A Confession from the Ocho...

You readers out there and those of you who are on my FB list (or WERE, so much for that family reunion I've been wanting to surprise my Dad with... and I completely felt like I'd been punched in the gut just in case anyone was wondering...) might be happy to know that I'm picking up my Cymbalta dosage a bit ... I figure that might be cheaper than having to call a bail bondsman to get me out of jail because I've manhandled some woman at the market for using to many coupons ...

I HAVE been cranky the last few weeks... and I've wanted to write ... OOOooh how I've wanted to write, but if you've been keeping an eye on ye' ole Facebook then you know that my "filter" has been about as useful as a slice of swiss cheese against a raging flood, so I thought I'd try to spare you what probably would've been a few phenomenally quantumlicious rants that would have upset the apples carts of a great big ole bunch of people... and given me great peace of mind.

I don't like to upset the apple carts of people... It's never my intention.   
But I do have thoughts and I do feel inclined to share them... 

I saw a comment on one of the posts I made in the last couple of weeks that said something to the effect of, "You're not gonna change anyone's mind" ... 

Basically, this person implied that everyone on earth has already formed an opinion about everything on earth and they can in no way engage in the critical thought process and develop a different perspective on a particular topic...

Obviously I think that's absolutely silly to say the least.  SOME people like to learn and grow and think ... I thank God and the Universe and the way it's unfolded that I'm one of them.

I can remember an era during which I said... and SHAMEFULLY I quote myself,
"The day gays can get married in this country
is the day I'll move to another country."

Yes ... holy fried ravioli, Batman.. can you people believe I said that?
I'm so unbelievably ashamed and embarrassed that I once felt that way about part of the human species.

At the time I was in a 100% heterosexual marriage that was falling apart partly because he couldn't keep his "tally-whacker" to himself when he was away from home and partly because I couldn't stop spending money to try and cover up my denial .. 

I look back on that era now and see my thoughts in a different light and I can very easily mimic myself ... "Oh, sure ... here ... let me tell you who should love because I quite clearly made an impeccable choice for myself...", it's literally comical to me now.

I saw the following graphic in my news feed last week and was overwhelmed with the sense it made to me... I laughed out loud, let out an "A'men.." and went about my work... 


The point of the story is, gang ... at one time I was a pretty doggone staunch Conservative just like some of the people who now get bent out of shape and blast me for my opinions on Facebook... but there came a time at which I really started to think about things in a different way.

We'll talk about how I specifically came to change my views on the Gay Community another day, but in short anyone who knows me personally knows that I give a LOT of credit to one particular woman with my being alive today to torment you with my free-wheelin', can't-we-all-just-get-along-message o' peace... and that woman happens to be gay.   

Now just in case you're wondering in the recesses of your noggin, we've never been lovers - though I love her dearly.  She has been and continues to be one of the truest friends I have had in this Universe and I absolutely shudder to think that I might not have her in my life if I'd chosen to be an uptight, self righteous, stuffy pants and choose friends based on who they love and share their life with. 

If I can say something such as this -->
""my personal opinion is that a couple who's in love should be able to marry one another and live happily after, regardless of where the parts go and they should also have a right to have a gun in their home and blow someone to smithereens should they breech the door with ill intent..."" 
then maybe terms like "Democrat" and "Republican" are becoming antiquated, because those are two different ends of the political spectrum... "in traditional terms anyway" ... 
((hahaha, there's an overused phrase for ya!))

The media doesn't like to remind us that we have more than one choice in the matter... but we do.  Not only do we have multiple choices, but I spent a long time reading on a site last night that I found very helpful in sorting out what I think about things. You can find it HERE.

I encourage you to go over and do some research for yourself... I wouldn't at all be foolish enough to recommend that I know for whom you should vote because we're all totally different people, with totally different views and totally different belief systems.

We all must make our own selection based on our gut feeling and sensibilities ...

Have a Grand and Groovy Day...
Be Kind to One Another...
and Don't Text and Drive...

