I suppose its human to tell the occasional white lie here and there. Lets be honest..who hasn't bent the truth slightly when faced with either hurting someone's feelings or opting for the much easier.."No those don't make your butt look big at all" approach.
Shocking as it may seem...I will even admit there have been a few times in my life when I have faked illness to get out of school or work for that much needed mental health day. But this guy I just read about took the fake cough and sniffle skip day to a whole new level.
When going with his girl friend to her Doctors appointment...He decides to swipe a blank doctors note from the office to excuse himself from work for a few days. Seven days to be exact. Which in my opinion was a little excessive and probably the very thing that drew attention to him.
Now I'm in no way saying it was a good thing to swipe the note or fake the sick days. However, I would almost give him points for being creative enough to think up the note scheme for himself. If it were not for one thing.....
The Doctor his girlfriend was seeing was a gynecologist. I have to ask...what was he thinking? If youre going to go to the trouble of stealing a note..at least do it from a doctor you could have actually seen...Because unless I'm mistaken....one of the main requirements to be seen in this office is possession of a uterus. Which I'm guessing this guy more than likely didn't have.
His employers who were as you can imagine slightly suspicious of his note from a gynecologist decided to call him on it and take him to court. They wanted reimbursement for his sick pay. Understandable.
End result: A Judge in his infinite wisdom told the guy to pay back half of the sick leave he had been given, and to basically stop faking doctors notes and pretending to be pregnant.
I think that's good advise.
Moral of the story: There are some things in life you can fake...but having a uterus is not one of them.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Inhumane Or Genius? You decide...
I got this in an email the other day about Sheriff Joe Arpaio. I had heard about this Sheriff before, seen interviews and commentary about him in the news. His views on prisons and care of prisoners had been very controversial. I personally think the man has his priorities in the right place.
However..Ill let you decided. These are the reasons that this sheriff of Maricopa County Arizona keeps being re-elected.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio created the "tent city jail" to save Arizona from spending tens of million of dollars on another expensive prison complex.
These tents were purchased from Army surplus and are the same type our military use on a daily basis.
He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them.
As a law abiding citizen don't you also have to pay for your meals?
He banned smoking and porn magazines in the jails, and took away their weight lifting equipment and cut off all but "G-rated" movies. He says: "They're in jail to pay a debt to society not to build muscles so they can assault innocent people when they leave."
Doesn't sound harsh or cruel to me.
He started chain gangs to use the inmates to do free work on county and city projects and save taxpayer's money.
Sounds to me like he's giving them a job that gives back to the community.
Then he started chain gangs for women so he wouldn't get sued for discrimination.
We have to be fair to everyone don't we?
He took away cable TV until he found out there was a federal court order that required cable TV for jails. So he hooked up the cable TV again but only allows the Disney channel and the Weather channel. When asked why the weather channel he replied: "So these morons will know how hot it's gonna be while they are working on my chain gangs."
Ok using the word "morons" is sort of harsh. Shame on you Sheriff Joe!
He cut off coffee because it has zero nutritional value and is therefore a waste of taxpayer money. When the inmates complained, he told them, "This isn't the Ritz Carlton. If you don't like it, don't come back."
Sounds like wise advise and career counseling all in one.
He also bought the Newt Gingrich lecture series on US history that he pipes into the jails. When asked by a reporter if he had any lecture series by a Democrat, he replied that a democratic lecture series that actually tells the truth for a change would be welcome and that it might even explain why 95% of the inmates were in his jails in the first place.
Now this does sound slightly inhumane...But since I have never actually heard Mr Gingrich's lecture series..I have to withhold my opinion until I am better informed.
With temperatures being even hotter than usual in Phoenix (116 degrees just set a new record for June 2nd), the Associated Press reports: About 2,000 inmates living in a barbed- wire-surrounded tent encampment at the Maricopa County Jail have been given permission to strip down to their government-issued pink boxer shorts.
He cant control the weather....can he?
Hundreds of men wearing pink boxer shorts were chatting in the tents, where temperatures reached 128 degrees. "This is hell. It feels like we live in a furnace," said Ernesto Gonzales, an inmate for 2 years with 10 more to go. "It's inhumane."
No Mr Gonzales...its prison. Hell wont allow you to wear the pink boxer shorts, live in a tent or chat with your friends.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who makes his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches,is not one bit sympathetic. "Criminals should be punished for their crimes -not live in luxury until it's time for parole, only to go out and commitmore crimes so they can come back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoythings many taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves."
What a concept...criminals not being pampered while in jail. Possibly saving tax payer money in the process..Is the man insane???
FYI: They wear pink because for a time it became a fad to purchase clothing that had County Jail stamped on it. By makeing the clothing pink it made it less appealing to buy. Its hard to look like a badass in pink.
He told all the inmates who were complaining of the heat in the tents: "It's between 120 to 130 degrees in Iraq and our soldiers are livingin tents too, and they have to walk all day in the sun, wearing full battle gear and get shot at, and they have not committed any crimes, so shutyour damned mouths!"
AMEN! If its good enough for the men and women who defend this nation..Its more than good enough for those who contribute nothing to it.
So tell me what do you think about this Sheriff? Would you vote for him?
I personally think this man is a genius. I would gladly vote for him. As a matter of fact. Put him in charge of our prison system on a national level and he will have my support.
You want a crime deterrent? Then follow this Sheriffs example and make the place you send someone who commits a crime an unappealing place to stay. Even if your not bright enough to keep yourself from the first visit to this type of prison...Id be willing to bet you wont be a repeat customer.
My thanks to Adrian who sent this to me. I do agree with it. Consider it passed on.
However..Ill let you decided. These are the reasons that this sheriff of Maricopa County Arizona keeps being re-elected.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio created the "tent city jail" to save Arizona from spending tens of million of dollars on another expensive prison complex.
These tents were purchased from Army surplus and are the same type our military use on a daily basis.
He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them.
As a law abiding citizen don't you also have to pay for your meals?
He banned smoking and porn magazines in the jails, and took away their weight lifting equipment and cut off all but "G-rated" movies. He says: "They're in jail to pay a debt to society not to build muscles so they can assault innocent people when they leave."
Doesn't sound harsh or cruel to me.
He started chain gangs to use the inmates to do free work on county and city projects and save taxpayer's money.
Sounds to me like he's giving them a job that gives back to the community.
Then he started chain gangs for women so he wouldn't get sued for discrimination.
We have to be fair to everyone don't we?
He took away cable TV until he found out there was a federal court order that required cable TV for jails. So he hooked up the cable TV again but only allows the Disney channel and the Weather channel. When asked why the weather channel he replied: "So these morons will know how hot it's gonna be while they are working on my chain gangs."
Ok using the word "morons" is sort of harsh. Shame on you Sheriff Joe!
He cut off coffee because it has zero nutritional value and is therefore a waste of taxpayer money. When the inmates complained, he told them, "This isn't the Ritz Carlton. If you don't like it, don't come back."
Sounds like wise advise and career counseling all in one.
He also bought the Newt Gingrich lecture series on US history that he pipes into the jails. When asked by a reporter if he had any lecture series by a Democrat, he replied that a democratic lecture series that actually tells the truth for a change would be welcome and that it might even explain why 95% of the inmates were in his jails in the first place.
Now this does sound slightly inhumane...But since I have never actually heard Mr Gingrich's lecture series..I have to withhold my opinion until I am better informed.
With temperatures being even hotter than usual in Phoenix (116 degrees just set a new record for June 2nd), the Associated Press reports: About 2,000 inmates living in a barbed- wire-surrounded tent encampment at the Maricopa County Jail have been given permission to strip down to their government-issued pink boxer shorts.
He cant control the weather....can he?
Hundreds of men wearing pink boxer shorts were chatting in the tents, where temperatures reached 128 degrees. "This is hell. It feels like we live in a furnace," said Ernesto Gonzales, an inmate for 2 years with 10 more to go. "It's inhumane."
No Mr Gonzales...its prison. Hell wont allow you to wear the pink boxer shorts, live in a tent or chat with your friends.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who makes his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches,is not one bit sympathetic. "Criminals should be punished for their crimes -not live in luxury until it's time for parole, only to go out and commitmore crimes so they can come back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoythings many taxpayers can't afford to have for themselves."
What a concept...criminals not being pampered while in jail. Possibly saving tax payer money in the process..Is the man insane???
FYI: They wear pink because for a time it became a fad to purchase clothing that had County Jail stamped on it. By makeing the clothing pink it made it less appealing to buy. Its hard to look like a badass in pink.
He told all the inmates who were complaining of the heat in the tents: "It's between 120 to 130 degrees in Iraq and our soldiers are livingin tents too, and they have to walk all day in the sun, wearing full battle gear and get shot at, and they have not committed any crimes, so shutyour damned mouths!"
AMEN! If its good enough for the men and women who defend this nation..Its more than good enough for those who contribute nothing to it.
So tell me what do you think about this Sheriff? Would you vote for him?
I personally think this man is a genius. I would gladly vote for him. As a matter of fact. Put him in charge of our prison system on a national level and he will have my support.
You want a crime deterrent? Then follow this Sheriffs example and make the place you send someone who commits a crime an unappealing place to stay. Even if your not bright enough to keep yourself from the first visit to this type of prison...Id be willing to bet you wont be a repeat customer.
My thanks to Adrian who sent this to me. I do agree with it. Consider it passed on.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
If He Did It?
OJ Simpson is back in the news again. This time we aren't sitting there glued to our TV's watching him on a football field. Or waiting to see if he will be convicted of his late wife Nichole Brown Simpsons murder. His glory days of football are long since over. And as we all know...the once famous, now infamous ex football player was found not guilty of killing his wife Nichole and her friend Ronald Goldman.
This time he's written a book. Purely fictional according to OJ.....The book is called If I Did It. Its a written account of how he would have killed his wife had he actually done so.
IS ANYONE ELSE BOTHERED BY THIS OR IS IT JUST ME?
There are so many reasons why this is so wrong, where do you even begin? First of all the victims families. Isn't it bad enough they lost their son and daughter? Then to add insult to injury they had to watch the man they thought committed the crime go free. And now this same man is writing a book describing how he would have murdered their child!!
Even if this man has no remorse or consideration for these families....I have to ask doesn't he care for his own children? He does after all have a son and daughter from his marriage to Nichole. Children who maybe the biggest victims in this crime. Children who lost their mother. Who had to endure the publicity of their fathers murder trial. Who now have to endure the publicity that will go along with this book their father has written about killing their mother.
This book, fiction or not...is wrong. We have laws that keep criminals from writing tell all books about their crimes and then making a profit on those books. But since OJ wasn't convicted of this crime he doesn't fall into this category.
Is this the his way of flaunting the fact he got away with this crime? Or is it just all about money or fame?
I guess we no longer have to ask the question Did OJ kill his wife. Now the only question will be....
HOW MUCH MONEY WILL HE GET PAID TO TELL US ABOUT IT?
This time he's written a book. Purely fictional according to OJ.....The book is called If I Did It. Its a written account of how he would have killed his wife had he actually done so.
IS ANYONE ELSE BOTHERED BY THIS OR IS IT JUST ME?
There are so many reasons why this is so wrong, where do you even begin? First of all the victims families. Isn't it bad enough they lost their son and daughter? Then to add insult to injury they had to watch the man they thought committed the crime go free. And now this same man is writing a book describing how he would have murdered their child!!
Even if this man has no remorse or consideration for these families....I have to ask doesn't he care for his own children? He does after all have a son and daughter from his marriage to Nichole. Children who maybe the biggest victims in this crime. Children who lost their mother. Who had to endure the publicity of their fathers murder trial. Who now have to endure the publicity that will go along with this book their father has written about killing their mother.
