Where'd January Go?

I'm thinking this might be a similar post I do every year. I don't know - I didn't look back. But it feels like it... maybe... But seriously... where's the heck did January go??

I know I've been busy with a new job, and we've had some crappy weather. But I feel like it's flown by, and the wreck that is my house shows that, as well. You'd think I was never home, by the way there are some 'to do' stacks of stuff around. I'd say I wish I had a day off to catch up, but I think I'd just end up napping all day. Because when I AM home, I'm soooo tired.

Eric laughs at me, though he's just as bad, if not worse than me. It didn't take long for him to fall back into his bad habits of working too late and going into the office at least one day a weekend. He claims to need the time to catch up... but he over-committed to begin with, which is never good. So he's getting all stressed out.

At least I'm not stressed... just tired. My job continues to go well and while I'm not traveling out of state yet, I have that to look forward to. Which will only make the house worse?

I just want my garage to be built. Part of me feels like that will be the solution to everything. There will be more storage, no worries about cars getting hit, and maybe our lawnmower will finally be safe. No more saws in the bathroom or wood trim on the bed. Maybe we'll even be able to finish the master bathroom, once we have a place to act as a workshop.

But none of that can happen until the ground thaws. Stupid winter. I'm so ready for it to be over. I want some warm weather and can't wait to not have constant gloomy days. I really hate winter.

*sigh*

January is over. Here's hoping there are no freak storms in February and maybe even get an early spring. Maybe.

Deflategate

I am so sick of hearing about 'Deflategate' already. Not that saying 'already' means anything, considering it was a bunch of crap to begin with. Part of me thinks it was just a bunch of hype to begin with - we can't honestly have a slow news week for the NFL, which last week would've been without this going on.

So here's the thing. Living in Indy, I'm hearing about it even more. Cause, of course, everyone here thinks the Colts got the shaft. The fans here seem to completely ignore the fact that the under-inflated balls were discovered in the first half, corrected at halftime, and the Patriots still scored an additional 28 points to completely blow away the Colts. Go figure.

Everyone is so quick to want to see the Patriots punished for cheating. But yet, there's no proof they cheated. There's no evidence to support that this was done on purpose, or done by someone as part of an intricate plan. Who's to say there wasn't some rogue person that just thought it would help the Patriots... or in hopes the Patriots would get accused of cheating?

I'll be one of the first to say that the NFL has become to big for their own good. They need to fall, at this point - no organization should have that much control over the media, merchandising, and everything related to football, in general. Maybe this little incident will help in that. Though I doubt it. But maybe. In my eyes, the NFL has become about as evil and the ENRON corporation... and every giant seems to eventually fall. Maybe Deflategate was just a way someone decided to make to dominoes start to fall.

How's that for a conspiracy theory?

Annual January Deep Freeze

A few months ago, I downloaded an app on my phone called TimeHop that 'looks back' at your previous posts on social media. I did it, initially, just because I saw a lot of people sharing 'memories' from it, and I wanted to check it out. But as I looked at it, I noticed the weather trend that also occurred... I seemed to always have similar weather posts at the same time (ie - complaining). Sure, there were a few obvious 'warmer/colder that average' days... but in general, things seemed to fall around the same time.

I guess this should come as no surprise. Weather trends do tend to follow the same pattern. But the past couple of weeks have been quite interesting... they definitely showed a pattern of some of our worst winter weather, all falling in the same time frame. Last year was when we had the highs that were sub-zero. The year before that was a big winter storm that buried the City. This year, we've had some pretty good winter weather, as well, with snow, ice, and further cold temps (though not as bad as last year).

Everyone knows I don't the cold. This just makes me question my being here, at least during this time of year. Maybe I should convince my girls to change our cruise to one of these first few weeks of January? Or maybe I make it a point to travel with my new job for a couple of weeks straight in January? Or just leave the state for a vacation? Or forever?? I definitely can understand the snowbird perspective now. If you don't have to be in this, then why would you stick around?

