53 posts tagged “rant!”

Over the last couple of weeks, I've been mentally composing a list of wrongs - here it is.

- Tiger Woods. Enough already. Who cares? I'm sure there is a time in many marriages when one partner would very much like to take a stiff shaft of steel and strike it against a thin pane of glass. Most of us are lucky that our lives and indiscretions are not written about in the tabloids. I do feel bad that Tiger thinks we're all so dumb as to believe his story. It also sucks that so many of his fans won't be able to see him play this week-end. I'll be glad when this story isn't the headline of every news report.

- People shooting one another. There was just another incident in Seattle where someone took it upon themselves to kill random (or not so random) people. We need to find another way of dealing with our frustrations people! Step away from the gun! And yes, guns do kill people - when they are held by angry mentally unstable people. America - It's way past the time to review the 'right to bear arms'. Seriously.

- Party crashers in DC. Obviously this couple is completely classless - way to inspire terrorists -  Good job Secret Service. Get over yourselves. If that couple does appear on the Real Housewives of DC, yes I will watch, but I will do so knowing they are douches. Yes, douches.

- CBS sports coverage of football. PLEASE! Stop showing fantasy stats 2 minutes into the first quarter! Just give me the scores. FOX tried this one week, then they realized it is very annoying. The CBS pre-game hosts are so stiff, serious and boring - they need to re-think their coverage. Also - please get the grown men dressed in suits OFF a mini field recreating plays. It's embarrassing to watch them fake passes, pretend to block and run about in slow motion while telling us lowly viewers what is going on. Who thought this was a good idea? Even the superior FOX pre-game does the 'All State Covers the Field' segment - it's just terrible!

- VOX. I like so many things about VOX, but you'd think they'd have the bugs worked out. I can rarely comment on other blogger's posts. I would say my success rate is less than 10%. For a month I couldn't load any books... It seems like there aren't many 'real' people out there... only ads and tweets...

- The music in the Big Break. The Big Break is a compelling (although slightly cheesy) golf competition reality show on the golf channel. The 'background' music is so loud it's difficult to hear them speak! The music is full of 80's inspired gratuitous guitar riffs chock with dramatic starts and stops. It makes the show nearly unwatchable. I swear the guy editing the sound is also the writer, producer, and composer of said crappy music and he thinks it's the most important part of the show. ARG!

- The service at RBC. My mom isn't exactly mobile right now. After a rough hour of therapy the other day, she asked me to run into the Royal Bank to make a deposit. She handed me her bank card and a personal check written to herself from her CIBC account. The place was completely empty, and the teller asked me if I had an account there, and I told her not for about 8 years or so - and informed me I couldn't deposit it for her. She called over a supervisor and they told me it's illegal for me to have her card - I pointed to my mom sitting in the car and told them it's difficult for her to walk. No go. She has been banking at RBC so long her account number is like '8'! I have been making deposits for my mom at CIBC for 20 years. Random vacationers deposit money in our account in Tennessee all the time. When in real estate, it was a well known fact that RBC lacked customer service. They told me my mom would have to come in. I pointed at the teller and supervisor and said, 'This is exactly why I don't bank at RBC - your customer service it terrible!' My mom then limped in, and we had to wait a few minutes for the supervisior to re-appear - although the place was empty - they told her to swipe her card in the card reader, it didn't work, oh wait, no you have to sign this... they have no idea what they are doing there... they told my mom, now that they 'know' her, (she has been banking at that location since it opened more than 30 years ago...) if she needs to do another transaction, they can come out to the car (no drive up window...). Sure. Brutal.

- Tim Horton's. I was at the drive thru last week, and after making my order, the girl working the drive thru said, '$1.32'. No drive up, no please - just the total. When I picked up my coffee, she never said a word. Not the amount, not the change she gave me and not a 'have a good night'. Nothing. I should have said, 'HEY! You may hate your life and your job, but you're paid to be nice. It's your job to be polite, follow policy and smile.' Ah well, I'll put that retort in the vault and use it next time - I'm sure there will be a next time.

