Wearing Socks with Sandals: When the weather gets warm or when people go on vacation, one of the first things they get excited about is wearing sandals. Gone are the constricting socks and the shoes that make feet feel claustrophobic. I love sandals. I hate wearing shoes and even more than I hate wearing shoes is wearing socks.
Sandals are the closest thing a person can get to being barefoot. But when some douchebag decides wearing socks with sandals is a good idea, I really don't get it. What is the purpose of wearing sandals if you're just going to put on socks before hand? Hello! Sandals are for us barefoot folk, not you socked folk!
While I understand there are some reasons people want to wear socks with sandals, I tell those people "Wear Shoes". There is no reason to EVER wear socks with sandals. If your feet are covered in corns and callouses, it's best to keep the shoes on. If you're embarrassed about your piglet feet, keep your shoes on. If you think your feet might get cold or sweat, wear shoes. The whole purpose of wearing sandals is to let your feet rock the outside air, not to keep them constricted.
The worst offenders are the ones who wear socks with thong sandals. Wearing socks with sandals makes no logical sense whatsoever, but what's even more puzzling is wearing socks with thong sandals. It's like wearing a super tight skirt and trying to walk. You are spreading apart your toes but are limited by the sock. WTF! How is that even comfortable?! It's not; it's idiotic.
No one will ever convince me there is ever a reason to wear socks with sandals. There is no logical explanation. If you must wear socks, then you must wear shoes. Don't embarrass yourself by wearing socks with sandals. It's completely unacceptable.
People Who Don't Read: I absolutely love to read. I always have. As a 5th grader, I had a reading level of a high school senior. I always chose reading over watching TV. I excelled at reading, writing, and grammar during my entire education. Although I'm an avid reader, I understand other people aren't. And that's ok. As long as you read once in a while and keep your mind engaged, I don't have an issue with it.
But what I really don't get is people who don't read...at all! It is frightening the amount of people who only read what is absolutely necessary--street signs, food labels, and a TV guide--how can you survive without reading?
For me, reading is escaping reality. My life isn't horrible; don't get me wrong. But sometimes I like to live someone else's life for a while. When I open a book, I'm immediately taken to another world, another life, and I get to experience something I never will unless I read that particular book. Stories have been around since the beginning of time, but people have gotten lazy. Reading keeps brains active, motivated, and engaged.
I want to strangle those parents who don't read to their children, or even encourage reading. Reading is one of the most important parts of childhood development. It's not just the simple process of reading a book, it's learning different words, sounds, concepts, and generally using your imagination.
Make time every day to read. There are so many good stories and amazing authors out there and it's a shame not everyone takes the time to honor the ageless process of story telling.
Man Boobs (aka Moobs): In civilized society, any female with breasts is expected to wear a bra to keep their tits in check. I'm sure there are other reasons why women should wear bras, but let's focus on one point at a time. If your boobs are large enough to bounce up and down, it's time for a bra.
But why is it not the same for men? Men with boobs should have to wear a bra, just like any female. If it's not acceptable for me to go to the grocery store with my boobs sagging (which they don't; they're quite perky actually) and my nipples poking towards the cashier, then men should not be allowed to either. If I can't walk around the community pool with my tits flopping about, then neither should that fat guy with the DD cup! Tits are tits no matter whose body they're on!
Moobs are not only creepy, but they're just nasty. Men should not have boobs. Men have nipples, but should not have tits. They serve no function. They're not even pleasant to look at. But, some men do have tits and I think this is a huge problem.
Men get moobs from being overweight, thyroid problems, an increase in estrogen, and/or a decrease in testosterone; women get boobs from simply being women. Yet the same rule about bras should apply. That's my point. There are only certain situations where I actually show my tits to other people (and yes, sometimes I do it in public, but mostly in private situations), but it's not generally accepted in our society. So, next time a man with moobs decides to hit the beach and let his DDs hang, he should wear a tankini top...just like I have to.
Country music has its roots planted in deep conservatism. Country music has many different genres, including honky tonk, rockabilly, outlaw country, pop country, country rock, and many more.
But country and its sub-genres have something in common. Basically every single country artist is white and straight. That's how it always has been. Until now.
With the recent success of black country artist Darius Rucker and Chely Wright "coming out", we know have black and gay people entering the country music world. FINALLY! Who decided this genre should be so uptight? I'm pretty sure there was also a Cowboy Troy somewhere in the mix, but I think we've all forgotten about him.
Whether or not they'll be welcomed by all who listen to country music, especially the bible-beating folk in the South, I say it's about damn time someone breaks through the stereotypical barrier of country music. These two artists have certainly opened the doors to make being different okay in a tight knit, conservative music genre known as country.
Now we can look forward to hearing songs about how a woman's wife beats on her, steals her Kia and foodstamps from their crackhouse in the ghetto, and heads for California to find a hot lesbian actress to live happily ever after with.
Joking. I'm a fan of country music, and I'm an even bigger fan of people breaking down barriers that other people before them have been afraid to break through.
Hootie: 1.
Single White Female: 1.
Country Music World: 0.
