More on those "changing" people....

This has actually been on my mind for a few years now.  Changing people.

When people graduate from high school, they tend to go in different directions in life.  Schools, work, new adventures, etc.  But what I don't get  is how easily "friends" just aren't "friends" anymore down the road.  Am I missing something, really?

In the day and age of technology, I, along with thousands of others, have reconnected with old "friends".  These were people from high school I was tight with (or so I thought).  These were people that I ran around with, skipped classes with, got in trouble with, cried with, shared many things with (for YEARS!).  20 some-odd years later, I still feel just as much for them as I did back then, but it just doesn't seem that many of them are as sentimental as I am.

Sure, we talk (online).  We comment on pictures, discuss world events, politics, wish each other happy birthdays, blah blah blah, but they are very aloof.  They have no interest in reconnecting otherwise.

I've run into a few "friends" from the past in stores, etc but it's very aloof...as if we were acquaintances from a job or met at a party in college.  I want to HUG my friends!  I want to meet for lunch!  I am not asking for the "besties" bullshit, but point being, how does someone just forget WHO someone was to them?  How does someone just put all of that stuff aside as if history never happened?

I don't get it.  I don't know if I want to.  Quite honestly, I am thankful I am not capable of doing that.

People Change?

A few days ago, I found myself in a place that reminded me of another time in my life with another person.  Thinking about that day back then brought about some sentimental feelings.

I still speak w/ the other person (on occasion) and felt compelled to drop a line to "person" and let "person" know where I was and what I was thinking.  

"Person" didn't seem terribly phased, which, admittedly, bothered me.  I said something to the extent that maybe I was "wrong" for thinking about that moment back then.  After all, I was with my spouse and children.  "Person" said "You'd be crazy not to think if it.  It was a brilliant night".  Then, "Person" added "We were different people back then" and clarified "we made different decisions back then".  

Different people?!  Do people TRULY change?

We age.  We learn.  We learn from our experiences that certainly can impact future life choices, etc, but, from MY standpoint, I'm STILL the same person I was back then. 

If I weren't (the same person), would I have felt the sentiments of being in that same spot?  No.  I may have remembered it, but I'm pretty sure the feelings wouldn't have accompanied the recollection.

Now, due to my marital status, would I repeat the past given the chance?  Of course not, but that's not because I've changed (who I am), but because I've CHANGED my marital status.  It doesn't take away from my happy memories or the good times I've had pre-marriage.  

I am STILL ME. 

I don't get it.  But that is another post in the very near future. 

Go Kris Jenner!

In case you missed it, Kris Jenner, nailed Barry Obama for this dumb-asses comments in reference to her daughter and Kanye.

Obama, pretty much, stated that the famous couple have "distorted" the American dream and that "...the wealthier you are, the more conspicuous consumption you engage in. The more successful you are, the more society should stay out of your way as you pursue the bigger house or the fancier jet or the bigger yacht..."

WTF?!

Does anyone see the irony here?

Firstly:

Now, I am NOT a fan of Kim, Kanye, or many typical Hollywood types and I do NOT see the need to build a 10K square foot home (I mean, are you HOUSING the entire neighborhood?!).  I don't CARE to see or hear about how the "untouchable"/other half live.

HOWEVER

Secondly:

Here is a classic example of the Barry Obama agenda.  Obama has a history of wanting to control society (as he put it).  He has forced American to buy into a health program or pay up in the form of fines.

Obama does NOT want "society" to be self-sufficient.  He does NOT want "society" to not "need" him.  He does not NOT want "society" to do well (or AS well as the Kardashians).  It's plain and simple.  Why else would he slam what these socialites are doing??  It's NONE of his business, but he's trying to control.    Obama is saying here, "Do well, but NOT THAT well".

Irony.  let's be honest.  Do we REALLY think Barry has only a 1000sq foot home in Chicago?  Or how about his Hollywood supporters who have JUST as large of homes as Kim?  The very same people who have hosted parties for Barry?

Barack Obama, bottom line, wants to be top dog.  He doesn't care for the likes of George Clooney who have supported him.  He has USED them for  his own personal gain.  He has USED them for their influence on movie go'ers, TV viewers, celebrity followers, etc.  People put these celebrities on pedastals and hey, if George Clooney likes Obama, then Obama MUST be ok!

Barack Obama is an arrogant and pompous asshole.

See how this works?

America needs to WAKE THE FUCK UP.

Rainbow Flags and Pride

While driving down a MAJOR rode in our area, we passed a home in a rather "financially challenged" area.  The home was neat in appearance, well maintained, and there really was no trash, etc around it.

The flagpole out front of the yard only sported a rainbow "pride" flag.

NO.  I am not homophobic.  YES, I do believe every single person regardless should have the same given rights.  We are PEOPLE.  We are residents of the USA.  Please.

But, naturally, that set my mind thinking.

Do you think that resident with the rainbow flag receives any harassment?  Do they get their property vandalized at night?  Do they get called names by pedestrians or motorists in passing?    I mean, if I had a Nazi flag hanging in my yard, I probably would get nailed...or if I had a KKK pride type of paraphernalia somewhere for the world to see, it's a GIVEN some shit would come my way.  Or the kicker:  if I had a STRAIGHT marriage only flag (And CHILL OUT, I don't have any of the above)????