- People who are all show and no go. I know people who brag about the parties they attend, the rich people they know, the cars they drive - and when it comes to being generous - nothing. If they donate anything it's used and worthless. There is a Sutton Creek Ladies Christmas party next week where we all bring toys and canned goods to donate. Believe me - I'll be watching to see what this one lady brings. She is so pathetic. If she doesn't bring anything I will say something to her.

- No response. I hate when I ask people to get back to me on something and they don't. Even if they don't have the answer, then just tell me that! I'm guilty of this occasionally, but I always apologize and have a reason... some people are just lazy, afraid so say 'no', or are trying to piss me off.  

Oh, there's more... but I have to run, and wow, I really feel better now!  

Everybody who cares has read the book anyways...

As I've mentioned before... I find the fact that the Twilight series is so adored by teenage girls more than a little disturbing... Millions of young girls everywhere are dreaming of finding their 'dangerous' life long love at the ripe age of 17. The fact that Bella wants to 'give' her entire life to one person is quite bothersome. What happens in later books is even more wrong.

I was in a theatre last night, surrounded by young, very impressionable girls (I know because I was one), and they all (yes, I mean all) started cheering during a preview of a Robert Pattinson movie that is being released soon.In the preview, he was dark, moody, brooding and smoking.

Great.

Anything else you would like to impress upon teenage girls? You already have teenage 'love' and well, if you read the series, you know how wrong it goes from there.

Ah well.

Parents, talk to you teenage girls!

The new season of The Real Housewives of Orange County is underway and sadly I'm an admitted fan. Oh what a train wreck!

On the first episode 'Vicki' states that she was shocked at how poorly she treated her husband 'Donn' last year, and he felt this behavior could not continue. He was tired of being put down, (that is an understatement btw)...

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It amazes me that people have to see themselves on TV before they realize a change is necessary in their lives. Is it because they see themselves with hindsight and regret how they acted or felt - because they don't actually *think* about their words/actions while they are saying/doing them? Or because they are mortified to realize that the entire viewing audience judges their behavior as disgusting and for that reason decide a change is imminent?

I'd like to see a few people I know on a show like that. Oh, if only! Not at all to prove I'm right about their bad behavior, (but I really am), but to facilitate a change in them to make the world a better place (and no I'm not being dramatic!).

As for me? I think I'd be okay with my words/action, but I'd probably be mortified at the size of my ass... 

I check Facebook generally in the morning, and maybe once more in the afternoon just about everyday. I have  been engaged on this social site for over a year now (after realizing I can avoid Crazy) and I have noticed a definitive genre of status updates.

- The Debbie Downer. This is the person who is always complaining. "Debbie Downer didn't get enough sleep, and will be dragging all day at work today". I have about 3 people in my list (people I have not seen since high school) who post everyday something depressing... "Debbie Downer hopes the rain holds off long enough to attend her favorite aunt's funeral'...

- The Always Ill. This is the person who is either always sick or their family is. I have about 3 people in my network who only post about their illnesses... 'Always Ill is at home with a cold, I hope I don't spread it to everyone.'

- Woe Is Me Worker Bee. This is the person who always complains or talks about work. "Woe Is Me Worker Bee has 7 more hours of computer work to do.' Hating Mondays, happy hump-day and TGIF are reoccurring themes with the Worker Bee.

- The Quoter. This is the person who always has positive and inspiring quotes as their status update. 'The Quoter just loves waking up in the morning, clapping her hands and saying "today is going to be a great day!"'

- Drama Queen. The Drama Queen always has something exciting going on... from out of control teenagers, a bad marriage, a crazy boss, multiple hospital visits... the Drama Queen's status updates could be a reality TV script, but the updates are often not completely informing, prompting questions from friends... 'The Drama Queen just got back from the hospital with her youngest daughter' followed by Drama Queen's Friend, 'OMG, what happened? I'm praying for you and your daughter.'