For More Info on my projects Google KCoJax,  Flawn Ocho,  Ocho-rific

A Memory from this week in 1992 - "How I Learned that Hatred is Bad, m'kay..."

Well I sure blew that little three day run... I was prepared to write about two or three different things in the past several days and haven't been able to find the time to sit down and concentrate on writing.  


On Sunday afternoon I realized it was the 20 year anniversary of  the Rodney King Verdict and the Los Angeles Riots...

Deliciously Fabulous News Regarding the Parents of the Kid Who Didn't Catch the Ball!

I was agitated yesterday morning about the kid who didn't catch the ball and then had a crying fit.... but I have some deliciously fabulous news this morning regarding that!

Last night before I turned it, I took a quick spin through the inter-web to update myself on a few news stories and such .. and the parents of the kid who didn't catch the Texas Rangers ball are totally cool people, as are the people who didn't give the kid the ball to the crying kid so there's a good possibility all is going to be okay with the world.

Advice from *Auntie Ocho* for the Kid Who Didn't Catch the Ball...

Dear Little Boy Who Didn't Catch the Ball,

Well kid, I was sitting here drinking my java this morning and chain smoking ... (I don't recommend that by the way, you look like you have a very strong little set of lungs and you should keep them that way..) 

Anywho, I caught the above frame out of the corner of my eye this morning and I feel so unbelievably sorry for you that I could cry as hard as you've been crying... Not because you didn't catch the ball... You didn't expect to catch it did you?  Even if you had gotten your glove underneath it, it most likely would've been going fast enough it would have ripped your little arm right out of the socket... 

I Spent My Superbowl Sunday in an Outhouse ...

***
For starters ... I wasn't really interested in the Superbowl (Gasp!) ...
Back eons ago when I was a "wife" I spent quite a few years "giving a rat's fanny" about the Superbowl... sometimes going to Superbowl parties, sometimes hosting a Superbowl party at home... Memories are now swirling in my noggin of preparing dips and wearing a jersey ... it makes me shudder to think about it .... stEPfooord...

In the latter years I've found myself googling for the commercials and the half-time show on Super Monday over my morning java because I don't really care about the football part.  I'm up to speed on Football ... I mean, I know what they're doing ... 1st and 10, flag on the play, quarterbacks and whatnot... I just don't care.

Can I tell you what I've cared about?  I've cared about my DVR missing "60 Minutes" on Sundays because of the blasted football game .... that's what I've cared about, but no one seems to care that I care.  I think "sporting events" should be played on "sports channels" ... but anywho, we were gonna talk about outhouses...
***
As some of you may know, one of my many "gigs" is marketing... I'm currently working with a dear old friend who is a contractor and most of our recent work has taken place at this 109 year old farm house that he's remodeling in Graves County, Kentucky...

When I arrived on Sunday afternoon to shoot some footage, I was reminded that I should have stopped at Fristoe's as I came through because the farmhouse is still without plumbing... 

Being the trooper that I am, 

I grabbed my video camera and took off for the outhouse...Enjoy! 

***

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I Lied About John Henrietta and Jerry Garcia... and I'm SO Ashamed...

Have you ever lied before you realized you lied?

I'll bet we all have at some time or another on a touchy subject...
as Dr. House says ... "Everybody lies..."

It happened to me a couple of weeks ago when a friend asked me if I had been able to get rid of the cats who have been residing here for the past several months... I said, "Yeah.."

As soon as I said it my noggin started screaming at me... "That was a bold face lie! Why did you say that?"  I was screaming back at me inside my head, "I don't KNOW!!  It was asked so condescendingly it made me feel uncomfortable!  I didn't want anyone to think I'm a "cat lady""

Now luckily this wasn't an earth shattering lie... But a lie is still a lie and I immediately knew that I was planning to get rid of the cats on Facebook any day and now this person I've been friends with since just after the turn of the century would know I had lied....

But the fact remains that I can't continue to harbor these precious fellows in my apartment with my lease as it is ... and with only 600 square feet in which for them to entertain themselves...

John Henrietta, Shazbot Moon Beam and Jerry Garcia Lounging on the couch... 

