Okay…seriously.  I wonder how much money has to come out of school funds to generate hard copy letters and do robo-calls and emails to parents to notify the school population that a child has this or disease or that. Today the call was about another case of whooping cough in The Boy’s school.

Now, I realize people that have been immunized can still get whooping cough or other diseases.  But I also know there are many waivers that go out every year to families that do not want to protect themselves or others from these diseases for this reason or that.  I suspect that if people would get get their kids the damn shots (which have now been proven not to contribute to autism – you can read all about that finding here) we would get far fewer calls and it would cost us far less money.  Also, immuno-compromised kids that can’t tolerate the shots would not have to be exposed to diseases that could have been prevented if parents had just acted responsibly and for the public good.

Ridiculous.  And selfish.  And expensive.  And sometimes dangerous to others.  And also, irresponsible.  Not to immunize.  For the public good.  Is all I’m sayin’….

1.  Tonight while The Boy and I were at the store picking up a few things, there was a guy behind us in line whistling some annoying random tunes loud enough for everyone to hear.

2.  For me, whistling in public is akin to scratching one’s fingernails on a chalkboard.

3.  Yes, it’s THAT annoying, and it usually triggers a headache for me almost immediately.  Also, it’s as annoying as singing along to your iPod for all those around you to “enjoy”.  Or, as annoying as a bee or mosquito buzzing around your head but you can’t quite tell where it is so you can’t kill it and stop the noise.

4.  I think it’s as rude to whistle in public as it is to talk loudly on a cell phone.

5.  And it’s almost as rude as standing WAY too close to the person in front of you.  Almost…but not quite.

6.  If you whistle in public, I would ask that you please consider those around you and save it for your drive home.  Your choice in random whistling tunes just might not be the favorites of all those around you.

1.  That damn Vermont Teddy Bear commercial.

2.  The fact so many lawmakers would vote for a bill they could not have possibly read.  I wonder how many other pieces of legislation they just phoned their votes in on to protect their own interests?

3.  That old smarmy bagger guy at the grocery store that stares at everyone’s boobs.

4.  People that hang their hands out their cars to ensure maximum coverage of their second hand smoke to all others parked at the stop light.

5.  Valentine’s day.  I hate Hallmark holidays….although a good steak is always nice.

6.  Well I guess it’s a person…but…Nancy Pelosi.

7.  The feeling that the other side ran the biggest con game in the history of the world and people aren’t paying attention to exactly what they’re doing here and abroad.  Because…CHANGE…right?

8.  The fact that what they’re doing will have a negative impact on the security of the globe in general and our security and economy here at home for years to come.

9.  The amount of spending slated for 2011 – just in time to buy the election.

10.  People that say “He’s not MY President.”  Because he is.  It’s a fact.  Just wait it out with the rest of it.  Hopefully people will wise up.

Oh, there’s much much more.  But I’m tired now so a nap sounds like a better idea….maybe when I wake up the world will have magically set itself right.  One can only dream…

Yes, you two…the ones at the back of the stair area.  A few things:

1.  Nobody needs to see your boobs through those white workout bras.  I mean, there aren’t even any attractive men that work out mid-morning in that area that would care to look.  Yuck.

2.  Why work out at all if you’re barely going to be walking up those moving stairs?

3.  I know, I know….you have to save your energy for ALL THAT DAMN TALKING YOU’RE DOING.

4.  Hey, I know…if you’re going with a friend it’s nice to be able to chat about this or that.

5.  BUT DO YOU HAVE TO TURN YOUR IPODS UP FULL BLAST AND THEN YELL OVER THEM TO HEAR EACH OTHER TALK?

6.  REALLY?

7.  Seriously, who does that?

8.  I mean, who does that who actually cares about whether or not they’re impeding someone else’s workout with their incessant, mundane, not funny chatter and grotesque cackling laughs?

9.  Oh yeah, that’s right.  I forgot.  You two.  Do that.  Every morning.

p.s.  Thanks for using the tallest stair machines in the place to give you that podium effect, thus ensuring the maximum number of serious gym rats get to hear EVERY WORD YOU HAVE TO SAY.

That is all.

You betcha!  It appears the Dem’s are now so confident they will make a clean sweep, they’re comfortable in being totally honest about the fact they will have to increase the deficit and raise taxes even more than The One has promised.  Well, if you’re gonna send free money to “tax payers” AND grow the government, I guess they realize that even with more taxes, they will grow the deficit.

Based on his interview with CNBC yesterday, you can’t say Barney Frank is not being honest about what they’re gonna do.  It’s about a fifteen minute piece, but it gives us a good view of where the Dem’s want to take us.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t wanna go there.  You can see the full video here.

I do think at this point there needs to be a focus on an immediate increase in spending…deficit fear has to take a second seat…I believe later on there oughta be tax increases…..

Maybe I’m dense….but if you need to bring in more tax revenue to cover income redistribution, more government, and deficit spending and raising taxes brings in LESS revenue (history proves this)…how is that ever supposed to work?  Do they really think people are that stupid?

