So You Kids Know....The 'Green Thing' Really Isn't New To Us.....

I received an e-mail early today from a friend and coworker that had me smiling and nodding as I read it.  I looked like the village idiot because I was walking through a store, but no one noticed.  They thought it was my usual look.  Anyway, I thought this was too good not to share and that we need to let the younger generation bemoaning our need to "Go Green," that we already have.  As a matter of fact, we grew up that way.  As you're throwing the stones (firmly ensconced in your glass house) about our generation ruining the world, let's take a step back and examine this.  When we're done, I want a show of hands as to how many of you are REALLY READY to Go Green.  We can do it...and we know it.  My challenge to you is, "Go Green OUR way for one month."  I'm betting you couldn't do it.  As a matter of fact, I would wager my house, my car...my friend's house and car...and every red cent you can get your hands on that you cannot do this.  It's not that I am doubting your determination or perseverance, it's just that you've become far too accustomed to living life your way that you could NOT do what we did as kids.  What examples do I have, you ask?  Well, for one thing, our milk was delivered in glass bottles that were returned to the dairy to be washed sanitized and refilled.  So were our soda bottles.  Even beer bottles came in returnable cases that, when finished with a beer, you placed the bottles back into said case and returned it to the distributor.  Eww, gross?  No, I don't think so.  We didn't get sick and no one got harmed in the process.

We spent time going places, too...and we did it by walking.  There were no escalators eating energy so we could save our legs - we walked up stairs.  When we went to the store, we walked there, too.  We walked to our friend's houses and to see family.  No one, when going a few blocks, hopped into a 240 horsepower gas-guzzler and wasted energy.  Want a really good one?  We didn't use disposable diapers!  Remember those things?  That's right, they were washed and used again.  It might sound horrific to many of you, but our parents did it, too, and they survived!  Why, when they did laundry, they didn't have an energy-zapping electric dryer for the clothing, either.  They hung the clothing outside on the clothesline.  The clothes air-dried.  No, we didn't have them in an hour...but we knew how to deal with it.  Our parents didn't buy everyone new, fashion-designer clothing, either.  We had (you're going to absolutely FREAK on this one!)...hand-me-downs!  That's right, folks - we had to wear the same clothing an older sibling wore.  If you didn't have an older sibling, mom usually had a friend that brought clothes to the house that, "Mikey outgrew these.  Will they fit Dave?"  Yep...going to the store for a new pair of jeans or three new shirts happened once a year, usually - just in time for the new school year.  THAT was when you got new clothes.

You know what else, Mr & Mrs "Time to go Green"?  We rode our bikes.  Mom and Dad were not taxi drivers for us.  We actually got on our bikes and rode to a friend's house, to baseball practice, to the store.  Again, hard to believe but it didn't kill us.  As a matter of fact, we enjoyed it!!!  When Mom wanted to back cookies, she didn't pull out every electrical gadget in the kitchen.  Her 'gadgets' consisted of whisks, wooden spoons, bowls, baking tins, and cookie sheets.  We helped...and loved it.  We weren't zapping every energy source we could find.

Want to hear a really unbelievable fact?  One TV.  Yes, one.  Better yet, it was black and white.  I remember watching the moon landing in black and white on the only television we had in our house.  My grandparents were the first to 'move up' by getting a color television...years later.  Oh, and we played 'Pong'.  Two 'paddles' - one on each side of the TV screen - and the 'blip' bounced back and forth as in a tennis game.  We were ROCKIN'!!!

No, we knew nothing about Going Green, did we?  How about cutting the grass?  No, we didn't have gas-powered lawnmowers.  Push mower.  Yeah, I know, most of you young 'uns are saying, "We had a push mower."  Again, not the type you pushed after pulling the cord to start the engine.  I'm talking the kind that had blades that needed sharpened routinely.  You'll dig the picture of it below.  Yes, that was, indeed, how we cut the grass.  Ask your parents or grandparents.  I'll guarantee they had one.  it was the biggest pain in the ass, too.  Every time a twig got stuck in the blades, you had to stop, remove it, get a band-aid (I did, anyway), then start again.  It might have been a pain, but we did it.  Ironically, all these things kept us in good shape, too.  There was no need for health clubs and to walk on a treadmill that sucks energy.  We pushed a mower to cut the grass, walked up stairs, picked things up and carried them - we were in great shape and wasted little precious energy.