Smart Cars: This is a perfect car for a virgin. Anyone who drives one of these cars has pretty much guaranteed themselves no chance of sex whatsoever. This is also a perfect car for a nugget. These cars remind me of a toddler shoe, but with wheels. Anyone else see the resemblance? I understand these cars are probably relatively eco-friendly and are not gas guzzlers. They are an economic solution to fuel efficiency and pollution, but so is a bicycle. Because these could be considered "green" cars, I have a small iota of respect for the idea behind them. But when I see people driving them, I want to punch them in the mouth and kick their tin can toddler shoe over. There are other hybrid, eco-friendly cars you can buy. Even electric cars, although some Smart cars are electric. But a toddler shoe with wheels? What's next, a refrigerator box with wheels? (Wait...see Nissan Cube). I hate Smart cars almost as much as I hate PT Cruisers and Mini Coopers.
Vests: Obviously, the inventor of the vest either ran out of fabric for a whole shirt, or couldn't make up their mind regarding short sleeves or long sleeves...so why sew on sleeves at all? Vests as part of a daily outfit should be banned. The only acceptable vests belong in law enforcement, sports, for formal wear under a suit, or as a life vest. Period. If it's cold outside, don't put on a sweatshirt and then a vest. It doesn't make sense. If you're afraid of being too warm but want to be warm enough, put on layers. Put on a long sleeved shirt under that sweatshirt and if you get warm, you can always take off the sweatshirt or long sleeved shirt. A vest is just bulky and completely pointless. It's not that hard to decide between short sleeved and long sleeved. If you're really torn, go long sleeved because you can always roll up your sleeves. Or just wear both. But put the vest away unless you need to wear one to save your life. People who drive Smart cars probably wear vests too...and you know what I say about people who drive Smart cars...same thing applies to people who wear vests.
Littering: The act of throwing trash on the ground makes me sick. We all know better. It's not natural for garbage to be piled up on the curb or around a stop sign. Littering=ignorance/selfishness. People who drive and throw trash out the window should just keep it in their car until they're near a garbage can. Keep a plastic bag in the car and when it's full, dispose of it appropriately. There's no reason for people who wait at bus stops to throw their trash on the ground, especially when there is a garbage can nearby. It's completely ridiculous. Littering destroys the beautiful scenery, it can be a breeding ground for disease-carrying insects and rodents, and can harm our water sources. It's not that difficult to throw garbage in the proper receptacle. I'm one of those people who will pick up trash if I see it near me, and I don't hesitate to tell people to pick up their trash if I catch them carelessly littering. It takes an extremely long time before litter disappears. Below is a list of how long certain things take to disintegrate or disappear:
Most of these items will never disintegrate in our lifetime. Think about that the next time you decide to toss a Coke bottle or a piece of gum on the ground. That will be there for years, and it is your fault. Your family and your future children will suffer the consequences of your laziness. We are all responsible for keeping this earth clean, and although it may not seem like a big deal that there's a soda can on the ground, over time, the effect of that is detrimental to the environment. Every time you litter, you are destroying the planet. I don't know about you but I certainly don't want that burden.
This past Saturday night, Emily and I had gone to a graduation party and out for drinks before we stopped at IHOP on our way home. When we got there, the place wasn't that busy, but there was only one cook and two waitresses on duty. One waitress was a heavier woman with not a full set of teeth; and the other was an elderly woman who walked with a crooked stance. Obviously, they are not working third shift for fun. They need the money.
Upon first glance, there were only a few tables occupied. As we waited to be seated, some white trash woman wearing a tank top (no bra) and sweatpants walked past me and exited the restaurant and said "You'll wait 30 minutes for a pop" in a deep man voice, similar to Kathleen Turner's voice. I was puzzled, but ignored it. I hate it when strangers talk to me for no reason, and this bitch was certainly no exception.
When we walked around the corner to the dining area, we noticed a very large (both in size and quantity of people) family occupying the entire back half of the restaurant. A booth lined the entire back wall and instead of occupying one or two tables, this family scattered themselves everywhere.
Our waitress came to take our order and as soon as she brought our beverages, the complaining started. According to one of the daughters (aged 20-something), they had been there for 30 minutes and had no food and they waited forever for their pop. Who the fuck says pop anyway? It's soda you dumb bitch.
The party in the back was full of white trash. Not trash you put in the dumpster, although I would have loved to throw them away like garbage...I'm talking the trashiest white trash people that have possibly ever crossed my path. Pretty sure most of the women looked like the women in this picture.
There were a few couples and a few children (all adult age). A good mix of mother/father and uncle/aunt combo. The woman who sounded like Kathleen Turner came back inside from a smoke break and was served her food. While she and her husband ate, the rest of the family complained about how they hoped they enjoyed the food because everyone else had to wait.
The elderly waitress was waiting on them and explained that they had to send two staff home and so there was only one cook and they were doing the best they could. Any compassionate human being would have stopped complaining after that and just sucked it up. Our snaggle-tooth waitress came over and explained the same thing and I smiled at her and said "it's okay. shit happens" and she was grateful for our patience.
