Dear Friend...today was my last day

with the company.

Dec 20 was our Christmas party and I had the pleasure of providing a 3-week notice with only having to serve 8 days of it.  The new post company actually told me how to do this and have it actually work out. I spoke with 53-E this day and let him know I was leaving.  TMIII-CC had to call TT admin into his office to set my resignation in motion.  I figured she would tell everyone because she has previously violated my employment privacy, and if not her then DDBB because he really has a big mouth and neither one seem to know (care) about employee privacy.

I have been wondering if I should say anything to TwoNewbie but the way he has treated me he really didn't deserve or earn my respect.  He talks nonsense about everyone ALL the time and I did not want to be fodder although I suspected that he and L2 already knew.  They acted surprised - but not much.  I did get to quietly say goodbye to 37-1O, shake his hand and he said to call him on occasion.

L2 was funny about the whole thing when he saw that I was turning in my phone, keys and id to CC. and that it was my last day.  He said,"no, no. I wasn't that mean yesterday!!"  It was funny and we all laughed. L2 asked me where I was going and I said on a new and terrifying adventure.  I shook his hand and said goodbye.  He told me to keep in touch and I said ok.  I asked CC what coats he needed and he said none.

As I walked out of the office to throw things out of my locker away, 69-A came into the office wondering what all the sad looks were about.  I walked out and into my P58 bay where our lockers are.  I had previously and casually unlocked my lockers and placed the locks in my lunch bag.  TwoNewbie saw me do this so I figured he suspected but I did it so casually I don't think he realized.  I then walked to my locker and threw my hard hat out and my old boots I use for crack sealing out and my old gloves out.  I had asked CC in the office if he wanted my coats and such and he said no so I put those in my bag.  TwoNewbie said why are your throwing your hard-hat out? You're gonna need it. I said it's my last day today.  He said what you're kidding.

No. not kidding.  TwoNewbie then asked why and I informed him that I have been treated very badly here.  I shook his hand and said goodbye.

37-RL was standing by him and said what?  I said again that today was my last day. TwoNewbie did seem surprised. I then thanked RL for all the help he gave me when SA retired (who by the way passed on Christmas Day this year. Geez, two years retired and already gone seems such little time for him.). RL said no problem.  Yeah, don't be fooled by him either he's really mean too but he did help me a lot.  He sabatoged my truck and hid the keys to his one-ton so I couldn't use it when my one-ton was broke.

I walked out and left.  For the past four weeks I have had little thoughts of this is the last time I will do this action.   Like: I will never plow snow again, which makes me sad as I was really really good at it.  I was good as a tandem asphalt driver too.  Last time for a blade change, thank God!! as TwoNewbie and L2 go through the blades like water and they are heavy, awkward and dangerous to change.  And 5 each that's a lot!! 4 too many.

We were supposed to leave early today at 16:00 but the only one leaving was me at 16:15.  So long you meanies.  I made sure they could all hear my car leave.  It was fun.

Cheers and send me all the news,

L

Dear Friend...TwoNewbie Flash Froze my road...

....and is very proud of himself.

I have never been treated with such hate from the traveling public as I have these past 3 long, long long years that TwoNewbie is in charge.

I get flipped off and cussed out all the time.

This never happened before TwoNewbie.  He is so proud of flash freezing Hwy 115 on the last snow storm, Dec 9, 2024.  We had 9 crashes on our road because he shot it and shot it and shot it and kept scraping off my sand and flash froze it - 3 crashes maybe but not not 9.  He is so lousy at plowing snow it's laughable only I'm not laughing because it's actually a safety hazard.  It just makes me think, GRRRRR how I hate the cronyism that goes on here at the company and HR is part of allowing the cronyism.

4 of the wrecks was going northbound up Sullivan Hill.  I have NEVER seen crashes in that area before.  TwoNewbie did a great job!

TwoNewbie was so proud of himself and what HE did to our road.  Ugh, it makes me sick to my stomache to think about it.

The road was frozen clear to Penrose because the Penrose guys didn't do any better. They had a jackknifed semi-tractor trailer on their road. They sprayed a bunch of liquid too.

I will state, management has a lot to do with it and their encouragement to spray liquid when it shouldn't as a frozen road is all you are going to get.  I felt sorry for our night guy, but he surprisingly did a great job.  I put out 54 tons of sand and still couldn't stop the train wreck of TwoNewbie.

Our road is still condensating from all the liquid.  I came down 24 Ute Pass as they sprayed too much up there too. I almost slid off the road today up there because of it.

Dear Friend... dereliction of duty

The Company is so cruel and lazy that it can't even check on a coworker to make certain he is ok.  I said hey, before you write him up for Dereliction of Duty someone needs to go check on him and make certain he is ok.  Perhaps he is unable to contact us.  This is not right.  My suggestions fell on deaf ears.

Turns out...here's the rest of some of the story...

Said worker did not fail to come in he was prevented from coming in and is missing...

Leave it to the company to want to write someone up for crap because the company is too lazy to figure it out and send someone to his home to find out if he is ok and treat people decently.

Dear Friend...TwoNewbie strikes again!

 On Monday, Dec 23, 2024, I am told by TwoNewbie to go out and pothole in a live lane of traffic in the middle of the day without an attenuator truck (safety vehicle); with no lane shut down and no traffic plan, which is against EVERY rule of the company.  In fact, he told me to do it South Bound on Hwy 115 at Lake Bridge and North bound at the same bridge.  FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!

WHAT THE FUCKKKKK!!!!

It is so disgusting that this guy is a TMII in charge of my patrol.  He's going to get me killed, on purpose.  I just feel it in my bones.  What a JERK!!

