It's Christmas and that means it's okay to believe in Angels.
When angels visit us mere Earthlings, they always bid us peace. That's a pretty cool thing to do. Think about it. If we actually were peaceful beings, everything would be perfect. Obviously there would be no war, no murder, and no hatred. These are the things we'd expect to get. You can also add in no child abuse. There would be no mental abuse of family members, coworkers, and strangers living in close quarters. Songs would be about good subjects instead of bemoaning the loss of innocence, loved ones, and jobs. Well, maybe jobs would still be lost in a peaceful world.
To me, the best thing about Christmas is the gift of peace. Christ is called the Prince of Peace. Peace is what you get when you listen to Silent Night in a candle lit church at midnight on Christmas Eve. Peace is what you feel when you sit quietly before your lit Christmas tree admiring the glow of each special ornament and remembering its significance. Peace is what you have when you know your children are safe and sound, tucked in their beds in your house. (For us who have children away at college or in the service or just out on their own, it's extra special when they come home and are asleep in their old room during the holidays.)
Ah, Christmas is about Peace. So, why is it so easy to forget this and fall prey to the marketing hype that precedes December 25? All those gifts will not bring peace to your loved ones. No. But, your love, attention, and affection will bring them peace. And, that costs you nothing more than being a good person and taking the time to make someone feel special.
It's Christmas Eve and my dinner with family is now over. I've cleaned up all the dishes and wanted to capture these thoughts. Peace. That is what I need. I hope you find peace within yourself too. Merry Christmas.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Olá from Buenos Aires
It is wonderful to be spending a week in the fabulous South American summer during the second week of December. Christmas decorations flutter in the late spring breezes and colorful blooms decorate the walkways and flower boxes admist holiday signage and songs in the many stores I've visited.
There are many many highlights of this trip, but the most profound thing to me is how gentile are the people. Things are changing here - the younger people are sporting jeans and tees, but more of the folk in the street are dressed for going out. It's not uncommon to see people wearing suites while shopping. And, when people meet, they greet each other with a kiss on the cheek and a kind word or two. I vaguely recall similiar customs from my very early childhood. I think we lost a part of our humanity when these habits became outdated.
Nothing's perfect and in Buenos Aires you must be on your guard against purse snatchers and pick pockets. One woman in our party had her purse ripped off her shoulder by a passing motorcyclist, which is quite common here. Yet, this is something you can protect yourself against, unlike a street thub mugging common at home in the U.S. I hope our present does not become the future for Argentina.
There are many many highlights of this trip, but the most profound thing to me is how gentile are the people. Things are changing here - the younger people are sporting jeans and tees, but more of the folk in the street are dressed for going out. It's not uncommon to see people wearing suites while shopping. And, when people meet, they greet each other with a kiss on the cheek and a kind word or two. I vaguely recall similiar customs from my very early childhood. I think we lost a part of our humanity when these habits became outdated.
Nothing's perfect and in Buenos Aires you must be on your guard against purse snatchers and pick pockets. One woman in our party had her purse ripped off her shoulder by a passing motorcyclist, which is quite common here. Yet, this is something you can protect yourself against, unlike a street thub mugging common at home in the U.S. I hope our present does not become the future for Argentina.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Thanks!
I let Thanksgiving get by without writing a word.
Oh, I have many things to be thankful for, so that's not why I was neglecting my journal entry. I really was conflicted this year. I'm trying to keep on the positive side and to write about up-lifting things. Then, I get on a rant and off I go spewing negativity into cyberspace.
It's far too easy to write about all we have to be grateful about on Thanksgiving. But, this year I was painfully aware of the commercially contrived nature of it all. Why? There were Christmas trees in Home Depot before Halloween! Give me a break!
I'm tired of being programmed to eat turkey on the fourth Thursday of November, to do all my holiday shopping on Black Friday, and to mail my cards and gifts by December X to guarantee their arrival in time for the holidays.
Sheesh! Don't people see what a plastic market-driven bunch of hype all this is. Even in this down economy, hordes of frantic shoppers were clogging the highways and byways this past weekend to catch that extra special bargin. All this hyper-drive shopping rush actually cost a Walmart employee his life on Friday. Yes, the crowd trampled him to death when the doors opened in the wee hours of the morning on Black Friday. OMG! No toy or electronic piece of crap is worth a human life!
So, I held off writing this piece because it's not a happy, joyful interspective journey reflecting all the goodness of the past, present and future. Nope. I am feeling quite sick -- of leftovers and the rush to get Christmas over with -- and it's only December 1.
Oh, I have many things to be thankful for, so that's not why I was neglecting my journal entry. I really was conflicted this year. I'm trying to keep on the positive side and to write about up-lifting things. Then, I get on a rant and off I go spewing negativity into cyberspace.
It's far too easy to write about all we have to be grateful about on Thanksgiving. But, this year I was painfully aware of the commercially contrived nature of it all. Why? There were Christmas trees in Home Depot before Halloween! Give me a break!
I'm tired of being programmed to eat turkey on the fourth Thursday of November, to do all my holiday shopping on Black Friday, and to mail my cards and gifts by December X to guarantee their arrival in time for the holidays.
Sheesh! Don't people see what a plastic market-driven bunch of hype all this is. Even in this down economy, hordes of frantic shoppers were clogging the highways and byways this past weekend to catch that extra special bargin. All this hyper-drive shopping rush actually cost a Walmart employee his life on Friday. Yes, the crowd trampled him to death when the doors opened in the wee hours of the morning on Black Friday. OMG! No toy or electronic piece of crap is worth a human life!
So, I held off writing this piece because it's not a happy, joyful interspective journey reflecting all the goodness of the past, present and future. Nope. I am feeling quite sick -- of leftovers and the rush to get Christmas over with -- and it's only December 1.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Standards for Sales Clerks
I ran into a really simple, simple sales clerk today. Oh, excuse me, I mean Sales Associate.
Apparently, smarts aren't a job qualification for this position. I took back several pieces of clothing I purchased a week ago to our local Macy's. I had removed the price tags, but left on the manufacturer's tags. I had my sales receipts with me. But, the sales associate couldn't enter the items back into the inventory/point of sales terminal (formerly known as cash registers) without the barcode on the missing price tags.
Now, let me further explain that the sales receipt had descriptive entries that were easy to match up with the items being purchased and now returned.
But no. She couldn't handle the return transaction without the missing price tags. So, now I had to return home to get these price tags and then go back again to the store - which fortunately is not very far away from where I live.
What if I didn't have the price tags any longer? Would I have to keep these items? These were gifts for my daughter's birthday last week. Nobody gives birthday gifts and leaves on the price tags. In fact, this is the reason that Macy's gives gift receipts - which I did not bring along to the store. Guess that makes this entire scenario my fault.
Anyway, I thought I'd capture this incident here so any chance reader would be fore-warned. Macy's sales associates cannot handle returns without price tags even if you have your sales receipts. Perhaps I am unfairly lumping the smarter sales associates in with this more challenged colleague. I'll let you decide that for yourself.
Apparently, smarts aren't a job qualification for this position. I took back several pieces of clothing I purchased a week ago to our local Macy's. I had removed the price tags, but left on the manufacturer's tags. I had my sales receipts with me. But, the sales associate couldn't enter the items back into the inventory/point of sales terminal (formerly known as cash registers) without the barcode on the missing price tags.
Now, let me further explain that the sales receipt had descriptive entries that were easy to match up with the items being purchased and now returned.
But no. She couldn't handle the return transaction without the missing price tags. So, now I had to return home to get these price tags and then go back again to the store - which fortunately is not very far away from where I live.
What if I didn't have the price tags any longer? Would I have to keep these items? These were gifts for my daughter's birthday last week. Nobody gives birthday gifts and leaves on the price tags. In fact, this is the reason that Macy's gives gift receipts - which I did not bring along to the store. Guess that makes this entire scenario my fault.
Anyway, I thought I'd capture this incident here so any chance reader would be fore-warned. Macy's sales associates cannot handle returns without price tags even if you have your sales receipts. Perhaps I am unfairly lumping the smarter sales associates in with this more challenged colleague. I'll let you decide that for yourself.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Happy Birthday, Baby Girl
My baby daughter turned 17 yesterday. She is a high school senior, going through the college search adventure. She spent the night before her birthday at one of the colleges she is applying to attend next fall. That visit prompted this post...
Birthdays are frequently not the things that dreams are made of.
When we're kids, we look forward to our special day with an eagerness almost as keen as Christmas morning. When you get to be an adult, you learn that to accept the fact that your anticipation is rarely, if ever, actually met. At 17, my daughter already realizes this. But, she had a legitimate reason this year to expect to have some excitement. She would be sleeping overnight at a college campus the Friday night before her Saturday birthday. She would be attending a college party and meeting some new people - very exciting.
It didn't turn out that way, unfortunately. The coed she was paired with doesn't like to go to parties. Oh, they got invited to 3 that evening, but she chose for them to play games in her dorm room instead. Perhaps this was not her normal behavior. Perhaps she felt an overhelming sense of responsibility to take care of her high school senior charge. My daughter says otherwise, that this was her normal Friday evening habit.
Now, I don't care if my daughter got to party hearty with a bunch of college kids, but I do care that she came home feeling she missed out. I'm sure she didn't miss anything at all. But, she was bored instead of excited by her college overnight visit.
So, I feel kinda bad knowing that this is only the first of many, many more birthday disappointments to come. On the bright side, she got a surprise visit on Saturday from summer friends she works with at camp. That was very nice and they traveled far to see her. I hope she learned that it's the friendships we make and the relationships we grow that make life sweet. There will be more parties... I promise.
Birthdays are frequently not the things that dreams are made of.
When we're kids, we look forward to our special day with an eagerness almost as keen as Christmas morning. When you get to be an adult, you learn that to accept the fact that your anticipation is rarely, if ever, actually met. At 17, my daughter already realizes this. But, she had a legitimate reason this year to expect to have some excitement. She would be sleeping overnight at a college campus the Friday night before her Saturday birthday. She would be attending a college party and meeting some new people - very exciting.
It didn't turn out that way, unfortunately. The coed she was paired with doesn't like to go to parties. Oh, they got invited to 3 that evening, but she chose for them to play games in her dorm room instead. Perhaps this was not her normal behavior. Perhaps she felt an overhelming sense of responsibility to take care of her high school senior charge. My daughter says otherwise, that this was her normal Friday evening habit.
Now, I don't care if my daughter got to party hearty with a bunch of college kids, but I do care that she came home feeling she missed out. I'm sure she didn't miss anything at all. But, she was bored instead of excited by her college overnight visit.
So, I feel kinda bad knowing that this is only the first of many, many more birthday disappointments to come. On the bright side, she got a surprise visit on Saturday from summer friends she works with at camp. That was very nice and they traveled far to see her. I hope she learned that it's the friendships we make and the relationships we grow that make life sweet. There will be more parties... I promise.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Hate is an Ugly Thing
Yesterday, I came face-to-face with ugly hatred - up close and personal.
I was in the check-out line at a local grocery store, waiting for the mother and her 10-ish year old daughter making their payment for their purchases. The mother was showing her daughter how to pay using a credit card, and for this reason it was taking a little longer to complete the transaction.
The woman behind me says "Excuse me," while she tries to reach around me to put her groceries on the check-out conveyor belt - I was standing at the end of the belt unable to move up. I glance over my shoulder and tell her there's no room for me to move up (because of the mother-daughter check-out instruction going on in front of me.)
She then says, a bit louder, "Excuse me" again and I repeat there is no room for me to move up.
Next she pushes her cart into my rear-end, saying more loudly, "Excuse me." I turn around and look directly at her and say, "I said there is no room to move up, so why did you push your cart into me?"
She says she asked me politely and when I didn't comply, she had to make her point. I told her this was no way to act and she went off on me saying...
"Just because you are white doesn't mean you have a right to treat me this way. I may be newer to this country (I think she was African), but I still have rights , even if I am black!)
I could not believe what I was hearing! I pointed my finger right at her and said, "Oh no you don't! That has nothing to do with it. There was no room for me to move up and you had no right to hit me with your cart!!"
She yells back at me, "You think that was a hit! You want me to hit you! I'll show you what I can do to you!"
In the meantime, the check-out clerk and bagger are shrinking down - no help to defuse the situation. She was still yelling at me as I left both the line and the store after paying for my few purchases. (I'd been buying ice cream for a family birthday party I was holding at my home in a couple hours for my daughter and mother-in-law.)
Needless to say, I was shocked by this exchange and I'm stilling reeling today - hence this posting. There have been a huge influx of immigrants into our community over the past 5 years. So many new comers in fact that I sometimes feel out-of-place in the small town I've called home for over 23 years now. I'm sorry to say this episode has only served as an explanation point to that fact. I doubt if I will be going back to shop at that store again for some time to come.
Why?
Because, I don't feel like putting myself into situations where I am abused for no reason. Because, this woman scared me - plain and simple, simple.
I was in the check-out line at a local grocery store, waiting for the mother and her 10-ish year old daughter making their payment for their purchases. The mother was showing her daughter how to pay using a credit card, and for this reason it was taking a little longer to complete the transaction.
The woman behind me says "Excuse me," while she tries to reach around me to put her groceries on the check-out conveyor belt - I was standing at the end of the belt unable to move up. I glance over my shoulder and tell her there's no room for me to move up (because of the mother-daughter check-out instruction going on in front of me.)
She then says, a bit louder, "Excuse me" again and I repeat there is no room for me to move up.
Next she pushes her cart into my rear-end, saying more loudly, "Excuse me." I turn around and look directly at her and say, "I said there is no room to move up, so why did you push your cart into me?"
She says she asked me politely and when I didn't comply, she had to make her point. I told her this was no way to act and she went off on me saying...
"Just because you are white doesn't mean you have a right to treat me this way. I may be newer to this country (I think she was African), but I still have rights , even if I am black!)
I could not believe what I was hearing! I pointed my finger right at her and said, "Oh no you don't! That has nothing to do with it. There was no room for me to move up and you had no right to hit me with your cart!!"
