Merry Christmas everyone!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Behavior vs. Fans
Thanks for the picture Scott!
In earlier posts, I've used sports as a comparison to other subjects and not always in the best light. I'm not anti-sports, or think we should pursue more loftier, intellectual goals in life and I'd like to prove it here. Growing up, my immediate family consisted of myself, my sister, and my mom and dad. Typical family, but poor dad usually ended up watching the Sunday football game by himself or with his family who quickly grew bored and heckled the TV with cliches about stupid football players and then left the room before the first quarter was over. Dad tried many times to explain the game to us, and without us having an interest in football, it just wasn't doing any good and he'd usually give up. His favorite teams were the Packers and the Cowboys, and I could never understand how he could have two favorite teams when there was always so much rivalry going on and it was pretty clear that you couldn't have two favorite teams. When the two played each other, we always teased him about which team he was going to cheer for. He never got mad about our teasing him, probably because we'd only be in the room for 10 minutes before leaving to pursue more loftier goals.
As the years passed and when I was a teenager, it just never entered my world. I was busy with school, friends, homework, band, reading, and other teenager stuff that usually didn't include football. I should note, however, that when I was a teenager, there was no cable TV and only one TV in my house. In fact, cable TV was only a few years old and we didn't even have the cable in the ground in our area. So, it was pretty much JUST the Sunday games that were allowed in our area. And, there were no 24 hour channels devoted to football, let alone sports in general. We watched the ABC Wide World of Sports (THE AGONY OF DEFEAT!) and if there wasn't anything good on that, it was usually a Sunday afternoon movie or wrestling on channel 18 (out of Milwaukee).
When I met, and eventually married my husband Scott, I inherited by marriage the subject of football once again. He is a life-long Cowboys fan, and so I too, became a Cowboys fan. It wasn't that hard, really, because I had already been exposed to the team in a favorable light through my dad. But, this was the Cowboys of the 90's, with Troy, Michael, and Emmitt. Not a hard team to dislike, and I quickly became a fan of Emmitt Smith. I also realized that I liked watching football, and as an adult could understand the game and realize what all the fuss was about. Over several years, I've gained a pretty good understanding of the game, can recognize the hand signals the refs use (before they tell us), and have even gone to two Packers games (against the Cowboys, of course). Something, when I was a kid I thought I'd never do as I couldn't stand the amount of time devoted to a football game. I wish I could report that the Packers game going experience was fun, but each time was a complete disillusionment of my interaction with the Packers fans.
The first game was the match-up at Lambeau on 10/24/2004, with a Cowboys loss. This was my first professional game and my first game at the legendary Lambeau. (From my years in high school pep band, I'd been to four years of high school football and basketball games and a few UW-Madison college games.) For years I had been told by local media that the Green Bay fans are the BEST! fans in the world, even if you are cheering for the opposing team. Both my husband and I expected a fair amount of teasing, but nothing like the treatment we actually did get. We didn't realize that everyone is crammed into that stadium like sardines. It looks much bigger on TV. When one person stood up in our row, we all had to stand up because we couldn't move independently. The Packers fans behind us took great delight in ramming their knees into our backs and being so obnoxious to us that I was more than ready to go WAY before the game ended. With it being a Packers win, this game (even though I thought differently at the time) ended up being the "good" experience of the two games I've been to. Our second game was this year, on 9/21/2008 and was a Cowboys win.
It's important to note that the amount of alcohol consumed was a bit shocking to me. I don't know if everyone who was drinking at that game wasn't driving, but if they were, Brown county could easily be so wealthy off of the DUI tickets that they would never need to get Federal money again. I also understand that we are a drinking state, and I don't care if they do drink, but the driving afterwards and the complete lack of common sense and courtesy was appalling. Again, we expected a fair amount of good-natured teasing, but we didn't expect to be assaulted and called derogatory names that I won't print here. It was flag day at Lambeau, so you can guess at what became the instrument of assault. As the Packers began their descent into loss, the mood of the drunken crowd around us also spiraled into loss. I won't go into every detail of what happened to us, but here's a list of the bigger things:
Scott was poked in the head with several flags shoved together
The old guy next to me tried on several occasions to break my ribs by ramming his elbow into my side
Vile and obscene names and language hurled at us and at BOTH teams
Under the pretense of flag waving, hit in the head with flags
Given the "bird" by exiting sore loser fans
I could go on, but I'm not going to. I was most shocked by the parents of a tween girl who were using such language as to make a sailor blush. Words that are not even used in R rated movies. The mother was the person who was using several flags together to poke at Scott. How do you explain to your bully child what they did was wrong when the parents are setting the example? The behavior was appalling especially since their child was with them, and there were other children in attendance too. The vile language of several people around us I consider abusive to use around children but seemed to have no affect on the "adults" who were hurling such words around. I have heard on countless occasions that the Packers are a family organization, and how the fans are part of that family and have been coming to games for generations. Well, I guess I know where the children get that education on being sore losers and bad hosts and grow up to uphold the family tradition.
While I don't think I'll be going to another Lambeau game again, I still enjoy watching football at home. I set out at the beginning of this blog to prove that I'm not "anti-sports" and I think that if I can still enjoy the Sunday game even after the bad Lambeau experiences that's a pretty good indication. I know there were many reasons why we received the treatment we did, and none of them are good reasons. But it wasn't the players fault. It had nothing to do with the actual game of football. As with anything else in life, it breaks down to individuals behaving in either a good way or a bad way. And that is my point. It doesn't matter what activity you might engage in. If you are the type of person prone to closed-mindedness and bad manners, the addition of alcohol will accentuate those traits. And that, is what I guess I really don't like about sports. Healthy competition and team pride taken to such levels that like anything else once taken too far and in such extremes becomes distasteful. I guess I would say that I'm not anti-sports, but anti badly-behaved fan.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Snow day
I object to the term white trash. I have heard this term used often, usually describing a part of society that is Caucasian, not necessarily poor, but usually is, and having clothing, decorating, cars, and housing choices that for some reason people not "in" this category find the need to separate themselves from. Like the distant cousin no one in the family wants to talk about in public, but gossips greatly in private. Yet, when I was home on a snow day this last Tuesday (December 9th, 2008), and as I was scanning the satellite viewing choices, I found a plethora of shows devoted to the subject. I didn't actually find any titled White Trash, but Mobile Home Disasters and Pimp My Trailer were two I did run across. I'm not going into detail about either show, but I fail to understand why these shows hold anyone's attention.
One of my main problems with the term white trash is the fact that you cannot apply any other ethnicity in place of white and get away with it. You will instantly be labeled bigot or its kinder sounding term of prejudiced. Can you just imagine the uproar over the term black trash? Or red trash? Or yellow trash? Somehow, those terms are wrong, yet white trash is accepted in society without a blink about the inappropriateness of using skin color to describe a segment of society. Or is it the term trash? Why do we accept trash as a way and a word to label people? My husband challenged me to think of a different term, and without using established prejudiced words; I can't. Has the term white, in reference to people, become the general kick-around, you-can-make-fun-of-without-repercussion term? Is it because of history? That somehow the current Caucasian group has to pay for the sins of their fathers? But then why aren't ALL Caucasian people referred to as white trash? And, it doesn't explain why some other Caucasian people use the term. Usually quite frequently, with laughter, sarcasm, and sometimes general embarrassment.
In the last decade or so, the message has been loud and clear that we should not judge people for their lifestyle choices. Whether it's significant others, or where we live, the cars we drive, the money we spend and what we spend it on; it doesn't matter. We are being taught not to judge lest we be judged. Yet something that is not a choice (skin color) is being used as a way to dismiss and ridicule large numbers of people. Enough so that various television stations create and maintain shows devoted to the term and its trappings. Is an entire mobile home park any different that an entire apartment complex? Or a gated subdivision? Or your local village, city, or country road? All have large numbers of people living there, all have financial differences running to gambit from poor to rich, all have people who have different views of life and how you should live it, all have different tastes in lawn decorations, and all have to get along to have peace. Yet all have people who could be considered "trash" using today's definitions. Why is the cash poor family living in a McMansion they can't afford and have to file bankruptcy different from the cash poor family living in a mobile home they can't afford and have to file for bankruptcy? Why is the mobile home family considered "trash" and the McMansion family just down on their luck and need a handout from the taxpayers to stay in their McMansion instead of suffering the horror of living in a mobile home and becoming "trash"?
This isn't a new term. My other problem with the term is that it has been applied to me while I was growing up. I grew up living in various mobile homes and with the exception of 9 months at an apartment complex when I was 4, lived in one until the age of 22. I was called white trash and trailer trash for most of my grade, middle, and high school years. I'll be the first to admit that living in a mobile home is a little different than living in a "traditional" home, especially from the 70's and 80's. Construction usually wasn't as top quality as today's standards and not having a basement or attic has some unique issues with appliances. As a side note, however, I have noticed in recent years that many new "traditional" homes now have utility rooms on the main living floors. Mobile homes have had these since their creation. Coincidence? I used to think I objected to the term white trash because it was hurled at me so many times that I was just sensitive to it. But that's not completely it. After thinking about this for years, I just don't understand the disparity between skin color and living arrangements. And then, why the term trash? In it's strictest sense, the term trash is something that you throw away, discard, and have no use for. Why do we accept that a whole segment of society is throw away, discardable, and are useless? If that was applied to any other ethnicity, the outrage would inspire riots.
