Act Acting » Acting School » Langoliers… (long)

Langoliers… (long)

Question:

I’m not exactly hearing them, but I think I soon will.

As much as I hate to admit I’m missing your allusion, I don’t have the faintest idea what langoliers are.  And it’s not in my American Heritage Dictionary.  I was thinking of a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, but that’s Gondoliers.  Oh, well. Wow – that’s a lot to be happening all at once.  A lot of stress.  My best to your brother, for starters. And I’d be willing to help out in a small way, since I’m only just beginning to struggle out of the hole myself.  I’d suggest temping, but I’ll bet there’s not a lot of that out in Pahrump.  Anyway, let me know if there’s anything I can do. Bluebird

Response:

<gentle snip you are so eloquent, even as things cave around you. (((((((((((((((NyteBard)))))))))))))) I’m sorry things are so hard for you now.  I want them to get better. xoxoxo -=oc=-

Response:

I hope things turn around for you.  Thanks for all the supportive replies you made to me.  Please take care. {{{big fluffy warm fuzzy hug}}} posted and mailed ICQ # 1812772 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -NyteBard) writes: I’m not exactly hearing them, but I think I soon will. November through January:  not just Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, but all my siblings’ birthdays, my mother’s birthday, my youngest girl’s birthday, and my oldest girl’s first anniversary. The older of my two brothers (but still younger than your humble author) was hospitalized Thursday evening.  Pneumonia, both lungs involved–They put him in ICU, then moved him to a regular room on Sunday.  This morning he went home.  This afternoon he spiked a fever — 104.5F.  Back to the hospital… This is the guy who has survived brittle diabetes, failing vision (multiple surgeries required, but it’s only buying a little time…), a botched 5-way bypass (that resulted in him being a man without a sternum), and a kidney transplant.  He has three sons, all under the age of 8.  One had to have heart surgery to correct a birth defect. One is ADHD.  The third is amazingly healthy, thank heavens.  And brother’s wife is the kind who reacts to troubles by becoming nearly hysterical because it’s so hard on *her* to have to handle things; she doesn’t stay loving and supportive once the hard work of healing becomes a burden to her. The whole election thing has Dad so stressed out he’s taken some of his vacation time for this last week before the voters speak.  Mom is the tower of strength for us all, so you can imagine how stressed *she* is by now. My unemployment checks (less than half what my income was a year ago, and it wasn’t adequate then) will run out in a few more weeks, and I can’t seem to get anyone to call me back for an interview.  For all I know, the applications are getting tossed as soon as I walk out the door.  The bills are not getting paid on time.  If my parents weren’t my landlords, I’d be living in my car by now.  Oh yes, the car is acting up, too. No birthday cards for siblings, mother, or children. No anniversary gift for daughter & son-in-law. No birthday or Christmas gifts for youngest child, either, any more than there were new clothes for school.   Even if the car could make the trip, I can’t afford the gas to drive 65 miles to visit brother in the hospital. I don’t even know how I’m going to make it through the next two weeks. Langoliers… No, not yet…but soon, soon… The last time I heard them, I almost didn’t get away fast enough. This time there’s no place left to run, and no way to get there even if there was a place. NyteBard out of options and nearly out of everything else The NyteBard http://hometown.aol.com/nytebard http://pages.ivillage.com/misc/nytebard

Response:

<gentle snip you are so eloquent, even as things cave around you. (((((((((((((((NyteBard)))))))))))))) I’m sorry things are so hard for you now.  I want them to get better. xoxoxo -=oc=-

Thank you — and hugs back to you, for the caring.  :) It doesn’t stop the troubles, but it eases the ache…  At least I don’t have to feel scared *and* lonely at the same time. The NyteBard http://hometown.aol.com/nytebard/index.htm http://pages.ivillage.com/misc/nytebard/index.htm

Response:

As much as I hate to admit I’m missing your allusion, I don’t have the faintest idea what langoliers are.  And it’s not in my American Heritage Dictionary.  I was thinking of a Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, but that’s Gondoliers.  Oh, well.

From a Stephen King story:  Little balls of sharp teeth, their job was to eat up what today leaves behind when it becomes tomorrow.  People stuck in the wrong time could hear them munching long before they could see them.  Once you see them, it’s probably too late to escape… When we were still in Washington and things were getting tougher and tougher, that’s how we referred to that feeling that we needed to get gone from there–fast!  "I think I hear the langoliers…" Wow – that’s a lot to be happening all at once.  A lot of stress.  My best to your brother, for starters.

