Who is Qualified?

One of my friends on Facebook made a comment on his status about a Bristol Palin appearance on one of the morning talk shows where she was promoting abstinence. He commented along the lines of her being the pot calling the kettle black. Point being she shouldn’t be telling other teens that abstinence is best because she obviously didn’t practice what she preaches.

This brings up a good question. When can someone offer advice to others and when can’t they? I believe she offers a unique perspective on the issues of teen sex, just as a smoker would have on smoking or an alcoholic would have on drinking. To dismiss her is to dismiss the lesson that can be learned.

Who do you think would be more effective at getting through to teenagers about underage drinking? Someone who’s never had a drink? Or another teenager that not only drank but as a result of their drinking got into an accident? My money is on the fellow teen who drank. We must learn from not only our mistakes but the mistakes of others – we shouldn’t disregard them.

If it were only parents who had never done anything wrong that were “qualified” to give advice and guidance to their children then my guess is most children wouldn’t be getting any advice at all.

Bristol Palin, in my opinion, is uniquely qualified to speak about teen sex. She chose to participate and got pregnant. To discount her opinion and advice on the subject would be unfortunate, and many teens might miss out on the lesson.

Hello, hello... this is Romeo...

Hello, hello, hello…. Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me. Is there anyone home?

Hello, it’s me. I’ve thought about us for a long, long time.

Hello. Is it me you’re looking for? Because I wonder where you are. And I wonder what you do. Are you somewhere feeling lonely? Or is someone loving you?

Hello, I love you, won’t you tell me your name?

Ok, so perhaps it’s been a while since I have blogged. Ok, a long time since I’ve blogged. I must confess I have been with my mistress, the intoxicating Facebook. I really thought I could keep both muses satisfied but, alas, the blog has suffered. For that, I do apologize.

Am I going to promise to be faithful and nurture this site? Let’s just say I will do my best. Apparently some have missed our time together. Thanks for your patience.

If you still drop by, please let me know. I’m curious who still pokes their head in the door.

They're Baaaaaack!

For those of you who followed this blog from the beginning will be glad to know that there has been a buple sighting! Yes, the bus couple (buple) were on my same bus home the other day. I happened to catch and earlier bus and they sat in front of me, still obviously very "close". I had seen him occasionally in the mornings but I haven't seen her in months. Apparently the relationship is alive and kicking.

A face only a mother could love.

How cool is it to see gas below $1.90 a gallon again? I think it was $1.88 at the gas station I passed on the way home tonight.

This video is unbelievable. It makes me nauseous thinking about what the girl is feeling. This teacher should be fired. And I'd feel the same if it was the other way. Unreal.

It's Awesome Dude

Well, we spent nearly 2 weeks in Ireland and it was great. It was pretty much everything we imagined it would be - beautiful countryside, very nice people, kinda rainy and cool, overall a great time was had. I'll be having some posts on the trip in the future and some pictures as well.

Here is one picture which isn't beautiful landscape, but for obvious reasons it's one of my favorites.




I've stumbled upon a band that I had never heard of before but they've been around for a few years. The name of the band is Winterpills and I'm suddenly obsessed with them. They're kinda folksy, but they have very catchy melodies and beautiful harmonies. I've listened to about 30 of their songs and I think there's been one that I didn't care for. If you haven't heard them it's worth a listen, especially the song "Benediction".

Du-in' the Du

Here is a picture of Julie and our friend Jen after they completed the Iron Girl duathlon on Sunday. Way to go ladies!!

When the Rain Comes

So, today a co-worker and I decide that, since it’s raining, let’s figure out how to take the skyway to our bus stop. He tells me “Paaaat, we can just get on the bus in the Gateway station. It’s huge inside and covered. All the buses are there and we won’t get wet.”

We make our way through the skyway which goes a round-about way, much longer than just taking the streets, but it’s raining out so we decide to sacrifice time to stay dry. His bus leaves 5 minutes before mine so about ¾ of the way there he decides to sprint ahead. That’s cool. No problem. Knock yourself out, I say.

I get to the Gateway station (if that’s what it’s called) and make my way down the stairs, walk through the door, and watch my bus pull out into the rain – making his way to the stop I NORMALLY board at. At this point I look around and see rows of buses waiting to depart, but no people getting ON the buses. Ok, that’s odd, where am I supposed to get on the bus?

At the front of one of the lines is a Southwest bus, but it’s not one that goes to Chaska. I walk up to the door at which point the driver reluctantly opens it and I ask him if people can board the buses here. He informs me “No, you have to board at the first stop. You can’t board here.” Great. So much for staying dry.

Since I missed my usual bus I got on my phone to find out when the next bus is scheduled to leave. After all, I want to minimize my time in the rain as much as possible. By this time it’s pouring outside.

Two minutes later the bus driver I just spoke with yells over to me. I turn around and he’s outside his bus waving me over. He leads me to another Southwest bus and says “This is the bus you want. He stops in Chaska.” I thank him and board the bus, remaining dry the entire time.

So, note to self: You can’t board the bus at Gateway no matter what others tell you, and allow an extra 10 minutes the next time you decide to take the skyway.

Lyric of the Day:
“Can you hear me that when it rains and shines it’s just a state of mind?
Can you hear me? Can you hear me?” – “Rain”, The Beatles

Editors Note: “Rain” by the Beatles is one of their best songs. If you never heard it I recommend watching it here. Most excellent.

Thursday Morning Donut Club

I’ve seen a LOT of ads (billboards, bus signage, bus stop vestibule shelter thingies, etc) that are promoting Meyer’s Cleansers. New? Old? Not familiar.

I like Thursdays. Every Thursday morning at work is Donut Club which consists of everyone that’s in my group and the group that my group is in and the group that that group is in and then the group that that group’s group is in. Get it? Don’t matter. Anyway, we all rotate and take turns bringing in donuts for everyone in the above-mentioned groups.

So every Thursday morning I look forward to sitting in a conference room, eating a donut, and NOT talking about work. That’s one of the rules of Donut Club – no discussions of work. They’ve even gone as far as to provide a list of acceptable donut shops and also ones that are big NO-NO’s. Don’t bring in donuts from a gas station or you will be shot on sight. And, don’t go getting all healthy and bring in things like fruit – also grounds for extermination. Bagels are ok, but that’s pushing the envelope. They must be carb-laden, artery-clogging, lip-smacking pastries from heaven. No exceptions. And God help you if you forget and it’s your day to bring them in. I tell you, this is serious business!!

But another reason I like Thursdays is because it’s Friday Eve, and I really like Fridays. It’s amazing how just being able to wear jeans can have such an impact on one’s disposition. Comfort may not automatically lead to happiness, but it certainly helps. I’m not a big fan of ties, and I know I’m getting no sympathy from you woman who always counter that it’s much worse for you, but I STILL don’t like ties. Target will let you avoid the tie if you wear a red shirt and khakis, the Target uniform if you will. That helps, and some people I think wear red and khaki every single day. That’s cool, but that’s a little too much for me.

Today I have on a red polo and khaki pants, and since I need to go to the store tonight I will definitely change first. I’ve heard stories of other HQ folks, who will stop at a store to do some shopping, wearing their Target shirts and khaki pants, and guests will ask them for help. That’s cool, and I normally don’t have a problem with that, but I’m off the clock. Although, some would say I’m off the clock even when I’m ON the clock. But I digress…

Anyway, bottom line is I like Thursdays and love Fridays. And it’s a pretty good restaurant, too.

Lyric of the day:
"Son, you're gonna drive me to drinkin'
If you don't stop drivin' that Hot Rod Lincoln" - "Hot Rod Lincoln", Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen