Made it there

I made it to my sister's house and talked briefly with my brother. I also did laundry and watched the baby play in the grass. Neighbors stopped by to say hello. My niece has scrapes by her eye from tumbling off the deck, one woman said there will be more scrapes and bruises. Then she joked about calling human services. Haha. As night fell I brought the baby in. My niece did not take well me going downstairs to check on laundry. So I took her downstairs. She crawled from the tv room to my feet. I almost kicked her not realizing she was there. She is the type who hates being left in a room alone. We watched the rest of Anger Management. I was confused someone left the tv on when everyone was outside. Big waste of electricity. Then Back to the Future III was on next. I left after a few minutes since my clothes were done. That's alright, I have the DVDs of the trilogy. Then I came home and browsed blogs. Good night.

Memorial Day

It's Memorial Day again. I left plastic roses at my grandparents
tombstones. This is the first year all 4 are dead. Grandma's death date
is still not on the stone. The funeral home my Dad paid for the
engraving declared bankruptcy a month after he paid them. He is trying
to get his money back since they are not doing the job and pay someone
else to do it.
I also decorated my great and great-great grandparents graves. Mom had
visited the cemetery last Saturday so that made them easier to spot. My
Mom's relatives are all in the same cemetery. Beyond my great-great
grandparents, her ancestors are in Illinois and Missouri.
Next was my other grandparents' tombstone in a city they never lived in.
Grandpa did not wish to be buried out in the boondocks where his
descendents would have trouble finding him. That is also easy to find.
It is the largest in the cemetery, close to the size of a piano.
I decided to let Mom decorate the boondock graves scattered around
different cemeteries along gravel roads. Grandma's family are all in one
church yard. It's Grandpa's family that's scattered. His parents were
divorced so they are in different areas. Then the couple who raised
Grandpa after age 10 are in another cemetery. Then great-great and
great-great-great grandparents are in more cemeteries.
After coming back to town, I drove over to my sister's house to see my
brother, and do laundry too. My brother's car was out front, but nobody
was home. I called on my cell phone and a message said their machine had
been turned off. Bitch. She knew I was coming and told me yesterday they
would be home all day, today. They probably went to a movie. Oh well.
Post later. Bye!

It is the thought that counts

I had evil thoughts going insane from boredom today at work. I emailed my manager today stating that I came up with wrapping up the counter supplies of staplers, phones, vacuum cleaner, etc. with newspaper. But then, I thought I might get into trouble for wasting tape, so I didn't do it. I thought up TPing the backroom because customers might not like toliet paper all over the company sign. I told ya I was bored out of my mind to go out of character. I shared my plots with coworkers and they burst out laughing. Very unlike me to trash anything. I told my manager in her email that It's the thought that counts. Right? Post later. Bye!

Interesting fact

According to today's newspaper, Iowa ranks 49th in # of acres for
recreation. 2% of Iowa is set aside for public recreational land. 91% of
Iowa is farmland. Iowa has no national forests, no national park, no
protected wilderness. Kansas is last place on the rankings. No wonder
when tourists come by asking what is here to see and do we say, Nothing.
Post later. Bye!

War orphan story

Today I read a piece in the paper about war orphans from World War II.
It was quite sad. Then I recognized one of the men pictured. He is my
Dad's cousin's husband. I did not know he was a war orphan. Mom must add
that to the family history book. And you think you know someone. I
emailed the reporter in thanks adding that I thought my relatives all
came back from World War II, my Grandma's brothers did and started
families after they got back. Small world. Post later. Bye!

I hate people

I am just hating people today. Don't like anybody. I read in a magazine
today about someone asking what to do when her friend is rude to all
salesclerks and servers in restraunts. The advice given was to point out
the rude behavior and many salesclerks and servers will be grateful.
We have a word for rude people who think we are just peons born to serve
their every command: Asshole. Yes, Your Highnesses we don't like your
abusive language anymore than you like us. I assure you that you are not
the customer in the world. I even kicked someone who didn't like our
return policy out of the store I used to work for after she called my
coworker a moron. The 2 ladies stared at me in shock responding with,
You are asking us to leave. I said, No I'm telling you to leave, Now. 1
said I can't speak to her friend that way. I said that she can explain
that to the security guard when he gets here. They left.
I just had a phone call with a jerk who wanted weekend rates. I sent him
to the reservation line to compare prices. He calls back demanding a
price. And he don't know why I sent him to a recorded message, don't I
know the answer to the question. Are you not a car rental? So look up
the price and he asks if my quote is for 1 day or whole time he wanted
it. I believe I said whole time when I gave him the quote. Then he gets
mad because it is not unlimited mileage. I explained we do have
unlimited mileage rates, but there is no special deals on them. He says
good-bye, click.
This is why we try to get people off the phone. We don't like lengthy
conversations while the customer plays 20 questions and have customers
standing in front of us waiting to get our attention. Some even get
bitchy with me for being too nice or answer the phone when they are
speaking. Well Your Highnesses, you have to wait your turn. My favorite
insult from a customer was "You will never succeed in life with that
attitude". You have to do better than that to hurt me. I am teflon. Post
later. Bye!