We were there about an hour. Within that hour, all I heard was this family talking shit about both waitresses, hassling the cook, and taking at least 37 smoke breaks. There was even a point in time when at least 5 police cars sped by with lights flashing and sirens blaring and it didn't take long for most of the family members to run outside to be nosy.
There was one lady in particular, a real gem, who was the worst. She was real disgusting like-nasty teeth, horrible outfit, and a haircut that even the 80's would have rejected. She complained the entire time about not getting enough pop, her food being late, and when her sirloin tips were delivered, she complained that there were onions in them. The waitress offered to bring it back and she refused because she didn't want to wait any longer. She even referred to our waitress as "tubby wubby"; meanwhile, she's packing DD tits, a few spare tires around her torso, and a very large FUPA to boot. Tubby wubby? That's you lady. Look in the mirror as you spill sirloin tips and mashed potatoes on your clearly unwashed tank top and in your greasy, frizzy hair that's resting in your pile of gravy.
The elderly waitress was really patient with the white trash family. Instead of getting upset while they complained about the cook, and threatened to get the other waitress fired because she forgot their "pop", she asked them questions about where they're from and why they're here. The couple who got their food first drove down from Michigan and the other ones flew here. Guess why?
They're all going on a cruise! Holy shit do I EVER feel bad for anyone on that cruise who is so unlucky to encounter this family. When the waitress asked if they like Florida, the sirloin tip bitch says "Eh. I prefer Michigan". You know what tubby wubby, you would say that! All you need to say is yes, because that's clearly why you're here. If you preferred Michigan, please, by all means, go the fuck back! We already have a 87.9% ignorance rate in this damn state so we don't need you here. I just hope none of these white trash women don't decide to dress like this women while on the cruise. Although I'm sure they will. I even mentioned to Emily that these women are the type of women who honestly think they look phenomenal in a biking.
While the sirloin tip bitch was stuffing her face, a woman I believed to be her daughter would not shut her damn mouth. "This is bullshit. I've been here for a fucking hour and a half. I ordered pancakes. How long does it take to get pancakes?" Meantime, I whispered to Emily that I really hoped our food came out before theirs did. And guess what. It did. And as soon as it did, it was literally a redneck verbal explosion in the back of the restaurant.
To make matters worse, there was an Indian guy attempting to enjoy a cup of coffee while he attempted to look up my skirt. I was sitting in the booth, wearing a skirt but my legs were crossed, and I knew the most this perv could see was my knees, but that didn't stop him from peering over his creepy Coke bottle glasses to get a good look at my goodies. I told him he wasn't gonna get a free show, but I don't think he heard me because he kept peering over the top of his glasses while tilting his head down. Creeper.
While Emily and I were eating, a couple next to us were damn near falling asleep because there food still hadn't arrived. The Indian guy asked us how long we had been waiting and Emily replied we hadn't been waiting that long. Then at least two fat white trash bitches pipe up from the back of the restaurant and say "We've been waiting two fucking hours!" (keep in mind their idea of time was moving way faster than the actual clock. They said they got there at quarter to midnight and when we left, it had only been an hour and fifteen minutes that they had been there). Then Emily says "he wasn't asking you. he was asking us" and they just glared at her.
After we had completed our mediocre meal (while enduring an hour of constant bitching and whining from the back and the sides of the restaurant) our waitress brought our bill. I was really concerned for the elderly waitress that these fuck sticks would stiff her on the tip. They kept saying "oh, it's not your fault. it's still fucking bullshit, but no, it's not your fault". Clearly, they're basically saying they didn't care whose fault it was. They even went so far as to say "can we get some free pop for having to wait for so long?" Can you imagine if they have to wait in line during their cruise? They're gonna be those people and complain and try to get free shit they don't deserve.
The bill was only $18.95. I paid with my debit card but asked my waitress for two ten dollar bills in exchange for my $20 bill. We traded and then I explained to her I wanted her to keep $10 and give the other $10 to the other waitress. She looked shocked, but I told her I had a bad feeling neither of them were going to be tipped well all night. Usually, I wouldn't fork over a $10 tip at IHOP on a barely $20 bill, but I felt someone had to. These poor waitresses were not at fault for being short staffed in the kitchen. Our waitress did as instructed and took the other $10 to the elderly waitress, who didn't hesitate to come over to our table. I explained to her that she was doing a good job and the $10 was because I knew she wouldn't get a good tip, if at all, from the classy family in the back.
They had also talked about having to leave together because they all came in the same van. When Emily and I left for the night, we walked past said van. Holy shit. How ridiculous! The van (keep in mind there were approximately 10 people in this white trash party) only had two seats. Two in the front. The van appeared to have no seating in the back whatsoever. Not even sure it had windows on the sides, just on the back door and in the front. It was like they were being herded like cattle into the back of the van, which is obviously fitting for them.
I learned a few lessons from this late night IHOP trip.
1. Never go to IHOP at night. Or ever.
2. Find it in your heart (and wallet) to over compensate on your bill when you know an elderly waitress is going to get stiffed.
3. Nasty fat white people with bad teeth, bad manners, and loud raspy voices are white trash. It's prejudiced but goddamnit, it's true.