John Henrietta and Shazbot Moon Beam Checking out the storm...

***

:Looking for a Home:
John Henry 
(affectionately called John Henrietta Hermaphrodite by me)

John Henry was initially named Henrietta Moon Flower....
but then her scrotum appeared... haha...
 making her a him and changing the name I'd been calling him to
either John Henry or John Henrietta Hermaphrodite...haha

Now I know how Cher feels... John Henry is a typical "stand-off-ish" cat.  He seems to want to come up and visit with me about twice a day ... aside from that, he's hanging out on his own.  He's a fairly laid back fellow, does a lot of napping and enjoys playing with leaves.

He currently lives inside and thoroughly enjoys it.  He likes to go outside to investigate twice a day or so, but is usually back at the door meowing within ten minutes.  He's litter box trained and one day literally dragged one of the "plastic grocery sacks" into the litter box ... I assume in an attempt to scoop it because I had forgotten to do so that morning before I left.  When I returned home that evening, he led me down the hallway meowing all the way ... when we arrived at the litter box I stood amazed as John Henry poked at the sack and looked at me as if to say, "I've already got your sack, b*tch ... scoop that thang out!"

***

:Looking for a Home:
Jerry Garcia

Shazbot Moon Beam and Jerry Garcia napping.
Jerry Garcia is the one on the right...

Jerry Garcia is a miracle kitty ... several months ago he apparently shocked himself while sipping water from the trickling aquarium in the living room, which threw him to the floor (an apartment floor, thin carpet on concrete) giving him a head injury...

I sent him to my folks house later that day because I really felt he wasn't going to make it.  I might be a hard a$$ about a lot of things, but I didn't think I could handle the passing of the kitty while I watched and I knew I couldn't handle the disposal.

Mom called the next day and told me Jerry Garcia was walking around and meowing and seemed good, so she was bringing him back.  His mouth was a pitiful little mess ... evidently where he'd been burned from the shock on the aquarium ... I suppose it also could've been that his teeth went up into his face when he fell ... honestly it was just a gory mess.  After a little peroxide and human cortizone cream, the mouth looked better but he still wouldn't eat or drink.

I went to Petsmart and got a hamster bottle ... he wouldn't drink out of it ... as a last ditch effort at approximately two days after little Jerry Garcia had had anything to eat or drink... I grabbed hold of the back of his head and sprayed him in the face and mouth with the bottle...  It was as if his little face had been paralyzed and just came to life.  He started lapping up the water and cleaning his face for the first time since the ordeal had began... THANK GOODNESS!

I was really thinking I was going to send him out to the folks so Dad could send him to "kitty heaven" ... what was I going to do?  Hook him up to a feeding tube?  I can barely afford to keep myself alive, much less a paralyzed cat with a head injury ...

Anywho, Jerry Garcia has continued his recovery with only one minor incident involving a candle...
it seemed he could smell the candle, but couldn't feel the heat.  So bless his pea pickin' heart, he walked right up to it and stuck his face in it.... his hair has filled back in now though and he looks as if he's never had the first mishap.

He has a remarkably delightful demeanor despite all he's been through and is a very peaceful kitty.  He doesn't do a lot of "haywire running around".  He currently lives inside, but he does like to go outside to play and snoop around a few times a day.  He's litter box trained and will sometimes meow at the door to go out of doors to the restroom...

***

If you would like to adopt one of these precious little fellows-
email me at KJacksonNoggin@gmail.com
contact me on Facebook - Kim Comer Jackson


Have a grand and groovy day ...
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The Pepper Spraying at UC Davis

Admittedly I have not caught a lot of news in the last week as I'm way behind on work and in the process of completely overhauling and remixing my apartment, HOWEVAH I've got to say ...
I am sickened by the video I saw this morning of *the pepper spraying* at UC Davis...



The liberal in me is wondering when we lost the right to peacefully protest in this country and if the average American notices that we're losing our rights; little by little and more expeditedly as time goes by.

