Welcome Blog Jog Day Visitors!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Hi everyone! Thank you for stopping by my Blog! Please enjoy reading it then click on over to The Blue Inkwell at http://theblueinkwell.com to see what's new there!
Please Text Me About Your New Family Values
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
I was stuck at the airport in San Francisco (again) and I went outside to get some fresh air. Every time I do this, it seems the perfect photo op for picture to a post with an article like the one I’m writing now. Each time I have been at the airport, I notice 4 or more people standing in line texting or chatting on their cell phones. It's comical how we have become so obsessed with these little technical devices. I’m always tempted to take a picture of this new phenomena and write about it, but I never seem to sit down and do it. That is until now. What inspired me this time? Read on.
I went into T.G.I.F. to grab dinner during my layover (4 hours). Food courts at the airport, especially San Francisco (now considered in the top 5 most expensive place to live in the U.S.), are very expensive and this particular menu has nothing priced less than $16. A family of four came in and sat at the table next to me. Mom, dad, teenage son, and a daughter about the same age. Immediately after sitting down, and even before water was brought to the table, each one of them picked up their cell phones and began to text messages—it was a sight to see—and not a good one in my opinion.
They only refrained long enough for the waitress to take their order and then the entire family continued this until their order was brought to the table. They only stopped because they couldn’t eat and text at the same time (give them more practice!). A $100 or more meal together with no voice.
When I grew up (we won’t mention dates), the family all gathered at the dinner table to eat and discuss our day. When my kid’s were growing up, our generation of parents were accused of not having meals together at the dinner table every night—guilty as charged! We were a busy generation, most moms worked outside the home (for the first time). But we tried, and it wasn’t a “text message” that prevented us from communicating once we had this little and precious time with our family.
What will become of this next generation? Will they be capable of communicating face-to-face at all? Will these kids grow up and commit crimes or become addicts because they never were able to connect with their parents, or vice versa? It happens. I understand the show Intervention is basically a “reality show,” but when you listen to the addicts stories, most of them chose drugs or alcohol because they felt insignificant. Once their families are able to express their love and concern verbally—OUT LOUD—the addict generally agrees to treatment. See the connection here???
I’m afraid for our next generation, and I think the fear is justified. PARENTS! YOUR CHILDREN WILL NOT HATE YOU IF YOU TELL THEM TO PUT DOWN THE PHONE! And parents! Teach your children by example! We are quickly melting into a pot of no human contact, emotional connection, or family values. We call it social networking, but what it really is, is anti-social or recluse.
I have a cell phone; I even have the Internet on it. But you will never see my face buried into it during dinner, while I’m visiting friends, or driving down the road. It’s rude, immature, unsocial, and DANGEROUS!
People! Put your phone down. Enjoy life—real life! Use your cell to call a friend you miss talking to, but only to plan a place you will meet face-to-face and enjoy the perfect conversation together, without a cell phone between you!
Tired of Being Victimized
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
This has been an awful time for us. I can’t recall that in the past we’ve had to deal much with crime, but it sure seems we are being “victimized” in excess this year—so far!
It began in December with the break-in and vandalism of our rental home in Oregon. Thieves literally broke down the glass doors and frame, entered, and ransacked the house. More unfortunate is that the house was rented out at the time to a nice gentleman living a “normal,” simple, and honest life. Many of his valuables were stolen. The physical damage to the home cost us over $1,000 to repair. With a $1000 deductable and the fact we had just began a new policy with a new insurance company “that same day,” we were basically “screwed!
Then a few weeks back, a man in Lincoln City shot a police officer and fled. He was cornered and escaped into a housing tract in Waldport. The same tract we have our vacation rental home. We couldn’t allow our scheduled guests to enter the home so all reservations were cancelled for a week. Not only did we lose an estimated $700 in rents (needed to make the payment on the home), but our housekeeper and many others who work in this tract lost their income as did the businesses in town who rely on the tourists to provide their living.
Finally, this week while we are in California, a couple living upstairs from us moved out. In the process of moving, they illegally dumped appliances and furniture in the complex. My husband and I were approached once each for information on the couples activities. Neither one of us even knew of the happenings, but because we are staying directly below the couple, everyone assumed we did—including the couple who thought we were the sole reason they were in trouble—in other words—they thought we “narked” on them. They were mad and let the world know it! That night they made their final move out of the complex.
We woke in the morning to find our car gas cap had been removed. So what are we to think? We can’t start the car in case they put something in the gas tank. So here we go again…tow truck and $400 later to remove the gas tank and see if anything was done to it. I find it hard to be around young people who think the world “owes” them something.
So what’s up here? Is the world going mad? Or is it just dumb luck? It couldn’t be a worse time to have all these added and unnecessary expenses—for us—or anyone for that matter! I miss the days..that’s right, “the days.” Back when things were simpler, drug abuse was not such a huge issue, and crime was at a minimum. People worked hard for a living and were proud—and respectful of others who “deserved” respect. Not “Are you dis’n me?” from some 20 year old with a criminal record. Any comments?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
