Quirky Corner of Common Sense

It's that time of year... when 5 or 6 campaign ads are run in the span of 1 minute during television commercials. Interestingly - or sadly, as it may be - I have NO IDEA what these candidates are running for or what they stand for. I made a point to watch several commercials this week just to see if I could figure out who to vote for in the upcoming election. Unfortunately, I still have no clue. Don't vote for Joe - he has raised his pay in the last few years. Don't vote for Cathy - she sides with Obama in 90% of her voting history. Don't vote for Bob - he isn't Christian. What? Seriously? If you can't tell me why I should vote for you - and not why I shouldn't vote for someone else - then stop wasting my time. Please. I see this year after year, and it's getting worse. The music they play for each ad is the same dreary, haunting melody. The attempt to invoke fear from the words splashed across the screen is the same embarrassing attempt at ...

Catholic Priesthood... I have always had suspicions that there was something 'off' with the whole concept, but I never knew why. Lately, and unfortunately, I've come to understand why. How is it okay - in ANYONE's mind - to allow a priest to get away with child molestation? In America, religion does not provide an excuse for behavior that physically and emotionally ruins a child. In America, asking forgiveness from 'God' does not provide a rational response to a crime. In America, accepting that the current Pope exonerated a priest who previously molested a child is not tolerable. Oh wait! It seems that I'm wrong about all of that... at least, that's what I'm hearing from many Catholic representatives in this nation. Playing the victim in the latest reports of sexual abuse because of the 'poor timing just before Easter' when news broke of the current Pope's former excusing of a priest's 'bad judgement' in abusing an al...

So, what is the purpose of vandalism? I have yet to meet anyone who can give me a valid, logical explanation of why people feel the need to spray paint their name or a crude word on the side of a bridge... or on an underpass... I realize there are many forms of vandalism, but I'd like to focus on this one for now. I see it everywhere - on road signs, on buildings, even on sidewalks! If you want to get your name out there, using cryptic font that is ridiculously difficult to read when you paint your initials on a wall is NOT the best way to go about it. Vandals out there, do you really think a driver is going to mistake a 35 M.P.H. road sign for an 85 M.P.H. speed limit just because you closed in the open sides of the '3'? Come on! The road is the windiest in the county... oh, that's right. You probably aren't the sharpest crayon in the box since you SPRAY PAINTED A ROAD SIGN for fun! And you, Christian vandals, how is it that you came to believe spray paintin...

So... a minor dilemma approaches... Ethan's first birthday in May. I am not one for big celebrations and lots of hoopla when he will not remember anything about it. He doesn't need lots of new toys (but we'll always accept more books!). He doesn't really need more clothes. He's too young to have a favorite character from a TV show or movie (we don't watch much of either). So, what would we do for his birthday party? Mike seems excited to plan something here with our friends and family, and then have another party for Ethan in my hometown (where a majority of our family resides). Two parties? For a one-year-old? I don't know... And, do we rent a place and throw a big bash to celebrate the celebration? Or, do we just invite a few people over for cake and ice cream and use that time to visit? Really... why is this a complicated decision? What have you done for your children, nieces, nephews, etc? Please... any advice would be very much appreciated!