His heart is not in it!

I'm talking about Michael Phelps. In my opinion he is the favorite to win all his single events and expected to perform at his best in the team events. I saw an interview - I believe it was 60 minutes - and he just didn't have the same excitement in his voice as I have seen in the other years.

Maybe he is being pushed by his mother, maybe the coach, either way he needs to do it for himself. Yes the Olympics are focused on the unity of all athletes from numerous countries. However, there are always going to be standouts from each country and possibly in each sport.

Training all your life, spending countless hours trying to fit in training, social, school, family life is I'm sure a tough balancing act. I really hope that Michael gets his mojo back and I will be one of the few who understands his wanting to retire. He's young, needs to experience life. I just hope he can go  out a winner - either solo or with the US team.

If he doesn't - then the media will attempt to scrutinize every aspect of his life to see "where did he go wrong?" It's simple people -- HE IS TIRED!!!

Random thoughts

The other day as I was driving home from work. This car was beside me at the light and I looked over because something caught my eye. This woman at the red light, was flossing her teeth. EWWW!!!

I give props to anyone staying on top of their dental hygiene. A gorgeous smile is absolutely divine.

But seriously, flossing in your car. Her windows were rolled up and I don't know what she did with "whatever" could have come from between her teeth. This is strictly a BATHROOM or DENTAL OFFICE function. Disgusting!!!

Showing everything you've got and leaving nothing to the imagination. Let me explain. I am a female who dresses pretty conservatively. I'm not about to wear short shorts as I go about my day. Maybe to the pool or beach, but not in my everyday life. I'm not about to wear a shirt that exposes my midriff area (ever!!!) or reveals so much cleavage or shows my bra that it's pointless to have wear a top.

Not trying to sound judgmental, but I can't distinguish between a prostitute and a "regular" person when I see young females dressed that way. The prostitutes I see on my daily route from work are dressed no differently than the short shorts, cleavage revealing teens and young women I see at my part time job at a Community College. No you don't have to dress like a nun but it would be appreciated if it was a respectable form of dress. If not for yourself, at least for the person who is thinking about asking you "how much?"

Lastly, why are there so many choices of vehicles to choose from!!! I'm hoping to get something in the next year and I'm really sick of searching the internet. Although it makes it easier to view the models, it is stressing me out. There are too many models for each type of car such as hybrid, sport, sedan, regular etc... Then there are the options and even how cars are turned on nowadays has changed. I can't even decide between a sedan or a SUV. And now we have crossover's too. UUUGGHHH!!

Michael Jackson, the mom, the kids, -- the family

You may or may not have heard about the recent strife in the Jackson family. One report says that Katherine Jackson is missing. Another report says she suffered a light stroke. Another report says she is doing okay but is on doctor’s orders to rest. Another says she is resting in Arizona with her oldest child.

Other reports says some of her other children are at odds with Michael’s kids. Michael’s kids claim they have not spoken to their grandmother in over a week.  Michael’s siblings believe the executor of his estate are doing shady stuff.

I could go on and on but you can Google this on the internet and read these stories for yourself.

I personally believe (and it is my understanding) that it was Michael’s  choice and “last will and testament” to ensure his children and his mother (the children’s guardian) are financially cared for. I do not believe that any other Jackson family member, his dad, his siblings, his nieces or nephews should be expecting any kind of handout. Some of his siblings are in a better position to earn their money without needing to be recognized as Michael’s brother or sister.

It is sad when families cling on to a deceased family member for what I believe is the sole purpose of fattening their pocket because he or she can’t stand on their own. I also believe that whomever is chosen as executor of the estate, should be qualified to do so and not be in it to charge exorbitant fees to manage the estate.

There is something going on in this family that is quite simply, no one’s business. I sincerely hope that Katherine is doing well and is not made privy to the mess that is occurring within her family. She is over eighty years old and caring for a tween and two teens. That alone is stressful.

This family needs to come together with a mediator to hash out the problems. If there is a question about the executors, take legal action. There’s a right and wrong way to go about handling family crisis’. Doing so in the public eye only makes it worse.

The Senseless Colorado tragedy

I am sure you are all aware of the senseless tragedy that happened in Colorado recently. If not, here's a link to just one story.

