Let me break down the new “Healthcare Law.”

“Hey, you over there-buy me a car.”

“Um, no, get your own car.”

“The government says you have to buy me a car. It’s the law. On top of that, you have to pay for other people’s too, even if you have your own. If you don’t, you will go to jail.”

WOW. It took us a paltry couple hundred years to give up our freedoms. God bless every state in the land, and every person in the land that is suing the government for this law being unconstitutional.

I read a quote from a TOTAL ignoramus who said something to the effect of “I don’t know why people are making an issue out of it. The law is the law.” WTF? This guy was apparently a lawyer. It is blatently stated in our laws that if the government gets too big for it’s britches, and isn’t representing the majority of the people, (which is isn’t-67% of Americans did not want this bill passed), then the people have a responsibility to rise up and tell the government what the hell is up and how it’s gonna be. The question I have is, Will We Do It?

I don’t mind  Healthcare Reform. Insurance should be made accessible, or more accessible than it has been. But to force people to buy something they may not even want is CRAZY. CRAZY and ILLEGAL, and UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

Despite this passage, Obama has the lowest presidential approval rating in history. I WONDER WHY?

Pretty much, as far as I can tell, all he’s done since he’s been in office is apologize to the world for America being America, apologize to people and countries who attacked us and killed us, ignored countries that have been our allies, arranged for the release of dangerous terrorists so they can wander about and DO IT AGAIN, give failing businesses huge amounts of money, (gee, I wish I could fuck up my whole company and then get paid billions for it), and then, with the help of Democrats, (and I used to be one by the way, and this party has gone SO FAR OUT THERE, I can’t even remotely identify WHAT THE FUCK is going on), has passed a bill that over half of Americans DID NOT WANT, and which will turn many Americans, who are middle class working stiffs into poor working stiffs, due to the fact that they’ve got to pay for everyone else. But hey, they’ll have health insurance.

America has officially become a socialist country. It happened without the consent of a lot of the people in it, and those that knew what was happening couldn’t get enough going to fight it off. Freedom as we knew it died. If you don’t think there’s more on the way, think again.

Ammunition-the stuff they put in guns, is now made to expire. That’s right. What is the point of that? Well, if you know you’ll never get away with taking the guns away….take away the ammo. What do you think might be around the corner?

I admire people who go through life seemingly unafraid of consequences-when they aren’t hurting themselves or others. People who have the balls, the money, the fury, or the sheer stupidity, or bloodymindedness to just keep going. There was a time I was a bit like that. People called me the Verbal Machete. (I am not making that up.) Sometimes, I miss the machete….and I just have to bring it out. It can get old being so NICE all the time. I am not, however, one of those people who has no regard for consequences.

So, I called up good old CSU and had a little chat with the Department Chair, and  demanded to know why CSU was allowing a “textbook” with a forward from Karl Marx and no references in it to be used for an American History Class. The Chair really didn’t know, or else she is very good at playing dumb. Both are possible, as this is partly how you get to be the Chair. You blackmail everyone, and then put your fingers in your ears, and go “LALALALALALA” most of the time. Anything else is someone else’s problem. Anyway, she told me the University does not endorse this textbook, but they allow their professors to choose their own. I told her that might not be a good idea, seeing as she has a communist teaching US Government, making sure all the young people feel properly ashamed of themselves for being fed and clothed and educated. I told her its that kind of shit that ruins a perfectly good university. She listened very politely to me, assuming I was a random lunatic I think. But when I told her I was considering going to the university for a PhD program, but I didn’t want to spend my money at a university that was endorsing communism, she stopped being polite at me and started paying attention. She assured me she would investigate, and I assured her I would be investigating whether or not she investigated. I certainly hope it did some good. I did it because  I was bored, and I haven’t fought for anything for awhile, and felt like if I was going to bark at something, it might as well be for a good cause. I sublimated my rage into something slightly more acceptable than ranting. 

Wendy is pregnant. I repeat, my best friend is going to have a BABY. This thought is so cool, and so awesome, and I mean it in the kind of wow, the universe is AWESOME, not the hey-awesome hat, sense. A BABY.  She is having an awfully busy year, by getting married AND having a baby. That baby is going to be loved up and spoiled by Auntie Kelly. Wendy and Mike will also get loved up too, and get free babysitting service when they just can’t take it anymore and need some sleep. I am SO excited for them both! Baby is very very important and wonderful, and I will flatten anything that ever threatens or looks at it wrong. I will be like an extra momma bear. Baby will pretty much get what baby wants from Auntie Kelly, as long as mom and dad are ok with it.