She yells back at me, "You think that was a hit! You want me to hit you! I'll show you what I can do to you!"
In the meantime, the check-out clerk and bagger are shrinking down - no help to defuse the situation. She was still yelling at me as I left both the line and the store after paying for my few purchases. (I'd been buying ice cream for a family birthday party I was holding at my home in a couple hours for my daughter and mother-in-law.)
Needless to say, I was shocked by this exchange and I'm stilling reeling today - hence this posting. There have been a huge influx of immigrants into our community over the past 5 years. So many new comers in fact that I sometimes feel out-of-place in the small town I've called home for over 23 years now. I'm sorry to say this episode has only served as an explanation point to that fact. I doubt if I will be going back to shop at that store again for some time to come.
Why?
Because, I don't feel like putting myself into situations where I am abused for no reason. Because, this woman scared me - plain and simple, simple.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Indian Summer's Night Moves
It's absolutely beautiful here in the Washington DC area this evening. It's Autumn at it's best and I'm hoping we got the best election winners for the future of our country.
I'm a registered Independent and I was careful about inspecting issues, examining the messages emitting from radio, TV and the Internet. But, there does seem to be something wonderful about the Fall season right after a Presidential election that I wanted to take notice and make comment.
The 70 degree air around the nation's capital is charged with a hopeful buzz that the new Administration can turn things around. The clear blue day time sky reminds us of the field of blue states on the election coverage channels Tuesday night. The crisp mornings remind us of how sharp the pencil points of new Cabinet and Congress must be when they arrive to work on Day 1. The smell of dry leaves is akin to the smell of old Republicans being whisked away by the winds of change. And the last evening sounds of crickets chirping is like... empty promises made but not kept over the past 8 years.
Oh, I wax poetic tonight, but I'm inspired by the uplifting attitude of our President-Elect as he immediately starting naming members of his new Administration and putting out teasers about his plans to right America's recent course. Like him or not, you probably will agree that Obama's taking charge. That's a good way to begin.
I'm a registered Independent and I was careful about inspecting issues, examining the messages emitting from radio, TV and the Internet. But, there does seem to be something wonderful about the Fall season right after a Presidential election that I wanted to take notice and make comment.
The 70 degree air around the nation's capital is charged with a hopeful buzz that the new Administration can turn things around. The clear blue day time sky reminds us of the field of blue states on the election coverage channels Tuesday night. The crisp mornings remind us of how sharp the pencil points of new Cabinet and Congress must be when they arrive to work on Day 1. The smell of dry leaves is akin to the smell of old Republicans being whisked away by the winds of change. And the last evening sounds of crickets chirping is like... empty promises made but not kept over the past 8 years.
Oh, I wax poetic tonight, but I'm inspired by the uplifting attitude of our President-Elect as he immediately starting naming members of his new Administration and putting out teasers about his plans to right America's recent course. Like him or not, you probably will agree that Obama's taking charge. That's a good way to begin.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The Big Night is Finally Here
Tonight feels a lot like Christmas Eve...
It's the same feeling of anticipation like before you open your presents and see what you actually got!
Yes, it's Election Day and the polls are now beginning to close. I've got the TV coverage on and all the speculation is ramped up - to the max. All this drama and swirling has really revved up the nation and captured our national imagination. But what about tomorrow?
Someone has to lose.
And then what will happen? We're told things will never be the same again when November 5 rolls around. That means we have a 50/50 chance of things getting better and also getting worse. I've had very few Christmas' where I got gifts that matched my expectations. Usually it's a lot of build up with minimal payback in return. I truly hope this election doesn't turn out like so many overblown holiday promises.
We'll see... May all your election dreams come true!
It's the same feeling of anticipation like before you open your presents and see what you actually got!
Yes, it's Election Day and the polls are now beginning to close. I've got the TV coverage on and all the speculation is ramped up - to the max. All this drama and swirling has really revved up the nation and captured our national imagination. But what about tomorrow?
Someone has to lose.
And then what will happen? We're told things will never be the same again when November 5 rolls around. That means we have a 50/50 chance of things getting better and also getting worse. I've had very few Christmas' where I got gifts that matched my expectations. Usually it's a lot of build up with minimal payback in return. I truly hope this election doesn't turn out like so many overblown holiday promises.
We'll see... May all your election dreams come true!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Be Careful What You Pray For
(Reprint from Blondesense blog - thanks for sharing... )
Religious Americans are praying and fasting as we move closer to election day. They are praying that Christians will get up off the couch and go out and vote (for McCain/Palin) because they stand for the "sanctity of life.""We have just days to pray that someone who upholds the sanctity of life and marriage between one man and one woman will win," said Pam Olsen, co-pastor with her husband of the International House of Prayer in Tallahassee, Fla.This is going on country wide.
Olsen, who personally supports Republican John McCain, is organizing a marathon of prayer, fasting and Bible reading at the Capitol starting Saturday until the state's polls close.
"The outcome is up to God," she said.
If there really is a "God" up there and he really does value the "sanctity of life" and he really can sway the electorate, which candidate do you think he'd pick? I don't have a clue although I think that the God of Jesus would choose the candidate who is less likely to bomb the shit out of sovereign nations... but then again the Old Testament God would probably choose McCain.
What would an Obama win say to all the religious zealots? Will they be convinced that God chose Obama and leave the presidency in "God's hands" as it were?
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Kramers in the House
It always seemed sad to me that our family was so small. As people got older and passed a
way, I deeply missed them and I was destressed by the feeling that our little clan shrinking away. That is until 
last week.I met some blood relatives I didn't know I had. What wonderful people they are too. I am so very grateful to now know you. I hope this is the beginning of a life time of being family.
A poem about the joy of being with your family… (modified, from the Internet)
We come together, young and old, traveling distance just to be... surrounded by your own people. Cousins, uncles, aunts and grandparents, all in perfect harmony.
There’s power in these gathering, love renews and flows right through.... through the smiles, hugs and memories of how we used to be... through the surprise and glee, when we get to see.
The family we never knew.
Good food, real laughter.... our bonds become so strong. We know that we belong with each embrace, with cheek kissed, with each sang song,... we see what we have missed. And we tell ourselves we've been apart too long
We hold each others hands and pray, thanking Jesus for his grace.
Asking God to guide us safely home, until we meet again. In another time, in another place.
The Total of A Person's Life
I went to an estate auction today - my daughter was asked to take pictures.
Estate sales I've been to before, but this was my first auction. As I meandered my way through the physical property remains of the deceased, it looked just like the things we had to dis guard when my father passed away. Fortunately, this ensured I wasn't tempted by much of what I saw there. But it does make you think about all the junk we amass during our lifetimes.
I really don't want to besmirch the deceased, but how much junk do you really need? There was so much of it -- and people were buying it. All I can say is I'm motivated to clean out my house and get back to basics. After all, when will I really need that thing-a-ma-jig again? (Although by some unwritten rule of the universe, it does seem that when you throw something away you do need it right away... )
Another thing that occurred to me while I spent my day at this auction was how complicated we make our lives. This person has 3 boats, 4 cars, 3 tractors, an RV and an airplane. Can one person really use that much transportation?
The property totaled 90+ acres - most of it farmland that was not being used. So, there was plenty of space to keep all this stuff. That's another unwritten law of the universe - the more space you have the more junk you will get to fill that space.
I hope the family got a good amount of revenue from today's proceedings. I left before it was over and there was still a lot of junk to get rid of... but people were still there buying it up so their personal space wouldn't go empty. After all, the universe wouldn't be happy if we let our space be clutter free.
(I think I'll go clean the basement. Maybe I should have an auction...)
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Please Vote
A lot of people are revved up by this election, but will they actually vote?It is our civic duty to vote. It is our American birth right to vote. It is our personal obligation to vote - if you truly believe that America is the best country on planet Earth. Voting is what makes our democratic system unique and it is the core of our ability as American citizens to have a voice in where our elected officials and leaders take this country... and us along with it.
It's a beautiful and simple, simple thing.
So, get off your duff and VOTE on election day. Make this the year that you personally get involved and make a difference.
It matters not which idealogy you subscribe to following or which personality you like more. Unless you make your one vote count!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Don't Lose Hope
There's a lot of bad news these days. In fact, it's down right depressing... unless you keep perspective.
What we are experiencing is an adjustment. Nobody is actually calling this an economic adjustment, but that is what this is. We have ridden out an overinflated market that for the past decade has caused housing prices, salaries, and the stock market to soar. But, none of this was real. It was all on paper. And, it was not a good thing.
Perspective is something that gets better with age. Being over the 50 mark, my perspective is that the overinflated, bloated, fat economy couldn't last. Young people were having a heck of a time getting started because they were unable to catch-up with the inflated prices of homes, cars, and lifestyles. That's what caused them to over expend their credit cards and get mortgages they really couldn't afford. Now they are paying the price.
When I started out, you could actually live on a starting salary, and you could save a few dollars here and there for the down payment on your first house. My first place - a one bedroom condo - cost me $14,300 in 1978. I sold it seven years later for a $10,000 profit and put that against our down payment for our first single family home. It wasn't easy, but I made it a priority to save. SAVE - that word seems to have disappeared from our national vocabulary. And, here we are today, in debt to the Chinese.
But, don't lose hope. There is a way out of this situation. It's that four letter word SAVE. Stop eating out, stop buying stuff you don't really need, and start putting away a couple hundred dollars each month. If everyone in America did this, we'd reclaim our ability to make economically sound decisions. When you spend your real dollars (ones you can touch and see in your bank account), you are much more careful about the financial decisions you make.
Our government should take a lesson in fiscal responsibility too. It's really Simple, Simple.
What we are experiencing is an adjustment. Nobody is actually calling this an economic adjustment, but that is what this is. We have ridden out an overinflated market that for the past decade has caused housing prices, salaries, and the stock market to soar. But, none of this was real. It was all on paper. And, it was not a good thing.
Perspective is something that gets better with age. Being over the 50 mark, my perspective is that the overinflated, bloated, fat economy couldn't last. Young people were having a heck of a time getting started because they were unable to catch-up with the inflated prices of homes, cars, and lifestyles. That's what caused them to over expend their credit cards and get mortgages they really couldn't afford. Now they are paying the price.
When I started out, you could actually live on a starting salary, and you could save a few dollars here and there for the down payment on your first house. My first place - a one bedroom condo - cost me $14,300 in 1978. I sold it seven years later for a $10,000 profit and put that against our down payment for our first single family home. It wasn't easy, but I made it a priority to save. SAVE - that word seems to have disappeared from our national vocabulary. And, here we are today, in debt to the Chinese.
But, don't lose hope. There is a way out of this situation. It's that four letter word SAVE. Stop eating out, stop buying stuff you don't really need, and start putting away a couple hundred dollars each month. If everyone in America did this, we'd reclaim our ability to make economically sound decisions. When you spend your real dollars (ones you can touch and see in your bank account), you are much more careful about the financial decisions you make.
Our government should take a lesson in fiscal responsibility too. It's really Simple, Simple.
Friday, October 10, 2008
VOTE - A Four Letter Word?
This has been quite an election season. Long, but not boring. And, there's been a lot of publicity about how historic this election will be given either an African American will become President or a woman will become Vice President.So what!
I don't see what race or gender has to do with being qualified to lead this country through it's current economic and ethical crisis. Both of these problems are of historical proportion. What we need now is a President who is smart and fearless. Someone who will do what needs to be done regardless of the pressures from the greedy power mongers who run Washington DC.
The real question is whether or not Obama or McCain are that person.
I dare not speculate... only time will tell.
Choose wisely and make sure you VOTE on election day. Else, you do not have the right to complain. It's that Simple, Simple.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
We Must Learn from History...
Quote
- "The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to the point where it becomes stronger than the democratic state itself. That in its essence is fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group or any controlling private power."
~Franklin D. Roosevelt
Friday, October 3, 2008
Welcome the Poor House!
I'm living in Bizarro World and I don't like it!
Since when do hard-working, fiscally responsible people get f'd over by their leaders by having to foot the bill for out-of-control corporate greed that bankrupts the country, and to pay down the messes of delusional ignoramuses who thought they could afford a McMansion on a minimum wage salary? Since now!
If you live in America and you work hard and live within your means, then you are f'd! There is absolutely no incentive to do the right thing. I'm one of the poor bastards who scrimped and saved - instead of going out to dinner or taking elaborate vacations - who must now take care of the people who did not save their pennies, but lived beyond their income brackets. To me this is just plain un-American.
We weren't born rich. We made personal sacrifices to send our children to safe, parochial schools and now on top of paying full price for college (because our savings are too substantial to qualify for financial aid), we also now must bail out corporate bandits who robbed their investors blind. Unbelievable!
Hum - that doesn't sound like democracy. It sounds like Communism or socialism or communitarian (which by-the-way didn't survive). America, a country, once proud and strong, now weak and spoiled. I am really pissed off about this. I feel like my entire adult life has been flushed down the toilet and that everything I worked hard to achieve is being taken away, outside my control.
I wish there was a Simple, Simple solution to this major, major situation. I wish I could remain positive while Rome burns around us. I wish I knew how to make lemonade out of these lemons. I don't. I know, this is a major whine. So, please pass the cheese... thanks.
Since when do hard-working, fiscally responsible people get f'd over by their leaders by having to foot the bill for out-of-control corporate greed that bankrupts the country, and to pay down the messes of delusional ignoramuses who thought they could afford a McMansion on a minimum wage salary? Since now!
If you live in America and you work hard and live within your means, then you are f'd! There is absolutely no incentive to do the right thing. I'm one of the poor bastards who scrimped and saved - instead of going out to dinner or taking elaborate vacations - who must now take care of the people who did not save their pennies, but lived beyond their income brackets. To me this is just plain un-American.
We weren't born rich. We made personal sacrifices to send our children to safe, parochial schools and now on top of paying full price for college (because our savings are too substantial to qualify for financial aid), we also now must bail out corporate bandits who robbed their investors blind. Unbelievable!
