Random Ramblings: Finally!

Happy: Are you ready for some football? This will be an interesting week for the NFL. The NFL is back as the players and owners have agreed to a new 10-year deal. And now teams will have to compress 5-months of business into a week or so. News will be flying fast and I couldn't be more happy.

Laughing: Patriots owner Robert Craft said something pretty funny during the news conference announcing the new NFL deal.

"I believe you're going to see a very great NFL over the next decade and I hope we gave a little lesson to the people in Washington because the debt crisis is a lot easier to fix than this deal was." 

Excited: This will be the final blog of the week as I am taking off to Girl's Camp early tomorrow morning. I am looking forward to spending time with my wife and these wonderful girls. At least it will be quite entertaining. Kristy put me in charge of taking pictures and I have no problem doing that. My only rule is no duckfaces. I hate that look. It is not cute, it makes you look plain stupid.

Sad, Worried and Confused: I have a situation drama that I am observing and it really gives me the heebie-jeebies. I can't blog much about it here because I certainly don't want to offend and with recent events, I have learned that I should keep my nose (and mouth) out of family matters, except for my immediate family. But I cannot stop thinking about it. Personally, I think they are making a big mistake, and one that could potentially be extremely drastic and that is what worries me. I get the reason why they are doing this, I desire the same thing. I get why they are helping someone, I want to help people as well. The big deal is not what they are doing but how they are doing it. The big mistake in my opinion is that they are being too casual.

*DISCLAIMER*

I am now on my soapbox.

You can skip this tirade if you desire. Just scroll down to the Monty Python picture.

It seems lately that Church leaders have warned us to be careful how casual we are in our relationships with others. We have been asked in our Stake (the local area) to assist each other in making sure everyone is being taken care of. My local ward has been asked to help visit (what we call home teaching) other members in other wards. But our leaders have stressed to be careful in these relationships. We should love them and treat them as we would our own family but we are to be careful in our casual this relationship should be. This casualness could lead down a road that will end up in a lot of pain and heartache. Being casual in some things can lead to other things becoming casual and so forth. And this is what I am seeing. I am seeing something that at first was good but now it has become casual. Too casual in my opinion.

Let's take me for instance. I am friends with the Young Women here in our neighborhood. I like being around them and I want to help them when I can. That's not bad right? Nothing wrong to see here. But what if I become to casual with them? What if I start to go out of my way to see them? Is that bad? I don't think it is bad initially. But what if it gets to the point where they come over and visit me? And what if they come and see me when Kristy is not around?

Do you see where I am going with this now? It started off all good and well but things are getting a bit too casual. It is not like I would do anything but it would be easier now that they are coming over alone than it would be if I only saw them in appropriate situations. This is why being casual could lead to problems. Why put yourself in that type of situation?

And this is the sort of situation I am seeing now. Now I know that I don't know all the details and I am not in the same situation. But I can't help feeling this way. It really frightens me where this could go. And unfortunately I wouldn't be able to help them once they are gone.

Boy that was depressing. 

And now for something completely different. 

I was going through some pictures and I found this one of my dad and sister and it reminded me of another picture.

I guess I do look a lot like my dad.

From the Soapbox: R-E-S-P-E-C-T

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Find out what it means to me

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Take care ... TCB

Sing it Aretha!

Respect is a big deal to me. If you search my blog you will see that I mention the word "respect" in about 40 of my blogs. One thing that I cannot stand is a lack of respect. That doesn't mean you have to like everything but you still need to have a decorum of decency and be respectful.

Everyone has their own foibles. Everyone is different and I understand that. I am sure that what I do and what I am interested in grates some people the wrong way. And I am sure that my sense of humor can be discerning and rub people wrong too. But at least I can claim that I try my best to be respectful. Everyone deserves respect and everyone needs respect. The world would be a much better place if everyone tried their hardest to be respectful. And it is the right thing to do.

So I am sitting in my dad's office watching the charts when suddenly the lights are turned off with no words being said. Now you might think that someone may have accidentally turned the lights off. But this is no mistake since this is not the first time that this has happened. Now it is not like we are completely in the dark here, there is some light but there isn't enough light to read. I would consider it dark but that is just me.

