Grrr.
There was a woman at the Basking in Books program yesterday who really set me on edge. She was possibly on drugs (she looked like she used heroin or meth), and she indicated many times that she was homeless (as John put it: “Anyone who says they know where the really strong hand-dryer is in Santa Cruz public washrooms is homeless”), but since she also indicated that she’s a UCSC student, she seemed to be in the “voluntarily homeless” category. This is, after all, Santa Cruz, land of lunatics. I’ve been a member of several international communities and organizations with a local presence, and it is always this area that has to wack-jobs in it.
At any rate, during the discussion, I started to say something, and as sometimes happens with me, I “stuttered.” This isn’t a normal “stuck on a word” stutter, but rather a repetition of one or two words until my brain finishes composing the sentence and I can get it all the way out. It’s actually less uncommon than I used to think– I’ve met a few folks at Toastmasters who do the same thing.
It also may be related to my early childhood speech impediment: I used to have a “hesitation” when speaking– which disappeared shortly after my parents split up, and which I never even knew about until I was in my 20’s. Since the speech impediment was pretty much buried for years, and since it clearly has psychological origins, I’m highly sensitive about it and to it– when I notice it happening, I know that something is going on, either in my subconscious, or else I’m exceedingly tired. In other words, if I “stutter,” it means I need to check in with myself and possibly make some changes.
Anyway, the bitch… I mean homeless person– had the fucking nerve to tease me about the fact that I couldn’t get my sentence out. “Spit it out” is not something you say to someone who is obviously having trouble expressing herself.
You should all be proud of the fact that I did not physically throw her into the hallway. I did, however, tell her that silica gel packets are not dangerous to swallow.
moonfire77 wrote:
One thing I learned from my friend who has a very severe stutter is patience. Don’t finish her sentences and don’t point out the stutter.
That must be so frustrating!
Posted on 31-Jul-06 at 2:30 pm | Permalink
spud31 wrote:
. I did, however, tell her that silica gel packets are not dangerous to swallow.
That is funny. Sounds like me when I’m angry.
Posted on 31-Jul-06 at 2:43 pm | Permalink
ivymere wrote:
What a dumb bitch. Apparently since she’s down in the dumps on the streets, she needs some other way to lord it over someone else and gloat to boost her flagging or nonexistent self esteem and self image. Therefore, don’t let her insecurity issues and psychological problems bother you.
You rock and you clearly are not as rude as she is.
As a friend would say…she sucks at life.
Posted on 31-Jul-06 at 3:19 pm | Permalink
gypsy_teacher wrote:
Mortaine…our mutual friend Stacey (aerinha) just e-mailed me and said you were looking for info on Costa Rica. I just added you as a friend so you can see my posts. We spent four weeks there from mid-June to mid-July. We loved it and you will too! Read up and if you have any questions, ask me or my husband (drumzspace).
Posted on 31-Jul-06 at 4:51 pm | Permalink
snesgirl wrote:
I’d have smacked the bitch personaly.
Posted on 01-Aug-06 at 1:56 am | Permalink
kakaykakey wrote:
hey, I just logged on b/c A askied if I’d pass on info re: CR, too. he kin pass on my email if you’re interested?
Posted on 02-Aug-06 at 11:26 am | Permalink
halfawake wrote:
This is, after all, Santa Cruz, land of lunatics.
I wonder which college has more crazies: Chico State or UC Santa Cruz. That’d be a tough one to work out, actually.
Posted on 06-Aug-06 at 8:28 pm | Permalink