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by Adrienne Petterson © 2006-2008 About Me
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When I started my own blogs, I'd never even read a 'blog', but I got the gist behind the idea. In October 2006 I decided to air my gripes as a new addition to my website, and I seemed to concentrate on television commentating. Now I'm going to pick topics out of a hat and gripe about them. That's not to say I don't appreciate (or notice) the nice things in life, I do, but I wanted to get people thinking about the things that irritate them so that they can help eliminate them from their lives in an attempt to try and make life more harmonious. Not to sound hostile, but rather selective and discerning. There are enough ghastly things out there to contend with (I can't possibly associate myself with everything), so I've narrowed things down somewhat. I'm still going to comment on television.
I'm pretty much a run-of-the-mill gal and I've proved that my opinions are not necessarily mine alone - there are plenty of people out there who feel the same as I do. These pages will be updated on a regular basis on topics that I feel strongly about.
It's Okay To Be Gray
9 June 2008
We all hate going gray but it's a fact of life - we all do, sooner or later. For some fortunate ones, it's later. For me, I guess I could be one of the fortunate ones. Even though my mother was completely gray (almost white) in her late twenties, my father didn't go gray until some twenty years later. I take after my father's side while my sister and brothers seemed to have gone gray many years earlier than I. And I'm the eldest! However, sooner or later has caught up with me and although I've noticed a few gray hairs under the surface, they are becoming more visible, mainly because I've just cut my hair rather short. But you know what? It's not so bad. I took along a picture of Jamie Lee Curtis' short hair and had mine cut along those lines. It was only once I showed the photo to the hairdresser, that she commented on the gray in Jamie Lee's hair. I had noticed it but it didn't jump out at me.
For years I used to highlight my hair because it was a mousy color rather than to hide any gray. When I became poor and literally couldn't afford to color it anymore, I just had to live with mousy hair and it wasn't so bad. It got a little lighter in summer because of the sun, and I have natural goldish hair which helps alleviate the mousy aspect. The more I see women letting their hair go gray, the more I don't mind it. As long as it's neatly kept and clean. What I can't stand is seeing gray roots! Eeeeek. Especially one- and two-inch roots. That's so ghastly, I can't stand it. Rather show the naturalness of your hair than have a bad coverup job. I think people forget that the rest of the world has to look at them from a completely different angle, and therefore they should be aware of what they look like from all aspects. Not, of course, that we should dress for others, but please, be respectful of showing too much of anything - we don't have to be exposed to too much.
Back to gray hair - it's not so bad, just look at Jamie Lee Curtis, and she's not even 50 yet! And she's a Hollywood celebrity! It's almost a thumb to the nose to the rest of the world and I applaud her bravery and the courage of her conviction. She's not as slim as she used to be either, and so all the more applause Ms. Curtis! She's nicely inbetween - what we should all strive for. Not too thin and not too heavy. Just right, the way it should be!
It's okay to be gray - after all, I am fifty. And you know what? Men don't really care - just look how few of them color their gray! Those who do color their gray? Well, that's another blog entirely!
Irresponsible Dog Owners
28 May 2008
I'm having a hard time accepting the lack of interest in their pets some of my neighbors have. There is one particular dog, a big dog, who barks willy nilly all day and everyday, at anything that moves, which irritates the dickens out of me, especially as I like quiet to read and write and do my work. His booming bark echoes clear across at least half a mile as I can also hear him when I am at the farm trying to enjoy the "wildlife". It's now summer school vacation so there are children playing in the street (another gripe of mine - unsupervised children) and this dog just barks and barks and barks. No one else seems to mind, not even those who live right next door to him. I live at least three houses away and across the street, and I am disturbed when I am at the back of my house in the basement! Imagine. My annoyance is that people who have dogs and who don't train them properly, shouldn't have dogs at all. Why on earth would you buy a dog and then leave it all alone at home, often in those god-awful barbaric cages, to do as it pleases? Dogs should be trained to only bark when someone comes onto their property, not to just bark at people walking by or at kids playing across the road in their own yards. It's very distressing to have to listen to a barking dog all day.
I have reported this dog to the Humane Society (the police don't handle this type of call anymore but I have to wonder why not, because someone may be trying to break into the house) who had to send two letters before the incessant barking came to a halt. That was five months ago. Now he's started barking again and I am just going to have to report him once again. To me, it's a form of cruelty - leaving a dog by itself all day every day, to bark. I've only ever seen the dog being walked once. Why have a "pet" if you're not interested in it? Why subject neighbors to the disturbing and constant noise day after day after day? I'm about at the stage where I can pull my hair out.
I've passed the stage where I approach the owners to complain. I did that before with another neighbor, and was threatened, and I had to call the police. People are just not receptive (or mature or intelligent) enough to admit to their mistakes and therefore lash out with horrible words. I don't waste my time going this route - I go straight to the authorities and let them deal with it. It's one of the reasons we pay taxes, to help keep the neighborhood peaceful and calm. We do not have to live with barking dogs day in and day out. It's ridiculous and unacceptable.
As an animal lover, I am appalled and brokenhearted at the way some animals are treated by so-called "humans". Just because they have "control" over any particular animal, doesn't mean that they have to be cruel and over-demanding. I just wish that the animal abusers could suffer some of the stuff they inflict upon innocent animals and see how they like it. Idiots.
I cannot imagine buying a dog and then going off to work every day from sunrise to sunset, and leaving the dog alone outside all day, winter or summer. That's just wrong. And cruel. If you want to have a guard dog, then train it to behave itself and to alert people when there is something wrong, not because he feels like barking at a three-year-old playing in the garden across the street or when a neighbor comes home and gets out of his car.
Me and Him
30 April 2008
Me and him, me and my friend, me and her, whatever, it's all wrong and painful to listen to. You hear it everywhere, even on television where supposedly they have scriptwriters. Or on chat shows or TV court shows where people are telling their stories. My biggest buggaboo is the miss use of I instead of me. You hear "It appealed to Jane and I," instead of "It appealed to Jane and me." When I was growing up it was constantly pointed out that it's not "Me and Greg went bowling," but "Greg and I went bowling." However nowadays, if you correct a kid, all you'll get back is "No it isn't!" I have to wonder why parents and teachers don't correct children's speech. It would be for their own good.
