Hopeful Realist Gifts

Hospital Checkout: Have a Guardedly Optimistic Day.

Japanese disaster

""On a positive note closing all the area offices might encourage some of our clients to develop important coping skills."

"Me? I'm really scared and sad these days..."

Road Forks in the Road: No Way and Yes Way.

"Son, the world is full of disappointments. About 7.7 billion of them."

"It's a Wonderful Life" if it was written by scientists.

"You will bargain away what little integrity you have left for what little job security you can gain."

"Have you ever given any thought to what you're going to do after all your hopes and dreams are crushed?"

Woman talking romantically whilst man talks about measuring the scullery.

"Could you spare some change for a guy fresh off welfare?"

Platitudes for the hopelessly realistic. When life gives you lemons, get a gift receipt.

"Now at this point reality intruded."

"The bad news is that we've had to cut most of the services. . . The good news is that we can now tell people in 23 languages what we don't do anymore!"

Inbox and Outbox

Dear Sadie, I'm just an aging Baby-Boomer who still believes in America, and sees all the good around me, but I don't understand why we've become so mean. How can I feel good about us again? Signed, Marlemarion. Great question. There's an easy answer as to how you can feel better about the world. Change your name to something normal! I just don't agree with the @#$% premise that we've gotten mean.

"I see fleeting moments of happiness in between extended periods of boredom and stress."

Warning Being Alive On This Planet May Cause Cancer

"Could be worse..." "Could be worse..." "Could be worse..." "Could be... oh, never mind."

The Dungeon

"It breaks my heart to see you stressed out here at work, so you're fired."

Rural Cityscape

"Where do you see yourself in five years?"

"It's no good, Martin, it's still in the room."

'I tried for a new lease on life, but I got a lousy credit report.'

"You can be anything!". . . "Take whatever you can get."

'Mom, Dad. . . remember that day you sent me to law school and I got lost?'

"He's growing up too fast. Instead of hearing a fairytale, he wants to know about rights in the workplace."

'I'm looking as young as 20 years ago? Honey, promise me not to see an eye specialist for the next 20 years!'

"Old MacDonald had a farm"

"As a Senior Citizen applying for this job, where do YOU see yourself in 5 years?"

"This new job of mine is like paradise."

'One thing about being chronically unemployed -- we're safe from work-related injuries.'

'The worst part is, we've never had it so good.'

'Yeah, I couldn't make a lousy cent for days and I don't care about it! Got me, dude?'