This book, fiction or not...is wrong. We have laws that keep criminals from writing tell all books about their crimes and then making a profit on those books. But since OJ wasn't convicted of this crime he doesn't fall into this category.
Is this the his way of flaunting the fact he got away with this crime? Or is it just all about money or fame?
I guess we no longer have to ask the question Did OJ kill his wife. Now the only question will be....
HOW MUCH MONEY WILL HE GET PAID TO TELL US ABOUT IT?
Friday, November 10, 2006
Who's Your Daddy?
During the recent elections there was quite a bit of candidate mud slinging going on. There is always a little of that during every election. But this time around in my view, there seemed to be a lot more than what could be considered normal.
But...not all the mud slinging of this years election went to waste. I actually managed to learn something. Yeah, I know it surprised me too. Just when you think the kids aren't looking....guess what....we are.
I don't always take all that "He said... She said" stuff that goes on too seriously. You know as well as I do there are always two sides to every story. How a story is spun to the public usually determines whether the person in question comes out looking like a hero or a villain. But I have learned that if you take the time to read and investigate a little bit...You can usually get enough of the pieces of the puzzle to determine what the real story is.
Which brings me to the 2006 compaign prior to the elections......This year they were talking about something they referred to as the Scarlet Letter Law. It was 106 pages of legislation concerning adoption. The law states that when a woman offers a child up for adoption, if the father of the child cannot be identified...the woman is then required to publish the details of every sexual encounter she has ever had that could have caused pregnancy.
Yep that's right....She has to name names if she has any, along with descriptions of the men to the local news paper where the sexual encounters occurred. The idea being, that if any would be father is out there, he could read this...possibly recognize himself....and come forward to claim his rights to the child if he so chooses.
What prompted this law to come about? That would be the several high profile cases of fathers appearing after the fact, contesting and attempting to reverse adoptions of their biological children. Those organizations that back the law, say that it ensures that fathers are not excluded from the adoption process.
David Wilson founder of Fathers Awareness of Rights and Custody Equality in Cocoa Beach, Fla. said "Allowing mothers to put their children up for adoption without notifying the father is just another attempt to take the father out of the picture".
Is it really?
Now, I would have to say that I acknowledge a fathers rights to parent. I will be the first to admit fathers provide a valuable contribution to their children's lives. But what is the reality of these pregnancies? Is this some woman trying to shut out her babies daddy? Or could this be a girl who maybe got herself into a situation and decided that abortion wasn't for her.
Because lets face facts here. If you really want to shut the guy out of the process...That's the way to do it once and for all. Some of the attorneys who handle these types of adoption cases regularly..... are saying that more and more of their clients are deciding to go with the abortion option rather than be put through the public humiliation of the current law.
Several adoption agencies through out the state have even reported a dramatic decline of adoptions taking place since the law was passed. To add insult to injury and making the entire process even more difficult...Some news papers are refusing to run the ads...others put them so far to the back of the news paper in small tiny print that they would be almost impossible to find unless you were looking for them. Which basically means the woman is still put through this indignity and the end result is that it was for nothing.
I do have to say that I am surprised at those groups that have stood up to oppose this law. It seems like when there is so little most groups can agree on lately...Anti-abortion and Pro-abortion groups alike think this law is a bad idea. Those two groups alone being in agreement should send up a red flag about this law..... Lets face it they don't agree on anything...EVER! Not to mention several of the clergy and religious organizations all believe this law is ill conceived.
Here's my take on this drama....First of all..I have to tell you...I wouldn't put myself in the anti-abortion camp. But I am a woman who feels that life begins at conception. I think once you shove that sperm and egg together...its a done deal. Having said that, I'm not here trying to debate or judge anyone who has a different point of view than my own. But I do think that there are a lot of people out there who would LOVE to parents. Some who would actually take the job seriously and do a good job raising another human being to become a normal healthy adult. This law in my opinion lessens the likely hood of that occurring. The fact a woman finds out she has become pregnant unexpectedly is traumatic enough, without heaping on public humiliation of her sexual behavior on top of that.
I will be the first to admit that there are those individuals out there male and female who need to give some serious thought to their sexual behavior. Lets face it..if you cant recall who the dad might be or even know his name..It maybe time to rethink your social life somewhat and possibly get a new hobby.
But in my eyes...If you find yourself pregnant and you realize that becoming a parent isn't a good idea for whatever reason. Then placing that child with a family that is ready.....is the most responsible and unselfish thing you can do. Its giving that child a chance for a good life and giving two people who want that child a chance to love it and raise it. Why would we want to put a law into place that would discourage women or anyone from doing that?
Another reason this law doesnt make sense is because in this country at the moment there are Safe Haven Laws in each state with the exception of two. That means if you have a baby...and do not want that baby. You can take it to a designated place...such as a church, hospital, fire station, police station etc...and hand the child to a responsible party and just say I don't want this baby. That's it...no questions asked. The safe haven concept was designed so that there would be an alternative to placing the child in a dumpster or leaving it in a bathroom stall. How many stories do we hear similar to those each and every day? They happen because the female giving birth is more afraid of someone finding out that she gave birth rather than the consequences of what she has done to her child after the fact. How tragic and sad is that?
I suppose I just don't get the thinking of some legislators or for that matter some of the general public. Each generation of children will be the future of this country. When are we going to start treating them as a priority. Making them precious and a valuable. Making sure that there are measures in place that make it easier for children to be put in safe and loving hands instead of being disposed of like so much garbage.
If you don't ever think about this aspect of your country....maybe its time you should. None of us are getting any younger. One day not only will these children be running things, but they will be the ones to decide what's to be done with YOU. How you treat them now may determine how valuable they view your life when you get to be too old to contribute any longer.
Think about it.
But...not all the mud slinging of this years election went to waste. I actually managed to learn something. Yeah, I know it surprised me too. Just when you think the kids aren't looking....guess what....we are.
I don't always take all that "He said... She said" stuff that goes on too seriously. You know as well as I do there are always two sides to every story. How a story is spun to the public usually determines whether the person in question comes out looking like a hero or a villain. But I have learned that if you take the time to read and investigate a little bit...You can usually get enough of the pieces of the puzzle to determine what the real story is.
Which brings me to the 2006 compaign prior to the elections......This year they were talking about something they referred to as the Scarlet Letter Law. It was 106 pages of legislation concerning adoption. The law states that when a woman offers a child up for adoption, if the father of the child cannot be identified...the woman is then required to publish the details of every sexual encounter she has ever had that could have caused pregnancy.
Yep that's right....She has to name names if she has any, along with descriptions of the men to the local news paper where the sexual encounters occurred. The idea being, that if any would be father is out there, he could read this...possibly recognize himself....and come forward to claim his rights to the child if he so chooses.
What prompted this law to come about? That would be the several high profile cases of fathers appearing after the fact, contesting and attempting to reverse adoptions of their biological children. Those organizations that back the law, say that it ensures that fathers are not excluded from the adoption process.
David Wilson founder of Fathers Awareness of Rights and Custody Equality in Cocoa Beach, Fla. said "Allowing mothers to put their children up for adoption without notifying the father is just another attempt to take the father out of the picture".
Is it really?
Now, I would have to say that I acknowledge a fathers rights to parent. I will be the first to admit fathers provide a valuable contribution to their children's lives. But what is the reality of these pregnancies? Is this some woman trying to shut out her babies daddy? Or could this be a girl who maybe got herself into a situation and decided that abortion wasn't for her.
Because lets face facts here. If you really want to shut the guy out of the process...That's the way to do it once and for all. Some of the attorneys who handle these types of adoption cases regularly..... are saying that more and more of their clients are deciding to go with the abortion option rather than be put through the public humiliation of the current law.
Several adoption agencies through out the state have even reported a dramatic decline of adoptions taking place since the law was passed. To add insult to injury and making the entire process even more difficult...Some news papers are refusing to run the ads...others put them so far to the back of the news paper in small tiny print that they would be almost impossible to find unless you were looking for them. Which basically means the woman is still put through this indignity and the end result is that it was for nothing.
I do have to say that I am surprised at those groups that have stood up to oppose this law. It seems like when there is so little most groups can agree on lately...Anti-abortion and Pro-abortion groups alike think this law is a bad idea. Those two groups alone being in agreement should send up a red flag about this law..... Lets face it they don't agree on anything...EVER! Not to mention several of the clergy and religious organizations all believe this law is ill conceived.
Here's my take on this drama....First of all..I have to tell you...I wouldn't put myself in the anti-abortion camp. But I am a woman who feels that life begins at conception. I think once you shove that sperm and egg together...its a done deal. Having said that, I'm not here trying to debate or judge anyone who has a different point of view than my own. But I do think that there are a lot of people out there who would LOVE to parents. Some who would actually take the job seriously and do a good job raising another human being to become a normal healthy adult. This law in my opinion lessens the likely hood of that occurring. The fact a woman finds out she has become pregnant unexpectedly is traumatic enough, without heaping on public humiliation of her sexual behavior on top of that.
I will be the first to admit that there are those individuals out there male and female who need to give some serious thought to their sexual behavior. Lets face it..if you cant recall who the dad might be or even know his name..It maybe time to rethink your social life somewhat and possibly get a new hobby.
But in my eyes...If you find yourself pregnant and you realize that becoming a parent isn't a good idea for whatever reason. Then placing that child with a family that is ready.....is the most responsible and unselfish thing you can do. Its giving that child a chance for a good life and giving two people who want that child a chance to love it and raise it. Why would we want to put a law into place that would discourage women or anyone from doing that?
Another reason this law doesnt make sense is because in this country at the moment there are Safe Haven Laws in each state with the exception of two. That means if you have a baby...and do not want that baby. You can take it to a designated place...such as a church, hospital, fire station, police station etc...and hand the child to a responsible party and just say I don't want this baby. That's it...no questions asked. The safe haven concept was designed so that there would be an alternative to placing the child in a dumpster or leaving it in a bathroom stall. How many stories do we hear similar to those each and every day? They happen because the female giving birth is more afraid of someone finding out that she gave birth rather than the consequences of what she has done to her child after the fact. How tragic and sad is that?
I suppose I just don't get the thinking of some legislators or for that matter some of the general public. Each generation of children will be the future of this country. When are we going to start treating them as a priority. Making them precious and a valuable. Making sure that there are measures in place that make it easier for children to be put in safe and loving hands instead of being disposed of like so much garbage.
If you don't ever think about this aspect of your country....maybe its time you should. None of us are getting any younger. One day not only will these children be running things, but they will be the ones to decide what's to be done with YOU. How you treat them now may determine how valuable they view your life when you get to be too old to contribute any longer.
Think about it.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Believe In Something Or Fall For Anything
After my last two posts on crime and criminals....It still has me thinking and a little mad. I think changing our laws and the way we prosecute law breakers is only a small part of the problem. Its like bailing water out of a ship that is destined to sink.
I'm thinking we need to look deeper and look at the things that have brought us here. We have taken political correctness to an unhealthy level. We are so afraid to offend some individual or group...that we are bending over backwards in the opposite direction to keep it from happening. In the process we are giving up some of our core beliefs and values by doing so. What's that quote?..."Evil exists when good men stand by and do nothing".
This country was founded on the principles of free speech and freedom from religious persecution. So that means that we cant just defend those that think like us. It means we have to defend those who's values and beliefs are repugnant to us as well. We have to defend the Devil himself...or at least his right to speak. But allowing someone to voice their opinions doesn't mean that we give them power over us or the right to speak for us and make decisions for us.