Drama never stops

The drama never stops at my coworker's house. Today she took her stepson
on his school trip to the zoo. She was in charge of 5 children. It was
nightmare. Waiting to get on their bus, she witnessed 7 school buses
unload. She said there had been at least 20 school groups present. She
was so tired from walking that she did not join them for lunch in the
park.
She goes home and gets ready for work. The stepson's mother calls to ask
how it went. My coworker innocently admitted she let this 6-year-old boy
take pictures with the disposable camera she sent with her son with a
note attached with a request to get photos of the boy at the zoo with
his friends. And my coworker let him take this camera to the park. The
mother was furious at her for letting this kid touch the camera, he
can't take good pictures and she will have to pay a fortune to get the
photos developed. Well, my coworker says she has to go and hangs up.
My coworker gets a call at work from her husband who just got yelled at
by his ex-girlfriend when he picked up the kids for the weekend. My
coworker said they can give her the few dollars to develop the film and
if the bitch doesn't like the way she does things, then don't ask for
favors. The End. Post later. Bye!

Travel packing tip

Since I have overheard man on his cell phone yelling at an airline
person about taking 3 flights and lost a piece of his luggage on each
flight, I have a packing tip for airline travelers.
DO NOT pack anything you can not handle being lost, stolen, or
misdirected to the wrong airport in your checked luggage. Pack those
important things in your carry on or your pocket. You may have less
stress on your trip. Post later. Bye!

Metrosexual?

I keep hearing the Metrosexual man term. I have been watching a show
that mentioned the metrosexual look. I guess clean-cut, gentlemen terms
are out now. If Metrosexual translates into hot looking man, I'm all for
it. I don't really care the grudge slob look with boxer shorts peeking
out. I like well dressed men. They look really good. Post later. Bye!

Women in combat

Hello again. I just saw a news clip on TV with complaints that the
military is breaking their own rules banning women from combat. They
suggested lessening the possibility of women from being killed or
captured in noncombat jobs and missions, which has already happened.
I recall when the draft fear was suggested that women not be excluded
from the being draft into the military. Why? They are banned from
fighting. I also recall a news story years ago about women in the Gulf
War in the early 1990's did noncombative missions of refueling airplanes
in mid-air and transporting supplies that were in reality more dangerous
than combative missions their male comrades faced.
From my point of view, if women are allowed to die for their country, be
POWs, and can be drafted then the ban needs to go. Obviously, the
military is breaking its own rules for a reason. The War on Terror needs
women in combat. Post later. Bye!

Star Wars III

One thing is for sure, George Lucas does not disappoint. I can only hope
I become a great storyteller like him and Steven Spielburg. Though, I
still wonder how Darth Vader knew about Luke and not Leia. In Return of
Jedi, Darth says to Luke that "Obi Wan was wise to hide her from me. Now
his failure is complete." Oh well, I enjoyed the movie. Though, Obi Wan
is correct that Anakin is the chosen one to destroy the Sith, just not
how he intended. Darth Vader does kill the emperor in Return of the Jedi
and dies as the last Sith because Vader did not have an apprentice.
Thus, balance is brought back to the force through Luke. Enough rambles.
Post later. Bye!

Freaky

I guess I'm not rid of the freaky guy who quit for another job after
all. His car rental company has a bit of trouble hiring new people. The
owner's daughter and wife are here today. The daughter quit long ago to
work in a bank, but comes back to help out her parents. The freaky guy
is still working part-time at the car rental. One guy who used to work
there told me that the owner shows up 2 hours late to interview
applicants. Most applicants wait for 20 minutes before leaving. That
could explain why they have trouble hiring new people. This guy came on
weekends after he quit for a much better office job to help them clean
cars. I thought the idea of quitting was to permanently leave the job. I
guess not. Post later. Bye!