It's so easy to remember: Always start with the other person, if there is another person. For example: Jenny and I went to the store. Never "Me and Jenny went to the store"!!!! If Jenny didn't go with you, you wouldn't say "Me went to the store" would you? If you leave one person out, you can "hear" which word is correct. Like "Me and him went to the game." Eeeeee. It's "He and I went to the game." How can you check? If either of you went alone to the game, it would be "I went to the game" not "Me went to the game," or "He went to the game" not "Him went to the game," so "me and him" is redundant. I also wish that people would refer to he, she, her, and him, with the person's name. It sounds kind of offhand saying "she" when the person is standing right there.
This is a little irritation but it's used in every corner of the country by any and everyone, and it isn't challenged. For heaven's sake, please teach people how to speak properly if they are to be taken seriously in this world.
Shocking Print Errors in "Big Name" Books
25 March 2008
I read a lot of books, as you know, and I'm now at the point where I am thoroughly pissed off at the lack of attention to detail by many publishers. Not just willy-nilly publishers, BIG NAME publishers. There are far too many print mistakes creeping through in books (not cookbooks or travel books as much) these days, mainly in autobiographies and other general-type books, from big name publishers no less. What irks me even more is that I do proofreading and have sent off my résumé and job applications to many publishers in the hope of making a few dollars to pay my rent and feed myself. I don't get paid for reading and reviewing the enormous amount of books that I do for my website. Ninety-nine percent of those to whom I apply for jobs don't even bother to reply, and the other kicker is that they often require a college degree! I don't have a college degree yet I read and speak my own first language apparently better than those who do have college degrees and who work for big publishers. I have a good work ethic and apply myself properly to the job at hand, and I pay attention to detail.
I'm so annoyed at this sloppiness that I've started pointing out in my reviews the books (for which people pay good money) that have errors, often blatantly obvious errors. I feel it's an insult to the readers' intelligence to have to bump up against, and halt, when confronted with print errors while reading. It's an unnecessary distraction. The other thing I find incredulous is that over the last two decades, at least, it's been so much easier to correct a book manuscript because of computers - so much quicker. However, in the last two decades things have got worse in my opinion. I never had this problem (at least to this extent) with finding so many errors back in the old days, and neither do I have this problem with many British-published books. This is a bad reflection on publishers, who it would appear, don't have the dedicated staff to help put out quality books. Don't people care anymore? What happened to quality control? Are we just going to sit back and take the sloppy stuff we're offered? Why should we? Money is tight and getting tighter by the week, so my suggestion is to borrow books from your library instead. Incidentally, I'm not the only one who gets annoyed with these errors.
Also, from now on I'm going to make mention of those books with errors when I review them. Let me give you three examples right off the bat. The Valerie Bertinelli book (Free Press/Simon and Schuster) is full of errors, such as no period after a sentence and the next sentence not starting with a capital letter, or a period but no capital letter starting the next sentence. There were also spelling mistakes galore, and two errors appeared within the same paragraph! The other book, which I reviewed, Mother Nurture (HarperCollins), had two horrible mistakes which I spotted quite freakishly. I opened the book randomly and found myself at the story from Colin Cowie's mother. Colin Cowie and I both hail from South Africa. I read the story and was shocked, literally shocked, to read this sentence, after four mentions of "South Africa" - "Even now, he still comes home every June and July, when Australians celebrate the holiday [Christmas] because of the opposite seasons, to organize the dinner." What has Australia got to do with anything? And, incidentally, we (South Africans) don't celebrate Christmas in June and/or July. We have it on the 24th or 25th of December, just like everyone else. There are a few fun-loving people who like to have a Christmas-like celebration in the winter (June/July) instead of in the December heat. Do you find this as inexcusable as I do?
I've just reviewed Animals from Africa (Universe/Rizzoli) which had an inordinate amount of errors. Do take a look for yourself.
I know I could do a much better job at catching print errors. I'm also searching for a publisher for my cookbooks to use as tools to raise funds for charity. Publishers are notoriously bad at getting back to people, and are not known for giving someone unknown a chance, unless they happen to be related in some way to a celebrity. And unless you are a celebrity writing a book for charity, and need all the publicity you can get, it seems publishers don't really give a hoot about giving money away. The odd thing is that I always stipulate that the money for charity will come from my earnings. I'm so tired of wanting to work, wanting to do good for others, and nobody bothering to listen or give me a chance. Boo bloody hoo.
Paste this link in your e-mails to friends and book club members. Thanks. http://www.geocities.com/pettprojects/blog.html#pub
Trace Adkins on Celebrity Apprentice
8 March 2008
I dig Trace Adkins. I'd never heard of him before I encountered him on Celebrity Apprentice (I almost didn't watch this program because of the nauseate-factor of one celebrity wannabee), and I haven't a clue as to what he sings. I like his quiet gentleman approach and his sexy deep voice - say no more! Having jumped up and down in my seat last Thursday night, celebrating with the rest of the country watching a certain person under fire (aren't you sick of her double-edged sword and squirming way she tries to backpedal and defend her deplorable actions, words, and behavior?) eliminated from the show (finally!), I also had to chuckle at Piers' very funny response and Trace's obvious horror and typical Southern "man" reaction - got to love that British humor! - But, he was controlled and took it like a man, which impressed me even more. I'm rooting for Trace to win the show, just because. However, Piers has done a sterling job in getting celeb contacts to come through for him and to pony up money for charity, which is what the show is all about. Come on Mr. Adkins, use your celeb status to call on contacts!
The other thing I want to mention is that I have just reviewed (I review non-fiction books) Trace Adkins' book, A Personal Stand, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It's a collection of his observations and opinions on this country (and the world) today mixed in with a little about himself and his career. There is clearly a sense of humor throughout the book along with constructive advice. It's a lovely book and well worth reading, especially about all of his near-death experiences.
Make It Work
3 March 2008
I'm so tired of struggling, of being poor, and of the constant battle to be heard. All I want is a job and a life. Without a car it's difficult to find a job, especially one which involves driving to work. So, I'm going to try and make it work. How? Because I don't hear back from so many people I apply for jobs with, or hear back from those I write to making suggestions for jobs, I have to make a job for myself. At the same time, I don't want my heart to harden at the lack of response from others, and I do want to fulfill my dream of helping others too.
