Degrading Women part 1

This problem has recently come to my attention:

Guys cat-calling, whistling at, commenting with such things as, "I'd tap dat", or generally disrespecting women.

I have always known that some "men" (I use the quotation marks because, other than having the male anatomy, these creatures are anything but real men) do this. There are many factors as to why "men" behave in this fashion.

1. Nature gave us the "mating impulse". True. This is a natural state for men to try and propagate the species. However, centuries of conditioning should have taken the method to new heights. This type of answer is a cop-out. It's the male saying, "I have no control over myself". A good analogy would be, centuries ago, it was natural to piss on one's self (the concept of bathrooms or cleanliness not yet being invented). You modern "men" learned not to wet yourself, even in your sleep, so why can't you control your mouth when an attractive woman walks by? You are awake, right? You are in control of your faculties, right?
Excuse dismissed.

2. The girl was asking for that attention with the clothes she was wearing. So, you are saying that if you, as a red-blooded "man", see a good looking woman showing a fit leg or flat, smooth tummy, you have to degrade her?! And make yourself look like an uneducated jerk at the same time???!! Wow. That's like saying, "she was a stripper, so it's not rape". Doesn't make much sense, either.
Excuse dismissed.

Lastly, my personal favorite
3. They like the attention. While I'm sure that woman chooses clothes to get her noticed, just as you do, she would rather be told that she is beautiful, or sexy, or enchanting, or enticing, or any of a billion other adjectives that could be used there without making her feel like a piece of meat you "men" are slavering over. Women (and men) like attention, but not that type of attention.

I am basing this on more than just my opinion. I have actually conducted a small poll in downtown Dallas to find out what women really think of this type of behavior. Here are the top three responses:

1. Juvenile
2. A turn-off
3. Degrading

Yup, that is what over 200 women REALLY think! (My poll was 227 women ranging in age from 18-57, chosen randomly in Dallas Alley on a Saturday afternoon)

We have established the problem. Next post will tackle the solution.

Fashion statement says "Slob!"

I have never understood the current trend of today's fashion. I am speaking of the overly baggy jeans/shorts with the underwear visible over the waistband. I remember when it was just the waistband visible over hip-hugger jeans. In the past 7 years or so, the pants have fallen farther down to the point of the waistband of the pants being below the ass cheek!
This is supposed to look good??
What's the point of wearing pants at all? Why not just wear your boxers??

I actually have a theory.....

This trend was developed by racist police officers in an effort to make the chase of suspects shorter. See, it works like this: Get the "gansta" look to include pants worn so low that the crotch is around the knees, thereby making the stride of the suspect shorter because he (personally, I have never seen this look on a female) cannot fully extend his legs. Better still, the suspect would trip and fall on his own pant-legs!

I am working on generalizations here, but I feel that they are, more often than not, pretty accurate.

In any case, I think that this "look" is very unattractive. It shows absolutely no respect for yourself or anyone you are with. Couple this with the "grille" and you look like you wasted all of your cash on a shabby appearance.

BTW, job interviews, meeting your girlfriend's parents, and court dates warrant clothes that fit. The first impression is hard to get rid of, especially when the person you make that impression on may heavily influence your life (boss, in-law, judge, etc.).

Show some respect for yourself and at least have one or two outfits that are not 6 or 7 sizes too big for you.

This is for me

Here it is, the 21st century, and people still haven't become any more enlightened. I perused Craig's List and found that there is an abunance of stupidity in the world. Juvenile comments about one poster's weight launched a virtual littany of slander and genuine anger.

People, this is the pinnacle of freedom. If you do not like what someone has to say, don't listen (or in this case, read!). I do not expect to ever get any feedback or validation for my opinions. Why? Because I'm doing it on the internet as a means to an end FOR ME!
"I just want to get (whatever) off my chest!"
I like reading the opinions and ensuing arguments because it is so easy to see that everyone on the board is trying to feel superior to someone --- ANYONE! I think that this is just as cathardic for them as my blog here is for me. It is just sad that the people need to feel superior to be able to feel ok with themselves.

As for the others that berate and belittle those unlike themselves: you have no self esteem and a pea-brained intellectual view. No one wants to hear you opinion if it nothing constructive....except maybe those others of similar intellectual smallness.

Which brings me to the question, "Where does one go to find a vapid audience that all wish to feel superior to everyone else?"