So I will ask you...How far are we going to be pushed before we say this is enough? It's time to put away our apathy. I'm not sure if I am considered a conservative or republican or whatever label you want to put on the things I think and believe. I will say this, I am tired of those who think "anything goes" running things. I am tired of them telling me I cant wish someone a Merry Christmas because it might offend those who don't believe in it. Or that I can't pray any place I damn well choose. Or that two consenting adults can't get married if they want to. I am tired of them not taking the time to raise their own children and teach them self respect and basic values. I am tired of being made to feel I am bad for having a faith or being an American.
I AM AN AMERICAN! That is not a dirty word...We are not all the devil as some would like to believe. I AM A CHRISTIAN! Again not a dirty word or a bad thing to be. I am glad I live in a country that you don't have to believe the way I believe to live here. In fact...there are many who don't, who would strongly disagree with my philosophies or beliefs.
You know what....MORE POWER TO YOU! Just don't ask me to bend over anymore and give up my beliefs to keep from hurting your tender little feelings. I'm tired of it. If you don't like the way I believe..or you don't like the fact that I'm an American....then all I can say to you is suck it up and deal with it. The same way I have to when I don't like something you say or do.
I may have to accept the right of those who make music that offends me....or movies and video games. I may have to accept that there are groups, political and religious who have the right to protest against me and or people like me. Trust me, I do accept it. And to be honest I'm even ok with it. Have a different point of view....GREAT! But screw off if you think you can stop me from having mine! If I have to accept it..so do YOU.
When are we going to embrace old fashioned values like Honesty....Fidelity...Loyalty...Hard work. These aren't dirty words either.
When are we going to say that we need to have faith again? To be proud we believe in something. Saying a prayer isn't a bad thing, no matter who you are praying to. It isn't going to bring down the fall of our government or society. If that happens it wont be from our faith...but our lack of it.
When are we going to say we need to parent our own kids and stop letting daycare, video games and rap singers do it for us? Do you think that kids just turn bad? That they take random sexual partners, do drugs or join gangs because they like the cool clothes and the firearms?? They are looking for something. They want to feel like they belong. They want to feel that sense of family...If YOU don't give it to them someone else will. If you don't want to parent...Its simple....DON'T HAVE KIDS.
If two consenting adults want to marry and have a long term committed monogamous relationship....I don't care what gender they are. Let them do it. Is it more important to condemn them because they don't love the same way you do? Or embrace the fact that they want to live law abiding, honest hardworking lives? Would it be so terrible that they may actually provide a postitive contribution to their community and society even though they aren't like YOU?
Just because someone looks like you doesn't make them right or better. When are we going to realize this and stop judging everyone on whether they look like us, live like us or think like us. Its not about what they say, but rather about what they do. To me, actions speak much louder than words ever could.
It comes down to deciding on what kind of country we want. What kind of people we want to be. What kind of society we want to live in and then making a stand. I am tired of feeling pushed. I am tired of feeling as though I cant do anything about this.
They say if you don't stand for something...YOU will fall for anything. Well I'm making my stand. Here's my line in the sand:
I'm 20, I'm an American and I'm a Christian. I am hard working, honest, monogamous, loyal and female and I'm done taking crap!
PS: MERRY CHRISTMAS
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Poor Choices
This past week I have thought about how I feel about crime and the way we punish and even dispose of those individuals who commit crimes in this country. I had to ask myself if I was objective when looking at this problem. The answer I've come up with is NO, I am not.
A few months ago I was a witness to a premeditated violent crime. I was three feet away from a friend who was stabbed in the back with a steak knife taken from a restaurant that we had just been inside of. It only took moments....but at that moment.....time just slowed down to a crawl. Right now even as I think about it, things continue to move in slow motion.
The knife penetrated my friends back three different times...Once only millimeters away from his spinal cord. Another, just a shallow blow. The third punctured his lung.
I remember hearing screaming.....Was that my voice? I recall thinking my friend is being killed. I remember the flash of metal of the knife blade in the lights of the parking lot. I remember the faces of other friends as they pulled the attacker off of my friend, relieving him of his knife. I remember seeing my friend laying there bleeding.....his blood all over the hood of the car. I remember being the one to have to call his Mom. Waking her from a sound sleep to tell her that her son had been stabbed and was being life flighted to a hospital 60 miles away. I remember the sound of her voice..the fear in it.
But this isn't about me or what I felt or remember. It is about knowing that the guy who stabbed my friend had been arrested before. In fact 3 times prior to the attack. All three times during an 8 month period prior to the stabbing of my friend. That he had been arrested for drugs and assault. That on each occasion he had been arrested and then released on bond. Which is why he was out walking freely the night he decided to stick a steak knife in my friend.
The simple fact that this man in question, the attacker...was at home with his family before my friend even was able to leave the hospital from his injuries was offensive to me. The fact that this man shows no remorse or guilt for what he's done.
Proof of that is the way he walked into a store while my friend standing at the counter paying for his purchases...He walked up behind my friend, getting as close as he can get with out touching him and stands there. Almost as if daring my friend, his former victim to say something...to react in some way. That is not a man who has remorse or feels guilt over what he's done. That is a man who's saying "I'm walking around free what are you going to do about it"? Knowing all to well that there is nothing that we can do to him or about him. He's laughing at us. At this system.
So am I objective about crime and punishment?? The answer would be..... NO I AM NOT.
I believe that most of the people in our prison system right now deserve to be there. I also believe that most were given multiple chances to straighten out before being locked up for good. So no, I have no sympathy for those behind bars. Its not a question that they may have made bad choices. Of course they did....they are in prison. Maybe there are even those individuals who have remorse for what they have done.
But you know what? Most of us go out into this world every single day and we make a choice to abide the law and not to commit a crime. We may want things, but we don't just take them if they aren't ours. We have people who make us angry and we make a choice not to pick up a weapon as a response to that anger.
So forgive me if I don't feel all touchy feely over someone else's poor choices. Or the need to give each individual a "do over card" because they made a that poor choice. I don't give a damn about your poor choices. YOU were more than likely taught the difference between right and wrong just as I was. YOU probably knew before you did whatever it was, that it wasn't the right thing to do. YOU knew, but you did it anyway. You got behind the wheel of that car after drinking....You took drugs or sold them...You took something that didn't belong to you.....You hurt another person because you didn't like them or were angry. What ever your reason for what you did...YOU DID IT. You made the choice to screw up your life. Deal with the consequences of it.
I have made my share of mistakes in my life. Luckily for me..none of them have been bad enough to land me in jail. But having said that, even I have some family members on my all too colorful family tree that have first hand knowledge of a jail cell...I have one family member that's even spent time in prison. Did I like it that this happened to them? No. Did each of them do something to deserve being in jail? YES THEY DID. They broke the law. I knew it..they knew it. Did I have sympathy for them being in jail..NOPE.
YES I felt disappointed that they made a poor choice. That the were stupid enough to get themselves arrested. I suppose there was even a part of me that wished that they had actually used the few brain cells God had given them and weren't out doing bone headed things. Things that not only hurt them...but their families as well. But the bottom line is...they didn't think..they did it..and they deserved to be where they were.
There is NO such thing as a victimless crime. Because as a tax payer as a citizen..each time someone makes one of those "poor choices". I pay for it. I pay for it by having a prison built in my back yard. I pay for it with my taxes, that house, feed, entertain and even educate that prisoner. I pay for it by having to lock up everything I own so that no one takes it from me. I will pay for it by not being able to let my future children play outside by themselves in their own neighborhood. That those same children cant go to school with out walking past a metal detector. That they cant wear backpacks any longer, just in case someone wants to bring a gun to class. I pay for it when I cant even go out to have breakfast at night with a group of friends without one of them ending up in the hospital.
Do you want to know the truth? I'm tired of paying for it!!! When are the people who make good choices going to matter more than the ones who don't?
WHEN ARE THE VICTIMS GOING TO MATTER MORE THAN THE CRIMINALS?
A few months ago I was a witness to a premeditated violent crime. I was three feet away from a friend who was stabbed in the back with a steak knife taken from a restaurant that we had just been inside of. It only took moments....but at that moment.....time just slowed down to a crawl. Right now even as I think about it, things continue to move in slow motion.
The knife penetrated my friends back three different times...Once only millimeters away from his spinal cord. Another, just a shallow blow. The third punctured his lung.
I remember hearing screaming.....Was that my voice? I recall thinking my friend is being killed. I remember the flash of metal of the knife blade in the lights of the parking lot. I remember the faces of other friends as they pulled the attacker off of my friend, relieving him of his knife. I remember seeing my friend laying there bleeding.....his blood all over the hood of the car. I remember being the one to have to call his Mom. Waking her from a sound sleep to tell her that her son had been stabbed and was being life flighted to a hospital 60 miles away. I remember the sound of her voice..the fear in it.
But this isn't about me or what I felt or remember. It is about knowing that the guy who stabbed my friend had been arrested before. In fact 3 times prior to the attack. All three times during an 8 month period prior to the stabbing of my friend. That he had been arrested for drugs and assault. That on each occasion he had been arrested and then released on bond. Which is why he was out walking freely the night he decided to stick a steak knife in my friend.
The simple fact that this man in question, the attacker...was at home with his family before my friend even was able to leave the hospital from his injuries was offensive to me. The fact that this man shows no remorse or guilt for what he's done.
Proof of that is the way he walked into a store while my friend standing at the counter paying for his purchases...He walked up behind my friend, getting as close as he can get with out touching him and stands there. Almost as if daring my friend, his former victim to say something...to react in some way. That is not a man who has remorse or feels guilt over what he's done. That is a man who's saying "I'm walking around free what are you going to do about it"? Knowing all to well that there is nothing that we can do to him or about him. He's laughing at us. At this system.
So am I objective about crime and punishment?? The answer would be..... NO I AM NOT.
I believe that most of the people in our prison system right now deserve to be there. I also believe that most were given multiple chances to straighten out before being locked up for good. So no, I have no sympathy for those behind bars. Its not a question that they may have made bad choices. Of course they did....they are in prison. Maybe there are even those individuals who have remorse for what they have done.
But you know what? Most of us go out into this world every single day and we make a choice to abide the law and not to commit a crime. We may want things, but we don't just take them if they aren't ours. We have people who make us angry and we make a choice not to pick up a weapon as a response to that anger.
So forgive me if I don't feel all touchy feely over someone else's poor choices. Or the need to give each individual a "do over card" because they made a that poor choice. I don't give a damn about your poor choices. YOU were more than likely taught the difference between right and wrong just as I was. YOU probably knew before you did whatever it was, that it wasn't the right thing to do. YOU knew, but you did it anyway. You got behind the wheel of that car after drinking....You took drugs or sold them...You took something that didn't belong to you.....You hurt another person because you didn't like them or were angry. What ever your reason for what you did...YOU DID IT. You made the choice to screw up your life. Deal with the consequences of it.
I have made my share of mistakes in my life. Luckily for me..none of them have been bad enough to land me in jail. But having said that, even I have some family members on my all too colorful family tree that have first hand knowledge of a jail cell...I have one family member that's even spent time in prison. Did I like it that this happened to them? No. Did each of them do something to deserve being in jail? YES THEY DID. They broke the law. I knew it..they knew it. Did I have sympathy for them being in jail..NOPE.
YES I felt disappointed that they made a poor choice. That the were stupid enough to get themselves arrested. I suppose there was even a part of me that wished that they had actually used the few brain cells God had given them and weren't out doing bone headed things. Things that not only hurt them...but their families as well. But the bottom line is...they didn't think..they did it..and they deserved to be where they were.
