Hope Solo. . no.no.no

Geez. Hope Solo, just shut up. You know who she is. She’s the one that got kicked off the TV show Dancing with the Stars last week. I am sick and tired and annoyed. No more Hope Solo, please!

The media constantly gives ‘celebrities’ air time for their bad behavior. The worse they are, the more you see and hear about it. They are on talk shows and entertainment shows and every damn show on every damn channel. Enough. Geez. What about the brattier they are the LESS air time. Ever think about that. Maybe we are sick of this crap and don’t want it jammed down our throats any more. No more air time for these brats. Maybe it’ll straighten the cocky little sh**s out. Maybe they’ll see how lucky they are. The world is going to hell, people need jobs to put food on the table for their families and these idiots are making millions and millions of dollars by doing things most good parents would discipline their children for. Then we get bombarded with crappy, annoying shows like Jersey Shore and who knows the names of the other crap that’s stinking up the air waves . . . . So nowadays kids don’t care about school, don’t worry about learning anything cause they think ‘Ooooo the worse I act, the more likely I am to get my own show and make lots and lots of money.’ Yuk. Stinko.

Well Hope, you should thank your lucky stars because you were on that show waaaaay longer than you should have been. I know a thing or two about dance and your ‘dancing’ (I use the term loosely) was more like watching a Clydesdale stomping around the ballroom. You did not exhibit any grace, style or rhythm at all. And you could not execute the steps. Your pro dancer spent a lot of time pulling and dragging you around the floor. It was never pretty to watch. Nope. It was painful.

I think the only reason that you lasted as long as you did was so the producers to could give Maksim Chmerkovskiy, your pro dancer, a fair shot at getting you up to speed so he might possibly have a shot at a win. But you. . . no you should have gone long, long ago and given someone else the shot at the mirror ball trophy.

I am sick of hearing you complain and hearing your bratty comments. You think that the judges were hard on you. I think they were overly kind and generous. The judges know a thing or two about dancing and you don’t. You should be more respectful and set a better example of good sportsmanship.

Discipline is a 4 letter word

Ok, so my buttons were pushed again today.

What is the title for the generation that comes after the 'ME' generation? I am asking because I really don't know. Is it the 'Who gives a crap as long as it's all about me, me, me' generation? Or is it the "I can be as bratty and obnoxious as I want and you can't do a thing about it' generation. It sure seems like this is the direction things are going. And they are getting younger and younger and brattier and brattier.

I was in a store today, patiently waiting to pay for my purchase. Suddenly I hear this young female voice behind me. It was not a sweet, young child's voice, but the voice of the devil. She very forcefully shrieked, "Mommy, I want this." as she fingered something hanging on the end cap in crinkley, noisy plastic. Mommy said no. The Devil again, "I want it Mommy." Mommy said no. After a few more of these exchanges, the child says, "WELL I WANT IT AND I AM GETTING IT, I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY" in a shrill voice. 

Mommy was a wimp. She should have explained that this was a public place and that know one wanted to hear her horrid little brat's demands. She never explained that as the parent, her word is final. She never told the child to be quiet. She never said or did anything that would give anyone in the near vicinity the slightest clue that she, the parent understood what manners were and that she was trying to teach them to her children. What a disappointment. I can't blame the kid for intolerable behavior because of the lack of parenting by 'Mommy'. My mom would have given me her best, most disapproving look, which was always reserved for public. She never needed to raise her hand, her voice or even say a word for that matter. She had a knack for getting the point across. If any of us dared talk to her like that anywhere, let alone in public. . . . . . .

When did it start? When did parents let the kids rule them and make demands that must be met, or else? I am so sick and tired of parents who have no back bone. They are kids for gawd's sake. Don't let your kids run in circles around the customers in the store. Don't let them throw merchandise on the floor and run away. Don't let them break or damage goods for sale. Last I knew you adults were supposed to be raising them. Teach them responsibility. Teach them manners. Teach them good behavior. Let's not forget to teach them discipline.

By the way the child was about 5, the mother was roughly 35.

Who needs parenting?

This past weekend I stayed at a hotel while traveling. It's nice, a chance to get away from home and the nightmares of home ownership, otherwise known as 'the money pit'. Generally hotels are quiet and relaxing. You can stretch out in a nice terry cloth robe, watch a nice big screen TV while sipping or guzzling your favorite beverage du jour. It's a carefree night or weekend or however long you plan to stay in this bliss.

Well, I guess my life just doesn't work that way. I shoulda known from the start. When attempting to get into the elevator to head toward my room, 2 rug rats old enough to know better, ran ahead, knocking into me, almost pushing me over. One of their dads made them get out and let me, the older person, get in first. The dad, with puffed up chest, very proudly said that he is trying to teach the kids to respect others, especially older people. Thanks alot. I'm not THAT old. But anyway.