Might I suggest Craig's List?

WTF!!

I just read that Andrea Yates was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Really??!!

Fo those of you that do not know, she is the woman in Houston, TX that drown her 5 children. I am just shooting from the hip here, but wasn't it a given that the woman was not all there? That still doesn't give her the right to kill 5 children! These kids never had a chance. Their lives were ENDED by their own mother!

Short and to the point, she should be killed. I think that I could find a few people that would do it, too! Now, she will live in a psychiatric hospital and has the very good possibility of being released when the counselors there feel she has returned to sanity. Not good enough. If she was able to commit the crime deliberately, she should be punished. If she is not able to be held accountable due to mental illness, wait until she is no longer ill, then kill her.

In the meantime, we, the taxpayers, are footing the bill to keep her alive. She confessed to intentionally killing her own children. I do not want to pay for her to live. It is not my wishes that my tax money goes to keeping her alive. Killing or hurting children in any way is the worst kind of crime.

Just my 2 cents...

Humans vs. Automation

I work (half of the time) in a "customer service" environment. I like it because I do get the opportunity to help resolve problems. It gives me a feeling of satisfaction. I miss the days of REAL customer service.

I get it at my bank, because I go to the same branch every time. I know them and they know me. I would not get the same level of service at another branch unless I cultivated it myself, by going repeatedly to the new branch.

I get it at my grocery store. Same reason.

That's about as far as it goes.

I try and do all of my business face-to-face. Obviously, there are certain instances where this is just not possible. Sometimes I have to use the phone. I hate that because I always get that automated service that tries to be helpful, but in reality, it is not. The automated service for, just as an example, say, my power company will ask for my account number. What does the operator ask for right off when s/he FINALLY gets on the line? Yup! My account number.

WHY?

All the automated service really does is give the impression that you are getting somewhere or accomplishing something until an operator can assist you. You remain on hold until they are able (or decide they are ready) to deal with you.

I've worked in an incoming call center before. They have the ability to sign off of the phone system and do whatever needs doing (from finishing comments on the previous caller's account to having an unofficial smoke break). Don't be fooled by the "helpful computer voice".

I've seen it done. Honestly, I've DONE it!

Having said that, I will say that I have used the automated operator to pay my bill over the phone and not really need to speak to a real operator. All I would like to see is the option right up front offering either one. It would go something like this:

"Thank you for calling Gexa Energy. If you would like to use the automated system, press 1. If you would like to speak to a customer service representative, press 2."

Easy, right? Did you also notice that you did not get the option of speaking another language? See my previous posts on that subject. After pressing 2, you could be told that you approximate wait time is however many minutes, then be offered the automated system again. Kinda like this:

"Your approximate wait time is 12 minutes. If you would prefer to use the automated system at any time, press 9."

That way, you can wait for a while, get good and mad, and when you can take it no longer, you can do your business with a machine.

I like it.

Businesses, take note of this. You will keep more customers if you provide better customer service. Here is one suggestion.

This is rich!

The following is going to be my (hopefully) last post on immigration reform. I say this because I am just tired of it. I wasn't going to any more after my last oone until the government passed something - ANYTHING - but I stumbled across the following. It is from a speech by Jesse Jackson.

Yup. You guessed it. It's a doosie!

On a day of sharp opposition to a House bill aimed at immigration reform, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson energized hundreds at the Midwest Airlines Center on Friday by calling on Latinos and other immigrants "to keep marching" against deportations, exploitation of undocumented workers and attempts to weaken the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

(read the 1965 act, you boob!)

"Don't take Bush's agenda lightly," he said. "The Confederates have risen again."

(it was only a matter of time)

Like other speakers Friday, Jackson framed the debate as one to define the nation.
"Is this the nation of 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses who yearn to breathe free?' " he asked, "or a nation that rejects all except those who have money? Is this about a nation of, for and by the few? Or is it the hands that sweat and toil and make us strong . . .
"Are we the nation that builds bridges, or the nation that builds walls?"

That was an excerpt from an article by Mark Johnson markjohnson@journalsentinel.com and it just set me off!

First, let me say that the "undocumented workers" (henceforth referred to as illegal immigrants) have absolutely NO bearing on the Voting Rights Act as they are not allowed to vote due to them not being American Citizens!

