... last time I try to be nice.... (rant)

I lived in the Netherlands for a few months and was tickled by the Dutch custom of putting unwanted goods out on the pavement for anyone to take, not as rubbish, as "I don't want this anymore, free to a good home". I've seen everything from coffee makers to TV's to couches sitting on sidewalks. A lady I knew there scored a complete dining room set, table and chairs, that way.

In Ireland sadly rubbish collection cost a staggering amount each month, so in order to save a few Euros people find out of the way places to dump rubbish and defunct household electronics. We loved exploring the little roads and out of the way places and found a number a old TV sets on isolated beaches, garbage dumps on mountains, etc.

sumi said:

In Ireland sadly rubbish collection cost a staggering amount each month, so in order to save a few Euros people find out of the way places to dump rubbish and defunct household electronics. We loved exploring the little roads and out of the way places and found a number a old TV sets on isolated beaches, garbage dumps on mountains, etc.

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How sad and very bad for the lovely Irish landscape! With all the free curbside pick up and occasional free days at the land fill it is still not unheard of to find trash dropped of on a back road or down by the river bank.

Well - we're closed! So cookout canceled! Problem solved (and lesson learned)

Yall talking about kids and garbage trucks reminds me of a story. I once got a call from a woman who's son was turning 5 and was IN LOVE with the garbage truck. She wanted to have his birthday party at the landfill. I told the GM and he RAN with it. He called the local hauling company and got one of the brand new automated trucks sent down on the day of the party. The kids all got to climb inside the cab, work the controls to make the automated arm come out and grab the can and dump it into the truck. They got to watch it smash a bunch of cardboard boxes. Then he had arranged to have a tour bus(mini van) on site to take them all up to the 'working face' to watch the tipper pick up a tractor trailer and dump it - and they got to watch the compactors and dozers moving and smashing the trash. They all got to wear hardhats and safety vests on the tour. He had me set up the break room for the party (Mom provided the food and decorations). Then they all went to the duck pond to feed the ducks. They all had a good time and it was a fun day for all of us in the office.

That's a remarkable story of generosity Cane. Those kids will have the most interesting stories to tell of the birthday party they had at the landfill.
Who could top that? Stand aside Chuckie Cheese!

Oh, and I'm glad you're off the hook, AND getting the day off. Enjoy yourself in the garden!

Lesson learned? Yeah, right, for how long?

In any group there are normally going to be a very few people that will have ideas, take the lead, initiate things, plan them out, and make things happen. Very few people. You normally have some that will join in, do some work, and help pull things off, especially if asked. Solid, dependable people. Many people will enjoy whatever others do but won't help out, even if asked. And you always have some that will do nothing but complain and try to make life miserable for everyone else. And these are often quite smug about how intelligent they are and exert a lot of peer pressure to make others follow their lead.

You are one of the first group. It won't be that long before you get in deep again. It sounds like you have way too many of that last group around. That makes it harder. Hopefully you can structure the next one so you can find the people that are willing to help out before the last group poisons it for everyone.

YEAH, enjoy your day off Cane.

DAY OFF!! Glad it worked out and you are off the hook!

Love the birthday party at the landfill! What a great party!