The ltc ops should be happy, I did as I was told.  I won't be doing it again, EVER!!!

and I will be complaining to my TMIII every day that I can.

FUCK!!!

Send me all the news,

L

Dear Friend...I bet you're brilliant...

But only if you're a man. 

Well let's count down the male ego crap for this past week, I can't make this fodder up. I'm working nights, BTW.

1.  Tuesday night I'm driving the one-ton and someone (an insecure, hateful man) undid my passenger side windshield wiper because he's an ass.  I was driving in a rain storm and it flipped off.  The only way this happens is if someone purposely pulled it loose.  Also, they are hard to pull. In his mind the passenger side is not as dangerous if the wiper goes. In his mind what he did is OK to do. When in fact this is lousy reasoning.  I cannot believe the crap men pull because they are so INCREDIBLY insecure.

2. We changed blades on my truck and TwoNewbie was not happy about changing blades and said there were 3 maybe 3 1/2 fingers left.  My fingers are small and I was getting 2 fingers.  I left the call to L2 and he said to change them.  For me, they would last as I run a light plow.  For L2, no.  I've seen L2 run through half of blades in a night when they should last most of the season.

 Jeez-O-Peeze doesn't anybody know how to plow snow anymore?

Anyway the story goes like this.  We double blade a 12 foot plow.  Three 4 foot and two 6 foot.  The four foots are carbide and the 6 are steel. You keep carbide with carbide and steel with steel.  I suggested we put the 4's in back closest to the plow and the 6 in front to cover the seams of the 4s. TwoNewbie couldn't tell me fast enough how wrong and stupid I was.  So we did it his way.

Next day we are changing blades on TwoNewbie's truck, and Popeye is helping.  Popeye has the EXACT SAME IDEA that I had just that morning, and TwoNewbie couldn't fall all over Popeye fast enough and tell Popeye how very brilliant he was.  

SAY WHAT???? I had the EXACT same effing idea.  WTF!!  I said something and was told to, hush, by L2.  ugh

When it was my idea it was crap, now that it's some great idea from a man, IT'S BRILLIANT!!!

GRRR.

Send me all the news,

L

PS another patrol left their old blades laying around for others to trip and fall. Common sense and courtesy is to pick them up and put them in the metal recycle bin right away not days later. sigh

Dear Friend...do as you are told...

I got taken to task in January 2024 by the company for "not doing as I was told," and this lame'o excuse became the reason why the Ltc Ops would not back down even though I proved my point that I did not follow what I was told due to a safety issue and the HR said they would not do something if it was not safe but still let the Ops carry on.  I still remember the smug look on the Ops' face when he said I didn't do as I was told, as if it was my "fault" for being taken to task.  Very smug and ended with "your are to do as you are told."

I have since returned to work and recently we went to weed whip an off ramp.  It is the company's directive that signs are to be placed no ifs, ands or buts about it.  Its a "safety issue." and if we do not the we just cut our workers comp in half for not doing so.  

I was confused as we did not approach the work area in a safe manner and neglected to put out signs.  I was informed that we did NOT need them because we were not working near the road.  This in fact was false. We would be working right on the road and I again asked about the signs.  I was informed that we would not be putting them out.  YIKES.  ok I just got an image in my mind of a smug irritating look from the Ops 9 months previously for not doing as I was told even though it was a safety issue, and so I did as I was told.  The TWONEWBIE even shut off our lights to the truck. DOUBLE YIKES.  I was not happy but did as I was told.

I finished where I was working and felt very concerned working as we were for not setting up signs which is in direct conflict with Prime Directive 1501.1 and 1501.2.  UGH

After working awhile, I decided I was done due to the safety issue and feeling uncomfortable about it, and went back to the hot truck and turned it on and its lights on so at least traffic had some warning.  I then wondered where TWONEWBIE had disappeared.  None of my business.  To my absolute shock!!, I  later saw him on our main highway in the center medium weed whipping guardrail with absolutely NO SIGNS AND NO PROTECTIVE VEHICLE.  OMG, OMG OMG!!!!   I am sick to my stomache.

Later as we all meet up in the truck I stated my concerns about the no signs and him being on our main highway with no signs or protections, and TWONEWBIE states "I saw our signs they were right there. You saw them too didn't you? "  

I said no --- feeling quite sick about this additional situation.

P58-2M said that he saw them.  I was shocked and really felt quite unsafe with these men deliberately and blatantly lying like this.  It gave me the chills and creeps. 

58-2M then said how if anything really bad happened that his wife was taken care of.  I'm pretty certain any insurance has a clause in it that if you are found in any way responsible for your death they don't have to pay and I informed him of such and also that I would not be lying.

I suppose the whole thing is most shocking as TWONEWBIE personally knew the two men who were recently killed in another area.  I guess he blames the issue of putting out signs when it was the driver who hit them was on his cell phone.  Very sad, very tragic.  And the biggest reason why I do not answer my phone while driving although I have had TWONEWBIE  and the Ops both call me expecting me to answer as I drove.  Catch 22- damned if you do and really damned if you don't.

The Ops should be proud of me - I did as I was told...

Send me all the news,

L

PS I guess God watches out for fools and children

Raspberry Jam - no pectin

RASPBERRY JAM 

4 Cups Raspberries

4 Cups sugar (I used 2)

2 Tblsp lemon juice

1 Tblsp corn starch (can use tapioca starch) (Thank you Dolores for this information) This is a thickening agent.

1 tsp nutmeg (optional) (I did not use). (I did add it to the leftover and gives it a nice spicy nutty taste)

1 tsp vanilla (optional) (I did not use)

I bring it all to a boil and boil about 10 minutes.  Until raspberries break down and you can see it thicken.

other recipes bring raspberries to a boil and then add the rest of the ingredients and bring back to a roiling boil.

