A Woman Out By Herself
Be Nice, or Leave Me Alone
I'm just another average shmo. Just another girl next door type. Nothing special, nothing extraordinary, nothing to write home about. And you know what? That's absolutely fine with me. I don't want to be your hero and I definitely don't want to be your victim. I just want to enjoy any day I have left to the best of my ability. I don't need you to buy me a drink. I don't need you to give me a compliment. I don't need you to call me "sexy". It would be nice if you offered a smile and a nice conversation, but if that's too hard for you to do, no problem.
I'm not showing up somewhere to boost your frail ego. I'm not showing up somewhere to start or stop a fight. If I show up somewhere, it's because I'm bored or lonely and I have nothing better to do. It's that simple. I'll be polite to you so long as you're polite to me. If you're rude, I'm rude. If you ignore me, I ignore you. If you look dangerous or threatening, I'm gone.
Sometimes I dress nicely. I do this to feel good about myself. I'm not trying to compete with the other girls. I'm not trying to pretend I'm better than anyone. If it gets your attention, the proper response is "That's a nice dress" or "You look nice" --- Not "Wow, she wants to fk!" Believe me, if I wanted to fk, you'd have more proof than the clothes I'm wearing.
When I went to church, I was excluded from the choir so I go to karaoke instead. When I went to bible study, I got into an intellectual debate about archetypes, so I scroll and troll online instead. When I tried to find romance at Facebook, I got scammed by catfishy liars, and in person anywhere else no one knows how to act. So forget about it. I don't need to be the leading lady in some cheesy sappy romance story. It's not that important.
I spent 30 years working and fking. Then menopause. All I got was a POS car and a social security check. I played the role of Slutty Reindeer for you for over 30 years. That role is retired from my being. Only Bitchy Reindeer exists now in my closet. So if you can't afford to buy me a drink, then don't look at me with a drooling tongue. If you can't expand your mind to offer a compliment or something flattering, then skip the conversation. If you can't do romance the way that Sinatra and Martin and those golden oldies used to do it with flowers and pizazz, leave me alone. I'm not interested in a "Sid and Nancy" remake or the missing prize at the bottom of a Cracker Jack box. I go to the dive bar for a "Cheers" type of feeling. I'm lonely and bored --- not your punching bag, and not your working girl.
Got it? Good. If not, I'm not the one who loses out. You're just hurting the bar, the bartender, the DJ, and the others who feel exactly the way I do.
About the Creator
Shanon Angermeyer Norman
Gold, Published Poet at allpoetry.com since 2010. USF Grad, Class 2001.
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Hong Kong Authorities Raid Chinese Brokers Citic, Guotai
Hong Kong’s financial regulators and law‑enforcement agencies have launched a high‑profile raid on two major Chinese brokerage firms operating in the city, signalling an intensification of scrutiny into the territory’s capital markets. On Tuesday, authorities executed search warrants at the Hong Kong offices of Citic Securities Company Limited and Guotai Junan International Holdings Limited — two of the most prominent Chinese brokers playing key roles in equity capital markets and IPO sponsorships. The raids, confirmed by multiple sources familiar with the situation, underscore growing regulatory pressure on market participants amid a global boom in listings and trading activity. High‑ranking executives were questioned and at least one senior official was taken in for questioning, according to people briefed on the matter. Authorities specifically targeted the equity capital markets divisions of both firms, which oversee share sale transactions, IPO applications and related deal structuring work. While the exact focus of the investigation remains unclear, the move represents one of the most notable enforcement actions in Hong Kong’s financial sector in years. Context: A Financial Hub Under Watchful Eyes Hong Kong’s role as Asia’s premier capital‑raising centre has returned with force over the past year. After being displaced by other global exchanges during market turbulence, the city regained its footing in 2025, attracting a surge of initial public offerings — many from mainland Chinese companies — and surpassing rivals to reclaim the title as the world’s busiest IPO venue. This resurgence has drawn increased attention from regulators concerned about market integrity, disclosure practices and compliance with securities laws. Citic and Guotai Junan have been among several Chinese brokerages deeply involved in this boom, helping several companies take stock public in Hong Kong. Notably, both have acted as sponsors on high‑profile IPOs in logistics, technology and industrial sectors. This enhanced visibility has also brought heightened regulatory expectations, as authorities seek to ensure that brisk market activity does not come at the expense of investor protection or regulatory compliance. The Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), Hong Kong’s chief securities regulator, and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) declined to comment on the ongoing actions. Both brokerages also did not immediately respond to requests for comment, leaving market participants and observers waiting for official clarity on the nature of the inquiry. What Regulators Might Be Looking At While authorities have been tight‑lipped about details, analysts and market insiders speculate that the raids could relate to several possible issues: 1. IPO compliance concerns: In recent weeks, the SFC has warned brokerages about substandard IPO applications and documentation, including errors and omissions in prospectuses. Given Citic and Guotai Junan’s roles in sponsoring listings, regulators may be probing whether proper due diligence was performed. 2. Trading irregularities and insider activity: Hong Kong has been vigilant in combating market abuse, and past actions against hedge funds and trading firms indicate authorities have little tolerance for insider trading or coordinated market manipulation. While there is no public allegation of wrongdoing tied to these raids, the focus on key equity divisions raises questions about potential investigations into trade execution or information disclosures. 3. Regulatory compliance standards: As China’s influence in Hong Kong’s markets grows, regulators are determined to maintain international standards of transparency and investor confidence. Ensuring that global investors can trust regulatory enforcement in Hong Kong is crucial to sustaining the exchange’s appeal. Market Reaction and Broader Implications Initial market responses were muted. Shares of both firms showed little immediate sell‑off, reflecting perhaps a wait‑and‑see attitude among investors. However, the broader financial community is watching closely: enforcement actions against major brokers could signal an era of stricter oversight and less tolerance for lapses, especially as Hong Kong competes with New York, London and Shanghai for capital flows. The brokerage industry in Hong Kong has been under pressure of late. Last year, separate cases brought scrutiny to alleged insider trading — including a notable matter involving Segantii Capital Management — and regulators have been clear that market conduct will be a priority. A former Hong Kong stock exchange staffer was charged over bribery linked to an alleged insider trading incident, and warnings about sloppy IPO filings have been publicly issued. Hong Kong’s Balancing Act For decades, Hong Kong has balanced its position between being a vital conduit for Chinese capital markets and maintaining robust regulatory frameworks recognizable to Western investors. This dual role has been central to its success, enabling companies from across Asia to tap global capital. The current raids — especially on influential brokers — highlight the tension inherent in that role: maintaining openness and market depth while enforcing rules that protect investors and uphold confidence. Looking Ahead As the story develops, market watchers anticipate further disclosures that could clarify whether the investigations will result in formal charges or regulatory sanctions. Regardless of outcome, the raids underscore that even the largest financial intermediaries are subject to scrutiny in Hong Kong’s markets — a message that resonates with both domestic and international investors. This incident may signal a new phase in the territory’s financial regulation — one in which authorities are willing to take decisive action against major players to preserve market integrity, even during the busiest period in Hong Kong’s capital market history.
By Fiaz Ahmed about 2 hours ago in Journal
Comments (1)
This sounds like something happened for certain.