I'm the type of person who likes to get her groceries and get out. However, my grocery trip this past Friday proved to be quite interesting. I usually start at one end of the store and finish with the fresh produce, etc. I don't know what it was exactly on Friday (full moon maybe?), but it seemed that every aisle I turned into had someone in the middle of the aisle, talking on their phone! I kid you not! One lady was talking so loudly that I'm sure the whole store heard about what she was going to be doing this weekend. Sounded like a full weekend anyway. Another lady, with 2 kids in tow, was talking on the phone, oblivious to what one of the kids was doing. This kid proceeded to tell her that he hated her (I guess she wasn't paying enough attention to him). The next one I encountered was so focused on what she had to pick up that she almost rammed me with her cart. Apparently though, it was my fault for intruding on HER aisle (I just needed to get cereal, sheesh!!).
The worst thing (and the rudest) in my opinion, is going up to the cashier while still talking on the phone!! I swear some of these people came into the store with the phones glued to their ears, and left the same way, never missing a beat. Wow.
I have a cellphone, but it isn't on all the time. If it is, I have blue tooth in my car, but my way of thinking is this - I have voicemail - if I don't answer, leave a message, and I'll get back to you. Nothing can be that important (except maybe the lady with the full weekend planned) that it can't wait.
My point is that these people were so focused on their phones, they had no idea of what was going on around them. There were several near-misses (not just with me) and I don't think they would have even noticed if their purse suddenly went missing out of their cart.
The same with distracted walking. I have had so many close calls on my way into work that I'm surprised my hair isn't greyer than it is. I've witnessed so many people (men and women) who are either plugged in to a device, or have the phone up to their ears, and just step off the curb, without even looking to see if there is any traffic coming.
Please, everyone, for your safety and mine (and everyone else's), use common sense. What did we do before cellphones, texting, etc.? We survived just fine. Even in today's busy culture, common sense needs to prevail. It's just not worth the aggravation (mine!).
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Kids Say the Darnedest Things...
Last week, when I picked my son up from school, he was visibility upset. I asked him what was wrong, and he told me he had just been called down to the office. He apparently heard a word that he thought was funny, had no idea what it meant, and blurted it out in class. The word was inappropriate to say the least (I won't repeat it here). So, off we went, back down to the office so I could speak with principal. Thankfully, she was understanding enough to realize that my son had no idea what this word meant. Being a typical 9 year old, also has no "filtering system" to keep him from repeating it. He finally revealed that he had heard this word from his sister (she's 15). It made sense, in a way, that he would heard it from her, however, I knew she didn't know what it meant either. Needless to say, I don't know which was more traumatic for him - being sent to the office (he never gets in trouble) or using this word. I think he's learned his lesson (one would hope anyway).
Later, I found out that it was in fact, on a YouTube video, that is masquerading as a "kid's" video, however, there is commentary from this person using bad language and inappropriate words. You'd think this person (or people) would have enough common sense that if you are making a video to put on the worldwide web, and you make it using a kids' character (in this case, Mario), that you'd tone it down and not using for a personal rant against the game itself, and in particular not use inappropriate language, knowing full well that kids will likely be attracted to this video.
I find it quite interesting that on a huge media like YouTube, they would monitor the videos that are posted little more closely. They are certainly on top of it if one violates copyright laws. Yet, when it comes to videos that are supposedly aimed at kids, but are not, they don't react. I think they should indeed monitor this, and at the very least, post a language warning. I know that the "higher-ups" from YouTube would say that it's up to the parents to monitor what their kids are watching and to an extent they're right. However, if they own a site such as YouTube, the onus is also on them to make sure the content is appropriate for the intended audience.
In the meantime, we are being extra vigilant as to what the kids are watching. You'd like to have your kids learn to make their own judgments, but at the same time, when you have videos that appear to be safe yet are not, it makes it extra hard.
Later, I found out that it was in fact, on a YouTube video, that is masquerading as a "kid's" video, however, there is commentary from this person using bad language and inappropriate words. You'd think this person (or people) would have enough common sense that if you are making a video to put on the worldwide web, and you make it using a kids' character (in this case, Mario), that you'd tone it down and not using for a personal rant against the game itself, and in particular not use inappropriate language, knowing full well that kids will likely be attracted to this video.
