Dare I Say It?

“That’s Offensive!”

“I’m Offended!”

Why are we wasting so much time and energy looking for reasons to be offended?  Why are we burning up so much of our limited time on this orb being offended (with the marching and the shouting and the rioting and the burning and the general mayhem with accompanying chaos)?

• People get offended because of a flag.
• People get offended by the people who are offended by a flag.
• People are offended by something their ancestors endured.
• People are offended by those who are offended by something their ancestors endured.
• People are offended because they are expected to follow the law.
• People are offended because those enforcing the law didn’t bring them warm milk and cookies and coddle them.
• People get offended because someone said a word.
• People get offended because they think they have every right to be offensive.

We waste SO MUCH of our lives either offending or being offended and being angry about it!  Can ANYONE change history? NOPE!   Can anyone change their skin pigmentation? Possibly, but at great financial expense.  Can anyone un-say anything they have said?  Nope!  Can anyone undo what has been done? Nope.

People yell, shout, scream, and demand “justice” when they really want revenge!  People yell, scream, shout, and demand “equality” and “unity” yet they are not willing to stop being divisive.

Let’s be honest: the life is NOT fair!  Never has been and never will be. We are divided because we CHOOSE to be divisive!  If we want to be a united culture then we have got to stop being divisive and start being courteous and respectful toward each other.  We have got to learn to let go of the things we cannot change.

We can only move forward from THIS point in time!  We cannot move forward if we continue to focus on what’s behind us.  Learn from history, learn that cooperation DOES work, and learn to move forward in cooperation!

Think about this:  If you take 10 people and give each of them $1M.  Within three generations, at least half of them will be broke (or in debt). And about 1% will be the wealthiest among the group (by fair means or foul).  Why? Because we focus more on the MONEY instead of the PEOPLE!

But that’s just my two cents worth.

And, by the way, I am offended that the symbol for cents is not found on my computer keyboard while the $ symbol is very clearly placed.

Simplicity

Confucious has been credited with saying: “Life is simple. It is we who complicate it.”  Think about life for a moment.  What does it truly consist of?  Taking in oxygen, Ingesting nourishment, Expelling waste.  That is life!  Everything else we add are mere complications which will eventually lead to a complicated and often overwhelming life.

Consider this: You need to travel from point A to point B.  Is it REALLY necessary that you have the most luxurious mode of transportation?  NO! Absolutely not!

Okay, let’s try another one: You have some personal items to carry with you (keys, money, etc.), do you REALLY need a $2000 handbag to carry it?  Absolutely not!

One more:You decide to go for a walk.  Do you REALLY need $200 in walking apparel, $300 walking shoes, and the $7 bottle of water to go for  walk?  NO!

We spend so much time convincing ourselves that these complications, while convenient and comfortable, are necessities when they are absolutely NOT!  You can get from point A to point B by walking, by bicycle, by burro, or just not go at all.  You can carry your personal items in pockets, a lunch pail, or a flour sack.  You can go for a walk in sandals or barefoot, our ancestors did it for quite a number of years.

When will we stop complicating our lives and start simplifying life?

I Forgot That I Am Forgetful

Got a note the other day that said, “The biggest lie I tell myself is that I don’t need to write it down to remember it.”  Which is true for me because when I write something down, I usually forget where I put the note until several days after I needed to accomplish what the note said. Sadly, that little note usually falls out of my file in one huge lump of other notes to myself.

 Remembering is becoming more of a challenge for me, not because of my age (that I will admit to, if I remember), rather more due to the sheer volume of things requiring memorization. The note method worked for a while, then I kept forgetting where I put the note. So I graduated to keeping a notebook with me in order to record thoughts to be recalled later.  Now I am finding notebooks all over my house with lists of things to remember that I had forgotten.

 Some other methods of recall have been:

• The string on the finger (which failed due to the string interfering with my fingers and subsequently being removed prior to fulfilling its purpose).

• Writing a note on my hand. (permanent marker is a bad idea, especially when one has to meet with the boss. Temporary markers simply rub off).