Squeeky belt

It has been 2 weeks since the luggage carosal belt starting squeeking
and I have been informed that the airport refuses to do anything about
it. My coworker even suggested super glueing the belt down late at night
and hopefully not get caught by the security cameras. I am growing crazy
enough to do that. The belt is so irritating all day long. Post later.
Bye!

Credit card announcement

Greetings Valued Customer. Since we appreciate your business, we are
changing how we do business you. We are informing you of our change in
point earnings. Instead of Regular Points, we present to you Special
Points. What this means to you is that you can not redeem your Regular
points while we alter our computer system. Plus, your Regular Points
will be cut in half to be converted into Special points. Please look at
our Special points catalog. You will notice that you have to spend twice
the money to earn what you got under Regular points, in addition to the
fact we have decided to make our Special points expire after 60 days. So
spend, spend, spend to earn our Special awards in our catalog. Thank you
so much to doing business with us, we value your money.
OK this how I interpreted the letter I got from my credit card money. I
will canceling it. Post later. Bye!

At it again

My friend must be going through something because she is sending Godly emails to me again. I don't know what part of I am not deeply spiritual that she does not get. Maybe I should send a nasty email to her to say "knock it off" to her since she doesn't get my silence as meaning stop sending them. I have to think about before I crush her feelings. Post later. Bye!

Dance recital

I attended my nieces' dance recital last night. It was 4 hours and 15
minutes long. This dance teacher is busy. In 2 towns, she has 11
instructors teaching adult and kids ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, Irish
dancing, baton, tumbling, and dance competition teams. On top of that
she conducts the Nutcracker ballet. This lady has been in buisiness for
20 years. She even offers scholarships for free dance lessons. My oldest
niece won a 1/2 year scholarship for Irish dancing and the Nutcracker
ballet. I'm a proud aunt.
As you can tell it was very long. One niece was in 7 dances and the
other niece was 2 dances. At the end they had a group of men wearing
undershirts and boxer shorts, white socks with dirty sneaker, with
tutus. They did a mock ballet and got a loud applause. I found out
later, my nieces wore fake hair. Whatever. My nieces slept extra long
today. They are out of school now and they're parents are at work.
Hopefully, they will behave for me until their parents come back. Better
go. Games to play.

Oatmeal Cookies

Hello again. I baked oatmeal cookies today at my volunteer position.
Last week was a spice cake. Everybody loves my treats. I stunned my Mom
telling her my spice cake was not burned yesterday. My Mom has a
conviction that I am a bad cook. Her conviction is so strong that my
nieces refuse to eat anything I make because "Grandma" said I can't cook
anything. Mom thought that was hilarious.
This week the first batch of cookies were overcooked, but not burnt. The
next 2 batches were perfect since I was watching them. The last batch
came out gooey undercooked since the stove's fire went out and after
relit, they did not wish to get done. 2 people ate my cookies, I had 5.
I thought they were very tasty. Moms can be wrong even if they can never
admit it. Mine never does. My Mom is always right even when you can
manage to prove her wrong. Post later. Bye!

Closing military bases

I read in today's newspaper that the Pentagon is planning to close military bases to solve their budget crunch. Then in the same section there are requests to double or even triple the budget to fight the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Excuse me? Will someone please explain to me how laying off the armed forces and yet send other armed forces to war occurs at the same time? This makes no sense to me.

In my opinion, I don't think Bush is winning the War on Terror, just delaying peace. War on conflicting ideas of the perfect world just doesn't get won with destroying a country's, make that 2 countries', infrastructures and then expecting the conquered to love the conquerors. It doesn't work that way. I do not believe Bush or Rice have any intention of ever leaving Iraq or Afghanistan. I wonder if Powell did. How does one win a war against terrorists? I don't know. In the history books, the Vikings terrorized the coasts of Europe, finding the New World before Columbus, and even sacked Rome. And then there were the pirates who terrorized the seas and romanticized in songs and novels, need I say Pirates of the Caribbean from Disney. History does not provide an answer to that question.

