Random Thoughts

I sat down to write this post and I have started over a good 8 or 9 times. It isn’t that I don’t want to write; its my mind is all over the place today. It is like that sometimes. I’m not really anxious. I’m not focused on any one particular thing and I have learned that is ok. It is going to be one of those days.

Let me share some of the thoughts that flounder through my head on days like today:

• Why don’t computer hackers do something productive and helpful for society like delete everyone’s loans, debt and mortgages? I mean, obviously they have the skills to do it. Instead they try to hack impenetrable stuff like CIA, Pentagon, emails, etc. There are thousands of college students who would make them folk heroes for eliminating their student loan debt. It would take banks quite awhile to figure out credit card debit had been eliminated. Yes, it would be wrong. Let’s face it. With all the free stuff given to so many, you would think there would be a social justice hacker out there who was determined to help the middle class; the working poor. Sometimes, I am not sure what the hackers are actually trying to accomplish.
• I am still convinced Romaine lettuce will kill you. Sorry, if there is romaine lettuce in it, I am not buying it, eating it, recommending it or coming near it. In fact, I have taken to calling it the “devil’s lettuce” and switched to calling pot “electric lettuce.” With numerous e-coli scares, I think any sane, rational persons would do the same. By numerous, I mean more than 2 in the same year. I look at the CDC page. It has not been cleared and forgive me, at this point, I’d rather make a salad with fresh tobacco leaves straight from the field – pee and all – than use romaine lettuce. I do not plan on budging on this anytime in the near future.
• On a job application, I am so tempted (at least once) to honestly answer the question, “Do you speak multiple languages?” Well, yes, yes I do! I am fluent in sarcasm, profanity, movie quotes, Biblical scripture, teenager, Supernatural quotes, song lyrics (no rap or today’s crap) oh and I know Disney speak. I have also been known to be able to interpret politician well. I was forced to speak the “King’s English” for a period growing up, I speak American and am fluent in Southern dialect more specific North Carolinian. I am adept at regional dialects such as Northeast, Midwest and North Western but do not ask me to understand the garbage that passes for English in California.
• What I love the most about my home is who I share it with. I do not have the fanciest house but it is my home. It is cozy. What makes it a home is my family. My husband and my children. They are what makes my home the place I always want to be. Yes, even the cats who pee on the floor contribute. I look around and see memories and my heart swells with love and I know this is truly my happy place. I wouldn’t change it for anything (to be fair, I would redo the floors but that is just a cosmetic thing.)
• As this generation tries to rewrite history, there are two things you can be sure of, it will be misspelled and will have no punctuation. Ok, maybe it will have some punctuation because they are aware of what run-on sentences are but it will be so bad, us older folks will not read it because we will be too busy editing it. Even with built in spell check, it is bad. Not to mention, they use bingo speak not English words. Maybe they should take a break from history and focus a little bit more on grammar, writing and the basics. IDK, LOL…just sayin’. They haven’t quite grasped the importance of THAT in their quest to be taken seriously. So many joke about it but it is true.
• The more I do laundry, the more my son’s sniff test for clothes makes sense. I mean, if you only wore it for a few hours, does it really need to be washed? Underwear is always the exception; wear it 10 minutes and you wash it. But for shirts and jeans and pants and sweatshirts, how many wears can we get before it really needs to be washed? Did we get them dirty? Will anyone know? And what are they doing that close to us anyway? Fe-breeze and you are good. It saves money – less on detergent, electricity, water – it could be a win-win.
• Maybe it is just me but I have given some great sermons and TED Talks walking randomly through my house, cleaning the bathroom, in the shower, doing laundry, cooking dinner and vacuuming. My audience of dust mites and cats have been enthralled at the wisdom and insights I have shared, the passion with which I have delivered them and not once have I received a negative comment. I just may have a future in it.
• Every time I look up the news and CNN pops up, it reminds me of the time we toured the CNN building in Atlanta. They first take you to a group setting and give you a brief history of CNN. One of the questions they ask is, “Does anyone know what CNN stands for?” Of course I know it stands for Cable News Network but me being me blurted out, “Commy News Network” without thinking or filters. Needless to say, even though I was on crutches, I had security with me for the rest of the tour. Says a lot about CNN, doesn’t it?
• Maybe it is time to end facebook. Just read an article where 364 pages were shut down as the pages were allegedly linked to the Russian group Sputnik. Another 104 pages were removed because they, too, were deemed linked to Russia. Couple all of this with the shenanigans over the past year and I’d dare say we have a clear case, if nothing else, of censorship. Have you seen or read some of the propaganda allowed on pages here in the USA deemed acceptable? How about deemed unacceptable? I have read facebook policies (yes, I have read every word.) Given I was the administrator for a couple pages, I had to. We ignore facts and crimes and morons but allow propaganda when it is convenient for those who make the rules; when it is in line with their ideology. I think there is another word for that, too… brainwashing.