That said, I am going to be publishing my own little books, from start to finish, sell them to try and make a few dollars, and use them as tools to raise funds for my dream charities. These booklets are not going to be listed with an ISBN number (that costs money) or registered with the Library of Congress (that costs money), and neither will they be beautifully bound (that costs money). They are to be basic and practical, the way I am. The text inside will make you think about not only your own life, but the lives of others and the life of our surroundings. The best part, after actually putting this project together and making a few pennies for myself (my new job), will be that I am going to donate $1 for every book sold to various charities. I don't care that I am not a registered charity (that costs money and is difficult to do) - I will have a web page that I will regularly update where I tally the $1s and list the charities to whom I plan to send donations. I trust myself implicitly, and I hope you will too.
Please visit my website often and keep a lookout for a new link to the new web page where you'll be able to order a copy for yourself and your friends. This little booklet will be great bathroom reading. They will also make great little gifts, not only to the recipients, but also to the charities I plan to help.
Please help me help myself and help others at the same time. Thanks.
E-mail me at pettprojects@yahoo.com if you would like me to let you know when the book is available for purchase.
Everyday Rudeness
1 February 2008
It never fails to annoy me. It never fails to happen everyday. What am I talking about? Rudeness. Everyday I encounter some form of rudeness despite my happy disposition and good manners. I know that Americans are not known for their manners and appear uncouth, loud, opinionated, condescending, and arrogant to the outside world, but when you confront them on their own turf, it's another matter completely. The vast majority of regular people can barely string together a sentence in their native language, can barely write properly (witness the borderline illiteracy in zillions of blogs and message boards for a reality check), and yet they think they are above everyone else in the world. In fact, many Americans have no clue whatsoever about any other country other than Canada to the north of them and Mexico to the south. The rest of the world is a blur. Witness Kellie Pickler on "Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?" when she asked if France was a country, and when she thought Europe was a country. Alarming! How can Americans be so conceited when they have so much to work on before they can even compare themselves to others? Why be rude on top of this?
The rudeness I want to talk about in this case, is in business. Quite apart from the rudeness you encounter in other places, I would have thought that with the economy as fragile as it is at the moment, business people would go the extra mile and be nice to potential customers and/or clients. Not. (Being nice all the time to all and sundry should be second nature, regardless of who you are dealing with.) I'm in the business of writing books and looking for a publisher has not been an easy task. I am well aware that publishers are inundated with writers and authors looking for a deal, but that is no excuse for not replying, favorably or otherwise, especially nowadays with the immediacy of e-mail. You don't hear one way or the other but you are cautioned against submitting manuscripts/proposals to more than one publisher at a time. No wonder it takes about five years to find a publisher. The waiting is unbearable. I've waited a year before I actually heard from a publisher, but in the meantime I had given up on them and had written to other publishers. I need a job. I need to hear back. The few publishers who bother to reply, sometimes bring a tear to my eye because they took the time to make contact.
I would think that publishers would be able to get a feeling right away whether or not a manuscript or proposal will work - if the writer can actually write without spelling mistakes, that's the first hurdle overcome. If they can write a comprehendible paragraph, surely they deserve a yes or no or even a thanks, but no thanks? That's all I'm asking for. I can't speak for overseas publishers as I've not had that much to do with them, but I know it never took six months to a year to get a reply. However, if the shoe were on the other foot, and the publisher wanted something from you, they wouldn't hesitate in contacting you until you got back to them.
Now, I'm not publisher bashing, as I am in dire need of another writing job and am actively seeking a willing company. I'm also talking about potential employers to whom I write proposing an idea whereby I could possibly be employed. No one gets back to you, not even to say no thanks. It's as though you don't exist. How rude! I also don't want to have to wait around for three months while my book proposal lies in a pile waiting to be glanced at and then rejected, and to not be able to send out multiple proposals in the meantime - whoever gets back to me first, wanting my work, will be first in line. My motto: If you snooze, you loose, and that applies to publishers too. This might sound arrogant, but I've been in this country for five years now, so perhaps some has rubbed off on me.
I detest the rudeness in people not having the decency to get back to you at all. There is no excuse for being impolite, no matter who you are and where you are in the world.
Britney Spears
12 January 2008
Am I ever tired of seeing Britney Spears on Entertainment Tonight! Please, how much more can we stomach? It's becoming as bad as the Anna Nicole Smith obsession. I'm getting a little peed off with the excessive way the media reports on celebrities - it's borderline mania. Leave Britney alone. This poor woman is obviously in crisis mode; why else would she be actively seeking attention? Especially from the dreaded and sometimes hated media? Of course she's seeking it - why does she drive herself to the gas store for cigarettes at 3 a.m. knowing full well that the pack of hounds is lying in wait? Surely she could get someone else to do her errands for her. Or buy cigarettes by the carton so she doesn't have to go out in the middle of the night. Seeking attention is just what she is doing - why else would she get out of the SUV and dance around in front of the cameras? This is not normal behavior. Do you see Julia Roberts behaving this way? Or Nicole Kidman? Or anyone else?
And why she's hooked up romantically with one of the "enemy", is food for thought in itself. If she's supposedly fighting for her sons, why on earth isn't she concentrating on doing just that instead of driving her attention-getting car in the middle of the night to the video store and gas station to fill up with gas and/or buy ciggies? It's not normal behavior, and I for one, am sick and tired of seeing her face on my television screen. Please, somebody, pick this woman up, put her in a facility, and get her some mental health! Her parents are obviously not too perturbed.
You know what, "television media"? There are many, many more important things going on around the country (and the world) which desperately need airtime and are not getting any. Things like hungry children, spousal abuse, animal abuse, the environment, etc., etc. And it's an election year where all candidates deserve airtime! I know we are all guilty of wanting to see who got married, who's wearing what, which new movies are coming out, and the like, but I can't stand this overkill anymore.
Get Britney help or get out of her face! And then, if she fails to seek help herself, she only has herself to blame.