Is it human nature to find someone one considers less than oneself and belittle it? And, if that is human nature, how can we ever expect to find some measure of peace between us?
One of my main problems with the term white trash is the fact that you cannot apply any other ethnicity in place of white and get away with it. You will instantly be labeled bigot or its kinder sounding term of prejudiced. Can you just imagine the uproar over the term black trash? Or red trash? Or yellow trash? Somehow, those terms are wrong, yet white trash is accepted in society without a blink about the inappropriateness of using skin color to describe a segment of society. Or is it the term trash? Why do we accept trash as a way and a word to label people? My husband challenged me to think of a different term, and without using established prejudiced words; I can't. Has the term white, in reference to people, become the general kick-around, you-can-make-fun-of-without-repercussion term? Is it because of history? That somehow the current Caucasian group has to pay for the sins of their fathers? But then why aren't ALL Caucasian people referred to as white trash? And, it doesn't explain why some other Caucasian people use the term. Usually quite frequently, with laughter, sarcasm, and sometimes general embarrassment.
In the last decade or so, the message has been loud and clear that we should not judge people for their lifestyle choices. Whether it's significant others, or where we live, the cars we drive, the money we spend and what we spend it on; it doesn't matter. We are being taught not to judge lest we be judged. Yet something that is not a choice (skin color) is being used as a way to dismiss and ridicule large numbers of people. Enough so that various television stations create and maintain shows devoted to the term and its trappings. Is an entire mobile home park any different that an entire apartment complex? Or a gated subdivision? Or your local village, city, or country road? All have large numbers of people living there, all have financial differences running to gambit from poor to rich, all have people who have different views of life and how you should live it, all have different tastes in lawn decorations, and all have to get along to have peace. Yet all have people who could be considered "trash" using today's definitions. Why is the cash poor family living in a McMansion they can't afford and have to file bankruptcy different from the cash poor family living in a mobile home they can't afford and have to file for bankruptcy? Why is the mobile home family considered "trash" and the McMansion family just down on their luck and need a handout from the taxpayers to stay in their McMansion instead of suffering the horror of living in a mobile home and becoming "trash"?
This isn't a new term. My other problem with the term is that it has been applied to me while I was growing up. I grew up living in various mobile homes and with the exception of 9 months at an apartment complex when I was 4, lived in one until the age of 22. I was called white trash and trailer trash for most of my grade, middle, and high school years. I'll be the first to admit that living in a mobile home is a little different than living in a "traditional" home, especially from the 70's and 80's. Construction usually wasn't as top quality as today's standards and not having a basement or attic has some unique issues with appliances. As a side note, however, I have noticed in recent years that many new "traditional" homes now have utility rooms on the main living floors. Mobile homes have had these since their creation. Coincidence? I used to think I objected to the term white trash because it was hurled at me so many times that I was just sensitive to it. But that's not completely it. After thinking about this for years, I just don't understand the disparity between skin color and living arrangements. And then, why the term trash? In it's strictest sense, the term trash is something that you throw away, discard, and have no use for. Why do we accept that a whole segment of society is throw away, discardable, and are useless? If that was applied to any other ethnicity, the outrage would inspire riots.
Is it human nature to find someone one considers less than oneself and belittle it? And, if that is human nature, how can we ever expect to find some measure of peace between us?
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Miss blogging
After many weeks of not doing a blog, I realized that I kind of miss it. So, I thought I'd type one out this morning as I have a pause in homework, house chores, and other stuff demanding my attention. I am half way through this semester and am taking two classes, Math 105 and Psy 201. I want to talk about my psy class as that is an online class. I've never taken an online class before, and I'm finding it more frustrating than a traditional class. I feel disconnected to my classmates, teacher, and the material. I understand that I'm teaching myself basically, and I guess that could be said for most classes, but it still feels wrong somehow to pay tuition and teach myself. And, why is the online class more expensive than a traditional class? It is extra per credit and an administration fee is also paid on top of that. There's no real explanation why this is so, and without a teacher in front of me lecturing a class room, I'm not sure WHY it costs more. I get the feeling that the printed material is the same from semester to semester, so class prep time is really cut down once the initial work is done. I also found out there are three professors who are part of the online psy classes, so I'm not really sure who is teaching and answering questions.
It is convenient though. There is a schedule we have to keep within the week with deadlines, but when we do our homework is up to us. We usually have to read our textbooks and class notes on the weekend, do an assignment some time through the week, take a quiz by Friday, and start all over the next weekend. There are two exams throughout the semester that are proctored and a final exam that is proctored at the end of the semester. But, if I need to take my quiz at midnight, I can. Or post my homework before I go to work in the morning, I can. I guess what it boils down to for me, is whether or not the extra money is worth being able to post my homework at 5am? It's also convenient if someone has constraints on attending class. If you have child care issues or work schedule issues for example, this might be the only way you can get your degree. I just don't think they are for me. There will be classes I have or want to take in the future that are only offered online, and I also think it is the way Universities will offer most classes in the future, so I better get used to the idea and practice.
I just never thought I would like a math class better than something else.
I saw my Eng 102 professor in the school parking lot the other day and he asked me if I was able to do any writing. I answered a little essay work with my psy class, but otherwise, no. It was then I realized that I do miss writing and my blog came to mind. He was the one that got me (and the class) started on blogging as part of a requirement for class. It is a good outlet to try and keep up writing skills and to hone turning random thoughts into (hopefully) something intelligent to say.
I guess I'll be back to write some more stuff here and there, when time and chores permit. I'm not sure if anyone will read this, but that's ok. It isn't much different with my online class and I don't get graded here.
See ya....
Friday, May 16, 2008
Wow, that was a fast semester....
Although it didn't seem like it at times, I can't believe how fast this semester went. Sure, the bad winter really made me question why I wanted to go out every night for classes, but I'm glad I did now. The blowing and drifting snow and black ice on Hwy 28 all seem like a distant memory now. So, what did I learn? Well, in my math class I got a really good refresher of algebra and now move on to 105 and hope that I can cope with that. In my English class I learned several techniques I hope will make the rest of college and my writing life beyond competent and coherent.
I have many more semesters to go through before I'm done, and going part time doesn't help either, but I hope the rest of them go as quickly as this one did. I'm guessing that it's because I enjoyed the classes as the reason why it seemed to go so fast. Yes, I know time is constant and doesn't speed up or slow down depending on our current enjoyment status.
As a non-traditional student, and also having gone to college right out of high school, I can compare the two situations and realize how different I am now than I was back then. However, it seemed to me that when I was in classes way back when, it didn't seem to go as fast. Maybe it's because I had several situations I was dealing with that made college not a priority in my life then. Much to my regret now, but I'm working on correcting that.
So, this is my last blog for school, and I'm not sure if I will continue to blog. Well, maybe not every week. I do like the format and a few years ago my husband had suggested to me that I should start one. I'm not sure if he was just tired of my babbling on at him or if he really thought I'd enjoy it. Maybe both? Anyway, it was fun to pick topics and see what discussions came out of them. I enjoyed reading my classmates blogs too.
So, thanks everyone for reading and leaving comments. I wish you all luck with your future classes and will probably see you around campus.
blog for the week of May 12th
I have many more semesters to go through before I'm done, and going part time doesn't help either, but I hope the rest of them go as quickly as this one did. I'm guessing that it's because I enjoyed the classes as the reason why it seemed to go so fast. Yes, I know time is constant and doesn't speed up or slow down depending on our current enjoyment status.
As a non-traditional student, and also having gone to college right out of high school, I can compare the two situations and realize how different I am now than I was back then. However, it seemed to me that when I was in classes way back when, it didn't seem to go as fast. Maybe it's because I had several situations I was dealing with that made college not a priority in my life then. Much to my regret now, but I'm working on correcting that.
So, this is my last blog for school, and I'm not sure if I will continue to blog. Well, maybe not every week. I do like the format and a few years ago my husband had suggested to me that I should start one. I'm not sure if he was just tired of my babbling on at him or if he really thought I'd enjoy it. Maybe both? Anyway, it was fun to pick topics and see what discussions came out of them. I enjoyed reading my classmates blogs too.
So, thanks everyone for reading and leaving comments. I wish you all luck with your future classes and will probably see you around campus.
blog for the week of May 12th
Friday, May 9, 2008
Driving pet peeves
I drive approximately 80 to 100 miles a day through the week, depending on if I have school that evening or not. Luckily, my husband and I can carpool three of these days, so we aren't running two cars every day. Most of these miles are on the highway and interstate and I just have to get a few pet peeves out of my system. I am by no means a perfect driver, and probably do things that make other people angry, but this is my blog and they can get their own. So, here goes...
