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September 05 Eighty and DrivingCross-posted on my premier blog: http://afroamericawriter.blogspot.com/
Ok, here is my gripe with the chronologically gifted: A fierce need for independence without considering those lives they put in danger with their driving skills or lack there of. I know since I live in the premier destination for the retirement age, I would have to just deal with it or move. But I believe sometimes one need to sound off and maybe in the interim the subjects or the officials in the land could make better laws or restrictions to those impaired by the inevitable signs of aging. I had a dentist appointment yesterday afternoon and though I arrived for my appointment fifteen minutes early, I couldn't find a parking spot. So I kept driving around the building hoping someone would leave and park in front of the office. When my hope of scoring my prime parking space was getting delayed, I decided to park some feet at the back of the building; this will be a first on my part. After I parked and was trying to get my handbag, cell phone, I got bumped, more like rear-ended to my shock. As I came out of my car infuriated about who could do such a thing, here lies the hunchback of Notre Dame old enough to be my Grandpa apologetic. The words ceased at first while the "Grandpa" with his Uckel-like glasses driving the big and long Cadillac said he couldn't see my car. My answer was "in this broad daylight." Mind you, not only was this Grandpa trying to defy the law of physics by driving the wrong way (it was a one-way in and out), thus the reason for rear-ending me, this man had a partner or wife some years his junior who couldn't have said something to him that there is a car on the other side (I even left a parking space) and he was driving too close. So there it was, two blind mice driving on the streets of South Florida. Also, for him driving the wrong way out of the parking lot, he could have caused another accident with someone trying to get into the driveway. So to all the "elders" of the land approaching and over the age of 80, in the great words of Apostle Paul: I beseech you by the mercies of God . . . to please get your vision checked and drive a compact car you can navigate. Let's be honest, your reflex is not as sharp as 20 years ago. A diminishing vision plus a big Cadillac (why is that a car of choice for Seniors?) don't a good driver make. August 18 Folks Who Drive Me Nuts During A StormCross-posted on my other blog: http://afroamericawriter.blogspot.com
I've been living in South Florida for a while and I know the drill when it comes to the hurricane season - be prepared. And though the hurricane season is a period of five months, it doesn't mean we see storms or hurricanes during those months. I think for that reason, some folks get lax regardless of the warnings. I don't know if these folks are tourists but how in the world do you go to the beach for surfing when that's the major place to STAY AWAY FROM. Seriously! Many of these surfers say it is the best time to catch the waves. Then one this evening, a kite-boarder (new one on me but it is definitely white folks sports) on one of our beaches. Most government places were closing at 1pm and the news on preparation have been incessant the past 12 hours. This stupid kite-boarder with all the winds crashed from the sky. He looked to be a teenager or in his early twenties, he's going to be okay (I think), maybe with a few broken bones. Also, you've got those who drive like crazy people. While I was doing my last-minute errands before the storm, I was already hearing the number of accidents on major highways. Some folks might say South Floridians drive like crazy people any time of the year and they have a point. I drive with a finger on the horn most times for any weirdo who encroaches my lane among other things. But when there is a storm, PLEASE slow down, you will get to where ever you're going. The News Media Drive Me Nuts!!! I get that after Wilma (late 2005), you cannot be too prepared. These days people don't ask you where you were during "Andrew," that was too far back in the 90s but where were you during "Wilma?" And I get it the Media earned their money since many residents had to rely on their radio (no power for weeks) for ATMs, Restaurants among other available necessities . But why should all the National programs from 7am be intercepted till 7pm. Sometimes, I feel the reporters want to show their "defining moment." Do I really need to see the effects of the wind and rain pounding on a reporter to get the severity of a storm? Once, a lady reporter was hurt by a flying object. I wondered if she got an Emmy for defying the eye of the storm that got the best of her. July 25 Last Lecture Professor DiesCrossposted on my other blog: http://afroamericawriter.blogspot.com/
Last Lecture Professor Dies How do you give somebody a proper sendoff you only knew in less than a year ago but made an indellible mark on your life? How do you give the sendoff when you knew it was only a matter of months that this person will pass? Well you try . . . This person is none other than Randy Pausch, who passed this morning from his battle with pancreatic cancer. Randy Pausch touched the life of millions through his "last lecture" that became a hit on YouTube and brought him to the forefront of their TV screens via Oprah and Diane Sawyer. I was one of those millions. This was a man on the surface who looked like a fit and healthy man but was giving a death sentence of a diagnosis. But what struck me was how he chose to live his life afterwards - be the best husband and dad to his wife and kids and in the process gave a "last lecture" to his Carnegie Mellon class that became life lessons to