This evening as I was driving home from work, I got a glimpse of my former self.
I used to have a terrible problem with road rage. I would curse, honk, tailgate. Not pretty. And very un-Christian.
Over the past few years, I've mellowed out.
This evening, I merged into another lane and although I had plenty of space, the driver behind me took exception to my move. She beeped at me. As we got off the exit ramp, she gave me a continuous honk and pulled up next to me so she could flip me off and I presume, curse at me as I could see she was yelling at me. Both of our windows were up, so I have no idea what she was really yelling.
What struck me was how ridiculous her actions were. Was she trying to change the fact that I had merged in front of her? Get me to apologize? Fight me? Teach me a lesson?
Reflecting back on my own bouts of road rage, I think my motivation was to get the person to admit that they had wronged me in some way, to acknowledge that they had put their need to get somewhere ahead of my safety and the safety of others. Right. Because that was going to happen.
It's interesting when your own past mistakes are reflected back to you. I'm so glad I've mellowed out.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
It Happened
So, it happened. The thing I dreaded most. The reason I was reluctant to get on Facebook.
THE ex-boyfriend found me on Facebook and sent me a message.
To my complete and utter shock, he apologized. For everything he did wrong during our relationship. He took responsibility for it all.
I had not communicated with him in any way for more than 10 years, so I never saw this coming. I never once imagined it would be a good thing if I heard from him again.
We're not buddies now or anything. In fact, I don't plan on communicating with him again. But it sure did feel good to get that apology and to be able to let him know that he is forgiven.
And I don't hate Facebook anymore.
THE ex-boyfriend found me on Facebook and sent me a message.
To my complete and utter shock, he apologized. For everything he did wrong during our relationship. He took responsibility for it all.
I had not communicated with him in any way for more than 10 years, so I never saw this coming. I never once imagined it would be a good thing if I heard from him again.
We're not buddies now or anything. In fact, I don't plan on communicating with him again. But it sure did feel good to get that apology and to be able to let him know that he is forgiven.
And I don't hate Facebook anymore.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Real Reason Michael Vick Should Not Be Allowed to Return to the NFL
The real reason Michael Vick should not be allowed to return to the NFL is not because he committed a heinous crime for which he has shown no believable remorse. The real reason he should not be allowed to return is because he is a professional athlete who committed a heinous crime.
And, like it or not, professional athletes are role models. It's part of the job. If you don't want to be a role model, don't become a professional athlete. Period.
We are not talking about an average joe returning to a job at an office, a factory, a farm or a store. We are talking about someone who is paid a large salary to play a sport for a living. This is a privilege, not a right. With privileges come greater responsibilities.
I'm not saying he should rot in jail for the rest of his life. He should, however, be banned from the football field. There are other ways he can become a productive member of society. There are others ways he can serve as a role model, for example, speaking to young men about learning from his mistake, highlighting how breaking the law can change your life forever. Right now, his story goes more like, "I messed up, got a slap on the wrist, and got to get back on the field." Where's the lesson in that?
There are plenty of average joes who commit heinous crimes and never get a second chance like Vick. They have use their own gumption to turn their lives around. Why should Vick have it so easy?
P.S. As a PR professional, my deepest sympathy goes to the communications staff of the Philadelphia Eagles. Good luck this season - you'll need it.
And, like it or not, professional athletes are role models. It's part of the job. If you don't want to be a role model, don't become a professional athlete. Period.
We are not talking about an average joe returning to a job at an office, a factory, a farm or a store. We are talking about someone who is paid a large salary to play a sport for a living. This is a privilege, not a right. With privileges come greater responsibilities.
I'm not saying he should rot in jail for the rest of his life. He should, however, be banned from the football field. There are other ways he can become a productive member of society. There are others ways he can serve as a role model, for example, speaking to young men about learning from his mistake, highlighting how breaking the law can change your life forever. Right now, his story goes more like, "I messed up, got a slap on the wrist, and got to get back on the field." Where's the lesson in that?
There are plenty of average joes who commit heinous crimes and never get a second chance like Vick. They have use their own gumption to turn their lives around. Why should Vick have it so easy?
P.S. As a PR professional, my deepest sympathy goes to the communications staff of the Philadelphia Eagles. Good luck this season - you'll need it.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Where Eating and Sleeping Collide
I titled this blog Eat/Sleep/Read because I feel that reading is as necessary to life as eating and sleeping. Lately, eating and sleeping have been giving me problems.
I've been feeling extremely fatigued since April - so fatigued that some days I can't take a full shower without stepping out to sit down for a minute. Nothing related to sleeping (bedtime, amount of sleep, time getting up) or exercising improved how I felt.
When I first called the doctor in May, they were so obliging as to offer me an appointment in August (!). I finally persuaded them to see my in July. My bloodwork and other test results indicate no obvious problems.
While I was undergoing all this testing, however, I made a discovery of my own. I had been eating poorly...too much fast/frozen food, not enough fruits or vegetables, etc. Toward the end of July and the first few weeks of August, I was eating better - more fresh fruits and vegetables, chicken and fish, less pasta and bread. And I was feeling better. Last week I ate badly...and paid for it over the weekend. I didn't leave the house at all on Sunday, but slept on and off all day.
Clearly my fatigue is related to my diet. So I gotta eat better. I'll let you know how it goes.
I've been feeling extremely fatigued since April - so fatigued that some days I can't take a full shower without stepping out to sit down for a minute. Nothing related to sleeping (bedtime, amount of sleep, time getting up) or exercising improved how I felt.
When I first called the doctor in May, they were so obliging as to offer me an appointment in August (!). I finally persuaded them to see my in July. My bloodwork and other test results indicate no obvious problems.