There is someone in this household that is very anal when it comes to saving energy by turning off lights. I can understand that and I can respect that as well. What I don't get is how this person goes around and completes this mission. They just go about doing it without any regard or respect for anyone.

This irritates me because it is showing my dad and I a lack of respect. Even if you are fanatical about lights you still should respect others and what they feel. Even though I do not understand why someone would be so driven to do this and that it irritated me beyond belief, I didn't say a word. I could have easily said something, and I really could have said something extremely rude but I took the high road and said nothing. And I did this out of respect even though I turned the light back on and shut the door.

I wouldn't have been so ticked off if this person would have simply asked. Sure, I still would have been puzzled since I couldn't see any good reason for the light in the office to be shut off but I would have at least humored this person and complied. 

All it would have took was just a couple of words and I wouldn't have felt like I was disrespected. It seems that something so small and simple is now just being skipped altogether. It is a sad trend in society.

From the Soapbox: The First Sign of Spring

One of my favorite parts of Winter going into Spring is the huge amounts of wet snow that comes and then how quickly the nice warm sun melts it away.

But it also leads to the worst part of Spring. And it has to be the absolute worst sign of Spring.

Dog poop.

I usually will go and walk Logan home from school and it seems that when this time of the year comes around, I have to be extra careful walking. It is either a wet patch of ice or a pile of thawing dog crap. Somehow this dog crap just magically appears when the snow melts. And it is everywhere!

I cannot stand it! 

This should say enough but I am not done. If you own a dog, you also own the dog's poop. Just because it is cold outside and just because it can be hidden in the snow doesn't give you an excuse to pick it up. I don't want to find it later. Just pick it up (like you do in the summer) and dispose of it. It is that simple!

Until your dog learns to do this, you are just going to have to do it. Even if it is cold outside. Part of owning a dog is being responsible for it and its crap. If you don't like picking up dog poop then don't get a dog.

From the Soapbox: Better Late Than Never?

As you can tell from yesterday's post, I am not a fan of people who are late. And the more I think about it, the more I want to fully explain myself.

Do you need one of these?

I hate being late. That expression 'Better Late Than Never' is not something I believe in. I would rather not show up at all than be late. For example, if I know that I am going to be more than thirty minutes late to something, like church, I would rather just not go at all. I know that I am not perfect, I have been late for things but let me explain what I believe being late is.

There is a difference between being late and being fashionably late. Fashionably late is when you show up about five minutes late to give the impression that you are a busy and held up with other business. I extend fashionably late to being 20 minutes at the most. Normally I like to be on time and most of the times I am early but sometimes I can be late at the most of 20 minutes. But I don't do it to look busy, sometimes it's good not to be the first person to show.

I understand that life is busy and well, crap happens! There are times when things get away from us and we have to be late. You know, when the car breaks down, when your kid poops his pants up his back, your work schedule changed, your kid needs a nap. You get the picture. That I can understand to why you were late.

Little Miss Late is just another name for Little Miss Inconsiderate

But if you are late because you have crammed to much to do or if you are just plain lazy to be there on time, then that is a problem. And you have a bigger problem if you are chronically late. I can handle it when you are late like this every once in awhile but when it is for every gathering or meeting, than you have a major problem. It is awfully inconsiderate and disrespectful to just show up late (remember, past 20 minutes) and think that everything is fine. Like I said yesterday, your time is as valuable as mine is. Being late like this for most of the time is a sign of selfishness.

What's funny is those that have this chronic lateness problem are usually the same that think they don't have a problem and they don't think that being late is a serious issue. Let me tell you, it is a problem. You are not just affecting yourself but you are affecting everyone around you.

From the SoapBox: Car Problems

Day 359

There are few things that really send me in a tizzy.

1) Computer Problems

2) Car Problems

3) Dental Problems

Today I got to find out what was behind Door #2. We own two cars but when I quit my last job, the Geo Prizm became expendable. So it has stayed in our driveway for the last two years. This wasn't a big deal since Kristy could use the car during the day and I only would need it late at night when I worked the night shift at my dad's house. Then last spring I switched to working during days but that still didn't pose a problem since Kristy would just ride her bike to work. But winter has struck and it has become much too cold to ride a bike in and I don't want to go back to the night shift so we need to bring the Prizm out of retirement.

