The best laid plans
I have about eight minutes before I need to get ready to leave for the office. I don't work again until Sunday and next week I only work two days. Much needed rest and downtime. Of course I do have those tests coming up next week so it will be an anxiety-filled period of rest.
I'm pondering why people say they will do something and then don't do it. I'm thinking of a specific thing and many people have promised me they will do it this year, but few have done it. I wouldn't think less of them if they just said "no, I don't want to do that". I'd be fine with someone saying "that's just not my thing". But to tell me you will and then you won't, rubs me a tiny bit the wrong way. Fortunately I suspect that 9 out of 10 who tell me they will, actually won't, and I hold no ill-will against them. It's human nature I have a problem with.
Because as humans we often choose to avoid saying or doing that which we find difficult. It's the reason why women asked for their number by a man they don't want a call from will give out a fake number. The reason why a man or a woman will just blow someone off. Or fail to tell them why they aren't interested. A friend will ask why they didn't just say "I don't find you attractive" and the response is inevitably "I'm sparing their feelings". In fact they are sparing their own feelings which they don't have to deal with by having that tough conversation.
I once went on the blind date from hell. I may have mentioned this before, so bear with me. We met through a personal ad and she lied on the phone about her age, appearance and employment status. But we were already at the restaurant, the movie tickets were already purchased, so I figured "let's press on and see". She was very upset about something and when I asked, she finally admitted she'd had a big fight with a female friend. When she got to the end of her story and mentioned "maybe I shouldn't have told her I find her so attractive, huh" I knew a rough evening was in store. The movie was only alright and afterward when we were walking her back to her car, she said what a great time she'd had and how much she was looking forward to seeing me again.
I could have "spared her feelings", but I was honest without being cruel. It wasn't easy but it was definintely fairer than trying to avoid the conversation. I wouldn't have gone out with her again even if someone gave me "Indecent Proposal" type money...alright, alright, for $1 million I might have gone on one or two more dates. But there would never be anything between us. Even friendship was out of the question because of her propensity for dishonesty. I have to get going, more later.
Other ponderings today:
Girls Gone Wild and related companies have filed for bankruptcy protection as Joe Francis tries to avoid paying $30 million to casino mogul Steve Wynn. Joe, if you can exploit college-age girls by getting them to show their boobs for your cheap swag, you can man up and pay your debts. If you'd just paid the $2 million you lost at Wynn's casino, you wouldn't be in this mess.
It is always a stirring sight. Military jets doing a flyover at a sporting event, like the World Series or the Superbowl. But those days are over. Budgetary concerns will end these flyovers. Is this a good thing? If we can't send carriers to the Persian Gulf because we don't have the money then we shouldn't be paying to promote sporting events.
Did a restaurant really get the sheriff to help track down a woman who'd used their restroom in violation of the "customers only" sign? Did they really bill her for $5 for violating that policy? Yes on both counts. Stupid is as stupid does.
CBS censored Kaley Cuoco regarding a tweet she made talking about how wonderful the "Hopper" is. Since it allows viewers to bypass the commercials that generate CBS' profits, guess the moguls at the network didn't think this was a good idea. Speech isn't free when you're pulling down six figures per episode on a sitcom. You can't pimp the competition.
The retiring Pope will get a pension of nearly $3,300 per month from the church, along with room/board/medical care for the rest of his life, along with providing "servants". Don't priests take vows of poverty, chastity and obediance? Guess the poverty shit goes away when you make it to being Pope.
What kind of scumbag tells his wife that her dog is dead? The kind who gives the dog away. But this story had a happy ending. Ten years later, someone called to let her know they had the dog, thanks to a microchip. She divorced the scumbag years ago.
The Olive Garden says it is going to revamp its menu and decor. As though they can regain the market share they've lost to places like Chipotle and Panera.
This Date in History:
On this date in 1827, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was incorporated, becoming the first railroad to carry passengers and freight, and the first railroad on the Monopoly board.
On this date in 1885, AT&T is incorporated in New York.
On this date in 1940, the first ever telecast of a basketball game takes place.
On this date in 1993, BATF agents raid the Branch Davidian church in Waco. This started the 51 day standoff that ended with many deaths.
On this date in 1997, the North Hollywood shootout took place.
