More Contributions to the Randomness

I often have these phrases pop into my head out of nowhere. Never at the right time, mind you, but boy, are they some profound little ditties. Like today, I sent out a response to the daily mass email from my group; it started with "Hope that you are all safe in your travels and have peace in your travails." MAN, where did that come from? It sounds so elegant and eloquent; I was proud of myself to have even thought of such. It was fitting for the moment; some of us are traveling, some of us are grieving, some of us are struggling. Once again, I think... I SHOULD WRITE A BOOK!
I have, you know.. written some books. Children's books, the beginnings of a fictional memoir of sorts is in the works, a manifesto about the state of education as I see it is also off the ground. I love to write. Blogging has become an outlet for me, although I don't rant about everything on it (I would be in some kind of trouble..lol). I used to limit my rantings to FB posts and status updates; some would read and comment and I'm sure some would shake their heads at my randomness. But, hey, c'est moi!


My husband and I often have interesting conversations. In one last night, I realized, as I said it to him, that I tend to stand up for everything. I buck the system. I look for injustices and try to fight them. Does that make me wrong? Am I a visionary? Does anything change because I have done these things? Twice in the past year, I have gone up against 2 large entities for injustices committed. Did it make any difference? No, probably not. I am merely a speck in the paint, a fly in the ointment, a dust particle on the window. However, it made a difference to ME. Whether or not the outcomes are favorable or if there is any outcome at all...IT MADE A DIFFERENCE TO ME!
I only hope that my attempts to "rid the world of injustice" (taken from Charlotte's Web by E.B. White--references Fern trying to save Wilbur's young, runty life) will matter to someone else, will show big people that there are little people down here too (and dang it, we are TIRED of getting pushed around/mistreated/passed over/etc.), will make a difference somewhere!

If not, then I can go to bed each night knowing that I tried to stand up for a greater good, and I tried to change people's minds/cause them to see things differently/made them think before they acted. I know that I stood up for what was wrong and I said, "You won't push me or any other little person around any more on my watch!"

Many may say, "Who is she to even think that her little voice makes a difference?" I'm sure that Martin Luther King, Jr. may have felt that same way. I'm sure that Abraham Lincoln may have thought those same thoughts. I'm sure that Gandhi often wondered if he was doing the right thing. Did Rosa Parks know that sitting on that bus seat would make the profound mark it made on our society as a whole? Was Anne Frank aware that her diary would be so widely read and studied? Elvis Presley was a poor boy from Tupelo, Mississippi..did he ever dream he would be the King of Rock 'n Roll?

No one with a quiet voice has ever made a difference. No one who sat and let things go on before them has ever made a change. No one who 'went with the flow' has ever made things better. So, "Who am I to think that?", you say... I am Galileo, Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Christopher Columbus..take your pick.

Taking Toys Out of Happy Meals and Cafeteria Food

The new way to fight childhood obesity is to take the toys out of Happy Meals.

I heard this garbage on the news this morning. Come on now, just because the toys aren't in them doesn't mean the kids won't eat the food. That is about as dumb as taking the prize out of the sugary cereal boxes. Kids eat this stuff because of the sugary prize they get, the delicious way it tastes, because Mom doesn't feel like cooking and this is the quickest thing for dinner, i could go on and on.

Since the government has decided that our kids are too fat, why not fix things on their end? Have you seen the trash that is called school lunch? If you haven't had the pleasure of seeing what the offerings are, go to your local elementary school (where there are no vending machines for kids to get chips from) and see what these kids have to eat (or not). Mind you, this is the only meal some students get in a day. Pizza and black -eyed peas, tacos and green beans, vegetables with more sugar in them than fruits have naturally, chocolate/strawberry/vanilla/blueberry flavored milk (of which they get a legally-mandated choice). Watch Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution if you don't believe me.

These kids are eating poorly prepared, processed food every day at school, supplied by the USDA and our good ol' federal government. When I questioned the menu choices once, I was told, "We cook what they send us." What is "THEY" thinking? "THEY" are sending out the message that cheaper is more important. The food sent to public schools is cheap, processed junk. That hamburger patty is no more hamburger meat than the chicken patty is chicken. The food is tasteless, limp, dry, just plain old nasty.

