Digging Up The Past

It's been a while but, as my husband just said, "life's a bitch and she's back in heat."

Another day, another person in the public eye being shamed for something they did a long time ago. Legend John Wayne did a controversial interview with Playboy in 1971. Internet trolls are hungry for controversy, it's insatiable. Gas was 40 cents a gallon, it was seven years since the Civil Rights Act and John Wayne was not woke-as-fuck by today's standards. Could it be because it was a different time? Was the interview controversial at the time? Let's not condone his comments but understand his comments and, with that, see how far society has come.
It reminds me of people who are obsessed with a certain period of time, saying, "Oh I wish I was alive during the Revolutionary War or during the time of 1700's Scotland because of 'Outlander.' Things were so better back then - it was simpler times." Do you like shitting outside? Wooden teeth? No status as a woman? You can't even go five minutes when you can't find your Smartphone.
People who harp on rehabilitating inmates are the same people who are disgusted with John Wayne and Ralph Northam but champion for the fact people can change. What's the frequency Kenneth? I had a bowl-cut when I was in elementary school. Do I have a bowl-cut now? No. Thankfully I don't need my '80s mother to decide on my haircut - I should note she wouldn't be into bowl-cuts now because she has changed and so have the times! Should I be shamed for the bowl-cut I had decades ago? What does that little girl with a shitty cut have to do with me now other than scaring my soul?
On another note, how can you shame people for things they did a long time ago when we are not that far removed from some atrocious actions? World War II ended 73 years ago. That's not that long ago. The landmark Civil Rights Act was enforced 55 years ago. Think of gay marriage, interracial marriage, abortion ... we aren't that far removed from some shit.
So, leave John Wayne alone. Don't click on those articles. Pay them no mind. Shit happened a long time ago, luckily for us older folk we aren't famous so it wasn't documented - it being the dumbass shit we said and did. Let's move along and worry about more important things.

We All Want To Be Royal So We Can Succumb To Being Ordinary

I'm watching this British monarchy show and it dawns on me. People wonder why non-British folk are obsessed with this genre of entertainment, whether it be historical or current. I think it's because we all secretly want to be royalty. That way we can be wild, crazy, YOLO, etc. but always know we are golden because of our bloodline. We don't need no stinkin' minimum wage job or to take some opportunity that's beneath us because it's an opportunity for growth. We don't need to worry about sex because we are royalty so everyone and anyone is hot to bang. We can do anything without worrying about dire consequences. Could you imagine? It's like someone figuring out life, the universe and everything for you because aren't we all just too lazy?
Now I definitely don't want to be next in line royalty, if you catch my drift. More like next next in line or so on. Pressures on but definitely not fully on you. Long live the average!

Leslie Jones Leaves Twitter, Doesn't Leave Twitter

Leslie Jones has had herself a time on Twitter since the release of her all-female (and one pathetic punchline of a male) film "Ghostbusters." The "Saturday Night Live" star's feed was recently flooded with homophobic and racist tweets, so much so she left the social media platform earlier this week.
"I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart. All this cause I did a movie. You can hate the movie but the shit I got today ... wrong.”

She later stated she didn't leave Twitter but signed off for a while, as she is back on the popular site because a celebrity is nobody without an audience. She commented the insults didn't hurt her but the "injustice" of a "gang" of people harassing her was "gross, mean and unnecessary."

It's not a new phenomena for trolls to hide behind the veil of a computer screen to spew vile hatred, especially towards celebrities. In a world where bullying is a significant problem starting as early as the playground, something needs to be done to work towards a solution.

Leslie Jones' solution does not set a good example for anyone, especially impressionable youth in America and around the world. She is not the first person to be harassed and will not be the last. The CEO of Twitter or Facebook or anywhere this type of virtual torment occurs can ban people to their hearts delight. People can report abusive and harmful material and also those seductive pornbots. It will never be enough for these people, these outraged headline armchair activists. There will always be something to be outraged about so why not change ourselves?