4. These people absorbed the definition of white trash in their rolls of fat, bad manners, and horrific attitudes to the point someone needs to invent another word for white trash.
Can you imagine these fuckers waiting in line for a roller coaster? Not only would their bodies be sticky from sweat and spilled sugary pop 'tween their tits, but they would no doubt have extreme body odor coming from places on their bodies that shouldn't exist in the first place (see FUPA), but they would be obnoxious as all hell, completely ruining everyone else's good time. They should be banned from cruises, Disney, restaurants, public, and basically life.
I hope someone gives you all a "pop" in the head so you all go overboard on your cruise and get lost at sea. You deserve it. Oh, and sirloin tip bitch, you need to put this sign on your overly large back so we at least have warning that you're around.
I've decided to add a new series to my blog. It's titled "Sh*t I Don't Get", which encompasses things I truly don't understand...not because I don't know the facts or that I'm illiterate or anything like that. I'm not stupid; in fact, I'm a very smart gal. I'm not prejudiced or racist (well, everyone is to an extent, but as a general rule, I'm not). I have an open mind and broad horizons (and shoulders) but these are things that literally flabbergast me and I am left speechless, which doesn't happen very often. I try to analyze them and make sense of this shit I don't get, but I just cannot wrap my mind around some things. As my readers, please feel free to chime in with your opinions, knowledge, or back talk. Whatever you prefer.
Shit I Don't Get Vol. 1
Celestial Marriage: What the hell? Obviously, anything having to do with Mormons or the Church of Latter-Day Saints is beyond my comprehension. I am convinced Mormons are aliens sent to Earth to destroy activities I take seriously--drinking, promiscuity, smoking, etc. The idea that a man "needs" more than one wife for the celestial kingdom is not only obnoxious, but it's downright annoying. That's not what it's about; it allows a man to have extra-marital affairs in a manner in which they are justified. All I know is that I can't wait for these polygamist men to find out there is no such thing as a "celestial kingdom" and their marriage isn't "heavenly". I just wish I could be there to say "I told you so".
Why Black Guys Love Fat White Girls: I don't have a problem with interracial relationships or relationships that are out of the norm. I'm a lesbian for crying out loud...who am I to judge? But this has always confused me. What is it about obese white women that black men are attracted to? Is it that they're good eaters, and there's always a guarantee of fried chicken at the dinner table? Or is it like catching a rare species? The black man snags the fat white chick (said in a National Geographic Host's voice). Or is it the other way around? Do fat white women go for black men because they feel no white man could love them? I don't know. I literally cannot find an answer to this. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but I doubt it. And why is it extremely rare to find both an attractive black man and an attractive white woman couple? That species is endangered as far as I'm concerned.
Speedos: Unless you're an athlete, more specifically, an Olympic swimmer, there's no need for any man to wear a Speedo**. I'm not talking about the Speedo brand; I'm talking about a "Speedo"! I live in Florida and when the Snow Birds (Canadians) are here for the winter, I see my fair share of pale white, hairy, fat men wearing Speedos. They have no modesty. They let it all hang out. I've seen some fruit baskets in my life, but nothing compares to these dandies. These men come to the beach and bend over to put their towel down and share with me their family jewels. Not some I want to see, but thanks for sharing. Unless you're going to do a triathalon (the swimming part) in the Atlantic Ocean, there's no reason to wear a Speedo. Even wearing one for sun tanning is unacceptable. Wear beach shorts and when you want to tan, hike the shorts up your legs like normal guys do. That way, we aren't forced to see the outline of your package.
Recently, we were at Hollywood Beach and a man came with his daughter and when he got there, he put his stuff down right in front of us. He then proceeded to strip down to nothing but a Speedo and a sweater (his chest hair). We all noticed his Speedo was on inside out and apparently, he noticed as well. Moments later, he went into the water, far enough out so he could take off his Speedo and turn it right side out. Then he came back to shore and laid down right in front of us, showing us his not so private parts.
Please, for the sake of humanity, either go to a nude beach and let it all hang out, or put on shorts with an appropriate length. Your wife may not mind (although I'm sure she's so embarrassed she won't even be seen with you at the same beach) but the rest of us do. Even Michael Phelps can barely pull of a Speedo.
**Unless you look like this guy in the yellow Speedo, Speedos should be illegal for you. And even then it's not that appealing...a hunk in a Speedo leaves nothing to the imagination.
How To Agree With Someone Who Thinks Their Baby Is Cute When In Fact It Is Not: This is the worst position to be put in. Your friend/family member just had a baby. You're excited because you think all babies are cute...they're harmless innocent babies, how can they not be cute, right? F**king wrong my friend. I have met many babies that I find downright fugly...it's not their fault. But I get tongue tied and I start to sweat when I encounter a fugly baby and have to pretend that it's the cutest thing since the Olsen Twins on Full House. To Parents of Ugly Children: Although this is your child and you think the kid is the cutest thing on Earth, there has to be a small part of you that knows the child is NOT cute. So, please don't put your friends and family members in a position to agree with you when you hem and haw over the alien looking baby. It makes us feel uncomfortable when you force us to lie. Luckily, most ugly babies grow out of their fugliness. For the ones who don't, sorry. Life isn't fair.