• Making up a rhyme. (Haven’t found anything to rhyme with Assessment as yet)

• Voice recording (I hate the sound of my voice on the recordings)

• I do use a whiteboard, but as it is at my office I can only put office stuff on it.

 

I have opted for the gender memory system.  I will tell my best friend who will not hesitate to remind me if I irritate her. Actually, she reminds me of many things I don’t remember asking her to remember.

 Ah well, one good thing about being forgetful is I don’t remember what I’ve forgotten but if it’s important someone will undoubtedly remind me that I forgot it.

You Want WHAT?

One of my hobbies is people watching.  I like to observe this creature called “human” going about their daily routines and in the habitats where they feel more at ease.  My efforts have revealed some interesting observations regarding the behaviors of these beasts.

The first behavior I observed is one-upmanship whereby when a group of these humans gather in a setting, they begin comparing positions with the following inquiry: “What do you do for a living?” Upon receiving the answer, a perceived hierarchy begins to develop.  For example, a business executive will assert his superiority over the administrative assistant or salesperson.  The successful professional will be judged to be superior to the young professional just starting their career.  Social gatherings don’t seem to function until this pecking order has been established.  I question the validity of this need and wonder why a person’s profession is more important than the person.

Another behavior I observed is the customer service ‘I want to punch you in the throat’ look. I find this in restaurants, stores, DMV, and any other place where a worker is required to deal with the public.  I, also, deal with the public and sometimes feel this way. Why do customers, of any kind, somehow believe that they are the center of the universe and are not expected to be courteous, polite, or even nice?

I will limit my examples to two:

1. A person comes into a restaurant, is seated, is given a menu and a rundown of the specials. Server goes to take care of another table. Instead of deciding what to order, the customer begins a conversation, phone call, check emails, updates Facebook, anything except pick up the menu and make a decision. Upon the return of the Server, the customer says, “I just can’t decide, what’s good?” The Server would be VERY unprofessional should they ‘recommend’ something that appeals to THEIR taste, because it might not be something that appeals to YOUR taste. And if their suggestion is not something you like, your experience will be noted by you as “bad” and you will tell others how “awful that restaurant is” even going so far as to blast the place (and server) in the VERY public forum of Facebook. I’ve seen it too many times for this not to be true.
2. If you have had a bad day, this in NO WAY is a license for you to vent your anger, frustration, irritation, or just plain obnoxious arrogance on anyone else.  Especially the one providing you with goods and/or services. For example, if you go to a pub to drown your rough day and call for the “BAR WENCH” you can pretty much be guaranteed some sort of revenge will be wrought. Perhaps your beverage will be brought in a dirty glass, or saliva has been added, or a dead roach was drowned in your beverage and removed before you got served.  Rule of thumb: Do NOT irritate those who provide you with immediate goods and/or services.  If you have had a bad day, take a walk or go to the gym or go play in traffic.

The barbershop where I get what’s left of my hair trimmed (“cut” would be far too drastic), the barber knows I am introverted. As a result, she keeps the conversation to three questions or less.  Why? Partly because she knows I dislike chatty people who talk just to fill the silence. But, more importantly, because she has taken the time to observe and remember.  I am a regular. I like to have the same barber. As a result, my gratuity reflects the extra effort she put in to help establish this relationship.

Gratuity, in and of itself, is a tangible way of expressing GRATITUDE for a job well done. Now I do take offense with establishments that put a “tip jar” right next to the cash register, as if a gratuity is an expectation given PRIOR to the service being provided.  A coffee shop I visited recently had such a setup. When I paid for my coffee, I was given my change in singles (as a hint to tip for a job not yet done). I stepped away from the counter to await the delivery of my coffee, and when it was given to me, I provided the tip directly to the person performing the service. Not out of requirement, but because the service was quick and courteous.

There is no reason to be obnoxious, arrogant, or ignorant. THINK! Reverse the roles for a moment, how would YOU wish to be treated?

There Has Obviously Been Some Mistake…

I’ve almost reached the point where I no longer bother to read the “news” anymore.  Why? Because of all the detritus, flotsam, and various other forms of refuse. 

