Dear Uncle Buck: I am a former DJJ employee who was laid off as a result of the recent budget cuts. I have landed a new job in the private sector where I make more money, have good benefits and job security, and even get a company car. My problem is that I feel guilty for leaving my former colleagues behind. Is this a normal reaction? - Guilty in Galax.
Dear Guilty: Survivor Syndrome is a mental condition that occurs when a person perceives himself to have done wrong by surviving a traumatic event. It may be found among survivors of combat and natural disaster, and in non-mortal situations among those whose colleagues are laid off. Normally the colleagues you left behind would be suffering Survivor Syndrome because you were laid off instead of them. In your case, the reverse is occurring. Guilt is not something found in Uncle Buck’s emotional repertoire. Hopefully, your new benefits package includes mental health services. You are strange. - Uncle Buck.
Dear Uncle Buck: During the two week period before Christmas, one of my co-workers kept a Miniature Lop-Eared baby rabbit in our office. The little guy was a Christmas gift for her son and she hid the bunny at the office to maintain the element of surprise on Christmas morning. We all got very attached to this Mini Lop and now that he’s gone we really miss him. How can we fill the void in our hearts now that we don’t have this rabbit around any more? – Bon Air Bunny Hugger.
Dear Bunny Hugger: Mini Lops ARE cute little things and make excellent pets. They are also quite tasty when cooked in a brown stew and served with a nice white wine. Of course you could always go to your co-worker’s house and rip Oswald from the loving bosom of the little child who is now his owner; but that might not leave you feeling very good about yourself. You could also go out and purchase your own Miniature Lop-Eared rabbit and keep him at work as an office pet. OR you could work out some visitation arrangement with the owner that allows the little fellow some time to be at the office during the week. Uncle Buck’s suggestion would be for you to get a life. It’s a *&^%@#! rabbit, for crying out loud. - Uncle Buck
Dear Uncle Buck: In 2004, I donated a kidney to my wife who was in dire need of a transplant. She recovered so well that she subsequently had multiple extra-marital affairs and I have now decided to file for divorce. My question is this: As part of the divorce settlement, should I ask for my kidney back? - Pondering in Portsmouth.
Dear Pondering: Your question encompasses many legal, medical, and ethical issues. Uncle Buck does not believe that a Divorce Court Judge would Order your wife to return your kidney; but it never hurts to ask. At best you might receive some monetary compensation, with the current going rate for a human kidney being $1.5 million. Discuss this matter with a good divorce attorney; but remember this – she stole your heart before you gave her your kidney. - Uncle Buck.
Dear Uncle Buck: – She has done it again! For the third straight Christmas my supervisor has given her staff gifts that she obtained for free from vendors at the November VJJA Institute! Coffee mugs; pens; mouse pads; tote bags; all emblazoned with the names and logos of companies providing services to children! Does she not understand that we know where these items came from? That she got them for free and is passing them on to us as empty tokens of her appreciation? This year, she didn’t even bother to wrap them! How can I tell my supervisor that we don’t appreciate receiving these gifts? - Insulted in Independence.
Dear Insulted: My goodness, aren’t you an ungrateful little twit. Would you have been happy if your supervisor had been trampled trying to buy you a flat screen Zenith at the local Wal-Mart? Nothing in the rule book says that your supervisor has to give you ANYTHING for Christmas. Uncle Buck has an extensive collection of the items you mentioned and finds them all to be both aesthetically appealing and functional. Stop whining and get back to work. - Uncle Buck.