- The Texter. This is the person who can't write in complete coherent sentences and is not concerned about good spelling. 'The Texter isss totoly syched abt thisss wk-end w BFF Crissssy!!!'

- The Party Girl. This is the person that lives for the week-end, and sometimes has a mid-week escapade worthy of sharing on Facebook. 'The Party Girl is completely hungover, we rocked the block! Thanks Ladies for an awesome night out!'

- The Mom. The Mom is a Mom and nothing but a Mom on Facebook. Every updates revolves around their most perfect precious offspring. 'The Mom is so happy to spend the day with her baby girl. When she is napping I'm just going to stare at her and thank Jesus for this most perfect being'.

The Bible Thumper. They are the person that quotes the bible and prays a lot. 'The Bible Thumper is praying for a safe Hallowe'en for all the kids out there.' 

The Attention Seeker. This person always has a status update that is incomplete, and is posted for the express purpose of receiving comments. 'The Attention Seeker just can't believe what happened today!'  They are also known to post continually while on vacation, 'The Attention Seeker is sitting poolside... it's 80*F and the beer is cold'

So who am I on Facebook? Mostly I just post what I'm going... running errands, watching football, or going golfing. I think I'm a 'Polly Positive', or 'Hey, Look At What I'm Doing'

LG is running errands and can't wait for the week-end!

Admittedly, one of the crappiest, most indulgent, least redeeming shows I watch religiously is The Real Housewives of (fill in the blank) Atlanta.

I'm attracted to this show as it portrays women who are everything I'm not: filthy rich, 'beautiful', with demanding social lives, driven by fashion and the latest and greatest fads. Right...

I watch this show not with envy or anger, but with *something*... I somehow feel better about myself watching the drama that these women create; 'dram-ertainment'. If you have ever seen the show here are some interesting facts.

- Ne Ne was evicted from her house between season one and season two for not paying rent.

- Ne Ne's 'alter ego' was a stripper, however she met her current husband she was a stripper... not too much of a stretch...

- Her husband has been involved in many lawsuits and it has been reported that he is 'broke'.

- In August, Lisa's home went into foreclosure. It has been reported that she has claimed bankruptcy. So much for 'if it doesn't make me money I don't do it.'

- Lisa has two kids from a previous marriage that she does not have custody of... just sayin'

- Sheree lost her house to foreclosure, although her (ex) husband was ordered to pay the mortgage and failed to do so.

- Sheree had her first child when she was 15... classy.

- Sheree had an 'independence' party after her divorce was final... Really? How independant are you when you received a SEVEN figure settlement?

These women are constantly shown to be 'lunching', shopping and talking being important in the Altanta social scene... driving $$$ cars, and being seen are quite important to these ladies.

Can't wait for the live reunion.  

Mellow - that was our week-end in a word.

We finally watched all the Heroes episodes we had on the DVR, a movie and some other shows. We lounged about and watched football, went to MomG's for Thanksgiving dinner (it was awesome), I read a book, started another and took the pooch for a nice walk at the 'secret park' in Cottam (about 2 minutes away from our house).

I have been to the 'secret park' (aka: Cottam Rotary Tot Park) a couple dozen times, and I've only seen other people there 4 times. It's such a gem, although the best part (aside from the lack of people) is not the park itself, it's the attached field and woods nearby - especially in the fall... it's quite pretty.

Here's the park...

Tot Park

So if you go there, don't get mad if you see my dog off leash...

Now football: We went to MomG's early as Billy noted that Global (Canadian channel, which we don't get with our US satellite) tends to show all Buffalo games... and oh yes! The BROWNS were on! Cleveland won. Wow - I'm so happy about that. Whew! I would hate to see them winless playing the Lions at Ford Field. Their schedule is pretty tough (save Lion's - we'll see in week 11) for the rest of the season...