The whole War on Terror reminds me of sitting through visitation day of Vietnam Vets and Vietnam Protesters in my History of Vietnam War class. One student asked a vet how long it took him to figure out we would not win this war. He said 2 days. The professor explained it took over 10 years for Washington and the Pentagon to figure that one out. Another student asked the protester if he thought that protesting the Vietnam War in actuality made it longer. The man said in hindsight, maybe the protests did prolonged the war, but at the time he did what he felt was right. I wonder what the future history books will say about this war on terror. Post later. Bye!

I'm insulted

I read in today's Sunday paper declaring the average hourly wage in my
state is $14.40 as of last March and there was an article talking how
these college graduates will have to struggle to pay bills and loans at
that rate. Struggling! At $14.40 an hour ($30,000 a year)! I work for a
lot less than that and manage to pay for the cable, internet on computer
and cell phone, electric, rent, and of course food and gas. Does that
mean I live in the poor house? I'm insulted here. I paid off about
$20,000 (including estimated interest) in 4 years and 9 months earning
$6 to $7 an hour ($14,000 a year) and proud of that. I think someone
needs to lower their standards of college graduate wages and cost of
living. So what if they can't afford to live in the lap of luxury, a lot
of grown ups don't either. Welcome to the adult world graduates. Post
later. Bye!

The Dreaded Interview

As graduates and teenagers edge toward the end of school and enjoy the summer job market there are tons of tips of winning the dream job after a nervous interview. I shall offer my tips of the info I would give my niece.
Guidelines for Job Interviews:
1 What Competitive Wages Mean: Associates are not paid the same and the company tries to pay you as little as possible. Pay varies by department, status (like manager versus associate), and experience. At my first retail job after college (age 22), I was paid the same as the 16-year-old hired 2 months after me. Then another 16-year-old hired a month before me in another section was paid $1 more than me. At my current job, a coworker was furious when he learned the new guy is paid more than him.
2 What Train on the Job means: Crash courses, so be ready to take notes so it only has to be explained to you once.
3 Starting/beginning pay sucks. Get use to it.
4 Resumes are sometimes necessary while other times are not, depending what kind of job you are seeking. But are a good guide for filling out applications.
5 All bosses interviewing candidates want someone who is punctual, do their job without arguing, friendly with other coworkers, willing to ask for help and admit mistakes with apologies, quick learner, and willing to work on days off.
6 Put your best foot forward. Show up early. Tuck your shirt in. Firm handshake displays confidence (word of caution: Many women I met barely touch the tips of my fingers when I extended my hand while many men grabbed it firmly). Smile. Sit up straight. Sound eager to work to gain experience to go up in the company. And absolutely no lying. Be honest by including your assets, not liabilities. People who are found out lying on their application are fired. Dress to impress, but don't overdo it. Suits for business interviews. Dress pants and dress shirt for sales interviews. Natural make-up. No 5 o'clock shadow. No more than 5 pieces of jewelry. No scuffed up dress shoes. Image is everything, look good.
7 Bosses wish to discuss wages last. It is usually the first question before someone fills out an application.
8 Trick questions: Why do you want to work here? What didn't you like about your last job? Don't bitch on these questions. Like a teacher, give it a positive spin. Instead of you hated management, say you could not work the hours they wished for you. Instead of you looking for better pay, say you are saving for something. After graduating college, I said to my manager that I wished to work there because I have student loans to pay off and get tired of sitting at home all day. She smiled. She said, Everybody needs money.
9 Another tricky question is: Do you think people who have friends or family working here have an advantage to gaining employment? I gave a great answer by saying a family member can get you in the door, but once there you are on your own. My manager was impressed.
10 If you know any words in a foreign language, write that down on the application. Even if you are not fluent and can only speak rudimentary sentences, you are a step ahead of those who know no foreign words. That is how I got the job I have now. In the interview, I did explain I was not fluent in any of the languages I listed, but could learn more words if necessary. Music to my manager's ears.
11 Never use the word combo Hard Worker. Too overused and too wide definition. Use fast learner, punctual, eager to learn, responsible, reliable, get things done, good at ... You get the idea.
12 Don't believe that "We are just a happy family here" line. Dysfunctional family with wimpy manager describes that Happy Family better.
13 Remember bosses are not teens who understand you, they are adults who are running a business. They don't want to hire someone who requires a babysitter to make sure you are doing your job and not talking on phone all day to your friends. They pay you to work, not socialize and shop.
Can't think of anymore. Post later. Bye!