Our temps haven't been above freezing for about a week now. I think they were close earlier this week, when we had a mix of rain/sleet/ice/snow... but we already had snow on the ground, so the 'warm' temps did nothing. In fact, it probably made it worse, because those few hours of melting (if there was any) just left behind a sheet of ice when we went back below freezing, which is where we still are. Sadly, I am looking forward tojust having temps above the freezing mark this weekend. I hate that I look forward to 40°F this time of year. I am not a 40°F type of girl.

Here's hoping we've seen the worst of the weather this year. Somehow, I don't think that's the case, though.

No. Just, No.

It was in the 40's this morning. Said so on my car thermometer (forgot to take a picture - I was in too much shock). And on the news before I left the house. I'm not ready for this. I'm not ready for the cold. It's not even Fall yet!

This just reinforces the fact that I need to go to FL. ASAP. My cruise is still too far off to make that what I'm looking forward to...

Come to think of it... that is the only trip I have to look forward to right now. That's not good. Christmas doesn't count yet... it's a given, and we don't actually have it planned yet, so...

Eric laughs when I say I 'need' to go somewhere. I don't think I could ever be a true nomad... but I do get bored if I somewhere too long without a break from it. Those weekend jaunts up to Chicago for a Cubs games are lifesavers in my book. And Boston was the icing this year... what as awesome trip that turned out to be. But that was two months ago... too long ago. Especially when colder weather shows up on my doorstep.

Don't get me wrong... I'm not one that's on the high maintenance front as far as travel goes... but I've always liked to roam. Growing up, it was on my bike, at the end of Emerson Drive and beyond, where there were no houses, yet lots of paved roads. I could ride for hours out there, by myself, looking for and going nowhere in particular. Unless I saw smoke... then I had to find the source of the smoke. FL brush fires always intrigued me... have you ever watched a palm frond burn? Or the bark of a scrub pine smolder? It's mesmerizing. Okay... I'm starting to sound like a pyro now... I never set them... just liked to watch them.

Anyway... lots of rambling here... point being, I don't want the cold weather yet. And I need a trip to FL soon. That is all.

So the Kids are Back in School...

School started back here in Indiana last week... some, even, two weeks ago. My niece and nephew started back this week. And yet, I'm surprised to hear that there are some schools out there that still don't go back until after Labor Day. To that I say... WTH??

I don't remember EVER going to school AFTER Labor Day. Yet, up here people talk about kids going back to school before Labor Day like it's one of the ten deadly sins! And of course, they gripe, too, when kids are still in school AFTER Memorial Day in May. Where was I when those two holidays became the 'official' beginning and end of summer? I never heard of that until I moved to Indiana. I always went back to school in August, and got out the first week in June. And there were no snow days to blame it on - that's just the was it was.

It irks me even more when they claim that to be the 'official' beginning and end of summer as all the summer related services open and close then, too. Think community pools, ice cream shops, and the like. Again, WTH?? I was SO thankful when the Dairy Queen down the road from my house got new ownership that didn't see it that way. Granted, he still closes in the dead of winter (this is a really old school DQ, with just a walk-up window and no grill to speak of for burgers). But at least he gets that he can still make money well into fall and relatively early in the spring.

Take it for what it's worth, but Indiana is definitely a State that does not like change. I've seen it over and over, again, in all realms, from political stances to social antics... I never thought I'd consider where I grew up as being progressive, but compared to Indiana, it is. I guess it had to be, being 'The Space Coast' and all. But the argument about when school should being and end never ceases to amaze me. With 'balanced calendars' becoming so popular, too, I'm just waiting to start hearing those gripes about when the kids are (or aren't) in school. And we'll see how snow days affect it, too. For now, I just toll my eyes and shake my head. I know I don't have kids, so 'I don't get it' according to some... but I'm looking at it more from an outsiders perspective... as someone who never did it that way. That thought process seems very antiquated to me... bottom line, times change. If you don't change with them, you'll be left behind.

Random Rambles

So I just have a few things that have been bouncing around in my head that I want to throw out there. I'll try not to ramble on about any one thing too long (because that would mean it needed its own blog), but I just wanted to get stuff out.