Two and a Half Men
29th December 2007
I used to really enjoy this show on Monday nights on CBS, and watched it whenever I could. However, upon it now being in syndication on Fox, and being shown at 6 pm (Colorado), my eyes have been opened to the sleaziness of it - something I never noticed before. Mainly because there is a young boy in the show and it would have to be "clean" dirty humor; i.o.w., cleverly written. It used to seem as though it were good fun; two single brothers living together in Malibu, one with a son, a creepy female stalker after the one brother, a sassy housekeeper, and the most self-centered mother. Not any more.
It seems as though each and every episode has an excessive amount of unnecessary sexual connotations (sometimes not even bothering with connotations) with the words penis, vagina, breasts, sex, banging, etc., being bandied about willy nilly (no pun intended). Where is the subtlety these days? Audiences don't have to think about anything anymore as it's all spelled out for them. I also find that the humor is pretty smutty as it is always referring to one or other brother's sexual conquests (or attempts at sexual conquests), and the pursuit of and bedding females. A little here and there would (and could) be funny, but each and every episode has now become an irritation, and I don't think the writing is very good at all anymore. How difficult is it to write blatant conversation? They should have writers who can cleverly write a few suggestive innuendos into the script instead of making it all about penises chasing vaginas (how barbaric are we as a society?), especially at it's usually screened at 8 or 8.30 pm?
Style/Dress Sense Seen on TV
20th December 2007
Now, I'm the last person to talk about clothes, but then I'm not on display on television for the whole world to see. I do know a thing or two about style (see my book on common sense), and the lastest fashion/style disasters appeared on Clash of the Choirs this week. Please people, this blog is about the clothes the women in the choirs were wearing, NOT about the choirs themselves. I loved the show, what it's all about, and the songs.
So, that said, back to what shocked me. I've said it before and it's worth repeating: most women don't know how to dress themselves and shouldn't dress themselves, especially if they are going to appear on national television. What I couldn't believe was that the show didn't use stylists (it certainly appeared that way) to check not only what the women (I'm concentrating on the women because some of them stuck out like sore thumbs) wore, but how they would look on television. Naturally there were all shapes and sizes (that's life), but it appeared that they just grabbed whatever they could find that was shiny, in their particular color, and in the region of their size. I saw far-too-short skirts which were unflattering; I saw far-too-tight dresses which showed lumps and bumps that would not be amiss on The Biggest Loser show; I saw my absolute worst - satin! eeeeeewwwwwww. Why do women insist on wearing this unforgiving and ghastly fabric? Did you see that horrendous green creation which should not have been seen outside the dressing room, whereafter it was tried on, should have been burned? Again, this is just a fashion/style observation. My argument is why people go on television thinking they look fabulous when they need someone to tell them how really awful they look? Where were the stylists?
If people didn't think it would matter what they wore, howcome they all got decked out in glitter and sequins? Of course it matters - mostly to the viewers, and we don't want to see grossly short skirts, a waistline where there isn't really one, or ill-fitting halter straps that make boobs look untethered and shapeless, or tight-fitting outfits that may look at home, perhaps, on a size 1. Televison shows, I have just one thing to say: USE A STYLIST! People can't do it themselves. Trini and Susannah would have absolutely freaked out.
I loved the fact that everyone wore something different rather than the usual "uniform" choirs wear, but heavens, they needed all the help they should have been given. It's distracting having to look at chunky legs in too-short skirts, ill-fitting tops, etc., and listen to the songs. Perhaps that's why choirs are traditionally all dressed the same - to hide the flaws and eye-catching bits and pieces that make up the human body.
What to Blog About
10th November 2007
I keep coming up with things to blog about, and if I don't jot them down, I forget them. Hence the long time since I last posted a blog. I have to say, and this is not an excuse (maybe just a little one), that I've been busy ferrying older people to doctors' appointments, trying to publicize my new book (see thumbnail top right on this page), looking for a job, and just keeping myself busy, for fear of going mad.
I am really into "Survivor: China" but didn't feel like blogging (or moaning) about it this time around. As for "The Bachelor", the less said the better. I am enjoy "Dancing with the Stars" and admire how professional everyone seems to be despite all the tragedies.
If you have something you'd like to hear my opinion on, please e-mail me at pettprojects@yahoo.com.
Oh, I am looking for a publisher for new books I am working on. Please contact me if you can help.
"THE BACHELOR"
11th October 2007
I managed to control my Bachelor blogging urge for a few weeks, but now I just have to have my say about this latest bachelor. Brad Womack, the latest victim of this pithy show, is no Dr. Andy Baldwin, the best bachelor. Nosiree. This one is dull, dull, dull. Nice body but hey, that's going to sag in a few years. And as for the women, the less said, the better. Not one stands out as being the perfect match, which is what he's presumably after. And as for the skinny drunken twit (you can bet your last dollar there will always be at least one per show), she didn't last long. How can you in your right mind (how many are in their right minds, I have to question) get legless and expect to be picked for a potential partner? Where did you leave your brains?
And as for the star of the show, the bachelor himself, well, in my opinion, he's uninspiring. Having his twin brother step in for him was a disaster (perhaps a huge reason why he's on the show in the first place - he has trouble chosing his own women). The brother's body language said it all as he sat forward and appeared distracted (no doubt desperately trying to not forget the woman's name) instead of sitting back, relaxing, and making like he knew who he was talking to. This bachelor doesn't seem to have an original thought - everything he says seems rehearsed (badly) and prompted. He's not relaxed and neither does he come across as confident or bold. None of the women seem to be obvious choices, as they too, seem blah.
I say quit getting rich men - get more salt of the earth types. Or better yet, quit the program and donate all that extravagance to many worthy causes. Many can be fed and educated with a fraction of what is spent on this show. The booze money alone must be a small fortune.
CAR RENTERS - WARNING!
6th October 2007
A quick warning to potential car renters. My whole carefully-planned and wildly anticipated weekend was completely ruined. I made my reservation a week ahead of time, received my e-mailed confirmation number almost immediately, and a reconfirmation e-mail the day I was going to pick my car up. Guess what? They didn't have a car for me, and neither did they bother to contact me to tell me so. I wasn't the only one as a customer who also had a reservation came in at the same time as I did to pick up his car, and one called from the airport!
