I’m not sure if you’ve heard this story or not. I think I’m the only one I know who doesn’t find it funny. It’s the four women who used super glue to glue a man’s genitals. This story isn’t even very new. It happened back on August 3 but it’s been on blogs lately and it’s been on Dr. Phil and ABC News just last week.

I’ll agree that this *sounds* funny. I’m not sure why I didn’t laugh nor did I think the man deserved this. First of all, the ringleader in this whole thing, Therese Ziemann, was/is also married. So let me get this straight. You’re cheating on your husband with a man who is also married but you get mad that he’s got more than one of you on the string? What if this were reversed and a group of men did this to a woman? I can hear it all now.

I think this is about revenge and I think it’s a double standard. Why is it that men get blamed all the time for cheating? It seems like everyone always blames the men but come on, face it, they are cheating with women who are often married also so why is it just the man’s “fault?” Don’t get me wrong, I’m not sticking up for anyone nor am I saying in any way, shape or form that cheating is okay but this is about more than just burning his clothes in a bon fire. These women could to jail and everyone is getting such a big laugh out of it and I’ve heard people say he deserved it and I’m wondering how they can say that. How can this be more his fault that hers? They BOTH had a spouse so how can you “blame” one of them more than the other and how can you possibly think this kind of physical violence is fine and okay and worse, funny?

I also know that some things just sound funny. 4 women super glue a man’s genitals *sounds* funny but do people honestly really find humor in this story? I find it pathetically sad and I find it sadder yet that other people find it funny or find that this man deserved it and I’d really like to see the flip side of this coin and the man had been the one to set up the woman and super glue her genitals. Then I don’t think there would be any humor in it. I even saw them talking about this on The View and 3 of the 4 woman on the show laughed at this and said the man deserved what he got UNTIL it was brought out that this woman was also married. I’m not sure how many people are aware of that fact.

Maybe I think this way because I have boys. My grandma had all boys. My cousins had all boys. I have two grandsons. I’m not sure but I just feel this shouldn’t be about what sex you are but what’s right and what’s wrong.

So what camp do you sit it? Do you think anyone, man or woman deserves this kind of thing?

This came from a Rig Manager for Global Marine Drilling in St. Johns, Newfoundland. They actually have to divert the path of these things away from the rig by towing them with ships! Anyway, in this particular case the water was calm and the sun was almost directly overhead so that the diver was able to get into the water and click this picture. They estimated the weight at 300,000,000 tons.

Pretty Cool!!

THE TITANIC DIDN’T HAVE A CHANCE!!!!

How big does a dog have to be before it’s classified as a “dog”, and not a cat with a glandular problem?

Two big-time sports event happened in the last week.  The first was the New York Marathon, and the second was the World Series.

The first, the Marathon, was won by an American, for the first time since 1982.  That American is Mebrahtom Keflezighi.  We’re going to call him Meb, because I can’t even spell his name, let alone pronounce it.  I even copy-pasted it here so I didn’t have to try.  So, Meb won the Marathon in a blistering 2:09:14.  Pretty awesome.  I have trouble completing a 5K without horking up a lung, so I am suitably impressed.  Way to go, Meb!

The Yankees won the World Series this week, too.  And in the course of that event, Hideki Matsui, of Japan, was crowned MVP, enjoying much cheering and praise.  And a home run.  All of Japan celebrated.  Most of the U.S. celebrated (except Philadelphia, which drank lots of beer.)  Way to go Hideki!

But wait.   There’s controversy afoot!

Seems that Meb isn’t “American enough”.  A huge controversy erupted in the running blogosphere shortly after Meb’s win, thanks to CNBC Sports Business Reporter  Darren Rovell.  His contention is that Meb is “technically American by virtue of him becoming a citizen in 1988,” but he’s not really an American for the Marathon, because he wasn’t born here.

Um.  What?

Meb came here from Eritrea, which is near Ethiopia, in the 80’s, when he was 12, and became a citizen of the U.S.A. in 1998, the same year he graduated from UCLA.  But Rovell said, in his reporting of the Marathon win, that Meb, “is an American citizen thanks to taking a test and living in our country. Nothing against Keflezighi, but he’s like a ringer who you hire to work a couple hours at your office so that you can win the executive softball league.”

An interesting position to hold, when compared with Hideki Matsui’s MVP award in the World Series.   Of Matsui (and his current career outlook, involving his future in baseball and endorsements), Rovell says, “No matter where Matsui goes, it’s a win-win for Major League Baseball in that an international player has been named the World Series MVP in the biggest market.”  An interesting remark to make about a guy who was hired to work so that a team could win the World Series…..

So let me get this straight.  We should not count Meb’s win in the Marathon as an amazing feat because he’s not “American enough”, having lived here since he was 12, but we should celebrate Matsui winning the MVP in “America’s Game” because he’s the first international player to do so.

WHAT???

(All kidding aside, Rovell has since apologized for his remarks about Meb.  Apparently, Meb is ok in Rovell’s book now)

Coke or Pepsi?

