Month: February 2010

Can We Talk?

Using Your Cell Phone While Driving is the Equivalent to Drinking While Driving

Karen

distractions

Believe it or not, I’m a pretty laid-back person. Of course, you wouldn’t know that to read my blog because it seems like I’m always b*tching about something, right?

And I apologize for that. You don’t hear about the good stuff very often because the good stuff? Can be a bit boring, don’t you think?

But passion – ah. That’s where it gets interesting. And there are some things I’m passionate about. So much so, that I talk about them frequently, in fact, SO frequently that my passion? Actually crosses over into lecture zone. In fact, it’s safe to say, I’m downright preachy. But here’s the thing – I have a PASSION for people who blatantly disregard other people’s safety, or are deliberately rude and inconsiderate to others. There is NO excuse and damn it, I’m going to call them out on it.

If that makes me annoying to read, so be it. But I firmly believe people, and believe me, I’m including myself in this as well, need a good old-fashioned dose of humility now and again.

Ready? Open up because here comes a dose.

If you’ve been reading me for any length of time, you KNOW one of my biggest pet peeves is this – driving while on the cell phone.

Actually you can include anything that distracts your full attention from the road in with that pet peeve, too. And hey, I’m just as guilty as you.

I too have:

  • changed the radio station
  • taken a sip of coffee now and then
  • have steadied the steering wheel between my legs so I could shovel a dollop of ice cream into my big mouth
  • scolded my children
  • been deeply engrossed in a conversation with my passenger
  • checked my hair in the rear-view mirror
  • dropped something on the floor and dived for it, taking my eyes off the road because that receipt? Is WAY MORE IMPORTANT than watching the traffic around me.

Oh yes. I’ve done my fair share of stupid things. And it doesn’t take much to distract us from the road. All of these things? Are dangerous when we’re driving. Minor, every day occurrences that we don’t really think of as dangerous but honestly, all it takes is that one split second to drive into the danger zone.

I mean this stuff? Is pretty common. And probably not much we can do about because we’re human and driving is pretty boring.

But talking on the cell phone? Texting? Emailing? Is inexcusable, irresponsible, and yes, selfish.

Do you realize that talking on the cell phone is the equivalent to driving while intoxicated? That whenever you talk on your cell phone, your vision tunnels and you’re less likely to SEE what is going on around you? And that if you think you can “handle” it, then you’re an idiot because guess what? That’s how our brains are wired and unless you’re some super human? You can’t handle using your cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

And get this, did you know that texting while driving is the same as driving after having FOUR alcoholic drinks?! That it’s just as bad, if not worse, than driving while drunk?

Are you listening?!

Now think about that for a moment. In essence, if you are using your cell phone while driving, you are putting yourself, other drivers and get this YOUR CHILDREN, in danger. Because if you’re driving your little ones around and you’re talking on the cell phone? You’re risking their lives.

Shame on you.

And THAT folks, is just an asinine risk to take. And I don’t know about you? But no phone call is worth my children’s lives. No text message is worth killing my family over.

And if you think I’m being dramatic? Then I dare you to take 40 minutes out of your day and watch the full episode that Oprah did on this very subject. I don’t care if you don’t like Oprah. I don’t care if you love Oprah. That’s not the point – don’t deflect the subject simply because I’ve hit a nerve and you’re annoyed with me.

Watch it. (By the way, be patient with that video – it takes a few seconds to stream, but it’s very worth it and it will [hopefully] open your eyes).

And then spread the word.

Because it’s not JUST about you, the other drivers, your family, it’s about MY SONS as well. Because my boys? Are driving. (Well, Dude is driving [no license yet, but close] and Jazz will be driving in the next year) and the thought of my precious sons out there on the road with selfish … individuals (and that’s not the word I wanted to use, trust me), who are too stupid or too oblivious to allow their voice mail to pick up incoming calls or to pull over to make/take a call while out on the roads makes me very, very scared and angry.

Driving is hazardous enough with the normal, everyday distractions. We do not need to add another deadly distraction that is 100% preventable.

And I am seriously considering buying “Hang up and Drive” bumper stickers and even one big sign I can hold up whenever I see someone on their cell phone because I believe THAT strongly in this message.