I have a web page where I've spelled it all out, if you'd like to read more. I have included the e-mail/letter I sent as a complaint, to which I've not had a reply despite their website saying they will reply within three days. The company I used was Advantage Rent-A-Car in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Be warned - please go to my web page and see the unnecessary aggravation and annoyance their lack of concern for their customers (I wasn't the only one!) brought on.
"SURVIVOR" (China)
24th September 2007
So, I said I wasn't going to blog anymore about "Survivor", but I really can't help myself. I tuned in last Thursday to watch the first episode and immediately felt a blog coming on. The beautiful opening ceremony which called for the survivors to enter a quiet and holy temple, was so moving. Of course there had to be one ditz (Leslie) who didn't want "to bow down before other gods". For heaven's sake, isn't this woman secure enough in her own beliefs to be able to respect another belief? She made an absolute idiot of herself by walking out and disrespecting the serenity of the whole place (not to mention the one blonde who couldn't keep her hands together in observance). Then Leslie was patronising to hunky James and I could have clipped her across the head.
All in all, I felt that this series may just have some interesting dynamics but there were a few nutters who stood out and warrant criticism. Like for instance, the waitress from New York, Courtney. Moaning within the first two seconds that nobody talks or acts like that in New York! What does she expect? There's a lot more to the States than just New York - putz. Learn to open your mind and broaden your horizons, girl. The other irritation would be the wrestler, Ashley, and the teacher, Sherea. Imagine pitching up in slip-on shoes with little heels and expecting to get around (Sherea). I mean, for Pete's sake, I would have thought that by now everyone in the entire world had watched at least one episode of "Survivor" to know that you need sneakers. As far as Ashley is concerned, why on earth would she wear something that barely kept her boobs in? A sweatshirt and a t-shirt would have been the appropriate thing to wear, dear. Besides, how warm is that little top going to keep you at night?
So, as you can see, already a few have got up my nose and become a bother. Chicken, who was the first to be voted off, acted like a little kid, and I wasn't at all surprised that he went first. Nobody else struck me as being particularly obnoxious, or particularly outstanding for that matter. Little Peih-Gee could become annoying as she appeared to be a little bossy right off the bat. As for Jean-Robert, the pro poker player, I can't see him lasting more than a few episodes. He just got my goat from the getgo with his attitude. Why can't people just be nice and get along with each other rather than alienate themselves in the first few minutes? Do they really purposefully pick people without social skills to be on this show? As I've said before, "Survivor" used to be my all-time favorite show, but lately it's been getting on my nerves with the bickering and silliness of the people. Well, I'm going to give this series a go, if nothing else to see the beautiful countryside of China and to hopefully learn something new.
I did like that the teams were chosen ahead of time and that there was none of that schoolyard picking. I hate that.
My New Book!
29th August 2007
The Obviousness of It All: A Guide to Common Sense. (ISBN 1-4241-7807-X)
I cannot believe I did it, and now it's on its way to the bookstores. I have just published my second book, this one on common sense. Unfortunately, it seems (at least to me, which is why I wrote the book) that common sense is severely lacking in our society, which would account for much of the trouble we find ourselves in. Most of which could have been avoided if we'd used our common sense. Americans have long been known as go-getters, but they've also been known to be greedy and over-indulgent in many areas of their lives. My philosophy is that "you cannot have anything you want" and "you cannot be anything you want" - it's the reality of each individual. Once you recognize what you are capable of doing (and what you can afford to buy), half your battle is won. Sadly though, it often seems as though people want something and go all out to get it, not for a second considering who they trample over to get it. And when they have it, it's not sufficient and off they go and get something else. Constantly chasing the "wants". My suggestion is to concentrate on the needs. And don't be so greedy. Read a bit more about my book.
Available through Amazon.com at $19.95.
"AMERICA'S GOT TALENT Finale"
22nd August 2007
I love Sharon Osbourne. She's a big reason I watched America's Got Talent this season. I love her clothes, her jewelry, her style, and her big heart. She's always nice to the contestants, even when they are rubbish on stage. She's a classy lady. I can't say the same for the other two judges, mind you. They're not horrible, but Ms. Sharon is in a class of her own. I saw Sharon last year on British television as a judge (with Simon Cowell) on The X-Factor, so she's done some judging before.
Now, to last night's show. I was more or less happy with the last four, but I would have liked to have seen something else other than four singers. I thought the acrobats (either the Calypso guys or Sideswipe, perhaps) would have made a nice change. I was happy to see Cas Haley and Terry Fator in the final two as I thought young Julienne Irwin was too immature and her voice was horrible in last night's performance. It still has a lot of maturing to do. Butterscotch's talent is undeniable but I think perhaps for too limited an audience. I couldn't listen to that noise for more than a song at a time. Terry's puppets are fab, and his voice his even fabber. His imitations of other singers is phenomenal. But, my heart was completely with the loveable Cas Haley. I adore reggae music so I was delighted when I first saw him - in my heart I knew he could make it. Reggae is so infectious and you immediately feel transported to a Caribbean island and you just have to move some part of your body.
Did you see the audience grooving to "Red, Red" Wine" last night? I was so sad that Cas lost to Fator, but after his performance with the legendary UB40 (Ali hasn't changed in decades, and I remember seeing them in Cape Town, a hundred years ago.), I can only hope that a record company will pick him up. I would buy his CD if he had a lot of reggae on it. I loved his gentle attack on the songs he picked, and his voice is spot on. I have to believe his talent will bring him all he wants for his family. God bless ya, kid.
Not everybody knows what a big singing sensation David Hasselhoff is in Europe, especially in Germany. (He's another I saw in Cape Town.) He performed "something" last night but I have to say that I was completely shocked. Either he was over-the-top nervous or he has a terrible singing voice. It was all over the place, flat notes and all, and his stage personality was zero. He looked like a nervous middle-aged contender on the show. And what a horrible song - such corny lyrics. Not good at all. After the show, I flipped television channels, and on PBS there was a documentary in progress (they were talking about Romania at the time) and they flashed to a "bar" where peasant-like locals were hanging out. On the wall was a framed picture of David Hasselhoff. I said he was big in Europe.