Hum - that doesn't sound like democracy. It sounds like Communism or socialism or communitarian (which by-the-way didn't survive). America, a country, once proud and strong, now weak and spoiled. I am really pissed off about this. I feel like my entire adult life has been flushed down the toilet and that everything I worked hard to achieve is being taken away, outside my control.
I wish there was a Simple, Simple solution to this major, major situation. I wish I could remain positive while Rome burns around us. I wish I knew how to make lemonade out of these lemons. I don't. I know, this is a major whine. So, please pass the cheese... thanks.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Ode to Uncle Ray
My only uncle passed away yesterday.
I come from a small family. I once had two uncles and now I have none. Both of my uncles were very unique men. Quirky, smart guys. I thoroughly enjoyed them both while I had them.
Uncle Ray was the textbook Southerner. He was from Louisiana. His people landed in this country back in the 1600's. They came to America from the British Isles. Uncle Ray retired early due to a buy-out offer that was too good to turn down. He was 50 years old at the time. With all this sudden free time, Uncle Ray picked up his small family (Aunt Ruthie and Cousin Carl) and moved back to Bogalusa, LA. There, he took up living his dream - being a cattle rancher. By day, he tended the herd, built his dream house, gardened, fished, and hung out at the firehouse. By night, he did his family's genealogy. For many years, he compiled and published their lengthy existence in this country and the homeland. Much of his work was done before the Internet, so it was a painstaking labor of love.
Uncle Ray had a PH.D in Agriculture. He worked for the Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC. It was in the DC area that he met Aunt Ruthie - my side of the family. Uncle Ray was an Entomologist - he studied insects. I remember his huge bug collection at their house in Alexandria, VA. Lot's of large, medium and small bugs suspended via long pins in glass cases. I recall my initial reaction was to repel away, but a second look revealed the lush colors and sleek designs of the creations on display. Uncle Ray knew all their Latin names. It was pretty cool.
What I really liked about Uncle Ray was his keen intellect and his cantankerous nature. In other words, he was fantastic to argue with. Oh yes, Uncle Ray reveled in being ornery. We were usually on complete opposite sides of the issue or topic being discussed, but that only made the debate more lively. He never got mad, but he always looked for an opening to illustrate the point he wanted to make. And, if he could make you admit to his point, he'd kick up his heels and give a good ol' knee slap, with a big grin and twinkle in his eye. Uncle Ray liked to win arguments.
Uncle Ray fell victim to Alzheimer's. But, he kept his wit pretty much to the end. Aunt Ruthie took care of him at home up to the last month when he needed close medical attention. His last words - spoken nine days before he died - "how much longer will this last?"
My mother, brother and I will be heading to Louisiana to help send off Uncle Ray at his Fireman's funeral, Southern style. There's nothing more we can do, but comfort Aunt Ruthie and Cousin Carl. Uncle Ray is now at rest and getting ready to take on the greatest minds in history in some rambuncious endless debates. I can hear him now - laughing with glee at finding some seriously worthy opponents to take on in a battle of the minds.
I come from a small family. I once had two uncles and now I have none. Both of my uncles were very unique men. Quirky, smart guys. I thoroughly enjoyed them both while I had them.
Uncle Ray was the textbook Southerner. He was from Louisiana. His people landed in this country back in the 1600's. They came to America from the British Isles. Uncle Ray retired early due to a buy-out offer that was too good to turn down. He was 50 years old at the time. With all this sudden free time, Uncle Ray picked up his small family (Aunt Ruthie and Cousin Carl) and moved back to Bogalusa, LA. There, he took up living his dream - being a cattle rancher. By day, he tended the herd, built his dream house, gardened, fished, and hung out at the firehouse. By night, he did his family's genealogy. For many years, he compiled and published their lengthy existence in this country and the homeland. Much of his work was done before the Internet, so it was a painstaking labor of love.
Uncle Ray had a PH.D in Agriculture. He worked for the Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC. It was in the DC area that he met Aunt Ruthie - my side of the family. Uncle Ray was an Entomologist - he studied insects. I remember his huge bug collection at their house in Alexandria, VA. Lot's of large, medium and small bugs suspended via long pins in glass cases. I recall my initial reaction was to repel away, but a second look revealed the lush colors and sleek designs of the creations on display. Uncle Ray knew all their Latin names. It was pretty cool.
What I really liked about Uncle Ray was his keen intellect and his cantankerous nature. In other words, he was fantastic to argue with. Oh yes, Uncle Ray reveled in being ornery. We were usually on complete opposite sides of the issue or topic being discussed, but that only made the debate more lively. He never got mad, but he always looked for an opening to illustrate the point he wanted to make. And, if he could make you admit to his point, he'd kick up his heels and give a good ol' knee slap, with a big grin and twinkle in his eye. Uncle Ray liked to win arguments.
Uncle Ray fell victim to Alzheimer's. But, he kept his wit pretty much to the end. Aunt Ruthie took care of him at home up to the last month when he needed close medical attention. His last words - spoken nine days before he died - "how much longer will this last?"
My mother, brother and I will be heading to Louisiana to help send off Uncle Ray at his Fireman's funeral, Southern style. There's nothing more we can do, but comfort Aunt Ruthie and Cousin Carl. Uncle Ray is now at rest and getting ready to take on the greatest minds in history in some rambuncious endless debates. I can hear him now - laughing with glee at finding some seriously worthy opponents to take on in a battle of the minds.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Happy Birthday Son
It's my son's birthday (September 17) and I must acknowledge it.
The day he was born was the happiest day of my life. I'd never experienced such a complete feeling of love as when he was put into my arms immediately after the delivery. He wasn't exactly beautiful - his head was cone shaped, earning him the short-lived nickname "Cornelus Conehead." I was lucky to be able to stay home with him until he was nine months old. These were the best days I ever spent. I lived on the baby's schedule. It was so peaceful. For the first few months, there wasn't even the sound of the TV in our house. We had what our friends in California termed "Baby Vision." That's when you sit and watch the baby, together.
(For my daughter's sake, I want to state here that we were also very happy when she was born two years later. But it was different, because we then had a toddler and things were less peaceful around the household at that point in time. It was a completely different experience, but one no less special. So don't pout! On your birthday, I'll tell your story. I promise.)
There are so many wonderful memories of my son (and daughter) growing up. I have truly been blessed by having them in my life. And, I continue to be so. It's different, but I really like the people my children are becoming.
Tomorrow my son turns 19. He'll be celebrating away at college where he's in his second year. I suspect he will have a pretty good day, and that makes me happy. So, Happy Birthday to my young man. And, don't do anything I wouldn't have done when I was a carefree student on my special day. (wink, wink)
The day he was born was the happiest day of my life. I'd never experienced such a complete feeling of love as when he was put into my arms immediately after the delivery. He wasn't exactly beautiful - his head was cone shaped, earning him the short-lived nickname "Cornelus Conehead." I was lucky to be able to stay home with him until he was nine months old. These were the best days I ever spent. I lived on the baby's schedule. It was so peaceful. For the first few months, there wasn't even the sound of the TV in our house. We had what our friends in California termed "Baby Vision." That's when you sit and watch the baby, together.
(For my daughter's sake, I want to state here that we were also very happy when she was born two years later. But it was different, because we then had a toddler and things were less peaceful around the household at that point in time. It was a completely different experience, but one no less special. So don't pout! On your birthday, I'll tell your story. I promise.)
There are so many wonderful memories of my son (and daughter) growing up. I have truly been blessed by having them in my life. And, I continue to be so. It's different, but I really like the people my children are becoming.
Tomorrow my son turns 19. He'll be celebrating away at college where he's in his second year. I suspect he will have a pretty good day, and that makes me happy. So, Happy Birthday to my young man. And, don't do anything I wouldn't have done when I was a carefree student on my special day. (wink, wink)
Sunday, September 7, 2008
September 13 - Postive Thinking Day
Positive Thinking Day (PTD) 08 is September 13th! We are planning for a bigger and better event this year! The 3 main purposes of PTD are to make the world more positive, find the most positive person, and to raise money for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. We hope that you will join us to change the world... one thought at a time!COME CELEBRATE WITH US AND HELP US RAISE MONEY TO CURE SPINAL CORD INJURY:
Positive Thinking Day - September 13th - is a day to celebrate the benefits of positive thinking. We believe that by helping people change their thoughts we can make a lasting and positive difference in this world. We hope you will join us in this effort (see list below for ways to participate).
We are also raising money for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation as part of the celebrations. According to Positive Thinking Day organizer, Dr. Harrell, “Christopher Reeve represented the best of positive thinking. It is because of his unwaivering positive attitude that we are proud to be raising money to benefit this foundation. He showed me that we really can choose a positive mindset no matter what the circumstances are. For that I will always be grateful.”
30% of the ipopin.com proceeds from Positive Thinking Day events will go to the Reeve Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy.
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED WITH POSITIVE THINKING DAY:
**Affirmation - You can help us change the world by focusing on the following affirmation on Positive Thinking Day - I choose to create a great day! (Click here to download this ipopin one minute affirmation for free!)
**Raise $ - When you make a purchase at www.ipopin.com between September 6-14, 2008, 30% your purchase price will be donated to the Reeve Foundation! That's right, ipopin.com will donate 30% of proceeds to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation!
**Pariticipate - Share a tip for staying positive by emailing me between now and 9/13/08 and you will be entered in a drawing to win 3 ipopin CD's. Your tip may be selected to appear in a post on this site.
**Spread the word - Help us spread the word by adding the PTD logo link on your website or blog AND mention PTD in a post between Sept 1-13, 2008. Email me once you do so that I can add a link to you in our PTD Supporter section. You will be entered in a drawing to win 3 ipopin CD's.
**Nominate - You can nominate someone for our Most Positive Person Contest.
Let the fun begin!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Labor Day and the Last of Summer
I come from a place where we celebrate the laborers. We have a big parade and a weekend-long carnival to recognize the laborer's need for two important things: relaxation and recognition.
The Labor Day Festival is our traditional way of having one last summer fling before getting back into the swing of our "routine" for the other three seasons of the year. The festival has everything you'd expect - food, music, games, community service, rides and beauty contests. It's as American as you can get, especially considering it takes place in the country's first planned community that was built during the Great Depression of the 1930's. This is another reason why we take Labor Day so very seriously. Our city was designed to give the working poor their own homes and to give them that sense of pride that comes from being an engaged member of a community. It was (and still is) a place where people live and work together for the common good, blind to their social-economic, racial, religious differences, bound to the shared sense of community.
This was exactly what FDR and his advisors sought to create. And, I've have been fortunately to have grown up in this environment and to retain my ties to the community through family and friends (for I've moved up the road 15 miles.)
So, I wanted to give praise where it is due. Also, thanks to this year's festival planners. It was better than ever!
The Labor Day Festival is our traditional way of having one last summer fling before getting back into the swing of our "routine" for the other three seasons of the year. The festival has everything you'd expect - food, music, games, community service, rides and beauty contests. It's as American as you can get, especially considering it takes place in the country's first planned community that was built during the Great Depression of the 1930's. This is another reason why we take Labor Day so very seriously. Our city was designed to give the working poor their own homes and to give them that sense of pride that comes from being an engaged member of a community. It was (and still is) a place where people live and work together for the common good, blind to their social-economic, racial, religious differences, bound to the shared sense of community.
This was exactly what FDR and his advisors sought to create. And, I've have been fortunately to have grown up in this environment and to retain my ties to the community through family and friends (for I've moved up the road 15 miles.)
So, I wanted to give praise where it is due. Also, thanks to this year's festival planners. It was better than ever!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The VP's are Making this a lot More Interesting
Oops - John McCain's done it again...
He's made this election a lot more interesting by picking Sarah Paline as his running mate. Listening to talk radio on both sides of the liberal/conservative positions yesterday was a real fun feast. Nobody knows how this will turn out, but it will definately be more fun to watch.
He's made this election a lot more interesting by picking Sarah Paline as his running mate. Listening to talk radio on both sides of the liberal/conservative positions yesterday was a real fun feast. Nobody knows how this will turn out, but it will definately be more fun to watch.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Joe Biden?
I'm not a politically astute, I'm an Independent voter, and I have no business writing anything that reflects an opinion about politics. I must express my unhappiness with Democratic presidential candidate Obama's choice of Joe Biden for his VP.
Joe Biden represents the status quo -- he is not a symbol of change, the platform upon which Barack Obama has been stumping for nearly a year now. I haven't forgotten that Biden is tarnished by his lack of honesty while a law student. I don't know if Joe Biden has mended his ways, but I think a liar is always a liar, a cheat is always a cheat, and Joe Biden was shown to be both in his past.
With all the good choices available, why Biden? I don't understand by the Obama champaign would pass up General Clark, Governor Richardson, and even Hillary. All of these people have strong qualifications that would rival those of Joe Biden.
We'll see how all this plays out, but I don't see this a an obvious strategic move. Rather, I see this as a major miscalculation. I don't like John McCain either. But, if he picks Mitt Romney for his running mate, that could very well make them the dream team over the Obama/Biden pairing. I don't get it...
Joe Biden represents the status quo -- he is not a symbol of change, the platform upon which Barack Obama has been stumping for nearly a year now. I haven't forgotten that Biden is tarnished by his lack of honesty while a law student. I don't know if Joe Biden has mended his ways, but I think a liar is always a liar, a cheat is always a cheat, and Joe Biden was shown to be both in his past.
With all the good choices available, why Biden? I don't understand by the Obama champaign would pass up General Clark, Governor Richardson, and even Hillary. All of these people have strong qualifications that would rival those of Joe Biden.
We'll see how all this plays out, but I don't see this a an obvious strategic move. Rather, I see this as a major miscalculation. I don't like John McCain either. But, if he picks Mitt Romney for his running mate, that could very well make them the dream team over the Obama/Biden pairing. I don't get it...
Kids will be Adults (or vs.versa)
I'm confused.
When do kids become adults? This, as it turns out, is not a simple, simple question. And, when left unresolved, this question can create unwanted tension and confusion.