Second, the "exploitation" he mentions would not be an issue except those who knowingly employ illegal immigrants are fully aware that they can pay as little as they want. Who are the illegals going to complain to? It's not like they would win a lawsuit for unfair wages. They are here ILLEGALLY!

Third, when you sneak into a nightclub without paying the cover, what do they do? Throw you out! It's kinda the same thing with a national border. Deportation is the only fair thing to do! That way, I do not have to have my tax dollars go to supporting an illegal immigrant as he lives in our jail... FOR FREE! See? Send them back home.

Fourth, playing the race card is only serving to incite other minorities with inflammatory mental images. Equating the government's view of illegal immigrants today with the DEFEATED Confederacy of 1865 is an excuse to use (and hence, keep alive) racism. That sore has festered for so long already. People like Jackson continue to use it, pick at it, and propogate the infection. And the worst part of that? They are doing it for their own gain! Jackson yells racism and he is still commanding audiences as a figurehead for the "cause". He keeps it alive so that he may continue to make the money that allows him to live in his big house and drive his big car.

Sorry, I digress.

Fifth, I have never heard of anyone being turned away from our customs desks because they had no cash. We, as a country, are NOT saying that you have to be rich to be here, just that you have to sign in before going up to your room. It is not a nation of, by and for the few, as he so eloquently states, but rather the majority. The few would be the illegal immigrants. Think about it. Are there really more illegal immigrants in this country than actual citizens?
Didn't think so.

Sixth, and last, We are a nation of bridges. I agree with that. Again, my problem is with the ILLEGAL immigrants. To shore up our borders, we should be building a few more walls. You know, like the one Jackson has around his home.

In parting, allow me to give you the last line of the column:

"We're not going to go away," he (Jaime Contreras, an El Salvadoran immigrant who leads the Service Employees International Union Local 82) vowed. "If they deport us, who's going to build the wall at the border?"

This man has been watching - and plagiarizing - Carlos Mencia. If he truly feels that way, he is propogating the "exploitation" and setting his cause back years. If not, perhaps he should fire his speech writer, or send a Thank You check to Mencia.

Walking and chewing gum

I was on my way to work yesterday when I realized that I was only driving 20 miles per hour. The speed limit was 45. Frustrated, I looked for the cause of the slow pace. The car two ahead of me was setting this lightning velocity. I moved into the left hand lane... only to be cut off by the same car. Thankfully, the driver, an attractive blonde, continued into the left turn lane and I past her.
This was when I noticed it... not that she was an attractive blonde, but that she was going so slowly because she was on the phone!
I realize that I could take many different paths here. Such as:

1. Female drivers. I have found, however, that most female drivers are better than most male drivers.

2. Blondes. I have yet to meet a majority that make the stereotype true. I have met some that fit it, though.

3. The ability to multi-task. This one I will take.

I you cannot do several things at once, don't try. Practice where you won't impede or endanger other people until you can do the several things at once that you want to do. In this case, I doubt she even knew how slow she was going. She had been driving at that speed for quite a distance before I tried to get around her, so it's not like I'm jumping to any conclusion out of hand, here. Her action (her speed) was a sign that she was not paying attention. I am thankful that the result of this is only my frustration with her and not something more serious... or even fatal. Was her phone call THAT important? I honestly don't know. In all probability, it was not.
But what I DO know is that it endangered everyone on that road. She should be paying attention to what she is doing, as she is driving around in a 2 ton death machine if mistakes are made.

Hang up and drive. I love that bumper sticker. I will pull over to talk on the phone if I am not able to concentrate on my driving. I have done it many times.

On a slightly related topic, if you don't know how to drive an SUV, don't own one! They aren't as manuverable as little cars. You can't park in those tiny spaces and you will need more room to move than a Honda would. Learn to drive an SUV if you have one!

I just can't get away from it!

I heard a news report that brought it all up again. It stated the plight of thousands of Undocumented Workers. Huh?? So now it's not alright to call them Illegal Immigrants? Even though they are Illegal??!! And they Immigrated to the US as Illegal Immigrants??!!

Oh, no! That classification might stigmatize them or hurt their feelings.

Tough Shit!! It is an appropriate "classification"! I work my ass off to not be classified as someone below the poverty line, but if I fall below that point, you can call me poor. Not this "nice-sugar-coated-fuzzy-sweet-emotionally-reinforcing BULLSHIT" label like, "financially challenged" or "credit hindered". I would be poor! LEGAL, but poor!

