Expectations. That is what it all boils down to. I have an idea about how things should be, and I have expectations about what should happen. Sometimes things just don't work out the way I think they should.
Mac spent the night with a friend on Saturday. I had the expectation that we would have a lovely peaceful weekend. That was not to be. Sam and Hannah fought with each other all evening. When I put Hannah to bed at 6:00, on her request, she was tired. Sam was bored. He whined that there was nothing on tv to watch, that none of his video games were good and he wanted someone to play with. Here I thought, the kid would like having the house to himself, but he ended up missing his brother.
Bob and I did not have the peaceful evening we imagined. Sure the wine helped with the whine, but still... I had visions of peace and quiet dancing in my head.
The next morning, Mac was to be delivered to religious school. This is not a hardship for the friends family, as the friend was also supposed to attend the same religious school. Apparently, it was a hardship for this family, as he did not show up until half way through. He missed his first class, and half of his second class.
I teach a class that uses the room that the friend is in prior to my class, so I see him when he leaves. I was a bit freaked out when I didn't see him. Why wasn't he there? Where was my baby? I just assumed I had missed seeing him walk out. Mac was at my door at the end of class, which was a relief. But, Mac was very unhappy that he missed his first class. I guess my expectation that he actually show up on time, was too hard for this family to enforce, as the kids were tired. Really? Big surprise, the kids were tired after a sleep over? hmm. Next time, the kid can come over here, and we can enforce that they arrive on time.
I guess I need to calibrate my expectations better!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
News Stories
I have been reading the newspaper. Yes, I still read the paper EVERY day. I know, very old school of me. Some days I walk away wondering what the fuck has this world come too? Seriously, the massively stupid things people/countries do boggles the mind. I wonder, do they read the article in the paper and wonder, "why did I do that?"
Let me start with the IRS. They audited a woman who only made $19,000, because they felt she made too little to have two dependents, Article. Seriously, she didn't make enough money to support her kids? Ok, so, you are poor, you get pregnant, you have kids, what the heck are you supposed to do with them, because apparently the IRS says you can't support them. The IRS believes she has unreported income, but after spending $10,000 on lawyer fees the woman in question was not proven guilty. But the IRS still didn't believe that she supported her kids. So, these kids don't exist as far as the IRS is concerned. Makes you proud to be an American doesn't it!
The whole situation with the Swiss sort of befuddled me as well. I thought Switzerland was neutral? Apparently not anymore. But the French re-action, well, that amazed me. Seriously, you are going to out law Burkas? This is a slippery slope, are kippas next? I guess eventually there will be fashion police. Where does the government get off mandating what I can and can not wear. I guess there is some basic expectation of covering my private parts, but much beyond that, isn't this my problem? When the government gets into my panties enough to tell me what I need to wear over them, we have an issue. Note to self: don't move to France.
Last year at this time, all the articles about holiday shopping were about how to trim your list, make things, give the gift of time, etc. They were not about buying things. Today, I read an article, entitled, "Buy a New Dress for that Holiday Party." This isn't the only article I have read lately encouraging us to buy things for the holidays. Have we forgotten that 10% of the population is unemployed? That many of us are under-employed? That the majority of us are probably scared shit-less that we will loose our jobs. The editors of the Chicago Tribune, think it is a good idea to promote shopping. In thing perilous economic recovery, that is what we should do, spend more. That said, if we get the consumer engine up and running it will help the economy.
Finally, who has had enough of Tiger Woods. I don't freakin' care what he did or didn't do, or about who he did or didn't do it too. The interesting thing is that the President talks about leaving Afghanistan, the next day the whole Tiger things blows up, and what are we talking about? Tiger Woods. No wonder other countries think we are idiots.
Now, lets all hold hands and hope the kids do something funny, otherwise I will talk about the news again.
Let me start with the IRS. They audited a woman who only made $19,000, because they felt she made too little to have two dependents, Article. Seriously, she didn't make enough money to support her kids? Ok, so, you are poor, you get pregnant, you have kids, what the heck are you supposed to do with them, because apparently the IRS says you can't support them. The IRS believes she has unreported income, but after spending $10,000 on lawyer fees the woman in question was not proven guilty. But the IRS still didn't believe that she supported her kids. So, these kids don't exist as far as the IRS is concerned. Makes you proud to be an American doesn't it!
The whole situation with the Swiss sort of befuddled me as well. I thought Switzerland was neutral? Apparently not anymore. But the French re-action, well, that amazed me. Seriously, you are going to out law Burkas? This is a slippery slope, are kippas next? I guess eventually there will be fashion police. Where does the government get off mandating what I can and can not wear. I guess there is some basic expectation of covering my private parts, but much beyond that, isn't this my problem? When the government gets into my panties enough to tell me what I need to wear over them, we have an issue. Note to self: don't move to France.