Famous Dogs

How well do you know some of these famous, furry friends?

Duggars or Jon&Kate?

To Coin a Phrase

There are many common sayings that refer to coins. See if you can figure out what coin is mentioned in each of these phrases.

Things aren’t always the way they appear. You don’t need sound to watch this one.

1. The Crooked House ( Sopot , Poland )

Forest Spiral – Hundertwasser Building ( Darmstadt , Germany )

The Basket Building ( Ohio , United States )

Kansas City Public Library ( Missouri , United States )

Wonderworks ( Orlando , Florida , United States )

Habitat 67 ( Montreal , Canada )

Cubic Houses ( Rotterdam , Netherlands )

Hang Nga Guesthou se a.k.a Crazy House ( Vietnam )

The Ufo House ( Sanjhih , Taiwan )

Nakagin Capsule Tower ( Tokyo , Japan )

Erwin Wurm: House Attack ( Viena , Austria )

Wooden Gagster House ( Archangelsk , Russia )

Ripley’s Building ( Ontario , Canada )

At what age should a male stop wearing his hair long? Or should he?

With my 2 daughters rounding age 3, they are now “preschoolers.”  This fall, they transitioned from a nanny’s care to a well-regarded preschool/daycare near my home.  I was pretty excited by many good things about the school – the academic focus, the extracurriculars, etc., etc., all at a reasonable price.  So far so good.

I am not a “young” mom, and I have a fair amount of previous experience with kids.  Yet raising my girls has brought plenty of challenges and even a couple of surprises.  The beginning of “school” has brought both.

First, the frustrating gap between what I see in my kids and what the school sees.  My kids’ first progress report says, for example, that neither of my kids is able to jump, kick, throw, etc.  It says my youngest cannot run, and that my oldest doesn’t speak in sentences and doesn’t know big from little.  Folks, I’m not one to exaggerate about my kids, but honest, they are mobile!  They have basic vocabulary!  I don’t fault the teachers – obviously my kids are holding back at school – but I feel protective.  I don’t want people thinking they are less capable, especially if that could impact educational decisions.  Ya know?

Second, the business practices of the school.  They make up the rules as they go – and you had better have ESP, because the only time they tell you the “rules” is after you’ve broken them.  You paid for the whole week, but you weren’t signed in by 9am (because you met us offsite for the field trip)?  Then your kids aren’t allowed into the building for the rest of the day.  What?  I never would have agreed to that!  How can you do that?  We just did it, that’s how.

Third, the “bad” reports.  Reports about my perfect children!  Imagine!  On Tuesday morning after saying goodbye to my kids, I’m told that on Monday, “someone” was “trying to do something” to my eldest, and she “tried to bite” that unnamed individual.  Now, my kids are not biters, but you know they get all kinds of new ideas at school, so who knows?  But “tried to bite”?  In retaliation for “something”?  “Yesterday”?  What am I supposed to do about this?  Why are you even telling me this?*

And finally on Tuesday evening, the ominous handwritten note.  “Younger daughter is refusing to practice the Christmas songs.”  Again, what do you want me to do about this?  Beat her?  Come to the school and force her to act out the motions?  Send her to bed without supper unless and until she sings the Santa Song??  Would it be too evil to admit that I don’t CARE if my child sings in the Christmas program?

Never mind the constant germs, lice alerts, lost hair accessories, unauthorized candy distribution, and other minor details that I expected to encounter along our daycare journey.

After my first parent-teacher conference, I felt so defensive on my kids’ behalf, and so crappy in general, and I wondered how my mom lived through this with her six kids.  Now, a few weeks later, I’m getting resigned to the fact that parenting a “school” child is just going to be like this.  I will do my best to grin and bear it.  It does help that so many other moms have been quick to commiserate with me.

Experienced moms, do you have any brilliant tips for my future adventures with “school”?

A workable solution!!!

stolen from http://www.thereifixedit.com  I’m beginning to think that my family started this blog.  Many of the things I see there make me think, “So?  We did that LONG ago.”  or… “DANG!!! I shoulda thought of that!”

Book or Movie?

I’m coming out of the closet here and now. No, I’m not gay, I’m not a Democrat. But it’s almost as drastic.

I hate tipping. HATE it.

When did it become my job, as a customer, to bear the responsibility of directly paying someone’s salary? And now I walk into nearly every establishment that serves any kind of food, and there’s a Tip Jar sitting there. In Dunkin’ Donuts? Really? What am I tipping for? Turning around and taking a donut off the shelf? You didn’t even move your feet!!!

Legend says that tipping started off long ago, “To Insure Promptness”… T.I.P. get it? But then, I also read that back when tipping started, acronyms weren’t commonly used, and “tipping” was actually taken from the criminal slang of the day. Regardless how it started, it’s now pervasive. Everyone expects a tip. Consider this partial list, from Tipping.org (yes, tipping has its own website!)

