Wimp Nation

I just read an article on Time.com, that talked about how parents are over-coddling their children, thus kids today have less defined coping mechanisms. I think it comes down to consequences -- kids no longer understand that actions come with consequences. And it is those consequences, specifically the bad ones, that really teach the greatest lessons in life.

Just this weekend, I went to my 7 year old cousin's baseball game. There was no score kept. An inning consisted of each child getting up to bat -- a three-out inning didn't exist. A kid was in the batters' box until he got a hit -- there were no strikes or balls. I understand that at an early age, little league is about learning the fundamentals, but that also includes the rules of the games. Players strike out, teams lose.

When I was younger, things were much different.

Then		Now
We drank from the garden hose, shared lunches in school, and mom's cleaned our dirty faces with spit.		It's bottled water only, custom gluten-free, peanut-free, and dairy-free lunches, and mega-sized Purell bottles.
We would meet our friends in the neighborhood park to play.		Parents set up play dates.
Acting up in class got us detention.		Acting up in class gets you Ritalin
We rode our bikes everywhere.		They get driven everywhere.
Talking back or being a brat got us smacked.		Talking back or being a brat gets them 'a stern talking to'.
Coming home with a bad grade got us grounded.		Coming home with a bad grade gets the teachers suspended.

What I don't get is that it's my generation that became the parents who coddle. Why? When did we turn all crazy and think that the world is only made up of lollipops and rainbows? Shouldn't a parents' job be to prepare their children for the real world? In the real world there are no do-overs, no game resets. You hit the ball, or you strike out. No one owes us anything, you have to go out and get it.

If I had a kid, that's the way it would be. No wimps in my house.

modesty

Friday night after work, I had the boys over for some casual nonsense. We were entertaining ourselves reading the trivia questions from Trivial Pursuit: Totally 80's and I was tearing 'em up. Steve was flabbergasted at my wealth of useless knowledge.

Me: "I have all the answers, I just need the right questions."

Poll Results

What was the first concert I went to?

• New Kids On The Block
• Motley Crue
• Bon Jovi
• Bruce Springsteen.

The answer is...

Bon Jovi on the Slippery When Wet tour in 1987.

My best friend Shelly got tickets for our 8th grade graduations. Her two 'cool' aunts were taking her and she gave the extra ticket to me. The experience was amazing.

We were at the Brendan Byrne Arena (now known as the Continental Arena) and our seats were all the way on the other side of the stage, at the very top. They sucked. All the pot smoke wafted up there as well, but I was too young and naive to know anything about that.

Shelly and I wore our bootleg Bon Jovi t-shirts and our matching fedora hats -- just like Vince Neil wore in the 'Home Sweet Home' video. Our hair was perfectly teased and feathered and our jeans were tight.

The crowd around us was fun and crazy. We screamed for Jon and his awesome hair and cute butt. We pined for the quiet, sensitive Richie. We danced and sang at the top of our lungs and hi-fived neighbors when 'Raise Your Hands' or 'You Give Love a Bad Name' was played.

But the ultimate concert moment for two 14 year old girls from New Jersey was when Jon was strapped into the harness and flew out over the crowd during 'Living On A Prayer'.




Oh, those were the days...

Poetry Jam: 1987

I wanted to write something, but I couldn't figure out what I want to write. So instead, I pulled out my poem journal from when I was in 8th grade. Remember those teenage years where every heartache was a complete tragedy and the only way for your soul to be healed was to write a poem? Oh yeah, you know you did it too...

First Night
(January 1987)

Please don't try and tempt me
Right now I must be strong.
Should I let my passion guide me
And my temptation carry me on?

You make it so hard to resist
That pleading look in your eyes.
Are you as caring and warm as you seem,
Or a devil in disguise?

Maybe I'm not just ready yet
Please try and understand
Because I'm still a little girl
And you're not yet a man.

The first night should be special
Everything should turn out right.
We'd stare into each other's eyes,
Then turn out the light.

But how do you know
That nothing will go wrong?
If you love me, then you'll wait for me
When I'm ready I'll go along.

Until that special day comes
Just stay with me.
That first night will come soon enough
Together, you and me.

Poll Results

Finally, the poll answer...

Which 80's heartthrob fan club was I a member in?

• Kirk Cameron
• Ricky Schroder
• John Stamos
• Michael J. Fox

And the answer is Ricky Schroder!

Yes, I was in his fan club. Which really was just a ploy to get an autographed picture signed 'The Ricker'.

Oh, I loved him in those Silver Spoons days.

a typical conversation: part 4

Mike is sitting on my desk talking about... whatever. Steve comes by and sprays him with canned air.

Me: "Dude, Steve just blew you."

Mike: "Yeah, I'm very unfulfilled."

Geek out

I have been attending grad school for the past 3 years for my masters in education. Specifically for Instructional Design for Online Learning. I came into it by accident, but I really enjoy it. I took the last 6 months off from taking classes, but I start up again in 2 weeks. I'm only 12 credits away from being done.

