Category Archives: Culture

What Really Grinds My Gears (2012 Edition)

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I think it is time to start a new CCC tradition. One that may find many of you laughing at my list of complaints. You see, I have always had a goal to limit my complaints, eye rolling, and of course, my “bless his heart” type of moments. In the five year history of CCC, I have never had a chance to really reflect on what truly grinds my gears, as it might drive away readers. However, the loyal of my fifty or so followers may notice that I rarely complain about personal stuff on this site, partially because I want you to continue reading. With 2012 drawing to a close, I want to start a new tradition of a top ten list of what truly grinds my gears each year.

1. Laundry. Okay, it may sound like a common complaint of what grinds the gears, but it is hard to contain the number of clothing items that enters the basket by the end of a week.

2. Talk Radio. Listening to other people complain (i.e., Mark Levin), only drives me to complain much more…especially when it comes to politics. It may be great for the blog, but for my husband and others, it only drives them closer to the escape route. When it comes to sports, it always spurs conversation of a different variety. At this point, I’ll stick to 106.7 The Fan for Redskins sports and WTAM 1100 for Cleveland athletics.

3. Wedding Spam. If I didn’t use your services in planning my wedding, then I’ll never use your services. So, David’s Bridal and The Knot should leave me alone. There are millions of brides you can bother now.

4. The Fiscal Cliff. They knew about this a long time ago. Instead, they decided to play musical chairs and forget about the pain this was going to cost the taxpayers. Congratulations! You go on with your bad self, Congress.

5. The Battery Life on my Samsung Galaxy SII. Yes, I traded my iPhone 3GS in for a Samsung Galaxy SII, and now, I regret it. Why? The battery life sucks. I can charge my battery and fifteen minutes later, it will be dead again. A trip to Sprint is now in order and hopefully, I can come back to the Apple iPhone again soon.

6. The Disarray known as my Closet. Okay, I have not seen my closet floor since I moved into my place two years ago. It may not seem like something that might grind someone’s gears, but for someone who prides herself on being organized, it made me feel like I was walking on the set of “Hoarders.” It is now clean, especially since my husband needs some room for his belongings.

7. Bad Drivers. Need I say more…

8. Facebook asking you questions. Okay…Facebook must be the extension of big brother. Although, it is one of the commonly used social networks, Facebook still finds a way to exude creepiness by asking “How are you doing?”; “What’s going on?”; and “How are you feeling?” I say, “Stop the insanity,” and I’ll tell you how I feel about you prying into my privacy…geez.

9. Receiving multiple emails per day from political candidates. Need I say more…

10. Tareq Salahi for Governor. There’s a reason why Journey is so popular, eh? Come on, you crashed the White House party, and expect to be elected Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. That’s quite a resume…NOT!

Happy New Year! Please let me know what grinds your gears in the comments, and may you have a wonderful 2013.

Sad State of the Playground

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When I was growing up, one of my favorite pastimes was going to the playground.  It was a time to forge new friendships, get a break from school work, and to exert some excess energy.  Granted, there was always some sort of bullying, whether it would be this tall boy trying to take a basketball and hold it out of my reach (I was short and this was the common treatment).  Overall, it was a great experience.

According to a recent CNN article, the playground has changed into a judgment zone.  It is not harmless picking, like the treatment I experienced growing up; rather it has morphed into a place where kids are judging on the size of another.  Talk about being exposed to body image issues at a young age.

Fat is the new ugly on the school playground. Children as young as 3 worry about being fat. Four- and 5-year-olds know “skinny” is good and “fat” is bad. Children in elementary school are calling each other fat as a put-down.’’

As our country becomes more obsessed with increasingly skinny ideals of beauty at the same time that we’re getting more obese, “Fat hatred has become so pervasive that it is part of the fabric of our language and interactions,” says Dr. Robyn Silverman, author of “Good Girls Don’t Get Fat: How Weight Obsession is Messing Up Our Girls and How We Can Help Them Thrive Despite It.” “Fat and thin are no longer simply assessments of size or weight, but rather of character. So you can imagine why adoption of these attitudes, diet talk and disordered behavior is happening earlier as well.”

Granted, it is natural for children to notice that they are different than others, and this is to be celebrated.  However, with entertainment and media focusing on the images of extremely skinny celebrities, they forget to remember that children see these images.  This is leading to children judging other children on the stigma that our society focuses on far too often.

However, there is another factor that the article addresses:  how the parent addresses his/her own body image before the child.  Is the parent focused consistently on dieting or over-exercising?   A child sees how the parent conducts themselves and seeks to emulate them.   It is natural, but it can be unhealthy for a child emotionally.  How about appreciating your looks and seeking to live a healthy lifestyle?  This is the greatest role model for children to see.

Perhaps, a child judging another child’s body is becoming the new form of playground bullying.  I hope this is a wake-up call for parents to address that each person is unique, beautiful, and destined for great things. It is time for the playground to return to its fun roots.

**Note:  As a former social worker, I worked with children in a clinical setting.**

Getting Closer to Christmas!

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My roommate and I are still trying to finish trimming the tree, complete with bubble lights, funny ornaments (ranging from a cheerleading reindeer, pig, and moose), the traditional (a crystal snowflake), and the ornaments from Bill and Jean Ann Bolling that I have received at previous RPV Advances.  There will be more ornaments to join the tree (thanks to Target and Walmart).

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But, it is between the tree decorating, baking goodies (CCC’s Pumpkin Pecan Streusel Bread, Cherry Chocolate Scones, Peanut Butter Cookies, and Brownies), and the thoughts of Christmas shopping that I am beginning to feel like my good “cat” buddy, Joey.

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas (minus the snow…thanks to the infamous Mid-Atlantic weather patterns).

Looking Back: Jem was Truly Outrageous!

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My roommate and I were watching 80s cartoons (thanks to YouTube) that we watched while growing up.  As a kid, I loved Jem (watched her religiously and even had the Jem barbie doll, who later became a cat toy for my parents’ cat, Ellie Mae), She-Ra, Fraggle Rock, The Smurfs, and The Snorks.  It is amazing how much cartoons have changed, but it is always great to celebrate what was once there for our enjoyment in the 80s.