First off, my hair. Some of you may know that I recently made a 'discovery' that my hair is no longer straight. I think it's been gradually happening over the last few years (I blame the water in downtown Indianapolis), but I finally gave up and during my last hair appointment, I stated as such, and asked for help. I knew that my hair was now giving way to a natural wave/curl, and I just didn't know how to work with that. At all. So I asked her to show me what to do. And she did, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it could be. Of course, this was before I actually attempted it. Ever notice how you can never get your hair to look the same way a stylist does?? Anyway... it's been two weeks now, and I'm still going with the more natural wave/curl look that I know have. It's way easier than trying to straighten it (or assume it's going to dry straight and then get a funny wave to it that just looks weird). Eric calls it 'crazy hair' because he's not used to it. But he's not the one trying to deal with it. I'm still getting used to it to, but it's a lot easier to work with now!

Second thing... I know it's World Cup time... but when did so much of the nation jump on the soccer bandwagon?? I mean, seriously?!! Here in Indy, they're shutting down a street and putting up a huge screen to watch the game tomorrow. And it's in the middle of the day - are people taking off work to watch it, too? Don't get me wrong - I get it. Soccer is the world's sport, and, in general, it's becoming more popular in the US. But it seems like, overnight, everyone has decided they're a soccer fan. Initially, I thought it was just Indy since they've been hyping our new team... but then I started seeing all the posts online and the fact that Google is even on the bandwagon... wow. That's all I can say... wow.

Finally, just a simple statement. I hate waiting. That is all.

Tax Day = Snow Day?

Typically, with Tax Day being in mid-April, you don't associate it with snow or really cold weather. There's usually hope involved with Tax Day, in that you have the sunshine and warm spring breezes to cheer you up outside.

Not this year. Woke up to snow/ice on the car, with snowflakes whipping around in the wind most of the day. Nothing you want to look out the window and see this time of the year. Cold, blustery winds that make you dig out the winter coat you just put away, along with gloves and your ice scraper for your car.

Oh, and of course everyone already forgot how to drive in this weather, which made for a fun rush hour.

The good news with all of this, aside from the fact that Eric and I did our taxes a long time ago, is the fact that this IS just a one day thing. The weekend is supposed to be spectacular, again. But that actually makes today that much more annoying... why can't we just get to spring weather and stay there??

Once again, I digress. I'm tired of rambling about the cold weather. Here's hoping this really is the last time until next winter.

Spring on the Horizon

I can see it... the light at the end of this miserable winter.

This has been one of the snowiest, coldest winters on record for Indianapolis. And DEFINITELY the coldest and snowiest since I've lived up here. Multiple daily low temps have been broken, not too mention daily snow totals. Even more, to date, it's the second snowiest winter on record. Period.

And I say 'to date' because, technically, winter is not over. Still got a few weeks. And after this crazy winter, I wouldn't be surprised if we got snow in May. Which would really suck. I guess there would at least be color around us at that point...

The melting has begun, the ugly snow is everywhere. I'm not ready to bust out the shorts just yet... but here's hoping I can do so soon. At least by the end of the month. Which also means sandals... which means it's time to spice up my toenails!

Which brings me to one of the worst parts about this winter. I couldn't wear any of my cute shoes!! Seriously! I have so many cute booties and such, but because of either (a) the snowy conditions messing with the material or (b) trying to walk in heels on ice, they just couldn't be worn. Which really bummed me out. I love my shoes. Maybe I can squeeze some of them in these last few weeks, when the snow's gone but the weather is still cold... fingers crossed.

An Open Letter to Mother Nature

Dear Mother Nature,

I am concerned about your love affair with this Polar Vortex guy you've been seeing the past few months. I get that he's the cool guy on the block, but I think he's just using you to get closer to us. We've made it clear to him that we don't like him, nor do we want him hanging around our homes. He vandalizes the area, leaving behind slick walks and just howls when he sees us slip on them. And don't get me started on the cold shoulder he likes to give when don't pay attention to his antics.

I think you need to move on. I've heard Polar has a twin brother that he doesn't talk to anymore. I've been told he's way hotter that Polar, too, if you can believe that. I think his name is Tropical, though I could be making that up in my own head from things I've heard about him. He's a bright guy that's just a ray of sunshine to everyone he's met. Everyone is greeted with a warm welcome and he makes sure the days are full of fun and last as long as possible.

