What happened to creativity? Are there REALLY no new ideas out there? I am not saying I am the most witty, creative individual on the planet, I mean if I were, I wouldn't be sitting here blogging my thoughts to the 19 people who have viewed this page. That being said, I am wondering why there is a penchant, specifically in America to just remake what the British have done before us? Yes, I know that there are nuances of British humor that don't translate into American humor well, but still why must we take the best they have to offer and freely adapt (steal) it?
Check out this link detailing British shows that have or will be coming to a television near you.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/h2/fixedsu/wouldyourather/an-americans-guide-to-british-panel-shows
The thing is? Most of us can still watch the originals on BBC America and be MUCH happier for it. I notice that the link above doesn't mention Top Gear, which A&E tried (and failed, thankfully) to adapt last season.. Seriously, without the British accent you just can't pull off making a camper into a boat and trying to drive it across the Channel. I personally think it is the pronunciation of aluminum which killed the American version. Those of us that were enthusiasts of the original wondered what happened to all the al-you-min-ee-um.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Idiots Abound
Among the things that made me consider blogging is the fact that, thanks to my friend, I stumbled across this card from Bluntcard:
She thought it was too risque to post directly to her Facebook wall. I did not. But, maybe, she had a point. Not everyone appreciates my brand of sarcastic humor, but SOME do, so rather than inflict it on folks who don't actively choose to see it (of course being my friend on the aforementioned social network is sort of implicitly choosing to see what I might post), I am here. Oh, and since my mom reads my Facebook wall, this has its benefits, that is until my mom finds this place.
I used to think it was bad enough that so many people insist that a lot is one word, but things have just gotten so much worse this millennium. Take the real estate agent who dropped the flyer off on my porch espousing brand new electrical plumbing. I am not sure what electrical plumbing is, but it sounds dangerous. I have to believe that the home in question had new electrical AND new plumbing but that is not what the flyer said. Coincidentally, the same real estate agent applied for a job opening I have. All I could remember was the fact that she couldn't be bothered to stop yakking on her "smart" phone (a misnomer if there ever was one) to talk to me when I opened the door; she just waved and pointed to the flyer she dropped on the ground in front of my door. That combined with the electrical plumbing had me deciding that, despite the potential fodder for my new blog, I wouldn't waste my time interviewing her because nothing was going to change the fact that she is what she is: An Idiot.
What is it with people these days? No one seems to care anymore about decent grammar or spelling. Honestly, I had a discussion with an individual on the same social network mentioned above, who sadly happens to be the brother of the aforementioned friend who provided the link to the bluntcard above. The subject of the discussion rapidly turned to said friend's brother's horrific grammar and spelling. When called on this he said he "couldn't be bothered" and that "it didn't matter since that wasn't the subject matter of the discussion to begin with." Oh, okay, well then I can't be bothered to call you anything other than what you are: An Idiot.
Another favorite of mine is when someone decides that they are going to point out someone's egregious errors, only to make one of their own in the process. Case in point:
This had such great potential. Really. Kind of like those clever little posters that tell people how to use they're, there, and their. Sadly, the creator of this gem missed the mark because he/she didn't pay attention in fourth grade, when we learned that capital letters are different than state capitols. Just because the word sounds the same doesn't mean that it is. And instead of laughing at the clever masturbation allusion, we are left with no other options and are forced to call him/her what they are: An Idiot.
The dumbing down of our society used to be the job of newspaper editors and writers for the evening news who decided which words we would be able to grasp as a collective public. But the growth of social networking has made their job MUCH easier. When I was a kid, people were appalled that something like 75% of kids couldn't identify their own state on a map of the United States. Today, that is just the tip of the ice berg. To combat this, I suggest that everyone start using big words,even when especially when, you know the person you are talking to won't know what the meaning is. Maybe they will look it up, or at a minimum utter a ubiquitous, "huh?" If not, then you can look at them and call them what they are: An Idiot.
She thought it was too risque to post directly to her Facebook wall. I did not. But, maybe, she had a point. Not everyone appreciates my brand of sarcastic humor, but SOME do, so rather than inflict it on folks who don't actively choose to see it (of course being my friend on the aforementioned social network is sort of implicitly choosing to see what I might post), I am here. Oh, and since my mom reads my Facebook wall, this has its benefits, that is until my mom finds this place.
I used to think it was bad enough that so many people insist that a lot is one word, but things have just gotten so much worse this millennium. Take the real estate agent who dropped the flyer off on my porch espousing brand new electrical plumbing. I am not sure what electrical plumbing is, but it sounds dangerous. I have to believe that the home in question had new electrical AND new plumbing but that is not what the flyer said. Coincidentally, the same real estate agent applied for a job opening I have. All I could remember was the fact that she couldn't be bothered to stop yakking on her "smart" phone (a misnomer if there ever was one) to talk to me when I opened the door; she just waved and pointed to the flyer she dropped on the ground in front of my door. That combined with the electrical plumbing had me deciding that, despite the potential fodder for my new blog, I wouldn't waste my time interviewing her because nothing was going to change the fact that she is what she is: An Idiot.