When I grew up, kids become adults around the age of 16. If not then, definitely upon graduation from high school at age 18, when headed off to college or to become part of the working world. After graduating from college, there was no doubt that you were an adult. This meant you were invited to sit at the adult table and you were expected to carry your load. In return, you were afforded the respect that was given to adults. Adulthood was something we strove to achieve -- and you had to step up and show that you were worthy to be treated as an adult.
We all know that being an adult isn't all fun and games. You no longer get presents for your birthday from your relatives. Perhaps you'll get a card or phone call to convey appropriate greetings and best wishes. You no longer got money when relatives visit. After all, you are now a member of the wage-earning population. And, when you visit, you are expected to lend a hand when there is cooking and clean-up to be done, or other chores to be shared. Heck, you wanted to help out -- it was the correct and proper thing to do.
Something has changed since I made this transition. Today's young adults seem to want to ride the fence for as long as possible to take advantage of both worlds. Well, who wouldn't want that? If you can still get presents, have the others do the cooking and cleaning, and also your laundry, you win!
Well, perhaps... but, I honestly don't see it that way.
I don't think anyone wins in this scenario. I think the younger folks don't learn how to carry their fair share of the weight -- which is a lot lighter if we all lend a hand. And, one day, they will be left to do everything for themselves because we will be gone (or too worn out to do it anymore.) Then what happens? Who knows? I don't, but think this arrangement stinks.
When do kids become adults? This, as it turns out, is not a simple, simple question. And, when left unresolved, this question can create unwanted tension and confusion.
When I grew up, kids become adults around the age of 16. If not then, definitely upon graduation from high school at age 18, when headed off to college or to become part of the working world. After graduating from college, there was no doubt that you were an adult. This meant you were invited to sit at the adult table and you were expected to carry your load. In return, you were afforded the respect that was given to adults. Adulthood was something we strove to achieve -- and you had to step up and show that you were worthy to be treated as an adult.
We all know that being an adult isn't all fun and games. You no longer get presents for your birthday from your relatives. Perhaps you'll get a card or phone call to convey appropriate greetings and best wishes. You no longer got money when relatives visit. After all, you are now a member of the wage-earning population. And, when you visit, you are expected to lend a hand when there is cooking and clean-up to be done, or other chores to be shared. Heck, you wanted to help out -- it was the correct and proper thing to do.
Something has changed since I made this transition. Today's young adults seem to want to ride the fence for as long as possible to take advantage of both worlds. Well, who wouldn't want that? If you can still get presents, have the others do the cooking and cleaning, and also your laundry, you win!
Well, perhaps... but, I honestly don't see it that way.
I don't think anyone wins in this scenario. I think the younger folks don't learn how to carry their fair share of the weight -- which is a lot lighter if we all lend a hand. And, one day, they will be left to do everything for themselves because we will be gone (or too worn out to do it anymore.) Then what happens? Who knows? I don't, but think this arrangement stinks.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
REST is a 4 Letter Word
Finally. My vacation is here. Well, more accurately my vacation time is here, but I'm still at home.
At this point in my life, I should know you cannot please everyone and should first try to please yourself. But, I haven't yet learned this life lesson. And now this has caused me to lose two days of my precious, once a year beach week. The one week each year I get to go away and forget my work, surrounded my the entire clan in absolutely beautiful surroundings. What went wrong?
I tried to do the "right" thing.
Our travel plans were always to have my husband and I travel to the beach on Saturday. Our two kids are working at summer camp and don't finish until Sunday. They have a car at camp and would come on their own. No problem. But, my daughter (only licensed since February) totaled that car in a beltway accident on Tuesday when she was coming home on her day off from camp. (Praise the Lord she only scraped up her thumbs and walked away otherwise unharmed, but very shook up.) So in going over the options now available to get everyone to the beach, one solution was to have another camp counselor come along and that would provide our kids a ride. Before taking that liberty, I checked with my mid-80's in-laws to see if they wouldn't mind having this "stranger" come for a few days. To me, since my in-laws are paying for the house, this was the proper thing to do.
My in-laws response was it was no problem having the other counselor come along. But, they wanted my husband and I to drive our own kids. This was not a suggestion - this became a source of worry for them (witnessed by no less than 3 phone calls with corresponding lectures on how our children are our most precious things...).
In addition, we had now invited the other counselor to come. So, at age 50+, I am still being told what to do by parents and I have found myself in a frustrating situation because it's Sunday morning and I'm still at home - missing day 2 of my vacation. (I sound like a baby, but I only get 7 days at the beach a year and it takes 5 of them to truly relax, my math says I'm running out of time.)
So, why did this happen? Because I was taught to do the correct, proper, polite and courteous thing, especially when dealing with my elders. And, like it or not (NOT is where I am now), this was a very bad way to handle the situation. If I had not forewarned my in-laws about this change of plans, they would have been happy to see us show up at the beach on Saturday. They wouldn't have expected for our kids to arrive until Sunday. But, again it would have been wrong in my mind to have brought another person into the house without discussing it before hand.
The bottom line is this... others get away with doing what they want all the time. But, I don't because I follow rules that were handed down to me. And, these rules frequently screw things up for me. I could accept the disappointments that come from living by rules designed to make society work if everyone followed these same rules. Which, of course, they don't. Even within our family unit. In talking this out with my husband - also trained in these rules and frustrated by them - I guess it comes down to living by rules that were drilled into your head isn't going to change unless we make a conscious effort to change them.
We should have just said "no" to my husband's family, told them this was our concern and not theirs, and we'd be enjoying the beach now - instead of just finally packing the car. It's that simple, simple.
BTW - we are going to camp, picking up our kids, and leaving directions to the house with the other counselor. That's a f'd up solution, but it's all we've got now.
At this point in my life, I should know you cannot please everyone and should first try to please yourself. But, I haven't yet learned this life lesson. And now this has caused me to lose two days of my precious, once a year beach week. The one week each year I get to go away and forget my work, surrounded my the entire clan in absolutely beautiful surroundings. What went wrong?
I tried to do the "right" thing.
Our travel plans were always to have my husband and I travel to the beach on Saturday. Our two kids are working at summer camp and don't finish until Sunday. They have a car at camp and would come on their own. No problem. But, my daughter (only licensed since February) totaled that car in a beltway accident on Tuesday when she was coming home on her day off from camp. (Praise the Lord she only scraped up her thumbs and walked away otherwise unharmed, but very shook up.) So in going over the options now available to get everyone to the beach, one solution was to have another camp counselor come along and that would provide our kids a ride. Before taking that liberty, I checked with my mid-80's in-laws to see if they wouldn't mind having this "stranger" come for a few days. To me, since my in-laws are paying for the house, this was the proper thing to do.
My in-laws response was it was no problem having the other counselor come along. But, they wanted my husband and I to drive our own kids. This was not a suggestion - this became a source of worry for them (witnessed by no less than 3 phone calls with corresponding lectures on how our children are our most precious things...).
In addition, we had now invited the other counselor to come. So, at age 50+, I am still being told what to do by parents and I have found myself in a frustrating situation because it's Sunday morning and I'm still at home - missing day 2 of my vacation. (I sound like a baby, but I only get 7 days at the beach a year and it takes 5 of them to truly relax, my math says I'm running out of time.)
So, why did this happen? Because I was taught to do the correct, proper, polite and courteous thing, especially when dealing with my elders. And, like it or not (NOT is where I am now), this was a very bad way to handle the situation. If I had not forewarned my in-laws about this change of plans, they would have been happy to see us show up at the beach on Saturday. They wouldn't have expected for our kids to arrive until Sunday. But, again it would have been wrong in my mind to have brought another person into the house without discussing it before hand.
The bottom line is this... others get away with doing what they want all the time. But, I don't because I follow rules that were handed down to me. And, these rules frequently screw things up for me. I could accept the disappointments that come from living by rules designed to make society work if everyone followed these same rules. Which, of course, they don't. Even within our family unit. In talking this out with my husband - also trained in these rules and frustrated by them - I guess it comes down to living by rules that were drilled into your head isn't going to change unless we make a conscious effort to change them.
We should have just said "no" to my husband's family, told them this was our concern and not theirs, and we'd be enjoying the beach now - instead of just finally packing the car. It's that simple, simple.
BTW - we are going to camp, picking up our kids, and leaving directions to the house with the other counselor. That's a f'd up solution, but it's all we've got now.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Hey - It's Time to Get Over it! Race that is...
Okay, unless you have been in a coma, you know there's an election coming. A big one.
So, where will you be when history is made in November? Yes, either way that it turns out, this will go down in history as the first time a black man was the nominee of one of the major political parties.
To me this focus on race is very tiresome. I guess I first became aware that there were different races was when I was a child. As I grew, I was exposed to people of different religions, races, and creeds. Know what? I was taught that you judged a person by what they did and how they acted, not by their religion, race or creed.
I still believe this - with all my heart... I'm white. I'm female. I'm the product of a Jewish man and a gentile woman (married, in case you wondered). And, I experienced extreme prejudice because I was considered a half-breed and had a Jewish last name.
We had our house egged, our trees covered with toilet paper, the police were called any time our dog barked, and people mumbled things under their breath when we passed by. My mother told us this was their problem, not ours. And, I believed her with all my heart. Still do...
So, I understand what it's like to have people discriminate against you. But, I've never treated others (of any political party, religion, race or creed) with anything but respect. But, because I'm white I'm experiencing some things I really don't like or can tolerate - reverse discrimination and age discriminate (I'm 50 and female and white).
What is it? Human beings are so flawed that they need to have someone else to look down on to make themselves feel better about themselves? This is simply pitiful behavior. I don't plan on spending the last 30 years of my life apologizing for things I had no control over - being born white and for surviving into middle age. Sheesh. And, none of my ancestors owned slaves. We didn't come to American until the 1900's and 1920's. In fact, the Jewish side experienced extreme discrimination in the Warsaw getto - so please cut me some slack. Nobody helped my poor, uneducated, non-English speaking ancestors when they got off the boat at Ellis Island. They did it for themselves. And, there was a lot of prejudice against jews (still is) and Germans.
So, life is what you make of it. If you want to waste precious time complaining and waiting for someone to fix things for you - you won't get squat. It's that simple, simple. Wake up, get up, and do something to make things better - and while you're at it, make things better for all your brothers and sisters on Planet Earth.
Thank you very much.
So, where will you be when history is made in November? Yes, either way that it turns out, this will go down in history as the first time a black man was the nominee of one of the major political parties.
To me this focus on race is very tiresome. I guess I first became aware that there were different races was when I was a child. As I grew, I was exposed to people of different religions, races, and creeds. Know what? I was taught that you judged a person by what they did and how they acted, not by their religion, race or creed.
I still believe this - with all my heart... I'm white. I'm female. I'm the product of a Jewish man and a gentile woman (married, in case you wondered). And, I experienced extreme prejudice because I was considered a half-breed and had a Jewish last name.
We had our house egged, our trees covered with toilet paper, the police were called any time our dog barked, and people mumbled things under their breath when we passed by. My mother told us this was their problem, not ours. And, I believed her with all my heart. Still do...
So, I understand what it's like to have people discriminate against you. But, I've never treated others (of any political party, religion, race or creed) with anything but respect. But, because I'm white I'm experiencing some things I really don't like or can tolerate - reverse discrimination and age discriminate (I'm 50 and female and white).
What is it? Human beings are so flawed that they need to have someone else to look down on to make themselves feel better about themselves? This is simply pitiful behavior. I don't plan on spending the last 30 years of my life apologizing for things I had no control over - being born white and for surviving into middle age. Sheesh. And, none of my ancestors owned slaves. We didn't come to American until the 1900's and 1920's. In fact, the Jewish side experienced extreme discrimination in the Warsaw getto - so please cut me some slack. Nobody helped my poor, uneducated, non-English speaking ancestors when they got off the boat at Ellis Island. They did it for themselves. And, there was a lot of prejudice against jews (still is) and Germans.
So, life is what you make of it. If you want to waste precious time complaining and waiting for someone to fix things for you - you won't get squat. It's that simple, simple. Wake up, get up, and do something to make things better - and while you're at it, make things better for all your brothers and sisters on Planet Earth.
Thank you very much.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Life is Short, and Shorter for Some
Life is a real mystery.
I really mean life, as in right to...
Some people have lot's of kids, even ones they don't really want. My daughter's friend's mother found out she was expected... her two children were 15 and 18 at the time. She thought she was about to regain her freedom, and bam. To top it off, her husband had his manhood fixed eight years earlier. Yes, it was his child, but it took a paternity test to make him believe it. Talk about a real turn of events. After all this drama, the baby was a real joy to them both. Thank goodness.
My cousin and her husband married late. They bought the perfect house in the suburbs. And, they want a baby. Really badly. But, it may not happen for them. Unfortunately, she gets pregnant, but something is preventing going beyond the first few months. Yet, they keep trying despite the pain and emotional stress.
I try hard to avoid political topics because I learned long ago you can be friends with people on the opposite side of political lines only as long as you don't discuss them. So, I'm going to stay away from the Right to Life and Right to Choose stuff. If only life was that simple, simple. If only it was really up to you how things turned out.
Well, it's not.
Ask my cousin, who lost another battle with the universe today as this latest pregnancy was deemed nonviable.
I really mean life, as in right to...
Some people have lot's of kids, even ones they don't really want. My daughter's friend's mother found out she was expected... her two children were 15 and 18 at the time. She thought she was about to regain her freedom, and bam. To top it off, her husband had his manhood fixed eight years earlier. Yes, it was his child, but it took a paternity test to make him believe it. Talk about a real turn of events. After all this drama, the baby was a real joy to them both. Thank goodness.
My cousin and her husband married late. They bought the perfect house in the suburbs. And, they want a baby. Really badly. But, it may not happen for them. Unfortunately, she gets pregnant, but something is preventing going beyond the first few months. Yet, they keep trying despite the pain and emotional stress.
I try hard to avoid political topics because I learned long ago you can be friends with people on the opposite side of political lines only as long as you don't discuss them. So, I'm going to stay away from the Right to Life and Right to Choose stuff. If only life was that simple, simple. If only it was really up to you how things turned out.
Well, it's not.
