Happy 20,009!!

Well, it's officially here, 20,009. Yes, you're reading it correctly, 20,009. At least that's what the woman newscaster on the radio announced from Time's Square tonight . She announced to the world that we are ushering in 20-10 as 20,009 exits through the back door. Really? Hmmm, I'm beginning to wonder if these types of misspeaks are becoming more acceptable and that perhaps proper english, utilizing spell check, and punctuation are indicators of old age and if so, then that is me.

I've been told by my husband that I should try not to draw attention to myself when making comments on blogs, on-line newspaper stories, and Facebook by simply not using the above indicators. Suggested techniques would be randomly caPitalizIng letters, uzing incorect spelingz, and throwing in the occasional abbreviations for frequently used phrases. Yeah, right, LOL! So, I will make my one and only New Year's Resolution for the new year 20,009 right here and now. I resolve to embrace my oldness through the rogue and rather old-fashioned use of correct spelling, punctuation, and capitalization. Although, I reserve the right to occasionally utilize acronyms when I'm busy ROFL. Happy New Year!

My Kind of Teacher

At the website, "The Friendly Atheist", I found a great example of a great teacher, even if he is an athiest...did he mention he's friendly? Hemant Mehta is also a math teacher and this is what he found on one of the tests he was grading this week. The ol' Elephant Excuse. Pretty clever.

So, how does an educator of our youth respond to such a a feeble attempt at avoiding the question? Well, "If you're going to throw a Hail Mary Pachyderm on your final exam, you damn well best get your artwork correct." My admiration for this type of teacher is exponential!

It's Official

Without a doubt, my life has turned a corner. On this day, my oldest child got his driver's license, discussed dating, and turned 16 years old all on the same day. It was only after this had all taken place that I think that the message got through my thick skull. My biological purpose is almost complete and it's in this realization that I've come to understand that my life to a certain degree has become that of a spectator. I am now completely secondary to what is happening around me. It is no longer 'I got my driver's license', 'I got married', or 'I gave birth to a child'. It is now, 'My son got his driver's license', 'My son is in high school', or 'My son has a crush'.

So, I guess as I enter this new stage in my life I will have two choices. Either I can do it gracefully or I can do it kicking and screaming. I've never really been very graceful...

Bad Timing

Obama really needs to consider getting some new advisers. The day after the news about Tiger's affair broke we got the latest edition of Golf Digest with Obama and Tiger on the cover. Uhhh, kinda awkward. In turning to page 76 I read the subheading, 'What President Obama could learn from Tiger Woods-and vice versa.

Here's the run-down:

10 Things Obama Might Learn from Tiger

1.   The Quick Recovery
2.   The Cold Ferocity
3.   How to Step On Their Necks
4.   The Trouble With Compromise
5.   The Value of a Few 'Majors'
6.   Controlling the Message and Spending
7.   The Swing Change
8.   Clothes the Deal
9.   You've Got to Deliver
10. The Danger of Looking Ridiculous

10 Things Tiger Might Learn from Obama

1.   Lighten Up
2.   The Art of Grace
3.   Crush Your Foes, Not Your Fans
4.   Save Some for the Losers
5.   Dial It Back a Little
6.   Less Robot, More Warmth
7.   At Least Look Like You're Having Fun
8.   Sharing a Personal Moment
9.   A Trio of Essential Moves for Tiger (Dance move references)
10. Keep Your Day Job

The way I see it, I think both of these men have issues with the very things the magazine thinks of as their strengths. If you'd like an example just see #10 on Tigers. I think in light of recent events you understand how this is not as true as we'd like to think. Also, #7 on Obama's list is kind of funny when you think about how much fun Tiger was actually having. All in all these two are both suffering in the opinion polls. My advice? They need to both take a look at a different role-model. The one I'd recommend is John Daly. Now, that guy is real.

Buckle Up Buttercup!

I constantly see people driving around with dogs loose on their lap or in their car. I am assuming that they love their pets dearly, so dearly in fact, that they'd risk the animal's life and possibly the life of others in order to enjoy their pet, even while driving. Now, correct me if I'm wrong but there are laws requiring adults to secure not only their children, but themselves as well. Why would this not apply to people's pets? Thirty years ago an elderly neighbor was driving down the road when his little dog got down on the floor and got entwined in his feet. This caused him to slam his foot into the gas peddle and, then in turn, slam into our mailbox. Living in a rural part of town, we had cemented our mailbox deep into the ground so as a result, he really messed up his car. Now, if we or someone else had been walking alongside the road or checking our mail, it would have been a little bit more involved than replacing a mailbox and making a claim on his car insurance. People, it is not cute, it's not even a good idea...secure you're pet. So, even if your dog's name is not Buttercup...buckle up!