Listen, we didn't use styrofoam or bubble-wrap to ship things.  We used wadded up newspaper.  Everything arrived just fine.  We didn't drink water out of plastic bottles or styrofoam cups, either.  Everyone remember drinking from fountains or a water hose?  Yes, we lived.  It killed NONE of us!  Our parents refilled their ink pens rather than disposing of the whole plastic stem and they used disposable razor BLADES...not disposable plastic razors.  We didn't have electrical outlets everywhere in the house for all the items that exist today and we could get the phonebook out of a drawer to look up the number of the nearest pizza joint.  Going out to eat was a treat...not an everyday occurrence.

I have to admit, I understand the feelings of today's youth.  As I have said many times, we've given them everything and they DO have more than we had.  Are we satisfied with that?  Are we glad they are sitting indoors playing video games rather than playing baseball or kickball?  Are we glad they are doing nothing but exercising their fingers because they only know how to text each other?  it is killing the art of conversation, not to mention spelling.  "How R U?" they ask.  "I M fine.  Can't W8 2 C U L8R."  Really?  REALLY?  What the hell are we doing and, as I always say lately, "What have we done?"

So, who in today's youth wants to take my challenge?  Who wants to bet they can go 30 days living like this?  Who thinks they can put down the plastic Aquafina bottle and drink tap water or from a hose?  Can you get rid of the energy-sapping gadgets like your curling irons and straighteners?  I'm ready for anyone that wants to challenge me and prove it.  This, I gotta see!

Until next time.............

The Theater, The Mansion...and The Delays.....

I happened to read a note today from some theater owners, shared by a friend on Facebook.  Not just any theater, mind you.  This is THE theater.  The theater in my hometown where we used to watch movies when we were kids.  One screen.  One.  I know, right?  If you're under the age of forty, you're asking, "What did they do with only one screen?"  Showed one movie.  I realize that is the simple answer, but these (dare I say it?) were the good old days.  The movies came to town on a weekly run - usually Wednesday through the following Tuesday.  If it was a blockbuster, they'd hold it over for an additional week...or more depending on ticket sales.  This theater opened as the State Theater in 1928 in our hometown of Hanover, PA and, after a renovation in 1961, was renamed the Hanover Theater.  Just so you have an idea of the 'look' of the theater, take a glance at these two shots:

Here's the real beauty of this landmark - the interior decorator was a man named Arthur Brounet.  Brounet, so the story goes, often worked with one of the most prolific theater architects of their time, Thomas Lamb.  Not a big deal in and of itself, however Brounet also did the Victoria Theater in New York (just down the street from The Apollo), and the Byrd Theater in Richmond, VA.  Having lived in Richmond for many years, I can tell you it is a beautiful theater and considered to be the best-preserved movie theater in the US.  These three theaters are the ONLY Brounet theaters known to exist in the US and, it is feared, the Victoria will be lost to redevelopment.  This theater is important and needs to be saved.  Fortunately, there is a couple trying to do just that, however it was going to be accomplished along with revitalizing the downtown area of our town.  Needless to say, it isn't happening.  The revitalization, as far as I've seen on my return trips home from Alabama, is stalled...if it ever began.  Actually, it did begin, though I believe apathy has taken hold.  One block down sits the Sheppard Mansion, one of two 'mansions' built by the owners of Hanover Shoe - Sheppard, being one and Myers, the other.  These similar mansions are still in use today and, as far as the downtown renovation goes, the Sheppard Mansion was what I considered to be an incredible first step.  The Mansion is now a Bed & Breakfast with a dining room, so I've heard, that is beyond compare.  The Mansion is elegantly appointed and I would be remiss if I didn't say the food there has garnered rave reviews.  The chef, Andrew Little, has been widely recognized and honored.  I promised I would stop in the next time I was in town, however I never seem to have the proper attire, and it's hard for anyone that grew up there to believe this would have ever happened - an incredible chef preparing magnificent food in Hanover.  Wow, who knew?  Andy is a cousin, though he's the famous one.  I'm the notorious one.  Seriously, I have read and heard his food is nothing but stunning and amazing.