Ask my cousin, who lost another battle with the universe today as this latest pregnancy was deemed nonviable.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Ah, the Smell of New Leather - Almost
My car died on I-95.
What could have been a disastrous calamity - the right shoulder was blocked by construction for several miles as the car lost power - turned out okay. Nobody was hurt. My car was irreparable and I had to buy another vehicle, but that was only a matter of spending money. (Not that I had planned to spend this money, but it could have been much, much worse.)
So, I thought I'd capture here the amazing fact that throughout this week of dealing with this major inconvenience, I kept my composure -- and so did the rest of my family, which as also obviously impacted by the loss of one of our family cars.
I'd like to praise AAA - my mother was a passenger in the car as we were traveling home from visiting relatives out of state. She is the AAA member. Thank goodness. Because we broke down in an extremely dangerous location, in the dark, AAA dispatched a tow truck that got to us in 30 minutes. Thank you very much, AAA.
What could have been a very bad experience was truly minimized that night by the effective and professional treatment we received - down to delivering the car to my local repair shop.
Since there were three of us in the car, AAA sent a truck that had sufficient seating for us all.
Believe it or not, despite it all, we only lost a little over 1 hour (and we were stranded 35 miles from home.)
I am now a real believer in AAA service. I realize not all experiences will be this quick and smooth, but it's a real comfort to know that you will never be left alone on the road without help if you have this membership.
I am very thankful all-in-all with how things worked out. Too bad the car was unable to be fixed. But, that was only a car. The people were just fine.
What could have been a disastrous calamity - the right shoulder was blocked by construction for several miles as the car lost power - turned out okay. Nobody was hurt. My car was irreparable and I had to buy another vehicle, but that was only a matter of spending money. (Not that I had planned to spend this money, but it could have been much, much worse.)
So, I thought I'd capture here the amazing fact that throughout this week of dealing with this major inconvenience, I kept my composure -- and so did the rest of my family, which as also obviously impacted by the loss of one of our family cars.
I'd like to praise AAA - my mother was a passenger in the car as we were traveling home from visiting relatives out of state. She is the AAA member. Thank goodness. Because we broke down in an extremely dangerous location, in the dark, AAA dispatched a tow truck that got to us in 30 minutes. Thank you very much, AAA.
What could have been a very bad experience was truly minimized that night by the effective and professional treatment we received - down to delivering the car to my local repair shop.
Since there were three of us in the car, AAA sent a truck that had sufficient seating for us all.
Believe it or not, despite it all, we only lost a little over 1 hour (and we were stranded 35 miles from home.)
I am now a real believer in AAA service. I realize not all experiences will be this quick and smooth, but it's a real comfort to know that you will never be left alone on the road without help if you have this membership.
I am very thankful all-in-all with how things worked out. Too bad the car was unable to be fixed. But, that was only a car. The people were just fine.
Friday, July 4, 2008
What is the 4th of July All About Anyway?
It's Independence Day and everyone is writing about how wonderful it is to be an American. This has been a topic of interest for the Presidential candidates of late too. I understand the Obama's when they say things that are often misunderstood, such as "for the first time in my adult life I'm proud of my country." That came from Michele Obama if you didn't know. People were all in an uproar about that and other similar quotes from both Michelle and Barrack.
I'm an Independent voter - I care not for either of the traditional parties. I don't find either of these candidates very exciting when you peel away the media hype. But, these statements have got me thinking about what did they mean.
Just like everyone else, when I was a kid, I loved the flag, Flag Day, the 4th of July, and all the other national holidays and symbols. I grew up in a small Democratic town on the east coast near Washington DC. It's a very politically active community and we had huge parades that all the local and state level politicians marched in, shaking hands along the parade route. People took pride in our similarities and differences, and how well we blended together to form this vive rant community.
It's not like that today. The parade is still held, but it's lost it's luster. No, it's not because I'm now grown up. It's because people don't feel the same way about their country, community, or neighborhood. The atmosphere surrounding national holidays has changed from a celebration of our national heritage, our freedoms, and our democratic system that has served us well for over 200 years. Nope - today it's about sales, eating, and time off from work. The only thing that's the same is the fireworks. (Thank goodness we still have fireworks.)
In this plasticized commercialized society we live in, what does it now mean to be an American? Are you proud of our bloated overweight lifestyle that we've exported to ruin other countries? Are you proud of our leaders who have used fear tactics to bully us so we don't question the industrial combat that's being waged against us from within our own country? Are you proud that Americans are now coach potatoes, allowing the TV to do their thinking for them? Are you proud that we are now among the lowest ranking industrialized countries in our educational scores? Are you proud of our gridlock and pollution? I could go on... Like it or not, this is the Simple, Simple truth.
All these things are just outward symptoms of a country that's lost its way, become lazy, and is on its way down the slippery slope to.... where?
On this Independence Day, don't sit there basking in the accomplishments of past generations. Get motivated to do something to save our country for this and for future generations.
Enjoy the fireworks tonight. And, pray for political fireworks that are much needed to get us back on track, for we've lost our way.
I'm an Independent voter - I care not for either of the traditional parties. I don't find either of these candidates very exciting when you peel away the media hype. But, these statements have got me thinking about what did they mean.
Just like everyone else, when I was a kid, I loved the flag, Flag Day, the 4th of July, and all the other national holidays and symbols. I grew up in a small Democratic town on the east coast near Washington DC. It's a very politically active community and we had huge parades that all the local and state level politicians marched in, shaking hands along the parade route. People took pride in our similarities and differences, and how well we blended together to form this vive rant community.
It's not like that today. The parade is still held, but it's lost it's luster. No, it's not because I'm now grown up. It's because people don't feel the same way about their country, community, or neighborhood. The atmosphere surrounding national holidays has changed from a celebration of our national heritage, our freedoms, and our democratic system that has served us well for over 200 years. Nope - today it's about sales, eating, and time off from work. The only thing that's the same is the fireworks. (Thank goodness we still have fireworks.)
In this plasticized commercialized society we live in, what does it now mean to be an American? Are you proud of our bloated overweight lifestyle that we've exported to ruin other countries? Are you proud of our leaders who have used fear tactics to bully us so we don't question the industrial combat that's being waged against us from within our own country? Are you proud that Americans are now coach potatoes, allowing the TV to do their thinking for them? Are you proud that we are now among the lowest ranking industrialized countries in our educational scores? Are you proud of our gridlock and pollution? I could go on... Like it or not, this is the Simple, Simple truth.
All these things are just outward symptoms of a country that's lost its way, become lazy, and is on its way down the slippery slope to.... where?
On this Independence Day, don't sit there basking in the accomplishments of past generations. Get motivated to do something to save our country for this and for future generations.
Enjoy the fireworks tonight. And, pray for political fireworks that are much needed to get us back on track, for we've lost our way.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Maxine for President
Everyone concentrates on the problems we're having in this country lately: illegal immigation, hurricane recovery, alligators attacking people in Florida. Not me. I concentrate on solutions for the problems. It's a win-win situation. Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border. Send the dirt to New Orleans to raise the level of the levies. Put the Florida alligators in the moat along the Mexican border.Sometimes I think Maxine should run for president. She was right on with this one!
Think about this one...
- Cows
- The Constitution
- The Ten Commandments
Is it just me, or does anyone else find it amazing that during the mad cow epidemic our government could track a single cow, born in Canada almost three years ago, right to the stall where she slept in the state of Washington? And, they tracked her calves to their stalls. But they are unable to locate 11 million illegal aliens wandering around our country. Maybe we should give each of them a cow.
THE CONSTITUTION
They keep talking about drafting a Constitution for Iraq .... Why don't we just give them ours? It was written by a lot of really smart guys, it has worked for over 200 years, and we're not using it anymore.
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS
The real reason that we can't have the Ten Commandments posted in a courthouse is this: You cannot post 'Thou Shalt Not Steal,' 'Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery,' and 'Thou Shall Not Lie' in a building full of lawyers, judges and politicians...It creates a hostile work environment.
PART OF THE PROBLEM
Think about this: If you don't want to forward this for fear of offending someone-- YOU ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM!
It is Time for America to Speak up ! Yep, I passed it on! Thanks, Mom for emailing this to me!
Monday, June 23, 2008
A Good Sense of Humor is Essential to Survive
The world lost George Carlin last night. Whether or not you liked his comedy, and I recently came to appreciate it, you cannot deny the value of a good laugh. Laughing is supposed to keep us young. It's been medically proven that laughing - a real belly laugh - brings essential oxygen into your body. More importantly, laughing reduces stress, for free. It doesn't get any more Simple, Simple than this.
Personally, I would rather see a nightly venue of stand-up comedians on TV than the endless parade of medications designed to help you sleep, improve digestion, and help with depression.
Thanks, George for the many years of healthful laughter and mind provoking thought! Rest in peace.
Personally, I would rather see a nightly venue of stand-up comedians on TV than the endless parade of medications designed to help you sleep, improve digestion, and help with depression.
Thanks, George for the many years of healthful laughter and mind provoking thought! Rest in peace.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Here's to Dad!
Today is Father's Day. My father passed away 12 years ago just shy of his 65 birthday. I am very lucky to still have my father-in-law, Stanley, who will be 87 in August. When my own Dad passed away, Stash told me not to despair, that he was now my father. So on this day devoted to fathers, I wanted to recognize these two men and the impact they each have had on me.
My own Dad, Bill, was a real character. He enjoyed life and lived it in an unorthodox way. Because he didn't care what other people thought of him, he was either very liked or very disliked. There wasn't much "gray" about Dad. He lived his life as it suited him. While this lifestyle wasn't always rewarding, Dad would have it no other way. He worked hard at maintaining his independent, free-wheeling ways. To me, he was a great Dad. We had a lot of fun together and he loved me unconditionally. From Dad I learned to be myself and to go after the things I want.
My father-in-law, Stanley, is a rock solid hard-working man who is devoted to his family. He is always there for his wife and four kids, their families, and his friends. He knows how to work hard -- he works with his hands -- and he plays just as hard. To me, he is a great Dad. And, he loves me as if I was one of his own children. From Stanley, I learned the value of family and I love his son dearly.
I am so very lucky to have two great Dads in my life; two larger than life kinda men. How blessed I am! As I think of how different these two men are, I'm struck by the fact that both are so outstanding -- and in completely different ways -- that they leave their mark on the people they know. I believe that is a sign of a life well lived.
My own Dad, Bill, was a real character. He enjoyed life and lived it in an unorthodox way. Because he didn't care what other people thought of him, he was either very liked or very disliked. There wasn't much "gray" about Dad. He lived his life as it suited him. While this lifestyle wasn't always rewarding, Dad would have it no other way. He worked hard at maintaining his independent, free-wheeling ways. To me, he was a great Dad. We had a lot of fun together and he loved me unconditionally. From Dad I learned to be myself and to go after the things I want.
My father-in-law, Stanley, is a rock solid hard-working man who is devoted to his family. He is always there for his wife and four kids, their families, and his friends. He knows how to work hard -- he works with his hands -- and he plays just as hard. To me, he is a great Dad. And, he loves me as if I was one of his own children. From Stanley, I learned the value of family and I love his son dearly.
I am so very lucky to have two great Dads in my life; two larger than life kinda men. How blessed I am! As I think of how different these two men are, I'm struck by the fact that both are so outstanding -- and in completely different ways -- that they leave their mark on the people they know. I believe that is a sign of a life well lived.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Life's Too Short - Make the Most of It
Suddenly today, a well-known local and national news figure died - relatively young at 58. It's in these moments that you realize life is short and it could end at any time, without warning. It's always sad when someone dies at work without having the opportunity to prepare and make their peace with family, friends, and associates. Since I can't control when I'll die, I am going to make sure that whenever it happens, I am not leaving behind unfinished business.
Of course, I'm talking about the important business of life -- making sure family, friends, and associates know how I feel about them; making sure I leave with a few hard feelings about me as is possible; doing whatever I can while I'm here to make a difference in the lives of other people; etc. You get the idea. It's simple, simple.
I've passed the 50 mark and have important things left undone - such as making a new will, organizing my papers, disposing of all the junk I really don't need, writing my great American novel... oh yes, I've got at least one book in me.
In light of my new positive thinking philosophy, I have begun to visualize having these things done and being at peace (ready for the big one to hit without any regrets.) What about you?
Of course, I'm talking about the important business of life -- making sure family, friends, and associates know how I feel about them; making sure I leave with a few hard feelings about me as is possible; doing whatever I can while I'm here to make a difference in the lives of other people; etc. You get the idea. It's simple, simple.
I've passed the 50 mark and have important things left undone - such as making a new will, organizing my papers, disposing of all the junk I really don't need, writing my great American novel... oh yes, I've got at least one book in me.
In light of my new positive thinking philosophy, I have begun to visualize having these things done and being at peace (ready for the big one to hit without any regrets.) What about you?
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
It's a New Year for Me - It's Going to be Great!
I don't want to start another year without celebrating the great day that I'm having. Everything is perfect, from breakfast out with my husband and daughter to enjoying a slow paced, quiet day (away from work and the hustle of my job.) In line with my focus on being positive and visualizing how I want my life to be, I predict this is going to be a very good year.I hope you are enjoying today too! (Feel free to celebrate with me today.)
Friday, June 6, 2008
The Return of Positive Thinking
Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993) wrote the "Power of Positive Thinking" a long time ago. When I learned of it, I was seriously skeptical and didn't pay it any attention. Now, 35 years later, I am convinced this is exactly right.For the past week, I have been making a concerted effort to focus on the good, to use the power of projection to visualize things the way I want them to be, and generally attempt to be positive. I know in the short term I was less stressed out this week. I'm hoping that the long term benefits are absolutely amazing... we'll see.
Regardless of whether or not my inner-most desires become reality in the long run, I truly believe that if everyone adopted a positive attitude, things would massively improve around the world.
Too simple? Well, that's how I prefer to work my way through my life - Simple, simple!
Thank you, Mr. Peale, you "Champion of Positive Thinking." Let's give this a go again, shall we?