Great news

I am smiling today. I heard the freak at work got a new job at a store I never shop at and his last day is next Thursday. I just realized I won't be here that day. I'll be in another state with my nieces. I will gladly survive without telling the weirdo not to let the door hit him on the way out on his last day. 3 more days of freak and I'm free of him. Post later. Bye!

Panhandling

I examined my paycheck stub today. I saw a story on the news about panhandling in the downtown area. The panhandlers told the reporter that they get $60 to $100 a day for panhandling all day. Looking at my net earnings after taxes, a panhandler makes more than me. Will somebody please explain why I work so hard being on time, neat and tidy, responsible and reliable, staying calm during high stress situations, and fixing problems to earn less than a panhandler who does not pay income taxes. Now I'm depressed. And I thought it felt bad knowing my brother got more pay and benefits from unemployment than I did working 2 part-time jobs with no benefits a couple years ago. It's not fair. Post later. Bye!

Independence Day

Washington D.C. had a scare with a plane invading forbidden airspace emptying the White House and Capitol. Lucky for the men going to an airshow that the air force pilots did not shoot them down. Yet another false alarm. I commend those pilots for thinking before acting. Watching the security officers order everyone out of the capitol saying "This is not a drill" reminded me of the movie Independence Day. Though I do wonder how many false alarms will occur before people start ignoring the crying wolf alarms.

Spring in Iowa brings tornados and tornado sirens. Most people continue their shopping, dining, work, or look outside to view the thunderstorm clouds to spot the funnel as the tornado sirens blare on and on. At the airport, security gets the passengers to the basement first before dragging the employees downstairs. The car washers outside clean and drive cars around as if nothing is happening with the sirens ringing in their ears. We native Iowans know tornados sound like freight trains, so we wait for the freight train before sprinting for shelter. So much for warning the public of danger. Post later. Bye!

Missing Wife

And I thought the runaway bride in Georgia was bazaar. Here in Iowa, a wife who claimed to be 9 months pregnant disappeared. She was found at her friend's house after a neighbor tipped off the police after seeing her car in the next county over in Nebraska. The police do not believe this woman was ever pregnant. She claimed she had a miscarriage 3 weeks into the pregnancy, then told all her family and friends that she was pregnant. Most women don't realize they are expecting until about 2 months into the pregnancy. The reason this wife disappeared from her home setting off a massive search for her, was because she wanted to leave the marriage and start a new life. Ma'am, most people file for divorce first. No charges are going to be filed for this because no actual crime was committed.

Men. Here are some clues to tell if a woman is really pregnant. My coworker is figuring out the first clue. They are difficult to live with. Another is the 20 to 40 pound weigh gain in their arms, legs, face, bosoms, and gaining 2 shoe sizes. Next is the ugly red stretch marks that later turn white and never really go away. The 4th clue is the cravings sending husbands to the grocery store in the middle of the night. Then there are the monstrous mood swings making associates walk on egg shells around pregnant coworkers, I did. Once I thought a coworker was pregnant, then realized she was just a bitch. The final clue is the ultrasound most women go through by the time they reach the 9th month to check the baby's health. I can't think of anymore clues. Post later. Bye!

Tulip Time in Pella

Hello again. Saturday I went to the Tulip Festival in Pella, Iowa. We
watched Dutch folk dancers in the park. We had fun shopping. You can buy
wooden shoes to fit anyone's feet. The tiles with Holland scenes were
amazing. We saw plenty of dispalys of Dutch Heritiage. I read 2 Dutch
princesses have visited Pella. There was even a display from the Hmong
who came to Pella after the Vietnam War. Wyatt Earp came to live in
Pella when he was 2 and left as a teen. His childhood home had a
Historical Vilage built around it. It had a large windmill with a long
line we did not wish to stand in. We gave my niece her first taste of a
root beer float. We saw the parade on a crowded street with no place to
sit. It had Dutch characters, bands, baby parade, twin parade, Tulip
Queen and her court, floats, and car with the U.S. Rep from Iowa Leonard
Boswell.

Then when we made it back to our car, my sister lost her keys. After
sitting in the grass for an hour and a cop got the door open on his 10th
try, we put all our things inside to discover the keys were in a
compartment in the baby stroller. The cop who asked a place to make my
sister another key called it off. She asked if the cop was single. At
first I thought she was trying to get me a date. He is getting married
in 2 weeks. She instructed for him to get spare keys for his bride
because since the baby, she repeatedly forgets where she puts them. He
laughed. We made it back and gave baby a bath from her crawling in the
grass. Poor baby. She must have her father's allergies because she had
goo coming out of her eyes and sticking to her lashes, and a rash. She
did not fuss a bit when I wiped off her face as usual. She looked
pitiful with dried goo on her face, that can't feel good. Post later.
Bye!