Donnie and I spent ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT long looking at kitchen cabinets online. When I couldn’t stand looking at the two-dimensional model anymore, he build a 3D version which was extremely helpful and I could see what we were doing better. I love Donnie. He is a genius. He is quiet and gentle, but when he gets going, or gets to thinking about something, he is REALLY involved with it. His focus is amazing. Eventually, we are going to have a beautiful tiled kitchen with an icemaker that will make RABBIT POOP ICE, like you get at Sonic ( I love that ice, don’t tell me you don’t),  also referred to in a more civilized manner as nugget ice. Hey-nugget….poop…..HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Frankly, I have spent so much time around teenagers, it has pretty much enabled a 12-year-old boy sense of humor in me that just won’t go away. We will also have kickass new everything. This MAKES ME SO EFFING HAPPY I COULD DO A DANCE. I am getting really tired of Amy’s frozen health food meals. I love them, but damn. Enough is enough.

I fell asleep with my nicotine patch on earlier and had an amazing dream. I love it when that happens. As anyone else who has ever snuggled up with the patch knows, you either get amazingly realistic dreams that are colorful, vivid, and you feel fantastic in them, or you get the shittiest nightmare imaginable.

This is one of those blogs where there is really nothing that new or amazing to report, except for the Wendy and Mike having a baby part, which I have reported in another blog, but still, that is SUCH BIG NEWS it bears repeating.  Everything else is random, fairly uninspired, and bland. Shit. I hate it when that happens.

Some people are very sure they want socialized healthcare, and other people say they’d rather die., and other people say they just don ‘t fucking know. What it’s really all about is cost. What can I get, how much money will it cost me, and how much will my doctor get, and what will the hospital make?

My suggestion, after watching a documentary tonight about the CCC put into place by Roosevelt, is sort of a trade off. Rather than just taking your money, or trading money for services, why don’t we BUILD something new? We ARE the crazy Americans after all. What Roosevelt did back in the day when soup kitchens were how people were fed, and unemployment was up to 25% or higher, was put people to work. And in exchange, they made money, and were fed, and that money went to their families. Many people at the time called this socialist. But to me, not so much, because these people were DOING something to earn what they got. And what they did was stop the Dust Bowl by terraforming the land, plant trees, make paths, trails, and conserve. They made it so we can all visit national parks. That’s pretty good for $30 a month per person, with $25 going to help the starved out family.  An entire generation of young men, (now it would be people), wanting to work, grateful to be fed, and who would MUCH rather be out in the woods than sitting around.  So they got what they wanted, work, clothes, food, shelter, and good times. Maybe the solution isn’t higher payments or taxes or regulations. Maybe it’s a little give and take on both ends.

I am tired of the rant in general for now, but I do know that we are doomed to repeat history if we haven’t learned from it. And by the way, if you are interested in that Marxist textbook I was talking about being used in an AMERICAN GOVERNMENT CLASS, that University using it is Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. I’m sure there are others, but I would love to hear what some of my industrious readers have to tell me if they call or email CSU on why this is an approved textbook. Remember, this is the one with NO references in it at all. WHAT A SHITTY BOOK! Let’s find out more about it!!!!!!! SO……

LET’S MAKE A DEAL: $50.00-ish CHALLENGE

I will send you $5.00 for making a call to this university and telling me what you get via email or phone-must include the name and number of person you talked to, with a brief write-up of your experience. Bonus for live footage or digital recording of any kind.

I will send you $20.00 if you raise hell, just because you can, (VISUAL RECORDING NECESSARY),and you’re exercising your right to freedom of speech, to try and frustrate someone at the university about this book, or if you can annoy the prof. Asking questions such as, “Why doesn’t this book have references? or “Why do you, a person with an education, roof over your head, and food to eat, and the ability to make as much money as you want to work for, live in this country and put it down at the same time?” ” If you think oppressed people should be set free, would you give me some money? I’m oppressed because my school hours prohibit me from having a job that makes me enough. C’MON MAN, it’s the SOCIALIST WAY-I THOUGHT WE WERE BRO’S!!!!!”

If you have really frustrated someone and enraged them,  then I will get you some more dough in order to buy soothing beverages. But not a keg ok? You have to buy it yourself.

