I ran into Mayor Byron Brown and some political aide at the video store. It was a little awkward. He went a little too out of his way to hold the door open for me and was super polite, but in a disconnected way.
They wandered a bit around the front of the store looking at videos in this odd way that clearly indicated they weren't really interested in videos, but needed to pretend they were and then left as I finished checking out.
I laughed and told the clerk it was the most awkward scene I had ever witnessed and the clerk told me he comes every Friday night to CAMPAIGN!
If he was trying to look like the average joe browsing the video store in his fancy suit with a political aide - FAIL
If he was trying to engage people in his campaign by wandering around and not actually talking to anyone - BIG FAIL
And if he was actually trying to rent a video - REALLY BIG FAIL
Really, when I go to the video store, I want to rent a video, not run into Mayor Brown - no matter how nice and polite he is.
Janelle's Journal
My Podcast Link
06/11/2010 20:16 #51856
Political Fail06/09/2010 12:45 #51835
Kids and plasticWhen I read (e:Libertad)'s posts on plastic,
I meant to comment about my own frustrations in a similar area. With the kids came a whole lot of plastic and other cheap disposable items that just drive me nuts.
Any toy present from family/friends had a lot of plastic packaging and a lot of unnecessary packaging material period. We got a lovely firetruck set from my in-laws and I was astounded at the amount of plastic wrapping and cardboard packaging. When I first looked at the package, I thought it would be little more involved than opening a box and taking the truck out. But then I began to unwrap small parts covered in plastic, undo plastic ties, and pull apart cardboard packing. We also bought a few things for the kids when they first came and I was overwhelmed at the amount of packaging, plastic and otherwise, and I would have never guessed it was all in there from just looking at the box.
Foster son visits a fast food restaurant once a week as part of his special needs community based program (which is a WHOLE other issue) and gets a cheap plastic toy that he brings home and basically ignores.
Foster son and daughter both get cheap plastic things from their family during visits that are easily destroyed and some entirely ignored - leaving our house scattered with cheap plastic toys, that I can't just pitch because you need to be sensitive to the children in light of these gifts coming from their parents.
And apparently registering your child for PreK/K involves going from booth to booth and collecting paper coloring books and small plastic toys that, again, will be destroyed or ignored.
(e:drew) and I can make choices that eliminate bringing cheap plastic stuff into our house to an extent, but it's harder to control what happens outside of the house at school or with their family. And I do admit that I most definitely struggle with minimizing the "disposable" items and trying to reuse instead of buy new. With us both working and occupied with the kids when not working, trying to push forward with reuse, reduce, recycle gets difficult at time because it does take time and effort. But that leads into a whole other discussion down the road about lifestyle changes for (e:drew) and me.
I meant to comment about my own frustrations in a similar area. With the kids came a whole lot of plastic and other cheap disposable items that just drive me nuts.
Any toy present from family/friends had a lot of plastic packaging and a lot of unnecessary packaging material period. We got a lovely firetruck set from my in-laws and I was astounded at the amount of plastic wrapping and cardboard packaging. When I first looked at the package, I thought it would be little more involved than opening a box and taking the truck out. But then I began to unwrap small parts covered in plastic, undo plastic ties, and pull apart cardboard packing. We also bought a few things for the kids when they first came and I was overwhelmed at the amount of packaging, plastic and otherwise, and I would have never guessed it was all in there from just looking at the box.
Foster son visits a fast food restaurant once a week as part of his special needs community based program (which is a WHOLE other issue) and gets a cheap plastic toy that he brings home and basically ignores.
Foster son and daughter both get cheap plastic things from their family during visits that are easily destroyed and some entirely ignored - leaving our house scattered with cheap plastic toys, that I can't just pitch because you need to be sensitive to the children in light of these gifts coming from their parents.
And apparently registering your child for PreK/K involves going from booth to booth and collecting paper coloring books and small plastic toys that, again, will be destroyed or ignored.