And apparently, the Geo wants to stay in retirement.

It's dead Jim.

My dad came over to help me jump the car (nothing could resuscitate it) and so he gave me ride to go get a new battery. I was so excited to put a new battery in and get my old baby up and running.

And nothing.

I hate car repairs. I hate it when something goes wrong with the car. It is probably because I know that I am WAY out of my element. I know absolutely nothing about cars and I get a little embarrassed defensive that I know nothing about cars.

I am a man! I should know exactly how to hotwire the cooling  plate that is located under the iron plug.

See?  I know nothing about cars! I cannot even fake it.

So I am thinking. I just might have to go to mechanics school and take some classes. I would love to know what makes a car run and make repairs. Or at least know what the heck I should talking about. I hate asking for help (that could make for another blog) on my cars but in this case I am going to have to bite the carburetor and do it. I think it is the Starter. But I wouldn't put stock in that. Once I figure it out, I am very tempted to try to fix it myself. There is a ton of How-To-Do stuff online, I am sure I could find the right instructions.

Ugh.. I hate car problems. Anyone willing to help an car imbecile?

From the Soap Box: Irresponsibility

Day 347

I think I am running out of things to blog about. Which is why I am doing one of these blogs, I can always find something to complain about right?

Monday we had our first Parent-Teacher Conference for Logan. We went in and met his teacher and discussed how Logan was doing in his studies and socially. The one thing that his teacher said to us really made me proud. She said he was very respectful. And that is the one thing that I want my son to learn, is how to be respectful and therefore responsible.

Who says comics cannot teach you anything?

"With great power comes great responsibility"

These are the words that I would want my son to grow up with. He may not have mutant powers or was bitten by a radioactive spider but he does have power in his own right. He can be responsible and respectful to others around him. He can make this world a better place by doing this.

A lack of respect for things gives way to a lack of responsibility. Unfortunately that seems to be the way the world is turning. People only care for themselves and while they think they are doing good by taking care of themselves they are ultimately screwing someone else over.

Because in all of the whole human race, Mrs. Lovett
There two kinds of men
And only two
There's the one staying put in his proper place
And the one with his foot in the other one's face

Sweeney Todd just nails it on the head here. It seems like the world is filled now with more people that are stepping on others.

No one likes a foot in the face. Especially these ones.

I shake my head whenever I hear of people taking advantage of other people. And it saddens me even further when I see families squabble and step on each other's faces. I just don't get it when families split apart over material matters or other inconsequential things. Maybe the reason I don't understand it is because I have never had any horrible experiences or perhaps it is because I was taught differently.

I was taught to respect others. No matter what race or religion or what makes us different, I was taught to respect others and what they do and believe. Because of this simple teaching, I was then taught to be responsible. If I have ever wronged anyone, I try my best to make up the situation. Because I believe that this life is not what matters, what matters more is what comes after this life. And this life is too short to spend it on such trivial matters. What matters most to me is my family and friends and I extend that to my neighbors and my fellow man. We can all enjoy this life together if we just behave.

I walk a fairly popular river trail. And it bugs the heck out of me when I see people who let there dogs crap all over the place. I am not a dog fan but I am willing to share that trail with those who want to go there with their dogs. I can respect that. But I would like to be treated the same way. So I would think that those dog owners would pick up the dog crap. They have bags and disposal places and everything there. All they have to do is just lean down and pick it up. I am sure it is unsavory and not a fun thing to do but do it anyway. I don't want to see it, I don't want to step in it. I am positive that the ones that leave it don't want to step in it either.

If only we could train our dogs to do it on their own. But since they can't wouldn't it then be on the owner's shoulders to clean it up?

The one trend that I have seen happening lately that really aggravates me and is really destroying society is the irresponsibility with finances. Now I am not talking about poor people here. I am talking about those that live way above and beyond their means. They buy all this stuff and do all these things and then decide not to pay for them. Lately I have seen these commercials for places that will assist you with your debt and how they can shrink your debt and settle for less so you pay less. How is this fair to all those that pay regularly and are responsible? It is not fair at all. By doing this they are essentially putting their foot in someones face.