$10.00 will go to the person who can locate another university that uses this vile book. An extra $5.00 is yours if you can get the Department Head, Dean, or Prof to go on record stating why they think this is an appropriate American History Book.

$20.00, and possibly a bonus for a person who DOES NOT ATTEND THE CLASS to go in there disguised, Scream, “THIS CLASS IS A SHIT SHOW” and drop a copy of the constitution, but MOST importantly, the Declaration of Independence on the professor, or in front of him. I have it on very good authority that this man has said, “I hate that document.”Even more bonus points if you can get a nasty Beastie Boys song going, or something inappropriate for the classroom. DO NOT DO THIS YOURSELF IF YOU ATTEND THE CLASS. I DO NOT WANT YOU TO FLUNK OVER THIS.

See, Capitalism is good. I want a service, I pay for it, and hopefully, a labor pool responds. Costs are somewhat negotiable. The $50.00 is a starting point.

I’m dead serious about this folks. This doesn’t have to be limited to CSU, if your university has this trash, go right ahead with the plan. Be advised I am not made of money, and cannot pay you all, so check in with me before you go do these deeds. I want to know who I’m paying. Make sure your actions are legal, as I will not bail you out of jail. Don’t get caught if you’re the shit show person, make sure you know your exits. And then tell your friends. Perhaps you can all intrinsically motivate yourselves to be entitled to a damn fine education for what it costs, by protesting the shit show they are giving  you.

YOU ARE THE CONSUMER. YOU CONSUME WHAT YOU WANT. DON’T LET THEM JUST GIVE YOU MINDLESS DRIVEL AND SLOP. THEY EXPECT THAT YOUR BRAIN IS SO WASTED FROM TV AND VIDEO GAMES AND TOO MUCH BUD THAT THEY AREN’T EXPECTING ANYONE TO PUT UP A FIGHT. AND DON’T LET THOSE BASTARDS EVER PLAY THE RACE CARD. WE’VE ALL BEEN SLAVES TO EVERYONE AT SOME POINT. NO ONE HAS EVER NOT BEEN ENSLAVED.

If nothing else, your psych prof or social prof might give you credit for this as a social experiment for operating outside the norms. Go to them if you need a safe house.

Email me troops if you’re going to do it! kelly@kellykrings.com

Expand on it, and pass it along to other schools that are giving crap classes.

And don’t think that I might not be among you. I would never give you an assignment I wouldn’t do myself.

“People shouldn’t be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people.”

And I say, “that starts with education. Educate your teachers that you won’t be pushed around, and send a message to the government that you aren’t going to be pushed around either.”

“You decide. Not them.”

“Do not give up  your power.”

GO!

And if they try to give you hell, cite your rights. Tell them you’ll fetch your lawyer. Tell them you’ll call the ACLU. They might piddle in their pants a little. This is when you make your escape if cornered.

Outside of the survey question, I feel a need to expel, to verbally vomit up the fetid air I breathe, coughing out the ever increasing whiffs of entitlement raging throughout the land. As if the fucking oil refineries aren’t bad enough around here, and the smell of the pot dealer’s skunk bud across the street.

Waves of fear wash daily through the masses, some in terror that they will be forced into a regime of oppression. Other pray for, it fearful it make not come, baring their tits for it like Roman bitches watching gladiator fights.

The dust of it all is in the air.  Will we give up our nation’s way of doing things? Will we adopt what other countries have done? I hear that the people are happy, but the hospitals and doctors are going broke.

Maybe they compensate for their government imposed salary by selling the cheap ass drugs they have easy access to. Perhaps they take the drugs themselves, to escape the socialist regime they willingly accepted.

The air of the earth feels old tonight, and putrid. The manic rage and enthusiasm in people’s eyes is more than just a phase of the moon. We are smelling the Beast…it’s stench flowing across all areas, north, south, east, and west. This Beast is the rancid and hungry issue of healthcare in America.

This affects me directly, as I am a healthcare provider and have a MAJOR fucking problem with a government that doesn’t represent my interests and wants to tell me the cap on how much I can make per hour.

Perhaps it’s time for a career change. Perhaps I should go to law school, I doubt they’ll ever stop being fat cats. Yes, I think I could become a professional Liar. Then I can work my way up the ladder of politics and take back my money from these bitches.

