Yooh miGht nt fel gud afTer u red ths

Gud mrNing frnds! How R u? AlL gud hear, jst blogin sum sTuff!

Now that I've caused my spell check to have a seizure, can you read that? Does it make you want to scratch your eyeballs right out of your head? I typed it out and I still can't believe it. This, my friends, is how a lot of people communicate write type pound random letters on the keyboard and hope it comes out looking like a word. Now, don't get me wrong...I can use "text speech" as well as the next idiot person... gtfo lol whatev. See? But really, I only do it in my mind or when I'm typing really, really fast in an online gaming environment. It's just another form of shorthand. But when I'm actually trying to interact with people, I spell correctly, use proper grammar and never hesitate to liberally sprinkle my writing with commas and periods. And by interact, I mean trying to present myself as an Educated Fuck, as compared to an Uneducated Fuck.

I just feel that if you look or "sound" stupid when you engage in online conversations, people are going to assume that you are, in fact, stupid. Maybe I'm just crazy.

May I present, the best inadvertent ad for education I've ever seen.

Disclaimer: No Facebook friends were harmed in the making of this post. But The Blogger was. Seriously, after reading this, The Blogger felt ill.

On being the change

A word to the wise. And by wise, I mean my children...so when I say "wise", I'm using it in the broadest sense possible.

If I see the need to go to bat for you or otherwise address a screaming issue on your behalf, just let me.

Really...just let me.

I've never been one to ignore shit that's wrong or let anyone or anything roll over me, so logic will tell you that if someone or something needs some mom attention, I'm your girl.

Being a sheep or ignoring wrong because you don't want to "cause trouble" or because it doesn't directly affect you has never worked out well. Just check your history books.

Change doesn't come on its own my young Padawans, it needs voices and if we can't be those voices, who will?

The future looms

Today, a rare and wonderful thing has happened. I am at home. Alone. Ahhh, bliss. The minions went back to school this morning, and I don't mind telling you that 6:00 am came horrifically early. I, however, don't have to return to work until Wednesday. Wednesday! As of this minute, I have had my coffee, taken a nap, showered and folded some laundry. I have a list a mile long of things I need to do, but fully intend to do as little as possible for the remainder of the day.

My day of luxury did get me thinking...what in the world am I going to do with myself when my girls are gone? I do work and I have a small circle of friends, but will that really fill my time? I highly doubt it. The Mr. works all the time and my family doesn't live close by, so who am I going to play with?

Apparently, I need some more hobbies...

I'll start a list:

Things I like to do that may possibly fill my hours when I become alone and crotchety

I like to read. However, this is a solitary endeavor.
Blogging. Again, best done alone.
I am a gamer. Did you know? Don't worry, the girls didn't suspect it either. Sadly, this is another activity that doesn't require company.
I love Disneyland. Maybe, I could move there and play with the guests every day.
Traveling makes me happy. I better start saving my money, yeah?
I am a fan of volunteering, but one can't volunteer every spare hour...right?
I like taking pictures. Maybe, I'll take some photography classes.
I also want to finish a book (at some point). Maybe I'll take some creative writing/publishing classes.

That's really all I've got... Not very encouraging, is it?

*sigh*

An open letter to bullies and jackasses

There seems to be a new behavior in the online world. Well, okay, it's not new. Maybe social media is just taking it to a new level. People have a constant and driving need to educate other people. Specifically, those who have different ideas or beliefs. Have you noticed? It's everyfuckingwhere.

Let's say, I post something like... Coffee is best served hot.

Then, I wax prolific about how the steam is best inhaled at a 45 degree angle through the right nostril. And how one should hold the mug with the left hand over the right. Then, perhaps, I might post a picture of a coffee cup with steam rising out of it (because, let's face it, a coffee mug is really hard to picture in your mind's eye).

The next thing I know, 25 people have agreed and shared stories of their own coffee drinking adventures. 17 people have like my photo and said, "Lol". And then the educators arrive.

Clearly, I don't know which coffee is best. I haven't added the right amount of creamer. The coffee should always be made with a press and for God's sake, don't defile that shit with sugar.

Well, it's a damn good thing they were there to educate me. Where have they been my entire life while I was drinking coffee incorrectly? And who the fuck do I think I am claiming to know anything about coffee?

Now, I'm hoping you have seen through my clever little example to realize that I'm not talking about drinking a fucking cup of coffee. I'm talking about real ideas. Real beliefs. Things like faith and politics and lifestyle choices. Things like immunizations and raising your children.