My point is this:
Pandering to groups of any kind in such an insignificant manner as what "classification" to which they are referred only serves to bring down the majority. In this case, all of the LEGAL people in this country. Is that what you want to do? Do you want to speak about or to them in a condescending tone? Do you want to continue to support the ridiculous lawsuits being filed because someone referred to someone else as "poor" instead of "financially challenged" or, to play the race card, "black" instead of "African American"?

Grow up and learn that we are all human beings! I am from Scottish heritage, but you don't see me demanding the right to be called "Scottish American". I am an American. For the minority (of ANY sort) to demand - and WIN - the rest of the world cater to them is the most UN-American thing I can think of!

My in-box is already prepared for your angry responses. And I will write back to each and every one of you that wish to disagree with me.

The Ego vs. Self-Confidence

I really don't have a single topic today, but I did come across some interesting tag lines. Here is my favorite:

Egotism is the anesthetic for the pain of stupidity.

Just says it all, doesn't it? Think about it next time you are in a situation where somebody always has to one-up everyone else. These self-absorbed people that think they are the end-all/be-all of mankind blather on and say nothing of any importance. I do not like - no, I plain can't stand - when someone has to know everything about everything. They will just curl up into a little husk of a ball if they are not the center of attention.

Listen to others around you, you moronic boob!

It is through the art of listening that one gleans knowlege from their surroundings. Listening is the first step in learning. You will not be any less of an interesting person if you shut up and open your ears. In fact, you might be considered more interesting, because you will not show your ignorance by flapping your jaw.
And when you are caught in a lie or exaggeration while trying to be cool and in-the-know, just stop talking. You are busted - don't add to the humiliation of being proven a liar (exaggerator, at the very least) by trying to deny the statement. Suck it up and take it.

Perhaps next time you will stick to what you really know and you might find that others are a great deal more interested in hearing what you have to say.



(Added after an email response):
OK, let me break out the Crayons and explain. I just received a rather bitchy email from a fellow blogger. She has an interesting blog and I thought I would introduce myself. A couple of emails go by, not saying much, and then I get this last one. She says that a good ego is VERY attractive to her. Hmm. I will say that someone that has a good dose of SELF-CONFIDENCE can be attractive, but an ego is rather.....self-involved.
She went on to say that we did not have anything in common and would like to discontinue contact. That was the nice way of putting it, in deference to her. Also, she thought she would point out a typo and allude to it being indicative of my lack of intelligence.
Just kinda proves the theory.

Ever since 9/11

The coverage of news during 9/11 created a new irritant. At the bottom of the screen on TV, they used a scrolling text that updated the viewer to new developments. This technology wasn't new at that time, but this was the catalyst that launched into the mainstream. At that time, it was not an irritant. All-news broadcast stations used them and they were fine. But now we have it on every channel during the programs we choose to watch giving us nothing more than a commercial for other shows on that channel.
Wait a minute..... that doesn't seem so bad.
Hang on, friend, there's more!
It started getting bigger. Now it started taking up the lower 1/8th of the screen. Then it evolved to one corner or another, still taking up 1/8th.
I was watching a major network just the other day. One of those "free commercials", as I call them, for another show came on and took up damn near 1/2 the screen!
NOW it's an irritant!!
TV stations get paid money by the advertisers to air commercials for their products. It used to be that advertising the TV stations' other shows or news hooks cut into that advertising time. Now, the TV stations have found a way of advertising their shows without losing advertising time, hence making more money. They do this during every show!
I like period movies. Some of them will use subtitles. Guess what happens. Yup! The TV stations' 1/2 screen free commercial covers the subtitles and aids in ruining the movie event. The standard commercials already make it hard to get into the feel of a movie, but now it is just impossible.

Message to the TV stations:

We already know your line-up. We are intelligent consumers that have chosen your network to watch and do not need to be reminded of the network name or other shows that you air. If there is breaking news, a weather alert or major disaster, then let us know in any manner you wish, just knock off the free commercials for other shows.... at the VERY least, go back to the tiny, slightly less obtrusive scroll that all of this started with.

No habla espanol... I can't even TYPE it!