First and foremost: Folks who don't know how to merge or exit on or off of a freeway. The rule is that when merging onto a freeway, you should be up to the posted minimum speed limit BEFORE you merge. Now, I realize that there are a few interchanges that will not allow this (Brown Deer and Interstate 43 for example), and the people who designed those interchanges should be made to drive them in circles 8 hours a day for punishment. But, for the most part, if you have a long, straight and especially downhill shot onto the freeway there's no reason why you can't be going at least 45mph to 55mph when you merge. According to the Wisconsin Motorist Handbook, the person merging onto the freeway must yield to the traffic on the freeway. They should judge their speed and distance so as to merge when they can without slowing down. I cannot tell you how many times I have experienced the my-head-is-locked-in-the-forward-position-and-I'm-only-going-to-go-30mph-and-just-move-over-when-I-get-damn-good-and-ready maneuver. This then causes the entire right lane of traffic to have to slow down, slam on their brakes and wait for the ignorant/apathetic yahoo to grace us with acceleration when he/she finally decides it is time to put their foot down.
This also happens in reverse where Mr. or Ms. Oblivious actually slows down or coasts along in the right lane BEFORE they get to the exit ramp. Exit ramps are long enough that you don't have to slow down on the freeway. This too causes the whole right lane to brake and crawl up on each other because they can't see anyone exiting and they then wing over into the left lane, sometimes without checking a blind spot and nearly colliding with the person who is still going freeway speed or beyond in that left lane.
Second: Making right turns from the center lane. I understand why a semi has to do this. But Mr. Big Ego in his giant SUV doesn't need to do this. Just because you think your vehicle is as big as a semi does not actually mean that it is. Stop compensating and drive like you are supposed to. You do not need the "WIDE RIGHT TURN" sign on your back-end. If you cannot make right turns with your SUV from the right turn lane, you should be required to get a CDL license.
Third: How about some turn signals? I can't read your mind anymore than you can read mine. Just because you waver back and forth in your lane doesn't mean I can correctly interpret that as you want to get into my lane. Along with that, how about checking your blind spot before you flip over into my lane?
Fourth: STOP THE SCAMMING!!! Want to know why everyone is so angry when they drive? It's because of the scammers. You know who you are. The ones who drive in a lane that's going to close until the barrels cut them off and then hurl their car into the open lane at the last second. They know full well that the normal and courteous person will have to slam on their brakes to let them in because they don't want their car smashed into. These devil-may-care-losers do this in the construction zones every day. This also ties in with the scammers who will not merge out of lanes that end normally and keep driving until they are in the distress lanes and then just shove in and make everyone else stop for them. Their time is WAY more important than yours, and you just better be grateful they even let you drive on the same freeway when they are on the road. I'm specifically referring to the stretch of freeway at I43 and Silver Spring. It goes from three lanes to two lanes and everyone knows it for miles. Why some folks feel the need to keep driving in the lane that ends and then just wing over is beyond me. And they wonder why other drivers honk their horn and flash greeting symbols with their hands at them. "Gee, what did I do???"
There are more irritations of course, but I can just feel my blood pressure rising while I type this. I in no way advocate road rage, road revenge or any of the petty one-up-manships that plague our roads. I have often backed off and let things just slide when I really wanted to make them pay somehow. I have yet to figure out why, when we get into cars, our personality changes and we lose common sense and rationality. The case of road rage in Waukesha this week had a guy slamming into an innocent woman because he thought it was his father driving is, unfortunately, not an isolated case. There are countless examples of road rage that happen everyday, although most don't escalate into something as severe as that.
I wish I had an answer. I also wish that there were less scammers in the world too. And finally, I wish I could win the lottery so that I could hire a chauffeur so I wouldn't have to deal with driving ever again.
Blog for the week of May 5th
First and foremost: Folks who don't know how to merge or exit on or off of a freeway. The rule is that when merging onto a freeway, you should be up to the posted minimum speed limit BEFORE you merge. Now, I realize that there are a few interchanges that will not allow this (Brown Deer and Interstate 43 for example), and the people who designed those interchanges should be made to drive them in circles 8 hours a day for punishment. But, for the most part, if you have a long, straight and especially downhill shot onto the freeway there's no reason why you can't be going at least 45mph to 55mph when you merge. According to the Wisconsin Motorist Handbook, the person merging onto the freeway must yield to the traffic on the freeway. They should judge their speed and distance so as to merge when they can without slowing down. I cannot tell you how many times I have experienced the my-head-is-locked-in-the-forward-position-and-I'm-only-going-to-go-30mph-and-just-move-over-when-I-get-damn-good-and-ready maneuver. This then causes the entire right lane of traffic to have to slow down, slam on their brakes and wait for the ignorant/apathetic yahoo to grace us with acceleration when he/she finally decides it is time to put their foot down.
This also happens in reverse where Mr. or Ms. Oblivious actually slows down or coasts along in the right lane BEFORE they get to the exit ramp. Exit ramps are long enough that you don't have to slow down on the freeway. This too causes the whole right lane to brake and crawl up on each other because they can't see anyone exiting and they then wing over into the left lane, sometimes without checking a blind spot and nearly colliding with the person who is still going freeway speed or beyond in that left lane.
Second: Making right turns from the center lane. I understand why a semi has to do this. But Mr. Big Ego in his giant SUV doesn't need to do this. Just because you think your vehicle is as big as a semi does not actually mean that it is. Stop compensating and drive like you are supposed to. You do not need the "WIDE RIGHT TURN" sign on your back-end. If you cannot make right turns with your SUV from the right turn lane, you should be required to get a CDL license.
Third: How about some turn signals? I can't read your mind anymore than you can read mine. Just because you waver back and forth in your lane doesn't mean I can correctly interpret that as you want to get into my lane. Along with that, how about checking your blind spot before you flip over into my lane?
Fourth: STOP THE SCAMMING!!! Want to know why everyone is so angry when they drive? It's because of the scammers. You know who you are. The ones who drive in a lane that's going to close until the barrels cut them off and then hurl their car into the open lane at the last second. They know full well that the normal and courteous person will have to slam on their brakes to let them in because they don't want their car smashed into. These devil-may-care-losers do this in the construction zones every day. This also ties in with the scammers who will not merge out of lanes that end normally and keep driving until they are in the distress lanes and then just shove in and make everyone else stop for them. Their time is WAY more important than yours, and you just better be grateful they even let you drive on the same freeway when they are on the road. I'm specifically referring to the stretch of freeway at I43 and Silver Spring. It goes from three lanes to two lanes and everyone knows it for miles. Why some folks feel the need to keep driving in the lane that ends and then just wing over is beyond me. And they wonder why other drivers honk their horn and flash greeting symbols with their hands at them. "Gee, what did I do???"
There are more irritations of course, but I can just feel my blood pressure rising while I type this. I in no way advocate road rage, road revenge or any of the petty one-up-manships that plague our roads. I have often backed off and let things just slide when I really wanted to make them pay somehow. I have yet to figure out why, when we get into cars, our personality changes and we lose common sense and rationality. The case of road rage in Waukesha this week had a guy slamming into an innocent woman because he thought it was his father driving is, unfortunately, not an isolated case. There are countless examples of road rage that happen everyday, although most don't escalate into something as severe as that.
I wish I had an answer. I also wish that there were less scammers in the world too. And finally, I wish I could win the lottery so that I could hire a chauffeur so I wouldn't have to deal with driving ever again.
Blog for the week of May 5th
Saturday, May 3, 2008
What would it take to get you into this car today?
I have to apologize to my husband and admit that yes, indeed, you can buy a car over the Internet. Both of us have embraced the Internet as a buying and shopping tool for years. At first it was small things that wouldn't have made a huge difference to us if something happened and we didn't get the item. We had a dedicated credit card for Internet purchases and scrutinized the statements with a fine tooth comb. But, as the years went by and nothing happened, and as eBay took off in popularity, buying items online is as natural to us as going to the store. In fact, with gas prices and our time being very expensive and very short, it has been a real money and time saver for us. The Internet is always open and you can shop or research whenever you want to.
When we needed to buy a new car in 2006, he started doing all his research on the Internet, and I did mine by asking friends, coworkers and looking up cars in Consumer Reports. I drew up a list of cars I thought would work for us and then we went and looked at them. I told him "you can't buy a car over the Internet, you have to haggle in-person." Which we both HATE. But we didn't. After test driving all the different vehicles, we picked out what we wanted. Then, Scott emailed all the dealerships and waited for a response. This isn't a fast process, so if you need something NOW, it won't work. The salesmen are not too fast in responding and when they do, it's something along the lines of, "why don't you come in and we'll talk about it."
Scott was persistent and eventually one salesman started to negotiate price. Eventually, Scott and he agreed on a price and, more importantly, an actual car. If you don't negotiate on the actual car, they can switch the price on you when you go in to sign the papers because you haven't agreed on an actual, physical car. All of a sudden you are starring in "Fargo" paying for items you don't want.
When it came time to go to the dealership, we had written proof of the offer (emails) and there was no haggling, no switching of prices, and no confusion about the vehicle we wanted. It was fast, well as fast as it could be in a dealership, and we only had to go there twice. Once to sign the papers and next to pick the car up. I was skeptical when Scott did this, and the second time around I said the same thing, but not as loudly. It took four weeks, but eventually he found a dealership that would negotiate through email and we didn't waste time or gas running to several different dealerships. And, we knew which car we wanted, so we didn't have to go test drive anything this time around.