The theater MUST survive and be restored.  Why?  Personally, there are WAY too many memories there for me that I relive every time I look at the place.  I had three or four friends that worked there when we were in high school.  I remember showing up and talking to them at the ticket booth, then walking inside as another took tickets.  When you finally walked inside, this was a theater the way it was meant to be.  There was an outer room to the bathrooms, somewhat like a lounge area, where the women could powder their noses.  The lighting is as you'd imagine and the walls were ornate.  When you entered the 3rd lobby, as it is know, the concession stand was directly in front of you and the entrances to the seats were on either side of that.  There was a little curtain behind the concessions where the workers could watch the movies and keep an eye on the crowds.  It was something we took for granted then...and long for now.  I remember other memories, too.  In the winter, after a heavy snow, we'd go through the projection booth that was occupied by two immense projectors.  If we climbed outside, we'd be on the roof overlooking the marquee.  Plenty of snow that packed perfectly, teenagers, traffic driving into town.  Hmm....what do YOU think we did?  Many a good car was pelted with snowballs and drivers, hurriedly opening their doors and yelling, were completely unaware they had been attacked from above.  Our best?  Why, hello, Officer.  Yep, even police cars weren't off the radar.  Memories of youth - ah, how they make us smile.  Take a look check out their site.

www.hanovertheater.info

This restoration needs to move forward.  The apathetic feelings toward the downtown area need to be replaced with action.  If you build it, they will come.  Seems I've heard that before...and they did.

Until next time......

The Lost Art of a 'Thank You' Note.....

I think the title says it all today.  Sending a 'thank you' note has really become a lost...well, art seems like the wrong word.  It's become a lost tradition, I think, in many households.  Along with the things we need to teach our children early, writing a thank you to people ought to be of paramount importance.  I never truly realized how 'lost' this tradition had become until I began discussing it with friends.  Some have their children send these notes, others don't.  Don't get me wrong - calling a relative or friend when you receive a gift or a check in the mail is outstanding.  It is, however, an educational lesson if we teach them the importance of taking the time to write the thank you note rather than simply picking up the phone.  It seems to mean more, I think.  It shows you have taken the time to sit and put your 'thanks' into words.  Your words...and it is always appreciated.  As a parent, I realize I was remiss in doing this.  I remember fielding phone calls from parents, siblings, and friends asking if a check had been received.  Always, my answer was, "I'm not sure but I'll find out."  When I did inquire about the check or the gift, I was always told that, "Yes, I got it."  When I asked if it had been acknowledged, the answer was always the same, too - "Not yet."  I immediately either dialed the number or asked that the call be made.  Should I have had to?  I don't think so.  I don't think, when a child gets to be a certain age, they should have to be told to say, "Thank you," for accepting a gift, no matter what it was.  I have even gone so far as to buy the notes to be sent, asking only that they add a stamp, a few words, and an address.  It never happened...which is why I had to ask if this has truly become a lost tradition.

Seriously, how long does it take?  The relatives or friends that sent the gift, typically money so you can buy whatever your heart desires, would like to know that it was received and, more importantly, that it was appreciated.  What does it say when you DON'T send a thank you note?  It says, to me at least, that you are almost expecting someone to send you something.  It says you think you are worthy and deserve what they are sending so there is no reason to acknowledge it.  Truly, I had something similar happen when I was younger.  A grandmother, that we saw rarely, used to send my sister and I money in the mail every year for our birthdays.  At one point (guilty as charged), we had not been sending thank you notes and I mentioned to my sister that, as we were now a little older, we should ride our bikes to visit her and thank her personally.  Yeah, umm, that kind of backfired.  It was the last time she ever sent the card and money.  I assume it was because she was paying us to NOT come see her.  probably my sister that she was allergic to or something.  I jest, but the story is real.  She never sent the scratch again.  Bummer.  Not even sure why i told that story, actually.  it goes against everything I've been saying.  Okay, forget you read it.  Thanks.

Honestly, though, can we start a comeback of this glorious, timeless tradition?  Can we teach our kids that this is an important and meaningful thing to do?  Why don't we just go to the store, buy a BOX of these darn things, and keep them in the desk drawer?  Don't have a desk drawer?  Keep them in the junk drawer in the kitchen...and don't even TRY to tell me you don't have one of those.  We all do.  Yeah, I can feel myself digressing, but I'm going with it.  The drawer.  THE drawer.  It really is a good place for the notes because it has Scotch tape, pens, pencils (merely for homework), paper notepads with the "Smith's Heating" on the header, scissors, a few receipts from getting the oil changed, an old pair of glasses that no one knows who owns, and house keys...belonging to someone else's house.  Where the hell did THEY come from?  No matter - here's the point:  Kids need to say "Please," and "Thank you," often.  They need to show the appreciation for the time and thoughtfulness of relatives and friends.  They need to know that Thank You notes never go out of style...even when you're all grown up.

Until next time......

More From The "What Have We Done?" Files

It's happened again.  Our inability to discipline our children has reared its ugly head again and we've got more blood on our collective hands.  This time the headline is from Port St Lucie, FL and talks of the 17-year old that killed his parents with a hammer then held a party at their home.  Tyler Hadley is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder.  It seems that at 1:30 Saturday afternoon, he posted an invitation to a party on Facebook.  A little while later, he took a 22" framing hammer and bludgeoned his parents about the head and torso.  He then pulled their lifeless bodies into their master bedroom where he used books, towels, files - anything he could find - to cover their bodies.  Then, a little after 9:00 p.m., about 40-60 people showed up to party at Tyler's house.  Apparently, there were rumors (both during and after the party) that Tyler might have killed his parents.  The police, acting on an anonymous tip, conducted a 'welfare check' at about 4:20 a.m. Sunday.  The teen first tried to tell the officers his parents were out of town, though they later found them with the murder weapon lying between them.  As anyone can imagine, the police described it as a "senseless, brutal killing."

I harp on this topic constantly and have spoken to a few more friends recently about the topic of disciplining children.  Personally, I have had the same issues as the belief seems to be that any typical, 'expected' actions of a teenager deem it acceptable.  If a teenager wants to talk back, many believe it is okay as they are "just being teenagers".  As long as we continue to view it that way, we will never be able to rectify the problem....and it IS a problem.  As a matter of fact, in my personal 'research', I have spoken to parents of teens that have, and are, raised them.  We speak of the problems they've seen and the issues they've faced because we, as parents, are no longer allowed to physically punish our children.  I have to admit, it would be a rude awakening for many of today's youth if we WERE allowed to discipline them as our parents did.  Today, though, we are given excuses and told why we cannot do anything to make sure our kids show respect.  We are told, especially when the parents are divorced, what we can and cannot do because, "Mom bought that for me so you can't take it away," or, "Dad gave me this and you cannot do anything about it."  Sadly, if we continue to allow behaviors that need to be corrected, we might end up the way the parents of young Hadley did.

What can possess a child to kill his parents in cold blood then, as their bodies lie in the upstairs bedroom, hold a party for 40-60 people?  I know many of you are sitting there reading this thinking, "Must be an isolated, sad incident and thank goodness my kids aren't that way."  I want to point out to you that, with all the influences on kids' lives today, this could happen anywhere.  There need not be any extenuating circumstances.  All there needs to be is a situation where a kid thinks they should be able to do something and the parent says, "No," for this type thing to take place.  Many of you still don't believe me, yet have not had the fun experience of having a kid talk back to you.  I applaud you for that.  Seriously.  Many of you are not divorced (at least half, so the statistics say!) and do not have to co-parent with someone who may or may not have the child's best interests at heart.  They may, as I have seen with some couples, continue to harbor ill will toward the former spouse and use the child to manipulate and hurt the other spouse.  It's a game and, as we've seen here, a potentially deadly one.  We're supposed to be able to teach our kids right from wrong, yet we have to do so with our hands tied.  I'm supposed to abide by the same rules (or lack thereof) as everyone else, however those same rules may need to be modified for each situation and child.  I wrote, just the other evening, about giving trophies to every child for merely participating rather than them having earned it through achievement.  Here we are, years later, realizing that it was a bad, bad idea for the children overall.  We reacted emotionally rather than logically.  We reacted to the moment rather than long-term.  I am telling you now, we reacted emotionally, too, when we decided it was wrong to use corporal punishment to discipline our children.  PLEASE KNOW THIS - I am NOT advocating abuse or hitting your child for everything.  I am saying that, at times, something stronger than a raised voice or time-out, is necessary.  When all you have is the ability to raise your voice, all they do is stop listening.  They also talk back.  They don't react well at all.  They do, however, pay attention when there is even the implication that there might be a stinging sensation on their buttocks.  Anyone remember going out to get their own switch or the sound of a belt clearing all the loops in one pull?  Me, too...and I think I am a better person, with more respect for authority, than many of the youth of today.

