Spring Awareness

 

I've been out and about more than usual lately (Spring Break, Easter, etc.) and was struck with the inspiration to write another one of my lists.  Small tastes of Spring weather seem to bring out an extra dose of misguided experimentation in the fashion department.  I am far from being fashion conscious, and speak with no authority on such things as "trends" or "fads."  I do, however, sense a need for a certain level of "Spring Awareness" across the general population as the temperatures rise. 

What You Should NOT Be Wearing In Public:

1. Your clothes from last night.  Yeah...we can tell.

2. Bedroom slippers.  If I can't wear mine all day, then neither can you.

3.  Lingerie.  Seriously...I saw someone out in their lacy boy shorts and satin tank top.  (This will shock you... but I was at Wal-Mart.)

4. Your bathing suit...and nothing else...unless you are ON the beach or AT the pool.  Please.

5.  Sunglasses...indoors.  Unless you have a disability, this in inexcusable.  Don't.  Just don't.

6.  Short-shorts...with very few exceptions.  If you are under 18, you need a whippin.'  If you are over 25, then you are embarrassing yourself.  22 years old and jammin' at a pop concert?  Go for it.

7.  Open-toed shoes ...sans a post-winter pedicure.  I know you're excited because it's a random, warm day...but please - at least trim your toenails before bringing the flip-flops out of hibernation.

8.   The same outfit as your teen-aged child/grandchild.  If you are old enough to get a senior citizen's discount, then you are too old to shop in the Juniors department.

9.  Hair styling apparatus.  No, no, no - do not leave the salon's premises with your curlers or foils on your head.

10. Clothes that don't fit you.  I'm definitely guilty of trying to make a pre-baby piece of clothing work here or there, but let's not make it a habit.  If you cannot comfortably sit or bend over, then we can not comfortably be around you when you do it.

As a side note, I asked the hubs if he had anything to offer for this post.  His only helpful suggestion was to 'people watch' at Wal-Mart....which is kind of what started this anyway.  I also expressed my desire to be casually funny, without being snotty and sounding mean.  He said "Good luck with THAT."  Hmmm...

We've all committed at least one transgression. We get excited when that first 70 degree day hits, and just completely forget ourselves. Oh, the shame!

Are you a Spring Awareness offender and need to confess?  Did I leave anything pertinent off of the list?  Feel free to add offenses and/or confessions below! ;)

♥M

I Told You So

 

 

I did the usual, "What do I want to write about tonight...hmmmm...?" and then decided to give up and give in to the personal rant in my head.  I might as well get it out so I can clear my mind.  I just had such an interesting experience today, that it's still bouncing around in there.

Have you ever had someone tell you, "I know you're right and the other person is wrong, but since they are upset, you just need to agree to make them feel better."  That's a summary of a super awesome 30 minutes of my life that I won't get back from today.

Here's the thing - I almost said, "Ok."  Then something happened...and I have a pretty good hunch what it was.  It's this damn blog.  I told you in my very first post that the freedom of speech afforded to me by writing on the world wide web could go to my head and things could get crazy.  "No, it'll be great!" they said.  "Start a blog!" they said. 

NOT that I was inclined to hide my feelings before I started the blog, but I have lost juuuuust a little bit more of my ability to remember that there is no backspace when you're talking out loud to an actual person.  Oh, yeah. Whoops.

So I did not say, "Ok."  Instead I expressed my condolences that the person was "highly upset" with me, but that I felt it fair to share that I myself was "highly upset" at being expected to fold over and accept blame for something that I hadn't done.  Furthermore, I cited a dozen AWESOME things that I had done for this person without anyone noticing THOSE things - so if we were going to say that I had screwed something up - when I DIDN'T - then let's make sure we paint the whole picture.  I get no pleasure out of anyone else being upset, but MAN, am I sick of there being no consideration given to the fact that I have feelings too.

Should I have just said, "Ok?"  Maybe....but sometimes you have to remind people (and yourself) that being easygoing and laid-back is not the same thing as being a doormat.  Just because I can get along with anyone doesn't mean that I won't push back.

 

All done.  Thanks for listening! ;)

♥M

For the LOVE of Snow Days...You Made Me Get Real

I kept it light last night with my snow day rant. (For the Love of Snow Days)  Then, we got another snow day. Then, people lost it. Then, I got mad. I tried writing about other stuff tonight, but I've given up and decided to just let the sequel to last night's rant flow.
The level of ignorance people display openly on social media can make us all shake our head from time to time.  The past two weeks, however, I've actually had my jaw drop a few times.  I make a point to never purport knowing how someone else should or shouldn't carry on their professional duties in a job that I have no training or experience in.  As it turns out, though - the world abounds in education experts.  Shocking.

Despite how many people seem to know everything already, I thought I'd attempt to shed some light on things that seem to have caused confusion.

1. The tax payers are NOT being cheated out of my services due to snow.  I won't bore you with the details of my contract, but my work gets done with or without a snow day.  The students are also meeting their required number of HOURS of educational instruction per school year, regardless of a few extra days off. Rest assured, I shall still earn my salary this year despite the weather. IF, however, you are interested in paying me overtime for all of the EXTRA hours I'll work, I'm all ears.

2. I sincerely apologize that you feel slighted by my NOT working, while you ARE.  I get the temptation to declare "No fair!" when you see all the teachers posting about snow cream and drinking coffee in their pajamas as you toil away at whatever it is that you do.  I get it, man. I do. But in case you were wondering what *I* don't think is fair...

          A) School buses being on the road when there's any chance of them wrecking, thus endangering the lives of YOUR children.  In case you've been misled, we do NOT have Hollywood stunt drivers for those things.  We have regular people, like you and me, who are not black-ice proof.

          B) Children being expected to stand in the snow and wait for the bus in 2° temperatures.  We live in the South, people. Some of these kids don't own (and can't afford) anything thicker than fleece. Some of them don't have parents getting them ready in the morning and telling them to wear layers. Don't go all vigilante on me here, I'm just telling you what is.

          C) At the risk of going off topic - this is where I'm going to offer you a suggestion of what you SHOULD be mad about and say "No fair!" to.  How about all of the students being required to perform at the same level academically and achieve success at the same pace, regardless of ability level (or disabilities)?  See - THAT'S not fair. Now, let your indignation be of actual use and go campaign about that.

3. This is my favorite: "If teachers have the gall to hope for a snow day, then they obviously don't want to do their job, and therefore don't care about their students."  Do I really even need to justify this with a rebuttal?  No. Am I going to rip it to shreds anyway? Yes... Any HINT that I don't genuinely love my students makes me see red. I refuse to list all of the things I do and sacrifice for them, because I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO.  I would not have gone to college, taken umpteen expensive tests for my license, maintain said license, and keep showing up every year if I didn't love teaching and my students.  I'm sure as hell not walking into that classroom and fighting the good fight every day for MY benefit.  

******

Well, snow grinches...I hope you're happy.  You pushed my restraint and made me get sassy.  The nerve.

♥M