While I was undergoing all this testing, however, I made a discovery of my own. I had been eating poorly...too much fast/frozen food, not enough fruits or vegetables, etc. Toward the end of July and the first few weeks of August, I was eating better - more fresh fruits and vegetables, chicken and fish, less pasta and bread. And I was feeling better. Last week I ate badly...and paid for it over the weekend. I didn't leave the house at all on Sunday, but slept on and off all day.
Clearly my fatigue is related to my diet. So I gotta eat better. I'll let you know how it goes.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Julie & Julia and Their Husbands
Hello, dear neglected blog!
This past weekend, I went to see Julie & Julia with my mom. Excellent movie; Meryl Streep was outstanding. Uplifting, sweet and funny...except for one thing.
Among the other things that Julie & Julia have in common, their husbands are loving, helpful and supportive. They buy the right gifts at the right time. They say the right things at the right time (most of the time).
I would really love to know how much of this was fictionalized for the movie and how much of it was true. Why? I have seen very little real life evidence that men like this actually exist.
And this, my friends, is why I'm still single. I spent enough time in my dating life settling and I refuse to do it any more. I want a guy who kills the lobsters instead of belittling me for not being able to do it. I want a guy who can buy a meaningful (and note that by this I don't mean expensive) gift instead of replacement blades for my razor (true story). I want a guy who will encourage and celebrate my successes instead of trying to destroy my self-esteem so he can feel more confident.
I know you want to tell me that I actually have to date to find a guy like this, but frankly, I feel my time would be better spent hunting for the mythical unicorn. When I see more evidence that thoughtful, loving, supportive men in my age range actually exist, then perhaps I will give up my dating hiatus.
Until then, I have better things to do.
This past weekend, I went to see Julie & Julia with my mom. Excellent movie; Meryl Streep was outstanding. Uplifting, sweet and funny...except for one thing.
Among the other things that Julie & Julia have in common, their husbands are loving, helpful and supportive. They buy the right gifts at the right time. They say the right things at the right time (most of the time).
I would really love to know how much of this was fictionalized for the movie and how much of it was true. Why? I have seen very little real life evidence that men like this actually exist.
And this, my friends, is why I'm still single. I spent enough time in my dating life settling and I refuse to do it any more. I want a guy who kills the lobsters instead of belittling me for not being able to do it. I want a guy who can buy a meaningful (and note that by this I don't mean expensive) gift instead of replacement blades for my razor (true story). I want a guy who will encourage and celebrate my successes instead of trying to destroy my self-esteem so he can feel more confident.
I know you want to tell me that I actually have to date to find a guy like this, but frankly, I feel my time would be better spent hunting for the mythical unicorn. When I see more evidence that thoughtful, loving, supportive men in my age range actually exist, then perhaps I will give up my dating hiatus.
Until then, I have better things to do.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Buying American Part II
This news brief from Media Post's Marketing Daily confirms what I wrote about buying American:
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=109148.
Don't believe the hype. Check the facts.
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=109148.
Don't believe the hype. Check the facts.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Buying American
It's time for Chevy, Ford and GM to start telling their consumers the truth and stop operating under a double-standard. When you buy a car made by one these three companies, you are NOT "buying American."
In an article in yesterday's Online Media Daily, Les Luchter writes, "Buying a Ford is undoubtedly buying American...". He could not be more wrong.
My grandfather worked for a spring manufacturing company in Northeast Ohio for 67 years. For much of that time, the big three auto-makers were clients of this company, purchasing a variety of springs for the cars they made. Over the last five years or so, the spring company has seen ALL of the business from the Chevy, Ford and GM head overseas to China. The company is on the verge of closing.
I am so sick of Chevy, Ford, and GM and their dealers trying to make us believe that if we are buying one of their cars, we are "buying American." If they want us to, WHY DON'T THEY?
I feel no guilt whatsoever in driving my Honda Civic. It's a quality car and Honda is an economic engine in the state in which I live. In fact, Honda is the sixth largest employer in the state of Ohio.
I've had some people argue with me that I should buy from a so-called "American" car manufacturer because then the profits would stay in this country. Clearly not true, as the money will just be used to buy parts from overseas. Why not send it straight there anyway? Besides, it's not like the CEOs of the big three wouldn't just waste the money on private jets and other nonsense.
If you want to drive a Chevy, Ford or GM because it's a quality vehicle with the features you want at a price you can afford, by all means, please do. Just don't be fooled into thinking you are buying American.
In an article in yesterday's Online Media Daily, Les Luchter writes, "Buying a Ford is undoubtedly buying American...". He could not be more wrong.
My grandfather worked for a spring manufacturing company in Northeast Ohio for 67 years. For much of that time, the big three auto-makers were clients of this company, purchasing a variety of springs for the cars they made. Over the last five years or so, the spring company has seen ALL of the business from the Chevy, Ford and GM head overseas to China. The company is on the verge of closing.
I am so sick of Chevy, Ford, and GM and their dealers trying to make us believe that if we are buying one of their cars, we are "buying American." If they want us to, WHY DON'T THEY?
I feel no guilt whatsoever in driving my Honda Civic. It's a quality car and Honda is an economic engine in the state in which I live. In fact, Honda is the sixth largest employer in the state of Ohio.
I've had some people argue with me that I should buy from a so-called "American" car manufacturer because then the profits would stay in this country. Clearly not true, as the money will just be used to buy parts from overseas. Why not send it straight there anyway? Besides, it's not like the CEOs of the big three wouldn't just waste the money on private jets and other nonsense.
If you want to drive a Chevy, Ford or GM because it's a quality vehicle with the features you want at a price you can afford, by all means, please do. Just don't be fooled into thinking you are buying American.
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