YIELDS: Three 8oz jars with a smidge left over.

I can't imagine using equal amounts of sugar to berry.  Using the two cups made the jam VERY sweet.  You probably would only taste sugar if you used the 4 cups, IMHO.  And I am tempted to lower this more since all I taste is sugar even with just two cups.

Sterilize your jars, lids and caps for 10 minutes.  I have both the jam going and the jars and lids going at the same time.  I also sterilize the jar lifter (best purchase ever!), tongs,  & canning funnel.  I use the tongs to grab the lid and cap from the boiling water.

Old method: fill sterilized jars with hot jam; twist lid and caps on jam jar and set aside for lid to "pop."

New method: fill sterilized jars, twist lid and caps on jam jar, set jars in water bath, jars covered by 1" of water for 15-20 minutes boil.

I was taught the old method from my mother-in-law and my lovely mentor, Dolores.  Both stated that the sugar in jams, jellies and butters are enough to kill any bacteria even if you lower the sugar.  Of Note: if you lower the sugar too much it supposedly won't kill the bacteria.  As with all canning, when you open the jar and it smells funny or is growing bacteria NEVER eat it.

Don't know why "they" (govt??) added the additional water bath for jams and jellies, shrug.

Democratic Primary...when was it???

 oh, yeah, that's right.  There wasn't one.  

There has never not been a Democratic Primary.  (how do you like the double negative? It also bothers me when I end with a preposition, shrug).

Does that mean that's a positive and there was one? The Answer: NO

Quite strange, that.

The current president said he'd run then recanted.  This is not the presidency...although the Demis think it is.  If this were the presidency, the vp would take president.  This is NOT the presidency and a primary should have been held.  fun fact: there has always been a Dem Primary until now.  

another fun unusual fact: if the Demi runner is elected we will have a dictatorship.  half dictator? sigh

Have fun with that. and we are all fools without any good choices.

Just sayin...

PS I wonder who the "Luminaughty" have chosen to be IT?" Whoever wins that's whom.

How to find a deleted post on Facebook

 1. go to profile on the upper right hand side. click

2. go to settings and privacy on this drop down menu; click - at this point a sub-menu pops up; scroll down to activity log; 

3. click on activity log - at this point another menu pops up on the left hand side with activity log at the top. scroll down to trash

4. click on trash and you can either restore or delete your post.  Keep in mind the server has already saved this information on the main frame and is recoverable by Facebook.

Good luck and don't post anything you don't want remembered as it's all discoverable.

Dear Friend...dream state.

I had a horrible dream last night. Not that anyone cares and if it's a TMI for you quit reading here.

My Dream:

I went to work in my pajama pants and shirt (thank God I was dressed!!) thinking that it was a Friday as a minimal amount of men are present (2) that day. Instead it turned out to be a Monday and everyone was there (30 at this shop). I nonchalantly turned in my paperwork and pretended that I meant to be there as I was , I think I pulled it off pretty well even if it was a dream.

Strangely there were potted planters full of wonderful flowers and vegetables growing and trees in each one. It was wondrous to behold! I was fascinated by each planter and there was one in front of each patrol. I was dazed by the beauty of it all.

Then a Newbie was speaking to me and told me to hold on as I was leaving and that C wanted to speak to me. C is my boss, although no one thinks so including him, but he is.

I waited for C and as he came walking up to me, I woke up.

Here's what I think and my explanation of my dream:

1. Lately I've been a little worried that I'll forget what day it is. Hence, me going to work on Monday thinking it was Friday.

2. the planters: I have no clue as the shop is NOT a wondrous place to behold. Nor does it daze anyone by its beauty and if these men had to take care of anything green I am certain it would be weeds.

3. C: I keep thinking (hoping) he's going to walk up to me and say, "I'm letting you go." I guess the alternative is number 4 below because he can't actually do that.

4. I am nervous about returning to work as the last time I returned it only took 3 days before I was called into the LTC OPS office (big Boss) to be given a talking to and less that 2 weeks before I was written up. It amazes me that even HR can't see that I'm being targeted. ugh. As any one of the situations would have been ignored if I was a man.

I have been wondering how long it would be before a similar situation happens when I return to work. In my head I've been thinking by lunch time of the same day I return, if history is anything to go by (sigh). I'll bet you a lunch its before the end of the week of my return (IF NOT DAY OF).

That's it in a nutshell.

Good day.

L

Dear Friend...byproduct of care is bullshit

...and you won't get me to fall for your praises of yourself.

I'm betting the doc no longer guesses as to why my coworkers cringe when they see me.

I went to the doctor the other day for my work injury.  This doctor tried to pass off the Big Lie of how helpful he and the medical field has been to me. Another song and dance or more appropriate bait and switch that us females have allowed the male to flash some fancy story that we fall all over ourselves  and kiss the feet they walk on.

Well... not I.

And now my doctor no longer wonders why men like him don't care for me.  I no longer fall for the lie of words of men.  I'm tired of being told how great a man is by a man and how thankful I should be because of it.  When the literal opposite it true.  If you are a man and can be honest --- well good on you as you must be a unicorn that spews glitter from your ... horn.

Anyway, here's the story:

said doc says how wonderful he and the medical field are and how grateful I should be that just because he covers his ass regarding my injury that he really cares about me.  Oh, I cannot tell you how wrong this hit me since I have needlessly been fighting my injury for close to a year now when it should have only taken 3 months. I don't know if it was his cussing or his holier than thou attitude but I let him have it.