I have been frequently absent from my blog. My fellow readers are disappointed in me so while I research new topics, I wanted to share with you my ten favorite blog posts from The Other 98¢. Think of it as watching your favorite movie again and again...enjoy and I'll have new posts for you soon!
2. Is A Bad Haircut Considered Child Abuse? One of my all time favorites, simply because I focus on mullets...and you can NEVER go wrong blogging about mullets.
3. The United States of Stupid America. Welcome to America...for all you immigrants, read this carefully before you decide to move here, legally or illegally. The desert is not always cooler this side of the border.
4. Earth Has a Fever; Humans Have The Cure. I participated in Blog Action Day where bloggers around the world wrote about the same topic on the same day. Compelling blog, if I do say so myself.
5. Cyrusly Cyrus Family? Ah...I just enjoy making fun of any member of the Cyrus family...it's all in good fun though Miley & company. Hate to admit it, but I LOVE your new video. I hope your Dad's flavor savor falls right off his face when he sees his 17 year old daughter in her new video.
6. Jon and Eight Minus Kate and Her Horrible Haircut. Remember when this was a big deal? Wait...it still is and I'm on a mission to figure out exactly why everyone cares so much about the damn Gosselin family.
**Previously published...changed web address of post**
When I discovered this website, my first reaction was, WTF?!?!?! And then, I nearly menstruated with excitement about this magical website..
Welcome to the Museum of Menstruation and Women's Health. This is a website, poorly set up I might add, but educational and clever, dedicated to menstruation and women's health. I was unaware menstruation needed a museum, but here we are.
Perhaps one of the best parts of this website is the Tampon Directory, where you can learn the history and brands of tampons and their early uses.
What really is the icing on the cake, or the string in the tampon if you will, are the various words and phrases used to describe menstruation. After researching at length on this website, I have compiled a list of my favorites. If you are a woman, I hope you enjoy these as much as I did, as they are now added to my already impressive and extensive vocabulary.
Top 20 Words/Phrases To Describe Menstruation
1. "A Little Ketchup With My Steak"
2. "A Snatch Box Decorated With Red Roses"
3. "Attracting The Lesbian Vampires"
4. "Black Towel Time"
5. "B.L.A.S.P." (Bleeding Like A Stuffed Pig)
6. "Blow-Job Season"
7. "Code Red"
8. "Congratulations! It's An Egg!"
9. "Double Barrel Technique"
10. "Dracula's Tea Bag"
11. "Get The Crime Scene Tape"
12. "I'm Not Pregnant"
13. "Lady In The Red Dress"
14. "Losing My Lining"
15. "Not Tonight Dear; Miss Scarlett's Coming Home To Tara"
16. "Pad Straddling"
17. "Riding The Cotton Pony"
18. "Rusty Beaver"
19. "Shark Week"
20. "Your Vagina Is Emo! It's So Desperate For Attention, It's Bleeding!"
This new Arizona immigration law has not only heated up the Arizona desert, but the rest of the nation as well.
Recently, Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona signed the nation’s toughest bill on illegal immigration. Its aim is to identify, prosecute, and deport illegal immigrants.
It's about damn time someone takes control of this problem. Let me just say that I have no problem with foreigners coming to America; but what I don't like is when they are not US citizens and receive more welfare and benefits that people born on US soil. Most Americans have been immigrants at one point or another, but for most Americans, that was hundreds of years ago and the dynamics of our country have changed and it's time to recognize that. Not everyone can come and go in America as they please, treating our country like a hotel.
President Obama thinks the Arizona law threatens “to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and our communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe.”
According to NYTimes.com, "The law, which proponents and critics alike said was the broadest and strictest immigration measure in generations, would make the failure to carry immigration documents a crime and give the police broad power to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. Opponents have called it an open invitation for harassment and discrimination against Hispanics regardless of their citizenship status."
The law requires police officers, “when practicable,” to detain people they reasonably suspect are in the country without authorization and to verify their status with federal officials, unless doing so would hinder an investigation or emergency medical treatment. It also makes it a state crime — a misdemeanor — to not carry immigration papers. In addition, it allows people to sue local government or agencies if they believe federal or state immigration law is not being enforced.
While police demands of documents are common on subways, highways and in public places in some countries, including France, Arizona is the first state to demand that immigrants meet federal requirements to carry identity documents legitimizing their presence on American soil. And I agree with this law 100%. If I, an American, am required to carry ID on me at all times (not necessarily required but highly recommended), why shouldn't immigrants? What's the point of a green card or a visa if you're not going to carry it? Pretty sure they make wallet size documentation that fits easily into your pocket.
I wonder...how is it different for immigrants to surrender their citizenship papers when asked by police, than it is for me if I went to the Bahamas on a cruise and they demanded to see my papers before I could step foot on the island? Seems the same theory to me. If you're a legal citizen in one country and immigrate to another, then you should have to show proper papers. Period. Whether you're in another country to visit, to work, to attend school, or to live, you should always be required to have ID and surrender it when asked by law enforcement.
