What's Your "Thing"?

I know people who think going on Facebook is stupid; and Renaissance Faires are ridiculous; and Letterboxing is childish; and dancing is a waste of time; and anything Science Fiction should be dumped in the trash; and no one looks good in orange; and short hair on women is unattractive; and computer games are for idiots; and art is boring. In other words, they look down on me because I enjoy those things. 

I have my own list of "those are stupid (or pointless or boring)" things that other people like to do. And for the most part, I keep my lip zipped on my judgemental opinion around them BECAUSE I know they enjoy it and BECAUSE I know what feels like to be sneered at for liking something. 

So before you get all self righteous about a new craze and share snarky memes, ask yourself....what is YOUR Pokeman GO?







We all have a "thing", even if it isn't Pikachu.

Letter to the Lady Who Cut in Line

Dear lady who jumped the line,
Yes, I saw you sneak through.  No, I don't believe you didn't know there was one line for two cashiers.  Why do you think you are more important than everyone else who is waiting their turn?  You are the perfect example of why people who play by the rules, work as a team, do the right thing are the ones who get screwed.  So thank you for that, thank you for taking humanity down one more notch.   Am I overreacting?  Maybe.  Or is this just one more log in the fire of my frustration?  Please, cut in line again...I'm begging you.


sincerely,
The lady with no more patience



beotch!!

Plug Your Ears, It's Time For A Rant

Okay, a while back there was this "thing" on Facebook where women were posting a color in their status update.  Apparently, it was a little grassroots "meme" movement where you were supposed to post the color of the bra you were wearing.  Seemed like just a silly little thing, but then people are saying it was to raise awareness for Breast Cancer.   Okay, maybe it was or maybe it wasn't, but it was an interesting phenomenon that caught national attention. 
I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1998 when I was 34 years old.  And let's just say they didn't "catch it early" (even though that was what people REALLY wanted me to tell them.)  And let's just say I am a statistical oddity for unknown reasons (i.e. "I am not dead yet.")  So I have a bit of a sensitivity when it comes to apparently random activities in the name of breast cancer.  I also have an irrational reaction to breast cancer awareness month.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I don't want awareness raised and I am not disapproving of any of these things.  But in my emotional, irrational brain I am screaming, "I am aware of breast cancer every @&%#ing day of my life!" 
There is NOT ONE DAY that goes by that I am not reminded that this disease forever and permanently changed the course of my life.  I am constantly reminded by the painful complications that occurred because of the long and laborious treatment that (so far) saved my life.  Every six months I am reminded of my mortality when they run tests to see if it has come back.  And none of this changes my appreciation and gratitude to everyone who fights for awareness/funds/laws that help prevent/treat/etc.  this sucky, sucky disease.  Remember, I fully own my irrational reaction, I know it's my own weirdness.
So here's the rant part.  For a while now, women have posted statements starting with "I like it...." with various locations added (e.g. on the dresser, in the closet, on the table.)  It is where women put their purse at home.  Ha ha ha, funny joke.  I didn't participate in this thing months ago and now it is back again.  I'm not participating in this go round either, because I don't carry a purse anymore.  I don't carry one because of the above stated complications from (wait for it).......breast cancer.   Here is where today's rant stemmed from, it is now being asserted that this "I like it...." thingy is for (wait for it)........breast cancer awareness!   WTF!  What does writing cryptic sexually suggestive status updates have to do with BREAST CANCER AWARENESS?  And whywhywhywhywhy would it mean that now, when people were doing this thingy months and months ago??  Just because it's October doesn't mean any random activity has to do raising awareness.  I find it a little insulting really.  If you really want to raise awareness then do something helpful not self serving.  Virtually waving your arms in the air and shouting "Look at memememe!" does not constitute something helpful.  It's just a way to get people to notice you.  I have nothing against these little "meme" things but it is pissing me off that people are trying to make it meaningful after the fact.  Just do it for fun and stop trying to make it something it is not. 




Ugh, I'm exhausted...

How Special!

"Behind the prickly exterior lies a true gem." 
"I'm really not a nasty person and really try to go out of my way not to harm people but ..."
"She's really a nice person once you get to know her!"

All three of these quotes are real.  All three refer to different people.  And in each case the person in question is...well, questionable.  What they present to the world is not pleasant, kind or nice.  And yet (here it comes, drumroll please!) why is everyone else supposed to make allowances for them?  What makes them soooo special that the rest of the world has to work to get on their good side?  My answer is simply "ego".  They each have an ego that would fill up the Cow Palace (local reference here, Google it if you are interested.  If not just trust that it is a really big place.  They didn't call it a Palace for nothing.)  I am getting really tired of this type of personality who thinks it is okay to treat people like crap.  And shame on the other people feed into it and justify their idol's abusive behavior.  There, I said it!  Yes, abusive behavior.  You are not special...you are the dreaded Narcissistic Personality Disorder.  Get over yourself already.