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Life is Good
What a beautiful day it was today. I spent the day with my family doing things together. Nothing out of the ordinary, but good stuff that the whole family took part in doing. It felt really good. So good that I wanted to memorialize this goodness here. It was a Simple, Simple day.
I think it's worth saying something good. Good thoughts attract goodness. It's a simple, simple law of nature. When you are happy you have a good day. When you are happy, the people around you can't help but be happy. I recently was introduced to a concept that states positive thoughts can enable you to create the life you want. Conversely, negative thoughts beget negativity and attract bad things to you.
Think about it. Now, go out and have a good day!
I think it's worth saying something good. Good thoughts attract goodness. It's a simple, simple law of nature. When you are happy you have a good day. When you are happy, the people around you can't help but be happy. I recently was introduced to a concept that states positive thoughts can enable you to create the life you want. Conversely, negative thoughts beget negativity and attract bad things to you.
Think about it. Now, go out and have a good day!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Gas Crisis? I Can't Tell!
The talk radio and news radio stories keep announcing how people are changing their driving habits because gas costs too much. Well, I can't tell. In the DC area, gridlock continues. Even on non-rush hour times, there are just as many cars on the roads as when gas costs were half today's prices.
Perhaps this area will hold on to our gas-gosling habits longer because we are (suposedly) more affluent then other parts of the country. Or, could it be that there are more selfish people living in the DC metro area per capita than elsewhere? Whatever the reason, I haven't noticed any changes.
My own gas consuming behavior hasn't changed despite my keen awareness and excessive knowledge (ha) of the economical and ecological damage being done. At least I have someone else to blame for this...
I live in an area where there is NO public transportation. If I were to give up my car, I would have to walk or ride my bike a minimum of 3 miles to get to the closest bus stop. I probably won't bike because there's no place to lock up at the bus stop, which is in a fairly deserted area. Now that I've gotten on the bus, I'd be taken to another bus stop to switch lines. Then, that second bus would take me to the metro/subway - but it's the wrong line to get me to work. So, next I commute via subway to a hub station and transfer lines. Then finally, I get to the station where I work and I walk to my building. I actually haven't done this, but I estimate this would take me nearly 2 hours to complete. Perhaps less, but definitely no less than 1.5 hours. I get to work via car in 20 minutes.
So, which transportation option has the smaller carbon footprint? Doesn't one 4 cylinder car leave a smaller footprint than two buses and two subway trains? Especially if I keep my car well tuned?
I don't know that any of this accurate. But this is one case where I will be selfish and continue to drive myself. When I factor in the loss of personal time (of which I am already at a deficit), I'm not willing increase the time it takes to get to and from work, nor to mention the burden of using public transportation - dealing with people, fighting for seats, using aging and broken fare card equipment, broken escalators, hot subway conditions, the strain of carrying your possessions, and the danger factor.
I hope this exercise demonstrates why people here aren't doing more to cut down on their consumption of gasoline. I blame the urban planners and elected officials here for not getting us better public transportation options. Oh yeah, these are the same people who are responsible for all the over-development in this area. Shame on them for being inept at their jobs. However, we ultimately can only blame ourselves for making bad voting choices and for not being vigilante about their actions (or lack of).
Sorry, there's no simple, simple answer to this problem except to pick up and move to an area that's been better managed. That may not be a bad idea.
Perhaps this area will hold on to our gas-gosling habits longer because we are (suposedly) more affluent then other parts of the country. Or, could it be that there are more selfish people living in the DC metro area per capita than elsewhere? Whatever the reason, I haven't noticed any changes.
My own gas consuming behavior hasn't changed despite my keen awareness and excessive knowledge (ha) of the economical and ecological damage being done. At least I have someone else to blame for this...
I live in an area where there is NO public transportation. If I were to give up my car, I would have to walk or ride my bike a minimum of 3 miles to get to the closest bus stop. I probably won't bike because there's no place to lock up at the bus stop, which is in a fairly deserted area. Now that I've gotten on the bus, I'd be taken to another bus stop to switch lines. Then, that second bus would take me to the metro/subway - but it's the wrong line to get me to work. So, next I commute via subway to a hub station and transfer lines. Then finally, I get to the station where I work and I walk to my building. I actually haven't done this, but I estimate this would take me nearly 2 hours to complete. Perhaps less, but definitely no less than 1.5 hours. I get to work via car in 20 minutes.
So, which transportation option has the smaller carbon footprint? Doesn't one 4 cylinder car leave a smaller footprint than two buses and two subway trains? Especially if I keep my car well tuned?
I don't know that any of this accurate. But this is one case where I will be selfish and continue to drive myself. When I factor in the loss of personal time (of which I am already at a deficit), I'm not willing increase the time it takes to get to and from work, nor to mention the burden of using public transportation - dealing with people, fighting for seats, using aging and broken fare card equipment, broken escalators, hot subway conditions, the strain of carrying your possessions, and the danger factor.
I hope this exercise demonstrates why people here aren't doing more to cut down on their consumption of gasoline. I blame the urban planners and elected officials here for not getting us better public transportation options. Oh yeah, these are the same people who are responsible for all the over-development in this area. Shame on them for being inept at their jobs. However, we ultimately can only blame ourselves for making bad voting choices and for not being vigilante about their actions (or lack of).
Sorry, there's no simple, simple answer to this problem except to pick up and move to an area that's been better managed. That may not be a bad idea.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Shoulder Hogs and Telecommuting - The Odd Couple
Sorry, but I've got to grip about more bad driving habits exhibited by our selfish friends.
Road shoulders have now become extra driving lanes! Not!
Yes, people in the DC area are actually driving down the right AND left shoulders of the road when traffic isn't moving fast enough to suit them. It's unbelievable and very, very dangerous. My new driver daughter was almost hit the other day when she legally merged into the right turn lane and found another car was already there, driving down the shoulder to make the same right turn. If bad luck had prevailed instead of good, my daughter's car would have been hit from behind. In this state, that is automatically the car in front's fault. Ouch. Being just sixteen, she would have been in a bad position having had her license for only three months. Thanks goodness nothing bad happened. But, she was shook up.
Shoulder drivers are also seen on I-95 during rush hour on either end of the work day. I want to know why the local and state police aren't putting a quick stop to this problem before it gets further out-of-control. I, of course, am looking for a simple, simple way to discourage bad behavior. I think it should be okay to open your car door when you see another driver coming down the shoulder and it should automatically be their fault. I would have to seriously consider doing this in light of the harm such retaliation would do to the drivers of both cars. This is probably not a good idea - but what then?
Traffic in this area is bad, being only second to LA in gridlock. But, what makes people think they can completely ignore simple, simple driving rules like shoulders are not driving lanes?
I guess the real answer is to telecommute (a.k.a. working from home.) It's an old idea that's taking much too long to be realized. It's not a technological issue, but rather the lack of trust between supervisors and workers that is keeping telecommuting from being implemented widely across the area (if not the country). Telecommuting would save gas, reduce carbon emissions, and would greatly reduce the number of cars on the roads. It would save wear-and-tear on cars, on roads, and on other components of the transportation infrastructure. Telecommuting would also help truckers and others who can't work from home by removing traffic and other obstacles that create delays and waste gas. This could result in lower food costs, as well as price reductions in other goods transported over our highways.
Telecommuting is today's simple, simple solution to a lot of major problems.
(And, you can work in your pj's! Yea!)
Road shoulders have now become extra driving lanes! Not!
Yes, people in the DC area are actually driving down the right AND left shoulders of the road when traffic isn't moving fast enough to suit them. It's unbelievable and very, very dangerous. My new driver daughter was almost hit the other day when she legally merged into the right turn lane and found another car was already there, driving down the shoulder to make the same right turn. If bad luck had prevailed instead of good, my daughter's car would have been hit from behind. In this state, that is automatically the car in front's fault. Ouch. Being just sixteen, she would have been in a bad position having had her license for only three months. Thanks goodness nothing bad happened. But, she was shook up.
Shoulder drivers are also seen on I-95 during rush hour on either end of the work day. I want to know why the local and state police aren't putting a quick stop to this problem before it gets further out-of-control. I, of course, am looking for a simple, simple way to discourage bad behavior. I think it should be okay to open your car door when you see another driver coming down the shoulder and it should automatically be their fault. I would have to seriously consider doing this in light of the harm such retaliation would do to the drivers of both cars. This is probably not a good idea - but what then?
Traffic in this area is bad, being only second to LA in gridlock. But, what makes people think they can completely ignore simple, simple driving rules like shoulders are not driving lanes?
I guess the real answer is to telecommute (a.k.a. working from home.) It's an old idea that's taking much too long to be realized. It's not a technological issue, but rather the lack of trust between supervisors and workers that is keeping telecommuting from being implemented widely across the area (if not the country). Telecommuting would save gas, reduce carbon emissions, and would greatly reduce the number of cars on the roads. It would save wear-and-tear on cars, on roads, and on other components of the transportation infrastructure. Telecommuting would also help truckers and others who can't work from home by removing traffic and other obstacles that create delays and waste gas. This could result in lower food costs, as well as price reductions in other goods transported over our highways.
Telecommuting is today's simple, simple solution to a lot of major problems.
(And, you can work in your pj's! Yea!)
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Where did all the flowers go?
Every bit of undeveloped space is being bulldozed.
My dad sold real estate for over twenty years and he always said the measure of a good property was by "location, location, location." Well that's apparently not true any more. Houses are going up on tiny, weeny strips of land next to highways, byways, and overpasses. Yuck.
Worse than this over-development is that the trees are being destroyed. Now, in case you don't know it, trees are our source of oxygen on Planet Earth. Houses do not replenish the air that we breath. Instead, they pollute and increase carbon emissions. All bad. Repeat, this is bad. I know some of you need things put in simple, simple terms (like me).
Some stupid folks were recently overheard saying, "Where did all these deer in my back yard come from?" Dah - you house is sitting where their home once was. They have no place else to go. Don't you like sharing your yard with Bambi? Oh yeah, be careful driving around your new neighborhood at night... Bambi doesn't have lights.
I am dazed and confused by all the development going on around my town. I'm actually happy to see the housing market slow down. People - buy used, errrr, previously owned homes. Please! It's good for you and better for the planet and our furry friends with whom we share limited living space. Oh, and yes, this is also a solution for our slumping economy.
So, save the planet, the animals, and the economy - buy a resale instead of new construction.
Thanks and good night. Oh yeah, watch out for Bambi.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day - Happy Holiday - Not!
It's the Memorial Day national holiday and I don't want to be remiss and not give the proper greeting. But, as this is a day of reflection on the sacrifice of others on our behalf, I am sure it is not right to say "Happy Memorial Day."
Yet, that's what people say. Probably because they are happy not to go to work. But, let's not mix our personal pleasure with national perspective.
Memorial Day here in the Nation's Capitol is filled with people remembering our fallen heroes and those who have served in the military past and present. "Rolling Thunder" is here this weekend and it's hard to miss them as they roar through our streets. I applaud them and always give them the high sign as they pass by. It's been a long time now since the Vietnam War ended and we should never forget. Oops - I guess our country's leaders did or they wouldn't have gotten us into another similar situation. None-the-less, we still have unaccounted for and missing service men from that engagement and until those families can put Vietnam to rest, I agree we should not forget our MIA's.
My Dad served in the Korean conflict - it wasn't a real war technically. He was proud of this and was entitled to a military burial when he passed away. Today, there is an American flag fluttering above his grave at Annapolis' military cemetery and he'd like that. And, I feel good knowing he got his final wish to be laid to rest there.
I'm not so sure that the kids serving in the two wars we're currently engaged in will get to feel as good about their service in the final chapter of their lives. They are brave and I commend them for their willingness to serve. I have difficulty with equating their service with being "for our country." Sorry, but I'm being honest. It feels more like service for "Bush's and Chaney's companies."
I try really hard not to be political in my writings - mostly because I'm the first to admit that I'm less informed than I could (and should) be. I try to remain in firmly rooted in the middle and to keep things as simple as possible. Hence, the theme of this blog. Any student of history -- or even any student, period -- could have predicted going to war in the Middle East is a bad idea.
On this Memorial Day, I hope all American's will stop picnicking long enough to ponder the purpose of this day and to think about how their voting choices in November will influence the end of today's wars. The next President, and even more so the next Congress, will affect how long these wars continue, how long our country will continue to invest money and lives in other country's conflicts, and how soon we bring this all to resolution - whether a happy resolution or otherwise is also dependent on election choices facing us.
This is a very important Memorial Day!
Yet, that's what people say. Probably because they are happy not to go to work. But, let's not mix our personal pleasure with national perspective.
Memorial Day here in the Nation's Capitol is filled with people remembering our fallen heroes and those who have served in the military past and present. "Rolling Thunder" is here this weekend and it's hard to miss them as they roar through our streets. I applaud them and always give them the high sign as they pass by. It's been a long time now since the Vietnam War ended and we should never forget. Oops - I guess our country's leaders did or they wouldn't have gotten us into another similar situation. None-the-less, we still have unaccounted for and missing service men from that engagement and until those families can put Vietnam to rest, I agree we should not forget our MIA's.
My Dad served in the Korean conflict - it wasn't a real war technically. He was proud of this and was entitled to a military burial when he passed away. Today, there is an American flag fluttering above his grave at Annapolis' military cemetery and he'd like that. And, I feel good knowing he got his final wish to be laid to rest there.
I'm not so sure that the kids serving in the two wars we're currently engaged in will get to feel as good about their service in the final chapter of their lives. They are brave and I commend them for their willingness to serve. I have difficulty with equating their service with being "for our country." Sorry, but I'm being honest. It feels more like service for "Bush's and Chaney's companies."
I try really hard not to be political in my writings - mostly because I'm the first to admit that I'm less informed than I could (and should) be. I try to remain in firmly rooted in the middle and to keep things as simple as possible. Hence, the theme of this blog. Any student of history -- or even any student, period -- could have predicted going to war in the Middle East is a bad idea.
On this Memorial Day, I hope all American's will stop picnicking long enough to ponder the purpose of this day and to think about how their voting choices in November will influence the end of today's wars. The next President, and even more so the next Congress, will affect how long these wars continue, how long our country will continue to invest money and lives in other country's conflicts, and how soon we bring this all to resolution - whether a happy resolution or otherwise is also dependent on election choices facing us.