The conservative in me is wondering if the protesters have brainstormed any other ways to make an impact ... aside from sitting down in a grassy knoll with signs.  I mean... did they have a meeting and decide that "sitting in" was the best way to approach this situation?

The logical side of me, which involves only common sense, a slightly above average understanding of business and no political affiliation whatsoever; wonders why the grand old U.S. of A. didn't see that the system it has in place was going to collapse long before it started collapsing...

As with any Gemini who's worth their salt,
I have another side too that can tell you exactly how our country could fix this cluster-shizzle of a mess it's gotten itself into; but it'll take a bit for me to explain that ... so I'll have to save it for another day.

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Cheater, Cheater Pants On Fire!

I sat sipping java and chain-smoking with a long-lost friend this weekend ... as our visit began to wrap up, my phone rang.  I answered it quickly - 


"Hey lovie, can I call you back in just a few minutes?"


"Uh..yeah."


"Okay, call you back."


My guest (as many of you who know me in real life might imagine) was highly surprised that I'd answered the phone ... I told him that it was one of my gal pals and she's on the top of my mind right now because her marriage is ending.  


"Ooooh ... gotcha." He winced in mental agony ... he's been there ... most of us have ... "Yeah, you'd better ring her back.." 


As we started for the door, my text beeped, "George* is f*cking Jane Doe*.  That's all I was gonna tell you...."


I quickly shuffled my friend out the door, "Oh no man, she just found out her husband's been having an affair with a woman she works with... I've gotta cut ya' way short, travel safely and I'll talk with you later..." 


I dialed the phone ... she answered in tears ... I listened as she told me that she'd come back to what was now becoming her "former house" to pack some things up ... and had found jewelry on the bathroom counter that didn't belong to her.  Worse, she recognized the jewelry as that of someone she works with.... 


My heart was absolutely crumbling for her ... I listened until she stopped with a sigh and said, "I'm okay..."


I then proceeded to tell HER that she is going to be okay.  I proceeded to tell her that this will be the time when she finds out who she really is and what makes her truly happy.  I explained to her that as her heart begins to heal she will find a side of her that she never knew existed.  It will be a lengthy, interesting, exhausting, inspiring, exciting journey...and if you do it correctly, it never really ends.


When my own former-hubby left, I had no idea who I was.  I say that very bravely now.  I never thought that'd be so easy to put "on paper"... he left though, I didn't want a divorce - but he didn't want to keep his business in his pants when he was away from home, so we'd come to an impasse.


It's hard to go through that heartache.  It's hard to realize someone you trusted completely deceived you.  It's hard to think about, but one must focus on what's liberating about it.


A fresh start in life is ALWAYS good for you, my dahling
- and karma takes care of the rest... 

(*George* and *Jane Doe* are fictional names used to protect the identity of those involved.)

Have a Grand and Groovy Day!!

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An impeccable display of Good Samaritan-ship!

I couldn't tell you for sure exactly how I ran across this video while perusing on YouTube this morning ... but it's intrigued me. 


This fellow, a film maker as it were ... was snow shoeing, cross-country skiing or something or other in Brooklyn's Prospect Park and found an undeveloped role of film.  

He's now had the film developed and is in search of the owners of the film.  There's an underlying story of $26 dollars.  It's a very groovy little story.


I encourage you to watch the 3 minutes of video below and if you know these people or think you could have someone in your network who may know these people, please .. please .. please .. retweet, share, etc.

In the spirit of good samaritanship
-PLEASE SHARE THIS-
Until next time...

Have a Grand and Groovy Day!!

Brief Footage of 1935 Metropolis, Illinois in this News Clip!!

I absolutely delight in watching vintage news footage.  I've been sitting here watching some videos from 1935 in hopes of finding a nice year in review piece for today's Ocho-rific Song o the Day.

You can imagine my surprise when the video below began to play and they mentioned a tornado in Metropolis, Illinois - which is of course where I'm sitting!  It's vintage footage of course, so obviously I'm in no danger.  HOWEVAH - I don't think I'd ever heard of this tornado.  The video is from 1935 and in the video they state that it was 25 years ago.  I've tried a quick google and didn't find anything.