At work I've been taking a stronger role in advocating better use of instructional design in the development of our courses. I've posted articles to our intranet blog, I've given presentations to my office on the evolution of our courses, I've complained loudly on the crappiness of the courses sent by our content partners that we have to build.

Now the powers-that-be have started to take notice. I was asked to contribute to an RFP for a client about the levels of user interactivity. I went to town rewriting what they were originally going to use. I researched, incorporated the characteristics of adult learners, and came up with a piece that completely ROCKED!

See for yourself. Levels of User Interactivity.

Would you rather...

Here are some conversation starters when waiting in line, waiting for a meeting to start, or when that uncomfortable silence occurs on a first date:

Would you rather...

• Develop the worst case of acne ever on record
  -OR-
  have your spouse suffer with it?
  
  
• Be on vacation with your 60 year-old parents and have your mom insist on wearing a thong bikini
  -OR-
  have your dad insist on wearing a tiny, Euro-style bikini bathing suit?
  
  
• On a first date, wear a T-shirt that says, "I'm With Stupid"
  -OR-
  a T-shirt that asks, "Who Cut the Cheese"?

Discuss among yourselves.

50 things

I have been challenged. Here are 50 things about me.

1. I once cried out of getting a speeding ticket.
2. I got my tattoo on Christmas Eve when I was 19. It's a dolphin near my 'special place'.
   
3. It took me 6 years to admit to my parents I had it.
4. I was the chapter president of my sorority when I was a sophomore.
5. I learned more from that experience than from any of my classes.
   
6. I am thankful I traded in a boyfriend for my dog.
7. I spent two months in a wheelchair after tearing both of my achillies tendons.
8. I would rather text or email than talk on the phone.
9. I can't watch scary movies, especially the supernatural kind. They give me horrible nightmares.
10. I still bite my nails.
11. I've road tripped to Key West, around the Midwest and traveled to Europe and the ABC islands all on my own.
12. I rode in a hot air balloon.
13. I crapped in a sink on my 21st birthday.
    
14. I know how to swing dance.
15. I played the violin in elementary school. I was awesome.
16. I go indoor rockclimbing.
17. I believe God is a woman and she doesn't care what religion you are.
    
18. I have been to the Moulin Rouge in Paris, but don't remember it all because I was hammered.
19. I tend to pick up foreign accents easily, especially when I'm drunk. I do Australian and Irish in certain company.
20. I have been to Stonehenge, the rock of Gibraltar, the Alhambra, the Colosseum and to Mayan pyramids.
21. New York City is my most favorite place in the world.
22. I've been to over 20 Bruce Springsteen concerts and they never get old.
23. I've hacked into an ex-boyfriend's email and got caught.
24. I got certified for SCUBA three summers ago. I love it.
    
25. I love snowboarding but don't go as often as I'd like.
26. I lead my high school softball team in stolen bases.
    
27. In high school, I was nominated for Homecoming Queen but didn't win.
    
28. My first car was an '87 Firebird; gray with t-tops. I loved that car.
29. I said I've been in love many times, but now I wonder how many times it was true.
30. I hate cats.
31. Past jobs include: waitress, movie concession stand cashier and popcorn maker, that person who gives out samples of food at Costco, and door-to-door vacuum salesperson (that didn't last long).
32. My cousins are my closest friends.
33. I've danced on stage at Jenkinsons.
34. I probably think I'm funnier than I really am.
35. I'm guilty of drunk dialing/texting.
36. I'm not as close to my parents/brother as I'd like to be.
37. I bought my own townhouse when I was 30.
38. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
39. This election will be the first where I vote for a Democrat as opposed to voting against a Republican.
40. I can't wait for Bush to be out of office.
41. I do my own Tarot cards.
42. I think I have cute toes.
43. I wish I spoke better Spanish.
44. I have never been in a fist fight.
45. I've tried pot, but didn't like it.
46. I hate puking out my nose.
47. Stupid movies and dog food commercials can make me cry.
48. I have a girl crush on Angelina Jolie.
49. I am a Twitter addict.
50. I get bored really easily.

Ok bloggers, your turn!

thou shall not judge

I was about to respond to Viv when I read the post she pointed me to and read this:

Oh and when I went to the ticket counter and said “One for Sex and the City” the guy in the ticket booth said (fucking seriously, people) “Oh, I could see that coming a mile away”. Like…what-the-fuck, guy-selling-tickets? You’re judging me for seeing Sex and the City? You work in a box, dude.

That's why I always buy my tickets from the automated machine in the lobby.

Hopewell, NJ

I work in a tiny, picturesque town. Mike and I often take walks during lunch for a little exercise. Here's a little of the cuteness that I pass.

Thin is NOT me

I was behind this car on the way into work yesterday. It was mocking me.

a typical conversation: part 3

The stupidity keeps on going. This time it's all me.