I definitively and firmly informed him that just because his CYA comes across as "caring" doesn't make it so; he's just lucky that it's a byproduct. And neither does making the statement make it true either. I further informed him that the F**Cking medical field has done me NO favors to me by continually sending back to work and not having an MRI done last October, but instead has shredded my knee continuously since that time.  And that each and every doctor has had to have his period of time of "practicing" his own view of medicine upon me.  The outside office got real quiet.  The doc became heated and I put him in his place again and again. I insisted on not falling for his patronizing lie of "caring."  I will admit I almost brought him to tears.  He finally calmed as I did apologize for cussing while still insisting that his byproduct of "care" was bullshit.  We came to a quiet understanding that men have had the long-time privilege that whatever they say should be taken as gospel and not questioned and I am a woman who does not believe such nonsense.  The facts speak for themselves and that if he makes the statement that he cares there had better be some reality to back that statement up. He came to earth for a bit, and I let him know there had better be truth in what is said and that just making the statement doesn't make it so because I have a reality of facts that speak the actual truth.

Dear Friend...here I am

...just minding my own business waiting to interview when who walks in?!!!! A former co-worker from the company!!! Who happens to keep in touch with the current losers at the company!!!!  I kid you not!  OMG!!!  I cannot make this shit up.

He asks me what I am doing here (I am not going to lie) and I say I'm waiting to interview (I am cringing inside because I KNOW this information is going to go right back to the company).

He informs me that I am being investigated.  What!??? and What!!???  And how does he know?  He doesn't even work there anymore!!! 

Will it never end??

My God, don't these men have something better to do than to gossip about me???

I am one of the most honest employees that the company has and they are investigating me???? What a waste of time and taxpayer money.

BUT my first question is how the hell does A, who doesn't even work at the company anymore, for a over a year now, know anything about me?  Some MAN is speaking about my private information work and health to others when they should keep their damn mouth shut!!  Our conversation got interrupted and I had to go into my interview, which I am certain that A immediately called whomever is violating my rights at the company to inform him about the juicy gossip about me!! UGH! and for crying out loud, I'm NOT that interesting! Honest, you can trust me on this.

End of rant.

Send me all the news,

L

Dear Friend...they were an unusual trio

... that I encountered at the laundromat this past week.

As I pull my car up, there is a large window and a red-headed woman is standing there in a black bra.  She calmly puts on a shirt.  I can tell there are at least two other people in the laundromat.  Darn, I thought I had gotten up early enough to miss the crack-heads and undesirables. NOT.

Oh well, I walk in and find a black man sitting down using the free wi-fi because he probably has a "free" phone that the Government gives out, which costs the taxpayers A LOT of unnecessary taxpayer money and has been hidden in the agricultural bill somewhere (I digress, that's another story). The red-headed (from a bottle) woman, her open purple suitcase on the floor that I have to step over, which she apologized for, and a not-so-good-looking, very short Latino in a grey sweatsuit.  As I pass the corner of the laundry folding table, which is full of the red-heads stuff.  To include, a .22 deringer on the corner.  My first thought was to swipe the gun so it couldn't be used against me.  But its most likely that would have caused a ruckus.  I left it alone.

I walk to my favorite washing machine, which is all the way in the back.  Stuff my items in it and find I am short a quarter.  What??? I have to do this all over again.  Twice the danger, yay.

After I get my laundry started, I go to my car to sit and knit a mitten.  As I walk by the red-head once again.  She is putting on some red lace-up boots with at least a 5 inch heel.  I have no idea how she walks around town with those shoes on and a suitcase in her hand.  Wait.... isn't that a song or something??

I survived and have clean clothes for another week.

Send me all the news,

L

Dear Friend...it was a clean shot?

I was recently speaking with my masseuse and he was speaking about how he had to come to terms with always wanting and needing to seeking his Dad's approval.  I said "don't we all?" 

I went on to say no matter how much of an idiot he (dad) is we all want his approval.  I then started laughing and told my story.  Stating how my very smart and intelligent cousins who work for NASA think he is a hero and I just think he is an idiot who I no longer need approval from or speak to.  What kind of person would I be if I need approval from such an idiot like that?

Here's my dad's true story...

It was a clean shot that missed the bone entirely.  I believe they call it a clean through and through.  Or something like that.

My dad actually accidentally shot himself in his leg through his main artery while being stinking drunk, while drinking and driving and waving a loaded handgun around and terrorizing his young wife #2 and his two young boys.  Causing his own life threatening incident.

My cousins think he is the greatest hero because he drove himself to the hospital and saved himself.  What kind of crap is that??

At the hospital, his wife due to religious reasons refused to sign the paperwork to give him a blood transfusion because my dad being stinking drunk was not allowed to sign the paperwork.  Oh, man you can not make this shit up, right???  Real life is so ironic!!

The doctor informed young wife #2 that this refusal was likening the doctor operating with one hand tied behind his back.  My dad did not like hearing this and leaned over grabbed the paperwork and said "I'll sign it!" and signed the paperwork.The doctor went with this.  The doctor is lucky my dad lived.

I later saw the scars of this injury.  It was vicious looking.  I wonder what lies he told about it? (he loved to lie too).

I bet he started with, "it was a clean shot..."

Send me all the news,

L

PS dear old dad liked throwing knives too.