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve witnessed people swerving, or not yielding or just making bad driving choices only to discover they were talking on their cell phones and/or texting. I’ve seen it, firsthand. And it never fails to shock me. Especially when I see they have a car load of passengers.

And it absolutely floors me that we even have to have programs to make people aware of this dangerous activity. Have people completely lost their common sense? What fool actually thinks it’s okay to take their eyes off the road and text while driving?!? The kid in the Oprah video, the one who was texting while driving, swerved off the road and hit another car head on killing two gentlemen said that he simply didn’t know texting while driving was dangerous. That the whole “don’t use your cell phone while driving” – especially texting! – was never taught to him in Driver’s Ed in high school and it never occurred to him that it might be a bad thing to do.

My mouth actually fell open. Now we have to teach common sense?!?

But you know, that’s another post and I’ll just stop right there.

The bottom line? DON’T USE YOUR CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING. And for those of you that like to split hairs? I’m including the Bluetooth, as well. It’s not the fact that you’re holding an actual phone up to your ear that is distracting, it’s the fact that your mind is focused on your conversation and not on the road that is the danger. So don’t even give me any excuses about “Well, I don’t use my cell phone in the car, I use my Bluetooth.” Lame and you know it.

Your car is not a phone booth, it’s not an office, it’s a 12-ton moving box that kills people when not operated correctly.

Again, I apologize for the passion behind this post, but DAMN IT people, wake UP and respect life, won’t you?

I hate to break this to you, but life? Is not JUST about you.

(rant is over – for now)

random stuff

Recipe: Pizza Pancakes

Karen

So I was Tweeting on Twitter about our dinner this evening – Pizza Pancakes – and I had a number of people ask me questions about it, so I thought I would post the recipe, if you’re interested.

Let me preface this by saying – this is not one of our favorite recipes. And this was only the second time I’ve made it. I have a hard time either making it too dry or too runny, but it’s not bad, just different. I also didn’t take a lot of time with the pictures so they’re nothing like you’d see at The Pioneer Woman’s blog. 🙂

Let’s get started:

First, measure two cups of Bisquick in your bowl. Add one teaspoon of oregano (or Italian seasoning).

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Add two eggs, one 1/2 cups of milk, stir.

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Cut up about one cup of pepperoni and put it in the bowl.

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I also added about 1/2 cup of mozzeralla cheese to the batter, too.

In the meantime, pour two jars of pizza sauce into a saucepan and add about one pound of hamburger meat to the sauce. Heat.

Spray your hot griddle down with grease and pour your pancake batter in. (I make the world’s UGLIEST pancakes – no really. We can be honest here. I tend to be an impatient cook so all I’m concerned with is getting it over with as soon as possible. I’m sure your pancakes would look prettier. *smile*)

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Turn when bubbles form on top, cook until the second side is golden brown.

Serve with pizza / meat sauce on top. Sprinkle cut-up green peppers on top (for a little crunch) and add mozzarella cheese.

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It’s not the prettiest meal, but it’s surprisingly good. Again, I have trouble with the meat sauce – either I don’t add enough juice and it’s a bit dry, or I add too much and the pancakes soak up too much and it’s soggy. But it might be a fun thing to cook with the kids and I’m betting the kids like it.

Here is the recipe if you want to copy / paste it:

Pizza Pancakes

2 cups Bisquick
1 tsp. Oregano
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (put in batter)
1 cup chopped pepperoni
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 jars pizza sauce
1/2 to 1 pound ground meat
Garlic (to taste – optional)

In a large bowl, combine the Bisquick mix, oregano (or Italian seasoning). Stir in eggs, milk until moistened. Fold in cheese and pepperoni.

On stove top, pour 2 jars pizza sauce into sauce pan. Add browned ground beef to pizza sauce – heat.

Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a lightly greased hot griddle. Turn when bubbles form on top, cook until the second side is a golden brown.

Serve. Pour pizza / meat sauce over top. Sprinkle green peppers and mozzarella cheese on top.