And unfortunately they may not realize it but they are putting their foot in their children's face. I am sure every parent out there wants their child to be respectful and responsible. But how can we expect out children to do it when all they see is a foot in their face? How can I expect Logan to be responsible and respectful if I in turn am not?

Now I am not perfect and I don't claim to be either. But if we want to live together in a safe and happy environment we need to live and be governed by the rules. We need to be respectful of others. We need to be responsible for our actions. Whether it is picking up dog poo or taking responsibilities over our financial decisions.

It is a hard road to travel but one that is well worth traveling.

And while we are traveling down that road, make sure you pick up your dog crap along the way.

From the Soapbox: Shaving Sucks

Day 304

"I have a sad story to tell you
It may hurt your feelings a bit
Last night when I walked into my bathroom
I stepped in a big pile of ...shhhhh . . . aving cream,
be nice and clean. . . .
Shave ev'ry day and you'll always look keen."

I love that old song.

I remember back in my early twenties when I shaved once a week. Oh, I wish I could relive those days because I hate shaving and I could shave almost everyday now.

That is why most of the time I am sporting some sort of goatee or facial hair because shaving my chin and neck is the absolute worst. I can never get a smooth shave on my chin and I can never get a smooth shave on my neck. No matter what the blade, I always get razor burn on my neck because my beard thinks it would be a good idea to grow out sideways. Maybe my beard is under a magnetic pull of some kind.

But the funny thing is that I do find it therapeutic to shave. Whenever I have a stressful day, I like to shave. You would think that would be the last thing you should do, holding a sharp blade to your throat after a stressful day but for some strange and sick reason, I like it.

Yeah, I still think I would get a shave from Johnny Depp.

If only I could get a good shave. One of these days I am going to get a professional shave at a barber shop, where they use those Sweeney Todd-like blades and they put the hot towel on your face. Perhaps a little splash of Bay Rum too.

I would be tempted to sing some Sweeney Todd if I got a shave like.

From the Soapbox: Water Puddles

Day 296

In Canada, it is a sign of disrespect if you are welcomed into a home and you don't take of your shoes. I love this unspoken rule and wish this was a rule here.

I cannot stand it when people come into my home and don't take off their shoes. I am more sympathetic and understanding during the summer months but I absolutely hate it when it happens during the winter months.

Aside from the fact that it tracks in dirt and dirties the carpet nothing makes me want (and usually succeeds) to curse a blue streak than by stepping in a cold puddle of melted snow and ice in my socks.

WHO TRACKED IN SNOW?

Every time I enter into someones home I always offer to take my shoes off and I would at least like that consideration offered in return. You would think that was at least common sense in the winter months. I live inside a house so I can keep what is outside outside.

There is a mat by the door on purpose. Please make use of it.

From the Soapbox: Apples to Limes

Day 256

I don't care for apples. I hate apple juice, I don't like apple sauce. I don't eat raw apples very often either. And I don't care for apple flavored candy at all. In fact I despise apple candy.

So I just avoid apples, it is as simple as that. But what really drives me insane is that slowly apples are replacing other candy fruit flavors, in particular lime flavored candies. And the list just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

• One of my favorite candies are SweetTarts. In 2001, Nestlé replaced the original lime with green apple.
• The original lineup of Runts included banana, orange, cherry, strawberry, and lime. In the late nineties, the lime was removed and replaced by apple.
• Bottlecaps used to have a lemon-lime flavor that was more lime than lemon. But it was phased out as well. Thank goodness it was replaced by cherry. But the lime-hate continues!
• Starbursts used to have a lime candy and then was combined with lemon to make lemon-lime. I cannot prove that those were replaced by apple like the other two but let the record show that apple-flavored Starbursts are available and lime ones are not.
• Skittles still have a lime flavored candy but I don't know how long that will last. Green apple replaced lime in the United States for a brief time in 2001, as part of a promotion. In some other varieties of Skittles, apple is found to be plentiful but lime gets the shaft.
• Lifesavors had a fantastic green lime flavor that was discontinued in 2003. Lemon, orange and lime lifesavors were replaced in the United States by raspberry, watermelon, and blackberry. At least lime was not replaced by apples but still. Eventually orange made a comeback but where is the lime?
• TicTac's have a nice lime flavor mixed with orange TicTac's. I just visited their website looking for more information about them and was going to pimp them out as one of my favorite lime candies and guess what? Lime is no longer listed as a flavor. But take a wild guess at what new flavor has been announced. APPLE TICTAC'S!

