Wednesday, March 31, 2010

politically correct

I've had some issues in recent weeks with some bullying on the playground. The teacher and I have been dealing with both the "victims" and the "bullies". We've been doing quite a bit of reading on the issue to see how we can get everyone past this.
One of the most shocking things I've learned is that recent literature does not refer to "bullies" but rather to "children who are relationally-challenged." Relationally-challenged -- are you kidding me? We've reached the point in society that even those who go out of their way to hurt and to damage others need to be referred to in a politically correct way, so not to alter their self-esteem.
Incidentally -- It used to be assumed that those who bully did so because they lacked self-esteem. Recent research indicates that most often that is not true -- bullies exude self-confidence.
So who comes up with these terms -- and for what end?
Mean is mean. A bully is a bully. Kids get that -- too bad over-educated adults don't....

Saturday, March 27, 2010

phone crazy

I got a Blackberry about 3 weeks ago, then I lost my mind. I used to have an old flip phone. I didn't text with it, 'cause I couldn't figure out how to erase if I made a mistake. When I did text it was only to DH, and he learned to read around my typos. That worked for us, 'cause I had to do the same thing when he sent me a text.
In my bid to become more technologically relevant I headed to Rogers to get an iPhone (I NEEDED those Apps!) but the gal there convinced me that the iPhone was for "play" and the Blackberry was for "work." Since I was justifying the purchase as being NECESSARY for work, I had to go with the Blackberry. I am impressed with how easy it has been to learn to use.

Now, how did I lose my mind? I first noticed the insanity when I had to carry it around with me at ALL times. It comes with a holder that clips to the waistband of my pants. That meant I could no longer wear my dresses or jumpers (no place to clip the Blackberry...) My old phone stayed in my purse -- I often missed calls (DH is the only one who called me, and when I noticed I'd missed the call, either I was already home and talking to him, or I called back. Easy) Now when the phone rings, I jump. My blood rushes. It's for me. It's still only DH, but I really like the ring tone....
I also get a weird thrill when I get an email, or text. I feel the little vibrate (not THAT kind of a thrill) and I get excited that someone has something to say to me. I try REALLY hard not to check right away -- I learned that's poor Blackberry etiquette -- but I check as soon as socially appropriate.
I was wearing Blackberry on the band of my trackpants at home, whilest doing the cleaning. I came to my senses when I nearly dropped the thing in the toilet. Note to self -- do NOT check emails and clean the can at the same time....
Told ya -- crazy!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

quote

"Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted." ~John Lennon

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

It's March Break. I had all kinds of illusions about how I would spend my week at home. I told everyone I wasn't doing anything -- just staying at home and vegging out. Well, that lasted one day. I spent yesterday following my plan. I laid around on the lazy boy chair. I watch soaps I haven't seen in years, I finished my book, I accomplished nothing -- exactly according to plan....and I was pretty miserable, uncomfortable even. I went to bed completely bewildered by my lack of joy. How could this be? How could I not be thrilled; I wasn't even remotely tired?
And then it dawned on my early this morning...I am not a "do-nothing girl." That is a foreign state of being. Idle nothingness is a great idea, but it doesn't sit well with me. I am most comfortable being busy, accomplishing something. I blame my parents. Even reading, the closest I come to just sitting, is about doing something, learning something, finishing something. I know, it's sick. Who wouldn't give anything to be able to just relax and do nothing? Well me, I guess. I did that yesterday and now I have a long to-do list and I am thrilled....

Sunday, March 7, 2010

followers

So I've been on Twitter for a couple of weeks now, and I've joined my board Admin Ning. If I count those activities with this blog I have 23 people "following" me. Me! They are following me. Now I know about most of you who join me on this blog once and awhile. I know who you are, and I know the folks in the Ning, but the Twitter folks -- don't know them. Don't really know how they found me. It's a bit freaky, being followed that is. I feel great pressure to appear wise, to post "good stuff." What I really ought to do is email them and tell the followers that they really should find someone who knows what they are doing. I'm just learning. Mostly I "retweet" 'cause I can't think of anything to post of my own. The blog suits me better, I can ramble and explain. I'm not one who can usually articulate the meat of the point in 140 characters or less.

On the other hand, I'm finding it quite flattering to see my Twitter follow list growing. I had a real fat head about it 'til I checked out one of my followers. Apparently he has nothing to do but follow and tweet, because he is following 15000 people. That is not a typo...15000 people. So, I'm not a special tweeter, I'm one of thousands, and he clearly does not discriminate well.

One of my ning friends asked how often I go on Twitter. I replied with a phrase I never thought I'd say outloud. I said "I tweet nightly, and you?"