The "What's on your mind?" thread

[Dubstar]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Going to 5 movies at the theatre on Saturday and then doing a shadow 9-9 shift on Sunday with a client I've never met before. I certainly (at least in my mind) have been exposed to a huge number of clients since I started being a DSP on May 7th. Hoping by the time I move to the midwest(still planning for this to happen next May) I'll be working as a case worker/manager and not a DSP anymore.

whoah ... I'm trying to do four, but logistically I think I can only do 3, I might have to move one of the movies to tomorrow morning. Then try to do 2 movies on Sunday with my AMC A-list and then see 'Star!' in 70mm that night over at the AFI Silver.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Dubstar

whoah ... I'm trying to do four, but logistically I think I can only do 3, I might have to move one of the movies to tomorrow morning. Then try to do 2 movies on Sunday with my AMC A-list and then see 'Star!' in 70mm that night over at the AFI Silver.

I'm also going to attempt an 11 mile dreadmill run after that 12 hour shift. 6 miles is the furthest I've been able to muster since June 25th so we'll see how that goes.

[beefytwinkie]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Going to 5 movies at the theatre on Saturday and then doing a shadow 9-9 shift on Sunday with a client I've never met before. I certainly (at least in my mind) have been exposed to a huge number of clients since I started being a DSP on May 7th. Hoping by the time I move to the midwest(still planning for this to happen next May) I'll be working as a case worker/manager and not a DSP anymore.

Do you enjoy the work?

What's the difference between a DSP and a case worker?

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by beefytwinkie

Do you enjoy the work?

What's the difference between a DSP and a case worker?

DSPs are basically babysitters for developmentally disabled adults.

Case workers work on stuff like housing placements, healthcare and money management. They can also help clients with stuff like who's on their care team, who their guardian is and so forth.

I tolerate the work as a bridge between what I was doing before (quality control at a local tent company) and what I went to university for - case work/management. DSP is still part of the behavioral health team, just at the bottom, so it's experience in the field. Experience that will hopefully eventually lead to a 8-5 job with benefits that pays more.

[Member-222782]

When did people stop using the word 'actress'? All actors and actresses are now just 'actors'. Is this a millenial thing?

[stvn1974]

My shrink upgraded my meds three days ago and it dehydrated me. My pee was rust colored and made the wallpaper in the bathroom curl up. I am doing much better now.

[beefytwinkie]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

DSPs are basically babysitters for developmentally disabled adults.

Case workers work on stuff like housing placements, healthcare and money management. They can also help clients with stuff like who's on their care team, who their guardian is and so forth.

I tolerate the work as a bridge between what I was doing before (quality control at a local tent company) and what I went to university for - case work/management. DSP is still part of the behavioral health team, just at the bottom, so it's experience in the field. Experience that will hopefully eventually lead to a 8-5 job with benefits that pays more.

Thanks for taking the time to explain that.

It sounds like both DSP and caseworker positions can be really stressful but very fulfilling as you are helping people.

The way I would look at it is, sure, you're "at the bottom" but you're doing the grunt work now and that will give you a much better perspective to bring to your caseworker job. That should be an excellent stepping stone for you to move into your next position and a great conversation piece during your interviews.


I kind of did the same when I was looking for an accounting/finance position. Took a job as an accounting clerk (which is basically a glorified word for data entry) which paid me almost nothing. Finished my certification exams and have just been on an upward trend since then.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by beefytwinkie

Thanks for taking the time to explain that.

It sounds like both DSP and caseworker positions can be really stressful but very fulfilling as you are helping people.

The way I would look at it is, sure, you're "at the bottom" but you're doing the grunt work now and that will give you a much better perspective to bring to your caseworker job. That should be an excellent stepping stone for you to move into your next position and a great conversation piece during your interviews.


I kind of did the same when I was looking for an accounting/finance position. Took a job as an accounting clerk (which is basically a glorified word for data entry) which paid me almost nothing. Finished my certification exams and have just been on an upward trend since then.

I had very little experience working with developmentally disabled people before this and I would consider my experience I've had since may 7th quite illuminating.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

I had very little experience working with developmentally disabled people before this and I would consider my experience I've had since may 7th quite illuminating.

I have a piece of advice for you. I have been working with developmentally disabled people for about 35 years. If you believe that your job is "babysitting" you need to leave the field and never go back. Referring to your position as a "babysitter" is an absolute insult to the field.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Hitman Horton

I have a piece of advice for you. I have been working with developmentally disabled people for about 35 years. If you believe that your job is "babysitting" you need to leave the field and never go back. Referring to your position as a "babysitter" is an absolute insult to the field.