Book Corner

Book Review: The Pact

Karen

The Pact by Jodi Picoult
Publisher: Avon (August 29, 2006)
ISBN # 0061150142
512 pages
Author Website

My Grade: B+

Plot / Premise:

I’ve decided to copy and paste the plot summary from the below source. I always feel like I don’t do plot summaries justice and I’m only regurgitating what other people have said and … okay, fine. I’m lazy. I’d rather concentrate on character development and writing style.

From Wikipedia

Chris and Emily, teenagers from two neighbored and very close families, have been as close as siblings since birth, but as teenagers their relationship develops into a romance. When they are seniors in high school, however, both families are called to the hospital: Emily is dead at seventeen from a gunshot to the head, and Chris says the two had intended to carry out a suicide pact.

Every other chapter is a flashback to Emily and Chris’s childhood life, leading up to the night of Emily’s death. Some scenes include flashbacks on Emily and Chris’s life while they were young (best friends) through their teenage years as lovers. It is revealed that, as a result of a dare made by Chris to go into a men’s restroom, Emily is molested as a child. It is also discovered that she was impregnated by Chris, but she never revealed it to him. It is also revealed in flashbacks that Emily’s feeling for Chris were more sisterly, yet she felt pressured to be with him in a romantic way due to the closeness of their families. She also felt uncomfortable having sex or being touched due to the molestation. She wanted to go to college, not raise a baby and she thought she’d brought shame on her family by becoming pregnant. She went for an abortion but couldn’t go through with it in the end as it was a male carrying it out and it brought back flashbacks of her being molested. It was all of these things that made her suicidal.

Overall Thoughts:

If there is one author I aspire to be, it’s Jodi Picoult. I’ve always loved her writing – she seems to have perfected the art of balancing characters with plot and she seems to sense when her readers are getting restless because she will suddenly, and sometimes without warning, veer the plot off in a different direction thus leaving her reader with wide eyes and a shocked demeanor.

I can appreciate her writer’s instinct.

One of the biggest things I enjoy about Picoult is her talent of tackling sensitive moral issues without coming off as too preachy. This is right up my alley. I’ve ALWAYS been interested in this type of writing and my personal goal, as a writer, is to leave the reader thinking about the story and/or the issue behind the story. I’ve learned, in my 44 years on this earth, that life is definitely NOT black and white and I think all too often our media, even other people, sometimes would like us to believe that it is.

But at the same time, even though those moral lines are sometimes blurred, ultimately, decisions have to be made and people have to live with those decisions. Not to mention the trickle down effect of that decision on those characters directly affected.

The sensitive issues in this story?

How far would you go for the person you loved? Would you kill the person you loved if it meant that person would truly be happier?

Can a deep and intimate friendship morph into a romantic relationship and not feel weird?

That’s exactly what happens to Emily in this story. Her and Chris grew up together as brother and sister, and even though Chris’ feelings matured into love, Emily’s did not. And yet, she loved Chris will all her heart, just not in a romantic way. The last thing she ever wanted to do was hurt Chris, so she succumbed to Chris, both physically and emotionally, thinking everyone sort of expected them to end up together, so she would follow the plan.

Only in doing so, she crossed that invisible line of what felt right and she soon sunk into a deep depression. Rather than disappoint everyone in her life, hurt Chris, or be stuck in a life she did not want, she turned to thoughts of suicide.

I’ve personally dealt with this very issue. I dated a guy that I had been friends with for several years back in high school. But as soon as we officially became a “couple”, things felt off – just wrong on so many levels so that eventually, I not only destroyed the relationship, I annihilated our friendship, too. So, on some level, I could relate to Emily’s delimma. Definitely not her feelings of suicide, but her feelings of being trapped and wanting to get out, but not wanting to hurt anyone in the process of getting out.

At the risk of repeating myself, or the blurb above, I thought I’d take some of the negative Amazon feedback and address a few of the issues that people had with the story. I like debunking (or debating, you pick the verbiage) other people’s opinions mainly because it challenges me to look at different issues from another angle.

Responding to Negative Reviews:

None of my questions were answered and not in the good way where it’s left to your imagination. The characters are superficial. We never get beneath the surface with any of them and least of all Emily.