• Baggers – $1 or more per bag, $1-5 for bringing it to your car (this would NOT fly in my town)
• Barber/hair stylist – 15% of cost, more if you’re not there much
• Casino Workers (including security officers, repair personnel, and cashiers) – $1-2, 5%-10% of a big win
• Catering – $10 per server. $20 if it’s just one server
• Clown – $15-25, depending on the length of the performance and how hot it is outside.
• Contractors – $50 to the foreman, $30 to each worker
• Electric cart transport (airport) – $1-$2, more if driver is nice
• Pizza Delivery – $1-5 depending upon distance and size of order
• Rental car shuttle driver – $1 per bag… more if they help you with the bags
• Ushers – like at a football stadium. 50¢ – $1 per party when they show you to your seat
• Wait staff in a BUFFET restaurant – 5% – 10% of the bill, because they just clear dishes and replace linen
• Wait staff in a regular restaurant – 15% – 20% of the bill. Minimum 20% for a large party

I have problems with many of these.

My first and biggest problem is with waitstaff at restaurants. The way I see it, restaurant owners are obligated to pay the staff at least minimum wage, and then if the service is exceptional, the server may deserve an extra couple of bucks. None of this “two bucks an hour and split the tips amongst the busboys and management” or however that works. I pay $10 for my plate of food. It’s up to YOU to see that your staff is properly paid. If you can’t make budget on $10 per patron, then raise prices, cut spending, or whatever. Don’t guilt ME into making it up because I feel sorry for the less-than-attentive waitress with the shaggy fingernails and the popping gum, who called me “sweetie” and made eyes at my blind husband.

So now I scan down the list. The first one to really get me was the clown. Mind you, this is a clown hired for a kid’s party – something I wouldn’t do in the first place, but that’s another post. You’re supposed to tip according to the weather, since those costumes are hot. Really? If the uniform is too hot, choose another profession. It’s not MY job to make you more comfy. I’ll happily provide a glass of ice water, even an ice-cold Mountain Dew, if that’s preferred, because I’m nice.  But I’m already paying for the service, I shouldn’t be expected to pay extra just because the guy shows up.

Contractors. An extra $50-80, minimum, just to have you walk on my property, take off your shirt, and swear at my siding? Ok, I’ll give you the extra if the shirt removal provides an excellent view, but otherwise? No. I hired you to do a job for a set fee. Accept the fee gracefully. If it’s not enough, raise your prices. If the market can bear it, great. If not, you think too much of yourselves.

I know this little rant isn’t going to change anything. I’m not trying to ‘dis’ the service industry, either. I get that being a waitress is hard work, that they have to put up with surly customers and rotten pay. Honestly? As a customer, I’ll work on the surliness, and I am a pretty generous tipper.  But i shouldn’t have to be.   Their the pay isn’t my problem. That should be between the wait staff and the employers. And everyone else shouldn’t be expecting a tip, either… if you make my hair look good, if you get me a donut or a cup of coffee, or give me the right number of chips for the $20 I give you at the casino, that’s what your paycheck is for.

Although, if you come and fix my roof, and you have rock-hard abs, I just might consider an extra fiver.

If you could live in any home on a television series, what would it be?

When I was in the hospital I noticed they had hand sanitizer in a dispenser right at the door with a sign to use it. Most everyone who came into my room used it. Then I was talking to someone one day about the H1N1 flu and they told me they take hand sanitizer with them everywhere they go and use it all the time. Now I’d heard of this before and I’ve used it a few times but I’m just one of those people who want to use as hot of water as I can stand with LOTS of good old fashioned soap. I just don’t feel as clean without doing that. In my mind I know that’s probably just my imagination but there’s nothing to me like a good old fashioned hand washing.

This was on the news on Good Question Monday night and I wanted to see what you all had to say about it. It pretty much tells us that when used correctly, hand sanitizer can kill the H1N1 virus and a lot of other germs. The flu virus can survive on your hand for only 5 minutes and it depends what you do with your hand in that 5 minutes after being in contact with the virus that’s what’s important. A lot of us touch our face or rub our eyes or touch our nose or something. The virus can survive on a shiny surface like a door knob for 1 to 2 days.

I guess to be honest I’m not all that concerned about getting this new strain of flu. I don’t want to get any kind of flu. Or cold or sore throat or any other illness. I hate being sick but I’m protecting myself right now in just the same way I always would have in the past. I haven’t “stepped” it up in any way. If I’m gonna get sick, I’m gonna get sick and I’ll try and keep my hands clean and keep wiping the tv remotes, phone, computer keyboards and mice all wiped down with Clorox wipes every few days but I do that anyway. I wonder how many people are overly paranoid about this H1N1.

I did hear that you have to rub that sanitizer on your hands until it’s dry or it’s ineffective. I also heard you should tell kids to sing the WHOLE ABC song while washing their hands and that should do the trick to getting all the germs off. I’ve started humming that to myself and can’t seem to stop doing it!

Where do you stand? Do you obsess about your hands being clean? Are you still protecting yourself the same way you did before or have you really  ”stepped” it up?