Or perhaps its time to take up the crazy fucking life, since apparently hard work, schooling, training and licensing may  not pay off. I may as well become a mad writer, and let the system take care of me. No cost to me! Hey, I will just not work, get some killer meds drugs and go off in search of the American Dream. Except in this case, I’ll be looking for it’s corpse. Won’t be as tough as Hoffa. Alert Rolling Stone they need to pay my exorbitant costs,  I will give them a story about sadly brainwashed young people, who have no spark to defy their government’s wrong-doing, but rather want to cut on themselves and blame society for not fucking understanding. And I will rough them up, and get them awake, and get them rocking and fucking rolling again. They missed something somewhere. The crazy fucking life would be WAY more fun than being a professional liar.

The air smells bad, but perhaps we can make it smell better again. Maybe the American Dream isn’t totally dead, merely languishing, and can be brought back with some cocktails and common sense. Perhaps.

Are you comfortable with the United States Government telling you, as a citizen, how much you can earn? Question 2 will be presented tomorrow. A simple yes or no, either through my email, or in the comments section will suffice. Believe me, this is going somewhere….

Kristi and Aric came to visit this last weekend, and we traded the luck with them. There is no finite amount of luck in the universe that I am aware of, but there is possibly a balance of it traded amongst parties. So the party that gets the luck increases whatever they’re trying to do, and kicks some ass, and the other party remains happily in stasis, until it is time to change the luck again.

I am extremely happy they came to visit, but feel at this time that if I don’t a.) let out a super long rant or b.) go to sleep, then c.) I will go mad.

I am irritated right now. I have PMS. Everything is offending me right now, down to the pillows and the blankets. If I went outside, I would be offended by some tree or bush, and be tempted to kick it or burn it. It’s at times like these that I understand, just briefly, why human beings have been trying to alter their states of consciousness for years.

I’m aware that it’s hormone driven, but it makes no difference. Knowing why does not necessarily change feeling. I think in primitive times, when women went to the “moon hut”, they did that so anything they smashed with their club was a bit off from the camp.

This is how I feel right now...

Enjoy your day. I’ll be back when I’m not feeling  like this pissed off emu. I miss Kristi and Aric. Donnie has offered to get me apple pie.

As I’ve seen this excellent quote twice in one day, once while re-reading the Hitchhhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and again  “randomly” generated by Wanda the Fish, I shall share this with you.

Anyone willing and capable to get themselves elected President by no
means should be allowed to do the job.
– Douglas Adams

I want to expand on the statement in regards to government officials at ANY level.  They should have to pass a personality test and a psychiatric exam first, to make sure they aren’t narcissistic bastards, which is mostly what we DO have. That’s where the CHARM comes from. We also have many antisocial personalities in our government, such as those who have learned that it is ok to hate and kill, as long as someone gives you permission to do it. There’s a very fine line there between smart criminals and dumb criminals. Also, there’s the CHARM again. Oh…that Ted Bundy, he was such a CHARMING guy. The personality test idea is not so outrageous, many companies now REQUIRE personality tests, at the very least, before hiring.

I work in the private sector. My agency apparently, allegedly, assists  government to make good decisions and take care of its constituents.  That’s what they hired us for anyway. But they don’t really consult with the actual  people who have the expertise, experience, or knowledge to help make a good decision. Then, when things go wrong, they can blame it on the private sector agency, thus saving their asses.

I suspect that this happens all day long, all the time, and has been going on for at least 70 years worth of government, perhaps longer. I think this happens at all levels of government.

When people who make decisions about things like budgets for heathcare or mental health, or anything else that they have no experience in, what you usually wind up with is shoddy planning, budget cuts, or shuffling of funds from one place to another without thinking about what it will do to the population they are affecting most. Speech writers draft things for the representative to say, such as, “We know this will affect many of our citizens and it pains us  to have to make cuts anywhere. We hope  you will bear with us through this difficult time.” The translation for this is: Enjoy your job loss and subsequent enforced vacation.Try not to cut yourself due to your situation, because that will be expensive and messy. If you do, try to die completely, as this is less expensive. Your alternative is to find a new job of course. If you can.

The person/people who take the heat for this crappy decision making when the mob shows up are people who were actually hired to be of service (on the payroll anyway), and have been stuffed into the basement to do a meta-analysis of the behavior of the population in the 1970’s. “So it will help us make a good decision NOW.”

What happens is that the decision is already made before the expert gets a good look, maybe 20 minutes will be given to look at a 400 page document and give any suggestions, and then they sign their name on it, a bit bewildered, and they are fired later for incompetency. They should have TOLD the higher-ups this would create a problem, as noted as a possibility on page 410 that the person never saw.