I find it quite interesting that on a huge media like YouTube, they would monitor the videos that are posted little more closely. They are certainly on top of it if one violates copyright laws. Yet, when it comes to videos that are supposedly aimed at kids, but are not, they don't react. I think they should indeed monitor this, and at the very least, post a language warning. I know that the "higher-ups" from YouTube would say that it's up to the parents to monitor what their kids are watching and to an extent they're right. However, if they own a site such as YouTube, the onus is also on them to make sure the content is appropriate for the intended audience.
In the meantime, we are being extra vigilant as to what the kids are watching. You'd like to have your kids learn to make their own judgments, but at the same time, when you have videos that appear to be safe yet are not, it makes it extra hard.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Dog Daze
Dogs are funny creatures and I say this with affection. I have two dogs - one is a "labradane" (lab/great dane cross) and the other is a "shepsky" (shepherd/husky cross). Billy, the labradane is 6 years and Angel, the shepsky, is 4 years. I've had them both since I adopted them from the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) when they were both 4 months old.
There are some people who treat their dogs like humans, and in some ways, I can understand why. In my case, my two "furry kids" as I call them, have personalities all their own, and Billy is very set in his ways. He likes to be around us all the time, even to the point where it can get annoying. What I mean by that is because of his size, he stands "guard" and it is like a brick wall trying to move him out of the way! However, it's also amazing how small he can curl himself up on one cushion of the couch to sleep. If there is something in the way of "his" cushion, he will stand with chin resting on the arm rest of the couch until someone moves the obstruction. He's also intimidating because of his size and very loud bark, but he has a very sweet personality. He's also the first lab I've known that doesn't like the water! (must be the dane in him).
Angel, on the other hand, isn't quite as set in her ways yet, but she has her own routine. Because of the husky in her, she likes to spend a lot of time outside. She can't be trusted off leash, because of the husky tendency to run. She knows how to get Billy riled up. She also will curl herself up in the snow with her tail over her nose, much like the sled dogs do. She likes to stretch out on the couch as well. She will start off stretched out on the carpet in the family room when we're watching TV, but later on she moves upstairs to the couch. She needs her "own" space I guess! She is also a very sweet dog.
Given their size, Billy and Angel are often popular in the campgrounds. Kids will reluctantly come up to them, and once they've gotten their faces washed, will continuously look for the dogs whenever we take them for walks and know them by name. The kids will come up and fling their arms around the dogs' necks, and of course, Billy and Angel bask in all the attention, since, apparently, they never get any at home (yeah, right!).
Dogs also seem to know when something is not right. I know if I'm not feeling well, Billy will jump up on the bed with me (even though he takes up most of it), and rest his chin on my leg and just sleep there. They will also stick close if I'm having a bad day. I've tripped over them sometimes (even as big as they are, sometimes you don't even know they've decided planted themselves on the floor behind you), and they always let me know if someone is around (even if that person is just walking down the sidewalk). Of course, dog hair is a major part of furniture (and clothing, floor, etc.).
I've always been around dogs. I had one when I was little, and my parents raised German Shepherds when I was older. I had one when I moved out, and we got one, and then another, once we were settled into our house. We had to get a bigger RV to accommodate the dogs. It's amazing what we will do to adjust our lives to theirs, but I can't imagine life without them!
There are some people who treat their dogs like humans, and in some ways, I can understand why. In my case, my two "furry kids" as I call them, have personalities all their own, and Billy is very set in his ways. He likes to be around us all the time, even to the point where it can get annoying. What I mean by that is because of his size, he stands "guard" and it is like a brick wall trying to move him out of the way! However, it's also amazing how small he can curl himself up on one cushion of the couch to sleep. If there is something in the way of "his" cushion, he will stand with chin resting on the arm rest of the couch until someone moves the obstruction. He's also intimidating because of his size and very loud bark, but he has a very sweet personality. He's also the first lab I've known that doesn't like the water! (must be the dane in him).
Angel, on the other hand, isn't quite as set in her ways yet, but she has her own routine. Because of the husky in her, she likes to spend a lot of time outside. She can't be trusted off leash, because of the husky tendency to run. She knows how to get Billy riled up. She also will curl herself up in the snow with her tail over her nose, much like the sled dogs do. She likes to stretch out on the couch as well. She will start off stretched out on the carpet in the family room when we're watching TV, but later on she moves upstairs to the couch. She needs her "own" space I guess! She is also a very sweet dog.