I'm going to stop by and ask my grandpa today - he was born in '24.

I found it interesting and thought you might too - enjoy!!

Until next time...

Have a Grand and Groovy Day!!

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Here's What I Think About Your Strip Club, Metropolis Illinois-**Part 1**

Well, Metropolis Illinois .... congratulations ...

once again we look like a town of total buffoons.

I have just a mere few minutes before I have to take off and head back to work, but I want to talk to you about the prospect of the new "ta-ta shed" opening in Metropolis.  I can absolutely assure you that there will be many posts coming up soon here on the topic of small town morals and setting poor examples for our youth ... as well as posts on the topic of "Bible thumpers" who sometimes cut their nose off to spite their face ...

But THIS time, I'm leaning toward the side of the "church goers" ....

The last thing in the name of Peter, Paul and Mary that this town needs .... is a ta-ta bar. 

I'll explain the many reasons for that later in another post, but for the moment I want to give you the link to a petition that is being circulated regarding the matter.  The petition can be found at the link below. 

The petition is in essence only going to give the city government a log of the massive number of residents who are opposed to this. 

If you are opposed to the opening of this establishment then I encourage you to ciruclate the petition and get it in the proper hands.

If you are not opposed to the opening of this establishment then I encourage you to shrug, go on with your day and enjoy it to the best of your ability.

******

It's my suggestion to those opposed that on opening night, the "ta-ta shed" be filled with little church ladies, aged 50 and above....have a glass of water or a cup of java, pay for your drink....but don't tip.

Endure whatever you have to endure while you're there

because this is something that you believe in.

So I guess the question will be ...

is it important enough to fill the place up with non-paying, non-interactive patrons night after night until they've no choice but to close the doors for good? 

They will try to freak you out and make you leave, you will stay. 

Sit there and chat about scrapbooking or the quilting bea or

the church social next week or what's going on in your life, seriously ... ignore them. 

The next night, come back again and bring more of your little lady friends and if y'all coordinate and do this correctly, there will not be room in the establishment for patrons ordering liquor...or tipping "performers". 

Another fine point to this diabolical little plan that I suggest y'all emark on is this ....

what are the odds that these gentlemen will be as likely to trapse over there to watch some girl shake her "hooters" if they know that their mother, their Great Aunt Bernice and all of the gals from their child-hood church will be there .....

Just a suggestion ..... Hope it helps!!

Seriously!!

p.s. - Here's the Link

http://www.k4qky.com/petition.pdf

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What We Have Here is a Shaming Lack of Personal Anatomy...

A friend sent a link to me this morning leading to an article I got quite a kick out of.

Top 10: Signs You’re Whipped - by Thomas Foley

Little did the friend know I had encountered two incidents this week that made me greatly question the "kahoo-hoos" that may or may not be possessed by a couple of male friends of mine.

__________

Among Mr. Foley's observations ....

"You have a joint e-mail account", "You have a different social group"

and "What you once took for granted is now a victory".

Most of his other observations were delightful and entertaining as well ...

but I'd like to throw out two that I've personally encountered in the last week.  

1.  "You delete a close friend of the opposite sex from your Facebook page because your significant other is discombobulated and untrusting of your platonic opposite sex relationships that do not include her."

**Suggestion: Introduce the girlfriend to your platonic friends of the opposite sex ... after you and your platonic friend have known one another for well over 20 years ...being dear friends with nearly weekly conversations for the last 4 or more of those years; it seems a little abrupt to "drop" the friendship only because your "still married" girlfriend that you've been dating for a couple of months has her feathers in a flutter.**

2.  "You have messages like this one in the out box of your phone ...
"Please stop texting my man.  Thanks a bunch!  ;)  Jane Doe"

...that were sent by your girlfriend when she went through your phone after you fell asleep."