I read a newspapser story about a restaurant in Philadelphia that posted a sign saying, "This is America....when ordering speak English". Roberto Santiago, executive director of Philadelphia's Council of Spanish Speaking Organizations, was outraged. Of course he was! Look at the organization he works for! It comes down to this: If you move to a new country, you must adapt to the ways of that country. Don't move to England and expect to get a couple of paid days off in November for Thanksgiving. That holiday is strictly a North American holiday. I know several Asian people that have moved here, learned English, then actually speak it! At home, they use thier native tongue, but if they have visitors, they speak English out of respect for them.
Come to think of it, I have never heard of any group like this council for any other language. I wonder why that is?
But I digress.
First, the sign is a courtesy to let patrons know that languages other than English may not be able to be understood. So if you want to get a philly cheesesteak, you better know how to say it in English!
Second, owners and operators have the right to refuse service to anyone, regardless of the reason. And nobody can scream racism because if hispanic people can order in English, or even point to the item they want (as it states in the news article), they will be served.
I do not speak any languages other than English. I would like to learn, but I don't have the time nor the energy right now. If I moved to Mexico, I would have to make the time to learn Spanish. If I did know Spanish and I was talking to someone that didn't know English, I would utilize my knowlege out of respect for them. All I ask is the same, but more because you or your family made the decision to move here. Now you must learn to LIVE here. To do so, you must respect our culture. Our culture is NOT one that speaks Spanish, or Greek, or Italian, or German, or French, or anything but English.
I feel like when society placates a group or ethnic faction, that is an example of society being hospitable. When the ethnic factions demand that courtesy, that is rude laziness. You decided to live here, you learn to speak our language. That is your responsibility to this culture!
If you don't like it, try another country!

That's it!!
It just hit me..... It's all about repsect! I respect you, your love for your heritage, family, culture, etc., now it's your turn. Show that you respect America by speaking English if you move here. I respect people that visit America and do not know English. I will bend over backwards to try and understand and help you if you are one of those people. But if you come to America from Mexico, France, Italy or Mars to live as a citizen, you had better at least try to communicate in OUR language. Respect this country, this culture, these people! It is just that simple.

Blame nobody but yourself

I am working. Just doing my thing and keeping my head low. For a short background, let me explain what I do: I am a computer operator responsible for the overseeing of several large information packets during the backup process. Same packets everyday. Little variation. A guy, we will call him Dick, used to be the Lead Operator, but now is in charge of the backups, but has absolutely no authority over any of the operators. Why, you may ask? Because he is abrasive, rude, demeaning, and has a problem with feeling superior. In short, he is Dick.
Anyway... Dick is at his home and has the capability to enter the system and perform duties from his home, so he does. (Side note, if you are going to be screwing around with a function in this manner, at least email the person to give them a heads-up. It's just common courtesy.)
BUT... he made a mistake and launched the same application 3 times. This slowed down the entire system. I, still being relatively new (3 months) on the job, see it, but think that it is what Dick wanted. He knows what he is doing, right? He's been here for years. So many, in fact, that when all of the operators complained about his Dick-ness, he was removed from the Lead Operator position and had a job title created for him so that he may continue to perform the sterling work his reputation claims.
An hour goes by and then Dick calls. He asks:

"Did you notice that the system is running extremely slow?"
"Yes."
"Did you also notice that one of the applications is running three times concurrently?"
"Yes, I saw that."
"Didn't you think it was odd?"
"Yes, but I thought the person that kicked them off did it intetionally."
(I knew it was he that had kicked them off.)
"Why would that happen?!"
"I don't know. I thought whoever did it knew what they were doing."
"I'm so tired of you operators not paying attention. Whenever you see something odd or unusual, call me and tell me about it."
"Will do, Dick!"

When did his mistake become my responsibility? I rely on him to catch his own mistakes. He is so quick to catch any of ours. I am trying to learn this job, but I only work 3 days a week and am still getting the finer points down.
Moral: When you make a mistake, fix it and move on. Don't be a Dick and try to blame others for not catching your own mistake.

Self-Esteem

I glanced over my profile and realized that I should clarify a statement made there. I ask that everyone have their own opinion and the self-esteem to voice it. I do not have the confidence I am seeking in others. This blog is the only "public place" in which I give my grievances voice, so to speak. When my friends and I are talking, I will give my uncensored opinion on subjects, but I lack the self-confidence to voice my opinion to other people that do not know me. I was hoping that this blog would help me vent my anger and frustration regarding topics of stupidity while granting me an audience with others of like mind and similar ilk.
Finding these others, I would then have the opportunity to develop friendships or, at the very least acquaintances, with these people in hopes of allaying my own fears that I was alone in the world and forever resigned to observe the idiocy of the masses.
I really think I should find someone with whom I could actually discuss these feelings, as they are slipping one to another and very difficult to keep control of.

