Quirky Corner of Common Sense

Is anyone else disturbed by everything they're seeing and hearing on the news? Does anyone else feel the down-hill slide of this nation? I don't mean just economically, but in terms of responsibility and accountability. I remember, growing up, when I made a mistake or did something wrong, I was taught to apologize and accept the consequences. I didn't have the option to sue someone else - even when it was their fault. Thankfully, my parents taught me to apologize when I was wrong, and to accept an apology when someone else gave me one. They showed me how to live an ethical and focused life, where I censored most of my behavior to not interefer with others' lives. I was brought up in a loving and supportive home (thankfully), and I am proud that I am accountable for my decisions and behavior. So... what about the people we see and hear about in America who are NOT accountable for their decisions and behavior? It's like a free market for blame and accusation a...

As I look back on my almost-30 years of Christmases, I have started to realize that things change as we age. Why that is, I'm not completely certain; however, I thought you might have some ideas to share with me (and our readers)... As a child, my brother and I 'caught Santa' every year. Seriously! Mom and Dad would wake us (after jingling a few bells and tapping on the hallway walls to imitate reindeer landing on our roof). We'd sneak downstairs to the living room and see Santa sleeping on our couch. He'd already eaten at least one cookie that we left next to the fireplace, and he had two gifts ready to give one to each of us to open early. It was a fantastic and fun tradition that I am so grateful my parents coordinated annually for Scott A and me. Although, it was a little odd to run into 'Santa' 20 years later and not know who he really was... hmmm... Then, in high school, we would still exchange just one gift on Christmas Eve. We would also go to our ch...

On November 1, 2008, my Nana passed away peacefully in her sleep. Olga Solveig Larsen was born in Feda, Norway and had a very fulfilling and full life. This post is in her memory. Nana was born early enough to live through WWII. German soldiers had invaded her village, and moved into her home for a brief time. While visiting Norway in fifth grade - where she joined my family on the trip - she showed the grandkids an amazing and massive boulder that she and her sisters hid sugar and flour and other food/ingredients under to keep the soldiers from using all of her family's mainstay. On a second trip to Norway during my senior year in high school, my cousin Jacki found that rock again - walking for so long through fields after the rest of us got frustrated and gave up. I am so grateful to her for finding it - my picture of that rock is one of my most prized possessions. It reminds me of where I came from... what my Nana had to endure to fight for her own freedom, to make a life for he...

My husband 'makes fun' of my technological challenges (of which I admittedly have many)... including texting with cell phones. It takes me approximately 2 minutes to text a very simple message. I'd much rather make an actual phone call, talk to the person, hang up, and be done! But one thing I struggle with more than the idea of technology is how commonplace cell phones have become... and how 'acceptable' it seems to be to use them anywhere, anytime. In my classes at work, I've instituted a rule where trainees may bring cell phones with them, but if a call comes in they must excuse themselves to take the call. I find it disruptive, inconsiderate, and somewhat insulting that certain individuals find personal calls to be more important than work responsibilties. Don't get me wrong - I've kept my cell phone with me 24/7 when there were dire circumstances or potential emergency calls I was expecting. However, that is rare. Anyway, what about the perso...

I know a woman... who is a Republican... who LOVES Barack Obama... but won't vote for him because he is a Democrat. Really? Yes. Rather than list the things I find insulting about that scenario, I'd love to hear your thoughts. I'm finding that there are many people in America who plan to vote for their party line, even if they disagree with the current Presidential candidate for their party . Why is that? As a first-time voter, I probably have no room to talk. I've not used my right to vote since I turned 18; namely because I have been so turned off by political adds, political jokes, political bull malarky that I chose not to support the chaos we call elections. Now that I'm learning how important it is to voice my opinion by casting my vote, I'm learning that people abuse their right to vote each time. By abuse, I mean they don't think about why they are voting for a given candidate. They checked off a box when they first registered to vote... and f...

Have you heard about this act (NCLB) that was passed in 2002? I only know a little about it, but probably not enough to write a full blog. However, what I know has frustrated me to no end so I must 'get it out of my system', and I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic, too. SEC. 1001 of the NCLB Act states that ‘The purpose of this title is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standards and state academic assessments.’ Sounds pretty amazing, right? Do you know any teachers? I know a handful, and none of them supports this act because of how poorly it has been implemented within our nation's school systems. One of my friends is a special needs instructor for high school students. Many of her kids perform at a fifth grade math level ... yet they are REQUIRED to take the national math assessment at the 11th grade...