I've had a few friends sneak off to meet this guy over the past few months. They come back so happy, but Polar seems quick to kill the happiness. He does not like the smiles that Tropical can bring. Is that the kind of guy you really want to hang around? Is that really the kind of guy you want to expose all of us to??

I think Tropical Vortex is really a guy you could warm up to. But you have to leave Polar Vortex behind, first. They don't coexist well. Think about it. I can tell you that we'd love to see you with that golden glow only Tropical can bring... it's way better than the red nose that Polar laughs at.

Sincerely,
Kara

Equality

So You've seen me rant and rave about politics on my blogs. But rarely have I truly gotten on my soapbox about a particular topic. Other than politics and government, in general, are broken. But this is different.

Gay Rights. What the hell is up with some of these politicians out there?? Have we learned nothing from previous civil right fights based on gender or ethnicity??? What are they thinking? I am so ashamed to say that the State of Indiana (where I live) is trying to ban gay marriage in the State's Constitution. And this is despite seeing at least four other states pass laws, banning gay marriage, then have been challenged in Federal Court, where they lost and were told the law was unconstitutional. It's not civil rights... it's freaking human rights! It's about not discriminating!

Why can't people see this is about more than marriage? It about our neighbors being told that they don't have the right to be a family and can't act like a family with all the benefits AND tribulations of a 'legal' family. How is that going to end everything as we know it? It's not. They was to file taxes... together. They want the right to visit their loved one in the hospital... which often they can't do if they're not legally family. They want, and deserve, to be seen as equal in all realms as the person sitting next to them. They're not trying to prove a point. They just want to be treated the same as everyone else. It's about equal rights. That's it. Why is that so hard to understand?

Somehow, another state, Arizona, took the eyes off of Indiana's fight to BAN gay marriage by actually passing a bill that allows businesses to not serve gay people if it's against their belief to be gay? WTF??? Actually stripping away the rights because of beliefs?? That's a straight time machine transport to when Rosa Parks sat in the front of the bus. How can they possibly think that is okay?? Whichever politician even introduced this bill need to most certainly be taken out of office, because they apparently have never read a history book. And we all know, if you don't know your history, you're bound to repeat it.

But then, it seems every generation has to have some huge 'rights fight' about something. Not that it's a good thing to have to have virtually the same fight every generation... same fight, different reason.

Bottom line... wake up, America. Let's try to wrap this one up quickly by actually remembering our history lessons and acting like true civil beings for once. Lets not become the but of other countries' jokes. Let's do the right thing, and move on!

The Ugly Side of Winter

I don't think I need to reiterate how brutal this winter has been. So the past couple of days, when we broke through the freezing mark and started to see the snow melt, I was ecstatic! But after the first day, the ugliness of winter really started to show.

All the plowed piles of snow started to turn a sickly shade of grayish slush as the snow melted, leaving behind the dirt that had been plowed up with it. Sidewalks began to turn black from the same, plus the added road grime. Even with the sun shining, the world looks dark. Driving down the road just becomes downright depressing.

At home, the front of the house hasn't changed much. As we face north, no sunlight is hitting the front yard, so what melting has occurred is solely because of the rising temperatures. There is melting, at least... the lights that were once buried can be seen again. Our backyard, on the other hand, has nearly completely melted, causing it to become a huge mud pit. But at least we can see grass again... I'd forgotten what grass looked like.

Of course, the mud pit was emphasized by the thunderstorms that rolled through today. Not a ton of rain, but when the ground is still partially frozen and saturated with snowmelt, even a little rain has nowhere to go. On the plus side, maybe it washed away some of the black nastiness... we'll see in the morning.

While I'm thrilled to see all this snow that had us buried for over a month go away, I hate the dirty process it takes to get there. And for as much as I'd like to say, "this is it for winter," I can't. No... because we're supposed to get more snow this weekend. But I'll take what I can get, for now.

Too. Cold. Can't. Handle. Any. More!