If you meet this type of person, run (don't walk) in the other direction.

Running Out of Options

What are the options when the things you like to do are the very things that cause you pain and make it difficult or impossible to live the rest of your life?  Case in point:  I like to cook, knit, carve, sew, read, write, research.  All of those things involve the posture of "head down, hands forward".  This posture KILLS me.  I get migraines, muscle spasms, inflammation, pain.  Screeeeech!  That is the sound of my life coming to a halt.  I like to walk, dance, play.  You name a body part, it will start tightening up or hurting.  Sigh.  I don't like to exercise or do my PT, but I do them anyway.  Oh, guess what?  It is insanely easy to cross that line from therapeutic to exacerbating the underlying condition.  My recovery rate is an ever-so-slightly-upward-slanting-line of improvement.  We're talking years here.  Even the things I really hate doing, but have to do anyway, will cause all the same problems.  Cleaning, folding clothes, sorting papers, wiping counters.  Which is why no one is allowed to enter my house anymore, except for a select few who are in similar states.  So, I am left with only a few options that are still easy to do and don't cause me pain.  Complain, whine, bitch, rage, snark, snap, whimper.  And I am getting really gooooooooooooooooood at those!  And another thing that is a problem:  being on the computer to long.  Which is why I have to cut this sho-



silly wabbit ;-)

A Thin Line Rant

There is a thin line between a positive attitude and denial.  I am seeing the difference right now in several people.  If someone has a "positive attitude", I'm all for it.  But too often the positive attitude crosses over into denial.  As in: if we just pretend everything is fine, everything will be fine.  Granted I'm not an optimist, nor am I a pessimist.  (Even though I may call myself one just for fun.)  I guess that makes me a realist?

Question:  Is the water glass half empty or half full?
My answer:  It's a glass of water, get over it already.

If you don't acknowledge the problems, how the hell are you ever going to fix them?  Especially if you are in a position of leadership and you tell people they are doing everything perfectly, you are doing them a dis-service.  How can they improve or grow or expand or learn?  You are telling them everything is perfect as is.  Sooner or later, reality is going to hit them with a bump and they will be shocked or worse embarassed.  (Okay, all this is contingent on IF the people involved want to fix/improve/grow.  If they don't then the point is moot, isn't it?)
Now here is my HUGE "but".....BUT this only applies to someone who is in that position of guideance, leadership or direction.  Nothing more annoying than someone who feels it necessary to correct everyone at liberty.  Appropriate behavior is a foreign term to them anyway.
"Cheerleaders" have their time and place (yay, go team!), but it shouldn't be a blanket approach.  And just because you say everything is fine, doesn't magically MAKE everything fine. 
(Cranky me sez:  It's no "Secret", it's not enough to imagine yourself a better person, you actually have to BE a better person.)

Rah Rah Sis Boom Bah...

123

Cryptic Comment

Sooooooooooooooooo, it's kind of like saying "I don't want any more soda, so don't bring any more drinks to the table."  Maybe, just maybe, someone else would like another soda.  Who's sandbox is it anyway?

Questions for the ages...

1. What am I, chopped liver?
2. Did I not JUST say that?
3. But what do I know?
4. Do I look stupid?
5. In what universe is that acceptable?
6. You were either lying then, or you're lying now, which is it?
7. Is it REALLY any of your business?
8. I don't know, how transparent are you?
9. What did you think was going to happen?
10. Can I close the vent now?

Today's the Day

Seems like today's the day I get picked at. Snarky remarks here, insensitivity there. Days like these make me rethink the "internet" thing. I love it for research and gathering information, but I really don't need the poopy attitudes from people I don't know or even the people I do. I have learned that most message boards, chat groups etc. are dominated by people who think it their RIGHT to tell you their opinion. What about my RIGHT to not have to listen to them?
Old saying: Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one.
My addition: And just because you HAVE one doesn't mean everyone wants to see it.

Stooopid question

Yes, I do believe there is no such thing as a stupid question as long as it is a sincere attempt to gain new information or insight. But sometimes...sometimes people ask stoooopid questions. As in, why do research if you can just ask everyone else? Exaggerated example: Person asking everyone around "Where is the exit? Where is the exit?" just to get people to engage with them, because if they just looked around they would notice the sign that says EXIT with an arrow pointing the way out. I think people either get lazy and just want people to tell them every little thing or people feign a helplessness to get attention. I find both to wear thin very fast.