Given their size, Billy and Angel are often popular in the campgrounds. Kids will reluctantly come up to them, and once they've gotten their faces washed, will continuously look for the dogs whenever we take them for walks and know them by name. The kids will come up and fling their arms around the dogs' necks, and of course, Billy and Angel bask in all the attention, since, apparently, they never get any at home (yeah, right!).
Dogs also seem to know when something is not right. I know if I'm not feeling well, Billy will jump up on the bed with me (even though he takes up most of it), and rest his chin on my leg and just sleep there. They will also stick close if I'm having a bad day. I've tripped over them sometimes (even as big as they are, sometimes you don't even know they've decided planted themselves on the floor behind you), and they always let me know if someone is around (even if that person is just walking down the sidewalk). Of course, dog hair is a major part of furniture (and clothing, floor, etc.).
I've always been around dogs. I had one when I was little, and my parents raised German Shepherds when I was older. I had one when I moved out, and we got one, and then another, once we were settled into our house. We had to get a bigger RV to accommodate the dogs. It's amazing what we will do to adjust our lives to theirs, but I can't imagine life without them!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
One Sock Mystery
It has always been a mystery how two socks can go into the laundry, but only one seems to come out. There are those who have come to the conclusion that this other sock ends up in some vortex and finds its way into someone else's laundry.
I think I have figured out this mystery. I have accumulated a stock pile of "one sock", mostly belonging to my 9 year old. I could never figure out how it is that he has both socks on his feet, yet only one seems to end up in the laundry. Upon a thorough cleaning of his room, particularly under his bed, the said mates to these socks suddenly appeared, as if by magic. They seemed to have slithered out from wherever they were hiding and decided to show themselves.
Now, my son's laundry hamper is at the end of his bed - he cannot miss when he puts his clothes into it, yet, the socks for some reason have not both made it in. The problem, it seems, is because he removes his socks as soon as he gets home (he doesn't like wearing socks), and just leaves them where he takes them off. Pretty soon, somehow, they seem to end up either between his mattress, under the bed, or one is sticking out from wherever it is he has left them, but the other seems to have vanished. Thus, only the one he can "see" ends up in the hamper.
Then, when it comes to needing socks, he wonders why there aren't any in his drawer to wear, and of course, it's because mom hasn't washed them yet!! I direct him to the "one sock" pile and tell him to pick the two that closely match and wear those, to which I am greeted with a funny look. Sigh!
I at first wasn't sure if it was a little boy thing, but I've recently discovered that my daughter (who is 15) is having the same issue - both socks go into her hamper, but only one ends up in the wash. I've since discovered that her's end up stuck in the leg of her pants.
So, I think I've solved the one sock mystery - for now. On to the next one!
I think I have figured out this mystery. I have accumulated a stock pile of "one sock", mostly belonging to my 9 year old. I could never figure out how it is that he has both socks on his feet, yet only one seems to end up in the laundry. Upon a thorough cleaning of his room, particularly under his bed, the said mates to these socks suddenly appeared, as if by magic. They seemed to have slithered out from wherever they were hiding and decided to show themselves.
Now, my son's laundry hamper is at the end of his bed - he cannot miss when he puts his clothes into it, yet, the socks for some reason have not both made it in. The problem, it seems, is because he removes his socks as soon as he gets home (he doesn't like wearing socks), and just leaves them where he takes them off. Pretty soon, somehow, they seem to end up either between his mattress, under the bed, or one is sticking out from wherever it is he has left them, but the other seems to have vanished. Thus, only the one he can "see" ends up in the hamper.
Then, when it comes to needing socks, he wonders why there aren't any in his drawer to wear, and of course, it's because mom hasn't washed them yet!! I direct him to the "one sock" pile and tell him to pick the two that closely match and wear those, to which I am greeted with a funny look. Sigh!
I at first wasn't sure if it was a little boy thing, but I've recently discovered that my daughter (who is 15) is having the same issue - both socks go into her hamper, but only one ends up in the wash. I've since discovered that her's end up stuck in the leg of her pants.
So, I think I've solved the one sock mystery - for now. On to the next one!
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