Leslie Jones is famous, whether I think she's talented or a racist Tyler Perry-esque caricature of the stereotypical angry black woman (another rant for another day). She has a platform, why not use it for good? Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me. Don't sweat the small stuff. Never let anyone make you feel inferior without your consent (thank you Eleanor Roosevelt). Does she not know her actions gave the trolls what they want, what they desperately need? Attention. Don't feed the trolls!

People make fun of others because they hate themselves and need to release that hatred like diarrhea. I feel bad so you must feel bad too, come down to my level and wallow in misery. The key is to not let it touch you. If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it does it make a sound? If a troll spews vile hatred towards you but you ignore it does the troll exist?

Also, maybe the CEO's of social media platforms could work towards searching Tweets and posts and whatever for things that matter like terrorists and pedophiles. Just a thought.

The President of the United States Doesn't Matter

I was raised to not publicly speak of politics and religion. The main reasons are it isn't polite, you're not going to change anyone's mind, and one side of my family consists of uber-religious right-wing conservatives ... so there's that. At family reunions I kept my mouth shut and a wide-eyed, apathetic smiling face plastered on no matter what the topic and, let me tell you, the topic gets controversial. I consider it training for the real world where everyone has an opinion, hidden agenda and a Smartphone.
With soapboxes at the end of our finger tips, I understand I'm not the norm. The election is months away and social media platforms are swamped with political mumbo jumbo. Trump! Clinton! Some Libertarian from the land of "Sicario" - which my liberal mother refers to as "throwing your vote away." Am I the only person who sees the president as a figurehead?
Does no one worry about Congress and its great ability for making no progress? Politicians who have been "serving" for decades with so many corporations in their pockets they are the biggest whores of D.C. Filibusters and nonsense. Saving themselves from bankruptcy at the last possible moment. Bickering and arguing like school children. Historically you can expect a different majority party in Congress than the elected president. Doesn't that even out, or even cancel out, the absurdity we would get from Clown School Drop Out Donald Trump or Barbaric Predator Kankles Clinton?
At the end of the day, does the president matter? Isn't the president more of a cheerleader than a policymaker? I'm not talking in absolutes but in terms of overall. Do you know your senator? What about your representative - who, like the word, literally represents YOU? Isn't Congress more important than the president in terms of things that affect everyday people? And, if this is true, why aren't we more concerned with Congress?
Or, I could get really apathetic on you and say does any of this matter? If every politician is a puppet with its strings controlled by who knows what then ... what does it matter?

Lamar Odom: People Only Like You When You're Dying

Last night while skimming Twitter, I asked my husband, "Do you think Lamar Odom is going to die?" He looked at me wide-eyed and said something along the lines of: I don't wish the guy harm but, honestly, I don't care either way.
We aren't Kardashian fans (or foes). We aren't NBA fans. The only thing we know about Lamar Odom is he was in the NBA, dated Khloe Kardashian and had a drug problem, knowledge we gained from, most likely, Twitter headlines because that's where most of our news comes from nowadays. We don't dislike or like him or what he's about - it just isn't on our radar.
So, with news he overdosed at a whorehouse in Nevada and is fighting for his life ... well, it's sad but why is everyone coming out of the woodwork to praise the guy? Where were they when he left the NBA years ago and started this doomed voyage?
I find it creepy and happening more in my personal life as well as with celebrities. Is it a fear of death? We are uncertain with mortality so when someone is on the verge of death, whoever they may be to us, we feel frightened for them? We pity them?
Take a person. They are in your life, in whatever capacity, but you don't necessarily care for them so you keep your distance. Bam. They have a terminal illness. Why do we then reach out to them? Show love and support if we don't like them? Stop badmouthing them as if God will strike us down?
Why is not OK to dislike someone who is fighting a disease or illness or someone who is dying or died? That's not to say you wish ill on them but why is not OK to not care?
Someone dies. They weren't the best to you in life - maybe they were mean or hurt you or whatever. Why must we pretend the negatives didn't happen and focus on positives? So we can be at peace? If you would have never made peace with the person during their life, than why do it after death when they aren't here to accept it?
I don't know Lamar Odom and never will. I don't dislike him but I don't like him either. Why must I care he is dying? Why is it not OK to not care?

