Time for Another Wall

 

January 7, 2021

 

I would be fine if every legislator that connived at Trump’s abuse of power, and the voters who supported them, formed their own country.

 

And then we could build a wall to keep them there.

Maybe They Should Have Beards

 

January 6, 2021

 

Did you ever notice that villainesses always dress more sexily than heroines in the movies and on TV? You know which one is bad because she has more skin—usually a generous amount of cleavage, with other areas as well—showing.

“Dark Matter” really brought that home to me. There are 2 different versions of the same character (it’s an alt-universe thing); and you always know which is which by the way she’s dressed.

When there are alternate versions of men, one has a scruffy beard to indicate that he’s not the good guy. Women get push-up bras, midriff shirts, and skin-tight pants. And, good or bad, they wear high-heeled shoes or boots; because heels are so practical for committing villainy or saving the day.

I don’t go picking fights about gender politics, so the fact that I noticed the trend means that it’s pretty blatant. So to all you costume designers out there:

Being sexy doesn’t mean you’re a bad girl. Alternatively, you don’t need to wear a push-up bra in order to captain a pirate spaceship, or rob the Louvre.

 

It's a Worthwhile Life

 January 3, 2021

 

The adorable movie “Soul” reminds you that, even if you’re not living your dream, creating fantastic artwork, discovering a cure for something, or molding young minds as a teacher, you’re still doing something to make the world a better place. 

My dreams are as high-flying as having my book published, and as mundane as being a sermon coach (and believe me, I think I could bring a LOT of good to the world by doing that).

What I actually do is write letters and emails (and this blog). I give my take on the events of the day to people who are stuck at home, and I make them laugh. I love hearing, “You really made my day.”

So, even if I can never give CEOs the benefit of my wisdom on how not to tank their businesses (although they REALLY need it), and even if I can’t stop pastors from lowering their church attendance by giving horrible sermons, I’ve got that to keep me going.

 

“You really made my day.”

 

That’ll do to go on with.

 

"Soul" is Worth Watching

 

January 3, 2021

  

If you get Disney Plus, watch the movie “Soul.” You’ll be glad you did.

 

 

Fair Warning Is Not the Same as Shaming

December 28, 2020

 

There was an editorial in the Post-Dispatch that advised parents to warn their teens about getting drunk at parties and letting predators—often other teens—take compromising pictures that could be posted online, leading to devastating consequences. It made sense to me.

The backlash was amazing. Several people wrote in and accused the editorial board of shaming the victims. The responsibility, they said, lay with the predators not to behave badly (true), not with the victims to not get entrapped. 

So—When you tell your kid not to play in the street, or take candy from strangers, or drive drunk, or walk in Central Park alone after dark, is that shaming the victim? When you tell campers not to put food where a bear can reach it, are you shaming the victim?

No, you’re being responsible and giving neophytes warnings for their own good.

 

Blame the predators for their actions, sure; but by all means, do your best to keep others from being their prey.

 

  

Neither Snow, nor Rain, nor Consideration for Others...

 

January 2, 2021

 

There was an article in today’s paper about the opening of a local ski slope yesterday. I was reading along, vicariously enjoying other people’s fun; but 2 lines in the article caught my eye. The first was that there were icy conditions yesterday; not just on the slopes of, course, but on the roads to get to the ski resort itself. They were risking not only their own lives, but the lives of other people, by driving on icy roads.

The second was that a man from Palm Beach, Florida was very excited about seeing snow and hitting the slopes.

So there we have it. In one article, we find people so focused on having fun that they drive in hazardous conditions, posing a danger to themselves and to others; and people who are traveling and potentially spreading a virus during a pandemic.

To paraphrase the US Postal Service Motto: Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night, nor potential danger to selves or others, stays these people from indulging their need to be entertained.

A Daily Dose of Disappointment

January 2, 2021

 

I thought that eating dried cranberries might be a good snack option: they’re fruit, so they probably have nutritional value; they’re not too sweet; and I certainly wouldn’t be tempted to overindulge.

So, I checked out the package. Turns out that ¼ cup of Craisins brand dried cranberries has 29 grams of sugar, 12% of your daily fiber, and no other nutritional value whatsoever. The sugar is added, not naturally occurring, in case you’re wondering.

Bummer.

 

Guess I’ll look elsewhere for my healthful snack.