Until next time.......

Oh, Those Kids...and The Week In Review

You know, a few nights ago I finally caught on to what many bloggers do and simply led everyone through the day I had.  Sorry - I really didn't want all of you to have to relive it, too.  Yes, I typically catch something on the news that I have to expound on.  Something like the fact that J-Lo and Marc have split.  Trying to blog about that is like watching paint dry.  It's boring.  I do, occasionally, get on my rant about kids and parents these days and how we are allowing them to control any and every situation they are even close to by empowering them with that control.  As a matter of fact, I can do that tonight, too.  It simply amazes me how some people can allow their children to be hurtful, conniving, devious human beings.  Then, when people are shocked and appalled and call them out on said behavior, the parents justify it.  "Oh, that's the same thing any 16-year old would do."  Well, not exactly.  They would not do it if they weren't allowed to do it.  I've said it before (and will continue to do so) - we owe it to our kids to not allow these behaviors.  Sitting with friends the past two evenings (thank you Scott & Sharon, Steph and Mike), we all seem to agree with Tom Brokaw - there has already been "The Greatest Generation"...and not just because of what they did for our country.  It's because of what they did for our parents, too.  They raised our parents to be respectful and obedient, to be appreciative and kind.  To do anything other than that would be met with harsh discipline.  Then, our parents decided there were things they didn't like as kids...and decided, when asked, that they would let us do those very things.  The same with our generation - what we did not like as kids is allowed right now.  We didn't like not being able to speak to our parents as equals or only to, "speak when you are spoken to."  Now, more than ever before, kids are allowed....encouraged, even...to be part of adult conversations.  I was always met with the same comment when I found things unacceptable - "I prefer to choose my battles and this isn't important enough to fight."  Okay, I agree on the whole battle-choosing plan.  I really do.  My question, though, for spouses facing this predicament is, why is it that only one parent gets to decide what is important enough to fix?  If the wife doesn't think it's important, why does the husband have to sit quietly and let the improper behavior continue if it's important to him?  Hey, parents - time to work together and support each other.  If it is important to one, it must be important to both.  Period.  Unless, of course, it's about dating.  Then, the parent of the opposite sex wins.  Just my opinion...and you agree, right?  Okay, enough for this evening.  I need to be chillaxin' a bit before a Saturday morning that involves work.

Yes, it's been a long week on the road.  Heading from Birmingham to West Palm Beach was a nice, relaxing ride.  I had coffee, cold fast food, horrible service and paid about $3.89/gallon for gas.  While in West Palm, I was fortunate enough to spend time with two fun Gator fans.  Yeah, they ARE Gator fans but I love 'em anyway.  I have to admit, too, that I never realized that English really IS a second language around here.  Everywhere I went, I pressed '1' to no avail.  I was close to using sign language when buying coffee at the 7-11.  Matter of fact, I did use sign language twice this trip.  Once was when a guy cut me off in the parking lot and the other was when someone was going 65 in the left lane on the Turnpike.  I'm not sure the sign language I used was proper, though I do know it's universally accepted and understood.  Oh, so kindly, these people let me know I'm #1 in their book, too.  Anyway....where was I?  Oh, yeah, West Palm.  Convention at the Four Seasons.  On the Beach.  We're inside.  Picture problem?  A bit, however it did lead to an evening in Delray.  If you haven't been there, you need to go.  They have a great little downtown area filled with quaint little restaurants, bars, and some neon that welcomes visitors.  They are so welcoming that, on a warm, humid Tuesday evening they offer a mild drink special - $10 for well-whiskey, $20 for top-shelf - and all you can drink.  I'll tell you what I was drinking since, as many have surmised from my Facebook posts (inaccurately, I might add), people think I am imbibing regularly.  Club soda.  That's it - club soda...and I have witnesses.  Admittedly, it might have made the evening better HAD I been drinking, but I doubt it.  The company was great - five of us had a great time and it was one of the highlights of this trip.  Of course, so was the pizza we had for dinner last night.  I forget the name, but think Italian sausage, spinach, olive oil and garlic.  This stuff was damn good and I will go back.  Then, it was home to pack, say goodbye to my southern family, and head on to Orlando where, as I said, I'm working tomorrow.  I give it until about 1:00 before the car is fired up and headed back to Alabama.  Maybe sooner?  Wishful thinking only, I fear.  No worries, we'll talk again soon.