Lime is an outsider. No one wants it.

So what is wrong with lime?  Why does the candy world in particular hate lime?

Lime or Apple Candy?

So I will let my audience decide. Do you like Lime or Apple candy?

There is still one candy that has not changed yet. Mike and Ike's still have lime included in their candy. They also have a variety that includes green apple.

So this candy has learned to co-exist with each other. Why can't all candy learn to do that? Isn't there room for both apples and limes?

From the Soap Box: Jerks who Tailgate

Day 202

Last night I was driving over to my dad's to work and it was around 11:00 at night. For the last 3 miles I was tailed by some inconsiderate jerk who tailgated me right to my dad's house.

I already knew who it was since I have been tailgated a few times heading to my dad's. And sure enough it was this lousy neighbor that was tailing me once again.

Every time I got to a stop sign he would at first keep his distance when he had to stop but then he had to catch up and ride my butt the rest of the time. It was not like I was driving my car like an old lady. I was going just above the speed limit but that was not good enough for this dork. He could have passed me easily, there is a long stretch of road that he could have but he decided it would be best to make sure that he could see my bumper. I don't care if there isn't any other cars on the road or that it was 11:00 at night. I will obey the law and get to my destination safely. If you want to speed, be my guest, you can go ahead and pass me.

As I turned into my dad's street I rolled my eyes because I knew it was that stupid neighbor up the street and I knew he would be RIGHT behind me as I pulled over. I quickly veered out of the way and as he passed by I showed him a sign of displeasure. I know, I know, very mature right? But that is my cross to bear. As he passed by he gunned his car and drove to the house on the corner about half a block up. He screeched into his driveway as I got out of my car.

As I was walking up the walk to my dad's house I noticed that he was walking toward me. He must have seen me "wave" as he passed by. I opened the screen door and looked over and he was definitely heading over. I was about to knock on the door but instead I turned to the guy and waited for the guy to get closer. He saw that I was just waiting for him and he stopped and walked back to his car. I stayed and watched him go into his house before I went inside.

Maybe I just don't understand the mentality of those that like to tailgate others. Are they just trying to keep me safe by driving real close to make sure I am paying attention. Do they get a thrill in doing it? Do they really think that shredding 13 seconds off of their commute will really impact their life? I mean that is an extra 6 and a half minutes saved a month!

I cannot stand tailgaters. I am positive that these are the same people that beat their pets and talk during movies. The same people that drive like they own the road, the same people that don't pick up their dog crap and just leave it on your lawn. The same inconsiderate and uninformed people that bandwagon sports team and political stances. The same people that throw their cigarette butts out their car window and the same people that call Family Guy the funniest show on TV  (OK, now I am just being cruel here). They are the same people that think their farts don't stink.

Well, guess what? Your farts DO stink.

And just for your information. I have insurance and a crappy car. So if you want to hit me from behind when I slam on my brakes because you are tailgating, go for it!

From the Soap Box: Throwing Rocks

Day 155

I had a great Easter. It was a nice Sunday spending it playing games, eating way too much candy, visiting with family and watching General Conference.

Today I am heading over to my dad's for Greek Easter and I am looking forward to that. I will blog about it tomorrow.

My tongue is so raw from eating almost a whole bag of Sweet Tarts (one of my favorite candies) and from eating these new Cheeseburger Doritos. Yes, you read that right. Cheeseburger Doritos.

And they do taste just like a Burger King Whopper. I must have ate more than 2/3 of those chips in just two days. They really aren't that bad.

Aside from having a raw tongue I also was reminded of a HUGE pet peeve. Now I am not perfect and I will be first to admit that. I have my own set of problems and things I have to deal with. But everybody is in the same boat as I am. Everyone has their own issues.

I cannot find the clip to a favorite Simpson's moment but I did find the script. It is found on the episode Lisa's Sax.

