"Social" Media

This guy I dated almost a decade ago had one of those football fan message boards. In fact, sad but true, I met him through his website as I am a rabid Longhorn fan and was actually on the bulletin boards quite often reading up on analysis and fan talk. And his website and those like it were a money-printing machine! Advertisers paid through the nose to have a banner up at the top of the page. Though the relationship and the website are both no more (thank GOD!), friendships I made through that particular fan website have endured. I know many of these people in real life and still keep in touch with them through various methods (through an offshoot bulletin board (LMFanZone!) or at tailgates when I go to the games in the fall).

My parents were always slightly freaked out about my online friendships as they never quite “got” it. And that’s okay. I could see their point. Most of the people who went on the boards hid behind a username and you never really do know whether or not they are telling the truth about themselves. In the case of the person I dated, unfortunately, he turned out to be a liar, but that’s another story.

All this took place before blogs became popular. Before facebook, myspace, blogger, and twitter came into existance and the accompanying online explosion where anyone with a modem could have a website or facebook account and immediately update the world on everything from the elections in Iran to what they had for breakfast. And not only that, but major corporations started creating "social" presence online. And there is a huge chunk of money to be made once again over the internet.

During that period in my life, I got to see the ugly side of bulletin boards (arguably the first version of social media). There were people out there who absolutely HATED the guy I dated. It was so ugly the things they would post about him, about his friends, about his family, about ME. I never quite got used to that part. The bullying with words (because that's all they had) of someone they never met in real life.

Fast forward to today. I have this little blog that I update on occasion. I write for me and if someone out there happens upon it and likes what I have to say, that’s great! But I didn’t start this blog for anyone but me and it has no purpose other than to be my release. It’s where I go to get it all out. I also have a twitter account that I use mainly to rant about things in silence instead of out loud. I follow certain people because they either keep me informed, make me chuckle, or both. There is so much about blogging and twittering and all of that crap that I neither know nor care about. I’m good with my little space because I’m not trying to influence anyone. I’m not looking for approval from you. I’m happy if someone reads this blog, but if you are not my family or close friend, it doesn’t kill me if you don’t approve of me or agree with me. And quite frankly, it doesn't kill me if my family and friends disagree with me, either.

While the online world has gotten bigger, so have the bullies and psychos. Childish behavior by adults has grown exponentially. My friend Jessica got into a war of words this weekend with just such a character. And apparently it has caused quite a big brou-ha-ha. I don’t particularly care which one started the mess. HE took it too far. She’s a big girl and can certainly take care of herself (I daresay that she has a few more connections in the real and online worlds that he does, but I could be wrong). But this guy has absolutely gone insane with his vendetta. He’s posted you tube rants, and has made online threats to not only ruin her, but also her family. That man is a certifiable psychopath. And he is so drunk with his supposed “relevancy” in “social” media that he thinks it is perfectly okay to do all this.

This is when social media becomes anti-social. And it makes me want to delete every aspect of my own tiny little corner of the internet. It’s not what I signed up for. And honestly? If you are sitting behind a computer screen, spending all your day “connecting” with people in the virtual world while ignoring the real and beautiful world and people around you, obsessed with followers and “friends” and posters and commenters and blah blah blah, then you are pretty much a loser. If you really think it is okay to call a person's young children names, then you are not only a loser, but a fucking ball-less dumbass as well.

I don't care how much money is in it. Social Media as a business is SO. NOT. FOR. ME.

7:42

That's what time it was on Monday when Dr Pop gave me a little shove and said, "Are you going to work today?"

Oops.

I'm supposed to be there at 7:30.

And that would be par for the course lately. I don't want to turn this into a bitchy, whiny, complaint blog, but it is my venting space and I just gotta do it to feel better.

I'm overwhelmed. There. I said it. My maid had a baby a month ago and I've barely kept up with the house. I've managed to dust and vacuum the common areas, but beyond that, my house is dirty. Add the toy clutter of a completely spoiled (but not rotten) five year old, compounded by hosting two to four other children on a regular basis, plus an office that is now a climate controlled storage room and closets galore of clothing that has gone unworn for literally YEARS, and I'm just… Aaaaaaaaaaacccccccccckkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!

I like things neat and tidy. Maybe it is the fact that you cannot open a closet or a cabinet in my parents' home without fear of an avalanche that makes me this way, but I want things put away. A place for everything and everything in its place, if you will. But I'm drowning in clutter and it's making me cranky. Add the fact that my house needs a good deep cleaning, and I'm doubly on edge. And if you want the cherry on top, we had friends over a couple of weeks ago and they brought some of their friends, one of whom is an interior decorator. The decorator walked in, DEMANDED a tour, then had the utter nerve to tell me that I should call her to put my house together. It was embarrassing, at least to me.