Thank you.  Just yesterday I talked to him on the phone and he was sounding so improved… He was giving *me* the pep talk about the future.  Being an annoying big sister, I pointed out that as there weren’t any rich elderly relatives around who were overwhelmingly fond of me, there wasn’t much chance of getting out of this hole any time soon.  He said, "Well, you never know, now do you?" And I’d be willing to help out in a small way, since I’m only just beginning to struggle out of the hole myself.  I’d suggest temping, but I’ll bet there’s not a lot of that out in Pahrump.  Anyway, let me know if there’s anything I can do.

Nope, not much temp work here, unless you’re a construction laborer. When we ran for our lives, we ended up in the middle of nowhere.  No employment agencies, no bus routes, and nearly nothing in the way of public services for people who are trying desperately to not sink. But we had nowhere else to go…  For the most part, folks here don’t give a damn what happens to others, as long as it doesn’t take a single penny out of their own pockets.  Except for funerals, that is. Pahrump…we bury you for free.  (really) And you already have done something, Bluebird.  You care and you say so.  If it weren’t for you (as well as the other real humans in ASD), I might have sunk completely by now.  I’m not sure I can ever find the words to say how blessed I’ve felt since stumbling in here… The NyteBard http://hometown.aol.com/nytebard/index.htm http://pages.ivillage.com/misc/nytebard/index.htm

Response:

No birthday cards for siblings, mother, or children. No anniversary gift for daughter & son-in-law. No birthday or Christmas gifts for youngest child, either, any more than there were new clothes for school. Even if the car could make the trip, I can’t afford the gas to drive 65 miles to visit brother in the hospital. I don’t even know how I’m going to make it through the next two weeks.

In a situation like this, don’t look just at the next two weeks.  Go to the calendar, and point to a date three weeks from now.  By then, these two weeks will be past for better or worse.  I used this little coping trick to get through college exam weeks, dental visits, anything so unpleasant that facing it is more daunting than actually going through it.  This is not meant in any way to imply that your situation is any less than it seems. Write special letters for the birthdays, etc., or make home-made greeting cards.  There is actually a bit of truth to the old saw that they can carry more meaning than store bought ones. Wish I could help with gas for the car.  Is there any sort of bus route available? Langoliers… No, not yet…but soon, soon… The last time I heard them, I almost didn’t get away fast enough. This time there’s no place left to run, and no way to get there even if there was a place.

The langoliers were all-consuming, leaving nothing in their wake.  That was one nonstop adrenalin-charged, edge-of-the-seat story, too (the miniseries didn’t quite capture the same feelings for me.)  All I would suggest is to work on things one at a time, deal with what you can, when you can, in whatever way you are able.  Doing your best may not always be enough to cover everything, but it will take care of much of it. Sorry if I am oversimplifying, I only recognize a bit of myself in such a stack of issues threatening to fall into chaos.  I am not coping well with looking for work, or dealing with my daughter and her mother, but I am tackling some of the little things, and just the sense of doing SOMETHING eases the stress a little.  Took my therapist to suggest this view, to hammer it in over several visits. — Karl Seek me @ 9408456

Response:

hi there……. sorry things are so rotten right now :-( its too bad you are not down here (l.a.)…unemployment is so low here there is no seasonal help & merchants have raised starting wages almost thru the roof trying to get clerks & sales people in….. seems like things always get bad around the holidays…or maybe they just seem worse because were all supposed to be so bright & cheery….. is there anyway you could do something online or over the phone? telemarketing is a horrible thing but if its that or starve…… youre strong, i dont think the langoliers will get you…. susan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m not exactly hearing them, but I think I soon will. November through January:  not just Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, but all my siblings’ birthdays, my mother’s birthday, my youngest girl’s birthday, and my oldest girl’s first anniversary. The older of my two brothers (but still younger than your humble author) was hospitalized Thursday evening.  Pneumonia, both lungs involved–They put him in ICU, then moved him to a regular room on Sunday.  This morning he went home.  This afternoon he spiked a fever — 104.5F.  Back to the hospital… This is the guy who has survived brittle diabetes, failing vision (multiple surgeries required, but it’s only buying a little time…), a botched 5-way bypass (that resulted in him being a man without a sternum), and a kidney transplant.  He has three sons, all under the age of 8.  One had to have heart surgery to correct a birth defect. One is ADHD.  The third is amazingly healthy, thank heavens.  And brother’s wife is the kind who reacts to troubles by becoming nearly hysterical because it’s so hard on *her* to have to handle things; she doesn’t stay loving and supportive once the hard work of healing becomes a burden to her. The whole election thing has Dad so stressed out he’s taken some of his vacation time for this last week before the voters speak.  Mom is the tower of strength for us all, so you can imagine how stressed *she* is by now. My unemployment checks (less than half what my income was a year ago, and it wasn’t adequate then) will run out in a few more weeks, and I can’t seem to get anyone to call me back for an interview.  For all I know, the applications are getting tossed as soon as I walk out the door.  The bills are not getting paid on time.  If my parents weren’t my landlords, I’d be living in my car by now.  Oh yes, the car is acting up, too. No birthday cards for siblings, mother, or children. No anniversary gift for daughter & son-in-law. No birthday or Christmas gifts for youngest child, either, any more than there were new clothes for school. Even if the car could make the trip, I can’t afford the gas to drive 65 miles to visit brother in the hospital. I don’t even know how I’m going to make it through the next two weeks. Langoliers… No, not yet…but soon, soon… The last time I heard them, I almost didn’t get away fast enough. This time there’s no place left to run, and no way to get there even if there was a place. NyteBard out of options and nearly out of everything else The NyteBard http://hometown.aol.com/nytebard http://pages.ivillage.com/misc/nytebard

