm not one.
>
> If you base others honesty on that only, you're misjudging a lot of
> honest people.
>
> I don't care if you drag a string of Hope Diamonds out of your ass,
> I'm not putting them in my mouth to gain ownership of them.


You are correct, your stance makes sense. But I was referring
only to people who really needed the money, or people who were working
at jobs they absolutely detested. I am saying that a one-shot literal
shit-eating spree beats the figurative 9 to 5 version any day of the
week. And I never said it would not make one want to puke, only that
most would be able to hold it down for enough money. I also said
there would be no health complications in the contract. I realize
there would be a line of applicants around the block or even around
the city, and people would be pushing and shoving to get a shot at the
deal. But of course I recognize that there are always exceptions to
all rules, and I was not including those who are already wealthy or
satisfied with their financial situation. I am not that narrow minded
that I would automatically judge each shit-eating refuser as being a
liar. Thank you,.

TJ

On Jun 10, 1:27*pm, "Storrmmee" > wrote:


> i would do some things for money others wouldn't, envolving my body in any
> way for money is not on the list, risking illness, loss of body parts or
> compromising my imune system is just not worth the money, Lee


Agreed, we all have our price. I would do anything that is
disgusting in a temporary way, such as eating a glass of human shit on
national tv. I would not jump off a building or risk uncertain
physical harm. I was referring more to a surgical removal with
absolutely no health complications down the road. It would not be
easy to give up that leg. But like I said the first time, one could
turn down the offer (as if such offers are made every day) - one could
turn down the offer and reject the cash, then the next day lose their
leg in an unrelated incident and have absolutely nothing to show for
it. They would not have a leg to stand on.

TJ

Tommy Joe wrote:
>Brooklyn1 wrote:
>
>> First you gotta have *what* to move like Halle Berry. lol
>
>Good looks are a dime a dozen. True ugliness is far harder to come
>by. I don't think Berry is all that good looking anyway. She kind of
>looks like a little boy.

If you think Halle Berry looks like a little boy then from now on
you're Father Faggot.

>I used to live in Hollywood. Believe me, a
>lot of those people do not measure up to their image in real life.

I used to live in Hollywood too, the CA Hollywood... there are just as
many plastic boobs in any other big city, probably more, just not so
flaunted.

You're new... most everyone here will tell you that I don't spend much
time looking above the neck... or below the midriff for that matter.
No normal brained person, man or woman, can say Halle Berry ain't got
nice tits. And she's got great back, and fantastic BJ lips, almost as
good as Maria Molina. I don't think Halle has pretty feet, and as far
as I know she has no body piercings... I abhor pierced nipples.

In article <c7718242-3b63-43e4-83a3-
>, says...
>
> On Jun 10, 7:44*am, sandi > wrote:
>
> > A few here, such as myself, use Xnews as a reader.
> > Take a look at the Windows clients here.http://www.newsreaders.com/win/clients.html
> > Outlook is NOT a proper newsreader.
>
>
> Thank you too, and to all who responded trying to help me with
> this. But I wasn't asking for help, only saying that I have grown
> accustomed to using google and for now it's good enough for me. Sorry
> for making you think otherwise. Even though I know little about
> technology, intuitively I suspect that downloading a lot of stuff onto
> ones computer may not be such a good idea.

Downloading is fine as long as the source is reliable. If you're
getting it off of bittorrent you're taking a bigger chance than if
you're downloading from Apple.com.

Tommy trolled some mo

>>> The way I look at it, people who work regular jobs are eating shit 9
>>> hours a day, 5 days a week.
>>
>> Sounds like you must have made some very bad vocational decisions, if you
>> have that opinion about holding a job.
>>
>> As for me, I *like* my job. I like my coworkers and I get to live in an
>> area of the country that I love, but above all that is the fact that the
>> work is *interesting* to me.
>>
>> Oh, but you were just trolling, weren't you? Never mind, then; carry on.
>>
> I'm not trolling, Bob. I'm in this single thread responding to others,
> not coming in fresh each time with my own original stories. If you love
> your job, that's good for you. Trouble is Bob, you seem to be a somewhat
> hostile person, so maybe you only think you love your job and are afraid
> that admitting you really hate it would send you into a tailspin from
> which you can never recover.