I want to start off  by saying, My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and family members left behind from this tragic event.

When incidents like this happen it puts into perspective the things that are occurring in your own life and could have occurred. Something as simple as going to the movie has now turned a nation upside down thinking that something like this will occur again. Somewhere else during another screening. It makes you wonder, where can I go to do the ordinary things I am used to?

Every so often there is a violent rampage that shakes America to its core. Let's face it, unfortunately, no one can predict when, how, where, some unspeakable tragedy will occur. Shootings at the mall, on a college campus, at a restaurant, an ambush on the side of the road. Some small part of me thinks there is some planning to it all. What makes a person (or people) decide to go through with it? What ticks someone off so much that he or she (they) feel that random killings is better than seeking help for these sinister thoughts.

We all get "extremely" mad at some point - but it is never worth it to take lives. 

I do not want to help

I have a part time job and I am one of the youngest people working there. I learned the job quite well, catch on quickly to new policies/procedures and new software and equipment. I'm often asked to help others (ALL OF THE TIME) and it's beginning to grate my nerves.

Most of my colleagues have been in their position for more than 5 to 10 years, a few have been at it for over 20 years, one even 40 years. These are the same people who showed me the ropes. I have no problem sharing my knowledge and helping. The problem I have is that I am constantly being asked the same thing, all the time, every day. What happened to writing things down and referring back to it when you need to?

As I said, it’s a part time job and my expectation is to help the customers and not play school teacher to my coworkers.

I'm often interrupted while I am assisting a customer and have to tell my coworker to wait until I'm finished with him or her. For the record, there are several other people that can be of help to these people, but the egos in my office are out of this world. I’m considered the nice one and if it is quicker for me to do it than to explain it, I’ll tell my coworker to give it to me.

In case you are wondering, yes I have told them not to interrupt me and to write things down to refer to when need be, or ask someone else.

So how will I handle it today? Who knows only time will tell.

Overpriced and not better

On July 4 I woke up with severe, shooting pains in my neck and right shoulder. The pain was unbearable and unlike anything I have ever experienced before. At the time I thought I was having a stroke. There wasn't anything I could do that didn't make it not happen. Sitting, standing, getting out of bed, getting dressed etc...  So I finally decided to go to the emergency room.

Fortunately I was in and out in 45 minutes; however, I was diagnosed with neck spasms told to take three meds, apply heat/cold pressure, be careful how I sleep, and seek out a massage therapist specializing in the neck area. Great!!!  The only problem was I going on vacation from the 7th through the 14th, and I was supposed to go to work on the 5th and 6th. I just couldn't make the time to seek out a massage therapist before leaving.

So fast forward to yesterday. I'm back from vacation after experiencing minimal discomfort and was able to get to a massage therapist. It was relaxing but my neck is still a little stiff and really acts up at night. It's very uncomfortable.

Before paying for the service yesterday I was giving the sales pitch, pay this monthly and get one free massage a month. That's all fine and good but I don't have time to take 1 1/2 hours out of my day. Not to mention I'm not interested in taking on anymore debt. A massage is a luxury that I indulged in twice this year. The first because I wanted one and the second because I thought it would help my recent medical problem.Before that I could not tell you when I last had a massage. I can tell you that the best massage I ever had was on a visit to Sandals Resorts in Ocho Rios, Jamaica in 2004!

I really wish organizations would stop trying to upsell their products and just have one reasonable price for everyone. I won't say that I won't go back to this place in the future, however, I missed out of the "last day" to obtain the special member pricing rate. WAH!!!  One thing is for certain, there are other places that offer massages too. I do not feel that I am missing out on anything by not going back to the same place as yesterday.

Today, the neck is minimally stiff, I can move it side/side, up/down etc...I'll have to find another place to visit over the weekend.

Scam artists SUCK!!!

After months of planning and communicating with the property manager, on the day we fly in, this property manager is MIA!! This sucks because we lost so much money and only time will tell if we will recoup any of it. Is there anything that would make me feel better at this point. Let me think a moment. NO!!! I've used the internet to reserve rooms plenty of times and really had no red flags about doing it with this property. Unless it is somewhere I've stayed before and know that the stay turned out great, I am sticking to hotels. There's a better chance of resolving issues with a hotel than with some total stranger that possibly lives on the other side of the world.