I get to my room and settle in to relax. I suddenly hear something what sounds like thunder rumbling so loud that it is earthquake worthy. Then I hear kids high pitched squeals, screams and laughter. The noise winds up to a feverish pitch and I am wondering what the hell is going on. I figure, aw, it's a one time thing. Forget about it. Go back to guzzling and scratching and leave the kids alone. I'll just let it go. But it got old real damn fast. It became an all night thing. There was a herd of at least 8 kids at a time and sometimes it was 10-15. . . running. Running up and down the hallways. Running up and down the stair wells. Back and forth, back and forth. Running screaming and laughing the whole entire time. And they were L-O-U-D. . . Now I'm wondering, where in the hell were the parents? Where were those 2 dads that said they were trying to teach their kids respect? They were no where to be seen. I kept popping my head out of the door trying to catch one of the little sh*ts by the scruff of the neck, but they were too fast. (Hmm maybe I am old)

The next morning I checked out of the hotel. As I was waiting for the elevator to go back to my room, I overheard one set of parents talking to another group of parents . . . with their kids standing there. . . saying 'I just heard that people complained about us making too much noise last night. Can you believe it!' They were in shock! Disbelief! Mystified! Who would call and complain about their little angels? Well, what I can't believe, is that those parents. . .  and I use that word loosely. . didn't have a clue what was going on all night. And if they did and let it happen, shame on them. As I was recovering from my shock, I heard another set of parents, again in front of a bunch of kids, laughing and slapping each other on the back and fist pumping, while commenting on how a bunch of them went out and got totally sh*tfaced the night before. They started out in a local bar, then brought more booze to their rooms, stayed up all night drinking. . .  and they bragged about who had the most 6 packs. Well there's a way to count how much you've had to drink. Not by the bottle, but by the 6 pack. Geez. . . really. . . way to go folks. Your kids are standing right there . . . watching and listening. du-u-u-h.

Well there ya go. See why kids are like they are today. Oh, and it wasn't just dads. Each dad was accompanied by a mom. The moms were right in there with the drinking and bad behavior. As they say, 'the nut doesn't fall far from the tree'. So I could plainly see what those parents are teaching their kids. To be thoughtless. Don't care about others. Talk about respect if you think that is what the other person wants to hear, but totally disregard it for real. The world is about 'me, me, me and only me' and my wishes. Screw you if you don't like it. I can get as drunk as I want, as belligerent as I want, as stupid and insensitive and loud as I want and you can't do a damn thing about it. It's a free country. So there.

Well, the hotel had so many complaints about this group, that I later learned that they called 'em up and told them that they can NEVER stay there again. Ever. So . . .  screw you drunk, rude parents of the loud, obnoxious bratty kids. So there!

Are YOU a bully?

Bullying is such a big deal in the news these days. Why now? Why all of a sudden?  Because some celebrities get on TV and say it's not cool?? Well, it's not cool and it's nothing new folks. After reconnecting with some old school mates recently, memories came rushing back from kindergarten, middle and high school days . . .  of being bullied and witnessing bullying. 

Bullies are annoying. What they do and how they do it is annoying. Their parents are annoying. The fact that their parents and family allow it, is really annoying. And what's up with that? The 'not my kid' attitude is sad and pathetic. You know what your kids are like. Why defend them? Because it's easier than teaching them a better way I guess. Maybe you are too damned busy trying to find the bottom of the bottle or unload a needle. Maybe you just don't give a damn about your kids and how they grow up. Maybe you're so sour and unhappy that you are afraid that your kids might amount to something and get as far away from you as possible, as soon as they can. And the poor kid who feels like they have no place or no one to turn to for help or support. What happens to them? Talk to anyone that was bullied decades ago and they will either show you their battle scars or brag about how they bullied others. We are what we learn.

So, I guess I always knew this as a kid, but as an adult it has been confirmed. .  repeatedly . . . . bullies are extremely insecure people. If you dare stand up for yourself, you will pleasantly find that they will back down. They can't take it. They don't believe that you have the guts to do it. So they bully repeatedly, to beat that insecurity into you, so anytime they need an ego boost they have a proverbial punching bag around. They select their targets because they think that you won't stand up to them. They want to be big shots. Especially in front of others. They want to feel superior. In fact, they need to feel superior to others. So don't let them get away with it. You are valuable. Don't buy into what the bully is trying to get you to believe about yourself. You don't need them for validation.