I've been in Indiana since 2001. Summer of 2001. I was lucky enough to have a mild winter that year, so I stayed. But this winter... this winter is seriously having me think about up and moving back to FL!

Normally, when we get snow, even if it's a few inches, it's gone within a week. This year, we've had snow on the ground since December. I've forgotten what grass looks like. Some of the piles in parking lots will last well into the spring they're so big! The roads are finally clear, after we had bout after bout of snow... and the sun's even been out for a few days now. But the temperatures...

We've had twelve days, so far, that took our lows to the sub-zero mark. And a couple of those days didn't even have highs above that point! And just from my recollection, I think we've only had two or three days where we even broke the freezing mark! Hence, the snowpack on the ground, covering everything that hasn't been shoveled or plowed since Christmas.

But I *think* we're about to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They are showing 40's in the forecast for early next week. Of course, that's nearly a week out... but that could mean I get to see my grass again soon, even if it is dormant! Or maybe dead?

But the bad news is, with this ultimate thaw comes some ultimate potholes. They've already starting popping up on the roads, and some of the ones I've already seen are craters! It's going to be a rough spring on the roads... and public works has already spent part of the pothole budget on additional salt, so that'll get interesting, real quick!

Need to plan a vacation... SOON!

Selfish

When did America become so self absorbed and out right selfish? Wait... scratch that. I guess it's not the United States of America that's changed... it's 'Mericuh!

So one of the commercials that aired last night during the Super Bowl has stirred up a lot of controversy today. Coca-Cola had a commercial where 'America the Beautiful' was sang in multiple languages, demonstrating the multi-cultural country we are. There was nothing inappropriate about it. Yet, today there are people up in arms that it wasn't just sung in English. Really??

Now, I'm not going to take the side of 'We're all immigrants to this country' because I don't believe that's true anymore. Generations have been born here, and the mixture of heritages is what has made us the UNITED States of America. While there still are immigrants coming to the country, to say that we all are is reaching. So... for the song to be sung in multiple languages... why is that an issue? It's not our National Anthem. What's wrong with people singing it in another language (or multiple, in this case) - I think that speaks volumes for how people see the US... a beautiful country.

The issue just goes so much deeper, I think. So many people have taken on this 'hic-ish' attitude (for lack of a better term) that has us building a moat around the US and raising a gun at anyone who doesn't speak pure English, whether you've lived here all your live, just moved here, or if you're just visiting. I'm not saying people shouldn't learn English if they plan on taking residency in America, but the kicker is that I've known people to get upset when someone doesn't speak English to them in a foreign country!! In my travels, I'm thrilled to death when someone in a foreign country even speaks broken English... but I sure don't expect it.

It's especially disturbing, as we have slowly been giving our power away as a country. Manufacturing jobs have been moving out of the country, outsourcing of technical helplines has become the norm, and as a whole, we've shown weakness as a country as our economy has gone down the toilet since the turn of the century. What right do we have, as a country, to demand even more from these foreign countries, especially when they have no dependency on us? Or even if we depend on them?? While it's good to be "Proud to be an American" and have a great love for your country, do you not think others feel the same way about theirs?

It goes back to just general issues we seems to have nowadays... just a straight lack of respect. Respect for others, in the form of culture, religion, age, education, etc. The fact that we're bringing up a generation of idiots that think their entitled to everything the guy next door has without working for it. It seriously scares me to think what this country will be like once this 'entitled generation' is actually running things. I'm sure that gets said about every generation... but maybe rightfully so. Look at the decline in this country since the Great Depression era, which is the generation that has been dubbed the Greatest Generation. That generation learned the value of everything... a penny, family, culture, etc. Now, kids are told are told they can have whatever they want... but they don't learn the value of what they want, or even more importantly, what they need.

Polar Vortex - Round #2

"Well... at least the sun is out!"

I find myself saying that way more than I'd like. And the sun isn't even out all the time, which makes it even more depressing. I do not like winter. I do not like the cold. But I HATE not seeing the sun. I am definitely one of those people that can go into a deep seasonal depression if I do not see the sun for days at a time.