If I think or believe differently that you do, that's not an invitation for you to "educate" me. Seriously. Now, don't get be wrong, I really enjoy hearing different points of views and experiences. That's how we learn and grow as a society. Listening with respect and appreciating another view or experience. But, you're not welcome to try and show me the error of my ways and set me on the "right" path. You are also not welcome to make rude or condescending remarks about ignorance and stupidity in people that don't happen to agree with you.

If you think I'm stupid, you are free to do so. In the quiet of your own mind and the confines of your own home. You can think it. You can think it whilst talking to me. You can imagine all the ways I'm wrong and roll your eyes (to yourself). But the moment a condescending remark passes your lips or streams through your fingertips, you have transformed from a regular person to a douche bag. And no one appreciates a douche bag. I can't count how many times I've seen or heard people like this whine about how hard it is to talk to "ignorant" people. Define ignorance. Maybe stop a moment and think that perhaps you're the "ignorant" one and that it's nearly impossible to talk to you.

So, for those of you that are hell bent on straightening everyone else out (you know who you are), I say this, the fastest way to alienate people is to treat them like they're stupid or ignorant. How about this, be willing to engage in an intelligent conversation and don't judge. Be open to new ideas or thoughts. And lest you become frightened at the thought of new ideas, remember that just because you gain knowledge or another faith or political standpoint, it doesn't automatically "convert" you to that "side". And if that is just too much for you to handle, stay on your side of the fence, I have no interest in cluttering up my life with bullies and naysayers.

On being lonely

How lonely is too lonely, I wonder...

Seeing is believing

Just when you think you've seen it all, you encounter the following:

• A roving pack of cops on bikes. Seriously, there was a pack of them and they were roving the streets.
• A chick with a tattoo of the name "Chucky" on the side of her neck. Now, don't get me wrong, I have 3 tattoos and am fully planning on getting more but can you see all the wrong going on here? First of all, neck tattoos smack of ghetto to me. Maybe that's me just being a judgemental bitch but come on. Secondly, I can only assume that this woman got the tattoo to honor her kid but really, who in their right mind names their kid "Chucky"? I don't care how cute your kid might be, when I see/hear the name Chucky, all I can think of is this...

                                           See? This is not good. This is bad...very bad.

• And the last little jewel I have for you is witnessing a forklift being driving down a main road. With a dog inside. Backward.

Good stuff, folks. Good stuff.

A letter to my daughters

Things I want my daughters to know:

Plan for the future but enjoy each day and live it for all its worth.

High school is nothing like the real world. Sure, there are always going to be "popular" people, but in reality, you all get thrown to the sharks. The trick is not to know how to BE a shark or to avoid being eaten by a shark but to know how to swim with them

Be yourself. Who cares about what everyone else is doing. Be who makes you happy.

Take your education seriously. I don't mean for you not to have any fun, but how you do in high school counts. If you intend to go on to higher education, be prepared. Make them WANT you.

Don't let the boys get you down. If a boy can't appreciate who you are and value you as a human being, show him the door.

Stand tall and proud. Look people in the eye. Make them remember you.

Explore everything. Try acting and dancing and sports and school clubs. Listen to opera and swing music. Read biographies and historical fiction and classics. This is how you find your niche.

Keep a journal. You don't ever have to read it but it's therapeutic to write stuff down. Your hopes and dreams and fears and frustrations. Write it down and walk away. It's the journal's problem now.

Keep your friends close. While it's important to have a wide circle of people you are friendly with, it's even more important to have a tiny circle of people you are friends with. These are your "people". Keep them close.

If you don't know "who you are", don't worry. Your purpose will reveal itself with time. And when it does, you are going to change the world.

Don't be afraid to look foolish or to make mistakes...this is how we learn.

Drama bullshit is just that. Bullshit. That's all I have to say about that.

Rock your own style. Set your own trends. You are not a sheep.

Put your family first. Your family will be the ones cheering you on, wiping your tears, tending your wounds. Your family is in your corner, watching your back. We can't fight your battles for you, but you can be damn sure we can be your war council.

Smile. Smile often and without abandon. Not only is it good for you, it makes people wonder what you're up to.

Learn how to say no. Being the "Go To Girl" isn't a bad thing but people can and will suck you dry. Learn your limits and stick to them.

Look for the beauty in people, chances are you'll find it. If you can't find beauty, walk away. Don't let someone else's ugliness drag you down.

Be self reliant. Know how to take care of your car and use power tools. Be financially savvy and business smart.

Be responsible for your actions. Don't pass the buck.

Make people want to model your work ethic. Work quickly, efficiently and with the highest quality possible.

Respect yourself and others.

Never, ever give up.

And most important...Always remember that you are loved.