“Amanda Bynes Appears In Court Again” – This is news HOW? Millions of people appear in court for all sorts of reasons every single day, why is this person any different?  Because she’s a “celebrity”? Does that mean she’s so much better than the rest of the population that people hang on her every move? It’s Lindsay NoBrain all over again.

My apologies to all who enjoy the doings of the royals, but the birth of a child happens many times all over the world every minute. Why is this particular child so special? Because he’s a “royal”? Tell you what, when the “royals” are able to live without breathing, that will be cause for attention. Aside from that, they are people just like the rest of us.

Here are a few other topics I don’t care about:

• What a “celeb” wears to some event. Don’t care!
• What the Kardashian’s are doing, saying, screwing, doing. Don’t care!
• Who is engaged, sleeping with, married to or divorcing. Don’t care!
• The latest “get rich quick” or “weight loss quick” secret. DON’T CARE!
• The fastest production car. DO NOT CARE! In rush hour, it won’t make a difference.
• Who gets the most “likes.” Guess what? I CARE NOT!

Let me put it as simply as I know how…unless it vastly improves my life or the lives of my family…

But that’s just my two cents worth…not that anyone cares.

 

Bug Zappers And Recliners

Many years ago, and no you may not ask how many, I was once young.  Chuckle if you will, at the truth. I was young….almost a child.  I thought the universe revolved around me and anyone over the age of 25 was an idiot.  Okay, some proved my point and some are still proving my point, but I digress.

I remember the days when we actually played outdoors. We had pick up games of stickball, basketball, soccer and tag.  We wandered in the woods without fear and rode our bicycles until the streetlights came on.  I used to ride by myself up to the corner store without fear to trade in soda bottles (yes, soda used to come in actual glass bottles. It isn’t a myth, it’s the truth) for candy. This was also before *gasp* cellphones and computer games, and we used to actually spell words out to make complete sentences.  Yeah…..and dinosaurs roamed the earth and we had just stepped off the Ark.

But all that was a distant age.  Time has passed and I have grown.  I would say I’ve grown wiser, except far too many have witnessed the idiotic things I say and do for that to pass.  Honestly, I didn’t appreciate listening to people talk about how things were better when they were young, and I’m not going to say they were better when I was young, because I can’t say that.  I will say I enjoyed my childhood, for the most part, except for the wedgies…..oh and getting my shoes glued to the floor…..then there was the time I got stuffed in the clothes dryer for a 10 minute ride….and the time I fell up a tree (yeah, the insurance company was skeptical about that too).  For the most part, my childhood was pretty fun.

Then I discovered girls…and life completely changed. But we won’t go into that phase.

I said all that to say this, the saddest thing I have witnessed of late was a lady about my age dressed in clothes that I’ve seen teens wear. That sight not only made me embarrassed for those of my age bracket (yes I’m claiming an entire bracket), but made me really not wish to ever go to Stuffmart ever again.

I have accepted that I am no longer in my teens.  I have accepted who I am and recognized what I am not (or will never be again).  I have accepted the fact that should I wear speedos I would most likely be arrested by the fashion police.  I have accepted that the all you can eat buffet is usually more of a courtesy than the issuance of a challenge.  I have accepted that I am no longer as athletic as once I might have been and that I enjoy sitting a lot more than I used to. I accept that my mind is not as agile as it used to be, and I enjoy naps more now.

I accept that I am not a spring chicken, but I’m not old buzzard either…yet….am I?

By the way, the title just donged about in my mind and came trundling forth. So there!

Hail Rule of Thumb!

Why do we call it a “rule of thumb”? Some might call them Nuggets of Wisdom, but they are more commonsense than anything. Then again, since common sense seems to have very little to do with our daily lives, wisdom would be justifiably accurate.

* When using a hammer, keep your fingers out of the way. The larger and heavier the hammer, the more this applies. If possible, get someone else to hold the nail.

* If it is steaming, chances are it is hot! Handle with care and ingest with caution.

