We've had some crazy weather here recently.
Yesterday, it started off pouring rain, then decided to clear up and be very nice for an hour or two, even if it was very windy.
Well then, the sky got very dark and we had tornado warnings, and it started to pour again. Luckily, there were no tornadoes.
Then it stopped raining and the temperature dropped wayyyy down. I had a class from 2:30 to 4:30 and while I walked in in a short sleeve shirt and needed a jacket when I came out (which I did not have by the way, so I was freeeeezing).
I'm tired of the weather's bipolar mood changes.
I'm ready for it to just warm up and be spring.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
This One's For You, Mr. Rides-Bicycle-In Street
Yesterday, while driving, I came upon a man riding his bicycle.
He started off on the sidewalk, but then for some reason, merged onto the street.
I didn't quite understand this because a) the sidewalk goes on for quite a ways past that point, and b) I didn't understand why he felt that this was a good idea, he definitely could not pedal as fast as the cars were going.(I don't think many people could, unless they're Lance Armstrong or something).
Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for people exercising and enjoying fresh air, especially when it's wonderful outside, like it was yesterday, but this man just really annoyed me for some reason.
He KNEW there were cars behind him, that had to slow wayyyy down, and he wasn't exactly riding in the middle of the street, but more on like the passenger side of a car. Well, after riding behind this guy for a few minutes (which scared me because I was afraid he was going to fall off or something) I decided to pass him (which scared me even more, because I was afraid that he would decide to move over). The car behind me decided to pass him too.
I am just extremely puzzled why someone would decide to do this, because it seems very dangerous to me (because it was rush hour and he was riding down the main drag in town) and because of where we live...our town has a very large greenway, a park, a nature trail, and (if you just really have to ride on the real streets) many many subdivisions that don't have much traffic at all.
And, as I mentioned earlier, the street also has a sidewalk. Ordinarily I am definitely not a fan of people riding bikes on sidewalks. For example, on the campus of the college that I attend, I become greatly annoyed when I am almost run down by someone on a bike, but bear in mind that the speed limit on campus is only 15 mph, and I feel that it's easy to ride in the road and still be very close to the sidewalk (and out of the way of traffic) without actually being on the sidewalk.
But, in this case, I do feel that it would have been better for this man to have just stayed on the sidewalk, since the street was so busy and no one else was walking on the sidewalk anyway. I really want to stress that it was not the inconvenience of having to slow down that annoyed me the most, it was the fact that I feared for the man's safety, and the fact that there are so many safer options available where we live.
He started off on the sidewalk, but then for some reason, merged onto the street.
I didn't quite understand this because a) the sidewalk goes on for quite a ways past that point, and b) I didn't understand why he felt that this was a good idea, he definitely could not pedal as fast as the cars were going.(I don't think many people could, unless they're Lance Armstrong or something).
Now don't get me wrong, I'm all for people exercising and enjoying fresh air, especially when it's wonderful outside, like it was yesterday, but this man just really annoyed me for some reason.
He KNEW there were cars behind him, that had to slow wayyyy down, and he wasn't exactly riding in the middle of the street, but more on like the passenger side of a car. Well, after riding behind this guy for a few minutes (which scared me because I was afraid he was going to fall off or something) I decided to pass him (which scared me even more, because I was afraid that he would decide to move over). The car behind me decided to pass him too.
I am just extremely puzzled why someone would decide to do this, because it seems very dangerous to me (because it was rush hour and he was riding down the main drag in town) and because of where we live...our town has a very large greenway, a park, a nature trail, and (if you just really have to ride on the real streets) many many subdivisions that don't have much traffic at all.
And, as I mentioned earlier, the street also has a sidewalk. Ordinarily I am definitely not a fan of people riding bikes on sidewalks. For example, on the campus of the college that I attend, I become greatly annoyed when I am almost run down by someone on a bike, but bear in mind that the speed limit on campus is only 15 mph, and I feel that it's easy to ride in the road and still be very close to the sidewalk (and out of the way of traffic) without actually being on the sidewalk.
But, in this case, I do feel that it would have been better for this man to have just stayed on the sidewalk, since the street was so busy and no one else was walking on the sidewalk anyway. I really want to stress that it was not the inconvenience of having to slow down that annoyed me the most, it was the fact that I feared for the man's safety, and the fact that there are so many safer options available where we live.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Daylight Savings Time
This morning, I arrived at the conclusion that I really do not care for daylight savings time.
Actually, I believe I so delicately phrased it as something like "what a total crock of shit".