The show in itself is extremely watchable, if nothing else but to spot the talent and to have a good laugh at the "talent" some people delusionally think they possess. Sometimes I just cannot believe that some people will embarrass themselves beyond recovery on national television.
See my book reviews on Sharon Osbourne's book, "Extreme", and David Hasselhoff's book, "Don't Hassel the Hoff".
"FAT MARCH'S" BRAT
August 2007
Boy, do I hate bad manners, and especially from so-called grown-ups. Typically, I cannot abide bad table manners in anyone, as there is no excuse for behaving badly at the table. My gall rose to new heights on Monday night (13th) while flipping channels and coming across "Fat March". A large man called Will was sitting at the table where food had been prepared for all the contestants. Will is a 26-year old man who weighs a few hundred pounds so naturally he's a little ratty and unhappy that he's just walked a few miles. This is in an attempt to help him and about eleven other large people lose some weight and get healthy. Something you would think he'd be happy and grateful about. Not. I was appalled to hear this brat (I can think of many other things to call him) saying that the salad was "nasty" and that it had bits of orange in it so he didn't want any. I was horrified that someone could be so rude about food (never be rude about food, ever!) and on national television no less. He pulled his nose up at it and said he wasn't going to have any. Now, had this been my child, he'd have got a crack across the head and sent to his room without food. In my opinion, you eat what you are given unless you are allergic to something. Perfectly understandable. You do not insult someone else's food and act like a two-year-old at the table by pushing food away from you. He was obviously not taught as a child to respect food and to be happy that he had something to eat. And he was obviously not taught as a child not to pout, which incidentally, looks quite pathetic on a grown man. Quite feeble in fact.
I just wanted to express my horror at this babyish behavior from a grown man on television, and to thank him for the grist for my mill - I'm writing a book on manners and etiquette.
THUMPING MUSIC
August 2007
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore music. Nearly all music. I have to draw the line at this thumping base they call music nowadays. Because I ride a bicycle to get around, it's disconcerting to feel the pounding "music" creeping up on you and then have it reveberate through your body as a car approaches and passes you. And then you can both hear and feel it for about a mile up the road. Often it sounds as though the music system in the car is going to explode, because all you hear is the pulsating and palpable sound waves coming through, more often than not, speakers that sound as though they are on their last legs. It sounds as though there is a swarm of ten-and-a-half million buzzing bees traveling three feet above the asphalt. I would hate to know what it must be like inside the car. It just cannot be good for the senstive inner ear membranes.
What I also find extremely annoying is when a neighbor (or their friends) pulls up outside their house and sits in the car listening to the music. Thankfully though, it's not my immediate neighbors, and the noise comes from at least three houses away. Now, sitting inside a car and listening to music isn't so bad, but when the sound waves travel up the road and into the basement in which I am working, bounces off the walls, makes my chest shudder, and rattles the pots on the stove, and disturbs my concentration and peace, I get rather hostile. I once threw open the front door and looked around for where the disturbance was coming from. I then went back inside, grabbed the telephone and came outside again with the phone to my ear. It looked as though I was on the phone to the police. I couldn't see who was in the car as the windows were all tinted, but, once the person spotted me, he turned off the noise and went inside.
To get an idea of the disconcerting aspect of this throbbing sound, just sit in your car at a traffic light, and when a thumping car stops next to you, try and think clearly. All you'll feel is the buzz from the base of the music flashing around your own car and your ears ringing and your rib cage reverberating. I cannot imagine what it must be like for someone with a bad heart, or worse, with a pacemaker.
I can't help but state that this throbbing music nearly always emanates from a male's car. And usually a young guy. We all know how ridiculously competitive teenagers and young men can be, but for heaven's sake, do they have to scream out the fact that they have two hundred speakers in their cars and blast us to kingdom come? It's a case of "Mine's bigger and louder than yours." Grow up.
I'm hoping that if enough neighbors complain that the decorative plates on their walls keep being rumbled to the floor, that this pounding base will become enough of a public nuisance that it will become illegal to go over a certain amount of decibels, and thus, ensure that we all keep our sanity and our hearing. Besides, how on earth do these drivers hear a siren behind them.
VICTORIA BECKHAM
July 2007
Why all the hoopla over Victoria Beckham? And why for her husband? Poor guy can hardly string a sentence together, looks good in magazines, and hey, he can kick a ball. And he's famous. They're money machines, that's what.
Well, I had to briefly check out the preparation of the Beckham's arrival to L.A. and what Victoria had to do to get things ready for her family's arrival. Mrs. Beckham's arrival at the Los Angeles airport caused a commotion. Why, I don't really know. Paparazzi were falling over themselves to get a picture of her. If they bothered to just stand in an orderly row, I'm sure she'd have willingly stopped and posed for them. She loves to pose and it comes naturally to her.
She, with the help of some idiot sycophantic real estate people (one said to her: "This house was built from the ground up," to which she responded, "Isn't that how they build all houses?"), she found a beautiful home (belonged to Lionel Richie) and proceeded to settle in. She did some shopping and threw the first pitch at a Dodgers game, and all in all, she seems to have a good sense of humor.
Of course I do love the British sense of humor and appreciate her being in a foreign country and having to come to grips with certain Americanisms. Like, the obsession with money. Victoria was invited to a neighbor's "welcome to the neighborhood" party, to which she went, and found herself amongst a gaggle of old biddies (Marla Maples was there too) in a home that was too tacky to describe. Tawdry comes to mind. One old guest asked if David was getting paid 60 billion dollars. I mean, the cheek. What business is it of hers how much Mr. Beckham is being paid. All looked so over-the-top dolled up with brightly colored clothes, pulled tight faces (the one on the right of the shocker in blue (or the dolphin lady) couldn't even laugh because her face was tighter than a drum, and she battled to show any sign of life inside the head), and the worst make-up I've ever seen. Instead of being sedately elegant in their old age, they looked like frights. One woman even climbed the staircase and lifted her dress to reveal her knickers. What kind of behavior is that? Then they swigged champagne and downed shots, all in the afternoon! Even I was kind of shocked, and I don't shock easily. What an introduction to Los Angeles.