Response:

I hope things turn around for you.  Thanks for all the supportive replies you made to me.  Please take care.

Thank you — talk about someone who is supportive…  Definitely you, Rick! BTW, The Amazing Cat-Man has one distinct advantage over The Amazing FatCat in residence here (house, not ASD):  You have never walked across my foot with your claws out. NyteBard always barefoot, sometimes shaky, but feeling very cared for tonight The NyteBard http://hometown.aol.com/nytebard http://pages.ivillage.com/misc/nytebard

Response:

<snip The langoliers were all-consuming, leaving nothing in their wake.  That was one nonstop adrenalin-charged, edge-of-the-seat story, too (the miniseries didn’t quite capture the same feelings for me.)  All I would suggest is to work on things one at a time, deal with what you can, when you can, in whatever way you are able.  Doing your best may not always be enough to cover everything, but it will take care of much of it. Sorry if I am oversimplifying, I only recognize a bit of myself in such a stack of issues threatening to fall into chaos.  I am not coping well with looking for work, or dealing with my daughter and her mother, but I am tackling some of the little things, and just the sense of doing SOMETHING eases the stress a little.  Took my therapist to suggest this view, to hammer it in over several visits.

Karl, Thanks for the concern, suggestion, and understanding. Actually, I’m concerned about only two weeks because that’s how long it is until the child support comes in.  Then things will be covered for a couple of weeks.  Then it starts all over again.  Too many months of the same routine looking back, and looking ahead too far is just too apt to sap my will-power. Yes, focusing on individual items does help me get from this moment to the next relatively intact.  It’s a decent survival tool, and I have been using it, but you know how tools are…after a lot of use, they start to lose their edges. But there’s no substitute available, so I just keep using the same tools… hope a handle doesn’t break.  Or if one does, I hope I at least don’t get any more splinters… The NyteBard http://hometown.aol.com/nytebard/index.htm http://pages.ivillage.com/misc/nytebard/index.htm

Response:

I’m sorry to hear how rough things are for you right now.  I sure hope that something breaks in your favour soon on the job market. You are such an awesome lady and I love reading all your posts; even in threads that I had been skipping.  

<blush  Thank you.  (Compliment returned, BTW…I’ve learned a lot because I often see for you in threads I might normally have skipped.) I’ll be thinking hopeful thoughts for you and your oldest brother. Heather Nytebard fan

um… wow… Now I’m *really* blushing…I think I’ll have to turn down the furnace!   The NyteBard http://hometown.aol.com/nytebard http://pages.ivillage.com/misc/nytebard

Response:

My dad was out of work for about 14 months awhile back, it was hard on us.  But you gotta keep on trying, and eventually a job’ll come up for you.  If you’re really hard pressed for cash you could try to get a job at a local store, or supermarket, or fastfood place.  Department stores usually hire some more workers during the holidays.  I know that’s probably not what you had in mind, but at least it’s something right?

If I were anywhere near civilization…around here the "last choice is better than no choice" possibilities are 3 fast-food places, 3 casinos, and about 20 convenience stores.  (No department stores–have to drive 65+ miles to find one, and the 2 grocery stores are laying off…)  I’ve applied at all of them.  Kind of hard on the ego when you can’t even get a call-back from Burger King… Anyways, hang on.  I’m thinking about you and hoping that things get better soon. (((((((Nytebard)))))) –Christina

Thanks for the good wishes, Christina. NyteBard still looking for the light switch…

Response:

hi there……. sorry things are so rotten right now :-( its too bad you are not down here (l.a.)…unemployment is so low here there is no seasonal help & merchants have raised starting wages almost thru the roof trying to get clerks & sales people in…..