Why Aren't We Allowed To Not Care About Caitlyn Jenner

Following his divorce from Kardashian pimp Kris Jenner earlier this year, Bruce Jenner came out as a trans woman. Earlier this month he changed his name to Caitlyn and began referring to himself in public with feminine pronouns. He is now she.
When I read the news and saw the now infamous "Vogue" cover, I was happy for Caitlyn. I did not watch the April 20/20 interview with Diane Sawyer but I heard she gave a genuine story of her struggle with gender dysphoria. I hope her story helps to make transgender a more mainstream and less threatening term in society and helps any confused individuals out there fighting between male and female.
That's where it ended.
I never liked Bruce Jenner. I wasn't around for his Olympic success so the only thing I associate him with is Kardashian. An empire of talentless, ignorant whores invading America with plastic bodies and empty minds. What kind of person would marry into that family? His children with Kris are an Instagram porn model (honestly, what else does she do?) and the other is a supermodel who rode to fame on her last name. He married a woman, had two kids, then married another woman the same week of his divorce. Two more kids, who were stars of reality shows, then divorce and a final marriage to Kris which also ended in divorce. Not much to like and, lo and behold, she will have her own reality show.
So, while I can appreciate her courage, I don't understand why we are not allowed to not care about Caitlyn Jenner. If we share this sentiment then we must be a pro-Jesus bigot or deemed insensitive. Even Clint Eastwood can't make a joke - during a taping of the Guys Choice Awards, he compared Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson to other actors-turned-athletes like, "Jim Brown and Caitlyn Somebody." I don't know about you but to me he was joking about how over-saturated the news has become with the name, not about transgender being a negative.
I see the need for shaming people who spread hateful messages (i.e. "Christians" like the Duggar family who forget about the greatest commandment and focus on hating select groups of "God's children") but what about us who don't care? Be a woman. Be a man. Just get off my newsfeed already.
I can't say I like this person much either but I couldn't help but agree with Bob Costas in regards to his take on Caitlyn winning the ESPY's Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
Costas wished Jenner "all the happiness in the world and all the peace of mind in the world," but said, "I think this is a play to pump up audience the way lots of things are put on television, to attract eyeballs, not because of the validity, but because of whatever the kind of gawker factor is."
We don't care about Caitlyn Jenner. Think about all the people commenting one way or another. How many transgender people have you met in your life? How many do you personally know? How many would you call an acquaintance or friend? I can easily assume the percentage for most Americans is very, very low. It's one thing to Tweet your support and tear down people who think otherwise but what does that mean? What does that do? Do you support Caitlyn or do you want to be part of the narrative?
Did you like Bruce Jenner? Did you care about Bruce Jenner? I didn't and I'm sure most of you didn't either. So, since I didn't care about Bruce why should I care about Caitlyn? Would Caitlyn want me to care simply because he is now a she? Should we care about someone who goes from male to female or vice versa, pushing aside who they are as a person?
Caitlyn is currently worth $100 million. Now there's a new reality show, book deals and talk of her motivational speeches going from $40,000 to much, much more. She's fine. She's not a sad, confused teen struggling with identity during one of the hardest periods of life.
I don't care about Caitlyn Jenner just as I don't care about the Duggars and their news that wasn't shocking. I didn't care before so why should I care now?

Apple Debuts New Watch: Is It Smart?

