Hip, But NOT Handicapped

I'm all for keeping up to date with the newest technology and staying relevant..."hip", but when did we become so jaded and lazy that a simple task like changing the channel can no longer be accomplished without the aid of our ever growing in popularity and newest appendage...Our Remote. I mean we have remotes for fans, stereos, garages and even toilets!
I found myself watching something the other day totally unaware of the fact that the remote was no longer in the room...or at least, in plain sight. I had walked into any empty room with the tv on, as so many of us have when there are children in the home. I was drawn to my favorite: "...you lint licker..." commercial and when the moment was over, I was actively scanning the room for a sign of the always 'importante' remote. I allowed myself to squander away a full eight minutes before coming to the realization that long ago, back in the day when we watched tv with aluminum foil wrapped around the tips of the "rabbit ears", there was NO REMOTE. I just dated myself and probably isolated some of my audience because some have no clue as to what I am referring to, but YES!!! at one time there were no remotes and we actually had to get up and change the channel manually. We also knew how to tell time from an analog watch/clock which is so 'OLD SCHOOL' because everything is digital now. Oh and PLEASE don't ask the 'youngins' of today who work our registers to make change. Some of this generation is a bit stumped due to the excessive use and dependency on calculators and the register itself.
I mean no disrespect and I only address the issue because every once in a while, when the remote is missing or misplaced, fret no more and recall an earlier time and for the youth...remember these sage words - "You can still change the channel by getting up and finding the button located on the actual TV unit and magically it does the same thing the remote can!". Okay, maybe not everything because here you are...NOW STANDING instead of chillin comfy and seated, bothered that you can't find the remote. Who am I kidding, I bow and kiss the feet of he/she who came up with this most illustrious, necessary and pleasing invention.
By the way, I found the remote after changing the TV manually and boy was I miffed that I had spent that extra minute or so to locate it. Yes, we have become overly dependent and lazy. Sorry...youth of today.
Changing the channel here...Later.

Colorful Glamour

NOT REALLY A BLOG POST....JUST WANTED TO SAY

To All Who Read This: I would be the LAST person telling anyone how to live their life or what to do, when I struggle like we ALL do to make sense of it and just survive, but I ask that WE ALL PRAY for EACH OTHER...be caring, considerate and tolerant of each other. We're ALL brothers and sisters in one HUGE EXTENDED GLOBAL FAMILY, so let's look out for each other.
I don't and won't mention specifics or names because there are still things that should and can be private, but I ask that we ALL pray for friends, family, acquaintances, friends OF acquaintances :) that we know are in need of prayer, whether it be due to illness or just life's curve balls...because there's enough negativity, pain and suffering to keep us praying for ages.
Life is short, for some more than others and most times very painful for those who have lost...a loved one, lost a love or lost hope...but DON'T LOSE FAITH.
Forgive each other's shortcomings, because WE ALL HAVE 'EM :) and remember to LOVE and BE LOVED. God Bless and thanks for even stopping to read this. LOVE and HUGS to all!!

For Teachers Across the State of Florida...This Does Not Add Up!

Is it fair that hard working teachers all over the state of Florida are going to be compensated or penalized according to their student's standardized test scores? How fair is that?
It's been shown that standardized tests are not foolproof. Many a good student has done badly on a standardized test regardless of their academic prowess and/or GPA. I may seem biased due to the fact that I have a sister and a niece, both dedicated teachers that are truly passionate about what they do. I myself have had thoughts of being a teacher and I say the following with all due RESPECT...I know many teachers who were so instrumental and influential in my life but really did not affect my standardized test taking skills.
I find from personal observation that even good and sometimes very good students have not had good test taking skills when presented with the STANDARDS. I've seen and known of students who were just having an off day or even those who have skipped a question and in doing so filled in the answers in the wrong order setting off a chain reaction of "Incorrect Answers".
Honestly there is A LOT more to take into consideration when rating an educator, especially when it's YOUR kid's...but we ALL know their whole worth can't all be validated or tarnished or worse - VANQUISHED by some standardized tests and their results. It's not only harsh, it's unfair, unrealistic and DETRIMENTAL to education in general...less and less people will be willing to become teachers when every time we look there are less and less incentives and rewards for such an under appreciated, understated, cornerstone profession.