Well, maybe they are.  We’ll have to wait and see if this is really what people are looking for in their Congressional leaders, who actually pass the legislation that determines how THEY will spend OUR money.  Remember, it’s our money.  Not theirs. Well…at least it’s money that some citizens have paid into the system anyway.

There’s positive change and there’s negative change.  Everyone has to decide for themselves the definition of each when they go to the polls.

It MUST be five o’clock somewhere….now, where did I put that Vodka?

1.  Unattended hellions kids screaming and yelling in the street in front of my house who (on purpose) walk slowly and ride behind cars as drivers attempt to back out of their driveways.

2.  People that stand WAY too close to me in line.

3.  Yard workers that park their trucks near places of business and stare at people as they walk in and out.

4.  Screaming kids in restaurants (for God’s sake, people…..show a little class and take them outside until they stop).

5.  Bush-bashers.  Sure, they think it makes them feel better to do this but it is not helpful.  I did the same when Clinton did all the things he did…it still didn’t change things or make me feel better.

6.  People that lie.  Or at least…people that lie and are stupid enough to get caught.

7.  Pharmacies that don’t fill prescriptions, and then refuse to call me and tell why (today it was “we’re out of that medication”).

8.  High gas prices (I think we can all agree with this one).

9.  Politicians that refuse to allow new refineries and/or drilling for the sole purpose of political gain.

10. Bridges to nowhere.

11. Teachers that would rather have kids fill out countless worksheets  and wait for questions vs. teaching a new concept in-depth.

12. People that speed, tailgate, swerve, and talk on a cell phone…all at the same time.

13.  Parents that don’t buckle their kids in because it’s just easier to avoid the fight.

14.  People that drive WAY too slow – they are every bit as dangerous as people that drive way too fast.

15.  People that don’t wait their turn at stop signs.

16.  Kids on bikes that completely disregard stop signs.

17.  PTA meetings.  I’d rather skip the social extravaganza and get the slides later.

18.  The lack of common courtesy I’ve seen more and more lately.

19.  Kids that absolutely refuse to do anything unless there’s something in it for them.

20.  Well…..lazy ungrateful kids in general, when we get right down to it.

21.  Pollen.

22.  Mold.

23.  Pet dander.

24.  In case you didn’t notice the trend…allergies.

25.  Weather over 85 degrees.

26.  Humidity.

27.  People that sneeze and cough and refuse to turn their heads and cover their mouths and noses.

28.  People that don’t wash their hands – with soap – after using the bathroom.

29.  People that get up from a meal and don’t take their own plate to the sink (this does not happen in our house).

30.  Cats that bang on my bedroom door and whine when they are hungry or lonely (okay…our cat but really any cat that would do this).

31.  Laundry.

32.  Cleaning.

33.  Nosy neighbors.

34.  Donation seekers at retail stores – outside and at the register.

35.  Hallmark holidays.

36.  Rain.

37.  Tom Cruise.

38. Katie Couric.

39.  OPRAH (yes, I said it).

40.  Reverend Wright (as could we all).

41.  Flight delays.

42.  Big trucks on the highway (I can’t see around them and it makes me nervous).

43.  Coconut in any form – including alcohol.  Yuck.

44.  Sushi.

45.  Hours-long coverage of a storm that has already passed.

46.  Our neighbor’s missing fence (privacy, please).

47.  Neglectful parents.

48.  Lazy parents.

49.  Abusive parents.

50.  TELEVISION COMMERCIALS!!!!! Hey, it’s really crappy outside. Yes, I could do without commercials during the election coverage.

I think that’s about it…at least off the top of my head.  Anyone else?  Care to add to things you could do without (except me whining, of course).

I was watching Desperate Housewives the other night.  You know the part where Gabrielle has it out with a wheelchair guy over using a handicapped space?  That brought to mind a pet peeve of mine.

How often have we all seen people that are more than fit parking cars in handicapped spaces to get close to a store so they can run their errands?  Do you think it’s right for people to take advantage of their sticker or whatever when the handicapped person is not with them?

Well….(as you may have guessed by now) I don’t!  It’s not right for a teenager to borrow grandma’s car and go shopping with her friends, laughing and giggling on her cell the whole short walk into the store.

It’s not right for the spouse to leave the handicapped person at home, get dressed up and go out to lunch with friends…taking advantage of the close parking spot.

I believe people legitimately need those permits so they can shorten the distance they have to walk.  The spouse tells me I’m assuming that a person that looks really fit does not need the spot.  Like, maybe they have a heart condition so they’re not supposed to walk that far.

Oh sure, in a few cases that is probably true.  But the rest?  Give me a break.  I’ve seen a LOT of people park in handicapped spaces at the gym, then walk up the stairs, do light weights for 30 minutes and then walk briskly on a treadmill for another 30 minutes.  I know many people with no medical conditions that can’t do that on even a good day.