Oh, look, psychobabble! What a silly and unfounded twist you decided to
inject into the conversation!

It's pretty clear to see which of us has the more negative attitude. You
with your glass of shit, or me with my pretty-awesome job and happy life?


> If as many people loved their jobs as you intimate, you can bet there
> wouldn't be so many lotteries taking place all over the country. But if
> you're one of those rare birds who loves his job, good, more power to you.
> I just don't think you come close to representing the majority.

The entirety of what I wrote is quoted above. Please point out anywhere that
I implied that I represent the majority -- or implied *any* statistics about
job satisfaction within the general public.


Bob

Tommy Joe wrote:
>
> > Like the Terri Schiavo fiasco.
>
> > Excellent example...
>
> Yes, a good example.

Everyone agrees unanimously that it's a great example, even though it has
nothing to do with voluntary euthanasia. Shallow thinking.


--

Reply in group, but if emailing add one more
zero, and remove the last word.

everything has to do with food, as surely both Dr Jack
and Arness are now motionless food for many tiny things that crawl in
the earth. Even the living are food

On Jun 10, 9:32*pm, "J. Clarke" > wrote:

> Downloading is fine as long as the source is reliable. *If you're
> getting it off of bittorrent you're taking a bigger chance than if
> you're downloading from Apple.com.


I've had the same computer for 15 years. I can't do much with
it, but that's fine with me. I like not being able to click on every
single link someone puts up. It's selfish in a way, the way people do
that. I'm talking about the ones who do it all the time. It's like
giving someone a book once a week or whatever amount of time after
you've finished it and saying, "You've just got to read this." People
do that a lot nowadays on the internet. They think everything they're
seeing is brand new and must be seen by others. The fewer
recommendations the more likely they are to have some zing. So in an
odd way I'm almost grateful for my old computer that forces me to stay
on the slow road which in time might get one where they're going even
faster than the fast ones, because everyone's on the fast ones. It's
like when everyone takes the short cut, it's not a short cut anymore.
Anyway, thanks again, but I'm sticking with this computer as is till
it dies, unless I die first, which is a very real possibility.

TJ

On Jun 10, 10:40*pm, "Bob Terwilliger" >
wrote:

> >> Sounds like you must have made some very bad vocational decisions, if you
> >> have that opinion about holding a job.

> The entirety of what I wrote is quoted above. Please point out anywhere that
> I implied that I represent the majority -- or implied *any* statistics about
> job satisfaction within the general public.



Part of your entire message is pasted above your most recent
comment, also above. You intimate that if I have such a negative
opinion, I must have made some bad vocational decisions, as if to
imply that most people make good ones. My bad vocational decision was
giving in to work in the first place when I should have had more faith
and just went with the wind. For most people it's a trap. "I'll just
do this for a while and see what happens", they say. Well, what
happens is they wind up doing it the rest of their stinking miserable
lives. But like I said, even though I am a great cab driver, maybe
the best that ever lived, not a single accident in 33 years of driving
in L.A. and now in W-S North Carolina - even though I am really good
at what I do, the reality is I started with that job because not
working was getting to be a full-time chore and I needed to get a
legit job if I wanted to keep a roof over my head. So I turned to the
cab. For a while there was freedom. I worked 3 days a week and made
enough to get by, which is all I've ever wanted. But as things went
up and what I made went down I began to work 4 days, then 5, then 6 -
until finally I left LA and came here where 3 days was enough to get
me through. Then the same process repeated itself here over a 17
years span. However, I inherited a small sum of cash - but not small
to me - enough to last a year or more - and when I turn 65 I will be
able to collect age-related SSI payments along with food stamps and
medical benefits, and then I will not longer be a work slave and you
will hear no further complaints out of me on that topic.

TJ

On Jun 10, 10:50*pm, "Tom Del Rosso" >
wrote:
> Tommy Joe wrote:
>
> > > *Like the Terri Schiavo fiasco.
>
> > > Excellent example...
>
> > * * Yes, a good example.
>
> Everyone agrees unanimously that it's a great example, even though it has
> nothing to do with voluntary euthanasia. *Shallow thinking.