Also, I think I should not watch several episodes of Deadwood before blogging. It makes all of my thoughts here sound like a monologue from one of the characters. Not really me, but, as is evident by this posting, a trait that I could adopt. I have always said that an extensive vocabulary allows for the proper expression of any feeling.

I can't hold it back any longer.

OK. Immigration Reform. Hot topic. Everybody has an opinion. That's great. Just one thing, though: please, try and have an EDUCATED opinion.
My target tonight is a US Congressman from Virginia, I think. He made a statement that was broadcast across the nation that shows how incredibly pea-brained he really is. I do appologize that I do not have it word for word, but it was something like this:

I do not agree with deploying National Guard troops to the US-Mexican border. People live out there and that kind of military presense sends a very bad message. I certainly wouldn't like to have armed military troops patroling my neighborhood.

A. It is a federal issue as it is a US border.
B. You live in Virginia! You don't have the problems of a bordertown (crime, drugs, people entering the country through you backyard fence!) in a nice, cushy, upscale neighborhood such as yours. The worst you have to deal with are hillbillies coming in from the mountains!
And C. This is a genuine problem in this country. Eventually we are going to have to be mean about it.
Remeber 9/11? What if those terrorists had come in through the laxly guarded Mexican border? Yes, I know, they didn't. But what if? Don't you think that we should do everything in our power to protect ourselves? Maybe enforce the boundry between these two countries?

I'm not saying that people shouldn't be allowed to come here, even make this their home, but do it legally. Illegal immigrants are not always the kind gardeners in Beverly Hills. Not all of them come here to work hard to better themselves and their lives. If we grant amnesty to ANY illegal immigrants, we do a great disservice to all of the citizens of this country, especially the ones that came here from another country LEGALLY.
When an illegal immigrant is caught, send him home. Spend the extra money to make the US-Mexican border real, not an international joke and not a potential entry point for future terrorists.
And they are hurting somebody, they are hurting every immigrant that followed the law and came here for a new life.
In parting: The US-Mexican border is only laxly guarded (as I referred to it earlier) because of financial constraints. I applaude the dedicated officers that work that lonely, thankless job. We need more officers, more fencing, more diligence and less red tape in dealing with those who break the law!
That is the long and short of it, after all: Illegal immigrants broke the law. Hence the "illegal" part of the term.

Participate or Shut Up!

As someone that has always been politically active, I find it absurd that people who do not vote feel compelled to tell anyone that is in earshot what is wrong with this country. I vote each and every election. I may not like any of the candidates, but my greatest power is my vote. I wish that I had better choices than "bad" and "worse", but of the choices given, I choose the individual I feel will do the best job.
What brought this on, you ask?
I am minding my own business when a co-worker decides to open up about the war in Iraq. As always when a political subject comes up from someone wishing ill about the current state of things, I asked if she voted.
Shocked and appalled that I would ask, she replied, "No. I didn't like my party's candidates."
Can you see the two separate issues I am about to launch into here?
First: Aligning yourself with a political party of ANY kind is a big bowl of doom. Why not, say, examine the issues you feel strongly about and look for a person that will best suit your needs? Both of my parents were republican, and I just can't limit myself to one set of idiots (any party) making my decisions for me. I research ALL of the candidates and find out where they stand on fundamental issues and current "hot" issues. That is my process of elimination for the candidates. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a single candidate that I can agree with 100%. But, I cast my vote and hope my voice makes a difference.
Second: Shut the hell up about the current state of affairs if you didn't even TRY to make a difference! You people that whine and complain about how horrible life is in this country, yet can't be bothered to use the system we currently have to attempt to better it (you know who you are!) can go suck an egg! I wish I could use a more descriptive vocabulary, but I am limited to my own code of honor and decency.
Lastly: When the candidates that I vote for win, I am happy. When they don't, I deal with it. I will support what my government does because I had a hand in creating it. I do feel at liberty to voice my opinions about the members of our government, but in the end, they are what the majority of people WHO TOOK THE TIME TO VOICE THEIR DESIRES chose. My right is to vote for people whom I think will be the best governing body. My duty is to support my governments' actions as a whole. I will not be a sheep and follow blindly, though. I have the right as a participant to complain. If you didn't participate, you don't get to say a damn thing!
Basically, if you are given a free meal and you couldn't be bothered to help cook it, don't bitch about the food!