Last year at this time, all the articles about holiday shopping were about how to trim your list, make things, give the gift of time, etc. They were not about buying things. Today, I read an article, entitled, "Buy a New Dress for that Holiday Party." This isn't the only article I have read lately encouraging us to buy things for the holidays. Have we forgotten that 10% of the population is unemployed? That many of us are under-employed? That the majority of us are probably scared shit-less that we will loose our jobs. The editors of the Chicago Tribune, think it is a good idea to promote shopping. In thing perilous economic recovery, that is what we should do, spend more. That said, if we get the consumer engine up and running it will help the economy.
Finally, who has had enough of Tiger Woods. I don't freakin' care what he did or didn't do, or about who he did or didn't do it too. The interesting thing is that the President talks about leaving Afghanistan, the next day the whole Tiger things blows up, and what are we talking about? Tiger Woods. No wonder other countries think we are idiots.
Now, lets all hold hands and hope the kids do something funny, otherwise I will talk about the news again.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Premium Theaters
I went to see New Moon with some girlfriends last night. We went to a premium theater. I was a newbie... I didn't know what to expect. I gassed up the credit card, just to be sure. It didn't cost much more than a matinee to get in. So far so good I thought.
When we were finally seated, a waitress comes around to take our drink orders. DRINK orders at the theater, so awesome. This is where the catch comes in, you have to order something, that is why the ticket price is so low. But oh well! Then, she came back around to get our food orders. I had already eaten so I just had a melon ball slushie, so yummy.
They do not darken the theater as much as a regular theater, so you can see your food, and presumably so the wait staff doesn't kill themselves. The up shot to that, was that it was light enough for me to see my knitting. Here is where my conflict came in. I was out with some of the cool moms from school. I wasn't sure it would be acceptable to pull out my knitting and start working on it. Then there was the whole, friends don't let friends knit and drink. Back and forth I went.
In the end, I decided not to pull out the knitting. Too bad, because it might have helped smooth the massive plot leaps. Seriously, one minute Bella is hangin' with werewolves and the next she is jetting off to Italy.
When I got home, I told Bob about it, and I was all, we need to go and see a movie there. It was awesome. He looked at me like, is this only because they serve booze? I finally confessed, it was also because it didn't get very dark. He couldn't figure out why that was a good thing. Then the light goes on. He turns slowly and looks at me and purposefully says, "do you like the fact that it is lighter so you can knit?" I love a man who gets me.
When we were finally seated, a waitress comes around to take our drink orders. DRINK orders at the theater, so awesome. This is where the catch comes in, you have to order something, that is why the ticket price is so low. But oh well! Then, she came back around to get our food orders. I had already eaten so I just had a melon ball slushie, so yummy.
They do not darken the theater as much as a regular theater, so you can see your food, and presumably so the wait staff doesn't kill themselves. The up shot to that, was that it was light enough for me to see my knitting. Here is where my conflict came in. I was out with some of the cool moms from school. I wasn't sure it would be acceptable to pull out my knitting and start working on it. Then there was the whole, friends don't let friends knit and drink. Back and forth I went.
In the end, I decided not to pull out the knitting. Too bad, because it might have helped smooth the massive plot leaps. Seriously, one minute Bella is hangin' with werewolves and the next she is jetting off to Italy.
When I got home, I told Bob about it, and I was all, we need to go and see a movie there. It was awesome. He looked at me like, is this only because they serve booze? I finally confessed, it was also because it didn't get very dark. He couldn't figure out why that was a good thing. Then the light goes on. He turns slowly and looks at me and purposefully says, "do you like the fact that it is lighter so you can knit?" I love a man who gets me.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Boundin'
Since the old theme song really doesn't seem appropriate given where we are. It would seem we have made it through hell, and the devil didn't notice. So, now, we have a new theme song, it is Boundin' from the Pixar short associated with the Incredibles. I hope you enjoy.
Here's a story on how strange is life with its changes
And it happened not long ago.
On a high mountain plain, where the sagebrush arranges
A playground south of the snow
Lived a lamb with a coat of remarkable sheen,
It would glint in the sunlight all sparkly and clean,
Such a source of great pride
that it caused him to preen.
And he'd break out in high stepp'n dance.
He would dance for his neighbors across the way.
I must say that they found his dancin' enhancin',
For they'd also join in the play.
Then one day…
Then a-boundin up the slope
Came a great American jackalope.
This sage of the sage, this rare hare of hope,
Caused to pause and check out the lamb.
“Hey kid, why the mope?”
“I used to be something all covered with fluff,
And I’d dance in the sunlight and show off my stuff,
Then they hauled me away in a manner quite rough
And sheared me and dropped me back here in the buff.
And if that’s not enough
Now my friends all laugh at me
Cause they think I look ridiculous, funny, and pink.”
“Pink? Pink? Well, what’s wrong with pink?
Seems you’ve got a pink kink in your think.
Does it matter what color? Well, that gets nope.
Be it pink, purple or heliotrope.
