I know it's going to be one of those days when I turn on the news and have some kinds of comment about everything on there. This morning was one of those.
I'm constantly amazed at the stupidity of some people, or maybe it's arrogance, or maybe there's no difference between the two. One thing that really got me going this morning was the news story about four Americans who were killed by the Somali pirates. Let me preface this by saying that I'm sorry that four people are dead and I feel for their families, but let's get real people.
I don't know about you,but the thought of taking a vacation, in my rich people yacht, in pirate infested waters, just screams "come and get me." To me, this would be like taking a vacation in Juarez, Mexico right now, just not gonna happen! Why is that some people with money think they are immune to the "hardships" in this world? Does having money erase your common sense? Must be some chemical they put in the ink of all those Benjamins.
Then, I got going even more when the earthquake story came on and I just wanted to reach through the TV and slap the crap out of the reporter. These are college educated people, right? I'm assuming they have studied journalism, but hey, you know what they say about assuming. ANYWAY, this stupid reporter asks questions like "How did you feel when your fiancee got pulled out of the rubble?" How the heck do you think she felt, pissed? I just don't understand why people would think we need to dumb down everything. If we didn't do that, then maybe common sense would still be around.
Instead of dumbing down everything, why don't we use the idea put forth by the comedian Bill Engvall. Just make stupid people wear signs, that way you know not to ask them anything. I know everyone has their moments (myself included) because stupid can be contagious. I'll throw myself on the fire here. I'll never forget this one instance in high school, and I'm not saying there was only one, when my parents invited some friends over. I asked mom "what time are they going to be here?" She replied "4:30, 5:00." Well, in my mind, I heard 4:35, so imagine my surprise when they arrived at 4:35! I thought my mom was just awesome and when I told her I was amazed that she nailed it, she just gave one of those looks like "Oh honey, you need to go lie down." :)
See, everyone has stupid moments, but some are so stupid they should get a Darwin award!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Odd reactions?
Last week, someone I know died in a tragic car accident. I was not close to this person, but I did know him and am close to his wife. It was/is very troubling news for me because this is the 3rd time in little more than a year that the husband of a friend has died in tragic and unsuspecting ways.
I say tragic and unsuspecting because none of these men were physically ill in such a way that would lead you to believe they were soon to pass. I mention all of this because I've found that responses and reactions to these deaths rather odd. People say and do strange things when confronted with a sudden death. The most common odd response (yes, I realize that is a slight oxymoron) is when someone says "I just talked to him/her" as if the fact that you were just in contact makes it any more surprising that this person has died.
Why do we say such things? I don't know about you, but I think we say weird things because we feel like we have to say something and aren't quite sure what to say. "I'm sorry", which seems pretty standard, seems like such a weak offering in the scheme of things, doesn't it? There are some that say "I know how hard this must be" and all I have to say is do you really? I mean, how can you know. Have you lost your best friend, your lover, your partner? Even if you have, you are totally different people from others and have no idea about the ins and outs of that relationship.
Every person is different and each of us faces death and comes to grips with it in our own ways. Having lost my share of friends and family, I can only offer this advice to others, be there for that person in the best way you can, and sometimes that means saying nothing at all.
To my friends who have recently lost, let me just say this, you are all amazing women with a strength I can't even begin to understand and you have dealt with your tragedies with such grace that I can only hope that others appreciate how strong you are.
I say tragic and unsuspecting because none of these men were physically ill in such a way that would lead you to believe they were soon to pass. I mention all of this because I've found that responses and reactions to these deaths rather odd. People say and do strange things when confronted with a sudden death. The most common odd response (yes, I realize that is a slight oxymoron) is when someone says "I just talked to him/her" as if the fact that you were just in contact makes it any more surprising that this person has died.
Why do we say such things? I don't know about you, but I think we say weird things because we feel like we have to say something and aren't quite sure what to say. "I'm sorry", which seems pretty standard, seems like such a weak offering in the scheme of things, doesn't it? There are some that say "I know how hard this must be" and all I have to say is do you really? I mean, how can you know. Have you lost your best friend, your lover, your partner? Even if you have, you are totally different people from others and have no idea about the ins and outs of that relationship.