Ned: Uh, Homer?
Homer: What, Flanders?
Ned: [politely] Well sir, I hate to be suspicious-allouicious on you,
[angrily] but did you steal my air conditioner?!
[We take a look out the window, and see an obvious path leading from
a hole torn out of the side of Ned's house in the window where his air conditioner used to be, leading to a knocked over fence accompanied by footprints in the soil, and a newly installed unit sticking out of Homer's window.]
Homer: Well, I admit it looks bad, Flanders, but haven't you heard of "let
he who is without sin cast the first stone"?
[Homer gets hit in the head with a rock.]
Todd: Got him, dad!

And that sums up this pet peeve. Let he that is without sin among you, let him first cast the first stone. Unfortunately I am seeing this happen all the time and it needs to stop. One of my friends (who is not perfect) is being throttled; stone after cruel stone. And it pains me to watch this happening. He knows he is not perfect but he is trying but that doesn't matter. The stones just keep coming. And what drives me insane is that the person throwing the stones is no Todd Flanders. This person is not perfect either and it would be easy to throw stones back. And I have been sorely tempted to hurl some back. It is a terrible situation and I feel horrible witnessing it. I love these people but I cannot stand people that are selfish. And let's face it, this person is acting selfish.

I am glad that I had parents that taught me tolerance and not to throw rocks on these people but to love and appreciate them for who they are.

From the Soap Box: Vacuuming

Day 140

I just got back from the church and my hands are sore. Every so often members of the church are called on to assist in cleaning it up. It was my turn this week and we woke up early this morning. I don't mind cleaning but I hate doing the bathrooms and I absolutely hate vacuuming. But it was the only chore at the church that isn't so bad. All you have to do is push this machine around. So I grabbed Logan and we each got a vacuum and we went around the rooms and vacuumed.

It sucked.

The palms of my hands are sore and my back is killing me. I know, I know, I brought this on myself and I shouldn't complain. I hate fighting that stupid cord. It is always in my way and it always gets tangled up. I have to lift that stupid 8-ton vacuum over that stupid cord that never stays where it is supposed to be. Vacuuming isn't that bad right?

Yes. I absolutely HATE that cord.

And it gets only worse when you are finished. Now you have to unplug it and round up that cord and wrap it around those useless pegs which are not big enough to wrap the whole thing. So the last few laps ALWAYS fall off and then you have to start again.

Can you tell that I hate vacuums and vacuuming?

From the Soap Box: Smacking Lips

Day 114

I am not feeling so hot today. I began to feel a bit ill Saturday night and yesterday I was feeling pretty horrible. I am much better today but I am a little cranky and weak.

So this would be a perfect time to do another column of my pet peeves.

For some reason this one really can set me off. Especially when I am in an already cranky mood. It may seem silly but it drives me nuts.


I absolutely hate it when people smack their lips and chew with their mouth open! Seriously people! I don't want to hear you eat and I certainly do not want to see what you are eating!

Now don't get me wrong. I love food and I love to eat. In fact I took one of those stupid Facebook tests and found out that my worst sin is Gluttony. So I love to eat. But at least while I am pigging out that I have some sort of respect. I don't smack my lips like a cow, I don't salivate like a dog for a bone. And I don't eat like a dog either. Every time I hear your lips smack together makes me want to smack you. Have some self respect and eat politely, like Spaghetti Cat.


I love to eat out with people. There is nothing like a great meal to bring people together and have a good time. But acting like a pig while eating zaps all the fun out of it. And it can do more damage than you think. I used to know a girl named Mabel and she would eat with her mouth open. It was like watching a cement truck or washing machine, she would swirl the food in her mouth before she would swallow it. I only saw her eating ONCE but that was enough for me. Now every time I hear the name Mabel I think of her. That name is dead to me forever!

Enjoy your food but keep it to yourself!

From the Soap Box: Negative Nelly's

Day 91

You know what I can't stand? Negative Nelly's. People who are ALWAYS negative. We are talking about every word from their mouth is some sort of complaint against the world. We all know someone who is like this. Whether it is at the office, a friend who always posts complaints in their Facebook status, the one that calls you NOT to see how you are doing but to complain.