(e:drew) and I can make choices that eliminate bringing cheap plastic stuff into our house to an extent, but it's harder to control what happens outside of the house at school or with their family. And I do admit that I most definitely struggle with minimizing the "disposable" items and trying to reuse instead of buy new. With us both working and occupied with the kids when not working, trying to push forward with reuse, reduce, recycle gets difficult at time because it does take time and effort. But that leads into a whole other discussion down the road about lifestyle changes for (e:drew) and me.
06/04/2010 08:35 #51796
Fear MongererA woman stopped by our house a few nights ago. She was scoping out the neighborhood in advance offering to install alarm systems for free in exchange for posting a company sign in the yard. An alarm system company from Canada moving into the Buffalo area.
At this point, I was ready to tell her to go away, but she was a good saleswoman and knew how to keep the spiel going so we couldn't end the conversation without being really rude. And I have to admit, Ii was curious where she was going to go next....
And she thoroughly satisfied my curiousity as the friendly tone turned into fear mongering. She painted images for us of burglars coming in through our windows and moving all of our possessions back out of them all without a peep from our neighbors...or the fire that was certain to come in an old house like ours with an outdated electrical system... and have we ever seen Backdraft? Because that's the type of fire that is quietly smoldering away inside our house. And well, she has her own testimony. Heat sensors saved her children from exploding in a fire. Well, no, not really exploding, but nonetheless saved them from being burned to a crisp.
We said goodbye and walked away and I said loudly to Drew, She's a fear mongerer, I hope no one in the neighborhood takes her up on this offer ... hopefully loud enough for her to hear. I get tired of explaining to people (mostly co-workers) that living in Buffalo doesn't mean we're constant victims of crime. And I'd hate to see these signs in people's yards reinforcing this concept that Buffalo is a scary place requiring extreme levels of security to live safely in one's home.
So, who's going to help me take down security signs in the middle of the night when they go up in the neighborhood?
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe."
Proverbs 29:25
At this point, I was ready to tell her to go away, but she was a good saleswoman and knew how to keep the spiel going so we couldn't end the conversation without being really rude. And I have to admit, Ii was curious where she was going to go next....
And she thoroughly satisfied my curiousity as the friendly tone turned into fear mongering. She painted images for us of burglars coming in through our windows and moving all of our possessions back out of them all without a peep from our neighbors...or the fire that was certain to come in an old house like ours with an outdated electrical system... and have we ever seen Backdraft? Because that's the type of fire that is quietly smoldering away inside our house. And well, she has her own testimony. Heat sensors saved her children from exploding in a fire. Well, no, not really exploding, but nonetheless saved them from being burned to a crisp.
We said goodbye and walked away and I said loudly to Drew, She's a fear mongerer, I hope no one in the neighborhood takes her up on this offer ... hopefully loud enough for her to hear. I get tired of explaining to people (mostly co-workers) that living in Buffalo doesn't mean we're constant victims of crime. And I'd hate to see these signs in people's yards reinforcing this concept that Buffalo is a scary place requiring extreme levels of security to live safely in one's home.
So, who's going to help me take down security signs in the middle of the night when they go up in the neighborhood?
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe."
Proverbs 29:25
drew - 06/06/10 08:18
I wanted to tell them that we were safe because we made friends with our neighbors, and thus have friends on both sides of the law.
I wanted to tell them that we were safe because we made friends with our neighbors, and thus have friends on both sides of the law.
tiburon1724 - 06/05/10 11:46
Was it by any chance APX?
They came to my door last summer, very similar spiel, conjuring up terrible thoughts....you're near the corner, there's a lot of rentals on the cross street...etc. I told 'em not interested. The people across the street however still have the sign in their yard.
Was it by any chance APX?
They came to my door last summer, very similar spiel, conjuring up terrible thoughts....you're near the corner, there's a lot of rentals on the cross street...etc. I told 'em not interested. The people across the street however still have the sign in their yard.
uncutsaniflush - 06/04/10 22:14
Ironically enough, the theft of the signs would reinforce and give credence to the alarm company's fear mongering characterisation of Buffalo as a theft-ridden place.