Olympic Games…A Global Party

Once again the Olympics stand to unify the world at least for a time, while our talented world athletes engage in friendly and healthy competition inciting patriotism and all the while allowing us all to partake in a Global Party. This is one of the few times when a vast array of people and cultures come together for a common goal and celebrate the victories and mourn the losses of our athletes accomplishments or losses respectively. It’s a time when we live vicariously through our athletic heroes and learn to appreciate and marvel at these wonderful specimens and all they can do.
It’s the kind of party you can attend via the Internet or by just flicking on the channel…everyone is welcomed and invited. It’s a wonderful spectacle where nations from all over our planet unite and put aside most, if not all, differences and focus on healthy competition. You can’t help but to get caught up in the excitement and share in the victories and the defeats.
I myself, was brought to tears when Canada won their first Gold medal on Canadian soil in an Olympics in the men’s moguls event. I may not be Canadian, but I couldn't help but to share in their joy and though the American athlete may not have won, I empathized and felt some disappointment which was quickly overshadowed by sheer elation for Canada, the victor and his family.
So if you don’t have any pressing plans to go anywhere or see anyone, join the Global Party known as the Winter Olympics, you may find yourself rooting for…EVERYONE.

Makeover Madness Overload...It's A Good Thing

I am the first to admit, I have "Makeover Madness Overload", but I'm hooked. I can't get enough of these shows. There's "My Fair Wedding with David Tutera", "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" with Tye Pennington, "Divine Design" with Candace Olson and many, many more. So many in fact, that it's a wonder more homes & weddings don't look like hodgepodges of "ECLECTICA"...just a fancy name for a "Hot Mess". I personally think it's just, we all enjoy a good fairytale...whether we're in it for the conflict, the happy ending, the action or the magic; we like them. These makeover shows are like fairytales, you have the conflict, because hardly ever is everybody on board with the same design ideas or does everything go smoothly and work the way it should. The action and the progress, as we watch the "BEFORE" transition to the stellar "AFTER". Finally, the almost always, happy ending...the magic of it all-the end result.
I love when a bad, hopeless, misdirected or lacking situation can be transformed, and to the benefit of many, become a warm, inviting, well designed or put together magical home or wedding.
David Tutera for instance will take a young ladie's wedding dreams and hopes and make them a reality like none even their wildest fantasies could encompass. Every last detail is thoroughly thought through and so much care is given to make sure it'll be memorable and a true reflection of the person or persons involved. It's a day they never forget and I am sucked in for the ride. I'm weak!!!
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I love this show, God Bless everyone involved. I mean that with all my heart. The stories are so touching, inspirational, and the recipients, so worthy. The reveal is always incredible...the houses are always stunning and everyone is moved to tears and sharing in a celebratory moment.
If only that could be done for so MANY, MANY more people. I guess that's exactly why I'm so hooked...since it's not commonplace, at least for me, I love watching these present day fairytales. We need MORE wonderful endings.

"Whistle" While You Work...

For anyone who knows me or those just getting to know a bit about me, I am a "HOUSEHEAD"...I fiend for House Music. Not just any house music, but usually my personal favorite, underground and trance house from the 80's. The following jam I will reference is exactly what I put on in the background whenever I'm working around the house or like right now on my headphones...Frankie Knuckle's - The Whistle Song. Being that's it's all instrumental, you aren't distracted by lyrics but instead enveloped by the melody, the beat, the light percussion and how easily and gracefully movements come to you when you just let yourself go. I know I find it hard not to get out of my seat and relive my days at Sound Factory. It is one of the more entrancing and upbeat jams and I'm thankful to Sr. Knuckles for that and many other incredible house renditions. He's responsible for my all time favorite cover mix of any song and that's The Pressure by Sounds of Blackness.
It's so much easier to get anything done while "Whistling" while I work. It always makes me feel uplifted and hopeful, and these days I like to grab my happiness where I can get it. I highly doubt I'm alone in this belief, but, I have certain songs/groups of songs that best represent certain emotional states. Mariah to Cry aaahh!!! Janet to Slam IT!! I jest, but you know what I mean.
When I need a pick me up or just want to zone out, clear my mind and be in a good place to get some work done...I "Whistle" while I work. Thanks again Sr. Knuckles. Much love.