Many people worry this law will lead to racial profiling, something that exists anyways. The law "may" lead to racial profiling, "may" being the operative key word here. What about the fact that racial profiling already exists? I don't condone it; it's a fact of life. I understand it might be annoying to a person who is Hispanic and was born on American soil. I would be irritated if I got pulled over and was asked for ID all the time, even though I was born here in America and happened to have Mexican ancestry. I get that. But, if I were to go to Chad, Africa, people would wonder if I were a citizen too. So, does that mean it's racial profiling? Not quite.
With that said, I don't blame you Arizona citizens who are of Mexican heritage and were born in America. Not one bit. But, as an American, don't you want your freedom, benefits, home, and borders protected? Racial profiling already exists in every city, in every state, in every country, not just Arizona, United States; if you want to argue and stand up against racial profiling, just focusing on the Arizona Immigration Law will not get you anywhere...racial profiling runs much deeper than that.
Governer Brewer acknowledges the critics' concerns but says racial profiling will not be tolerated and that we have to trust our law enforcement. Isn't that what we're encouraged to do anyway? Who do you call when there's been a crime? A threat of violence? A tragic accident? You call your local law enforcement and we're taught to trust them as public service agents. Granted, a lot of cops can be shady, but the majority of them are good and won't abuse the system. They're here to protect us and if that means that Arizona cops are legally required to ask someone for their papers, then so be it. People just need to get over it. If you act like you have something to hide, chances are you probably do. So to avoid getting caught, don't hide. If you want to be an American citizen, do the leg work.
If anything, this law might discourage foreigners from sneaking into this country, reaping the benefits that should belong to actual American citizens. If you want to come here so badly, learn our history, learn our language, and learn our customs and take the citizen test and become a citizen. Otherwise, go back home.
I'd be expected to do the same thing in any other country, so why is America different? I think people are more upset about the possibility of losing cheap labor (gardeners, maids, construction workers) and politicians losing possible votes for the next elections more than they're concerned about anything else.
I think the goal of this law is to protect America and its citizens. Look at all the drug smuggling, human trafficking, and violence on the American/Mexican border throughout the years! Something needs to be done because clearly, Border Patrol isn't doing enough.
Seriously...the minute someone finds out about a law they can complain about, all hell breaks loose. Especially when it involves one of three things, or even all three. 1. Race. 2. Religion. 3. Homosexuality. This is another one of those things people love to complain about. Boo fucking hoo. People are making too big of a deal about this law when they should simply step back and say "is it a big deal that a cop asks a Mexican for ID? The same cop would ask me for ID". I've been asked for ID more times in my life than I care to count and I would surrender it in a heartbeat in America or any other country. It's our right to know who is here legally and who is not.
And this is not about bigotry either...if it were, why haven't more states enacted a law like this one? Why just Arizona? There are far more racist and prejudice states in the union than Arizona. See Missisippi.
I think there are more important things to worry about in American than whether or not an immigration law will lead to racial profiling, which seems to be the main concern. I certainly don't condone racial profiling, nor do I approve of prejudice and hate crimes. I also don't approve of many of the American laws (gay marriage being illegal to start) but I just don't think this bill is that bad. Let's just get over it so we can focus our attention on a more important matter...our dependence on oil and the havoc it's wreaking on this Earth. See: Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Oh...one more thing. No matter who passes what bill, no one will ever be satisfied. Such is the nature of government.
When I went to work on Friday morning, I thought my day would be the usual type of day. Do some work, read the news, get some writing done. I visited CNN.com like I normally do and I came across a headline that read "Paralyzed Shooting Victim Competes in Marathons". I clicked on the headline and read the story. By the time I finished, I had tears in my eyes. Tears of sadness, but also of inspiration. I knew right then and there I wanted to contact her to offer some sort of support.
Friday turned out not to be a normal day for me. Reading that article ignited a spark inside me and I felt compelled to reach out to Christine Kent after reading her story and realizing she lives in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area, just a few miles away from me.
I visited a couple websites dedicated to Christine and read her story several times. On one of the websites, I found her email address and sent her an email telling her a little about me, who I am, and that I would like to help. I told her I couldn't necessarily help her monetarily (she has a fund through NTAF to raise money for her medical expenses and a wheelchair van) but I would like to meet her and help her out somehow.
To my surprise and delight, she responded that very same day and said she would love to meet me and that she had some gardening she needed assistance with. I admitted I didn't have much of a green thumb, but I would be more than happy to come over and help her anyway. She called me on Friday evening and we made plans to meet on Saturday.
I arrived to her house at noon on Saturday and when she opened the door, we both had wide smiles on our faces, grateful to meet each other. No sooner did I step inside her house did she stretch her arms out wide to envelop me in a hug. We had just met that day, but it was almost like I had known her for years. She and her house are very warm and welcoming, as is her extremely adorable cat.
Christine was grateful for my contacting her, saying "one can never have too many friends", but even more grateful that I was willing to help her tend to her garden, an activity she used to love, and in fact still does, but faces many challenges navigating her backyard in a wheelchair.
If you haven't clicked on the two links above, I will tell you why Christine needs help gardening. It sounds like a simple task to most people, but for Christine, it is far from that, even though that doesn't stop her from having a passion for a beautiful yard.