And I know for a fact that I'm affecting everyone around me with this compulsion to be neat, organized, and tidy. I really just want to take the better part of a day or two and really purge items. Decide what to keep, toss, sell, and give away. And then get it out of my house.

On that note, does anyone know someone who could use 9 complete 5 piece place settings of Mikasa Palatial Platinum china? Never used. Still in the original boxes. Plus a large serving platter, covered butter dish, salt and pepper shakers, sugar bowl with lid, and creamer, plus various dessert and salad plates and small bowls? I estimate what I have that has sat, unused and unopened except to exclaim over its beauty over the past 6 and a half years, is worth roughly $800 should one go buy it at Dillard's. And why should it languish like this in my cabinet when 1) someone else could enjoy it and 2) hey, money!?

See? De-cluttering. I think I'll go put it out on Craigslist this evening.

On the Craigslist posting note, anyone know of someone looking for a LitterMaid? My cats protested it. And peed everywhere they could except for the box. Actually, it was just one cat. The boy. The last straw was Friday night when he decided to take his protest to the mudroom floor, right NEXT to the litter box. And covered my floor in pee. Yeah, that was definitely money well-spent! He was scared of the box. Or maybe he was evil and wanted me to put more effort into cleaning out his box. He hates me, so that explanation would fit. At any rate, I would like to get my money back… Or at least some of that money back.

I know I shouldn't get all cranky because my house is dusty and my bathrooms need to be cleaned, or that there is dinner to be made and a constant stack of dishes in the sink no matter how much I wash them. But I am. And I have been for a while. I leave before my boys get up and I get home and there's an entire days work of things that need to be done at the house. And if I spend the time after work doing what needs to be done, then I'm neglecting the precious time I have with my son and with my husband. They feel it. Hell, I feel it, too. I'm not some career-minded woman, either. I don't work for the glory, recognition, or any of that feminista bullshit. I don't come into the office each day to get fulfillment. I hardly even talk to anyone while I'm here (my job is like the H-E-B commercial, "Get in, get out, get on with your life."). I work to be around other adults and do my part for the family.

So this is my "poor me" martyr post. It's not like I don't have help or anything. But I feel like I have to shoulder all the burden. Like I can't ask for help. And as much as I want the maid back, I don't really have the desire to spend the money out of what I earn to pay for her and I don't feel like I can ask for help with that, either. It's like, the house is MY domain. It is MY responsibility to keep it clean. And if I don't do it all myself, then I'm a failure. Know what I mean? Every day, women go to work and still manage to keep on top of the laundry and the cleaning and the meals and quality time with their husbands and children without any outside help. Why can't I?

So.

WAH.

Poor me.

I am the portrait of an EPIC FAIL.

When does this shit get easy?

I feel much better now that I've vented. Happier posts forthcoming.

Damn

I had this great post planned for today. It was going to be awesome and vulnerable and all that crap.

Then I stopped for a Diet Coke on the way into the office.

To the morbidly obese (Seriously. Had to be 300+ pounds) mother standing in line behind me purchasing breakfast for your daughter:

Honey, 2 16 ounce, full-fat bottles of chocolate milk and 4 bags of cookies does not count as breakfast and is probably why you are the way you are. You just effectively killed any excuse you could have possibly come up with as to why you are so grossly obese and unhealthy (you know the ones... Metabolism, genetics, etc.). And now? You have proven that you want to kill your daughter with the same shit. I have no respect for you and I was the one who stared at you in judgment. Kill yourself with that crap but you have a responsibility to your child to not do the same to her.

No wonder there's an obesity problem in America. I witnessed why firsthand.

Signs You Should Have Stayed In Bed

• Morning number 3 (in a ROW) with a wet bed (5 year old's)
• Leave thermos of Chocolate Silk coffee on the kitchen counter
• Realize after you get to the office that your shirt has a stain on it
• Feed the Coke machine $2.00 for the $1.25 Diet Coke and only get $.50 in change
• Go to enjoy the free breakfast tacos and discover yours is ice cold
• Sit on hold with internal technical support until hanging up in frustration because no one will pick up the phone (not a big deal, you probably couldn't have understood the person on the other end anyway)

I could go on, but I'd hate to depress you.

Simple Economics

If you cannot afford it, you should not have it.

If you cannot afford to provide the basic needs to your child, do not get pregnant!