Then you go to middle and high schools where students have vending machines from which to choose their lunches. They select chips and candy and soda, but hey, they have to eat something. They run about on a sugar induced high after lunch, but at least they have eaten something. So, the solution to this is take out the vending machines. In the words of the immortal Charlie Brown, "GOOD GRIEF!" THEY don't want students eating unhealthy foods, so THEY remove the vending machines, and the students eat nothing. What a fix to the problem! Once again, if the cafeteria offered healthier food that the kids would eat, that would solve a piece of the problem.

Exercise, or lack thereof, is also an issue. We are a TV/video game/electronics society. Parents, instead of plopping your kids in front of the TV or shoving thee PSP in their hand, make them go outside for at least 30-45 minutes every day (weather permitting). Even if they walk around the yard and do nothing else, they've gotten Vitamin D from the sun and have gotten up of their butts to get some fresh air. Might not work at making them skinny, but it won't kill them either.

I seriously wonder where these law-makers get their lofty ideas about fixing things. It seems to me that they are random, train-of-thought thinkers and just spout off whatever comes out first. They get so fired up about it and run with it, not thinking about how stupid it sounds or how little it solves the problem.

Watch Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution on Friday nights. He is trying to help with reasonable solutions that can stick with a little push. God forbid what we do to solve our problems makes any sense!

Prom Dress Debacle

http://www.bvblackspin.com/2010/04/27/prom-dress-punishment/?sms_ss=facebook

OK. I don't even know where to start on this one.

Number 1, if you are aware of the dress code before the prom, and you choose not to adhere to it, then YOU DON'T GO TO THE PROM!

Number 2, if you made the dress code rules, and students choose not to adhere to them, and you STILL let them into the prom, YOU ARE WRONG! They should be stopped immediately and disciplined, not allowed to stay at the prom and be suspended/paddled days later.

Number 3, to the reporter who said if the parents agree to what the students wear, the schools should back off.. have you seen how parents dress? I have, personally, seen a mother come in the front office in the morning in her bath robe with curlers in her hair to sign her daughter into school because she was tardy. I have also had a colleague who went to a student's house and the mom came to the door NAKED. Yeah, nice judges of what people should wear, huh?

Number 4, what is wrong with enforcing a dress code? We have all seen what happens when people are left to their own devices (see above post) and allowed to wear what they wish. There is nothing wrong with requiring students to dress decently and respectfully for at least one night.

Number 5, I'm surprised there is a high school (or any school for that matter) that still paddles students. I don't disagree with paddling/corporal punishment; however, I would let someone else do it instead of me.

The dress code specified that the dresses couldn't be shorter than 6 inches above the knee and couldn't be transparent. Hmm, OK.. I really don't see a problem with that. It is much more lenient than the every day dress codes around here.

This is a ridiculous commentary on why schools can't succeed no matter what they do. If the girls' dresses are too short, the parents complain about how it looks/it looks bad/they look like sluts/etc. If the schools say nothing about it, the parents complain about how slack they are/they let students get away with everything/etc. When the schools take a stand and enforce rules, this is what makes the news. What are schools to do? We can't win for losing.

The Power of Music

"Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the rock 'n roll plays...Yeah..."
Those words led me to think about how powerful music really is. No matter what kind of music you prefer, it always gets right to your core when it's the right song and makes you feel good. I've had the pleasure of hearing my favorite Eagles' songs ("Lyin' Eyes" and "Hotel California") performed live, and tonight, I will have the pleasure of hearing Bon Jovi perform my all-time favorite song "Wanted Dead or Alive" live. I fully expect to have a tear in my eye when that music keys up too.
Nothing like a good song to raise the hairs on your arms, make your eyes mist up, and take you back to whatever place that song reminds you of. All of us can say that songs evoke memories/thoughts/ melancholia/etc. when we hear that certain one.

I'm a definite crier when gospel music is sung. The music to "Amazing Grace" will make me cry in a minute. I've been to a church that didn't make me feel that way when the choir sung. I've been to a church that I felt the spirit of God in the parking lot when I got out of the car, and I could have cried and wallowed around on the floor when the music was sung. Feeling the presence like that is awe-inspiring. Hearing Elvis sing "How Great Thou Art" is a beautiful experience. Too bad I couldn't have seen THAT one live..LOL!

I think that's why music lyrics pop into my head all the time. They take me to different places. They make me think of different things. Sometimes, a song can come on, and I will think of something or someone that I haven't thought of in years. It's often a pleasant experience, but it can be a sad one too. It depends on the song. Bob Marley catapults me right to that beach in Jamaica.. I can smell the salt and the sand and feel that breeze on my face. It's fantastic! Snoop's Doggystyle takes me right back to the summer when we used to ride up and down the Boulevard over and over again. I can feel the humidity and smell all that exhaust from backed up traffic! Bruce Springsteen's "Glory Days" makes me think of high school and how fun it was then although we didn't appreciate it at all!

