Archive for July, 2007

Drinking and Shuttling

Thursday, July 26th, 2007

A big deal is being made over the suggestion some astronauts may have consumed alcohol before being launched into space. I personally can’t imagine strapping a rocket to my rear stone cold sober. As long as the computer was below the legal limit, who cares?  Never mind the fact they are strapped in their seats for hours before the shuttle even lifts off.  I have yet to notice a tipsy astronaut waving to the crowd as he/she takes those final steps on Mother Earth.  I doubt any alcohol consumed was to the extent it had an impact in their performance hours later.

Post Traumatic Lawsuit Disorder

Tuesday, July 24th, 2007

In a nutshell, a woman is suing Consolidated Edison over last week’s steam pipe explosion because it brought back horrible memories of 9/11. The supposed intent of her lawsuit is to force Consolidated Edison to take the upkeep and maintenance of its pipes more seriously to prevent this type of event from happening in the future. Though I don’t doubt the explosion of steam and debris was horrifying, I really don’t think a lawsuit is necessary on her part to correct the problem. The explosion was an expensive mess for ConEd and NYC. The cost, damage and panic it caused is catalyst enough for the company and city to increase its efforts.  The last thing our country needs is for our citizens to start bankrupting our good companies with lawsuits stemming from the stress of the terrorists’ actions. Our enemies aren’t those who remind us of what happened on that day, but those who acted against us on that day. Let’s not be like our President and lose sight of where our anger belongs.

It’s not cancer…

Monday, July 23rd, 2007

Tony Snow assured us the palups removed from our President’s GI Tract are not cancerous.  Notice he failed to mention whether or not they are brain matter.  Ah, to finally have a diagnosis for all of this madness.

Is it Possible?

Tuesday, July 17th, 2007

Is it possible commercials aren’t intended to make sense?  I often find myself unable to sort out the message delivered.  Such a waste of money for the advertiser when the viewer is left scratching his head.  Maybe not though.  Honestly, I’m afraid I actually spend more time thinking about the commercials I don’t get versus the ones I figure out easily.  The belief is there has got to be something I am missing in the pitch that, once discovered, would make it all clear and clever to me.  Perhaps the joke is on me though.  Perhaps the commercial was never intended to be clear or clever and that is the surprising hook.  Is stupid the new brilliant in the advertising world.  Might as well be, I suppose.

What’s in a name?

Sunday, July 15th, 2007

The name of a local school always gives me pause.  UMUC.  University of Maryland University College.  You’d think with all of the great minds available to academia a better name would be chosen.  Everytime I hear it I feel the need to scratch my head.  How do they classify their programs?  Program of Business Program Department?  Department of Music Department Program.  School of Education School Program?

Are We Numb?

Friday, July 13th, 2007

Another child was found murdered today. As a mom, I feel incredible sadness. Naturally, I am also terrified I may someday find myself living a nightmare of someone else’s doing. Anger and shock aren’t really reactions I can claim, however. They definitely aren’t the first emotions I notice. This scares me a bit. Adding to the concern is my belief I am not alone. Society seems a bit numb and interest in these cases has a tabloid feel.

When I read commentary on recent headlines relating to child abductions and murders, the anger I do detect is often directed at parents and why they weren’t doing a better job of watching their children. Huh? Sure, it is important to be attentive parents. However, who under Earth’s blue sky has any justifiable excuse for laying their hands on and harming another person’s child? Who?!!! I don’t care how unattentive a parent is being (okay, I care, but not as it relates to assigning anger here). When does a parent’s lapse in judgment justify the killing or abuse of a child and nullify the need to direct 100% of our anger at the monsters who have commited these acts? Never. Never!

I think it is time for us to find our anger so we can direct it at the individuals in our society who are truly doing harm. When we are more upset by a mistake with our drive-thru hamburger or a car in front of us that hasn’t noticed the light has turned green, we definitely need to reset ourselves a bit.

Bumper Sticker

Thursday, July 12th, 2007

While on the great American highway last weekend, my husband and I spied a bumper sticker that just about summed it all up. I can’t remember the exact wording. It was along the lines of “Vietnam was the only war Bush actually had an exit strategy for.” I support the troops completely. They are doing their best with a difficult situation. I just wish it felt like we had a well outlined plan for where we want to be in the future and how to get there. So far it feels like we are going about things like the working person who starts saving for retirement at 50. Success and security seem a bit out of reach.

I Wonder?

Thursday, July 12th, 2007

How much extra flab can you get away with before your double chin technically becomes a double neck? Can you tell this pregnant woman is having body image issues? Holly, you got me going with your post about pictures and such.

On vacation last weekend I bought a cheap swimsuit at Walmart so I could cool off in the pool with the rest of my family. Word to the wise, when pregnant and hormonal don’t subject yourself to the perils of wearing a $13 swimsuit. This is especially important when you are the only pregnant person present. If it weren’t for my lily white legs and arms, I likely would have been mistaken for a runaway, brown, river log. Or something else much less appealing. We’ll leave it at that.

Ah Youth

Wednesday, July 11th, 2007

It is totally normal to miss one’s youth at times.  Just don’t try to relive the experience by acting like you are still in highschool.  It’s just not attractive.  Grown adults really are quite silly when they pout and stomp their feet.  It just makes our wrinkles worse and body parts jiggle that are best kept still.

Spam

Wednesday, July 11th, 2007

Internet Spam is actually worse than the canned stuff.  Who’d of thunk?