If you cannot afford to provide medical care to your pets, you should not own them!

I am damn sick and tired of being expected to care about self-inflicted problems. I have my own, thankyouverymuch!

Wonderful Weekend!

Why is it that the weekends seem to get shorter and shorter these days?

This past weekend was the first in a little while that included no set plans or places to be and that was just how I liked and wanted it.

We ended up spending the bulk of our weekend with some new old friends. We all drank way too much and continued to wonder why we hadn't been hanging out more before now. After all, we've known them ever since our boys were at Mother's Day Out together more than three years ago.

Our children played together for hours and hours and there were only three injuries (two were because of "play" fighting... the boys are obsessed with the UFC and don't know their own strength, and one was caused by running and falling on top of a mass of toys).

I love boys. They are so much fun!

Of course, my boy had to pay for the over-indulgence of the weekend and was a little sick today.

I've been in a somewhat cranky mood for the past week or so. It has nothing to do with home and everything to do with work. I won't get into it here because Big Brother IT can and probably does read everything. Suffice to say that getting blamed for someone else's mistake and incompetence is grating. Getting blamed because someone cannot enter in an address on an online order form correctly is even more grating. Doing the same people favors in an effort to fix their problems without so much as a "thank you for all your help" makes me want to slam my fist into my desk. Dealing with unresponsive folks who cannot do their jobs properly just piles it on more. Add in a week of PMS, and, well, you get the idea. Since I'm on working day 6 and counting of this crap happening, I'm more than a little out of sorts!

But all of the frustrations go by the wayside when I think about my fabulous husband and child I get to go home to see... And to top it all off, in one month, Dr Pop and I will be headed back to...

VEGAS, BABY!!!

Thanks for the trip, honey! XOXOXO!

It's gonna be []D [] []v[] []D!!!

Soapbox

I'm going to let you in on a little something about myself... Are you ready? I'm an extremely judgmental person. There. I said it.

Now. Before you tilt up your nose and dismiss me as a terrible person for not following the old Biblical rule of, "Judge and ye shall be judged," you need to realize that you are now judging me. Yep. We're all judgmental! What I do not understand is why that is deemed such a terrible thing?

Who am I to condemn bad/evil behavior when I witness it, you ask? Well I say, who are you to not condemn it? The world has become overrun with people trying so hard to not offend that we are overlooking messed up things. And then we wonder silently among ourselves about the state of the world today. I say, "SPEAK UP!"

If more people were judgmental and actually spoke up against bad behavior, maybe the world would be a slightly better place.

Not Dead Yet

One of these days, namely starting November 1, I'll be updating regularly. This weekend has been tee-ball-centric, with a game on Saurday and one today. I have to agree with Sue Doe Nim, when she says If you can't have fun with 10 kids and a ball you should seek inpatient counselling.

I have perfection issues. And maybe some control issues. I have this thing about being on time. I was raised that I was always supposed to be on time. Being late was almost like a sin in my house. I was raised that if we committed to an hour of arrival, we damn well better get there by that time if not early. So here I am today, finding myself getting furious when people cannot manage to get their children to a freaking game by the time the game is supposed to start. Today, the game was to start at 1. We were supposed to get there at 12:30 to re-take the pictures. At 1:15, no photographer had arrived and we hadn't started playing yet. I felt my blood pressure rise. I can't help it. It really pisses me off because it's a respect issue in my book.

I really ought to let it go. But I can't seem to do so. And the games and practices are so much fun, too! I have a jillion pictures to upload from just a few weeks of practice and games.

I don't know the point of all of this. But I do feel better. I cannot control other people as much as I may want to. Oh well. I will say this, though. I will always strive to be ON TIME. I will not allow someone accusing me of disrespect in that manner.

And to the mommy of the little boy who head-butted me with his helmet and then punched my leg? BITE ME. You are not a good mommy. If you got off your ass and actually participated (like we are all asked to do), maybe your child wouldn't be such a bully.

As a side note, Dr Pop just asked me if I'd like to go shopping this afternoon, his treat. And I really don't feel like it. What is WRONG with me???

Tee Ball

Boy Pop started tee ball two weeks ago and is having a great time! So have Dr Pop and I. At this age (3 - 4), the parents are asked to take a very active role in the practices and games. We are supposed to play catch with our children, stand out with them, coach the bases, help with batting, etc. I think it is great. I wouldn't dream of expecting the coach to do it all.

Sadly, my husband and I are in the minority. As Dr Pop stood with the Boy while he was fielding (as requested), they needed someone to coach third base. I was standing with my camera, ready to get a good shot of the action, and someone's mother yelled out, "Hey, are you coaching third?" I said I would as I scanned the "audience" around me.