Life isn't easy. You fill your days while also trying to get a solid 7-9 hours of shut eye a night. There are long commutes, difficulties with parenting, annoying bosses, expanding waistlines, adult responsibilities ... you love anything that will make your life easier.
Don't we love the easy way? I don't want to eat healthy and exercise to lose weight, I want a trick or a secret. I don't want to use my remote, I want to talk to my Xbox One and let it do the work. We are lazy growing lazier by the second.
I was late to the Smartphone game on purpose because I didn't think I needed it in my life. Did I want it? Sure. Did I need it? No. Finally Verizon decided to give me a free phone because Big Business wanted me smart! So, I bought a Smartphone and became dumber. Yeah, I could access the Internet anywhere, Tweet and Facebook, use fancy apps and Facetime but is it healthy to be glued to a glowing screen throughout the day? Probably not.
So, when I heard the Apple Watch made its debut I was less than excited. Apparently "notifications and messaging are at the heart of the Apple Watch." The reasoning? Why would you want to waste time digging out your phone from your pocket or your purse when you can look at your watch? Weather, music, apps, information right on your wrist!
Are we too lazy for Smartphones? I can assume the lemmings who need to have something no one else has yet will purchase the (starting at) $349 contraption but will people purchase this smart watch because it will fulfill a need in their life? You still need an iPhone in order to use the Apple Watch. Is this innovation or a gimmick? Does anyone need a smart watch? Depending on use, it will last 18 hours so will it be another thing to plug in constantly?
Are we going to continue to drift away from life, constantly obsessing over keeping constant track of our health, taking filtered pictures to make our lives seem better so our Facebook friends will Like and Comment? Instagram and Twitter followers trump life experiences. What are we moving towards?
Is technology moving in the wrong direction? Are these new inventions a sign of humanity spinning its wheels towards becoming inhuman?

I Did Not Watch The Academy Awards: Oscars Aren't For Us, They're For Them

I did not watch the 2015 Academy Awards. Yes, I have a TV. Yes, I was available Sunday night after about 7 p.m. Instead my husband and I watched The Matrix.
"The first one is great, the second one is not as good as the first and I thought the third one sucked," was his pitch for watching the trilogy. How could I not take the bait?
So, there we sat watching 1999 Keanu Reeves in all his Keanu Reevesness after putting our twin toddlers to bed. I mention my kids because maybe they're the reason I didn't watch the Academy Awards. Having children, especially two at once, depletes your capacity for bullshit. I don't give a shit about some stuff I used to give a shit about - i.e. dramatic friends on Facebook, celebrity gossip, what people think of me, frustrating family members. I got other fish to fry than wonder why Susie Smith wrote: "I am so pissed off" in a recent Facebook status. Keep on fishing Susie Q.
So, we have the Academy Awards. Rich people celebrating themselves - one big circle jerk. They get all gussied up - or not gussied up because they are so hip - and answer mindless, safe questions from smiley, happy reporters and then sit around schoomzing and boozing and being fabulous before we are told who or what was best this year. Then they go and party because why not? The lifestyles of the rich and famous - let's celebrate us!
They love themselves more than we love them. The one thing I can't help but think is they make movies. Movies. Entertainment yet we treat them like gods. Isn't that bizarre? They are strangers. Forever strangers we will never meet and get to know yet we act as if we have a close relationship. Eerie. Do you love Meryl Streep or the roles she played? Who is Meryl Streep anyway? Don't get me started on her and JLo pumping their fists when Patricia Arquette mentioned equality for women. Give me a break. Like it's so hard to be Meryl Streep or JLo or Patricia Arquette. Why don't you take the money you spent on hair, makeup, transportation, etc. for the Oscars and donate it to these women you care so desperately about?
Anyway, I'm not going to lie, some Oscar winning or nominated movies mentioned in news headlines were added to our Netflix list but that's where it ends. I saw "The Grand Budapest Hotel" in the movie theater months ago because my husband wanted to see "Transformers 4" and I needed a reprieve from my children. We got a sitter, he saw robots and boobies and I ate popcorn and candy, drank a soda, and saw anything else. Anything. I would have watched a Kirk Cameron flick if it meant a reprieve. Was "The Grand Budapest Hotel" good? It was weird but OK. I felt like maybe some of the humor was lost on a sleep deprived mother like myself but who knows. Do members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences know? Do you know?
I liked Marilyn Manson's new album, did you? If you didn't, or most likely don't like him or his music, does that mean I don't have good taste in music? What if I think you don't have good taste in music because you didn't like it? What if I watched "Legally Blonde" the other day and enjoyed myself? Am I a rube? I will say the sequel is unwatchable but that's my opinion.
I will leave you with this quote from Neil Patrick Harris who will forever be Dougie Howser to me, who has been in the business of show so long he doesn't know what it's like to be human. After the show he was interviewed about his process for hosting.
"I'm not a big fan of what I call quota comedy where you stand up there and you have to say x number of jokes about each movie and do digs and low brows. For me that just makes the rest of the audience that's not being talked about feel like they're not special and the person you're talking to gets their feelings hurt. So we wanted to make, I wanted to recalibrate the minds of the audience, not only in the room that have gone through the red carpet gauntlet but the people at home who are saying, 'Shush shush shush it's on right now.' To remind people why they're caring about tuning in, why they're caring about making movies."
Recalibrate? Shush shush shush? Worry about celebrities not feeling special? No thank you.

