Daphne's Adventures

I've been getting really annoyed with Gen Y kids these days. I realize I'm being a total hypocrite because technically, I was born in 1982, so that makes me a Gen Y kid. Whatever. This post is mainly referring to people younger than me at work. The staff in our firm who are either right out of college or have gone through one year with the firm. I could go on and on about work related issues of why I'm annoyed with Gen Y kids, but instead I'm going to focus on one specific topic - Gen Y's who live in the Orange County (the OC).

I've never lived in the OC, but now that I work here, I realize that the culture is so different from how I grew up in LA county. Take my friend Alex, for example. Last night we were driving home from swing dance class, and he turned to look at me, saw the sweater I was wearing, and said "You might want to put that thing in a shredder. It makes you look like a hobo." I just shrugged and said "Meh, I'm not trying to impress anyone at dance class, and I sure as hell ain't trying to impress you."

Then we got back to my house (where his car was parked) and we were talking about text messaging. Well apparently my phone doesn't have all the neat gadgets his does because he said my phone was old and I needed a new one. Hello! I just got this phone less than a year ago. And to finally seal the deal and kick me when I'm already down, Alex finishes with "Yah, you live at home, your car is old, your phone is old, and you wear hobo clothes. You must have a lot of money saved up." I guess I was tired because it didn't really sink in... until this morning.

I swear I woke up this morning just feeling angry. Not the way to start the day. I realized, hey wait a minute, that was pretty insulting and mean of him to say all those things to me last night. How dare he! Sorrrrreee if I don't drive a new Audi like you, or drive a BMW like oh I dunno.. at least five other staff I know in our office. Seriously now, is there something I don't know about the staff pay? Should I quit and get rehired as a staff? How can they afford beamers? Answer... they don't. Their parents help them out. Which is fine, I'm not pissed about that. But I am pissed that these kids have pretty much lost touch with reality and what is considered "poor/ghetto" to them is not to most others. And meanwhile I look like a square to them because I'm saving money rather than living it up. How does that make sense? That is classic Gen Y right there.

So yah, I'm really pissed and hurt by Alex right now and I think I'm going to ignore him for awhile. I think in general I'm just so sick of the whole OC culture and snobbish attitudes. This is yet another reason why I don't want to move here.

but I'm probably an even bigger idiot. Let me explain.

My brother Doug has major issues when it comes to money. "Issues" meaning... he doesn't have any. I swear the guy lives off every single pay check, and it drives me nuts that he's always asking for $20 here, $10 there. I even get the "yah can I borrow twenty bucks because if I get it from the ATM I'll be overdrawn." Hello, you're 27, how can you possibly live like that? It boggles my mind.

Anyway, yesterday he messages me asking for a big favor. Right away I knew it had to be about money. Here's how it went down:

Doug: "So there's this LCD TV I really want but I don't have enough credit available on my credit card, do you have enough to cover $800?"

Me: "Umm, yes."

Doug: "Do you think you can buy it online and I'll go pick it up?"

Me: "Can't Janice get it for you?" (Janice being his gf who he's living with)

Doug: "No, she doesn't have credit cards. And she tried applying for a circuit city card but got denied."

Doug: "So I can pay you back in two checks. One this Friday, the other next Friday."

Me: "So why not just buy it then if you're gonna get paid in two weeks? Is this some kind of special deal that ends today?"

Doug: "No, I'm just not doing anything today and I really want to pick it up."

At this point, I'm furious. I decide to try another tactic and message Janice, who is also online.

Me: "Hey Janice you know anything about my brother buying an LCD? He's asking me to buy it online right now."

Janice: "Oh really? I know he's been wanting one for awhile and I'd rather he hold off, but I have no control over it, if he wants to get it then it's his money."

Okay, no help there.

Me: "Well, I have to let you know that I think this is a really bad idea given that you guys are always strapped for cash. You guys should be using that money for rent. And Doug still owes me $400."

Janice: "$400? For what?"

Me: "Oh this is back from 2005. I wrote him two checks. Whatever, I don't expect to ever get that back."

Janice: "Well I'll make sure he pays you back for the TV and the $400."

Doug: "Oh nevermind, I just found out you can't order online and me pick it up. What time will you be home tonight? We can go to the store and I'm cooking dinner."

Well I'll be damned. It's been 3 months since he moved out and now he decides to invite me over to see his place. Freakin idiot.

Me: "I won't be home until ten, tomorrow I'm busy until ten as well, Thursday I'm having dinner with Nicole."

Doug: "Aww okay. I guess I can wait till next week then."

(30 minutes later)

Doug: "Hey I found the TV on amazon and it's $200 cheaper. Can you buy it for me?"

Me: "Okay, but I'm putting a disclaimer. I am 100% against this purchase and I think you need to be using this money on things you actually need. And if you want to order this online and the tv gets damaged for whatever reason, you're still paying me back or I will hunt you down."