It is amazing how music transforms things and transcends time.

I remember how my mom used to torture me and make me listen to Percy Sledge, Barry White, and Motown. Well, I have to admit, my iPod is full of those tunes now. I love them! I wonder what my son will learn to love because of the music that his father and I listen to. He will definitely be exposed to quite an eclectic mix!

When you're feeling down, think of your favorite song from a happy time in your life. Go ahead, sing it out loud, dance around to it too.. I bet it will make you feel better!

**After I posted this, I heard "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson. I distinctly remember sitting on the floor in front of the TV watching the Grammies that year because he sang this song and did the moonwalk. I was mesmerized and in awe. Every time I hear that song, that's how I feel about Michael Jackson, and it makes me want to do a little moonwalk wherever I am!

Manners... Where are You?

Sadly, along with the grammar and spelling, manners have also passed away. Gone are the days of "yes ma'am" and "No sir". Children and adults alike no longer speak respectfully to anyone. It is sickening to hear how children speak to teachers at school. But, when parents come in for conferences, the children speak to them the same way. I will not forget a young lady on the phone with her father asking him, "Can I talk now?" I was flummoxed because I knew that, even at my age, my daddy would've driven to wherever I was and smacked me in the mouth, as well he should. I told her as much when she got off the phone, and she shrugged it off like it was nothing.
What happened to manners? How did they die? Why did they die? Once again, this death has made people look exactly like what they are. When I do see the random child who answers me with a "ma'am", it does my little heart good. They are few and far between, mind you, but there are a few parents/grandparents/guardians out there who are still demanding respect from children. My grandmother had a funny way of doing it. She would call me, and I would say, "What?" She called my name over and over again until I finally said, "Ma'am?" Some days (most days actually), I would say "what" just to see how long she would persist. She is a persistent one, that Kat! However, you tend to appreciate those kinds of things and being made to behave that way and respond that way when you see how the other side looks.
On the adult side of this equation, look how we speak to each other. Slang has taken over every day life. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a slang-er too, all the way. BUT, there is a time and place for everything. Job interviews/parent conferences/important conversations are not the place for slang. Not only does it make you look like an ignorant buffoon, it lessens the value of the conversation. When you are with your friends, speak how you wish. When you are in public, representing yourself and your family, speak with some sense. I'm sure there is some WAYYYY down in there that you can dredge up.
Let's go back to demanding respect from people. Let's go back to treating everyone with respect. Americans don't even speak of the President with respect. We don't respect the privacy of celebrities or anyone else, for that matter. We don't have the common decency to make our children be quiet in church/movies/restaurants/etc. (As an aside here, look how some parents speak to their children in public. I am appalled sometimes by the things parents say to their kids, loudly, in grocery stores or Target--my frequent haunts. What in the world do you expect from them if that's what you are doing?) We don't treat the elderly any better than we would a stray dog. (That's going to be us, one day, you know? We are going to want our families to still love us and come see us and all that, even though we may not remember who they are.)
It's time to resuscitate manners--they need to rise up and make a strong come back. Parents, teach your children how to be respectful; it's not an antiquated concept. Teach your children how to say "Thank you" and MEAN IT! Teach them how to say "You're welcome", "Good morning", "Have a nice day". It takes half a second to say these things, but they make lasting impressions on people. The world will be a better place for it!
Let's go back to demanding respect from everyone. Food for thought...

The Demise of Education

You will find that I will rant quite a bit about public education.

Schools are no longer in the business of educating children. They push standards, curricula, pacing guides, etc. at students and teachers and expect to get results. What happened to teaching students how to read? How to count? How to tell time? How to write?
Gone are the days of making sure students understand material before cramming more into their brains. The teacher who is genuinely concerned about his/her students' progress and making sure they are mastering the content is a rare breed and most definitely on the endangered species list. Teachers don't have a chance to be creative any more. They are given a curriculum to regurgitate on their students and time crunched to death. And, don't forget, expected to produce miracles and achieve goals that no one could achieve.
Please tell me how children can multiply if they can't add. Please tell me why there are students in middle school who can't read cursive writing. Please tell me why there are no longer weekly spelling tests in elementary school (see previous post on the Death of Grammar and Spelling). Please tell me how children can do anything if they can't read. Why would you allow a student to sit in your class and not be able to do these things? Who cares if it is in your standards or not; if you are a teacher, YOUR JOB IS TO TEACH!
Why are test scores so important? Why do they have to be the driving force behind public education? What happened to actually (GASP) teaching students? What happened to making sure that when a student went on to the next grade, he/she could perform and succeed?
If we don't make some changes, our students are going to be illiterate, unable to count money or tell time, not productive members of society, etc., etc.