many beyond that classroom. So thanks Randy and I say RIP. July 01 GYM EtiquetteCross-posted @ http://afroamericawriter.blogspot.comOne of the reasons of having a blog is getting things off my chest and one thing that is nagging me for a couple of days is manners (or lack thereof) at the gym. So as a public service I'm begging folks especially guys to learn some etiquette in a place that is supposed to be a sanctuary of sorts to work out my issues. See, I didn't say anything about my body - that's the end result of time spent in the gym but most times I'm running things out in my mind for the day I'm about to have or at the end of the day forthe I've had so far. And some rare occasion, the gym is an escape for the type of day or week I've had. So is too much to ask folks not to give me a neck and eye rolling moment for what I just saw, smelt or felt? So what prompted this blog posting? My workout at the gym this weekend. Let me list a few of the gym sins (of don'ts) I experienced in less than two hours this past Saturday: Don't Be A Grisly Adams - Repeat after me guys: I WILL TAME MY HAIR FOLLICLES OR STAY COMPLETELY COVERED. OMG! How in the world in the hot South Florida can a guy wear tank top and some thigh shorts and be a Caveman or the aforementioned Grisly Adams. Please don't be an eyesore. Here I was working out on the crosstrainer and trying to pass the goal of one hour on this equipment by reading a magazine when Grisly Adams walked by in front of me. Of course my concentration was broken. My eyes followed this guy hairy back all exposed in the flimsy body-builder type tank top and the major hair all exposed from his thighs with his shorts and I started imagining how sweat could get trapped in such in follicles. EEEWWW! Don't Show Me What You're Packing - Ok Guys, New Rules: Unless you're Lance Armstrong, DON'T WEAR BIKER SHORTS. Seriously! And the thing with these biker shorts wearing guys in the gym, they don't really work out - they parade back and forth in the gym like a peacock. I don't care what you're working with, leave me be and in the process respect me (and the other gym rats) and wear board shorts like most guys. Don't Undress Me With Your Eyes - Unless you're drop dead gorgeous with major sex appeal, don't gawk at me. Revise that last sentence, if you were drop dead gorgeous guy with major sex appeal, you won't need to gawk - just glance. That's the thing with guys (most of them), they have NO clue about the act of the look. You gotta slap them upside the head to get them into the present when a fine woman walks into a room. Let me help you guys: There is a fine line between gawking and glancing. And ladies are experts on the act of glancing. When an attractive guy walks in the room, trust me, we (ladies) have noticed him in a few seconds without directing our gaze to his direction. Let's say the guy is on the east of the room, and we are on the west in a circle talking, we can tell you what shoes he's wearing, which can tell us a lot of things about him. Also, we've noticed some unique features like his ass-ets while still going on with the conversation with our present company. So guys, find a lady to help you with the act of the look because it could be difference in being seen as a pervert or a subject of interest. June 15 RIP Tim RussertCrossposted on my other blog: http://afroamericawriter.blogspot.com/RIP Tim RussertThis is one tough post to write. In the short time I opened this blog, a reader can see I'm tough on the Media. It might be because I think some (if not many) are dumbing down the profession that holds so much accountability to its audience. But I hold a few of its members in high regard and one of those few was Tim Russert. I can't believe he's gone. Like millions of people around the country and the world, I'm still in a state of shock that I'm not going to see Tim Russert on Meet The Press this Sunday. Not just for Sunday, the rest of the election season. This was a man who made politics fun and accessible to the everyday man. You didn't need to have an ivy-league education to understand Russert. Who can forget how he reduced the complexity of the 2000 November election to three simple words on a dry erase board: Florida, Florida, Florida! Here I am young enough to be Russert's daughter but I never felt a generation gap in understanding him even though I pale in comparison to his intellect. I think that was the charm he brought to his viewers; a blue-collar kind of guy talking to the dignitaries of the land. And boy did he talk to them, more like grilled the truth out of them. For my generation, his grilling but fair tactics was parodied on Saturday Night Live by the brilliant Darrell Hammond and he got the humor. He even did a fake-serious interview with fake Presidential candidate Stephen Colbert. Now that was a pundit who was in touch. He showed how in touch he was with his best-selling book "Big Russ & Me." A story about life lessons from a father and son relationship. That book solidified his legacy of not just being one of the premiere journalists of his generation but a devoted father and son (not to talk of husband). He made many rekindle their relationships with their own fathers. This is the second journalist I felt was taken too soon; the first was Peter Jennings. It showed how fickle life really is and to cherish every moment we're blessed with the gift. So in honor of Tim Russert's memory not just for the legacy he left for the excellence in journalism but to Dads everywhere. On the eve of Father's Day, I would like to say Thanks Dad and MOD (My Other Dads) - I couldn't have been the fearless daughter without your guidance and my heartfelt condolence and prayers to the Russert family.
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