Are You Kidding Me?

The market and the economy is bad, lay-offs and unemployment are on the rise. Most, if not all of us, know someone who is going through one economic disaster or another.

However, in today's world, when there is something potentially dramatic, put it on tv!! There have been some pretty scummy reality tv shows over the last few years. Some amusing, but most so distasteful you know there is a whole group of people glued to their tv. That would be the same rubber-neckers who slow to almost a halt when there is an accident.

The Fox network is developing a show titled "Someone's Gotta Go" where they let employees of a small business decide which one of their colleagues will be laid off. Have we really gotten so low that Fox executives think a show like this would entice the American public?

If by some chance this show is even remotely successful that would clearly tell the lack of compassion people have for their own neighbors.

Too Many Bundles of Joy

By now I think everyone has heard about the mother who had 8 children last month. Since that day it has been reported that she already had 6 other children, is a single mother and currently has no job.

Although I don't think so, maybe she has money saved away to be able to support all the children financially on her own. Maybe her parents will be able to help in some way. I can't argue the fact that some people may be able to afford to have multiple children and provide for them financially.

However, as in the case with this woman, just because you are providing for a child financially doesn't mean you are giving them everything they need emotionally. How exactly do you give each of your children enough of your time when you have to spread it between 14 individuals - and still have time for a life of your own?

The fact that Nadya Suleman had 8 babies was amazing. However, the fact that she already has 6 young children who need her and she decided to undergo this procedure anyway to me is slightly appalling. Personally I feel this is a mother looking out for her own desires and not the best interest of her children.

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Resolution Smesolution

With the New Year upon us one of the biggest topics is everyone's resolutions. There is a lot of pressure to come up with a good one, but let's be honest, how many people really stick to their resolutions?

I have a sure-fire way to get through all the resolution hoop-la:

Step 1: Make your resolution
Step 2: Break it down into monthly and weekly steps and goals
Step 3: Spend a few days to really consider your resolution and plan - after all, you don't want to fail at something you set out to do. (Note: Some resolutions may take as much as a week of planning)
Step 4: Trial run. Every good plan should have a trial run to work out the kinks. Try it for a few days and if it doesn't stick go back to the drawing board.
Step 5: Review and improve the plan
Step 6: Re-try
Step 7: By now it should be at least February, maybe even March, so take a little break to gear yourself up again. Depending on your procrastination skills, this break could last anywhere from one to nine months, then start over with Step 1.

LOC Needed for the 12 Days of Christmas

It looks like you would need to take out a pretty big line of credit if you wanted to get your loved one all the items that are sung about in the 12 Days of Christmas.

According to a chart on the PNC Advisors website the cost to get all these items comes to about $21,080.

Compared to other years, there has been an increase in wages for performers, most likely a result of all the union strikes, which contributed to the overall increase. To have all those ladies dancing, drummers drumming and pipers pipping will take up a good chunk of change.

There are a few items that are less expensive then previous years. Gold rings are down, as are the prices for french hens and geese.

Of course these prices don't take into account the additional expense of shipping and storing over 20 animals and housing and feeding 50 some people. Plus, how exactly does one go about wrapping up a pear tree?

It might be better to stick to the more traditional gifts this year.

Brave Statement

There has been a lot of talk about Proposition 8 here in the State of California, and a huge amount of support for it in the city I live which is primarily conservative. Just 5-10 minutes south is a very liberal community that openly supports alternative lifestyles. You can almost see the line where the supporters holding Yes on Prop 8 changes to supporters holding No on Prop 8 signs.

For this who don't live in California, earlier this year the state made same-sex marriages legal. This led to the creation of Proposition 8, which if passed, will again make marriages legal only in the traditional sense - a man and a woman.

As would be expected, the churches are also in favor of Proposition 8, stating that the bible strictly reads that marriage should be between a man and a woman only. That being said, a few weeks back a Catholic priest went out on a limb and not only argued against Proposition 8, but came out in front of his congregation at mass.

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The priest had his salary and all benefits removed and was told to stay away from all church communities he had been involved with. Personally, I think this took a lot of courage to stand up for what he believed in despite pressure from the church.

I have always believed in God and had a Christian-based faith. While people are arguing to limit the rights of certain individuals because of what is quoted in the bible, they are leaving out the portions where God tells us to be forgiving and accepting of all others, especially those who may be leading a life we do not agree with. Additionally, we were not put on this earth to judge one another, that is not our job, but one that God will handle when the time comes.

The bible was written by man in a time when many things which are now acceptable in today's society were not. Many Christians tend to pick and choose the parts of the bible they are going to follow to the letter, but excuse themselves of other bible-stated requirements for a fully Christian life.

Dumb Laws

There is a site I ran across recently that has a whole list of ridiculous laws that were passed at one time or another. Granted, many of them are probably not actually inforced, or they are outdated, but some of them seemed so ridiculous I had to share*.

A few of my favorites that have existed in the state of California are:

In Blythe, you are not permitted to wear cowboy boots unless you already own at least two cows. I guess that way you know who is a real cowboy.

In Dana Point, one may not use one's own restroom if the window is open. This one seem completely inhuman to those in the house.

In Eureka, a man with a mustache may not kiss a woman. I can't even begin to imagine where this one came from.

In Fresno, no one may annoy a lizard in a city park. Good news for the lizard!

In Los Angeles, you may not hunt moths under a street light.

Also in Los Angeles, it is a crime for dogs to mate within 500 yards of a church.

In Pacific Grove, it is illegal to molest butterflies. Hmmm...what about moths??

In Prunedale, two bathtubs may not be installed in the same house. Perhaps the numberous bathtubs in the same house is what led to the city's name.

If any of you know of any silly laws out there, please share!

* as a disclaimer, I do realize that most if not all of these laws have a background explanation that makes the "odd" wording make sense, are not enforced or are no longer an active law

Do Not Watch

I recorded and finally watched the third episode of "Do Not Disturb" last night. I realize that a lot of shows, at the beginning, are a little bit rough, but personally, this show was horrific.

The writing was awful. I've seen high school plays that were acted better, and the chemistry between the characters was non-existent. I am pretty patient when it comes to new shows, and usually can stand to watch something that most people would probably shut off after the first few minutes.

There was not a single enduring character in the show, everyone was way too over the top and completely unbelievable. Additionally, the scenarios were not in the slightest bit amusing or interesting.

Needless to say, I immediately deleted the show from my Tivo list, and I recommend highly, despite the radio and tvs ads from Fox encouraging people to watch this show - don't waste your time.