There is NO such thing as a victimless crime. Because as a tax payer as a citizen..each time someone makes one of those "poor choices". I pay for it. I pay for it by having a prison built in my back yard. I pay for it with my taxes, that house, feed, entertain and even educate that prisoner. I pay for it by having to lock up everything I own so that no one takes it from me. I will pay for it by not being able to let my future children play outside by themselves in their own neighborhood. That those same children cant go to school with out walking past a metal detector. That they cant wear backpacks any longer, just in case someone wants to bring a gun to class. I pay for it when I cant even go out to have breakfast at night with a group of friends without one of them ending up in the hospital.
Do you want to know the truth? I'm tired of paying for it!!! When are the people who make good choices going to matter more than the ones who don't?
WHEN ARE THE VICTIMS GOING TO MATTER MORE THAN THE CRIMINALS?
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Law And Order
I read the short article the other day about the 59 year old inmate who refused the offer to be let out of jail. This was a German man who had been convicted of murder in 1972 and has spent the last 34 years in jail. He was sentenced to life imprisonment...and apparently is taking that job seriously. This is the second time he's been given the chance to walk out of prison and he's declined.
I cant speak about the German prison system. I know very little about how they do things there. But it has brought up some issues I do have with the way that we do things in this country. And I'm pretty sure some of my views wont be too popular..but bear with me anyway.
First, I live in the south...and around here prisons pop up faster than weeds in a vegetable garden. I live in a very rural and some what economically depressed area. And judging by the number of prisons springing up lately, I guess somebody thinks that not only do we have the room for prisons..but that they would be of great benefit to the economy here! I think NOT.
Right now we seem to be building prisons fast and furiously. All the time we hear complaints about how we have prison over crowding..and have a need for even more prisons. I cant help asking myself: "WHY?"
Is it because we just have a society now that is now more corrupt and therefore more people who are breaking the law? Or is it that when we can catch a criminal..and sentence him, but we cant seem to follow through with punisment?
Are our laws and the punishments for breaking those laws insuffient to detour crime?
So I wanna know....Just how many men do we have at present sitting on death row in this country? And how many years have they been in this holding pattern of waiting for their sentence to be carried out? How long do we continue to let someone appeal and appeal before we say enough is enough?
YES, I realize that nobody wants to run the risk of convicting an innocent person. I also will admit our system is flawed and occasionally I'm sure that's exactly what happens. But I would also be willing to bet that the vast majority of people currently taking up residence in our prisons probably belong there. And yes, I will even go one step further and say that most sentenced to death..probably deserve that too.
I'm not here trying to debate the morality or validity of capital punishment. But I do think that if you create a law that says if you commit this crime, are convicted.. and this is your punishment...then that punishment should be carried out. Otherwise, whats the point?
So do we change the laws?....Change our system of how these laws are enforced? Truthfully, I don't know. But I DO know that its not enough to talk the talk...YOU have to be willing to stand up and then take action too.
If you cant...then remove the law or step aside and let others step up who can.
I cant speak about the German prison system. I know very little about how they do things there. But it has brought up some issues I do have with the way that we do things in this country. And I'm pretty sure some of my views wont be too popular..but bear with me anyway.
First, I live in the south...and around here prisons pop up faster than weeds in a vegetable garden. I live in a very rural and some what economically depressed area. And judging by the number of prisons springing up lately, I guess somebody thinks that not only do we have the room for prisons..but that they would be of great benefit to the economy here! I think NOT.
Right now we seem to be building prisons fast and furiously. All the time we hear complaints about how we have prison over crowding..and have a need for even more prisons. I cant help asking myself: "WHY?"
Is it because we just have a society now that is now more corrupt and therefore more people who are breaking the law? Or is it that when we can catch a criminal..and sentence him, but we cant seem to follow through with punisment?
Are our laws and the punishments for breaking those laws insuffient to detour crime?
So I wanna know....Just how many men do we have at present sitting on death row in this country? And how many years have they been in this holding pattern of waiting for their sentence to be carried out? How long do we continue to let someone appeal and appeal before we say enough is enough?
YES, I realize that nobody wants to run the risk of convicting an innocent person. I also will admit our system is flawed and occasionally I'm sure that's exactly what happens. But I would also be willing to bet that the vast majority of people currently taking up residence in our prisons probably belong there. And yes, I will even go one step further and say that most sentenced to death..probably deserve that too.
I'm not here trying to debate the morality or validity of capital punishment. But I do think that if you create a law that says if you commit this crime, are convicted.. and this is your punishment...then that punishment should be carried out. Otherwise, whats the point?
So do we change the laws?....Change our system of how these laws are enforced? Truthfully, I don't know. But I DO know that its not enough to talk the talk...YOU have to be willing to stand up and then take action too.
If you cant...then remove the law or step aside and let others step up who can.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
FORMULA ONE ADDICTION
Are you one of those people that think Formula One (F1) is BORING?
I am a new fan to Formula One (F1) racing......And truthfully I guess if you had asked me that question this time last year.....I might have agreed with you. I admit I'm still learning my way around this amazing sport..... So I cant tell you all the stats and figures that a long time fan could. What I can tell you is that I love it! I never really saw myself as someone who would get into this kind of thing.......Now I'm totally hooked.
This coming weekends race should send this addiction into overdrive for a number of reasons. Mainly because its the last race of the season..That means every driver will be going all out to win it, making the unpredictability of it all really amazing to watch.
Plus...Its the last race for the former seven time FIA F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher...who will be hanging up his helmet and retiring from F1 for good after this ultimate race. That sports fans will all by itself make this race historic.
Oh and just for the record....... We are cheering for Ferrari (Schumachers team) to win this race and most importantly, the title. Admittedly that's not going to be easy to do, virtually impossible even. After an engine failure last week cost him the race and his championship lead. BUT.... the past has proven that it is never a good idea to write off the legendary multi world champion.
He may need a miracle. Well... it just so happens that I believe in miracles. If anyone can pull this off- its Michael.
SO HAPPY RACING SPORTS FANS!!
(Hope you liked the video) : )
Special Thanks and love to Adrian, for his help with writing, editing and video for this post. And for introducing me to F1.
Monday, October 16, 2006
The Sounds Of The Dark
I am a firm believer in the boogie man. I will never be the girl who is home alone in the house..hears the noise and then goes to investigate. I have watched one to many movies and know what happens when you do that.
Ok, well there was that one time a year or so ago that I had to tupperwear that bat that got in our house..but that was the ONLY time.
I don't dangle my feet over the edge of the bed at night. AND I don't go walking off in the dark all by myself. Which is why this weekend when we were all hanging out around a bon fire and I decided I needed to go out to the car...I took my friend Heather with me. The fire was in the back yard.....which of course is where most of the people were. The cars were parked in the front...no people...lots of dark.
Everything was going well...Heather and I were talking. We got out almost to the car...when I heard the noise. Now it wasn't just a rustle of the wind noise..it wasn't the scurry noise of some small furry woodland creature....This was the noise of a serial killer...it was the boogieman..it was loud.
I don't have to hear a noise twice so I can try and identify it. Its was a noise..It wasn't normal..that's all I need to know. I took off. Now just for the record..I am not the big athlete..But when I heard that noise this girl looked like a track star. I screamed...I ran..and I didn't look back. I just assumed Heather was behind me.
I kept running until I got back up to the fire where the rest of my friends were...The crowd sees me zipping past them like a rocket..and of course were curious as to why I was moving at the speed of light. Someone says.....Jen what's wrong? I said.... I heard a noise! That produced a few chuckles and some grins from around the fire. But I didn't care. Then they said....Jen where's Heather? What? She's not behind me? This is the first time I notice I'm alone and there is NO Heather....A minute or so later..here comes Heather up to the fire, winded from running.
Geezz Jen you just left me...I said.. What? I thought you were behind me! She said behind you?..I barely saw you...You heard the noise and you were gone.
OK (hangs head) This was true..I did kick it into the every man for himself mode.
She said.... Besides I cant run in these boots....AHUH..That was Heathers downfall right there..She had on her new boots...She had naively substituted fashion for safety. Rookie mistake..And not one you will see this girl making.
There are some very important lessons to be learned from all of this. First.....The importance of good footwear....And secondly...I don't have to be the fastest runner to survive the serial killers..I just have to be faster than my friend Heather.
Ok, well there was that one time a year or so ago that I had to tupperwear that bat that got in our house..but that was the ONLY time.
I don't dangle my feet over the edge of the bed at night. AND I don't go walking off in the dark all by myself. Which is why this weekend when we were all hanging out around a bon fire and I decided I needed to go out to the car...I took my friend Heather with me. The fire was in the back yard.....which of course is where most of the people were. The cars were parked in the front...no people...lots of dark.
Everything was going well...Heather and I were talking. We got out almost to the car...when I heard the noise. Now it wasn't just a rustle of the wind noise..it wasn't the scurry noise of some small furry woodland creature....This was the noise of a serial killer...it was the boogieman..it was loud.
I don't have to hear a noise twice so I can try and identify it. Its was a noise..It wasn't normal..that's all I need to know. I took off. Now just for the record..I am not the big athlete..But when I heard that noise this girl looked like a track star. I screamed...I ran..and I didn't look back. I just assumed Heather was behind me.
I kept running until I got back up to the fire where the rest of my friends were...The crowd sees me zipping past them like a rocket..and of course were curious as to why I was moving at the speed of light. Someone says.....Jen what's wrong? I said.... I heard a noise! That produced a few chuckles and some grins from around the fire. But I didn't care. Then they said....Jen where's Heather? What? She's not behind me? This is the first time I notice I'm alone and there is NO Heather....A minute or so later..here comes Heather up to the fire, winded from running.
Geezz Jen you just left me...I said.. What? I thought you were behind me! She said behind you?..I barely saw you...You heard the noise and you were gone.
OK (hangs head) This was true..I did kick it into the every man for himself mode.
She said.... Besides I cant run in these boots....AHUH..That was Heathers downfall right there..She had on her new boots...She had naively substituted fashion for safety. Rookie mistake..And not one you will see this girl making.
There are some very important lessons to be learned from all of this. First.....The importance of good footwear....And secondly...I don't have to be the fastest runner to survive the serial killers..I just have to be faster than my friend Heather.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Oh Deer
I have always liked having guys for friends....The way their minds work is completely fascinating to me. They are at times a mystery, very often a puzzle and usually a source of amusement....The way they can take their thought processes on this meandering bunny trail going from point A to point B and make it seem SO reasonable and logical is completely mind boggling.
Here is an example of what I mean...
The other day I'm talking on a the phone with a friend of mine. He says "Oh Jen, did I tell you about the deer"? No I say......We haven't spoken in a while..what deer? Well, he was out walking the dog in the pasture that's behind his apartment...There are woods that border the pasture and quite frequently he will see coyote out there at dusk. His dog suddenly stops marking things briefly to perk up......All of the hair on her neck and back was standing up..and she makes a noise.....(she doesn't bark, EVER, don't ask its a long story) My friend looks up and there standing about 12 or 13 feet away is a male deer. No horns yet..just buttons. They all just stand there staring at each other...
Ok let me cut to the chase..I know you are all dying to hear about the majesty and spender of this nature story unfolding.....but that's not what this is about. So let me fast forward this story.
The deer sticks around even after he sees my friend and his dog.. After the dog is tied up.....my friend is actually able to approach the deer close enough that the deer actually starts licking his hand!!!!
Now most of you are going "Awwww"......Yeah I know, I was too. Until he says.."You know I was thinking, if Id only had my bowie knife....I could have been eating deer for a month or so".
That snapped me right back to reality...I said..." WHAT"!!!?? You have got to be kidding me.
