Right before I left the clinic today, where I was interpreting, I was sent to a back room to go over some paper work with a patient waiting there. Imagine my surprise when upon entering that room I found myself alone with a police officer in full uniform and a man in a prison jumpsuit with his hands and feet cuffed.
Today I saw Seinfeld, only he was a she and she was still in the 80's. No this wasn't in a dream. A woman walked into the clinic today where I interpret and she had a good ol' fashioned fluffy, slightly curly mullet, wearing a tan turtle-neck with an eggplant and dark green plaid jacket. She also wore matching green denim pants that were full high-rise and tapered at the bottom. Not that Seinfeld ever wore such an outfit, but her face was somewhat like and the hair... oh the hair! Once in a while you see some 80's back in fashion, but never have I seen anyone with such an authentic 80's style who, rather than trying to pull off a look to be cool or funny, seemed more to be unaware of her appearance. Highlight of my day!
At the clinic I've lately been feeling more and more like I have to tell people things I do not believe. I often say these things without conviction, but while being cautious to not add my own words, yet I still feel like I'm lying to the clients. I usually add things like "She says..." referring to the professionals giving the information I don't believe, in order to absolve myself of any responsibility for the information given (not that I have any responsibility aside from making it understandable). It's irritating though. I'd rather interpret for something I actually believe in.
... the rents and two youngsters are moving to LeMars. Still not sure how I feel about that. I will be glad to have them nearer for at least a short time while I'm still around. It would be nicer yet if my brother was coming too. But I still don't know if I like the fact that mom will be able to come over a lot more quickly and spontaneously, or that my little sisters will spend any of their significant developmental years in that town. I suppose overall I will view this in a positive way. At least now Yolanda will actually visit.
When I first started working at my job, I had a bad day here and there, but for the most part everyone was cooperative and aimed to please and work was rather a delight. Recently, however, and somewhat cooinciding with the arrival of our newest client, there's been a change in the air. People have become less happy and are increasingly uncooperative.
Yesterday there was a staff meeting to discuss this recent change of weather and as if to drive the point home, the day turned into the most tumultuous we've had yet.
Client one, the tazmanian devil, was his usual whirlwind self, going here, leaveing there, and coming into the office every 20 minutes or so with a new crisis, a piece of irrelevant news, or just to share his digestive gasses with us or to belt out a shitty pop song.
Client two, the bear, was threatening to kill my coworker again and we almost called the cops on him. We should have.
Client three decided my coworker had to do her shower today, not me, but my coworker was away so fiiiiinally I got her in her apartment and showered, but the whole process took about an hour. Usually it takes fifteen minutes.
Client four was slamming doors and throwing things in her apartment because we would not allow her to return her new pair of new shoes for the second time to get a new pair of new new-shoes. When the tantrum did not work, she stormed out of the building and began to "run away". Should have let her and called the cops on her too.
Client five kept rolling his eyes and saying "give me a break" when I asked him to please take his shower.
Client six, the old man, who is typically happy and cooperative, had resisted the tumult of the day and was so still, until he was snapped at by his companion, the bear, on the way to the grocery store. Then the two bickered and fought the whole way there and the whole way back.
When we got back, the runaway bunny was silently stewing in the lobby, while I was accosted by client seven, the building newscastor, informing me she was waiting all day for her turn to shop. Those two usually shop in the afternoon, but they were pusehd aside by the meeting. My coworker ended up taking them so that I could brush teeth with the bear and my coworker's endangered life could be spared.
The last of the bunch, which probably would have amused more than frustrated me, had I not already been strung out, was client eight. All day he had been great, doing what he needed to and on time, but upon discover of having no lunchables to pack in his lunch, he became quite agitated. Nothing else would do because everything else he had for meals required microwaving. This is not usually a problem, he likes to watch the microwave display countdown. At work, however, I soon learned by playing twenty questions (because he never says anything straight up) the microwave has a dial, which means no exact numbers and no display. Drives him absolutely insane. He would not make a sandwhich because he does not like cheese on bread and he could not take an english muffin because that is for breakfast only. Though he was not trying to be uncooperative or obstinate, spending 10 minutes going through the entire fridge trying to find an acceptable lunch is a trying experience.
What a night.
Today they have all been much more pleasant. Honey moon stage I guess, before the next round of verbal abuse and emotional drainage.
I decided to join the aerobics group at Dordt. Thursday was my first day going and aside from being a bit lost a good share of the time, I think it went well. Friday I expected to be a bit sore, but not debilitatingly so. When I woke up, however, my arms were in knots and I could not straighten them. I felt like a t-rex, having to bend my whole body in order to grab something right in front of me...
Clove cigarettes are no illegal.
The most ironic thing I heard today is that there exists a school called McPhail. Really? Who wants to go there?
Lisa left today. I miss her already.
Dee came back yesterday. I think she's part nymph. She hung a tree in her room today. Can't stand to be apart, I guess.
My parents are here this weekend. One more round interviews of sorts with a church in the icecream capital....
Five times this week I've gone for drives through rolling hills of corn and beans with dark clouds hanging down to what seemed just a few feet above me (not really, but it looks that way sometimes, no?) and I wished I had my camera every time and every time I had forgotten it again... This morning there was even fog, so the clouds really were hanging down. That and the humidity was rising from the ground. Some of both, I think. Beautiful either way.
I did not sleep very well last night. I could not fall asleep at first, so I read. Then when I did sleep, I dreamt for what seemed to me to be all night. I never feel as rested after a dream filled night than I do after a night of sound dreamless sleep. But the worst part was my dreams were about work. Documenting, of all things. If I believed in lawsuits, perhaps I could sue medicare, or DHS, or the government, or whoever the hell it is that makes us write so much at the end of every shift, for ruining my sleep. And maybe I'll throw in some emotional trauma charges as well...
But overall, things are fine. I'm nursing a sunburn I obtained as my just reward for skipping church on Sunday to go canoeing. And I'm not sorry! The sunburn doesn't hurt that much, thanks to the invention of strapless bras. :)