**Suggestion: Well I think the real biggie here is gonna be, "Don't 'bed down' with "ladies" who are going to go through your phone after you go to sleep .... waking people as she replies to texts (a totally un-tawdry apology text of all things) at 4:30 in the morning - sent to "you" nearly a month ago."  Let's face it, if she's snooping in your stuff while you're asleep.. you have much larger problems ahead of you, my friend.  Aside from that, maybe you're behaving in a way that makes her feel distrusting of you. You should reassure her that she's your main priority, if she is.  If she's not, that's something you should let her know as well.**

__________

My frustration over the situations that I encountered with these fellows ... both of whom I've know for at least 20 years ... has caused me to be in an awfully gruff mood today.

As I finished my cup of java and clicked around in the topic..

I found a question on Yahoo... Posted below

-From Yahoo Answers-

The Question:  "Why do women ridicule men who are considered whooped on a woman?"

A FABULOUS quote from the replies, made by a user by the name of "Dubs".

"It's more about shaming lack of personal autonomy

and becoming submissive which isn't really seen as a characteristic of masculinity."

________________

Dubs, whoever you are ... I couldn't have said it better myself!

Fannies are Getting Kicked on Playgrounds - Give Peace a Chance!

It's 2:37am ... do you know where your children are?

Hopefully you do ... I mean, at this time of night you would be a pretty craptacular parent if your kids weren't accounted for.  The mother of the eleven year old girl in the video below didn't know where HER child was (I don't place blame on her, it was the middle of the afternoon), unfortunately the young girl was taking part in a fight with a classmate as a group of kids and two parents observed; one video taping the altercation. 

-Find the full story here, at Click On Detroit-

This story brings so many troubling thoughts to mind ....


For one ... I can't imagine what kind of piece of trash mother would take part in this kind of event. 
In fact, I can say very little about it .. because they are obviously a lost cause and there are
more important things to focus on....like the society of tomorrow. 


The real thing I think we can take from this is the importance of communication with kids at this age ... it's critical.  As I've said before, it's imperative that parents realize that what they're not "raising kids", they're "raising adults" ... they're only kids now.  When parents continue to buy in to and excuse the poor choices of their children, they are in essence raising an over-grown child.


I DO feel terribly sorry for this little eleven year old who got her fanny kicked on the playground.  I feel terribly sorry for the girl who was kicking her fanny ... because she evidently has a total piece of doo-doo for a mother.  In a slight way, I even feel sorry for the two piece of doo-doo moms who attended the rumble because I'm sure that they, too .. are a product of their environment.


Thankfully, this little girl wasn't dinged up too badly.  Hopefully she learned a cheap lesson about fighting ... maybe she'll be the biggest thug the town has ever seen.  Who knows? 
But the point is this ... Society is losing it's decorum and class at an alarming rate. These traits start at home.


I'm "just an Auntie", the only thing besides me living at the Ocho are a kitten that I'm babysitting for a few days, some house plants and about 238 guppies ... I do what I can, but there's more to be done. =)


Wouldn't it be wonderful if over the time span of one generation or two, the world could have people discussing issues and finding solutions; rather than fighting?


It COULD Happen!


Click Here To Join "Imagine Peace" on Facebook


Official Site - IMAGINE PEACE - Think PEACE, Act PEACE, Spread PEACE

PEACE :
freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

PEACE :
harmony in personal relations

A Big Ole Rambly Blog about Colby, His Controlling Mother and Relationships

I am absolutely horrified at the video I just saw and I have to bring it to your attention immediately. 

Some of my facebook friends may immediately think that I'm referring to the Food, Inc documentary that I watched in the wee hours of this morning when I couldn't sleep ... I'm not. 

Although that was horrifying and I recommend that you see it as soon as possible.

Nearly as horrifying as that though, is Geri Brin. 

I'm going to paste a bit here from the article I found on the Today Show website

to bring you up to speed on Geri Brin:

""Doting mom Geri Brin has never been shy about trying to get her 31-year-old son Colby married off. But now she’s allowing mothers everywhere to indulge their inner yenta by launching an Internet service that allows moms to peruse and push potential dates for their kids.""

""For Brin, it’s a natural extension of her life’s ambition to find the perfect gal for her handsome — but still single — son Colby. Seeing Colby still unattached five years ago, Brin took it upon herself to find his soul mate."" 