Parents . .  are you bullies too? I bet you are. Where do you think your kids got that crappy behavior from?? Yes, maybe some from TV, some from video games and movies, ok, but kids model their parents (or other family members) behavior whether they are conscious of it or not. They hear your prejudice talk and think it's ok to repeat. That person is too fat, too ugly, doesn't wear the cool clothes, doesn't drive the right car, doesn't blah, blah, blah. . . Well, in whose eyes? Who says that you have the right to spread that type of evil to the next generation. Check yourself. Keep your negative thoughts to yourself . .  and if you have to blurt them out loud, surely don't speak these evils in front of your kids or grandkids. Let's stop the prejudice and evil. . .  and ultimately the bullying.

Tho I see and hear this kind of stuff all the time, it still shocks me when it happens. Just last week I saw multiple incidents where parents were out in public bullying their own children . . . by grabbing, shaking, yelling, cursing and beating them. Wow. If only those kids could stand up for themselves. I wonder how those kids will interact with others. . . now and as they get older. Well, I think we can figure it out. Now, how do we break the cycle?

Getting back to my school chums. . . I'm happy to report that the kids that I knew were bullied have not let it stop them. Tho the pain has not gone away, nor the memories, it has made them stronger people. They have learned to stand up for themselves with pride and confidence, but wow. . . there must be a better way. . . .

Funnist

I am sick and tired of hearing people who appear to be very intelligent say funnist. Even newscasters and entertainment reporters . . .  and oh yah . . . TEACHERS say funnist.

Funnist is not a word. So stop it. It's annoying. Enough said. . .

Cancer annoys the crap out of me

I hate the word cancer. It's not just annoying. It's down right ugly. The mere mention of the word strikes fear in the minds of anyone that hears it. The fact that cancer even exists . . .  is annoying. 

Don't we all have enough to deal with in this crappy economy? Jobs have dried up, our 401Ks have dried up, food prices and health care costs are on the rise again. Heck, even the United States Post Office is going bankrupt and closing locations. So on top of all that, we have diseases that are rampant. Do we need these diseases to add to the daily stresses of life? I can't pick up a newspaper or turn on a TV program without mention of what to eat, what to apply to our faces, what to smear on our bodies, where not to go, what not to drink, what not to touch, and all just to try to be cancer (or disease) free. And does any that stuff work anyway? Sometimes I wonder if it just makes it all worse.

Who hasn't been touched in by cancer some way? Well, I just learned today that a great friend has cancer and is going through chemo. Geez. I'm not just annoyed. I'm downright p*ssed!

Stop the calls PUH-LEEZ

Solicitation calls really get my blood boiling. It's non stop. It's an invasion. They used to always come at dinner time. During one stretch of time, about 6 months worth, I kept getting at least 7 calls within a 45 minute period. Can you believe it. It's abuse. An assault. I feel like a prisoner in my own home and scared s*less to answer the danged phone. It's all day and all evening, days, weekends, just non stop. The operative word here is STOP!

. . . I get calls for windows, from Friends of Police, for various foundations, for funeral plots, to donate here, to donate there and worse of all and the most egregious . . . from Visa. Rachel, I am sure you're a lovely girl but those calls telling me that I have just one more chance to reduce my percentage rate with your Visa company makes me want to punch you. Right in the face. I have seriously considered cancelling my phone service. But why should I be inconvenienced. That's just ridiculous. Who can get by without a phone. (people on cell phones in public is another topic of conversation. It's annoying. Watch for it) I get those danged calls on my land and cell lines. Arrrrggggg! So that means that I get bombarded 2 times more than everyone else. Great. Thanks. Don't I just feel special. . .

I've tried everything to stop them. I've hit the button to cancel future calls. They still come. I have called my phone company to have the numbers blocked. They still come. I have hit the button to talk to someone. When I ask to be put on a do not call list, they just hang up on me. Un-freakin' believable. You have the nerve to hang up on me! And the calls STILL COME! What will it take to get Rachel out of my life?

And then again, I often wonder who the moron is that made it ok for us to be assaulted this way. It's not just annoying, but a safety hazard as well. How many times I have had to run to grab the phone thinking it was an urgent call. You never know. But no, just a solicitation. I could have fallen and broken a leg or my neck even. I could have fallen down the stairs and been laying for days all twisted up just waiting to be rescued . . . or buried. How many times has something on a hot stove almost been tipped or spilled trying to get to that damned ringing phone only to hear Rachel's voice on the other end. Grrrr.

There must be a way to end these calls. Instead of picketing wall street, let's picket these horrid, obnoxious companies that call relentlessly. . . Who is with me? Oh, I have another idea, maybe we should bombard you with calls every day dear Rachel. Let's see how YOU like it.