Hey Look!

I started blogging on my weight loss blog again. It's over here. You should go look. I even made a fart joke today.

Is It Really Worth It?

My country, the USA, is founded on the principle of freedom. However, with freedom comes responsibility. You have freedom of speech. You can't falsely shout fire in a crowded theater for example (isn't that always the example!). To me, this "pastor" of this "church" down in Florida is doing exactly that by burning the Quran. How is that you ask?

Think of it like this. Afghanistan is the theater. The aflame Quran is the alleged fire. The people attacking our Soldiers, Airman, Marines is the aftermath. It will be a chain reaction, mark my words.

The people of Afghanistan, or the entire Islamic world, will not see this as an act by one wackadoodle pastor in Florida. They will see this as an act done by the entire United States against their religion. The people of these countries, more often than not, do not have access to the Internet. They cannot see the descent from the everyday Americans who think that this act is a horrible idea. They only hear from others, as gossip, that an American burned their holiest book. An act in their eyes that is worthy of waging war against Americans and American allies.

While I am just one voice, I am one voice saying "Stop this! Do not let this person do this to our troops! Do not let him corrupt Christianity! Do not let him corrupt America! Do not let him speak for America with his idiotic actions!" Freedom of speech has it's limits, this should be one of them. Killing troops knowingly by your actions is not covered in my book.

To you, Terry Jones, "pastor" of Dove World Outreach Center,

How dare you! How dare you put our troops at even more risk with your quest to sell more books. How dare you! Please, feel free to go to the front lines so that my friends who defend your freedom to "preach" this bull shit can come home.

COVER IT UP!

11 SONGS. 12 INCHES. COMING SOON.

Observations

Things in the UK that are amusing to Americans when they first move here:

Funny looking keys.

Chocolate frogs. Cadbury makes them and they are lovely. (Not as cool as the ones in Harry Potter, but CHOCOLATE FROGS!!)

Funny looking coins.

Coins that are actually WORTH something.

Things that are NOT amusing to Americans when the move to the UK:

No electrical outlets in the bathrooms.

Washers and tumble dryers in the kitchen.

No double sinks in the kitchen. (I am sure they exist but have yet to view a property with a double sink)

Coca-cola that doesn't taste like Coca-cola, Dr. Pepper that doesn't taste like Dr. Pepper.

Anyone have anything else they would like to add?

Who is in Control?

Every parent has had that moment where their child is acting so badly that they want to melt into the floor and disappear. I know I certainly have, in the middle of a McDonald's in London. Children have their good days and their bad days, and well, don't you ever have an "off" day? Hell, I was having an "off" day this morning when I woke up with too little sleep, no caffeine in the entire house and I knew that I had promised my children that I would spend the morning at their school for "Share Day". All I really was going to be sharing with the rest of the people around me was my piss poor attitude; apologies to those who were subjected to it.

Kids are allowed to have a bad day. However, I wonder at what point do you said "Right, enough is enough with your behavior, we're going home," to your child? Is it at the point where it is just mildly annoying to you? Do you wait until it is affecting those around you? Do you ever just say, "Eh, kids will be kids," and let them continue running amok? Have you ever had your child hit or shout at you in public?

I am of the thought that if it is annoying me, then it is annoying those around me and needs to stop. Of course I have flexibility, to an extent. I am not some sort of drill sergeant barking out orders to my kids in the middle of the grocery store. Yes, my kids have taken off running down the aisles, but they have been promptly reprimanded for their actions. I am also my harshest critic when it comes to disciplining my own children. I second guess myself all the time. Was I too harsh? Was I too soft? At least I know I am trying. I guess, I just don't understand parents who let their children get away with causing chaos in public.

In the last week I have gone out shopping and more than once seen children just being horrible and their parents not even noticing. They just ignored it. I am sorry but, get your kids under control so I can shop in peace. I, for once, didn't have my children in tow. Frankly, I didn't feel like enduring badly behaved children. Now, I know that might sound horrible on my part. To be fair though, I usually can ignore children whilst I am out and about. They are usually no more than background noise. I am a mother though.

What I worry about is how this affects the people around us who don't have children or people have grown children and don't necessarily find your children as adorable as you do. As it is, I have sometimes found some places the UK less than welcoming to children. This is of course in comparison to the US where public places almost beg you to bring your children along. I can't help to fret with the state of discipline being what it is right now, both in the US and the UK, with parents tending to want to be their child's friend rather than their parent, that public places and shops are going to become even less accommodating toward parents. That would be a shame, wouldn't it?

First Day of School! First Day of School!!!

Excuse me.....

I need to go do my happy dance now. Please ignore the Kenny Loggins song and flailing about. *cuts on Footloose and commences happy dance*

GOODBYE OLD FRIEND

We recently said goodbye to our old practice space of the past 5 years.
We honoured the occasion with a spontaneous backyard pizza party.
Thanks for the memories, 78. Onwards to our new secret lair....