1932: Art $tar

[Scumhook]

Originally Posted by seamus

Interesting. Oh look at your signature:

Didn't notice the sig.

Was too busy looking at the av...

[Enunciated Piffle]

Smitho lives on a crime-free lesbian commune.

"It's utopia"

[Owen Diamond]

Years ago, I was able to help friends who could not support themselves by putting them up at a very low rent. Over the next few months, this couple (who saw us through the death of my mother), avoided rent, work and utilities, became increasingly hostile and generally made being home a nightmare. I still have dreams in which we reconcile and I wake up with tears on my cheeks. I don't think good people should feel like suckers because they were good people. I think sometimes otherwise good people are able to rationalize their own selfishness to the point where they blame you for lending them money you might some day want back. Eight years later I still feel like I could have done things differently and still have them in my life. But if they were leaches before they were friends then, they are probably still leaches before friends. Lauren and Chemda are good people who did everything they could. All the love to you guys.

[ImStillToni]

OMFG! I started listening when I was half asleep so I did not see the photos until just now. Hearing Chemda's voice break in the beginning like that seriously hurt my heart.

After viewing the pictures of the damage, I am so, SO sorry you guys have yet another hurdle to deal with in unloading the house and now have to deal with this betrayal and violation of trust. If I was back home I'd volunteer to help you guys repaint in a heartbeat. I hope you can finally unload that shit asap so you can really close that chapter & just look forward.

I just want to give Chemda & Lauren both a hug right now.

[daemon]

Wow. This was really hard to listen to. I'm really sorry.

[scottishguy]

I can't even imagine how hard it must be for something like this to happen to you, especially when it's someone who you considered family. I really hope that everything works out the way it should, with you continuing to prosper and Jonnie getting what's coming to him. Stay safe.

[RefusingYouLiquor]

Originally Posted by codefendant

What a shitty thing to have to deal with. I'm keeping a good thought for you guys, Chemda and Lauren.

Jonnie's behavior has the earmarks of some sort of organic mental breakdown in my opinion. My twin brother painted some graffiti of a similar nature on the walls of his room before he killed himself in 2006. He was 22. We never knew why he did it or could come up with any specific reason for his death. He led a pretty normal life. I ate lunch with him almost everyday. He was pretty introverted at times though. I don't know if Jonnie was that way at all.

The only thing I could come up with is that my bro had some sort of mental breakdown that erupted in odd writings on his walls and in some notebooks I found in his car from that day.

My point is that Jonnie may have had something similar happen where he sort-of imploded and lashed out somewhat uncontrollably. This would explain why he would do something that would effect Chemda and Lauren in such a negative way. It is possible that he wasn't thinking at all and having some sort of psychiatric episode. I absolutely am not saying he isn't responsible for his actions. I was just reminded of what I went through with my brother and was thinking it might help to share. It made no sense to me that my brother would put our family through that. He loved us unconditionally. Maybe this will help you guys take it less personally.

-Marc

I haven't even listened to the episode, but I read the show notes.. WTF

Fuck him and fuck the notion of mental illness. Its society's cop out now a days. Yes there are instances of mental illness and mental breakdowns. This isn't one of them. This is some piece of shit asshole and non-friend that realized he no longer was getting his rent subsidized, no longer has the opportunity to steal money from you (and trust me he stole cash from you), he won't be able to eat your food, and wipe his ass with your toilet paper etc.. etc... This guy took advantage Chemda, and is now bitter that he doesn't have someone trusting to do that with.

I think when Keith continued to call Johnnie, "Run your Pockets" it was a "I'm watching you, you piece of shit" less joke and more serious. Keith was right once again.

[Colloquial Collision]

I had to pause the episode at 12 minutes. This is just unbelievable.

I don’t know what I would have done if I knew someone like Jonnie. I probably would have been just as big a sucker. I always give people the benefit of the doubt, and tend to be pretty gullible.

I don’t believe people change either. Unless they really want to. And change isn’t necessarily difficult, but it’s certainly not easy. Individuals who are ex-felons can turn their lives around, but the deck will be stacked against them for the rest of their lives. I used to work in a criminal court, and got plenty of black men well over 50 years old who were trying to get their criminal records expunged just to find minimum wage employment because they’ll never be able to retire. I can only imagine Jonnie might be in a similar difficult situation.

Best case scenario: I hope Jonnie gets the help he needs, and I hope he can give you recompense for the trust he destroyed. But I’m skeptical that such a thing will ever happen.

And I remember when I met Chemda at the last LA show. She is just so kind, and generous, and giving. Even though I’m not in show biz, or a professional comedian, Chemda included me and made me fell welcome when she was chatting with Chris Gore. Chemda made me feel so blessed to be in her company.

With this, and Chemda’s parents… Christ. I mean, sure, bad things happen to good people. But nobody deserves this.

As flerchin mentioned painting is easy, and cheap. But it’s not about that. It’s the to-do of fixing that. Jonnie Flatbush not only vandalized property, he stole the time that Chemda, and Lauren have to now use to fix something which wasn’t broken before his act. Time they could have used for something better, or more constructive now has to be further squandered on repairing the criminal mischief of a reprehensible child.

I wish there was something I could do help out. My condolences.

I’m trying to send positive karma, and vibes your way.

I hope your marathon is excellent, and awesome. And I hope March is more excellent, and awesome than the shitty end of February.

Congrats on the green card, Cat certainly deserves it. Hopefully I can get to that part of the episode if I can start listening again.

Also the app is aces 10 fucking amazing. Exemplary job. I hope Keith and the Girl continues to be a beacon of podcasting done well.

[codefendant]

Originally Posted by RefusingYouLiquor

I haven't even listened to the episode, but I read the show notes.. WTF

Fuck him and fuck the notion of mental illness. Its society's cop out now a days. Yes there are instances of mental illness and mental breakdowns. This isn't one of them. This is some piece of shit asshole and non-friend that realized he no longer was getting his rent subsidized, no longer has the opportunity to steal money from you (and trust me he stole cash from you), he won't be able to eat your food, and wipe his ass with your toilet paper etc.. etc... This guy took advantage Chemda, and is now bitter that he doesn't have someone trusting to do that with.

I think when Keith continued to call Johnnie, "Run your Pockets" it was a "I'm watching you, you piece of shit" less joke and more serious. Keith was right once again.

Honestly I respect the fact that you have a very limited perspective. But I hope you realize that thats what it is. I encourage you to be more open minded and understand that everyone looks at life through a peep hole. So slow your roll dude.

[Sparrow]

still have to be responsible for your actions. that's what adults do. the things i do when my brain chemistry goes off the rail aren't attached to a carte blanche of forgiveness by society or the people i hurt.

chemda and lauren are not his family. their love is not unconditional. they are not responsible for this person. he could very well be a manipulative piece of shit, mental disorder notwithstanding. understanding only goes so far when property and person are threatened.