Doug: "Okay, duly noted."

Here's where I'm guessing Janice told him about our conversation earlier because he adds:

Doug: "Hey I realize I'm asking for a lot..."

Me: "It's not about the money, you know that."

Doug: "Yah but I promise I'll pay you back. And I'm hopefully getting this job that will pay me $4k a month (before taxes)."

So Doug's (my brother) birthday is coming up in October. I was originally going to get us Rascal Flatts concert tickets since we had a blast going last year, but unfortunately I was in Atlanta last week when they had their concert. I got an evite the other day from a coworker of mine, inviting a bunch of work people to the USC vs Stanford football game on October 6th. It would cost roughly $60 a person, including ticket, donation for the tailgate food, and parking.

I figured this would make a great birthday present for Doug, since he's always wanted to go to a USC game. His college unfortunately didn't have a football team, so he's never experienced the joys of college football-get-wasted-at-the-tailgate-before-the-game fun. Neither of us have been to a pro football game either, since LA doesn't have a pro team. So I left Doug a message telling him to keep Oct. 6th clear on his calendar because I was taking him to the game for his birthday.

Well, he just messaged me:

Doug: "Hey so are you just buying those tickets just for us?"

Me: "Well, I'm getting them through a coworker who is organizing a big tailgate and has a block of about 50 tickets."

Doug: "Oh. Well I was wondering if I can bring my girlfriend."

Yah, okay. Honestly, I'm upset. I mean, ever since Doug moved out 2 months ago with his gf, I haven't had any brother sister time with him. He hasn't even invited me over to see his new place! That is so wrong. I really just wanted this to be me and him. I know for a FACT that his gf doesn't like football, and she could probably care less about USC. I'm starting to wonder if he would've invited her to the Rascal Flatts concert too, even though I know she has no idea who they are.

So me of course, being the chicken that I am, said "Well, I don't mind if she goes, but I'm sorta buying these tickets as your birthday present, so would you mind paying for her then?" He said fine.

Okay, so much for that. I was hoping he'd say Oh nevermind then. Wishful thinking on my part. Seriously though, is it too much to ask that I get to hang out with my brother once in awhile? Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike her, but I do dislike them together sometimes. For one thing they're too PDA, and I just don't like that she's become the center of his universe. Not cool man, not cool.

Do you think I'm just being selfish? I probably am. I mean, it's HIS birthday not mine, and if he wants her there, then I should understand right? Yah, I guess it's one thing to say it but another to really mean it. Which I don't. LOL

On last week's Thursday Thirteen I had mentioned on point #11 that I wanted to avoid getting annoyed with my brother (let's just call him Doug). In Vegas I actually wasn't annoyed with him per say, more like... annoyed with him and his gf together, as a couple. Let me explain...

Anyway, going back to Vegas. Man, these two are so PDA that it makes me sick. Not just holding hands all the time. I'm talking about her constant petting, smooching, clinging, etc. Yuck. So we go to the pool this weekend and we're having ourselves a good ole time. We start heading back to the car so everyone could go back and change in their hotel room. As we're walking to the parking structure, I notice that she put a white see-through tank top over her black bikini (hmm) and on her feet.... high heels. Like straight up hooker high heels. Uh huuhhhhh. Okay seriously, who does that? Tell me please, because I need to know if I'm the only one thinking that that is just TRASHY. She's not exactly a model either. I'm not trying to be offensive to anyone else who might be reading this, but there's no other way to describe what I was thinking in my head except for "omg, it's like looking at miss piggy from the back and seeing her in a bikini and high heels." Yes, I said it. I know that was mean, but come on now. The rest of us were in flip flops, cuz ya know... that's what you wear when you get out of the swimming pool. You don't put on high heels.

Moving along.... we get to the hotel room where Doug, Janice, and some other cousins/friends were staying. I wasn't staying at this hotel but went along anyway to have lunch with them. Second disgusting thing: their hotel room was a smoking room. Okay, I know it's Vegas and it smells like smoke all over the casinos but dude, can we at least have the room you're sleeping in smell somewhat fresh and clean? I swear Doug was almost on a full recovery to quit smoking, then once he got with Janice, he started smoking like a chimney. Ugh. So one by one each person takes their turn using the shower while the rest of us are watching tv. Janice went next and I keep talking to my cousins and watching tv. Then all of a sudden I look around the room and do a mental headcount. Someone is missing. I ask "Hey where did Doug go?" and nobody said anything. Suddenly I hear giggling from the bathroom shower.... Oh HELL no you did not just go in there with her! That's just NASTY and WRONG. I swear I was so disgusted by it I wanted to barf. Is my brother on crack? I'm your freakin sister and I'm in the same room along with your cousins and friends, and you jump in the shower with her? Double ugh. I get so pissed off every time I think about it. I'm telling you, who does that? Who?!

I love my brother, but sometimes I just want to smack him upside the head.