Conspiracy Theory: What News Can You Trust?

Do you fancy yourself a Fox News guy? Perhaps MSNBC or CNN? Maybe you laugh at those who watch a certain news channel or perhaps you ignore the news altogether and don't know names like ISIS or the goings on in Ferguson, Miss.
Lately I've wondered what news channel I should watch, what news blog I should follow. I worked as an editor at a newspaper for four years so I know how easy it is to manipulate the news with a slight slant of opinion. However, I wonder ... what's the most unopinionated news channel or does this not exist? I don't want to be fed my opinion, I want to be fed the truth, what's really go on today in the world.
Where does one go for this?

Family Stranded In Boat With Sick Baby, Needed Rescue: Why Should Taxpayers Pay For Morons?

Somebody call the "Today Show" because there's another family looking for fame. Move over Ma and Pa Duggar! Meet the Kaufmans!
Have you heard about this doozy of a family ...
Charlotte and Eric Kaufman recently set sail on the new leg of their around-the-world journey with daughters, Lyra, 1, and Cora, 3. Two adults, an infant and a small child aboard a 36-foot sailboat. What could possibly go wrong? Also keep in mind it was a "new leg" as in this journey has been going on for quite some time.
Anyway, about two weeks into their trip Lyra became violently ill and they needed to make a distress call. She had diarrhea, fevers, a large rash and was vomiting. According to Master Sgt. Klay Bendle, "She wasn't quite on death's door yet, but a couple more days she would've been." Their boat also lost its steering and communication abilities.
The California Air National Guard and the Navy (a Navy warship and 177 sailors) worked together and sent four pararescuemen, who jumped from a plane into the ocean and climbed aboard the Rebel Heart (of course it has a pretentious name like this) to treat Lyra. The boat was found 900 miles off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The family was headed toward islands in the South Pacific and eventually New Zealand. In a few days Lyra's condition stabilized and they awaited further transportation.
What happened to the Rebel Heart? It was sunk to the bottom of the ocean.
How much did this rescue mission cost hardworking American taxpayers?!? I understand they don't want people to second guess themselves out on the high seas, thinking they'll get a big, fat bill, because every second counts but ... what about people putting their own lives at risk? However, according to The San Diego Union Tribune, the rescue cost an estimated $660,000.
Also, if you were Eric or Charlotte, what would you feel ... embarrassed? Stupid? Ashamed of yourself for risking your children's lives?
This is their statement concerning the event:

"We understand there are those who question our decision to sail with our family, but please know that this is how our family has lived for seven years, and when we departed on this journey more than a year ago, we were then and remain today confident that we prepared as well as any sailing crew could. The ocean is one of the greatest forces of nature, and it always has the potential to overcome those who live on or near it. We are proud of our choices and our preparation, and while we are disappointed that we lost our sailboat and our home, we remain grateful for those who came to our aid and those family and friends who continue to encourage and support us. Thank you."