Until next time.......

Casey Anthony (Yes, a little more) and Caylee's Law

So the new buzz is all over the internet and, not surprisingly, all over Facebook - Casey Anthony stands to profit from either a movie deal, a book deal, or both.  Why this is news astounds me.  Did no one see this coming?  I mean, didn't we know, even before the trial started, that this would be the ultimate outcome?  Now, we're all 'liking' the fact that we are NOT going to let her profit from anything.  We will not buy the book, we won't watch the movie.  All I can say is, "I hear ya'.....now prove it."  Often, when things like this happen, our curiosity gets the better of us and we feel we have to know the inside story.  We have to know, in the person's words, what happened!  Here's my point of why, especially in this case, no one needs to know anything - she's a liar.  I'm not talking your run-of-the-mill, average everyday liar, either.  This wench takes it to a whole new level, don't we agree?  Let's see....Caylee is with a babysitter named Zanny.  The babysitter snatched her and was holding her ransom.  She was spending time with mommy's boyfriend and mommy in Jacksonville.  This was just for starters, too.  This piece of work lied to everyone and, most likely, her parents took part in this amazing scam as it progressed.  So, as I was saying, she's a liar...and there is no way she is going to tell the truth now.  If anyone buys a book about this case and this woman, they are, in my opinion, waiting for an answer that will not come.  Think about this - if Casey Anthony chose, she could write the book (or have someone write it for her - she isn't that well-versed) and tell the story of how she killed her daughter and there is nothing that could be done.  It's called Double Jeopardy and she cannot be tried for this crime again under any circumstances.  If you expect that, however, I think you'll be plunking down at least $24.95 for a fictionalized account of this saga.  If you expect a movie to show her killing her daughter, I think you'll be sadly mistaken.  The answers we expect are not going to be heard.  All that will come of this is a growing bank account in her name.  Quite honestly, if everyone feels she is truly guilty, then the best revenge and way to honor her daughter's memory is to avoid her like the plague.  This woman was acquitted.....for a price.  She has some incredible legal bills, I'm sure.  She might be charged for the investigations that were false and  misleading.  All of these things have put her far in debt and she now has to pay.  Why give her the opportunity?  Why help her pay the defense attorneys with your money?  Let me put this another way - anyone buying the book or watching the movie or, for that matter, advertising during a TV-movie is, in my opinion, complicit in the death of Caylee Anthony.  End of story.  She's had more than her fifteen  minutes of fame and I am tired of allowing her to permeate our lives.  She is a sick, twisted individual that should not ever have held one of the most prized and coveted titles ever - "Mother".