This is a very important Memorial Day!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Hey - Leave the Spaces for the Real Disabled Folks!
I'm really not going to spend a great deal of time on this topic, but I need to vent. Everywhere I go I see apparently able-bodied people using Handicap hangers to park in spaces reserved for the disabled. Now, this is the height of selfishness.
Yesterday I took my elderly mother out shopping at our local mall. Mom has disabled tags because she can't walk well nor can she walk very far for very long. She recently had a major back surgery to attempt to correct this condition and she's still recovering. In fact, she was particularly wobbly and really needed a parking spot close to the door leading to the store she wanted to visit.
There was one handicap spot left - thank goodness. The door to the van on the right side of the spot, also a handicap spot, was blocked by a man standing with the door open talking to a passenger. As we indicated our intent to part, he jumped up into the van. Hummm. Well, he could have been driving someone who was disabled.
When we came out of the store about 20 minutes later, the people who had parked in the handicap space on the left of Mom's car were coming out too. Not one of them appeared to be disabled. In fact, they were young with small children in tow. Not that young people aren't disabled, but I'd bet my salary everyone in that car was physically fit. Hummm. Wonder how many truly disabled people were unable to park because they took that spot.
I see this all the time, even in the parking garage at work. In fact, one woman whom I actually know, came zooming through the garage and screeched to a halt in the handicapped space closest to the door. She then jumped out and ran up the steps - not even taking the elevator. I doubt if I could run up those steps.
I realize disabilities aren't always visible - I happen to be hard of hearing. But, it's a fact that too many people are using these handicap tags when they aren't disabled. And, that should be a crime in my opinion. I knew another woman at work who got a disreputable doctor to sign her forms requesting a reasonable accommodation to work fewer days and to get handicapped parking tags. My mother - a nurse - knows the doctor and told me he would sign anyone's forms regardless of their actual need. I think this is just another flagrant illustration of someone thinking they are better than everyone else.
Well, in my world such people would end up in jail where they could get plenty of time to ponder their bad behavior. I bet people would think twice before they lied, stole, and cheated old and disabled people out of a privilege they really need to have.
This is shameful. It's that simple, simple.
Yesterday I took my elderly mother out shopping at our local mall. Mom has disabled tags because she can't walk well nor can she walk very far for very long. She recently had a major back surgery to attempt to correct this condition and she's still recovering. In fact, she was particularly wobbly and really needed a parking spot close to the door leading to the store she wanted to visit.
There was one handicap spot left - thank goodness. The door to the van on the right side of the spot, also a handicap spot, was blocked by a man standing with the door open talking to a passenger. As we indicated our intent to part, he jumped up into the van. Hummm. Well, he could have been driving someone who was disabled.
When we came out of the store about 20 minutes later, the people who had parked in the handicap space on the left of Mom's car were coming out too. Not one of them appeared to be disabled. In fact, they were young with small children in tow. Not that young people aren't disabled, but I'd bet my salary everyone in that car was physically fit. Hummm. Wonder how many truly disabled people were unable to park because they took that spot.
I see this all the time, even in the parking garage at work. In fact, one woman whom I actually know, came zooming through the garage and screeched to a halt in the handicapped space closest to the door. She then jumped out and ran up the steps - not even taking the elevator. I doubt if I could run up those steps.
I realize disabilities aren't always visible - I happen to be hard of hearing. But, it's a fact that too many people are using these handicap tags when they aren't disabled. And, that should be a crime in my opinion. I knew another woman at work who got a disreputable doctor to sign her forms requesting a reasonable accommodation to work fewer days and to get handicapped parking tags. My mother - a nurse - knows the doctor and told me he would sign anyone's forms regardless of their actual need. I think this is just another flagrant illustration of someone thinking they are better than everyone else.
Well, in my world such people would end up in jail where they could get plenty of time to ponder their bad behavior. I bet people would think twice before they lied, stole, and cheated old and disabled people out of a privilege they really need to have.
This is shameful. It's that simple, simple.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Blink, Blink, Blink - Dah
It's so very simple, simple. That lever next to the steering wheel that helps you indicate which direction you are going to turn. It's called your "turn signal indicator" or "blinker" for us simple, simple minded folks.
Perhaps I'm overly simplifying here, but the use or non-use of this delightfully simple mechanism at best saves lives. At least, saves frustration. Either way, it's a great device. And, it's virtually free! (Using it only costs you a couple calories at the most to push the lever up or down.) If it's that easy, why don't people use their blinkers?
If you really don't care about this line of thought, then I suggest you bear with me a bit because I do think I have a valid point to make. I think people don't blink because they are: a) lazy,
b) inconsiderate, and, c) distracted. These fundamental conditions are indications that we are in trouble. Once these conditions were considered to be the bane of our society. It was an insult to be called lazy, inconsiderate/rude/selfish, and, distracted/unfocused/addle brained. Today we accept these conditions as part of our normal behavior.
Wow - that floors me. Now, I know I'm sounding like an old foggie, but why would anyone want to be any of these things is beyond my comprehension. I think people really don't want to be this way. I think they are completely and blissfully ignorant to their condition. That's because nobody bothers to teach the fundamentals of societal responsibility these days. Those of us who lived before and/or through the social disorder of the late 60's and early 70's are familiar with these "rules of polite society" that have vanished in the past 30 years. Now, I felt at the time that many of these rules were silly and restrictive. But, the pendulum has swung way too far to the other extreme.
These silly, fundamental rules provide essential behavioral boundaries that become more important -- not less important -- as the population grows and grows and grows. With more limited personal space and overcrowded conditions -- especially on the roads and highways -- the only way people can coexist in harmony is by adhering to the rules of the game. Without such simple guidance, we're all out there playing our own private games and let the other fellow beware! (If you carry this thought to its conclusion, you can see that this ultimately results in no national or local identity, and that leads to worse things than bad driving...)
If you agree with this simple, simple theory then you will ask the next logical question; how can we move the pendulum back more to center? Basically, we have got to agree on a national and local level what constitutes proper behavior. (This ties into a sound and positive national and local sense of purpose and identity.) We are lucky to have perfectly honed and useful marketing channels to reach people at all levels of society. We need to stop rewarding behavior that's detrimental by ignoring the perpetrators. We need to stop ignoring people who are doing the right things.
There are pockets of activity such as this are already in action. For example there are billboards saying things like: Virgin is not a bad word - People who smoke get kissed less - PAUSE (a new campaign asking kids to take a couple seconds to think before they act).
I'd like to see similar focus on education and career development. Since when is it a bad thing to be a good student? If you can't revel in your academic success then why should students make the effort. Why is it okay to disrespect your teachers? Small wonder nobody wants to enter the teaching career these days. It's too hard and the pay is a national disgrace.
Here's where blinkers come in...
I'd like to see some tightening of our driving laws. I'd like to make every licensed driver retake the written driving test each time they renew their license - this would ensure drivers reread the driving manual at least once every few years. Perhaps their mental recall would improve when faced with a critical driving decision. I'd like to make it illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving. I prefer to not be killed by some idiot who wasn't looking where they were going. Four years ago my car was totaled by a woman driving an SUV and talking on her cell phone in rush-hour stop-and-go traffic on the Interstate highway. I was stopped and she happened to look up just as she drove through the trunk of my Camry. Yes, she said, "I looked up and I was in your trunk!" Need I say more?
And, I contend that if people HAD to use their blinkers, they would PAUSE to think about which direction they intended to go. That would be a really big help. All too often I see drivers backing up on the Interstate highway because they missed their exit. Or, drivers suddenly swerving across two or three lanes of traffic from the left lane to make a right turn. And, lastly drivers who continue to travel at top speeds off exit ramps, never turning their heads to check before barreling into on-coming traffic. It's dangerous out there - but, we can do something about it.
Perhaps I'm overly simplifying here, but the use or non-use of this delightfully simple mechanism at best saves lives. At least, saves frustration. Either way, it's a great device. And, it's virtually free! (Using it only costs you a couple calories at the most to push the lever up or down.) If it's that easy, why don't people use their blinkers?
If you really don't care about this line of thought, then I suggest you bear with me a bit because I do think I have a valid point to make. I think people don't blink because they are: a) lazy,
b) inconsiderate, and, c) distracted. These fundamental conditions are indications that we are in trouble. Once these conditions were considered to be the bane of our society. It was an insult to be called lazy, inconsiderate/rude/selfish, and, distracted/unfocused/addle brained. Today we accept these conditions as part of our normal behavior.
Wow - that floors me. Now, I know I'm sounding like an old foggie, but why would anyone want to be any of these things is beyond my comprehension. I think people really don't want to be this way. I think they are completely and blissfully ignorant to their condition. That's because nobody bothers to teach the fundamentals of societal responsibility these days. Those of us who lived before and/or through the social disorder of the late 60's and early 70's are familiar with these "rules of polite society" that have vanished in the past 30 years. Now, I felt at the time that many of these rules were silly and restrictive. But, the pendulum has swung way too far to the other extreme.
These silly, fundamental rules provide essential behavioral boundaries that become more important -- not less important -- as the population grows and grows and grows. With more limited personal space and overcrowded conditions -- especially on the roads and highways -- the only way people can coexist in harmony is by adhering to the rules of the game. Without such simple guidance, we're all out there playing our own private games and let the other fellow beware! (If you carry this thought to its conclusion, you can see that this ultimately results in no national or local identity, and that leads to worse things than bad driving...)
If you agree with this simple, simple theory then you will ask the next logical question; how can we move the pendulum back more to center? Basically, we have got to agree on a national and local level what constitutes proper behavior. (This ties into a sound and positive national and local sense of purpose and identity.) We are lucky to have perfectly honed and useful marketing channels to reach people at all levels of society. We need to stop rewarding behavior that's detrimental by ignoring the perpetrators. We need to stop ignoring people who are doing the right things.
There are pockets of activity such as this are already in action. For example there are billboards saying things like: Virgin is not a bad word - People who smoke get kissed less - PAUSE (a new campaign asking kids to take a couple seconds to think before they act).
I'd like to see similar focus on education and career development. Since when is it a bad thing to be a good student? If you can't revel in your academic success then why should students make the effort. Why is it okay to disrespect your teachers? Small wonder nobody wants to enter the teaching career these days. It's too hard and the pay is a national disgrace.
Here's where blinkers come in...
I'd like to see some tightening of our driving laws. I'd like to make every licensed driver retake the written driving test each time they renew their license - this would ensure drivers reread the driving manual at least once every few years. Perhaps their mental recall would improve when faced with a critical driving decision. I'd like to make it illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving. I prefer to not be killed by some idiot who wasn't looking where they were going. Four years ago my car was totaled by a woman driving an SUV and talking on her cell phone in rush-hour stop-and-go traffic on the Interstate highway. I was stopped and she happened to look up just as she drove through the trunk of my Camry. Yes, she said, "I looked up and I was in your trunk!" Need I say more?
And, I contend that if people HAD to use their blinkers, they would PAUSE to think about which direction they intended to go. That would be a really big help. All too often I see drivers backing up on the Interstate highway because they missed their exit. Or, drivers suddenly swerving across two or three lanes of traffic from the left lane to make a right turn. And, lastly drivers who continue to travel at top speeds off exit ramps, never turning their heads to check before barreling into on-coming traffic. It's dangerous out there - but, we can do something about it.
Friday, May 23, 2008
When Did I Get Old?
A really weird thing has happened.
I went from being the youngest person at work and generally among the people I know... to... being one of the oldest!
I know this sounds stupid, but it really did seem to happen all-of-the-sudden. Where did the people who are older than me go? Gosh, I hope they didn't already die! It's as if I went to sleep one night and awoke to a completely different reality.
Worse of all is that I have also started to look older. Argh. Who made the rule that when you hit 50, your parts fall apart? (I guess I have to assume some responsibility for this happening since I hate to exercise and I love my comfort foods.)
The very worse part of this unfortunate transformation is how other people are now treating me. They have absolutely NO RESPECT for me, a middle-aged woman!
It's enough to make a grown woman cry - but not me! I'd like to know "what the f_ck is happening here?" I've decided I'm not going to let people walk over me. Here's what happened to me yesterday... (prepare yourself a sordid tale of immaturity...)
As I was making a left turn into the metro parking lot, a woman in a van zoomed around my car on the right side and turned shapely in front of me - going very fast. This was a very dangerous thing to do and she nearly took off the front right fender of my car. I guessed she was hurrying to drop off a passenger who had to run to make the morning commuter train.
Nope. She just sat and talked to her passenger, obviously not in a hurry.
So, when the passenger finally exited the van - and the van's driver remained sitting there, blocking all the other cars behind her - I gave her ONE SHORT TOOT of my horn. After all, we all had places to go and things to do.
Suddenly, the female driver jumps out of the van, rushes up to my window and yells at me, "I'm gonna punch you in da face, bitch!"
What?!!
She gets an attitude with me after she passes me on the right, causing me to swerve to avoid hitting her, and after waiting for her and the passenger to take their sweet time doing whatever the hell they were doing while everyone else was stuck behind them.
Weird! Totally weird!
Well, I started laughing at her and that made her even more mad. So she calls me another name. And, then she gets back into her van and doesn't move. Unbelievable.
I only have one word for her behavior...
IGNORANT!
Simply ignorant.
I wonder if she would have treated me that way if I'd been 20 or 30-something. Makes me think. (BTW - I've added a link to another blog called BlondSense. There's a post there about Hillary Clinton and gender/age discrimination. Perhaps this is NOT all in my head!)
I went from being the youngest person at work and generally among the people I know... to... being one of the oldest!
I know this sounds stupid, but it really did seem to happen all-of-the-sudden. Where did the people who are older than me go? Gosh, I hope they didn't already die! It's as if I went to sleep one night and awoke to a completely different reality.
Worse of all is that I have also started to look older. Argh. Who made the rule that when you hit 50, your parts fall apart? (I guess I have to assume some responsibility for this happening since I hate to exercise and I love my comfort foods.)