At the bottom of the article is a synopsis of this pathetic situation and submission form...

Geri Brin has been making headlines this week because of her brilliantly meddlesome idea: To help marry off her handsome but single son Colby, she started a section on her website called "Date My Single Kid." Brin and her son will appear together on TODAY on Wednesday morning, July 14. Do you think that you — or perhaps your adult daughter — is just perfect for Colby? If so, please send in a photo of yourself or your daughter and explain why this is a match made in heaven. The photo and explanation you send might be featured on the air. Please be sure to include your full name and phone number in your submission.

Wow, I'm really not sure where to even start.  To be as brief as possible, I can't speak for Colby ... and I have a really nagging feeling that the poor fellow can't speak for himself .... uhm, quite possibly not even if there were a gun to his numb little skull; HOWEVAH ...

I can absolutely speak for myself, as if anyone had a doubt. :)

My blood pressure absolutely spiked when I read this.  As those closest to me know I have a mother who gets a little preoccupied at times with my finding a spouse. The real rub comes into the whole situation because I'm not looking for a spouse. Therefore if she were to find one for me it would be an awfully large inconvenience for everyone involved whilst I explained that Mumsy's nose had just gotten a little too big for her tiny 5 foot frame and there really wasn't a current position open.

It's a hot button for me right now.  While I am of course single, I'm not available for a relationship ... especially one like the ones I see around me.  I see people completely consumed with one another, spending every waking moment together ... be it watching TV or just melting into a new life in which they've lost touch with friends, hobbies, prior interests and seem to have totally changed. I've had a few friends to "couple off" in the last year and a half ... I'm very happy for some of them and I'm just listening for the train to derail on the others ... and hoping that no one is too terribly damaged in the crash.

I have a couple of concerns for Colby.

#1 - That he would let his mother step in and try to control such a important piece of his life. That in itself says a lot for his mother and it says a lot for him.....neither good, in my opinion. 

#2 - What type of wife will he find by using this process his controlling mother has created?  

I figure he'll get one of two ....  He'll either find a controlling wife who wants him to wander around a mall holding her purse, one who won't let him have a "cave area" for a poker night with the guys, one who will shriek at him to go clean the windows ... OR he'll find a meek, little shell of a low self-esteemed woman who is DESPERATELY trying to find a hubby so she can have babies before her ovaries dry up and blow away like dust in the wind.  Again, neither good  ... in my opinion.

 
Colby, your situation has exhausted me before I've even begun my day.  Bless your pea pickin' heart, my friend ... you have one H*ll of a mother.

Oh ... my mother and her desire for me to find a spouse ... Let me start by saying, my Mom is the absolute BAZOMB!  Beyond a shadow of a doubt, we are friends ... sometimes we're a little volatile ...

but I think that's present in any good mother/daughter relationship and we really do have a tremendous one. 

My mom's of a very 1950's mindset ... this has caused her to say things to me such as,

"Do you want to drive out here and
have your Dad put that license plate on for you?",

"Do you want me to take that home with me
and have Dad put it together and bring it back to your apartment?"

and 

"I'll bet if you go by L&W Mobile,
they can change that tail bulb for you..."

     

To which my answers were,

"Holy cr*p, Mom ... it requires a screwdriver!", 

"Kim Comer Jackson, putting her own stuff together since 2003..."

and

"They could ... or I could just call IKT so they'll have it ready,
swing by there, get it and put it in....that's what I did last time."

I couldn't be more ecstatic and thrilled that my mom doesn't have to know how to change a bulb in a car, put a license plate on or put together an exercise machine .... and I assure you, if a person could go to a storefront and buy what my folks have; I'd be in line tomorrow .. I'd at least want to hear the sales pitch. :)

However, I'm of the mindset that a person needs to be wholly and truly happy with themselves and their life.  I spent time at an era in my during which I relied on someone else. (1995-2003)  If everything went to H*ll in a hand basket, there was someone to "handle it".  For the last seven years, that responsibility has begun to fall more and more solely on myself ... and I like it that way. 