Fruitcake Day

I don't know if something was in the water, but last Friday the fruitcakes were running loose. They did not appear again this weekend, thank goodness. First I come in to work to find out a flasher has been hanging around the past 2 hours. He had on a long brown leather trench coat, when it was very warm outside. Plus he had huge heart-shaped sunglasses, flip flops, and someone saw yellow Joe Boxer shorts with a tie. A flasher in boxer shorts? What a dork. My coworkers were watching this guy's movements as if they were watching a movie. He flashed a group of people getting their luggage and I heard a loud applause. He disappeared after that. A janitor told me later that a cop told him it was not a good idea to be doing that and move along. No more flasher.

Next, a car rental agent runs out of the bathroom saying there is a couple having sex in a handicap stall. A coworker went in to investigate and saw the shoes. Security was tipped off. We were watching the cop waiting outside the ladies bathroom. He called for backup and when another cop showed up they went in. I saw a guy walking by bewildered at the 2 male cops entering the ladies restroom. They got couple out and talked to them a few minutes, then let them go. Pooh. No arrest. I asked the janitor later to throughly clean handicap stall. He asked which one. A coworker called her husband and he said that if they fooled around in the mens restroom, they would had been less likely be squealed on. Whatever.

Then outside, one of the car jockeys told me one of his coworkers went into the ladies restroom to find a naked woman in front of the mirrors. She apologized and explained that she was going to a funeral, but didn't have anyplace to change her clothes. Yeah, How about the stalls lady. Now I wonder if that story was a lie.

I went to the Tulip Festival on Saturday with my sister and her baby. Poor baby. She must have allergies because she had yellow goo coming out of her eyes and sticking to her lashes, then a rash on her arm and neck. When she looked pitiful covered in dried goo from her eyes and runny nose, I had to wipe her off with a diaper wipe. She usually fights being wiped off. She must felt uncomfortable because she did not fuss at all. She smiled when I heartily wiped her eyes off. Poor baby. I'll describe my Tulip day later in my next entry. Post later. Bye!

Directions

Well my stupid mother wasted a stamp to mail me an internet map from my sister's computer (whom I visit every week) to my niece's dance recital that I could have just as easily gotten off my own internet connected computer. I email this to my other sister. Then I email asking the name of the theater so I enter the correct building. She answers back that the dance recital has changed theaters so toss the map mother mailed me. My sister also says she does not know where the new location is so she can't give me any directions to it. I would like to know how my sister plans on escorting her daughter to her dance recital if she does not know where it is. So on my own I get on mapquest for directions.

I have experience with mapquest directions from customers renting cars. Some customers cling to their mapquest printouts as if their lives depend on them. Others hand them to me to double check accuracy. Often, I can give better directions. Sometimes I get confused reading them, like a street or highway number I never heard of and can't find on an atlas. Plus, sometimes a street or exit is closed that is in the directions. We have 3 types of directions to give cutomers. One is the quickest way (least amount of traffic lights and higher speed limits). Two is the easiest way (least amount of turning). Three is the easiest and quickest way (most direct to the freeway or a highway). Most often we measure distance in minutes, not miles. That means we usually don't have the shortest way.

So on mapquest I figure out how to get to the recital and to my sister's house afterwards. I only printed the directions to the recital. I didn't like the way they sent me to my sister's house from the recital so I printed maps to show the way. As I tell my mother, I can read a map. Post later. Bye!