This person, as the expert,  is not to be blamed for not whistleblowing, because they are generally hit over the head as soon as they begin work, or are told, you’ll get to what we hired you for, but we just really need to get a grip on our historical data….blah blah blah, and there’s no end of it. When suspicion arises, the person’s coffee is poisoned, or they are fired, or they are killed. Also, a person has to eat and pay the bills, unless you think the government tit should take care of EVERYONE.

But the point is this, shouldn’t any job be based on your qualifications and experience? Shouldn’t your decisions to handle massive amounts of money and affect people’s lives be backed up with some sort of degree and experience in the field you are about to muck about with? That seems like common sense to me, but that is actually ATYPICAL in government, which, by the way, is supposed to REPRESENT the people, NOT wipe the asses of the people, (if people want their asses wiped they should consider learning the technique for themselves, unless they are disabled), and actually listen to what the PEOPLE WANT, rather than what some fathead with bribe money is saying what the people want. Of coure, depending on your G-level, that bribe money might look  nice. Especially if the special interest group offering it to you has also sent an  unofficial official to hold a gun to your head to make sure you got it.

But anyway… our country, states, counties, and cities are run by people who are ill-equipped. Not all of them. Not always. My suggestion here is simply that people who work in government should have qualifications and expertise to work in their position. Outrageous, I know! Upheaval, destruction of the system as we know it!

But how did we get this way? Most of the time what happens is little Mr. or Ms. starts at a low-level gruntling job, gets a bland generalized degree, and by virtue of hanging around the office long enough, learns just enough by osmosis how their predecessor did things, and is hired for the job regardless of qualifications, because they are part of the office furniture now. The predecessor has either a.) died b.) been fired just prior to retirement for some damn thing so they won’t get their full benefits c.) was moved up the ladder to a position vacated by a mummy, so no one knows how to do it  d.) moved on to a totally different area of work, such as telling the private sector how incompetent government agencies are and need help-expensive consulting help,  e.) actually, by a miracle, smells the dogs before they smell him/her and retires, probably early, f.) commits extremely unethical acts, such as sleeping with half the office, and cutting children’s funding, and shutting down clinics, and is therefore rewarded for immediate recommendation to high level positions in state or national government. Perhaps to be a judge, or one day, maybe president.

So, I think we could probably cut back our deficit just a teensy amount if we required people to be qualified, actually checked them out as qualified, and then required that they consult with experts before making gigantic decisions about things they know  nothing about. That seems like common sense to me. Also, I think that agencies such as the FDA should be held accountable by an outside agency, possibly by some folks from an extremely poor country, who nevertheless have made it through school, and are qualified to determine if a drug is likely to kill you before it is on the market, insists that there be no feces in your food, and will give you the facts about dyes, preservatives, and genetically engineered food. By no means should the FDA even know who these people are. They should not even know the country.

But really, you probably shouldn’t listen to me anyway, because although I have 3 degrees and a license to practice, but I do not have a degree in political science, which is more an art than any kind of science. I did take American Government, but this is now outdated, as it is being REMOVED  from school curriculum-at all grade levels. What you get in university now is (I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP) a book with a forward by Karl Marx, and some angst ridden professor’s ramblings about how BAD AMERICA IS, and NO DOCUMENTATION OF FACTS WHATSOEVER. Not even a footnote or anything.  No glossary.  The author is apparently unhappy that he got an education, has a job, has a roof over his head, and has insurance, and food and everything. So is the professor teaching this crap. Bad America indeed.

This is truly the kind of shit that DOES make America bad, rotten to the core. It makes me physically ILL to think of these little 18-year-olds who have been told what to do their whole lives, sitting and having this garbage stuffed down their throats at university. They come out thinking socialism, fascism, and communism are great, because no one gave them any FACTS about how many people died because of them, or how they all engender total economic collapse. Redistribution of wealth means, “We, the government, will now take everyone’s money, so now everyone will be POOR.” There’s no promise in redistribution of wealth that people will have more-it promises more equality. Everyone will be equally poor.