There were a couple of victories that I did not see coming: The Benglas beating Baltimore - huh? I don't like Baltimore, but I really don't like Cincinasty, so that one hurt. The Suckhawks decimated Jacksonville and Denver beat the Patriots. 'Oh, Denver is so awesome, Denver is the best' WHATEVER! I don't see it! They beat Cinci (who I thought sucked btw), Oakland (who does suck), Cleveland (no comment), Dallas (apparently suck despite Romo and fancy stadium), and Arizona (that was the first week, and hardly counts), and on Sunday they beat the Pats (now I understand the 'Boston' thing), in overtime I should mention - hardly a blowout. Anyways - the point is, I don't like them, and they bother me.

I saw the first half of the Jets - Fins game, and I'm so happy that Miami won. Gruden was creepy (as per usual), and they couldn't get enough of talking about Braylon Edwards. UGH! Well good for you Braylon, you actually caught a ball... maybe if you did that in Cleveland you wouldn't have felt 'on the outs'. Remember 2007? When you were able to catch a ball? and the fine fans of the Browns loved you? Well, good luck in NYJ... if you drop for them, there will be no forgiveness, and you will be run out of the city and the sport, so put that under your pillow.

Wow, it's early for LG to get so riled...

Anyways, this week should be, well, mellow. Not too much going on - life is good.   

In the last week I've had more contact with 19-21 year olds, then since, well, I was 19-22 years old.

On the week-end (you may have read), two girls of that age came over with the bartender from SC, then a couple of days ago there was a little get together at a friends' house and Baby Coug (she's about 21) made an appearance.

The two girls who were at our house were CONSTANTLY on their phones. At one point (whilst playing Passout), the one girl set her dance music crankin' phone in the middle of the table, although we had the satellite on an 80's music channel (much more appropriate background music for Passout). Conversations were passing these two by, and a few times a story had to be repeated to catch the girls up.

At Nic's the other night, Baby Coug was on her phone quite a bit. BC was sitting beside me, and at one point we all burst out laughing, and I thought because she was silent that maybe she was offended - then I saw that she was texting.

To me, in my old 36 year old ways, this is totally unacceptable social behavior. I know that this has been a big etiquette debate for a while now, but most of my friends aren't into texting or checking FB updates etc. while with others, so it really never affects me. In this situation I felt that obviously what ever, to whom ever is being texted, is more important than the 5+ people present.

If I got up from the table, walked into the living room, flipped on the TV and watched a show, you know my friends would be asking WTF I was doing - but texting is okay?

One time (actually again at Nic's) KT's younger sister, told everyone that she was expecting a call, and that was totally cool, but other than that, it pisses me off. Do parents allow this during Sunday dinner (if there is one)? Do teachers allow it? Is it okay to zone out when you are with company? 

Things change though, etiquette and what is the social norm evolve rapidly.  Not so long ago, everyone dressed up to travel, ladies wore gloves and a hat and now it's perfectly fine to wear joggies and a hoodie when flying the friendly skies. Now, it seems like everyone under the age of 25 has headphones in the ears and a cell phone in their hands - oblivious to their true surroundings.  

Perhaps I'm just a decade off the curve, but really, I don't want to be in constant contact with everyone I know, even the people close to me. I want to be with the people I'm with when I'm with them, or else I would be somewhere else.

And that is that.  

This post will not win me any popularity contests on Vox, but oh well...

I'm not entirely disappointed that Chicago did not win their bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Actually, I'm kind of glad they didn't.

The local Detroit channel I had on broke into regular programming to show a live shot of Chicago's 'stunned, dismayed, shocked and heartbroken' crowd. The Obama's and Orpah's presence in Copenhagen was mentioned numerous times, and apparently the media covering the decision was 'in disbelief'.

Really?

Yes, Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the US (I think), but I don't think one can argue against the fact that Chicago can't compete with the international 'allure' of Madrid, Tokyo, or Rio. Millions of people worldwide get a glimpse of Chicago regularly thanks to Oprah, and more now that President Obama has adopted Chicago as his hometown.

Despite being a world power, the land of the free home of the brave, the world wide defenders of freedom (insert cliche here) - the US isn't all that popular worldwide - and I'm not just talking in the eyes of Iran or North Korea.