Victoria is well aware of the commotion she causes, and plays it up so well. Being followed by a film crew to capture her every move, we saw her getting made up, having her hair done, shopping, learning to drive, being pulled over by a traffic cop, taking her learners license, and more. Some of it was completely over the top, with this little stick insect (who'd "never be caught dead in flat shoes") flashing her tanned legs in either a bathing suit or shorts or a very short skirt. She seems pretty game and fun. Of course she has an image of a ditzy clotheshorse, which she is, to uphold, but I think she's also a savvy customer.
The worst part of the show was when she kept commenting that something was "may-juh'. That became annoying. I think the only ones who really fear Victoria's coming to L.A. are Paris Hilton and Britney Spears - she's very likely going to steal their thunder. I mean Britney stipped down to her underwear and frollicked on the beach in an attempt to get some attention. How common is that? I don't doubt for a moment she has a swimming pool at her house, so why would she do something so pathetic and sleazy?
Victoria's sense of humor came to the fore when she fooled the photographers by sending her car off with a blow up doll inside. Boy, did they look like dummies. I agree, Victoria, God bless America.
"AGE OF LOVE"
July 2007
Give me strength! I told myself I wasn't going to watch any more "Bachelor"-type television shows. Lo and behold, what comes on? "Age of Love," featuring a hunky pro tennis player and 20 something vs 40 something women. He has to choose. Easy you might think. But, the kicker is that the 40 somethings look fabulous and prove to be more interesting to the 30-year old Australian pro than the younger women. A couple of weeks ago when he was in the pool with the younger women, hardly a word was said - strained and awkward silence. Once again, it's a process of elimination, and he courts (no pun intended) each one and then boots one from each "side" at the end of the show. Last night (July 9) he got to snog a few of the women, and much to his surprise, the 40 somethings could actually kiss. I think there were a couple of times he wasn't able to stand up.
What got my goat last night was that little brat Mary (a 23-year old), who would bawl her eyes out as soon as look at her. This is not the kind of woman Mark Philippoussis is looking for I wouldn't imagine. If he is, then heaven help us women. She is a complete cry-baby and is working my last nerve. I can't say that any of the women, from both age groups, really enthrall me, but they all have great bodies and put many of us out of shape women to shame.
I was glad that Kelly was eliminated last night, as she came across as a little too desperate (who isn't at 40 having never been married???) and was becoming annoying. I also have to say that I don't see him with the 48-year old (I think the fact that she has a 25-year old son freaked Mark out). The young blonde who was eliminated last night also didn't seem to fit with him - bleached blonde hair and very obviously "doctored" boobs (they were frightening!) don't fit the life of a traveling pro tennis player in my opinion. Even though she might be game (no pun intended), she just doesn't look right. I don't really know who he might end up with, or if who he chooses will prove to be Ms. Right, but it's not bad having to look at him each week.
The best part of this show? His little puppy. I find myself sitting up and taking notice when the little creature is in view.
OTHER PEOPLE'S KIDS
June 2007
I've just read the funniest book about other people's children. It's called I Hate Other People's Kids, and it's a look at the irritating aspects of other people's children. Author Adrianne Frost doesn't have her own children. And neither do I. What, you may ask, gives me (or her) any clue as to how children should be brought up seeing as I don't have my own and cannot talk from experience? Well, my answer would be that you don't have to have kids of your own to know how they should be raised - Super Nanny Jo Frost doesn't have children of her own and she seems to know a thing or two about getting bratty kids on the right track.
These are some of the things about kids that annoy me incessantly: When they are allowed to throw tantrums in public places like the supermarket or the library, and mothers just let them scream bloody murder. I could just about pull my hair out when confronted with this disgusting and rather disturbing behavior. Why, for pity's sake, can't the mother just whisk the squawking brat outside? But no, they ignore the screams and flailing limbs as if it's not happening. I secretly wish that the store manager would politely ask them to vacate the premises and not to come back unless said child is quiet. Another thing I wish parents would teach their children is that no means no. If mom (or dad) says that they cannot have something they've spotted in the store, then that should be that. Screaming and crying and demanding to have that thing is not acceptable. Gone are the good old days when a parent could slap the kids' butt or legs to shut them up or to make a point. A good shock always seemed to do the trick. If it weren't inhumane, perhaps someone would have come up with a similar device to the collar that shocks a dog when it barks. Just a thought.
Something else that annoys the poop out of me is when children are allowed to run around in the library as though it were the playground. Or when one of the four or five kids wanders off and the mother yells clear across the library for it. What the heck is up with that? I thought everyone was taught that you had to be quiet in a library. Consideration for other people is something everyone needs to learn (and be taught), otherwise how on earth are we as people going to ever be able to live in harmony? This also freaks me out: when parents bring their brood to a restaurant (I don't care which restaurant) and let them make a disgusting mess not only on the table, but around the table as well. This is just plain disgusting and shows a lack of breeding. Are they allowed to make such a mess at home? What sort of morals are parents instilling in their offspring by allowing this kind of public behavior? And what's possibly worse, is when children are allowed to eat with their fingers. I've seen a teenager at The Red Lobster stab a chicken (I don't know, perhaps he doesn't like fish.) breast with his fork and lower his head to about 2 inches from the plate, and chew off it as though it was an ice cream. Now, said teenager was about 15 years old and as far as I could see, didn't have any disability, so why on earth wasn't he taught how to eat properly? Couldn't he have just cut off a piece of chicken and take it to his mouth instead of bringing his mouth to the chicken? And then to cap it all, while all hunched over his plate, he chewed and spoke with his mouth open. This nearly caused me to retch and barf my shrimp back up. (Meantime, the service and quality of my meal at The Red Lobster was far from satisfactory I have to add, that I could easily have barfed it up.)
I've also seen a teenager eating broccoli with their fingers, and also rice. Yes, rice. They push the rice onto the fork with their fingers when there is a perfectly good knife on the table. There's no excuse for a teenager to eat this way! A little kid I can understand. I've heard from reliable sources how young mothers let little toddlers feed themselves while in their highchair. Perhaps this is why the teenager ate so badly out in public. You have to teach a child these things, not leave them up to their own devices. Can you imagine having to answer to them when they are adults and barred from dinner parties at their friends' houses because they eat like pigs at the table? This is your job as a parent, for heaven's sake. And while you're at it, please teach your children to eat with their mouths closed and not to talk with a full mouth. You can barely blame it on the child for it probably was never taught, but for everyone around them, it's just plain disgusting to witness.