He said.... What?..I love venison. But yeah..I guess that would have been wrong huh? He says...Then I was thinking, I wonder how I can get a rope around its neck so I can take it home with me.
Again my mouth is hanging open....... WHAT???!!!! I'm shaking my head....You didn't?
He said... Nooo, I think the apartment management would have frowned on that.
NOOO....YAH THINK? (laughing)
Now just let me state for the record. This guy is an intelligent guy. He's well read..well traveled....educated..he has common sense. He was raised right, with two caring involved parents. So there is only one explanation for this type of thought process...He's a guy. Plain and simple.
Now, I don't think my friend would have actually taken that deer home with him to his apartment......aaannnnddd.......I don't believe that he would have gutted him for the meat either...Although now that I think about it....
I don't really know...do I?
Because, after all he IS a guy.....
Here is an example of what I mean...
The other day I'm talking on a the phone with a friend of mine. He says "Oh Jen, did I tell you about the deer"? No I say......We haven't spoken in a while..what deer? Well, he was out walking the dog in the pasture that's behind his apartment...There are woods that border the pasture and quite frequently he will see coyote out there at dusk. His dog suddenly stops marking things briefly to perk up......All of the hair on her neck and back was standing up..and she makes a noise.....(she doesn't bark, EVER, don't ask its a long story) My friend looks up and there standing about 12 or 13 feet away is a male deer. No horns yet..just buttons. They all just stand there staring at each other...
Ok let me cut to the chase..I know you are all dying to hear about the majesty and spender of this nature story unfolding.....but that's not what this is about. So let me fast forward this story.
The deer sticks around even after he sees my friend and his dog.. After the dog is tied up.....my friend is actually able to approach the deer close enough that the deer actually starts licking his hand!!!!
Now most of you are going "Awwww"......Yeah I know, I was too. Until he says.."You know I was thinking, if Id only had my bowie knife....I could have been eating deer for a month or so".
That snapped me right back to reality...I said..." WHAT"!!!?? You have got to be kidding me.
He said.... What?..I love venison. But yeah..I guess that would have been wrong huh? He says...Then I was thinking, I wonder how I can get a rope around its neck so I can take it home with me.
Again my mouth is hanging open....... WHAT???!!!! I'm shaking my head....You didn't?
He said... Nooo, I think the apartment management would have frowned on that.
NOOO....YAH THINK? (laughing)
Now just let me state for the record. This guy is an intelligent guy. He's well read..well traveled....educated..he has common sense. He was raised right, with two caring involved parents. So there is only one explanation for this type of thought process...He's a guy. Plain and simple.
Now, I don't think my friend would have actually taken that deer home with him to his apartment......aaannnnddd.......I don't believe that he would have gutted him for the meat either...Although now that I think about it....
I don't really know...do I?
Because, after all he IS a guy.....
AND I LIKE BAMBI.
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Money Cant Buy Happiness..
I am beginning to think that maybe I was born with a birth defect. I was born without ambition. Yesss....(hangs head) I think I truly lack any.
I have watched friends and family for years scramble and jockey themselves into the best position for colleges and job opportunities. All for one thing, so that they can improve their current status in life. Either with the presence of the dollar in their bank accounts or by the prestige that comes with the job title. But I have never felt the fever. I'm not sure why.
I know I'm lucky, I have never been truly poor. At least I don't think we have. If we were, my parents hid it from me well. I know that my mom always made sure that I had whatever I needed. Do you think there in lies the problem? Maybe I wasn't taught ambition?
Don't misunderstand me...I have no problem with work. Whether I get paid for it or not...I'm no stranger to it. My family and relatives come from farmers and blue collar working class...Especially the generation of my grandparents, who believe its a mortal sin not to indulge in the fine art of manual labor. Its just not something I get all giddy and day dream about.
Its not that I don't want to earn a decent living someday. I realize that money is not just a luxury its a necessity. You have to have it to pay for the basic wants and needs in life. I guess I would like to be comfortable and not have to struggle to make ends meet. But I have never sat down and thought to myself...GEEE I cant wait till I'm pulling down 6 figures and I can by that 6 bedroom house with the pool and the three car garage.
I can remember one afternoon at one of our larger family gatherings....The family was all sitting around that huge table in the dining room. I was listening to my cousin speak of her aspirations for college and future employment. She wanted to attend college at these schools because they were top ranking in the country........Then move to this graduate school....From there she felt she could leap frog her way and land a job from one of these top ranking corporations. Making eventually X number of dollars.
During this recital of her future goals and aspirations....The parents and the grandparents were nodding approvingly and smiling. Saying how that was a good plan. Then they look at me. Sooo Jen what are you're plans?
I hate that question. Because I hadn't made my own personal map to the buried treasure, ie; The American Dream. I probably should have just thrown out my standard answers that I had learned to recite every time someone asked me this question. Lets face it..this had been going on for over a year at that point. I learned quickly that if I told the truth and said I really don't know what I want to do. Then I got the "Oh that's so sad" look or the even worse.."You're going to be a loser for the rest of your life" look.
I was thinking in that moment...that I don't care right now what I do. I'm not ready to make plans or pick something for the sake of saying I have. I think then is when it clicked in my brain that I didn't have this drive or whatever it is you want to call it to conquer the world. Or at least my little corner of it. That's when I made the critical mistake of trying to be funny...I told them I was currently employed as a non-profit slacker. There wasn't much money in it..But the hours were great.
Big mistake..Apparently this group didn't subscribe to my "I will figure it out when I do" theory. They felt I needed a plan and proceeded to tell me so. That is when it began...the talk about goals and my future. Its then that comes the we are going to now give you ideas as to what you should do portion of our talk. One of the Great Aunts told me she would be glad to hook me up as an Avon representative if I wanted. That she did quite well with hers and that is something that would still allow me to set my own schedule. Someone else said that they knew of the daughter of a friend of the family who was now working at the bank in town..and had gone from being a teller all the way up to the loans department. She apparently was doing quite well for herself.
But before I could even reply......Great Grandma who felt the only thing a person truly needed in life was a good relationship with their lord and maker... Spoke up and said...Money is the root of all evil. It wont buy you happiness. That is something you need to look to the lord for.
That's when Great Uncle Mack (my personal hero and role model for the non-profit slacker and semi wild child I am today) finally spoke up and put in his words of wisdom........
"Money may not be able to by you happiness...But it sure lets you enjoy miserable on a nicer side of town".
Cant argue with that logic.
I have watched friends and family for years scramble and jockey themselves into the best position for colleges and job opportunities. All for one thing, so that they can improve their current status in life. Either with the presence of the dollar in their bank accounts or by the prestige that comes with the job title. But I have never felt the fever. I'm not sure why.
I know I'm lucky, I have never been truly poor. At least I don't think we have. If we were, my parents hid it from me well. I know that my mom always made sure that I had whatever I needed. Do you think there in lies the problem? Maybe I wasn't taught ambition?
Don't misunderstand me...I have no problem with work. Whether I get paid for it or not...I'm no stranger to it. My family and relatives come from farmers and blue collar working class...Especially the generation of my grandparents, who believe its a mortal sin not to indulge in the fine art of manual labor. Its just not something I get all giddy and day dream about.
Its not that I don't want to earn a decent living someday. I realize that money is not just a luxury its a necessity. You have to have it to pay for the basic wants and needs in life. I guess I would like to be comfortable and not have to struggle to make ends meet. But I have never sat down and thought to myself...GEEE I cant wait till I'm pulling down 6 figures and I can by that 6 bedroom house with the pool and the three car garage.
I can remember one afternoon at one of our larger family gatherings....The family was all sitting around that huge table in the dining room. I was listening to my cousin speak of her aspirations for college and future employment. She wanted to attend college at these schools because they were top ranking in the country........Then move to this graduate school....From there she felt she could leap frog her way and land a job from one of these top ranking corporations. Making eventually X number of dollars.
During this recital of her future goals and aspirations....The parents and the grandparents were nodding approvingly and smiling. Saying how that was a good plan. Then they look at me. Sooo Jen what are you're plans?
I hate that question. Because I hadn't made my own personal map to the buried treasure, ie; The American Dream. I probably should have just thrown out my standard answers that I had learned to recite every time someone asked me this question. Lets face it..this had been going on for over a year at that point. I learned quickly that if I told the truth and said I really don't know what I want to do. Then I got the "Oh that's so sad" look or the even worse.."You're going to be a loser for the rest of your life" look.
I was thinking in that moment...that I don't care right now what I do. I'm not ready to make plans or pick something for the sake of saying I have. I think then is when it clicked in my brain that I didn't have this drive or whatever it is you want to call it to conquer the world. Or at least my little corner of it. That's when I made the critical mistake of trying to be funny...I told them I was currently employed as a non-profit slacker. There wasn't much money in it..But the hours were great.
Big mistake..Apparently this group didn't subscribe to my "I will figure it out when I do" theory. They felt I needed a plan and proceeded to tell me so. That is when it began...the talk about goals and my future. Its then that comes the we are going to now give you ideas as to what you should do portion of our talk. One of the Great Aunts told me she would be glad to hook me up as an Avon representative if I wanted. That she did quite well with hers and that is something that would still allow me to set my own schedule. Someone else said that they knew of the daughter of a friend of the family who was now working at the bank in town..and had gone from being a teller all the way up to the loans department. She apparently was doing quite well for herself.
But before I could even reply......Great Grandma who felt the only thing a person truly needed in life was a good relationship with their lord and maker... Spoke up and said...Money is the root of all evil. It wont buy you happiness. That is something you need to look to the lord for.
That's when Great Uncle Mack (my personal hero and role model for the non-profit slacker and semi wild child I am today) finally spoke up and put in his words of wisdom........
"Money may not be able to by you happiness...But it sure lets you enjoy miserable on a nicer side of town".
Cant argue with that logic.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Hello....My Name Is NOT Marvin!
I have a confession.......My name is NOT Marvin. I am NOT a 68 year old pedophile stalking the internet trying to lure you in. Are you shocked? Yeah I was too, but its true! I'm NOT sitting here at my computer in my beer stained wife beater and jockey shorts looking for kiddy porn sites. I am NOT now, nor will I EVER be online trying to seduce young men into meeting me...with the intention having my way with them.
Ok well maybe ONE young man...but that's another story all together. *smile*
So .....WHY is it then that this is the first reaction my friends get when telling others about meeting me online? I can understand the need for caution. Meeting someone on the web can have certain pitfalls. I'm not denying the obvious concerns anytime you meet someone online.
But computers are a fact of life. Everyone from your Grandma to small children are using them and surfing the internet. They have become as common as the mircrowave or TV. It stands to reason that with all the limitless places a person can now travel via the internet...that you also automatically open yourself up to a larger group of people you can now interact with. So maybe its time we started to change our thinking about what is normal a little.
Anytime you meet someone new its a risk. This is true no matter if you meet them online or on the sidewalk of your hometown. If you think its safer meeting people because they may live next door, then you obviously don't watch the news. Or you've never checked out the local sex offender websites. Because if you did, I think you would be extremely surprised as to who some of your neighbors are.
I will concede that the world can be a very scary place. Because of technology we have all gone from being in this very small pond of people we DO know.....to a very large ocean of people we COULD know. Are there more predators in this deep water? Yes probably so. But Id be willing to bet that there are also far more people just like YOU and ME that are just decent, semi-normal people, who live healthy normal lives.
If the question is can someone deceive you when meeting them online? Then the answer is yes they can. More easily than in person? Maybe so. But isn't it also true that you can and probably have been deceived in the past by people you actually knew face to face too?