I'm sure this property manager lives in HELL and I hope he rots there. Scamming people out of thousands of dollars is sooooo not cool. I believe in karma and he will get what's coming to him. Fortunately for us after filing a police report, the officer recommended a nearby hotel that will do for now. It has to do for now because we planned on a one week stay.

So I'll end this positively. It could have been worse, we still have our health and we have a clean, comfortable place to stay. Yeah we shelled out a few more bucks but in the end I know that we will prevail and recoup the lost dollars from the "planned' vacation.

Here's to everyone to enjoy their week and I will do the same!

Read more about rental scams here.

Ann Curry leaves the Today Show

I just watched Ann Curry's announcement that she is leaving the Today Show. I watch this show each morning as I am getting dressed for work and I am sad that she is leaving. I liked Ann very much and felt that she was a genuine newscaster. The rumors persist that the ratings were lower because of Ann and I certainly hope that this is not proven to be true after the replacement comes on board.

I feel that the Today Show has focused too much on entertainment style reporting over the last few years. If I want to hear about celebrities, I’ll watch Entertainment Tonight. I will say that I do not mind hearing about something a celebrity does for the good of a community; such as Brad Pitt helping to build homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina or Oprah building the school in Africa.

What I can’t stand is that last hour with Hoda and Kathie Lee. I like Hoda but think that Kathie Lee adds nothing to the Today Show or this last hourly segment. I hope she is next. The Today Show needs to get back to real reporting and I know that it is not an easy job as they compete with the other news shows during the same hour. It is all about chemistry between the hosts and journalistic flare.

All of the news shows are trying to capture the same audiences. Many newscasters have come and gone and I know this is just the way it is. Things change, management makes a decision, and people are left with hurt feelings. I do not like Ann’s untimely exit. I believe in her and hope to be able to see her in the future doing what she loves.

Brother saves siblings lives

I read this story about a 14-year old that shot an intruder while he was babysitting his younger siblings. I do not like guns and do not own one but in this instance he knew where to retrieve the weapon and potentially kept his family alive.

I cannot imagine what was going through his head and I agree with the police officer who said, ““I’m not sure he gave full thought about what he had to do. He just acted.” This could have been a much worse scenario than what happened. I’m not a gun enthusiast and do not want one in my home. I have read too many stories about children finding the gun and accidently killing themselves or a loved one, so this type of story is rare. I applaud the teen for being able to safely get his siblings out of harm’s way and using the gun to wound the intruder. If he had not, he and his siblings may not be alive now.

I hope that I can find more information in the next few days about this shooting. I cannot fathom that the teen was trying to kill the intruder. Scare him, yes, hurt him, yes, kill him, no. There is a part of me that wonders what would have happened to the teen if he had killed the intruder? There are crazy laws in place in some states about using a firearm in your house. Not to mention what could happen to the parents for having a loaded gun in the home.

My personal opinion is that the teen acted appropriately to save his family. His parents should not incur any charges for having a loaded weapon either. After some counseling I believe that they will be okay and will be able to resume their normal lives. Just a little piece of advice. Change the locks and invest in more secure doors, windows, and an alarm system. (Assuming they don’t have these things.)

As far as the intruder – I hope he survives. He is after all someone’s son, possibly a husband, brother, uncle, etc… No matter what reason he gives for breaking in, he needs a long jail sentence and he should tell the police who the woman is too. If the woman remains free there is not telling what she could be up to now. She is a threat to the greater Phoenix area and no one should be afraid to leave home or be home and worry about an intrusion.

This post will be updated if I see additional news.

My first blog

This is a little exciting but at the same time a little scary. I will not have a blog that focuses on one particular topic or thing, but rather I will comment on news stories that may or may not be considered top stories. Some may make you feel good, others may make you feel sad, and some may make you mad, or have you shaking your head. Either way - I encourage your feedback and discussion.

In no way shape or form will I engage in any heated discussion nor tolerate any abuse on my blog. You can create your own if you would like to do that. I do encourage thoughtful and respectable commentary.

I’ll talk to you soon!