Apparently, this person is not a very careful reader because if anything, we got to know the characters very well – especially Emily. Since Emily dies at the beginning of the book, Picoult alternates the time line from chapter to chapter – past, present, past, etc. So in essence, the story moves ahead one step, and then takes one step back. I personally like this writing style because it offers a richness to the characters that might otherwise not have been there if she had stuck with a traditional forward-moving story. She could have done flash backs, but given the fact that the story starts AFTER the climax of the story, that would have been tedious. Placing present time in a chapter and past events in a chapter allowed the story to flow – like a see-saw in a playground.

And because Picoult devoted so much back story to chapters, the reader is given ample time and insight into Chris and Emily’s state of minds. This is simply not a valid criticism, in my opinion.

Although it was beautifully written, I felt cheated, ripped off, and let down at the end. The plot was not sufficiently developed through to the end. There were too many blanks to be filled in, too many loose ends, too much left unsaid and undone. There was far too much drama and not enough substance.

Which is a heck of a lot better than too much substance and not enough drama – who wants to read a story without drama? Drama is what MAKES the story. Duh.

And to say that this story had too many loose ends is just silly – the entire story is interwoven like a tightly integrated quilt, if anything, I thought Picoult spent too much time on character thoughts/feelings and not enough time moving the story forward. And as far as too many blanks – as a reader, would you rather have the author TELL you the story, or SHOW you the story? Picoult does an excellent job of balancing both and if this reader couldn’t fill in obvious holes, then I would suggest this reader work on his/her reading comprehension because I felt like Picoult did an excellent job of laying the groundwork and then stepping back to allow the reader to navigate the terrain.

Emily feels trapped by Chris and is more or less sickened by their sexual relationship, I felt it was inappropriate. Chris, who was supposedly so in-tune with her feelings, seems to purposely ignore her fairly obvious signs of discomfort. Towards the end, it felt abusive.

That was Picoult’s intent – to make the reader uncomfortable because it was an uncomfortable position to be in. It wasn’t inappropriate, it was realistic. Now if the characters truly had been brother and sister, I would have stopped reading after the first few pages, but the fact that they were not made the situation more realistic in my opinion. Who hasn’t had a friendship where one person wanted to take it to the next level and the other did not? It’s an uncomfortable situation to be in.

However, I will agree with the part about Chris supposedly being so in-tune with Emily’s feelings and yet not sensing what was really bothering her. I didn’t quite buy that part either, however, given the fact that they were 17 and inexperienced in both worldly things and in all things love, it worked.

I guess I don’t understand the “small town” mentality but it seems a little sick that the parents never wanted anything more from their children than for them to fall in love and live happily ever after without ever experiencing what else is out there. The writing is also quite mediocre and the trial is not very credible.

Apparently, this person is not a parent because that’s ALL a parent wants for his/her child – to fall in love and live happily ever after. And the writing was anything but mediocre, though to be fair, referring to a flush as “bright red flags” several times did get old. And the trial? Was one of my favorite parts. It really built the drama and I thought Picoult did an excellent job of presenting both sides of the story through the courtroom scenes. In fact, I felt the threads of the story were drawn even tighter with the courtroom drama because it allowed the reader yet another opportunity to piece the story together – just as if the reader were one of the jurors.

I have done extensive reading on the issue of teen suicide. This story misses a great opportunity to address this national problem.

Ah. Now this one I can agree with. I think Picoult romanticized suicide a bit too much and a more impressionable mind might actually walk away from this book thinking suicide is a viable option for when times get tough. I agree that she could have used this opportunity to get out the message that suicide is a serious and completely unacceptable alternative to any problem.

And while we’re on the subject of things I didn’t care for in this story – the ending was completely and totally contrived. I fell like Picoult compromised the story in order to give her publishers, and the readers at large, a “happy” ending. Given this story and what happens to this character, not to mention the damning evidence against him and what is proven (even with testimony), the ending was a disappointment and in my opinion, a cop out.

By the way, I have this book for sale in my book store if you would like to purchase it. It’s only been read once and is in excellent condition.

Flash Fiction

Flash Fiction: The Part About Honoring Your Mother and Father

Karen

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Fiction under 250 words.

