Life Is Strange
Somebody I know became a signaler on the railroad. Some time ago he got very drunk after hearing that his father was in hospital. He was still drunk when he woke up the next morning but, having been in trouble about his bad attendance record, he went to work regardless.
I suppose he still smelled of alcohol because he was subjected to a breathalyser test and found to be under the influence of alcohol. He does not say so but it is possible that they had been watching him for a while because he has always been a bit heavy on the bottle.
After being fired, he appealed and managed to be re-instated on the grounds that he had been suffering from depression for years. He got away with being suspended without pay for two months but in addition he was demoted and his personnel file was marked as never to be employed as a signaler again.
Now he learned that the hearing of his case is public record and is posted on the Internet. All this, together with living alone, made him very bitter and at times he drowns himself in alcohol.
At times I feel very sorry for him but then other times, when I see his abrasive attitude to others, I feel he brought it onto himself.
It is not for me to judge him but am I wrong to feel this way?
Comments (59)
sometimes people make mistakes and find it hard to admit it to themselves which may be why they behave a certain way. Most people just need understanding and compassion. Hope your friend gets help.
Of course it is possible that he may be Pisces too. I don't know.
What a coincidence! My friend and I just talked on ping-pong emails about how strange life is. But he said life is not at all strange. It is how we see life itself that is strange. Hmm..
He is not a friend. It is just somebody I know. But it is still sad to see a man wasting his life away in bitterness.
PS
I have very bad connectivity at present - the deo facto standard lately - so my responses are a bit slow.
Indeed, you are right. And then we so often collaborate towards our own downfall. And then we want to take it out on those around us.
Thought he was a friend, sorry. Still hope he gets help!
PS yes that is the new normal for you
ye, can be dangerous combination, pisces and scorpio against scorpio.
nothing more deadly actually, but then scorpio has to sacrifice her intuitive part personality, otherwise pisces will mow her down like a trooper. and she knows it.
Now you have me more confused than ever. When I close my eyes I only see stars and no signs.
My connectivity lately is enough to drive any good Christian to cheap drinks and bad woman.
The internet is steps forward for so many things but also backwards too.
Have good Saturday.
This is getting a bit complicated for me. I'm not into astrology in any big sense. You should try astronomy. Far more exact as a science.
Being a signaler is a responsible job. People's life are at stake. You cannot allow a habitual drinker doing the job. No law can keep such a man on the job. There are criminal laws that override labor laws.
You have a great day too.
Hmm, I just wonder; disciplinary hearings are in-house affairs. Is it right to publish it on the web? Could it have been a mistake?
It seems that the greatest advantage of Internet is also its greatest disadvantage.
Talk about snouts in the trough that was my thought before standing up.
You could always have said you walked into the door. These things happen. Not too long ago I saw a young girl with two black eyes after she walked into the door. The physics of it sounds wrong but these things happen.
Yes, happy woman's day to you. And don't play football. But then there is the possibility that you had a nose job done and you won't tell us about it.
This morning I broke spout of my lovely tea pot, spilt my good coffee that was brewing all over. Coffee grains down dressing gown cuboard doors and floors, forgot purse after guy had put all shopping through till and fell on way home over this dam ball
Tomorrow is another day but reckon my noes will be black
Hi Cat,
it seems the way you feel right now flows directly as a result of
judgements about his circumstances and behaviours
so, you simply feel what you feel until otherwise.
it's the way it is, for all of us.
Hmmm, not your best day by the looks of it. You were - it seems - a series of accidents walking around looking for a place to happen
Why does this sound like one of my less successful pick up lines?
But still, it must be terrible to sit in a job for what must be about 30 years now, knowing that there is no chance to be promoted again.
I do pity him for that.
these days, lucky to have a job for a year.
ye cat, these drinkers hang onto the jobs forever, and are just a liability, not an asset.
where as someone else is missing out.
I dont feel sorry for him at all. time to go.
Hmm, you are never alone when on line. Lots of wonderful friends to keep you company.
Yes, good jobs are hard to come by. When you get one you must look after it.
I wonder what he is doing at the railroad now that he is not allow to be a signaler. Kick starting the trains perhaps? I must ask him when I see him again.
Did this happen in public?
Somehow I imagined it happening in the backyard while playing with your great-grandchildren.
Don't rub in my age. I thought we were friends.
don't know if you can see bruising but too sore to wear specs now
No all is fine it was along the main road cat. The fellow who I had saved his car, brought me tissues and the lads with the ball got a shock and walked me home, so lesson learnt hopefully and at least not accident with a car.
Oh how I wish I was there with a video camera. You would have been a famous star by now. Featuring the matinee show on youtube.
But I'm glad there was no more damage to your face. You could have hurt your mouth too. And that would have been a catastrophe.
Don't worry. I will never do that to a friend.
Very sad situation When he was diagnosed with depression, that was a flag that he was ill. They (doctors) would have made sure that he was properly and effectively receiving those treatments to make him perform as a normal person.
Obviously a victim of a very sad situation where bo one can take the blame but himself abd to make matter worse, he's living alone so truly there's
more to it than meets the eye.
A very unfortunate situation and we hope there is a social programs that hecan avail to if willing to accommodate .
I'm surprised that it was made public and was given no social services to diagnose his case deeper. In my country once tthe public is involved the need for social scrutiny becomes crucial but it seems he is left to himself of which incapable to do him good as evidenced by his worst recourse.
But I believe life isn't fair and sometimes we can do nothing but suffer.
Were you wrong to feel like you do? Only you know the answer but my question to you is, do you feel there should've been more that you could've done?
Good day my friend.
Lj