PPS dad once accidentally shot me in the eye with an arrow.  He was drinking then too.  He told my mom that he had pulled the arrow back and lightly poked me in the eye because I was standing right behind him  My mom believed him. Really??? I'm not that tall at 5yrs old.  You think all that screaming and peeing my pants is from a light poke in the eye??? with an elbow??? 

What I was really doing was playing behind the target. Yeah, not too smart on my part either.  I was only 5yrs old. (insert shrug - I think in my mind I was playing cowboys and Indians). and Really??? Mom believed that shit???  I guess you do when you are desperate and married to an idiot that loves to lie...and drink.

Dear Friend... I'm sadly not a unicorn that spews glitter from his/her...

 Horn.

I recently went to an interview for the company.  I am clearly qualified for this position and because of who I am...The One and Only Woman That Is Encouraged by Leadership to be Hated, I simply do not qualify, no matter what. EVEER!!

Crap.

Send me all the news,

L

Dear Friend ...targets - part 2

This part is about me (sometimes Big T too) Gosh this gets tiring.

I'll start from the most recent incident to the oldest.  I'm going to include other violations here to so we can find them all in one place.

Here we go:

42 Let's Violate Ls Privacy by having a big mouth to former employees May 2, 2024.

OMG, I'm at an interview and I have to deal with a former employee of more than a year and a half, informing me that I am under investigation by the company! How the heck does he know?  And why does he know? God! don't these men from the company have anything better to do???  I called my TMIII, CC, and informed him of my rights being violated.  I'm certain he just shrugged and went on with his day.  But him and others are preparing for when I return to make my life a living hell, just because they can.

41. You're Not Good Enough and Never Will Be, Even Though You ARE Qualified to Promote Denver incident March 2024

Because we're looking for a unicorn.

40. The Sweeper Clean-Out incidents - Jan 30 and 31, 2024

39. the Hostile Interview with the company in Boulder incident 1/29/24

OMG, it could not have been more obvious to me that this place in Boulder was hostile.  The TMIII was texting during my interview.  That TMIII was VERY hostile. I got my letter of rejection before I left the parking lot.  AND I AM QUALIFIED. ugh and yuck.  But I think I dodged a bullet on that one.

38. The Be Friendlier and LG is hard of hearing incidents - Jan 16, 2024

Be Friendlier!!! Seriously???  I bet if you are a man you are NEVER told to be friendlier.  And LG, you really need to listen better.

37. the One-Ton incident  Jan 2024- you cannot use...

you cannot use the one-ton no matter what - I called the TMIII to check if this was true.  It's NOT. I asked and he said "no" three timse while laughing, which means I CAN use the one-ton. these guys are pathetic. ugh

36. Ignore the Woman's Direct Question to Me BUT She Damn Well Better Answer Mine incident - Nov 2023 

I asked Newbie TempM P69 a direct question, which he pointedly ignored (he had just ask me a question and I answered it.  He was looking right at me when I asked my question.) LG was there and saw this and LG answered me for him.  Who can blame Newbie TempM when he was told all kinds of incorrect information about me and told to stay away from me or else.  LG can hear this correctly but not when I'm speaking to him (LG) directly for the Jan 2024 incident.  How ironic is that???

35 The Blue Powder Leather Gloves incident - Oct 27, 2023

34 The Hotbox and Potholing incidents - June 2023

This one makes me sick to my stomach just thinking about it.  I was told to move a truck that had the bed up in the air with a guy in the bed that was knocking down 1400 degree asphalt in the hot box.  I refused.  There is no way I am moving a truck with a guy hanging over a hot box that could easily fall in.  NO WAY. and I should never have been asked to do so in the first place. Two TMIIs told me to do this. 

You guys are out of your minds!!  Instead they told 39-3 to move it and he did and told Junior, the guy in the truck bed, to hang on.  REALLY???

All went well.  I swear God watches out for fools and children.

- the pothole incident was Junior decided to pull the yellow service brake while still moving with me in the back seat.  I was thrown to the floor and thankful he didn't break my arm.  He got "talked" to. BiG WUP!  I will say he wrapped himself around the steering wheel pretty good when he did this.  I'm surprised he didn't break a rib.

33. The Let's Talk About Other CDOT Co-Workers Sex Lives incident - May 17, 2023

I told the boys to stop talking about other co-workers and their sex lives 3 times.  I finally left the Tweener in a rain storm.  REALLY, you have nothing better to do, losers?

32 The Friday Crew Harassment incidents - May 2023 - Sept 2023

31 The Blade Change Request incident - March 2023

30 You'll Never Be Qualified to Promote incident Feb 2023

but instead we will promote the guy who knows less and whom you will need to train to be your TMII. Crap. and no thanks.

29 Never Speak to L or You'll be Written Up incident - Jan 2023

I was told by A that his TMII informed him (A) that if he (A) was ever seen speaking to me he would be written up. A informed me that nobody was going to tell him who he could and could not speak to.  Needless to say, A was written up A LOT.

28. the Junior - Back the Truck and Trailer into Senior coverup incident Jan 2023

Junior got to practically run over Senior and both men denied the incident happened.  The Deputy Director was informed about the incident and he (DD) chose to ignore the incident.  Because a backing incident is serious and its even more serious when you run over a person.  Senior limped around the shop for weeks.  Man, that had to be painful.