* No matter how it’s prepared, asparagas is evil!

* If something smells bad, it has either spoiled, soiled, or died.

* If it can kill you, do not antagonize it.

* Umbrellas do not make good parachutes.

* If you jump or fall or are pushed. You WILL reach the bottom at some point. Learn how to land to make the injuries minimal.

* Roots grow slowly, but eventually, if left alone, they will destroy your home.

* Do not ask questions you do not want answered.

* If your hands are full and you are in a hurry, you will encounter many obstacles.

* Unless the world actually does revolve around you, the world is not against you.

* If you shine your light in someone else’s dark places, that means you are a burglar. Prepare to get shot.

* Older people have lived longer than you because they aren’t stupid, they learned a few rhings along the way. Listen to them.

* If you think no one saw you do it, surprise, you’re wrong!

* The road may be bumpy but, as long as you are still breathing, buckle up because the ride ain’t over.

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

For some reason, when I was goofing around with GIMP, this song came to mind.

Logically Illogical

Logic is a tricky thing because it is based on one’s process of thought. I have wondered, as I am a wonderer, who came up with a certain thought process and decided “Oh that is a logical argument, thus I dub thee ‘Logic'”. But, once again, my mind has fallen from the train of thought and tumbled into the woodline.

The reason I bring up Logic is because of some advice I received recently. I made the comment that would like to lose some weight, and was told that logically it was a simple feat….stop eating. Hmmmm…..sounds reasonable….sounds logical…..but in reality it’s quite the idiotic advice. If you subscribe to such a way of thinking, then if one would be rid of a headache then one should simply remove their head. Or if you wish to stop coughing, then simply stop breathing.

It is so easy to be opinionated and declare your opinion to be a logical argument. But consider this, looking into the fishbowl does not make you a goldfish. Standing in a carpark does not make you a car. Having an opinion, especially one not completely thought through, does not make one wise.

Unless you are a goldfish, you have no idea what it’s like to BE a goldfish. And for that matter, what may not be a crisis or a struggle for you might be a HUGE challenge for someone else. The best wisdom is doled out sparingly and is tinged with experience.

So…You Like Lists?

I’m given to understand that people who read blogs enjoy the odd list or two, as it tends to be easy to read and personalizes the author.  I’ll admit, lists do intrigue me somewhat, but I find that if one wishes to personalize themselves, then perhaps an anecdote from their daily life or some opinion they wish to be made known, would serve the better purpose.

 For those who like lists, I have two:

Liste The Firste

1. Eggs, large
2. Laundry Detergent
3. Toothpaste
4. Shaving Cream
5. Oranges (or other fruit)
6. Coffee
7. Butter (the heart healthy stuff, not the good real stuff)
8. Rice – non bleached
9. Tea – it IS the South, after all and Iced Tea IS delicious.
10. Peanut Butter

 This is part of my list for the grocer. Hope you found it helpful and informational.

 

Liste The Seconde

1. Exercise a bit more.
2. Write more with pen and ink.
3. Coffee Mug
4. Fan blades
5. Blinking Voicemail Light
6. Almost Empty Candybox
7. Day Dreams
8. Sock Monkeys
9. Facial Tissues
10. Cheese

 

This is merely thoughts that popped into my mind whilst writing my list for the grocer. Hopefully you found this equally informative and enlightening.

On a more conclusive thought, (yes, there IS a point to this ramble) a quote caught my eye this morning.  The quote did, in fact, return my eye while it rattled around my mind seeking a place to grow.  Oh yes, the quote: “Little by little, one travels far” – J.R.R. Tolkein.

 Ponder that for a moment. When we journey, we must go in increments.  One cannot travel miles without traversing inches.  One cannot explore the vastness of space without passing through the molecules of the atmosphere.  One cannot learn physics, without learning the mathematical basics. Who we are has been a series of small steps.  We have grown and learned and, hopefully, become wiser one breath at a time.

 We all have goals we would like to achieve. Rush not into that dark night too quickly, or you might not notice the bend in the path. Yeah, feeling philosophical right now.