Home territory, in a way…I was born in a Long Beach Navy hospital… And LA sounds a lot like the Seattle area right now.  My grown kids keep telling me about how many jobs there are in that area right now. (I’ve even had "move up here" messages passed along from my daughter’s in-laws!)  But, setting aside the costs of moving, I just can’t leave while my parents are still in the hole from helping me.  At a minimum, I want to catch up on the rent! seems like things always get bad around the holidays…or maybe they just seem worse because were all supposed to be so bright & cheery….. is there anyway you could do something online or over the phone? telemarketing is a horrible thing but if its that or starve……

I actually thought I was going to do a telemarketing job, but the phone phobia got in the way.  (Ran into a gal who was working for that particular guy, and it seems she quit the next day.  If an experienced telemarketer couldn’t cope with the place, maybe it was good that I backed out…)  Now, if anyone knows of some legitimate (not buy-our-software or pay-this-fee) online or "work at home on your computer" employers, I’d jump at the chance.  So far, I’ve run into a lot of "guaranteed return on your initial fee" things… Yeah, right–and the check is in the mail. Yeah, economic hassles tend to worsen around festive dates.  I don’t know if it’s just because we want those dates to be careful, or if the universe is sometimes just ornery. youre strong, i dont think the langoliers will get you…. susan

Susan, I hope you’re right…I’ve almost reached the point of wondering if my girl wouldn’t be better off with her father right now. Alcoholic and not very nurturing, but at least he has a reliable and adequate income.  That’s what told me how scared I really am getting… Thanks for the "hope recharge"    :) The NyteBard http://hometown.aol.com/nytebard http://pages.ivillage.com/misc/nytebard

Response:

I’m not exactly hearing them, but I think I soon will. November through January:  not just Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up, but all my siblings’ birthdays, my mother’s birthday, my youngest girl’s birthday, and my oldest girl’s first anniversary. The older of my two brothers (but still younger than your humble author) was hospitalized Thursday evening.  Pneumonia, both lungs involved–They put him in ICU, then moved him to a regular room on Sunday.  This morning he went home.  This afternoon he spiked a fever — 104.5F.  Back to the hospital… This is the guy who has survived brittle diabetes, failing vision (multiple surgeries required, but it’s only buying a little time…), a botched 5-way bypass (that resulted in him being a man without a sternum), and a kidney transplant.  He has three sons, all under the age of 8.  One had to have heart surgery to correct a birth defect. One is ADHD.  The third is amazingly healthy, thank heavens.  And brother’s wife is the kind who reacts to troubles by becoming nearly hysterical because it’s so hard on *her* to have to handle things; she doesn’t stay loving and supportive once the hard work of healing becomes a burden to her. The whole election thing has Dad so stressed out he’s taken some of his vacation time for this last week before the voters speak.  Mom is the tower of strength for us all, so you can imagine how stressed *she* is by now. My unemployment checks (less than half what my income was a year ago, and it wasn’t adequate then) will run out in a few more weeks, and I can’t seem to get anyone to call me back for an interview.  For all I know, the applications are getting tossed as soon as I walk out the door.  The bills are not getting paid on time.  If my parents weren’t my landlords, I’d be living in my car by now.  Oh yes, the car is acting up, too. No birthday cards for siblings, mother, or children. No anniversary gift for daughter & son-in-law. No birthday or Christmas gifts for youngest child, either, any more than there were new clothes for school.   Even if the car could make the trip, I can’t afford the gas to drive 65 miles to visit brother in the hospital. I don’t even know how I’m going to make it through the next two weeks. Langoliers… No, not yet…but soon, soon… The last time I heard them, I almost didn’t get away fast enough. This time there’s no place left to run, and no way to get there even if there was a place. NyteBard out of options and nearly out of everything else The NyteBard http://hometown.aol.com/nytebard http://pages.ivillage.com/misc/nytebard

Response:

I’m sorry you’re having such a tough time, I can only begin to imagine what it must be like for you right now.  Hang in there, take things one step at a time. My dad was out of work for about 14 months awhile back, it was hard on us.  But you gotta keep on trying, and eventually a job’ll come up for you.  If you’re really hard pressed for cash you could try to get a job at a local store, or supermarket, or fastfood place.  Department stores usually hire some more workers during the holidays.  I know that’s probably not what you had in mind, but at least it’s something right? Anyways, hang on.  I’m thinking about you and hoping that things get better soon. (((((((Nytebard)))))) –Christina

Response:

Related Posts

Leave a Reply