Another thing that peeves me no end is when kids are called and answer with a "what!" We were taught as children not to say "what" but "yes?" If I had an employee answer me "what!" when I called, they would be out on their ear and in search of a new line of work. Something else that gets my goat is when children interrupt an adult's conversation without saying excuse me. Or they chirp their two cent's worth when they weren't asked. Teenagers are undoubtedly the worst. You would think they know better (or were taught better) not to correct an adult. I hate being questioned as to "What does that mean? Just because they didn't understand a certain word doesn't mean it doesn't exist or that I made the word up. I am well aware that they think they know everything and I delight in telling them to look it up in the dictionary. Of course, had they asked, "What does that mean?" in an enquiring way, I'd have gladly explained the meaning to them.
I have to also wonder why kids are not disciplined and punished much these days. If a child does something really bad, it should be reprimanded and given adequate punishment. I don't mean locked in the dungeon for thirty days (for some kids this might be the appropriate punishment), just something to make them think about what they did or said. I've heard parents say that they don't like to be the "bad guy" (especially divorced parents), and that the kid is doing so well at school that they want to cut them some slack. Phooey. Just because your kid/s are smart at school, doesn't make them immune to the wrongs they do. Everyone has a duty to be responsible and respectful. Plain and simple. Just because you are smart, doesn't mean you are not an idiot. You can be an Einstein but still be an obnoxious twit. Just because you are rich doesn't mean you are above the law either. Just ask Paris Hilton.
Kids should not be allowed to backchat a parent (or any adult for that matter). It's just plain disrespectful. You have to learn to bite your tongue, just as adults do when they want so badly to blurt out to others that they are morons. Children should be taught that you cannot go through life shouting and yelling to others just because you want something. It just doesn't work that way. I have just written a book on common sense and have a whole chapter about children. I wouldn't go so far as to say I hate other people's children, but I do have only one nerve left for them to get on.
I also have to question why it is that parents are still having so many children. Isn't the cost of living so extreme that they would think twice about bringing yet another child into their household to feed, clothe, and educate? The latter being questionable. For God in heaven's sake, contraception has been around for decades - there is no excuse anymore. And, you have to learn that you cannot do whatever you please in this life. That's not how it works in the real world. You have to be responsible and teach your offspring to be responsible, otherwise anarchy is the only option.
The good news is that I do see parents chastising their children and explaining why what they have done is not appropriate. Thank you for that.
See my review of I Hate Other People's Kids.
"HELL'S KITCHEN" / "CREATURE COMFORTS"
June 2007
As talented as Gordon Ramsay may be, he's completely tactless, rude, and just plain deplorable as a "boss" or "teacher". What may have been fun television has now gone beyond the pale of "entertainment".
How any sane person can sign up for this show is beyond me. How desperate do you have to be? Why would you put yourself through this abuse? Do people enjoy being made complete fools of and being totally humiliated on national television? What type of person actually enjoys watching this garbage? Good grief! I watched just a few minutes and couldn't tolerate another minute of his tripe. The trailers were off-putting enough. If this had been in any other "employment/teacher" setting, Ramsay would have had his butt sued for verbal abuse and for being an obnoxious jerk.
"Creature Comforts" on the other hand, what a pleasure! Loved the talking lions, little lapdog, the pigs, the horses, the two angry bees, the two cats, the bulldogs, and I loved the southern accents of the two "cops". All of the animals were "interviewed" and their answers were hysterical. The animation was brilliant, original, and such a clever script, and I think this was from the people who brought us "Wallace and Gromit". Now this is something I could really get into and enjoy instead of watching people being yelled and cursed at, their food spat out, and their public degradation.
DRIVEN BY ALTRUISM
May 2007
There's a saying that I love: "God helps those who help themselves." My sentiments exactly. However, not everyone is capable of helping themselves and thus need a helping hand. My passion is to help others while also helping myself, but I can't seem to get a break. My goals are to help women and children who flee abusive homes and I'm also on the trail of working out how I can help the homeless. Neither unenviable situation has afflicted me, thank God, but I am well aware that the latter could so easily have happened. It's a case of "There, but for the Grace of God, go I." I don't have a home of my own and live in a friend's basement until I can sort myself out. No biggie, and I'm grateful to have a roof over my head, but I've had this roof for over four years and we both want out.
What puzzles me is that I just can't seem to get a break. I am working on a few book ideas to use as tools to raise funds but can't seem to get the help I need to get going. I've solicited the help of others via my Website to get me going, but nothing's happened. I am well aware that there are many scams on the Internet to which many people fall victim, so I have expressed my honorable intentions and assured everyone that I am not out to scam people, if only they would help. I cannot believe that people would so easily lend a helping hand to someone in credit card debt (their own fault) but not want to help me help others. I cannot do it alone as I am unemployed, writing a book, and doing odd jobs to pay the rent. My wish is to donate proceeds from the sale of some of my books to charities to help others.
With the potential to reach kazillions of people on the Internet, I would have thought that I could attract at least some interest. I am only too well aware that money is tight, and I appreciate that, but can only hope that there are some people who would like to be a part of my helping others. I also know that "charity begins at home", and I am working on helping myself, but being driven by altruism, it is not easy to put my passion aside. I am constantly thinking about others less fortunate than myself, watching the endless TV programs about people battling one thing or another, and constantly thinking about how I can be of help. Don't you want to help others?
I plan to keep a Web page dedicated to my progress and how funds are being used. I want everyone to know that I am an honorable person and will use your donations and contributions honorably.
If you would like to help spread the word, please copy and paste this URL into your next e-mails, and please ask whomever to visit my Web page if they would also like to help.
http://www.geocities.com/pettprojects/charity.html
Thank you for visiting.
If you would like to make a donation to help get this charity drive off the ground,
please use the PayPal button below. Thank you kindly. If you would prefer sending a check or money order, please e-mail me for an address to where you can send it.
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