Are you serious? Seven years ... wait, that means you were on your adventure and instead of settling down for the sake of your children, giving them the consistency and security babies crave, you continued going because .... because ... why?
It's important when they first set off from San Diego on this part of their adventure, Charlotte was preggers with Lyra. They stopped in Mexico for the birth -- I can just imagine the travel itinerary. How stupid of me to schedule prenatal appointments when I was pregnant and take every precaution. I should have lived my dream of driving across the United States! Also, Lyra had salmonella in Mexico, along with Charlotte, but their pediatrician assured them Lyra was over it and safe to travel when they set off again on their voyage last month.
I obviously don't know these people but I am a firm believer actions speak louder than words so let's take a look at their actions. She said they were prepared ... I guess because Eric is a Coast Guard-licensed captain but I don't care if he's the captain of the USS Enterprise, babies, especially a sick one and a newborn, have no business on a boat in the middle of the ocean. Why is the threat of danger worth it?
In an article about this family I saw a link to Charlotte and Eric's blog, which began in 2007 ...
"We will slowly delete all the comments from the internet armchair quarterbacks who know nothing about us, our life, our skills, or, I might add, sailing."
Internet armchair quarterbacks? So, I'm sitting here on the Internet while you're playing the real game? The only game you're playing is Russian Roulette with people's lives. Also, we know nothing about you? Too bad, so sad honey because you have chronicled your life in a blog since 2007 so, yes, we know a lot about you!
On the blog she also complained about negative interviews her "nuclear family" are giving ... "Then again, these are the same family members who claim that my sister and I are lying about the sexual abuse we suffered from my father, who, to this day, remains an unprosecuted, unregistered sex offender." In her blog this sentence is linked to an entire entry, complete with photos, about her father and how he abused her and her sister. Wow, not going to go there.
This is some of the other shit she writes in her blog:
"April should be a big month. Taxes (ugh). I get the results of the CSET. I find out if I get accepted into a teaching program I’m looking into and ... Eric and I just might decide to move onto the boat. And I mean move onto the boat soon."
We don't have any money and I don't want to work like normal, hardworking Americans do so let's just move onto our boat when times get rough. Am I right? Do they even pay taxes, taxes that will pay for their idiotic rescue?
"I made cake last night, in force five conditions. I actually like force five on this boat (we had the same kind of conditions on our last crossing of the Sea of Cortez and I had a great time.) The only problem is force five with tiny kids on board. Oh well." Oh well? OH WELL? These are human beings. Helpless human beings. Are you insane? How can someone be this selfish? Ever heard of over stimulation? Ever heard of creating a calm environment so your child can thrive and feel comforted and safe? Did you read a baby book?
"When Cora woke up this morning she asked for some of the treat I was making last night because she had smelled it baking as she fell asleep. I lied and told her we ate it up; all the while, the rest of the cake sat on the counter by the dish rack, just waiting for Eric and I to devour it this evening with a cup of coffee, in silence, once the girls were asleep. Sorry for lying to you, Cora. One day, when you are a parent, you will understand."
MOTHER OF THE YEAR. I'm guessing your children didn't get immunizations while you were fulfilling your dreams. Maybe special Mexican immunizations because what's the difference, right? Maybe your own injections of mashed up kelp and sea water?
Your dreams. Your wishes. Your boat. Your adventure. The kids are just along for the ride, right? Oops, I got pregnant. Sure Baby, you can tag along. Why not? A child shouldn't mean I have to give up MY dreams. Selfish, selfish, selfish.
I need to stop reading the broad's blog because I'm starting to get pissed and, more importantly, I have children to raise. My children aren't out in harm's way in a boat in the middle of the ocean so I can go to New Zealand. We aren't at risk for high winds, storms or who knows what. We are in a house, in a calm environment where they can eat, sleep, play and dream. Where they can thrive because everything is new to them.
Do I do this because it's fun for me? No way. I don't enjoy being stuck in the house most of the time but it's what is best for them and that's what is important.
 Charlotte's sister is working with friends in San Diego to collect donations for the Kaufmans because they lost most of their belongings. The best gift would be to take those poor children away from those selfish morons.