Now I can be negative at times. I think everyone has the right to be negative and air their beefs to the world. But for heaven's sake people, get a grip and quit being so negative all the time!

Is life that bad that you can't see any good? Has your heart hardened to the point where you cannot see beauty that is all around? I have some friends that are unfortunately like this. It is extremely difficult to spend time with them or talk with them when all they do is spout some bile and venom. I am your friend and I am happy to be a sounding board of sorts, that is what makes a friend a good friend. They will let you fly off the handle. But not all the time! Seriously, I am at the point now where I dread answering the phone or reading an e-mail I get from these Negative Nelly's. I know why they are contacting me, they are wanting to vent and to tell me the same sad stories I have heard time and time before.

I am sure you can see the irony of this post. Here I am complaining about people who complain. But this is different. How many other of the 90 columns have I wrote have been a complaint of some sort? Maybe two of them? Counting this entry?

So my advice to those Negative Nelly's is to buck up and change. I am a big believer in the Self-Fulfilling Prophecy which essentially is you are what you believe. If you think your life sucks then it WILL suck. I am also a big believer in karma too. What goes around comes around. If you are negative and complain about everything without seeing the fun and good around you, then at some point the Karma Police will remove even that from you and you will see how horrible life can be.


So chin up soldier and press on. Change your life forever and find good in the life you lead. Quit being so pessimistic that you will lose whatever friends you have left. Quit dragging us down, our relationship can be very taxing!

From the Soap Box

Day 74

My sister inspired me for the debut of this new column. A couple of days she listed a few pet peeves and it got me thinking. And I am feeling a little cranky today so this might be a perfect match!

I am cranky because I had to wake up early and go get some blood work done. It was all my choice and no, nothing is wrong. I am taking part of another study at Utah State University. This study will not be as intensive as the last one but should be interesting. We are taking a product called ASEA. ASEA is a liquid dietary supplement that is currently available on the market, and is sold through independent distributors. It is comprised of water and sodium chloride that has been electrolyzed. The company claims that drinking ASEA has health benefits that support the immune system, and they have anecdotal information that consuming ASEA might lead to a rise in blood levels of antioxidants (carotenoids are considered to be antioxidants). So, the purpose of this study is to determine if consuming ASEA actually has any effect on blood levels of carotenoids, lipids, and vitamin E. If accepted I have to take it for two weeks and get more blood work done.



This combined with the air quality in the valley has made me a little cranky. My town has the #1 Worst Air Quality in the nation! Check out the map and now you can see where I live! The air has made my throat sore and my stomach feeling a little queasy. Our air during the winter does get bad from time to time but this year has felt like the worst.



Anyway, that is not what I wanted to blog about today even though I am annoyed. One of my biggest pet peeves has to do with littering and smoking. I am not a smoker but that is not why this pet peeve ticks me off so much. If you want to smoke, more power to you. I have no problems with people who choose to smoke. What really annoys me are people who throw their cigarette butts out of their car and to the ground. I have a few problems with this.

First of all, are you that lazy that you cannot take care of your own trash? If you don't want it in your car, what makes you think that everyone else wants it on the ground? It is plain lazy. There is no excuse for this. Besides, littering of any kind is against the law.

Cigarette butts are NOT biodegradable. The filters can take many years to decompose. One of the biggest excuses I have heard is that a cigarette butt is so small that it cannot possibly pollute or harm the environment. That is probably true if it was ONE cigarette but we are taking millions of cigarette butts. Be part of the solution instead of being part of the problem.

And it is dangerous. A relative of mine was riding his motorcycle on his way to work and passed a car right when the driver of that car tossed out his cigarette. It landed in her lap and burned a small hole in his pants. He was lucky enough to grab it and put it out and then carried it to his work and properly disposed of it. Another time my dad and I were driving along the highway and we saw a small fire on the side of the road. It was small enough that we were able to stamp it out and pour what water we had on it to put it out. On the side of the road, in the gravel were a bunch of cigarette butts. Now I don't know if they were the cause for sure but just think about it. It could have easily caused the fire.

So if you are smoker, fine. Go ahead and smoke, I have no problem with that, just dispose of the butt when you are done okay?



Kindly pick up your butts!