To go from buying something small and frivolous to a car through the Internet is quite the progression. And I don't think that we are atypical in this process. The Internet is a valuable tool for information, entertainment, and shopping. I just wonder how brick and mortar businesses that don't have commerce websites are going to cope with the future of shopping on the Internet. If any have doubts that Internet shopping is here to stay, they really need to update their business model or face going out of business. The consumer is savvy and will save money where they can, especially with gas close to $4 a gallon.
So, Scott, I'm sorry I doubted you that you could buy a car over the Internet. Now, if you could just get that house bought over the Internet, then I will really eat my words.
blog for the week of April 28th.
When we needed to buy a new car in 2006, he started doing all his research on the Internet, and I did mine by asking friends, coworkers and looking up cars in Consumer Reports. I drew up a list of cars I thought would work for us and then we went and looked at them. I told him "you can't buy a car over the Internet, you have to haggle in-person." Which we both HATE. But we didn't. After test driving all the different vehicles, we picked out what we wanted. Then, Scott emailed all the dealerships and waited for a response. This isn't a fast process, so if you need something NOW, it won't work. The salesmen are not too fast in responding and when they do, it's something along the lines of, "why don't you come in and we'll talk about it."
Scott was persistent and eventually one salesman started to negotiate price. Eventually, Scott and he agreed on a price and, more importantly, an actual car. If you don't negotiate on the actual car, they can switch the price on you when you go in to sign the papers because you haven't agreed on an actual, physical car. All of a sudden you are starring in "Fargo" paying for items you don't want.
When it came time to go to the dealership, we had written proof of the offer (emails) and there was no haggling, no switching of prices, and no confusion about the vehicle we wanted. It was fast, well as fast as it could be in a dealership, and we only had to go there twice. Once to sign the papers and next to pick the car up. I was skeptical when Scott did this, and the second time around I said the same thing, but not as loudly. It took four weeks, but eventually he found a dealership that would negotiate through email and we didn't waste time or gas running to several different dealerships. And, we knew which car we wanted, so we didn't have to go test drive anything this time around.
To go from buying something small and frivolous to a car through the Internet is quite the progression. And I don't think that we are atypical in this process. The Internet is a valuable tool for information, entertainment, and shopping. I just wonder how brick and mortar businesses that don't have commerce websites are going to cope with the future of shopping on the Internet. If any have doubts that Internet shopping is here to stay, they really need to update their business model or face going out of business. The consumer is savvy and will save money where they can, especially with gas close to $4 a gallon.
So, Scott, I'm sorry I doubted you that you could buy a car over the Internet. Now, if you could just get that house bought over the Internet, then I will really eat my words.
blog for the week of April 28th.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Uhhh...
I'm having a hard time coming up with something I want to talk about this week. Maybe it's the boring work week or the light at the end of the tunnel for school, but I just can't think of anything to say. So, I decided to write about a few things I'm thankful for. I know it's not Thanksgiving, but shouldn't we be thankful year round? First, I'm thankful for my husband. Not only has he been putting up with my constant yammering on about school, but has been DVR'ing all my favorite shows so that I can catch up with them when I won't have to worry about homework. Thanks Scott!
I'm thankful I have the resources to go to school. Car, money, time, family and friend support, and a lifestyle that pretty much lets me do as I please. Yeah, that job thing gets in the way, but I'm still thankful for that too because without it, my life would be very different. It's not the worse job I've ever had, but I am ready to give it up. That will have to wait until I'm done with school, however.
My health. We all know how much more difficult life can or could be without having good health. My home (even thought we are looking for a new house). To have a secure place of comfort is priceless. Material possessions. Let's face it, we all like our stuff. And the freedom to enjoy all these things.
I guess what is spurring this, is my artifact. I found in my father's scrapbook from his early twenties a personal accounting of his reaction to V-E Day in Europe. But, he wasn't in Europe, he was driving a 6X6 truck on the Ledo-Burma Road. I never knew this letter existed until last weekend when I was going through the scrapbook. I knew of the scrapbook, but never had the opportunity to go through it until after his death in October of 2002. Even then, all I could stand to find were his Honorary Discharge papers to prove he was eligible for a Military funeral.
Time has a way of tempering grief and I was able to really look through the book. At the end, in a well used manila folder was the letter. In reading it, I realized that I have so much to attribute to not only my father, but to all the Veterans of our Country. Crossing the Burma road was perilous, dirty, stressful, uncomfortable, and lonely. His description of sleeping in the cramped cab of the truck, with his knees doubled up, and comparing it to a feather bed makes me really thankful that I have a comfy bed, with plenty of quilts and blankets and climate controlled perfection. I don't think I could have survived what he went through, not just on the Ledo-Burma Road, but WWII in general. Which makes me very thankful for the life he gave me.
Blog for the week of April 21st.
I'm thankful I have the resources to go to school. Car, money, time, family and friend support, and a lifestyle that pretty much lets me do as I please. Yeah, that job thing gets in the way, but I'm still thankful for that too because without it, my life would be very different. It's not the worse job I've ever had, but I am ready to give it up. That will have to wait until I'm done with school, however.
My health. We all know how much more difficult life can or could be without having good health. My home (even thought we are looking for a new house). To have a secure place of comfort is priceless. Material possessions. Let's face it, we all like our stuff. And the freedom to enjoy all these things.
I guess what is spurring this, is my artifact. I found in my father's scrapbook from his early twenties a personal accounting of his reaction to V-E Day in Europe. But, he wasn't in Europe, he was driving a 6X6 truck on the Ledo-Burma Road. I never knew this letter existed until last weekend when I was going through the scrapbook. I knew of the scrapbook, but never had the opportunity to go through it until after his death in October of 2002. Even then, all I could stand to find were his Honorary Discharge papers to prove he was eligible for a Military funeral.
Time has a way of tempering grief and I was able to really look through the book. At the end, in a well used manila folder was the letter. In reading it, I realized that I have so much to attribute to not only my father, but to all the Veterans of our Country. Crossing the Burma road was perilous, dirty, stressful, uncomfortable, and lonely. His description of sleeping in the cramped cab of the truck, with his knees doubled up, and comparing it to a feather bed makes me really thankful that I have a comfy bed, with plenty of quilts and blankets and climate controlled perfection. I don't think I could have survived what he went through, not just on the Ledo-Burma Road, but WWII in general. Which makes me very thankful for the life he gave me.
Blog for the week of April 21st.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Bluebirds in the Spring
I realize that birds are not always interesting to everyone, but I do want to write about one of my favorites, the Bluebird. Specifically, in Wisconsin, the Eastern Bluebird. When my husband and I first moved to Random Lake, every once in a while I'd see a flash of blue zip through the yard. Before I became a bird enthusiast, I really didn't know that this was a unique opportunity. Bluebirds are very picky about their habitats, and if you have one cruising through your yard there's a very good chance you can get them to raise a family if you put out a nest box.
According to NABS (North American Bluebird Society),Bluebirds were very common in Wisconsin during the 1800's until 1875 when Old World Weaver Finches or House Sparrows, took over after being introduced to this country from England in 1850. House Sparrows were mistakenly believed to help with insect control of crops and gardens, but the obnoxious birds actually harmed the crops. They also began displacing native birds, especially the Bluebird. Cavity nesters; the Bluebird relied exclusively on Woodpecker holes to raise their families. House Sparrows were so aggressive in not only defending the holes, but killing the already nesting Bluebird parents, eggs and babies. Bluebirds are docile, but I have noticed in the past few years that they are becoming more willing to defend their nest sites and babies. The first few years of putting out a nest box in my yard I never had problems with Bluebirds dive-bombing me when I would check the nest and babies. However, the last few years, both parents have defended the nest when they had eggs or chicks in the nest box. At times actually touching my hair or hitting my shoulder.
Blog for the week of April 14th
According to NABS (North American Bluebird Society),Bluebirds were very common in Wisconsin during the 1800's until 1875 when Old World Weaver Finches or House Sparrows, took over after being introduced to this country from England in 1850. House Sparrows were mistakenly believed to help with insect control of crops and gardens, but the obnoxious birds actually harmed the crops. They also began displacing native birds, especially the Bluebird. Cavity nesters; the Bluebird relied exclusively on Woodpecker holes to raise their families. House Sparrows were so aggressive in not only defending the holes, but killing the already nesting Bluebird parents, eggs and babies. Bluebirds are docile, but I have noticed in the past few years that they are becoming more willing to defend their nest sites and babies. The first few years of putting out a nest box in my yard I never had problems with Bluebirds dive-bombing me when I would check the nest and babies. However, the last few years, both parents have defended the nest when they had eggs or chicks in the nest box. At times actually touching my hair or hitting my shoulder.