But back to the Polar Vortex - Round #2!! We woke up this morning to more sub-zero temperatures with even more frigid windchills. Luckily it wasn't quite as cold as they were initially predicting. Last night, they were saying the morning temp would be in the negative teens and the windchills would be near the negative thirties. Brutal! I'll take my -6°F with a windchill of only -11°F.

Never thought I'd say that!

So, unlike last time, we didn't have over a foot of snow to deal with before this nasty cold streak hit. Which means we don't have frozen-over snowpack on the roads. Yay! So we have clear roads, with lots of ugly, dirty snow along the edge... but no issues with it, other than it being depressing to look at. Yet, the City still 'closed down' today, meaning all the City offices were closed, and just about every school district, as well. Yet, private industry (me) still bundled up and headed to work.

But this lead to an interesting, and sad, conversation Eric and I had this morning... a lot of people are complaining that the mayor had this directive, where he suggested businesses and schools all close today, to allow people to avoid the frigid outdoor temperatures. Sadly, he had to do this, because we now live in a society where no one takes responsibility for what happens to them or their loved ones, and immediately look for someone else to blame. So if he DIDN'T send out this directive, leaving people on their own to make the decision, and if something dreadful would've happened, somehow, he would've been at fault.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

This goes back to the weak generation we're raising now. Sadly, this is what they see, and this is how they will act. They will never take responsibility for anything and always look anywhere but the mirror for who to blame. Not every kid out there is like that. But unfortunately, the ones who have been raised to take responsibility for your own actions and make your own life happen aren't in the majority, and won't be able to carry their entire generation.

Okay... that was a off-subject ramble. Back to the weather. It's cold. That's all I can say. Even today's high temperature was way too cold for me. This winter is just sucking the life out of me.

Guns and Media

With the shooting that happened at Purdue University this week (just a short 45 minutes NW of Indy), the media quickly started making speculations and reporting the 'news' as they read things on Twitter.

I'll let that sink in for a minute.

There has been gun violence for as long as there have been guns. I really question whether or not there truly is 'more' per capita then there was for me growing up. I think the media just overhypes things more. The first very distinctive thing that happened 'close to home' for me was when I was 10... William Cruse went on a shooting spree right there in my hometown of Palm Bay, killing six people and wounded even more. It made national news. Our little town of Palm Bay wasn't so unknown anymore. The next significant event (for me) occurred in junior high, when someone I had known for years, the 'class clown' that everyone knew, shot himself in the boys bathroom off of the common area in the center of the school. My dance team was right there practicing. What if he had decided to take out others with him? It took awhile for that one to sink in...

Both of these events were in the news... but after a press conference was held, and after something 'official' was issued to them. But then, social media didn't exist yet, so I'm sure that's why. But at least as we watched the news, we were getting facts. Now, the news changes as the social media gets updated. I get that news outlets want to be the first the 'break the news' to the world... but is it worth getting the public in a over-amped state of panic? As if we don't already have enough helicopter parents in this society that overreact to every damn thing that happens. Just because you have access to information doesn't mean it's accurate, or should be used in any capacity as 'news' to the public.

But back to the guns themselves. Why does Joe Public need to have access or the ability to by military/police grade weapons? And don't give me that Second Amendment BS. Do you really think our forefathers ever thought weapons would become so advanced that they could shoot multiple rounds a minute? No. I have no problem with people owning a gun for protection... but you just need something that can fire one round at a time - most people can't handle more, nor do they ever LEARN how to handle it. And hunters... why on earth do they need a semi-automatic weapon to kill a deer?? Doesn't that kind of take the sport out it? What happened to just using a shotgun?

I'm really not sure why it is legal for Joe and Jane Public to buy, or even own, anything automatic. There's no reason for it. And these 'collectors' out there? Let's make them register as collectors and pin some responsibility on them if their guns get stolen and used in a crime. Of course, we can't even pin that back on gun shops yet, so I know I'm dreaming big. I know amping up the laws won't completely fix things, but at least it gives the courts something to prosecute. Right now there are way too many loopholes.