• I was reading some news articles. I choose not to comment because then this blog post becomes an opinion piece not random thoughts. I can say; however, reading copious amounts of news stories is one thing that triggers such random thoughts. Nothing ignites such fire, passion, thought, etc., like reading the news. Seriously, it is almost like watching a train wreck or the aftermath of an explosion. You know what happened but you get one perspective and not the entire story. Facts are omitted to slant the perspective to one side and one is left with, “are you serious?” Well, that is not entirely true. I am sure there are several who take it at face value and accept it not giving it another thought. Wait right there, Sparky. Did you not notice the train wreck happened on a paved intersection? Uh, where are the train tracks?
• Kitty owners beware! A Texas man was arrested (yes I verified this story) after being stopped by police in Texas. They searched his car and found what they thought was a “strange substance.” Field tests were done and determined it was meth. 200 grams to be exact. He was arrested, booked and charged. It was one of the largest busts in the county’s history. He professed his innocence claiming he used the sock, given to him by his dad, “to clear his windshield.” He lost his job and had a tarnished reputation. After sending the substance to the Institute of Forensic Science, it was determined the substance was cat liter. Any cat owner will tell you cat liter is a powerful substance. Now we know…
• I have noticed as of late, I talk an awful lot of “smack” for someone who tips over while in the shower or putting on their underwear. However, in my defense, I must say, I am abundantly confident in where I get my strength. I also know I will not be taking on any villains or causes when I am standing on one leg or have my eyes closed trying to avoid water and soap from getting into my eyes. A girl does know her limitations. Plus, one must appear weak, at times, to confuse the enemy. Plus all superheroes know from the women who raised us, never get caught without clean underwear. Duh. So it shouldn’t be an issue or so I keep telling myself.
• Every warning label has a back story. Have you ever considered what they were? Come on, don’t use the hair dryer in the shower? You know someone did. Preparation H – do not take orally. Can you see the letter? “I ate the whole tube and got no relief. ” Lidocane patches – Warning: For external use only. For me, this would be common sense. I am just not sure how you would use them internally and maybe I do not want to know. K-Y Jelly – not to be taken orally. Please tell me someone did not see the word jelly and put it on a piece of bread. Thermometers – Warning: contains mercury; do not swallow contents. Really? I think that is why they are discontinuing those and going to the “newer ones” even though they are less accurate. You know there are the curious types who just had to play with the contents. There is even warning labels on toilet paper. Given we live in a time where folks will sue because they spill a cup of coffee on themselves and get burned, I guess labels are necessary. Maybe we should consider labeling people. We could add it to their ID card… wait, there is an ID issue, isn’t there? I think I read about that.
• After listening to my son explain his Calculus and show me examples of problems that take several pages to solve, I realize I am very proud of him. I also realize God did not endow me with a talent or aptitude for math in the same manner. I know God is all knowing, fair, righteous and just. He knew if he had done so, I would be way too smart for my own good, thus, He lets me stick to basic math and I am OK with that.
• Back to warning labels for a moment… my meds have a warning, “Do not operate heavy machinery.” I am certain it is the PC way of saying do not drive; however, every time I read it, I can’t help but think, “WHOA! Carrie don’t go driving the deuce and a half or fork lift or dump truck now. So much for trying to get to the nuclear launch codes.” Just how my mind works.
• One day I am actually going to look up how Almond Milk is made. I truly get how regular milk is made, goat milk, lactose free milk, etc. But to this day, I am not sure about Almond milk. I think they soak the almonds. But that technically would be nut juice not milk. It isn’t like almonds actually have milk like, let’s say, coconuts. Don’t get me wrong. We buy almond milk. My family likes it. I will use it if I am eating cereal. I just don’t get it.

Welcome to just some of the thoughts that randomly cross my mind on a day when my mind wonders. I see vivid patterns in things when logically I know no patterns exist. I will start a task and not finish it. My motivation will be soaring one minute and dead the next. I was supposed to go to the grocery store today; however, my aunt decided to post pone the trip until Monday. I feel it may be too “peoplely” out there so I went searching and low and behold, we have enough food in the house to tie us over until Monday. It saves on gas and groceries, which is a plus, in addition to my sanity. I am not saying everyone will be thrilled. As I try to rationalize my mood (which I always do) I know part of it is I will be getting out of my comfort zone tomorrow for a business trip with my husband. He will be my rock but it won’t change the unease I will have. Part of it is just me. There is not explanation. Part of it is just little things that have been transpiring. I am aware of it all and that, in and of itself, is half the battle.

God doesn’t give me anything I can’t handle. He doesn’t ask or expect me to handle anything alone. In this, I take comfort. As I amble through my day, I lean on Him and He gives me the peace and comfort I can only find in Him. I let my family know my mood is a wee bit off then I deal. Supernatural is always a help. Routine tasks help. Going with the flow (to a point) helps. I guess the dust mites and cats are in for a “funky” TED talk today, huh?