Famous Folk Born on this Date:
Linus Pauling
Vicente Minelli
Bugsy Siegel
Zero Mostel
Charles Durning
Hayden Fry
Tommy Tune
Mario Andretti
Bubba Smith
Mike Figgis
Bernadette Peters
Mercedes Ruehl
Ricky Steamboat
Gilbert Gottfried
Adrian Dantley
John Turturro
Rae Dawn Chong
Dorothy Stratten
Ali Larter
I'm pondering why people say they will do something and then don't do it. I'm thinking of a specific thing and many people have promised me they will do it this year, but few have done it. I wouldn't think less of them if they just said "no, I don't want to do that". I'd be fine with someone saying "that's just not my thing". But to tell me you will and then you won't, rubs me a tiny bit the wrong way. Fortunately I suspect that 9 out of 10 who tell me they will, actually won't, and I hold no ill-will against them. It's human nature I have a problem with.
Because as humans we often choose to avoid saying or doing that which we find difficult. It's the reason why women asked for their number by a man they don't want a call from will give out a fake number. The reason why a man or a woman will just blow someone off. Or fail to tell them why they aren't interested. A friend will ask why they didn't just say "I don't find you attractive" and the response is inevitably "I'm sparing their feelings". In fact they are sparing their own feelings which they don't have to deal with by having that tough conversation.
I once went on the blind date from hell. I may have mentioned this before, so bear with me. We met through a personal ad and she lied on the phone about her age, appearance and employment status. But we were already at the restaurant, the movie tickets were already purchased, so I figured "let's press on and see". She was very upset about something and when I asked, she finally admitted she'd had a big fight with a female friend. When she got to the end of her story and mentioned "maybe I shouldn't have told her I find her so attractive, huh" I knew a rough evening was in store. The movie was only alright and afterward when we were walking her back to her car, she said what a great time she'd had and how much she was looking forward to seeing me again.
I could have "spared her feelings", but I was honest without being cruel. It wasn't easy but it was definintely fairer than trying to avoid the conversation. I wouldn't have gone out with her again even if someone gave me "Indecent Proposal" type money...alright, alright, for $1 million I might have gone on one or two more dates. But there would never be anything between us. Even friendship was out of the question because of her propensity for dishonesty. I have to get going, more later.
Other ponderings today:
Girls Gone Wild and related companies have filed for bankruptcy protection as Joe Francis tries to avoid paying $30 million to casino mogul Steve Wynn. Joe, if you can exploit college-age girls by getting them to show their boobs for your cheap swag, you can man up and pay your debts. If you'd just paid the $2 million you lost at Wynn's casino, you wouldn't be in this mess.
It is always a stirring sight. Military jets doing a flyover at a sporting event, like the World Series or the Superbowl. But those days are over. Budgetary concerns will end these flyovers. Is this a good thing? If we can't send carriers to the Persian Gulf because we don't have the money then we shouldn't be paying to promote sporting events.
Did a restaurant really get the sheriff to help track down a woman who'd used their restroom in violation of the "customers only" sign? Did they really bill her for $5 for violating that policy? Yes on both counts. Stupid is as stupid does.
CBS censored Kaley Cuoco regarding a tweet she made talking about how wonderful the "Hopper" is. Since it allows viewers to bypass the commercials that generate CBS' profits, guess the moguls at the network didn't think this was a good idea. Speech isn't free when you're pulling down six figures per episode on a sitcom. You can't pimp the competition.
The retiring Pope will get a pension of nearly $3,300 per month from the church, along with room/board/medical care for the rest of his life, along with providing "servants". Don't priests take vows of poverty, chastity and obediance? Guess the poverty shit goes away when you make it to being Pope.
What kind of scumbag tells his wife that her dog is dead? The kind who gives the dog away. But this story had a happy ending. Ten years later, someone called to let her know they had the dog, thanks to a microchip. She divorced the scumbag years ago.
The Olive Garden says it is going to revamp its menu and decor. As though they can regain the market share they've lost to places like Chipotle and Panera.
This Date in History:
On this date in 1827, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was incorporated, becoming the first railroad to carry passengers and freight, and the first railroad on the Monopoly board.
On this date in 1885, AT&T is incorporated in New York.
On this date in 1940, the first ever telecast of a basketball game takes place.
On this date in 1993, BATF agents raid the Branch Davidian church in Waco. This started the 51 day standoff that ended with many deaths.
On this date in 1997, the North Hollywood shootout took place.
Famous Folk Born on this Date:
Linus Pauling
Vicente Minelli
Bugsy Siegel
Zero Mostel
Charles Durning
Hayden Fry
Tommy Tune
Mario Andretti
Bubba Smith
Mike Figgis
Bernadette Peters
Mercedes Ruehl
Ricky Steamboat
Gilbert Gottfried
Adrian Dantley
John Turturro
Rae Dawn Chong
Dorothy Stratten
Ali Larter
posted by me at 9:59 PM
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