I'm not going to go into the whole history of how Bluebird trails were started, or the finer points of one nest box over another, but during the 1970's, a movement was started to save the Bluebird. Here's a link to the history of NABS:
http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/nabs%20history.htm
Because of all the hard work of people who want to see the Bluebird survive, the bird has been brought back from the brink of extinction by the use of proper habitat and trails of nest boxes in those habitats. But, it doesn't come without cost. Getting rid of House Sparrows is a time consuming and frustrating job.
Here is a link to pictures of House Sparrows if you don't know what they look like.
http://www.sialis.org/hospphotos.htm
or here's a close up of a male House Sparrow. My thanks to Bet Zimmerman who took the photo and gave me permission to use it and the link to her website.
I have two nest boxes in my yard and have seen first hand what House Sparrows will do with not just Bluebird eggs, but any eggs or adult bird, and I have no sympathy for the sparrow. I found a dead Black-Cap Chickadee lying on her smashed eggs because the sparrow had killed her while she tried to defend her eggs and nest. Then, the sparrow didn't even use the nest box. He just flew on to be a pest somewhere else. Mostly, after killing the bird already nesting, they will just build their nests on top of the deceased. Doesn't make for happy birding.
If you want to learn more about Bluebirds, these are two very good websites:
http://www.nabluebirdsociety.org/
and
http://www.braw.org/
If you have a large yard, with lots of flat-cut grass land, please consider putting up a nest box and monitoring it. The above websites have nest box designs, finished product for sale or you can buy the wood ones from Fleet Farm.
Here's a link to buy nest boxes on line too:
http://www.sialis.org/bluebirdstore.htm#nestboxes
Just make sure you don't let the House Sparrows nest in there, otherwise you've done no good for the birds you are trying to help.
Blog for the week of April 14th
Friday, April 11, 2008
Phobias
We all have them to some degree. Phobias. Whether it's spiders, or heights, or closed in spaces, or the number 13, chances are good that at some point in your life you are going to have an irrational fear of something. I have a few, and I'm willing to admit it. I try very hard to over come these fears when they raise their ugly heads, but sometimes it's not all that easy. This time of year is sometimes difficult for me because I don't like thunder and lightning. Rain is ok, but the storm part sets me on edge, especially if I'm outside. I have never liked the noises that go with storms, even as a kid. I remember my mom trying to tell me it was the Angels in heaven bowling that made all that noise. I didn't believe it then, but she kept telling me that anyway.
I don't like storms as an adult because I know what havoc they can produce. I was living in Jackson in 1981 when a tornado went through West Bend killing three people. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, my mother was the Disaster Chairman for the West Bend Red Cross chapter, so within an hour after the twister had gone through the family was packed up in the car, headed to West Bend to set up a shelter for all the people whose homes had been destroyed.
In 2005 I received a secondary lightning strike which was incredibly painful and terrifying. My husband and I were in Indianapolis for the Star Wars Celebration III convention. We were done for the day, and I volunteered to go get the car and pick him up because we had bought a bunch of stuff that we didn't want to get wet. It was raining steadily, but at the time wasn't thundering or lightning. The car was two blocks from the convention center and when I went to cross the three intersections leading to the parking lot it REALLY started to pour. And thunder. And lightning. I pressed the button for the walk signal, the lights changed, and I crossed the street. As soon as I got to the other side, I turned and looked from where I had been standing and a bolt of lightning struck the signal light I had just touched and been standing next to. Because there was so much water in the street, the electricity fanned out from the pole, came up through me and out my arm holding the metal umbrella.
It pushed me backwards several steps and scared the crap out of me. I have never run so fast in my life to get to my car. I thank God to this day that there was no traffic coming because I bolted into the street like a blind horse being chased by a wolf. I didn't look; I don't remember taking off, and all I know is that suddenly I was at my car with my arm numb and my hand feeling like there were millions of angry spiders crawling inside of it.
My other phobia is basements. Well, specifically bad basements. I think it has something to do with claustrophobia as I'm not too fond of closed-in spaces or large packed-together crowds. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem except, as I've mentioned before, my husband and I are house hunting. If I don't like the basement, the house is a NO. Especially since the laundry room or my sewing room will probably be down there. My husband is a saint about this, because he doesn't have problems with basements. He's got height issues, and I don't make him live in a loft type house where the upstairs is open to the whole floor plan. Back to basements though. Have you ever noticed in horror movies that the proportion of evil is directly associated with the nastiness of the basement? And why on Earth do people run into the basement, WITH NO EXIT, and think the bad guy won't find them there? Run outside you idiots!!!! Scatter to the four winds!!!!!
As I write this, a thunderstorm is passing overhead and I realize that at some point this spring there's a chance I'll have to take cover in the basement from a bad storm. Talk about your maximum overload of phobia damage.
Blog for the week of April 7th.
I don't like storms as an adult because I know what havoc they can produce. I was living in Jackson in 1981 when a tornado went through West Bend killing three people. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, my mother was the Disaster Chairman for the West Bend Red Cross chapter, so within an hour after the twister had gone through the family was packed up in the car, headed to West Bend to set up a shelter for all the people whose homes had been destroyed.
In 2005 I received a secondary lightning strike which was incredibly painful and terrifying. My husband and I were in Indianapolis for the Star Wars Celebration III convention. We were done for the day, and I volunteered to go get the car and pick him up because we had bought a bunch of stuff that we didn't want to get wet. It was raining steadily, but at the time wasn't thundering or lightning. The car was two blocks from the convention center and when I went to cross the three intersections leading to the parking lot it REALLY started to pour. And thunder. And lightning. I pressed the button for the walk signal, the lights changed, and I crossed the street. As soon as I got to the other side, I turned and looked from where I had been standing and a bolt of lightning struck the signal light I had just touched and been standing next to. Because there was so much water in the street, the electricity fanned out from the pole, came up through me and out my arm holding the metal umbrella.
It pushed me backwards several steps and scared the crap out of me. I have never run so fast in my life to get to my car. I thank God to this day that there was no traffic coming because I bolted into the street like a blind horse being chased by a wolf. I didn't look; I don't remember taking off, and all I know is that suddenly I was at my car with my arm numb and my hand feeling like there were millions of angry spiders crawling inside of it.
My other phobia is basements. Well, specifically bad basements. I think it has something to do with claustrophobia as I'm not too fond of closed-in spaces or large packed-together crowds. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem except, as I've mentioned before, my husband and I are house hunting. If I don't like the basement, the house is a NO. Especially since the laundry room or my sewing room will probably be down there. My husband is a saint about this, because he doesn't have problems with basements. He's got height issues, and I don't make him live in a loft type house where the upstairs is open to the whole floor plan. Back to basements though. Have you ever noticed in horror movies that the proportion of evil is directly associated with the nastiness of the basement? And why on Earth do people run into the basement, WITH NO EXIT, and think the bad guy won't find them there? Run outside you idiots!!!! Scatter to the four winds!!!!!
As I write this, a thunderstorm is passing overhead and I realize that at some point this spring there's a chance I'll have to take cover in the basement from a bad storm. Talk about your maximum overload of phobia damage.
Blog for the week of April 7th.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Long Live the Malibu
Our 1998 Malibu has roughly 278,000 miles on it. Yes, that is correct. It has also had a long list of normal repairs and several repairs that should never have been needed (three transmissions, but we only paid for one. It's a good story, ask me and I'll tell you about it sometime). Today I took it in for an oil change, and lo and behold, the Mighty Malibu has a broken rear spring on the left side. I'm guessing it's from the massive amount of pot holes and giant crevasses that have plagued the area since the end of winter. Both my husband and I have come to the conclusion that we probably won't fix it again. It also needs brakes soon, has a leak in the head gasket and a leak in the steering pump. I travel with a box of every fluid that the car could possible need in the trunk. The AC has been broken since 2000, so summer commutes have been miserable. I think we have gotten our money's worth out of this car, and it is time to let it go into the light.
So, what kind of car to get? We absolutely need high gas mileage. I'd love to get a hybrid, but we do mostly highway driving so we wouldn't be able to take advantage of the electric half. I love our Matrix, but my husband doesn't, so we won't be getting another one of those. It gets 35mpg on the highway, and as I do the majority of the miles that car will probably become my car. We have had only one car for the first 16 years of our marriage, first a Cavalier that we sold to my sister when it had 252,000 miles on it (she drove it until it had 325,000 miles on it), and then after that, it was the Malibu until Nov. 2006 when we got the Matrix.
Anybody have any suggestions? We are thinking about a Hyundai Sonata, and also like the new Impalas. It must get above 30mpg minimum and have enough horsepower to let us merge onto the freeway easily.
We are still carpooling when we can, as we both work in Milwaukee, kind of in the same area. When class schedule allows, or if he isn't going to work late or have a meeting. I am still adapting to the whole two car thing, and I know that's the norm for almost everyone these days, but Scott and I have been "green" before it was fashionable. It also allowed us to save a considerable amount of money that wasn't spent on a second car payment, extra insurance, extra gas and extra wear and tear. But, now that I need to go straight to Sheboygan on Mondays and Wednesdays, we need two cars. And, once you have that luxury of two cars, it's really hard to go back to one. Especially when both people need the car at the same time in different directions. I'm also at the age where begging for rides from friends and coworkers all the time is somewhat embarrassing.