I woke up at 6:00 a.m., but since I had not set the clock in my bedroom back, I could tell that it was only 5:00 a.m. in what I have referred to all day as "real time". All day I went around saying things like "Yeah, that clock says 7:30, but in real time it's only 6:30." or "Yeah, I'm running late right now but I'm not doing too badly for only 8:00 in the morning." Plus, I couldn't fall asleep last night so I didn't get as much sleep as I needed, which resulted in me being slightly out of it all day. Examples of things that I've said/ done today that I am blaming on my lack of sleep:
1. In physics class, I sleepily shuffled over to the equipment table and picked up two long bars that (in my mind) looked like magnets. When they refused to stick together, I said something along the lines of "I think my magnets are broken." Then I gave them a closer look. They were not magnets at all...they were iron bars....oops. My lab group had a really good laugh over that one.
2.In same physics class, I came up with the bright idea that cars should have magnets in their bumpers that would repel from one another, you know, so they wouldn't be able to crash into one another...I thought I had come up with the best thing since sliced bread until I said it out loud. Another laugh from the lab group.
Don't worry though, I know I'm not the only one whose brain on auto-pilot today, I noticed.
There were lots of absent people in my classes...either still on spring break or oops, forgot to set their clocks ahead an hour.
Oh well.
I know that in a week or so, I'll be totally adjusted to the time change....but until then, I'm ready for nights of not being able to go to sleep anywhere near a decent time...and several very disgruntled "what the hell?"s in the mornings.
So just bear with me for awhile.
And please.
If you catch me wearing two different shoes or with my shirt inside out, please tell me.
Sidenote: Last week I really did wear my shirt inside out for a whole class. I didn't even notice it till I got back. Must work at getting to bed earlier.
Actually, I believe I so delicately phrased it as something like "what a total crock of shit".
I woke up at 6:00 a.m., but since I had not set the clock in my bedroom back, I could tell that it was only 5:00 a.m. in what I have referred to all day as "real time". All day I went around saying things like "Yeah, that clock says 7:30, but in real time it's only 6:30." or "Yeah, I'm running late right now but I'm not doing too badly for only 8:00 in the morning." Plus, I couldn't fall asleep last night so I didn't get as much sleep as I needed, which resulted in me being slightly out of it all day. Examples of things that I've said/ done today that I am blaming on my lack of sleep:
1. In physics class, I sleepily shuffled over to the equipment table and picked up two long bars that (in my mind) looked like magnets. When they refused to stick together, I said something along the lines of "I think my magnets are broken." Then I gave them a closer look. They were not magnets at all...they were iron bars....oops. My lab group had a really good laugh over that one.
2.In same physics class, I came up with the bright idea that cars should have magnets in their bumpers that would repel from one another, you know, so they wouldn't be able to crash into one another...I thought I had come up with the best thing since sliced bread until I said it out loud. Another laugh from the lab group.
Don't worry though, I know I'm not the only one whose brain on auto-pilot today, I noticed.
There were lots of absent people in my classes...either still on spring break or oops, forgot to set their clocks ahead an hour.
Oh well.
I know that in a week or so, I'll be totally adjusted to the time change....but until then, I'm ready for nights of not being able to go to sleep anywhere near a decent time...and several very disgruntled "what the hell?"s in the mornings.
So just bear with me for awhile.
And please.
If you catch me wearing two different shoes or with my shirt inside out, please tell me.
Sidenote: Last week I really did wear my shirt inside out for a whole class. I didn't even notice it till I got back. Must work at getting to bed earlier.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Ugh.
So, I was mindlessly channel surfing the other day, when I came upon vh1. I was hoping for a rerun of I Love the 90's or something similar, but what came on instead was this: http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/vh1_news_presents/96700/episode_about.jhtml
"Little Beauties, The Ultimate Kiddie Queen Showdown"
So, I decided to watch.
Now first, before I even start on what I saw, let me just say that I have ALWAYS been against child beauty pageants, actually, now that I think about it, all beauty pageants.
I'm just not into the whole basing your self-worth on the merits of your appearance, but hey, whatever floats your boat.
Ok, now onto the show.
I was completely surprised at how serious these little girls were about the whole thing.
Of course, these little girls mothers were as serious as a heart attack about the whole thing, so maybe that's where those little girls got their cues from.
I couldn't believe the things that came out of their mouths!
This one little girl won a prize (in what was apparently the best part of the competition)
Her mother was ecstatic, mainly because that category was based "on facial beauty alone"
Gee, what's wrong with this picture?
What do you tell the girls who didn't win?