Every person is different and each of us faces death and comes to grips with it in our own ways. Having lost my share of friends and family, I can only offer this advice to others, be there for that person in the best way you can, and sometimes that means saying nothing at all.
To my friends who have recently lost, let me just say this, you are all amazing women with a strength I can't even begin to understand and you have dealt with your tragedies with such grace that I can only hope that others appreciate how strong you are.
Monday, February 21, 2011
The downfall of America
I've been home sick for three days now, and in that time, I've had plenty of opportunity to watch A LOT of TV. I have seen ads for shows that just make me shake my head and ask why, like a new show on TLC called "The Unpoppables" which is an entire show about balloon artists. Now, TLC has some really interesting shows, but how many episodes can you make about balloon artists?
That's not even what prompted this posting, it's another show I saw advertised on TLC (yes, I'm kind of hooked on that channel the past few days). The show that got me really worked up is a show called "Outrageous Kid Parties". This show is exactly what it sounds like, parents going WAY too far to give their kids a memorable birthday party. So it hits me, this kind of activity is what's wrong with this country.
Overindulged, spoiled rotten, little kids who never get told no are going to be the downfall of civilization. In the main preview for this show, this mom is planning a birthday party for her daughter, who looks to be about 6 and the budget is $15,000. That is freaking ridiculous. I find it terribly sad that a parent feels the need to spend that much money on a party for anyone, let along a little child.
It's a shame that these parents feel the need to buy the love of their child as that can be the only explanation. I just keep singing the Hall and Oates song "Rich Girl" which basically says that the rich girl will never need to be strong because she's got her daddy's money. This little girl will never know what it means to actually earn something on her own. Her parents have set the example by handing things to her. What a shame.
Sound familiar? Does the name Lindsey Lohan mean anything to anyone? What about Paris Hilton? Spoiled rotten rich kids who have never had to work for anything and these are the examples that are being set for our young girls in this country. One can hope that others will see this show and be as disgusted as me, but unless people scream about it, no one will ever get rid of it.
I'm thinking I've rambled in this post, perhaps it's the sickness, but maybe it's just that I have so much to say that my brain works faster than my fingers.
That's not even what prompted this posting, it's another show I saw advertised on TLC (yes, I'm kind of hooked on that channel the past few days). The show that got me really worked up is a show called "Outrageous Kid Parties". This show is exactly what it sounds like, parents going WAY too far to give their kids a memorable birthday party. So it hits me, this kind of activity is what's wrong with this country.
Overindulged, spoiled rotten, little kids who never get told no are going to be the downfall of civilization. In the main preview for this show, this mom is planning a birthday party for her daughter, who looks to be about 6 and the budget is $15,000. That is freaking ridiculous. I find it terribly sad that a parent feels the need to spend that much money on a party for anyone, let along a little child.
It's a shame that these parents feel the need to buy the love of their child as that can be the only explanation. I just keep singing the Hall and Oates song "Rich Girl" which basically says that the rich girl will never need to be strong because she's got her daddy's money. This little girl will never know what it means to actually earn something on her own. Her parents have set the example by handing things to her. What a shame.
Sound familiar? Does the name Lindsey Lohan mean anything to anyone? What about Paris Hilton? Spoiled rotten rich kids who have never had to work for anything and these are the examples that are being set for our young girls in this country. One can hope that others will see this show and be as disgusted as me, but unless people scream about it, no one will ever get rid of it.
I'm thinking I've rambled in this post, perhaps it's the sickness, but maybe it's just that I have so much to say that my brain works faster than my fingers.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Have pride for pete's sake
Who watched the Superbowl this year? Well, if you didn't, you're one of the few. The estimates say that more 97 million people tuned in. That number varies a bit depending on your source but either way, that's a lot of people. No matter your reason for watching, something kept you in front of that TV. For many viewers, myself included, it's usually about the commercials, for some it's the half time show and, believe it or not, some people actually tune in for the game. This year, for me at least, it was a combination of the commercials and the National Anthem.
Being from a military family, I am fiercely patriotic and believe in an individuals right to freedom of expression, however when it comes to our National Anthem, I believe there are some things you need to leave alone.
