Tis the Season...

...to be grumpy? The spirit of the holiday season always leaves me angry. Seriously...it might be old age or loss of innocence or disenchantment or all of the above. Who knows, right? But, really...all the idiots come out for the holidays - whether it be on the road, in the malls, at the office. Everyone is phony (ok, phonier) than normal - trying to be all nice and make up for a full year of being evil. You are already on the naughty list people, deal with it. 

And, trying to shop for other people after at least 10-15 years of doing it sucks. How many sweaters can you get someone? Gift cards are so impersonal, especially for the people closest to you. You ask someone what they want and all you get is, "Oh, you don't have to get me anything. Really." Well, damnit - I am going to tell you what I would like, so tell me, too!! 

And, we are in a recession. So, spending money doesn't even seem like the brightest idea. But, if you say, "Oh, we are in a recession, let's not exchange gifts," it is like, "What is the point of the season?" Not that it is all about gifts, b/c it isn't. But, why stop there? Let's not decorate or listen to XMas music or be happy. 

I wish I could get back to the way I felt during the holidays when I was little - or even 5 years ago. I can replay those times in my head, smell the smells, hear the laughter, feel the icy sting of the cold air - but, I can never get back there. It is like a switch is flicked one year, probably early - mid 20s, and it stays there. Maybe it will be different when Jay and I have kids - we can see the holidays through the eyes of a child again. 

Until then - Bah Friggin Humbug

Parents can be so delusional...

First of all, I only know bits and pieces of this story, so I am going off of that. There was a Wayne Valley student who hit one or two people with frozen paint balls. One of the victims has lost hearing (permanently) in one ear. It's a horrible thing, yes. The kid should totally be punished, yes. 

So, I read the NJ.com message boards and on the Wayne board people were writing about the kid's mother. Apparently, she goes to the Board of Ed meetings to make people aware that thisis some sort of initiation ritual at the school; her son was pushed to do this; etc. 

The people on the message boards (hiding behind screen names, might I add) go off saying, "How dare she ruin Wayne's reputation by spreading these lies?  How dare she drag other kids into this mess? There are no rituals - just b/c her kid is a criminal doesn't mean the rest of Wayne's children are! How dare she...?"

Here's where I get pissy! So, the mother is not totally right. Her son pulled the trigger; he shot the person - it's his fault, he should get punished. I do not know about any initiation into anything, whatever. 

What I DO know (from going through Wayne public schools my whole life) is that the parents in Wayne are delusional! And, not just in this instance, but anytime a kid goes "out of the lines" of acceptable rebellion. 

They all think their kids are so great and get good grades and play sports so well and don't do anything wrong and deserve $75,000 cars to bang up and are having ice cream slumber parties with their best girlfriends when they don't come home. 

I got news for you - it's bullshit! First of all, these kids have so much money they think they can do whatever they want. They stay out till all hours, drinking, partying, doing drugs. We all did it - I am not saying I am above it. They inject themselves with steroids, take drugs, drive recklessly and expect Mommy and Daddy to bail them out of everything - b/c they did it their whole lives! They don't have to accept responsibility for anything! They are part os this amazing affluent town and this great school system, so that means they are untouchable. And, the parents are pushing these ideas upon them by sticking up for them and defending them. 

OPEN YOUR EYES!! Your kids are partying, drinking and having sex! They are just kids - not saints! There very much so can be initiations and kids pressuring other kids to do dumb things. Your kids are not perfect just b/c they did not get caught doing dumb shit!!