SO, with that in mind, why would someone want to put up a controversial flag advertising themselves and their beliefs?

It's not a discussion about what is "right" or what is "wrong", but a question of why put yourself out there (on any level) of a controversial subject?

Myself, I am not homosexual and I am thankful I am not (BECAUSE of the havoc on many levels it brings, but that is another in depth discussion).  I can't relate to being in the KKK, a Nazi, or a homosexual so I am just wondering how that works..because I know that these groups face a LOT of shit (be it right or wrong).

I just don't get it.  Hypocrisy, perhaps?

Hypocrisy of "I Deserve" types.

Firstly, let me start out by saying, DISAGREEING does NOT mean HATE.  It doesn't mean you are racist.  It does NOT mean you are homophobic or judgmental.  

It means JUST as it is:  DISAGREE.  

I disagree red flowers look better in front of the house over white flowers.  But I don't hate the red flowers and I certainly don't hate my spouse for thinking red is better. 

I disagree Catholics should pray to the virgin Mary (though I was raised Catholic), but I don't hate my family members that are still Catholic.  I don't hate my in-laws who are Mormons.  

We all have our right to beliefs.  That's what is great about America.  

Ohhh..BUT...

Those who you disagree on issues with don't see it that way and, IN TURN, end up doing to you what they don't want anyone else to do to THEM:  HATE.  

Oh yes. It's a hypocritical world.  

On Twitter, I had a political discussion with the opposition.  I stated my case, but the opposition had nothing to come back with other than calling me names and eventually, couldn't come back at me with answers to my fact-based questions so they "SPAM" blocked me resulting in account suspension.  I don't play that way.  I don't even have to name call because I've got more fact-based ammo to write a BOOK.   The account will come back, but it's so typical of people who are not informed on history of candidates.  

If you cannot tell me who key figures are in candidates' lives (past and present), you are blindly voting. Don't even start a discussion with me thinking you are informed.  

SO, I am not a racist.  I am not h8'er (please).  I'm not homophobic (next post).  I don't hate rights of women.  I just don't agree with the current administrations priorities, previous affiliates, and apologetic tours around the country.  It's simple as that.  

DISAGREEMENTS do NOT equal HATE.  

If it DID mean that, does that mean Al Sharpton is a hater?  A baiter?  Or is that ok because he's black? You know: double standards?

Pedophile Clothing and Gap...WTF?

Clothing stores have always awed me with the things that put out to sell.  Granted, I come from the 80s where we pegged jeans, wore "jams" (today's bermuda shorts, I think), and neon, but TODAY?

What the HELL is up with these guys walking down the street like a penguin??  Oh, I get it.  Because the waist of their BOTTOMS button around their THIGHS!  I get it now.  Silly me.  That means they have to use their HANDS to hold them up so they don't fall around their ankles.  

FYI, they look like ASSHOLES walking around that way.

It seems conservative clothing is a thing of the past no matter HOW you want to dress.  I've seen 12 yo girls at the beach, in the mall, and even their clothing sizes on racks in the stores.  Are they effin' SERIOUS?  My child will N E V E R walk out of my house in clothing that leaves absolutely NOTHING to the imagination. I can promise that much.  These clothing options are just magnets for pedophiles!  These kids are 12 going on 18!  It's SICKENING. 

Skin tight tops.  If that's not bad enough, they are cropped.  I mean, for the love of God, at LEAST make them longer than the camel toe!  They are TWELVE.  

Shorts? Yeah.  Catherine Bach wore those Daisy Dukes back in her Dukes of Hazard days (read: when she was like 25!).  

Even Gymboree jumped on this bandwagon trying to compete with Gap a few years back.  

In a quest to help a friend find "extended" sizes for her daughter (who is under 10), I was amazed at just how neglected this size group is for kids.  

JcPenny has some.  It's slim pickings, but that's ok.  What I saw was just as I mentioned.  With sizes ranging from 10 and up in plus sizes, these tops were screaming SLUT.  They looked like something an adult would wear back in the 70s or even 80s ala FAME movie style (off shoulder). 

(and what is UP with the tie in the front? For a THIRD grader? Seriously?)

Sears proved no differently, but I tossed it up to "you get what you pay for" (cheap=cheap). 

Old Navy had a few tops that may be OK if you stick with basics and run FAR from any "styles", but even those had the obvious "curve"/slimming near the waist...oh..but the bubble tops! YIKES!

DAMN.  These girls haven't even started their PERIODS yet, for Christ's sake, and they are putting CURVES in the clothing.

THEN.  Then I came across Gap.  I never was a Gap fan.  Overpriced, overrated store, but they seemed to have the "plus" feature listed so I looked online. 

Oh, hey..in the uniform section they are loaded.  There are bottoms, sweaters, dresses, AND tops.  

Regular/everyday clothing?  Only bottoms.  