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“Casie! Sharon! It’s time for Bible study, get in here!”

Lauren leaned over to place the children’s bibles at their respective places at the dining room table. Her husband entered the room and playfully slapped her on the rear-end.

“Hey!” She laughed and twisted around to receive his kiss. “Stop that. Somehow, it feels wrong to be swatted on the butt right before we honor God.”

Her husband chuckled, gave her a playful wink and took his seat at the head of the table.

The two girls scampered into the room giggling. They gave each other a playful shove before settling into their seats; they squirmed with pent-up energy.

“Okay girls, settle down. Sharon, you’ve got food on your mouth, wipe it off, please.”

The seven-year old girl lifted a pudgy hand up to her mouth and neatly wiped it across her mouth. She then ran the back of her hand down the side of her jeans to clean off her hand.

Lauren sighed. “I actually meant for you to use a napkin, but since I wasn’t specific,” she rolled her eyes at her husband. “I suppose I asked for that one.”

Casie chuckled in appreciation of her sister’s actions.

“So,” Lauren’s eyes locked onto Casie as she took her seat. “Did you read the Ten Commandants like I asked you to?”

“Yep.”

“And did you note the part about honoring your mother and father?”

Casie snorted. “You said to learn it. You didn’t say I had to do it!”

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Want to play? All you have to do is write 250 words (no MORE) about any scene you heard, witnessed or imagined. You can either post your own flash fiction on your blog, or post it in the comment section!

Either way – do it now. Don’t wait. Don’t make excuses.

Monday Stuff

Worth Mentioning …

Karen

Here are a few things that caught my attention this past weekend.

(WARNING: These topics are controversial and a bit *ahem* top heavy, but these are the sorts of things I think about – a lot. Thanks for stopping by).

Remember all the hoopla over the Pro-Life commercial that was scheduled to air during the Super Bowl? Have you seen it??

I KNOW! Are you shocked?! Can you believe they would promote family?!? What is wrong with these people.

Pfft.

Isn’t it crazy what people get so bent out of shape over? I thought this commercial was sweet and touching and only reinforced the need for women to make a wise and informed decision about something as precious as a life.

But hold on – I’m pro-choice. And by that I mean pro-choice. I believe women have the right to say what happens to their body. I believe that as soon as that right, or any similar right that affects an individual, is taken away, then we have serious problems.

Can you imagine being a victim of incest or rape and then having someone tell you that you MUST have the baby anyway? That you don’t have a choice. Yes, it was a terrible and bad thing that happened to you but TOUGH. That decision is no longer yours to make.

BUT …. BUT … before you go off and start lecturing me about the importance of life let me just say …

I agree with you. Please understand, I think a woman should retain her right to choose what is done to her body, I just pray that she chooses life over death.

It sickens, and disgusts me, how callous society has become when it comes to children. Both in the womb and out. Abortion should never, ever, EVER be used as a form of birth control and I think too often, it is. I think society, as a whole, does not value life in general and is alarmingly flippant and blasé about it. It’s life. It’s precious. And I believe that if a woman finds herself pregnant, she should CHOOSE to either keep it or give it up for adoption. Abortion should only, and I stress ONLY, be the last resort.

I think too often, pro-choice people are actually pro-abortion. Because if they were truly pro-choice, wouldn’t they be grateful that the women who contemplated abortion chose life instead? I see too many people get bent out of shape when other alternatives are offered to women in that situation and I just don’t understand WHY pro-choice people would have a problem with that. Don’t you find it ironic that to be truly pro-choice other options should be given and yet when they’re given, and taken, people get upset? Why would anyone get upset over a woman’s CHOICE to give birth to the baby and then give it up for adoption? Or CHOOSE to keep the baby and raise it herself? That’s what this commercial is all about. It’s about the choice this woman made to keep her baby, even though she was having a difficult pregnancy and even though the experts were telling her the baby might die.

And yet, people have a problem with it. Why? Because it promotes life? Because it highlights this woman’s decision to have her baby despite the danger? Because it promotes strong family values? Because it was scheduled to air during a time slot reserved for inane, asinine, fluffy commercials about casual Fridays? I truly don’t understand the opposition.