Despite the flaws in our system, I shall say that I am intensely grateful to be an American. I support capitalism, which is a self-correcting system, as long as government doesn’t interfere. I am grateful for my freedom of speech, which allows me to write this opinionated blog. And I am also grateful for my right to bear arms, which I never used to give much thought to, but am now considering, as there is a legion of university students who will soon be grown…I only pray to God there is even one professor in each university that can set them straight. It’s this simple- Question everything you have ever been told, or experienced, and validate it through facts. Seek the truth, not what is comfortable. And young ones-kick some ass and take some names, but do it after you have read a real American History Book, an American Government book, and Lies My Teacher Told Me. The books you read have to have facts in them, ok? Documentation. That’s like when you write a paper and have to state your sources so you don’t plagarize.

If you’re still in favor of anything like socialism, communism, fascism, etc, get the hell out of here. America doesn’t need your weak-sauce kind. Go work and live in a country that takes 50-80% of your paycheck for a year, like Canada, or maybe Norway, and see if you don’t come running back to the great USA, a changed individual.

For the hardcore, I recommend China, if you think you’ve got the balls. I have been there. At the invitation of their government. You go see how “wonderful” communism is. The “People’s Republic” does not even allow them to travel from one province to another. I had to tell people in one part of China what Beijing was like, even though it was just hours away. You don’t even get to control your own thermostat in China. THAT is a FACT. And if you”re born to a couple that doesn’t qualify for an extra child, you might live, but you will never attend school, get healthcare, or qualify as a citizen. You may have a limb or three missing, so people might take pity on you and give you scraps.

I love being an American. Fuck you if you don’t.

I love the word “woo”. It can be nicely applied in many ways.

1. Wooooooooooo! Woooooooo! Pretending you are a ghost.

2. Adding it as a descriptive, such as “Woo Scary Basement”

3. To date, romance, or try to win another’s affections. “Woo.”

4. I also like it as sarcasm. “Woo. That’s exciting as watching a puddle evaporate.”

5. I had a cat that I liked to call Woo sometimes. I don’t know why. She died, and I still miss my Woo.

Woo. =)

Ok, after I posted my blog about passing the LCSW exam, this blog had nearly 1000 page views in a day. Considering this blog usually gets about 1700-2000 per month, this is a pretty amazing figure. So, either statpress is having issues, or people really wanted to know about the LCSW. I would be happy to answer any questions I can about passing the exam for anyone who is interested. It’s all in the best interest of passing the exam!

De Seestor and Aric are coming this weekend-YES!!!!! I love it when they visit, although I really think the next visit should be on Donnie and I. I’m missing Colorado, just got to get those awesome airfares…they come and go.

MAJOR CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER TO WENDY AND MIKE. THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A BABY! I WILL BE SPOILING THAT KID ROTTON AND LOVING IT UP AS IF IT WERE MY OWN. I AM SO VERY EXCITED FOR THEM. LOVE YOU BOTH!!!!!!!!!

After weeks of studying, and years preparing with clinical hours and supervision, I took the LCSW exam today for the first time. I PASSED!!!! This is not an easy test, and I was SO relieved. Thank you to who helped me with encouraging words, supervision, suggestions, support, and prayers. Prayers especially really helped-I could feel them, and I believe that prayer is tangible in effect, especially when people are focused on a common goal. See Noetics, or any number of theories and experiments for further explanation. =)

If you are a person studying for this exam, the following materials were most helpful in prepping.

1. The Social Worker’s Desk Reference: This clarifies and gives more specifics on virtually any topic that may come up on the exam.

2. If your state offers a test prep course, take it. The study manual you will get from it alone is worth the cost of the course.

3. The DSM-IV TR, or as I like to call it, the Big Gray Book of Human Misery (That’s me whistling in the dark.) Also a great song by They Might Be Giants….

4. Purchasing the practice exam from the ASWB is well worth it. In taking it, it made me more familiar with the true exam format, types of questions, and although I passed the practice exam, my score was even higher on the actual exam. More confidence, less anxiety.

5. I also found a subscription to socialworkexam.com was helpful, but feel I could  have passed the exam without it. There are many typos on the site, as well as conflicting and duplicated information. To be fair-it does at least give you some practice and some key review knowledge.

I am on cloud nine. I can now do private practice on the side or full time, and take insurance. It’s the ultimate goal achieved at the end of years of training, but there’s always more to learn. Good luck to anyone on their journey. It’s a major turning point in your career, and a reward for years of hard work!

Especial thanks to Sweet Donnie, for his faith in me, and for covering me with silly string immediately after the exam, and wrapping a large feather boa in Kelly Colors around me. I love my husband. He also got me a keepsake for today, took me for great food, and to a movie. Then, we relaxed. Sweet bliss. I think I shall sleep well tonight.