This years performance was one that really got me going and not in a good way. There is no doubt that Christina Aguilera has an amazing voice, but as she's shown in the past, she just shouldn't be asked to perform our National Anthem in public. She's messed it up before, so what made anyone think she wouldn't do it again?
Our National Anthem was written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key and was adopted as our nation's song in 1931. Why do I mention all the history? It's important for you to know that those lyrics written so long ago are just as relevant today as they were back then. The words have special meaning and should remain in their original form.
One should not be able to drag out words, add their own touch of soul or, God forbid, add or delete words. There have been some really terrible performances of the National Anthem, and those performers were not asked to sing it again. Take Steven Tyler who, at his performance as the Indianapolis 500, changed the last line to say "The land of the free and the home of the Indianapolis 500", or Michael Bolton who wrote the lyrics on his hand and had to stop singing in order to check the words. I appreciate both these artists, but I don't appreciate the butchering of our anthem.
I fully believe that Christina Aguilera should be placed on a type of "no fly list" for singing the anthem. She belongs on the same list as Steven Tyler, Michael Bolton and Roseanne Barr.
So, to anyone that's paying attention, let's get the word out that we don't want Christina Aguilera to perform our nation's anthem again. I'm all for giving second chances and this was hers and she failed miserably, so let's learn from this and find someone else!
Being from a military family, I am fiercely patriotic and believe in an individuals right to freedom of expression, however when it comes to our National Anthem, I believe there are some things you need to leave alone.
This years performance was one that really got me going and not in a good way. There is no doubt that Christina Aguilera has an amazing voice, but as she's shown in the past, she just shouldn't be asked to perform our National Anthem in public. She's messed it up before, so what made anyone think she wouldn't do it again?
Our National Anthem was written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key and was adopted as our nation's song in 1931. Why do I mention all the history? It's important for you to know that those lyrics written so long ago are just as relevant today as they were back then. The words have special meaning and should remain in their original form.
One should not be able to drag out words, add their own touch of soul or, God forbid, add or delete words. There have been some really terrible performances of the National Anthem, and those performers were not asked to sing it again. Take Steven Tyler who, at his performance as the Indianapolis 500, changed the last line to say "The land of the free and the home of the Indianapolis 500", or Michael Bolton who wrote the lyrics on his hand and had to stop singing in order to check the words. I appreciate both these artists, but I don't appreciate the butchering of our anthem.
I fully believe that Christina Aguilera should be placed on a type of "no fly list" for singing the anthem. She belongs on the same list as Steven Tyler, Michael Bolton and Roseanne Barr.
So, to anyone that's paying attention, let's get the word out that we don't want Christina Aguilera to perform our nation's anthem again. I'm all for giving second chances and this was hers and she failed miserably, so let's learn from this and find someone else!
Welcome to my thoughts
Someone once told me, if I wanted to have a blog, I should write about a passion, something that gets me going. Well, ask anyone who knows me and you'll find that just about anything can get me going. I guess you could say I'm passionate, which is the polite way of saying that I'm a total Type A personality. I like things a certain way, I like what I like and hate what I hate. If I'm not in control, things can get ugly. For some weird reason, people like this about me, I guess because there is never a dull moment once I get going.
So, to try and narrow down a list of what I'm passionate about is a pretty daunting task. That being said, welcome to my blog. Here you'll find my thoughts on anything that gets a reaction out of me. If my thoughts seem like they're all over the map well, that's because they are. Sure, there are things that I'm more passionate about than others, like family and photography, but I generally have an opinion about every thing.
With that, I hope you find what I write about entertaining at least and maybe, if I'm not ranted too much, maybe you'll find something you can take away and talk about with others. Enjoy my thoughts and feel free to comment
So, to try and narrow down a list of what I'm passionate about is a pretty daunting task. That being said, welcome to my blog. Here you'll find my thoughts on anything that gets a reaction out of me. If my thoughts seem like they're all over the map well, that's because they are. Sure, there are things that I'm more passionate about than others, like family and photography, but I generally have an opinion about every thing.
With that, I hope you find what I write about entertaining at least and maybe, if I'm not ranted too much, maybe you'll find something you can take away and talk about with others. Enjoy my thoughts and feel free to comment
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