Christine is in a wheelchair. She hasn't always relied on a wheelchair; in fact, she used to love skiing and she even used to be a model. She was as mobile as any person could get. But her life changed on August 4th, 2007. On that night, she was the victim of a horrible crime that has left her forever changed. She was attacked by a stalker at her home in Ft. Lauderdale by a man she had considered to be a mere acquaintance.
A man by the name of Allan Sinclair IV plotted an attack against her and showed up at her house one random night. He was not a friend of hers, nor was he a complete stranger, so when he knocked on her door that night, she was apprehensive, but opened the door to this acquaintance of hers.
Before she knew it, he put a gun to the back of her head. She spoke to him about God and told him he needed to let her go. When she fled for her life, he opened fire and one of the bullets completely obliterated the T-12 section of her spine and paralyzed her. She landed in the gravel beside her driveway, conscious. Sinclair then got in his SUV and ran over her in her own driveway, turning the wheel on top of her abdomen, crushing her.
He fled the scene and she desperately screamed for help, but no one came. Her neighbors phoned the police when they heard the shots being fired but were too afraid to come to her aid. She lie there, paralyzed in agonizing pain when suddenly Sinclair came back within minutes, grabbing her by the ankles and dragging her across the driveway behind the hedges.
She was left there to die. She prayed for her life and prayed to be saved while waiting to be rescued. Christine Kent survived by a miracle, by the grace of God, and she is ever so grateful.
Fortunately, this dangerous man was apprehended the very next day. On October 2, 2009, Allan Sinclair IV pleaded guilty to attempted rape and first degree attempted murder and was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. She has some closure and peace of mind knowing he will never get out of prison to hurt her or anyone else again.
On August 4, 2007, Christine was sentenced a life of paralyzation because of this man. Thank God that same day, she was also granted life. The doctors confirmed that the injuries to her spine were so severe, she will never walk again. She spent over six months in the hospital and in rehabilitation facilities, but is grateful to be back in her own home. Every day is challenging for her, but through sheer will, determination, and an amazing support system, she keeps pushing forward.
Christine tries to remain positive despite chronic pain and her disability, but she sincerely believes that every day is a gift and life is truly a blessing. She has attended support groups who have helped her adjust to her new life, to solve problems, and to set goals and since becoming involved, she has been helpful and encouraging to others who struggle with the same issues. Christine has become more involved with various activities and sports geared for the disabled. Handcycling is now one of her favorite sports and she has just completed her third full 26-mile marathon! She feels such a sense of accomplishment and her family and friends are very proud of her.
Christine Kent is an amazing woman who has overcome a violent, brutal attack that should have killed her. But it didn't. And it certainly didn't kill her spirit either. She wants to make the most of her life and by sharing her story, experience, and perspective, she believes she can help others as well. She speaks at various groups and hopes to have a positive impact by promoting awareness of disability and giving motivational speeches. Her goal is not to get sympathy from anyone, but rather to help people understand the importance of not taking life for granted.
Christine says living with paralysis is extremely difficult and every day she has her challenges, but she manages and wants to be as independent as possible once again.
She has modified her home to be handicap accessible by installing ramps in the front and back of the house, as well as interior modifications which have made it a bit easier for her to maintain independence. She also has an aide who assists her in her home five times a week, helping out with various tasks and chores. But she is still a long way from reaching her goal of independence. Having her own means of transportation, a wheelchair van, would help her fulfill this goal. She would be able to stay active and commute to as many places as needed.
Christine is amazing. Instantly, her presence warms your heart because she is one of the rarest people a person could ever meet--truly kind, caring, and sincere. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she realizes things could always be worse and she is still alive, and while she is alive, she will settle for nothing less than making the most of her life. But she needs our help. Due to her condition, she is unable to work and receives government aid. But it's not enough.
To assist with her injury related expenses, a fundraising campaign has been established with the Catastrophic Injury Program of the National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF). NTAF is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the transplant and catastrophic injury community for 25 years. All contributions are tax-deductible and are administered for injury-related expenses only.
If you wish to make a donation:
Make check payable to:
NTAF Southeast Spinal Cord Injury Fund
Write on check memo line:
In honor of Christine Kent
Mail to:
NTAF
150 N. Radnor Chester Road Suite F-120
Radnor, PA 19087
Otherwise you can visit her personal NTAF website here to contribute a donation online. Christine also tells her own story on her own personal website called Christine's Survival. Luckily, Christine has a huge support system--family, friends, doctors, therapists, support groups. Without them, Christine may have taken a different approach to her new life. She is lucky to have them and they are all lucky to know her and care about her.
Christine's story is a lesson to all of us not to take anything in life for granted, particularly life itself. A random act of kindness can go a long way and change someone's life. I wish everyone I knew could meet Christine. But there are other people like Christine out there who need help as well. I urge you to find someone in your community and reach out to them with a helping hand. You don't have to donate money to make a difference. There is someone in your community who struggles with day-to-day activities, just like Christine, and you can help.