In the meantime, you can read more about the story behind this commercial here. (Please watch it – it’s inspiring and brought tears to my eyes). If you want to comment, go ahead. But I reserve the right to delete anything that is less than respectful or inflammatory in any way.

Speaking of Super Bowl commercials, here’s another one that irked me:

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Danica Patrick. *SIGH* I just can’t like her because of these stupid, sexist Go-Daddy commercials.

I mean, here’s a woman, making headway in a predominately male sport, who has the opportunity to be great, to do something substantial, to make history and inspire future generations of women and yet, she succumbs to the ole stand-by of “let’s flash some boob to get attention” stint.

I mean, COME ON, Ms. Patrick, have some freaking pride, why don’t you? I understand the whole sponsor thing, I get that it’s really hard, if not impossible, to get anyone to go out on a limb and fork over millions of dollars for a racing team in this economy, but couldn’t you have put your foot down and said something like “NO! I won’t allow you to market me into yet another lame, sexist attempt to broaden your audience.”

Here’s a thought, what ever happened to showing what a kick-ass driver you are? Instead, we’re once again focused on your looks and the fact that *GASP* you have breasts.

Big whoop.

I’m excited about more women getting into NASCAR, but geez louise, can we have a little respect for our gender, and for the other female drivers in the meantime? Which are just as pretty and probably just as talented as Ms. Patrick, only we don’t know about because the media is so focused on Patrick’s lame attempts to market herself and tease the public with boob shots.

Gah.

Here is an interesting local story I thought I would comment on:

Religious symbol on jewelry puts woman crossways with employer

Vodpod videos no longer available.

In essence, this woman works (worked?) for FedEx and refused to take off her cross necklace citing religious reasons. Only, the company specifically has a policy about anyone wearing any sort of jewelery with their uniform – they can’t even wear any sort of pins. This is a company policy and I’m assuming this woman signed a form stating that she agreed to those terms.

I think it was wise on FedEx’s part to make this policy specific and known because in order to allow one individual to wear a symbol of Christianity, then to be fair, they then would also be forced to allow others to wear their religious symbols and quite honestly? It’s hard enough not to offend anyone in business, let alone when a company is willing to open the door to symbols that will surely offend someone at some point; eliminating all sorts of jewelry and garment paraphernalia nips a potential problem in the bud.

Now granted, I can appreciate this woman’s willingness to stand up for her religion, a religion that I happen to also believe in, but this is a company policy, that she was made aware of multiple times and is a condition of her working there. Not to sound cold-hearted, but if she wants to wear her cross, she will need to look for a job that will allow her the luxury of wearing said jewelry.

However, given these last few sentences in the story:

“Her administrative leave is attributed to being out of uniform for multiple months. There are personal insignia limitations in the dress code but religious exceptions are given when requested and validated.”

Graves says she didn’t know and wasn’t told she could apply for a religious exemption. She says she would have done so if given the opportunity.

It sounds to me like the company will give in to her “religious exemption.” Which isn’t right, though again, I can appreciate this woman’s refusal to conform and compromise her beliefs, because if the company gives in to her, then they have to give in to the next person and the next and where exactly do they draw the line?

Why even have a policy to begin with if they’re going to eventually waffle and cite “religious exemption” for the people who refuse to follow company rules?

Did you hear?! Sarah Palin wrote on her hand!! Oh my gosh!! The gall of the woman! Has she never heard of a teleprompter??

And can you believe this was actually news? And the left was trying to somehow spin this into something about cheating?!

Unbelievable. Yes, the woman wrote down some key points she wanted to cover in the speech she gave at the annual Tea Party convention in Nashville over the weekend. And I daresay she wrote those key points down because she didn’t have teleprompters to guide her when she spoke – from her heart.

Unlike another prominent public SERVANT in the White House.

Let’s not forget that our Commander in Chief can’t even address children without his trusty teleprompter, people.

I mean seriously. How pathetic.

THAT pretty much trumps any notes that Palin scribbled on her hand, don’t you think?

And lastly, because this post is steeped in negativity, let’s end on a positive, and funny, note.

Betty White’s appearance in this Snickers commercial:

She’s a class act, isn’t she? 🙂