Seriously?  So plus size tops are only needed for uniforms?  Do these bodies magically get smaller out of uniform?  Do these girls that wear plus size bottoms have extremely skinny bodies above the waist?  

Gee, I would LOVE to see a kid like that.

In today's society with everyone's lives moving fast-paced, childhood obesity is more prevalent than it was even 20 years ago.  Why such the neglect for these sizes for kids?  In a perfect world, we would be more health conscious and not eat out and run like hell from fast food, but it doesn't work that way, as a whole.  

There IS a need for clothing targeted to these children.  It's bad enough larger people, in general, are "forgotten" in the clothing department, but kids that need to "keep up with their peers"? Unreal.  

Oh...and Gap??  YOU EFFIN' SUCK ASS.  

Untouchable Hollywood

Hollywood, as a whole, makes me ill.

It's no secret this country is in a world of hurt at the moment from an economic standpoint.  People are losing their jobs (another discussion for another post), losing their homes, can't feed their families, and a more people are on food stamps/govt assistance than ever before in time (that I can recall).    We ALL know someone that has been a victim in some way, shape, or form.

I understand the demand for the entertainment industry.  What lame lives we would live if we didn't have TV, movies, etc, but is it just me, or is it a TAD revolting that MILLIONS are spent on these award programs for the Hollywood "elite"?  The emmys, oscars, blah blah blah.  So much focus on what is being worn on "the red carpet" and who designed it...how much it cost, ya da ya da.

Oh, I'm sure there are many Hollywood types that donate to charities, but I'd rather have these overpaid snoots pay off someone's mortgage so it means they can stay in their shack of 2 bedrooms rather than spend thousands on a glamourous one-time worn gown for a red carpet.

And the kicker to this? A good majority of these Hollywood'ers are liberals.  No, I am not saying it's because they are LIBERAL I don't have much time for them, I am saying because of what the latest that liberals supposedly "BELIEVE".  You know...the entire anti-corporatation thing...the "redistribution of wealth" stuff?


GIVE ME A FRIGGIN' BREAK.

Well, where in the hell is mouthy Michael Moore?  I don't see his ass out writing checks for underwater mortgages!  Did he volunteer HIS home during all of Occupy movement?  EXACTLY.  Oh, Nancy Lee Grahan is another mouthy bitch that needs to keep her pie-hole shut.  Bette Midler, Barbara Streisand, Rosie Odonnell, Joy Behar, Cher etc.  It's so easy for these people to "believe" in liberal programs because they KNOW they will NEVER have to utilize them.  They can AFFORD their private health insurance, for example.  They will ALWAYS be exempt from these things because of their money! Believing in some type of social program makes them look  "good" and caring.

And, If you've ever spent some time on Twitter watching these infamous people, you know how many of them can be. They are UNTOUCHABLE in many ways.  Not all of them, but a good majority of them are just that.  They have thousands of followers, but don't interact with any and certainly don't follow any of their fans back.  There are some that interact with people, but don't follow any "regular" people back.  Then there are those that follow many fans back AND interact with them (those people I am mostly good with).

But, now if you'll excuse me, I need to go through this Goodwill rack so I can clothe my kids for school.

Don't STUFF your Children, PLEASE!

While spending a few days with my in-laws (sister and bro) and their 3yo son, I'm in awe at some people's parenting.  I'm no expert, but COMMON SENSE is a good thing and I don't think my in-laws have much of it in this arena.

Firstly, they really try and FORCE their child to eat.  

SERIOUSLY?! 

I mean, when it's obvious the child is done and doesn't want anymore, up jumps mom or dad to hold the food to his mouth like a baby trying rice cereal for the first time.  It's not like its broccoli or some healthy vegetable they are convincing him to eat, it's a cheeseburger...or a taco... or some other unnecessary food type.  

I want so badly to scream out "THAT LEADS TO CHILDHOOD OBESITY!!!", but she's not my sister.  If she were, I'd not hold back.  Yes, kids may not eat when they ARE hungry, but at that point, box it up (if at a restaurant) and take it home. They will learn to eat when it's time, but for the love of GOD, don't force it down their throats!!

Naps.  He's 3.  He's not 6 mos.  I was lucky to get ONE nap out of my kids at that age, but these people expect at LEAST two of this child.  When he was 1.5, I remember he'd get up at like 7a, but they had him down for a nap by 9. 

NINE?!  TWO hours later?  Oh yes.  And he was back down AGAIN by 1 and in bed for the night by like 6p.  

Anyway, at three, they try and get two out of him.   He fell asleep early one day for an hour, but 2 hours later, they put him down to sleep again.  Gee.  I can't EVEN imagine why he didn't sleep for that one. 

Clothing.

At 75 degrees, my two were swimming in the lake.  Theirs?  Outside with a hooded jacket zipped.  

They don't let him walk off the dock by himself...they pick him up and CARRY him off.  

Overprotective.  AND their lives revolve around the child in SO many ways.  

It's just bizarre.  But we're also talking about a dad who trolls on the lake with a BOBBER AND SINKER at the end of his pole (with a spinner attached).  

Yea.  Not kidding.

Maybe I am just not protective enough?!