Quite frankly, I'm tired of hearing about all the shootings. I'm numb to it. Each time one happens, I seem to care less and less. I could ramble on about 'kids these days' and blame political correctness and the ACLU for being idiotic in what they go after... but then this blog would turn into a short novel rather quickly.

So our dysfunctional politicians just need to get their heads out of their asses and stop trying to protect everyone's feelings, and just do what's right for once. Turn down that bribe from that lobbyist, and actually vote the way your constituents would want you to vote. Leave your own agenda at the door for once, and actually focus on the bigger issues in this country. Is that really too much to ask? Is your bank account really not big enough yet? Because I read most of you are millionaires now. Maybe learn to feed your ego in some other way.

I digress.

MLK Day

A heads up... this is going to be a ramble.

So today was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I get the significance of the person - he was a huge leader in the civil rights movement. When you think of that, you think of him probably before anyone else.

With that said, is there still any significance to this holiday? Don't get me wrong, I respect the reason for the day, but it doesn't seem to be 'celebrated' the way it maybe once was. Outside of government agencies, banks, and a select group of activism organizations, it's not recognized at all, really. I haven't had it as a day off since college. And once at work, it's never mentioned. And that goes for any company I've been at. I've even forgotten that it was a holiday, all together, until I get home and there's no mail. Most people don't even refer to it by it's full name (see my blog title). It seems like it's just another manipulated way for retailers to have sales.

And beyond that, as a way to try to keep it as a recognized day, they've had to double dub it, by calling it the National Day of Service, as well. But if you work, you can't partake in that, either. So that's a majority of working Americans. And the big controversy here in Indy this year was that some school districts were using it as a make-up snow day, so about half the schools were is session today, as well.

So it makes you think... how many holidays have gone the wayward? Right off of the top of my head, I think of Pearl Harbor Day... as the generation that was alive for that significant event have passed on, it's talked about less and less. It's not even shown on most calendars anymore. I don't know that the government ever closed down for the recognized holiday, but I think most people recognized it and at least took a moment to remember what that day meant. But now, it's barely a blip on most people's radar.

So is it, what I'll call, a 'generational' holiday? Will it, too, be a blip on the radar once all that were alive during MLK's time pass on, much the way Pearl Harbor Day has been slipping away as the World War II generation passes on? Will the same thing happen to Patriot Day, otherwise known as September 11th Remembrance Day... will it also go that way once all of our generation has passed?

It seems like if it's not a Hallmark Holiday (for lack of a better term), then it's quickly forgotten. There are a few minor exceptions, like Independence Day, that will always remain a big deal. But even Memorial and Labor Day seem to be less and less celebrated. But at least the private sector still recognizes those with days off. But how long before we start working on those days, as well? And think of all the other holidays that aren't wholly recognized... Presidents Day, Veterans Day, etc.

So yes... this is my ramble for the day. I'm not going to lie... I miss having all the days off like I had in school. But even when, as a kid, you had those days off, did you really celebrate the day? Or was it just an extra day off for you?

First World Problems

I found myself complaining earlier this week... I had more PTO time that I had planned for at the end of the year, and I was being told I had to take an extra day off.

And this was bad, how?? And this was a problem, why???

It wasn't. I just hadn't planned for it, and fully anticipated being at work the entire week (since I was off all last week). I had things to do at the office!

But all of my 'first world thoughts' got me thinking about how much people really do complain about these first world problems of ours. It's kind of sad, actually. If you're ever heard any of Louis CK's comedy bits, you'd understand even more of what I'm talking about. But we, as the American society, and become so spoiled with instant gratification of EVERYTHING, that if we don't get it, we complain. Loudly, quite often. I'm just as guilty as the next guy and am in no way trying to single anyone else I know out. Sadly, it's just a fact of life.

If you live in the United Stated of America.

Even other first world nations don't complain and expect things the was we do. So when the economy crashed and a lot of luxuries for a lot of people we taken away, did anyone take responsibility? No. And more often than not, they only had themselves to blame for the 'loss' that they felt obligated to. The whole living outside of your means, thing...

I don't know. I just found it interesting to hear myself complaining about something so many other people in the world don't even have. Being spoiled has it disadvantages, obviously.