The very worse part of this unfortunate transformation is how other people are now treating me. They have absolutely NO RESPECT for me, a middle-aged woman!
- Men don't hold doors for me any more.
- Younger people rush to beat me to the front of lines.
- Other middle-aged women push me aside with their gigantic hips and protruding butts.
- Children step on my feet and bounce balloons off my head and aren't corrected.
- Cars splash mud on me as I wait for the light to change, and,
- People let elevator doors close on me as I'm entering.
It's enough to make a grown woman cry - but not me! I'd like to know "what the f_ck is happening here?" I've decided I'm not going to let people walk over me. Here's what happened to me yesterday... (prepare yourself a sordid tale of immaturity...)
As I was making a left turn into the metro parking lot, a woman in a van zoomed around my car on the right side and turned shapely in front of me - going very fast. This was a very dangerous thing to do and she nearly took off the front right fender of my car. I guessed she was hurrying to drop off a passenger who had to run to make the morning commuter train.
Nope. She just sat and talked to her passenger, obviously not in a hurry.
So, when the passenger finally exited the van - and the van's driver remained sitting there, blocking all the other cars behind her - I gave her ONE SHORT TOOT of my horn. After all, we all had places to go and things to do.
Suddenly, the female driver jumps out of the van, rushes up to my window and yells at me, "I'm gonna punch you in da face, bitch!"
What?!!
She gets an attitude with me after she passes me on the right, causing me to swerve to avoid hitting her, and after waiting for her and the passenger to take their sweet time doing whatever the hell they were doing while everyone else was stuck behind them.
Weird! Totally weird!
Well, I started laughing at her and that made her even more mad. So she calls me another name. And, then she gets back into her van and doesn't move. Unbelievable.
I only have one word for her behavior...
IGNORANT!
Simply ignorant.
I wonder if she would have treated me that way if I'd been 20 or 30-something. Makes me think. (BTW - I've added a link to another blog called BlondSense. There's a post there about Hillary Clinton and gender/age discrimination. Perhaps this is NOT all in my head!)
Bitch, Bitch, Bitch - Sigh
Okay, I admit it. I started to write this blog because I needed an outlet of my frustration. I've found that getting it out helps keep me sane. Nothing wrong with that. But, there is definitely something wrong with endless bitching.
WARNING: Endless bitching can turn you into a bitch.
Humm. Is this true? I usually feel better after pounding the keyboard and unloading my thoughts and furry. Actually, I've been pretty tame here (just in case someone actually reads all this.) So far, I've been safe.
I think I'll keep going on with this exercise because I am enjoying the experience. And, I know I have much more to bitch about. However, I am also going to start writing about the good things that happen.
After all, life is good when it comes down to it. It's that simple, simple!
WARNING: Endless bitching can turn you into a bitch.
Humm. Is this true? I usually feel better after pounding the keyboard and unloading my thoughts and furry. Actually, I've been pretty tame here (just in case someone actually reads all this.) So far, I've been safe.
I think I'll keep going on with this exercise because I am enjoying the experience. And, I know I have much more to bitch about. However, I am also going to start writing about the good things that happen.
After all, life is good when it comes down to it. It's that simple, simple!
Friday, May 16, 2008
There are Simple, Simply Too Many Selfish Folk Out Here
People have forgotten how to be civil to each other. This is really quite Simple, Simple to do. Yet, every day I see more examples of how we fail to treat others with respect.
For example; this morning I decided to go to McDonald's to get a visiting friend of my son's a bagel breakfast sandwich. I'm waiting my turn in the drive through line and another driver comes in the back entrance of the parking lot. She then positions her car to enter the line in front of me, who has been waiting in line patiently.
Now, here's my dilemma. Should I let her in front of me - a head of all the other cars patiently waiting their turn - or do I tell her to get in line like the rest of us?
Well, being sick and tired of these "special" folks always ignoring the principals of good behavior, I indicate to her I'm not letting her in. She rolls down the window and yells to me that she's been waiting to get in the line for two cars now.
So, how is that my problem? I too have been waiting my turn - and, I've been doing it in line the correct way. So, I roll down my window and tell her she should get in line like the rest of us.
Now, I appreciate your patience as I recount this sordid tale of immaturity, but here is the punch line...
She says "I don't have to!"
I have to be honest and tell you that I was floored by this response. And, I am also delighted by it!
For awhile now I have been certain that the root cause of all the discourteous behavior I have witnessed is due to people thinking they are BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE. And, BINGO! This woman proves my hypotheses.
So what, you might ask. Well, since society is based on people following rules to ensure we all can get along together and be safe living together, this is very disconcerting. What I don't yet have figured out is what to do about this type person. When encountering someone who is only concerned about their own welfare and desires at the expense of others -- a.k.a. breaking the societal rules -- how should one respond? I am pondering this question with much energy. Because my gut reaction is to do violence toward them. They make me very very angry. And, anger shuts off logic and reason, which are essential to maintaining peace and order.
Sometimes I get very afraid because discourteous folk seem to be gaining ground... watch out and please don't be like them. You are NOT better than the people around you and when you act like you are, life gets even more unpleasant than it already is -- for everyone. Including you, you selfish ungrateful delusional idiot.
(Ah, that feels better...)
For example; this morning I decided to go to McDonald's to get a visiting friend of my son's a bagel breakfast sandwich. I'm waiting my turn in the drive through line and another driver comes in the back entrance of the parking lot. She then positions her car to enter the line in front of me, who has been waiting in line patiently.
Now, here's my dilemma. Should I let her in front of me - a head of all the other cars patiently waiting their turn - or do I tell her to get in line like the rest of us?
Well, being sick and tired of these "special" folks always ignoring the principals of good behavior, I indicate to her I'm not letting her in. She rolls down the window and yells to me that she's been waiting to get in the line for two cars now.
So, how is that my problem? I too have been waiting my turn - and, I've been doing it in line the correct way. So, I roll down my window and tell her she should get in line like the rest of us.
Now, I appreciate your patience as I recount this sordid tale of immaturity, but here is the punch line...
She says "I don't have to!"
I have to be honest and tell you that I was floored by this response. And, I am also delighted by it!
For awhile now I have been certain that the root cause of all the discourteous behavior I have witnessed is due to people thinking they are BETTER THAN EVERYONE ELSE. And, BINGO! This woman proves my hypotheses.
So what, you might ask. Well, since society is based on people following rules to ensure we all can get along together and be safe living together, this is very disconcerting. What I don't yet have figured out is what to do about this type person. When encountering someone who is only concerned about their own welfare and desires at the expense of others -- a.k.a. breaking the societal rules -- how should one respond? I am pondering this question with much energy. Because my gut reaction is to do violence toward them. They make me very very angry. And, anger shuts off logic and reason, which are essential to maintaining peace and order.
Sometimes I get very afraid because discourteous folk seem to be gaining ground... watch out and please don't be like them. You are NOT better than the people around you and when you act like you are, life gets even more unpleasant than it already is -- for everyone. Including you, you selfish ungrateful delusional idiot.
(Ah, that feels better...)
Saturday, May 3, 2008
It's Simple, Simply Not All About YOU!
People are rude.
People are selfish.
People are lacking in fundamental qualities that are the fabric of a functioning society.
OMG - I sound like my parents!
Unfortunately, this stuff is true...
Societies are formed when people come together for the common good - when they come together around a set of shared ideals and goals for which they all join forces to make happen. When individuals begin to care only about themselves and feel no connection with the others around them, you can KISS that group good-bye.
When people only care about their own welfare, they:
I really would like to believe in the inherent goodness of my fellow men and women. But, lately I've been completely dismayed by the actions I've observed taken by people toward me and others. I guess there have always been selfish people around, but never in this massive presence. I don't think this is a good trend.
Someone once said "things have got to get worse before they get better." Who was that moron? Perhaps I've got the quote wrong, but if this sentiment is correct, we're well on our way to witnessing a major attitude correction. Perhaps the Mayan prediction will come true on December 21, 2012 and we'll wake to a whole new world where everyone is kind and considerate of their fellows. How simple, simple. I can't wait!
People are selfish.
People are lacking in fundamental qualities that are the fabric of a functioning society.
OMG - I sound like my parents!
Unfortunately, this stuff is true...
Societies are formed when people come together for the common good - when they come together around a set of shared ideals and goals for which they all join forces to make happen. When individuals begin to care only about themselves and feel no connection with the others around them, you can KISS that group good-bye.
When people only care about their own welfare, they:
- Will abandon the weak who have nothing to give,
- Will neglect their responsibilities to the whole society which only create rules, which are barriers and there to be broken and/or ignored,
- Will worship things instead of ideals,
- Will barge through crowds who get in their way,
- Will develop a disrespect for life (since other people only get in their way),
- etc.
I really would like to believe in the inherent goodness of my fellow men and women. But, lately I've been completely dismayed by the actions I've observed taken by people toward me and others. I guess there have always been selfish people around, but never in this massive presence. I don't think this is a good trend.
Someone once said "things have got to get worse before they get better." Who was that moron? Perhaps I've got the quote wrong, but if this sentiment is correct, we're well on our way to witnessing a major attitude correction. Perhaps the Mayan prediction will come true on December 21, 2012 and we'll wake to a whole new world where everyone is kind and considerate of their fellows. How simple, simple. I can't wait!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Government Continuity Should be Simple, Simple
We all learned in elementary school that the U.S. government is "for the people and by the people." What a beautifully simple idea. Too bad it's not this way in practice.
I have lot's of experience with the government and I can tell you that civil servants take their responsibilities very seriously - for the most part. It's just that the notion of continuity has gotten lost since the 1980's, and it's continuity that keeps the governmental services we all enjoy flowing despite changes in the political power structure.
In the past, changing presidential administrations didn't change the work being done in the various federal agencies. Only the responsibility for providing responsible oversight changed hands. Things kept running according to well thought through and approved plans.
Not today. Every new team wants to leave their mark on society. So, they change the plans to reflect their thoughts and desires. Well, one fault of government at all levels is things change slowly. This is due to having split components that we call "checks and balances." One part of the government asks for money for programs and another decides how much money to give out and which programs are needed. At the Federal level, this process takes a minimum of two years to work through. So, every four years we get new leadership and they want to change direction. It then takes another two years to get the money to do the programs and initiatives this new group is sponsoring. By then, we have another election underway, and possibly another group taking office when the programs of the former group are just getting started.
It's a mess. A mess that results in declining levels of service, mass confusion within the government agencies, and lot's of room for fraud, waste, and abuse to occur amidst the confusion. One of the reasons things haven't completely gone to hell in a hand basket is due to the dedication and hard work of the career civil servants who maintain stability despite the changing political appointees. They've done a very good job over the last 20 years, but the odds are against them. Too many "old timers" are retiring to guarantee "continuity" for much longer.
Then what happens?
I think this will be the catalyst to change the entire government structure. The antiquated structures of the last hundred years have been failing to provide the agility and flexibility this country demands to operate in unstable and ever changing times.
I just hope we have self-less and courageous leaders who recognize this opportunity and do the right things. Else, this could be the end of our U.S. federal system that the founding fathers established. And, considering the alternative governing styles, I'm not sure we will recognize the America of the future.
Our current administration has been flagrantly arrogant in their quest to hasten the demise of the middle class. Why? Because it's to their advantage to have more space between their ruling class and the rest of the population. Most people don't see this coming -- that's why it's so easy. As long as we are fed, happy, and entertained most people won't complain. Oh yes, and we don't read anymore. We soak up the tidbits of nightly news from the TV, where the rich decide what news to publish. Sigh.
But, there is good news. Just don't take their word for anything. Find out for yourself. Talk with your relatives and friends about what is happening. Think! And, VOTE! And, get active in your community.
It's that simple, simple!
I have lot's of experience with the government and I can tell you that civil servants take their responsibilities very seriously - for the most part. It's just that the notion of continuity has gotten lost since the 1980's, and it's continuity that keeps the governmental services we all enjoy flowing despite changes in the political power structure.
In the past, changing presidential administrations didn't change the work being done in the various federal agencies. Only the responsibility for providing responsible oversight changed hands. Things kept running according to well thought through and approved plans.
Not today. Every new team wants to leave their mark on society. So, they change the plans to reflect their thoughts and desires. Well, one fault of government at all levels is things change slowly. This is due to having split components that we call "checks and balances." One part of the government asks for money for programs and another decides how much money to give out and which programs are needed. At the Federal level, this process takes a minimum of two years to work through. So, every four years we get new leadership and they want to change direction. It then takes another two years to get the money to do the programs and initiatives this new group is sponsoring. By then, we have another election underway, and possibly another group taking office when the programs of the former group are just getting started.
It's a mess. A mess that results in declining levels of service, mass confusion within the government agencies, and lot's of room for fraud, waste, and abuse to occur amidst the confusion. One of the reasons things haven't completely gone to hell in a hand basket is due to the dedication and hard work of the career civil servants who maintain stability despite the changing political appointees. They've done a very good job over the last 20 years, but the odds are against them. Too many "old timers" are retiring to guarantee "continuity" for much longer.
Then what happens?
I think this will be the catalyst to change the entire government structure. The antiquated structures of the last hundred years have been failing to provide the agility and flexibility this country demands to operate in unstable and ever changing times.
I just hope we have self-less and courageous leaders who recognize this opportunity and do the right things. Else, this could be the end of our U.S. federal system that the founding fathers established. And, considering the alternative governing styles, I'm not sure we will recognize the America of the future.
Our current administration has been flagrantly arrogant in their quest to hasten the demise of the middle class. Why? Because it's to their advantage to have more space between their ruling class and the rest of the population. Most people don't see this coming -- that's why it's so easy. As long as we are fed, happy, and entertained most people won't complain. Oh yes, and we don't read anymore. We soak up the tidbits of nightly news from the TV, where the rich decide what news to publish. Sigh.
But, there is good news. Just don't take their word for anything. Find out for yourself. Talk with your relatives and friends about what is happening. Think! And, VOTE! And, get active in your community.
It's that simple, simple!
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