28 The Parting Shot - Fraudulent docs incident - Jan 16, 2023

27 The Headlight - Dead Battery incidents - Jan 6, 2023 (May 2022 to Jan 2023)

26 The Senior Had a Bad Day, Which He's Allowed incident - Dec 1, 2022

25 The Dirty Pants incident - Nov 2022

24 The Hydraulic Hose Week incidents - Oct 2022

23 the Junior and Senior Brand New Snow Plow incidents - Jan 2022

Junior ran his brand new snow plow front plow so much he ran it 5 inches into the mowboard. For those of you who do not know that is A LOT.  This is a $7000 cost.  He was never written up for it and never stood up in the safety meeting telling us what he did and how he would prevent this from happening again. Senior ran the wing of a brand new snow plow into a curb and twisted it really bad. and Ditto - he did not have to stand and testify when the rest of us are required to do so.

22 the Ltc Ops tells 69-1 to Run Across 3 Lanes of Traffic to Help Move a Car Off The Road incident - 2021 Jan 21

21 The Mag Chloride 60K Gallons Dump incident - 2020 Nov 10

And illegally dump it at Sullivan Hill.  Yikes I feel for the housing project below this.

20 The Beheaded Plastic Toy Lizard incidents - June & July 2020 (which ruined the windshield wiper arm to my personal car).

19 the John Deere I-25 Mirror incident - 2020 Aug 5

Junior gets ran into by a bus while driving the JD mower and both Senior and Junior denied it ever happened.  Keep in mind when a minority TMII gets hit by a car the minority TMII got written up.

18 The Shiny Screws Beneath My Personal Car Tires incidents - April & May 2020

17 the Safety Stand Down 'IT'S THE TITS' meeting - 2020 Feb 27

This one is disgusting.  And even more so now as the Ltc Ops who said "its the tits" three times in a safety stand down meeting in front of 44 people to include higher management, is now a Deputy Director.      Dis---gus--ting.  But that's the kind of person that gets promoted around here.  SA later informed me that that statement was a compliment.  Oh M G!  Talk about gaslighting.  That kind of statement is, never has been, or will be  a compliment or ok to say whether in mixed company or not!!!  Are there any decent people that work here???

16 The One Cuss Word Write-up incident - Jan 20, 2020

15 the If You Want a Good Laugh Hire the Handicapped incident - 2020 Jan 14

CC67 said this.

14 The its OK if I Cuss but NOT You incident - 2019 Dec 30

CC67 told CCTMIII to F-off several times and everyone laughed -- I did not.                                            So disrespectful its disgusting.

13 The Time Card incident - 2019 DEC 11

First time of many to come.  My timecard was changed without my permission and I was also never notified which all the men are notified but not me.

12 The Vac Truck incident Nov 2019 

This one's a good one. My TMII and I were doing night inspections.  I noticed the Vac Truck was out in the parking lot. November gets cold at night. It should never be in the parking lot. It should always be parked inside at night because it has pumps and things on it that will freeze and cause costly damage.  I said lets put that truck inside it will only take a minute. I was informed that the guys know what they are doing and to mind my own business.  I stated it will only take us 10 minutes to move that truck into one of P75s bays and one of their trucks out.  Mind your own business.  Needless to say that Vac trucks pumps froze and caused $25,000 worth of damage and never fixed.  THIS COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY PREVENTED!!!

Maybe the guys from P08 did not pick this truck up on purpose so that we would get a new vac truck?  Stuff like that is done. We did not get a new truck.  The guy from P09 who left it out was written up for this incident.  He was told the P08 would be picking the truck up that day, which is why he left it out. Of NOTE: the guy from P09 who was written up is Latino.

11 The You Should Only Consider Speaking When Spoken to and Maybe Not Even Then incident Nov 2019

10 SA Wing Coverup incident - 2019 Oct 30

SA not written up.  Man o Man he put a major dent into the wing.  SA told me it was a manhole cover.  What a laugh.  It was the guardrail going south just before Duckwood.  That guardrail is now a cement rail.  But a wing incident is serious.

9 Senior Backs the Semi incident - 2019 Oct 10

...and loses 1000gal of Mag Chloride on the shop tarmac.  Caused damage to the trailer and not written up.

8 The Castle Rock Drunkin Party Confidentiality Breach  incident- August 2019

7 The Homeless Camp Picker incident - June 20, 2019

6 The I'm Not Allowed to Speak to the Safety Officer incident - May 2019

5  The Medical Privacy Violation incident - March 19, 2019

4 The Hydraulic Hose (beginning) incidents - March 2019 to Oct 2022

3 the Take Care of Monument's Road During a Snowstorm While They Take a 2 Hour Coffee and Dinner Break incident- Dec 2018

2 The Transfer incident - April 2018 (which was the beginning of my downfall when you have an RTD sit in on the interviews to make certain that the interviews are fair - the Ltc Ops took offense to this. Well, wouldn't you? Obviously, there is a known hiring problem for this to happen because RTDs do not sit in on lowly interviews like mine - EVER).

1. The Happy Canyon incident - July 2017 (this one's a funny one. The boys in Castle Rock got into BIG trouble for this one. And its the last time I was ever treated decently at the company).

NOTE - in all of these incidents it was found that they were my fault because I did not do my job well enough and/or because I didn't speak up or I tampered with the evidence as in the Blue Powder incident.  Who, I ask is ever that perfect???

and of course, HR found that there is "no recourse" - wow, talk about stating the obvious.  

Send me all the news,

L

PS - I am sadly, most certain I'll be adding to this list.  

PPS - I may come back later and describe these in more detail or a link to where I did.

 

Dear Friend...targets anyone?

I stated earlier that my truck was a target of hatred as I, myself am.

BIG T targets of hate:

1. Some man left a salsa packet in the defrost area out of sight.  What does this do, you ask?  Welll... in winter the salsa packet will freeze and defrost and if not on the first time of freeze, defrost the packet will eventually break and, you guessed it, the salsa oozes down into the defrost area and YOU CAN NEVER GET THE SALSA SMELL OUT OF YOUR TRUCK!!  NEVER!  You have the luxurious smell of throwup for the rest of the trucks lifetime of use, which is a minumum of 30-40 years.