What I saw was entirely too frustrating for me... I saw lawn chairs filled with the butts of parents who were talking to each other, yelling across the field at their other children who were running out onto the field, and in general just socializing instead of helping their kids. It broke my heart.

We are the parents. We are supposed to be there for our children, cheering them on, helping them with their first team experiences. Why don't more parents "get" it? Are my expectations too high?

By the way, the other team did not show up, so our team played itself. It worked out well, and for two innings, each child got to bat and run the bases. I'm a firm believer in keeping score and encouraging talent, but I'm more than happy for this to be my son's first foray into team sports because at four? It isn't about the win. It's about nourishing a love for something beyond cartoons and trains.

Another week is almost at an end...*

Looks like a postcard, doesn't it?

And all I can say is that I can't say I'm sad to see it go... I want to be back in the hotel room with the awesome view above. I want to figure out what, exactly, to get Dr Pop for his birthday (it's a difficult thing to do when you're married to someone who just goes out and buys what he wants for himself). I want to find the energy and motivation to keep working out and eating right. I want a stress-free day or two sprinkled into the work week. I want the Bvlgari 8007B sunglasses in Brown. I want the car deal to go through. I want my family to be happy, healthy, and without undue stress. I want a night where I get at least 8 hours of sleep. I want family relationships to be easy and uncomplicated. I want to not be stressed out myself. I want a glass of wine.

I don't want much, do I?

It is time to go home.

*Yes, this is the "I Want" post. Sometimes rants are not only okay, but necessary. It's been a rough couple of weeks. :)

Moving right along...

When I left for work this morning, it was a chilly 50 degrees outside. Right now it’s 67. And it is supposed to hit 80. I’d like to pause for a moment of silence as I say “thank you” to the Powers That Be who returned spring to us.




Ahem. Moving on. There have been two headlines in the past week that have made me stop and think about this world and what it’s coming to…

1) Imus’s firing over his remarks. I feel like it is pretty hypocritical for those who called for this the most loudly are the same ones who have yet to utter one word of remorse for their condemnation of the Duke Lacrosse players and their words that vilified them. Did Imus spit out the remark a little too easily and naturally? Perhaps. Was it right that he said that? Nope. Do I agree with what he said? Not at all. In a nation where free speech has been watered down and limited to “free speech only if you don’t happen to offend anyone else in the process,” though, we all need to stop and reflect on the main word, FREEDOM. Imus is a scumbag. But then again, I can rattle off a long list of scumbags who are still employed, who are applauded for their efforts on the airways, even though what they say is often MUCH worse.

2) The tragedy at Virginia Tech. It’s mind-blowing in its details. It’s mind-numbing in the body count. And the apparent blood-sucking (metaphorically, folks) by the media makes me sick. Now the Brady Bill enthusiasts are covertly clapping their hands in glee over it. My heart goes out to all those who lost a son, daughter, friend, sister, brother, grandchild, neighbor. I personally know people who are now in mourning. But guess what? Making it MORE difficult for a person to LEGALLY arm him/herself will not prevent this from happening again. It is easier to obtain a gun illegally than it is legally. Who knows how this guy got his? Not me. My guess is that he didn’t go register it, though. Maybe we should focus on the fact that this guy was ten kinds of batshit crazy. And that no sane person would do what he did. He destroyed 33 families in a matter of hours. By himself. And then he was chicken enough to kill himself instead of face them. Actually, with our legal system what it is, he gave himself the sentence he deserved. You can’t count on jurors doing that nowadays.

Sometimes, when I hear the news and watch the anchor describe tragedy, loss of life, and utter devastation going on in our country and in the world with a chipper smile and upbeat attitude, I wonder what is wrong with all of us.

Sigh!

I’ve been cranky lately and I think it has a direct relationship to all the BS going on out in the real world, along with lack of sleep, job stress, work travel, parental visits, calorie counting, and dark roots that need touching up. It’s at times like these, I miss my hometown zoo. Back in west Texas, we have this zoo that is really incredible. I used to go there as often as I could when the weather was nice. I’d go alone or take a friend. It was relaxing just to hang out and observe the animals. Here, we do have a zoo, but it’s a rescue center and is about an hour or so away from my house. www.austinzoo.org. It’s really cool (or so I’ve heard), but it’s just too far for a sanity check.

But today is the type of day where I’d like to skip out of work a bit early and go wander around outdoors in a peaceful environment. Or, barring that, I’d like to be at a Triple A or college baseball game. Or maybe shop (look). But whatever it is, I need some happy around me right now.