I also wanted to respond to the legislation that is now proposed known as Caylee's Law.  I've read both sides of this decision and have to agree with the opposition, however I need to say something to preface that.  I do not believe this woman was innocent of killing her child.  I am not a believer of hers at all.  I do, however, agree that we do not need to ever propose legislation that is based on emotion.  When we base it on emotion, there are too many variables that might eventually cause innocent people to get arrested, charged, and convicted.  The law, as proposed, needs some serious work and revision.  There are too many "what-ifs" for this to be effective.  Unfortunately, the cooler heads that will prevail will make their thoughts known during the debate phase of passing the legislation.  They will realize that, as written, this is not a good law.  I am not saying, by any means, that there shouldn't be a way to avoid another Casey Anthony mishap.  I agree that there is no way this witch should have gotten away with not reporting her daughter missing for 31 days.  Absolutely none.  The bill, though, does not say we will make it a felony if you don't report your child missing, go partying, go shopping, get a tattoo, etc.  it simply says it's a felony if you don't report your child missing within a specified period of time.  A little broad and vague, don't you agree?  it needs to be reworked, reworded, redesigned.  The concept and thoughts are headed the right direction.  I'd hate to see implementation issues.  That's all.

Again, I need to say this, too - they system did not fail.  I know we want to convict her of something...anything...however the prosecution blew it.  They made a bad call at charging someone with first-degree murder without having a true cause of death.  Absent the cause of death, there is no way to charge someone with first-degree murder.  Actually, the defense attorney that we thought was an idiot is, well, an idiot.  He didn't perform any miracles for his client.  He didn't give us a one-man 'Dream Team' like OJ Simpson had.  He is not the next coming of Gerry Spence, either.  Quite simply, he had this case won before it went to trial.  Actually, he didn't win - the other side lost.  The prosecution simply lost.  Because of their ineptitude, arrogance, and over zealousness, we now have proposed legislation that was conceived out of anger and a heartfelt wish to make Casey Anthony suffer.  Sadly, if this legislation passes anywhere near "as written" the only people suffering will be those that are wrongly accused and convicted of charges that can never accurately be proven.  Yes....I, too, am tired of giving her more than 15 minutes.....and I am guilty.  Ironically, so was she.

Until next time.............

Just A Simple Trip to Florida

I hear most of the time, bloggers write about their daily activites. Got to admit, some people must lead extraordinary lives if they can do it and have people read about it. I could write about mine, but fear many will start dozing mid-sentence. Let's give it a try, though. Rather than picking on a particular topic like kids feeling entitled, marijuana laws, or how the government ought to solve all our problems, let's try my day. Just for grins and giggles, I'll kick in yesterday, too. Actually, as I think about it, I'm going to start dozing mid-typing.

It was a dark and stormy night. Wait...I stole that line. It was a sunny morning that turned INTO a stormy afternoon. Two and a half hours of pouring rain. I mean, this stuff was the kind of rain that kept coming as people pulled their cars under the overpasses and under the shelter of a gas station. I really felt bad for the bikers because, well, many of us have been there and done that. It sucks. A lot. The rain eventually ended as I was cruising into the port of call that is Royal Palm Beach, FL. A second home, actually, and a sweet young lady that is like a daughter was waiting. She even turned me on to Big Brother on CBS. After now watching an episode, I've decided they might want to try a new twist and film it with members of Congress. THAT I'd watch, too. So I made it to Florida and geared up for an exciting week of work here in the Sunshine State. Great commute to work as I cruised past Donnie Trump's place, as well as a few other notable citizens of West Palm Beach. I got to the Four Seasons (yeah, nasty work, but someone has to do it) and sat, transfixed, on a plastic folding chair much of the day. Yes, the beauty of the Atlantic was a mere 200 yards outside the patio doors, yet I sat there. Why? Paycheck.....and I know most of you can relate. Why, I always wonder, do we bother going to these groovy locations when we're inside constantly? I get it - the attendees take their families and then blow off the courses and the exhibit halls so they can go to the beach. We (said exhibitors) then sit and wait for a crowd that will not come. It's okay, though - we're getting awfully good at crossword puzzles.

Tomorrow, you ask? Well, tomorrow will bring more of the same, however we are keeping sharp objects out of reach as a few of us want to open our wrists. I always thought "watching paint dry" was an expression. It is...and one we are living. Ah, the excitement of traveling and sales. S this is why I pick a topic other than my daily travels. This is not something anyone will read unless insomnia kicks in...and I get that, too. Use it tonight when you cannot fall asleep. Use it to punish the kids. Use it for.....sorry, I got nothing else.

Hope everyone had a great day.....and I promise not to do this again. Unless, of course, there's another slow news day. Seriously.

Until next time.....