Many years ago, my parents began a very cool tradition of Game Night . We took turns among my mom, dad, brother, and me choosing a game to play each week. It often fell on a Friday night, where pizza was the staple dinner before piling onto the king-size bed for board games and giggles. We even got to watch T.G.I.F. sometimes... which often led to some cheating by unnamed parties after some of us became distracted by the comedy on the screen. But Game Night didn't always consist of board games or card games - oh no. Sometimes, when I was REALLY young, we'd have a dance competition with friends or cousins in our basement. Dad was the master DJ and did a great strobe-light impression (it still amazes me how fast he could turn that flashlight off and on!). We'd play oldies on the record player and dance until we were pooped! Some of us still talk about it today - awesome memories! One of the coolest parts of Game Night is that the family tradition lives on in my home n...

This blog can be a touchy subject, so I'm warning my readers upfront. The topic has to do with unhealthy relationships and why we stay in them. If you feel that reading this may cause feelings of sadness or regret, please don't continue. If you are curious enough to take a chance, then please - read on! An acquaintence of mine is planning to get married next year. She's got the dress, the photographer, the flowers, the maid of honor; all of the WEDDING necessities. However, the one important piece of the upcoming MARRIAGE is missing... love for her fiance! She has even admitted that she feels uncertain about making the commitment to be married to him forever and ever... So, why do people 'take the plunge' with someone they aren't sure they love? Or, let's take it one step down and ask why some people stay in a relationship - be it romantic or otherwise - that just isn't fulfilling in any way? I've been in those situations, both romantically and wit...

I met an individual this evening who volunteers for the McCain-Palin campaign. I learned very little from the man, whose opinions upset me more than helped me to understand what the Republicans stand for in this race. I realized from his comments, however, that many people who choose to support one candidate or another seem to be regurgitating information rather than thinking through what they are actually saying. They seem to speak more about their OWN opinions and not really what the candidates are supporting. This leads me to my main concern - where has all the common sense gone? Do some women voters REALLY plan to vote for McCain simply because he chose a woman running mate? Really? Do some other voters plan to vote for Obama simply because he is African-American? Really? Why does gender or race even play a part in one's decision to vote? No, seriously? I don't get it. What about issues, agendas, purpose, intention, etc.? What about voting for the best candidate because he...

If we could attribute monetary value to the American lanuage, how much would 'Thank You' be worth? It's not just a common phrase of courtesy, it can be a motivational phrase that let's people know they are valued. We teach these words to our children from an early age, and we can even feel slighted when adults 'forget' to say it in random scenarios (like holding the door for someone). Why are these two words - abrupt in their sound yet cushioned in their meaning - so important? Why do they make us feel appreciated and worthy? And why is it so difficult for some people to say them? I have found myself frustrated many times when I see people who deserve to be thanked, and no one takes the initiative to say those two, small words. People are often quick to complain when we have bad service at a restaurant or experience a rough customer service phone call. But why don't more of us take an extra moment to tell those fabulous servers or reps just how much we...

I admit it - I am a 'wanna be' when it comes to being cool. I see cool people at work, at dance class, in the mall, on television, at the gym, in movies, in magazines, online; you get the picture. I yearn to be confident enough to wear the bright colors, trendy clothes, funky nail polish, hip sunglasses, cool hair styles, even bold eye glass frames. Why can't I take the plunge and do just ONE THING that isn't status quo for me? For example, every time I sit in the chair at my hair salon, I say "Let's go for something funky this time.". And what do I end up with? The same cut with just a few more layers. My husband, Mike, always compliments the style (and I like it, too, in the end), but we both know it looks pretty much the same as when I left the house. Or what about the outfit I wear to dinner that shows a little too much bra strap? Yeah, I wouldn't get kicked out of the restaurant for my khaki pants and white sleeveless blouse; but that 1/16th of a...

So, you're driving down the street in a rain storm... or the wind is blowing snow at you straight-on... or it's dawn/dusk and you are on your way to/from work... ... And the car coming toward you is almost invisible ... Yep, every day people drive a heavy piece of machinery at high speeds down the road without their headlights . Often, it's the expensive vehicles (you know, Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, Lincoln, etc.). Sometimes it's those vehicles that seem to match the color of the road perfectly - so they blend in with the surroundings and play games with your eyes. Why is this strange and dangerous behavior so common? Actually in some states (PA included), it is a LAW to drive with your headlights on when it's raining. So why do so many drivers ignore the safety and common sense of it? Perhaps people assume that because it is light enough outside that they can see without their headlights, it is light enough for oncoming traffic to see them. Perhaps some drivers don...