Evil, Loser Morons.

This is not about politics. This is about doing SOMETHING that is Good. And Right.

Like the lady I'm about to link to, I don't care if you're a Democrat or a Republican. I want you to LOVE America MORE than you love any other country.

How can a US Citizen BURN a US Soldier in effigy?

Seriously? That is your way to protest the war???

Hitting "Save as Draft" instead of "Publish"

Boy, that's a great way to get out frustrations!!!

p.s. it's rude to call past 10 PM if you're not family or like family. A tiny select few qualify and those people don't hang up when the phone is answered.you whore!

FYI

Steal from me, incur my anger...

Steal from my CHILD, incur my WRATH.

My anger is easy to deal with. My wrath? Not so much. Especially when I destroy your ability to earn a living anywhere in this state ever again.

FYI

Steal from me, incur my anger...

Steal from my CHILD, incur my WRATH.

Expectations

When I use the Ladies' room at work (or any public restroom, for that matter), I have a few reasonable expectations. Sadly, these are only reasonable in my mind, apparently...

• I expect there to not be pee on the toilet seat. If you cannot bring yourself to use the seat covers provided, at least have the common decency to clean up after yourself. I should not have to be confronted by YOUR urine!
• I expect there to not be pee on the floor.
• I expect you to flush the toilet. When you're done, if not everything has gone down, flush it again. Why should I see your waste?
• I expect you to wash your hands, you nasty bitch.
• I expect that the counters won't be flooded so that if I accidentally lean against them, I don't step away with a long, wet line across my hips. Seriously, how do you manage to spill so much water???
• I expect you to get all of your toilet paper in the toilet, all of your feminine product trash into the cute little trash can, and your used paper towels in the trash can.
• In short, I expect you to mind your manners and cleanliness.

Like I said, apparently, I'm the only one who feels this way judging by the state of the bathrooms I've been in recently. You people are disgusting!

MEH

Have you ever had a “meh” day? Everything is just so blah and I’ve been in this foul mood for about 18 hours, too. Meh. Ugh. Bleh. I even picked a fight (sort of) with Dr Pop. I didn’t really mean to, but it came out that way. Seriously. But… meh. Meh. Meh. Meh. And overreacting, overreacting, overreacting... That's how we fight. We BOTH overreact. Gah.

To top it off, I’m PMS-ing AND have a breakout. That’s just lovely. At least the fine lines are very faded at this point. I need to book a wax and microdermabrasion appointment ASAP. That’s just the thing… Maybe I will throw in a couple more little pamperings. After all, it *is* my birthday month.

Oh, and I’m feeling really pissy about the fact that the travel for work (not mine, Dr Pop’s) will pick up considerably this month. I am mostly okay with it, but not always. It's just so hard to be the one back home. But I understand about the job and the nature of the work, and the benefits, and blah, blah, Bleh. Is it too early for a martini? Preferably dirty?

I just hope these "mehs" go away soon... I'm taking them out on everyone around me...

Hey. Wanna Know What Happens When Gum Goes Into the Dishwasher?

Just guess.

Well, the end result is a lot of stuff getting thrown away.

I really and truly do NOT understand how people can be so stupid!

Extended Service Contracts

Is it just me, or would a brand new refrigerator have cost less than they spent replacing spoiled food, replacing doors, and sending repair men out to re-hang the falling door? I don't know. I think seven trips to our house in two years is a bit excessive and worthy of a new major appliance, courtesy of our friends at general electric. If for no other reason than to shut me up and have me STOP FUCKING CALLING CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!

Bitch-fest

So I’ve been PMS-ing for two weeks and now I have allergies… No wonder I’ve been in a bad mood for so long! That and being around complaining wives will definitely put a damper on one’s mood.

I don’t get it… Women-only get-togethers (be it at-home parties or mommy’s night out, or whatever) are just man-bashing exercises with wine. They bring me down. I know that my husband wants me to have a large circle of women friends, and I want the same thing, but I really want my circle to include more women in healthy, happy marriages and not dysfunctional messes.

For example, last week, I went to a wine-tasting party. The wine was excellent, and the hostess was her usual perfect self, but once the wine started flowing, all I seemed to hear was bitching. Bitching about this, bitching about that, bitching about the husband, kids, money, friends, prices of things, you name it, it was bitched about. I really don’t need the negativity! Too much of a downer for me.

Don’t get me wrong… These are nice enough women and for the most part, I really like them all, I just can only take so much.