What is it with people these days? No one seems to care anymore about decent grammar or spelling. Honestly, I had a discussion with an individual on the same social network mentioned above, who sadly happens to be the brother of the aforementioned friend who provided the link to the bluntcard above. The subject of the discussion rapidly turned to said friend's brother's horrific grammar and spelling. When called on this he said he "couldn't be bothered" and that "it didn't matter since that wasn't the subject matter of the discussion to begin with." Oh, okay, well then I can't be bothered to call you anything other than what you are: An Idiot.
Another favorite of mine is when someone decides that they are going to point out someone's egregious errors, only to make one of their own in the process. Case in point:
This had such great potential. Really. Kind of like those clever little posters that tell people how to use they're, there, and their. Sadly, the creator of this gem missed the mark because he/she didn't pay attention in fourth grade, when we learned that capital letters are different than state capitols. Just because the word sounds the same doesn't mean that it is. And instead of laughing at the clever masturbation allusion, we are left with no other options and are forced to call him/her what they are: An Idiot.
The dumbing down of our society used to be the job of newspaper editors and writers for the evening news who decided which words we would be able to grasp as a collective public. But the growth of social networking has made their job MUCH easier. When I was a kid, people were appalled that something like 75% of kids couldn't identify their own state on a map of the United States. Today, that is just the tip of the ice berg. To combat this, I suggest that everyone start using big words,
You are Special Today
Am I unusual in that things which go through my head might not be fit for stating publicly? I mean a lot of things. While it might be healthy to have a modicum of snark in your life, I find that most of the time I am lucky that my filter is engaged and functioning properly. However, lately, what with teenagers shoving vodka soaked tampons in their nether regions for a high, and Gov. Perry and Herman Cain fighting for the title of biggest moron, I am left with an over abundance of snark in my head. It needs to go somewhere. And, it turns out, that somewhere, as of today, is here. How unlucky that you have stumbled across this place.
But back to Governor P. Seriously, what *is* it with you Texans? Is there a rule there that says that qualified candidates must have an IQ below the national average in order to be elected? I mean I thought I had seen the worst of it with our friend W, but geez. Come on, you're killing me here. Oh and let's not get started on Mr. Cain. Seriously? Did anyone actually know who this guy was until he threw his proverbial hat in the ring? Come on, be honest. And really? Just another politician who treats women poorly (I trust no one needs a list). Someday, maybe, he will look back on his failed bid for the Presidency and say "that was a bad decision." Either that, or we will have a new Master and Chief (shudder).
Speaking of bad decisions, that is a great segue into the dreaded "a little about me" segment. Pay attention now, because I likely won't go over it again. I am a divorced mom of two plus a menagerie of fur kids. I am not known for making the best choices (guffaw). In fact, I am currently recovering from the most recent spate of bad (REALLY bad) decisions, no doubt by making a whole new string of horrible missteps. I tend to be antisocial by nature, shunning the majority humans save for the exceptional ones: My friends, kids and family members. Most days though, I truly prefer the company of my dog, she is definitely more intelligent than the average human which already makes her an easier companion, but her complete and utter adorableness just seals the deal. I have many pet peeves, which I am sure we will explore here, so no need to really list them all. Right?
So, today's topic: Our family has this red plate:
We use it primarily for birthdays, but sometimes for good report cards or important days. I am sure lots of families have this plate. Yes? It isn't that unusual. My problem, and it is becoming a major problem, is that it says "You are Special Today." Ten years ago, maybe even five years ago, no not five, but for sure ten, this would have made me get all warm and fuzzy. Oh look! Someone thinks I did something great. But now. Not so much. Why? Well because, as is the case with many words in our society, the word "special" has changed meanings. And now when I see the plate, I start to wonder if the short bus is going to be pulling up anytime soon to cart me off. Now if I had kept this to myself, I would be fine, but because I tend to let the filter slip among those few humans I am close to, I mentioned it to my daughter (and by default my MUCH younger son). My daughter, of course, found it hilarious and we now make very inappropriate jokes about who gets the red plate TODAY?! But my son, well my son is a sweet little naive thing (for now) and he really didn't understand that some humor is meant to stay confined to, well, duh, the home.
The first day of school rolled around a couple of months ago and I walked my boy to school. Of course, he saw a bus coming and says, (loudly I might add), "Hey Mommy! Look! There's the SHORT BUS!" Now, in my head he screamed this and I immediately started looking around. No one seemed to notice though so it must have just sounded loud to me. Phew. Dodged the bullet. I think. But I am still waiting, three months later, for the letter from his teacher telling me that I need to work on his manners and then have to confess that it was all my fault. Not wanting to throw my son under the proverbial bus (hee hee) or anything. I will do my best to make sure that in the future, I remind him about how *some* things should not be repeated. Chalk that up to one of the missteps in my recovery. Horrible or not.
Disclaimer (and believe me, as we get to know each other, these will become few and far between):
I can already hear some people all up in arms about my "insensitivity" and lack of caring. That isn't it at all. This post has NOTHING to do with any persons or specific afflictions. This post has to do with semantics and my lack of understanding on the reasons we, as a society, have to always find new, better phraseology for things every decade or so. I just don't understand it and am left to wonder when the term "special" will fall out of favor, as many before it have. Someday, someone will say it implies something negative and we can have our word back. Of course, I wonder who decides such things and if can I write an appeal to them to speed things along. The proverbial, all omniscient "them". Does anyone have their email address?
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