Blog for the week of March 31st.
So, what kind of car to get? We absolutely need high gas mileage. I'd love to get a hybrid, but we do mostly highway driving so we wouldn't be able to take advantage of the electric half. I love our Matrix, but my husband doesn't, so we won't be getting another one of those. It gets 35mpg on the highway, and as I do the majority of the miles that car will probably become my car. We have had only one car for the first 16 years of our marriage, first a Cavalier that we sold to my sister when it had 252,000 miles on it (she drove it until it had 325,000 miles on it), and then after that, it was the Malibu until Nov. 2006 when we got the Matrix.
Anybody have any suggestions? We are thinking about a Hyundai Sonata, and also like the new Impalas. It must get above 30mpg minimum and have enough horsepower to let us merge onto the freeway easily.
We are still carpooling when we can, as we both work in Milwaukee, kind of in the same area. When class schedule allows, or if he isn't going to work late or have a meeting. I am still adapting to the whole two car thing, and I know that's the norm for almost everyone these days, but Scott and I have been "green" before it was fashionable. It also allowed us to save a considerable amount of money that wasn't spent on a second car payment, extra insurance, extra gas and extra wear and tear. But, now that I need to go straight to Sheboygan on Mondays and Wednesdays, we need two cars. And, once you have that luxury of two cars, it's really hard to go back to one. Especially when both people need the car at the same time in different directions. I'm also at the age where begging for rides from friends and coworkers all the time is somewhat embarrassing.
Blog for the week of March 31st.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
House Hunting and Conformity
My husband and I are currently looking for a new house. We’ve been looking for several years now and have had no luck. Part of the problem is us, and the other part is subdivisions with restrictions or covenants. We started out looking for a lot to build on that had city water and sewer hook-ups, but all we could find were overpriced lots with tons of restrictions. Now, if that’s what people are looking for, then more power to them. Me? Fewer rules in my life would be ok. And these aren’t the laws and rules that are on record with the village, city or town government.
Where we currently live, a subdivision with covenants went up behind us. It has five pages of rules that a person would have to live by in order to build a home and live there. The most ridiculous one I think is that you cannot have garish lawn ornaments. It doesn’t say what constitutes as garish, so that part is open to interpretation. Say, for instance I want to put my 500 piece gnome collection out on my lawn. It might not be garish to me, but what if my neighbor doesn’t like them? Or what happens if you want to put a gazing mirror ball in the middle of your flower bed? What if you don’t like your neighbor’s patio furniture? The other silly one is that you cannot have your garage door open for any length of time. Ok. So, when you are cutting your grass you have to close the door? Maybe working in there and you want to have the door open so you aren’t over come with fumes? And, of course that’s followed with no cars are to be parked in your driveway overnight.
I understand that we have to have laws and rules to have a society that we can all get along in. And I feel that’s what ordinances with the village are for. If I have someone stay overnight, I will park their car in my driveway. Do I really need to build a four car garage in order to have my cars, my guest’s car and all my outdoor stuff crammed in there? We have had several Realtors try to find us houses and most of them have given up because they don’t understand our problem with these covenants. Several were on the neighborhood association for their subdivisions, so I guess they wouldn’t understand my claustrophobic feeling of living under all that restriction.
I’m not sure I understand why some people want to live under those rules, other than they get to brag about where they live. I couldn’t care less about the name of a subdivision, and I certainly am not paying money every year just to live there. Isn’t that what property taxes are for? Do I really need to fork over more cash just so I can state I live in jail like setting that won’t even let me park my car in my driveway overnight? Have we gotten so used to being told what to do all the time that we can’t even have our homes to ourselves? We’ve had several folks tell us to just get over it, it’s not a big deal and we are being too picky. My response is always the same. My husband and I do not want to live with that, trying to remember the rules every single day; what we can and cannot do. Knowing that ahead of time will save us a lot of aggravation in the long run. But that doesn’t mean other folks don’t want to. They obviously chose to live there, so they must want that. Why should we move into that, and resent it, and then get into trouble for doing something that is completely harmless. Even if we find a subdivision that doesn’t have many restrictions, that doesn’t mean the association can’t get together and make more rules.
So, our search continues. I know there’s got to be houses out there that aren’t under dictatorships and tyranny. I wonder sometimes if the associations who run the subdivisions are people who really need to be in control of not only their lives, but everyone else’s too.
Blog for the week of March 24th
Where we currently live, a subdivision with covenants went up behind us. It has five pages of rules that a person would have to live by in order to build a home and live there. The most ridiculous one I think is that you cannot have garish lawn ornaments. It doesn’t say what constitutes as garish, so that part is open to interpretation. Say, for instance I want to put my 500 piece gnome collection out on my lawn. It might not be garish to me, but what if my neighbor doesn’t like them? Or what happens if you want to put a gazing mirror ball in the middle of your flower bed? What if you don’t like your neighbor’s patio furniture? The other silly one is that you cannot have your garage door open for any length of time. Ok. So, when you are cutting your grass you have to close the door? Maybe working in there and you want to have the door open so you aren’t over come with fumes? And, of course that’s followed with no cars are to be parked in your driveway overnight.
I understand that we have to have laws and rules to have a society that we can all get along in. And I feel that’s what ordinances with the village are for. If I have someone stay overnight, I will park their car in my driveway. Do I really need to build a four car garage in order to have my cars, my guest’s car and all my outdoor stuff crammed in there? We have had several Realtors try to find us houses and most of them have given up because they don’t understand our problem with these covenants. Several were on the neighborhood association for their subdivisions, so I guess they wouldn’t understand my claustrophobic feeling of living under all that restriction.
I’m not sure I understand why some people want to live under those rules, other than they get to brag about where they live. I couldn’t care less about the name of a subdivision, and I certainly am not paying money every year just to live there. Isn’t that what property taxes are for? Do I really need to fork over more cash just so I can state I live in jail like setting that won’t even let me park my car in my driveway overnight? Have we gotten so used to being told what to do all the time that we can’t even have our homes to ourselves? We’ve had several folks tell us to just get over it, it’s not a big deal and we are being too picky. My response is always the same. My husband and I do not want to live with that, trying to remember the rules every single day; what we can and cannot do. Knowing that ahead of time will save us a lot of aggravation in the long run. But that doesn’t mean other folks don’t want to. They obviously chose to live there, so they must want that. Why should we move into that, and resent it, and then get into trouble for doing something that is completely harmless. Even if we find a subdivision that doesn’t have many restrictions, that doesn’t mean the association can’t get together and make more rules.
So, our search continues. I know there’s got to be houses out there that aren’t under dictatorships and tyranny. I wonder sometimes if the associations who run the subdivisions are people who really need to be in control of not only their lives, but everyone else’s too.
Blog for the week of March 24th
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
math IS hard!
I'm currently working on word problems in my algebra class, and suddenly I find that Barbie might be right. Math IS hard! Several years ago, a talking Barbie doll was put on the market that among other sayings repeated math IS hard and other stereotypical sayings. The doll was reprogrammed to say math IS fun! after several parent groups complained that it was reinforcing beliefs in their daughters they were trying to dispel. Girls and math, for one. I have struggled with various forms of math in my school life, whether it was grade, middle, high, technical and college. No other subject gives me the dreads as much as this one does. You would have thought I would have chosen a career that didn't deal with math, or a hobby that is practically nothing but math. You try making a king sized quilt without math AND fractions at that.
My husband seems to do this stuff in his head, without even giving it a second thought. I'll yell the problem down the hallway to him and seconds later he yells the answer back all the while surfing several sites on the Internet. No paper, pencil and giant eraser for him. This leaves me with the thought that there must be something wrong with me. Why do I struggle so, when he seems to know the answer without even really thinking about? I'm sure a scientist some where has figured out why some people are good at one subject versus another, but that really doesn't help me right now with my word problems, does it? Did he or she find a solution to that problem? Can I just get a shot or take a pill and suddenly math IS fun!?
Until then, I will be studying like crazy, doing problems over and over again until it finally sinks in. That's how I passed my last two tests, and I see no reason to mess with success. Other than the time commitment. Our algebra textbook recommends two hours of study for every one hour of class. I seem to need a bit more time than that, or else this is the perfect case of how younger (20 somethings) learn faster than us "non-traditional" students. Or maybe it's the full time job, full time house chores, and everyday life problems that demand attention too. Do I regret going back to school? No. My regret of not finishing is greater than worrying about the sink full of dishes or thinking I can't finish because of word problems. Stephanie's blog from last week put it perfectly, I know I'm doing the right thing!
I did, however, come to the realization that life experience does change one's view of word problems. One question asked how much Maria could spend on her food if she only has $30 and wants to leave tip and tax. My reply was that Maria should have checked her wallet before going into the restaurant to make sure she had enough money so she didn't have to worry about it. Problem solved and no math involved! I somehow think though, that my math teacher won't think this is the right answer, even if he does agree with it.