Sadly, like anything else, there are those that will take advantage of a legitimate need for a parking space that a relative or friend might have and use it for their own convenience, completely disregarding the fact that they just might be taking a spot from someone in a wheelchair or with a heart condition.

It’s wrong, I tell you…WRONG!!  Anyone who does this should be strung up by their toes.

That is all.

You know the ones.  The people looking to sell you something or want a straight-up handout in support of their school team, intramural sports team, or this cause or that.

Lately these donation seekers/stalkers have become much, much more aggressive in their tactics.  Whereas before they might set up one table at one entrance of the store and place three innocent looking kids in uniform in front of it pleading for a sale or a donation, now there are tables at every single entrance, fully staffed with no less than six kids each (plus one parent to take the money).

Last week, the high school football team was there in force.  Only they were using a new tactic.  They had players roaming the parking lot, catching people as they left their cars.  I think they were selling raffle tickets or something.  And if you were missed upon arrival, you were not to worry.  They would follow you to your car,  giving you the hard-sell as you left the store as well.

In addition to the football players, the Boy Scouts were there seeking donations for tents and camping gear.

And if one somehow managed to avoid being guilted into donating/buying from these groups, there was one more effort made by the store itself to seek a donation.  Of course…the hated “Do you want to give a dollar to xx cause today?”

Um….no.  No to tents.  No to raffle tickets.  No to the damn dollar at the register.

Ya know, nobody forced these kids to join this group or that, this team or that.  If the kids are on the team and the parents allow them to do the activity, then the parents should support the activity.  To be honest, I really don’t care if the football team at The Boy’s school  gets to go on a senior trip or hold a lavish banquet.  If they want that stuff, they should pay for it themselves instead of harassing people who are just trying to get their errands run in peace.

I am left wondering if I will lever be able to go get groceries again without being accosted by donation-seekers.  In the parking lot, at the entrance, and at the register.

1. Apparently, a California judge refused to grant permission for early enlistment in the Marines to a foster kid on the grounds that she (the judge) was anti-war. By the way, she cost the kid an early signing bonus of $10,000. I thought the system was supposed to help foster kids be successful, not hold them back on the grounds of personal prejudice toward the military or personal pacifism foisted on others.

Sage plans to join the Marines when he turns 18 in June and his case has prompted a Republican lawmaker to introduce a bill that would allow foster teens to enlist in the military without the express permission of a judge.

Petty protest decisions by judges can’t change the patriotism and will to succeed that foster kid has in his heart. Good for him. He seriously should take that judge to civil court to try and recover damages for the $10,000 her prejudicial decision cost him.

2. While walking in the pet store today to by some cat food, I passed by an extremely overweight, big guy and his six month old black lab/doberman mix. He was punching that poor dog in the neck repeatedly. I said, “I hardly think hitting him is going to help.” He paused, didn’t look at me, and then continued to beat that poor dog as soon as I had entered the store. I told the cashier what had happened, but by the time we went back to look all the guy was doing was dragging the dog by his leash to his car.

Evil, evil person that deserves to be beaten within an inch of his life so he can see what it’s like. Some – well, many – people just shouldn’t be allowed to have pets. Or kids. Or wives/significant others. They just can’t be trusted not to bring serious harm to those around them.

Jerk.

Those are my two wrong things for today. I guess we just have to be really careful who we sell or give our animals to and who we vote for. I fear many, many more judges will feel comfortable in making decisions like that anti-war judge because they feel it’s their duty to foist their belief on others – and they have the power and position to do it at will in the areas where judges are appointed by elected officials and cannot be fired.

At least the two sick people I ran across at the gym today were.

There I was….doing my cardio…..with two empty machines on either side of me.  And up walks a lady who got on the machine directly to my right (even though there were two others farther away she could have used).

And then…she proceeded to cough…and cough….and cough.

My cringing and looking away every time she coughed did NOT make an impression on her.  And believe me..she could tell I was trying to avoid her spewage.

So I moved.

To a row of eight EMPTY machines.

I used the one on the end.

And then…..

A guy gets on the one RIGHT NEXT TO ME!

What the hell?!!

There were many, many other machines of the exact same make and model farther away from me he could have used.

And then…

HE coughed too!!

I asked him to turn his head away when he coughed because I didn’t want to get sick.

He at least covered his mouth…but still, he did not turn away.

So  I got off the damn machine and marched to the back of the gym and finished on a treadmill.

Luckily, no other coughers decided to use a machine next to me.

What the hell?

Do I have a sign on my forehead that says, “If you have an active cough and virus, please work out next to me so you are sure to spread your evil illness to me”?

I have to admit, I have gone to the gym at the tail end of a cold before.  But if I am still coughing, I make damn sure I don’t go right next to anyone else.  It’s just common courtesy and a respect for the general public’s well-being.

I guess those two idiots at the gym today have never heard of such things…..

Jerks.

Hate sick people that make every effort to work out next to me and get me sick.

Hate ‘em.