Oh well. It's how my supervisor described it and it seems apt to me. I cook, clean, monitor, transport and administer medication for these people. Sounds about right.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Oh well. It's how my supervisor described it and it seems apt to me. I cook, clean, monitor, transport and administer medication for these people. Sounds about right.

I don't know where you live and maybe the job is looked at differently where you are. All I can say is that I'm glad I don't live there.

We help people achieve their dreams. I supported a person. Nobody thought he could live outside of an institution because of his behavioural challenges. I took that man to the top of the CN Tower. I helped a man achieve his dream of seeing his favourite band, KISS, in concert. That's why I am much more than a babysitter.

[stvn1974]

The CD burner on my desktop died a sad and painful death this morning. If I put a disc in to rip it sounds like there is gravel in the machine.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Hitman Horton

I don't know where you live and maybe the job is looked at differently where you are. All I can say is that I'm glad I don't live there.

We help people achieve their dreams. I supported a person. Nobody thought he could live outside of an institution because of his behavioural challenges. I took that man to the top of the CN Tower. I helped a man achieve his dream of seeing his favourite band, KISS, in concert. That's why I am much more than a babysitter.

That's good and your clients and I appreciate it. I am still getting used to the work, the people, the policies and procedures and administering medication.

Not sure I will ever fully accept the 90%+ of DSPs who seemingly just clock in for their shifts, play on their phones then clock out and go home.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Going to 5 movies at the theatre on Saturday

Batman at the movies.

Originally Posted by Dubstar

bucket list accomplishment done last Friday - go to a nudist colony ... I'm thinking of going back this Sunday or Monday

You just need to go to Miami Beach...plenty of foreigners.

Me at a colony.


Crazy and wild week. At least the weekend is almost here!

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Batman at the movies.




You just need to go to Miami Beach...plenty of foreigners.

Me at a colony.


Crazy and wild week. At least the weekend is almost here!

Trying to think how to handle food and drink, probably take soda and water along in the car to drink between shows and just get food from the concessions stand.

Just made a Tuesday afternoon bivalent vaccine appointment.

[sfmarine]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

Trying to think how to handle food and drink, probably take soda and water along in the car to drink between shows and just get food from the concessions stand.

Just made a Tuesday afternoon bivalent vaccine appointment.

Yeah that's a good idea to go back to the car between showings and grab a drink. You can always sneak in some candy as well. I went to a matinee showing recently and the next row down had several boomers in it. After the coming attractions I swear I smelled meatloaf and I think mashed potatoes. They definitely snuck in some food from cracker barrel or something. They all had trays of food.

Will that vaccine appt be your second booster?

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Yeah that's a good idea to go back to the car between showings and grab a drink. You can always sneak in some candy as well. I went to a matinee showing recently and the next row down had several boomers in it. After the coming attractions I swear I smelled meatloaf and I think mashed potatoes. They definitely snuck in some food from cracker barrel or something. They all had trays of food.

Will that vaccine appt be your second booster?

Yeah I had the primary booster last September and it's been 90 days since I tested positive for covid.

I used to sneak in food too but I figure $3 showings, I should probably at least pay for some lunch and dinner. Maybe some candy too, we'll see.

[Hitman Horton]

Originally Posted by Batman1980

That's good and your clients and I appreciate it. I am still getting used to the work, the people, the policies and procedures and administering medication.

Not sure I will ever fully accept the 90%+ of DSPs who seemingly just clock in for their shifts, play on their phones then clock out and go home.

I work awake nights now so I work alone and I like it that way. We had a new staff that was fired because she was attending a lecture virtually while at work.! It's a job that I love. I have some great memories. Hopefully, you'll have some too.

[civiclx]

Went to some car dealers today. I didn't do any test drives because I'm in the beginning of trying to decide what I want and what I can afford. I didn't want to put any unnecessary miles on the cars. I might not even get a new car but I'd like to. If I get new, I'll probably get something in the low $20K range. Not a whole lot to choose from in that price range but there are some decent options out there I think. I'm also not positive that I want a car (sedan) over a SUV/crossover.

My mid-level dream car...maybe not dream car but a goal car let's say...let's say something in the $40K range, would probably be a Volvo S60 or an Infiniti Q50. Admittedly, I have a lot of research to do. I don't know much about the cars out there right now. I kind of go with what my eyes fall for.

Took a few pics of some cars I'd like to have

[Show spoiler]



Volvo XC40


Volvo S60

[BeastCreatureTrapper]

Originally Posted by civiclx

Went to some car dealers today.

Take your time. The car market (dealer or private) is still out of whack, with most decent vehicles 20-30% over what they would normally be.

If you find a deal, you find a deal and take it, but the market is currently overpriced, in general.