Monday, April 25, 2011

What's Happening

As we come out the other side of the second flu 'wave' and other assorted crud, and still struggle with various drug back-orders, the pharmacy biz goes on. I've been a little more preoccupied lately with the lives of my co-workers, instead of the customers (for once.)

One of them recently experienced a personal tragedy and left everyone struggling to maintain normalcy. It's one of those things where being crazy busy can actually be a good thing. Anyways, at the end of the day I was again filled with admiration for the people who deal with these things on a daily basis --- the physicians, nurses, clergy and funeral home staff who are unfailingly professional and compassionate and know just what to do when everyone else is at their worst. Hats off to them.

Okay, so the gas prices are really high. I see on the news that people are 'angry' --- well, if they are angry at the oil companies raking in billions in profits, then I get that. But c'mon folks, we've been through this before and the solutions are usually the same. I know there are businesses that are hurt by high fuel prices, but again I am looking at the people around me who drive to work in Suburbia USA in a Ford F-150. Sorry, I don't want to hear what it cost you to fill up.

I'm also a little weary of co-workers who are in continuous drama because of a spouse who can't find a job. Now PLEASE understand I'm talking ONLY about my own metropolitan area here, which is not as depressed as many others in the country. There actually are 'Now Hiring' signs, and they're not real hard to find. If I found myself unemployed, I'm one of those people who would be out there filling out applications wherever I saw those signs. Chances are it's not going to be a dream job, but it's income while I wait for a better opportunity. I feel bad for a couple of my co-workers whose spouses, I suspect, just don't want to work. It's a tremendous strain on them. I don't think I could handle it for very long.

And finally, just an aside -- I went to pick up some glasses the other day. At the counter next to me, a little girl about 5 years old was being fitted with new glasses and from what I could tell, her first pair. The technician was explaining the fit, asking her if she could see better, and explaining how she might need a little time to get used to them, etc. The mom was standing behind her.... listening? encouraging? complimenting?. No. Mom was texting on her phone the entire. freakkin. time. Didn't look up once. Do you think they'd have called Security if I walked over and slapped her?

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Perhaps it is my age, but I have a bug up my ass about cell phones and televisions following everyone everywhere. I understand that cell phones are good in an emergency, but I don't get people needing to have instant communication for the hell of it every second of the day. While they are "connecting" with someone who is not even there, they are disconnected with those who ARE right there.

Grumpy, M.D. said...

As always, Frantic, you do some good writing.

Anonymous said...

Re: Unemployed Spouses
They are going to need constant motivation. They have been told "No" so many times that it has probably gotten to them. They are also facing all sorts of biases in the hiring process. Even being unemployed for 6+ months is marked against them. Maybe visiting a career counselor can help.

SeaSideRobin said...

Just think, in history they'll look back at the plague of telecommunications devices in the 2000s and 2010s. What do you think they'll name it?

Ray Fisher said...

I'm guessing that they wouldn't have called security... perhaps texted them though? LOL