Cinco de Mayo

It is the 5th of May. That is a big holiday in Mexico. While USA was busy fighting a Civil War, the French invaded Mexico and placed the Archduke of Austria as King/Emperor of Mexico violating the Monroe Doctrine. Since USA was occupied with its own war, it had no resources to enforce the Doctrine. Soon the Mexicans expelled the French themselves and killed their king. I can't remember what happened to his wife. A calendar I saw Sunday had today labeled as Battle of Puebla (southeast of Mexico City). That must be what Cinco de Mayo is celebrating. The past few years has brought hordes of Mexican immigrants to Iowa so the past year there has been sporadic celebrations of the holiday. I associate Cinco de Mayo with being called a white American bitch for the first time in my life. A lady who I just sold merchandise to asked if I celebrate Cinco de Mayo. I said no. She asked why. I said because I'm not Mexican. She exploded in an array of Spanish. Her friend snapped at me that this lady was speaking to me. I explained I could not understand a word she just said. Well lady leaves the store calling me in English a white American bitch. Her friend interogates me of my hertiage. Sorry to disappoint them, but I'm not Mexican nor descended from a Mexican family. Her friend shouts that I'm not really sorry I'm not Mexican. That is not what I said. She finally leaves yelling in Spanish so I have no idea what she said. My manager comes over asking what they yelling about. I told her that the woman should not ask questions she doesn't want to know the answer to. I don't celebrate Canadian holidays either. Every place I have traveled I run into people thinking I'm a native because they need directions. I simply state I don't live here. Let's see, In Arizona someone asked my Mom if I was half American Indian, that really insulted her. Visiting Mexico along the Arizona, a man asked me if I would like to go to the school we were sitting near. I said no, because I don't speak Spanish. Then while visiting Victoria in Canada, someone asked about the Canadian currency exchange. We pointed to our waitress. In England, Asians kept stopping me asking for directions not noticing my lack of British accent. Visiting Paris, only 2 people asked me for help. One was holding a translation book. I told her I'm not French. She was happy to meet another American in Paris. I think she said she was from New York. The other guy was British and recognized my lack of French or British accent. At my job in the airport, a customer told me I look exotic and asked if I was half Asian. I think Mexican immigrants assuming I'm Mexican is more wishful thinking because they don't speak English well than my actually appearance. So I'm not wishing anybody a happy Cinco de Mayo because it is not a holiday I celebrate. I'm an American. Post later. Bye!

Sisters

This week I did not make it to my sister's house to do laundry as usual. She calls after I left 2 messages on her machine to tell me that her husband surprised her with a romantic dinner and they just got back, and she has a headache. Yeah, on a night they expect me to come over he surprises her with a night out to dinner. I smell fish. Since it was 8 at night I said that I would be right over so I get my laundry done. No, she has a headache and wants a quiet night at home tonight. I didn't realize I made so much noise. I ask if she doesn't want me to come over. Yes, she doesn't want me to come over, we want to go to bed soon because they are so tired. Sure, I can do my laundry here. I hate doing laundry at the apartments I live at because half the clothes are still wet when I take them out. I only wish she had brought this up before the laundry mats close. Bitch. Then she asks me about my Monday plans. Nothing happening Mondays. She asks me to babysit a Monday a few weeks from now. I said yes. I love to babysit. So I had to do my laundry here and hope the neighbors don't go to bed early so the washer and dryer running won't disturb them. Only half of my dark colored clothes were wet this time. The light colored clothes dried all the way through. I will see my sister Saturday when we go to the Tulip Festival. I can give her the Mother's Day card I got for her then. Post later. Bye!

Jailtime

It has happened again. My mechanic is jail for driving while barred. I found out from my mother. My mechanic is my second cousin. My mother asked me if his jailtime would set him straight. Um, no. I am guessing since he has not had a driver's license for 15 years according my my Dad's cousin and has been jail before for driving while suspended and drunk drinking, I do not believe he will suddenly see the light to be a reformed sinner. My mother agreed. We just hope our cars do not break down before he gets out. He is a good machanic. He once got so tired of fixing a junk car I had that he told my Dad to take it out into the country and shoot it. Only a honest mechanic would say that.

Then tonight I see a program about prison inmates finding love and getting groupies while on trial. How does a murderer sitting on death row find someone to marry them and I can not find a date anywhere? (freak at work does not count) I got my answer. Prisoners are charming and convince their lovers to do their bidding with mind control. Psycho women and men who fall in love with prisoners desire to rescue them. That is probably why I'm single. I am repulsed by people trying to rescue me and heartily reject anyone trying to control me.

I had a charming friend once and I stayed his friend because I saw through his lies (I paid attention to his behavior instead of what he said). Honesty is a good relationship builder. The connection I had with this snake charmer was that I noticed how withdrawn and quiet he was around his groupie friends who often formed a wall around him. I was much the same way, which is why he had to chase me down because I could not penetrate his wall of friends. I remember our first conversation. He asked why I didn't like him. I asked why he thought I didn't like him. He answered that I never he spoke to him. I said that I didn't know I was suppose to. That really confused him. Anyway, post later. Bye!