I think its all about using common sense. You have to take the time to get to know someone, no matter how or where you meet them...You have to be willing to ask the all important questions. You have to be willing to listen for the answers to those questions. And when I say listen...I mean really listen not just hearing what you want to hear.
The internet has opened up the world and its people to you. For me that means learning that other people in the world are a lot more like me than they are different from me. The world is a much smaller place than I had ever imagined. To me that's a comforting thought..not one that scares me.
I have met some really great people on the internet. People who I can say without a doubt I consider to be my friends. People that I have yet to meet face to face and maybe never will. Does that make them any less of a friend?...NO not to me it doesn't. Because its not always about meeting someone face to face in order to become friends with them.
Its time to stop making the HOW we meet people more important than the PEOPLE we meet themselves.
Ok well maybe ONE young man...but that's another story all together. *smile*
So .....WHY is it then that this is the first reaction my friends get when telling others about meeting me online? I can understand the need for caution. Meeting someone on the web can have certain pitfalls. I'm not denying the obvious concerns anytime you meet someone online.
But computers are a fact of life. Everyone from your Grandma to small children are using them and surfing the internet. They have become as common as the mircrowave or TV. It stands to reason that with all the limitless places a person can now travel via the internet...that you also automatically open yourself up to a larger group of people you can now interact with. So maybe its time we started to change our thinking about what is normal a little.
Anytime you meet someone new its a risk. This is true no matter if you meet them online or on the sidewalk of your hometown. If you think its safer meeting people because they may live next door, then you obviously don't watch the news. Or you've never checked out the local sex offender websites. Because if you did, I think you would be extremely surprised as to who some of your neighbors are.
I will concede that the world can be a very scary place. Because of technology we have all gone from being in this very small pond of people we DO know.....to a very large ocean of people we COULD know. Are there more predators in this deep water? Yes probably so. But Id be willing to bet that there are also far more people just like YOU and ME that are just decent, semi-normal people, who live healthy normal lives.
If the question is can someone deceive you when meeting them online? Then the answer is yes they can. More easily than in person? Maybe so. But isn't it also true that you can and probably have been deceived in the past by people you actually knew face to face too?
I think its all about using common sense. You have to take the time to get to know someone, no matter how or where you meet them...You have to be willing to ask the all important questions. You have to be willing to listen for the answers to those questions. And when I say listen...I mean really listen not just hearing what you want to hear.
The internet has opened up the world and its people to you. For me that means learning that other people in the world are a lot more like me than they are different from me. The world is a much smaller place than I had ever imagined. To me that's a comforting thought..not one that scares me.
I have met some really great people on the internet. People who I can say without a doubt I consider to be my friends. People that I have yet to meet face to face and maybe never will. Does that make them any less of a friend?...NO not to me it doesn't. Because its not always about meeting someone face to face in order to become friends with them.
Its time to stop making the HOW we meet people more important than the PEOPLE we meet themselves.
Sunday, September 24, 2006
That's Going To Leave A Mark
My friend came to me with a problem. Normally Id be able to give her an opinion...I am usually loaded with those. Dr Jen is always on duty. But this time..I don't know what to say. That all by itself bothers me. Not just because I cant help a friend who's asked...but because I don't have a clear answer.
Sam..is trying to decided if she can trust the man she loves. He's away at school right now. Not to far away only a few hours by car...but far enough. It seems that her guy has developed this friendship with a girl there at school. This by itself isn't unusual. Matt is a very friendly easy going kind of guy. He makes friends easily and has always had equal female and male friendships.
Matt has told Sam about the girl...and explained that they just have things in common and like hanging out..She also has a lot of classes in the same areas on campus there for it puts them in the same place at the same time quite often. It should be said that Matts not a liar. He's never been a cheat. He's the kind of guy whose word means something. Having said that...though..I cant ignore Sam's fears over this..because even though the evidence is circumstantial...it all points in the wrong direction.
The girl in question..is very friendly...and calls or texts frequently. She stops by Matts apartment to hang out with him and his roommate. They all share mutual friends. She buys and gives him gifts out of kindness. She does small little tasks for him..choirs as a favor.
Ok I understand where Sam is getting worried about this girl...Here where I come from we have a name for girls like that. They are called GIRL FRIENDS. But even so I am reluctant to condemn Matt on this purely circumstantial evidence alone. Although...the last thing in this puzzle bothers me alittle more......Matt had given Sam access to his passwords...They had traded those a long time ago..He had hers..she his. Until Matt changed his..with no explanation..and no warning. He only did it to one of his accounts...One he hardly ever used. Sam thinks its because Matts emails and conversations with this girl took place on this Messenger and this account and he didn't want Sam seeing it.
Maybe so....I do see Sams point and why she's worried. Matt is a good guy but he's human..and humans screw up. That whole thing about absence making the heart grow fonder...doesn't really play out long term in most cases. So Sam worrying about Matt finding someone nice to spend his time with isn't so far fetched.
I just don't know what to tell her. Normally Id say open your eyes. Look at all the red flags! You may not have any real proof...but it has feathers...webbed feet..likes the water...and quacks...It looks like we have a duck here.
Yet still...I have been dropped on my butt way to many times by the people I choose to give my trust to. Sometimes when that happens to you often enough it tends to leave a mark. A mark that no amount of optimism or looking for that silver lining can quite erase. So right now I don't know if I can trust my judgment or my instincts.
I realize let downs are a part of life.....I know I am not unique to this problem my friend Sam is proof of that. Its just that I have always told myself that I wouldn't let the bad behavior of other people change me. If they screw me over..I'm not going to let that change who I am or how I conduct myself and my life.
The thing I've started to see though, is that when those changes happen, it's not like being hit by lightening. The changes aren't immediate or automatic. Its something more like the tide eroding a beach. Its the small grains of sand that get washed away from you each day....slowly...little by little. Until one day you just realize you are afraid of it happening again. You are wary and a little mistrustful of the next person who comes into your life.
So what's the answer? Do you just sleep with a nightlight on for the rest of your life so that no monsters can ever climb into your closet again? If so......how exhausting is that going to be, trying to shine a light on every corner of a new relationship trying to make sure nothing is being hidden from you in the shadows? You would have to examine and analyze each thing making sure you're blind heart isn't missing any of those all too important red flags you should be seeing.
Or do you just blindly.....hold your nose and jump into the deep water? Not knowing what's under you..or if you will be able swim, and then just hope for the best. Hmmmm, seems like that sort of thinking is what got me knocked on my butt to begin with.
So tell me, do I tell Sam to go on her hearts blind faith, ignoring the shadows in the room and just try and believe that there are no more monsters? I want to. Id like to. Not just for her sake but for myself too.
This time, I dont think I can offer advise to my friend. Because inside I just know that if I'm wrong again.....This time its going to leave a really big mark.
Sam..is trying to decided if she can trust the man she loves. He's away at school right now. Not to far away only a few hours by car...but far enough. It seems that her guy has developed this friendship with a girl there at school. This by itself isn't unusual. Matt is a very friendly easy going kind of guy. He makes friends easily and has always had equal female and male friendships.
Matt has told Sam about the girl...and explained that they just have things in common and like hanging out..She also has a lot of classes in the same areas on campus there for it puts them in the same place at the same time quite often. It should be said that Matts not a liar. He's never been a cheat. He's the kind of guy whose word means something. Having said that...though..I cant ignore Sam's fears over this..because even though the evidence is circumstantial...it all points in the wrong direction.
The girl in question..is very friendly...and calls or texts frequently. She stops by Matts apartment to hang out with him and his roommate. They all share mutual friends. She buys and gives him gifts out of kindness. She does small little tasks for him..choirs as a favor.
Ok I understand where Sam is getting worried about this girl...Here where I come from we have a name for girls like that. They are called GIRL FRIENDS. But even so I am reluctant to condemn Matt on this purely circumstantial evidence alone. Although...the last thing in this puzzle bothers me alittle more......Matt had given Sam access to his passwords...They had traded those a long time ago..He had hers..she his. Until Matt changed his..with no explanation..and no warning. He only did it to one of his accounts...One he hardly ever used. Sam thinks its because Matts emails and conversations with this girl took place on this Messenger and this account and he didn't want Sam seeing it.
Maybe so....I do see Sams point and why she's worried. Matt is a good guy but he's human..and humans screw up. That whole thing about absence making the heart grow fonder...doesn't really play out long term in most cases. So Sam worrying about Matt finding someone nice to spend his time with isn't so far fetched.
I just don't know what to tell her. Normally Id say open your eyes. Look at all the red flags! You may not have any real proof...but it has feathers...webbed feet..likes the water...and quacks...It looks like we have a duck here.
Yet still...I have been dropped on my butt way to many times by the people I choose to give my trust to. Sometimes when that happens to you often enough it tends to leave a mark. A mark that no amount of optimism or looking for that silver lining can quite erase. So right now I don't know if I can trust my judgment or my instincts.
I realize let downs are a part of life.....I know I am not unique to this problem my friend Sam is proof of that. Its just that I have always told myself that I wouldn't let the bad behavior of other people change me. If they screw me over..I'm not going to let that change who I am or how I conduct myself and my life.
The thing I've started to see though, is that when those changes happen, it's not like being hit by lightening. The changes aren't immediate or automatic. Its something more like the tide eroding a beach. Its the small grains of sand that get washed away from you each day....slowly...little by little. Until one day you just realize you are afraid of it happening again. You are wary and a little mistrustful of the next person who comes into your life.
So what's the answer? Do you just sleep with a nightlight on for the rest of your life so that no monsters can ever climb into your closet again? If so......how exhausting is that going to be, trying to shine a light on every corner of a new relationship trying to make sure nothing is being hidden from you in the shadows? You would have to examine and analyze each thing making sure you're blind heart isn't missing any of those all too important red flags you should be seeing.
Or do you just blindly.....hold your nose and jump into the deep water? Not knowing what's under you..or if you will be able swim, and then just hope for the best. Hmmmm, seems like that sort of thinking is what got me knocked on my butt to begin with.
So tell me, do I tell Sam to go on her hearts blind faith, ignoring the shadows in the room and just try and believe that there are no more monsters? I want to. Id like to. Not just for her sake but for myself too.
This time, I dont think I can offer advise to my friend. Because inside I just know that if I'm wrong again.....This time its going to leave a really big mark.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover
Dear Anonymous,
I have not been blogging long..alittle over a year at best. But one of the things I have loved about writing a blog is that it allows me to express myself. Whether that expression comes in the form of a family story, a commentary on a current event, or maybe just venting about things in my life that I feel strongly about.
I have never minded if someone had a different view point than my own. In fact I am a very opinionated individual. So it would be very surprising to me if out of all the people who read my blog, each and every one of them agreed with me totally 100% of the time. I have never minded someone expressing their point of view on my blog, whether those points of view coincided with mine or not.
I can take criticism as well as the next person. In fact if it's done in a civil way I appreciate another person's view and their honesty in expressing it.
However...this is where I have a problem with your approach. First of all, you appear as Anonymous. So for whatever reason you have chosen to keep your name, age, gender and any other details of who you are a secret. Ok...that is your prerogative.
But from now on when you comment to me...Please do so on the subject I have written about. If you don't agree with my point of view its ok to say so. But do not judge the validity of what I have said on the basis that I am 20 years old, a female; or, as you put it, "too inexperienced to spout such opinions".
I realize you don't really know me...If you read my blog further you might get to know me better. But this is something I'd like to know about me. I do not smoke...or take drugs...I do drink but only in moderation...I do not have multiple sex partners...In fact, I do not have any at all at this point in my life. Having said that, I do not feel the need to go out and experience any of these things first hand to be able to comment on the fact that I feel they aren't right for me. Or, for that matter, pretty much anyone else participating in them. Nor do I think age will change my thinking.