Meeting Christine truly warmed my heart, and although I'm not a gardener by any means, I can only hope that I helped in some way. I hope I didn't cut that pineapple plant down too much, and I hope those bulbs we separated actually grow! I look forward to seeing her (and her cute cat) again and I hope her story reaches the masses, one person at a time. Everyone could use a little help and inspiration once in a while.
So Christine, I thank you for opening your door to me, a complete stranger, and letting me into your life. I will be forever grateful for your trust, your kind words, and inspiration. You are an amazing woman. I hope you reach your goal and get that set of wheels you want so badly. I have faith that one of these days, you'll be cruising around town in no time.
Seriously?!?! What's next for Kate G? First, she was on Discovery, then TLC, then she and her hubby graced every magazine cover and tabloid cover for a year, and now she's on ABC on the show "Dancing With The Stars". My question is, how did this happen? And NOW she wants to grace the cover of Playboy?
That's the newest on "Momzilla", aka Kate Gosselin. According to CNN.com, "When asked if there was any possibility that the mother-of-eight would grace the glossy covers of Playboy, Hugh Hefner says, “No! No!” And the original playboy added insult to injury by suggesting he doesn’t even know why she’s on Dancing with the Stars. Hef explained, “I don’t think she’s a celebrity.”
You know Hef, I don't usually agree with you or your tactics; quite frankly, I think you're an old pervert, but I couldn't agree with you more. Not only is she an ogre, inside and out, but she's not even a celebrity/star! And I certainly can't imagine Hef posing for a pic like this any time soon:
Shallow? Yes. But that's how Hugh is. He didn't get to where he is today by hanging out with women like Kate Gosselin. So why would he allow her to be in his magazine, or possibly even own one? And yes, that is a real pic of Kate G (see my blog post about that pic here).
Kate has recently received a makeover for DWTS, a makeover where she's barely recognizable until she opens her mouth, or makes any facial expression. If she just stands in one spot and smiles like a mannequin, no one would really know it was her, especially without the backwards mullet she sported for years! But she is incapable of doing that. She's always making a sour face and when she opens her mouth, nothing but toxic words ooze out. So she has had an ego boost about her makeover, but I think she's forgotten everything else. Luckily for her, I haven't.
Not only has Kate had 8 children, plastic surgery, and a partial lobotomy, but it's bad enough we have to see her face and listen to her talk, let alone possibly see her pink panther?! I mean, next time someone has sex with her (if EVER anyone will go there), it'll be like throwing a hot dog down a hallway! Kate, Your love triangle is bent way out of shape, not to mention your boobs from breast feeding more offspring than a barnyard animal...there's only so much air brushing can actually do for you!
It's time for you to face the music. No one wants to see your naked body, not even your husband (hence why he cheated) so what makes you think the rest of America wants to. On top of that, learn to dance already or get off the damn show!
Apparently, "Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli visited Lopez Tonight on April 7 and while he didn’t question Kate’s celebrity status he did call her ballroom skills 'dreadful', 'a catastrophe' and 'crap.'" All adjectives that can also be used to describe Kate as a person!
Instead of Kate focusing on pretending to dance on DWTS or thinking her 35-year old mombody is actually attractive and good enough to be in Playboy magazine, she really needs to learn the difference between fame and infamy. Since I know she won't do it herself, I'll help you out.
Fame: the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed. Fame refers to renown and reputation, or a position of public prominence. All of the associations with fame are generally positive, implying the person is respected and honored as well as being famous. Infamy: a state of extreme dishonor. The associations with infamy are negative, suggesting that although someone and his or her actions are well known, many people wish that this was not the case.
People who are famous: Michael Jackson. Muhammad Ali. Amelia Earhart. Leonardo DiVinci. People who are infamous: John Dillinger. Charles Manson. Ted Bundy. Hitler. Jon & Kate Gosselin.
Keep that in mind next time you get a hair brained idea to try and get on the cover of Playboy. Chelsea Handler, Kate Beckinsale, Angelina Jolie...now they belong on the cover. Kate G? Not so much. That's like asking the mom from the TLC show "19 Kids & counting" to let the world see her naked body, after giving birth to a small tribe! No thank you!
The only cover you should be on, Kate, is "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader", placed right next to the toilet while I take my morning dump. I took the liberty to even create a sample cover. It seems fitting.
**Disclaimer: Please remember I am not prejudiced towards women who are not up to Hugh Hefner's standards to be in Playboy or on the cover. This is simply for entertainment purposes only.**
While I understand there are some reasons people want to wear socks with sandals, I tell those people "Wear Shoes". There is no reason to EVER wear socks with sandals. If your feet are covered in corns and callouses, it's best to keep the shoes on. If you're embarrassed about your piglet feet, keep your shoes on. If you think your feet might get cold or sweat, wear shoes. The whole purpose of wearing sandals is to let your feet rock the outside air, not to keep them constricted.
The worst offenders are the ones who wear socks with thong sandals. Wearing socks with sandals makes no logical sense whatsoever, but what's even more puzzling is wearing socks with thong sandals. It's like wearing a super tight skirt and trying to walk. You are spreading apart your toes but are limited by the sock. WTF! How is that even comfortable?! It's not; it's idiotic.