Part of the problem in my opinion, and simply on a personal level, the 'shock' experienced regarding this decision is a good example of why the US isn't the prom king and quarterback in the senior class of the world. There is a lot of egotism, an abundance of 'loving their country the way a 3 year old loves their mommy', and an Americentric slant on well, everything.  

Certainly the host country benefits economically, but it's not just the US that is suffering, it's a worldwide issue.

Vancouver is hosting this coming Winter Olympics, and as a city, they are under serious scrutiny. The homeless are being moved, facades erected to hide problem areas, they are beyond budget, and bracing for international judgement - Which I'm certain to hear about from the American media - which is fine, but one of the worst (I know, I know Munich) things ever to happen at an Olympics was in Atlanta...

All in all, I just feel that there are other worthy countries in the world and just because the President wants it does not make it so. That's not how the world (and apparently the Olympic committee) works.

It's sharing time.  

I especially find this accurate when cleaning.

Take for instance, windows. Your plan is to bust out and get them done - you are armed with a bottle of Windex (or environmentally sensitive alternative) and a roll of paper towels (or environmentally sensitive alternative, although one can recycle paper towels). You approach the first window and notice that:

- The screens have become a filter for all that has attempted to reside in your home, (bugs, webs, fluffy tree seeds, and dirt in general). Okay, so off go the screens. Now you must get a rag, a hose, or a large laundry tub (completely dependent on the size of said screen) to remove offensive grime and what nots.

- The trim or moulding is rather dusty upon closer inspection, so off to get the Swiffer duster, (or rag, you get the point).

- The little vinyl ledges of the windows have become a collection area for tiny dead bugs, and sticky brown matter. You now require hot water, some Mr. Clean Multi-purpose cleaner, (or environmentally friendly alternative), another rag or paper towels and a toothbrush.

- Now you may clean the windows.

Today, when the rug cleaner was not available (okay it was, sans upholestry attachment - useless!), I was vacuuming the edges of our bedroom, when I decided I should pull out both dressers. This involved moving other items: the TV, a plant, a huge mirror, etc.). Well, if I vacuumed behind the dressers, I have to vacuum behind the bedside table. While I am here I might was well flip the mattress and vacuum both sides. Don't be such a lazy ass LG - the sheet on the box spring hasn't been washed in forever - take it off! Should probably wash all the sheets too. Well, since I can see the floor under the bed, might as well vacuum under there, and hey - the bed's not that heavy with the mattresses pulled off - I should pull it away from the wall and vacuum the baseboards and behind the headboard. Is that a spider web in the corner? I guess I'll vacuum all the corners and ceiling joints - I guess I should wash the light fixture.... AaaAArrRRrrGggg!

Oh yeah - then I went to Leaminton and rented a carpet cleaner... needless to say - I'M BEAT!

Why do I watch this show (on A&E)? It just drives me crazy and I end up wanting to purge items from our home and clean clean clean.

The episode I just watched featured a mother/wife whose 2 children were removed from the home because of the mess. Mess is a huge understatement by the way. This was one of the most packed, disgusting homes I've seen.

The other hoarder on the show was a father/husband who collected construction items. The psychologist made the point that he purchased many of these things so he could create a nicer home for his family, but ironically, these things are what is tearing his family apart. He couldn't toss old manuals, had multiple identical items, and even went through his daughter's garbage to see what he could re-purpose.

What hit home for me was when the psychologist noted to the father/husband that he wanted to be a handy man and that is why he bought and brought so many things home, but the 'things' and his unusual attachment to this 'things' were actually paralyzing his dreams.

So do I have a clean (or at least neat) house because that is who I want to be? Am I able to part with old magazines and small kitchen appliances that are not regularly used because I want to be organized? - or am I actually organized? I feel happy and most relaxed at home when the house is clean - do these hoarders feel the same happiness surrounded and engulfed by their 'things'?

I find that show fascinating in a train wreck kind of way.

I'm going to go find something to clean.