Mike: "There you go, throwing out terms that you know nothing about: mask, project management..."

Me: "Yeah, I fake it a lot."

D'oh. That's when I just walked away.

Top 10 Songs

I was introduced to a blog recently and one of the questions posted was "What 10 songs would be on a CD that represented the music that you love?"

Recently (as in the last 6 years or so), I've been drawn to music that is heavy on acoustic guitars. Not necessarily an entirely acoustic song, but something that really brings the soul of the singer/songwriter out through the speakers.

1. Born To Run - Bruce Springsteen
   Getting Bruce on the list is a must. But I love this song for the hope that it contains. That all you need to get though in life is a lover, a car, and an open road. Plus after seeing him play it in concert 20+ times, there's this sense of belonging when the entire stadium sings it all together.
   
2. Solsbury Hill - Peter Gabirel
   Another song that makes you just want to drive in a convertible with the wind whipping through your hair. I was introduced to this song my freshman year of college by Pat. He had such a great taste in music and I'm glad that's one of the effects he had on me.
   
3. World Spins Madly On - The Weepies
   Perfect for a lazy Sunday morning when all you want to do is sit quietly outside, enjoying the peaceful simplicity of the world, with a lemonade and your dog sleeping on your lap. First heard this song while I rented Scrubs for a weekend-long marathon.
4. And We Danced - Hooters
   As soon as the drums kick in, I want to jump up and dance around the room spinning wildly. Listening to the Hooters brings be instantly back to high school. Good times.
5. Midnight Blue - Lou Gramm
   Back when MTV actually played videos, this was a favorite that was on the rotation. It had the same theme as Born To Run: bad-boy gets good-girl and they drive off together into the night.
6. More Time - Needtobreathe
   The acoustic guitar doesn't get lost on this one. From the "P.S. I Love You" soundtrack it plays into the storyline beautifully. But it also reminds me of the hope and promise of relationships.
   
7. New York, New York - Ryan Adams
   A rocker that came out in September 2001, this song to me was a tribute to the scarred city that I loved. "I'll always love you though, New York".
8. Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
   I LOVED the movie Once and this song was a key reason. Not only is the song beautiful and sweet but Glen is an amazing singer. I had the great opportunity to see him play live last fall and was blown away by the raw passion he puts into his voice. Another reason to love the Irish.
   
9. Let My Love Open The Door - Pete Townshend
   Silly, fun and makes you want to bop your head around like a bobble-head. My prince charming will serenade me with this song, or at least play it on his boombox raised over his head ala Say Anything.
   
10. Shelter From The Storm - Bob Dylan
    Yes, this was in Jerry Maguire, but despite that, it's another beautiful, guitar tune where you can actually understand what Bob is singing.

What are your top 10 songs?

a typical conversation: part 2

Mike has a wealth of stupid things he says.

On talking about wearing Oakley sunglasses during baseball games in high school:

"Those things were great! Do you know how many balls I took to the face..."

me: "...um..."

Mike: "shut up."

a typical conversation

On a sweltering afternoon, Mike and I walked to the convenience store for an ice cream bar.

He stops, yanks on his shorts and shakes his leg. "My junk is sticking to my leg."

"Boxer-briefs, Mikey. That's the way to go."

"I normally do wear boxer-briefs, but it's laundry day and all I have are my flaming heart boxers."

"Aww. Mikey has a heart-on."

today's horoscope

I am happy with today's horoscope:

There is a new, fresh and light kind of energy coming into your life. It will be just what you need to get through the next few heavy days. The sunshine outside won't be any match for the sunshine in your heart. You've feeling more connected to the people you love and able to rise above any pettiness or drama that might be erupting around you. This healthy perspective will help you put things in the right order, priority-wise. You'll finally make that tough decision you've been mulling over.

Now I just have to figure out what that tough decision actually is.

clau

family moments

I'm so glad to have grown up when I did. Being a teenager in the 80's just seemed so much easier. No cell phones, no internet, no IM. And most important, no videocamera in my little brother's hand.

Thank god this wasn't my family.

coffee table book

Is it wrong that I want this book? Come on, the conversations would be fantastic! I wonder if there's a pop-up version?

Better yet, watch the video (NSFW)!

Update: since I was on the topic of penises (or is it peni?) I found a site for a film, "My Penis and Everyone Elses". All I have to say is, poor guy.

my 4's

My 4's
A) Four places that I go to over and over: Barnes & Noble, park around the corner, Stop & Shop, work
B) Four people who e-mail me (regularly): Josee and my cousins: Jen, Melinda, Michele
C) Four of my favorite places to eat: mom's house, Chili's, Witherspoon Grill, Panera Bread
D) Four places I would rather be right now: Paris, Florence, Australia, Key West
E) Four people I think will respond: Kristen, Skim, Viv, Chelsea
F) Four TV shows I watch (regularly): Family Guy, The Daily Show, Colbert Report, anything on HGTV

What are your 4's?