That doesn't mean there'll never be "someone special" in my life ... it just means that it's not a necessity for me to have someone to validate my worth of myself and if it so happens that someone crosses my path that I jive with ... then groovy ... and if not, eh ... I have a lot of other things to keep me extremely busy.

A relationship isn't going to make me survive.

It's the cherry on top.

-Jennifer Aniston

Starbucks and Katie Moore ... or "How To Raise Your Adults" ~ By Auntie Ocho

On Friday evening, as I cruised the channels checking out the entertainment; I ran across 20/20. I thoroughly enjoy 20/20 just as I do every other news program ... 60 Minutes, 48 Hours, Dateline and any others I happen to stumble across.

On this particular Friday evening I settled into an episode of 20/20 that was to feature a story on the "Alarmingly High' Number of Teens who Claim Sexual Harassment at Work. I couldn't imagine what had caused this recent spike they were speaking of, so I decided to suit up in my most favorite turquoise flannel - pink flamingo and airstream trailer pajamas, settle in and check it out.

If you wish to see the whole extravaganza of blaming others for one's own decisions; you can certainly "Google" "ABC" "20/20" "Starbucks" and find a wealth of information.

It seems that 16 year-old, Kati Moore of Orange County, CA felt as if she had been forced to have sex, do illegal drugs and illegally consume alcohol at the prodding of her 24 year old Starbucks manager. It IS a travesty for a 16 year old to feel as if they don't have a choice in a matter. At that age, a youth has not yet developed the decision making skill and certainty of one's own ethics and way of life.

It's a sad situation indeed for 24 year old Tim Horton to have taken advantage of Ms. Moore's lack of good judgment; however I find it even more sad that Ms. Moore's mother has decided that the efficient way to handle the situation is to sue Starbucks and claim that her daughter was victimized.

I find Mrs. Moore's outlook on the situation to be devastatingly crippling to her daughter. I'm sure that she believes everything her daughter has told her and I'm certain that she feels she's doing the right thing by protecting her daughter and helping her to try and save her reputation. However, I am even more certain that Mrs. Moore is without a doubt teaching her daughter to blame others for her actions and that is a very irresponsible way to live.

As time goes on, portions of the older generations tend to complain about younger generations. As I grow older I find myself criticizing things that just "aren't what they used to be".

The answer to this, I feel; is to stop enabling the children who will handle our world tomorrow to blame others for their actions, stop teaching them that they are entitled and stop teaching them that life is a big basket of roses and sunshine because that's not always the case.

In my opinion, there's a large misconception among many parents in today's society. It can be cleared up by simply this .....

It's not the job of parents to "raise children", it's the job of parents to "raise adults". ~Kim Jackson

(*Yes, that's my own person quote ... feel free to use it and LIVE IT!*)

They're only children when you first receive them, you see. What you want to turn out of your little factory called a household is a strong and confident young adult; one who has goals of their own and passions that they want to pursue. One who is equipped with the skills to propel themselves forward into greater and grander things.

It's sad to say, but I'm afraid the young Ms. Moore has quite a long road ahead of her. As I watched her defend herself to the ABC interviewer; every sentence was laced with spider webs of blame that she cast out into her life. Let those webs capture anyone but her.

Ms. Moore has thrown under the bus what appears to be a completely average twenty-four year old man. While he may be a manipulative slime .. he appears in fact to be a quite normal twenty-four old man who was using his position to 'bag' a young, naive girl. When confronted with her own texts and correspondence with her former boss, she was left to shrink into an oblivion of sobs. The records of her correspondence with him clearly stated that she had told him that she wanted to "f*ck him". She had obviously not been actively discouraging her 'relationship' with Mr. Horton.

I'm interested in how this case plays out. I'll be terribly discouraged if Ms. Moore is left to come out on top of this. It seems to be a clear case of a teenage child being caught in the act of doing something they shouldn't be doing.

To the mother of Katie Moore ... I have a bridge or two I'd like to sell you ...



::A link to the story::
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=9632469