A Moment to Gaze at the Decent Side of Humanity

You know, I was all ready to open up regarding immigration reform and that pile of steaming idiocy, but I stumbled across a blog, WanderingScribe (look for it, I don't know how to set it up here as a link, but I will try in my links area) and realized that, while I feel that I am right in my opinion (who doesn't feel that they are right in their opinion??), there are bright spots in the world. Before you jump the gun and say how horrible I am for finding this eloquent woman's plight a "bright spot", allow me to elaborate.

This woman, who requested to remain anonymous, has used this forum in the same fashion that I have: as a cathardic device. A place to open and share without having to be singled out. One can blog and never have to hear another word from anyone else that breaks them down or makes them feel ashamed. A way of releasing long-suppressed emotions in a public forum to get feedback (if you are so inclined), but in a private way. Public/private/personal therapy.

Anyway...she is at rock bottom and has quite a following of supporters from around the world. These supporters encourage and, thanks to PayPal, aid in financial areas. She never asked for donations. She was told about the PayPal Donations button and encouraged to put it on her blog. She thanks each and every person for their donation via email.

Again, anyway...she is still able to see beauty in the world around her and the London skyline. She is working her way back into society with class. But the amazing part is that she was completely alone and found dozens of people touched in one way or another by her story. Now, she has a global network. She puts a face to a plague in every country and allows one to see that we are all susceptible to the position she is in. I know at this moment I am one paycheck away from living in my car. If you think that you are too rich to be concerned with hitting that stage of rock-bottom, allow me to remind you of a crisp day in October, the year was 1929. Yes, living historical proof that the tallest blade of grass is the first to be cut down by the lawnmower!

Anyway...she was able, in her blog as well as in the comments made by readers, to reaffirm a fading belief - hope, even - in the goodness of mankind.
In parting, please let me sway you to say hello to a stranger, genuinely smile at an enemy, hug a friend, and give a deep, passionate kiss to you true love at least once a day.
And WanderingScribe, if you are reading this, all my hope and prayers are with you, with my eternal thanks. You may have just saved my life, if not my soul.

Are you a MAN?

My wife and I were cleaning on Saturday and it hit me like a ton of bricks: Men and Women are different. Not so impressive and rather obvious, but the brick part was how different we really are. Define "clean". Women actually CLEAN things. Men simply arrange things to the point of not impeding movement. Men will find cubby holes, drawers, shelves, etc. to stash things. It is out of the way, therefore clean. My closet has three laundry baskets, all of which are empty because the clothes are on the closet floor. I can clean the kitchen in under half an hour. I put the dishes in the dishwasher (who rinses?), use a damp sponge to wipe down the counters and take the trash out.....once in a while. Quick, easy, done!
My wife can get it done in just over half an hour. And she uses miricles of cleansing power that she sprays on the counters, stovetop and sink that makes them sparkle and smell vaguely of lemons. She rinses the dishes before putting them ito the dishwasher. She actually moves things off the counter, like the blender, can opener, etc., and wipes them down, too! Did any of you guys know that there is an item called a "hood" over you stovetop? It holds the light and smoke-sucking fan. It gets dirty and should be cleaned as well. Women know about these things! They spend jus a tiny few minutes longer and do an exponentially better job of cleaning. If a man needs a fork and there are none in the drawer, we get one out of the dishwasher and wipe it off with our shirt tail or an our jeans. Presto! It's clean!
Laundry: Apparently, there are more than just "whites" and "everything else". There are delicates, red tones (NEVER EVER wash these with the whites. Trust me!), cold water items, hot water items, all kinds of things that I never knew about, and I bet 90% of the general male population are also ignorant about. It doesn't take her long to do her chores, and I seem to be taking forever.
I know why. I use the broom as a microphone and sing with the radio for a while. I might actually use it to sweep, too! Most men do this, so be warned! Men, admit it!! I try and work methodically, but end up making things harder for me and just get exhausted. When we are done cleaning, I look exhausted, too. Not my wife! Women can clean the entire house in 1/3 the time it takes us men, do a better job and finish looking fresh and beautiful.
Next time you see a male walking down the street, ask him if his shirt is clean. If he has to smell it before answering, then he is a real man.

