Freewrite -- 9/16/2010 -- Rant

I wanted to get something posted this week and I missed the GWWE prompt so figured I’d do a freerant. Not freewrite because I don’t need that right now. I have my challenge submission pretty much ready for my last Saturday’s prompt and my column for this Saturday is nearly finished already. Something that I normally don’t do -- I usually wait until Friday to finish it. So the only thing left to do is rant.

Neighbors have gone back to their old ways. This week’s find was a girl’s shirt and a bath towel in my back yard and a beach towel on top of my shed. Between the fence and the shed are a couple of Cup-of-Noodles styrofoam cups and a condom wrapper. At least there aren’t any used condoms, at least that I’ve found. There are also some smaller pieces of trash back there. I’ll wander out in a few minutes and pick them up and stick them in the trash along with the shirt and towels. Just in case someone from “over there” comes and asks for their towels back, I made sure to toss a bag of garbage in on top of them.

I was toying with the idea of taking a few online classes to get that degree that I never quite managed to finsish. I talked to a rep from the University of Phoenix and, after I told her about my background in electronics, telecommunications, teaching, speaking, management, writing, and editing, she suggested I go for a degree in psychology! Nope, me and U of P ain’t gonna do business. I’m waiting for a call from a rep from Ashford and, if he says anything similar I’ll probably give up. U of P also said I “might” be able to get one or two credits for my forty years of work experience.

5:02

As always, I went back and stuck in para breaks.

Comments: 16

John S. (arizona) Sep 16, 2010, 3:08pm UTC

The last time I attended classes at the University of Phoenix they were using a "team concept" in teaching/structure that ultimately turned me off. The class is divided into teams for the semester to work together on projects, and then shares a grade. 20% end up doing 80% of the work, and all on the team are on the honor system for attendance, participation, etc. Half the people would sign attendance sheets and split, or coast through it, and what others do defines your grade as well. I don't mind working on teams for specific things, but to me it was way over-board and just not my style. I like to be responsible for myself I guess... and maybe learn something along the way, LOL.

Len Maxwell Sep 16, 2010, 4:00pm UTC

I don't think I'd do well in a group project. I tend to want to be in charge and I doubt the others would like the way I do things.

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Kimberly Ripley Sep 16, 2010, 3:22pm UTC

Wow! Sounds like you have some wonderful neighbors!!

Len Maxwell Sep 16, 2010, 4:00pm UTC

I've talked about them in freerants for the past year and a half. Last year for a few days I was finding used condoms in my back yard. That finally stopped when I took three of them and deposited them on the neighbor's hood as she was going to work.

Kimberly Ripley Sep 16, 2010, 4:21pm UTC

I love it!!

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Barb Carlson Sep 16, 2010, 3:41pm UTC

Nice neighbors. You could always offer to sell their stuff back to them. Around here, if people find trash in their yard, they throw it back into the right yard. I had some neighbors for a while -- before they were evicted -- whose crap always ended up in my back yard. Not that my back yard was anything from Better Homes and Gardens, but still. I started just putting it onto their back porch. Eventually -- especially after the pile of cigarette butts -- they got the message.

Man, I could do neighbor rants. My evil plan is to videotape them and post it on YouTube.

Len Maxwell Sep 16, 2010, 3:59pm UTC

I've tried throwing things back over the fence and found that the next day I'd have five times as much junk. I finally started taking it over and putting it right in front of their front door.

Barb Carlson Sep 16, 2010, 4:05pm UTC

Then what happened?

Len Maxwell Sep 16, 2010, 4:07pm UTC

For many months I didn't find any trash back there. Now, it seems that they're going back to their old ways. I'll pick the stuff up and stick it into the trash for a few days and then I'll start stacking it in front of their door again.

Barb Carlson Sep 16, 2010, 4:09pm UTC

Keep us posted. Other people's neighborhood drama is SO much more fun than my own. :)

Len Maxwell Sep 16, 2010, 4:10pm UTC

I have probably written twenty freewrites about my fine friends nextdoor. There is just no end to their stupidity and lack of concern about anyone else in the neighborhood.

Barb Carlson Sep 16, 2010, 4:13pm UTC

I must have missed some of them. I'll have to go back and read them.

Len Maxwell Sep 16, 2010, 4:25pm UTC

Just as an example, our neighborhood is very quiet. Until they moved in we had one police patrol each day and one each night. Since they've lived here we've had thirty or forty visits from the police, code enforcement, animal control, ICE (don't understand that one), and drug task force. Additionally there are probation officers visiting every other week.

There are, now, two things that I can't discuss because they're still under investigation.

Real fun time I've had.

Barb Carlson Sep 16, 2010, 4:31pm UTC

Wow. :(

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Ruthi C. Sep 16, 2010, 10:54pm UTC

You're in good shape with your writing ToDo's. Wish I could say same. I do plan to do my 20 prompt submission for you..:-)

Trash the trash is the best bet and if they rant over something being trashed, oh well! I can't wait for the day you freewrite they've left the neighborhood!

I envy those who return to school to finish what they started. I should do same, but just don't have the desire.

Len Maxwell Sep 17, 2010, 11:11am UTC

When they move, it will not be a freewrite -- it'll be a full novel.

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Freewrite -- 9/16/2010 -- Rant

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