Yes, it was one of those days that make you want to run for the nearest large body of water and see how long you can hold your breath before you suck in a lungfull.

Or two.

I pay child support. Now, since there is a multiple state jurisdiction and my ex-wife is a serious bitch, my pay is garnished for the amount of support due each month. It doesn't really bother me, mind you. I understand the necessity for these rules in order to take care of those who would otherwise ignore their obligations. On the other hand, it does make life a little tougher for those of us who ARE PAYING their debt.

Now, my ex used to like to move and not tell me where she was. Then, she'd apply for welfare and collect money for my daughter until such time (it usually takes the state at least a year to find you) as you have a couple grand in back debt piled up. The unfortunate part is that once you get multiple states involved in this process, none of them talk much to the others, regaurdless of reciprocity agreements.

So today, I received notification that half my paycheck was going to be garnished (half today's was, as a matter of fact) in order to pay for past due support that I am already paying for! That's right, on one line of my deductions, child support was taken out. On the next line, GARNISHMENT was listed with the total of half my net pay removed in order to repay the same debt as the child support was going to.

Needless to say, once the appropriate agencies were contacted and informed of the fuck up, things got taken care of but it puts the other half of my paycheck into next week. (Yup, payroll has to cut a check and mail it to me for the amount they withheld persuant to the garnishment.)

Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.

Look, I understand the need for these laws, I really do. There are too many assholes who just walk away from the responsibility they have to their children. There have to be methods in place to take care of them. But C'mon. I pay! Cut me some slack, will ya'?
Talk to each other. Find out what's going on before you jump all over something you know nothing about.


I want booze. I want it now.

Joseph Haines, signing off from The Edge of The Abyss.