Blog for the week of March 10th
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Live Long and Prosper
I am continually baffled how one persons activities can be another persons ridicule. Specifically, how Science Fiction and Fantasy fans have been ridiculed for years. On a popular radio station I listen to in the morning, the three morning show people continually make fun of, ridicule and belittle Sci-Fi fans. Sarcastic comments about 40 year olds living in their parents basement are the most often heard comment, followed by how strange and unable fans fit into society, and how somehow these fans are wasting their lives by pursuing something they like.
Constant comments about how there's not something right about fans who will wait in line to see a movie or go to a convention. I will admit there are always people on the fringes of ANY common interest that do not fit into what is perceived as "normal" social behaviors. However, it's not relegated to just Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Sports, Anime, shopping, gambling, gaming, online chats, blogging, car enthusiast, tv reality show watchers, concert goers, etc all have a segment of fan base that don't "fit in". Over this past weekend (Feb 23 & 24), opening day tickets went on sale for the Brewers. How are the folks who stayed in line, some for days in freezing weather, any different than the fans who waited to get into the Star Wars movies or the Star Wars Celebration conventions? Or Comic Con? Or a Star Trek convention? Anyone whose ever spent a small fortune to go to a Packer game, let alone season tickets has no right to belittle any fan of any other interest. Yet, somehow, sports is never held to the same standard that any other hobby or interest is held.
My husband and I usually go to Gen Con. I had no clue what that was when we first met, when it was still here in Milwaukee like it should be. But I digress. It's now held in Indianapolis, and when it first moved we didn't go. We've gone the past few years and every year it's the same conversation with my co-workers. "Why are you going to that, don't only weird people go?" "You must be going because your husband is making you go." And so forth. Truth is, I enjoy going. There's lots to do, not just gaming and believe it or not, there are normal folks there too. I don't pretend to know any person's mind, but to all outward appearances, they appear normal. I bet some even like sports. Don't get me wrong, I like watching football on Sundays just like everyone else, but the hypocrisy of some sports fans is appalling. An entire day spent watching a game on tv, eating junk food like there's never going to be anymore and drinking a silo of beer is just as "weird"to me as I appear to them. At least at Gen Con, you have to walk everywhere.
Gen Con is held at the Indianapolis Convention Center, and last year a Colts pre-season football game was held on one of the days Gen Con was in session. The RCA dome is part of the convention center. Football fans decked out in their best Colts adornments were actually sneering and making rude comments to the Gen Con goers. Why they can't see that they are the same person, just a different event is baffling. Is it because sports is "acceptable" in our society?
When Gen Con was in Milwaukee, the same morning show used to comment about the freaks downtown. A pretty harsh word, and one I'm sure they would not liked used to describe themselves. They, however had no problem using it for people they have never met, never tried to meet or even bother to understand. Yet, these same hosts can spew out baseball and football statistics like Rainman. But here's the thing. Even though I understand there's a double standard here, I don't think they are freaks because of what they like. I understand that even though I have a hobby, well several hobbies and interests that they wouldn't even think twice about calling me a freak, I understand their obsession with their interest and hold nothing against them. It's their interest, something they care about, something that occupies their free time. Double standards.
When viewed in something like the above blog may cause a smile or two, or a shake of the head and denial, but when put into context of say, racial issues it becomes discrimination. Is it any wonder why we will always have discrimination when we can't even leave hobbies and interests out of our judgements of other people?
Blog for the week of March 3rd
Constant comments about how there's not something right about fans who will wait in line to see a movie or go to a convention. I will admit there are always people on the fringes of ANY common interest that do not fit into what is perceived as "normal" social behaviors. However, it's not relegated to just Sci-Fi and Fantasy. Sports, Anime, shopping, gambling, gaming, online chats, blogging, car enthusiast, tv reality show watchers, concert goers, etc all have a segment of fan base that don't "fit in". Over this past weekend (Feb 23 & 24), opening day tickets went on sale for the Brewers. How are the folks who stayed in line, some for days in freezing weather, any different than the fans who waited to get into the Star Wars movies or the Star Wars Celebration conventions? Or Comic Con? Or a Star Trek convention? Anyone whose ever spent a small fortune to go to a Packer game, let alone season tickets has no right to belittle any fan of any other interest. Yet, somehow, sports is never held to the same standard that any other hobby or interest is held.
My husband and I usually go to Gen Con. I had no clue what that was when we first met, when it was still here in Milwaukee like it should be. But I digress. It's now held in Indianapolis, and when it first moved we didn't go. We've gone the past few years and every year it's the same conversation with my co-workers. "Why are you going to that, don't only weird people go?" "You must be going because your husband is making you go." And so forth. Truth is, I enjoy going. There's lots to do, not just gaming and believe it or not, there are normal folks there too. I don't pretend to know any person's mind, but to all outward appearances, they appear normal. I bet some even like sports. Don't get me wrong, I like watching football on Sundays just like everyone else, but the hypocrisy of some sports fans is appalling. An entire day spent watching a game on tv, eating junk food like there's never going to be anymore and drinking a silo of beer is just as "weird"to me as I appear to them. At least at Gen Con, you have to walk everywhere.
Gen Con is held at the Indianapolis Convention Center, and last year a Colts pre-season football game was held on one of the days Gen Con was in session. The RCA dome is part of the convention center. Football fans decked out in their best Colts adornments were actually sneering and making rude comments to the Gen Con goers. Why they can't see that they are the same person, just a different event is baffling. Is it because sports is "acceptable" in our society?
When Gen Con was in Milwaukee, the same morning show used to comment about the freaks downtown. A pretty harsh word, and one I'm sure they would not liked used to describe themselves. They, however had no problem using it for people they have never met, never tried to meet or even bother to understand. Yet, these same hosts can spew out baseball and football statistics like Rainman. But here's the thing. Even though I understand there's a double standard here, I don't think they are freaks because of what they like. I understand that even though I have a hobby, well several hobbies and interests that they wouldn't even think twice about calling me a freak, I understand their obsession with their interest and hold nothing against them. It's their interest, something they care about, something that occupies their free time. Double standards.
When viewed in something like the above blog may cause a smile or two, or a shake of the head and denial, but when put into context of say, racial issues it becomes discrimination. Is it any wonder why we will always have discrimination when we can't even leave hobbies and interests out of our judgements of other people?
Blog for the week of March 3rd
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Donating Blood
I promised myself I would have a more positive blog this week. So, here goes. There is something that you can do to help your community and make you feel good about yourself. Something that doesn't really require you to do much work and you get free treats. Donating blood is a simple procedure that will benefit three people in your community. One pint of blood is divided up so as to help as many people as possible. I'm sure everyone saw the stories on the news after the snowstorms of late about how the Blood Center of Wisconsin is in a critical shortage. And, it does help that folks are given a reminder and some will actually go to donate. But how many will continue on every 8 weeks?
I have given over 9 gallons of blood since the age of 16 when I first went with my mother. She was a volunteer for the American Red Cross West Bend Chapter from 1973 until her death in 1996. She felt strongly that in life if you help your neighbors, there's a good chance they will help you back when you need them. And even if they didn't, you were really helping other people because it was the right thing to do, not for favors. She took care of victims of house fires for many of those years, often “employing” me as driver, carrier of stuff and general go-fer. It's amazing how many house fires happen at 2am.
As I don't have the time to devote like mom did, I have tried to keep up donating blood every 8 weeks. I usually go on Saturday mornings at the Sheboygan office. I have very difficult veins to “get” and the phlebotomists there are the best I've ever had draw my blood. Even with those veins they are usually happy to see me as I have a rarer blood type and they profusely thank me when I'm done. I know they are just “doing their job”, but they do seem to be happier when they are busy with folks donating one after the other.
So, think about it. The chances of needing blood at some point in your life or a loved ones life is, unfortunately, high. Accidents, surgery, and cancer are just some of the reasons why you might need it. There is no synthetic blood. There is no substitute. Your body can easily replace the pint taken from you within a few days. If you donate now, someone who may not have had a chance before may just be given the second chance they need to heal.
Blog for the week of Feb. 25th
I have given over 9 gallons of blood since the age of 16 when I first went with my mother. She was a volunteer for the American Red Cross West Bend Chapter from 1973 until her death in 1996. She felt strongly that in life if you help your neighbors, there's a good chance they will help you back when you need them. And even if they didn't, you were really helping other people because it was the right thing to do, not for favors. She took care of victims of house fires for many of those years, often “employing” me as driver, carrier of stuff and general go-fer. It's amazing how many house fires happen at 2am.
As I don't have the time to devote like mom did, I have tried to keep up donating blood every 8 weeks. I usually go on Saturday mornings at the Sheboygan office. I have very difficult veins to “get” and the phlebotomists there are the best I've ever had draw my blood. Even with those veins they are usually happy to see me as I have a rarer blood type and they profusely thank me when I'm done. I know they are just “doing their job”, but they do seem to be happier when they are busy with folks donating one after the other.
So, think about it. The chances of needing blood at some point in your life or a loved ones life is, unfortunately, high. Accidents, surgery, and cancer are just some of the reasons why you might need it. There is no synthetic blood. There is no substitute. Your body can easily replace the pint taken from you within a few days. If you donate now, someone who may not have had a chance before may just be given the second chance they need to heal.