Ironically enough, the theft of the signs would reinforce and give credence to the alarm company's fear mongering characterisation of Buffalo as a theft-ridden place.
tinypliny - 06/04/10 20:28
hehehe - we could be the caped fear-absorbers.
hehehe - we could be the caped fear-absorbers.
metalpeter - 06/04/10 18:23
Here is my take:
1. It is a company from Canada because they don't need them there (ever seen bowling for columbine where Micheal More walks into someone's house it is to funny)
2. Maybe she has heard how the city is, and doesn't get that certain Areas are different from other certain areas.
3. Using Fear is a great tool and it really does work, if you don't go over the top with it. She used it the wrong way.
4. Hopefully nothing ever happens but, as someone's who place has been broken into, I like the idea of an alarm.
5. Sometimes the alarm sign will alone stop someone from breaking in, but some people just get the sign so it looks that way, so then the person decides to try it.
Here is my take:
1. It is a company from Canada because they don't need them there (ever seen bowling for columbine where Micheal More walks into someone's house it is to funny)
2. Maybe she has heard how the city is, and doesn't get that certain Areas are different from other certain areas.
3. Using Fear is a great tool and it really does work, if you don't go over the top with it. She used it the wrong way.
4. Hopefully nothing ever happens but, as someone's who place has been broken into, I like the idea of an alarm.
5. Sometimes the alarm sign will alone stop someone from breaking in, but some people just get the sign so it looks that way, so then the person decides to try it.
05/28/2010 09:52 #51744
The good and bad of surprisesA bad surprise on this past Wednesday was when I was driving down Amherst. I looked to the left and then forward and then slammed into the truck in front of me.
The nice surprise was that the neighbors in the area were so friendly and trying so hard to help I practically had to beat them off with a stick. Actually, replace "beat them off with a stick" with "assure them repeatedly that we were going to be alright".
I gratefully accepted all the bottles of water, but declined car rides and invitations into their homes. I knew the husband was coming very shortly to pick up the kids and the tow truck was coming very shortly to tow the car and I wanted to be waiting outside and be ready for as soon as they came.
I think I'm going to take a few seconds to write thank you notes this weekend and drop them off in their mailboxes.
The nice surprise was that the neighbors in the area were so friendly and trying so hard to help I practically had to beat them off with a stick. Actually, replace "beat them off with a stick" with "assure them repeatedly that we were going to be alright".
I gratefully accepted all the bottles of water, but declined car rides and invitations into their homes. I knew the husband was coming very shortly to pick up the kids and the tow truck was coming very shortly to tow the car and I wanted to be waiting outside and be ready for as soon as they came.
I think I'm going to take a few seconds to write thank you notes this weekend and drop them off in their mailboxes.
paul - 05/28/10 14:37
It's always nice to hear nice stories like that. Well not the accident but the friendly people part.
It's always nice to hear nice stories like that. Well not the accident but the friendly people part.
05/05/2010 12:09 #51508
Laugh of the DayI thought this way funny, so I'm going to share this intro to an article on small child morality from the NY Times magazine
[box]Not long ago, a team of researchers watched a 1-year-old boy take justice into his own hands. The boy had just seen a puppet show in which one puppet played with a ball while interacting with two other puppets. The center puppet would slide the ball to the puppet on the right, who would pass it back. And the center puppet would slide the ball to the puppet on the left . . . who would run away with it. Then the two puppets on the ends were brought down from the stage and set before the toddler. Each was placed next to a pile of treats. At this point, the toddler was asked to take a treat away from one puppet. Like most children in this situation, the boy took it from the pile of the “naughty†one. But this punishment wasn’t enough ��" he then leaned over and smacked the puppet in the head. [/box]
[box]Not long ago, a team of researchers watched a 1-year-old boy take justice into his own hands. The boy had just seen a puppet show in which one puppet played with a ball while interacting with two other puppets. The center puppet would slide the ball to the puppet on the right, who would pass it back. And the center puppet would slide the ball to the puppet on the left . . . who would run away with it. Then the two puppets on the ends were brought down from the stage and set before the toddler. Each was placed next to a pile of treats. At this point, the toddler was asked to take a treat away from one puppet. Like most children in this situation, the boy took it from the pile of the “naughty†one. But this punishment wasn’t enough ��" he then leaned over and smacked the puppet in the head. [/box]
metalpeter - 05/07/10 16:44
some how my Comment got lost, sent the post it so hopefully it gets added to here. I did read all 7 pages of it and it was pretty good, not that I really agreed with it all but.................