It should not be all about test scores and the school report card and how 'good' your school looks. MANY a school with an Excellent rating leaves its people scratching their heads as to how that happened. I know I do...

Precious: The movie

I watched Precious with my husband the other night. OMG! I wonder why this is such a great movie? I was sickened by it, my disgust furthered by the thought that people actually have to live this way. The ONLY redeeming quality of the entire thing (and I suppose this was the whole idea) was that Precious was trying to rise above her situation and better herself for the sake of her children. (BTW, why on Earth did she name that poor girl Mongo? Like that is a good name or something? That was a shame!)
You know that an actor/actress is good when you hate them after you watch a movie. I LOVE Monique, but after watching that, I feel kinda nauseated about seeing her on TV. She definitely deserved to win that Oscar. However, I feel like her image has been tainted in my eyes because I will always remember her as that terrible woman. I want Monique to tell jokes about skinny bitches and how wonderful fat chicks are..that's MY Monique.
Am I the only one who likes to watch movies to escape problems? Am I the only one who likes to enjoy movies and feel good when they go off? Am I the only one who wants to laugh and maybe cry (in happiness) at movies?
I know that I do not wish to feel dirty/angry/physically sick/like I'm having a heart attack after a movie goes off. I knew from the preview that Precious wasn't going to be a happy-sappy movie, but MAN, I didn't realize it would be as bad as it was.

Watch with caution, people, watch with caution!

How Do You Know You are Random?

I guess I realize I am a random thinker because every single thing I hear or see reminds me of movie lines or song lyrics. I am known to spit out movie quotes or burst into song at any time during a conversation, commercial, TV show, movie, etc. I suppose it makes me seem quite ADHD or not paying attention. However, this is just how my mind works.
I find it funny and a great party trick, personally. Some think that I have no life because I can recall these at the drop of a hat. I think that the brain space taken up by all of this information could be used in better ways; you know, like to find the cure for cancer or something. Certainly all that space could be used for the greater good and not just to make myself appear culturally relevant.

The Price is Right

Because it's on right now, I just thought of something. Drew Carey is not a good host for The Price is Right. I realize that no one would be as good as Bob Barker because he was on there for 100 years, but ol' Drew is like a dying fish--just flapping his fins and gasping for air. After watching his show, I just knew he would be a good host. Maybe they have put a cap on him and won't allow him to be himself.
I'm disappointed in Drew, how about you? (poet and didn't know it--make a rhyme every time)

The Death of Grammar and Spelling

I lament the death of grammar and spelling. Being a member of Facebook and an avid texter, I have seen the decline of punctuation, spelling, and all sorts of correct English. Grammar and spelling led productive lives and helped people everywhere appear to be intelligent and seem like they knew what they were talking about. Now, people spell and write as they speak. Alas, their deaths have made people sound as dumb as they really are.
The poor apostrophe has to be the deadest. Its misuse has been going on forever. I never really understood why people felt the need to add an apostrophe every time they put an 's' on a word. What does that word own? Why should the apostrophe become the victim?
Spell Check has turned us all into dummies. Kids don't know how to look in the dictionary to spell a word. (You know, this never made a whole lot of sense to me, either...how can I find a word in the dictionary if I don't know how to spell it?) Text-ese has made us all ignorant. Take the time to type in those extra 2 or 3 letters so that you will at least put off an aura of knowing something.
I feel sorry for people who have to fill out job applications and make resumes. What if they are not online? ACK! Then things have to be spelled correctly and sentences have to be complete and punctuated! Quelle horreur! I know that I couldn't, in good faith, hire someone who spelled things incorrectly on his/her resume or job application. To me, that just makes a person seem unintelligent.
What do you think?

First post

I like to rant and often have wild, random thoughts that lead to discussions. I hope that you will follow my many trains of thought and add your random thoughts and opinions to my rantings. I look forward to expressing my opinions and hearing yours too!