You quoted more than one person there. I was not involved
directly in the Schiavo discussion. I hopped in to make another point
about the Dr Death topic. I might have said, "Yes, a good example",
but that was not my main point. I believe at that time I drifted off
into something else. I am not an expert on the Schiavo case although
I remember it. I think using examples is a bad idea all the way
around. I fall victim to it sometimes, stupid me. But I'm not the
person who brought Schiavo into the discussion. Most thinking is
shallow anyway. I'm do tend at times to over-think, but mostly I'm
just a sort of intuitive genius whose most generous and truthful
concepts come straight from the soul and not from a corrupt brain bag.

TJ

On Jun 11, 4:07*am, DKjoy9 >
wrote:

> everything has to do with food, as surely both Dr Jack
> and Arness are now motionless food for many tiny things that crawl in
> the earth. Even the living are food


I'll say thanks to that whether deserved or not.

TJ

On Jun 11, 8:56*pm, "Bob Terwilliger" >
wrote:

> Very odd (and incorrect) inference you made. I implied nothing whatsoever
> about the decisions -- good or bad -- made by most people. I will say this,
> though: It's a rare person who knows at an early age exactly what vocation
> he or she is best suited for (by talent and inclination).



I'm not saying you inferred anything on purpose, only that it
seemed inferred to me. Your final comment above confirms that, when
you say "it is a rare person who.............". But let's go even
further. A person might know what they're best suited for but lack
the guts to pursue it. I might fit that category, but let's not get
into that. I still say though that the vast majority of people hate
their jobs (because they're jobs, I suppose), and the proliferation of
lotteries over the past 3 decades or however long tend to verify
that. That's the American Dream - hitting the lottery or getting
lucky enough to successfully sue someone. But I'm glad you like your
job and I hold no bitterness toward you, nor do I envy your position.
I'm just saying I'm not alone in hating my job. Truth is, I hate all
jobs. Even if I were told I could do what I absolutely love for a
living, it would not be long before I would turn it into a chore. I'm
not saying I'm a writer, but let's use that as a quick example. If
someone said they'd pay me to write only what I like to write, that
would sound nice at the start. But the minute they say, "And we need
it by 8:30 tomorrow morning", that's when it becomes a job. Now, if
they paid me to lie in the sun by a 25 yard long swimming pool filled
with crystal clear water, I believe I could manage that without
turning it into a chore. But they don't pay for that.

TJ

On Jun 11, 9:21*pm, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:

> >You are truly an ugly person though, Mr. New Yawk Loudmouth,



> Lookit who's tawkin' loudmouths, you verbose little *******. LOL



I just get a kick out of putting down New Yorkers even though I
lived in Yonkers as a kid and my sister lives in the Bronx to this
day. There's just something humorously arrogant about them,
especially after they've left the city they claim so much to love.
It's funny. It's like those "I LOVE NEW YORK" bumper stickers that
one sees all over the country except for in New York itself. It's
like they go to L.A. just to wear Yankee baseball shirts, then when
they go back to New York they wear the Dodgers outfit. Rabble-rousing
Big Apple antagonizers youse guys.

TJ

On Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:28:23 -0400, Brooklyn1 wrote:

> I won't argue feminine allure with a sicko expert on faggot dick.

is there anyone here who talks about faggot dick more than you do? no,
there is not. sounds like an obsession, farm-boy.

blake

On Jun 12, 10:16*am, blake murphy > wrote:

> On Sat, 11 Jun 2011 14:28:23 -0400, Brooklyn1 wrote:

> > I won't argue feminine allure with a sicko expert on faggot dick.

> is there anyone here who talks about faggot dick more than you do? *no,
> there is not. *sounds like an obsession, farm-boy.


Farm Boy, LOL................. Regarding New Yorkers, I have
always referred to them as "concrete farmers". Not all of them, just
the ones whose families have lived a long time in the outer burroughs
and have developed really strong accents that reflect that long term
residence. They live in a big city but live in a small place. But
that's pretty much true in any big city - no matter how big the city
is, you can only stand in one place at one time. Anyway, lol to the
farm boy thing.

Big Boned BarnYarder from Bacon County,
TJ
TJ

Making it new to bring it to the front instead of being forced to
click up 25 posts at a time till I reach 200 plus or whatever is in
this thread. That's why I'm posting this, to make it new and bring it
to the front - in case you're wondering.

TJ

response..........test..............thank you

TJ

............