This is very hateful.  

Lucky for me, I clean my truck constantly and found the salsa before it broke and ooozed.

WHAT KINDA CRAP IS THAT???  

2. Big T became hard to start.  This truck is NEVER hard to start.  I mean NEVER.  I was confused.  The batteries were NOT old.  I checked everything constantly.  Even the mechanic had no clue.  Well...

And then one day in January of 2023, Janurary 6 to be precise, I was called in for oncall.  It was a Friday.  I came in and as I was going out I was called to "stand down."  I didn't have to go out.  So I stayed at work because it didn't make sense to leave and come back.  R was there at his bay door smoking.  I walked over and spoke with him.  As I was speaking with him, what do I notice?  the lights to Big T have been left on? WTF???  I make the statement to R, "what the heck are my lights doing on to my truck??? This doesn't make sense."  

I head to the key lock box to see if the keys are in the box as R heads out to the truck and finds the keys in Big T in the "on" position with lights on.  We were not expecting to use the truck for at least 2 weeks.  The batteries were stone cold dead.  This would have been the biggest drag to be charging my truck during a snow storm when I needed to use him immediately.  Which of course was the reason for the hate-filled action of leaving the lights on overnight.

The man (I like to call him junior) who was doing this came in early to turn the lights off and put the keys back in the lock box.  I watched him come in.  I wish I had been smart enough to leave things alone and catch him.  But he's tricky.  I spoke later to A of junior's patrol and A said, "why do you think he's been coming in early?"  "It's to do something to you or the equipment you use."

Number 2 is actually 2-20 numbers. Because this hate crime was done consistently over a period of months and months.

3. Hydraulic hoses disconnected - this happens randomly over a period of years.  Yes, that is years. Although for one whole week in October of 2022 every hose on the sander were disconnected for that week.

Number 3 is actually 20 - 40 numbers over a period of years.

WTF - this is a major hate crime from some man. It's a crime because it's purposely and deliberately places me in a dangerous situation. Some of the disconnections happens after I've done my pre-trip.  HR blamed me for not doing my pre-trip correctly.  Hey, numbskull --- I can't find the problem if I've already done the pretrip.  YOU MEAN I HAVE TO PRETRIP MY PRETRIP???!!!

F@@@554@@@@CK!!!!

Wanna know what HR determined, "there is no recourse."  NO SHIIIT SHERLOCK!!!

funny thing, the man, quit disconnecting them after I had done my pretrip.  He did the "courtesy" of disconnecting them the night before.

Do you know how many years it took management to speak out against this hate crime???  AND I'M THE ONE WHO HAD TO REQUEST THAT THEY SAY SOMETHING!!!

FIVE YEARS!!!

F@#$%CK!!!

AND THEN...the D Sup minimized the whole thing by stating "it was a joke between two guys that went bad."  WTF!!!!  DSup obviously knows more than he's saying if he "knows" this.

I think I've had enough of writing for today.  I have an upset stomache after writing this.  The last one I wrote about being "employee of the month", I cried for hours after.

Send me all the news,

L

Dear Friend ...be friendlier, part 2

Here's part 2 of the "be friendlier" talk:

I was told there were several complaints about me.  Keep in my I have not been present at the company for 3 months due to an injury.  I have been back only 3 days.  UGH

I was told LG made a complaint.

Here's the real conversation:

I went to P37 bay and LG was there; I asked LG if he knew where R was; he informed me he did not know; I said ok, thanks, and walked away.

Later, I was in the office working on the computer and LG came in and informed me that he had found R. That R was in the mechanic shop.  I said, "ok, thanks.  That's not surprising as R is always working on something, I won't interrupt as it's not that important."  

Meaning that what I wanted to speak with R about wasn't important and that whatever R was doing was more important than what I needed and that I would not interrupt R.

I was told that LG stated that I was "keeping track" of R a lead coworker and that I informed LG that whatever R was doing was not important.

LG had informed the bosses the exact opposite of my statements!  What a snake!

This brings new heights to why women should NOT work in an all male workplace because they(MEN) can't even get a conversation correct!! 

I am speechless!!

Send me all the news and make certain that you pay attention and tell me the REAL story!

L

PS  Or maybe men should be barefoot and pregnant and quit speaking in the workplace.

Dear Friend...employee of the month???

My company does an employee "spotlight" of the month and I will NEVER be in the "spotlight" of employee of the month for the company.

So here is my take on me:

L is an exemplary employee of the company for 7 years.

L has been bullied for 7 years by fellow employees and HR alike, which the company encourages.

Favorite shows: currently watching "We Were the Lucky Ones" and "Shogun"

Favorite movie: "Where the Red Fern Grows" --- this is a favorite book too.

2nd favorite movie: "Moonstruck"

Favorite hobby: I have several.  Textile artist is my category.  I enjoy weaving, knitting, and spinning (the original word - make your own yarn) currently I am enamoured with mittens.  The purple in the first mitten is handspun.  oh and art.

the 3 things I stand for while working for the company:

1. I stand for right; 

2. I will not be bullied by others or others bullied; 

3. I stand up for safety.

 --- all these things the company HATES.  The company encourages negativity and unsafe conditions and sometimes I wonder where is God?

My favorite photo:

this is MY truck and I loves him: BIG T - 7-5365; even the mechanics of the company recognize that this is MY truck.  Which brings tears to my eyes and hatred from everyone else, which means he is also a target of hate.