Responsibility

I had my power turned off yesterday. It sucked. The power company claims they sent a ten day notice, but I never received it. I believe them, I just have crappy mail service here. I have had many items late or never delivered, so it doesn't surprize me. But I thought about it and asked the power company why they could not turn it back on and I would pay them Friday (payday). They said once a notice or letter or bill leaves their offices, it is no longer their responsibility. So I asked the question, what if I sent you out a check and you never received it? Who would be responsible? They replied that I would. "So you mean to tell me," I responded, "that if I do not get your letter to me, it is I that faces consequences ?" "Yes," they said. "And if you do not receive the check I sent you, it is ALSO I that faces the consequences?" "Yes," they said. "Well that doesn't seem fair, does it?"
Long silence.
Now, I will take full responsibility for not paying my bill. Other things came up and it was delayed. I will pay the late fees, surcharges, reconnect fees, etc., but I feel that if an error is made, responsibility must be accepted. Why does it sem that I am the only one accepting responsibility?
On a slight tangent:
If a government agency has the authority to take an action, does it not also seem that they should have the responsibility to ensure that the action taken is warrented? Isn't that what the Constitution is saying when it says that the PEOPLE of the U.S. have the right, nay DUTY, to hold it's governmet body responsible or to replace the officials, or the entire government, with one that operates fairly? Justly? In the interests of the spoken majority???
Common sense isn't so common after all, huh?

Anger and Civility

I have been ordered to go to Anger Management classes by the state. I am not going to go into the reasons at this time, suffice it to say I do not have an anger problem, especially as defined by the class I have been ordered to attend.
Anger is an emotion that many want to see eliminated. That is so wrong on so many levels. Anger is natural and to suppress it is to bottle it up and that leads to an explosion. That is where so many people get hurt. Express your anger in a positive way. That's what they say, at any rate. Anger is not a "positive" emotion. How can you express it in a positive way?
Easy.
Tell the person at whom you are angry that they have caused you to be angry. Do it when you are angry. Not later, when you cool off. That will not allow you to release that anger. This is all coming from what I have learned in my life. If it is not a person, but, say for the sake of arguement, a government branch or official. You will almost never get the chance to vent your anger at the object of inspiration in this situation. But you can still vent it. There is no way a judge will allow you to say, "You're fucking wrong!". You will end up in jail on contempt charges. You can, however, state the fact that said judge is acting on incomplete or incorrect information and jepardizing the very freedoms he or she was elected or appointed to protect in the first place by not allowing common sense into the courtroom. This opens a door for you to make an arguement, not just be arguementative. Work it out in your head before you speak. Acknowledge your emotions, but do not be ruled by them. Let the piddley shit go, face your anger and voice it, but do not lose control. If you do this, eventually you will not feel like you will lose control because you have faced all of the factors that have made you angry and let them know they have made you angry, thus not bottled anything up and carried it to the next incident. No anger carried forward, no threat to self control.
Be angry. It is natural. But be smart about it.
Voice your anger at the time you are angry. It will only help in the long run.

Technology

I love modren technology! To me, this is the best time to be alive. Less than 40 years ago, we put a man on the moon. Cars were huge! There was no easily portable music, and certainly no music of our own personal choosing that could be taken anywhere! Now look at us. We have mp3 players, to which we can download exactly what we want to hear, that are no bigger than credit cards.
Remember when video cassettes were new? They were just amazing! Recording television or watching an actual movie on your TV! Wow! You could watch it again and again.
Now we have DVD. Same thing, just no rewinding and you can start your movie from any "chapter" you like. And also there is DVR. Record TV, skip through the commercials at light speed, such a marvel of conveinience.
Phones were made portable. Huge and bulky, but now you could call someone from your car. They, too, have become refined and smaller. And you can use your phone as an mp3 player, camera, game statioon, and movie player as well.
This begs the question, just because you can do something, should you?
Do we really need a camera in our phone?
Has modern technology created the demand for conveinience, or visa versa?
Is the fact that there are now machines that can do the menial tasks making people lazier and more stupid?
Still, I love the instant gratification I have with my iPod and mobile phone. This is a great time to be alaive.