some how my Comment got lost, sent the post it so hopefully it gets added to here. I did read all 7 pages of it and it was pretty good, not that I really agreed with it all but.................
metalpeter - 05/05/10 18:44
Yes I read all 7 pages and it was very good but I kinda disagree with it.
I know studies can't cover everything but there are two things that they didn't cover that they should have to prove their point. Babies copy a lot of things. For example (just with the niece) she learned keys go in the door and the car with out ever being told. She heard the word moon in one book and got another book with it in the tittle. I don't see her that often. But that makes. Before Babies figure out how to move they see everything and look at everything and I think copying things is part of learning things and it is true with words. So in other words some of this could be copying these ideas that people don't even know they are teaching
The second Part that I have trouble with this is that again babies learn a lot. They can also sense emotion like the paper said and I agree with that so if that is true that could also effect morals.
The Point I'm getting to is that I think by 6 months they very well could have been taught morals. I know it seems short but think about how long 6 months was when you where a kid not to mention a Baby.
What I wonder about myself is what about instincts. For example how does a baby know how to drink the 1st time? No one showed. So is that instinct that is wired with like wild animals. Or is it something learned when in the whom. Their are people who do think that what goes with the women the baby does go through that. That is why people play classical music and things like that. If that is true then that is even more time to learn morals and what is right or wrong.
In any event it is very interesting.
Yes I read all 7 pages and it was very good but I kinda disagree with it.
I know studies can't cover everything but there are two things that they didn't cover that they should have to prove their point. Babies copy a lot of things. For example (just with the niece) she learned keys go in the door and the car with out ever being told. She heard the word moon in one book and got another book with it in the tittle. I don't see her that often. But that makes. Before Babies figure out how to move they see everything and look at everything and I think copying things is part of learning things and it is true with words. So in other words some of this could be copying these ideas that people don't even know they are teaching
The second Part that I have trouble with this is that again babies learn a lot. They can also sense emotion like the paper said and I agree with that so if that is true that could also effect morals.
The Point I'm getting to is that I think by 6 months they very well could have been taught morals. I know it seems short but think about how long 6 months was when you where a kid not to mention a Baby.
What I wonder about myself is what about instincts. For example how does a baby know how to drink the 1st time? No one showed. So is that instinct that is wired with like wild animals. Or is it something learned when in the whom. Their are people who do think that what goes with the women the baby does go through that. That is why people play classical music and things like that. If that is true then that is even more time to learn morals and what is right or wrong.
In any event it is very interesting.
james - 05/05/10 14:13
Ha ha!
Ha ha!
When I've helped A's nieces & nephews with xmas toys, I've been appalled by the amount of packaging and waste. So many little needless twist ties or zip ties - the kids can't even open their own toys and I needed a knife.
Jill's trying out compostable diapers with Bodhi. :::link:::
It is all very frustrating. You really can only do so much without being a crazy spaz about it. What are you going to do, short of rejecting gifts that were given to your children?
I'm still struggling with my own plastic usage. Again, my worst offenses are at work. I'm not packing my lunches even though I know I should. I do at least try to limit my plastic intake at work. For example, today I got some tacos which came with two sides. You can choose either a non-recyclable plastic shell or a styromfoam plate, both about equally offensive and damaging. I chose the plastic shell but then they attempted to put in styrofoam bowls inside the plastic shell so my sides wouldn't touch my other food. It was so insane and unnecessary.
I kinda wonder if I had a baby if I would use disposable or not. I'm sure I would at least try it and maybe use disposable when I was particularly busy. I definitely don't condemn people for using disposable because I know it is hard to raise children especially when both parents work most of the time. I think my parents used cloth though.