White Stuff

I just gotta say... I'm already so done with snow this year!  And it's barely the middle of December!

I'm sure part of it was the fact that I was in the Caribbean last week. We left here, it was freezing and snow was still on the ground. We came back to Indy, snow was still on the ground. And then today... yuck!

Not a lot of it (relatively), but it hit at the wrong times and just seemed to keep coming! The roads completely sucked this morning, and even though I have a large 4WD vehicle, there are still those who don't, and you have to watch for them. And the rockstars who feel invincible in their 4WD's... no... I am not one of them.

And no amount of coffee or warm food can warm you up on a day like this. Believe me - I try! Again...maybe a side effect from last week... but it still sucks! Maybe because I didn't grow up with it? Maybe because I still don't have a garage?

Nah... I just don't like the cold. I am, and will always be, a FL girl at heart. Snow's a novelty and great for skiing... but I could do without seeing it every year. I think I'd be just fine with that.

Blockbuster FAIL

I'm sure you've heard by now that Blockbuster, as a company, is going away, 100%. A company that much of my generation grew up with and, despite the change in formats, seemed like it would survive, as all other similar companies failed. I remember when I got MY first Blockbuster card... it was a big deal, for some reason... not sure why.

So where did they really go wrong? Their downfall obviously started awhile ago, since they filed for bankruptcy back in 2010. And I can tell you, it has been horrible customer service since then, on the DVD by mail front. You could tell Dish Network really didn't care about that part of the business. But I think anyone who watched the whole bankruptcy filing and buyout happen saw that coming.

So what then? Did they try to hang on to the DVD/Blue-Ray format too long? Were they too slow to change? Did they not have enough options? They claimed to have movies a full 4 weeks sooner than any other the other services (ie Netflix, Redbox). But if they can't actually get the movie out to you within those 4 weeks, what's the point? So was it bad customer service? Did they just focus on the wrong outlet for too long (DVD's/Blue-Rays vs. digital download)?

I think it was a combination of all the above, actually. I think they underestimated the popularity of people who wanted to just stream movies as TV/Gaming Systems and other devices became capable of doing that. And they were slow to jump on board, where as Netflix was all over it. Instead, they tried to compete with Redbox by putting kiosks as gas stations. And when they finally got on board with the streaming, a majority of devices were already right restricted by Netflix. In the meantime, they continued the hard format route by trying to allow people to interchange the store and mail experience, to 'make it easier with no fees'... but by getting rid of fees, they got rid of a revenue source. And hence, the downward spiral quickly escalated.

Pretty sad, actually. At one time, Blockbuster was on top of it all, squashing any other video store and making movie theatres nearly obsolete in the process, as more and more people would just wait for it to come out on video. And now, by the end of 2013, they will be no more. Just a memory for my generation to yammer on about to our grandkids.

Bye-Bye, Blockbuster.

Will Power

Will Power. Some people have it. Some people don't.

Eric does not. I love him to death, but if there's junk food in the house, he'll find it. And he doesn't know how to stop once he starts. If I don't buy junk food, he'll go out and buy some and eat it. I kid you not, I feel like I need to hide stuff from him and give it to him as a reward for good behavior. Well, maybe not that bad... but I do need to only allow so much in his sight at one time. But that might just be his vice. We all have them

I think I have good will power when it comes to junk food. I can buy a bag of candy and it'll last a month or more. I'll see it in the pantry, but just don't care. My vice is more likely the computer. But even then, it's more of 'once I get on, I can't get off the internet' type of things. If I never get online, I don't feel the need to. Or maybe it's my lack of ability to not procrastinate...

A true test begins today and I start a bit of a cleanse. Eric said he'd do it with me, much to my surprise. But it's only 15 days, and only the first five days are really restricting. All you're really doing is jamming a lot of fruits and veggies into your body in the form of smoothies you make from fresh fruit/veggies, greek yogurt, protein powder, etc. I wouldn't do it if it didn't seem doable like some of the all liquid things out this. This one, you're just taking solid food and 'smoothifying' it. Yes... I just made that word up. I'm looking forward to it.

So we'll see how good my will power really is. And maybe I underestimate Eric's.