Yes its just my opinion...and only mine. I speak now and will continue to speak in the future only for myself. If you have a problem with what I've said..because you disagree with my thinking that's fine. But don't dismiss what I have said because you think I am too young or inexperienced to have such thoughts or opinions.
You should judge a book by its contents...not by the age of its cover.
I have not been blogging long..alittle over a year at best. But one of the things I have loved about writing a blog is that it allows me to express myself. Whether that expression comes in the form of a family story, a commentary on a current event, or maybe just venting about things in my life that I feel strongly about.
I have never minded if someone had a different view point than my own. In fact I am a very opinionated individual. So it would be very surprising to me if out of all the people who read my blog, each and every one of them agreed with me totally 100% of the time. I have never minded someone expressing their point of view on my blog, whether those points of view coincided with mine or not.
I can take criticism as well as the next person. In fact if it's done in a civil way I appreciate another person's view and their honesty in expressing it.
However...this is where I have a problem with your approach. First of all, you appear as Anonymous. So for whatever reason you have chosen to keep your name, age, gender and any other details of who you are a secret. Ok...that is your prerogative.
But from now on when you comment to me...Please do so on the subject I have written about. If you don't agree with my point of view its ok to say so. But do not judge the validity of what I have said on the basis that I am 20 years old, a female; or, as you put it, "too inexperienced to spout such opinions".
I realize you don't really know me...If you read my blog further you might get to know me better. But this is something I'd like to know about me. I do not smoke...or take drugs...I do drink but only in moderation...I do not have multiple sex partners...In fact, I do not have any at all at this point in my life. Having said that, I do not feel the need to go out and experience any of these things first hand to be able to comment on the fact that I feel they aren't right for me. Or, for that matter, pretty much anyone else participating in them. Nor do I think age will change my thinking.
Yes its just my opinion...and only mine. I speak now and will continue to speak in the future only for myself. If you have a problem with what I've said..because you disagree with my thinking that's fine. But don't dismiss what I have said because you think I am too young or inexperienced to have such thoughts or opinions.
You should judge a book by its contents...not by the age of its cover.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Homesick For Places I Have Never Been
I have never made any secret of the fact that I'm a dreamer. This past year I have been extremely restless. I feel like there is something missing. But I have no idea exactly what it is. That all by itself leaves me feeling anxious and a little frustrated. Its like having something you want to say on the tip of your tongue and not being able to think of what it is. Does that make any sense?
Today I was looking at photos again and I started day dreaming. I was thinking of all the places I want to go. Of the people I miss and want to see. I've been having these long detailed day dreams where I am actually getting on a plane and starting my life over in a new place.
Maybe its a question of the grass always looking greener on the other side of the fence. Or maybe because I'm so restless that to me even the small things would seem like an adventure right now. When I start these day dreams, I can picture everything about them. I can imagine where I'm going, what I will be doing...who I will be with. I can see it all so clearly, just as if it were happening.
Some might say that day dreams and reality are two different things. That reality is never as good as the fantasy you imagine. Maybe this is true.
All I know is that lately when I think of those people and places and things that I day dream about..It makes me feel as if I were homesick.
But how can you be homesick for places you have never been?
Today I was looking at photos again and I started day dreaming. I was thinking of all the places I want to go. Of the people I miss and want to see. I've been having these long detailed day dreams where I am actually getting on a plane and starting my life over in a new place.
Maybe its a question of the grass always looking greener on the other side of the fence. Or maybe because I'm so restless that to me even the small things would seem like an adventure right now. When I start these day dreams, I can picture everything about them. I can imagine where I'm going, what I will be doing...who I will be with. I can see it all so clearly, just as if it were happening.
Some might say that day dreams and reality are two different things. That reality is never as good as the fantasy you imagine. Maybe this is true.
All I know is that lately when I think of those people and places and things that I day dream about..It makes me feel as if I were homesick.
But how can you be homesick for places you have never been?
Saturday, September 09, 2006
What No Pictures?
Except for this last Monday being a holiday.....This week has pretty much sucked. Its been raining almost all week long. Normally I like rainy days. I suppose with my mood being what it was though, the rain just seemed to make it worse. Besides it wasn't one of those crisp cold rains that smell good. It was the hot humid dreary type of rain. The kind that makes the air feel like its thick and sticks to you.
I managed to make it through the week pretty much unscathed and now here I am. Its Saturday morning. I have consumed the required two cups of coffee.....
I have already received several text messages from the UK.
(Happy face)
A few emails and some new pictures.
(Bigger happy face)
ANDDD.....Its no longer raining. Or at least not at the moment. Things maybe looking up.
(Almost ready for the happy dance...but not quite)
I have stalked all my regulars blogs and done all my required reading and commenting for today.....By the way you people need to get on the ball and post...I'm dying here!
Now...Its time for my project of the day. I'm still not sure I should attempt this. Because I hate to screw it up and then be with out a computer.....On the other hand I am sort of a compulsive geek....And this is just too tempting for me on a day like today, when the house is quiet and I am left to my own devices.
Soooo I am going to go get out my old computer tower, and do a techno version of Hannibal Lector....And cannibalize it. I'm going to rip out the memory cards....And the two hard drives and anything else that looks interesting and see if I can reinstall them into my current system.
The old computer got zapped by lightening a year or so ago....When it happened I never really tried to find out how much of it was still functioning. It wouldn't turn on...and that's pretty much where I stopped looking. If it just took out my mother board...Then the other things might actually have some use...If it fried the whole enchilada...Well then its going to be a waste of time. But I wont know that until I open the bad boy up.
And before you say it...I am the one who installed the extra hard drive and memory cards in the old computer...So its not like I don't have some clue as to what I'm doing. Still, it has been a while since I have done any of that sort of thing...
Now if I can only remember how to change the the old hard drives from master to slave.....Hmmmmmm I guess I'm actually going to have to read some instructions. NOOOOOO please not that!
I basically come from the Sesame Street school of computer learning...... Where we the self taught, if given plenty of pictures, can disassemble and reassemble anything.
But if I actually have to read the instructions....
Ohhh dear lord help us all.
I managed to make it through the week pretty much unscathed and now here I am. Its Saturday morning. I have consumed the required two cups of coffee.....
I have already received several text messages from the UK.
(Happy face)
A few emails and some new pictures.
(Bigger happy face)
ANDDD.....Its no longer raining. Or at least not at the moment. Things maybe looking up.
(Almost ready for the happy dance...but not quite)
I have stalked all my regulars blogs and done all my required reading and commenting for today.....By the way you people need to get on the ball and post...I'm dying here!
Now...Its time for my project of the day. I'm still not sure I should attempt this. Because I hate to screw it up and then be with out a computer.....On the other hand I am sort of a compulsive geek....And this is just too tempting for me on a day like today, when the house is quiet and I am left to my own devices.
Soooo I am going to go get out my old computer tower, and do a techno version of Hannibal Lector....And cannibalize it. I'm going to rip out the memory cards....And the two hard drives and anything else that looks interesting and see if I can reinstall them into my current system.
The old computer got zapped by lightening a year or so ago....When it happened I never really tried to find out how much of it was still functioning. It wouldn't turn on...and that's pretty much where I stopped looking. If it just took out my mother board...Then the other things might actually have some use...If it fried the whole enchilada...Well then its going to be a waste of time. But I wont know that until I open the bad boy up.
And before you say it...I am the one who installed the extra hard drive and memory cards in the old computer...So its not like I don't have some clue as to what I'm doing. Still, it has been a while since I have done any of that sort of thing...
Now if I can only remember how to change the the old hard drives from master to slave.....Hmmmmmm I guess I'm actually going to have to read some instructions. NOOOOOO please not that!
I basically come from the Sesame Street school of computer learning...... Where we the self taught, if given plenty of pictures, can disassemble and reassemble anything.
But if I actually have to read the instructions....
Ohhh dear lord help us all.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Does The Label Really Matter?
Feminism : The doctrine that maintains equality for the sexes; advocacy for women's rights.
If I go by the above definition I have to ask myself am I a feminist? I cant honestly say that I feel men and women are completely equal. I think there are some pretty big differences between us and to that I say GOOD!
I have never felt the desire to burn my bra or smoke a cigar. I have never wanted to be a man or man like. There's probably a few people out there right now breathing a sigh of relief over that statement.. I like being female and I like being feminine. While I can never claim to be the girlie girl type.... I do like to watch and play some sports. I like to fish and play poker...I also like being treated like a lady. I like a man to be polite to me. I like it when he speaks to me with respect. I like it if he wants to use manners and open my door or pull out a chair. Its called being polite. I like it...I appreciate it. Unfortunately I rarely see it and I don't expect it.
I see nothing wrong with a man being Chivalrous..I wish there were more chivalrous men in the world. I don't mean the Knight in Shining Armor type who wants to rescue me and fix all my problems. I can do that for myself.
Having said that...I do not want things to go back to the way they were when women were only one step above slavery. When we weren't able to vote..Or own property or allowed to do a lot of things that gave us equal footing in society. So in that way I suppose I am in favor of equality. But then as I see it..Those things are more human rights than a male/female issue.
I believe if you do a job..And you have the physical and the intellectual skill to perform that job, then you get paid for that job. The pay you receive should not be based on your gender or your race. It should be based on the job. Its simple....You work....You get paid.
I have never felt a woman is less if she chooses home and family over that of a career outside the home. The choice to stay home and raise a family is probably one of the hardest jobs any person can do. I say person because in this day and time a lot more men are making the choice to be stay at home dads while the wife works outside the home. I see nothing wrong with that..If it works I say go for it.
Besides that...I think if you're going to have children you should stick around to raise them. Its the biggest responsibility you are ever going to have. You are molding the next generation, who will one day be running things. So it would probably be a good idea to take the job seriously and not screw it up.
I believe that a person should strive to be independent and self reliant. I believe self reliance and independence brings freedom and a confidence in knowing you can take care of yourself. You then know that any choices you make are done so because you do have a choice, not because you have no options and cant survive any other way.
Do I want to share my life with someone someday? Yes I do. Do I hope he helps me solve problems? Yes I do. Just as I hope he will value me, my thoughts and my abilities enough that he wants me to help him as well. We will do it together.
Am I a feminist, a humanist...Or just feminine? If so how bad is that? Does the label really matter?
If I go by the above definition I have to ask myself am I a feminist? I cant honestly say that I feel men and women are completely equal. I think there are some pretty big differences between us and to that I say GOOD!
I have never felt the desire to burn my bra or smoke a cigar. I have never wanted to be a man or man like. There's probably a few people out there right now breathing a sigh of relief over that statement.. I like being female and I like being feminine. While I can never claim to be the girlie girl type.... I do like to watch and play some sports. I like to fish and play poker...I also like being treated like a lady. I like a man to be polite to me. I like it when he speaks to me with respect. I like it if he wants to use manners and open my door or pull out a chair. Its called being polite. I like it...I appreciate it. Unfortunately I rarely see it and I don't expect it.
I see nothing wrong with a man being Chivalrous..I wish there were more chivalrous men in the world. I don't mean the Knight in Shining Armor type who wants to rescue me and fix all my problems. I can do that for myself.
Having said that...I do not want things to go back to the way they were when women were only one step above slavery. When we weren't able to vote..Or own property or allowed to do a lot of things that gave us equal footing in society. So in that way I suppose I am in favor of equality. But then as I see it..Those things are more human rights than a male/female issue.