Send me all the news,

L

PS: Most of all: I am a believer of Christ NOT organized religion or hate.

Dear Friend...let's use a firehose?

 I am currently learning how to run a street sweeper.

The old street sweepers were pretty much disaster proof and could survive a nuclear blast.  The new street sweeper cannot.  It is full of sensitive electronics everywhere that need to be treated delicately.

Here's my story and set up for failure:

Sweeping all day in Palmer Lake, CO and dumping sweepings 6 miles away at the County Line shop.  Was told to meet at the 105 shop to clean out the sweeper with a firehose.  Yikes.  I always confuse the 105 shop with the 83 shop because the 105 shop is unmanned and isolated.  After sweeping, I am told by my new TMII to meet him at the 105 shop after I dump out the hopper. I say ok see you at 83.  He says no 105, I say ok, sorry I confuse the two.  I go and empty out the hopper and proceed to the 83 shop because I can't seem to remember shit!!! and wonder where the TMII is.  UGH. Talk about short term memory, I cannot get anything right.

I start washing out at the 83 shop.  My new TMII calls me to ask me where I am.  I tell him I'm at the 83 shop.  UGH - He is pissed.  He has had to pull out a bunch of equipment including the firehose.  I am profusely apologetic about my mix up and tell him that I constantly confuse the two shops (in fact, I am still apologizing for this mix up to this day, which I should not have to do --- men don't).  There is no reason for me to confuse the two shops. I just do and cannot seem to get it out of my head.  He says that's ok (it's NOT - he complains to our boss and our boss's boss -- what a baby).  I inform him I'll head over he says no. 

end of first day.

THE VERY NEXT DAY I am told to finish sweeping Palmer Lake, CO.  Sweep until 3pm and clean out at the 105 shop by myself.  I state that I am uncomfortable cleaning out here as I am unfamiliar with the shop and firehose and it is unmanned and if anything happens to me no one will know or care for that matter.  I have not mentioned in my story that I must be on a janky ladder with a firehose that uses a high psi (pounds of pressure), which makes things very shaky if you are by yourself.  My TMII will be at the Commercial Blvd shop and I am supposed to call him if I have any questions.  There is no reason why I cannot be at the Commercial shop other than because I was "told" to use the isolated 105 shop.  At the Commercial shop I can control the psi and lower the pressure and be on a staircase ladder instead of a janky unstable ladder.

I state my concerns and my TMII says "just do it."  Instead of arguing I say "ok."

As 3pm arrives, I have my co-worker pack up signs and return to his patrol.  I thank him for his help.  I go to the 105 shop.  No one is there but me, and I drive around in circles deciding what to do. Since I feel unsafe, I go empty out at County Line and make the decision of safety for myself to clean the sweeper at Commercial Blvd where I can control the water pressure and be on a safer ladder.

Wouldn't you know, TMII heard me and my stated concerns and arranged to have JP meet me at 105 and purposefully neglected to inform me of such plan.  JP calls the co-worker over the radio that is helping me  and he informs JP that we are no longer in the area.  My phone blew up after that.  I have a firm discussion with my TMII informing him that there is no way for me to know that he had arranged for help for me when he doesn't let me know.  I then inform him that he's going to tell E (the boss boss) all about how I "went and did my own thing when that is not what happened."  

TMII has me on speaker phone and purposely has someone else listening in on the conversation without letting me know. I actually am ok with this as I have nothing to be ashamed about.  I am driving down the Interstate talking on the phone I finally mention this fact and state that I am hanging up.  During the conversation I offer to go back to the 105 shop.  I am told no, just come to Commercial and we will talk about this later.

We never talk about this later.  TMII complains about me to our boss C and boss boss E.  What a baby.  Cannot even handle anything in a business-like or professional manner.

I am written up for not doing as told and for being rude on the phone.  What a joke.  Women are expected to be bare foot and pregnant and keep their mouth shut here.  Even if a safety issue.

Funny thing though, my cooworker who is also being trained on the street sweeper has not once had to go to the 105 shop to clean the sweeper. He comes to Commercial Blvd.  What kinda' crap is that???

These people be crazy!

Send me all the news,

L

Dear Friend...be friendlier?

Hi,

I bet if you are a man you have NEVER been called into the boss' office to be friendlier. Especially in the career that I am in, which is mostly men.

I confess when this happened to me I laughed in his face, which of course, did not and does not help my case at all.  Because the one thing anyone should NEVER do is laugh in the boss's face.  Especially when he is F@%king serious about his request.

Oh dear God if you are there did you laugh like I did???  If You did I bet You kept it to Yourself like I should have. 

These pitiful pathetic men expect ALL women to be their "mother, sister, girlfriend, mistress, or wife," and certainly cannot handle a businesslike or professional relationship with women.

What a mess.  

The rest of the story is after laughing in his face, I said, "NO. Absolutely not."  Because I can see that 6 months down the line I'll be in his office again and being informed that I sexually harassed someone and now they have to let me go.  I should note here that when men sexually harass a woman  at the company they do NOT fire him, they promote him.  I informed the boss that I would be business-like and that's all he was going to get. He then had to pipe in "and professional."  I said whatever, same thing.  He said no its not and insisted on his lousy two-cent "professional."  I said fine business-like and professional.

I then had to look up the two words and my word is a higher standard.  Business-like is the highest standard in that career. Professional can be either high or low in that career.  Ironic that the boss chooses a word that can be of a low standard.  But that's what he brings to the table.

Anywhoo, send me all the news and make certain that you are friendlier about it when you do.  UGH

L