Now sometimes you’re up and sometimes you’re down,
When you find that you’re down well just look around:
You still got a body, good legs and fine feet,
Get your head in the right place and hey, you’re complete!
“Now as for the dancin’, you can do more,
You can reach great heights, in fact you can soar.
You just get a leg up and ya slap it on down,
And you’ll find you’re up in what’s called a bound.
Bound, bound, and rebound.
Bound and you’re up right next to the sky,
And I think you can do it if you give it a try,
First get a leg up, slap it on down…”
So every year, along about May,
They’d load him up and they’d haul him away,
And they’d shave him and dump him all naked and bare.
He learned to live with it, he didn’t care,
He’d just bound, bound, bound, and rebound.
Now in this world of ups and downs…
So nice to know there are jackalopes around.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Let's just eliminate December
It has been a long day and it is only noon. Some things I would like to see changed...
I hate December.
I just talked to one of the offending schools, and came up with the best solution. I really think that the director at Hannah's school is AWESOME. She offered to share the lesson plans with me, and if there was an issue with one of them, then we could work together to come up with a solution that works for everyone. How totally awesome is that? I think I am going to suggest this next year.
- Counting down the days till Christmas in class
- Making elf shoes in art
- Making stockings in class
I hate December.
I just talked to one of the offending schools, and came up with the best solution. I really think that the director at Hannah's school is AWESOME. She offered to share the lesson plans with me, and if there was an issue with one of them, then we could work together to come up with a solution that works for everyone. How totally awesome is that? I think I am going to suggest this next year.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Some finished objects and some not finished objects
I have finished a bunch of things. I thought I would show off a bit!
My mojo socks, remember the yarn. I love these socks, they make me really happy!!
Then I finished a baby blanket I have been working on forever. I like the pattern, but there was so much drama with this blanket, I ended up giving it away to someone else. I was happy to part ways with this blanket.
We have all heard about Mac's teacher and everyone knows that I love him. I made him a hat for the holidays. I hope he likes it.
Finally, an update on my blanket. I am at about 220 squares, so only 515 more to go. I plug along on this little by little. I love the blanket and how it looks!
My mojo socks, remember the yarn. I love these socks, they make me really happy!!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Mass Customization
Mass customization. Yep folks, it is finally happening. You see, I think part of the ills of this country come from the fact that Burger King lets you have it your way.
During the industrial revolution, we started making products more inexpensive by realizing economies of scale. In doing this, we created a middle class. But we also allowed people to have more things. Don't get me started on things, that is another post for another day. As we became very good at making lots of similar things, people started to want something that was different than their neighbor. Hence, mass customization was born. When I worked in manufacturing, it was the goal to figure out how to maintain the economies of scale and let you have it your way.
A lot of companies have figured this out. We have lots of products that we can get that are made for us. Dell lets you make your computer and pick the color. Moen lets you design your faucet by picking all the trim pieces. Burger King makes your burger to order.
Because we have gotten used to people letting us have it our way, we have come to expect that we will get things our way. So, when we interact with other, we are surprised when we can not have it our way. I think our push to be more tolerant is in conflict with our need to have it our way. It is hard to be considerate of someone different and be self centered.
We have become a country of people like Sally in When Harry Met Sally. We want to hold the pickles and substitute the cheese for lettuce. So, when it comes to planning a party or what ever, when someone suggests that you might need to do it differently, it is met with objection. But I want to do it my way. The spirit of working together and understanding each other is lost. We immediately become polarized.
Perhaps it is time to start walking my way, and I'll start walkin' your way. We'll meet in the middle by the old Georgia pine. Perhaps it is time to realize that you can't always have it your way.
During the industrial revolution, we started making products more inexpensive by realizing economies of scale. In doing this, we created a middle class. But we also allowed people to have more things. Don't get me started on things, that is another post for another day. As we became very good at making lots of similar things, people started to want something that was different than their neighbor. Hence, mass customization was born. When I worked in manufacturing, it was the goal to figure out how to maintain the economies of scale and let you have it your way.
A lot of companies have figured this out. We have lots of products that we can get that are made for us. Dell lets you make your computer and pick the color. Moen lets you design your faucet by picking all the trim pieces. Burger King makes your burger to order.
Because we have gotten used to people letting us have it our way, we have come to expect that we will get things our way. So, when we interact with other, we are surprised when we can not have it our way. I think our push to be more tolerant is in conflict with our need to have it our way. It is hard to be considerate of someone different and be self centered.
We have become a country of people like Sally in When Harry Met Sally. We want to hold the pickles and substitute the cheese for lettuce. So, when it comes to planning a party or what ever, when someone suggests that you might need to do it differently, it is met with objection. But I want to do it my way. The spirit of working together and understanding each other is lost. We immediately become polarized.
Perhaps it is time to start walking my way, and I'll start walkin' your way. We'll meet in the middle by the old Georgia pine. Perhaps it is time to realize that you can't always have it your way.
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