"Sorry honey, you're cute, but you just aren't beautiful"
Not to mention, I'm sure all the little girls were very pretty, but you couldn't really tell under the layers of pancake make-up and orange spray on tans. Seriously. I've never worn that much make-up in my whole life, not even when I dressed up like Barbie for Halloween.
Another little girl said that when she won her trophy, that's when her mom "started being proud of her".
That made me sad!
I can't imagine believing that your parents are only proud of you if someone thinks you're better looking than someone else's child.
I don't know about you, but I know that my parents have been proud of me since day one, and they've never stopped.
By the end of the show, I had convinced myself that maybe the little girls didn't really understand what they were being judged on, maybe they thought they just got to wear make-up and play dress up, and that they might win a prize, but no, kids are smart, they knew exactly what was going on.
One little girl (who didn't win the competition, but did get like 4th runner up) said something like : I'm good, but those other girls are just a little bit better than me.
Why would you subject your kids to this?
They're six years old!
They shouldn't have to worry about false eyelashes or spray on tans, they should be worrying about whether or not they'll get to play outside at recess, or if they'll get to stay up late.
Not to mention the fact that you are teaching your child to judge others based solely on appearance. Way to go moms.
Some argue that the pageants boost their child's self esteem.
What if they don't win? What do you tell them? "You just weren't pretty enough sweetie?"
If they're looking for a way to boost their child's self esteem, why not sign them up for music lessons or an art class?
How about telling your children that you're proud of them once in awhile?
And how about you stop using your kids to fulfill your own self worth?
Tell me what you think. I'm interested to know what others think.
Sidenote: One of my very favorite movies is "Little Miss Sunshine" it pokes fun at the whole pageant world. It's hilarious. You must watch it if you haven't already.
"Little Beauties, The Ultimate Kiddie Queen Showdown"
So, I decided to watch.
Now first, before I even start on what I saw, let me just say that I have ALWAYS been against child beauty pageants, actually, now that I think about it, all beauty pageants.
I'm just not into the whole basing your self-worth on the merits of your appearance, but hey, whatever floats your boat.
Ok, now onto the show.
I was completely surprised at how serious these little girls were about the whole thing.
Of course, these little girls mothers were as serious as a heart attack about the whole thing, so maybe that's where those little girls got their cues from.
I couldn't believe the things that came out of their mouths!
This one little girl won a prize (in what was apparently the best part of the competition)
Her mother was ecstatic, mainly because that category was based "on facial beauty alone"
Gee, what's wrong with this picture?
What do you tell the girls who didn't win?
"Sorry honey, you're cute, but you just aren't beautiful"
Not to mention, I'm sure all the little girls were very pretty, but you couldn't really tell under the layers of pancake make-up and orange spray on tans. Seriously. I've never worn that much make-up in my whole life, not even when I dressed up like Barbie for Halloween.
Another little girl said that when she won her trophy, that's when her mom "started being proud of her".
That made me sad!
I can't imagine believing that your parents are only proud of you if someone thinks you're better looking than someone else's child.
I don't know about you, but I know that my parents have been proud of me since day one, and they've never stopped.
By the end of the show, I had convinced myself that maybe the little girls didn't really understand what they were being judged on, maybe they thought they just got to wear make-up and play dress up, and that they might win a prize, but no, kids are smart, they knew exactly what was going on.
One little girl (who didn't win the competition, but did get like 4th runner up) said something like : I'm good, but those other girls are just a little bit better than me.
Why would you subject your kids to this?
They're six years old!
They shouldn't have to worry about false eyelashes or spray on tans, they should be worrying about whether or not they'll get to play outside at recess, or if they'll get to stay up late.
Not to mention the fact that you are teaching your child to judge others based solely on appearance. Way to go moms.
Some argue that the pageants boost their child's self esteem.
What if they don't win? What do you tell them? "You just weren't pretty enough sweetie?"
If they're looking for a way to boost their child's self esteem, why not sign them up for music lessons or an art class?
How about telling your children that you're proud of them once in awhile?
And how about you stop using your kids to fulfill your own self worth?
Tell me what you think. I'm interested to know what others think.
Sidenote: One of my very favorite movies is "Little Miss Sunshine" it pokes fun at the whole pageant world. It's hilarious. You must watch it if you haven't already.
First Post
Hello all!
I've decided to create this blog to share my opinions on things, rant, and generally keep everyone updated on what's going on with me.
I promise I will post often (probably not everyday though).
Enjoy the blog!
Rach
I've decided to create this blog to share my opinions on things, rant, and generally keep everyone updated on what's going on with me.
I promise I will post often (probably not everyday though).
Enjoy the blog!
Rach
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