Poor puppy

Recently, a 5 month old puppy was super glued. The puppy's owner placed the puppy in the backyard and later heard the puppy cry. Every time she touched it, it cried. Somehow, the puppy was covered in super glue, fur, eyes glued shut, nostrils glued so it could not breathe, and glue poured into its ears. The news did not say how it was removed from its fur and eyes (surgery), but some glue attached to the ear drum was left in because the vet did not wish to damage the ear drum. Hopefully it will come out naturally. Poor puppy. Now the animal rescue league is offering $500 to find out who did this cruel action upon a helpless puppy. I will pray they find the person. In my opinion, I think it was a child who discovered the glue in a drawer and tested the effect upon an animal.
From my experience, adults kill animals they harm with sharp objects, teens throw rocks, kick, and sometimes set the animal on fire when harming animals, and children explore the effects of their actions like pulling tails or holding legs down, but often fail gripping the animal is in pain. The owner saw two teenagers running away when she came outside. I was close. I think those kids need therapy and probably have parents who deny their precious kid would ever do anything wrong. I had coworker once in an abusive relationship who could not figure out why her son kept tormenting the tiny bunny he and his sister saved at a bus stop (its tail had been bitten off). Gee, could it be the abusive boyfriend living with her? Some parents can't handle their kids's actions and live in denial. Post later. Bye!

Queer weather

I think Mother Nature is on drugs. We are getting the queerest weather I have ever seen. Ok, here winter is suppose to be cold and snowy and summer is suppose to be hot and humid. Spring and Fall serve as trasistion phases. This year we get spring weather in winter with days so nice one can jog in shorts and a sweatshirt. Winter finally came for a short period of time. Then spring came early despite the Groundhog's prediction with warm and wet weather just right for the flowers and grass. Then our current cool spell with very cloudy skies. The sun is burning somewhere in the universe, right? Fall is here with overnight freezes and snow in the morning. Minnesota got more snow this past week than we did. Did the north pole move? This is suppose to be the beginning of sunny warm weather. Where is it? The tulip festival in Pella likes cooler weather for the tulips so they will not be harmed. It is predicted to warm up at the end of the week. Good news to my ears. Summer might come after all. Let's hope. Post later. Bye!

Generosity

Be careful what you ask for, you might get it. I sure got it when I asked my oldest niece if she would like me to download some music for her. She emailed back after a week a list of 12 songs. Of course I bought them at 99 cents a piece (I did tell her the price of the songs) and burned them onto a cd for her. I was not expecting that many requests. I'm listening to her choices as I write this. She did pick a few songs I love. What happened to my baby? She used to listen to country music then worshipped Britney Spears and now she is stepping into my shoes with No Doubt, Queen, and a few rockers I never heard of, but then I am not a teenager. She is turning into ME. It's creepy.
Though I never figured out the big deal with Britney Spears. Probably the sexy outfits that attract boys make her so popular. In my opinion, I think she tries to hard to act like Madonna. The problem with using shock to gain attention is that eventually the shock wears off and all there is left is the music to fall back on. I bet that bum she married just wants to boost his own career by using her connections because he can't make it on his own. And what is with a Greatest Hits Album done at the beginning of a music career. Talk about self-serving. Most artists do Greatest Hits when they are beyond 30 or 40 towards to end of their careers. Anyway, post later. Bye!

Happy May Day

Happy May Day to my readers. Here in the middle of nowhere kids make May Day baskets from paper cups and pipe cleaners decorated with markers filled with candy and sometimes popcorn. Kids set the baskets on their friends' doorsteps knock or ring the doorbell and run away. If the receiver catches you, they kiss you. In the kid world, kisses from anyone who is not family is repulsive. The guy from Florida never heard of our May Day tradition, he said it must be a Midwest thing. Adults do not really celebrate May Day like kids do. I miss it. In college, I left candy baskets made from folded notebook paper for my friends. I asked about their baskets later so they knew it was from me. No kisses for me. My Thai roommate was so happy to receive hers. I always included her in my holiday gifts. I thought it rude and insensitive to exclude her just because she was not an American. Apparently, I was her only roommate that did that for her. I know I'm one of a kind. Most people prefer me that way. Post later. Bye!