Blog for the week of Feb. 25th
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The death of HD DVD
My husband Scott and I love watching movies in our home theater and sometimes living room. Our newest addition is the HD DVD player Toshiba HD-XA1 bought last April. Since then, we've enjoyed the crystal clear picture on our 92 inch screen that my husband made. We've mostly rented HD DVD movies from Netflix but have also bought some of our favorite movies to add to our collection of DVDs.
However, the news of the last few weeks has been very sad. It seems that as more movie studios decide they are going with the Blu-ray format, HD DVD has lost the format war. The scuttle butt on the HD websites is that Toshiba is no longer going to make their HD DVD player. That hasn't been officially announced yet, but it probably will be soon. Wal Mart is phasing out what stock of the players and the movies they have and Best Buy will no longer be prominently featuring the HD discs. This makes both my husband and myself sad. Not just because we “bought” into a technology that will be dead, but because it is the better format. We got a good deal on the player, and it is a good DVD player, but we won't be able to use it to its full advantage with new movie releases.
Life is full of examples where a better thing is passed over for a less better thing. What the circumstances were for the Blu-ray winning, I can only speculate. Why the movie studios choose to go with a format that requires buying a more expensive player, or a gaming system that doesn't have a remote for the player (you can purchase separately), and requiring manufacturing companies to buy all new equipment to make the discs is beyond me. I just know that it will be a long time before we can think about purchasing a Blu-ray player and discs. It would be like welcoming the enemy into our home and that's just not right.
Blog for the week of Feb. 18th
However, the news of the last few weeks has been very sad. It seems that as more movie studios decide they are going with the Blu-ray format, HD DVD has lost the format war. The scuttle butt on the HD websites is that Toshiba is no longer going to make their HD DVD player. That hasn't been officially announced yet, but it probably will be soon. Wal Mart is phasing out what stock of the players and the movies they have and Best Buy will no longer be prominently featuring the HD discs. This makes both my husband and myself sad. Not just because we “bought” into a technology that will be dead, but because it is the better format. We got a good deal on the player, and it is a good DVD player, but we won't be able to use it to its full advantage with new movie releases.
Life is full of examples where a better thing is passed over for a less better thing. What the circumstances were for the Blu-ray winning, I can only speculate. Why the movie studios choose to go with a format that requires buying a more expensive player, or a gaming system that doesn't have a remote for the player (you can purchase separately), and requiring manufacturing companies to buy all new equipment to make the discs is beyond me. I just know that it will be a long time before we can think about purchasing a Blu-ray player and discs. It would be like welcoming the enemy into our home and that's just not right.
Blog for the week of Feb. 18th
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Know it alls....
I’m a billing coordinator for two and soon to be three retail pharmacies. For the most part, it’s not a bad job but it does get very tedious at times. There is, however, something that will set me on edge and make me cringe every time I hear it.
“I got this bill, I don’t owe you money!”
Part of my responsibilities are to send out monthly statements to the various folks who get discharge medications or medical equipment when they are discharged from the hospital. Most have no clue where these items come from despite signing a form stating they are BUYING these items, WHERE the items are coming from and the AMOUNT they owe. It has also been my experience that most people can not, do not, or refuse to understand what their insurance entails. They think it’s this magical, mysterious program that allows them to float carefree through their medical experience without knowing the details of payment or what they will eventually owe. It’s supposed to somehow “get done” without them participating in the process. As if having the rotten luck of needing medical care excuses them from knowing their own personal business.
I’m not going to argue about the medical care or the insurance industry of this country. What I would argue about is that if you have medical insurance, you should know at least the minimum of coverage, that believe it or not all computers are NOT linked together like HAL 9000 and are smart enough to read your lips, and that if you get a bill and you don’t understand why you’ve gotten a bill, drop the attitude when calling and maybe ask politely why you’ve gotten a bill. If I hear the statement, “MY FRIEND HAD THIS SURGERY AND THEY DIDN’T PAY ONE PENNY!” once more, I’m going to start asking what plan those friends have because I want to switch to it.
And, contrary to popular belief, Medicare does NOT pay for EVERYTHING! I understand that most of the “older” generation who are on Medicare think that it does, but it really doesn’t. In fact, Medicare pays for little outside of Part A (hospital coverage). But the policyholders don’t usually bother to figure this out because at that point in their lives they think they know it all. And not only do they think they know it all, I usually can’t tell them otherwise because they no longer listen to explanations.
As to the phrase “I don’t owe you money” or “you’ll get your money”, at what point does the caller think that this is my personal money? I’ve never once thought that when I bought groceries or movie tickets or a car, that when I handed my money to the cashier or salesman that this was their personal money. Sure, at some point it does become their paycheck or commission, but honestly, it is the business’, not the employees. Does the caller think that by personifying the money and being hostile that I’ll say, “oh, that’s ok, you don’t have to pay me back” like I’m a long lost grandmother telling her grandchild to forget about the $5 bucks for the movie? Perhaps if the caller would take some time to know and understand their insurance coverage, less energy would be wasted on being angry and could be channeled into healing thereby removing the necessity of using said insurance to begin with.
Blog for the week of Feb.11th
“I got this bill, I don’t owe you money!”
Part of my responsibilities are to send out monthly statements to the various folks who get discharge medications or medical equipment when they are discharged from the hospital. Most have no clue where these items come from despite signing a form stating they are BUYING these items, WHERE the items are coming from and the AMOUNT they owe. It has also been my experience that most people can not, do not, or refuse to understand what their insurance entails. They think it’s this magical, mysterious program that allows them to float carefree through their medical experience without knowing the details of payment or what they will eventually owe. It’s supposed to somehow “get done” without them participating in the process. As if having the rotten luck of needing medical care excuses them from knowing their own personal business.
I’m not going to argue about the medical care or the insurance industry of this country. What I would argue about is that if you have medical insurance, you should know at least the minimum of coverage, that believe it or not all computers are NOT linked together like HAL 9000 and are smart enough to read your lips, and that if you get a bill and you don’t understand why you’ve gotten a bill, drop the attitude when calling and maybe ask politely why you’ve gotten a bill. If I hear the statement, “MY FRIEND HAD THIS SURGERY AND THEY DIDN’T PAY ONE PENNY!” once more, I’m going to start asking what plan those friends have because I want to switch to it.
And, contrary to popular belief, Medicare does NOT pay for EVERYTHING! I understand that most of the “older” generation who are on Medicare think that it does, but it really doesn’t. In fact, Medicare pays for little outside of Part A (hospital coverage). But the policyholders don’t usually bother to figure this out because at that point in their lives they think they know it all. And not only do they think they know it all, I usually can’t tell them otherwise because they no longer listen to explanations.
As to the phrase “I don’t owe you money” or “you’ll get your money”, at what point does the caller think that this is my personal money? I’ve never once thought that when I bought groceries or movie tickets or a car, that when I handed my money to the cashier or salesman that this was their personal money. Sure, at some point it does become their paycheck or commission, but honestly, it is the business’, not the employees. Does the caller think that by personifying the money and being hostile that I’ll say, “oh, that’s ok, you don’t have to pay me back” like I’m a long lost grandmother telling her grandchild to forget about the $5 bucks for the movie? Perhaps if the caller would take some time to know and understand their insurance coverage, less energy would be wasted on being angry and could be channeled into healing thereby removing the necessity of using said insurance to begin with.
Blog for the week of Feb.11th
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Newbie Blogger
Hello,
I'm being tasked by my English 102 teacher to keep a blog with new entries at least every week. I don't think he cares if we blog more than that, so who knows if this will become a part of my life or not. I'm a "non-traditional" student, meaning I'm over 22, am returning to college after some years from my first attempt at higher education and am hoping this isn't just a mid-life crisis.
I am returning to school in an attempt to better myself, fullfill a regret I can still fix (never finishing "traditional" college), and because I think I've finally figured out what I want to do in life. Better late than never, right? I did graduate from a technical college, with honors, in the Pharmacy Technician program in 1990. Since then I've worked at a medium sized hospital as an in-patient technician for 7 years, as a nursing home technician for 1 year, and then became the billing co-ordinator for the Retail Pharmacies for the last 10 years. I don't enjoy this job, and that is another reason I am back in school.
Thanks for reading my first ever blog!
I'm being tasked by my English 102 teacher to keep a blog with new entries at least every week. I don't think he cares if we blog more than that, so who knows if this will become a part of my life or not. I'm a "non-traditional" student, meaning I'm over 22, am returning to college after some years from my first attempt at higher education and am hoping this isn't just a mid-life crisis.
I am returning to school in an attempt to better myself, fullfill a regret I can still fix (never finishing "traditional" college), and because I think I've finally figured out what I want to do in life. Better late than never, right? I did graduate from a technical college, with honors, in the Pharmacy Technician program in 1990. Since then I've worked at a medium sized hospital as an in-patient technician for 7 years, as a nursing home technician for 1 year, and then became the billing co-ordinator for the Retail Pharmacies for the last 10 years. I don't enjoy this job, and that is another reason I am back in school.
Thanks for reading my first ever blog!
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