I believe if you do a job..And you have the physical and the intellectual skill to perform that job, then you get paid for that job. The pay you receive should not be based on your gender or your race. It should be based on the job. Its simple....You work....You get paid.
I have never felt a woman is less if she chooses home and family over that of a career outside the home. The choice to stay home and raise a family is probably one of the hardest jobs any person can do. I say person because in this day and time a lot more men are making the choice to be stay at home dads while the wife works outside the home. I see nothing wrong with that..If it works I say go for it.
Besides that...I think if you're going to have children you should stick around to raise them. Its the biggest responsibility you are ever going to have. You are molding the next generation, who will one day be running things. So it would probably be a good idea to take the job seriously and not screw it up.
I believe that a person should strive to be independent and self reliant. I believe self reliance and independence brings freedom and a confidence in knowing you can take care of yourself. You then know that any choices you make are done so because you do have a choice, not because you have no options and cant survive any other way.
Do I want to share my life with someone someday? Yes I do. Do I hope he helps me solve problems? Yes I do. Just as I hope he will value me, my thoughts and my abilities enough that he wants me to help him as well. We will do it together.
Am I a feminist, a humanist...Or just feminine? If so how bad is that? Does the label really matter?
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
To All Knights In Shining Armor....
To those of you thinking you might like to apply for the job of Knight in Shining Armor...
So when its all said and done...She gets all her problems taken care of, but what exactly do you get out of it? Is it the gratitude from the Damsel? I suppose that could be sort of nice. A little boost to the ego. However, long term I don't see that being enough to make it worth it for you. You realize too, that rescuing a Damsel in Distress is sort of like feeding a stray dog. Once you do it, you can never get rid of them. They are then your responsibility for life. YES LIFE... That's a long time to be constantly having to fix things and pulling someone else's butt out of trouble.
While I'm sure it feels all Nobel and good in the beginning....Is that really the life you want forever? You could ask yourself this.....How did she get up in that tower in need of rescuing to begin with? Could it be that her trouble was of her own making? Hmmm now there's a thought.
Lets even take that one step further..If she is up there because she screwed up and deserves to be.....Why do you want to get her down? Because when you go and rescue a Damsel in Distress the only thing your left with is a Distressed Damsel. In my way of thinking that's not a real prize worth the trouble of climbing a tower or slaying a dragon. I don't care how cute she is when she's got that needy, eye lash batting, pouty face. That stuff only takes you so far.... I say leave her butt up there..Let her find her own way down.
Maybe its time to find a girl with her feet firmly planted on the ground. One who knows what she wants and can handle her own problems for herself. One that might even be able to lend you some assistance should you ever be in need of some dragon slaying yourself. One who might be a partner when building a castle instead of another burden to carry.
Maybe its time to take off the Armor and stop trying fix things. Maybe its time to be a regular man and find a regular woman you can share your life with. One that you like as is, no modifications needed.
Castles can be fixer uppers.....The partners we choose should be no assembly required.
STOP! This message is for you.
First of all I have to ask you why would you even want this job? Do you realize exactly what it is you'll be doing?
So when its all said and done...She gets all her problems taken care of, but what exactly do you get out of it? Is it the gratitude from the Damsel? I suppose that could be sort of nice. A little boost to the ego. However, long term I don't see that being enough to make it worth it for you. You realize too, that rescuing a Damsel in Distress is sort of like feeding a stray dog. Once you do it, you can never get rid of them. They are then your responsibility for life. YES LIFE... That's a long time to be constantly having to fix things and pulling someone else's butt out of trouble.
While I'm sure it feels all Nobel and good in the beginning....Is that really the life you want forever? You could ask yourself this.....How did she get up in that tower in need of rescuing to begin with? Could it be that her trouble was of her own making? Hmmm now there's a thought.
Lets even take that one step further..If she is up there because she screwed up and deserves to be.....Why do you want to get her down? Because when you go and rescue a Damsel in Distress the only thing your left with is a Distressed Damsel. In my way of thinking that's not a real prize worth the trouble of climbing a tower or slaying a dragon. I don't care how cute she is when she's got that needy, eye lash batting, pouty face. That stuff only takes you so far.... I say leave her butt up there..Let her find her own way down.
Maybe its time to find a girl with her feet firmly planted on the ground. One who knows what she wants and can handle her own problems for herself. One that might even be able to lend you some assistance should you ever be in need of some dragon slaying yourself. One who might be a partner when building a castle instead of another burden to carry.
Maybe its time to take off the Armor and stop trying fix things. Maybe its time to be a regular man and find a regular woman you can share your life with. One that you like as is, no modifications needed.
Castles can be fixer uppers.....The partners we choose should be no assembly required.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
The Devil Wears Lip Gloss
In case you had any doubts let me put them to rest. The Devil is very much alive here in the South and she wears lip gloss. When you first see her, you don't really notice anything notably different about her. In fact she could even be thought of as friendly and beautiful.
But make no mistake my friend, she is indeed a bunny boiler. Not just any ordinary bunny boiler. NOOO! She is what every other bunny boiler aspires to become. From her angelic batting of eye lashes, to her pouty glossed lips. She is perfumed, polished and perfectly clothed. No, she is not just any bunny boiler. She is their queen.
With her chameleon like personality, she adapts to her surroundings and to the people around her drawing them close to her. They feel they need to protect her, to do for her, to worship her. Because just as with every queen, she requires subjects or minion if you will. And as with every bunny boiler, she needs complete and total adoration from her friends and followers. As long as she is being adored and taken care of...You are one of the chosen. Should you stop fulfilling her constant need for attention, you will be cast aside and forgotten. If you're lucky.
If you should be unfortunate enough to fall in love with her. Just know there is no cure for her. No vaccine to make you immune to her self serving ways. So if you decide to become involved understand this...She is self centered, manipulative and at times vindictive. She is the human equivalent to tic tac toe....The only way to win is never to play the game.
If you see her coming your way do not be decieved into thinking she is just a harmless girl. If you refuse to listen to the warnings. Decide to ignore the lessons learned from the others that have come before you. Then do not be surprised when blinded by what you think is love turns out to be just another one of her manipulations and deceptions.
When you find yourself being run down, reduced to just another road kill. You dont have to ask who was driving the car that did you in. You will know.
If not, let me give you a hint....She was wearing lip gloss.
But make no mistake my friend, she is indeed a bunny boiler. Not just any ordinary bunny boiler. NOOO! She is what every other bunny boiler aspires to become. From her angelic batting of eye lashes, to her pouty glossed lips. She is perfumed, polished and perfectly clothed. No, she is not just any bunny boiler. She is their queen.
With her chameleon like personality, she adapts to her surroundings and to the people around her drawing them close to her. They feel they need to protect her, to do for her, to worship her. Because just as with every queen, she requires subjects or minion if you will. And as with every bunny boiler, she needs complete and total adoration from her friends and followers. As long as she is being adored and taken care of...You are one of the chosen. Should you stop fulfilling her constant need for attention, you will be cast aside and forgotten. If you're lucky.
If you should be unfortunate enough to fall in love with her. Just know there is no cure for her. No vaccine to make you immune to her self serving ways. So if you decide to become involved understand this...She is self centered, manipulative and at times vindictive. She is the human equivalent to tic tac toe....The only way to win is never to play the game.
If you see her coming your way do not be decieved into thinking she is just a harmless girl. If you refuse to listen to the warnings. Decide to ignore the lessons learned from the others that have come before you. Then do not be surprised when blinded by what you think is love turns out to be just another one of her manipulations and deceptions.
When you find yourself being run down, reduced to just another road kill. You dont have to ask who was driving the car that did you in. You will know.
If not, let me give you a hint....She was wearing lip gloss.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Predator Or Prey?
I read in the news paper that recently a local 14 year old boy had been arrested. His charges were:
With me so far?
Now the boy who thought he was speaking on the internet to a producer of pornographic films. He wasn't...He was in fact talking to an undercover police officer in the state of Pennsylvania.
The boy thought he was sending the 65 pornographic photos to this producer.
He also thought that he was negotiating with this said producer to be in one of his films. He had negotiated a price for his participation in the film and agreed that he would have sex with what he thought was the producers 12 year old niece. None of which was true obviously because this was really a undercover police officer.
The police officer..Who's job it is to monitor this type of behavior on the internet...Talking with the boy..At the time thought the boy was 20 years old. Because that's what the boy told him. He also knew there was no 12 year old girl because he had made that part up to go along with his cover story. He did receive the pornographic photographs from the boy...Who had in turn received them from an unknown source in England.
The undercover officer thinking that the boy is an adult and is using a home computer to contact him, contacts local law enforcement to set up a meet. To arrest what they thought to be 20 year old man at a local hotel. The boy thinking he was going to meet this producer and his niece and be filmed having sex with her shows up and promptly gets arrested.
Ok now here's where some of this all sort of bugs me....
First of all..Not to cut the kid any slack..He was completely in the wrong here. However..He is 14.. And not the brightest bulb on the tree for a number of reasons. Using a public library computer being just one of them...But he is still in fact a stupid kid. Does he really have the mental thinking at this point in his life to understand the consequences of his actions? Part of me thinks yes and part says no.
Secondly..He isn't randomly seeking out 12 year old girls to entice them into have sex with him. The fictitious young girl was offered to him via the undercover officer. Was it still wrong to accept the deal? YES OF COURSE IT WAS. But would he have done so if not prompted by the officer? I don't know..Maybe so.
The young kid in question also received his pornographic photos from another source..Out of the country. Where are these people? Who are they?
But after hearing the details of what transpired. I have to ask myself is he predator or prey?
- Soliciting to bring a 12 year old girl to town for the purposes of having sex with her.
- Possession of child pornography
- Transmitting child pornography over the internet.
With me so far?
Now the boy who thought he was speaking on the internet to a producer of pornographic films. He wasn't...He was in fact talking to an undercover police officer in the state of Pennsylvania.
The boy thought he was sending the 65 pornographic photos to this producer.
He also thought that he was negotiating with this said producer to be in one of his films. He had negotiated a price for his participation in the film and agreed that he would have sex with what he thought was the producers 12 year old niece. None of which was true obviously because this was really a undercover police officer.
The police officer..Who's job it is to monitor this type of behavior on the internet...Talking with the boy..At the time thought the boy was 20 years old. Because that's what the boy told him. He also knew there was no 12 year old girl because he had made that part up to go along with his cover story. He did receive the pornographic photographs from the boy...Who had in turn received them from an unknown source in England.
The undercover officer thinking that the boy is an adult and is using a home computer to contact him, contacts local law enforcement to set up a meet. To arrest what they thought to be 20 year old man at a local hotel. The boy thinking he was going to meet this producer and his niece and be filmed having sex with her shows up and promptly gets arrested.
Ok now here's where some of this all sort of bugs me....
First of all..Not to cut the kid any slack..He was completely in the wrong here. However..He is 14.. And not the brightest bulb on the tree for a number of reasons. Using a public library computer being just one of them...But he is still in fact a stupid kid. Does he really have the mental thinking at this point in his life to understand the consequences of his actions? Part of me thinks yes and part says no.
Secondly..He isn't randomly seeking out 12 year old girls to entice them into have sex with him. The fictitious young girl was offered to him via the undercover officer. Was it still wrong to accept the deal? YES OF COURSE IT WAS. But would he have done so if not prompted by the officer? I don't know..Maybe so.
The young kid in question also received his pornographic photos from another source..Out of the country. Where are these people? Who are they?
I guess while I find the kids behavior wrong on so many levels and I am in no way trying to defend it..Because lets face it, there is something wrong with his moral compass to consider entering into this deal at all.
But after hearing the details of what transpired. I have to ask myself is he predator or prey?
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