Quirky Corner of Common Sense

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...